Missionaries / Churches / Religious Buildings | Page 91

July 19, 2018 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Mother Baldwin

When celebrating the 100th anniversary of its founding, “Punahou pauses to pay tribute to its oldest living graduate, Mrs. Henry Perrine Baldwin (Emily Whitney Alexander) of Maui, who observed her 95th birthday in January of (that) year.”

“Mrs. Baldwin’s family has had many associations and connections with Punahou during its hundred years of existence.”

“Her father, the Rev. William Patterson Alexander, was one of the missionaries who signed the resolution passed at the general meeting in 1841 for the founding of the school. He was a trustee of Punahou when it was incorporated in 1853.”

“Mrs. Baldwin, then Emily Whitney Alexander, entered Punahou Preparatory, as the school was first known, in 1857, when she was eleven years old. She attended the school from 1857 to 1864 except for one year, and was graduated in 1864 at the age of eighteen.”

“Upon her graduation, she was appointed to the teaching staff of the school, and taught the subjects of geometry, algebra and American history.”

“At the time of her appointment, her brother, W. D. Alexander, was president of the school. He served as president from 1864 to 1870. and prior to that was acting president in 1859 and 1860.”

“Emily Whitney Alexander left Punahou in 1866, and in 1870 she was married to Henry Perrine Baldwin, at the beginning of his career as Maui’s foremost builder.”

“During the early years of their marriage, and throughout their life together, she was his constant helpmate and inspiration.”

“Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin’s first home was at Sunnyside, where the Rev. and Mrs. W. E. Rowan now reside. There their children, Harry A. Baldwin, Mrs. Maud Baldwin Cooke, Frank F. Baldwin, Arthur A. Baldwin. Dr. William D. Baldwin and the late Fred Baldwin, were born.”

“In later years, when they had moved to Haiku to live, they became parents of the late Mrs. Charlotte Baldwin Rice and Samuel A. Baldwin.”

“Before moving to Maluhia in the Makawao district, where Mrs. Baldwin now makes her home, the couple lived at Spreckelsville, where a great deal of Mr. Baldwin’s pioneering in the sugar industry took place.”

“Now known throughout the territory as ‘Mother Baldwin,’ Mrs. Baldwin is beloved by a large circle of friends throughout Hawaii.”

“Her interest in Punahou has continued down the years, and through her financial assistance many students who otherwise would not have been able to attend the school have been able to matriculate there.”

“During her entire lifetime Mrs. Baldwin was devoted herself to civic and community good. Her charities are legion, accomplished quietly and without publicity.”

“To worthy organizations throughout the territory she has been an unstinting friend, and to thousands of individuals she has given help and assistance. Deeply religious, she has been a devoted church woman all her life.”

“It is truly said of her that her life is a benediction, her friendship a blessing to all who know her.” (Maile Stevenson Kearns)

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Emily Alexander Whitney (Baldwin)-14 year old student at Punahou-The Friend

July 16, 2018 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Mission Memorial Building

“Impressive ceremonies marked the laying of the cornerstone yesterday afternoon of the Mission Memorial building in King street, ewa of the YWCA Homestead, being erected at a cost of $90,000 as a monument to pioneer missionaries and to be the center of the missionary work in Hawaii in the future.” (Hawaiian Gazette, July 20, 1915)

Designed by architect H.L. Kerr and built between 1915 and 1916, these structures were commissioned by the Hawaii Evangelical Association in preparation for the centennial commemoration of the arrival of the American Protestant missionaries to Hawaii in 1820. (C&C)

“‘Various forms of memorials have been suggested, but instead of some monument of beauty, perhaps, but which could be put to no practical use, why not something which would be of lasting value and usefulness …’”

“‘… and what would combine all so well as a building whch would be the center of activity for the Hawaiian board, where work along the lines of those whose memories are now being revered, should be directed!’”

“‘Then came the idea of combining the old with the new in a building which would honor the work of those who had gone before and provide place for the workers of the present.”

“The object met with a hearty response from our friends and we were offered free of charge two sites, one ii out the Atherton estate and one from the Mary Castle Trust. Both were in the section of the city formerly known to all as the ‘Mission,’ but this one which was chosen by the board was the one offered by the Mary Castle Trust and was ground which had been hallowed by actual missionary work.”

“‘The main building is to provide offices for the secretary and the treasurer, the superintendents of the various branches of the work, the book rooms for the board as well as the rooms for its regular meetings; provision as mentioned for the Mission Children’s Society; a meeting place for the Christian Endeavor Society, etc.’”

“‘The building in the rear and connected with the main building will provide an auditorium with a seating capacity of 600, and this we believe will be the center of much active Christian work in the future.’” (Lowrey, Hawaiian Gazette, July 20, 1915) (A third building, the Christian Education Building, was added in 1930.)

“It will only be a short time before this building, in red brick, on old colonial lines, will be up and from the street you will see across the front the words ‘Mission Memorial.’”

“This will bring to the attention of many people in years to come the work which was commenced on these Islands in 1820, and may the work which shall be done in, and directed from this building, in all time to come be worthy of what it commemorates and may the work extend on all lines to the bringing in of all races to the melting pot from which shall issue a happy, contented, God-fearing and God-serving community.”

“Among the documents placed in the metal box which, was encased in the cornerstone is an album of portraits of Hawaiian missionaries presented by the Hawaiian Mission Children’s Society, reports of the Hawaiian Evangelical Association, year book of Central Union Church, …”

“… copies of The Advertiser, Star Bulletin, the Friend, Ka Hoaloha, Ke Kuhunaao, Tomo; facsimile of contract with owners of brig Thaddeus made in 1819, list of donors and financial statement, copy of deed of building lot, program of this year’s conference of Hawaiian Evangelical Association and copy of program of cornerstone laying.” (Hawaiian Gazette, July 20, 1915)

“The handsome new Mission Memorial Building of the Hawaiian Board of Missions was dedicated July 16th (1916), with interesting ceremonies.” (Missionary Review, 1916)

Click HERE to read more on the Mission Memorial Building.

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July 14, 2018 by Peter T Young 1 Comment

John Young and Mission

John Young, a boatswain on the British fur trading vessel, Eleanora, was stranded on the Island of Hawai‘i in 1790. Kamehameha brought Young to Kawaihae, where he was building the massive Pu’ukoholā Heiau.

For the next several years, John Young, and another British sailor, Isaac Davis, went on to assist Kamehameha in his unification of the Hawaiian Islands.

When Captain George Vancouver visited Hawai‘i Island in 1793, he observed that both Young and Davis “are in his [Kamehameha’s] most perfect confidence, attend him in all his excursions of business or pleasure, or expeditions of war or enterprise; and are in the habit of daily experiencing from him the greatest respect, and the highest degree of esteem and regard.”

Because of his knowledge of European warfare, Young is said to have trained Kamehameha and his men in the use of muskets and cannons. In addition, both Young and Davis fought alongside Kamehameha in his many battles.

With these powerful new weapons and associated war strategy, Kamehameha eventually brought all of the Hawaiian Islands under his rule.

Kamehameha appointed John Young as Governor of Kamehameha’s home island, Hawai‘i Island, and gave him a seat next to himself in the ruling council of chiefs.

He was married twice. His descendants were also prominent in Hawaiian history. The most prominent of his descendants was his granddaughter, Queen Emma.

In 1819, Young was one of the few present at the death of Kamehameha I. He then actively assisted Kamehameha II (Liholiho) in retaining his authority over the various factions that arose at his succession to the throne.

Young was also present for the ending of the kapu system in 1819 and, a few months later, advised the new king to allow the first Protestant missionaries to settle in the Islands

Of the missionaries, on November 27, 1826, he stated, “Whereas, it has been represented by many persons, that the labours of the missionaries in these Islands are attended with evil and disadvantage to the people, I hereby most cheerfully give my testimony to the contrary.”

“I am fully convinced that the good which is accomplishing, and already effected, is not little. The great and radical change already made for the better, in the manners and customs of this people, has far surpassed my most sanguine expectations.”

“During the forty years that I have resided here, I have known thousands of defenceless human beings cruelly massacred in their exterminating wars. I have seen multitudes of my fellow beings offered in sacrifice to their idol gods.”

“I have seen this large island, once filled with inhabitants, dwindle down to its present numbers through wars and disease, and I am persuaded that nothing but Christianity can preserve them from total extinction.”

“I rejoice that true religion is taking the place of superstition and idolatry, that good morals are superseding the reign of crime, and that a code of Christian laws is about to take the place of tyranny and oppression.”

“These things are what I have long wished for, but have never seen till now. I thank God, that in my old age I see them; and humbly trust I feel them too.” (John Young; Ellis)

Both Davis and Young lived out their lives in the Islands. When Davis died in 1810, Young adopted the Davis children. Although Young had died by the time of the Great Māhele land division, his property was awarded to his wife and children, including the children of Isaac Davis.

Finally, in 1835, at the age of 93, John Young, statesman, high chief, friend and advisor to Kamehameha the Great, died at his daughter’s home on O‘ahu.

His service to Kamehameha was considered to be so great that Young’s heirs did not have to pay commutation for their māhele awards.

John Young and his granddaughter Emma are buried at Mauna ‘Ala (the Royal Mausoleum on O‘ahu,) the final resting place of the high chiefs and royalty of the Kamehameha and Kalākaua dynasties.

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July 13, 2018 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Thomas ap Catesby Jones to Hawaii

“When a candid and impartial view is taken of the nature and condition of our trade and commerce among the South Sea islands, and of the condition of the governments of those islands in 1823 …”

“… compared with what they now are, and with what they are destined to be, it will hardly be denied that our interests in that quarter, even in 1826, were sufficient to warrant the expense of a mission of high grade.”

“Between our trade with China, and our whale-fishery and commerce among the South Sea Islands, I consider the latter vastly more important to the United States, viewed in whatever light the question may be.”

“Master Commandant Jones was instructed to endeavor to relieve those islands from American seamen, who improperly deserted from whaling and other vessels, and taken refuge there, to the annoyance, not only of the people, but to the injury of our own citizens …”

“… to make arrangements by which such desertions might be prevented, and, if possible, to secure certain debts due to our citizens by the people, and government.”

Thomas ap Catesby Jones was born April 24, 1790 to Major Catesby and Lettice Turbeville Jones at Hickory Hill in Westmoreland County, Virginia. (The ‘ap’ in his name is a Welch prefix noting he is ‘Thomas, the son of Catesby Jones.’)

Growing concerns over treatment, safety and attitudes toward American sailors (and therefore other US citizens in the Islands) led the US Navy to send Jones to sail to the Islands, report back on what he learned, banish the bad-attitude sailors and maintain cordial relations with the Hawaiian government.

In his words … “The object of my visit to the Sandwich Islands was of high national importance, of multifarious character, and left entirely to my judgment as to the mode of executing it, with no other guide than a laconic order, which the Government designed one of the oldest and most experienced commanders in the navy should execute …”

“… if then it should appear that I have transcended the authority legally vested in me by the course I have pursued, whether as regards the arrangements made with the authorities of the several islands …”

“… or with respect to the exercise of judicial power over, and the removal of citizens of the United States from the scenes of their lawless practices, I once for all place my defence upon the grounds of imperious necessity in a situation altogether then novel and without a precedent.”

“For here we find the flag of most commercial nations covering their ships richly laden, whilst their heterogeneous crews promiscuously intermix on shore without the constraint of law …”

“… which, if necessary, to curb the inordinate propensities of man in the best regulated societies, what might we not expect of sailors, who from time immemorial, have been looked upon, though with great injustice, as the very refuse of the human species …”

“… when those who convey them there, and who ought to set a better example, declare that ‘there is no law round Cape Horn,’ and that no act however atrocious, committed by a foreigner at those Islands is cognizable, or can be punished by the laws of the country to which the offender owes allegiance …”

“… and they even go further and declare that the Rulers of the Islands have no authority to punish foreigners who transgress their laws. Such were the judicial views of the foreign residents and traders at ‘ Woahoo’ when the Peacock arrived.”

“Then may I be asked what guarantee had the American Merchants for the safety of five millions of their property that enters the port of Honolulu annually, or the individual engaged in this commerce, for his life and liberty. The answer must be none!”

“Again we see a great influx of English Renegades from New South Wales into the Sandwich as well as the Society Islands, and I was informed by the English Consul-General for those Islands that his orders were not to molest these scape-gallows …”

“… who as soon as out of the reach of the halter, according to the views of the British ministry, are fit subjects for increasing His Majesty’s influence, and even for giving laws to the South Sea Islanders.”

“The missionaries at the Society Islands will bear testimony to the great evils Otaheite has already experienced by the interference of convicts who have escaped from Botany Bay, and forced their way to that Island.”

“Their number is quite sufficient now, at the different islands – and I know it to have been their design, in the event of war between the United States and England …”

“… to fit out the small vessels of the islands for the purpose of predatory warfare upon our defenceless commerce and whale-fishery in the Pacific Ocean, which, with the assistance of the Islanders, they would have annihilated before protection could be sent to its relief …”

“… hence the importance of strict neutrality on the part of all the South Sea Islanders in future wars between the United States and European Powers.”

“Under so great a responsibility, it was necessary for me to proceed with the greatest caution, and to measure well every step before it was taken; consequently the first ten or fifteen days were devoted to the study and examination of the character and natural disposition of a people who are so little known to the civilized world, and with whom I had important business to transact.”

“I however, at an early period after my arrival, took an occasion to state verbally to the chiefs, etc., that I should in a few days address them some communications designed to place upon a firm and permanent basis the friendly intercourse between our respective countries …”

“… to which they answered ‘it is good,’ or ‘it will be well,’ which is the highest term of approbation their language admits of. At this time Kalaimoku, the Prime Minister, a chief of great talents and influence was laboring under a severe dropsical attack …”

“… and Kaahumanu, in whom the government of the islands at present rests, was absent, and whose approbation could alone render valid any arrangement that might be effected …”

“… my principal communication was not made until the 13th of November; in the mean time preliminary notes were addressed to the King under dates of Oct. 17th, 23rd, and 31st, and November 4th, 1826.”

“The regulations which accompanied the letter of the 23rd were immediately approved of by Governor Boki and the King, and were accordingly adopted, and now form a part of their code …”

“The rule suggested by myself, and which was adopted on that occasion, with regard to citizens of the United States, and which ought never to be departed from, was, that all those sailors who had deserted, however remote the period …”

“… should be removed from the island, and those who were there from any other cause who had not some visible means of making an honest livelihood should also he removed, as well as all other foreigners who did not support a good character.”

“The number of American deserters banished from the scenes of their iniquity (many of whom, however, had been driven to it by the oppression of their employers)on this occassion, amounted to near thirty …”

“… most of whom were ultimately disposed of to the whale-ships in port, while the remainder, with the exception of one or two who were of notorious bad character, were permitted to sign articles for, and now compose a part of the Peacock’s crew.” (Jones Report to Navy Department, 1827)

Jones resolved the sailor desertion issue, the chiefs agreed to pay in full the debts and then Jones negotiated ‘Articles of Arrangement’ noting the “peace and friendship subsisting between the United States and their Majesties, the Queen Regent and Kauikeaouli, King of the Sandwich Islands, and their subjects and people,” (later referred to as the Treaty of 1826, the first treaty signed by the Hawaiians and US.)

He “secured for himself among the people the designation of ‘the kind-eyed chief’ – a compliment falling on the ear of many of different classes”. (Hiram Bingham)

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July 11, 2018 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Because There Was No Punahou

“‘Friday, December 16, 1836. Mrs. Chamberlain and I went on board the ship Phoenix to see the berths of the boys. It is one berth nearly 5 feet by 3 upon the transum or what in nautical language is called the after locker, the locker being widened by a board and secured by a side and end piece. It will make them a very comfortable place to sleep.’”

“‘The Phoenix if all ready for sea and would have sailed this afternoon but the pilot did not think the wind quite strong enough. We went down with a view to the embarkation of Mr. Parker & the boys …’”

“‘… but we returned and Cap. Allyn with us: he took tea at our house. In the evening a social prayer meeting was held at the house of Mr. Bingham in reference to the expected departure of Mr. P. and our two sons.’”

“‘Saturday 17. Soon after sun rise the signal gun was fired from the Phoenix. Our little boys were already up and full of excitement in prospect of getting away.’”

“‘We took our breakfast hastily and attended morning prayer. The little boys bid their mother & sisters an affectionate farewell and I led them down to the wharf at the point near which the ship was moored.’”

“‘A boat was pretty soon sent to take us off. The boys stepped in very cheerfully, and when we came along side they climbed cheerfully up the sides of the vessel which is to carry them away from all whom they have felt to be near & dear on earth.’”

“‘They appeared to be well satisfied with their berth and manifested no reluctance to staying on board. As soon as the vessel was ready to start I told them it was best they should take off their common day clothes and put on their night clothes. To this they readily submitted and when they had made the exchg. they laid themselves down in their berth.’”

“‘Their feelings were very tender and they could not look at me without weeping; for tho. Warren Fay had seemed to feel before that a separation was about to take place, yet Evarts had not till now realized it, and both seemed to feel as I leaned over them and gave them a few words of parting counsel that the time was near when they should see me no more.’”

“‘I asked them whether they wished to send any word back to their mother. Their hearts were too full to speak. Warren Fay however said Give my love to all the children.’”

“‘As the time had come for me to leave them I called Mr. Parker from on deck, wishing the little boys to see a friend by their side as I left them, to see them probably no more on earth.’”

“‘I pressed their lips with affection and telling them severally to be good, took my leave and passing brother P. exchanged with him the apostolic salutation of a kiss of charity and hastened on deck …’”

“‘… bidding the Cap. and mate farewell I descended the sides of the vessel into the boat of the pilot and with him came into the harbor, he going on board of a ship wh. he was about to take out & I to the shore.’”

“In the boat all the way back to shore young Father Chamberlain wept at thus leaving his small sons, one seven, the other five years old, to set out almost as orphans on life’s uncertain voyage.”

“This picture of his father’s grief is given by Warren Chamberlain, the older of the two lads, who had it from the mate of the Phoenix, and as an old man in 1910 wrote it down for the Cousins’ Society when the beautiful old Chamberlain house on King Street was about to be restored to continue its service as a rallying place for mission descendants.”

“Other pictures of that eventful voyage Warren gave in 1910 … And not the least interesting is the promise which had moved Captain Allyn to grant a passage to the two lads.”

“The scene was at dinner in the Chamberlain house, then a new house. The captain was a guest in that hospitable home, as was also the Rev. Mr. Parker who had come over the Rocky Mountains to survey Indian mission work for the American Board, and who had already engaged passage on the whale-ship Phoenix for New London.”

“Also there was Father Whitney of Kauai, warm friend to the Chamberlains, who had had to send his own two little sons away and was interested to help these lads who knew him as Uncle. The Captain declined to take them, saying that he had no fitting accommodations.”

“‘It was then suggested that a place be constructed in the cabin, between the two windows in the stern for light, and the ladder that led to the deck.’ To clinch the matter, Uncle Whitney offered to give the captain ‘all the sweet potatoes he wished, also goats and other things, if he would sail around by his place at Waimea, Kauai.’”

“As in many another whaling voyage provisions from this garden of islands proved the deciding factor and the captain consented, although he finally found his ship sufficiently provisioned and did not sail via that island of plenty.”

“All this and much more occurred because there was then no school at Punahou.” (Ethel M. Damon)

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.

The missionaries established schools associated with their missions across the Islands. This marked the beginning of Hawaiʻi’s phenomenal rise to literacy. 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.

“During the period from infancy to the age of ten or twelve years, children in the almost isolated family of a missionary could be well provided for and instructed in the rudiments of education without a regular school … But after that period, difficulties in most cases multiplied.” (Hiram Bingham)

Missionaries were torn between preaching the gospel and teaching their kids. “(M)ission parents were busy translating, preaching and teaching. Usually parents only had a couple of hours each day to spare with their children.” (Schultz)

From 1826, until Punahou School opened in 1842, young missionary parents began to make a decision seemingly at odds with the idealizing of the family so prevalent in the 19th century; they weighed the possibility of sending their children back to New England. The trauma mostly affected families of the first two companies, and involved 19 out of 250 Mission children. (Zwiep)

“(I)t was the general opinion of the missionaries there that their children over eight or ten years of age, notwithstanding the trial that might be involved, ought to be sent or carried to the United States, if there were friends who would assume a proper guardianship over them”. (Bingham)

“Owing to the then lack of advanced schools in Hawaii, the earlier mission children were all ‘sent home’ around Cape Horn, to ‘be educated.’ This was the darkest day in the life history of the mission child.” (Bishop)

“Peculiarly dependent upon the family life, at the age of eight to twelve years, they were suddenly torn from the only intimates they had ever known, and banished, lonely and homesick, to a mythical country on the other side of the world …”

“… where they could receive letters but once or twice a year; where they must remain isolated from friends and relatives for years and from which they might never return.” (Bishop)

In 1829, Sophia Bingham was sent back to the continent. “It was a sad, sad day when our Sophia left us. She stood at the rail clutching her only toy, a wooden doll made for her by her father. Our hearts said farewell beloved child!” (Sybil Bingham; Punahou)

In 1840, as the ship carrying the missionaries’ offspring pulled away from the dock, a distraught seven-year-old, Caroline Armstrong, looking at her father on the shore, the distance between them widening every moment … “Oh, father, dear father, do take me back!” (Judd)

Her plea echoed in the hearts of the community. In June of that year the mission voted to establish a school for the children of the missionaries at Punahou. (Emanuel)

On July 11, 1842, fifteen children met for the first time in Punahou’s original E-shaped building. The first Board of Trustees (1841) included Rev. Daniel Dole, Rev. Richard Armstrong, Levi Chamberlain, Rev. John S Emerson and Gerrit P Judd. (Hawaiian Gazette, June 17, 1916)

By the end of that first year, 34-children from Sandwich Islands and Oregon missions were enrolled, only one over 12-years old.

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