The Daily bulletin., 1893-09-12

NlOu tuS SuutCu duluOTllleS Iudt ile
might be sent hither in his brothers
stead. His wish was granted and
he arrived at these islands on March
Is, 1864, and cheerfully commenced
the life of toll and privation which
the servants of the Church ever en-
dure. In 1873, while attending the
dedication of the church at Wal
Iuku by the late Bishop Maigret, he
heard him express regret that the
few priests then in the mission
would not allow of one OF their num-
Der being sent to Molokai. THE
harvest was plenteous, the laborers
we're few." The condition of this
colony at that time touched Father
Damien's noble heart and on his
knees he besought the venerable
Bishop for permission to come here
and help the unfortunates in their
Easter duties. His prayer was
granted, and from that time until
| his death his best efforts we're freely
gwen to those in exile here.
The commencement of his work
can best be told by using his own
words taken from report written
to the Board of Health in 1885:
"'By special Providence of Our
Divine Lord who during His public
life showed particular sympathy
for the lepers my way was traced to-
wards Kalawao in May, A. D. 1873.
was then 33 years Of age, enjoying
robust health-Lunalilo at that time
being King of the Islands, and His
Excellency E. o. Hall, President Of
the Board Of Health
Thus began among you the life
work of man whose name will go
down to posterty honored and
praised in every land and in every
tongue. A humble servant of the
Catholic Church, a noble Christian
martyr, his best efforts and finally
his life were freely given to the task
Of solacing both spiritually and
physically those that are compelled
to dwell in this valley. How appro-
pirate therefore are the words in
scribed on this stone by his English
admirers, Greater love hath no
man than this, that man lay down
his life for his friends
"A wise man has said. 'Seest thou
a man that is diligent in his busi-
ness, he shall stand before kings"
This mans diligence in work OF
charity and selr-sacrifice was not in
expectation of sovereign honors.
Far from home and kindred, in a
strange land, among people of an
other race in direst affliction, he
labored faithfully caring naught for
the plaudit of men or the praise of
the world, until at last he too be-
came sufferer in your atfliction and
quietly sank TO rest in this valley
But his name and lifework have be-
come the theme of kings and rulers
everywhere and the grave of the
humble priest of kalawao has be,
come shrine towards which the
thought Of millions turn in admira.
ton and homage.
"'Kindness to all, charity to the
needy, sympathizing hand to the
suffering and dying, in conjunction
with solid religious instruction to
my listeners have been my constan,
means TO introduce moral habits,
we're the late Fathers simple word:
describing his daily methods while
among you. In the Great Book O
Record they will be inscribed il
letters of living light.
Though death has crowned life
OF noble selfsacritice and the worlc
honors his name in bronze anC
marble, yet he will live longest in the
great heart Of humanity for whose
sake he died.
II leave this beautiful work of art
in your keeping. Guard it for the
sake of him whom it honors, in the
uame of the Church he so faithful,
served. Treasure it as message o
comfort that has come to you acros:
, two oceans from great and powerful
friends as token of sympathy, {
promise of aid In the dark hours
of attliction may the work of thu
skilled artist inspire you with th'
hope that Arts herald angel frs
sang to sin darkeued world:
, "'The curse a blessing shall b'
found"
After his effective delivery of the
address in English Mr.. Stiles ad
dressed the Hawaiian assembly il
, their own tongue, which touched al
hearers and brought tears to tht
: eyes of many. The veil was the,
drawn from the cross by Mr.. Stiles
, and the cross was exposed to the eye
!, of the stricken people aud thei
friends. Aflerward the Bishop o
+ Panopolis approached him and spok
as follows:
Mr.. Stiles: In the name of th
+ Catholic Mission, | accept this beau
: liful monument, sent here by com
2 mittee of English people, presided
!, over by His Royal Highness tn
G Prince Of Wales and erected by tn
Hawaiian Government. | beg yov
t to convey my heartfelt thanks t.
: both His Royal Highness the Prime
n of Wales and the Hawaiian Govern
5 ment for their appreciation of tn
/ good deeds of good Father Damien
e | knew him very well because spen
e the five first years Of my missionar
u life with him and was present whe
/ he knelt down and asked Rt. Re,
Y Bishop Maigret to grant him leav
J. to come here and spend his life 70
y the consolation of these poor Athlete
t ones. So of him and of the Father
e and Sisters now living here, we ca
: truly repeat the words engraved o
: this monument, "Greater love hat
M man tban hic tInf ,,Na,, la