The Mankato free press., 1923-10-05
HARDING PRAISED
LABOR FOR LEP[RS
Brother Joseph Devoting
His Life To Colony
EIGHTY YEARS OLD
Late Executive Wrote Letter
-
Late Executive Wrote Letter
Commencing Faithful Ser
vices Rendered
[Assoeiated Press pispatch.l

GAINESVILLE, Mimi, Septem Der 29.--
Copy of letter from President
Harding to Brother Joseph. who
succeeded Father Demien as the
head OF the leper colony, Molikai
Island, Hawaii, has been sent by
him 10 r. F. Lewis, manufactures
Of this city. Mr.. Lewis spends his
winters in. Honolulu and became &C
quainted with Brother Joseph.
The head of the leper colony,
now more than eighty years of age.
was soldier in the civil war and
at the time Of his enlistment was a
resident Of Janesyille. He was then
Ira NJ. Duttep and as member Of
the Thirteenth Wisconsin Volunteer
infantry recruited at Janesville
served during the three years OF
converted and renouncnig the world
entered upon missionary work in
Hawaii, becoming assistant to
Father Damien and later succeeded
to the religious as well as the civil
direction Of the leper colony.
Letter From President
The letter from the late president
follows:
"rhe White House. Washineton,
L. c., My Dear Brother Joseph: At
various times, over many years, my
attention has been called to the
splendid Christian service you have
been rendering to the unfortuuate
members OF the leper colony at
Molokai. Only quite recently my at
tention was drawn to the fact that
still carrying out this wonderful
service, and are still enjoying good
health. 1t is difficult to feel that this
s less than ono Of those miraculous
compenSations which comes at
times to men and women who make
the supreme sacrifices. / think It
cannot fail to be lesson, a great
to all who feel the urge
to great human service.
The other day a friend Of mine
spoke of the work of Father Da-
mien and yourself / had known.
through the writings OF Robert Louis
Stevenson. something about his
story af Father Damien, and more
recently or how you had carried that
work forward after Father Damien's
been moved to write a letter to
you. / know very well that those who
do the great self sacrificing tasks
OF the world. have to find their re-
ward In the work which comes to
their hand. am sure that nothing
can say can add to the sausfac-
tion which you must feel In having
thus carried on q service to the bo.
dies, and minds, and souls OF men
and women, for which we will find
few parallels. But II has seemed not
improper. / hope not an intrusion.
for mo to say to you that your work
Is not unknown Is not unappr0ciat-
ed; that all over the world there are
people who regard you and Father
Damien as men whose lives have
been well nigh perfect examples OF
self abnegation, sacrifice and service
You have set for us model whic',
wish might be raised up for
view and emulation Of many otlI
FOR 1t Is the self1ess service
our brothers that all Of us mus;
last find the great satisfaction p
OF this life
so j shall end, as I began, Dy
saying that have realised how i'm
possible 1t Is for me to say anything
which will add to the satisfactions
which you must deserve from the
Of noble and chiy-
alrons work, thus splendidiy per
formed. VI hope you may be spared
many, many more years to carry II
forward. and IL would be one Of
he pleasures Of my OWL Official
il might be able at any
line. or In any way extend q help
ng hand of influence IN behalf Of
and of those to whom you
saye given your life. Most sincess-
Y yours, Warren q. Harding"