HAWAII \\ [SLANDS. •>•> 



the settlement the government, after establishing seg- 

 regation, only concerned itself in the temporal well- 

 being of the unfortunate outcasts. The many Protes- 

 tant ministers in the islands never dreamed of extend- 

 ing their work to where it was most needed. The 

 Catholic Church, ever alert to enlarge its field of use- 

 fulness, and to reach the poor, miserable and unfor- 

 tunate, and bring them within its fold, came to the 

 rescue of the leper outcasts. Occasional visits to the 

 settlement to render the much-needed spiritual assist- 



Fig. 7. — Kalawao leper settlement. Molokai, established b3' the 

 Hawaiian government in 1S65, showing also Father Damien's 

 church. 



ance were made by Fathers Eaymund, Albert and Bono- 

 face from 1871 to 1873. A lay brother completed a 

 little church in 1873. At a meeting of priests held at 

 this time in Maui, presided over by the bishop, it was 

 decided to supply the settlement with a resident priest. 

 The bishop called for a volunteer. Every one of the 

 three priests assembled was ready to serve. 



Father Damien emphasized his claim for preference 

 in the following brief, forcible speech : "My Lord, re- 



