December 1, 1819 – no entry. (Thaddeus Journal)

Dec. 1st. Have had enjoyment to-day, in writing to friends and sisters—found my mind much with them, as it is the eve of a pleasant anniversary, calling my mind back to “the days of other years”. (Sybil Bingham)

“This day saw a shark and a dolphin. Porpoises are frequently seen playing about our vessel. These sights are all novel to us, and afford no small degree of amuseument here in this barren clime. where fish and birds are the principal production.” (Lucia Ruggles Holman)

Dec. 1st. A proclamation has been read this evening announcing that Thursday next (that is tomorrow) is to be observed as a day of thanksgiving and praise to God. While we congratulate our dear friends on this anniversary, Thanksgiving, we would also recognize with humble gratitude the tender mercies of our God toward us in a special manner. For the mercies of this day we would especially bless him; the wind which for about the 20 days past has been a head, has today blown in our favor, and this evening we have entered the trade winds. Capt. Blanchard has frequently observed that we were sailing toward home; though the bare mention of home creates pleasuring sensations in my mind and ever will; yet the thought of going thither, finds an unwelcome reception in my heart. (Samuel & Nancy Ruggles)

Dec 1. A newspaper has been found mentioning that tomorrow is set up part in Massachusetts to be kept as a day of thanksgiving and praise to God for his goodness. We intend to observe it. We have much occasion to praise the Lord for his mercies, which are renewed from day to day. He is ever mindful of us; preserving us from dangers, seen and unseen; although we are prone to forget Him and wander like sheep that have gone astray. This evening we have a fresh gale of wind and our progress is rapid. We sail at the rate of 9 miles an hour. Thus you see we are renewedly called upon to offer of the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to our covenant God and Redeemer. The year past has been marked with many interesting and important events, which in a peculiar manner, demand from us the most exalted strains of gratitude and praise. (Mercy Partridge Whitney Journal)

Dec 1. – How strange that one devoted to the lord, leaving his native country & foregoing the pleasures of refined society, should feel so little love to God and the souls of men! O God help me to live henceforth more like a pilgrim & a stranger on earth & feel that dreadness to the world that becomes a missionary of Jesus. (Samuel Whitney Journal)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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