The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1889-07-09
FATHER DAMIEN.
A Monument to be Erected to the
Christian Hero at MolOkai.'

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 Molokai,
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 a memorial of the late
Father Damien, who devoted the last
years of his life to the care of lepers
at the Sandwich Islands. The me-
mortal will be erected at Molokai.
1t 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: The
movement to erect monument over
the grave of Father Damien at Molo-
kai is timely and its non-sectarian
character thoroughly commendable.
There is no sect in heroism, and one
may look through all the pages of
history without finding so grand a
bravery as that displayed by the
supplemented 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 its 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 ar-away |
London. 1t 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 a
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 a movement for
the erection of 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,
we'll knowing that he would sacrifice
lis life within a few years, and that
le would die cruel and horrible
leath far away from those he loved;
low he intrepidly stepped ashore on
he island which, according to the
aw, he never could leave again, and
low, as he expected, within ten
ears he paid the penalty of his
leroism with the life he had devoted
0 the noblest use.
ut is now proposed to raise
nonument to him. The enterprise
ppeals to the highest instincts of
1t is SO noble that in
England its contemplation has eff
aced sectarian prejudice and the
of Canterbury and the
'rince of Wales join hands with 4
cardinal Manning in furthering the Z
.ork. There are situations in whose
resence all denominations are as N
ne. 1t would have been credit to Y
lis city if the idea of raising a mo-
ument had originated here.
"The dispatch says that it is pro-
osed to erect the monument over
is grave. If we are not mistaken
3 was buried on the leper island of
-olokai; and the law of Hawaii
ould oppose obstacles to the land
g of masons on that island. 1t
ould not be prudent to gather
owd there to inaugurate any
But there would be no
congruity in erecting pillar in
,nor of Damien in a conspicuous
lrt of Honolulu.
at is believed by some persons
at leprosy will die out by the be
ming of the next century. 1t still
lgers in Japan, China, Persia, East
dia, Asia Minor, on some of the
editerranean islands and in the
awaiian islands. But though no
has yet been discovered
lich will insure a cure, it is disap-
airing, no one knows why. Several 9
the old leper houses in Southern u
rope and Western Asia are occu- s.
ed as inns, and there is not leper d
be found in the vicinity. The old g
yorous rules for the isolation of q
)ers are enforced nowhere except =
Hawaii 1t would be poetic and
if the disappearance of 4
S terrible scourge, which afflicted !
.nkind for three thousand years or
re, should be commemorated
reafter by an enduring memorial
the latest of the Christian 10 artyrs."
The Chronicle says: "The deci-
n to erect at Molokai the monu-
mt to Father Damien ought to be
Used. Whatever form the memo
tokoe # shOnld NOT stand in tbio