The Hawaiian gazette., 1913-04-22
NOBLE TR|BUEE
TO FIR. DAMIEN
Brother Dutton of Molokai
Writes of Work of
Martyred Priest.

Visited by Father Francis, prizes
ron Syracuse, New York, who on hi
'eturn home wrote in praise of th
work done at Molokai after Fathe
Damien S death, Brother Joseph Dut
on has replied to Father Francis, writ
ng from Kalawao, Molokai. The let
;er reads as follows:
Kalawao, Molokai.
"Father Francis, Syracuse, n. Y.
''My Dear Father Francis: Your
good letter has interested me. Your
praise for the work now done
among the lepers is appreciated.
''The record of Father Damien
has set standard Tor praise that
is worldwide and the expression
of it even now i recognize as
voicing the worlds approval of
his life here, unique in being the
first, and admiration for his lowly
death. This death struck note
in the world s melody of things
fair and good that reached the
heart of everyone.
'Some personal friends speak of
us, the imitators Gas we truly are),
but the world in general-'think
ing or speaking of this leper set
tiement or of lepers anywhere, has
Father Damien chiefly in view.
His death, so tragic yet hum
BILE, has placed him high in the
world s affection. We are not
oh 10 tb,,.
done: surely it is great and very
pleasing to God. We ought to re-
ioice for having the chance to aid
in this by keeping up the work,
and the work ought to occupy us
quite fully. 1t is good to CORE
spond with our personal friends,
to state the facts that are good for
them to know, but we cannot
have any vain thoughts concern
ing these facts, nor as to our rela-
tions thereto. Our feeling should
/, be chiefly of gratitude, and think
this sentiment fills us, all who are
in the work, and that it binds us
not only to the work, but to each
other, that everything may go on
in unity, peace and concord, under
the will of God. Thus helping to
perpetuate Father Damien IS work,
the light in which it will ever be
considered, / take it, over the
world. Had he never begun it, we
should hardly have been here, may
never, indeed, have heard of the
place.
cit has often been stated that
Father Damien was rought. lacking
in culture. etc. He fitted. however,
the early times. and the work very
we'll I doubt if there We're many
who could have effected all the
good be did.
"Things have changed, advances
have been made, and are still be-
ling made. The settlement is not
what it was twenty years ago.
"Some of these thoughts | havo
had in mind recently, intending to
express the substance in a little
souvenir of our home and briefly
of the work in general.
''That our work is better than
the work of others we cannot be-
lieve; yours, | hope, is fully as
good. Nour intentions and desires
may have been better than ours.
"But l do not lack in apprecia-
tion of the peculiar conditions and
qualities of this work. Indeed its
special fitness for my own spiritual
needs has been strong incentive
in coming here, and in staying
come My love for the work has
never decreased. Everything in
your letter has inspired me with
good thoughts. 7 thank YOU very
much, and sympathize with you in
the affections of your advancing
g. years. We can mediate we'll upon
the Eternal life now so near.
"It is well for US to be humble,
hut we must not be proud of our
humility.
"Gratefullv yours.
"(Signed) JOSEPH DUTToN."
s-%-s-