“As another instance of the unremitted kindness of my dear S(ybil), who every day gives me proof of the richness of that divine goodness, which in a way, unexpected ‘mysterious and kind’, brought to my bosom, a companion and helpmate …” (Hiram Bingham)
“About two months after the union of Ka‘ahumanu with Kaumuali‘i, she had a severe trial and admonition. Sickness, so much deprecated by the high and low, in Christian and in heathen lands, is often the messenger of mercy to the proud and gay lovers of the world …”
“… to make them feel the need of a friend in adversity, and to apprise them of the frailness of the tenure by which they hold their cherished share of earth, and to remind them of the necessity of something more satisfying and enduring.”
“Never perhaps was such an unwelcome messenger of mercy more opportunely sent to a haughty ruler, than in Dec. 1821, when the hard and lofty-hearted Kaahumanu was laid low and brought to the borders of the grave.”
“Repeatedly we called on her during this illness, and endeavored to secure her confidence and to do her good. So severe were her paroxysms, December 15th, that much apprehension was entertained that she would not live through the day.”
“Two skilful physicians connected with the Russian ships of discovery, before mentioned, under Commodore Vascilietf, now returned, prescribed for her.”
“On the evening of the 16th, Mrs. B. and myself visited her, when she returned our salutations with unwonted cordiality, and as I said to her, ‘I trust you are thinking seriously of the great God and our Savior,’ she replied, ‘I think more about him in my sickness.’”
“I endeavored to assure her that the blessed Savior who died for sinners could preserve her body and her soul; that he could restore her to health; or, if she trusted in him, he could take her ransomed soul to Heaven, if her body should be laid in the grave. To which she replied, ‘Maikai,’ it is well.” (Hiram Bingham)
“Sabbath. Dec. 16th. … This evening Mr. B. and I called again upon the sick Kahoomanoo. This sickness, we fear, may be unto death; still we hope that it will be to the glory of God.”
“She listened with an interest, such as she has never before manifested, to what was said concerning the blessed Redeemer. All her affected airs of dignity were laid aside. Lying on her sick couch, one hand given to Mr. Bingham, the other placed between mine, she seemed not only willing, but desirous to hear something from the servants of the living GOD.”
“After giving her such instructions as he thought suitable at this time, Mr. B. asked if he should pray; to which she readily assented, giving orders that the yard, filled with her attendants of every rank, should be kept in silence.”
“We knelt by her couch and sought to look to Him who has purchased the heathen with his own most precious blood. It would be impossible to speak the feelings which filled the breast. We took our leave. The friendly hona, with like friendly alloah was given by numbers as we passed out the yard.” (Sybil Bingham)
“She united with her husband in requesting us to come again. On the following evening, as we entered the room, her sister, Nāmāhāna, said, ‘Here comes the kahunapule’ (master or leader of religious worship) – ‘I hope we shall hear him pray.’” (Hiram Bingham)
“Dec. 17th. Accompanied Mr. B. again to the village. It is hoped K. is better. She received us with the same kindness as in the two former visits. I had a seat given me at her head, and while rubbing her with spirits of camphor …”
“… with which she seemed comforted, endeavored to divert her mind to Him who once endured pain and death for our sakes, but was now in glory–his placed upon us.”
“As we rose to go she requested that Mr. B. should pray with her again. I need not say this was a pleasant sound to our ears; and when she had commanded silence in all her attendants, with melting hearts we knelt by her side and offered our petitions. “ (Sybil Bingham)
“The sick queen appeared in some measure relieved; but yet not free from anxiety. She seemed gratified by our attentions. After pointing her to the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world, I was requested by her to pray, before leaving her.”
“At her direction that conversation should be suspended among the group around, there was a solemn stillness (altogether unusual in such an assemblage of natives, chiefs, and foreigners) …”
“… while a minister of Christ kneeled by the couch of the sufferer, and implored the health-giving mercies of God upon her body and soul. She was soon restored, and with her friends set a higher value on the religion which we were endeavoring to inculcate.”
“There was from this period a marked difference in her demeanor towards the missionaries, which became more and more striking, till we were allowed to acknowledge her as a disciple of the Divine Master.” (Hiram Bingham)
“Rarely has a missionary a more favorable opportunity to exert an influence on a whole nation, than was here afforded in the circle of the highest chiefs of these islands, balancing, as they were, between Idolatry, atheism, and the service of the true God.”
“Rarely has a Christian female, in any circumstances, a better opportunity to make an impression, powerful and salutary, than In attending a missionary husband at the couch of such a patient, surrounded by such a circle of relatives and dependants.”
“As Mrs. B. sat down by the side of the sick queen, and with unfeigned sympathy for her sufferings and danger, bathed her aching temples, she bound a silken cord around her heart, from which I think she never broke loose while she lived.”
“Kaumuali‘i not only desired me to repeat my visits to instruct her and pray for her, but when I requested him to teach her and guide her, he said, ‘I have told her some things about God, and I like to tell her what I understand.’”
“His rank and weight of character, his abstinence now from profaneness and intemperance, his confidence in the missionaries, and in what he had learned on the subject of religion, enabled him to exert a good influence in his new, though not altogether the most welcome circumstances.” (Hiram Bingham)
“Dec. 26th. It was most pleasant, this evening, in visiting Kahoomanoo, to see our faithful friend Thomas Hopoo superintending the sick chamber. It is a laborious and very responsible post; but we trust the hand of the Lord has placed him in it for good.”
“The Russians appear interested in him– have had him on board several days to assist them in forming a vocabulary of this language. It is through their influence that he is now attendant upon the queen.” (Sybil Bingham)
“Dec. 27th. The firing of the cannon last night announced the arrival of the king. The sickness of K. has hastened his return.”
“Dec. 28th. Great order and stillness appear in the chamber, tonight. The king, with two or three of his wives, Adams, Gov. of Owhyhee, and some others, were present. Thomas appeared awake to his duty.”
“K(a‘ahumanu) is lodged in the upper room of a framed house, lately purchased by government of American traders. Two more are upon the islands for sale. One is erected. This room is well done off – has in it two large glasses, a good sofa, a straw carpet, and a mahogany table filled, at present, with things suitable for a sick-room.”
“It is difficult to say what is the state of Kahoomanoo’s mind. She still appears disposed to give an ear to what is said of another world.” (Sybil Bingham)
“Dec. 31st. Dismissed school at sun-set, took my tea, laid my little one to rest, and once again went to visit K. … We told the queen that the Russians had given something towards educating one or two orphan children …”
“… and if she would commit to our care two little girls, this should be expended for them, and no pains should be spared on our part to do them good and train them up for usefulness …”
“The purpose pleased her. She at once said, that when well, she would look about her people, and two promising ones should be given me. We had a pleasant visit – joined in prayer and took our leave.” (Sybil Bingham)
“Of what amazing consequence was it that Ka‘ahumanu should be a believer and advocate of Christianity! Who would not covet the privilege of giving a right impulse to the mind and heart of one so high in rank, possessing her mental powers and occupying a position so favorable for exerting influence over a nation?”
“The Lord had a great work for her to accomplish, and was now recovering her from dangerous illness, and ordering circumstances and applying influences favorable for making her what her Christian friends desired her to be and what she was at length to become – a humble disciple of Christ, and a reformer of her nation.”
“But, rising from her illness to comfortable health, she was still too proud, too independent, too fond of pleasure, gaiety, honor, and amusement, to take the place of a cross-bearing servant of Christ.” (Hiram Bingham)
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