The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-12
THE STORY or FATHER DAMIEN.

From the New York Evening Post.
In tho May number OF Longudn's Mega.
sins Mr.. Archibald Ballantyne reports the
present results Of tho heroic Father Da.
micn's work in his eli-imposed exile among
the Sandwich Island lcpcrs Of Molokai. All
persons afflicted with loprosy in the
Hawaiian Islands arc deported, under
most strict and vigiant supervision
Of the Government, 10 Molokai, one
OF the smallest OF tho group,
where formerly their condition, physical,
moral, and spiritual, was simply horrible.
But In 1878 young Belgian Roman
Catholic priest, who had been a missionary
In Hawaii, resolved 10 devote himself 10 the
service OF these wretched people. This was
Father Damien. the Rev. ]. Damien dc
Veuster-of whom one is inclined TO
say, In ancient phrase, ''the world
WIS not worthy" lilo was then but
thirty.thrce years old, In robust health,
a man Of education and refinement, and
with every prospect OF advancement In his
profession. All these great professions"
he gave up, accepting for himself In their
stead Punishment among fnghtful scenes,
aud certainty Of the lcpcr's awful suffer.
ings and death. lie worked for eleven
years In health, but In 1884 lac showed un-
misiakable signs Of lcprosy. Writing to a
friend in 1885, lac says
Having no doubt OF the real character Of
my disease. feel calm. resigned, and
happier among my people. Almighty
God knows what Ii best for my sanctiiica-
ton, and with that conviction say daily
good Fiat volunias TuA Please pray for
your afflicted friend, and recommend mo
and my unhappy people 10 all servants Of
the Lord.
Since then Father Damlcn's disease has
made great advances, but still no lives and
works. The result OF his labors has been 20
effect a revolution In the stricken society.
lilo has been their doctor. nurse, carpcn-
ter, schoolmaster. magistrate, painter, gar
dener, cook, sometimes even their under.
inkcr and grayedigger." When he reached
Molokai, "the miserable condition OF tho
settlement gave Il tho name Of a living
graveyard" In their miserable grass huis
were living poll-mell, without distinction
OF ages or sex. old or new cases, all more
or less strangers 10 one another. These I'M
fortunate ouicasts OF society. They passed
their time In playing cards, hula native
danccs), drinking fcTmenied ki-root beer,
home made alcohol aud with the scquels
Of all this" Ills first discovery was that
the temporal wants Of his people were ~
great a. their spiritual needs, aud that II
he was " do any good TO their souls, no
must frs, OF all do what he could for their
bodies. The reform Of temporal condi-
tons, which involved Government inter.
ycnlion, was secured only through great
delays, difficulties, aud yexaiiong but
Father Damien's patience and diligence
oycrcamo all obstacles. Mr.. Ballantyne
says
What wonderful change this devoted
man has worked everywhere in this abas-
doned islct When hrst he reached II the
lcpcr were IN a state Of the most terrible
degradation. "ln this place there "a no
law, :" was the saying current among them;
Though the other Hawaiian islands had
abolished idolatry and adopted Christian
ity. In Molokai-wherc there was no mis-
sionary, no priest--tho old paganism
and all lis horrible consequence.
rcignod supreme. To make bad
worse, the people had discovered