The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1903-12-04

late Mrs. Hiram Bingham were given
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 membeBs read tender trib-
utes to the character of the devoted
missionary to the Gilbertese, whose last
days even were 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 Z. 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 de-
scendant in direct line. of Elder Brew
ster of the Mayfiower.
Her parents resided in Northampton,
Massachusetts, where she was born
October 18th, 1884. She had one own
brother, now Major II. NJ. 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 c,Al
This made the bond between father and
daughter very close. her mother being
already church member
Rev. Gordon Hill, son of the 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
and sweetness, was very attractive
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 a 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
cordially of her former pupils when
meeting her in later years. Perhaps
some of yor remember Miss Parsons, a
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.
Bingham's influence upon herself and
Others.
Mr.. Bingham was at that time prin-
cipal of the High School. Their
friendly acquaintance continued sew
eral years, while Mr.. Bingham was
completing his studies, and finally re-
suited in their marriage Nov. 10th,
1856. Before this, Mr.. Bingham had
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 the
old Edwards church of Northampton.
The ceremony was performed by her
pastor, Rev. Gordon Hill. None of the
pomp and show of modern days, but
with personal interest a large number
of friends gathered, notably among
them in the gallery, former pupils of
both parties, while Mr.. Bingham's sis
ter Lydia and a dear college friend at
tended them while the solemn vows
We're spoken. AS they walked down
the aisle the choir sang that well
known hymn, Eye Christian Heroes &c
Proclaim Salvation in Immanuel's
Name" They left Immediately fol
New York returning soon to New Ha.
ven, where Mr. Binghams father was
living and for a farewell visit to Mrs
Binghams old home in Northampton
Going to Boston. they We're the guests
of Mr.. James Hunnewell, well known
as the hosptable host to many mis-.
sionaries in those days.
Relatives of both Mr.. and Mrs. Bling.
ham were with them there until the
sailing of the first Morning Star Dec
ID, 1856, reaching Honolulu April gath
1857.
Mrs. Hall will now tell you of theil
further journeyings and missionary
work,
Mrs. w. w. Hall read an interesting
account of the life OF Mrs. Bingham a:
|
of Mrs. Bishops theme. The papel
was as follows:
MRS, BINGHAM AS A MISSIONARY
We are often made to feel that the
people who live in Hawaii today are
quite incapable Of appreciating the
trials and privations of the early mis-
sionaries. 1t Is hard to realize thai
the gentle, easy-going Hawaiian wa:
actually savage once, and that quite
within the memory of living men; ant
that the personal safety OF the pioneer
missionaries rested upon the mere
within of the ALI. &c. doubtless, tbs
traveller of today, visiting the Gilber
Islands, listens skeptically TO stories
Of the savage fierceness of the natives
and the dangers which beset the earl,
missionaries. English law make!
these atolls safe enough now, but les
than half century ago 1t was a WASTE
and bowling wilderness indeed.
on the 18th of November, 1856. Mis-
Minerva Clarlssa Brewster of North