January 2, 1820 – no entry. (Thaddeus Journal)
Jan. 2nd. Lord’s day. Have been favored with another precious sabbath. In the morning, at our conference remarks were made tending to lead our minds to the spirituality of the fourth commandment. They were deeply interesting and affecting. A little circumstance, in the morning, caused them to be more particularly so.
May they not be without their salutary effects. In the afternoon, Mr. B— addressed us again, from Luke 4th, 19th.—”To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.”
After an appropriate introduction, considered particularly the import of the phrase, then enquired how we may reasonably expect the New Year to be, with respect to ourselves, and those connected with us, an acceptable year of the Lord. We might expect it to be such by duly regarding our sins, our mercies, our engagements,, and our instructions* of the past year. Each of these particulars was set before us in a clear and striking manner. May the blessed Spirit accompany the word. The sea was, as it had been for many days, smooth and still. About sunset a strong breeze cane up, so that now, eight o’clock, our little bark pushes forward over noisy billows. (Sybil Bingham)
January 2, Sabbath. New-Year’s sermon on deck from these words, ‘Preach the acceptable year of the Lord.’
Hymn composed by Mr. Conant was sung. The following is a copy:
NEW YEAR’S HYMN
The Orb of day with rosy light.
Rolls home the shady gloom of night.
Ushering in the New-born Year.
Of joy and grief. of hope and fear.
2d Jehovah! hear our annual lays.
While grateful thoughts to thee we raise.
O God of mercy, – -Heavenly King.
With feeble strains thy praise we sing.
3d Thy ever kind and bounteous hand.
Has spread thy wonders o’ er the land
The sea has felt Thy sovereign might.
The Isles have seen with joy the light.
4th Thy arm has led us o’er the main.
To bear thy light. thy laws maintain.
Our hearts adore thy just decree.
And place our only trust in thee.
5th Soon may the heathen see the light.
Which dawns to close the pagan night.
And say with truth forever more.
Owhyhee’s Idols are no more. (Lucia Ruggles Holman)
Jan 2nd. My mind at the return of the new year has been deeply impressed with a sweet remembrance of happy days spent in the enjoyment of Christian privileges in my dear native country. This pleasure however is mixed with pain, that those days, and privileges are no more to be enjoyed. Never again do I expect to surround the table of the crucified Redeemer with those dear friends I so ardently love, and recal to mind with emotions of peculiar interest. I am sensible of having spent the morning of my days in the most favorable situation and under the best circumstances for improvement in the divine life; yet I have to lament that I have not made those acquirements which my Lord and Master might justly have expected of me. What more could have been done that has not been done for me, yet how little of the fruit of righteousness have I brought forth. How faint and lanquid have been my exertions to glorify God by doing good to souls in laboring to promote the cause of Christ on earth. But instead of being cut off from all the ordinances of the gospel and means of grace as I have deserved; the indications of divine providence seems to be, forbear a little longer; stay thy hand and let her be transplanted in a heathen soil surrounded by the wretched, worshippers of wood and stone and see what exertions she will then make to rescue souls from eternal burnings. What mercy is here displayed, what love, what condescension on the part of God and what renewed obligations are laid on me to be faithful to my covenant Redeemer. Six years to-day since I solemnly and publicly gave myself to God in an everlasting covenant never to be forgotten; and I can bear testimony of his covenant faithfulness towards me continually. But 0, how few returns of love hath my Creator found. To grace how great a debtor. N. R. (Nancy Ruggles)
Sabbath Jan. 2nd, 1820. A delightful morning indeed; to me peculiarly so, my health is comfortable and I feel more like enjoying the sabbath than I have before since I left dear America. The weather is not excessively hot, tho’ the air is faint; the sea calm and unruffled, no swelling waves dash against the sides of our floating habitation, threatening our destruction; no distressing gales beat upon us as if determined to overthrow us into the depths of the sea; all is peace and tranquillity while we proceed silently along the coast of Patagonia at the rate of one mile an hour. Perhaps if our A. friends could see us this morning, they would wish themselves with us. Though they cannot be with us they will remember us today with deep interest. While assembled in the house of God and seated round the table of their crucified Lord; their hearts will be uplifted in fervent -prayer for their friends who have gone to erect the banner of the cross in a benighted pagan land. Hay God hear your prayers for us, and make you so unspeakably happy, as hereafter to know that your desires have entered the ears of the Almighty and that those now degraded Islanders are become the true worshippers of God.
I am full of faith, that the time has nearly arrived, when O. Idols will be no more; when instead of Marai, will be erected, houses dedicated to the service of Obookiah’s God, and that land which is now grown over with thorns and nettles, become a fruitful field. But before this joyful period arrives, I am not insensible that much toil and labour is necessary; many triads and difficulties are to be endured; a battle is to be fought with the enemy of all righteousness, and a victory won. Perhaps some of this little mission company are soon to fall as martyrs in the cause, but should this be, it will not prevent a final conquest. Christ will yet be king of the Sandwich Islands. From yours in haste. S. R. (Samuel Ruggles)
2. – This is a pleasant sabbath. Surrounded by a few select friends in a floating sanctuary, I sometimes think myself the happiest of the happy. Brother B. preached from the words ‘to preach the acceptable year of the lord.’ (Samuel Whitney Journal)
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