Hawaiian Islands by C. D. M. WILLIAMS

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 27, 1908

Hawaiian Islands

By C. D. M. WILLIAMS

HONOLULU.—Elder J. N. Loughborough passed through here last Friday night (July 24), and gave us one of his good talks on the spirit of prophecy. This was appreciated by all. One brother said he could stay all that night and hear him talk of those things. It is a great privilege to us to have our brethren come to us with messages, as they pass through here on their way to and from other parts of the field.

We are glad to say that we are of good courage, and believe that our little company is drawing nearer the Lord as the day for his coming approaches. The Holy Spirit seems to pervade all our meetings, and some from without are becoming interested as the truth is presented.

One man was in last evening who had heard only three sermons, and had already begun to keep the Sabbath. He stayed after meeting till very late, and asked questions, many of which were on the line of Mormonism, as he belongs to that church. As I had been among the Mormons in Arizona, and had lived among them in Utah, and had had them at many Bible readings and meetings, I could give complete answers to his questions.

Mrs. Williams had a rather peculiar experience a few days ago. A Chinese missionary of one of the other denominations seemed especially friendly to her for some time, but as she could speak very little English, it seemed almost impossible for her to make us understand what she wanted. The other day she came, and asked Mrs. Williams to go with her, and she took her to another Chinese missionary's house, where they had also invited another Chinese woman. One of these women could speak good English, and she told my wife that they wanted her to teach them the Bible. Now it is arranged for her to go there every week.

It is very hard to get a hearing here among any of the church-members, as they and we are watched very closely, and as soon as it is known that we have talked with them, the ministers visit them, and do all they can to prevent them from receiving the truth. Yet now and then one will step out on the Word.

We had the big fleet with us for ten days; the city went wild over it, and entertainments of every description were given. I understand that about forty thousand dollars was spent in entertainment. We tried to make it a time of bringing in a little of the Lord's truth, by selling about five hundred of the Naval edition of the Signs.

C. D. M. WILLIAMS.