The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1908-05-21

many of them having come from the
distant islands of the group at no little
cost of time and money. He speaks
of the great Hberality shown by the
peope:
This increased liberaiity is seen in
the fact that last year three islands
were added to the number that sup
ported independently their work, maxi
ing six now independent. They also
made contributions for other islands
where the work is not so well estab-
lfshed. Contributions have more than
doubled from 500 last year to $500
this jubilee year. At Butaritari they
have raised $500 for church buildings
of foreign material; at Maxim, $155.
when the jubilee day arrived our
greatest disappointment was the nom
appearance of the London Missionary
Society's steamer, John Williams,
which was to bring Mr.. and Mrs.
Coward and their school from Reru.
Even without them the house was full,
many heather attending. The program
was too long, as we did not like to
omit speeches or songs appropriate
for the occasion. The speakers testi-
fed to the changed condition at the
islands, the details being too many and
too strange to be reported by me. One
comical illustration was an old man
singing one of the oldtime songs. What
control the pioneers must have had of
their nerves and risibles! This jubi-
lee celebration shows strikingly that
the American Board mission to the
Gilbert Islands has not been failure.
Some thirteen different books, from
Bible and tune book to primer, are
constantly in use. The orders each year
call for about two thousand volumes.
Over seventy native workers are on the
twelve northern islands, and as one
of the speakers said, The streams that
first started out from Apaiang have
turned back and are now irrigating the
island
at is not a pleasant thing to state
that, whereas before the British pro-
tectorate most of the young people |
could read and write. now, with the
Roman Catholic influence and the pro- |
tectorate Endorsement of heather |
dances. a smaller proportion of the peo-
pie are in school,
Among the few details sent us con-
corning this celebration, we are glad |
to receive a copy Of letter addressed |
by the native Christians to Rev. Dr. |
service in behalf of their islands It |
is indeed a happy circumstance that |
this pioneer is still living to receive |
such a testimonial from the people |
whom he found in gross darkness.
What an amazing Transformation he |
has been permitted to witness. since
the day he met that solitary Gilbert |
Islander with whom he could not COM
municate by speech! At this jubilee |
time he is addressed in such affection
ate terms by hundreds of Christian |
people in their own language. which |
he has reduced to writing, and into
whose hands he has given the whole |
Word of God and much other Chris
tan literature. Here is the letter:
"Apaiang. Gilbert Islands, November
Is, 1907.
Rev. H. Bingham:
This is a letter to you from the Gill
bertese Evangelical Association through
its moderator
May you be in health. We greatly
appreciate your kindness while we are
about TO observe the jubilee so very
near at hand. We remember the time
when you first came to the Gilbert
Islands, landing on Apaiang and bring
ing to US the gospel, the Word of God.
You held not your life dear for the
words of Jesus, because the minds of
the people were very dark in those
days
we also call to mind your great
work in our behalf. You translated
our most excellent Bible. and prepared
for Us many books through which we
have been greatly blessed.
We therefore praise God for the
and activity which he has Civ
en- you ali these days. We cease not to
pray for You that the Holy Spirit may
help you in our work. In view of all,
our hearts cease not to render many
thanks TO YOU, and to praise you for
your abundant labors in behalf of |
Jesus. May peace be with you. We
shall meet again.
From us all, the members of this
association: by the hand Of the mod
orator JOHN TORAOI."
V-T /