December 30, 1819 – no entry. (Thaddeus Journal)

Dec. 30th. A generally quiet and uneventful passage during this month. “A general time of health, not one complaining among ship’s company or passengers.” Lat. obsd. 30° 45′ South (James Hunnewell)

Dec. 30th. The grandeur and peculiar beauty of the scene, to-night, about the setting of the sun, were truly indescribable. One could but gaze, with admiration. The sun descended, majestically, into his watery bed, tinging, both sky and water, with the most splendid hues:–not the smallest cloud appeared, while the full moon, ascending, upon the sun’s retiring, proclaimed herself queen of the night. As she advanced, her soft beams shed a lustre over the wide deep, not agitated by a single wave,—all seeming to whisper, is it peace within? His works praise him. Does thy soul praise Him, the great Creator? (Sybil Bingham)

30th. Various kinds of waterfowls have been seen to-day. Brother C. shot at one but did not kill it. We have some variety even at sea. Now and then a new object presents itself, of which we take the liberty to inform our friends. While you look to the South for the sun, we look to the north, while you are shivering with the cold of winter, we are suffering the heat of a torrid sun in a calm at sea; while you consider us tossing here and there upon the mighty deep, we have the pleasure of fancying you pleasantly situated in that goodly land which we have left the fond remembrance of which shall ever afford us pleasure. Mr. Ruggles has just entered our little room and says “Tell our friends, that we are very happy to-day.” When he finds a day of comfortable health we enjoy it extremely well, though it seldom happens. (Samuel & Nancy Ruggles)

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December 31, 1819 – no entry. (Thaddeus Journal)

Dec. 31st. It was early recommended to us, this week, to give much attention to the review of the sins of the now closing year. For myself, I must say, in many things have I offended, and in all come short. A retrospect fills me with self-abhorrence. I cannot enumerate what exceeds my greatest thought. In the account, sealed up for the last great day, all stands recorded. If it be not cancelled—if no Advocate be found for me in the person of the Judge, how shall I stand? Can future obedience, could it be attained to, atone? Vain hope I The blood of Christ I—there may I apply. (Sybil Bingham)

December 31. This is the last day of a year, big with events, to me the most important. This year has witnessed the most trying yet interesting scenes of my life. A new course is marked out for me to pursue: new hopes, new joys, and new sorrows are before me. I often review with pleasure the past scenes of my life, tho this pleasure is mingled with regret that they are never more to be realized, and the places that witnessed them may never more bless my eyes. Yes, I can, I do look forward with the most pleasing anticipations of future enjoyment. Yes, with the eye of faith I can look forward to the day when the sons and daughters of Owhyhee (the devoted subjects of the prince of darkness) shall become the true and humble followers of the Prince of Peace; when the Idols of Moriah shall be given to the moles and bats, and the true God and Jesus Christ shall be the only objects of religious homage. (Lucia Ruggles Holman)

12 Oc. (according to the mariners mode of reckoning time, which is from 12 Oc. at noon). Another year has commenced – and now my dear dear brothers and sisters, I wish you a happy New Year. May the best of Heaven’s blessings be yours, and er’e this year has passed away may your hearts be made glad with the reception of letters fraught with good news from Owhyhee. (Lucia Ruggles Holman)

31st. Rose this morning at 5 and went on deck just as the sun was making his appearance above the eastern horizon, and viewed the firmament without a cloud, and the vast extended ocean without a wave to interrupt the sight. All was calm and serene, though we dread a calm in this region. I stood by the side of the vessel a considerable time contemplating the infinite wisdom and goodness of God manifested in the works of creation and providence; and particularly the mysterious leadings of his hand with respect to myself the year past. Surely the Lord leadeth the blind in a way which they knew not. Neither myself nor any of my friends would have imagined at the commencement of the year, that a few short months would remove me 1,660 miles from them, and that dear home. What may be the results of another year, and how great its changes with me is known only to Him who fitteth immensity and inhabiteth Eternity. O may the grace of God. help me so to remember my days as to apply my heart unto wisdom.
Oh, time, how few thy value weigh,
How few will estimate a day;
Days, Months, and years are rolling on
The soul neglected and undone? (Samuel & Nancy Ruggles)

Dec. 31. This day will bring me to the close of another year. A year, the events of which are recorded in heaven, and on which depend my present and future happiness. It has been a scene of revolutions. Many are the changes through which I have passed, yet none, but what lay me under renewed obligations of devotedness to the cause of Christ. I have left forever my dear friends, and with a select few expect to spend many days in a heathen land, surrounded by savages who were barbarous and uncivilized. But where I assured that this is the path selected for me by my Heavenly Father, I should rejoice in the midst of trials and privations. This consolation, I for the most part enjoy. But at times, when I reflect upon the magnitude of the missionary work and my unfitness for it, I am led to doubt respecting the path tip of duty. In God alone is my hope, to him would I look for grace and strength, to bear me on my way. The year which is now about to close, will ever be reviewed with sensations of pleasure. How little did I think at the close of the last, that at this time I should be imprisoned on this in this little bark, and floating in the midst of the ocean. But God who is infinite and knowledge foreordained it thus, and in his righteous providence, has brought it to pass. Though I had long hoped to engaged in the work of the mission, I felt wholly unworthy of such an honor, and hardly dared hope to be indulged with such a privilege. “O what shall I render to the lord for all his benefits.” (Mercy Partridge Whitney Journal)

31. – I am now brought to the close of another year. A year big with events. A few months since I was enjoying the pleasures of a college life, surrounded by many dear friends, and drinking at the fountain-head of science & literature. At once I see myself breaking these dear connections, engaging in matrimony, leaving my country & embarking for the Isles of the Gentiles. Pause, Oh my soul! ‘imaginations airy wing repress, lock up by senses, led no passions stir’. It is for Christ, that I abandon the pleasures of Christian & civilized society? O God thou knowest. If thy presence & thy spirit go not with me carry me not up hence. (Samuel Whitney Journal)

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January 1, 1820 – This day we joyfully hail the New Year with the hope that it will be to ourselves and our friends and the church an acceptable year of the Lord, and to the Heathen nations, especially to the Sandwich Islands the year of Jubilee, of spiritual emancipation from sin after the gloom of servitude of Fifty Centuries. The day is exceedingly fair, and the family generally in health with the exception of slight indisposition in the case of Brothers Ruggles and Whitney.
Lat. S, 32°, 30′, Lon. W. 43° (Thaddeus Journal)

Saturday, Jan. 1st., 1820. Pleasantly has the sun of a New-Year risen upon me. Far removed, yes, long removed from every object which was dear, which was pleasant or even familiar to me when the last year commenced, shut up within confined walls upon the great deep, with dark uncertainty, under what circumstances, if at all, I shall ever tread upon ground again, destined as I am to a now cheerless land where the will of a heathen ruler, uninfluenced by even a knowledge of Christian principles, is law for all in his dominions; where is the ground of that serenity so sweetly felt, when the last sun of the declining year withdrew its beams,—when the midnight watch, calling, twelve o’clock, announced that another year had commenced its revolutionst–which is now felt, as thoughts arise of the dark, unknown paths of its revolving days? Fain would I hope that it was through strength given by Him who sitteth upon the circle of the Heavens, distributing to each his portion as his infinite wisdom and goodness direct, whose piercing eye surveys things past, present, and to come, as one eternal Now, assuring us that such is his condescension that the very hairs of our head are numbered, and that in his vast dominion, not even a sparrow falleth to the ground without his notice. Fain would I hope it was his divine consolations, and not a cold indifference to either good or ill, which enables me to look around and inwardly exclaim, never could I more cheerfully hail a New-Year’s morning! With my dearest friend I was permitted to unite my supplications before the voices of the little multitude were heard about the vessel—then go on deck and receive the usual greetings. Most earnestly did I desire, when Capt. B— congratulated me upon the New- Year, and could not help saying to him, that it was among the first wishes of the morning, that it might indeed prove a happy one to him. 0, that a Sovereign GOD, who dispenseth his favors as he will, would make the beginning of years to that man, giving him true repentance, bringing him to the foot of the cross; and cause that another anniversary find him speaking the language of a new-born soul. At the family altar, the 29th of the 1st of Chron. was read, and our attention directed more particularly to the 5th and 15th verses as affording matter for meditation through the day. A hymn was sung, composed by Mr. C-—, for the occasion. The words of the king to Esther, “What is thy petition, and what is thy request?” as also of GOD to Solomon, “Ask what I shall give thee,” have been much in my mind. Is not the same gracious voice to me,—says it not, what is thy petition, and what thy request? Thou, Lord, knowest. Am I deceived when I say, my first petition, my most earnest request is, that I might know and love Thee moz-e—serve Thee better, and say more from the heart, “Thy will be done.” Other things I would, I do leave with Thee—only give unto me thy presence in the trying hour. Thou wilt not deny me, when to the bleeding Lamb, who took our sins upon him, in the awful hour of darkness, it was denied, that it might forever shine upon every trembling soul who comes to GOD through him.
Reflecting farther upon the claim which my dear and affectionate sisters have upon my pen, as by that means only must all their future knowledge, concerning their absent sister, be obtained, I an led to alter my mind, respecting my Diary, and consider it, from the commencement of this year, in some measure, dedicated to them. And, 0, my beloved sisters, what events this hand may have to record, or your eyes to peruse, our Father, our Covenant GOD and Father knows, and He alone. Sufficient for us that He has it all under his direction,—that our “times are in his hands.” When my soul gets hold there, I think I do feel that there is no path so rough, but, leaning on his arm, I could walk in it for his sake and the Gospel’s. May his grace prepare my heart, when penning, and your hearts, when torrents of tears may be flowing over many mournful pages here, to say, to dwell upon it, “Father, glorify thy name.” (Sybil Bingham)

Jan. 1, 1820. This morn, I hail as the commencement of a New Year. The past has led me through many new and untried scenes. What is before me I know not. I hope to feel a perfect confidence in God, and in whatever situation I am to be content. I rejoice that I can tell you I have been contented and happy. I know not that I have ever “cast behind one longing lingering look.” May your souls be comforted in my absence with the consolation and hope, that we may at last meet, to part no more. (Mercy Partridge Whitney Journal)

Jan. 1, 1820. – The events of 1819 are closed till I come to four the bar of Christ. Oh what a complicated mass of iniquity will then be brought to light! In the lord will I hope for strength to fill up this year in faithful labour to build up his kingdom. That I may hereafter pursue my studies to more advantage I have formed a plan to regulate my time.
From ½ past 5 to ½ past seven – private and family devotions,
do (ditto) ½ past 7 to 9 – breakfast & recreation,
do 9 – to 1 – study of theology,
do 1 to ½ past 2 – dinner, recreation, and private devotion,
do ½ past 2 to 6 – study of the language, miscellaneous reading and writing
From 6 to 8 – supper and exercise,
do 8 to ½ past 9 – private and family devotions,
do ½ past 9 to ½ past five – sleep.
Probably there will be some difficulty in keeping these rules on board a vessel but I think they will be of use. (Samuel Whitney Journal)

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