The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1907-06-03

Dramatic Spectacle at
Thomas Square
Gathering.

day school pupils of all ages of at
least four races, and of fully score
of nationalities. They came in Sun
day school organization from as far
in one direction as Kalihi. and from
as far in the other as Manoa and Mo-
iliili. In addition there were delega-
tions from each of the other islands,
and from some of the other churches
on this island
It was the annual Sunday school rally
of the Honolulu Sunday schools.
Under the grateful shade of an i'm
mense banyan tree, the various Sun
day schools grouped themselves and
their display of banners of different
hues, and lettered in many languages,
made an imposing sight. Effective too
was the volume of song as, to the ac-
compartment of the Hawaiian band,
the entire assemblage sang, in many
languages but in one diapason of praise,
some of the grand old hymns of the
church
The Sunday schools began arriving
at Thomas Square shortly before four
O'Clock. Some, those from the more
distant localities, came in special street
cars, while those from nearer localities
marched as Soldiers of the Cross. The
Hawaiian band was early at the square
and rendered a program of sacred
music while the various Sunday schools
school pupils were gathering and mass
ing themselves near the center of
Thomas Square, a score Or more of
Japanese soda water carts and eornuco-
pia wagons began gathering around
the edges of the square. But the ex-
ercises held attention pretty closely,
and the soda water carts and cornuco-
pia wagons did only slight and fur
tive business.
To one with an eye to dramatic
setting there might seem something
fgurative in this juxtaposition; the
Christian hosts massed and triumphant,
Satan's emissaries scattered and fur
tive.
The program was purposely made
brief. The eonsiderate managers of the
affair thought the day was too hot to
to keep children through a
long program There was doubtless
more than one elder who was, conscious
ly or uneonsciously, thoughtful for the
The program lasted just
a little less than an hour. There were
but two addresses. One was by Rev. I
s. T.. Desha in Hawaiian, suggestions |
from the two notices, Loyalty to
Christi and eco Forward. - The
other was by Rev. G. D. Edwards on
the Changers and Uses of Habit. =
Both were short. Each was an attempt
10 bring home to the young an i'm
oortant truth.
In the singing of the hymns, Chester
Livingston led the band Captain Ber-
Ter yielding the baton and himself join
ng heartily in singing such well known
lymns as sJesusi Lover of My Soul
Onward Christian Soldiers and
What a Friend We Have in Jesus!"
Rev. Peter n. Kahokuoluna, one of
he delegates from Maui to the Evan
celica1 Association meeting, was On
barge of the meeting, j. A. Rath be-
NO in charge of the organization of
be rally.
Following the benediction the band )
nder the direction of Captain Berger t
layed Hawaii Ponoi, !" America - a
Aloha Oe,'' and the "star spangled a
anner''
After the opening concert by the :
and, the various Sunday schools pres :.
at opened the program by the sing |
lg of "Come Thou Almighty King, - t.
hich was followed by "Onward n
hristian Soldier : :
The fresh young voices rang out
ear and sweet in both those hymns.
awaiian Americans, Portuguese, Chi },
,se, japanese and Korean Sunday +
hool scholars, not to speak of 0
,rfnkIing of other nations, sang to- p
ther as one nation, and the effect was =
agnifcent. s,
The shepherd Psalm was recited o
concert by those present and was n
llowed by a prayer in English by :,
r. Rider \,
Then the Maui delegation to the re
nuaI meeting of the Evangelical AS al
citation sang hymn in a most eff n =
:tive way. ii
Under the leadership of Mrs. J. ". 50
LrndIev. the Kakaako Sunday school ii