The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1903-12-02
WOMEN LAUD LIFE OF
M|CRONES|AN MISSIONARY
Tributes to the Memory of the Late Mrs. Hiram
Bingham by the Woman's Board
OF Missions.

Loving tributes to the memory of the
yesterday afternoon at the monthly
meeting OF the Woman's Board of Mis-
sions, of which Mrs. Bingham was the
first president from 1871 to 1873. Sew
eral of the members read tender trib-
utes to the character of the devoted
missionary to the Gilbertese, whose last
days even We're full of thoughtfulness
for the people among whom she had
labored and given the best part. of her
life to elevate them from heathenism to
Christianity.
The meeting was one of the largest
held this year, and among those pres
ent were the Rev. Hiram Bingham and
Mrs. Lydia Coan.
Mrs Serene E. Bishop presented a
paper on the early life of Mrs. Minerva
Clarissa Brewster Bingham, which
was read by Mrs. Theodore Richards
as follows:
MRS. BISHOPS TRIBUTE.
AS the name Brewster indicates, she
was of notable lineage. being a de-
scendant in direct line, of Elder Brew
ster of the Mayfiower.
Her parents resided in Northampton,
Toe OH CHI hrr
October 18th, 1884. She had one own
brother, now Major H. M. Brewster of
Springfield, Mass. He was always a
very dear brother to her and recent
letters show how tender was the tie
between them.
In early youth she sought her Sa-
viour's love and united with the church
at the same time with her father.
This made the bond between father and
| daughter very close, her mother being
already a church member.
Rev Gordon Hill, son of tha mis-
sionary of India, was her pastor. She
was devotedly attached to him and his
widowed mother. The beauty of her
| Christian character was early mani
tested in her work in the Sabbath
school which won the hearts of the
/ young. Her voice, rich in strength
| both in speech and singing. Her genial
enthusiastic manner won the hearts
of all associated with her.
| Her school education was completed
/ at Williston Seminary, East Hamp-
| ton. She became successful teacher
in the Northampton High School where
she taught for three years. The
pleasant remembrance of these days is
evident, when we notice the delightful
/ cordiality of her former pupils when
meeting her in later years. Perhaps
some of you remember Miss Parsons, q
visitor to Honolulu, who early sought
out her former teacher, and spent
many hours beside the invalid's chair
talking of the old times, and Mrs
Binghams influence upon herself and
others.
Mr.. Bingham was at that time prin.
cipal of the High School Theil
friendly acquaintance continued sew.
eral years, while Mr.. Bingham was
completing his studies, and finally re,
suited in their marriage Nov. 18th
1856. Before this, Mr.. Bingham hat
been ordained and appointed as a mis-
sionary to Micronesia.
There are pictures showing Mrs
Bingham in these fresh youthful days
Their wedding was at midday in thu
old Edwards church of Northampton
The ceremony was performed by he
pastor, Rev. Gordon Hill. None of thu
pomp and show of modern days, bu
with personal interest a large numbe
of friends gathered, notably amons
them in the gallery, former pupils O
both parties. while Mr.. Bingham's sis
ter Lydia and a dear college friend at
tended them while the solemn vow!
were spoken. AS they walked dow
the aisle the choir sang that wei
known hymn, eye Christian Heroes CT
Proclaim Salvation in Immanuef'
Name" They left Immediately 70
New York returning soon to New Ha
ven, where Mr.. Bingham's father wa
living and for a. farewell visit to Mrs
Bingham's old home in Northampton
Going to Boston, they were the guest
of Mr.. James Hunnewell, well know
as the hospitable host to many mis-
sionaries in those days.
Relatives of both Mr.. and Mrs. Bing
ham were with them there until tn
sailing of the first Morning Star Dec
I'd, 1856, reaching Honolulu April oath
1857.
Mrs. Hall will now tell you of thei
further journeyings and missionar,
work.
Mrs. w. w. Hall read an interesting
account of the life of Mrs. Bingham a
| a missionary, which took up the threa'
of Mrs. Bishops theme. The pape
was as follows:
MRS. BINGHAM AS A MISSIONARY
We are often made to feel that tn
people who live in Hawaii today ar