Finally, all of the missionaries are on the land. Then, on April 23, 1820, Hiram Bingham holds the first public worship on O‘ahu – “Luke 2. 10. ‘Fear not, for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people’.”

“The theme, the scene, the opening prospect – the dawning light of a brighter day, conspired to animate our hearts and awaken an unusual joy in our souls while we seemed to be favored with the special presence of him who was born in the city of David, a Savior, even Christ the Lord. The natives are much pleased with our singing, aided by the Bass viol played by Tamoree [Humehume].”

April 20, 1820 “We rise this morning for the first time from our slumbers on heathen ground – In circumstances of real comfort and new obligations of gratitude to the Watchman of Israel who has kept our habitations in peace and given us refreshing rent In its season. The garrison at the fort as often as once an hour during the night, give a loud shout, partly in their native tongue and partly in broken English, of this impart, – All awake! Hoorau!” (Thaddeus Journal)

20th ‘all the mission family took leave of the brig to take up their residence on shore in houses voluntarily offered to them by some of the white residents at this place.’ (James Hunnewell)

April 20. Yesterday we were permitted to take up our residence in a heathen land. Two or three days have been occupied in landing and taking care of our things. Several white men who live here are very kind and have shown us many favors. Capt Babcock master of an American vessel, who has resided a year or two on the Island has kindly offered us his storehouse where we may put our goods and keep them safe. I believe I wrote to you when at Boston that I was informed we could get at our chests which were stowed in the hold in two or three months; and on account of the vessel being much crowded especially our little rooms, I had many things put away into the hold which I expected to take out, when it was opened, especially my dried fruit. But as might chests arrived before the vessel was much loaded, they were put away where we were not able to get to them on the passage, notwithstanding the hold was opened several times. I expected many of my things would spoil, but when I opened my chest and found much of them had kept perfectly safe, I wished to thank my dear mother and sisters for the care in which they look to have my goods dry before they were packed. … (Mercy Partridge Whitney Journal)

April 21, 1820

21. – Continued the business of regulating our goods and making ourselves comfortable in our new situation. (Thaddeus Journal)

April 22, 1820

22. – We find some difficulty in procuring convenient storerooms for all our baggage, furniture and goods, because the storehouses that are considered safe are generally occupied, and we fear to expose many of them in what are generally called straw-houses – they are so liable to destruction by fire. (Thaddeus Journal)

April 23, 1820

23. – Today, for the first time we have public worship on land. A considerable audience of European and American residents, Masters and officers of vessels, chiefs, sailors, and common natives, assembled In and around the house occupied by Brother B[ingham] to hear the sound of the gospel for the first time on these ling neglected heathen shores. Brother B[ingham] preached from Luke 2. 10. ‘Fear not, for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people’. The theme, the scene, the opening prospect – the dawning light of a brighter day, conspired to animate our hearts and awaken an unusual joy in our souls while we seemed to be favored with the special presence of him who was born in the city of David, a Savior, even Christ the Lord. The natives are much pleased with our singing, aided by the Bass viol played by Tamoree [Humehume]. (Thaddeus Journal)

April 23rd, Sabbath. With what interest would our friends in America look upon us to-day, could they cast an eye over the wide waters and behold! The season is truly an interesting one. Probably the first sabbath in which the worship of Jehovah was ever observed in these pagan Isles. We have had divine service to-day in our own dwelling – our straw-thatched cottage – the congregation composed of white residents and Commanders of vessels now lying at the harbour, with many of the natives seated on the mats and surrounding the door. One of the oldest residents, Mr. H -, at the sound of the songs of Zion had the tears upon his furrowed cheek. He had heard nothing of the kind for more than twenty years. He is a native of Mass. 0, that it might appear that the gospel is not sent to him and others, after this long voluntary banishment from it, in vain! (Sybil Bingham)

April 23. This has been an interesting Sabbath to us all. Attending attended a meeting at brother B[inghams]’s. The chief, several of the natives, and between 20 and 30 white men were present, besides the mission family. The chief had a manned by his side to interpret the sermon as fast as delivered. He was very attentive, and appeared pleased with the preaching. What an interesting thought that after ages have rolled away and clouds of superstition and ignorance have darkened the minds of this people, the gospel is now preached and pardon and salvation offered to them through a crucified Redeemer. May God give them the ears to hear and heart to understand and obey the truth. (Mercy Partridge Whitney Journal)

“Immediately on landing, the missionaries commenced the public and private worship of God, which they had regularly maintained down to the last intelligence from them. On the Sabbath, they preached not only to the mission family, but to many residents, officers of vessels, and seamen, who were occasionally present. In some instances, they preached on board of ships, at the request of the masters.

Thus many immortal beings, speaking our language most of them our countrymen, were again favored with the proclamation of the Gospel, after a long absence from the means of grace. It is, indeed, a very important consideration, respecting this mission, that it brings divine truth to some, who have voluntarily, through a long portion of their lives, exiled themselves from the sanctuary; and to others, who would gladly hear the things, which belong to their peace, though from their pursuits they have seldom enjoyed the preaching of the Gospel.

When the missionaries preached, whether on deck or on shore, a very respectful attention was given by the hearers generally; and strong hopes were entertained, that two or three mates of the Thaddeus had experienced great and permanent benefit, from the religious instruction, which they had heard during the voyage, and after their arrival.

In this connexion it may be proper to state, that the masters of vessels, almost without an exception, showed kindness to the mission family, and appeared to wish great success to the under taking. From their acquaintance with the chiefs, and from the trade which is carried on at the islands, they have it in their power to exert a very salutary influence over the minds of the natives.

For every instance, in which they availed themselves of this power, to render the situation of the missionaries comfortable, they will receive the cordial thanks of all the friends of missions, to whom the knowledge of their kindness is communicated.

Among the visitors, whose attentions had a cheering effect upon the minds of the missionaries, the name of Captain Valentine Starbuck, formerly of Nantucket, but now master of a London whaler, deserves to be particularly mentioned. During several visits of considerable length, he manifested a great interest in the mission, and liberally imparted to it such articles as he could conveniently spare, beside subscribing generously to a school fund of which he and others laid the foundation. (12th Annual Meeting Report of the ABCFM, 1821)

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April 15, 1820 “Renewed our researches on shore but could not do much business, in consequence of the continued absence of the Governor, the Brig Neo, from Owhyhee, the King’s vessel, arrived with a messenger, bringing the general orders of government with respect to us. Tamoree, also, who left the Thaddeus at Owhyhee, arrived on the Neo with his newly set ‘Rib’ . We are told that a native who had stolen a piece of calico from the King was put on board the neo in irons, and then thrown overboard on her passage and drowned. Death is the penalty for stealing the King’s property. (Thaddeus Journal)

April 16, 1820 “Lord. Day. – Enjoyed the privileges of public worship probably for the 1st time on board the Thaddeus. Boka [Boki] arrived in port this afternoon but we shall not seek an interview with him till tomorrow.” (Thaddeus Journal)

April 17, 1820 “Obtained permission to enter the harbor, the Governor came on board. He is a young chief and apparently mild and easy in his disposition, less sprightly than some of his countrymen and distinguished for his moderation, says but little and appears by no means unfriendly to us or our object but somewhat indifferent to the message from Owhyhee; but, as the people are naturally and habitually slow in their movements we hope that he may yet bestir himself with more efficiency to promote our design. (Thaddeus Journal)

April 18, 1820 “Entered the harbor in safety and anchored within a few yards of the shore. We have concluded to occupy one or two houses belonging to Capt. Winship, who by letter to Mr. Marin has kindly favored us with the refusal of them. Mr. Scovill, an officer of Capt. Louis has also very politely offered us the use of Capt. L’s house which we shall occupy for a season, Capt. Adams and Mr. Nevano have each offered us a house.
Capt. Balcock and Mr. Oliver also, have both offered us the temporary use of their store rooms for our effects. Thus the Lord raises up friends for as at the moment when most we feel the need of them. The sisters went on shore to see the houses which we intend to occupy, – were surrounded with crowds of natives, and they walked along the plain upon which the village is built and excited great curiosity and returned.” (Thaddeus Journal)

April 19, 1820 “Having at length succeeded in making the necessary arrangements casting ourselves again on the oars of divine providence, and putting ourselves in the power and possession of uncivilized pagans and strangers, on this Interesting day we disembarked from the board that had borne us in safety across the mighty waters, from our dear native land, and here took up our abode in this dark heathen land, which will be the scene of our labors and sufferings, and probably the resting place of our bones when our toils are over and our pilgrimage is ended.

“Capt. C. and his family take their lodgings in Capt. Winship’s house. Bros. B. R. and L. with their wives, in Capt. Louis’s, about 40 rods distant from the other, and Bro. W and his wife in a house between belonging to Mr. Novano. As a specimen of the slyness of our new neighbors the key of Capt. Louis’ house was stolen from the door immediately after we entered it this afternoon, probably by some of the natives who crowded around to gratify their curiosity.”

“Capt. Pigot and Mr. Green, with their usual kindness, anticipating our wants, provided for us a supper in the American style, which we were unable to do for ourselves. As soon as the bustle of landing was over, and our belongings in our straw-thatched cottages, comfortably fitted up, we built an altar to the Lord our God, and agreeably to a previous engagement with our brethren at Owhyhee who landed a week before, presented our united offerings of thanksgiving and praise to Jehovah, that he had preserved our lives and graciously delivered us from the ‘perils in the sea,’ given us so prosperous a passage and ministered to us so propitious an entrance among the heathen, that in answer to the prayers of his people, of our friends and patrons, he had wonderfully prepared the way before us, by destroying the temples of idols and the institutions of Idol worship, abolishing the priesthood of superstition, overturning the altars of abomination, and bringing their idle Taboos and sacrifices into general contempt. The Lord be praised forever for his goodness and for his wonderful works unto the children of men.” (Thaddeus Journal)

“April 19, 1820 – By the friendly exertions of Capt. Picket and several other American gentlemen, we have obtained three of the most convenient houses in the village, and today left the Thaddeus, and taken us our residence on land. I hardly know how it will seem to sleep on a bed and not be obliged to brace myself, to keep from rolling out.” (Nancy Ruggles)

“19th, ‘the ladies belonging to the mission all landed to see the houses which have been provided for them. I went on shore to try to procure a house to store our goods in, but did not succeed in getting one to my mind.’” (James Hunnewell)

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With the decision to allow some of the missionaries to stay at Kailua-Kona on April 11, 1820 – the 12th was “A busy, trying, joyful and important day. … As the Brig lay about a mile from the shore, the boats were employed all day in transporting their goods &c to the beach, and several of the King’s men with one of the brethren removed them from the beach to the house.” (Thaddeus Journal)

While the Thaddeus had arrived at Kawaihae on March 30 and into Kailua-Kona on April 4, and several on board had gone ashore at sometime – we learn some of the missionaries had not yet set foot on land until April 12.

Mercy Whitney noted in her journal on April 12, 1820, “This morning for the first time, I set foot on heathen ground. After a voyage of five months & a half, you need not wonder if I tell you I found it difficult to walk much on land, without being fatigued.”

“I went to the house (or rather hut) where our brethren are to reside. It is about 20 feet square. It has but one room, and in it are two windows and the door. In one corner of the room was a bedstead, two sides were fastened to the wall, the other two were supported by the stump of the cocoanut tree. Instead of a cord, there were around sticks laid a few inches from each other. These were covered with a thick bed of straw and on the top there was a mat spread. The hut is made of sticks and a kind of flag curiosity worked together. Which renders it a comfortable habitation.”

I saw the ruins of idolatry, four idols standing on the shore near the place where we landed. They are made of carved wood, about eight or ten feet in height. Their heads are nearly as large as a bushel basket, resembling the picture of Satan more than anything else. These I understood are sold for firewood. After tea, we took leave of our brethren and sisters who are to remain behind. Capt Blanchard and Brother B[ingham] accompanied them to land.” (Mercy Partridge Whitney Journal)

On April 12, Samuel Ruggles noted, “We shall sail for Woahoo [O‘ahu] about 10 o’clock tonight.” (Samuel Ruggles)

For some, seasickness returned, April 13, 1820, “Several of the family feel the motion of the Brig so much as to be seasick again, particularly Brother Ruggles and Mrs. Loomis who were often afflicted in a particular manner whenever we had a rough sea during the whole long passage from America.” (Thaddeus Journal)

“Early this morning [April 14, 1820] as we pass Morotoi [Molokai] and Rani [Lāna‘i], the Island of Woahoo [O‘ahu] presented to our view, first its pointed mountains end forests, then in succession its extended plains, its verdant hills and fertile valleys, its pleasant groves and streams, its grazing herds and flocks its thatched cottages and villages, its principal fort and harbor, … interesting inhabitants, far more worthy of our first attention then the inviting salubrity of its climate, the richness of its soil, or the luxurience of its vegetation.”

“We anchored outside of the harbor, and some of the brethren with Capt. B[lanchard] soon went ashore in the boat, called on Mr. Marin, a, Roman Catholic Spanish settler, who is interpreter for the government. He received us kindly. Informed us that Boka, the governor, was gone to another part of the Island, out as soon as he understood our business, he despatched two native servants on horse-back with a message, informing him of our arrival. Meantime paid our respects to the second in command at the fort, dined with Capt. Pigot, an American trader from New York, surveyed this part of the Island and returned highly gratified with this first excursion in this little whitening field where the Lord of the harvest seems evidently to have called us to labor.” (Thaddeus Journal)

“April 14. This morning we saw the island of Woahoo and before noon anchor anchored. Sailing along a little distance from the shore, we passed several beautiful groves of cocoanuts other trees, & saw a herd of cattle grazing on the plains. We are in sight of the village, but the wind is so high it is thought unsafe to enter the harbour today. Some of the brethren have been on shore and brought us a good report of the land. They say there is now on the island, almost all kinds of green sauer and fruit, which we used to have in America.” (Mercy Partridge Whitney Journal)

“April 14, 1820 – Arrived at Woahoo (Oahu) at 11 o’clock this morning and anchored near the village of Hanaroora (Honolulu). Brother B[ingham] & myself immediately went on shore and were received with much apparent friendship by a Capt. Picket, a gentleman who has resided several months in the Island. He invited, us to dine with him and generously offers to assist us in providing houses, and render us every other service in his power.” (Samuel Ruggles)

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Discussions and negotiations to allow the missionaries to stay went on for days. On April 10, 1820, “All the brethren went on shore to make one more united effort to obtain what appeared to all to be truly desirable.”

They sought and received assistance from some of the other foreigners. But, “Before anything decisive could be done, two youths presented themselves on the common near the King’s house, prepared, for a public dance. This drew the attention of all, and probably nearly 2000 people were soon collected”.

“The dancers were fantastically dressed in the manufacture of the country, having on their heads and wrists a small wreath, around the waist a large quantity of spreading tapa, and on the leg a cumbersome kind of gaitar, thickly set with dog’s teeth which rattled together at every step, and answered in time to the musick.”

“After many inquiries with respect to our designs and to the number of arts which we were able to teach, they seemed to be satisfied that our intentions were good, and that we might be of some service to them.”

“To obviate what had seemed to be an objection, the fear of displeasing G. Britain, they concluded that Mr. Young should write to England to inform the people that American missionaries had come to settle here, not to do any harm but to teach the people of these Islands all good things.”

“They added that we must not send for any more missionaries, from fear that we might be burdensome or dangerous to the government. When we had finished our propositions and made all the statements which we thought proper, we left them to have a general consultation tonight, and to give us their result tomorrow. We believe ‘the Lord is on our side’ and that our wishes will be gratified.” (Thaddeus Journal)

Then, the decision was made …

April 11, 1820
April 11 Brother Bingham being somewhat exhausted with the long continued negotiations and seriously indisposed today; brother Thurston and Dr. H went on shore to hear the result. A result highly creditable to the government and satisfactory to us, and we believe honorable to the great Lord of missions, and we thank God and take courage. Our joy is mingled however with the painful thought of so speedy a separation.
The decision of the government is, that two of the brethren with their wives, and two of the native youths should remain here and be furnished at the public expense with lodgings, water and fuel, and with fresh provisions end allowed to commence their work with the promise of protection; – and that the rest of our number should be allowed to proceed, to Woahoo and there be accommodated with convenient houses. The government were told that if we did not do them good they might send us all away. As it is the pleasure of the King that the Dr. should remain, with Thos. Hopoo and Wm Tennooe, it was easily agreed on among ourselves and settled thus far. It was also easily agreed that one of the ordained missionaries should be designated to remain. The question, which of the two was decided by ballot and brother Thurston was appointed to occupy this important post, to our mutual satisfaction. (Thaddeus Journal)

April 11 1820 – Still on board the Thaddeus. It is now the thirteenth day since we made the land. There is not the least hostility on the part of the natives; on the contrary, all appear friendly. It is difficult to say why we are so delayed. Among obstacles in the way of dispatch, may be reckoned their great indolence and total disregard of the worth of time.
1 o’clock. The important decision is made. We are to proceed to Hoahoo to make the principal establishment, leaving two of our brethren and sisters in this place.
The separation is painful.—If nature might be allowed to speak, we should say our dear brother and sister Thurston we must have with us. She is a lovely sister. But the Lord’s will be done. We hope we are enabled to say if from the heart. Our physician is the other to be left. Do not be alarmed, dear sisters, GOD will be our physician. The king insists upon his remaining on account of his art. As much as we may need that, some of the female part of our little band especially, yet, all things considered, I believe we are all disposed to view a kind providence in the present arrangement. (Sybil Bingham)

(Lucia Holman noted this as Saturday. 8th.) The King gives orders that Dr. H. and our teacher must land at Kiarooah – the village where he now resides, and the rest of the family may go to Oahhoo, or Wahhoo. We plead earnestly that we might all go to Oahhoo, at least to do our washing and become a little familiarized to the country before we separated – not knowing how a family could live upon a rock of Laver, without wood or water, with six months washing on hand. Our entreaties however were unavailing. The King and Chiefs said that everybody liked Oahhoo better than Ohyhee, and if we all went there we should not come back again. Besides, he wanted the Dr. to stay with them, as they had no Physician and appeared much pleased that one had come; as to pulla-pulla (learning), they knew nothing about it. Consequently it was agreed that Dr. H. & Mr. Thurston should stay with the King and the rest of the family go to Oahhoo. (Lucia Ruggles Holman)

April 11. The King has given permission for some of the mission family to stay here and the rest to go to the island of Woahoo. It is his request that the Physician, with two of the native youths should stay here and brother Thurston is appointed to stay with them. It is indeed trying to be separated from our dear brethren and sisters & especially from our Physician. But it seems to be the will of God and we ought cheerfully to submit, if in so doing we may be more useful. Woahoo is said to be more fertile than Owhyhee; especially than this part where the King resides. Our family can be much better accommodated there, then here. It is likewise the place where American vessels generally stopped & by being there, we probably shall have more frequent opportunities of conveyance to our friends. (Mercy Partridge Whitney Journal)

Kirooah bay, April 11, 1820. Voted that it is expedient that a part of our mission reside at this place. Voted that Rev. Mr. Thurston and Dr. Holman with their wives and Thomas Hopoo, and William Tennooe be left at this place. (Minutes of the Prudential Meetings of the Mission Family)

(While the initial decision that they “must not send for any more missionaries”, we learn latter, once the missionaries had started working with and teaching the Hawaiians, the Ali‘i asked, “Here is our hope for the improvement of the lands here in Hawaii. Give us more instructors like those you have in your land, America. …”)

(“If you agree and send these teachers, we will protect them when they arrive, provide the necessities to make their professions viable and give our support to these needed endeavors.”) (Letter in the Ali‘i Letters Collection: https://hmha.missionhouses.org/collections/show/178)

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