Page 40.
Those who still survive from the times of the First
Kamehameha agree as to the physical deterioration of the
people, with more than one I have conversed on this subject.
Their impression is that it has resulted from the
disuse imposed by the Missionaries, of their old manly
exercises, wrestling, running, throwing the spear, sliding
on boards down deep descents, surfriding, etc.
A distinguished English gentleman, in 1831, wrote to
the Rev. H. Bingham a letter, a printed copy of which I have
before me, protesting against this policy.
Sir E. Belcher, in his voyage round the world, says of
Oahu:
"On the first glance, I thought it had retrograded
compared with what we left it just ten years before, in
1827.
The appearance of the natives was miserable and dirty.
The habit of frequent bathing and swimming which
constituted half their existence is exploded."
Dr. Anderson virtually apologizes for the missionary
prohibition of Hawaiian amusements, by quoting the author of
the Poly- [Page 41] nesian Researches as to gambling and the
abuses to which they led.
This is the old Puritan principle, which, if carried
out, would put an end to the athletic pursuits and
recreations of every Christian country in Europe.
The abuses must be corrected.
It is not needful to denationalize a country in order
to Christianize it.
Not so did the first Evangelizers of Europe after the
destruction of the Roman Empire.
