The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1904-01-06
YOUNG GILBERTESE ARE DISGUISED WITH THEIR
FIRST VIEW Of HOME ISLAND
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that, to those affected by the issue,
memorable Sunday afternoon there took
place on board a most impressive cere-
mony, which, one could venture 10 as
sert, will not be easily or quickly for
gotten by those who participated in it
| All the Islanders, men, women and
| children, gathered together on the
spacious after-deck of the steamer to
| hold their farewell service to Hawaii,
| and after the service was commenced
| by the very appropriate hymn, open
| Our Eyes to See, O Lord they were
| harangued by their pastor. the Rev.
| Charles Isiah, a most powerful and elo-
| quent speaker. on the change they We're
| then making in their lives, and as he
very forcibly drew his word-oictures
| the pathos which they brought forth
| seemed very near and real, as one
watched the different following express
| sions now of doubt and fear and again
| of trust and hope as they fingered on
| the faces of his listeners. The service,
which was throughout a very earnest
| one, and lasted over two hours, was
closed by singing, both in English and
| the vernacular, the hymn, Till We
Meet Again., in which, judging by the
deep volume of sound given forth, ev-
eryone present must have joined. The
singing was characterized by its sweet
melody and the very good time kept
by the singers, all the people singing
in unison, and it was very much APP
preciated by the ships company, who
We're witnesses of the whole ceremony.
The next day was distinguished by the
birth of child which event occurred
just as the anchor was being hove up,
to leave Honolulu, at IL p. m. and then
the passage to the eastward commence
ed.
On the following morning another
event occurred, similar to the one of
the previous day, and both babies wax
ed fat and thrived during the passage.
Fine weather was experienced all the
way and quick passage of ten days
was made. During that time, Mr..
Arundel, by whose kindness these peo-
pie were now able to return home,
identified himself largely, in eonjunc-
ton with the captain, with the Island
ers' comfort and well-being. providing
with food such few as We're without
and otherwise assisting them
No case of sickness occurred whilst
they were on board although one wonl-
an was i'll all the time. but she had
expected there was plenty of life on
the vessel during the trip, the peo-
pie being naturally a light hearted race
and there We're good many young
children on board who were on nice
holiday. Each day was marked by
morning and evening services. which
We're we'll attended, and in addition
impromptu concerts We're held around
the poop each night, music be-
ing forthcoming in the shapes of an
organ, mandofine and a guitar which
We're on board. Group singing was a
prominent feature of these informal
gatherings. the children singing hymns
in parts, and the young
men mostly coon songs which We're very
jolly and gay. There was without
doubt some considerable talent on
board The time, thus occupied, passed
away very pleasantly and no one per-
haps would have minded if there had
been few more thousand miles to go. |
The meridian of $50 degrees longitude |
was crossed on Tuesday, the 9th, and |
as is customary and necessary on such |
an occasion that day was dropped and |
Wednesday followed Monday to the |
great surprise and CONSERVATION of |
the people. Indeed some would not ac-
cept at all. what seemed to them to be |
such an uncalled for change in the |
calendar and although they found on
arrival at Tarawa that their new date |
was the date at that place there are
many of them with conviction firmly |
rooted in their minds that they have |
lost day of their lives.
THE DESTINATION SIGHTED.
Great excitement was displayed on
the morning of Friday, the Both Octo-
Der, when at a. m, narrow strip of
white beach surmounted by a line of
trees was seen ahead, and
many and various were the expressions
IF disgust and disbelief made by some |
d the younger people on being told
that it was their destination. But how
different We're the emotions of the older
people. to whom the sight of that strip
If land brought back so many recollec-
ions, of childhood probably and past
happiness. Some of them were to be
seen gripping the ships rail, as they
eaned over it, surveying the shore,
through, in many cases, a mist of
binding tears. with an intensity pain
ul to witness. The general feeling,
however, was one of joy and excite
nent now they could see the object of
heir long passage, and of their dreams
f perhaps years. The ships decks pre-
ented a striking scene as she steamed
long the reef to her anchorage, ali the
,eople being again attired in their fin
ry and with their belongings collected
round them all ready for immediate
Anchor was dropped off
he edge of the two-nile reef at 1870
!. m. and Mr.. Arundel went on shore to
Interview the Commissioner. That gen
leman having no objections to the peo-
lie landing, canoes were sent off at
nee to get the Islanders ashore. Many
atives however went off on their own
ccord as soon as they learned what
he steamer was there for and as they
cached the deck of the vessel it was
athletic RI habold tba raunions made / &
l.