The Oahu College at the Sandwich Islands | Page 4

supporting missionaries in Micronesia who are sent from the United States, must of course come in great measure from this country; but the support of missionaries and native assistants drawn from the Hawaiian churches, (as well as much of the labor connected with the details of the business,) may be thrown upon the 'Hawaiian Missionary Society,' which is independent of the American Board; and no small portion of the missionaries may at length be obtained from among the alumni of the Oahu College. Dr. Gulick, one of the first missionaries to Micronesia, is the son of a missionary at the Sandwich Islands, though educated in the United States; and the missionary children at the Islands are associated together to provide among themselves the means for his support. When the missionary ship, to be called the 'Morning Star,' which has been requested for the mission in Micronesia, is actually in those seas, the proposed institution for educating missionaries inured to the people and climate, will become a still more valuable auxiliary.
Thus we see, that the reasonable endowment of the Oahu College will be a good use of money for the upbuilding of Christ's kingdom at the Sandwich Islands, and for extending that kingdom through the islands of the great ocean beyond.
Funds and Buildings of the College.
The value of the property now belonging to the Oahu College, derived chiefly through the American Board, is estimated as follows:
Three hundred acres of land, $9,000 College building, two stories, 7,000 Two dwelling houses, 6,000 Twelve lodging rooms, 2,000 Dining room, kitchen, etc., 1,000 Out-houses, 500 Farming implements, herds, etc., 1,500 ------- Total, $27,000
The land on which the buildings stand has an excellent and valuable spring of water, sufficient to irrigate it. There are one hundred acres in this lot, all enclosed by a good stone wall, and in part under cultivation. Another hundred acres adjoining, is also enclosed with a stone wall, and is devoted to pasturage. Another hundred acres of woodland lies about two miles distant. The buildings will suffice for the present.
An observer, familiar with the college edifices of the United States, may hardly be able to recognize a College in what he sees at Punahou. But what there is surpasses what were the visible beginnings of either Harvard, or Yale. Until the present time, moreover, there has been only a preparatory school. The first college class, and that a small one, commences the present year. A number of young men, once at Punahou, who would perhaps have been in the College had there been one, are at Williams, Yale, or some other of our American Colleges. Some have completed their preparations for life's business, and are preachers, missionaries, merchants, or connected with the government of the Islands.
The Endowment.
The cost of living at the Sandwich Islands has been materially increased by the settlement and mines of California. Just at present, it may not be easy to bring the expenses of a family at Punahou within the bounds recommended for the salaries of the officers of College. The arrangement for salaries should be based, however, on what we know to be the general course of things in the world. Fifteen hundred dollars, with the use of a house, is thought not to be too large a salary for the President of the Oahu College; and twelve hundred dollars, with the use of a house, for a Professor. The American Board will pay these two salaries for the years 1856 and 1857.
The Trustees propose to raise the sum of fifty thousand dollars. This is not too large a beginning. Of this sum the Hawaiian government engages to give ten thousand dollars, or one fifth part; on condition that the remaining forty thousand dollars be raised before July 6, 1858, and that the King have the right of nominating two of the twelve trustees of the College. The Prudential Committee have voted to subscribe five thousand dollars towards the endowment, on behalf of the American Board, payable in the year 1858.
It should be understood that, excepting the duty of approval or disapproval in respect to the election of members on the Board of Trustees, laid upon the American Board by the Charter for the space of twenty years, that Board has no connection whatever with the College, or control of its proceedings. The College is an independent institution, sustaining no other relation to the Board, than it does to every other benefactor.
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The Colleges of New England had generally some benevolent patron provided for them by Divine Providence;--a Harvard, a Yale, a Dartmouth, a Brown, a Bowdoin, a Williams; and the Colleges very properly took and embalmed their names in memory of an enlightened and refined Christian community. These provided the general endowment. Many liberal men also funded particular professorships; or gave funds