The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1890-03-10
SISTER GERTRUDE,
Modest claims for Ser MISSION
she Comes TO Nurse the sirk.

of the Dudoit Cottage responded to
the salutation of the BuLLErIN re-
preventative this morning. SO many
accounts of the personal appearance
of Sister Rose Gertrude have been
published that further similar mcm-
ton is unnecessary. In n quiet
manner, at times eloquent with reli-
gious animation and enthusiasm. the
sister told her story. She is greatly
disturbed by the notoriety which AT
tends tie consecia'ion of her life TO
this work. Long ago the noble eX-
ample of Father Damien had flied
her with desire to devote her life
to the alienation of lil'ering. About
seven years since she formed the
resolution to come to Hawaii in the
capacity of nurse. Accordingly
she went through u course of pre-
paration to fit her for her duties.
In reply TO a few questions con-
corning her religions convictions and
professions, the sister stated that
she is Il Roman Catholic. She is n
member of the Third Order of the
Order of st. Dominic. This does
not constitute her u member of the
sistcrhood as generally understood.
She is neither restricted to n cloistcr
nor restrained in the matter of
costume. Her obligations do not
impose retirement from the world.
She is still of the world though con-
secrated to particular work. She
is ut liberty to mingle socially with
others so that her design is not lost
sight o.. All the religious observ-
anccs imposed by the church apply
to her. She is not limited in her
mode of travel as sisters are and has
committed no breach of rules and
obligations in travelling without the
escort of sisters. Her mission has
the sanction and blessing of the
church.
Sister Rose Gertrude is excess
sively annoyed at the sensational
prominence given TO her mission by
English and American papers. She
attributes it to the kind recognition
of the Prince of Wales. She has
not come with the design of making
scientific tests and experiments.
She is engaged by the Board of
Health as u nurse, and will make no
experiments and introduce no inno-
vations unless under medical direc.
ton. She has made n study of
| Pastcur's theories to fit her more
| fully for the duties Of nurse and not
for the purpose of inaugurating fresh
methods of dealing with the scourge
of leprosy.
In regard to whether she would
locate at KaIihi or Kaawao the
sister said she is ut the disposition
of the Board. She came with the
expectation of being assigned TO
Kalawao and has no desire to finch
from the ordeal in store. She has
fully counted the cost of separation
from the world and the lonely life
at the leper settlement has no terrOrs
for her. She requested the BULLE-
TIN to deny the Advertisers state
ment that she is accompanied by a
lady correspondent TO report her in
stallation. Her installation is n
quiet matter Of business with the
Board of Heath and the lady in
question simply represents q news
paper. Her arrival at the same
time with the sister is simply Il coin
cidcncc and has no other signiii-
cance.
The sister has in her possession
many presents for the lcpers from
wealthy people in England. There
is widespread feeling of interest
in that country on the subject Of
leprosy which engages nobility and
middle class alike. According to
the Examiner liberal responses to the
appeals of Sister Rose Gertrude were
made by Americans at New York
the donations ranging through every
form of clothing and even including
sums Of money. The arrival o.
Miss Fowler naturally recalls thu
offer of Miss Nellie Slavin TO devote
her life to the same work. Miss
Slavin offered her services to Fathe
Damien direct, who referred the mat
ter with his warm endorsement tC
the Bishop of Olba. The Hawaiian
Government declined the PROPOSE
ton pending arrangements for ;
colony of the ssterhOod on MolOkai
Nothing daunted Miss Slavin EN-
barked from Liverpool with the in
tcntion of becoming member o
the Franciscan Order at Syracuse
New York. Her age proved to be
bar to her candidacy and she gave
up the design of exile and devoted
herself to lecturng on Father Da
mien.
THE SISTER ASSIGNED.
From the President of the Boar
of Health it is learned that Sistc
Rose Gertrude has been assigned t.
assist DR.. Lutz in the prosecution @
his researches and experiments i
) the treatment of leprosy at the Ia
lihi Receiving Hospital. A nca
cottage will be erected for her occu
pancy on the suspect side of til
: grounds. Sister Rose will distribut
portion of the presents resulting
from fOrpion generosity ut the ka