Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-04-24
P. o. Box, 4ro, HoNoLuLu, j.

Sandwich Islands.
March 23rd, 1879
To the Editor.
AS, perhaps, few words from this
part would interest some, / take pleas
ure in penning short account, and
trust that 1t may find room in the col
umns OF the DISCREET News.
Though, as is the case the world over,
men are wont to setk after the things OF
e4rth, the word OF God is also being
laid before all here who care to hear it.
There are now in this mission some
twenty-,hree or tweniy-four mission
aries, and many Of these Hawaiian peo-
pie are being brought into the fold.
Turning aside from the missionary
field for the present, will dwell upon
the prevailing CONDITION OF the world.
Travel where you will, from one side OF
the footstool to the other, and the same
sad sickening sights OF evil greet our
eyes Step into the back street or ave-
nue. OF any city, and, instead Of the
graceful forms and figures that should
greet us. the beauty that God has blessed
His children with, it is supplanted by
haggard, shrunken and ENJOYABLE feat
ures and forms OF human beings. Go
into the beautiful structures (mockeries
of civilization), called saloons and no.
tells, and witness the cursed sinfulnes $
that is prevalent. Men, not satisfied
with RUNNING them elves and their
own, will go to the lands OF others less
advanced in ''civiized" wickedness, and
teach Them the many sinful practices, to
which their instructors have been adj
dicted Before white men tif they de.
serve this name) invaded these Islands,
and introduced low practices and habits,
the natives were virtuous and healthy
people; but, as their pale beneiactors ~
made their appearance. they have de-
creased and degenerated, until not
one-fourth of the number remains, and
very little oil their chastity and purity.
What must be the sentence o.; those
who thus destroy innocence A; you go
along the street, you meet little half.
clothed, halt starved children. growing
up to realize that they have been
brought into the world to suffer con.
| tumely; that they are to bear the shame
and curse OF unlawful life. This is the
case with thousands, and the the evils
seem not to abate, rather to increase.
What a grand chance the children oil
Zion have, growing up in the shelter oil
the Gospel, and free from the outside
world. But are they altogether free
from the evils OF the worlo? Are they
| being brought up to revere the name oil
purity and religion Are they being
taught the lessons Of life at the fire side
and in the home circle, under their own
parental rooi-where the fathers kind
counse's, and the mothers sanity inhu
ence are felt? Or, are they mingling,
from infancy, with any and all whc
throng the by-ways2
Latter.day Saints can readily see the
growing need OF good, pure, honest
young people to carry on the work oI
God, as missionaries; to try to lit the
people from degradation, and 10 remove
vice. What is more to promote thi;
than the evening prayer, beside the
kneeling parents, and the peaceful. pure,
| Godlike influence, and constant teach
ings OF the Gospel at homer
So tar as the mission here is con
cerned, the word OF God is advancing
and many who have heard and seen lite
but sin, are earning the examples taught
by our Savior. They are hearing from
the missionaries of the Latter da,
Saints, OF the meek and lowly life OF the
Son OF God. The missionaries in this
land are working hard, and are accom-
plishing great good. They are unitec
and in possession OF good spirit. A.
one OF them, feel that 1t is a pleasure
to be worthy mission TO the nations o.
the earth, and would encourage all tC
seek that end. My testimony is, | an
engaged in the true work OF God. anc
that He will bless and hear all who will
humbly seek his approval.
CHARLES c. BUSH.