The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1899-10-27
MISSION WORK
in HAWAII
News Of Rev. John Erdmdn, We
Left MOrriStOWn Recently.

He Writes Interestingly of His
Work and Customs of Pacific
IsIanders-His Reception at the
ChapeI-Mission Is Well Organ
lied and Is Accomplishing Much
for the Natives.
Rev. John Erdman, son of the pas
tor of the South Street Presbyterian
Church, has begun his work as super
intendent of Palama Mission in Homo
lulu, Hawaiian Islands, mission
connected with the Central Union
Church of that city. The work is
chiefly among the natives and half
whites" Mr.. Erdman speaks of his
cordial reception among the people of
the chapel
He writes, "They are very kind
hearted people, these natives, intelli-
gent, with bright faces, very respon-
sive, and great lovers of music. The
taste they display in their choice of
hymns is fine, preferring the old
standard hymns and tunes. One
of their favorites is, Now the day
is over," the several parts of which
can be plainly heard, the young men
singing the bass we'll. The work of
the mission is thoroughly organized
and on various lines There are two
paid helpers, Miss Hitchcock, daugh-
ter of Prof. H. A. Hitchcock of Dart
mouth College, who looks after the
girls clubs and assists in the Sunday
School, and Miss Chamberlain, a
"half- white, who spends her time
among the people and in the general
work of the mission There is also a
kindergarten, with session every
week day forenoon, taught by Miss
Sprague of Chicago.
''The other day / attended the min
listers union, which meets here twice
a month, at which reports are made
of the work carried on by the differ
ent churches One of the first mis-
sionaries to the Gilbert Islands, DR..
Hiram Bingham, now of Honolulu,
} was present. A grand old man. He
is the man who reduced the Gilbertese
language to writing and translated
: the whole Bible into it and which
was printed several years ago. He
showed me the manuscript bound il
four large volumes. 1t is inspiring
to think what one man has been able
to accomplish in the Christianizing
and civilizing of a whole people
Honolulu is a wonder
fully interesting city with its mixed
and varied population. On certain
streets you seem to be in the heart OF
China, others are mostly Japanese,
another section is occupied by Portu-
gese, othersiby the natives, while in
the principal streets you find all these
mixed together. ITS constant pano-
rama. 1t gives one a queer sensation
when walking along the streets to
see flying by i'll a rubber tired surrey
two or three Chinese or natives. On
the other hand you go into the Cen
trail Union Church and you would
think you were in some fashionable
church in New York city. In fact,
there is the greatest variety imagin-
able here, not only in trees and
plants, but in people and dress. The
native women all wear mother hub
bards. F" They are usually decorated
with "leis" pronounced la e) which
is wreath of flowers worn round the
neck and on their hats. They are
very fond of reds and yellows.
"The other evening, the people of Il c
chapel arranged reception for their
new pastor. The chapel was finely
decorated with American and Ha-
wiian flags, and with ferns and
palms. On the wall back OF the
platform were the words, "Aloha oe''
made out of ferns. The words mean
Love to you or greeting to you.
"Aloha" is the word the natives use
when they greet person. "Oe' means
to you" AS entered the chapel
several people decorated me with
flower wreaths, such as they wear
around the neck. Some were woven
of the ginger flower which has g
strong sweet perfume and of which
the natives are very fond. One was
of red and white geraniums, another
of carnations. Part of the exercises
consisted of native songs. 1t was q
very enjoyable occasion and showed
the kindness of heart of these people.
"The mountains around Honolulu
are very grand, towering up 1000 and
4, 900 feet. The climate is most de-
lightfnl, with never failing breeze
off the sea. On every hand are objects
of interest to the stranger.
ROMEO AND JULIET.