The Arizona sentinel., 1896-03-07

the churches and Sunday-SchO k similar to such services in the United States on Christmas Day. The native churches had their Chri tmas tree. the different Americans and the European churches their trees and ap propriate ceremonies The Chinese and Japanese Chri,tian churches, in imitation of their white brothers, also hae Christmas trees and devotional services.
 I attended the Japanese NJ. E Church Christmas tree. The hall in which the services were conducted was beautifully decorated with a large fern tree in one corner, ornamented with candles and tinsel paper, and loaded with pretty presents. The entertainment began by singing by the Japanese. The music was fa- miliar but the words were not. Then K. Kahasaki, one of the Japanese workers, read chapter from the Bible in his own language. This was follow ed by prayer from s. Nishi, an open ing address by A. Iwamoto, a hymn, "Yes Jesus Loves Me-" by seven Japa- nese boys; this followed by recitations in Japanese and English by several little boys. H. Nakano, a boy not over twelve or fourteen years of age delivered an address in English to the Americans present, which might have done credit to one much more advanc- ed in years.
 After the benediction came the presentation of gifts. This was novel, amusing, and expensive to a cOngre- gation as small and poor as the Japa- nese, as in addition to the special gifts on the Christmas tree for individual friends, they provided gifts for visitors and all, and the house was we'll crowd ed with visitors. The pastor of the church, Rev. H. Kihara, delivered an address to his people in Japanese, and he was followed by Rev. H. w. Peck, of the Methodist church. Then four young Japanese went through the audience and distributed little rolls of paper about the size Of a pipe-stem. When unrolled each paper was found to have a number on 1t, there beIng a corresponding number on each pack age brought for distribution. Some of the presents were quite costly and others cheap. The calling off ofnum- berS of packages and distribution oi presents caused quite little ffutter of excitement, as there was consider able incongruity in the directions they went, many grown men drawing tin horns or sewing baskts, while some ladies received cavalry spurs. My prize was a set of doll dishes, while Mrs. Jenkins, from New York, who was on her way on missionary tour to Japan, drew boys sword. I ask her if she proposed to take Japan with the sword in the way Mah0met estab- lished his faith
 Hawaiia is truly a missionary coun- try. Tho influence of the missionary is felt on the streets, in the stores, shops, and offices. As consequence Christmas is holiday almost as sacredly kept as the Sabbath, and have never been in any land where the Sabbath was so sacredly observed |. Honolulu has saloons, but there is little visible drunkenness. I don't re- member having seen any man under the influence of liquor, except a few sailors. The enemIes of the present government contemptuously call it the missionary government" because most of the officials and heads of de- partments are the sons of mission aries.
 During the latter part of Christmas week rumor got abroad that Presi- dent Dole was going to begin the new year by granting free and full par don to all the remaining political pris- oners. He had pardoned seven on Thanksgiving Day, but eight of those who had been the most dangerous re- bels Tn the outbreak of January, 1895, still remained on "The Reefs," as the prison here is callt d.
 The rumOr proved to be we'll found ed. President Dole, who is one of tue klndest men l ever met, had determin- ! ed to set free the remaining prisoners, who were Chas, T. Gulick, w. T. Se- ward, John F. Bowler, Robert w. Will COX, John H. Wise, Joseph Clarke, J. w. Bipikane, and John Lilikoi. At nine thirty on New Years Day, the eight prisoners were called from their cells into aa prison yard, and there heard .ai oardons read with great interest. Ire government was repre- sen5cd ry 1i mister Daman, Attorney