HONOLULU by Stephen N. Haskell

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jul 2, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 26.

HONOLULU

By Stephen N. Haskell

Incidents by the Way. No. 2.

HONOLULU.

We arrived off this harbor at 12:30 A. M.; a rocket was sent up from the ship; then a blue light was burned at the bow; and these signals were answered by a pilot, who took us safely into the harbor. Soon the news spread through the city of 15,000 people. We took a hack and in a short time were brought to the International Society Rooms, and Brethren Scott and LaRue were aroused from their slumbers. While they were dressing, we took the liberty of looking over their house, which contains five rooms: a library, sitting-room, bedroom, kitchen, and store-room. While in the kitchen, we saw a centipede running over the table. We were about to kill him, knowing that in southern California their bite is very poisonous; but Brother Scott quietly said that the centipedes, and tarantulas (a spider as large as your hand) were their family pets—harmless things, he said. Well, we suppose there is nothing like getting used to a thing. I noticed that a netting firmly inclosed their beds as a safeguard against mosquitoes.

These two brethren have been there nine months, and as the result there are thirteen keeping the Sabbath; these are living in different parts of the city. A little exertion on the part of one of their number aroused the others, and before the vessel left we had the privilege of seeing them on board the ship. Our interview with them was pleasant. They are intelligent looking people. There were four nationalities represented,—German, Spanish, Hawaiian, and American. One of them we learned was about to leave for San Francisco, much to the regret of Brethren Scott and LaRue. The brethren, although poor, made donations to the amount of $8.00 for the Australian Mission. Others presented us with bunches of bananas. These things showed that the same missionary spirit that characterized our friends in America had also touched their hearts. These tokens of generosity served to unite our hearts with theirs. A number of them are awaiting baptism when an opportunity presents itself.

By the labors of these brethren the truth has been planted on other islands. There are eight inhabited islands in the Hawaiian group. From Honolulu they all receive their intelligence from the outer world. This makes Oahu the principal island; although Hawaii is the largest in extent of territory, it has the largest active volcano in the world, and is therefore mostly covered with lava. There are a few plantations on it which are principally owned by one man, and are worked by the natives. Another island has a Government school, and one of the teachers has embraced the Sabbath. Thus by various means the seeds of truth which have been sown in the different islands are taking root. As our ship was about to leave, we heard a splash, and a cry, "A man overboard." It proved to be the wharf master. By a misstep he took a sudden bath. He was soon rescued by a rope and continued to give orders as though nothing had happened.

Thursday morning, May 21, is as beautiful a morning as ever dawned. The sea is smooth and the weather warm and sultry. Those on board the ship come out in their thin summer clothes. Occasionally we have showers. Then the wind rises and blows the sea into a rage. It foams and roars, and lashes the sides of the

vessel furiously. But the sea does not rise up in its strength; if it did I suppose we would quail before it. We have the feeling of security that God, who made the sea, is at the helm. And we are forcibly reminded of two verses that come together in Isaiah 40: "He shall feed his flock like a shepherd; he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?"

To-day we found a gentleman from Nova Scotia, who has become interested in reading our publications. We trust that the time of this voyage will not be lost even though we be out to sea so long. Each day reveals to us some new item of interest. This morning we listened attentively to a lady on board arguing with a clergyman in favor of the Sabbath. She does not keep it herself but says that she believes it.

She knew of us before we met her. A number have inquired with apparent candor into what we believe and as to our mission. We are treated with all respect by both officers and passengers. S. N. H.