November 15, 1819 – no entry (Thaddeus Journal)

15th, strong gales. (James Hunnewell)

“Saturday Morning, 15th day after sailing: My Dear Brothers: We weighed anchor soon after you left us. A gentle gale wafted us about 10 miles that day, when we had a calm which detained us till the next morning. A kind providence seemed to order it for the best however, for, in the course of the evening, it was ascertained that our soft bread and crackers and all the ardent spirits were left behind. Consequently, a boat was sent off for Boston that night, which did not return until the next day towards night. A fine breeze blew up which took us off at the rate of 8 miles an hour. Our seasickness came on, and before morning every passenger, except the 4 native youths were broadside. I need not attempt to describe the horrors of seasickness, for I believe it is well understood by most of you. However, to make the best of us, we were a pitiable company. I think here was an exception to the saying that misery loves company, for I believe the miseries of one was no consolation to those of another.
Could the transactions of the first week have been penned, I am sure, while they would have called forth sensations of pity from your heart, would at the same time afford merriment. Sorrow and despondency were depicted on every countenance, while scarcely a look of love or complacency was discernable one towards the other.
To multiply our sorrows we were visited with unfavorable winds. high seas, and heavy gales, the three first weeks of our voyage. It will be 4 weeks tomorrow since we embarked, and we are now in Lat. 33, 20. Eleven days calm.” (Lucia Ruggles Holman)

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November 16, 1819 – Contrary winds still impede our progress. This evening in a prudential meeting of the brethren adopted several important regulations, with respect to our immediate concerns. Committed to Capt. C. the care of our provisions and property in common stock, and to Dr. Holman the superintendance of the medical stores. Requested Capt. B. to order our Table and provide at our meals. and in order to maintain suitable regularity and at the same time make ourselves as comfortable as our situation would admit, agreed unanimously that if any member of the family should need any thing from our common stores different from what was prepared for the family, at any time, such person should speak to Capt. B. for his permission. (Thaddeus Journal)

Nov. 16th. Winds still contrary—scarce any progress in our way, these many days. Have been in lat. 37 and 38 for more than ten days. How are we taught that they are GOD’s winds, not ours—at his command, and his alone. (Sybil Bingham)

Nov 16. Our Heavenly Father is trying us with adverse winds. For eight or ten days past the wind has been very unfavourable. We have been tossed about, sometimes in one direction and then in another, without making much progress. Capt B says, could we have had a favourable winds, we probably should have proceeded near to thousand miles father on our voyage. I hope we shall not be disposed to murmur, but be enabled cheerfully to acquiesce in all the dispensations of providence. By these adverse scenes, God is teaching us submission. O may we humble ourselves under his frowns, and thereby learn obedience. (Mercy Partridge Whitney Journal)

Nov. 16, At a Meeting of the brethren composing the Mission to the Sandwich Islands, on board the Brig Thaddeus, November 16, 1819, – Rev. Asa Thurston was chosen Chairman and Elisha Loomis Clerk –
Voted – That Capt. Daniel Chamberlain and Dr. Thomas Holman be a Committee to oversee the affairs of George P. Tamoree.
That the domestic concerns and Provisions of the Mission Family be committed to the care of Capt. Chamberlain, and that brothers Samuel Whitney and Samuel Ruggles be his Assistants.
That the Medical Stores be committed to the care of Doct. Thomas Holman.
That at our Meals all the Members of the Mission be present, if convenient, and take their seats in order; that a blessing be asked before the family is served;- and that no member leave the table until thanks are returned, except by leave of the Captain.
That the brethren of the Mission meet once a week for prudential purposes. – Adjourned. (Minutes of the Prudential Meetings of the Mission Family)

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November 17, 1819 – Still watching for favorable winds, yet without prepining. Capt. B. tells us that in his last voyage he crossed the line in less time from Boston than we have now been out: But it is now the fourteenth night that we have been driven up and down like Paul in Adria, between the parallels of Lat. 38. 35 and 37. – We have been tossing rolling on an uncommonly rough sea, according to the account of the best seamen on board, 24 days, and yet have proceeded but 5 and a half degrees toward the equator. We cannot but conclude that He who controls the winds and the waves, and conducts all the affairs of nations is either kindly withholding us from dangers and disasters at Cape Horn or operating changes in the Sandwich Isles favorable to the introduction and success of our enterprse. He is kindly inuring us to a life of toil and hardship. He spreads our table on the face of the boisterous deep, gives us now the comfort of returning health, teaches us to sit with meekness at his feet and to trust in his all sufficient grace. (Thaddeus Journal)

Nov. 17th. Still watching for favorable winds. The sea more calm today, yet we are not wafted onward. Capt. B—just told me, that in his last voyage, he had reached the Line, by this time. Well, of this we may rest assured, that if our Heavenly Father, according to his eternal purposes, land us at length on the shores of Owhyhee, it will be at the very moment his sovereign pleasure deems it best. Our family appears to be recovering. May we not forget to be thankful. And also more life in spiritual things, within a few days, appears. 0, that our hearts were more alive—that we did more deeply feel the high commission which our GOD has given us ; Too much have our minds been occupied with the troubles of sea-sickness and the privations attendant on our voyages so the sound of our words, before the Ship’s company, has been too much, what shall we eat and what shall we drink. But I would fain hope the blessed influences of the Spirit are more felt in some hearts. Last evening, had a precious little session, in our room, with Thomas Hopii. His heart seemed to mourn under a sense of short comings, and his desires appeared to be strong, that he, with us all, might awake. He led in prayer, as did also Mr. B—, then withdrew, with some resolutions in each of our breasts, I trust, to live to GOD. (Sybil Bingham)

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November 18, 1819 – We have new occasion to sing of mercies, favorable winds, safe progress, returning health to the body and thought and life to the soul demand our elevated praise. (Thaddeus Journal)

Nov. 18th. Feel, this evening, that we have abundant reason to sing of mercy. The winds are ordered now in our favor, wafting us much farther in this one day, than in many previous. Health seems returning to our family, and light, I trust, to their souls. Several appeared to have a season of unusual enjoyment at our devotions this evening. My dear friend appears to be gaining strength, and with it earnest desire to be a- bout his great work. Some of the day has passed pleasantly, I hope profitably, in reading with him the Memoirs of Dr. Buchanan. May we find a blessing in the perusal, as we proceed. Devoted some part of the day to the instruction of Mary C—, hope to be systematic in it. 0, to be useful in some little way i Have been conversing a little while, on deck, since prayer, with the sisters. They express a wish for some system in the improvement of time, and to be more spiritually alive. May we look to the proper source for assistance. (Sybil Bingham)

Nov. 18. This morning we have fresh experience of the goodness of God. A fine gale is rapidly wafting us from our native land and dear friends, but we welcome it as a token for good. Yes, we rejoice though the winds and the waves bear us from you. We look forward with fond hopes and pleasing expectations, to the time when we hope to anchor at our destined haven. Not that we are at present unhappy; no, we have much real enjoyment. Our Heavenly Father at times pours upon us the light of his countenance and fills our souls with joy unspeakable. I think I feel more than ever, willing to do or suffer whatever may be for God’s glory or conducive to the happiness of his creatures. This world appears really like a bubble and its enjoyments like a fleeting dream. How soon dear parents, shall we have done with all that is mortal. Perhaps before this reaches your much loved dwelling, you and I may lie mouldering in the dust. We have nothing to shield us from the shafts of death. When we behold our friends feeble, emaciated and languishing on a bed of sickness; it leads us to reflect upon our own mortality and ask ourselves, why is it that we enjoy the blessing of health?
Mr. Ruggles (with many others) was taken ill the day after we came on board. He has been very sick, and we have watch over him with anxious hearts. But God who is rich in mercy, has so far restored him to health, that today, he has been able to sit at the table and eat with us. Mr. Bingham has likewise been quite feeble, but is regaining his health. The rest of us at present our tolerable well. (Mercy Partridge Whitney Journal)
10 o’clock, evening. I cannot retire, without telling you we are happy. I have spent most of the evening in our little room, and Mr. has been reading to me “Buchanan’s researches in Asia.” I could scarcely realize that we, my dear parents were separated by a vast ocean so similar were my feelings to what they have frequently been, when in my native country and surrounded by friends and kindred near and dear. It reminded me of many happy evenings which I have spent beneath your roof, where joy was visible in every countenance, and cheerfulness sat smiling on the brow. These are scenes which will never be forgotten and which I shall ever review with pleasure. I experience much happiness in the society of so many dear christian brethren, especially of one with whom I expect to spend my days. It is a great consolation to have a companion and friend who is willing to share with me the trials and hardships of a Missionary life: to sooth my sorrows and animate my hopes. Such a friend is Mr. W. Kind, affectionate and faithful. O may I have a heart to praise God for such an unmerited blessing. (Mercy Partridge Whitney Journal)

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November 19, 1819 – Blest with precious seasons of soul devotion. The divine spirit seems in some measure to dwell with me. Able to attend morning prayers. (Thaddeus Journal)

Nov. 19th. Lifeless as I am, I feel that I cannot rest without recording in my heart, and with my pen, the goodness of GOD through the past day. For myself, the valley of humiliation would best become me, for, O, where is the ardour of feeling which my mercies demand J Enjoyed, this morning, upon awaking, a tender and solemn season in united supplication with my dearest friend, in which his soul seemed melted and his spirit bowed down in view of the awful responsibility of his station. Went from our little room to the family altar, around, which, in the morning, we had not before been permitted to assemble. There seemed some meltings of heart with several, which, I trust, has been the case through the day. This evening, met the sisters in sister T—’s room, hoping to renew our covenant obligation, one with the other,—to act the part of members of one body to watch over, exhort, admonish, and reprove, as occasion may require.
We could not exactly feel alike on the subject of social prayer at these seasons, in our present inconvenient situation? yet, I trust, all came to the conclusion that it was both our duty and privilege, and resolved, the grace of GOD assisting us, to do accordingly. May He who has styled himself a prayer-hearing GOD, accept and bless us in it. (Sybil Bingham)

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