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HAWAII AND THE GOSPEL

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jan 29, 1894

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 20, No. 13.

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HAWAII AND THE GOSPEL.

By J. K. Josefa

BY REV. J. K. JOSEPA, PASTOR AT HANA, MAUI.
BEFORE mentioning the blessings that have come to the Hawaiians through the teachings of the American missionaries, I wish to make mention of the condition of the Hawaiians previous to the year 1820.
This people were in great darkness. They did not know the living God, nor did they know his Son, Jesus Christ. They had a multitude of gods which they worshiped. They worshiped the fish in the sea, the sun, the moon, and stars, sticks and stones. They also worshiped the spirits of dead persons. These are the names of some of their gods: Pele, Hiiaka, Kapo, Kaonohiokala. These were the times of very great darkness.
On the 20th of March, 1820, Rev. Hiram Bingham and Rev. Asa Thurston, with their companions, arrived at Kailua, North Kona, Hawaii. From that date to the present time very many blessings have been poured out upon this people.
1. In the first place, when the missionaries arrived, they made a written language, published books, and gave us the word of God in our native tongue. They gave us knowledge of the true God.
2. The natives learned of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world, and they turned to him in great numbers. Many of the chiefs were converted and united with their teachers and people in building up the kingdom of Christ in Hawaii. The false gods and the heathen temples were overthrown.
3. Schools for the instruction of all classes have been organized in every part of the land; the door of instruction is open to everyone. Native churches have been organized throughout the islands, and native pastors are caring for these churches.
4. Out of the work begun by the missionaries has come a civil government, which continues to maintain order among all classes of our people. The people have been greatly blessed in material affairs. The industries that have grown up have offered employment and gain to all who were willing to work.
5. The greatest blessing that ever came to the Hawaiians is the knowledge of everlasting life through faith in the name of Jesus Christ.
—Missionary Herald.