Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1895-09-06
THE COMPULSORY CLoSISG or
CHURCHES.

yesterday of the Board of Health
that the notice first published on
Wednesday evening, prohibiting
the assembling of people in large
numbers, is to be understood as
interdicting public worship in the
churches, l ask your permission
once more to give expression to
the grave and serious aspect that
such interdict wears in the mind
not only of myself but of large
number in this city.
First, let me state that on read
ing the notice in the Wednesday
evening papers prohibiting large
gatherings, it seemed to me that
there could be no violation of
either the spirit or letter of the
order by allowing our usual We'd
nesday evening service, both in
st. Andrews Cathedral and st.
Peters Chapel, to proceed, as no
large number was likely to at
tend. The services were accord
ingly held, that in the Cathedral
being followed by choir practice.
That this was interrupted by a
visitation from the Sheriff of Maui
is already known. But it has not
yet been published that his visit
was preceded by the appearance
on the scene of two spies-one a
downright hypocrite, who, feign-
ing himself stranger, expressed
his regret that he was late for the
service. But he and the other are
both we'll known. L mention this
to show the way in which govern
ment is carried on.
In consequence Of the visit of
the police, wrote a
courteous note to Mr.. Smith
asking for an explanation of what
appeared to me very uncalled
for interference on the part of the
officers of the law, who, l sup
posed, had misconstrued the
order of the Board. At the same
time | assured him that the Off
GERS of the Cathedral would glad
ly carry out any regulation that
the Board might see fit to make
for public assemblies, and con-
cluded with the hope that there
would be no further interference
with public worship, Mr.. Smith
replied by inviting me to attend
the meeting of the Board. 1
hoped when the question came
up that the Board would consider
by what regulation or Limitation
public worship might continue to
be held without any danger to
the public health. Instead of
this, all that was asked for was
the endorsement by those present
of the sction of the Board. There
was no disposition to look into
the merits of the position. All
that | could do was to beg of the
Board not to prohibit public
worship altogether. They could
rely on the cooperation of the
Cathedral, and L had no doubt of
the officers of the other churches
in carrying out any regulation or
limitation they might make re-
garding numbers attending any
service, but, L said, Don't close
the churches. 1t was in vain
Now, sir, admitting that occasions
may arise, though l am not ac-
quainted with any instance Of
such occasion ever having arisen
in any country,whe in the interests
of the public health. the civil
authorities would be justified in
suspending all public recognition
of the Supreme Being in city
the question now is has such a
moment arrived in this city of
Honolulu ? At the meeting on
Thursday, the President appealed
to the public-for it was regarded
as a public meeting-to endorse
the action of the Board. But the
public was not there. Those
present were chiefly govern ment
officials and medical men. Are
the merchants of this city, which
has hitherto been regarded as
God fearing city, willing that an
other Sunday shall pass without
aN s. 4