Hawai by C. D. M. Williams

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 11, 1908

Hawai

By C. D. M. Williams

HONOLULU.—We feel so much the need of workers here, that it seems we must ask for help, so that the message can be given more fully to the other islands. It will be easy to find some one, as it will make but little difference what language he speaks; for we have a polyglot community here, there being thousands that speak the Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, Chinese, Hawaiian, and a few of many other languages. The only way the message will ever reach some of these will be by the worker giving it to them orally, for they can not read. This is the condition of many of the Portuguese. Those who have come here are of the laboring class, and have not had the advantages of an education. It seems very important that we should have a Portuguese worker.

Of course the Japanese are the most numerous. So far we have been unable to do much work with them. They are here for the money that they can get, and anything that stands in the way of that is not acceptable to them. Most of them work on the plantations, and must work when the others do, or they will be turned off.

We need more literature in the Hawaiian tongue, especially on the coming of the Lord. It must be put up in a cheap form, for many of the natives are very poor. If something like “His Glorious Appearing” could be published, and sold for about twenty-five cents, it would meet the needs of the people. Some Chinese and Japanese literature can be sold in the form of small books and tracts.

So far as we are able to judge, the best way to reach the people is by Bible workers. In many places, women are more welcome than men, especially among the Orientals. Mrs. Williams is having very interesting readings in a

number of Chinese homes, where a man could not go. The same is true with reference to some other places. A woman worker would be of much help.

A number are keeping the Sabbath, and we hope soon to report an addition to our company. Brother Winslow and family left us for China on March 2, and Brother Teasdale and family stopped for a few hours on the seventh, en route to the United States, and gave us an encouraging talk on the advance of the message in the southern part of India and in the adjacent islands.

C. D. M. WILLIAMS.