The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1902-06-21

time with cards. the hula-hula-a ma
tive dance-drinking fermented ki-root
beer home made alcohol, and with the
sequels of these. Their clothes were
far from being clean and decent. on
account of the scarcity of fresh water,
which had to be brought at that time
from n great distance The state of
the sufferers was almost unbearable to
a newcomer. Many a time in fulfilling
my priestly duty at their domicileS l.
have been compelled to run outside to
breathe fresh air. To counterfeit the
bad smell. 1 made myself accustomed
to the use OF tobacco. whereupon the
smell OF the pipe preserved me some
what from carrying in my clothes the
noxicus doors OF the lepers. AT that
time the progress OF the disease was
fearful. and the rate OF mortality very
high. The miserable condition OF the
settlement gave IL the name of n living
graveyard. which name. / am happy to
state. is no longer applicable TO our
place.
AS there were so many dying, my
priestly duty toward them often gave
me the opportunity to visit them in
their domiciles. and though my exhor-
tations were especially addressed to
the Frustrated. often they would fall
upon the ears OF public sinners, who,
little by little. became conscious or the
consequences OF their wicked lives, ana
began to reform: and thus. with the
hope in a merciful Savior. gave up
their bad habits.
Kindness To all. charity to the
needy. a sympathizipg hand TO the SUI
ferers. and the dying, in conjunction
with a solid religious instruction to my
listeners-these have been my constant
means of introducing moral habits
among the lepers. I am happy to say
that, assisted by the local administra-
ton, my labors here. which seemed to
be almost in vain at the beginning
have. thanks to- kind Providence,
been greatly crowned with success.
The Hawaiian Board of Health. COM
posed of Protestants and unbeiievers.
being In complete Ignorance OF Catho-
lie usages. attempted TO compel Father
Damien to- leave the leper settlement
for good or remain there forever. He
had asked leave to visit his bishop at
suitable intervals so that ne might
make his confession. There was at
that time no priest nearer to him to
whom he could apply. He, therefore,
went to Honolulu. as he was IN duty
bound. and in doing this he merely fol-
lowed the example OF the government
musician who visited the settlement at
stated intervals. Upon his return to
the leper settlement he was officially
notified that IL he were TO leave the
settlement again, or even to visit any
other portion OF Molokai. he would D.
put under immediate arrest To TINS
piece OF official insolence Father Da-
mien replied. addressing the autnorl-
ties in Honolulu: Il shall come. You
must not prevent me from visiting my
bishop." He continued to visit his
bishop until he was Joined at the set
Element by a priest who could snriVe
him and then he went no more. Dur
ing all this time and for some years
later Father Damien showed no signs
of leprosy.
Father Damien wrote. when he could
find the time to the various members
of his family: but these letters were
few and for the most part brief Here
are brief extracts from them:
Every one with the exception OF few
bigoted heretics. look upon me as
Father. AS for me. i make myself
leper with the lepers, TO gain all TO
Jesus Christ. This is why in preaching
1 say. we lepers. not. my brethren as
in Europe. Inc average OF
Deaths is about one a day. Many are
So destitute that there is nothing with
which TO pay their burial expenses.
They are simply wrapped in a blanket.
As far as my duties allow me. make
collins for these people. have
not a penny or income. yet nihh MINI
deest I want for nothing. j have even
Aims TO give away. How is this to be
That is His secret. VINO
promised to give a hundredfold to those
who give up all for Him These
ten years have been on the mission
have built a church and chapel every
year-I am not ashamed to act as car
renter or mason when IL Is Tor the
q t.,rV of God A few words
about my way of living. / live all alone
in a little hut: lepers never enter it !
In the morning. after mass. a woman /
who Is not a leper comes to prepare I
nv meal Ny dinner consists OF rice. /
meat. coffee and a few biscuits For /
supper take what was left from din |
ne-. with a cup OF tea. the water for I
which I boil over a lamp My poultry I
yard furnishes me with eggs. | make .
Only two meals day. morning and .
evening. rarely take anything be- /
tween. You see I live very well. / !
don't starVe. / am not much at home 4
In the daytime. After dark / say my
brcViary by the light OF my lamp: I
study bit. or write a letter. SO don't I
wonder at getting only one letter a
year from me" (This TO his mother.) /
Il really have not the time To think OF /
YOU except in my prayers. My \
epers are very fervent. They fill my
two churches-at Kalawao and Kalau- 4
papa-from morning till night. and
pour forth their prayers 20 God with /
an ardor that would make some reiig-
Gus communities blush. I was
1 little annoyed at seeing my last letter
printed in the Annales Catholiques.
Once for all. let me tell you 1 don't like