The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1890-12-10
A Pilgrims observations.

Mr.. EDITOR: Sometimes it happens
that an outsider sees things from point
Of view different from that of the per-
manent resident, and hence | venture TO
commit to paper my impressions of one
circumstance of Honolulu life. do so
purely from an outside position and
hesitate, lest | should be thought as one
OF those who venture where angels
would surely decline to interfere.
The other evening. having just landed
in Honolulu, and wishing to render my
vows after a long voyage, l attended
service in st. Andrews Cathedral.
There was choir of boys who, by the
way, were vainly trying to sing hymn
about three notes above the range OF
their notes.-the organ sounded as If all
the insides had dropt out and nothing re-
manned but the higher and more pierre
ing pipes OF the instrument. In the
nave saw school OF boys; and further
L noticed the Right Reverend the Bishop
and the member or members q forget
which, of his Immediate household. AS
| had no connection with the school L
felt almost as il | were intruding upon
the privacy of his lordship's family devo-
tons, and would fain have retired but
that any movement in an empty church
| reverberates with such embarrassing
volume of sound that judged it better
| to be regarded as an intruder rather than
| incur censure as breaker OF that peace
| which in this case seemed to pass under
| standing. On more than one occasion
since that night have | attended what Is
known as the first congregation service.
| And have discovered that the members
OF this little band make up in zeal and
regular attendance what they lose IN
point of numbers. l suppose they feel
an obligation of loyal attendance, for II
one should absent herself the cathedral
congregation would be reduced 1873 II
not 80 per cent of all its strength iexcep-
ting the SCHOOL,. | wish distinctly tC
say that my visit was on the Sabbath.
1t occurred to me to visit the Second
| Congregation service, and l found 6
different state of things; to be sure the
church was not crowded, but there was
a good and numerous attendance. The
music was excellent, | scarcely recog
nized the organ, and, If the clergyman
will permit a mere layman to pass judg
IilcDI OII iCeiuii'E5 III VIC NOSA
will congratulate him thereon. l hav,
rarely heard the inspired text read will
better emphasis = with such distinc
enunciation, or with what, for want of
better word, l will call sympathy"
l have gathered from member OF thi
congregation, which is absolutely tn
only one in existence, that the Bisho
J contemplates revolution in the hours
divine service, and that the school Chi
dren and the q household of faith" ar
to meet for family prayers at l1-whil
the faithful of the parish are to hol
divine service at an early hour. Now
sir, it does seem to me that this is one {
) the most ridiculous moves | have eve
heard Of Eleven o'clock is the recos
nized hour all over the world for til
regular Sunday choral service, and
think the members of the Anglican con-
g munity in Honolulu will have cause fe
T indignant remonstrance if pique or spit
or the convenience of a handful of scho'
boys is to interfere with their Sunday
and their rights established by lonl
standing precedent. Yours very faitf
1 ully A PILGRIM.