The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1898-01-11
IS HARD At WORK
Gilbert Island LabOrS Of Rev.
Louis Mitchell.
LEFT HERE IN THE STAR ;"
Describes Religious and Social Con.
ditions in the Group-A Hawaiian
Minister Warmly Welcomed.

Rev Louis Mitchell, the missionary
Of the Hawaiian Board, who returned
to the Gilbert Islands on the last voy-
age of the Morning Star, has written
an interesting account of his arrival,
and the beginning of his missionary
labors.
1t took the Star II days to reach
Tapiteuea, the southernmost Island in
the group under the care of the Ha-
waiian Board. There a consultation
was held with the two Hawaiian mis-
sionaries, Paaluhe and Kaaia and it
was decided that Rev. Mr.. Mitchell
should begin work on Apaiang, and
remain there until the Star returned
from its Western trip. Then he is to
return of Tapiteuea, and take up the
work there, so as to allow Rev Mr..
Kaaia and his family to return to Ha-
waii for a years furlough
August 16, at 5 a. M, the Star eft
Tapiteuea to come North through the
group, leaving supplies for the other
Hawaiian missionaries. The Star
reached Maiana at 9 p. m. the next
day. The next morning, the ships
boat landed Mr. Mitchell at Cape BIZ
karai, where he met Rev Mr.. and
Mrs Mahihihila.
The British Commissioner has pro-
hibited night dances and the accom-
panying orgies. Houses were being
built in accordance with sanitary
rules Roads were constructed the
whole length of the Island Wharves
were built for ships boats to land
freight and passengers. Parents were
obliged to send their children to
school, either the Government school,.
or the Mission school There was
more than 80 children in the Mission
school. The church work had been
weakened by the former Commissioner
countenancing dancing. The Mission
school children also attended Sunday
school. The school teacher went on
board the Star, with his wife, who
was once a pupil in Miss Hoppin's
school on Kusaie They were very
anxious to see the new hymn book for
the Gilbert Islands, with the music as
well as the words, prepared by DR.. and
Mrs. Bingham. The whole afternoon
was spent in singing, and thirty books
left with Tebara. AS they left the YES
Sc. they sang 'Ti a ka bO,'' Till we
meet again"
Leaving Maiana at II p. m the
Star reached Apaian, August 19, at 10
a. m. The people were glad to well
come Mr. Mitchell. though his stay
was to be for only a few months, yet
some were sorry that he had not
brought his wife too, who once lived
on that Island, the daughter of a Ha-
waiian missionary. who in one of his
tours to a neighbOring Island, had
been lost at sea. The King received
him cordially, and the fifty hymn
books allotted to the Island were soon
sold.
The next day, Saturday, Mr.. Nit
chell invited the deacon Of the church
and about ten others to accompany
| him to the district, "Etan te Aba" on
the north side of the Island A meet
| ing was he'd in a cocoanut grove and
| largely attended by people, whom the
company invited to go to, meeting
with them. Some church members
! confessed their unfaithfulness and
! took up anew the duties of the Christ
ian life, Three, who had never before
| been interested in Christian truth,
| expressed their desire to become fol-
| lowers of Christ.
On Sunday, the church was filled
! The next day. the party went to a viii
lige on the south side. about six miles
off, and held a grove meeting. Seven
! former church members desired to be
| taken back, and four heather express
| ed their desire TO be Christians. The
| remainder Of the week. Mr.. Mitchell
spent in visiting from house to house.
and in urging the children to attend
| school. Most of the children had no
clothes, except the pau. When the
! King was urged to enforce the law
Of the British Commissioner against
nudity, he said that the people had no
money: all the saleable cocoanuts had
to go to pay off the peoples indebt-
ness. He thought the debt would be
all paid off by this seasons crop If
nuts. and then there would be money
to buy clothing. TIE Kaure who used
to be DR.. Bingham's assistant is sup
erinteQdenf Of the Sunday school and