There was no acceptance on his part of the pagan theology of the native but he had an uncanny ability to analyze it in terms of what he wanted to teach. He cited a teaching incident of this kind in a letter to the American Board:
One item I may mention as some encouragement to me in my work that the students now in the Institute seem to be so thoroughly and staunchly devout believers, earnest defenders of the faith of the Gospel. I have commenced talking on Systematic Theology. When considering the fundamental truth of God's existence, wishing them to regard theological study as practical common sense, not merely speculation or dogmatic opinions, I asked them why the Hawaiians worshipped the shark, the owl, big stones etc etc. They told me, "because of the divine power these things had. If any were shipwrecked and called on the shark god for help, they would be brought safely to land; otherwise not. If any fisherman wanted a good haul, and would put his votive offering on a certain stone, he would be successful, otherwise he would labor in vain. If a person was sick and drank awa14 to the owl he would be cured. And this has been tried so often, people could not help believing in the divine power of these things." They said that many church members, and ministers too, believed this, but all declared it was not believed at all by them. They told me of one minister who had just died of consumption who made the circuit of Hawaii in the effort to regain his health by this pilgrimage in honor of the old divinities! They could not show the absurdity of such a belief. All they could do was to assert their own deep conviction of the truth of Christianity. So I tried to give them a short method of dealing logically with such superstitions and establishing by sound argument their own position as witnesses for God . . .15
A second year came to a conclusion bringing a second report. This is quoted in some detail for the valuable allusions to the solid progress of the Institute:
In the good providence of God the work of the Institute, has gone on without interruption and without much change from last year. Ten students have been in attendance the whole of the past year. These were all connected with the Institute last year. One other was pronounced a leper and did not return. No new students have entered this year. These students have not by any means devoted themselves to study, in such a way as is expected of young men in the U. S. in their position. But as a general thing they have labored with fidelity and diligence in the work assigned them.
The studies pursued have been after the same general programme as last year. Beginning at 8:30 a.m. the whole morning of each day except Saturday had been devoted to study and recreation. Rev. M. Kuaea and Rev. S. E. Bishop have given their services, this year as last, instructing respectively in Church History and in O. T. Interpretation.
A Catalogue of all the books in the Hawaiian language has been prepared giving titles, pages, editions, and it is hoped to secure copies of all the books. Among these are several valuable manuscripts, one a Commentary on Acts, begun by Mr. Pogue, which has been filled out partially completed in connection with studies and recitations on that Book.
Judge McCully has given a Chandelier for the Recitation Room, and Her Highness Ruth Keelikolani has given a piano, formerly owned by His late Majesty Kamehameha V.
During the coming vacation, arrangements have been made for the students to supply vacant churches. It is hoped that their labors will be blessed both to themselves and to the Churches. Where are the young men to take the places of the class that will graduate next year? The government needs intelligent and ambitious young men for its service. Various industrial interests call loudly for active and enterprising young men. Teachers are needed in the schools. Never was there a time when a young man had so many attractive opportunities offered him as here in Hawaii nei today.
But higher than all other claims is the call of Christ on his disciples to enter into His service. A register has been prepared of all Hawaiians who have been preachers and pastors. The record is a most honorable one. May God in His mercy call many young men, like Saul of Tarsus or Timothy of Derbe, to be the spiritual leaders of this nation turning many to righteousness and in heavenly glory shining like the stars in the firmament for ever & ever.16
He wrote of writing and teaching, illustrating the motivating force of competitive effort:
. . . I am writing this year Commentaries on Hebrews, Ephesians, and Romans. The students write from dictation and when I have finished the Exegesis of one character, give some suitable "practical remarks and suggestions." I hope in that way to train them to think, and to apply Bible truth for themselves. To the student who shall in the judgment of the Committee have done best in this study, shows the best mss. etc I offer to give "The Portable Commentary" in two vols. (by Jamieson, Fawcett & Brown) in English. The students are reading in English and translating Binney's Theological Compend, and reciting in Hawaiian from questions in Hawaiian . . .17
A practical teaching device was briefly referred to in another letter. "I propose," he wrote, "to build a model parsonage at the Institute. It will serve the double purpose of adding housing for more students here and give them all a concept of acceptable and essential standards in such housing when they get to their church."18 He forgot about this for a while; ". . . the chapel, the main building of the School was burned down one night . . .the Government will rebuild at once . . ."19
By the winter of 1882-1883 the Hydes were ready to plan a "refresher" return to the United States. He worried about the fitness of his students to take summer pastorates in the churches on their home islands while he would be away. "I wish we had a better set but if we are to have Hawaiian ministers we must take them with the characteristics of the Hawaiian people. God's infinite patience bears with our manifold defects and infirmities—why should we—be discouraged . . . with the human weaknesses and follies of our fellow laborers? With all their faults there is something pleasant and lovable in Hawaiians and I shall hope on hope, ever labor, study, & pray for their improvement and progress . . . "20
Leprosy as a subject for correspondence appears for the first time in 1884. ". . . Hitherto I have dealt with it (Leprosy) on my own responsibility, quickly dropping out the individuals I have found from year to year who were tainted with the terrible malady. But now I have found three out of fifteen students are certainly lepers; that another student and two of the wives have suspicious symptoms . . ."21
He wrote off in all directions for advice with questions about symptoms, remedies, hospitalization. He assembled the opinions of the experts in a major article in a local paper.22 These writers represented a cross section of the best thinking about leprosy. The disease, its causes and effects, would surface in his mind almost as a nightmare as he was later to become involved in it in a way he could not possibly have foreseen.
By the end of 1884 he could write pragmatically of school conditions and effects. "I am more than ever convinced," he wrote, "of the importance of this work. The churches are the centers of good influence and ought to be supplied with capable and efficient pastors. One third of the parishes have no pastors, one third ought not to have such as they now have. I cannot take more than 15 students at any one time, and as the course of study ought to take generally at least four years, I cannot very soon overtake the needs of these twenty vacant churches. But out of a church membership of over 1250 to get four theological students every year is enough to keep good the supply, were all other conditions favorable.23
He further analyzed native abilities and shortcomings:
. . . This is the great difficulty in trying to elevate the Hawaiians—in their total lack of our feeling of push and energetic endeavor. I have to put this into these students, and it is gratifying to see how marked a change two years residence at the Institute works in these young men, and in their wives too. You know, perhaps, that this is a Manual Labor Training School. The students take care of the grounds, paint, chop wood, do carpenter work, and thus get enough money to pay their support, about $3.00 per week . . . Last class had some bright ones who worked in printing offices, and as commission buyers . . . Industrious effort to support themselves . . . help to develop such traits of character as fit them for managing their household and church affairs in a business way. Then I have to train them to think and talk correctly, give them lessons in English and logic, so that they get some notion of the elementary principles and laws of language and