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Day 061 – December 22, 1819

December 22, 1819 – At a meeting of the brethren resolved unanimously that they deem it expedient to observe the anniversary of the Savior’s birth in a religious manner. (Thaddeus Journal)

Dec. 22nd. The three last have been peculiarly pleasant days—our progress both smooth and rapid; and tho near a vertical sun, experienced but little inconvenience from the heat. The mild beams of the moon glittering on the wide waters, give a charm to the evening, and what is better than all, while it is peace without, through the mercy of GOD, I can also add, it is peace within. But, 0, I long for more devout and holy aspirations to Him who did say, “My peace I leave with you.” The renewed health of my dear husband calls for a heart of praise. To-day has afforded some pleasant hours, in our little room, where we are now made comfortable, in being employed by his side, while he has been planning a sermon for Christmas. He has just read to me the plan. May the Divine Spirit lead, in the filling it out, to such thoughts as he will bless and set home upon the heart. Have this evening been engaged in conversation with Mr. C—, feel a peculiar interest in the state of that young man–am encouraged to strengthen those feelings from the hope that GOD, by his Spirit, is inclining our hearts, in a few instances, to make his case a subject of prayer. While conversing about him, to-day,
Mr. B— suggested the thought that it was not too much to ask of GOD so to cause divine truth to shine in his path,—so to incline his heart, that he should be led to relinquish the pursuit of wealth, join himself with us in the glorious work anticipated by us, of erecting the standard of the cross in those dark regions whither we go. It has been much in mind, to-day, that, it _is not a vain thing to call upon GOD. O, for that faith to which a promise is annexed. (Sybil Bingham)

21. – This has been a good day to my soul. Joy & gladness begin to break in upon me as light out of darkness. Spent much of my time in reading & writing. By the blessings of God I hope that this desultory course which I have so long followed has at length come to an end. I shall endeavour to fix upon some planned by which I may turn to some good account every moment of my life. (Samuel Whitney Journal)

December 22, 1819. Resolved That It is expedient to observe the anniversary of the birth of our Saviour. That Brothers Bingham, and Thurston be a committee to make arrangements for the celebration, and that they report in what manner the day shall be observed. (Minutes of the Prudential Meetings of the Mission Family)

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Day 063 – December 24, 1819

December 24, 1819 – no entry. (Thaddeus Journal)

Dec. 24th. Our way continues prosperous. I have seldom ever enjoyed more uniform peace of mind than for some of the past days. May I give heed that my spiritual course be like our literal course;—while exempt from adverse gales, not experiencing a calm from want of ‘heavenly winds – so blow a prosperous gale of grace.’ (Sybil Bingham)

December 24. We are now in the Torrid Zone – warm days and nights moderated by fresh breezes. Suffer most during the night season, when we are obliged to be in the cabin. I am frequently obliged to get up in the night and go on deck to breathe the fresh air. Tomorrow is Christmas day. Purpose to have public services. Little did I think last Christmas of commemorating the next anniversary of the birth of our Savior upon the broad Atlantic. (Lucia Ruggles Holman)

Saturday, Christmas eve. The subject of this evening’s discourse was chosen from Luke, 2 Chap., 14 Y., “Glory to God in the highest” &c. An appropriate hymn was sung on the occasion, composed by one of the officers on board, Mr. Conant, a young man of liberal education, amiable deportment, and christian morals, an Episcopalian and a firm friend of Missions -the spirit of what is visible in his ode on Christmas, which I shall here copy.

The following hymn was composed by Wm. C. one evening during family prayers in the cabin, and presented by the Author to brother Samuel:

We have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
All hail the bright star that the east once illumined
And blest with its radiance the Shepherds & Seers,
When religion the emblem of Mercy Assumed
And Glory appeared in the Valley of tea.

2d It rose o’er the gloom that enshrouded the earth,
And announced as it burst from the portals of heaven.
That the Savior of sinners Divine in his birth.
The Conqueror of death to the world is now given.

3d On this day from the regions of Glory and love.
As the Type of Salvation and symbol of hope.
Gently down through its beams. see the pure heavenly Dove.
Appear to mankind. who in darkness now grope.

4th May religion’s bright star, as we traverse the Ocean,
Illumine our way and its comforts impart,
While our fond ling’ring thoughts we cast back with emotion
To the country that holds the dear friends of our hearts.

5th Jehovah! Assist in the soul-trying hour,
The Mission of peace to a far distant land,
And calm the rude. Main with thy All-saving power,
Be- love, grace & mercy the gifts of thy hand.

6th When at length on the Isles of the Gentiles they tread
We pray the rough waves may smoothe the rough way
By them may the heathen to Jesus be lead,
And receive with fond rapture the Gospel’s bright rays.

7th By them may the Priests, of Idolatry learn,
That their Mori’s [heiau] and Tarboo’s [kapu] and offrings are vain
Let the nation from Idols and Violence turn,
And the joy of salvation perpetual reign.

8th Now swell the loud Anthems of praise to the Lord,
From whom streams of mercy incessantly flow,
Be the Father, the Son, and Spirit adored
By all nations and kind reds and realms here below. (Lucia Ruggles Holman)

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Day 064 – December 25, 1819

December 25, 1819 – Christmas. – This day we pass under the vertical rays of the sun in the Tropic of Capricorn. This day we joyfully commemorate the rising of that SUN which is the Light of the world, far more glorious that the orb of day. We thought it desirable to devote the day to meditation upon that interesting event which was hailed with rapture by the hosts of heaven, and to the recollection and acknowledgement of our obligations to our condescending Savier. In the evening Bro. Bingham preached a sermon on the occasion from Luke 2. 14, in which the birth of the Saviour was considered, 1st, as a manifestation of the “good will toward men,” 2nd, as a means of promoting, “Peace on earth”, and 3rd, as an illustration of the glory of God. Concluding with four reflections, 1st, This event is worthy of the most grateful and joyful commemoration, 2nd, How widely different are the feelings and conduct of infidels and scoffers from those of angels, respecting this birth of a Savior, 3rd. The propagation of the gospel is the most desirable employment this side of heaven; 4th, This event will be an occasion of joy to the thousands of the Sandwich Isles, to the millions of the earth universally, and to the holy kingdom of Jehovah to all eternity.” The hymns sung were, “Angels song”, by Watts (10 of W’s select.”, “Epiphany” and an original humn from Matt. 2.2., composed for the occasion by W.G. Conant, a serious youth of liberal education, mate of the Brig Thaddeus and considerabley interested in the object of our mission.
This day is to us truly a joyful day and we cherish the hope that before another Christmas we shall be enabled to proclaim to the deluded worshipers of Akoah, “Behold we bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people, for unto you is born this day a Saviour which is C. the Lord,” and that on each succeeding anniversary of this event many tongues which have long been employed in chanting vain orisons to dumb Idols, tuned by Divine grace to the song of angels, will with adoring gratitude respond, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men.” (Thaddeus Journal)

Dec. 25th, 1819, Christmas. Since it has pleased God in tender mercy, so far to recover my health as that I am able to write a little, I will joyfully embrace occasional opportunities, when it is not convenient for my dear Nancy, and note something for the perusal of our beloved friends in America. As the scenes through which we pass are various and as we know that every circumstance will be read with deep interest by our friends they will excuse us if we are not particular as to our manner & style. We will open our hearts fully, and relate occurrences as they happen. -When we experience mercies we will tell our dear Mother, brethren & sisters that they may rejoice and praise God with us: and when we are called to wade through trials and afflictions we will relate them also that they may sympathise with us and pray for us. Our friends may now look upon the map We entered the torrid zone on the 2nd inst. and have been only 23 days in passing through its sultry clime. To-day the sun is vertical. While you are seated by the side of a good fire, enjoying yourselves with a bowl of apples a minced pye or a good cup of tea, we are sweltering with the heat of summer trying in vain to find a cool place, with not so much as a cup of water that you would consider drinkable. But we are not destitute of enjoyments; we are far from being unhappy. Notwithstanding I am obliged to rise four or five times in the course of night with seasickness, still, I can eat a hearty breakfast of hash and onions, dine on sea pye, and sup on a pint of water gruel. The latter is a luxury to us all, it being the best way that we can make water palatable. We hope to reach cape Horn in three weeks; we dread that place but if we are carried safe around, we shall feel almost home. Samuel R.— (Samuel & Nancy Ruggles)

Dec. 25th. Christmas. Many things have conspired, to render this day peculiarly interesting. I would remark that on thanksgiving day we crossed the tropic of Cancer, and to-day which we celebrated as the anniversary of our Saviour’s birth we have passed that of Capricorn. You may perhaps wonder why we should observe Christmas; but we feel that a day on which our Saviour came into the world should be recognized with gratitude. It is a day too, (we have reason to believe) when many pious hearts expand with holy emotions to God, that we are bearing the news of that joyful event, to those who are sitting in darkness, and in the region and shadow of death. Brother B. preached this evening from Luke 2, 14. “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace and good will towards men.” (They sang a hymn composed by WG Conant, one of the officers on board, “We have seen his star in the east, and have come to worship him.”) With what seraphic strains did the wise men of old saying “Glory to God in the highest,” when they found the Babe of Bethlehem, though wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. And to us it is a source of much consolation, that we are permitted in the providence of God to carry the joyful news that a Savior is born to a nation perishing in ignorance and wretchedness. And have not you, my dear friends, occasion to rejoice, that the land in which you live is so highly distinguished from many nations of the earth and that you are permitted from sabbath to sabbath to sit under the droppings of the sanctuary” O how great are your obligations to live devoted to him from whom you have received these mercies. Need I tell you how it would rejoice the heart of your absent daughter to hear you were reconciled to God, and devoted lee engaged in promoting the cause of Christ? Surely I need not. While I was with you I felt anxious for your eternal welfare, and love you most tenderly; but never till since separated from you, did I know the strength of that affection which I felt for you. Never, no never while I live, can I cease to love and pray for you. (Mercy Partridge Whitney Journal)

25. – This day we have celebrated the anniversary of the saviors birth. Brother B. preached this evening and an appropriate hymn was sung, composed by one of the officers of the ship. Thanksgiving day we crossed the tropic of cancer, today (Christmas) that of Capricorn. I can hardly realize that my friends are pinched with cold, while we feel the burning rays of the summer sun. The heat in passing through the torrid zone has not been so oppressive as it was in New Haven last summer. While sailing along the coast of South America I often think of its vast population rushing to Hell through Romish superstition and pagan darkness. (Samuel Whitney Journal)

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