The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1902-01-01

of churches and congregations from 1881
to 1899. At our mission station at kailua,
Governor Kuakini had erected an enor-
nous church edfice in the native style,
which would hold as many as two tnou-
sand people. In this were regularly
sembled every Sunday large congrega-
tions all squatted mats. The mis-
sionary on duty for the day preached to
them in familiar strain. striving to St
cure the attention of their unframed
minds and teach them the truths of the
Bible. The people We're rude in garb.
The men wore the small kihei mantle,
and the malo or breech girdle. Most of
the women wore scant chemise of cotton
or tapa, with a long pau wrapped
around the loins. Rarely had any man
even shirt.
Most of these people took part in a
simple Sunday School exercise, in which
the more Intelligent natives acted
teachers Printed books We're few, but
gradually increased in numbers, until by
1899 the whole of the Bible had been
translated and published. a toerable
degree of order was kept in these assem-
blies of natives disturbed, however Oy
constant hacking and splitting. The huge
and doughty governor a frequent at
teadant He and his wife, keona,
royal chiefs, and accordingly of immense
girth and stature. Kuakini was estimat-
ed to weigh 500 pounds. We occa s:onaily
Kaiiua. which bent and staggered under
his weight
kuakin: after more than ten years of
Father Thurston's devoted and prudent
labors, had grown to be a very steadfast
and efficient supporter of the mssiona-
ries. He was, however, more of states
man than a pietist, and ruled the popu-
lation of the great Island with an iron
hand. The masses of the people We're
mere serfs, and suffered severe oppres-
son. Their condition was that of very
great poverty, and in daily life their per
sons and houses presented a very squalid
appearance. There Were among them a
few individuals of some little chiefiSh
rank, who had some small means.
The two missionaries at this station
of kailua, Asa Thurston and Artemus
Bishop, were active and faithful pastors.
They alternated in regular duties at the
central church, and in Sunday and week
day visits To outlying parishes from three
to SIX miles distant which they reached
on foot or by canoe They did much
work in schools, where reading and writ
ing We're the chief lessons, taught by
very ignorant native helpers OF these
teachers. at first an almost universal
practice was to hold the little primer be-
fore the pup Is so as to be upside down
to the latter. The scholars We're all
learning to read their books upside down
Most of the pupils We're adults, among
whom there had grown to be much Gag
e. ness for the paIa-pala or book learn
ing.
As cary as 1896 before NV birth
great impulse had been given to learnn g
by the personal tours of the vigorous
queen regent. Kaahumanu. who went all
through the Islands, commanding the
people to listen to the Kumus or mis-
slonary teachers. They had no thought
out TO obey orders, and the labor of the
gfNT1s pos
far as nominal attention was secured
haahumanu had been a somewhat DISCO
lutte and very imperiOus and tyrannical
ruler, although of much shrewd wisdom.