The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1896-11-24
THE BISHOP APPEALS.
Teed Of a Diocesan Fund and the
Reasons for 1t.

needs of the Anglican Church in
Hawaii should be put before the
members OF that body, and before
all who avail themselves Of the min
istrations of it's Clergy. There are
grave responsibilities resting upon
them to enable the Anglican Church
to discharge the duties with which
she is brought face to face.
|. as to the present duties of the
Church. There can be no greater
mistake than fer any to suppose
that their obligations are limited by
the needs of the particular church
or congregation OF which they are
members. If there is among us
congregation which shuts itself up
within itself, or individual members
who having the means to aid the ex-
tension Of the Kingdom of Christ
beyond their own immediate sur
roundings, contribute nothing to
support the advance OF their own
commissioned officers, it is quite
clear that our Church is not living
as it ought to be living with the life
OF Christ. The underlying spirit
with which every true member
should be actuated may be compared
to the principle that governs the
ancient water rights on these islands
Whilst every one can have all the
waller he wants for his own patch,
each must be mindful OF his neigh
bours as well as OF himself taking
care that the water flows to him at
the appointed time, and bearing his
share in the labour of keeping the
auwoi open through which the
water flows.
Now the Anglican Church to-day
has far larger surface to water
than was within her reach thirty
years ago. The heather population
then was very small The attention
of the Church was occupied in pro-
viding for the needs OF those who
recognized her claim to be true
branch of the one Holy Catholic
Church. But since that date large
heather population has poured into
the Islands from the Orient. To
provide churches and spiritual min
istrations for the few Christians who
came amongst them, and to institute
mission to the heather was duty
that could not be neglected. In
discharge of this duty we have two
churches and two schools for Chin
ese, the maintenance Of which cost
$500 in 1895. If the reader will
refer to the March number OF the
Diocesan Magazine, it will be seen
how this was raised, and what
amount of it was contributed by
members Of the Anglican Church in
Hawaii. And not only does mis-
sionary work among those of other
languages press its claims upon us,
but there is not District OF the ISL
ands to-day whore they are not to be
found some members of the Church
speaking the English language who,
for want OF more Clergy, are in
danger Of losing the ministrations
of the Church of their Baptism.
With whom does il rest to dis,
charge these responsibilities Do
any say, That is the Bishops affair,
it does not concern the Laity? Such
cannot be the case. The RESPONSE
bility is the responsibility of the
whole body. Whilst the Bishop is
the principal agent through whom
it should be discharged, how can he
discharge it without funds placed in
his hands by the members to ad-
minister for that purpose.
III. as to Our needs. The great
need of the present time is Dioce-
san Fund out OF which the Bishop
can supplement local efforts
throughout the Islands, and be en-
abled to meet the obligations al
ready incurred,
In appealing now for the com
meucement of such fund, there are
one or two considerations ! may put