https://hmha.missionhouses.org/files/original/b5bdbc1c65c1c9bc3cfc826fe4a4cd90.pdf 49a544c5e91085fa3409877e47d74994 PDF Text Text FRISUP EL ND.MENT THE TO $cto Scries, M. 21. if. 12.1 THE FRIEND. DECEMBER 10, 1872. HONOLULU, DECEMBER 10, 18.2. if any people are under obligation to acknowledge the kindness and bounty of God, they arc hearts are fully in sympathy with our fellow citizens dwelling happily and securely under the mild rule of Ulysses S. Grant, President of the great North American Republic. Many are the reasons why American citizens residing on the Hawaiian Islands, should on this occasion, as formerly, observe thisannual day of Thanksgiving. Tbe theme of my remarks will bo that suggested by the President, in tlio words " Whose Government is their creature, subject to their behests, who have reserved to themselves ample civil and religious freedom, and equality before Honolulu, Not. 29th, 1872. Rev. S. C. Damon— Dear Sir.—We, the undersigned, desire to return our sincere thanks for tbe very able, gratifying and interesting discourse delivered by you on yesterday, on the occasion of the National Thanksgiving by tbe people of the United States ; and we respeotfully request you to furnish a copy of tbe same for publication. the law." With great regard and esteem, your friends and AMERICAN GOVERNMENT —THE CREATION OF THE THE obedient servants, Henry A. Peibuc, C. S. Mattoon, TEOri.K. Alex. J. Cartwbioht, S. N. Castle, It is In the words of tlio proclamation their creature." These words are in accordance H. A. P. Carter. P. C. Jones, Jr. with the opening words of tlio preamble to the Constitution of the United {States; We, the Government, The people of the United States, in order to Ibrm a more perfect Union—do ordain and establish this the People. Constitution for the United States of America." This is the key-note of the American GovernDISCOURSE, ment and of all Ameiican legislation, in both the State and National Legislatures. tbe peoPreached in theFort-StreetChurch, in Honolulu, ple," ordain and establish the laws, We, appoint our own officers, and it is from us—the people—that November 28th, 1872, by rev. s. c. damon. all civil and political power emulates. Kvery true and loyal American citizen feels under bo Putin, 14: '■ Offer unto (Iml Thanksgiving." We are gathered this morning, agreeable to special obligation to God for the privilege of living under a Government organized and adminthe recommendation of the President of tho United istered by the people, or those elected by the States, in his annual proclamation, issued on tho people. This is the crowning feature of America. 11tit of October. He, therein, recommends that X'tiiß has beeu the ruling idea or principle of the the people of the United States meet in their American aeoplo, throughout nil their colonial as since the adoption of the Conrespective houses of worship, and there make history, asWell stitution. It was. We, the people," when in acknowledgments to God for His kindnem and the cabin of the May Flowor," the Pilgrims, bounty." For this purpose he appointed thin bound to seek a home in America, signed their 28th day of November. In order to impress the names to that immortal document, which called forth from tlio hintorian lianiTolt the remark people of America with a due sense of their In the cabin of the May Flower humanity obligation to acknowledge the kindness and recovered its rights and instituted Government on bounty of God, the President thus words his the basis of equal laws for the general good." Whereas, If any one peoplo There was the germ of all Democratic instituproclamation has more occasion than another for such thank- tions in America. Forever after, it was the Hanie, in all the other colonies. This is a point fulness it is the citizens of the United States, to which we cannot too ofteu refer, bemuse it is whose Government is their creature, subject to tbe controlling idea, which subsequently gaththeir behests, who have reserved to themselves ered such strength, that it resulted in severing ample civil and religious freedom, and eqnahty the colonies from the Mother Country. When President asscrU that the Government of Wore the law; who during the last twelve the UnitedGrant States is a creature of the people, he have enjoyed exemption from any griev- describes what the people of the United States months ances or general calamity, and to whom pros- have been doing during the last two hundred and years. There lias boon a growth during perity in agriculture, manufacturesand commerce fifty that long period of this Government of tbe people. has been vouchsafed." The work is not finished. Only recently have The President has in these words furnished as they added to its growth in the abolition of good a text for a Thanksgiving discourse as any negro slavery, forced upon them originally by the jne could with. He expresses the opinion, that, Mother Country. The people ot the United : :" American of " the Creation A THANKSGIVING " " " " :" " : 101 {<&toSmw,M.2ll. Government* of Great Britain which compelled the colonies to receive those slaves, and onn English Sovereign—Queen Anno—claimed the privilege of subscribing for one quarter part ol the stock of the African Company, Philip V., of Spain, took another iiuarter, and tbe people of England were allowed to subscribo for the remaining half. According to the treaty of Utrecht, ISriUa.uk: Majesty did offer and undertake "toHer transport from Africa to the New World, 144,000 negroes, during the spaoff of thirty years." The results of that negotiation are agi tating the body-politic of the United States, and the people of that land arc now experiencing the sad effects of those transactions. The united sentiment of the inhabitants of America, is; that, the people," are determined to put an "endWe,to such nefarious proceedings, and so fur ■■<•■ American influence, is now felt at home or abroad, it is in opposition to slavery and all involuntary servitude. Mark you, it is a Government of the people, which bas accomplished these and many other most happy results and salutary reforms. With muoh force does President Grant speak of the United States Government, as subject to the behests of tho people. The Government is under the people's control and command. Count Dc Gasperin saw this, when he wrote that volume, entitled " The Uprising of a Great People." Dc Tocquevillc, iv his great work ou Democracy in America, testified to this fact, and most honorable testimony does he bear to the ability of the American people for self-government. lie made the history aud genius of the people a profound study and hence writes knowingly. The people arose in their majesty mid said: "The slave holders' rolxl lion must be put down. If an* army of 100,000 will not do it, then double the number, and if that woMd not suffice, then put a million of soldiers under arms." [ThctolU number culled for 2,942.748, and obtained 2,000,401.] This is what people " said to their rulers. Now " the is it not a matter for dovout Thanksgiving, thai tho very man who commanded that million of soldiers, is at the head of the Government, and ready modestly to say, "this Government t» the people's creature and subject to their behests." I am aware of a feeling existing, quite extensively, among Americans, that a mill tury man ought not to bo elected to flic Presidency of the United States, hot 1 must conicthat 1 cannot fully sympathize with that feeling la it not a high compliment to the people's Government, when a Washington, a Jackson, a Harrison, a Taylor, a Grant, lays aside the sword and all the pageantry of the camp, and quietly makes his home for a period of four years in tinWhite House, admitting the humblest citizen of the Republic to enjoy his hospitality? When tinsubjects of European Sovereigns and the advocates of monarchical powers of Government visit the people over whom be presides. Although wo are not gathered on American soil, yet our �THE FRIJaVNJ), DECEMBER, 102 jB7 t the sin of negro slavery, but originally it was the Tbe colonists from England brought over tbe States subsequently became deeply involved in forms of tbe Government of the Mother Country, America, and witness this transfer of the Military and the purpose of giving them a better developChieftain to tbe office of Chief Magistrate of the ment ana a fairer career in tbe Western World. Republic, they are compelled to admit, there Is The English emigrants retained wbat they called something truly sublime and morally grand in English privileges, but left behind in tho parent the rule of the people. country, English inequalities, the monarch, tbe nobility and prelacy. English America had REPUBLICAN fORM OP GOVERNMssPT, ADAPTED TO TBE English liberties in greater purity, and with far AMERICAN PEOPLE. more of the power of tbe people than in EngFor an educated, thinking and intelligent people, land."—Bancroft, vol. 4, p. 450. a Republican form of Government is admirably SETTLED AMERICAN PRINCIPLES. suited. The Government of tbe United States is a did The following may be enumerated among the not people, who tbe creation of such model it after any form with wbicb they were settled principles of Government in America, but conversant in the old world, or had become which are more or less agitating and revolutionacquainted with, by the perusal of history. The izing the nations of Europe: American Government is something entirely new 1. Separation of Cburoh and State. iv the world's history. Wo read of ancient 2. Voluntary support of the gospel or the church. republics, but they were unlike this creation of 8. Abolition of the law of Primogeniture. 4. Perfect equality before the Courts. the people We read of modern European Re5. Universal Suffrage. publics, but they are not like this creation of the people! Hence, President Grant, I think is 6. Establishment of Free Schools. 7. Ample endowment of higher Seminaries of correct, when be says, If any people has more occasion than another for thankfulness it is the Learning. 8. The highest offices in the Republic open to all. citizens of tbe United States." '.i. Standing Army abolished. As a special ground for Thanksgiving, may it 10. Right of Expatriation. not now be added that President Grant has been re-elected by an overwhelming majority, thus These principles involve what may be enumerapproving of the principles of tbe Republican ated under tbe rights and privileges which the party, winch has given tone to the Government, people have reserved to themselves, as referred to and triumphantly carried the country through tbe in President Grant's proclamation. Tbis last mentioned principle is one for wbicb perils of the great civil war, and the emancipation of 4,000,000 of slaves. America has surely America bas always contended, but which the reason for Thanksgiving with Grant and Wilson nations of the old world were most reluctant to Once an Englishman, always an Engbearing aloft tbeir country's banner, and when yield. Mr. Greeley, the unsuccessful candidate, can so lishman," has never been yielded, until Mr. gracefully retire from an excited political cam- Bancroft, tbe American Minister at Berlin, paign, and resume the editorial chair of the secured the right of Germans to transfer tbeir Tribune, which he has occupied with so much allegiance to America. When that powerful usefulness and honor during the last quarter of a nation in tbe heart of Europe shaped her policy in harmony with America, then Great Britain century. Let it be remembered that now our country fell into line, Americans leading the van. For has safely passed through twenty-two general more than two centuries this had been an open, Presidential elections. Although the elections disputed and unsettled question between America have often, as in the present instance, been and the Mother Country. Bancroft referring to The inhabitants of sharply contested, yet in every instance, as soon events in 1064, remarked as tbe excitement was over, the country quietly Massachusetts bad already adopted views which subsided into its normal condition. Millions of are now a part of the public opinion of the votes dropping from tbe bands of so many intel- country, but which are not yet received into tbe ligent freemen, no more disturbed the peace and system of international law. In regard to obeprosperity of the country at large, than would so dience due to a Government they distinguished many snow-flakes dropping from the clouds, and between natural and voluntary subjection. They gontly covering the broad Continent, disturb the held to the original right of expatriation ; that revolution of tbe sun or tbe succession of the any man may withdraw from the land of his seasons. birtb and renounce all duty of allegiance and all Not until a person has carefully studied tbe claim to protection." This principle has become history of America and thoughtfully compared a part of international law, since the publication the principles of its Government with those of of Bancroft's history in 1852. tbe old world, will be arrive at a correct view of EFPECTS OF THE CIVIL WAR UPON THE WORLD. this subject, or appreciate the radical transfer of For many other principles America has been political power from tbe king and aristocracy to the people. Perhaps no living authet has given contending, but for do one more vigorously than this subject a longer or more profound study the natural equality of man. All men are born than Bancroft, tbe historian, who remarks: "In free and equal, and hence would follow the unithe old civilisation of Europe, power moved from versal brotherhood of mankind. It is as true of the superior to inferiors and subjects ; a priest- nations, as of families or the church of Christ, hood transmitted a common faith, from which it Whether one member suffer, all tbe members would tolerate no dissent; tbe Government es- suffer with it; or ono member be honored, all tbe teemed itself by compact or divine right, invested members rejoice with it." Never was there a with Sovereignty, dispensing protection, and more striking illustration of this principle than demanding allegiance. But a new principle lar that afforded by our late civil war. Tho effects mightier than the church and State of tbe middle of that war were felt in England, throughout ages, was forcing itself into power. It was the Europe, aye and extended to the remote tribes of office uf America to substitute for hereditary Africa, and to tbe nations of India and China. privilege, tbe natural equality of man ; for tbe Tbe agitation which that war created among the. irresponsible authority of a Sovereign, a de- nations of the earth bas not as yet subsided. pendant Government emanating from tbe concord Great and lasting good will be the result. While of opinion, and as she moved forward in ber that struggle was in progress, other nations " ! " " reported by tbe last mail, and in honor of whom flags have been lowered In our city,—France was informed tbat the American people were not satisfied with the proceedings of the Emperor of France in Mexico, and the arnry* of France was quietly removed from the country, although the Emperor Maximilian met an untimely and inglorious fate ; and the poor Empress Carlotta, now bas her borne in an Insane Retreat. America was next called upon to settle with England, tbe affair of the Alabama's depredations. Year after year, the affair remaind unsettled, but during the year now closing, a satisfactory settlement bas been made. For this, if for no other reason, ought Americans, at home and abroad, to render Thanksgiving to God. Englishmen too, have occasion to render Thanksgiving. As all serious questions of dispute between the two countries are now settled, may they long live in harmony with each other, as they should when we reflect upon their common origin, and common language, and common faith ! Never has our country stood higher before the face of the civilized world, than when she received the award of $15,500,000 in gold, from the Geneva Tribunal. Scarcely bad tbe public mind of England, America and the world, acquiesced in and accepted that award, ere it was followed by the decision of the Emperor of Germany, approving of the claim of the United States in the affairs of the Island of San Juan, in the Straits of Juan dc Fuca, and of course debarring all right on tbe part of England to that Island, about which the two countries have been contending during the last quarter of a century. The principles in both cases have been acknowledged, as right, for which America, bad been contending. These are admirable illustrations of the Miltonic sentiment: 11 Peace halh her victories) No less renownM than war." ARBITRATION A OOOD METHOD OF BETTLING NATIONAL DIFFICULTIES. There is no good reason why nations, as well as individuals or private citizens, should not settle their difficulties without resorting to war and blood-shed. It is the expressed opinion of writers in Europe and America, that the amicable settle" ment of the Alabama affair will have a powerful influence to bring about this most desirable result. It is a precedent which will not be forgotten, or its influence lost upon tho world. It appeals to the common sense of mankind. An idea like that inculcated and established by the Geneva Tribunal will do much to batter down and rendor useless forts, and arsenals, and ships of war. Three centuries ago, from Geneva went forth ideas which have agitated and revolutionized tho Christian world. May the idea that nations can settle their difficulties by peaceful arbitration, go forth on a mission equally wide-spread and salutary. " Tbe pen is mightier than the sword." What now is wanted is to create a public sentiment, before which nations must bow. Let this public sentiment find.expression in international law, and the time may come, and we hope it is not far distant, when enlightened nations will no more presume to violate the laws of nations than enlightened individuals would violate " the established law of tbe land. Paul was a good Statesman and lawyer, when he said: Tbe law is good if a man use it lawfully, but the" law is not made for the righteous man, but the lawless and disobedient." If nations are lawless, as private citisens are sometimes, thenby tbe laws of nations or interna tional law, let them be summoned before a Tri bunal, where arbitrators shall assess tbe amount of damages, or otherwise adjust the point in dispute. Ideas are more potent than became partially involved. In accordance with cannon-balls prothe policy of tbe martyred President, America jected by rifled guns. Ideas, more enlightened must deal with only one nation at a time. After than those of former ages, respecting Governthe war bad closed a Freooh army was fight- ment, education, and religion, are now finding ing in Mexico. It was well known, that- tbe their way among the nations of tbe earth. Tbey are diffused abroad by travelers, Missionpresence of that army was partially lor tbe the aries, Consuls, Ambassadors, merchants, and purpose of encouraging rebellion. Through diplomacy of that great Statesman, and diplo- flashed along the telegraphic wire, to the very matist-William H. Seward-wbose death was centre ol India, China and Japan. America : high career, tbe multitudes of every climo gazed towards her example with hopes of untold happiness, and all tbe nations of the earth sighed to be renewed." America has advanced in her career until tbe great Republic bas fully, on land and sea, in tbe Halls of Legislation, Courts of law and justice, the. Republic of letters and in other wave, established its place by the side of >ht proudest empires of the old world! . �THE FRIEND, DECEMBER, stands forth in the front rank of nation*, dis- American newspaper, has made a bold dash into the heart of Africa, and conveyed glad tidings to tinguished for progress and intelligence. an English explorer, supposed to have been lost WORLD. INFLUENCE OF AMERICA UPON THE in its jungles or perished upon its desert, but In acknowledgment of the foregoing statements, happily be has returned to tell the world that the youth of China and Japan, under the Gov- Livingstone still lives. Crowned heads, and ernmental patronage of those nations, are now scientific societies vie with each other to honor seeking an education in the American Colleges; the bold and dashing young man wbo succeeded while other subjects of those countries, are in- in discovering the lost explorer, but America has vestigating every department of manufactories, many of ber sons and daughters abroad on a laws, trade and commerce of America. Those nobler mission than Stanley achieved. I/H us old oriental nations are becoming rapidly Amer- not forget that American missionaries—men and icauized, or permeated with American ideas. women are now laboring in Western and Southern Other nations of the earth are undergoing a Africa, and also in Egypt, having joined hands similar revolution. The influence of American with Livingstone to explore and labor in spreadinstitutions is becoming widely extended. Her ing throughout tbat dark continent the blessings past history and present position clearly indicate of civilization and Christianity. At the last that our country has a noble mission to perform meeting of the American Board, held in New among tbe nations of the earth. Generations of Haven, among the items of expenditure amountmen pass away, but not so with nations, they ing to nearly a half million of dollars, 1 notice live on from age to age. Remarks Tame, the one of $29,000 for the Zulu mission of South popular French writer " A nation lives twenty, Africa. Livingstone appreciates the. labors of but but longer, oenturies and a man lives thirty American missionaries in behalf of Africa, as sixty or seventy years. Nevertheless a nation well as the efforts of Mr. Stanley. A touching and has a good many points in which it is like a man. noble compliment to our country, we find in a For, in a career so long and almost interminable, late letter to his daughter: I have written, be ' both mental and " a nation has its own character, writes ber,' two letters to Mr. Bennett. I meant moral, which manifests itself at the beginning, to because keep their materials to myself, but and developes from epoch to epoch, preserving this expedition was so expensive, I gave Mr. the same fundamental qualities from its origin to Stanley what would help bitu to write a book. its decline." In his bands it is harmless, for the Americans are AMERICA A YOUTHFUL NATION. good andgenerous friends." Am yet, America is a youthful nation, but sho Our country appeared in the person of the has given glorious promise of what she will be in good Samaritan Stanley, before the veteran misher maturity. Not one century has elapsed since sionary explorer. It was undor the protection of she put forth the Declaration of Independence. our country's flag, for tbe first time displayed in During tbe nation's existence it has never taken that region, that supplies had been safely conone step backward. It is a nation of progress. voyed to Ujiji on the shores of Lake Tanyanyeka, This is apparent, not only in her population, when the heart of Livingstone was made glad. increasing from 3,000,000 to 40,000,000, during On the 10th of November, 1871, when Livingnow but also in all those stone and Stanley met, England and America also closing, the century elements of wealth, intelligence, and whatever met. It is a meeting long to bo remembered in else, go to form a groat strong, vigorous, self- the annals of the world. Tho one toil-worn, reliant and powerful nation. The recent census sick and destitute, is met most unexpectedly by discloses sonic startling facts. Even should tho other resolute, buoyant and laden with ample foreign immigration now cease, from the natural supplies. All honor to Liviugstonc, the explorer, increase of its present population, at the end of and to Stanley the discoverer, but while honorthis century, 1900, A. D., our population would ing these men, let us not forget that some of our amount to 77,000,000 and over; but supposing countrymen arc laboring in the same noble work the foreign immigration of 200,000 per annum to as originally took Livingstone and his father-ingo on, our population will amount to 85,000,000, law, Moffat, to Southern Africa to elevate the in tho year of our Lord 1900. degraded Hottentots and Bechuanos. While Some now listening to my voice, will doubtless England and America have done so much to this result. live to witness Remarks Daniel enslave the sons and daughters of ill-fated Africa, Webster: " While the Union lasts, we have I rejoice that some have gone from both countries, high, exciting, gratifying prospects spread out animated with the zeal of the Apostles, to before us, for us and our children. Beyond that spread among her inhabitants the blessings of 1 seek not to penetrate the veil." I feel the Christianity. Not altogether in vain hath Ethilulleet confidence that the Union will last for opia stretched forth her hands unto God. As many years and ages to come. It is hardly pos- our country has become so deeply involved in tbe sible to conceive of that Union experiencing a sin of African slavery, deem the facts to which J more terrible shock than befell it, during tbe late I have alluded, not unworthy of recognition on civil war. It is a source of devout Thanksgiving this day of national Thanksgiving. that hitherto our country has been true to her I speak the honest conviction of my heart, mission. Her progress has been onward and when asserting my belief that America has yet of America have afforded upward. The people the history of a and are now affording the most convincing proofs a noble work to perform in Whoever listens to " the world's redemption. their for of self-Government. They capability of Providence along the line of centufootsteps a are now working out noble experiment, and the last two hundred right nobly are they doing the work. I have full ries " will learn that during confidence in the people, educated and trained and fifty years, there bus been gradually maturing under such influences as are now operating upon a nation in America, now stretching from the lakes to the gulf, and from the Atlantic to the the people of tbe United States. Pacific, which is to wield an influence not only in AMERICANS ZEALOUS FOR THE SPREADOF CHRISTIANITY. political, civil and commercial affairs, but also in Some would taunt our countrymen as worship- those of religion and the Bible, second to no pen of Mammon or the " Almighty Dollar," but other on the globe. Our country speaks out in have tbey not inscribed upon their coin ; " In tho Annual Meeting of the American Board_ of God in our trust!" Are they not as ready and Foreign Missions, indicating that she is following willing as the people of any other land, to invest the lead of the Apocalyptic Angel having the evertheir surplus funds, in enterprises of a benevolent, lasting Gospel to preach among tbe nations of the philanthropic, educational and missionary char- earth. acter? The friends of foreign missions in AmerHAWAIIAN INDEPENDENCE. ica have invested at least 1,000,000 of dollars in are Let in mind that this is not only the elevating and educating Hawaiians, and they now doing a similar work for the inhabitants of day GsW celebrating our American National Asia, Africa, and other parts of the world. The Thanksgiving, but also, tbat of Hawaiian Indereading public has recently been electrifiedby the pendence. Twenty-nine years ago to-day, in tbe innounecincnt, that the eorrospoudent ol an City of London. Eng., the H«w<Han Commi.- : 1872. 103 sioners—Messrs. Richards and Haalilio, obtained tbe effect, that the Queen of England and the King of tbe French would reciprocally acknowledge the Sandwich Islands as an Independent State, and that neither England or France would ever take possession of any part of these Islands " under the force of a or any other form." This was an important eon cession on tbe part of those Governments when both were sending tbeir fleets into this ocean to take possession of islands and groups of island* in a manner not altogether creditable to great and enlightened nations. I need only allude to the seizure of the Marquesas. Tahiti and Caledonia by tho Frenoh and Now Zealand by the English. 1 need only refer to what Franco threatened to do at those Islands and what England refused to acknowledge as having been done by Lord George Paulet. We ought to be thankful to-day that the Hawaiian Islands unquestionably secured tbeir final independence in good part through tho sharp jealousy of those two great nations. We would honor those nations, so far us tbeir Governments and Rulers merit our commendation, but let it not be forgotten in speaking of Hawaiian Independence, that in our humble opinion, tbe 31st of December would have been fully as appropriate a day for celebrating Hawaiian Independence as the 28th of November, because it was on the 31st of December, 1842, that the President of the United States transmitted to Congress a message fully recognizing this Kingdom as independent. Mr. Tyler was then President, and Daniel Webster Secretary of State. The United States, acting in conformity with this declaration, appointed on the 3rd of March. 1843, George Brown, Esq., Commissioner to tlraae Islands with diplomatic powers, thus America antedates her declaration elevon months prior to that of Great Britain and France. It should also be remembered that thoUnited States Government was the first of the Great Nations to negotiate a treaty with this people. Considering the efforts of American Missionaries and merchants before and since these events to build up and perpetuate this Kingdom, might not every Hawaiian, from the King to his humblest subject, echo the sentiment of Livingstone in tho hear! of Africa,—" 1 can trust Americans, for they are good and generous friends." It is a singular and noteworthy fact recorded in letters bold and uncffaceable on the page of history while two great and monarchical nations of Europe have deposed many of the native Kings and chiefs of Polynesia and undermined their governments, that Americans and their Government, known as Republican and Democratic, have uniformly sustained and upheld the Kingly or Monarchical Government of these Islands. This is a most remarkable anomaly in the history of nations and no one can but say that it is highly creditable to Americans with all their Republican or Democratic principle*, tendencies and prejudices, that they should have unil'orinily aud persistently upheld the Kingly, form of Government on the Hawaiian Islands. Under the circumstances they regarded the old a joint declaration to - form of Government as the best for this people and all those who came hither to cast in their lot among them. It is also a most noteworthy fket that Hawaiians, Americans, and the subjects Ol other nationalities, have all dwelt in peace together under tbe mild reign of the Kainehauiehao There may have been temporary alienaMoha and differences, but no collisions open war and bloodshed during the last seventy years. It is not now my object to enquire fur the causes of this long reign of peace among various races coat together on Hawaiian shores, but the historic fact is most significant and calls for devout Thanksgiving on thin day of American' Thanksgiving and Hawaiian Independence. All born on these Islands, all coming hither from other lands to reside permanently or temporarily among thin people, may join in tbe sentiment of-tbe Psalmist David, surely the lines have fallen onto us in pleasant places, yea, we have a goodly heritage, tor all of which let us " offer unto God Thank* giving." �104 I II k KRIEiNU. DECEMBER, no," exclaimed George, for the third " No, not " what,for that! " then, may it please your majPerhaps you do not all know the origin " For on"this continent of these annuel thanksgiv- esty, are we to give thanks ? " asked again ing days. It- was on this wise, and on the the pious divine. " Thank God !" cried the king most enerpoint under review is altogether instructive. When the New England colonies were first getically ; " Thank God that it is not any planted, the settlers endured many privations worse ! " Origin of American Thanksgiving. and difficulties. Being piously disposed they laid their distresses before God in frequent days of fasting and prayer. Constant meditation on such topics kept their minds gloomy and discontended, and made them disposed even to return to their father-land, with all its persecutions. At length when it was again proposed to appoint a day of fasting and prayer, a plian, common-sense old colonist rose in the meeting, and remarked, that he thought Ihey had brooded long enough over their misfortunes ; and that it seemed high time they should consider some of their mercies. That the colony was growing strong—the fields increasing in harvests— the rivers full of fish, and the woods of game —the air sweet —the climate salubrious— their wives obedient—and their children dutiful. Above all that they possessed, what they came for, fuil civil and religious liberty. And therefore, on the whole, he would amend theirresolution for a Fast, and propose, in its stead, a day of Thanksgiving. His advice was taken, and from that day to this, whatever may have been the disastrous experience of New England, the old stock of the Puritans have ever found enough of good in their cup to warrant them in appointing this great annual festival."—Dr. Wadsworth's Sermons. George Third's Thanksgiving Day. " When our national independence had been triumphantly achieved, the Colonies, of Course, held great general jubilee. And good King George, who had been sadly worsted in the conflict, thinking himself quite as pious as his disloyal subjects—and not to be outdone in goodliness by such rebels against the Divine right—appointed also a day of thanksgiving for the restoration of peace to his long disturbed empire. In the vicinity of the monarch's residence, then Windsor Castle, dwelt a most estimable minister of the Church, who shared his sovereign's intimacy, and conversed with him freely. On this occasion the worthy divine ventured to say : majesty has sent out a proclama" Your tion for a day of thanksgiving. For what are we to give thanks ? Is it because your majesty has lost thirteen of the fairest jewels from your crown ? " " !•, no," replied the monarch, " not for that!" " Well, then, shall we give thanks because so many millions of treasure have been spent in this war, and so many millions added to the public debt ? " No, no," again replied the king, " not " for that!" " Shall we, then, give thanks that so many thousands of our fellow-men have poured out their life-blood in this unhappy and unnatural struggle, between those of the fame race time ; Yes, and here is a reason for thankfulness in all circumstances, since it is never so bad with us as it might be. And even if God be pouring out the vials of his anger, yet blessed be his name ! He never empties them to the utmost."—Dr. Wadswortk's Sermons. An American's Reason for Thanksgiving. " Our forefathers make manifest their thankfulness to God for his mercies ! And shall we be less thankful ? Why, you will keep this festival in homes, and amid luxuries such as old monarchs never dreamed of! Upon your boards will be viands and spicery from all earth's islands and continents. In your wardrobes, the woods of Saxony, the linens of Ireland, the silks of Italy, and the furs of the frozen zones. And crowding your chambers, furniture and bijoutry, wrought of woods from the forests of Ceylon and Domingo ; and of metals from the mines of Potosi and the Ural; and of gems from Brazilian caverns and Indian streams; and of costly stuffs from the looms of Manchester and Lyons ; and of plumes from the groves of Araby the blest; and of the magnificent marbles of Egypt and Italy. And if, in such homes, you cannot be thankful, it mus*t be as the sated Sybarite, pained with his displaced rose-leaf. Meanwhile, in your homes, arc better things than these. Those beloved forms that sit by its board. Those gentle voices, sweeter to your soul than the voices of angels, that make blessed its chambers. Yes, and more. That precious Bible that shines there as a heavenly lamp. That family altar, at whose side there lifts a new ladder, from Bethel to the skies, with its descending seraphim. And then, all those unnumbered social and civil and national and religious beatitudes which surround that mortal tabernacle, as shekinnh-lustres round the tents of the Exodus. All these means jf grace! All these, hopes of glory ! Living here in America—in this nineteenth century—free men—free Christians— so that your lot seems the veritable realization of the golden dreams of the old Hebrew prophets—those gleaming and distant millennial glories, that colored the page of Isaiah, and made lustrous the clouds of the Apocalypse ! Verily, you have cause for gratitude." Dr. Wadsworth's Sermons, preached in San Francisco. — A young Japanese, Sasoumi Satoo, sou of the chief physician of the Mikado, arrived at Berlin, in November, 1869, to study medicine; he did not know a word of German at the time, but he learned it in five months, and Latin in six. He recently passed in a brilliant manner his third examination for a dootor's degree. Chicago. Nov. 12.—The contributionsofChicago lor tbe relief of Bostou ure already nearly a quarter million. This include* tltXl.OUit from tbe Chicago Keliel«?(.>cicty and $50,000 from Cook county. 187 2. Rev. M. Frear's Temperance Sermon. Last Sabbath evening we listened witb a great and somewhat startled interest to a very able discourse by the Rev. Mr. Frear, of Fort Street Church, on intemperance. Probably there was not one amongst those who listened to tbat sermon, who did not fully endorse, as a terrible truth, tbe declaration made tbat—"The drinking of intoxicating liquor bad become recognized as one of tho greatest sins wherewith the earth was afflicted;" and yet, if the speaker had confined himself to this general statement and the proofs of its correctness, we have no doubt but that the impression produced would have been no more lasting than former ones have been. We would all have been as willing as ever to deplore the fact that the indulgence in strong drink is the cause of threcfourtns of the misery, destitution, diseases, crimes and deaths that the mortal world bewails, but at the same time many who are not influenced by the teachings of the press might have secretly hugged to themselves tbe comfortable thought that Hawaii nci was without the range of this dread curse, and they therefore needed the pulpit declaration that intemperance is with us a material curse. The particular truth enforced in tbe discourse to which we refer is, tbat the law prohibiting the selling of liquor to the native Hawaiian is not enforced. True, this has been known for some time, and each morning levee at the Police Court but makes the truth plainer ; but never before has it been deemed necessary lo call attention to it from the pulpit. Now, we who profess and call ourselves Christians have it placed fairly and squarely before us whether we shall continue to countenance this laxity in the enforcement of a statute law, or whether we shall make an effort to remedy an evil that grows apace. If we conclude that wo can do nothing, then we may be able to dismiss the subject until we arvxpumruoned before the bar of God. But if, on the contrary, we feel that we must exert ourselves to arrest tbe growth or drunkenness in our midst, the remedy is at hand. Enforce the law ! There is scarcely one amongst our many readers who, if he saw a brute maltreated would not call upon tbo police to arrest the offender, and an adequate punishment would be sure to be administered ; still how often wo see a native reeling through our streets without an effort being made to discover who has reduced him to a level below the brute whotc tyrant we punish ! We jealously guard against the introduction of any law that can possibly infringe upon the rational freedom of tbe Hawaiian, and gaze with dull apathy upon the agency that robs him of his reason! We are stirred to our inmost depths of feeling by a thoughtless act that looks toward tbe doseoration of tho ashes of the dead, and only shrug our shoulders when we see the living fire of tbe soul of the Hawaiian extinguished by strong liquor, the sale of which, to him, we know to be a crime! And why ia this? Can it be because the victim is a native? or must we confess that as tbe bar-rooms could not keep open did they not ell to natives, therefore the law prohibiting such itraffic must be a dead letter/— Semi Weekly Advertiser, Die. 10M. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Friend (1872) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Friend - 1872.12.10 - Newspaper Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1872.12.10