Continuation of O. H. Gulicks letter from Japan, 1871.

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LETTER FROM JAPAN.

(Continuation From Last Month.)

Ke Alauala:—Aloha oe:

There is a beautiful temple to Buddha on a hill inland of here. There are 125 nicely hewn stone steps leading to the grounds of the temple. There are fifty stone statues placed in pairs all about the temple, in small buildings. There are two in one structure, and two in the next, and two in the next, all around the great temple. The height of these stone figures are from one to four feet tall. Most are human figures, but there also some of foxes. One of the human statues was carved with ten hands, like the Buddha statues of India. There are two huge wooden statues maybe ten feet tall. It is said that these two huge figures possess mana. A person a piece of paper and chews it in his mouth until it is wadded up; then he spits it out, sticking it on to the body of the statue. According to the ignorant beliefs of the worshipers, the power of the statue comes out and enters the person. We saw paper that was chewed up and stuck to these two great statues; it looked like a case of rash from head to foot. Within the temple there are numerous metal lanterns and tiny bells, and coal burners and altars. Some of the metal objects are beautifully decorated in gold. There are some metal plates with perhaps the names of the gods and names of ancestors and perhaps prayers that were composed written upon them. All of the decorations within this Buddhist temple are very fine and beautiful. As for the priests caring for the Buddhist temple, their heads are shaved bald.

The second religion is totally different, that being Shinto. The Ruler of Japan is the head of this religion; he is called the Mikado, the child of God, the child of the Heavens.

Earlier, American and British diplomats were talking to those from Japan, and said that the teaching to their people of Christianity should be allowed. The Japanese diplomats said that the Ruler of Japan, the Mikado, was the son of God,  and therefore, it isn’t right to teach Christianity, for in that religion, it is said that Jesus Christ is the son of God. If Christianity is allowed amongst the Japanese people, then one son of God would end up opposing another. There should not be two sons of God in one nation, lest they fight each other. So the teaching of Christianity to the Japanese is strictly prohibited. The people fear the rulers, and do not associate with the Christian missionaries.

According to the words of David in Psalms 2: The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed. However, I am hopeful that in no time, the doors will open and the words of God will enter far and wide in this land.

In the city of Kobe, there is a deserted forest, and within it is a Shinto shrine; there is not carved god in the shrine of this religion, except a fox statue, a type of wild dog. There are hundreds of large lanterns on the grounds of this shrine, lanterns carved out of stone, and some metal ones as well. White horses are kept on the grounds of  Shinto shrines. These small white horses are always kept, and they are fed all the time. Perhaps these horses are gods; spirits perhaps live within the horses. Within the shrine, there are numerous beautiful things made of brass and gold.

How misguided are those who do not hear the word of God. When we learn the language of this land, we will teach them about Jehovah, the true God.

Much aloha to all the people of my homeland who are reading the Alaula. It is of them who i dreamt of some nights ago.  From me, O. H. Gulick.

Kobe, Japan, March 18, 1871.

(Alaula, 6/1871, p. 10)

PALAPALA MAI IAPANA MAI.

Ke Alaula, Buke VI, Helu 3, Aoao 10. Iune, 1871.

Hawaii missionaries in Japan, 1871.

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LETTER FROM JAPAN.

Ke Alaula:—Aloha to you:—Here we are on the shores of the island called Nipona,* the large island of the archipelago of Japan. We left San Francisco on the first day of February and on the 26th, we landed here at Yokohama, Japan. We stayed there for three days and met with the American missionaries who live there. Then we boarded a steam coaster and travelled for two nights and landed at the port of Kōbe. Kōbe is on the south side of Nipona, in the space between Nipona and Kyūshū.

The two of us spent two weeks with the American missionary who arrived here earlier. Currently we are renting a house, and perhaps this is where we will stay permanently. There are about 300 haole from abroad living here, but most of them are unbelievers.

We started to learn Japanese, and know some words. Here are some of them, ino [imo] is potato; kome is rice; maki is firewood; tora [tori] is chicken; hiru go hau [hiru gohan] is lunch.

The Rulers and all people of the land are idol worshipers. There are perhaps forty people who have followed after the teachings of the American missionaries, listening to and worshiping Jehovah. There are maybe twenty million or more people in total in this land.

There are two types of idolatry here. The first one is Buddhism. This religion was spread from India until it reached Japan. The second type is called Sinetu [Shintō]. The religious buildings for both of these religions are built in serene places on hills, in beautiful valleys and sheltered forests.

O. H. Gulick.

*This seems to be a misunderstanding, whereas “Nippon” is the name for Japan as a whole, and the island that Gulick speaks of is named Honshū.

(Alaula, 5/1871, p. 8)

PALAPALA MAI IAPANA MAI.

Ke Alaula, Buke VI, Helu 2, Aoao 8. Mei, 1871.

La Kuokoa, the early days, 1846.

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The Shining Day.

On the 28th of November, 1843, the nations of Britain and France recognized the independence of this nation of Hawaii; therefore, the 28th of November every year is a day of joy, a day of rest from work, of feasting, of fellowship.

So too was this past holiday, the 28th of Nov.; there was no work done on Oahu, as it was a day of rejoicing for the independence of this Kingdom.

At 12 noon, the cannons rang out, the naturalized haole held a party at [Mau…lika?] and the King held a banquet at his [?] with his alii and the young alii. The doors of the palace of the King were opened, and crowds of haole and [?] came to see him. Present was the American Consul in his beautiful attire as well as the Consul of Denmark.

Early in the morning of that glorious day, the King and some alii entered the hous of Jehovah as well as many of the public, to give thanks to the one to whom the nation belongs. This was as it should be, for Jehovah is the Head of Monarchs of all kingdoms, who cares for and who overthrows, from who comes protection and independence of a nation, [?] and the people rejoice in him. Should this nation, Hawaii, be blessed, the glory goes to God, and not upon the alii and man.

Except the Lord build the house,
They labour in vain that build it,
Except the Lord keep the city,
The watchman waketh but in vain.

At our assembly in the house of God on that happy day, the Pastor spoke on this topic.

“For Israel hath not been forsaken,
“Nor Judah of his God, of Jehovah of hosts,
“Though their land was filled with sin against the Holy One of Israel.”

The lesson of this passage was, ‘There are many sins committed by the people and alii of Hawaii, and yet God has not forsaken them.

God sees the drinking of alcohol, the fornication, evil deeds on his sacred day, the worshiping of idols, the fighting, the the overburdening, the snatching, the stealing, the lying, the indolence—and yet God has not forsaken you; he is patient and gives blessings. This nation was near lost, but was held fast by God who returned the rule of the land, and his nation is expanding, along with his righteousness and grace, from one corner of the land to the other.

Therefore we must acknowledge Jehovah, and always give him praise, and listen to his voice. Don’t just boast of the independence of the nation, but act intelligently and righteously. Leave laziness behind and work, and ward off all evil things and hold fast to the things which will elevate this independent nation. And then God’s blessings and patience will be worthwhile.

(Elele, 12/12/1846, p. 135)

KA LA OLILI.

Ka Elele, Buke 2, Pepa 17, Aoao 135. Dekemaba 12, 1846.

Independence Day, 1854.

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The 28th of November.

On that day, the soldiers of Honolulu drilled about Kulaokahua, both Hawaiian and haole soliders, hundreds of them. The King and Queen went and inspected the troops; many of the officers from the British, American, and French warships came. They admired the drilling.

On the night, the Hawaiian alii and the haole ones, as well as all of the prestigious people came to the Palace to see the King and the alii.

On the 28th of Nov., the nations of Britain and France acknowledged the independence of this Hawaiian Nation, and that is the reason for the celebration on this day.

(Elele Hawaii, 12/1/1854, p. 75)

KA LA 28 O NOVEMABA.

Elele Hawaii, Buke 9, Pepa 19, Aoao 75. Dekemaba 1, 1854.

Early Thanksgiving in Hawaii, 1862

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Thanksgiving Day.

In the month of Mei, 1862, at the Conference of American missionaries here in Honolulu, Rev. L. Smith, and Rev. S. C. Damon were chosen as the Committee to clarify the appropriate day for the churches of Hawaii to give thanks to God for his blessing the people of this Archipelago in this year which is coming to an end.

Therefore, we select the last Thursday of this November, that being the 27th, as the day to give thanks to God. Here are some reasons to encourage the gathering of pastors and church members to celebrate this day.

1. For this Nation’s peace, and lack of war with other Countries.

2. For the availability of food for the people of this Archipelago.

3. For the lack of trouble from pestilence.

4. For the spread of the Bible here in Hawaii; and for the ability of the people to worship the living God as they wish?

5. For the abundance of Schools, and Churches, and teachers to teach the people.

6. For the good health of the King, and the Queen. Yet we remember with aloha, their tragedy, and grief, for the passing of their beloved child, “Ka Haku o Hawaii”.

There are many other things to encourage us to glorify God in the open as one.

Therefore, God’s people should gather at their churches on the specified day, to give their appreciation, exaltation, and songs of praise.

L. Smith.

S. C. Damon.

(Nupepa Kuokoa, 11/22/1862, p. 3)

Ka La Hoomaikai.

Nupepa Kuokoa, Buke I, Helu 52, Aoao 3. Novemaba 22, 1862.

Smallpox brought by the Meifoo, 1881.

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Smallpox in Honolulu nei.

O Hawaiian Nation, the steamship “Meifoo” from China, entered into Honolulu Harbor, and within its passengers, there are six Chinese who are suffering from that frightful annihilating disease of 1853–4, that illness that took ten-thousand of our beloved people. There are two of them with the disease that are very bad, and four will perhaps live.

We understand the the Board of Health has decided to quarantine the sick at the hospital at Kahakaaulana, and for those that are not sick, to quarantine them at Kakaako, while detaining the agents of the ship to pay all expenses should the disease spread here after.

We call out to our beloved nation, let us watch out for ourselves, and let us not associate much with these foreigners, for the time for concern has come upon our nation, because this disease was brought here and it is at our own door. Should we be saved, it is only through the love of the Almighty.

Do recall, O Leaders of our Nation, as well as the members of the Board of Health, that the cabinet of Gerrit P. Judd [Kauka] was ended because of this, and we fear that maybe there will be one that follows the first one in the very near future. Only time will tell.

As we were returning to print the paper for today, it was heard that Smallpox appeared in the body of a haole boy of this town. Here is a query, a question: what of this?

(Ko Hawaii Pae Aina, 2/5/1881, p. 2)

Ka Mai Puupuu Samola Poki ma Honolulu nei.

Ko Hawaii Pae Aina, Buke IV, Helu 6, Aoao 2. Feberuari 5, 1881.