Missionaries / Churches / Religious Buildings | Page 80

April 23, 2019 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Mayor of Pasadena

A severe Indiana winter during 1872-73 prompted a group of friends from Indianapolis to form an investment group with the purpose of moving to the warmer climate of Southern California. Sent to scout the area, D. M. Berry recommended purchasing a portion of the Rancho San Pasqual, which later became Pasadena.

The word Pasadena literally means “valley” in the Ojibwa (Chippewa) Indian language, but it has been interpreted to mean “Crown of the Valley” and “Key of the Valley,” hence the adoption of both the crown and the key in the official city seal.

Pasadena is home of the Rose Bowl, constructed in 1922. It originally had a seating capacity of 57,000 and currently seats 100,184 people. The Rose Bowl is home for the UCLA Bruins Football team.

The Tournament of Roses annual parade of flower covered floats has been held in Pasadena since January 1, 1890. It was patterned after a European festival of roses and was meant to show off Pasadena’s natural beauty and sunny climate while most of the nation lay buried beneath snow. (City of Pasadena)

Dr. James W Smith and his wife Melicent Knapp Smith arrived in the Hawaiian Islands aboard the Sarah Abigail along with fellow Kauai missionaries, Rev. and Mrs. George B. Rowell. Smith was 32, and Melicent was 26.

The couple would provide missionary, educational and medical help to the islands for the next 45 years, and establish a family dynasty of service to Kauai.

Dr. Jared K. Smith (1849-1897) carried on his father’s medical practice – his life ended tragically when he was murdered by a victim of leprosy. His sister, Juliette, ran the Koloa Industrial School for Boys.

Another son, William Owen Smith (1848-1929) would become a lawyer; he was an active participant in both the “Bayonet Revolution” and the Committee of Safety, which spearheaded the overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani in 1893. WO Smith wrote the will for Princess Pauahi Bishop and the will for Queen Liliuokalani , creating those two trust estates.

His sister Lottie (Charlotte Lee Smith 1845-1896) married Alfred Stedman Hartwell, who was also involved with the political changes of the era. And another sister, Melicent Lena Smith (1854-1943), married William Waterhouse (1852-1942) (They married on February 24, 1876.) (Kauai Historical Society)

William Waterhouse’s father was John Thomas Waterhouse. William was born in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1852. He was educated in the schools of Hawaii and also in England; married to Melissa P. Smith on February 24, 1876;

When the elder Waterhouse “went across the United States on a trip back to England, he noticed that Chicago was a very booming town and Cedar Rapids was a very booming town.”

“He wanted to buy some property in one of the towns and he considered buying some property on Michigan Boulevard in Chicago but he couldn’t decide which town he should invest in, so he tossed a coin and it came out Cedar Rapids.” (Waterhouse)

He was “the owner of some of the finest blocks and most desirable property in and around Cedar Rapids, such as the ‘Waterhouse Block,’ ‘Grand Hotel,’ considerable residence property in the city, and residence with thirty-five acres northwest of city limits, etc.” (History of Linn County)

He owned several pieces of property in the downtown area, among them buildings on Queen Street, retail stores on King and Fort Streets, and a warehouse on Merchant Street. In addition, he was referred to as a “collector of halls,” being the owner of the Lyceum and Olympic Halls, which he lent for lectures and assemblies. (HABS)

William and Lena moved to Cedar Rapids where William managed “his father’s affairs, and conducts the leading hotel that flourishing city, which included his father’s possessions.” (Hawaiian Star, January 5, 1895)

After his father’s death, William and Lena moved to Pasadena, and the family business interests in Iowa were eventually sold. (Kauai Historical Society)

William was elected mayor of Pasadena in 1905 and served one term. Mr. Waterhouse’s administration was known for securing a municipal lighting system after complaints were made that the Edison Company was not living up to specifications in the quantity and quality of the light furnished.

The mayor and city attorney directed the holding up of warrants for contract payments by the auditor, and refusal to make payments, which ended up in the courts. The important outcome of this regime was a proposition to approve by vote to establish the first unit of a Municipal Lighting Plant.

Mr. Waterhouse and his wife helped to establish the Lake Avenue Congregational Church, and both of their families were an important part of the “upbuilding” of the modern civilization as missionaries in the Hawaiian Islands after his time in office. (Pasadena Library)

After serving one term as Mayor of Pasadena, the Waterhouses moved back to Hawaii and made their home there where family interests controlled several banks and sugar industries.

They frequently returned to Cedar Rapids, continuing his interest as did his father during his life in the extension of religious education and the establishment of churches to which he contributed substantial sums. (Annals of Iowa)

Their son, Dr. Alfred Herbert Waterhouse (1877-1948) became the third generation of the medical family serving Kauai, as company doctor for Koloa and McBryde Plantations, later going into private practice.

Dr. Waterhouse is also known for his efforts to develop affordable housing and educational opportunities for sugar plantation workers and their children. (Kauai Historical Society) William Waterhouse passed away on December 18, 1943 at the age of 91.

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William Waterhouse

William_Waterhouse

Pasadena_Light_and_Power_Station

The_motorized_Altadena_float_parading_down_the_street_in_the_Pasadena’s_Tournament_of_Roses_Parade,_ca.1906_(CHS-5579)

Pasadena_Episcopal_Curch_Ladies_float_in_the_Pasadena_Tournament_of_Roses_Parade,_1906_(1905_)_(CHS-1188)

Horse-pulled_float_in_the_Pasadena_Tournament_of_Roses_parade,_1905_(CHS-1189)

Rose_Bowl_Stadium,_1001_Rose_Bowl_Drive,_Pasadena,_Los_Angeles_C

Rose Bowl

April 23, 2019 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

‘Fear not, for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people’

Finally, all of the missionaries are on the land. Then, on April 23, 1820, Hiram Bingham holds the first public worship on O‘ahu – “Luke 2. 10. ‘Fear not, for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people’.”

“The theme, the scene, the opening prospect – the dawning light of a brighter day, conspired to animate our hearts and awaken an unusual joy in our souls while we seemed to be favored with the special presence of him who was born in the city of David, a Savior, even Christ the Lord. The natives are much pleased with our singing, aided by the Bass viol played by Tamoree [Humehume].”

April 20, 1820 “We rise this morning for the first time from our slumbers on heathen ground – In circumstances of real comfort and new obligations of gratitude to the Watchman of Israel who has kept our habitations in peace and given us refreshing rent In its season. The garrison at the fort as often as once an hour during the night, give a loud shout, partly in their native tongue and partly in broken English, of this impart, – All awake! Hoorau!” (Thaddeus Journal)

20th ‘all the mission family took leave of the brig to take up their residence on shore in houses voluntarily offered to them by some of the white residents at this place.’ (James Hunnewell)

April 20. Yesterday we were permitted to take up our residence in a heathen land. Two or three days have been occupied in landing and taking care of our things. Several white men who live here are very kind and have shown us many favors. Capt Babcock master of an American vessel, who has resided a year or two on the Island has kindly offered us his storehouse where we may put our goods and keep them safe. I believe I wrote to you when at Boston that I was informed we could get at our chests which were stowed in the hold in two or three months; and on account of the vessel being much crowded especially our little rooms, I had many things put away into the hold which I expected to take out, when it was opened, especially my dried fruit. But as might chests arrived before the vessel was much loaded, they were put away where we were not able to get to them on the passage, notwithstanding the hold was opened several times. I expected many of my things would spoil, but when I opened my chest and found much of them had kept perfectly safe, I wished to thank my dear mother and sisters for the care in which they look to have my goods dry before they were packed. … (Mercy Partridge Whitney Journal)

April 21, 1820

– Continued the business of regulating our goods and making ourselves comfortable in our new situation. (Thaddeus Journal)

April 22, 1820

– We find some difficulty in procuring convenient storerooms for all our baggage, furniture and goods, because the storehouses that are considered safe are generally occupied, and we fear to expose many of them in what are generally called straw-houses – they are so liable to destruction by fire. (Thaddeus Journal)

April 23, 1820

– Today, for the first time we have public worship on land. A considerable audience of European and American residents, Masters and officers of vessels, chiefs, sailors, and common natives, assembled In and around the house occupied by Brother B[ingham] to hear the sound of the gospel for the first time on these ling neglected heathen shores. Brother B[ingham] preached from Luke 2. 10. ‘Fear not, for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people’. The theme, the scene, the opening prospect – the dawning light of a brighter day, conspired to animate our hearts and awaken an unusual joy in our souls while we seemed to be favored with the special presence of him who was born in the city of David, a Savior, even Christ the Lord. The natives are much pleased with our singing, aided by the Bass viol played by Tamoree [Humehume]. (Thaddeus Journal)

April 23rd, Sabbath. With what interest would our friends in America look upon us to-day, could they cast an eye over the wide waters and behold! The season is truly an interesting one. Probably the first sabbath in which the worship of Jehovah was ever observed in these pagan Isles. We have had divine service to-day in our own dwelling – our straw-thatched cottage – the congregation composed of white residents and Commanders of vessels now lying at the harbour, with many of the natives seated on the mats and surrounding the door. One of the oldest residents, Mr. H -, at the sound of the songs of Zion had the tears upon his furrowed cheek. He had heard nothing of the kind for more than twenty years. He is a native of Mass. 0, that it might appear that the gospel is not sent to him and others, after this long voluntary banishment from it, in vain! (Sybil Bingham)

April 23. This has been an interesting Sabbath to us all. Attending attended a meeting at brother B[inghams]’s. The chief, several of the natives, and between 20 and 30 white men were present, besides the mission family. The chief had a manned by his side to interpret the sermon as fast as delivered. He was very attentive, and appeared pleased with the preaching. What an interesting thought that after ages have rolled away and clouds of superstition and ignorance have darkened the minds of this people, the gospel is now preached and pardon and salvation offered to them through a crucified Redeemer. May God give them the ears to hear and heart to understand and obey the truth. (Mercy Partridge Whitney Journal)

“Immediately on landing, the missionaries commenced the public and private worship of God, which they had regularly maintained down to the last intelligence from them. On the Sabbath, they preached not only to the mission family, but to many residents, officers of vessels, and seamen, who were occasionally present. In some instances, they preached on board of ships, at the request of the masters.

Thus many immortal beings, speaking our language most of them our countrymen, were again favored with the proclamation of the Gospel, after a long absence from the means of grace. It is, indeed, a very important consideration, respecting this mission, that it brings divine truth to some, who have voluntarily, through a long portion of their lives, exiled themselves from the sanctuary; and to others, who would gladly hear the things, which belong to their peace, though from their pursuits they have seldom enjoyed the preaching of the Gospel.

When the missionaries preached, whether on deck or on shore, a very respectful attention was given by the hearers generally; and strong hopes were entertained, that two or three mates of the Thaddeus had experienced great and permanent benefit, from the religious instruction, which they had heard during the voyage, and after their arrival.

In this connexion it may be proper to state, that the masters of vessels, almost without an exception, showed kindness to the mission family, and appeared to wish great success to the under taking. From their acquaintance with the chiefs, and from the trade which is carried on at the islands, they have it in their power to exert a very salutary influence over the minds of the natives.

For every instance, in which they availed themselves of this power, to render the situation of the missionaries comfortable, they will receive the cordial thanks of all the friends of missions, to whom the knowledge of their kindness is communicated.

Among the visitors, whose attentions had a cheering effect upon the minds of the missionaries, the name of Captain Valentine Starbuck, formerly of Nantucket, but now master of a London whaler, deserves to be particularly mentioned. During several visits of considerable length, he manifested a great interest in the mission, and liberally imparted to it such articles as he could conveniently spare, beside subscribing generously to a school fund of which he and others laid the foundation. (12th Annual Meeting Report of the ABCFM, 1821)

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April 22, 2019 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Written Hawaiian Language, Schools … Literacy

On the afternoon of January 20, 1778, Cook anchored his ships near the mouth of the Waimea River on Kauai’s southwestern shore.

When Captain Cook first made contact with the Hawaiian Islands in 1778, Hawaiian was a spoken language but not a written language. Historical accounts were passed down orally, through oli (chants) and mele (songs).

Before the foreigners arrived, Hawaiians had a vocational learning system, where everyone was taught a certain skill by the kahuna. Skills taught included canoe builder, medicine men, genealogists, navigators, farmers, house builders, priests, etc.

After a couple of weeks, there, Cook headed to the west coast of North America.

A new era opened in the Islands with the arrival of the first American Protestant missionaries. On October 23, 1819, the Pioneer Company of American Protestant missionaries from the northeast US, led by Hiram Bingham, set sail on the Thaddeus for Hawai‘i. They arrived April 4, 1820.

The American Protestant missionaries were preachers and teachers.

On May 10, 1820, Ruggles notes, “This afternoon the king (Kaumuali‘i) 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.”

In addition to preaching the gospel, one of the first things the missionaries did was begin to learn the Hawaiian language and create an alphabet for a written format of the language.

After Western contact and attempts to write about Hawaiʻi, early writers tried to spell words based on the sound of the words they heard. People heard words differently, so it was not uncommon for words to be spelled differently, depending on the writer.

Initially, the missionaries worked out a Hawaiian alphabet of 17-English letters. Then, on July 14, 1826, the missionaries established a 12-letter alphabet for the written Hawaiian language, using five vowels (a, e, i, o, and u) and seven consonants (h, k, l, m, n, p and w).

The chiefs became proponents for education and edicts were enacted by the King and the council of chiefs to stimulate the people to reading and writing. The missionaries established schools associated with their missions across the Islands.

By 1831, in just eleven years from the first arrival of the missionaries, Hawaiians had built 1,103 schoolhouses. This covered every district throughout the eight major Islands and serviced an estimated 52,882 students.

The proliferation of schoolhouses was augmented by the printing of 140,000 copies of the pī-ʻāpā (elementary Hawaiian spelling book) by 1829 and the staffing of the schools with 1,000-plus Hawaiian teachers. (Laimana)

By 1832, the literacy rate of Hawaiians (at the time was 78 percent) had surpassed that of Americans on the continent. The literacy rate of the adult Hawaiian population skyrocketed from near zero in 1820 to a conservative estimate of 91-percent – and perhaps as high as 95-percent – by 1834. (Laimana)

Click HERE to view/download Background Information on Written Hawaiian Language, Schools … Literacy

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Hawaiian Alphabet

April 19, 2019 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

After 5 Days Moored Offshore, the Missionaries Move onto the Land

April 15, 1820 “Renewed our researches on shore but could not do much business, in consequence of the continued absence of the Governor, the Brig Neo, from Owhyhee, the King’s vessel, arrived with a messenger, bringing the general orders of government with respect to us. Tamoree, also, who left the Thaddeus at Owhyhee, arrived on the Neo with his newly set ‘Rib’ . We are told that a native who had stolen a piece of calico from the King was put on board the neo in irons, and then thrown overboard on her passage and drowned. Death is the penalty for stealing the King’s property. (Thaddeus Journal)

April 16, 1820 “Lord. Day. – Enjoyed the privileges of public worship probably for the 1st time on board the Thaddeus. Boka [Boki] arrived in port this afternoon but we shall not seek an interview with him till tomorrow.” (Thaddeus Journal)

April 17, 1820 “Obtained permission to enter the harbor, the Governor came on board. He is a young chief and apparently mild and easy in his disposition, less sprightly than some of his countrymen and distinguished for his moderation, says but little and appears by no means unfriendly to us or our object but somewhat indifferent to the message from Owhyhee; but, as the people are naturally and habitually slow in their movements we hope that he may yet bestir himself with more efficiency to promote our design. (Thaddeus Journal)

April 18, 1820 “Entered the harbor in safety and anchored within a few yards of the shore. We have concluded to occupy one or two houses belonging to Capt. Winship, who by letter to Mr. Marin has kindly favored us with the refusal of them. Mr. Scovill, an officer of Capt. Louis has also very politely offered us the use of Capt. L’s house which we shall occupy for a season, Capt. Adams and Mr. Nevano have each offered us a house.
Capt. Balcock and Mr. Oliver also, have both offered us the temporary use of their store rooms for our effects. Thus the Lord raises up friends for as at the moment when most we feel the need of them. The sisters went on shore to see the houses which we intend to occupy, – were surrounded with crowds of natives, and they walked along the plain upon which the village is built and excited great curiosity and returned.” (Thaddeus Journal)

April 19, 1820 “Having at length succeeded in making the necessary arrangements casting ourselves again on the oars of divine providence, and putting ourselves in the power and possession of uncivilized pagans and strangers, on this Interesting day we disembarked from the board that had borne us in safety across the mighty waters, from our dear native land, and here took up our abode in this dark heathen land, which will be the scene of our labors and sufferings, and probably the resting place of our bones when our toils are over and our pilgrimage is ended.

“Capt. C. and his family take their lodgings in Capt. Winship’s house. Bros. B. R. and L. with their wives, in Capt. Louis’s, about 40 rods distant from the other, and Bro. W and his wife in a house between belonging to Mr. Novano. As a specimen of the slyness of our new neighbors the key of Capt. Louis’ house was stolen from the door immediately after we entered it this afternoon, probably by some of the natives who crowded around to gratify their curiosity.”

“Capt. Pigot and Mr. Green, with their usual kindness, anticipating our wants, provided for us a supper in the American style, which we were unable to do for ourselves. As soon as the bustle of landing was over, and our belongings in our straw-thatched cottages, comfortably fitted up, we built an altar to the Lord our God, and agreeably to a previous engagement with our brethren at Owhyhee who landed a week before, presented our united offerings of thanksgiving and praise to Jehovah, that he had preserved our lives and graciously delivered us from the ‘perils in the sea,’ given us so prosperous a passage and ministered to us so propitious an entrance among the heathen, that in answer to the prayers of his people, of our friends and patrons, he had wonderfully prepared the way before us, by destroying the temples of idols and the institutions of Idol worship, abolishing the priesthood of superstition, overturning the altars of abomination, and bringing their idle Taboos and sacrifices into general contempt. The Lord be praised forever for his goodness and for his wonderful works unto the children of men.” (Thaddeus Journal)

“April 19, 1820 – By the friendly exertions of Capt. Picket and several other American gentlemen, we have obtained three of the most convenient houses in the village, and today left the Thaddeus, and taken us our residence on land. I hardly know how it will seem to sleep on a bed and not be obliged to brace myself, to keep from rolling out.” (Nancy Ruggles)

“19th, ‘the ladies belonging to the mission all landed to see the houses which have been provided for them. I went on shore to try to procure a house to store our goods in, but did not succeed in getting one to my mind.’” (James Hunnewell)

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April 15, 2019 by Peter T Young 1 Comment

Lyman House

The Lyman Museum began as the Lyman Mission House, originally built for New England missionaries David and Sarah Lyman in 1839.

The original Lyman House was a “Cape Cod” type with a high, steep pitched thatched roof with dormers making up the second floor. The second floor was divided into sleeping quarters for some of the Lyman’s eight children.

The house kitchen was a semi-detached building at the rear of the house with an open fireplace and oven constructed out of rough stones, bricks being then unknown to Hawai‘i. The majority of the first floor interior is hand hewn koa (Hawaiian Hardwood).

Major renovations in 1856 added a new wing to be used as a study and library for Rev. Lyman. A new second story was added at this time with an attic. Northwest pine was substituted for koa on the second floor.

Reverend David Belden Lyman and his wife, Sarah Joiner Lyman arrived in Hawai‘i in 1832, members of the fifth company of missionaries sent to the Islands by the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions.

The Lymans lived in a variety of homes, from a Hawaiian style thatched house to a “Cape Cod” prefab, before they built their own house in 1838.

In the late 1830s they built the Lyman House as a family home. The Hilo Boarding School, a school for young Hawaiian men, founded by the Lymans, was built nearby.

Although Rev. Lyman spent the majority of his time working with and for the students of the Hilo Boarding School, he did substitute as pastor for Haili Church when Rev. Titus Coan was on extended tours.

The Rev. and Mrs. Lyman were also founding members of the First Foreign Church, a church established in 1868 for the foreign residents of Hilo.

Over the years, the house became a place to raise their children and host guests, including many of the Hawaiian Ali‘i (royalty) and other notables, such as Mark Twain and Isabella Bird.

The Lymans never returned to their native New England, but lived out their long lives in Hilo.

The Lyman Mission House is the oldest standing wood structure on the Island of Hawai‘i and one of the oldest in the State.

Nearly 100 eventful years later, in 1931, the Museum was established by their descendants. Today, the restored Mission House is on the State and National Registers of Historic Places and may be visited by guided tour.

The Lyman Museum building, next door to the Mission House, houses a superb collection of artifacts, fine art, and natural history exhibits, as well as an archives, special exhibitions and a gift shop.

Visitors touring the two facilities can see the old Mission House and life as it was 150 years ago, as well as state-of-the-art exhibits on many aspects of Hawaiian natural history and culture…a rare and well-rounded view of the real Hawai‘i, as it was, as it is today, and where it may be in years to come.

Docent-guided tours of the Mission House convey a sense of what it meant to live 5,000-miles and a 6-month journey away from your original home and family in a house without electricity or running water, as well as the difficulty of a decidedly different language and culture from your own, while being driven by a sense of duty to bring Christianity and Western-style education to the Hawaiian people.

The Museum and Mission House are open Monday-Saturday 10 am – 4:30 pm. House tours at 11 am and 2 pm. Closed Sundays, January 1, Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and December 25.

Admission: Lyman Museum members are admitted free. Group rates, special tours and workshops must be arranged in advance. The current fee schedule is $10 Adults, $8 Seniors over 60, $3 Children 6-17, $21 Family (2 adults with children under 17), $5 University Student with current ID. Kama‘āina rates available.

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