The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1902-04-08
GIL. BERT
ISLANDS
Experiences There
of Rev. Hiram
Bingham.
TRYING ORDEAL IN
MEETING HOUSE
Native Held Loaded Revolvers
Pointed at Dr.. Bingham for
Nearly Two Hours.

esting talk upon his missionary expert
ences in Micronesia before the Ministe-
rial Union yesterday morning. His ad-
dress was the principal topic at the
meeting and was listened to attentive
Iy There were other reports submits
ted. Rev. o. p. Emerson reporting on
the religious work among the Hawai-
ians He complained of a lack OF
preachers and called for laymen TO as
sist in the work. 1t had been suggest
ed that a class in instruction be open
ed TO prepare laymen for this duty
Missionary labor in Japan was spoken
of by Mr., Alexander. who has been for
many years in that empire. He consid-
cred the field an attractive one. Rev.
CT. l.. Pearson, Rev. w. ID. Westervelt
and Rev. w. NJ. Kincaid made brief re-
ports, and a reference was made to the
Buddhist movement in the city. MIR.
Leadingham presented the following
list of subjects and speakers for the
next six months: On April 21st Mr.. AL
exander will speak on Japan; on May
5th, Mr.. III. g. Brown will speak; on
May 18th. Major Wood; June I'd, Theo.
Richards: September s, Rev. o. H. Gu
lick: and September 27th, Rev. Mr..
Leadingham.
A resume of the missionary work in
Micronesia was given by Mr.. Bingham
as a preparation to his own reminis-
cences OF work in the Gilbert Islands.
He recounted the events whereby he
and his wife sailed about fifty years
ago from Boston to Micronesia in the
q mis-
built for such service. They were the
first passengers to be carried. The des-
tination of the vessel was Indefinite
when Boston was left behind, but on
arrival at Ponape. the missionaries
came TO the conclusion that they could
best serve God by going amongst the
natives of the Gilbert Islands. Rev.
and Mrs. Hiram Bingham were desig-
mated for the work there and they ac-
cordingly began their labors amongst
the so 900 inhabitants. The climate had
n deleterious effect on Mr.. Bingham's
health. and as the food was not what
he and his wife had been accustomed
to. Mr.. Bingham was compelled to re-
turn to his home. Upon arrival again
at Boston he commenced the building
of another Morning Star He was
placed in charge of the vessel when she
went into commission and made a sec
ond voyage to the Micronesian group,
but his health again failed and he was
forced to leave once more. This time
he came to Honolulu. returning for the
third time TO Ponape in 1868. The ISL
ands were not pleasant place To live
in as the people were warlike. The in
nuence of the missionaries began TO be
felt. and laws were enacted against
such crimes as theft and murder. but
there were chiefs who opposed law and
order.
The withdrawing of the forces of the
King of Apaiang from the island on
which the missionaries were stationed
left the latter at the mercy of the OPP
position. This left the savages free to
attack the missionaries and they
swarmed over the island. They were
the most barbarous of the native in
habitants. but strange to say, they did
not kill the Americans. who remained
around their houses and did just about ,
what they pleased. The only persons
II. the station were Rev. and Mrs. Hi !
ram Bingham. and Mahoe. a native
assistant and his wife.
Mr. Bingham once discovered a big
native crawling through a clapboard
which served as a window. evidently
with the intention. of stealing. The
board was suddenly dropped by means
II string and latch. pulled by Mr..
Bingham. The native was effectuaily
scared and he ran from the place at
his best speed. Other natives laughed
Al him. which angered him. and he
vent 10 where Mr.. Bingham was stand
ng. Putting his hand on the clergy
mans shoulder he showed him back
ward and forward At this critical
uncture Mrs. Bingham called her hus-
oand to breakfast. and with this as an .
excuse. Mr. Bingham left the native.
After breakfasting. Mr.. Bingham went
10 the little church where islanders
we're assembled in large numbers. Mr. /.
Bingham seated himself in chair and
he ridiculed native came and squatted
down before him. producing two re-
which were pointed at the
clergyman. Mr.. Bingham considered
hat his hour had come. but with a
prayer 10 God. he repressed his feel /
ngs and appeared calm and indiffer-
mt For two hours the native lifted ,
he revolvers as If TO fire only To lower /
hem. Mr.. Bingham remaining in the
same calm attitude. The other natives ,
eft the church. leaving only the two
principals. The native at length saw |
hat he had made no impression upon |
.ir. Bingham, and skunk out. The strain
Turing those two hours was terrific.
5ut Mr.. Bingham stated yesterday that
Z ne We're again a young man he would .
gladly go through the same experiences
n the work OF God. This instance was
,ut one OF many others which Mr..
Bingham had in his career in Micro
,esia.
Among those present at the meeting
we're: Rev o. II. Gulick, J. W. VAL
ir,p =.wan, vQfshnn
Nestervelt. Rev. W. II. Rice. Rev. .. \
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