Among the whites who have sunk into the mire of an indolent and
godless, if not an openly immoral life, there is an undoubted field
for Evangelistic effort; but it is very doubtful, I think, whether
this class can be reached by services which appeal to higher culture
and instincts than it possesses, and, indeed, generally, the island
Episcopalians are not in sympathy with the "symbolism" and "high
ritual" which from the first have been outstanding features of this
"mission." The education of the young in the principles of the
Prayer Book is aimed at by the Bishop and his coadjutors, but in
spite of zeal and devotion, I doubt whether the English Church on
these islands can ever be anything but a pining and sickly exotic.
Kona looks supremely beautiful, a languid dream of all fair things.
Yet truly my heart warms to nothing so much as to a row of fat
English cabbages which grow in the rectory garden, with a
complacent, self-asserting John Bullism about them. It is best to
leave the islands now. I love them better every day, and dreams of
Fatherland are growing fainter in this perfumed air and under this
glittering sky. A little longer, and I too should say, like all who
have made their homes here under the deep banana shade,--
"We will return no more,
.
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