THE LEPERS' COLONY AT MOLOKAI, SANDWICH ISLANDS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2614, 13 April 1889, Page 6 (Supplement)

THE LEPERS' COLONY AT MOLOKAI, SANDWICH ISLANDS.

(From the Catholic Household.) 1 Thkse most unfortunate of all human | beings arc exiles in their prison of rocks in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, some 4000 miles from Japan, and as far from Sydney, about 4000 miles from New Zealand, and over 2090 miles from San Francisco. The apostle of the lepers, Father Damien, having (it last been attacked binisolf by this fearful malady, another Belgian, Father Courardy, has gone to his assistance, and has written to another priest of the dioce»o of Liege. A relative of the latter has very kindly favoured us with a copy of this letter, which we publish for the benefit, of our readers .—

KalowHo, Molokai, Nov. 7, 1888. My deur and veuerated colleague and friond, - N'iw thnt he, who was prepared. under your direction, for his first communion, lma been about six months among tne lepers of the island of Molokai (after postulating for this honour during more than 11 years), it will, uo doubt, be of interest to you, as well as to other friends at Verviers, to learn a few particulars about this settlement. The part we occupy resembles very much a large prison, for we are cut off from the rest of the island by almost perpendicular rocks of over 2000 feet high. The climate is temperate ; we are very low—quite sealevel. This part is about three miles long by half a mile to one and a half miles wide. There is an extinnt volcano here, and very probably this thong of land is the result of its former notion. The soil is everywhere covered with stones. No bettor spot could have been found for a reclusion, this one, perhaps, being the largest in the whole world. We have here about 1150 people. Up till lately I was not quite sure of never again seeing Europe, but it seems that my presence is needed there. Matterially, the lepers are not so badly off, for the Government allows lib of meat and 31 bs of peas (which are very much like potatoes) to each one per day. Other help is given for the short time they have to live, which is from five to ten years. The greater number hardly survive more than five years. Father Damien has peen thin population renew itself three times. How often will it be given for me to pee this ? Am I goinjr to become a leper? Very probably. Precautions are more easily recommended than observed. Too much precaution is no good, as we have seen at the time of the cholera in Belgium in 1886. What a great number then perished who had fled from all dangers. I am sroinsr to give you a few particulars about Father Damien, who will soon be no more, as he is falling a victim of his charity. In England and in America they call him the Hero Martyr. It is my privilege to be near him, to live with him. Leprosy has done its terrible work: in turns at his ears, his eyes, nose, throat, his hands, and his lungs! The poor Father has suffered dreadfully. He is completely disfigured—his voice is almost extinct. If you could only see him in his little chamber, lying on the floor upon a bed of suffering, tears would come, into your eyes on seeing that man, who has done so much for thousands of lepers, now himself reduced to so terrible a condition, and so very little that can be done for him. People call it a saorifice to live with the lepers, but it is only on seeing oneself a leper, and nothing but lepers around, that the extent of the sacrifice can be fully understood. Fortunately for the dear Father Damien he has yet the use of hie hand, which most of our people have lost, and that his feet have not yet fallen to pieces, as it happens to many here—for there are several kinds of leprosy. Some people literally rot alive, others wither away, and dry up oompletely. There are those who become covered with thick scales, others have their limbs eaten away, and some become frightfully disfigured. How people would be frightened in Belgium if one of these women or one of these children, with horrible faces, were to be teen there; they would be taken for witches. It would be a sad thing for me if Father Damien were to leave me now. He is yet so useful to us; yes, so necessary for many things. He has under his charge over 100 leper orphans. This in itself is not a light burden, there being no one to help us but leper boys. Besides, the number increases every week. The Father has also begun, about a month after my arrival, to build a now church (30ft. by 70ft.), 40ft. of which is of stone, the rest of wood, We have only one mason, a white leper, an Irishman; and this poor man has already one foot very bad. His assistants, who make mortar, bring in stones, etc., are all young lepers. Father Damien is the head carpenter, and two or

three leper boya holp him in his work. They hud happily come as far as the roof; everything was ready to put the iron roofing up. But on unloading this into a small boat the latter capsized. The iron is now at the bottom of the sea. It has taken five months to bring , it from England ! May God preserve the good Father Damien, at least for one year longer, ro matter in what way ; for after all it is better to be two together than being alono. I live with him, we have our meals together, for I have quite overcome my repugnance. I am now in Alsiighty God's hands. If I become a leper, the good St. Peter, no doubt, will let me pass all the easier when my hour comes. Sometimes when I am kneeling by the side of a poor leper, from whom there exhales an odour that would put the bravest to flight, I often think I am doing a little of my Purgatory. What do you think ? Every week there comes here a small steamer, and very early in the morning announces, by the loud blowing of its whistle, that lepers have been landed. Then, all who are able run to the shore, where we sometimes find our newcomers soaking wet through. And now cries and tears of a husband meeting hia wife, or a poor wife seeing her husband again, or a child meeting father or mother. The names of the new arrivals are taken, and all hurry away in search of lodgings. Although lam not a leper, I could not leave this island to go to any other place or other island, without a special certificate from the Board of Health. But I have no wish to go anywhere. My mission is here, and here I'll remain. I recommend myself to your prayers and those of my friends. Kindly remenber me also to the members of the Catholic Clubs at Verviers and Dison. I avail myself of this opportunity to wish yon all a happy new year full of blessings.—Your devoted and affectionate friond, L. L. Conrardy, Catholic Priest."