November 17, 1819 – Still watching for favorable winds, yet without prepining. Capt. B. tells us that in his last voyage he crossed the line in less time from Boston than we have now been out: But it is now the fourteenth night that we have been driven up and down like Paul in Adria, between the parallels of Lat. 38. 35 and 37. – We have been tossing rolling on an uncommonly rough sea, according to the account of the best seamen on board, 24 days, and yet have proceeded but 5 and a half degrees toward the equator. We cannot but conclude that He who controls the winds and the waves, and conducts all the affairs of nations is either kindly withholding us from dangers and disasters at Cape Horn or operating changes in the Sandwich Isles favorable to the introduction and success of our enterprse. He is kindly inuring us to a life of toil and hardship. He spreads our table on the face of the boisterous deep, gives us now the comfort of returning health, teaches us to sit with meekness at his feet and to trust in his all sufficient grace. (Thaddeus Journal)

Nov. 17th. Still watching for favorable winds. The sea more calm today, yet we are not wafted onward. Capt. B—just told me, that in his last voyage, he had reached the Line, by this time. Well, of this we may rest assured, that if our Heavenly Father, according to his eternal purposes, land us at length on the shores of Owhyhee, it will be at the very moment his sovereign pleasure deems it best. Our family appears to be recovering. May we not forget to be thankful. And also more life in spiritual things, within a few days, appears. 0, that our hearts were more alive—that we did more deeply feel the high commission which our GOD has given us ; Too much have our minds been occupied with the troubles of sea-sickness and the privations attendant on our voyages so the sound of our words, before the Ship’s company, has been too much, what shall we eat and what shall we drink. But I would fain hope the blessed influences of the Spirit are more felt in some hearts. Last evening, had a precious little session, in our room, with Thomas Hopii. His heart seemed to mourn under a sense of short comings, and his desires appeared to be strong, that he, with us all, might awake. He led in prayer, as did also Mr. B—, then withdrew, with some resolutions in each of our breasts, I trust, to live to GOD. (Sybil Bingham)

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November 18, 1819 – We have new occasion to sing of mercies, favorable winds, safe progress, returning health to the body and thought and life to the soul demand our elevated praise. (Thaddeus Journal)

Nov. 18th. Feel, this evening, that we have abundant reason to sing of mercy. The winds are ordered now in our favor, wafting us much farther in this one day, than in many previous. Health seems returning to our family, and light, I trust, to their souls. Several appeared to have a season of unusual enjoyment at our devotions this evening. My dear friend appears to be gaining strength, and with it earnest desire to be a- bout his great work. Some of the day has passed pleasantly, I hope profitably, in reading with him the Memoirs of Dr. Buchanan. May we find a blessing in the perusal, as we proceed. Devoted some part of the day to the instruction of Mary C—, hope to be systematic in it. 0, to be useful in some little way i Have been conversing a little while, on deck, since prayer, with the sisters. They express a wish for some system in the improvement of time, and to be more spiritually alive. May we look to the proper source for assistance. (Sybil Bingham)

Nov. 18. This morning we have fresh experience of the goodness of God. A fine gale is rapidly wafting us from our native land and dear friends, but we welcome it as a token for good. Yes, we rejoice though the winds and the waves bear us from you. We look forward with fond hopes and pleasing expectations, to the time when we hope to anchor at our destined haven. Not that we are at present unhappy; no, we have much real enjoyment. Our Heavenly Father at times pours upon us the light of his countenance and fills our souls with joy unspeakable. I think I feel more than ever, willing to do or suffer whatever may be for God’s glory or conducive to the happiness of his creatures. This world appears really like a bubble and its enjoyments like a fleeting dream. How soon dear parents, shall we have done with all that is mortal. Perhaps before this reaches your much loved dwelling, you and I may lie mouldering in the dust. We have nothing to shield us from the shafts of death. When we behold our friends feeble, emaciated and languishing on a bed of sickness; it leads us to reflect upon our own mortality and ask ourselves, why is it that we enjoy the blessing of health?
Mr. Ruggles (with many others) was taken ill the day after we came on board. He has been very sick, and we have watch over him with anxious hearts. But God who is rich in mercy, has so far restored him to health, that today, he has been able to sit at the table and eat with us. Mr. Bingham has likewise been quite feeble, but is regaining his health. The rest of us at present our tolerable well. (Mercy Partridge Whitney Journal)
10 o’clock, evening. I cannot retire, without telling you we are happy. I have spent most of the evening in our little room, and Mr. has been reading to me “Buchanan’s researches in Asia.” I could scarcely realize that we, my dear parents were separated by a vast ocean so similar were my feelings to what they have frequently been, when in my native country and surrounded by friends and kindred near and dear. It reminded me of many happy evenings which I have spent beneath your roof, where joy was visible in every countenance, and cheerfulness sat smiling on the brow. These are scenes which will never be forgotten and which I shall ever review with pleasure. I experience much happiness in the society of so many dear christian brethren, especially of one with whom I expect to spend my days. It is a great consolation to have a companion and friend who is willing to share with me the trials and hardships of a Missionary life: to sooth my sorrows and animate my hopes. Such a friend is Mr. W. Kind, affectionate and faithful. O may I have a heart to praise God for such an unmerited blessing. (Mercy Partridge Whitney Journal)

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November 19, 1819 – Blest with precious seasons of soul devotion. The divine spirit seems in some measure to dwell with me. Able to attend morning prayers. (Thaddeus Journal)

Nov. 19th. Lifeless as I am, I feel that I cannot rest without recording in my heart, and with my pen, the goodness of GOD through the past day. For myself, the valley of humiliation would best become me, for, O, where is the ardour of feeling which my mercies demand J Enjoyed, this morning, upon awaking, a tender and solemn season in united supplication with my dearest friend, in which his soul seemed melted and his spirit bowed down in view of the awful responsibility of his station. Went from our little room to the family altar, around, which, in the morning, we had not before been permitted to assemble. There seemed some meltings of heart with several, which, I trust, has been the case through the day. This evening, met the sisters in sister T—’s room, hoping to renew our covenant obligation, one with the other,—to act the part of members of one body to watch over, exhort, admonish, and reprove, as occasion may require.
We could not exactly feel alike on the subject of social prayer at these seasons, in our present inconvenient situation? yet, I trust, all came to the conclusion that it was both our duty and privilege, and resolved, the grace of GOD assisting us, to do accordingly. May He who has styled himself a prayer-hearing GOD, accept and bless us in it. (Sybil Bingham)

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November 20, 1819 – All the family except Br. Ruggles so far recovered from seasickness and so much accustomed to our new situation as to be able to make a regular division of time and to engage in systematic efforts for the improvement of our minds and 6 hours of the day in ordinary cases are to be considered as study hours. A scooner.
Lat. 33.11. Lon. 35. 52. (Thaddeus Journal)

Nov. 20th. This day, commenced in practice what we have for some time considered in theory, vis, system with respect to the disposition of time. We take an hour immediately after breakfast, for recitations. At the repeated request of the sisters, I take the office of instructress, at this, as also another hour after dinner. While I take this place to assist them in some branches, to which, in the providence of GOD, I have had opportunity to attend and they have not, may I do it meekly, and modestly, sensible that I also shall need, in various ways, their kind offices. Hope myself to be engaged in some study with sister T—looking to Mr. B—as an instructor. It is what I have long desired, to be under a regular course of instruction, that so this untutored mind may be disciplined. 0, may I see to it that I have in view but one object in whatever I attempt— the advancement of Christ’s Kingdom. With my eye to this along will GOD prosper me in my way. (Sybil Bingham)

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November 21, 1819 – Not allowed to attend public service in consequence of the roughness of the weather.
Lat. 33. 49. Lon. 34. 21 (Thaddeus Journal)

Nov 21. We have had public worship but twice since we came on board; owing to seasickness and bad weather. Probably my dear friends, have this day enjoyed the privilege of assembling for the worship of God in his earthly courts. A precious privilege indeed! O how delightful to go up to the house of the Lord, – there to unite with his saints in worship. Often can I say with the Psalmist, “my soul longeth, yea even fainteth for the courts.” But though deprived of many precious privileges I am happy. I find that God is every where present, and equally able to grant comfort and consolation here as in any place whatever. (Mercy Partridge Whitney Journal)

Nov. 21st. No public worship this Sabbath, owing to the indisposition of our pious friends, who suffer much from sea-sickness every time it comes on to blow. (James Hunnewell)

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