thevoyageofthethaddeus | Page 23 | Images of Old Hawaiʻi

July 8, 2019 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Day 107 – February 6, 1820

February 6, 1820 – Lat. 53° S. Lon. 78° w. – In many respects a pleasant sabbath. The Lord has greatly smiled upon us during another week, in delivering us so speedily from the Cape. Had this course of winds arisen a little sooner instead of proceeding directly on our course, we must have stood away upon the other tack, running South and East to avoid the danger of the weather inclement, but enjoyed our prayer meeting both in the morning and afternoon, and was enabled with joy to say again, “Hitherto hath the Lord helped us. He still gives us favorable winds without and a comfortable state within. – Brother and Sister Ruggles scarcely able however to attend public worship. (Thaddeus Journal)

February 6, Sabbath, Lat. 59 – off the Straits of Magellan, west of Tierra del Fuego. Last night, the winds began to blow and the seas to roll, as we had never before witnessed; so that the two conflicting powers seemed to agitate the ocean to its very foundations. Our vessel labored excessively, the seas constantly breaking over, threatened every moment to overpower her. I think I never so much realized the weakness of man, and the power of the Almighty. After all, it is said we have had an uncommon favorable time in turning the Cape, such as few experience; and we feel that we can truly say that mercy and goodness hath followed us hitherto. (Lucia Ruggles Holman)

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July 7, 2019 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Day 108 – February 7, 1820

February 7, 1820 – Monday. – Advancing still rapidly toward the field of our trials and privations, we have today felt it to be of special importance to inquire diligently and seriously, what qualities of character are specially needful to the missionary in order to meet the trials, to endure the sufferings, and to perform the lablors of a missionary life, what are his peculiar wants; and what should be unitedly asked of God for those who are employed in propogating the gospel. We find much to humble us and bring us on our knees – much indeed to encourage us. Cheerfully have we this evening united with our brethren in America, and with the friends of Christ in different lands, in observing the Monthly Concert of prayer. God was with us. Our hearts were made to rejoice. The affectionate and parting counsels of Brothers Fisk and Parsons were communicated; the design of Christ’s kingdom and of this concert, and the promises of the gospel were contemplated, and the mercy seat approached, we believe, with great satisfaction. We have new occasion to say the missionary cause has peculiar charms for us, and cheerfully will we wear out in its service. Whether success or defeat shall be our particular lot, we are comforted with the firm belief the cause in which we are embarked and the best feelings of the church enlisted, will finally triumph, – the heathen will be converted, and to the praise of divine grace, it shall be everywhere known that there is a God in Zion who hears united prayer. (Thaddeus Journal)

Feb. 7th. After having been shut below deck eight or nine days, we have, this morn, enjoyed a little time out. You can hardly conceive how pleasant it is to us.
The cold is yet piercing, but we can step, without expecting to be drenched by an usurping wave. My system of exercise, you will perceive, has been broken in upon, but I have been able to observe my hours of study, with the exception of one day. I have been out, every morning, for a moment or two. But you would almost wonder how I could be. Still, we have, through these days, been wafted on our way with speed; a circumstance particularly noticable, as, had we not been at the Cape just when we were, but two or three days later, these very winds which now drive us so rapidly, would, in that case, have dashed up against the rude coasts, or kept us standing off to the South, we know not how long. So conspicuous are our mercies! 9 o’clock. This evening have I felt more as I used to when the subject of Missions was brought to my thoughts, than I have since I embarked. An hour or two has been spent in observance of the Monthly Concert, a little season in which I think I have felt that the advancement of Christ’s kingdom was an object which weighed down every personal consideration. There have been times within the few past years, when I have found it good to seek my closet and ask GOD to send me to the heathen:—to-night I feel that I would bless his name that He has brought me thus far on my way to them; ‘tho it be to suffer, yea, I think, to die. Gracious Saviour, thou knowest. Divine Intercessor, intercede for me as thou didst for Peter, that my faith fail not. 0, let me not, like him, deny Thee, tho the cross be in view—suffer me not in my heart, or by my life, to say, I know thee not I But, 0, if, my wicked heart should cause my feet to slide, wilt thou not turn and look upon me, till my soul, like his, melt with godly contrition! (Sybil Bingham)

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July 6, 2019 by Peter T Young 1 Comment

Day 109 – February 8, 1820

February 8, 1820 – After running so long and so directly on our course, at 7 o’clock this evening we are conducted westward by the same overruling and uncontrolled hand. Possibly that hand may conduct us to the Society Isles where Christianity has so lately and so gloriously triumphed. Nothing could be more agreeable to our feelings, if that should be the good pleasure of the Head of the church, than to visit the dear Missionaries at Otaheete and Eimio, to sit down with the good Mr. Orsmond and others and converse with them on the great things of Christ’s kingdom, to see the state of schools and churches there, to learn the method of instruction, and the means of establishing most speedily and effectually the institutions of christianity in the Sandwich Isles, and obtain such facilities for our work as could easily be afforded there. But in this and every other case we must learn cheerfully to say the will of the Lord be done.
Today the shipmen caught a porpus, the first fish that we have taken since our embarkation if we except one turtle and a half a dozen flying fish that came on deck of their own accord. (Thaddeus Journal)

Feb. 8. The sailors have just caught a porpus. It is worthy of note that it is the first fish except a few flying ones which we have caught on the voyage. (Mercy Partridge Whitney Journal)

8. – The gale abated yesterday & today we have pleasant weather. We had just caught a porpus the first fish, except a few flying fish we have taken on our passage. (Samuel Whitney Journal)

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