The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1889-07-03
FATHER DAMIEN.


the labors of Father Damien. An
influential committee, including the
Archbishop of Canterbury, the
Bishop of London, Cardinal Man
ming, DR.. Sturgeon, Gladstone
Morley and Lord Randolph Church
i'll, has been named The object is
the erection of a monument over
Father Damien's grave at Molokal,
and the construction of leper ward
in the Hospital for Skin Diseases
The London committee will also IN
stitute full inquiry into leprosy IN
India.
At meeting held in London, the
Prince of Wales presiding, it was re-
solved to erect memorial OF the late
Father Damien, who devoted the last
wears of his life to the care of lepers
at the Sandwich Islands. The me-
mortal will be erected at Molokal.
It was also decided to construct
leper ward in London, where the
study of leprosy will be encouraged.
Speaking on this subject, the San
Francisco Examiner says: Ihe
movement to erect monument over
the grave Of Father Damien at Molo-
kai is timely and it's non-sectarlan
character thoroughly commendable.
There is no sect in heroism, and one
NAV look through all the pages OF
history without finding SO grand
bravery as that displayed by the
simple hearted priest, who went
cheerfully to loathsome death that
the outcasts of society might receive
the consultations of religion. Men
have been canonized for far less
purity of life and fewer evidences. OF
lofty self-abnegation. The good
mans life is his best monument, but
human kind should show it's appre-
citation of his magnificent courage IN
order that others may be encouraged
to deeds of benevolent daring. 1t
is only to be regretted that the
monument fund was not started IN
San Francisco instead of far away
| London. It does not speak we'll for
our appreciation of heroism when
the heartiest commentator Of our
men of iron at Samoa came from the
English press and when London
must needs begin the erection of
monument to this gentle, kindly
Christian martyr who gave his life
that others might be saved"
The San Francisco Call says: "One
of the most pleasing items Of news
from Europe is the announcement
that the Archbishop of Canterbury,
Cardinal Manning and the Prince of
Wales have started movement for
the erection of a monument to Father
Damien, who lately died Of leprosy
on the island of Molokai Careful
readers of the Call will remember
the story of this devoted priest; how,
when his church called for volun-
teer to serve on the leper island, in
order that the wretched sufferers
from that disease should not perish
without the consultations of religion,
he offered to undertake the duty,
well knowing that he would sacrifice
his life within few years, and that
he would die a cruel and horrible
death far away from those he loved !;
how he intrepidly stepped ashore on
the island which, according to the
law, he never could leave again, and
how, as he expected, within ten
years he paid the penalty of his
heroism with the life he had devoted
to the noblest use.
ct is now proposed to raise q
monument to him. The enterprise
appeals to the highest instincts of
humanity. It is so noble that in
England its contemplation has eff
faced sectarian prejudice and the
Archbishop of Canterbury and the
Prince of Wales join hands with
Cardinal Manning in furthering the
work. There are situations in whose
presence all denominations are as
one. It would have been credit to
this city if the idea of raising mo-
nument to the hero had originated
here
"The dispatch says that it is pro-
posed to erect the monument over
his grave. If we are not mistaken
he was buried on the leper island OF
Molokai; and the law of Hawaii
would oppose obstacles to the land
ing of masons on that island. 1t
would not be prudent to gather a
crowd there to inaugurate any
monument. But there would be no
incongruity in erecting a pillar in
honor of Damien in conspicuous
part of Honolulu.
"It is believed by some persons
that leprosy will die out by the be
ginning of the next century. It still
fingers in Japan, China, Persia, East
India, Asia Minor, on some of the
Mediterranean islands and in the
Hawaiian islands. But though no
treatment has yet been discovered
which will insure cure, it is disap-
pearing, no one knows why. Several
of the old leper houses in Southern
Europe and Western Asia are occu-
pied as inns, and there is not leper
to be found in the vicinity. The old
vigorous rules for the isolation of
lepers are enforced nowhere except
in Hawaii. 1t would be poetic and
appropriate if the disappearance of
this terrible scourge, which afflicted
mankind for three thousand years or
more, should be COMMUNICATED
hereafter by an enduring memorial