The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1896-11-05
NOVEMBER 5
AN ENDOWMENT NEEDED.


the most important religious pow
ers in the country, the North Pa
cific Missionary Institute. The
question is asked, shall this In
stitute have an endowment and
in his article, which occupies sew
eral columns, Mr. Leadingham
places before the public in con-
else form how vital it is that the
theological school should have In
creased funds to carry forward the
work and more completely fulfill
the objects of the institution.
At present the school is being
carried on by funds received from
the American Board and such con-
tributions as are received from
time to time by local friends and
missionary organizations. While
the amount realized is better than
nothing, it does not allow the ex-
pansion which the field of labor of
fers. The missionary workers are
constantly handicapped and kept
within narrow boundaries, which
is unfortunate, to say the least, in
this land that has been and always
will remain a bright star in the
crown of missionary labor. With
the American Board carrying on
It's work on a much reduced basis,
and the Hawaiian Board struggling
to keep expenses within the limit
of its income, the prospect for mar
rowing the work of this missionary
institute stares its supporters in the
face.
As Mr.. Leadingham well says,
IF this branch of protestant work
which has been the dominating re-
ligious influence in past years, Is
to be carried to a successful issue,
there should be enlargement and
strengthening of forces" in the re-
ligious education in the school and
church. A stable government and
a high degree of social order are
possible only where the principles
of morality are firmly established
on firm moral basis.
The church is the great nursery
of morality. Where the church has
a commanding place the founda-
tions of society are always secure.
To gain this place the church
needs able and we'll trained leaders
men who can command conf
dence and respect among the peo-
pie.
In the training which it fur
nishes to these leaders of the
churches, the theological school af
fects the moral and religious life
of the country. 1t holds the same
relation to the ministerial profes-
sion that the law school does to the
legal profession, or the medical col
lege to the practice of medicine.
A well trained ministry is peculi-
arly necessary at the present time
for the Hawaiian Islands. Every
thing is In a transition state, and
a strong ministry is needed, which
can hold to the good which has
been achieved in the past and
make it effective in the new or
der of things which is to come.
The only way to control the future
is to mold the influences which are
now shaping it. Much benevolent
and philanthropic work is being
done here In school, kindergarten
and in other ways, whose influence
will be largely lost unless it is con
tinued and directed into proper
channels, by some centralizing
agency like the church. This can
only be done bv such churches as
have a well trained and active pas
tor at their head. The appeal of
the Theological school for aid to
do its work should come home to
every one who has the welfare of |
the country at heart. It is for the
best interests of all classes to sup
port such an institution.