Missionaries / Churches / Religious Buildings | Page 30

May 11, 2021 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Day 001 – October 23, 1819

October 23, 1819 – Mr. Evarts, the treasurer, having engaged a passage for the mission on board the brig Thaddeus, Captain Blanchard, for $2,500, exclusive of provisions for a long voyage, she was made ready for sea, by the 23d of October. In the forenoon of that day, Mr. Thurston gave the parting address of the mission to its friends, at Park St. Church, that monthly concert temple dear to many a missionary heart.

They repaired together to the wharf, where they united in a parting hymn, pledging a close and permanent union though far and long separated;-

‘When shall we all meet again?
When shall we all meet again?
Oft shall wearied love retire;
Oft shall glowing hope expire;
Oft shall death and sorrow reign,
Ere we all shall meet again.

‘Though in distant lands we sigh,
Parched beneath a hostile sky;
Though the deep between us rolls,
Friendship shall unite our souls;
And in fancy’s wide domain,
We shall often meet again.

‘When the dreams of life have fled;
When its wasted lamps are dead;
When in cold oblivion’s shade,
Beauty, power, and fame are laid’
Where immortal spirits reign,
There may we all meet again.

Oct. 23, 1819 – This day in the good providence of God, we have been allowed to leave our dear native shores on an embassy of mercy, having been set apart to the work of propagating the gospel in the Sandwich Isles. Having been commended to God and to the word of his grace by the Rev. Dr. Worcester, and attended on board by many dear friends to whom with tears we gave the parting hand, we left Boston harbor with a prosperous gale, and with peculiar smiles of heaven. The little mission family containing 22 souls attended by G.P. Tamoree is this evening blessed with universal health.

He who has called us is faithful, and though we go out to a foreign land not knowing the things that shall befal us there, we cheerfully commit ourselves to his guidance and protection and endeavor to give up ourselves and all we have, to be forever employed in his service. (Thaddeus Journal)

Oct. 23, 1819. – This day by the good providence of God, I have embarked on board the brig Thaddeus (Blanchard master) for the Sandwich Islands to spread the gospel of Christ among the heathens. At 8 oclock took breakfast with the good Mr. Homer; at 11, gave the parting hand toward our dear friends on shore, & came on board accompanied by the Prudential Com. Mr. and Mrs. Dwight and some others. At 1 the sails were hoisted & we soon left sight of a multitude of friends who were lifting up holy hands in their behalf. This evening we came to anchor off Boston light. (Samuel Whitney Journal)

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May 10, 2021 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Day 002 – October 24, 1819

Lords Day, Oct. 24 – This morning in a comfortable health offered the morning sacrifice, and lifted up a song of praise. “Welcome sweet day of rest.”

While lying at ancher 10 miles from Boston, the Treas. of the A.B.C.F.M. came on board with an additional supply of provisions and stores for our voyage, for which we had found occasion to send back. The promtitude with which our wants are supplied, calls forth our gratitude and encourages us to go forward to our work with more cordial reliance on the providence of God, and on the affectionate, seasonable and efficient aid of our patrons.

Having again taken an affectionate leave of the treasurer and some other friends, weighed anchor at one o’clock P.M. and at 2 sent letters ashore by the pilot – before evening most of the mission family began to be seriously seasick. (Thaddeus Journal)

October 24, 1819
(O)n the passengers examining their stores, they found a short supply of that article at day light Capt. Blanchard went up to Boston at 11 am (October 24, 1819). Captain Blanchard returned from town with a supply of bread & spirits for the missionaries. (James Hunnewell Log)

October 24, 1819
To you my dear Parents, I cheerfully dedicate these pages: whatever may be interesting, or afford you comfort at some future period, I shall record with pleasure. Yesterday I left my native land, and have now gazed upon it for the last time. While receding from my sight I could not but exclaim, farewell beloved country, and thrice beloved friends. I bid you all adieu!

Home, that dearest sweetest spot,” where I have spent so many happy hours, the remembrance of which will ever afford me much pleasure; I cheerfully bid you adieu. Yes, dear as is that humble mansion and those beloved friends, whom I shall ever love with the strongest ties of natural affection, I can willingly part with you all, if I may but bear a humble part in promoting the glory of God, and be used as an instrument in carrying the glad tidings of salvation to the perishing heathen.

Many and great as are the sacrifices which I have made, I do not regret my undertaking. The souls of the heathen appear precious, infinitely more so than all this world’s good. O that Christians possessed more of a spirit of disinterested benevolence. Were this the case, they would pray with more fervency that Christ’s Kingdom may come; and while their souls were listed to God in prayer for the destitute and needy, their hands would be contributing for their relief. Such must, and will be the case, before the whole world will be filled with the knowledge and glory of God.” (Mercy Partridge Whitney Journal)

24 Sabbath. – This morning we were under the necessity of sending on shore for some provisions left by mistake. Captain B and Esq. Evarts came off and brought a supply, Sent a letter on shore by Esq. E for B Smith. Weighed anchor at 12 oclock and at 4 the shores of my beloved country sunk in the western horizon. Were it not for the prospect of doing my Father’s will, this would be an overwhelming crisis. Owing to much confusion we have had no service today. (Samuel Whitney Journal)

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May 9, 2021 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Day 003 – October 25, 1819

October 25, 1819
We have today fresh gales, a heavy swell of the sea, the Brig rolling very deep and leaking; most of the family very seasick, but generally patient under this trial which we confidently expected. These are but the beginnings of our hardships and we hope not to be wearied by running with footmen, but to acquire strength to contend with horses.
Lat. 42, 22. Lon. 62, 24 (Thaddeus Journal)

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June 1, 2020 by Peter T Young 3 Comments

Missionary Period

“The advent of the white man in the Pacific was inevitable, and especially in Hawaii, by reason of its size, resources, and, most important, its location at the crossroads of this vastest of oceans, rapidly coming into its own in fulfilment of prophecies that it was destined to become the chief theater of the world’s future activities.”

Years before the westward land movement gathered momentum, the energies of seafaring New Englanders found their natural outlet, along their traditional pathway, in the Pacific Ocean.

On the afternoon of January 20, 1778, Cook anchored his ships near the mouth of the Waimea River on Kauai’s southwestern shore. After a couple of weeks, there, they headed to the west coast of North America.

In the Islands, as in New France (Canada to Louisiana (1534,)) New Spain (Southwest and Central North America to Mexico and Central America (1521)) and New England (Northeast US,) the trader preceded the missionary.

Practically every vessel that visited the North Pacific in the closing years of the 18th century stopped at Hawai‘i for provisions and recreation.

On October 23, 1819, the Pioneer Company of American Protestant missionaries from the northeast US set sail on the Thaddeus for the Sandwich Islands (now known as Hawai‘i.) There were seven American couples sent by the ABCFM to convert the Hawaiians to Christianity in this first company.

By the time the Pioneer Company arrived, Kamehameha I had died and the centuries-old kapu system had been abolished; through the actions of King Kamehameha II (Liholiho,) with encouragement by former Queens Kaʻahumanu and Keōpūolani (Liholiho’s mother,) the Hawaiian people had already dismantled their heiau and had rejected their religious beliefs.

Over the course of a little over 40-years (1820-1863 – the “Missionary Period”), about 184-men and women in twelve Companies served in Hawaiʻi to carry out the mission of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (ABCFM) in the Hawaiian Islands.

“(F)or forty years Hawaiians wanted everything on every ship that came. And they could get it; it was pretty easy to get. Two pigs and … a place to live, you could trade for almost anything.”

“(The missionaries) come with a set of skills that Hawaiians are really impressed with. … The missionaries were the first group of a scholarly background, but they also had the patience and endurance. So that’s part of the skill sets. … That’s really the more important things that are attracted first.”

“But the second thing is they are pono.”

“They have an interaction that is intentionally not taking advantage. It’s not crude. They don’t get drunk and throw up on the street … and they don’t take advantage and they don’t make a profit. So that pono actually is more attractive than religion.” (Puakea Nogelmeier)

Collaboration between Native Hawaiians and American Protestant missionaries resulted in, among other things, the
• Introduction of Christianity;
• Development of a written Hawaiian language and establishment of schools that resulted in widespread literacy;
• Promulgation of the concept of constitutional government;
• Combination of Hawaiian with Western medicine; and
• Evolution of a new and distinctive musical tradition (with harmony and choral singing)

Above text is a summary – Click HERE for more information

Missionaries_preaching_under_kukui_groves,_1841

May 30, 2020 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

St. Andrew’s Priory

At the invitation of King Kamehameha IV, the Anglican Church mission came to Hawaiʻi in 1862; the invitation was extended to both the Church of England and the Episcopal Church in the Unites States. The Church of England gave a favorable response.

At the time, the American Protestants, through the Congregational Church, and Roman Catholic Church were established and active in the islands. Each had also established schools within the islands.

Queen Emma recognized the educational needs of the young women of her island nation. Her mission of establishing a girls’ school in Honolulu took her to England to seek the counsel of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Under his authority, the Sisters of the Church of England returned to Hawai’i with Queen Emma to begin their work.

Queen Emma was raised in the Anglican faith and envisioned a school where Hawaiian girls would receive an education equivalent to the education that was traditionally offered only to boys.

St. Andrew’s Priory School was founded on Ascension Day, May 30, 1867, by Queen Emma, wife of King Kamehameha IV, and Mother Priscilla Lydia Sellon of the Society of the Most Holy Trinity of Devonport, England.

St. Andrews Priory was named in honor of St. Andrew, which was also the dedication of the Cathedral. This name had been chosen for the Cathedral because St. Andrews Day, November 30, was the anniversary of the death of Kamehameha IV, for whom the building was a memorial.

The Society of the Most Holy Trinity used the Benedictine terminology, whereby the mother house of a religious order was called an abbey and a branch house a priory. Therefore, the school became St. Andrew’s Priory School for Girls.

The school opened with 11-boarders and a few day students; by the end of the year, 17-boarders had registered. Most of the boarders were aliʻi.

Priory was eligible and received government grants; in doing so, it had to follow government regulations. As such, curriculum included the required reading in English or Hawaiian, writing, arithmetic grammar, geography and training in industrial work,

Good English was the Priory’s chief objective, so all instruction was in English and the girls were not allowed to speak Hawaiian, even on the playground. The girls learned sewing and embroidery, music, drawing, in addition to the academic subjects. Religious classes were part of the school curriculum. (Heyes)

The Board of Education encouraged early entrance, before age 10, to English schools, so that students may learn English in their formative years. The Priory’s first 17-boarders ranged in age from four 1/2 to sixteen. In 1871, a 2 1/2-year old Kauaʻi student (McBryde) was admitted with her two older sisters.

The girls slept in dormitories (they furnished their own beds and bedding.) The girls had poi every day. Initially, the girls wore their own clothes, there was no uniform (however, every girl had a white dress for Sundays and special occasions – uniforms started sometime after 1918.)

By 1876, the school was well established; dormitory space had been almost doubled, making room for forty boarders. The number of day students also increased and in that year to a total of 118-students.

In the 1880s, the Royal Hawaiian Band played concerts twice a week in Queen Emma Square. “One of our pleasant diversions was to go to and hear Captain Berger’s band play at Emma Square every Saturday afternoon. … we all went and sat in the carriage just outside the park. There was usually a crowd there, as it was very popular.” (Sutherland Journal)

With the formation of the Republic of Hawaiʻi, the educational policy favored establishing the American system of free public schools for everyone. Government aid to private schools was forbidden. (However, private schools continued to flourish.)

In 1902, the school transferred to the jurisdiction of the Episcopal Church of the United States and was run by the Sisters of the American Order of the Transfiguration. The school was then dependent financially on tuition and gifts from friends.

Even with these changes, there was no basic change in the purpose of the school. An education suited for the “probable life circumstances” of the girls still placed high emphasis on the homemaking arts, as well as preparing the girls for teaching, nursing and secretarial work. (Heyes)

In 1903, a high school department was opened offering the girls an opportunity to receive secondary education, placing the Priory at the forefront of the secondary school movement in Hawaiʻi. At the time, the only other secondary education options for girls were Honolulu High School (later known as McKinley) and Punahou.

There was significant new construction between 1906 and 1914; in 1909 the cornerstone for the new Dickey-designed Priory was laid for a two-story building made of steel and concrete (the first of its kind in the islands.)

The Sisters of the American Order of the Transfiguration operated the school until 1969. Since that time, the school has been under the leadership of a head of school.

In 1976, the Priory became a non-profit corporation with a Board of Trustees and a charter of incorporation that continues to provide an official link with the Episcopal Church.

Founded as a school for girls, the Priory remains dedicated to this legacy. Today, the Priory provides girls in grades K-12 a college preparatory education within a Christian environment so that in any future community they will be self-confident, capable, participating members. (Lots of information here from Heyes.)

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