The Irish standard., 1890-08-16


IEulOc ON "A ! DAMIEN
Isl Continued From j irst Page.)s b
the lapers do not suffer severe pain and
the average length OF life at Mol okai is
about four years. at the end of which
time the disease generally attacks some
vital organ. One sees the people sitting
chatting at their cottage doors, pound.
ing the taro root, to make ii into their
favorite food poi, or galloping on their
little pon1esmen and women alike
astr1de between the two villages. And
one always receives the ready greet
ing and the reader smile. It would un-
doubtedly he great treat to heart and
nerve to live Molokai as eight noble
Juen and women have elected to do for
Christ's sake. / found it very distress
ing during only fourteen days to see
none but lepers, and it often came with
a specially painful shock to find child
Of ten with a face that looked as II it.
might belong to man of fifty. But I
had gone to Molokai expecting to find
it scarcely less dreadful than hell itself
and the cheerful people, the lovely land
scape, aDd the comparatively painless
life were all surprises. Gods care is
surely over all his children, and sooner
or later the darkest horrors reveal d.
vine wisdom and law
Father Damien caught the infection
Of leprosy in 1883. after living ten years
on the island. just before his death
year ago. Mr.. Edward Clifford.
wealthy Engllshman who believed that
partial remedy for the disease had
been discovered in the Gurjun oil,
started to Molokai with supply of that
medicine and also large number Of
presents from Christians of every shade
Of opinion. Mr.. Clifford describes Faith.
er Damien as thick. set, strongly built
man with black curly hair and short
beard turning gray. His face must
have been rather handsome. with full.
we'll curved mouth and short straight
nose. but he was good deal disfigured
by leprosy, though not so badly as to
make 1t anything but pleasure to look
at his bright, sensible face. His fore
head was swollen and ridRed, the eye
brows gone and bis nose somewhat
SUNK In his conversation with Mr..
Clifford he said, II would not be cured
if Jhe price of my cure was that must
leave the island and give up my work.
A lady wrote to him. you have given
up all earthly things to serve God and I
believe YOU must have now that JOY
that nothing can take from you. and a
great reward hereafter.'' Tell her"
said Father Damien THAT it is true, I
do have that joy now" Among the pres.
ents brought to Father Damien by Mr..
Clifford Were several gifts of money. a
load Of valuable paintings, magic Lam
terms and an organ. Mr.. Clifford adds,
He seldom talked of himself except in
answer to questions, and he had always
about him the simplicity Of great man
clothed with humility. He was not a
sentimental kind of man and T was
therefore the more pleased that he gave
me little card of flowers from Jerusa-
lem, and wrote on 1t, ITO Edward Cliff
ford, from his leper friend, j. Damien
He also wrote in my bible the words,
II was sick and We visited me.'' told
him all the names Of the friends who
had given me presents for him, and he
asked questions and was evidently
touched and happily surprised that
English Professionals should love him.
think that in the last few weeks he had
himself begun to feel the desire for Par.
ad!se quickened, as the WEAKNESS of the
flesh grew heavier. Almost the last
words he wrote to me were: my love
and good wishes to good friend Ed
ward. try to make slowly my way Of
the cross, and hope soon to be on top Of
my GolgoJha." Of course feel glad
and thankful that I wrs permitted to go
to him. For it was great cheer to him
to find how much we in England cared
for him and loved him and he and had
always great pleasure IN each others
company. Some Of my happiest times
at Molokai were spent in the little bal
cony Of his house, shaded by honey
suckle in bic ssom, sketching portrait
of him and listening to what he said.
Sometimes Isang hymns to him-among
others. '*Brief life is here our portion
Art thou weary, art thou languid? and
Safe Home in PORT" The lepers often
came up to watch my progress. and it
was pleasant to see no v happy aud at
home they were. Their poor faces were
often swelled and drawn and distorted,
with blood shot google eyes, but felt
less horror than I expected at their