The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1897-10-12
DR.. HENRY FIELD
A Veteran in Evangeli.
cal Work.
Member OF One OF the Most Dis
;inguished Families in
America.

Horn, holds the unique distinction of
being the Dean Of the religious editors
OF America On account Of his IS years
continuous service on the New York
Evangelist. He recently celebrated his
18th birthday. He is the youngest OF
the four Field brothers. which together
form one Of the most remarkable fam
lily quartscs the world has ever seen
the eldest being David Dudley Field.
Of whom the late Austin Abbott said:
He was, for . third OF a century. the
most commanding figure at the Ameri-
can bar; the second, stephen J. Field.
is the oldest Justice on the Supreme
Court Of the United States, where he
has been for 81 years. a longer period
than any other Judge who ever sat on
that bench, excepting only Chief Jus
tice John Marshall; 10 the third broth
er, Cyrus " Field. belongs The honor
Of uniting Europe and America by the
Atlantic telegraph
Dr.. Henry N Field is the only one
who followed the profession Of his
father, that Of minister. He was a
pastor in ST. Louis in 1912. when but
20 years OF age After four and a half
years he resigned and went TO Eu-
rope, where he spent a year and
quarter. Returning 10 America. he
took a charge in West Springfield.
Mass. for four years, when he removed
TO New York 10 become one Of the
editors Of the Evangelist, Of which he
later became the sole proprietor.
In the course OF DR.. Fields long
editorial career, he has made frequent
visits 10 Europe, and 20 years ago trav-
eIed around the world His journey
was described in two volumes which
have passed through q score Of edi-
tons. \ few years later he again made
z tour Of the East, writing Of the lands
visited in greater detail The follow
ing being issued in rapid succession:
"On the Desert, Among the Holy
Hills" a description OF Palestine;
The Greek Islands and Turkey, After
the War. with Russia in 1ST7). Still
later, other journeys OF this insatiate
traveller were Interestingly narrated in
odd Spain and New Spain -GibraI-
tar The Barbary Coast, and Our
Western Archipelago
There is an air OF courtliness and
true gentlemanliness in DR.. Fields
manner. which is as delightful as it is
rare in these days Though short in
stature. his large head and full face
lend him marked dignity. His voice
is pleasing, and his words flow slowly
and smoothly from his lips. In short,
there Is an indescribable aroma of cul-
ture and peace around him, which
makes his presence a pleasure and q
benediCtiOn- Such a man, I could not
help thinking, is the glorious fruitage
OF the Christian religion when allowed
70 grow for generations in its fitness,
and sweetness, and power.
What changes have taken place in
Sabbath Observance during the past
half eenturyZ7 I asked this veteran
editor and traveller
I was brought up 10 keep Saturday
night in the old New England way,
said Dr.. Field reminiscently. My
father was a minister Puritan OF
the PuriUaRs. and all Saturday after
noon he would keep repeating 10 my
brothers and myself: Ny sons, we are
on the borders OF holy timer AS the
sun sank below the horizon, there was
! =
and We went 10 bed very early. The
Sabbath was kept with a strictness not
known nowadays. I think if my
father had seen any OF Us smiling, he
would have reproved US for il as not
consistent with the sacredness Of the
day
And how do you view the Sunday
bicycle" I asked, eagerly.
In this, as in other things, the evil
lies in the abuse. As an exercise I be-
lieve in it. I ride a wheel myself. Nor
should I object 70 mans riding to
church on his bicycle if he had no
other way TO 90. But when I see young
men and women mounting their wheels
for q race course. and riding up hill
and down dale. I do not like It It
spoils the sacredness and sweetness Of
the holy day. This is not, for me, one
Of the modern Improvements. If this
be the alternative, 1 say give me back
the quiet and peace Of the New Eng
land Sabbath as | knew it in the days
Of my childhood
My view Of Sunday is that IL is
sacred, as a day Of rest, for both body
and mind. Not only should it be de-
voted TO the worship OF God, but TO
the cultivation of home. life. When
the young members OF the family rush
OF right after breakfast to Sunday
school; and then hear a long sermon,
and attend three or four services dur
ing the day. it becomes kind Of spir
itual dissipation. This is not the way
10 get the most of real moral uplift
ing. The Sabbath Is a day for draw
ing closer all the ties Of the family;
for getting better acquainted so that
We shall love one another more. For
myself. I seldom attend church in the
evening, because / an so dreadfully
OTerEoFhed during the week that am
Obliged TO make Sunday a day Of alb
solute rest OF course, those who
preach cannot rest-and that is the one
drawback in the life Of the minister
but he ought 70 make up the loss by
resting on Monday"
What are some Of the causes of the
present seeuIarization of the day?"
Foreign travel is responsible for a
Oood deal If if In Furone and g.