The Hawaiian gazette., 1902-05-23
A NOTEWORTHY LIFE.

In another column Rev. DIR. 5. IL.
Bishop, who is on the brink of his
golden wedding day, speaks reminis-
Gently OF Honolulu. Born in Hawaii
seventy-fve years ago and only going
away to be educated and to take a
short pastoratc. he has seen these ISL
ands emerge from heathendom into civ
ilization and from the rule of chiefs
and kings to the rule of the people UNI
der the constitution of the United
States. When he was born Hawaii
Vas far more distant outpost in the
world than it is now. The nearest CIV
ilized port of any consequence was to
be found in South America, and the
territory of the United states could
only be reached from here by voyage
around the Horn. California, Arizona,
New Mexico, Texas, Utah, Nevada. and
part of Colorado and Wyoming, be-
ionged to Mexico. and were but thlnly
settled and at that, only along the Cal
fornia coast The vast region since
acquired from Mexico was almost as
much OF a terra incognita as the pen
insula of Lower California is now. AS
TO the Sound country, it had been par
TALLY explored twenty-three years be-
fore and the little fur-trading settle
ment where the Aston fortunes were
founded antedated DR.. Bishops birth
by only fifteen years.
When California was annexed by the
United States the subject OF TINS
sketch was within two years OF his ma
jOrity. 1t seems phenomenal that we
should have among us a man, hearty.
rugged with the glow of health on his
face and his mental qualities unim-
paired, who was on the verge OF man
hood at a time when savages held all
but small areas Of the mainland be-
tween the Mississippi river and the
Sierras and most of the western coun-
try bordering the sea as well. At the
time OF DR.. Bishops birth the popula-
ton of the United States was APP
preaching the total made three years
later of L., S66 020. The center of popu-
lation was then in West Virginia. To-
day New York and Pennsylvania alone
have more than 100000 population
and the whole country must have
about 100000. 1t would not be out OF
all reason for DR.. Bishop to hope to
live long enough to see the population
pass the 10000. 900 mark. exclusive OF
what is to be added through the annex
alton OF foreign lands.
DR., Bishops life has been wholly use
full. A man of marked literary facili-
ty and of sound Christian spirit and
training he has written and preached
FOR over half century and has been
identified with every rational cause OF
moral and religious upbuilding mere
Taking a deep and vigilant interest In
higher politics he has helped every
movement which aimed to give Hawaii
the rule of honest and capable men;
and when the great political change
came his pen was employed with skill
and vigor in the cause of annexation
Through all the stress of his more ac'
tive years he found time to make origi-
nal researches in science; and it was
he. we believe. who discovered the re-
lation between the seismic outburst OF
Krakatoa and the brilliant red sunsets
which prevailed for so long time aft
erward. What astronomers know as
Bishops ring. also testifies to our ven
cradle townsman's scientific attain
ments.
IL the phrase were not so hackneyeC
1t would be in keeping with the life
dignity and influence of Serene Bishop
TO call him the Grand Old Man of Ha
wall.