Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-04
RELIGION IN HAWAII
ADDRESS OF REV. DIR. SCUDDER
AT CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

Rev. DIR. Doremus Scudder of Honolulu.
representing the American Missionary AS
sociation, delivered an interesting address
on the progress of religious work In the
Hawaiian Islands at the First Congrega-
tional Church yesterday morning. Dr.
Scudder has been connected with religious
endeavored to acquaint his hearers yester-
told something of the history of the rela-
tons between the Kanakas and this coun-
try. He referred to the Dupont expedition
to the islands fifty years ago and of the
effect of Commodore Dupont's report He
spoke of the necessity of the possession Of
the islands to the United States. CONNER
cfally and politically, that was then devel-
oped and of the increased needs as the
islanders progressed in civilization. The
completion of the Panama canal will make
Hawaii the local point for all. he said
IF past history points anything, it GER
tainly aff1rms that the Almighty Disposer of
human affairs has treated Hawaii as thuogh
she were destined for just such pre-emi-
nence," Dr. Scudder said. ''The preserva-
ton Of these islands for three centuries
and half from exploitation by aggressive
nations, despite their evident value. the
marvellous series of events deserving moth
ing less than the name miracles, which Gull
minated in their civilization and Christian
Zation and the consolidation of SO much
financial power in the hands of men ambi-
tious to use their wealth for the extension
of the kingdom of God form eombina-
ton which is absolutely unique in history.
They belle the wisdom of the Great Eliot II
they do not show Him directing the course
of this mfdsea commonwealth toward
commanding position I'm the development OF
Christianity entirely out of proportion to
the area of the land or the size Of the
population.
Key to Asia.
But present-day conditions speak more
loudly even than historic indications The
crux of the Christian situation is eastern
Asia. The ultimate life and death struggle
of the religion of the Nazarene carpenter
Is already joined. IL it fail here 1t is DOOM
ed. And in very real sense Hawaii holds
the key to Asia. Asia, in Hawaii, Is a
standing menace or a glowing promise. The
yellow peril is no fancful Pigment. 1t does
not threaten martial white supremacy. The
eastern Asiatic as a great war power is
not to be feared. But industrially he is
bound to dominate the white IL the era of
cut-throat competition is destined not to
merge into that of cooperative brother
hood. We in Hawaii realize this industrial
menace. We know the Chinese as the main
land does not. Yet we do, not fear him. but
welcome him as a brother.
Religion also has it's special battles in
Hawaii. Is Buddhism or Christianity to
prevail there? The territory holds more
schools teaching this far-eastern cult than
1t has schools intoxicating Christian truth.
The menace of Asia is a real thing 10 us.
But we think little Of this menace be-
cause of the compromising promise. Asia
In Hawaii is Americas opportunity HAWAII
already touches vitality two continents. No
Chinese boycott was made possible by Ha-
wall, which thus laid one hand on the
American mainland and the other upon
China. If the church of God will but rise
to the occasion and win to Christ the splen-
did young farmers who crowd to the shores
of our territory an ever widening stream OF
Asiatio missionaries will carry the gospel
to their homelands far more effectually than
men of our blood can ever hope to do"
Yesterday afternoon DR.. Scudder address
ed a large congregation at the First Pres-
byterian Church.