The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1906-08-18
MethOdiSm in the
Hawaiian Islands


wall is among the Japanese and Ko-
reans of the islands. And why not
among the Chinese also?' it may be
asked. Because of a kind of unwritten
agreement with the missionaries of
the Congregational church to leave the
Chinese work to the Congrega tionalists
since they have been most successful
among those people, and the Japanese
and Korean work to the Methodists,
whose methods seem peculiarly adapt
ed to success in that work. In Honolu-
III the Japanese work is organized in
to two societies: First Church and
King Street. On account of the re-
moval of so many members from the
neighborhood of King Street there is
now little more than a Sunday-school
maintained there. But First Church,
in charge of Pastor MotokaWa, is a
live and thriving society. Last Janu-
airy they dedicated their new church
building the cost of which was $4,000
Of this amount $4,000 was given by the
japanese and other residents of Homo
lulu. Great praise is given the pastor
for his noble efforts and great success
in the accomplishment of this work.
A word must be said here concern
ing the work of the Woman's Home
Missionary Society in Honolulu. The
most effective work had been among
the Japanese. Susanna Wesley Home
on King street is the society's refuge
for fallen japanese women and orphan
children.
Outside of Honolulu there are ten
Japanese evangelists at work among
their own people of the various is
lands. Conversions are being made
congregations organized, and churches
built. During the last Conference year
seven new Japanese and Korean
churches were dedicated These con-
have from fifty to two hun
dred and fifty members each.
The Korean work is perhaps the most
gratifying of all. Since the Russo |
japanese War the Koreans have prac-
tlcally been left without a country of
their own, and have been coming to |
Hawaii by the thousand. There are
now about seven thousand of them !
working on the sugar plantations of
Hawaii, and it looks like heathenism |
rushing into the open arms of Chris |
tfanity instead of Christianity having
to go to heathenisn. For I am told |
that the Koreans of Hawaii are so fast
accepting the gospel of Jesus Christ
that twenty-five per cent. to thirty
per cent. of them are now Christians.
AS the superintendent explained to me
he matter of their conversion is sim
pie when compared with that of the
Japanese. For the Koreans seem to
nave left religious prejudice behind. |
while the Japanese have brought theiri
Buddhism.
Many stories might be told of the
eligious zeal of the Korean Christians,
'ut shall refer to only one here which
Ippealed most strongly to me. A
hort time before the dedication of
he Japanese First Church. in Honolu-
u, an Epworth League was organized
mOng the young Koreans of a GER
ain sugar plantation. 1t was planned
" these young people to attend the
edication of the Honolulu Church en-
nasse. And, upon the suggestion of
ONE member. they decided to so in
inform. Having procured some khaki
rom the plantation superintendent,
hey made for themselves uniform
uits: and, on the day of dedication.
ley marched into Honolulu in column,
venty-three strong, headed by a fag.
their own design. The demonstra-i
on was all q surprise to the Hono-i
llu people and created a great deal
interest. That evening these young
caguers visited the League at the
nelish Church and in their enthusi-
7Jic testimonies. gave great encour-
cement as we'll as wholesome advice
their white brothers concerning I
Tristan living.
sydney. Australia. I