Historical Collections of The Hawaiian Islands - Part 11 - The Ancients ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/hi/hifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: by Darlen6 E. Kelley November 18, 2006 http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00026.html#0006374 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Historical Collections of Hawaii Keepers of the Culture Influence of Foreigners on the Ancients Part 11 - A new Religion A new Concept and Influence Missionaries. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Part 11-- The missionaries came to Hawaii (then still called the Sandwich Islands) in 1820, whose membership was predominantly Presbyterian and Congregational. If we appraise justly their work, we must take into account not only the enviroment in which they did their work, but also the environment out of which they came, what manner of men they were, what they were trying to do, and the means they employed to accomplish their objects. The enviroment to which they came was set out during the overthrow of the religious and Kapu system in the Hawaiian Islands and they arrived just after the revolution. The people was modified by contact with traders, explorers, and foreign residents during a third of a century. Demoralization was a result of that contact, in moral and spiritual realm that the traders destroyed without building up. Nevertheless, in some ways, commerce had exercised a meliorating and conservative influence, and a beginning had made in the introduction of the comforts and conveniences of western civilization. But the work still to be done was enough to engage fully all the energy and all the talents and all the consecration that the missionaries could bring it. Some may deplore the austerity and narrowness and intolerence of some of their ideas, but we must recognize that there was a high and worthy purpose behind the enterprise in which they were engaged. The spirit in which it was to be carried on and what it meant in a broad sense may be gathered from the instructions given to the missionaries by the organization of the ABCFM, that sent them forth. The instructions were; " Your mission is a mission of mercy, and your work is to be wholly a labor of love ....... Your views are not to be limited to a low or a narrow scale; but you are to open your hearts wide; and set your marks high. You are to aim at nothing short of covering the islands with fruitful fields and pleasant dwellings, and schools and churches; of raising up the whole people to an elevated state of christianized civilization; of bringing, or peparing the means of bringing, thousands and millions of the present and succeeding generations to the mansions of eternal blessedness --- But it is an ardent enterprise, a great and difficult work. To obtain an adequate knowledge of the language of the people; to make them acquainted with letters; to give them the bible with skill to read it; to turn them from their barbarous courses and habits; to introduce, and get into extended operation and influence among them, the arts and institutions and usages of civilized life and society; and above all, to convert them from their idolatries and superstitious and vices, to the living and redeeming God ....... to effect all this must be the work of an invincible and indefective spirit of bevolence;......." The first company of missionaries included two ordained ministers, Rev. Hiram Bingham and Rev. Asa Thurston; a physician, Dr. Thomas Holman; two school teachers and catechists, Samuel Whitney and Samuel Ruggles; a printer, Elisha Loomis; a farmer, Daniel Chamberlain; their wives; and three Hawaiian youths who had been attending the Foreign Mission School at Cornwall, Connecticut. These seventeen persons constituted the original Hawaiian church, whose membership was increased by later additions. Accompanying them on the voyage were five children of the Chamberlain family and a young Hawaiian chief, George P. Kaumualii. son of the king of Kauni. This prince had been a sailor in the American Navy and later a student at the Foreign Mission School, where he made an excellent record as student but gave no very satisfactory evidence of being a Christian. Nevertheless some hopes were pinned to him, and his return to Kauai in the company of the missionaries, won for them the enduing friendship and support of King Kaumualii. When the missionaries sailed from Boston in the brig Thaddus on Oct 23, 1819, they were ignorant of the death of Kamehameha and the accession of Liholiho to the throne. The date of their departure was a fortnight before the overthrow of the kapu system and they were unaware of the revolution until their arrival off the coast of Hawaii on March 30, 1820. When they learned of the downfall of the idolatrous system, it was convincing evidence of the favor of God, who had thus prepared the way for their mission. Let us now learn a little about these missionaries who were the first to arrive at Kailua. ----- Hiram Bingham From Andover Seminary graduating Hiram Bingham joined in this " ardor..... for evangelizing the Hawaiians " and offered his life and talents for the Sandwich Islands Mission being organized by the ABCFM. Hiram, a graduate of Middlebury College, would go as an ordained minister leading the mission. He was a farm lad, born at Bennington, Vt., October 30, 1789, he had seemed destined to carry on his fathers' footsteps, but religious influences decided him to seek more education and " watch the dealings of providence." Having to earn his way, he taught school during winter months until he finally had enough funds to enter college when he was 22. There he worked his way through the divinity course aiming to become a minister. He applied to the board of ABCFM and was told he had to be married before he were to go. He agreed to the terms. He was early accepted by the board and he felt confident in his future. He had already won the hand and love of a minister's daughter named Sarah. Busy at his own preparations, he let the marriage business ride along three months before he sought final acceptance. But alas, daughter and parents refused to be separated by thousands of miles and the prospects of Sarah living in an uncivilized land perhaps meeting some dreadful fate. He was heart broken, but still determined. His friends suggested other prospects, but Hiram felt he had no time to go forth seeking a suitable partner. Strong in his religious principles, he put his faith in the Lord. At Canandaigua, N.Y., another soul beside that of Elisha Lomis was profoundly stirred by Obookiah's powerful example and the urgent need to carry on his noble endeavors. Her impulse was to go to honor those whose so graciously responded to the missionary call. She and her minister arrived at Goshen late just before the special ordination ceremonies of Bingham and Thurston. For such unusual event, the small town was crowded. When these travelors applied for accommodations at the parsonage, the one to receive them was weary Hiram Bingham, who was made more uncomfortable by a sore throat. He dutifully lead these respected guests to a room at the deacon's home. How marvelously this worked out. Hiram found that Sybil Mosely was one of the pious, missionary inclined girls his friends had advised him to visit. No doubt their meeting was heaven sent. Sybil was eager to join the mission. She was just the answer to Hiram's prayers. Twelve days later they were joined in marriage at Hartford, Connecticut, On Oct 11, 1819. +++++++++++++++++ Asa Thurston-- Bingham's classmate at Andover, Asa Thurston, a gratuate of Yale, also agreed to join the mission as the only other ordained minister. He was born in Fitchburg, Massachusets, October 12,1787. He was two years older than Bingham, and he too decided late on a religious career having been induced to turn to the Lord from his youthful carefree ways following his family's tragic deaths. Living a life devoted to the strictures of religion, Asa was far from his merry life in Fitchburg. He had a happy, loving family, so expressive in song that they were well known as the " gay singing Thurstons." Asa's father, Thomas was a singing teacher, who had wed one of his charming sweet voiced pupils at Concord, Massachusetts. She had directed the church choir in Fitchburg for over 30 years. As a youth, Asa showed prowness in sports, grace on the dance floor, and enjoyed a reputation as the " gayest of the gay " and the life of the party. Religion was no pressing matter to him despite warnings from his sister and friends that he should forsake his beloved sinful companions and repent. Then typhoid fever struck and in spite of his fine physque, Asa succumbed quickly to the epidmic. His mother nursed him back to health, but then fell prey to the disease and died. His devoted sister and brother, Thomas Jr. both became fatal victims of the fever. Overcome by the swift and tragic losses, Asa readily accepted his dying brother's plea, that he carry on in is place as a minister of the gospel. Asa Thurston felt even more satisfied with the prospects of marriage. Socially active in his youth at Fitchburg, he was already engaged to a girl who was happy to go faraway to the Sandwich Islands. But her mother refused to let her heed the call of love and God. To give up both handsome Asa and the opportunity to serve the Lord, broke the girl's heart. She fell ill and died. The tradedy was too much for her mother who also died of grief shortly after. Now friends came to the aid of Asa. At Andover, one of his classmates recalled that, on a visit to Deacon Abner Goodale at Marlboro ( now Hudson ) Mass., the deacon had mentioned that his daugter Lucy was fitted for missionary work. As another Andover student, William Goodale was related to Lucy Goodale, they asked him to urge her to consider " engageing in the missionary enterprise " and to grant a personal interview with Asa. To complete the arraingements, William went to visit his cousin Lucy. William put such feeling into his appeal that it made Lucy tremble and lef her with " an almost bursting heart " and unable to eat or sleep. His final proposition was to ask whether she would become " connected with a missionary now an entire stranger, attach herself to this little band of pilgrams, and visit the far distant land of Obookiah." The subject was overwelming to her mind. At the time she was alone, teaching a country school, six miles from home. As William informed her family , " the waters were troubled.." Two sisters went to comfort her adding that it had to be her decision. She wavered between this great need for service and her own love of friends and home. " The poor heathen possess immoral natures, and are perishing," she anguished. " Who will give them the Bible, and tell them of a Savior." Great as must be the sacrifices, trials, hardships, and dangers of such an undertaking, I said, ' If God will grant his grace, and afford an acceptable opportunity, Lucy and all that is hers, shall be given to the noble entrprise of carrying light to the poor benighted countrymen of Obookiah." With that declaration, she could then " contemplate the subject with a tranquil mind and unmoved feelings." On September 23, exactly just a month before the final date of departure, Lucy returned home, " with composure and serenity, buoyed by a nobel purpose, to receive from her close family their full approval. Now, Asa and William, had arrived for this family interview.... There were her two bothers and their wives, her Uncle Wm Goodale, Sr., cousin William Goodale, and Deacon Abner Goodale. After the family sociality, singing, and evening worship, the family dispersed, leaving two of simular aspirations, introduced at sunset as strangers, to separate at midnight interested friends. By the next morning, they were pleding themselves to each other as close companions in the race of life, consecrating themselves and their all to a life work among the heathen. They had just time. "three sabbaths," for publication of the banns. They set Tuesday, Oct 12, 1819, as their wedding day. From Marlboro they would proceed directly to Boston for their depature, then only 11 days away. Now Asa had to at once leave and join Bingham at Goshen for his ordination. ++++++++++++++++++ Thomas Holman -- Samuel Ruggles had suggested to his older sister Lucia Ruggles, who was teaching at Cooperstown, N.Y. , that he get her appointment as teacher for the mission. Though the idea did not appeal to her at first, her fiancee, Dr. Thomas Holman begnning his medical career at Cooperstown, saw the finacial advantage of joining this expedition. Such an arrangement would ensure them a safe basis for their marriage. So Holman, who had studied at Cherry Valley Medical School, applied, was acceted,and also took training at the Foreign Mission School that summer of 1819. Thomas had been born at New Haven, Connecticut, November 26, 1793 Lucia Ruggles, Samuel's older sister, was probably even happier to marry Dr. Tomas Holman. He had been her long time admirer and suitor. She was almost 26, and Thomas just two months younger. They had grown up together at Brookfield, Connecticut. Their wedding was on Septeber 26 and was the second one of the Missionary party. ++++++++++++++++ Samuel Whitney -- Samuel Whitney of Brandford, Connecticut, an apprentice shoemaker and also educated at Yale, became inspired by a call of the Lord and pledged his " mental exerton," and offered himself as an assistant and instructor. The board accepted him as a teacher and mechanic. He was twenty six years old being born April 28, 1793. Finding a suitable partner proved a problem for some. Friends again proved a great help in some cases. Samuel Whitney enjoyed such help inmeeting Mercy Partridge of Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Impressed with stern religious convictions and impelled by eager determination that Obookiah's aims not become a lost cause, she consented to Samuel's marriage proposal. Whitney had assured the Board, that Mercy was one " whose piety and missionary qualifications had been highly "recommended." They were the fourth couple to wed on October 4, 1819. +++++++++++++ Samuel Ruggles -- Samuel Ruggles, in rather dire circumstances and unable to go on to complete his higher education, had already found a place under the Board's supervision as a teacher at the Foreign Mission School where he knew Obookiah personally. He held the position of teacher and catechist. He was 24. Born at Brookfield, Connecticut, March 9, 1795. Samuel Ruggles was the first to hold his wedding -- at the home of his bride, Nancy Wells, in East Windsor, Connecticut, on September 22, 1819. Her ready acceptance may have been partly due to the fact that she was already 28 years old ( the oldest of the brides to be.) +++++++++++++++++ Daniel Chamberlain -- Daniel Chamberlain of Brookfield, Massachusetts, devoted himself, his wife and five children, and the proceeds from the sale o his well-managed farm to the missionary cause sacrificing everything he owned to pass on to the simple people of Hawaii, his talents of energetic farming that they might forsake their indolent ways and convert their lands into rich farmslands. He had served as a captain in the war of 1812. In preparation for missionary work, Daniel and his sons, dexter and Nathan, studied at the Foreign Mission School in Cornwall, where they gained understanding of the life and language of the Hawaiians from the Hawaiian boys who would accompany them. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Continued in part 12.