The Garden Island. [volume] (Lihue, Kauai, H.T.) 1902-current, 1917-04-24
HANALEI CHURCH
CONVENTION

ton of the Kauai churches met this
last week at Hanalei. 1t was well
attended, being favored with most
beautiful weather, and being repre-
sentative of the Sunday school and
Christian Endcavor interests as well
as the churches.
Among the more interesting sub
iects which came up for considera-
ton were the following
There was Il good deal Of adverse
criticism over the non-attcndance
Of the Japanese churches, either by
pastor or lay delegate. The sup
crintendent of the Board was known
to be on the island, and was under
stood to have advised against the
participation to the Japanesechurch-
cs. 1t was explained that proper
invitations had not been issued to
these churches, and they inferred
that they were not wanted. Also
the long trip to Hanalei involved an
expense that was more or less pro-
hibitive for a struggling church.
On the assurance that hereafter
careful provision would be made for
inviting them, it was promised for
them that they would not again be
rcmiss in this particular.
The annual singing contest, at the
general Association in June in Ho-
nolulu, will be confined to the Sun
day schools. And in order to get
the best results, an island competi-
ton was held in connection with
the convention to call out the best
talent, and the chorus winning out
is to represent the island in the
general contest in June. Mcssrs.
Judd, Erdman and kamaiopili, as
disintcrcstcd parties, were appoint
ed to act as judges in the local con-
test. The Anahola Chorus was the
successful one.
In regard to the general conven-
ton, it was indicated that there
would be serious difficulty about
financing it, unless the numbers can
be materially reduced. The cost of
the last general convention in Hilo,
last year, was some $780, this
one will probably cost no less than
$1,000, owing to the advance of
prices Where is this large sum to
come from? And even if available
is it necessary or wise to spend it?
These summer conventions have
been steadily growing in numbers
of late years, until they have assum-
ed proportions that are unwieldy,
and even prohibitive; there are only
one or two places on the islands that
can handle them, and they are get
ting tired of them. 1t is only
question of time when they will
have to be reduced, and this may
be the time.
Considerable attention was given
to the matter of systematic giving
The Hawaiian churches arc liberal
givers, but not always wise givcrs.
The system recommended was the
well known envelope system o
weekly gifts of small amounts, that
would amount up surprisingly in
the aggregate. This system is in
use in some churches ON Oahu with
encouraging success. The practical
difficulty of the scheme, that some
times limits its success, is the time
and attention it requires from the
treasurer or his assistant.
The following interesting figures
concerning the Kauai churches,
compiled by Kew. II. p. Judd, sta
tistical secretary of the Hawaiian
Board were presented at the Island
Association which met the other
day at Ianalei.
MEMBERSHIP
The Hawaiian churches, : 522I
The Union churches 2 5SI
The Chinese churches 2 59I
The Japanese churches 1 III
The Filipino church 259