Hawaii by C. E. Leland; Mrs. C. E. Leland

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 3, 1903

Hawaii

By C. E. Leland; Mrs. C. E. Leland

HILO.—The Lord has blessed our efforts here in securing a convenient building for holding meetings and school, with sufficient living-rooms as well, so we are quite comfortably located, and are doing what we can to spread the truth on this island.

We hold meetings on the Sabbath with our little company, studying the Bible together; and during the week we conduct a private school for young men of the various nationalities, canvass what we can, and hold readings with some who are interested in the truth. We find it impossible to hold a series of meetings, owing to the incessant rains.

Another feature of this island is the absence of the middle classes. The white people are largely engaged in business or sugar raising, and are of the wealthy class, who attend the Central Union Church. They seem to take no interest in any other meetings. The foreigners, with a few exceptions, are simply serfs to the “sugar lords,” and eke out an existence, toiling on the plantations.

While out near the volcano recently, we met a Norwegian who, by reading his Bible, had become convinced that the seventh day is the Sabbath. He said he believed we had the truth, and promised to attend our meetings when in Hilo. His home is twenty-two miles away. He seemed glad to meet us, and we gave him a number of late papers, and some of our good tracts. We hope he will yet take his stand for the truth. Two native sisters have decided to keep the Sabbath, and we hope for two more soon who are studying with us.

The school work seems to be the only way at present to reach the people, as it attracts their attention, and already some are asking what our religious belief is, and why we keep Saturday, thus affording an opportunity to tell the message. Remember the island of Hawaii.

MR. AND MRS. C. E. LELAND.