The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1898-08-23
Appeal for Endowment Of the Mis-
sioiary Institute.
A caIlD OF HAWAIIAN BOARD
Best Method Of Support-value Of
the ssminary-Basls for ESfec.
tive Work That VIII Last.

At q meeting Of the Hawaiian Board
held on the evening of August End, 1t
was voted on recommendation Of the
Education Committee, to authorize the
raising of an endowment whose in
come shall be sufficient for the main
tenance of the Theological School now
known as the North Pacific Missionary
Institute.
As this is somewhat of radical
step, and as an appeal must now be
made to the friends of religious work
for this endowment, a few words in re-
gard to the work under the direction
of the Hawaiian Board may be in order,
as, by this means, the reasons for its
action may be made to appear
Aside from slight oversight and
aid given to a few schools, the work
of the Board falls naturally into two
branches--evangelisti service and the
illogical education. The evangelistic
branch includes the care of the native
churches and of the home and foreign
missions. The home missions are es-
tablished among the various alien
races now on Hawaiian soil-the Por-
tuguese, Chinese and Japanese. The
foreign missions are mostly confined
10 the Gilbert Islands, only a remnant
of the force which once labored in the
Marquesas Islands now remaining.
The department of theological edu-
cation Is designed for the training Of
pastors and leaders in these different
fields of service. The object aimed at
is to raise up religious leaders for each
Of these races from their own ranks.
In the native work this has been prac-
tically accomplished. The pastors Of
the Hawaiian churches, with one ex-
ception are natives, most of whom have
been educated in the North Pacific Mis-
sionary, Institute. A slight beginning
has also been made in educating men
for the Portuguese and Chinese work.
As yet the evangelists In the japanese
stations have been brought from Japan.
In time, however, when the ties be-
tween the Japanese here and their
fatherland have become less close, we
may expect to see Japanese students
among the others.
As thus organized It will readily be
seen that the work OF the Hawaiian
Board depends in great measure for Its
success on the leaders which can be
trained in its theological school. This
is especially true of the native work
and should become increasingly true
among the ether races as well. 1t Is
very evident. therefore, that these pas
tors should be well trained and made
as effective as possible for the places
they are to fill.
But the work of the Hawaiian Board
is in transition stage. The people
among whom its labors are carried or
are passing from a more or less print.
tive condition to one of broader out
look and more general intelligence;
due to the system Of Government
schools, a change in language, and the
manifold influences of outside civiliza
ton. This Is all In the line Of advance
ment and natural result of past effort
Such change Is desirable; but 1t Is also
critical, because 1t indicates the pres
ence OF new state OF things. which
will bring new problems, call for more
effort, and such reimbursement O
method as will meet the new condi
lions. This Is only the natural con
sequence OF growing work, but In thu
present instance, 1t will probably b
complicated by the new political rela
tions into which these Islands have re
Gently come and the new influences
now liable to be dominant in the Paci
fic Ocean. Just what new problems will
arise no one can say. They may com
in the way Of new difficulties to b.
overcome, or new duties to be met, o
they may come in both forms.
But whatever shape the religion
work OF the Islands may assume In tn
future, 1t should be prepared for now
The raising up Of ministers, and tn
adaptation of methods Of action ar
not the work Of moment or day, an
to wait till crisis comes is to invit
defeat in meeting 1t.
But the opportunities are not who'll
in the future. Much could be done a
once II the means were at hand. II
the evangelistic field. there are man
openings for new work and oppOrtu
mites for Strengthening the old. Tn
number of Japanese evangelists coul
with advantage be nearly or quit
doubled. New stations could be open
ed among the Chinese and Portuguese
1t Is also we'll known that the create
part of the native pastors are YER
poorly paid. In this fact lies anothe
dificulty for the Board. As the young
er men who have been educated In tn
higher schools for boys offer them
selves for service In the native minis
try, as some are already doing, 1t vii
be necessary to provide them with
better support. Otherwise merely nat
ural obstacles will close the door OF tn
ministry against them. There Will b
nothing to induce capable an
worthy man to enter the field. and tn
native ministry will fail as a logica
result. But the native churches ar
poor, and cannot in many cases pa
living salary to good man; and SC
until a new generation arises wit
SUFFICIENT skill In agriculture and othe
kinds Of labor to make the churche
self-supporting. the Board will be OF
liged to assist In supporting the pas
tors.
The present needs of the Theologl
cal School are just a. pressing. Th