The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1905-01-14
TOO BAD.
Poorly dressed lies are as bad as
the nude truth.
TOO BAD.
MISSIONARY WORK
IN THE GILBERTS
WHOLE POPULATION. HEATHEN
WENT THERE.

SYDNEY, December 22.-Among the
passengers by the London Missionary
Society's steam yacht John Williams,
which arrived here last evening from
another extended cruise among the
islands Of the South Seas, We're the
Rev. w. T.. and Mrs. Coward, who
enjoy the distinction Of being the first
missionaries belonging TO the London
Missionary Society to permanently re-
side I'm that interesting group. They
proceeded to the Gilberts upwards Of
FIVE years ago, and are now on their
first holiday trip. The mission IN the
Gilbert group was established as far
back as 30 years ago, but for very many
years the work was carried on by Sa-
moan native pastors annual VistatiOns
only being made by missionaries from
Samoa. More recently, when the pre-
sent steam yacht was acquired, the
visits were made half-yearly. In the
year 1899, however, It was decided that
a missionary should be permanently
settled there and IN November Of that
year the Rev. w. Il. Coward and Mrs.
Coward, who had spent 10 years IN the
work at Samoa. entered their new
sphere Of labor.
The Gilbert Group Of islands, over
which the British many years ago pro-
claimed a Drotectorate, consists Of 16
Islands, with a total native population
Of approximately $4,000. The affairs
Of the group are administered by a
Resident Commissioner CMr. Teller
! CampbelD, whose headquarters are at
! Tarawa, one Of the northern Islands
The natives are almost exclusively en-
ployed I'm the production Of copra the
quality Of which IL not excelled I'm any
other part Of the South Seas. They
are a peaceful and Industrious tribe,
and outrages are absolutely unknown
IN the group. There are many white
traders Of different nationallties settled
In the group, and All appear to be pros
porous. The trade Of the Gilbcrts ~
controlled by three firms British, chi
nese and Gcrman-namely Messrs.
Burns, Philip, ana CO., Mcssrs ON
Chong and Company Of this city, ana
HE Jaluit Gesellschaft. Of the Mar
shalls. Each firm sends steamers 10
the group for supplies Of cOpra, but the
malls from Australia are only received
there every four months
The eleven northern Islands Of the
group are under the Jurisdiction Of the
American Missionary Society, which
however has not a resident missionary
I'm the group. The ave southern isl
ands-Beru, Onotoa, Nihunau, Arorae
and Tamana-with total population OF
about 1900, are controlled by the Lon
don Missionary Society. The centra
station Of the J., Nj. S., where the Rev
and Mrs Coward are settled, IL al
Beru.
The Rev. w. Il. Coward, speaks verS
, hopefully Of the work I'm the Gilberts
: THE entire native population" he re-
! marked has been nominally Christian
J for "A considerable time past and W,
have found the natives to be n very
law-abiding race" The work Mr. Go
ward said was progressing very salts
factorily, and both he and Mrs. Coward
had received very much encouragement
! In their labors,
, Five schools have been establlshe,
J there" the Rev w. u. Coward added
= Firstly, there IL an institution 70
p training native pastors, and student
[ are much Interested IN their work The
{ we have school for women mostl,
, the wives Of the native studentD AM
r for the senior girls, ana we also have
Z preparatory school, which ls stcpplu
q stone to the training institution Il
e addition there rs school for JUNO
, girls ana the nfth establishment n 70
the children Of the married students.
Questioned ne 10 the native teuchin
. star, Mr. Coward said 1--WE have nos
5 10 samoan pastors and "a band Of
Gllbertese-the first fruits Of our train