One day, a little more than 50 years ago, a student at Yale College was walking through the grounds, when he saw a lad, about seventeen years old, sitting on the steps of the college, weeping. He was clad in a rough sailor's dress; his tawny face was dull and unmeaning, but his look of distress attracted the student's attention. Being a young man who sought opportunities of doing good, he stopped and asked who he was, and what distressed him. He learned that this was one of two boys who had come to this country, a little while before, from the Sandwich Islands, in the Pacific Ocean. This lad could understand but little of our language, and seeing so many things of which he was ignorant, he felt very sad and lonely. Mr. Dwight (for that was the student's name) asked him if he wanted to learn. The dull, tawny face brightened up, and he said eagerly, "Yes," Mr. Dwight then proposed he should come up to his room in college, and he would teach him. he said "yes" again and his face was brighter than before. So up he went the same evening, and began with the spelling book, and continued to study regularly for several months.
This Sandwich Islands lad was Henry Obookiah. He was an orphan. He had seen his father, mother, and dear little brother killed in a savage war with another tribe on the Islands. Feeling heart-broken and alone, he resolved to leave his home, and go to some other part of the world - he did not care where. About this time, a ship from New York stopped at the Islands, Obbokiah went on board, and begged the captain to let him go back with him as a servant, and he consented. He found here another lad about his own age, named Thomas Hopu, who was cabin boy of the ship. In about six months the vessel arrived at New York, and the captain, whose family lived in New Haven, took the two boys home with him. While in New Haven, they attracted a good deal of attention, and made many acquaintances, among whom ware several of the students of the college. Hopu began to study first. Obookiah also wished to learn, but as nobody had offered to teach him, he did not know what to do. So one day he went and sat on the college steps, where he was found by Mr. Dwight, as I have told you.
It was soon evident that the dullness which he showed at first was no part of his character; his eyes were open to every thing about him, and he was full of life and energy. Grateful for the kindness of his teachers, he applied himself to study with all his might. After he began to go to church, and was able to understand something about god, the Creator of all things, he felt how foolish was the idol-worship to which he had been accustomed at home. One day he said, "Hawaii gods - they wood - burn. Me go home - put 'em in fire - burn 'em up. They no see, no hear, no any thing. We make 'em;" and then added, "Our God," looking up reverently, "he make us." Obookiah lived with Christian friends in various places for several years, and at length gave decided evidence of having become a true Christian. After this, his greatest desire was to go back to the Islands, and, as he expressed it, "tell folks no more pray to stone god." He went to a particular friend, and urged him to go and preach the gospel to his poor countrymen. As his friend did not give him much encouragement, he said, "You 'fraid? You know our Saviour say, 'He that will save his life shall lose it.'"
Both Obookiah and Hopu were so ready to improve every opportunity to learn, that their Christian friends began to think of some way in which they might be educated, and sent back as missionaries to their native land. At the same time there were in this country some young men from other islands, and from the Indian tribes in America, who desired instruction, and were without means to obtain it. At length, in 1816, the American Board of Foreign Mission established a school in Cornwall, in Connecticut, called the "Foreign Mission School," where heathen boys were gathered and taught the common branches of education, and also the doctrines and principles of Christianity. The heart of Obbokiah was full of gratitude to God for the privileges which he enjoyed, and of pity for the heathen countrymen in his dark island home. His growing desire to carry the gospel to them, promised to render him very useful if he went back. "Poor people," he would say, "worship wood and stone; shark and almost every thing their god. There is no Bible there; and heaven and hell they do not know about it - and here I have found the name of the Lord Jesus in the Holy Scriptures, and have read that his blood was shed for many. My poor countrymen, in the region and shadow of death, without knowing the true God, and ignorant of the future world, have no Bible to read - no Sabbath. I often feel for them in the night season concerning their souls. May the Lord Jesus dwell in my heart, and prepare me to go and spend my life among them. But not my will, O Lord, but thine, be done."
But the hopes of the friends of missions, in regard to Obookiah, were disappointed in the early removal by death. They were comforted in believing that this pious and, his consistent life, and early death would increase the missionary spirit, and hasten the time when the gospel would be sent far away over the great waters. These expectations at length were realised. In 1819, a company of fourteen missionaries left Boston for the Sandwich Islands, and after a pleasant passage of six months, arrived safely at Honolulu. when the vessel anchored in the harbor, many canoes filled with people of a dark color, and almost entirely naked, came off to visit it. 'the missionaries had never seen such wretched, dirty-looking beings before, and some of them turned away to weep at the sight. After the king had given them leave to come on shore, some foreigners, who lived on the Islands, gave up three huts, thatched with grass, for their use; but in them was neither floor nor ceiling, chimney nor fireplace. They were destitute likewise of furniture. The missionaries could bring but little in their vessel; they had scarcely one chair for them all, and there were none on the Islands to be bought. When their barrel of crockery was opened, it was found to be all broken; but the cooking store was whole, and that was set up near one of the huts, with a fence of poles around it. here the ladies did their cooking, washing, and ironing, while a crowd of natives would stand about it all day, to watch the work, which seemed very curious to them. They had to suffer many other inconveniences. There were no wells on the Islands, and all the fresh water used was scooped up from the rocks at a considerable distance, and brought in a kind of gourds called calabashes. Firewood was found only in the mountains, and had to be carried four or five miles on men's shoulders.
This, certainly, was not a very pleasant way of commencing housekeeping; but they had not sought ease and comfort, they were only anxious to do good to the people. Meetings were held, and Sabbath schools and day schools commenced for all who were willing to attend. but the heathen superstitions of the people had existed so long, and were so debasing, that it was a good while before any of them fully received the gospel into their hearts. Yet many put themselves under instruction, and were respectful and kind to their teachers, who spared us pains for their improvement. To enlist the cooperation of the people in the schools, public examinations were held, and parents and children appeared to take just as much pleasure in them as is done in this country.
In order to gain easier access to all the people, the missionaries went to live on different islands. many wee the trials and heart-sinkings they experienced in their loneliness, far away from the civilised world and all Christian friends. but for the promise, "Lo, I am with you alway," they would, many times, have been read to faint under their discouragements. But their heavenly Father's blessing was with them, and cheered them with indications of good. Daily intercourse with the people, as well as schools and religious teachings, in the time produced perceptible effects. Queens and chiefs were induced to renounce one heathen custom after another, and become learners in the school of Christ. In the latter part of the first year, Kaahumanu, the quern-mother, became greatly dissatisfied with the intemperance and profligacy of the young king. she seemed to think that aid to overcome it might possibly be obtained from a higher source, and though she did not pray herself, she asked the prayers of the missionaries in his behalf. She was proud and haughty, but from that time she manifested much more interest. In the plans and wishes of the mission, and finally bowed in humble submission and thankfulness at the Saviour's feet.
This instance of conversion from idolatry of one who had spent five sixths of a life of three-score years in heathenism, far more than repaid the missionary band for all their toils, and self-denials, and hardships. But this was not a solitary case. Other chiefs began to be interested in the new religion; some of them became true converts, and others joined in outward respect for it and its institutions. God's Spirit reached here and there a heart, and in the seventh year of the mission, thirty-three hopeful converts were welcomed to the church at Lahaina. Intemperance was a great hindrance to the spread of the gospel. Intoxicating drinks were made and sold in large quantities by foreigners who had come to live at the Islands. In 1831 a Temperance Society was formed, not withstanding great opposition. Sabbath breaking and gambling were prohibited, and when an English trader told Kaahumanu that they did not prohibit such things in England and America, she replied, "We do not rule there; but these Islands are ours, and we wish to obey the commands of God."
The year 1838 was emphatically a year of revivals on the Islands. The year of jubilee had indeed come; the harvest which had so long been waited for was gathered. Four thousand nine hundred and seventy-three hopeful converts were received into the churches, of all ages, than the little child to infirm old age. In 1840 a written constitution and laws were adopted by the people, which secured to them their rights, encouraged industry, and punished vice. The year 1849 completed thirty years from the commencement of the mission, and forty from the time when Obookiah arrived at New Haven. The whole number of members in the churches was now 23,102. There were about 550 schools, containing more than 15,000 pupils. The language had become reduced to writing, and 50,000 volumes of books had been printed. so the islands had become Christian, idolatry had been abolished by law, and the knowledge and worship of god prevailed in every part of the kingdom.
The people of Hawaii now felt that they had received great blessings, and they began to think that they ought to do something to give the gospel to others who remained still as degraded as they once were. We see that love to Christ enlarges the heart and makes it unselfish. The earnest desire, "Lord, what with thou have me to do!" takes possession of the soul, and prompts to labors of love for others; and it was so with these Christians. Away in the great ocean, nearly two thousand miles south-west of them, were several clusters of islnds called the "Micronesian Islands." These had been occasionally visited by trading vessels and whale ships, which had made them known to the Christian world. So the Hawaiian Christians thought they would undertake to send a mission to these islands, and for this purpose they forward a society at Honolulu, called the "Hawaiian Missionary Society." The American Board at the same time determined to cooperate with the Hawaiian Christians, and send missionaries from this country to aid them in the enterprise. The people were delighted with the undertaking, and went to work in good earned to raise the money with which to carry on the work. A vessel was chartered called the Caroline, and in July, 1850, it started on its voyage to Micronesia. It carried Rev. Messrs. Snow, Sturges, and Gulick, with their wives, and two Hawaiian assistants with their wives.
Before they left Honolulu, the little company was organized into a church by the name of the Micronesian Mission Church, and very interesting services were held on the occasion. A great crowd of people assembled on the wharf to see the vessel set sail, and hundreds of voices sang, --
The king wrote the following letter, and sent it by the new missionaries to the rulers of the Micronesian islands:--
Kamehameha III., of the Hawaiian Islands king, sends greetings to all chiefs of the islands in this great ocean to the westward, called Caroline Islands, Kingsmill Group, &c. Peace and happiness to you all, now and for ever. Here is my friendly message to you. There are about to sail to your islands some teachers of the Most High God, Jehevah, to make known unto you his word for your eternal salvation. A part of them are white men from the United States of America, and a part belong to my islands. Thir names are as follows: R. G. Snow and wife; A. A. Sturges and wife; I. H. Gulick and wife; E.W. Clark; J.T. Gulick; Opunui and wife; Kaaikaula and wife; and Kokela. H. Hosworth is captain of the vessel.
I therefore take the liberty to commend these good teachers to your dare and friendship, to exhort you to listen to their instructions, and to seek their acquaintance. I have seen the value of such teachers. "We, here on my Islands, once lived in ignorance and idolatry. "We were given to war, and we were very poor. Now my people are enlightened. We live in peace, and some have acquired property. Our condition is greatly improved on what it once was, and the word of God has been the great cause of our improvement. Many of my people regard the word of God, Jehevah, and pray to him, and he has greatly blessed us. I advised you to throw away your idols, take the Lord Jehevah for your God, worship and love him, and he will bless and save you. May he make these new teachers a great blessing to you and your people, and withhold from you no good thing.
The little company of missionaries reached their destination safely, and began their labors among the poor, dark, savage natives of Micronesia. The report which was brought back to Honolulu very much interested the Hawaiian Christians in the undertaking. They felt how good it was to do something for the cause of Christ, and as all are, who make sacrifices for his sake, they were already greatly blessed in their own souls. At length, after a few years, the missionary spirit had so much increased among them, that they enlarged their contributions to the Hawaiian Missionary Society, and determined to send two more native missionaries to Micronesia. But who would be willing to go? It did not take long to ascertain. First, two of the best teachers begged the privilege - for they felt it would indeed be a privilege - to tell of Christ to these who never heard of him. Next, two deacons came to their pastor, to offer themselves for the work. Several others, also, wished to go. After the subject had been prayed over, and guidance asked from God, one teacher and one deacon were chosen. They made, indeed, sacrifices, for they were to leave their little property and dear children behind them. They gave up all for Christ.
At the close of a communion season, when probably a thousand communicants were present, these two brethren gave their farewell addresses, and the church pledged to them "their prayers and contributions, year after year, until death." Was not that a beautiful spectacle? But these Micronesian Islands were a great way off - very far from all Christian people. A year often passed, and sometimes two, without the visit of any vessel. These that did stop were nearly all whale ships, and the captains could seldom be persuaded to go out of their course, either to carry missionaries or get supplies to the mission. Besides, the mission did not expect to confine themselves to one island; they wished to carry the gospel to all the islands in those seas which would receive it. These were scattered through the ocean, sometimes hundreds of miles apart. How could they pass from one to another? And then, too, how could they have communication with the Hawaiian Society, or the American Board, and get advice and assistance when they most needed it? You see that they needed a ship of their own - one in which they could go among the islands and make missionary tours, wherever God's providence should call them. So, then, it was concluded by the Board that a little vessel must be provided for the purpose, and sent out for the use of the Micronesian Mission. And this was why the Morning Star was built.
How They Got The Money
How should the money, sufficient to build such a vessel, be got? The American Board, after anxiously considering the question, felt that they could not advance it. Every penny they received was needed to carry on their own direct work, and they could not spare any thing for building a vessel. No, though it was very trying to say it, they must look to some other source. Could not the Hawaiian Missionary Society, with the help of the native Christians, undertake the work? No. They were extremely poor. The pastor of one of the churches on the Islands, in speaking of their poverty, said, "There is not a man, woman, or child in ten, throughout my church, that would not be regarded as a fit subject for the poorhouse, or object of charity, in Massachusetts. More than half that the common people get goes to support the government." To show how ready they were to do all they could, and yet how small were their means, let me tell you how they built one of their churches.
The number of native Christians at Honolulu had become very great, and for several years they had needed a house of worship large enough to accommodate them. At length they undertook to build it, and a subscription was commenced by the king's putting down three thousand dollars. Some of the chiefs also contributed liberally, and the people as much as they were able. The timber was brought from their own mountains or from California. There were no oxen, or horses, or carts on the Islands, which they could use in hauling their materials, nor were they able to pay labourers to do the work for them. So the members of the church, about one thousand in number, divided themselves into companies, and took hold of the work. They dug out the stones for making the walls of the church, and brought them to the spot upon their shoulders. Then they swam out into the sea, and dived to the bottom where they broke off the coral which grows there, to make lime of. When the large pile of coral was ready, forty cords of wood were needed to burn it; and another company went away into the mountains and brought the wood upon their backs. Then the women carried the lime in their calabashes to the place of building, and also the water and sand used to make the mortar. Two thousand barrels of sand, lime, and water wee carried thus a quarter of a mile, to assist their husbands, fathers, and sons in building a house for the worship of God. How many people in this country would be willing to labor in this way, or make such sacrifices for the sake of having a place of worship?
Mr. Coan, pastor of the church at Hilo, describes the way in which his people built a house of wood for the worship of God. The large timbers were cut in the mountain forests, and had to be drawn down to the village by men. Mr. Coan often went with them for their encouragement and aid. When they arrived in the mountains, they first united in prayer, then fastened the ropes to the big logs, and away they went. "The manner of drawing," says Mr. Coan, "is quite systematic. They choose one of their number for a leader. He takes the command, and orders all the rest to be quiet, arranges the men on each side of the range, in the same manner as a fire engine is drawn. Every man is ordered to grasp the rope tight with both hands, straighten it, and squat down, bending a little forward. The leader goes up and down the line, and sees that every man holds the rope. All is still as the grave for a moment - then the commander roars out in a loud voice, 'kano!' - draw. Every one rises, bending forward; every muscle is strained, and away dashes the timber through thicket and mud, over lava and stream, under a burning sun or drenching rain. No conversation is allowed, except by the marshal, who feels it his privilege to make noise enough for all. About once in half a mile they stop to rest, and then go on again. If the company get tired after a while, and choose to sand straight up, or held the rope loosely, then the marshal has a thousand smart things to say, to arouse their zeal, and make them labor harder. One phrase he uses is, 'Bow the head - blister the hands - sweat.' If the marshal has talked himself hoarse, he resigns his place, and another is chosen to fill it. All this is done in good nature.
The American Board, then, must look somewhere else than to these poor people for the means to build the missionary vessel with. At last some one said, "Could not the children raise the money? In England they have built the mission ship John Williams, and paid thirty thousand dollars for it. Why could not other children build a ship?" This was a happy thought, and the way in which the children responded to it showed that they felt so too. It was estimated that the vessel would cost about twelve thousand dollars. This amount, therefore, was divided into one hundred and twenty thousand shares of ten cents each, so that a great many children could have the pleasure of being part "owners in the concern." Each one should have a certificate of stock given when the money was paid.
And what name should it have? It was going to bring the light of salvation to the islands in the west, rising upon them like a beautiful star. It shall be called, therefore, "The Morning Star." So Jesus, who came to bring light and life to the world, was called "the bright and the morning Star." So the call went out for subscribers to the stock. Ministers spoke of it in the pulpit, Sabbath school teachers proposed it to their pupils, the newspapers talked of it - every body was interested.
And now the money began to come. Cents and three-cent pieces, dimes and half dimes, poured into the Missionary House.
In Wisconsin, one Sabbath school formed a "Morning Star Association ." "Many a bright eye in my Sabbath school," said the pastor, "is eye in my Sabbath school," said the pastor, "is already fixed upon the 'Morning Star,' and many hearts are eager to speed it on the way, that it may give light to the benighted islanders of the Pacific. May we not hope that this effort will prove the means by which many of these bright eyes at home will be led to look prayerfully and lovingly upon him who was predicted as the 'Star' which should 'arise out of Jacob,' "and who said, 'I am the bright and morning Star'?"
And then "little Hatty's offering" came from a distance. In another direction - from Maine. Little Hatty had gone home to god, and her mother wrote, that many a time she had stood by her side to hear her read the "Songs for the Little Ones at Home;" and when she looked at the picture of the heathen mother throwing her little baby to the crocodile, with open jaws ready to devour it, the big tears would drop, her little bosom heave, and her lips tremble, as she exclaimed, "O mama, send the Bible to the wicked woman. " So her mother sent the money that little Hatty left, and called it "Hatty's offering," because she knew it would be what her dear child would have done herself. Then we hear from one who playfully calls herself "a child almost eleven years old," though really she was nearly one hundred and eleven. she thought herself enough like a child to have stock also in the Morning Star. At the siege of Yorktown, in the days of the revolution, she was favorably noticed by Washington, because she was so active in relieving the wants of the weary, wounded soldiers, without fearing bullets, in that bloody scene. her great-great-grandchild bought a share also with her.
A little boy was killed by a railroad car passing over him. He was a good child, and his parents said that one of the sweetest recollections of him was his love for the cause of missions. They thought if he could speak to them he would say, "I want to help build the Morning Star." So they sent the contents of his "savings bank," amounting to three dollars. A letter was received from Illinois, enclosing eighty cents. A little boy and girl, whose mother was very poor indeed, were anxious to own shares, but they had scarcely food and clothing to be comfortable in the cold weather. by doing errands, the boy earned twenty cents, and then persevered in making out the same for his little sister, though obliged to do it without proper clothing in stinging cold weather. when the children brought the money, the boy said, "When I'm a man, I'm going to be a missionary, and perhaps I shall go out in that very vessel." The parents of these children are roman Catholics. Another twenty of the cents was earned by a little girl for hemming handkerchiefs, and going without better on her bread. "I never liked to hem handkerchiefs before," she said, "but I love to now, because I am doing it for the missionaries who go away so far to teach the Bible to the poor heathen."
Children from California, Oregon, - all the States of the Union, - sent in their funds to the Board; some of their abundance, other from the depths of poverty and want, but none willing to be left out. The Sabbath school of Zion's Church, Montreal, sent a donation of twenty dollars to the Board. They would have sent more than this for the Morning Star, but the children in the States were too quick for them, and had paid for the vessel without their aid. So they thought they would send something to the Board. These children were Canadians, Scotch, English, foreigners to us, yet they wished to help.
Nor were those contributions conuined to this country. In far-distant Turkey, a little son of a missionary at Tocat, when he saw a picture of the Morning Star, its design was explained, and he was told that the children were to own it themselves, said, "I wish to give some little moneys for the bootiful ship." So he sent one hundred paras - ten cents - to buy a share. Willie and his mother had a long conversation about it, and she told him that if God did not take care of the beautiful ship, it would, perhaps, be broken to pieces before it finished its long journey; but she thought he would take care of it, for many children would be sure to pray for it every day. Immediately little Willie slipped off from her lap, where he had been sitting, and stealing softly in the sofa, knelt down, and whispered some words. Presently, coming back, he said, "There, I did pray." "What for, dear?" "For that nice ship. I did pray that it mus'nt break, and the good people that is in it be spilt in the water." Every night after, this simple petition in behalf of the Morning Star was added to his evening prayer. Literally, Willie's prayers and alms went up together, and without any doubt were "had in remembrance before God."
Another offering came with Willie's from two little native children, whose father had lived near the banks of the Euphrates. The first time they heard the story of the Morning Star, they came running directly, each with one hundred paras in his outstretched hand, and begged that it might be sent across the Atlantic "for the big ship," the like of which, they, living so far from the water, had never seen. A missionary from Cesarea, in Syria, sent money, and with it a letter, saying, "We do not doubt that you can do the work yourselves; but there are some children away off here in Asia, who would like to help you. They attend our school and meeting, and study the New Testament; and have they not a right to join with American children in this good work? When we told them they might, you do not know how their bright eyes sparkled! Some grown-up men and women wanted to help; but we said, 'No; it is the children's work.' Yet we did let one man give. His two children were twenty miles from home, and could not refuse. Some of these children are very poor; but all were allowed to contribute as small a sum as half a cent, and even less."
In china, one of the missionaries proposed to the little son, seven years old, to go out among friends, and see what he could get for the good cause. He prepared a paper, and the boy, with his little sister of five, who begged that she might help too, went out and received contributions to the amount of one hundred dollars. The Hawaiian Sabbath schools, too, must have a hand, at least, in the good work. Two of them in Kohala sent seventy dollars. Fifty of these "were earned, every farthing, by the children's own hands; some of it by getting up at two and three o'clock in the morning, and working by moonlight; and all done of their own free, voluntary choice." In Hilo, the children gave liberally, and sent a request that the vessel might stop at their island. They were very anxious to see the object so often described to them, and on which their hearts were set.
Many things beside money were given to the Morning Star. The children in Constantinople sent a speaking trumpet. That was to be used to hailing vessels which would be met out on the broad ocean. Same children in Boston sent a chest full of medicine, which, of course, would be very necessary of there was sickness on board. A Missionary Society in Chelsea sent a great pile of sheets and pillow slips. Another sent a large Bible, to be used in family worship. A lady in Boston gave a library worth one hundred and fifty dollars. A flag was sent from Rochester. One of the Sabbath schools in Boston bought a chronometer for the vessel, which cost one hundred and ninety dollars. The contributions to the Morning Star came into the treasury in such abundance, that notice was given that no more was needed. but still the money came, until it amounted to full thirty thousand dollars. All that was not required for building the vessel was reserved for sailing it, and for repairs. It has already been mentioned how much this undertaking of the children interested all classes of the people. Even in the stately balls of legislation it was not thought unworthy of notice. The following is an extract from a very eloquent speech in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, delivered by T. H. Russell, Esq.:--
"Permit me, sir, to recall to the minds of the House a notable instance just transpired. A few days before we were assembled here, there lay at one of the wharves of this city a beautiful vessel, called the Morning Star. Let me say a word of her history. In the far-distant Pacific, some fifteen to seventeen thousand miles away by the usual sailing route, there is found a group of islands just now coming into notice, and known as the Micronesian group. They are inhabited by a race of savages, perhaps not much above the Hawaiians of fifty years ago. New there were found, in New England, men, and women, too, who were willing to give their lives to the elevation, socially, civilly, and religiously, of these far-distant and poor people. but how to get there? Commerce does every thing, dares every thing, when gain allures. but these rude people had little about them to attract thither the ships of commerce. some one suggests, 'Let us build a missionary ship,' but where are the means? The board of gentlemen, who, just below us in Pemberton Square, provide over this magnificent charity, and who, this year, will disburse more than one third of a million of dollars of voluntary offerings, find already the field too great for their harvesters. They can spare nothing.
"'Let us,' says another, 'lay the burden on the shoulders of the little children.' The thought was the deed. The keel of the ship was laid on the shore of the Mystic, and while she was receiving form and symmetry, the word went out, 'The children are to build a missionary ship, and every child who can contribute a single dime may feel that it has a proprietary interest in the noble undertaking.' At once the little rills began to flow down from every hillside in New England; they came from the Middle, southern, and Western States, the far-distant Territories, a little from over the border of 'Queen Victoria's dominions, and even the Choetaw Mission, and the poor remnant of Tuscarora Indians, did not fall in contributing their mites. It was supposed this ship would cost six, then ten, and finally twelve thousand dollars. How is it now in the treasury? As all these little gatherings poured in, they began to swell up, until there were eight, ten, twelve, eighteen, twenty-four thousand dollars; and though the good secretaries held up their hands, crying 'Hold, enough,' no one could tell where it would end. The little ship was complete, her freight and all on board, and weeks ago she sailed away; and I doubt not that already the beams of that beautiful constellation, the Southern Cross, are mildly shed on her; and I know that the prayers and blessings of the little proprietors are following her, like thousands of unseen angels, on her journey of Christian love. yes, sir, Christian love; no atheism about it.
"One such fact is worth more to a soul that has a single hope or aspiration for man, to a heart that has a single pulsation in unison with the golden rule, than all that atheism has ever accomplished, or will, or can, in an eternity of ages."
For the purpose of hastening the enterprise thus begun, contracts were speedily made for building the vessel. Her builder was Mr. Jotham Stetson, of Chelsea, near Boston. She was to be of one hundred and fifty tons burden, and her model or form was one of great beauty. In about twelve weeks from the laying of the keel, she was ready to be launched. Many were the visits made to the ship-yard in Chelsea, while the work was in progress, by the young stockholders, who could scarcely wait to see it finished. At last the day for launching came. Three or four thousand men, women, and children were assembled to see the vessel glide into the water. Every face was full of smiles; every body was happy. A stage had been built over the bows of the vessel, and from that place one of the secretaries of the Board addressed the assembled multitude.
"You all know," he said, "that, a little hile since, a missionary packet was found to the necessary for the good work among the islands of the Pacific. A circular was addressed to the children and youth, giving them the privilege of raising the twelve thousand dollars needed. That circular was sent through the land, and no sooner said than done, - HERE SHE IS, and will be launched in a few minutes. she is called the 'Morning Star,' Can yu tell why? When that bright star comes up, it announces to all beholders that the great sun will soon lift up his head above the horizon. so when this beautiful packed shall approach and land the missionary and the word of god on one of the dark islands in that far-off ocean, it will be a sure sign that a new day is about to dawn, and the Sun of Righteousness soon to rise upon them."
The vast assembly then united in singing the Missionary Hymn, -
"From Greenland's icy mountains."
Prayer was next offered; after which, Rev. Mr. Langworthy said, "We want our young friends to keep quiet a few minutes longer, and then they may swing their hats and wave their handkerchiefs, and shout at the top of their voices." He then alluded very pleasantly to their feelings on this joyful occasion, and hoped they would all consecrate themselves to the service of Him who died for their salvation. The doxology, --
"Praise God, from whom all blessings flow,"--
was sung in the tune of Old Hundred.
Now all had been said. Every eye was fixed on the beautiful little vessel that was just ready to take life and leap into the sea. The timbers which supported the forward part had all been taken away, and a number of wedges inserted under the hinder part. Several of the ship's carpenters stood near with great wooden hammers, and, when the order, "Wedge up," was given, every hammer came with full fierce on the wedges. After a few minutes the hammers ceased; the vessel moved off gracefully and beautifully; and when it touched the water, such a glorious "hurrah" burst forth as made the heavens and earth ring with the sound. Many old people stood around with tears in their eyes and thought of the brighter day, which, through the instrumentality of this vessel, was to dawn upon the dark isles of the sea. Among the incidents connected with the launch was the following, related by one who witnessed it:--
Among the carpenters employed to "wedge up" was an old man, who was soon to weep profusely, as he stood, top-maul in hand, waiting for the order. When it was given, his blows fell heavy and fast, while the tears chased each other down his weather-beaten face. Now the vessel starts - she begins to move - she glides away - and up go the shouts of happy hearts, while, leaning upon his top-maul, the old ship-carpenter, with closed eyes and uncovered head, wipes away the gushing tears. When the vessel was safely launched upon her own element, he reverently pronounced the word "Amen," replaced his hat, shouldered his top-maul, and disappeared among the crowd.
Before she sailed on her long voyage the Morning Star was furnished with every thing convenient as well as necessary. Should the little vessel meet with a storm at sea, and the wind "blow the sails all to ribbons," as the sailors say, she would want a new set to supply them. These, accordingly, were provided, all made ready for use, all carefully stowed away in a safe place. If the spars and ropes should be broken and lost, they must have more at hand. If they should lose their anchor, another, with the great heavy flukes, was lying on deck close to the side of the vessel. Very thing that was necessary to keep her in trim was there. The library, which had been kindly given for the use of passengers and crew, was mostly arranged in its locker. The medicine chest, full of pills and potions, was in its place. The beautiful chronometer, which was to measure the time when far out on the wide ocean, hung in its box, ready for use. The speaking trumpet, that had come all the way from Constantinople, hung probably somewhere on deck; at any rate, it was in a handy place, and if a vessel should come in sight, "Ship, ahoy!" would ring out of it, loud enough to be heard half a mile.
Provisions of all kinds had been carried on board, enough for a six months' voyage, and some to spare; for very often ships at sea re called upon to supply other vessels, which have been out longer than they expected; so vessels usually take more than they expect to use, that they may be able to supply others that need. Well, when every thing was ready and the Morning Star was about to sail, there was another gathering at India Wharf, Boston, where she lay. This was on the first day of December, 1856, at 10 o'clock A.M. The passengers and crew were all on board. Rhe name of the captain was Samuel G. Moore, and the drew consisted of two mates, a steward, and six seamen. They were to carry out as passengers Rev. Hiram Bingham Jr., and his wife, destined to Micronesia, as missionaries. Mr. Bingham was the son of Rev. Hiram Bingham, one of the first company of missionaries who went to the Sandwich Islands, thirty-seven years before. he was born at Hawaii, but educated in this country. His father was present, and assisted in the services as the embarkation of his son. Mrs. Jackson, wife of the postmaster at Honolulu, with her little child, was also a passenger. The day was very cold, and the ground covered with snow, but a large number of persons were present. First, the 72d Psalm was sung:--
"Jesus shall reign where'er the sun."
Dr. Worcester, of Salem, made remarks, and told some interesting facts in regard to the "former times," when the first missionaries went out. Among other things, he said that the present kind of the Sandwich Islands had never seen the gods his fathers worshiped until he saw some of them a few years ago, where many of the children have seen them, at the Missionary House in Boston. The people there have cast away their idols, and now worship the true God; and the Morning Star is sent to aid in bringing the people of many other islands to do the same. Dr. Worcester repeated the hymn, "Wake, isles of the south," which was written in 1819, on the occasion of the departure of the first missionaries to the Sandwich Islands, and was also sung in 1852, when the first missionaries to Micronesia were about to sail from Honolulu.
Prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Bingham, Sen. He had seen great things, and could pray that his son might "see yet greater things than these." Then the last two verses of the Missionary Hymn were sung, and the congregation departed. The day was so far spent that it was thought advisable to defer the sailing until the next morning, the second day of December. When the morning came the day was pleasant, and at 9 o'clock, after all had united in prayer, and the last farewells were said, the lines were cast off, and the missionary packet, Morning Star, with all her colors set, passed down the bay on her voyage to the Sandwich Islands.
VOYAGE TO THE SANDWICH ISLANDS
At 10 o'clock A.M. on the second day of December, 1856, the Morning Star left the wharf at Boston. A few friends were present, and, after uniting in prayer, the last farewells were said; then the ropes were cast off, and, with her sails all spread, and her colors flying, the little vessel took her course down the harbor with a fair wind. The numerous islands in the bay were soon left behind. At 3 o'clock the pilot was discharged, and the voyage of twelve thousand miles was begun. When the night came on, there were symptoms of a storm. There was a dense fog, with occasional showers of rain and snow. Every thing betokened a severe gale, and the captain was anxious to get into a harbor. It was a rather hard night for the little packet to commence her voyage; and it would not be surprising if the passengers, as they tossed about on the waves, wished themselves on shore. The next day the storm continued, and, not being able to reach a harbor, she was anchored, and lay in great danger through the night. A large bark and schooner anchored near them.
When the third day dawned, they found that both the other vessels were ashore, while the Morning Star lay easy, rising buoyantly on the big waves, as they rolled, one after another, against her sharp, polished stern. All on board felt that God's protecting care had been about them, as they looked at the other vessels, and saw the great waves dashing over them, and felt thankful to him who had kept them safely. I thin, surely, that dear little Willie's prayer at Tocat, "that the nice ship mustn't break and the good people be spilled in the water," was now answered. He who holds the winds and the waves in his hand can hear the prayers of a little child. He says he is "our Father;" and no one can tell how much the course of events is influenced in this world by the supplications of the little ones who repeat those sweet words, as they kneel before him. The wind continued to blow hard for several day, but, with the aid of a tow-boat, they succeeded in getting out to sea; then, making all sail, they flew before the wind like a bird let loose from its prison, and ere nightfall, the land had entirely disappeared.
In the evening Mr. Bingham and Captain Moore agreed upon a method of conducting he religious services on board, which was to be observed during the voyage. At 9 o'clock on Sabbath morning the exercises were to consist in signing, prayer, reading the Scriptures, and a brief exhortation, or appropriate remarks. Daily prayers were to be attended in the morning, and soon after tea at night. On all these occasions the ship's crew were invited to be present. On the following Sabbath nearly all hands were assembled. With but a small supply of hymn books, they succeeded very well in singing "God is the refuge of his saints." Mr. Bingham preached from the text, "Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life." Captain Moore offered prayer, and the exercises were closed with the doxology, "Praise God, from whom all Messings flow." The worship of 'God on the Sabbath was now fairly begun, and was, throughout the voyage, attended with a manifest divine blessing. In a few days they entered the Gulf Stream, which is one of the most wonderful things in the world. It is a river in the ocean, many miles wide, flowing from the Gulf of Mexico, northward, along the American coast, toward the Northern Ocean. The water of the Stream is much warmer than the ocean, and the color of it is indigo blue. so distinct is it from the surrounding ocean, that sometimes one half of a vessel is seen floating in this, while the other is in the common sea-water. Rain, hail, thunder, and lightning are more frequent in the Gulf Stream than other places in the ocean, and sailors are generally glad to escape from it.
They were now favored with a fair wind and good weather. The vessel proved to be a fine sailor, and usually ran ahead of other vessels that it met. The passengers found the accommodations very comfortable, and the captain a kind, good man. Mr. and Mrs. Bingham offered very much for several weeks from seasickness. This is usually the case with all who are not accustomed to the sea, and is far from living an agreeable introduction to sea life. A lady, who has crossed the ocean, describes it as "that disgust of existence which begins to come over a person soon after sailing - a strange, mysterious sensation, that makes every heaving billow, every white-capped wave, the ship, the people, the sight, taste, sound, and smell of every thing, a matter of irrepressible loathing. Those who go on board in high spirits, full of life and conversation, soon grow white around the mouth, and are obliged to yield to the mysterious spell. Others in ten minutes are going to die, are sure they shall die, and don't care if they do. Every thing to be done, however small, is a burden. To arouse one's self to go upon deck is next to impossible; but it is far better to make the effort than to stay below, where every one else is in the same predicament."
An occasional flying-fish, as it skimmed over the blue waves to escape immediate destruction from a voracious enemy, only to fall again into the jaws of death, served to attract a few moments' attention, from the monotonous watching of the ever-rolling waves. If perchance it fell upon the vessel's deck, it was speedily caught up, and converted by the cook, into a tempting bit for the seasick passengers. Occasionally a passing vessel also afforded a little variety. The weather continued fair, and the Morning Star soon entered the torrid zone, crossed the equator, and passed around Cape St. Roque, which is the eastern point of South America. As they drew near the cost of Brazil, the grown fields and hills presented a beautiful appearance. Rafts, and flat-bottomed boats, which the sailors call catamarans, were seen gliding backward and forward over the smooth sea.
When they arrived off Rio de Janeiro, it was found, on a careful examination, that some repairs were necessary; so it was determined to stop for a few days at that port. This, the captain knew, would take time and money; but he thought his young owners would prefer this sacrifice, rather than that they should attempt to go around Cape Horn in a damaged condition. Cape Horn is always a dangerous place, and a vessel needs to be sound and strong to insure a safe passage; so their course was changed, and a fresh breeze springing up, the Morning Star sailed gracefully along into the Bay of Rio. The rough sailor often stands in silent administration on the deck of the vessel, so he enters this magnificent harbor, and views the scenery before him. As far up the bay as the eye can reach, little green islands, scattered here and there, rise above the water, covered with palms and other tropical verdure; while on either side are ranges of mountains with lofty peaks, extending far back into the country. As you proceed, the great city comes into view, built upon seven green hills, which give it the title of "Modern Rome;" while fresh with the land breeze comes the rich perfume of the orange and other flowers, more sweet than even from Ceylon's spicy shores.
Rio is situated on the west side of the bay. Its churches and cathedrals, its towers and steeples, its granite houses and red-tiled roofs, its white walls and its aqueducts, give it very much the appearance of an Eastern city. It contains, with its suburbs, about 800,000 inhabitants. When the Morning Star anchored, she was visited by the custom house and health officers. As there was no sickness on board, the ship's company were allowed to go on shore at pleasure. Captain Moore procured a carpenter and blacksmith, who soon repaired the broken spar. The passengers availed themselves of the opportunity to visit the city, where they were kindly treated, and were favored with a delightful ride into the country. This was very refreshing, after the sickness and fatigues of their long voyage. At Rio, four of the crew, in consequence of some dissatisfaction, left the vessel, and others were obtained to take their places. It is earnestly hoped that the good seed which had been sown in their hearts, watered by heavenly dews, may bring forth much fruit to the glory of God. When the repairs were finished, and the regulations of the port compiled with, the Morning Star weighted anchor, and proceeded on her voyage. They soon passed the great river Rio de la Plata, which can be traced many miles out to sea by the mud which is brought down in its waters from the country and deposited in the ocean.
On the following Sabbath, all but four of the crew attended the morning service. Most of the new hands did not converse in English, but they listened with apparent interest. At the monthly concert which was held that evening, some of them expressed a willingness to receive Bibles. Mr. Bingham took five, and distributed them in the forecastle, writing in each the name of the person to whom he gave it. At the same time he pressed upon them the text of his morning's discourse, "Search the Scriptures," and promised his assistance in helping them to understand them. In his journal Mr. Bingham adds, "Oh that the Holy Spirit would bless us with his presence! Shall it be that the whole voyage will pass away, and none of these precious souls be led to Christ? May I be more faithful, more earnest for the salvation of my fellow-men, and for the honor of my Redeemer." Off the Falkland Islands they lay becalmed for several days. Here every thing was made ready for going around Cape Horn. On the 18th of February they experienced the first gale since leaving Cape Cod, and were obliged to "lie to" for twenty-four hours. The little vessel rode out the storm finely. On the 21st they were scudding before a fresh breeze, and on the lookout for Staten Land.
Again a heavy gale came on. Judging that they were near the Straits, they "bore to." Toward evening the clouds parted, and the snow-capped mountains of Terra did Fuego rose up, glistening in the rays of the setting sun. By night the gale was at its height; the ocean was one sheet of foam, and the birds, gathering under the lee of the vessel, danced and gabbled as if congratulating themselves on having found so good a resting place. The rough, bleak islands of this region abound with birds of many kinds. As you pass along at a distance from them, you can see the rocks lined with long rows of what seem to be the white stones, much resembling fences. These are rows of penguins, standing erect, like soldiers in battle array. These singular birds have a bill and webbed feet, but neither wings nor feathers. Instead of wings, they have slippers, like a seal; and for feathers they have a sort of scales, intermediate between feathers and fins. The head and back are brown, the under parts white. With their heads erect, and their flippers, or arms, hanging down, they look like so many children with white aprons.
Passing rapidly onward, the Morning Star soon reached San Diego and the Strait of Le Maire. The breeze from the north-west blew more freshly, and the vessel dashed through the Strait a the rate of eleven knots an hour. The shores were mostly frightful precipices, overhanging the waves. Now and then a puff of wind, sweeping down through some mountain gorge, caused the vessel to careen far to leeward; then recovering herself, she sped onward as though in haste to escape from the dangers surrounding her. At the foot of a precipice, a dark cave added to the wildness of the sense; while a little farther on, a small stream of water, fed by the never-failing snows of the heights above, came brawling down the cliffs, and was lost in a rocky valley below. At length, on Tuesday afternoon, February 24, a rocky bluff, high in air, appeared on the starboard bow. It was the world-renowned, oft-dreaded, bleak and stormy Cape Horn! The weather, however, was now mild, and the lady passengers appeared on deck with their portfolios and pencils to take a sketch of it. At the east of the Cape were Deceit Rocks, standing detached from the shore, like grim sentinels, as if to forbid approach. In the north-west appeared peak after peak, to completely covered with snow as to resemble huge icebergs rising from the waves. It was a sublime scene, and could not but impress upon all beholders the power and grandeur of the great Creator of all.
The day passed pleasantly, and the sun gently sunk in the west, making the dark clouds resplendent with its golden light. Before going into his berth Captain Moore looked at the barometer, and saw that the mercury was falling rapidly. This indicated a storm. All hands were called to shorten sail, that they might not be caught unprepared, when suddenly the vessel was struck by a white squall. For a few moments its fury threatened to carry every thing away - sails, spars, masts, and all. The men who had been sent up to furl the topsails gave up in despair, and came down. They were encouraged to try again, and this time succeeded. For three hours the wind blew with a force that can not be described, and drove the vessel back into the Atlantic Ocean. Before midnight, however, the fury of the storm had passed, and a dead calm followed. The gale was succeeded by favorable winds, under which they soon recovered the ground they had lost. On the 1st of March the vessel's prow was turned northward, and the dreaded Cape was regarded as passed. They were now in the broad Pacific, and the weather became increasingly pleasant. Reading, and writing journals and letters for the friends at home, occupied the attention of the passengers. One morning, before breakfast, as Mr. and Mrs. Bingham were walking on deck, five large, snow white birds, called albatrosses, hovered near the vessel. A line with a baited hook was thrown out, but they would not bit it. After breakfast, however, one of them was captured, and when brought on board, a string was tied around his beak, and he was allowed to walk about the deck. All were much interested in watching the awkward motions of the bird. Another was caught which measured ten feet from the tip of one wing to the tip of the other, being four inches larger than the first. The second bird furnished a fine dish for dinner, in taste resembling veal.
An examination of the hold of the vessel, about this time, enabled Mr. Bingham to ascertain the condition of some of his goods. "My poor shower bath," he says, "has been badly crushed. Two barrels of flour were discovered, which had hitherto escaped detection also the cranberries, concerning which request inquiries had been made by those who relished them. They have proved quite a treat. The long-looked-for barrel of tongues was also discovered. The barrel of hams still conceals itself, as also does the box of lemons. Our potatoes failed shortly after passing Cape Horn. There is naturally much uniformity in our meals, of late. We ought to be willing, and I trust we are, to deny ourselves many things, if thereby we can spare the Lord's treasury." In a few weeks our voyages arrived in the region of the "Equatorial Doldrums." "What a funny word is this!" I hear my young readers exclaiming. Doldrums is a word which the sailors use to denote those parts of the sea where the weather is constantly changing. "here," says Captain Moore, "we had light winds and calms, clouds and rain. The air is very oppressive; passengers can not stay in the cabin because it is so hot, nor on deck because it is so wet. At one moment all is still; the next, the sky is darkened, the thunder roars, the lightnings chase each other through the clouds, and light up the gloom of the night. Then comes the rain like an avalanche, forcing itself almost into the very pores of the skin. The passengers rush to the cabin, but the air below is so stifling, that they are glad to get on deck again." These are not very delightful regions, as you may well suppose, and the sailors are always glad when they have got through them.
The Morning Star was now drawing near the end of hr voyage. It had, on the whole, been a pleasant one. The health of all on board had been good, with one or two exceptions. The missionaries felt that their mercies abounded; but the greatest of all was the presence of the Holy Spirit, which had been among them. The owners of the missionary packet sent her out to do good. Many of them, like little Willie, had prayed that she and all her crew might be preserved safely, and many more had prayed for God's blessing to descend upon her. They will be glad, therefore, I am sure, to know that a precious revival was enjoyed among the sailors during their long voyage. Before passing Cape Horn, little religious interest had had been felt by the men. Mr. Bingham had been among them daily, and sought opportunities of conversing with them upon the great theme of salvation by Christ. He gave them tracts and books calculated to impress upon their minds their lost condition. He preached regularly on the Sabbath, had sustained, with the aid of the captain, daily prayers in the cabin, and was unwearied in his efforts to do them good.
Captain Moore was a truly pious man, and occasional remarks from him had been listened to with interest by his crew. He was disposed to give them every opportunity for the enjoyment of religious privileges. but they were very irregular in their attendance upon the Sabbath services, as well as the daily prayers. After the vessel entered the Pacific, the seed sown began to take root, the attendance became more regular, and greater solemnity was evident among them. They were willing to converse about their salvation, and could be seen on the Sabbath seated here and there, reading their Bibles. The first and second officers had hope in Christ, and were living away from God and duty. Two of the sailors, a Swede and a Norwegian, were members of a Lutheran church, and gave good evidenced of love to Christ, and some time before the close of the voyage, had spent half an hour each evening in learning to read the English Bible with Mrs. Bingham. Their influence among the sailors was good.
At length a young Catholic Spaniard began earnestly to inquire the way of salvation, and seemed honestly desirous of becoming a disciple of Jesus. An English sailor expressed his full determination to serve Christ, and indulged hope. The steward, too, thought he had fully decided upon a life of piety. The missionaries feared that he was trusting to his good works, and were pained afterward to know that his intoxicating cup was too often his companion. Among the new were two men from New England. One of these had called himself a Christian many years; but now he gave up his hope, and sought and found the Saviour. The other, for several weeks, was in a very tender state of mind, and at length gave good evidence of having obtained pardon for his sins. The conversion of the carpenter, an Englishman, was very remarkable. During the first part of the voyage he was on of the most profane among the crew. Gradually he became interested in the religious services, and for many weeks attended upon the preaching of the word, which, he says, ld him to see his danger, and that salvation is by Christ alone. When the vessel arrived at Honolulu, many weeks had passed since his last oath.
On the last Sabbath of the voyage, he gave Mr. Bingham a letter, in which he thanked him for all his labors, and begged him to pray for him. he said, "I thought I knew what happiness was before I came to this ship, but I find I was laboring under a wrong impression. you have convinced me so; my bible tells me so; and now my heart tells me so. I have considered well my past life; I know not when my soul will be required of me, and I will delay no longer. I was in utter darkness before I heard you preach, and I beg you to accept my grateful thanks for all your instructions."
On Sabbath morning, April 12, a meting was held in the cabin, in which the captain, second officer, carpenter, and five sailors all took part, and all but one professed hope in Christ. The missionaries felt that it was a most interesting season, and their hearts overflowed with gratitude. god had blessed their efforts, and, like Paul, given them "the hearts of those that sailed with them." One bright morning, near the latter part of April, was seen, towering far above the c;ouds, the snow-capped summit of Mauna Loa, the highest land on the Island of Hawaii. for some days our voyagers had been on the lookout, and their joy at the sight can be better imagined than described. Being favored with the trade winds, the Morning Star sped rapidly onward. Captain Moore had intended to step at Hilo, on account of the sickness of his mate; but after visiting him with Mr. Bingham, and finding him better, he gave orders to bear away for Oahu. Passing the north-east shore of Hawaii, they soon saw the mountains of Maui. A large white building on this island they recognized as the Wailuku Seminary for native girls. Very few other buildings could be discovered. Next, Molokai appeared, and our voyagers enjoyed the exquisite scenery, as they sailed along its northern shore. Thirteen cascades were in view at the same time, and some native houses at the foot of a majestic precipice.
The wind died away, and left the Morning Star becalmed for the night in the channel between Molokai and Oahu. Mr. Bingham saw the sun set gorgeously behind the land of his birth, and could hardly realise that he was so near it again. In the night, the ocean current carried them far to the south-west, nor were they the next day able, in consequence of the light winds, to reach the anchorage. On the following morning the winds were more favorable. The winding shores, lined with coconut trees, seemed to smile a welcome, as they glided along toward the promontory of Diamond Head. Soon the little town of Honolulu, with the tapering spires and white cottages, peeped out from among the trees, and our vessel sailed gayly up, and cast anchor in the harbor. The voyage had been safely made. No accident had befallen them. The little vessel, which they had made their home one hundred and forty-two days, had been all they could have wished. As they passed into port, the hearts of our missionaries overflowed with gratitude for all these proofs of the kindness and love of their heavenly Father, more especially as God's Spirit had already blessed their labors, and blaspheming, hardened sailors, as bad as the heathen themselves, had become disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, and were ready to show forth his praise to the native islanders in these far-off lands.
ARRIVAL AT HONOLULU - THE MARQUESAS
The arrival of the Morning Star at Honolulu had been looked for with much interest. When she entered the harbor, another vessel was lying there becalmed, having on board Rev. Mr. Bond, a missionary at Kohala. As he lay sick in his berth, the captain went to him, saying that a little brig was approaching, and described its appearance. "it is she!" said the missionary; "there is nothing like it in these waters." Sickness was forgotten at once, and he found himself on deck. One look told him all. Like a thing of life and beauty she appeared with nearly her full complement of snow-white sails, sitting so gracefully on the water, - it surely could be no other! "Beautiful," he exclaimed. "Nani," said the ninety native passengers all at once. "Nani loa" - Very beautiful! With unmingled admiration they scanned her elegant proportions, her stern so neatly turned, her graceful prow, her modest but significant figure had, her perfect lines, her tall and tapering masts. Suddenly, as she drew near, a flag was thrown out to the gentle breeze which appeared to come along with her, and from her main-topmast head those magic words, "Morning Star," were visible to their excited gaze! Assurance now was made doubly sure, and from the ninety throats were poured three as hearty cheers of welcome as were ever uttered.
As soon as she reached the wharf, she was thronged with people eager to examine her, and, "Hi moku maikai!" - Beautiful vessel! - was the universal exclamation. Mr. bond thus wrote to the Missionary House, Boston:--
"In laying the Morning Star upon god's altar, the dear children have brought an offering without spot or blemish. To our eyes, she is, in all her parts, a perfect specimen of naval architecture. We were especially impressed with the exceeding neatness of her cabin arrangements. All honor to her builders. For the dear children who so generously provided the funds necessary for her construction I felt a glow of exulting pride, as we surveyed their splendid offering to the cause of the Redeemer. What can not these hosts of little ones accomplish, with God's blessing, thought I, in the noble enterprise of saving the nations from death! And I felt no slight pleasure in the thought that we, too, the children of Kohala, had devoted ninety dollars to purchase stock in this 'Star of hope.'
"I made my report of the missionary packet yesterday, to my Sabbath school and people. Every word of it was eagerly swallowed. but let none of her little owners forget that to crown this blessed enterprise with full success, they must steadily follow her with their prayers, as she traverses the ocean on her errand of love. Money alone will not do. Prayer only can bring the blessing of God upon the noble offering they have made for his service. Let every certificate of stock remind them of this. How many among our little friends are ready to promise to pray daily for the Morning Star?"
The children had assembled in Boston when the Morning Star was launched, and the children gathered at Honolulu when she reached that port. Preparations had been made to present her a flag, and the ceremony came off shortly after her arrival. The children of the Sabbath schools assembled at their respective churches, and marched two and two to the wharf. Their number, including children and adults, could not have been less than thre or four thousand - a strange spectacle for Honolulu. chiefs and people, rich and poor, were all there. The little vessel was moored to the wharf in full view of the crowd. Her majesty, the queen, occupied a conspicuous position. The king was absent from the island; if he had been in town, he would have honored the occasion with his presence. Immediately after the banner was presented, and before Captain Moore could finish his reply, the multitude gave cheer after cheer as the signal was seen floating from the mast head. "Hurrah!" Foreigners and natives, men, women, and children, old and young, all joined in the "Hurrah!" The banner was about twenty feet long and twelve feet wide. A star was directly under the center of the word "Morning." A dove was placed in the lower corner, at the right hand. The groundwork was of white bunting, and the emblems of sky blue.
Addresses were made by Rev. R. Armstrong in presenting the banner, and by Captain Moore in reply, Hon. John Ii, Rev. S.C. Danson, and Rev. Mr. Bingham, Jr., who went out in the packet. Three hymns were sung; one in the native language is here presented, with the translation:- (to be inserted)
The following hymn was written by Mrs. M. D. Strong, and sung by the children at Honolulu, on the presentation of the banner:--
THE MISSIONARY PACKET
Here follows a part of a letter from Mr. Coan, another missionary at the Sandwich Islands, which my young readers will like to see:--
"What an impulse the building and sailing of that little sea-bird produced! The action touched a chord which vibrates through the land. What gives such moral power and sublimity to that little vessel? It suggests the dawn of creation, when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy. It calls to memory the music of that voice which said, 'I am the bright and Morning Star.' But the object, the errand, of that little bark is its glory. Our western waters are plowed by the ships of the greatest monarchs; in our harbors float the flags of the most renowned nations; but to those who love the Redeemer's cause, this little vessel, bearing the banner of our Eternal King, and waving the emblems of the Prince of Peace, has more significance than all the commercial, scientific, and warlike marines on earth. How delightful to think of the multitudes of young hearts which beat high in hopes for that missionary packet!"
Before the arrival of the Morning Star, the Hawaiian Missionary Society had determined to send it immediately with supplies to the Marquesan mission, where they were much needed. Thus the vessel was to be put right to work, which, we suppose, is no more than her owners expected; and while Captain Moore and his men are putting her in order again, after her six months' voyage, and taking in the needful supplies, we will give some account of the people whom she was now destined to visit. For away in the Pacific Ocean, south of the equator, and more than a thousand miles from Hawaii, are several islands clustered together, called the "Marquesas." The names of the principal are, Fatuhiva, Hivaoa, Nukahiva, Hiaou, and Fetouhouhou. These are not coral islands, -- built on coral rocks, -- but, like the Hawaiian, rise in peaks two or three thousand feet above the ocean. The circumstances which led to the formation of the mission at these islands are very interesting. Many years ago, a vessel stopped at Fatuhiva to trade with the natives and get fruit. When it left, Puu, a native of Hawaii, was left behind, sick. He was treated kindly, and even admitted to their councils of war. His knowledge of the manners and customs of European nations made him not only a welcome visitor, but a valuable councilor. Matunui, the High Chief, as he was called, received him into his family, gave him his daughter for a wife, and made him a chief of the tribe. When asked how he had obtained so much knowledge, he replied, "Missionaries plenty at Lahaina; speak to man. 'Spose you have missionaries here, you be all same me - know plenty all things." From this, Matunui understood that if he could get missionaries to come and live on his islands, they would teach his people the arts of civilized life.
Early in 1853, with the consent of his chiefs, he embraced the first opportunity, and with Puu, his son-in-law, embarked for Lahaina. His request for missionaries was laid before the Hawaiian Missionary Society. He urged that at least one white missionary might go back with him; but if that could not be, he would take two or three native preachers or teachers and requested that the American Board would send a good man to them as soon as convenient. The Hawaiian Society felt that this call was from God, and that they must not send the chief back alone. so, after considering the matter, they decided to send two native Hawaiian preachers to reside on his islands, and one of the American missionaries temporarily, to assist in making a beginning. Several persons were anxious to go. At length two native pastors were chosen - Rev. James Kekela and Rev. Samuel Kawealoha, with their wives; and two native teachers 0 Mr. Lot Kuaihelani, and Isaia Kaisi, with their wives. Rev. B.W. Parker was to go with them, and aid them with his advice and assistance. Mr. Bicknell, a pious English mechanic at Honolulu, volunteered to accompany the mission. A vessel was chartered to carry the whole company with Matunui and his suite to Fatuhiva, and return with Mr. Parker.
In due time these devoted missionaries reached their destination, and commenced their work with favourable prospects. Afterward letters were received from them at Honolulu, describing their labors, and asking for assistance, especially in supplies of clothing, and other necessaries of living. They had been reduced to great want, and it was imperatively necessary to send them relief as soon as possible. No time, therefore, was to be lost, and on the arrival of the Morning Star, it was determined that she should be forthwith dispatched on this errand.
FIRST VOYAGE TO THE MARQUESAS ISLANDS
The Morning Star had been but one week at Honolulu when she was all ready for sea again. Captain Moore and his men did not allow themselves much time for rest and sightseing to relieve the poor suffering missionaries at the Marquesas, and all haste was made to get the vessel off. There were passengers to go, as well as provisions to be procured. Rev. Mr. Kaukau and wife were to reinforce the mission, and Chief Namakeha and Rev. Mr. Emerson went as delegates from the Hawaiian Missionary Society; J.E. Chamberlain, Esq., was also a passenger. On the 1st day of May, 1857, the Morning Star set sail for the Marquesas. After a pleasant run of thirty-six hours the wind failed, and she lay becalmed several days under the high land of Hawaii. This was much like being in the Equatorial Doldrums. Now was a calm, and then a squall; sometimes the wind was east, sometimes west or south. At length they got away from under the high land, and passed slowly along until the 15th, when they were becalmed several days more. This was very trying to them, as they thought of the suffering missionaries to whom they were sent.
On the 20th a curious cloud appeared in the heavens, rising from the sea like a huge oak tree with widespread branches. Mr. Emerson called it Quercus Australis, or the Southern Oak. The unfavourble winds and strong westerly current in the ocean rendered the voyage unusually long, and it was not until the last day of the month that the cry of "Land, ho!" rung out from the maintop. This was Hiaou, the most northern island in the group but not the one to which they were first to go; so the little vessel went on, not even stopping to pay her respects, and the following morning passed Nukahiva, where the French governor resides. Twenty-four hours after, they drew near to Hivaoa, but for two days, heavy squalls of wind and rain rendered a landing very unsafe. The 1st of June found them at anchor off Hivaoa, and though the winds blew, and the vessel tossed about, the regular monthly concert of prayer was observed on board. At the close of the meeting, which had been a very interesting one, the usual collection amounted to thirty dollars and fifty cents, which was more than many a one taken up that same evening in Christian lands.
The Island of Hivaoa is twenty-two miles long and seven miles broad. The mission had been commenced here in a very interesting manner, about a year previous to the visit of the Morning Star. An old warrior of Hivaoa called upon the missionaries at Fatuhiva, where they had at first settled, and urged them, or at least one of them, to come to his island, and touch him and his people the way of life. They considered it a Macedonian call, and made haste to obey it. Three of them went to Hivaoa, and, after looking about among the people, they believed it would be a far more inviting field than Fatuhiva. Mr. Bicknell concluded to remain at once, and two others decided to come as soon as they could remove their goods. No conveyance offered for several months. At last Messrs. Kekela and Kawealoha reached the island and commenced their labors, but Kekela's goods still remained in Fatuhiva. Three stations were commenced at Hivaoa, on the north side of the island, viz., Paumau Bay, Hanahi, and Hanamana.
Captain Moore did not know the exact location of these stations, but expected to find them somewhere on the north side of the island. The sailing along the shores of these islands being dangerous, the vessel proceeded cautiously, but she might strike some hidden coral reef. On the afternoon of the 3rd of June, being close to the shore, three houses were seen about four miles off, at the head of a bay. The sea was very rough, and the landing looked difficult; but thinking that those houses might be the station they sought, a boat was lowered, and Mr. Emerson and chief Namakeha were rowed toward the shore. The boat was an old whale boat, and leaked badly; but with a bucket and a sailor's boot, they managed to keep out the water pretty well. As they drew near the shore a canoe came out to meet them, filled with named and tattooed men, looking wild enough. Mr. Emerson hailed them, and inquired for Mr. Kekela, the missionary. They pointed to the land. Then he asked for Mr. Bicknell, and again they pointed to the land in another direction. They cheerfully consented to pilot the way to the shore, and as their canoe was so crowded, one of them proposed to get into Mr. Emerson's. Plunging head first into the water, he soon scrambled up the side of the boat without any ceremony; then, squatting himself down, he sat entirely naked, though he died not seem to know it, and rowed away with all his might. The surf beat so heavily on the shore, that, in spite of all the natives could do, Mr. Emerson and his party took a pretty good sprinkling.
Before reaching the shore it was ascertained that the houses they had seen were occupied by foreigners who were Papists; and when the party landed, the priests stood in front, apparently waiting to receive them. It appeared that they were expecting a vessel about this time, and seeing the Morning Star in the distance, supposed it to be the one, and came out to receive their friends. Mr. Kekela, too, was on the lookout, and he arrived at the beach just as the boat came up. His warm embrace and hearty greeting, surrounded by more than a hundred natives, gave the priests reason to think that these were not the friends they were expecting, and they immediately retired. But now came these roman Catholic priests on that remote island? The French authorities at Tahiti had for some time previous to this claimed possession of the whole Marquesan group, but did not at first oppose the establishment of a Protestant mission there. A few days after the landing of he missionaries, however, a French brig anchored at Hivaoa.
The commander, attended by a Romish priest, came on shore, and had a long interview with Matunui and his chiefs. They demanded that the missionaries should be sent back to Hawaii, and asserted the claim of the French to the islands. Matunui denied it. "No," he said, "this land is not yours. There never was a Frenchman born on Fatuhiva. These teachers are good, and must not be sent back; and now we want more teachers from America. But the land is not yours; it is our own." The priest spent several days there, going from house to house, and distributing presents. With him came two teachers, who had been some time at the islands. These he stationed in the same valley with the Protestant teachers, and promised soon to send a French priest from Tahiti, to aid them in their work; which he did. After the priest left the island, several who had received his presents and professed to be his followers became friendly to the missionaries, and attended upon their instructions; others went back to heathenism. The natives generally did not seem to think that these Papists were very good Christians. "How did ferent," said one, "is the spirit of those peacemaking missionaries from that of our priest! He was so passionate, and all the time threatening to call in the aid of the governor, or send for a ship of war, if we did not obey him!" Another said, that if the priest came back he should have nothing to do with him, except to give back a few chickens left in his care. This, we suppose, was to show the priest that he could be honest, though he did not believe in his religion.
Great was the joy of Kekela at the sight of the Morning Star. It appeared when most needed. Mr. Emerson accompanied him to his house, which was situated in a beautiful grove of bread fruit, cocoanut, and banana trees. native houses are built by settling several posts in the ground, on the tops of which the rafters are placed, tied strongly together at the top. These are covered with braided cocoanut leaves and branches, and over these are the leaves of the bread fruit platted together and firmly fastened with strings. The sides of the house are filled up between the posts with bamboo, through which light and air are admitted. Most houses, formerly, had neither doors nor windows, and instead of a floor they laid a pavement of round stones. Matting is placed over this pavement, upon which the people eat, sit, and sleep; for there are no beds, tables, or chairs. Various improvements have recently been introduced by the missionaries, which make them much more comfortable than formerly.
As soon as the Morning Star had landed some of her stores, it was determined that she should go to Fatuhiva and receive Mr. Kekela's goods. Accordingly they pushed off from shore in the same old boat from which they had landed, and which leaked as badly as ever, compelling them to use the pail and boat again. Having passed the breakers, into the still water, all was silent except the splash of the cars, and each person seemed occupied with his own thoughts. Most of those in the boat had never before this visit seen the heathen in their darkness and degradation, and the scenes which they had now witnessed greatly impressed them. At last one of the sailors spoke. "Well, shipmate, such a sight I never saw before." "Nor I," said another; "that was worth the dollar I gave at the monthly concert." "Those who say that missionaries have done no good are fools," said a third; but how is it possible that such men can be civilized, or that any Christian can be willing to live among them!"
As they passed along the shore toward Virgo's Bay, the booming sound of the breakers broke upon the stillness of the morning; the dark cliffs rose majestically thousands of feet above them, while the star of the morning looked over the cloud-capped peaks, and seemed to smile a welcome. The vessel was surrounded by boats long before it reached Omoa Bay, and obliged to sail slowly along. Many of the natives came on board, and Kekela said they were friendly; but their faces and naked bodies were so disfigured by tattooing that their appearance was exceedingly revolting. After breakfast all assembled on the deck for prayers. The natives seated themselves in silence. Mr. Emerson addressed the throne of grace in their behalf, while the people gazed about in astonishment at what they saw. All day long the vessel was surrounded by boats, and thronged with natives, whose curious eyes examined every part.
The process of tattooing is very painful, sometimes even causing death. It consists in pricking th3 skin and staining the spots with ink, so as to make lines or figures which remain indelible. some tribes tattoo the face only, others the body, while others still mark the whole person. It is usually commenced at the age of ten or twelve, and being done a little at a time, it takes some years to complete the work. Tattooing is considered a mark of great beauty. Females, though seldom tattooed themselves, except the hands, feet, and lips, often refuse to marry the man to whom they are engaged, unless he will submit to have it done. But we should consider the beauty of a man very questionable, to say the least, who had a large lizard pictured on each cheek, with its legs and long tall spread in each direction, and looking as though it was ready to jump right into the man's eyes! Sometimes the whole person is covered with curious figures of birds, fishes, and snakes. white teeth and black under lips are the perfection of beauty in their estimation. Those persons in each tribe who perform this service become very rich. Land, cloth, hogs, and fruit are given for this kind of embellishment, which is done according to the wishes of the person himself.
One ludicrous custom in connection with their ideas of beauty in children is to stuff them with poa until their little naked bodies look like cocoanuts upon two sticks. "maikai! nani loa!" exclaims a fond mother, admiringly, as she exhibits one of her children, thus distended, to a visitor. The Morning Star did not get into Omoa Bay and ready to another until night. Of course nothing could be done that day toward taking on board the goods. The next morning brought crowds of visitors again, some for trade, and others from curiosity; for the arrival of a ship was an important object. This was Saturday, the 6th June. The supplies for the mission were now landed, and the goods received on board. Vegetables and fruits were also purchased for the vessel. while this was being done it was decided that there should be a communion season the next day, in connection with the regular service of the mission, as some had been deprived of that privilege for a long time. Accordingly, on Sabbath morning the people began to assemble at the mission house. Some took seats within, but others, afraid to enter, stood without. Mr. Emerson preached in English, and Mr. Kekela addressed the natives; then there sat down at the Lord's table men of six different nations fifteen in all, and obeyed the Saviour's last command, "Do this in remembrance of me." At the distance of half a mile floated the Morning Star in full view - a witness that another of his commands, "Go yhe into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature," had not been disregarded, even by the young children of his people.
The scene thus exhibited was very unlike what had taken place in that valley a little while before. A bloody war had raged between the Anainoa people of the missionary district, and the Moaka, who lived in another valley. Many were killed on both sides. These were cut into small pieces and distributed equally among each tribe, to be devoured. Even the little children shared with the rest, and are a piece of the flesh of their enemies. What a dark picture of heathenism this is! The Omoa people gained the victory, and resolved to destroy their enemies, the Moaka, entirely; but Matunui, the chief, had friends in the other tribes, and wished to save them. so he went and persuaded them to send offerings to the Omoa gods; and though the people did not like it, they were too superstitious to fight any longer, and so the war ceased. In a valley about a mile from this bay a number of people lived who had made themselves very disagreeable neighbors. The only entrance to their valley was by a well-guarded pass, and all attempts to drive them off had failed. The natives who came on board the Morning Star cautioned Captain Moore against them, saying, "When they come sell pig, you no buy him. They big thief; they kill man, eat him; they no good. They be taipi ki-ki," (i.e. devil's men.)
One of the greatest hindrances to the prosperity of mission in the Pacific islands was the tabu system. Tabu means prohibition, and consists in prohibiting to certain persons things which are allowed to others, under the penalty of the displeasure of the gods. When a man gets married, he builds two houses. The one for himself is tabued to his wife; he must eat in his own house, and she in hers. A man and wife never eat together; the son eats with his father, but never with his mother; a daughter grows to maturity eats with mother. One part of a house is often tabued to the wife, and she is not allowed to go into it. A piece of ground is tabued; no woman must walk on it. A tree is tabued; no woman, and sometimes no person, may eat of its fruit, nothing even must lean against it, or be hung on its branches. A canoe is tabued; no woman may step into it. some kinds of food are tabued; the husband eats of one kind of fish, his wife another, and his daughter a third, but no two may eat of the same. This must be very troublesome to the cook, in the absence of stoves, pots, or pans. These instances are enough to show how selfish and miserable the whole system is. Any man may make a tabu law, but some which have a special right. Matunui was called the 'Tabu Chief" on this account.
The penalties for the violation of these tabu laws were very strict and cruel. The loss of an eye, sometimes both eyes, was commanded; even the penalty of death was not uncommon. Others were less severe; as sickness or disease in some form or to her. The superstition of the people, encouraged by the priests, caused the tabu to be regarded as a religious rite, and until the light of the gospel shone upon them, it was most sacredly kept. At length the missionaries felt that the time had come to make a direct attack upon the whole system of tabu, and, if possible, abolish it altogether. Accordingly, during the visit of Rev. Mr. Smith from the Sandwich Islands, an anti-tabu feast was held. It was got up much like our picnics, each guest bringing some article of food. Invitations were given only to those who were ready to renounce the tabu which prohibited the woman from eating with her husband. Abraham Natua, the first convert from heathenism, performed his part admirably. The feast was on the mission premises, and between thirty and forty, including missionaries, sat down together.
Mr. Smith read and explained Gen. 1 : 29. "Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed which is upon the face of all the earth; and every tree in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed, to you it shall be for meat." He said that God's tabu tree was in the midst of the garden, and was tabued to man as well as woman. Men and their wives sat side by side at the feast, cheerful and happy - a thing they had never done before. Matunui, who was something of a Mormon, had a wife on each side; and when fruit was handed to him, he first took a bite, then gave to one wife on his right, then to another on the left. The tabu dishes were nest passed about, and all ate plentifully of them. Instead of puddings and pies, of which they never heard, a few crackers were passed, and a little molasses poured upon their plates. After the food was ended, Mr. Smith told them how much he wished to have them break away entirely from the practice of putting women on a level with dogs and pigs. "In Christian lands," said he, "men and women eat and drink together; and what is tabu to one is so to the other. But here, I can not go forty rods in any direction without seeing something forbidden to women; a pig yard, an eating house perched open sticks for men, a burying ground, canoes, &c. When obliged to go from one part of the island to another, the women walk around all these obstructions, while the men lazily sail around in their canoes. In Christian lands, men, women, and children all travel in the same boats or carriages, all eat together, go to the house of God together, and together carry their dead to the same burying ground."
Mr. Kekela was the interpreter on the occasion. Mr. Bicknell addressed the native brethren, and after singing a hymn with great spirit and melody, the feast was closed with prayer and benediction. Thus happily passed off this anti-tabu feast, and struck a great blow at the whole system throughout the island.
Kekela and his furniture left Futuhiva in the Morning Star, on Monday morning, June 8, for his station at Paumau Bay. The three years of toil and prayer at Omoa were of great value to him as a preparation for his new sphere of labor. And his people, too, when they saw him depart, began to feel that they were about to sustain a great loss, and appreciated his labors better than they had ever done before. Though the tabu laws had been very strict at Fatahiva, they were beginning to yield to the influences of the gospel. One of the sailors proposed to cut a stick from a tabu tree, and a chief named Kiekai, who gave evidence of being a Christian, was asked what would be the consequence if it was done. "Nothing," said he, "to a foreigner." "What if it was a native?" "Nothing, if it was a man." "But what if a woman?" "I do not know of any thing; but the tabus are like an old man - dying without much trouble. do not make too much of them, and they will die of themselves." As the time for the general meeting of the missionaries was near, twelve natives of Omoa embraced the opportunity of going to Hanahi to attend the meting and witness the ordination of the first native preacher of the gospel.
After a pleasant sail of twenty-four hours, the Morning Star stood in toward the mouth of Paumau Bay. A native was seen puling off in his boat, whom Kekela recognized as a man that would show them the way to a good anchoring ground. so they took him on board, and reached the place safely. The scenery around the bay is grand. Mountain peaks, green to the very top, rise to the height of four or five thousand feet. Groves of bread fruit and cocoanut trees abound, beneath which hundreds of natives were seen hurrying to and fro, their speed probably increased by the rare appearance of the beautiful little ship. The Morning Star, dressed out in her gayest colors, formed a pleasant feature in the picture. It took but a short time to land the goods at the mission premises, and then the vessel passed on to Hanahi, Mr. Bicknell's station. good caution is necessary in sailing along the shores of these islands. The rocks rise perpendicularly from immense depths in the sea, and around their sharp, jagged sides the waters rush with great force. At the same time the winds, sweeping over the high land, strike the sails, and make it very difficult to manage the ship. In nearly all the bays a heavy surf beats upon the shores, though which the landing is always difficult and often dangerous.
Mr. Bicknell was not in the service of the Hawaiian Missionary Society. He was an Englishman, a carpenter by trade, formerly connected with the mission at the Society island - an earnest man, who wished to do good; and being acquainted with both the Tahitian and French languages, be accompanied the first missionaries sent by the Hawaiian Missionary Society to the Marquesas. There he labored faithfully as a co-worker with them, having their entire confidence and the respect of the natives. As a physician, he had rendered the mission families great assistance; with them he had learned to endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ, and to look with earnest prayer to the Saviour for success. Hanahi was but a few miles from Paumau. The Morning Star came to anchor in the bay, and the better to facilitate the landing of supplies she was made fast to a cocoanut tree. The docks soon presented a busy scene. Chests, trunks, mattresses, blankets, household furniture, boards, joists, cord wood, water casks, ballast stones, pigs, fowls, and fruit, were mingled in confusion, while curious tattooed natives looked on in wonder, or expressed their feelings in loud and boisterous merriment.
A curious incident occurred here, which, though trifling in itself, might have caused much trouble and even shedding of blood. Among the many natives who visited the vessel was a chief, who, after examining the vessel to his satisfaction, went on shore. When the others were about leaving, an old palm leaf hat was found, and, supposing that it belonged to one of the party, it was shown to them. One of them exclaimed, "Oh, yes - good hat - me." Of course they gave it to him. Soon after the chief returned, and demanded his hat. Being told that one of his men had taken it, he went away again. In the afternoon he returned to the vessel, and demanded another. One was offered to him, but it was not good enough. Then a new cap was brought; but no, he did not like caps; and off he went, still more dissatisfied than before. When the sailors went on shore the next morning for ballast, the chief came out of a thicket, armed with an old rusty sword, and ordered off the boat, saying, "I left my hat on board, and you gave it to anoth4r man. I no give you ballast. I no come any more to your shi." Fearing that serious consequences might result from this trifling cause, Mr. Bickenell and Mr. Emerson were employed to arrange th4e matter to the chief's satisfaction, and after the payment of four times its value, the affair of the old hat was settled.
The Marquesan mission was found by the delegation to be in a prosperous condition; but the missionaries themselves were in great destitution, and in need of almost every thing for their comfort. Mr. Bicknell had been obliged to sell his tools to buy food, and to defray the expense of his journeys from one island to another; the knives, forks, and spoons of the others had gone in a similar way. They had all been without shoes for nearly two years, and their clothing had become very poor. They even had no salt for a long time, except a little obtained from a ship's captain, who found it in the bottom of some pork barrels. Fruit could generally be got, but they could not live on fruit alone. "The laborer is worthy of his hire;" and it is hoped that in future their wants will be applied, while they labor to give the bread of life to the heathen. This mission had now been established about four years, and great changes had taken place on the islands. Formerly this people, like the islanders generally, were great thieves. No clothing could be hung out long enough to dry without disappearing entirely; now it was not molested, and even the mission premises were often left unlocked during the entire day, with perfect safety, which is more than can be said of many places in Christian countries.
Loud calls for teachers wee coming to the mission from almost every island. "We want American missionaries, right from the Sandwich Islands," they said, meaning that they did not want papists. One chief urged his claim, saying, "Drunkenness, theft, and war are the passion of my people; send me missionaries, that these evils may be removed, and we will protect and fed them." Said a native of Fatuhiva, "Three long and almost fruitless years did the missionaries labor among us, with much endurance; the wedge has entered, the gospel has taken root, it will grow. God will not foresake Fatuhiva." During the general meting, which continued several days, various kinds of business were transacted. The services at the ordination of John Kaiwe were deeply interesting. He was not the first convert, but she first set apart as a preacher of the gospel to his countrymen. We can scarcely imagine even the joy of the missionaries, as they welcomed him among them.
Chief Tuhutete, who had given evidence of piety for two years, was baptized by the name Daniel Tuhutete, and received to the church of Daniel Tohutete, and received to the church of Hivaoa. No objection to this was made by any body; even the heathen said, "He is really another man, unlike us." After the chief was received, seventeen persons gathered around the table of the Lord, to celebrate his dying love. At this feast there were two Marquesans, (one named Abraham Natua had been received before,) ten Sandwich Islanders, two Americans, one Englishman, one Dane, and one Norwegian. All felt refreshed by this communion with their Lord and with each other. How sweet it was to sit at the table of the Saviour in those solitudes of heathenism! How precious to join in that feast which is yet to be the feast of the world! The people of these islands are not so degraded as some others in the Pacific, as the following fact will show. some white men, who resided at Omoa Bay, introduced the making of intoxicating liquor from the juice of the cocoanut buds. The chiefs saw its efforts upon the people, and immediately proclaimed a tabu law prohibiting its use.
Five schools had been sustained among the people, at which pupils of all ages attended. These schools were destitute of books, and must have them, to be successful. As Mr. Bicknell was considered the most competent, it was decided that he should return in the Morning Star to Honolulu, and there superintend the printing of some adapted to their wants. While almost on this errand he was ordained a preacher of the gospel to the Marquesas, and his subsequent life was such as to confirm the hopes which were then entertained respecting him. So many calls for teachers, coming from various places, made it advisable to increase the number of stations as soon as possible. Five of six places of land had been already given at Ilivaoa for mission purposes, but where were none to occupy them. The Marquesans do not change their places of abode, as do the Sandwich Islanders. Every man remains in the tribe and valley where he was born and he is not willing to be taught by teachers of other tribes. Each tribe is independent, and often much hostile feeling exists toward their neighbors of their tribes. They are very lazy, and unwilling to work; indeed, there appears to be but little motive for industry. The ground is seldom cultivated; scarcely an acre on all the islands could be plowed. The ravines are very rich, but if the trees and dense foliage that now cover them were removed, the ground would be too but to produce much. There are lofty hills covered with beautiful shrubs and trees, but they are no steep that cattle could not climb them, so that thee is no dairy to be attended to. Fruit grown abundantly without labor, and clothing, in the estimation of the natives, is neither a comfort nor an ornament. There is little, therefore, for men to do, except fishing; and fish are not very abundant.
A very curious fish was brought on board the Morning Star for sale. Its color was black; it was in form like an eel, and near the tail grew a sharp weapon that opened like a knife. The man who caught it showed the wounds it had made on his hands. Taking it up in both hands, he opened his mouth as wide as he could, thrust the back of the fish into it, and, bringing his jaws together, severed the back bone. "There," said he, "he no fight any more!" The women have no clothing to make, and not much housework to do. Their principal employment is to make matting - tapa - a coarse kind to spread on the ground floor of the huts, and a finer, which is their only clothing. Much taste is sometimes displayed in the coloring of the latter. A narrow strip worn about the neck and ankles is a mark of distinction, and often painted to as a reason why the wearer should be treated with unusual attention. Sewing and braiding hats have been taught them by the missionaries. The Marquesans are great smokers. Mr. Bicknell was once standing by the bedside of a native, who was dying with consumption, which is a prevalent disease. The family w4ere weeping and wailing around him, and every moment was expected to be his last. Though unable to move, or scarcely to speak, the dying man called for his pipe, and puffed away his last breath!
The religion of the people is common, in many respects, to all the islands of the Pacific. The spirits of the dead are supposed to dwell in a certain mountain, which affords them all necessary food. At certain times they are allowed to go on errands of love to their friends in the form of huge cocoanuts or bread fruit, which are kept sacred. Another resort for spirits is under the island of Hivaoa. They are said to go over the hills with clubs in their hands, to defend them from other spirits who oppose their entrance to the passage under the island. When the business of the missionaries was concluded at Hanaki, on the 1st of June, the Morning Star went to Hanakahana Bay. Rev. Mr. Kaweloha occupies this station, which, for its location, is much more desirable than the others. A swift stream of pure water runs by the mission house. The bay has a beach of white, smooth sand, and is a fine harbor, except in winter, when it is exposed to tremendous gales of wind, and is a dangerous place for shipping. Waiawoa, the chief, dined on board the Morning Star. He had great strength of character, and was of large stature. he was a very great warrior, having received twelve names for having slain as many men. There is a cave on the shore of the bay, into which the water rushes with great force, and produces a sound like the discharge of a cannon.
All the supplies which Captain Moore had carried to the Marquesas were at last landed. The business for which the delegation had been sent was finished. The missionaries had been cheered and comforted, and their wants relieved. Many delightful seasons of prayer and conference had been enjoyed, and God's blessing had richly descended upon them. Bidding them farewell, with many prayers for God's blessing to abide still upon them, the visitors went on board the Morning Star, and set sail for Fatuhiva, to land those natives who went as passengers to the meeting. As they approached Omoa Bay, several boat-loads of people came out to meet them, who welcomed them by pressing a hand of each, saying, "Kanoha, Kanoha!" -- welcome. In a few hours the decks of the vessel were all clear, the anchor was weighed, and they bade farewell to the bold shores of Fatahiva, having laid at anchor in the different bays sixteen days. The Marquesans have various amusements, singular indeed to us, but full of fun and frolic to them. They are very fond of the sea, and bathing in the surf is much enjoyed by both sexes, besides being a very healthful exercise. While the Morning Star was off Paumau Bay, three fourths of a mile from land, several females swam out to the vessel in the evening; but as they were not allowed to touch even a rope or spar, they were obliged to swim back again without stopping. It is said that they have been known to swim twenty miles.
The young people are betrothed at any age, and when the marriage takes place, a feast is made. Presents are brought to the house of the bride, and laid in a conspicuous place. The refreshments are put on mats, and devoured greedily. Then, at a given signal, each one rushes to the spot where the presents are, seizes upon that which he covets most, and runs off with it. If caught, they are booted at and ridiculed for their failure. In the midst of this confusion the married pair steal away to the house prepared for them. Thus, instead of their receiving the presents, as is usual in the country, they are all carried off by the guests. They have a game called the "pehi," which is very amusing. Men, women, and children came together, and arrange themselves equally in two companies. Then they gather a pile of bananas, oranges, and bread fruit, and pelt each other with them. This causes great merriment. The "hula-hula" appears to be the most popular amusement. The instrument of music used on the occasion is a hollow log, open at one end, and the other covered with a piece of hog's skin, the sides having small holes cut into them. This drum is placed in the center of the company; one person beats on it, and the rest kept time in a low chant, clapping their hands and arms. sometimes these hulas are accompanied with drunkenness and excess of all kinds. The missionaries discourage them entirely. When a meteor is seen shooting in the sky, they say that one of the children of the gods is walking around to look at the world!
July 6. The Morning Star arrived at Hilo, in Hawaii, twelve days from Fatuhiva. Just as the day dawned, the sound of "Hokuao, hokuao!" - Morning Star - aroused the people from their slumbers, and all Hilo was awake at once. "Okuao, hokuao!" echoed and reechoed from mountain and hill, while multitudes of children ran through the streets, wild with excitement and shouting for joy. A public reception was given the next day. A procession marched through the streets to the shore to receive Captain Moore and the ship's company, who met them with the olive branch waving over their heads, and escorted them to the church. The pupils of the boarding school led the way, with banners and a band of music, followed by nine other schools; then females; and lastly men, each carrying in his hand as offering for the "Lord's ship" -- a kala, a potato, a cabbage, a bunch of bananas, a plantain, onions, fowls, eggs, cocoanuts, sugar-cane, pineapples, &c.; none went empty-handed. The vegetables made a pile too large for a boat-load. The church was adorned with flags, and in the center two beautiful ones were displayed, having the dove and broad signal, "Morning Star," of the little mission ship.
A great congregation filled the house. The music was performed by several chairs of singers, and prayers and addresses by different persons were listened to with breathless attention. At the conclusion, all paid a visit to the Morning Star. Exclamations of "Very beautiful!" were heard on all sides. "Glorious is the work of Jehovah to-day," and other similar expressions, were addressed to each other in the streets. The same evening the vessel took her departure for Lahaina, on the island of Maui, where another large meting was held, and great rejoicings; after which the anchor was again weighed, and in seven hours she was safely anchored in the harbor of Honolulu, having been absent seventy-one days. Great and good results were anticipated from this first voyage of the Morning Star. The attention of the people at Fatuhiva and Hivaoa had been aroused. This ship, built on purpose to carry missionaries to them, was a wonderful thing. new ideas were awakened, which, it is hoped, may ultimately lead them to a knowledge of the true God. They witnessed the baptism of their chief, and learned to regard him in a new light, even as they do the missionaries - that of a Christian. To God be all the glory.
VISIT OF MR. BINGHAM AT HAWAII
It will be remembered by our young readers that Rev. Mr. Bingham, when we left at Honolulu during the trip of the Morning Star to the Marquesas, was born and passed his early boyhood in the Sandwich Islands. It was with much interest that he saw again the scenes with which he had been once familiar. While waiting the return of the vessel, he spent a few weeks in visiting the Islands, and endeavoring to awaken a deeper missionary spirit among the people under whose patronage he was so soon to go forth to the still more needy islands of Micronesia. The missionaries who had been associated with great affection. They showed him the improvements which had been made in the town, the custom house, post office, machine shop, grist mill, &c. One of the most interesting of all was the house in which he was born. "Mrs. Cook," he writes, (who then lived in the house,) "showed us through the apartments, the garden, and father's study. The rooms remain much as they were. The old kitchen, now occupied as a store room, with the old fireplace, the old east window, and west door, most forcibly carried me back to childhood's days. Methought I could see mother preparing some relishable meal for her dear ones, while I was near the west door, scraping kalo. The chambers remain as formerly. The old stairs are as natural as ever. The old fig trees still stand. The hau trees appear much smaller than youthful imagination had fancied them. The study where my honored father so arduously labored in the translation of the Hawaiian Bible, and personal conversation with awakened souls, is now the crowded abode of Chinese. Peculiar feelings of sadness were experienced as I thought of the great changes which had taken place among the former inmates of the old homestead."
The same week, the monthly meeting of the Hawaiian Children's Missionary Society was held at Mr. Chamberlain's. some thirty-five were present. The exercises consisted of prayer, occasional singing, and reading of anonymous compositions. At the close, a quarto gilt Hawaiian Bible and and hymn book were presented to Mr. Bingham, accompanied with an address and welcome, to which he responded. A young lady presided at the piano, and the singing was very good. On Sabbath evening Mr. Bingham attended service at the First, or Stone Church, where his father had been pastor.*
*Insert: View of this church -- Here the king worships, but he is seldom present, and at this time was absent from the island. Victoria, his sister, was in the choir. She wore a yellow crape shawl embroidered in red silk flowers, with a small lace and ribbon bonnet on the back of her head. Mr. John Ii was also one of the choir. He had previously called to see Mr. Bingham, who showed him a daguerreotype of his mother. Mr Ii wept as he looked at it. After the service, the people came forward, to shake hands with Mr. Bingham and his wife, and bid them "aloha" - peace. Many also called upon him at Mrs. Chamberlain's, where he was staying. He shook the hand of each, gave them the "aloha" which his father had sent them, and showed them the daguerreotypes of the family. One aged woman brought to him five dollars, as a present, and many others gave various articles as a token of their affection and regard for his mission.
Among them who came to see him was Kanei, who had been a nurse in his father's family, and who was now eighty years of age. She, too, must bring her present; and what do you think it was? It was a nice, fat, young pig! It was placed for safe keeping in an old line kilu where Mr. Bingham had played when a boy, and which had been owned by his father. Besides the pig she gave him two silver dollars. A whole family also called and presented him kalo, eggs, melons, a fowl, and several dollars in money. The men said that Mr. Bingham's father had taught him the carpenter's trade. On one occasion three women gave him eight eggs, "which," says he, "I was obliged to stow in my pocket, changing my memory not to sit down upon them ." When it is remembered how poor most of the people were, these presents will appear very liberal indeed, and a striking evidence of the regard they felt for the son of their old teacher who first made known to them the way of salvation. Mr. Bingham had been at Honolulu but a short time before some of the people began to request him to remain there, and become the pastor of the First church. The old lady also gave him five dollars said that his father had promised him to Queens Kaahumanu when a baby, as their future teacher. The governor of Kauai also said h well remembered the elder Mr. Bingham calling on Kaahumanu, and requesting her to come and see his child; and that he, as one of her young men, accompanied her, and heard Mr. B. make the promise. They thought, therefore, that they had pretty good grounds for claiming of him now its fulfilment.
One afternoon they attended a female prayer meeting, which had been originally established by Mr. B.'s mother. The Princess Victoria was there, and after the meting she asked all the women who desired to have him remain at Honolulu, instead of going to Micronesia, to raise their hands. A multitude of arms rose at once. Several expressed themselves strongly in favor of it, not only one said that, as they had the light, they ought to allow him to go to know who still sat in darkness. Soon after, at a meeting of the directors of the Hawaiian Missionary Society, a formal petition was sent to them by the First church, asking them to detain him there, that he might become their pastor. This petition was referred to a committee, who, after hearing all parties, reported that they did not "advise that any measures be taken to divert Mr. Bingham from his mission to Micronesia and retain him at Honolulu, but would leave the subject to be decided by the parties concerned." On the next Sabbath a missionary meeting was held, at which Mr. Bingham expressed his strong desire to go to Micronesia. Kekuanana, the governor of Oahu, made some remarks, still insisting on his remaining, and calling upon the people who desired this to manifest it. A multitude of hands answered the call. Mr. Ii then addressed the people and Mr. Bingham. Believing that h4e had fully determined to go, he bade him God speed. The king's chaplain, Kuki, urged Mr. B. to remain, until he was, like Paul, "in a strait betwixt two."
Another meeting of the church was held on Tuesday, and Mr. Bingham, in an address of more than an hour, stated the reasons why he thought he ought not to remain with them. One was, that the heathen in Micronesia were more destitute than they who already enjoyed the light of the gospel. Another was, that he had been appointed a missionary of the American Board, and the children had built a vessel to carry Christianity to Micronesia, and if he were now to turn aside from that errand, both the Board and the children would be disappointed. He feared, also, that if he should remain to preach in their great church his health would fail him, as he had suffered much from a disease in the throat. His proposition to the people, therefore, was this: he would go on in the Morning Star to Micronesia, and if the natives there would allow him to labor among them he would do so; if not, he would return to Honolulu. At any rate it would be much easier for him to decide the question finally after he had thus acquired a more perfect knowledge of the field. Withy this conclusion they were at length obliged to be content.
During the meetings of the Hawaiian Missionary Society, the members, at the invitation of the king, Kamehameha IV., waited upon him at the palace. One of them, on this occasion, delivered to him a beautiful Bible which had been sent for this purpose by the American Bible Society. His majesty acknowledged it in a very neatly-written speech - his own composition. Mr. and Mrs. Bingham were presented to him, and he expressed his pleasure at renewing his acquaintance with Mr. B., they having been boys together. Mr. B. reminded him that he had once presented his majesty a small box of tools. The latter said he distinctly remembered it. At Honolulu they became acquainted with two Hawaiians named Noa, and How, who were recommended to them as domestics, and who agreed to accompany them, as such, to Micronesia. These were simple and excellent people, and their help was very valuable for years afterward. Several excursions were made by Mr. Bingham and his wife into the neighboring country, where some of the missionaries or other friends resided. One was to the beautiful Nuaau valley, a few miles distant, where Dr. Judd lived, formerly a missionary, but more recently as officer of the government. Here Mrs. Bingham took her first lesson in horsemanship, and succeeded so well, that, as her husband said, she rode back to the town without falling off! Another journey extended nearly around the island. On this occasion he was presented by a friend with a fine heifer calf, four or five months old, which the donor proposed to keep for him one year, and then send it to Micronesia by the Morning Star. He thought it would be nice for them to have milk when so far away from supplies of food used in civilised countries. One night they slept in the house of a native, upon the floor. In the morning the host provided a breakfast of fish baked with hot stones, baked kalo, and poi, and would take nothing but "love" for pay. On returning to Honolulu, through the Nuanu valley, they heard the drums of the hula-hula dance in a neighboring house, and stopped to see it. This was a bad relic of the old heathen customs fo the people, an d Mr. Bingham reproved them for returning to it; but they urged in excuse that they were acting in accordance with the wish of the king. The old man said, "While Bingham (the elder Mr. Bingham) was here, hula-hula was tabu; but when he went away, then we had hula-hula again."
On the 28th of May, they embarked on board the schooner "Liholiho," for a visit to the island of Hawaii, in company with several missionaries living there, who had been at Honolulu attending the meetings of the Missionary Society, and Evangelical Association. They landed at Mahukona, on the western coast, ten miles distant from Kohala, where Rev. Mr. Bond resided, and started thence to travel by land across the island to Hilo, on the eastern side. They had but two horses for four persons. Mrs. Bingham rode on one of them, and as they had no side-saddle, she was obliged to ride a la Hawaii, which she did with cheerfulness and dignity. The other horse carried the three gentlemen alternately. They reached Mr. Bond's house late at night, and the next day passed a pleasant Sabbath at that station. From Waimea, a few miles further, Mr. Bingham undertook to ascend the lofty mountain of Mauna Kea, which rises 14,500 feet above the level of the sea. Mr. Turner accompanied him, and two servants. They had three horses, two of which they rode, and the third carried their blankets, calabashes of water, provisions, &c. Mrs. Bingham did not attempt the fatiguing journey. Their way for many miles was through a country covered with bushes, and abounding with wild cattle, whose paths they followed. Now and then a huge bull would appear and stand gazing at them for a few minutes, then dash away at full speed. Wild hogs, too, would start up with a loud grunt, and snort, and scamper off into the bushes. Night overtook the party, and wrapping themselves in their blankets, they lay down to sleep.
The next morning they started at daybreak, and went on and up, from one high peak to another, till they r4eached the deep snow, over which they traveled wearily till 2 o'clock., P.M., without gaining the highest summit. Here clouds began to gather, and their strength to fail, and fearful that they might not be able to return if they want further, they reluctantly concluded to turn back. They were obliged to encamp that night also, and did not reach Waimea till 10 o'clock the next day. Though they did not succeed in reaching the highest peak, yet they were well repaid, by the sublimity of the scenery which they saw, for all the fatigues and dangers of the undertaking. Passing onward, the next day they came to the celebrated Waipio precipice, looking off outward into a beautiful valley and stretches downward to the ocean. The precipice is one thousand feet high. At its foot flows a small river, which falls in many a picturesque cascade from the craggy rocks, then winds its way through the dense vegetation to the shore. Here and there the houses of the natives appear, with their little mirror-like fish ponds, while in the distance the ocean, swept by the strong trade winds, dashes its waves upon the rocks, covering them with foam, and sending its hoarse roar up the narrow valley. On the edge of this precipice our party halted to rest, and gazed with admiration and awe on the wonderful scene.
The journey from Waimea to Hilo was very laborious, and even dangerous. They crossed more than seventy ravines; and Mrs. Hingham was twice thrown to the ground by the turning of her saddle. Mr. Bingham's horse, when crossing the stony bed of a mountain torrent, fell and rolled over and over; luckily, he was not then riding. Once stream they crossed in a canoe, while their horses swam; and several they forded, the water reaching to their saddles. Through all these perils, however, they at last arrived safely at Hilo, and received a warm welcome from Rev. Mr. Coan, the excellent missionary, and his family. During their stay at Hilo, they made a visit to the great volcano of Kilauea, one of the most remarkable in the world. This, though situated high up on the flank of a mountain, is not a lofty cone, like Vesuvius and Etna, but rather a vast chasm in the earth, a thousand feet deep, and seven or eight miles in circumference. It is large and deep enough to take in, entire, the city of New York, the loftiest spires of which would not rise one third of the distance to the top of the walls. Six hundred feet below the brink, a ledge of lava extends around the crater, making a vast, black plain, on which an army of a hundred thousand men might stand. Within this is a deeper cavity, a part of which is also covered over with congealed lava, while another is an awful lake of fire, boiling and tossing its molten billows with fertile force, while vast columns of vapor and smoke rise in clouds over the abyss. Often the rough floor adjacent to this lake breaks up, under the convulsions of the internal fires, and buries itself in the burning flood. some times the lava bursts through the sides of the mountain, and pours out a river of fire which rushes down to hte ocean, destroying every thing in its way. Several such eruptions of this volcano have occurred within a few yhears past, some of which overwhelmed whole villages, and killed a great many people.
This volcano in former times had been an object of great dread to the natives of the island. They believed that it was the home of a terrible goddess, named Pele, who was angry if any body visited it. Hence the whole region was tabu, and to approach it, much more to enter the crater, was thought to incur certain death from the goddess. In 1821, however, these superstitions received a death blow from the heroic conduct of Kapiolani, a high chief who had been converted to Christianity. she was a woman of great courage and strength of character, and deeply compassionated the people, who still feared their heathen gods. So she resolved that she would show them the folly of their fears, by visiting Kilauea, the home of the dreaded Pele. Her people, and even her husband, trembled at the daring proposal, and urged her to desist, but in vain. As she drew near the volcano, she met a prophetess of Pele, who warned her away, and threatened her with death if she persisted. "Who are you?" asked Kapiolani; and producing a Testament, she said, "I, too, have a message from God, which is true; yours is false." Accompanied by a missionary and her attendants, she went on, and descended to the black ledge of the crater. There, in full view of the boiling lava, she exclaimed, "Jehovah is my God; he kindled these fires; I fear not Pele; all the gods of Hawaii are vain!" Then they sung a hymn and prayed to Jehovah, while the roar of the volcano added its sublime accompaniment to their worship. The people, when they saw that no evil happened to her, were filled with astonishment, and from that time the power of Pele upon their superstitious minds was broken. In all the history of the world it would be difficult to find an instance of courage and true Christian heroism surpassing this.
After spending a day or two in examining the objects of interest connected with this great wonder of nature, the party, with the exception of Mr. Coan and Mr. Bingham, and two attendants, returned to Hilo, while the latter set out on a missionary tour of a week in the adjacent district. Many of our readers are aware that Mr. Coan is pastor of the largest church in the world, numbering five or six thousand members. These are scatter4d through all eastern Hawaii and being too far distant to attend......... Sabbath service regularly at Hilo, Mr. Coan often makes pastoral journeys among them, preaching, receiving members to the church, administering the sacraments, &c. A good old native deacon was now sent on before them to announce their pastor's approach, and call the people together in the different villages to meet him. During the journey, Mr. Bingham writes, "I preached to eleven different congregations, and in all to more than one thousand five hundred natives, and attended eleven celebrations of the Lord's supper. Several persons at different villages were admitted to the church, some restored, and about one hundred and twenty-five dollars contributed by the people for benevolent purposes. It was a precious privilege to make the tour with one who, for a quarter of a century, has proclaimed the gospel to the Hawaiians in Hilo and Puna, and to be myself permitted to urge those recently converted heathen to remember that 'to whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required.' I saw much to cheer and encourage me; some things to grieve and dishearten. Oh that I might in Micronesia behold such a change as has, by the grace of God, have wrought under Mr. Coan's labors!"
The time now drew near when the Morning Star was expected to arrive from her trip to the Marquesas Islands. She was to stop at Hilo, and Mr. and Mrs. Bingham, and Hoe, were to return in her to Honolulu, and thence to sail to Micronesia. On the morning of the 7th of July they were aroused from their slumbers by the cry of "Sail ho! hokuno! Morning Star!" they sprang from their beds, and looking out, saw in the distance "the dear little vessel." There being not much wind, Mr. B. went off in a canoe to meet her -" glad," he says, "to step again on the planks which my feet have so many times trod." She brought good news from the Marquesas, which she had left only twelve days previous. Mr. Bicknell was on board, on his way to Honolulu to procure some printing done for those islanders. The day was devoted to rejoicings, public meetings, visiting the vessel, &c., and that same evening all embarked again. She stopped on her way at Lahaina, where the missionaries addressed the people, and gave them their "aloha," and on the forenoon of the next day the Morning Star entered the harbor of Honolulu.
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The Story of The Morning Star - Part I
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