Missionaries / Churches / Religious Buildings | Page 77

May 13, 2019 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Day 163 – April 2, 1820

Still in Kawaihae, Captain Blanchard and Hiram Bingham visit Pu’ukohola Heiau with Kalanimōku.

April 2, 1820 – Lords Day. This morning Capt. B. and Brother B. visited Crymokoo and with him the most celebrated moreah of the Islands. It was built by Tamaahmoah who himself laid the cornerstone. It stands on the brow of a hill, fronting the seashore. It consists now principally of a huge wall about 10 feet thick at the bottom and 5 at top, 20 feet in a height, on three sides of the parallellogram which is about 120 feet in breadth and 240 in length; but on the front side the wall, instead of being elevated much above the area enclosed, consists of 4 or 5 large offsets down the declivity of the hill, which made convenient places for hundreds of worshipers to stand while the priests was within offering prayers and sacrifices of abomination. In this inclosure are ruins of several houses burnt to the ground, the ashed of various wooden Gods, remains of …. and other like buildings. the ashes and burnt bones of many human visitors, sacrificed to demons. At the foot of the hill is a similar enclosure 280 feet in length and 50 in breadth, which had been used for the sacrifice of various beasts and plants, &c. The walls and areas of these open buildings, once tabooed and sacred, are now free to every foot, useless and tumbling into ruins, and as upon the fallen walls of Jerico, every man goes up straight before him, to set up the banner of Jehovah, Israel’s God. In the afternoon, Crymokooand his suit and visitors came on board with an intention to accompany us to the residence of the King. In the midst of these interesting Isles, surrounded with a listening and admiring group of natives, we attended public worhip on deck and offered prayers and praises to the God of Zion. Brother Bingham preached from Isa. 42.4. “The Isles shall wait for his law”. and considered the character of the Law-giver; of the law waited for; of those who shall wait for it; the manner of waiting; the evidence that these Isles do now or soon will wait for it, and the consequences of receiving it. Tho’ these Islanders could not now understand the precepts of the law of Christ, yet they harkened to the sound with almost perfect stillness and were pleased with our singing and our worship. One of the former queens had before requested that our Wihenes would make her a gown like their own, was told that it was the Lord’s day, and that they would make it tomorrow. This evening they have spread their portable mats and tapas on deck and laid themselves down peacefully to sleep. May the watchman of Israel keep them, and bring them to heavenly rest. (Thaddeus Journal)

On the 2d, the first missionary, ‘Mr. Bingham, went on shore to wait on Kalanimoku to come off. Through the day many canoes with men and women came off to trade, others to see the white women.’ Mr. Bingham visited the abandoned temple near by, and described it as ‘built on arough hill, a little way from the shore of the bay,’ occupying ‘an area about 240 feet in length, and 120 in breadth,’ and appearing like a fort.’ … At noon the captain returned to the brig, ‘accompanied by Kalanimōku, his two wives, and two of the late queens with their servants and several other chief women and natives. They brought some taro, potatoes, sugar-cane, and one hog. We then made sail, with light sea breezes the remainder of the day and night, and slow progress. At 4 p.m. all hands, with the natives, attended public worship’ (it was Sunday). (James Hunnewell)

2nd. This has been a new Sabbath to us all. The Chief and his family came on board for the purpose ‘of accompanying us to Kiarooah, (Kailua) the place of the king’s residence. One of the Queens brought a piece of cloth and requested us to make a gown like ours. Thomas told her it was the Lord’s day and we would make it to-morrow. She answered, miti (that is good). How unlike to those peaceful Sabbaths I have enjoyed in America, have been the scenes of this day. Instead of a little retired spot in my chamber, I am thronged with these degraded natives, whose continual chattering has become wearisome to me, yet I think this has been the most interesting Sabbath of my life. In the afternoon brother B. preached from Isa. 42.4. “and the Isles shall wait for his law”. The heathens paid a listening attention to the sound of the voice and the appearance of the audience. Oh may the time be hastened in its season^ when these Chiefs & Queens who have now heard the words of life shall become nursing fathers and mothers to this little church. (Nancy Ruggles)

2. Sabbath This morning capt B went on shore and again brought off the chief who will accompany us to the king at Kairooah, to-morrow. Brother B preached from the words ‘the Isles shall wait for his law’ Though only the sound of the Gospel reached their ears we hope the time is not far distant when its power will reach their hearts. (Samuel Whitney Journal)

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May 12, 2019 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Day 164 – April 3, 1820

Kalanimōku and Kalakua ride on the Thaddeus from Kawaihae to Kailua-Kona. Kalakua asks the missionary wife to make her a dress like theirs. It is the sabbath, so they decline, but said they would make it the next day. The Thaddeus is offshore of Kailua-Kona at 8 pm.

April 3, 1820 – First Monday in April. Approaching Kirooah Bay, in sight of the King’s residence. Expecting an interview with him tomorrow, so lift up our petitions in concert with thousands of the friends of Zion, rejoicing in the hope that he who has begun a good work here will carry it on to perfection. (Thaddeus Journal)

At 8 p. m. on Monday the brig was off Kailua (James Hunnewell)

April 3rd. I intended giving particulars, from hour to hour, while each carries so much interest with it. But ray feeble frame seeks the couch so as to interrupt the pen. GOD will give me strength in his own good time. I have given some particulars, within the three last days, in letters to friends. You must gather from them. Now can I feel better than when I looked forward to it, what it is to have the jargon of savage tongues fall on the ear. But bless the Lord with me that tho the flesh is weakened the spirit if sustained. The accounts mentioned on Thursday, have been abundantly confirmed. The feet of some of our brethren have stood upon the ground v/here so lately the priests of idolatry offered up their bloody victims upon their cruel altars —their eyes have seen the wide ruins of their gloomy reign. But, 0, the wretched state of this poor people still! Could your eyes behold them your hearts would melt. The Lord strengthen us, and prepare our way before us, speedily and successfully to preach to them Jesus and him crucified. (Sybil Bingham)

Monday, April 3, 1820. Our ears are constantly stunned with the noise and jabbering of the natives about our vessel. I have counted 20 or 30 canoes about the Brig at a time; some, bringing fruits and vegetables, and others out of curiosity. Our deck is covered through the day with natives, and I have got so tired with the noise and sight of these naked creatures, that I could almost wish myself as far from them as you are. Since I have been sitting here by the cabin window, not less than a dozen canoes have come up to tempt me with their fruits. They want in exchange, scissors, beads, and knives. (Lucia Ruggles Holman)

April 3. Yesterday was a confused Sabbath. The chief & nobility came on board to accompany us to Kairooah, the residence of the King. He had previously sent presents of hogs, potatoes, cocoanuts, banannahs &c. They appeared much pleased with the women and children. One of the Queens admired our dress, & brought a piece of white cambrick for us to make her a gown. Thomas H told her it was the sabbath, the Lords day, and that we would make it the next day. She appeared satisfied with the answer. Today we have been employed in making it. We esteem it a privilege to do anything for these poor degraded heathen. We hope God will soon open their hearts to receive instruction. They seem pleased with the idea of learning to read and write. I hope we may spend our lives among them, & do them much good; but it is yet uncertain, whether we shall be permitted to land or not. (Mercy Partridge Whitney Journal)

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May 10, 2019 by Peter T Young 8 Comments

Maunaʻolu Seminary

Back in the beginning of the 19th-century, it was believed that women should be educated to understand domestic economy, because they were to play the major role in educating the young, primarily in their homes, and later as school teachers (as the school population grew and there was a shortage of teachers).

Gender segregated schools were established. The seminary’s primary task was professional preparation: the male seminary prepared men for the ministry; the female seminary took as its earnest job the training of women for teaching and motherhood. (Horowitz, Beyer)

Although schools for upper-class women were in existence prior to the 19th-century, the female seminary for middle-class women became the prevailing type of institution from 1820 until after the Civil War.

The most prominent female seminaries on the continent were Troy Seminary (1821,) Hartford Seminary (1823,) Ipswich Seminary (1828,) Mount Holyoke Seminary (1837) and Oxford Seminary (1839.)

In the Islands, the first female seminary students were adult Hawaiian women. Patricia Grimshaw states: “… that (s)oon after their arrival in Hawai’i in 1820, and over the next three decades, New England missionary women embarked on an ambitious plan to transform Hawaiian girls and women to notions of femininity upheld by their culture.”

“The plan and design of the Female Seminary is to take a class of young females into a boarding school—away in a measure from the contaminating influence of heathen society, to train them to habits of industry, neatness, and order …”

“… to instruct them in employments suited to their sex, to cultivate the minds, to improve their manners and to instill the principles of our holy religion – to fit them to be suitable companions for the scholars of the Mission Seminary and examples of propriety among the females of the Sandwich Islands.” (Dibble)

In 1835, at the general meeting of the Mission, a resolution was passed to promote boarding schools for Hawaiians; several male boarding schools and two female boarding schools were begun (Wailuku Female Seminary on the island of Maui and the Hilo Girls Boarding School on the island of Hawai’I; others followed.)

The last of the female seminaries that was begun by the missionaries was initially called the Makawao Family School. Reverend Claudius B. Andrews and his wife, Anne Seward Gilson Andrews, began it in 1861 in a location above Makawao Village on the island of Maui.

Maunaʻolu Seminary is an out-growth of the “East Maui Female Seminary.” It first sprang into existence, through the earnest desire of the Andrews for a school for Hawaiian girls, where they might he educated in the atmosphere of a Christian home, and so be equipped for their future life work.

Mr. Andrews purchased a piece of land called “Maluhia,” selecting a site about 2,000-feet on the slopes of Haleakalā.

It was here that Mr. and Mrs. Andrews with their family first conceived the idea of a “Home School” for Hawaiian girls, as Mr. Andrews said, “Where the girls are to be taught as my own daughters”.

It was not so much the idea of book knowledge as that in the early years of the child-life they would be given the essential elements of true character building, looking to future development of Hawaiian womanhood.

A year after the school began, Mrs. Andrews died.

Throughout the next seven years, Reverend Andrews received help from a variety of people, and attendance grew to 70 students. But then, in 1869, the school building burned; the school was temporarily closed, but reopened in 1871.

Reverend Andrews, along with his second wife, Samantha Andrews, were in charge of operating the school. (The second Mrs. Andrews was a sister of his first wife.)

Miss Helen E. Carpenter was engaged as an assistant teacher. Both Samantha Andrews and Helen Carpenter were graduates of Mount Holyoke Seminary. In 1874, the latter was appointed principal.

Throughout the following years, the curriculum included the usual academic courses in reading, mathematics, literature, history, language (all instruction was in English), geography, spelling, civics and the Bible. The industrial departments included sewing, domestic arts and culinary.

During the last two decades of the 19th century, the school was nicknamed the Mount Holyoke Seminary of the Hawaiian Islands due to the connection of its instructors with that American seminary and the large number of Hawaiian Islands ministers’ daughters in attendance.

Additions to the buildings and aid from both the Government and the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (ABCFM) led to the enrollment climbing to 100 students.

At the end of the century, all the female seminaries in Hawai‘i began to lose students to the newly-founded Kamehameha School for Girls.

This latter school was established in 1894; it was not technically a seminary or founded by missionaries, but all the girls enrolled were Hawaiian, and its curriculum was very similar to what was used at the missionary-sponsored seminaries.

After a second fire in 1898, Maunaʻolu Seminary moved into temporary quarters in the buildings of the old Haleakala government boy’s school, also above Makawao.

In 1900 Maunaʻolu was rebuilt in a place closer to Pā‘ia on land known as Pu‘u Makani (windy hill). This was brought about by the generosity of the honored trustee, Mr. Henry P. Baldwin.

Maunaʻolu Seminary continued to exist through the 1920s, offering a high school diploma to their graduates. Its last commencement was in June 1942.

The school was used for the military hospital during World War II. Reopened in 1950 as a coeducational junior college run by the Hawaiian Evangelical Association of Congregational Christian Churches, Maunaʻolu Community College offered the last two years of high school and the first two years of college.

A four-year college curriculum was developed in 1969, but the college had difficulty attracting students.

In 1971, Maunaʻolu College was acquired by United States International University, and later by the County of Maui. The college is no longer in existence.

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Edward_Bailey_painting_of_East_Maui_Female_Seminary,_or_Maunaʻolu_Seminary

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Maunaolu_Seminary-HMCS-The_Friend-1929

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May 6, 2019 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Head, Heart & Hand

Click HERE for more information on Head, Heart & Hand.

In the early years, after the arrival of the first American Protestant missionaries, the Hawaiian language came to be the universal mode of education.

Common schools (where the 3 Rs were taught) sprang up in villages all over the islands. In these common schools, classes and attendance were quite irregular, but nevertheless basic reading and writing skills (in Hawaiian) and fundamental Christian doctrine were taught to large numbers of people. (Canevali)

It soon was apparent to the missionaries that the future of the Congregational Mission in Hawaii would be largely dependent upon the success of its schools.

Recognizing there were a limited number of missionaries to teach the chiefs and maka‘āinana (common people), the missionaries effectively set up a school in Lāhainā to teach teachers.

With the main facility at Lahainaluna, the Mission then established “feeder schools” that would transmit to their students’ fundamental reading, writing, and arithmetic skills, and religious training, before admission to the Lahainaluna.

In many of the mission schools the focus was educating the head, heart and hand. In addition to the rigorous academic drills (Head), the schools provided religious/moral (Heart) and manual/vocational (Hand) training.

This method of learning started with the training of the missionary ministers. While they had extensive training in academics and religious studies, because missionaries were often in isolated locations without services, the early missionary ministers had training in manual arts, as well – this philosophy continued into the schools the missions formed.

Foreign Mission School

The object of the Foreign Mission School was the education, in the US country, of heathen youth (those that do not know God), so that they might be qualified to become useful missionaries, physicians, surgeons, schoolmasters or interpreters, and to communicate such knowledge in agriculture and the arts, as might prove the means of promoting Christianity and civilization. (ABCFM)

Once enrolled, students spent seven hours a day in study. Students studied penmanship, grammar, arithmetic, Latin, Greek, rhetoric, navigation, surveying, astronomy, theology, chemistry, and ecclesiastical history, among other specialized subjects.

Academics were balanced with mandatory outdoor labor. Students were tasked with the maintenance of the school’s agricultural plots and assigned to labor in the fields “two (and a half) days” a week and “two at a time.” Additionally, the school enforced strict rules for students’ social lives and study times.

They were also taught special skills like coopering (the making of barrels and other storage casks), blacksmithing, navigation and surveying. When not in class, students attended mandatory church and prayer sessions and also worked on making improvements to the school’s lands. (Cornwall)

Lahainaluna

Under the leadership of Reverend Lorrin Andrews, Lahainaluna was established by the American Board of Commissioners of Foreign Missions “to instruct young men of piety and promising talents”. It is the oldest high school west of the Mississippi River.

The Mission then established “feeder schools” that would transmit to their students’ fundamental reading, writing, and arithmetic skills, and religious training, before admission to the Lahainaluna.

Hilo Boarding School

In 1835, the mission constructed the Hilo Boarding School as part of an overall system of schools (with a girls boarding school in Wailuku and boarding at Lahainaluna.) The school was operated to an extent on a manual labor program and the boys cultivated the land to produce their own food. (The boys’ ages ranged from seven to fourteen.)

More than one-third of the boys who had attended the school eventually became teachers in the common schools of the kingdom. In 1850 the Minister of Public Instruction, Richard Armstrong, reported that Hilo Boarding School “is one of our most important schools. It is the very life and soul of our common school on that large island.”

O‘ahu College – Punahou School

“The founding of Punahou as a school for missionary children not only provided means of instruction for the children of the Mission, but also gave a trend to the education and history of the Islands.” (Report of the Superintendent of Public Education, 1900)

The school was officially named in 1859 and it was initially called the Oʻahu College. It is not until 1934 that the school name was changed to Punahou School, the name we know it as today.

The curriculum at Punahou under Daniel Dole combined the elements of a classical education with a strong emphasis on manual labor in the school’s fields for the boys, and in domestic matters for the girls. The school raised much of its own food. (Burlin)

Kamehameha Schools

The head, heart and hand education continued. On April 1, 1886, Reverend William Brewster Oleson was hired from Hilo Boarding School to become the first principal of the Kamehameha School for Boys.

At Kamehameha, “Each student will be allowed to carry out 12 hours a week of manual labor. For industrial arts, two hours a day, and five days a week. Military drilling and physical education will be a portion of the curriculum everyday.”

“Arithmetic, English Language, Popular Science (Akeakamai,) Elementary Algebra (Anahonua,) Free-hand and Mechanical Drawing (Kakau me Kaha Kii,) Practical Geometry (Moleanahonua,) Bookkeeping (malama Buke Kalepa,) tailoring (tela humu lole,) printing (pai palapala,), masonry (hamo puna,) and other similar things, and blacksmithing.” (Kuokoa, June 28, 1887)

Missionary ‘Head, Heart & Hand’ Model Makes it Back to the Continent

Hilo Boarding School was the model for educating students at Hampton Institute in Virginia and Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. (KSBE)

With the help of the American Missionary Association, Samuel Armstrong, son of missionary Richard Armstrong, established the Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute – now known as Hampton University – in Hampton, Virginia in 1868.

The Institute was meant to be a place where black students could receive post-secondary education to become teachers, as well as training in useful job skills while paying for their education through manual labor.

Hampton University’s most notable alumni is Booker T. Washington. “I was born a slave on a plantation in Franklin County, Virginia. … As nearly as I have been able to learn, I was born near a cross-roads post-office called Hale’s Ford, and the year was 1858 or 1859.”

After coming to Hampton Institute in 1872, Washington immediately began to adopt Armstrong’s teaching and philosophy. Washington described Armstrong as “the most perfect specimen of man, physically, mentally and spiritually the most Christ-like….” Washington also quickly learned the aim of the Hampton Institute.

Washington rose to become one of the most influential African-American intellectuals of the late 19th century. In 1881, he founded the Tuskegee Institute, a black school in Alabama devoted to training teachers.

Click HERE for more information on Head, Heart & Hand.

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Hilo_Boarding_School-printing-(75-years)

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Hilo Boarding School and Mission Houses

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Cornwall’s Foreign Mission School

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Punahou School, Photograph attributed to Charles Burgess-1866-E bldg to left-Old School Hall right

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Kamehameha School for Boys campus-(KSBE)-before 1900

May 3, 2019 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Ruggles and Whitney take Humehume Home to Kauai

King Kaumuali‘i of Kauai decided to send his son Humehume (George Prince) to America, at least, in part, to receive a formal education. Kaumuali‘i provided Captain Rowan of the Hazard with, reportedly, about $7,000 to $8,000, an amount the king felt sufficient to cover the cost of his son’s passage and the expenses of his education.

George was about six years old when he boarded the Hazard that ultimately sailed into Providence, Rhode Island on June 30, 1805 after a year-and-a-half at sea. Over the next few years he made his way to Worcester, Massachusetts.

Humehume eventually enlisted in the US Navy and was wounded during the War of 1812. After the war ended, he was again thrown upon the world and without any means of obtaining a livelihood, or any one to care for him, ragged, dirty, and in want, he was again enlisted, and employed as a servant to the purser of the Navy Yard in Charlestown.

Humehume was “discovered” and taken under the wing of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (ABCFM). He was sent, along with Henry Ōpūkaha’ia and other Hawaiian youths, to be educated at the Foreign Mission School at Cornwall, Connecticut. (Warne)

On October 23, 1819, the Pioneer Company of the American Protestant missionaries set sail on the Thaddeus for Hawai‘i – (two Ordained Preachers, Hiram & Sybil Bingham and Asa and Lucy Thurston; two Teachers, Samuel & Mercy Whitney and Samuel & Mary Ruggles; a Doctor, Thomas & Lucia Holman; a Printer, Elisha & Maria Loomis; and a Farmer, Daniel Chamberlain (and his family.)

With the missionaries were four Hawaiian students from the Foreign Mission School, Thomas Hopu, William Kanui, John Honoliʻi and Humehume (son of Kauaʻi’s King Kaumuali‘i.) They arrived in Kailua-Kona on April 4, 1820.

After the Thaddeus departed, George remained in Kailua-Kona and took Betty Davis, the half-Hawaiian daughter of Isaac Davis, as his wife, or his “rib” as he described her. In a short time they rejoined the missionary party in Honolulu. (Spoehr)

Ruggles and Whitney take Humehume home to Kauai.

May 2, 1820 – The Thaddeus left the harbor, to touch at Atooi and proceed to the N.W. coast. Agreeably to our united views and the wishes of G.P.T., brothers Whitney and Ruggles sailed with him to introduce him and our business to his father, to interest the chiefs in our object, to survey the island of Atooi, and to return the first favorable opportunity. We made out a considerable present for George, of a variety of useful articles, besides the Bass viol which he took with him, for which he appeared grateful. He expressed a sense of obligation, and a desire to make some return for the kindness he had received. With tears he took an affectionate leave of us, being commended to the grace of an unchangable merciful God. May that grace make him a comfort to his father, a blessing to his country, an honor to his benefactors and an heir of final glory. And may the gracious blessing of him who sent out his disciples two and two rest on these our two brethren, and crown this important enterprize with such success as shall best promote his glory. (Thaddeus Journal)

(T)he brethren resolved, that as the Thaddeus was about to land George Tamoree at his native island, it would be useful for Messrs. Whitney and Ruggles to accompany him thither, with a view to make known to the king and people of Atooi the designs of the missionaries, and to explore that field of labor. Accordingly they sailed from Woahoo on the 2nd. of May, the property belonging to the mission having been first landed, and the various members of the family having obtained houses for their temporary residence. George was received by his father with the utmost joy and tenderness. King Tamoree had believed, for a considerable number of years, that his son was dead, notwithstanding he had received from sea-captains many assurances to the contrary. The strong affection which the return of a long-lost son would excite, may easily be conceived. The father was highly gratified, also, with the attainments, which George had made in useful knowledge, during his residence among a civilized people. These circumstances appeared very favor able to the introduction of missionaries into Atooi. Of this the king was very desirous, and earnestly intreated Messrs. Whitney and Ruggles to settle there; offering to support them entirely at his own expense, and as many others as would join them in their benevolent labors. He appeared very anxious to learn many of the principal facts, which relate to the history of the world, and the introduction of Christianity; and to wish that knowledge might be communicated to his subjects. Beside missionaries and school masters he wished to obtain several mechanics and a farmer, who might set an example of useful labor, and thus teach others. (12th Annual Meeting Report of the ABCFM, 1821)

May 2nd.
Today brother Whitney and I have been called to leave our dear little number at Woahoo (Oahu) to accompany George P. Tamoree to his native Isle and to the bosom of his Father. It was to us trying to part from our dear brethren and sisters, and especially from the- dear companions of our bosom, not knowing when an opportunity would offer for us to return, as vessels rarly sail from Attooi (Kauai); to the windward Isles. But if duty has called, us to the separation, we trust that a gracious God will in his own time return us again to the embraces of our friends and permit us to rejoice together in his goodness. 0 that the Lord will go with us and be our preserver from sin and temptation, and our guide and director in all duty. If we are blessed as instruments of preparing the way for the introduction of the Gospel on that Island, we shall be compensated for all our trial & privation. We have a fine breeze which we expect will take us to Attooi (Kauai) in. 24 hours. – (Samuel Ruggles)

May 2. I have just taken leave of Mr. W who has embarked for Atooi to accompany George P Tamaree to the bosom of his friends. It is uncertain when he will return, as he knows of no conveyance back. It was the expectation of American friends, and the united opinion of the brethren, that George should not return alone to was father; accordingly brother R (Samuel Ruggles) and Mr. W (Whitney) were selected to go with him. Their chief and great object is to explore the island. May god bless them and much make them instruments of good to its wretched inhabitants. (Mercy Partridge Whitney Journal)

May 3, 1820
May. 3 – By one of the Kings schooners, Joseph Banks, Master, an intelligent young native who speaks English and is very friendly, we received a letter from Brother Thurston, informing us that the king had given them the use of a large cooking stove and furnished them with a comfortable supply of fresh provisions; that he had learned to read in words of two syllables; that he and Adams, and the chief women were much pleased, friendly and desirous to learn; that Dr. Holman has considerable to do as a physician in healing the sick … and that he is quite successful; and that Tamooi resides with the king and confines his attention to the instruction of the Regal family; that they were invited on the first day of the feast to dine at the King’s table spread under the shade of green trees; that on both days of the feast Reehoreeho behaved himself with great propriety and did not drink to his injury; that many thousand people collected at the time shouted and sung the great and good deeds performed by the late Ring and expected from his son and successor. Brother T. states also that ‘people come from all parts of Owhyhee to see us. Our house has been surrounded every day by 40 or 50 natives, men, women and children.’ Mrs. Thurston writes, ‘On these heathen shores, even during the great feast days, I have felt as safe as if I had been in any native land; – the natives appear inoffensive and friendly and as far as has fallen under my observation have uniformly conducted themselves with propriety.’ Thus flattering indeed are our prospects but He who loves to try his people knows what unexpected clouds may darken our way, and what thorns may yet infest our path. (Thaddeus Journal)

3rd. Made Attooi at daylight this morning. Like all the other Islands its first appearance was rude and. mountainous, but on approaching nearer, beautiful plains and fruitful vallies presented themselves to view, looking almost like the cultivated fields of America, while large groves of cocoanuts and bananas waved their tops as if to welcome us to their shores. Thought I while passing these pleasant fields, can this be one of the dark places of the earth which is filled with the habitation of cruelty? Has the sun of righteousness never yet shone upon it? Is it a fact that the immortal beings are shrouded in midnight darkness, without one minister of Christ to direct them to the city of refuge, the place of rest and glory? Alas, they are heathens.

Their mean and scanty dwellings and the appearance, of men, women, and children coming off to us naked, plainly bespeak that they are yet savages, ignorant of God and unacquainted with the precepts of the gospel. They have indeed thrown away their idols as worthless things unable to save them, but they have not heard of Jesus, no Christian has yet said to them, there is a God in heaven who made them and the world, nor pointed them to the Saviour, the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world. 0 thou God of nations, herd make Thyself known; here plant Thy cross, and possess this land.

At 11 o’clock came to anchor at Wimai (Waimea), opposite the fort. A canoe came off to us with several of the King’s men, one of whom could speak English. George had. kept himself concealed in the cabin until we told, him that one of his father’s favorite men was on board, and we thought best that his arrival should be made known to him. We then introduced him to the young prince; He embraced him and kissed him without saying a word and turned around, immediately went on deck, and into his canoe telling his companions, they must go on shore, for their young master had come. A salute of 21 guns was soon fired from the brig and returned from the fort.

Brother W., George, and myself, made preparations and came on shore on account of the surf. We were obliged to land, half a mile west of the King’s house. We were there met by a crowd of natives who would have obstructed our way entirely, had there not been men appointed to clear a passage for us, which they did by beating them off with clubs. When we arrived at the house, Tamoree and his Queen were reclining on a sofa; as soon as George entered the door, his father arose clasped him in his arms and pressed his nose to his son’s after the manner of the country, both were unable to speak for some time. The scene was truly affecting. I know not when I have wept more freely.

When they had become a little composed, Tamoree spoke and said his heart was so joyful that he could not talk much till to-morrow, but discovering brother W. and myself, who had till then remained, unnoticed, he enquired who we were. George then introduced us to him as his friends who had come from America to accompany him home. The old gentleman then embraces us in the same manner as he had done his son, frequently putting his nose to ours and calling us his hicahne (aikane) or friends.

A supper was soon provided for us consisting of a couple of hogs baked, whole after the American manner, several fowls and a dog cooked after the style of the Island, together with potatoes, tarro, bananas, cocoanuts, and watermelons, brandy, gin, wines, &c. The table was set in good style; our supper was indeed excellent. A new house was assigned for brother W. and myself during our stay on the Island, a few rods from the King’s and several men to attend upon us. We shall now retire to rest after Rooking up to God with thanksgiving for mercies already received and humbly praying that a blessing may attend our visit to these heathens. Perhaps it will be the first Christian prayer that was ever offered to God on this Island. (Samuel Ruggles)

May 3, Yesterday brethren R and myself left Oʻahu in the brig Thaddeus to accompany George, Tamoree to his father king of Atooi. At 12 o’clock today we anchored in the Whyma-ah bay opposite the king’s house. It appeared that one of our signals, with which they were unacquainted had excited some alarm, four of the king’s men were sent off to enquire and the object of our ceremony.

One of those who could speak a little English was introduced to George; immediately they all jumped into the canoe and paddle off in the utmost hast saying we must go and tell his father. A salute of twenty one guns was fired from brig and answered by as many from the fort. Soon after Capt brother R & myself a company George to his father’s house.

The king and queen were sitting on a sofa by the door, surrounded by a large company of the principal man. The introduction was truly affecting. With an anxious heart and trembling arms the aged father rose to embrace his long lost son. Both were too much affected to speak. Silence for a few moments persuaded the whole, whilst the tears trickling down their sable cheeks spoke the feelings of nature.

After the agitation had a little subsided we were introduced to Tameree, as persons who had left our native country and had come to reside at the Islands for the purpose of instructing the natives. He then joined noses with us (the fashion of the country) and said it is good. I am glad to see you. A table was soon set in very grand stile and we were invited to sit down to dinner. In the eve a house was prepared for brethren R and myself, and we retired much pleasure with this present of usefulness. … the subject of having his people taught the word of God – come and live with us, says he, and I will build you a large church. My subjects shall keep the Sabbath, and we will learn to pray and saying to God. (Samuel Whitney Journal)

“May 4. This morning early, I went to the king’s house, and was met at the door by himself and the queen, who took me by each arm, led me in and seated me between them upon the sofa; and after having several times put their noses, to mine, the king inquired if it was true that I had lived with Hoomehoome (the real name of George) in America …”

“… and eat with him, and slept with him, saying his son had told him many things that he could not fully understand, and that I had been his friend a long time, and would stay here and instruct his people to read. “

“told him it was true, and that the good people of America who loved his son, and loved him and his people, had sent several men and women to instruct his people to read and work as they do in America.”

“When I told him this, he, with his wife, broke out in one voice, ‘miti, miti, nove loah aloha America;’ that is, ‘good, good, very great love for America;’ and then burst into tears. After a short time, he asked me how long I would be willing to stay and teach his island.”

“I told him I wished to spend my life here, and die here. He then embraced me again, and said, ‘kacke vo’u oe, mahkooah oe o-ou wihena o ou mahkooah oe,’ that is, ‘you my son, I you father, my wife you mother.’ I endeavoured to tell him something about God, but the subject was entirely new to him, and he could understand but little.”

“10th. This morning Tamoree sent for me — said his interpreter was going away to be gone several days, and he wished to say a few things to me before he went.”

“I want to know, says he, if you love Hoomehoome, if you love me, if you like to stay here and learn my people, I assured him that I loved his son and him and I wished to spend my life in doing them good, and not only I but Mr. Whitney, and all who came with us wished the same.”

“Hoomehoome tell me so, says he; he then shed tears freely and said, I love Hoomehoome; I love him very much more than my other children. I thought he was dead; I cry many times because I think he was dead.”

“Some Captains tell me he live in America, but I not believe; I say no, he dead, he no come back. But he live, he come again; my heart very glad. I want my son to help me; he speaks English, and can do my business.”

“But he is young; young men are sometimes wild they want advice. I want you stay here and help Hoomehoome, and when vessels come, you and Hoomehoome go on board and trade, so I make you chief.”

“I told him I wished not to be a chief, neither could I do any of his public business, but was willing to advise his son and assist him in every thing consistent with the object for which we came to his Island. He expressed some surprise when I told him I wished not to be a chief, but when I explained to him what we wished to do ; he appeared satisfied and pleased.”

“This afternoon the king sent to me and requested that I would come and read to him in his bible. I read the first chapter of Genesis and explained to him what I read as well as I could.”

“He listened with strict attention, frequently asking pertinent questions, and said I can’t understand it all; I want to know it ; you must learn my language fast, and then tell me all – No white man before, ever read to me and talk like you.” (Ruggles Journal)

Kapule, King Kaumuali‘i’s wife, dictated a letter to Nancy Ruggles’ mother – it was written down verbatim, and copied by herself in a plain legible manner.

“Dear Friend, Atooi, July 28, 1820”

“I am glad your daughter come here, I shall be her mother now, and she be my daughter. I be good to her; give her tappa; give her mat; give her plenty eat.”

“By and by your daughter speak Owhyhee; then she learn me how to read, and write, and sew; and talk of that Great Akooah, which the good people in America love.”

“I begin spell little: read come very hard, like stone. You very good, send your daughter great way to teach the heathen. I am very glad I can write you a short letter, and tell you that I be good to your daughter.”

“I send you my aloha, and tell you I am Your Friend, Charlotte Tapoolee, Queen of Atooi”

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