THE LEPER HERO. Latest Notes of a Visitor. (From Our Special Correspondent.)

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 358, 10 April 1889, Page 3

THE LEPER HERO. Latest Notes of a Visitor. (From Our Special Correspondent.)

The following letter has been received from Mr E. Clifford, of the 'Church Army,' who is on a visit to the leper settlement at Molokai : — 'I have now been here nearly a fortnight. There are 1,030 lepers here, well cared for, not generally suffering pain, and in most cases seeming light-hearted and happy. The air is very soft and pleasant, even when the wind is high and gusty. Enormous cliffs close in the leper settlement, and make it almost inaccessible from the other parts of the island, and the sea is so wild that often a boat cannot land. When I ariived I had to come on shore at a precipitous rock at some distance from the village. Father Damien met mo there, having with him about tven ty lepers. He gave me a hearfcy, affectionate welcome, and as it was too rough to have my large case landed I had it unpacked in the boat, and all the presents taken out one by one, handec across the water and carried by the lepers to Kalawao. The engraving of "The Good Shepherd," from Lady Mount-Temple, came first, and then the magic lantern (which I have since been three times showing), the Ariston (a sort of little barrel organ, with many hymn tunes — the lepers love to turn it)', and many pictures and books. Mrßwrne-Jones's beautiful picture I had myself carried by hand all the way from London, and it is now hung in Father Damien 's room. 'He is just what you would expect him to be — a simple, sturdy, hardworking, devout man. No job was too menial for him — building, carpentering, tending the sick, washing the dead, and many other such things form part of his daily work. He is always cheerful and playful, and one of the most truly humble men 1 ever saw. The leprosy has disfigured him a good deal, but I never feel it anything but a pleasure tolook at him ; and already the guriun oil which I brought is making a manifest difference in his face and hands, and in his power of sleeping. How far ' the cure will reach it is of course impossible to say. He is such a busy man that I sometimes fear he will not find time to do the medicine full justice. The English affection;, and sympathy touch him Aery much indeed. Pray for him, for there must be many times when he is tempted to be discouraged and over sad at all the terrible cases — bodies and souls—^around ' him. I was very glad to be here at Christmas. You would have enjoyed the hearty way in which the lepers sang,. " O come, all ye faithful." I have been much interested in an old Christian leper from America, who-, says he can thank God for His kindness, and for many great mercies since he came here. He is more happy and contented than many ' people who have health, wealth, and friends and it has come to him through his illness.' Father Damien has told me to-day that for the first time for months he has been able ,, to sing again.'