The Leper Colony.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 278, 26 March 1889, Page 4

The Leper Colony.

THE STORY OF AN HEROIC CATHOLIC PRIEST.

FATHER DAMIEN DYING. London, January 26. An interesting and deeply pathetic letter has been received by a Birmingham gentleman from Father Comardy, the young Belgian priest who went out recently to assist Father Damien in his heroic work amongst the lepers of Molokai. Below are extracts. I may add that during the last few months a large sum (nearly £1,800) has been collected in Birmingham and Liverpool and sent out to Molokai, together with all sorts of comforts for the poor exiles. They are now, therefore, in all probability, better oft than they have been for some time. Assistance will, however, have to be rendered again shortlv. Surely New Zealand might lend a helping hand ? HOW THE LEFKBS LIVE. The writer, having described the climate and the natural features <>f that part of the island occupied by the lepers, says that the colony consists of 1,150 persons:—* Materially, the lepers are not very badly oft, for the Government allows to each of them lib of meat and 31b of peas (which are very much like potatoes) per day. Other things are provided for the short time that remains of their life, which is from five to ten years at the most, the greater number hardly surviving more than five years. Father Damien has seen this population renew itself throe times. How often will it be given to mtf to see this ? Am I going to become a leper P Very probably. Precautions are more easily received than observed. Too much precaution is no good, as we saw at the time of the cholera in Belgium in 1886. What a great number perished who then fled from all danger! * A VICTIM OF CHABITT. Father Damien, we are told, will goon be no more, as he is falling a victim to his charity. 'ln England and America they call him the Hero Martyr. It ia my privilege to be near him, to live with him. Leprosy has done its work-in turns, at his.Jears, bis eyes, nose, throat, his hands, and his lunge. The poor Father has suffered dreadfully. He is completely disfigured ; his voice is almost extinct. If you could only see him as he lies, in his little room, on the floor, upon his bed of suffering. Tears would come into your eyes at the sight of that man, who has done so much for thousands of lepers, now himself reduced to so terrible a condition, and so very little can be done for him. People call it a sacrifice- to live with lepers; but only on seeing oneself a leper, and nothing but lepers around, then only does the extent of the sacrifice become apparent. Fortunately for Father Damien, he has yet the use of bis hands, which a great number of our people have lost; and also his feet are not yet falling to pieces, as happens to so many here. THE HOBBOBS OF LEPBOSY. Some of the horrors of the different kinds of leprosy and the sufferings of the victims are briefly described. ** Some .... wither away and dry up completely. There are those who are completely covered with thick scales .... How people would become frightened if one of these women, or even one of these children, with such horrible faces, was seen in Belgium ! People would really take them for witches.

THE BUILDING OF A CHVBCH. Mr Comardy says it would be a sad thing for him if Father Damien were to leave him now. The Father has under his charge over 100 leper orphans, and the number is increasing every week. But these are not his only responsibilities:—* The Father has also begun (about a month after my arrival) to build a new church (30ft by 70ft), 40ft of which is of stone and the rest of wood. We have only one mason, a white leper, an 1 rishman. This poor man has already oue foot very bad His assistants, who make up the mortar, bring up the stone, etc., are all young lepers. Father Damien is head carpenter, his helpers being two or three leper boys. They have now, happily, got as far as the roof. Everything was ready to have the iron roofing put up, but on unloading this in a small boat the latter capsized. The iron is now at the bottom of the sea. It took five months to bring it from England. May Heaven preserve the good father Damien at least one year longer, no matter how; for, after all, it is better to be two together than alone. I live with him; we have our meals together, for I have entirely overcome my repugnance. lam now in the hands of God. Sometimes, when I km kneeling by the side of a poor leper, from w'hom exhales an odour that would put the most courageous to flight, I often think that I am doing a little of my purgatory.* THE NEW ABBIVALB. Regularly every week a small eteamer makes its appearance in the island, and vprv early in the morning announces, by the loud blowing off of its wuislle, mat. the lepers have been landed. ‘Then those hurry to the shore. Often we find our new corners soaking wet through. Now, aga’.n, begin the cries and tears, for one'seee here the meeting again of a husband and his wife, or a wife seeing her husband among them, sometimes a. child seeing its father and toother. Thev take the names of the new arrivals, and every one seta out to find a lodging. Although lam not a leper, 1 could not leave here to go to an v other of these islands without a proper certificate from the Board of Health But I have no wish to go anywhere My mission is here, and here I’ll Maun.*