Missionaries / Churches / Religious Buildings | Page 47

September 13, 2019 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Day 041 – December 2, 1819

December 2, 1819 -Today we have endeavored to observe with our friends in N.E, a Public Thanksgiving for divine mercies. Tho’ our friends who doubtless remember us today, may have a greater exuberance and variety to crown their board, yet they can not have more multiplied and undeserved mercies to expand their hearts.
Tropic of Cancer (Thaddeus Journal)

Dec. 2nd. Precious have been the mercies of our GOD to us this day. Here, upon these wide waters, have we been permitted, with dearly beloved, absent friends, to lift up our hearts and voices in praise to our gracious Preserver and Benefactor. We felt, that in common with them, we had abundant cause for observing a day of thanks-giving, we also felt, that morning, special, mercies demanded our particular notice. Providentially, we had with us the Gov. proclamation, published the week we left Boston. Mr. B—read this, taking it on the ground for remarks, besides bringing into view our particular mercies as a Mission family, and as individuals. The sea was boisterous, and not allowing us to be on deck, we assembled in the cabin. We had a comfortable dinner provided, at which, tho but little was said, yet the subjects were tender and calculated to touch our better feelings, Lord, forgive our sins and accept our poor attempts to praise thee. Find, upon a review of past years, this to be the eighth anniversary thanks-giving which has found me in a situation new, and foreign from any calculations I could have made from one to the other. So literally have I been a stranger, a sojourner; 0, that I knew I was spiritually I Lord, I thank thee I have any evidence I am such. My soul would seek of thee daily communications of thy Grace, that so thin evidence may be encreased. I would fain hope the various and, in many instances, mysterious providences of GOD towards me, the past years, have been preparing me for what he seems calling me to. 0, to give myself wholly to my Divine Master’s service, in heart and in life! (Sybil Bingham)

2nd. Religions exercises in the cabin in consequence of the roughness of the sea, which rendered it inexpedient to be on deck. At 3 o’clock surrounded the table and partook of a frugal repast, consisting of fresh pork, sea pye, crackers and cheese. Various circumstances combined to render the season interesting. Brother T. remarked “Thanks for the gospel enjoyed by our countrymen, and promised to the heathen”. A sister observed, while our friends rejoice on the present occasion, they also weep in secret on account of the vacancies occasioned by our absence. May we not comfort ourselves with the reflection that as we are frequently on the minds of. our friends, many fervent prayers are offered up in our behalf. We now sail at the rate of 6 knots an hour, crossed the tropical line about 4 this afternoon, bidding the northern temperate zone adieu; probably for the last time. (Samuel & Nancy Ruggles)

Dec. 2. This day we celebrate a joyful anniversary. Though separated from you, and our dear American friends; I trust we cherish a fond remembrance of each other. While sitting around the festive board and partaking of the bounties of providence, you doubtless have frequently thought of me, and I hope as often lifted up your hearts to God in my behalf. My thoughts have this day dwelt much upon my beloved Country and friends, but not with any desire to return. As much as I love, think of, and desire to see you, I am unwilling to leave the great work in which I have engaged, to visit you. (Mercy Partridge Whitney Journal)

2. This day we celebrate as the anniversary thanksgiving. Many Christians rejoice & keep it with a merry heart; the joy of others is mingled with sorrow. That fraternal board where I have been wont to sit, has now an empty seat. Me thinks I see the trickling tear at the mention of Samuel’s name. Yet thanks are given that a friend, a brother, a child has gone to teach benighted heathen to joining in praise & thanksgiving. This date too we have left the northern temperate zone never again to visit its friendly clime. (Samuel Whitney Journal)

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September 12, 2019 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Day 042 – December 3, 1819

December 3, 1819 – no entry. (Thaddeus Journal)

3rd. Continue to sail rapidly in the latitude of the Sandwich Isles. The weather is not so warm as I supposed it would be in this region, though I am to remember that it is now the coldest season in the year. Some of the family complain of sickness today, others of extreme stupidity. For my own part I feel unusually dull. I suppose it is in part owing to the continual motion of the vessel. Why is it, that, when every thing about seems to demand the most lively exercise of all the Christian graces, the soul should become in a great measure insensible to divine things.
“Rise, rise my soul and leave the ground,
Stretch all thy thoughts abroad,
And rouse up every tuneful sound,
To praise the eternal God.” (Samuel & Nancy Ruggles)

Dec. 3. Yesterday we left the northern temperate zone, expecting never to enter it again. The weather is yet very cool and comfortable. (Mercy Partridge Whitney Journal)

3. – The lord is giving us favorable winds & wafting us at the rate of 7 or 8 miles an hour towards the land of our destination. Bless the lord O my soul & let all that is within me bless his holy name. (Samuel Whitney Journal)

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September 11, 2019 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Day 043 – December 4, 1819

December 4, 1819 – no entry. (Thaddeus Journal)

4th. Our dear mother may now look at the Atlas and find the I. of cape verd, and imagine she sees her children sailing along by it about three degrees to the westward, in the enjoyment of comfortable health, and good spirits. Your N. (Samuel & Nancy Ruggles)

Dec. 4. We have been at sea six weeks and for most of the time have been driven about by contrary winds. At length we have entered the trades, which are rapidly wasting us on our passage to the heathen world. In the last 24 hours, we sailed about 180 miles. We are now within 2 or 3 deg. of Cape Verd Islands. (Mercy Partridge Whitney Journal)

4. – Six weeks to day since I embarked for the heathen. My desire to be engaged in bringing souls to Christ is increasing. My thoughts lately have dwelt much on Yale. How pleasant once more to meet in that praying circle, to walk with my classmates, & converse on subjects which relate to the rising glories of the church! Perhaps before this the Lord has poured out his spirit, & many of those thought youth have become the subjects of renewing grace. Perhaps my friend E. is among the sons of the Prophets. (Samuel Whitney Journal)

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September 10, 2019 by Peter T Young 2 Comments

Day 044 – December 5, 1819

December 5, 1819 – Social worship only in the cabin. (Thaddeus Journal)

5th. How vast are our obligations to our covenant God. His mercies are new every morning, fresh every evening, and repeated every moment. This is the first day that my dear companion has been able to sit up the whole time since we came on board. (Samuel & Nancy Ruggles)

Dec. 5. We have family prayers regularly morning and evening in the cabin. The Capt and his officers generally attend. (Mercy Partridge Whitney Journal)

5. – Another Sabbath is now past. Alas what indifference to the word & ordinances of God. No preaching today owing to high winds. Sabbath evening is a time when I think much of home. The image of those dear friends who were meeting for the worship of God is brought up a fresh by that principle which associates past circumstances with like duties. But soon I shall meet them not in the likeness of human flesh but in the image of Christ their redeemer. (Samuel Whitney Journal)

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September 10, 2019 by Peter T Young 1 Comment

The Cathedral of Saint Andrew

Saint Andrew’s Cathedral is a branch of Christ’s One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church; belonging to the Anglican Communion (also called “Episcopal” in the United States and Scotland).

Kamehameha IV and his Queen Emma rejoiced at the birth of their son, Albert Kauikeaouli Leiopapa a Kamehameha, on May 20, 1858.

They were both very interested in the Anglican/Episcopal Church and in 1859 asked Queen Victoria to send them clergy of the Church of England. In part, they wished their young son to be baptized and “be instructed in the fundamentals of Church of England worship.”

In 1861, the King and Queen gave land, part of their royal garden, on which a Cathedral was to be built. While planning and fund-raising began a small Pro-Cathedral was constructed of wood on the corner of Nuʻuanu and Kuakini Streets in 1862.

This would remain in use for more than twenty years, the time it would take for the first phase of the cathedral to reach completion.

Thomas Staley was consecrated in England to become the first Bishop of Hawaiʻi. In anticipation of the arrival of the Bishop, the King translated much of the Book of Common Prayer into the Hawaiian language.

After the Bishop’s arrival in Honolulu, the King and Queen were baptized and confirmed in the Anglican Church. (This was the second baptism for each; in their childhood they had been baptized in the Calvinist faith.)

The first services of the church were held on October 12, 1862 (150-years ago today,) amidst a time of mourning for the young Prince of Hawaiʻi, the only son of the King and Queen who died shortly before the arrival of the Bishop.

The subsequent untimely death of King Kamehameha IV on St. Andrew’s Day, November 30, 1863, led his brother, Lot (King Kamehameha V) to dedicate the cathedral to St. Andrew as a fitting memorial to a King.

Queen Emma proceeded alone to lead the project. She traveled to England to raise money, to commission architects, and to purchase stone from Caen in Normandy, which was shipped to Hawaiʻi as ballast in sailing ships.

The corner stone was laid March 5, 1867 by King Kamehameha V and work was begun on the foundation and choir sections of the building (he viewed building the cathedral as a tribute to his brother.)

The first twenty years were a struggle with and for money, materials and men, but with the aid of supporters, the nave (the main body and central approach to the high altar) of the cathedral was completed in time for Christmas, 1886.

Queen Emma did not live to worship in the Cathedral. She had died the previous year on St. Mark’s Day, 1885.

The first two bays of the building were completed in 1902 and the building was consecrated at that time. Also in that year, the Church of England deemed it appropriate to transfer its responsibility for the church in Hawaiʻi to the Episcopal Church of the United States.

In 1908, a plan for a tower in the same gothic style as the church was conceived and it was dedicated in 1912. It was not until 1958 that the final two bays of the nave were completed, along with the entrance area, vestibule and the Great West Window.

The new Anglican Church in Hawaii was called the Hawaiian Reformed Catholic Church, indicative of the evolution of the Church of England of the time. The name would change in 1870 to the Anglican Church in Hawaii.

Kamehameha IV and his Queen Emma dedicated their marriage to serving the health, educational and spiritual needs of their people.

To these ends they founded The Queen’s Hospital (now The Queen’s Medical Center), several schools, including The St Andrew’s Priory School and St. Albans (now ʻIolani School), and were instrumental in bringing the Anglican church to the islands.

While St. Andrew’s Cathedral was begun in what has been called the Golden Age of the Hawaiian monarchy, it continued through the upheaval of the overthrow of the monarchy, garnering in those troubled times the allegiance of both Queen Liliʻuokalani, Hawaiʻi’s last monarch, and Sanford Dole, President of the Republic of Hawaiʻi.

Queen Liliʻuokalani took on Queen Emma’s role as a visible and energetic leader in the work of the church, moving into the twentieth century.

In the Hawaiian tradition, two red and yellow kahili stand at the front of the cathedral, serving as physical reminders of the royal patrons of the cathedral.

Historically, there were two congregations. One congregation was at first composed of Hawaiian-speaking worshipers, and the other was composed of English-speaking worshipers. The Hawaiian language is still used in some of the services.

In 2002, the Royal Patrons Chapel was created, the Wahi Kapu, or Sacred Space, dedicated to the memory of King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma.