Saturday, October 31, 2009

October 31, 1819

October 31, 1819 - Sabbath - Today we were permitted to enjoy the privilege of the public worhip of God.  At 12 o'clock the misssion family and the ship's company assembled on the quarter and attended divine service conducted by B. Thurston.  Singing, prayer, sermon, prayer, benediction.  The discourse on the nature of prayer and the motives to its performance from James 4.3. was seasonable and refreshing.
Lat. 40.18.  Lon. 57. 20.

Friday, October 30, 2009

October 30, 1819

October 30, 1819 - Head winds from S.E. Heavy sea and cloudy weather.

Lat. 57. 40.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

October 29, 1819

October 29, 1819 - Favored with pleasant weather, and some of our number with comfortable health.  Our divine conductor is good even to the unthankful and evil.  (Lat 40.25.  Lon. 57, 34)  Last evening was so much relieved from seasickness as to enjoy the pleasure of lifting up our voices together in one of the songs of Zion.

October 28, 1819

October 28. 1819 - Another Brig appeared today, not able to speak to her.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

October 27, 1819

October 27, 1819 - Today we had the pleasure of seeing a Brig. - Seasickness continues.  Capt. B. is attentive to our situation.  Serves oat chicken broth, and water gruel to numerous patients spread about on deck or lying in their berths.

Monday, October 26, 2009

October 26, 1819

October 26, 1819 - Last night we had considerable Thunder and lightening with violent wind - we enjoyed but little sleep.
Lat. 42.6. Lon. 52.49.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

October 25, 1819

We have today fresh gales, a heavy swell of the sea, the Brig rolling very deep and leaking; most of the family very seasick, but generally patient under this trial which we confidently expected.  These are but the beginnings of our hardships and we hope not to be wearied by running with footmen, but to acquire strength to contend with horses. 
Lat. 42, 22.  Lon. 62, 24.

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Lords Day, October 24, 1819

Lords Day, Oct. 24 - This morning in a comfortable health offered the morning sacrifice, and lifted up a song of praise.  "Welcome sweet day of rest."

While lying at ancher 10 miles from Boston, the Treas. of the A.B.C.F.M. came on board with an additional supply of provisions and stores for our voyage, for which we had found occasion to send back.  The promtitude with which our wants are supplied, calls forth our gratitude and encourages us to go forward to our work with more cordial reliance on the providence of God, and on the affectionate, seasonable and efficient aid of our patrons.

Having again taken an affectionate leave of the treasurer and some other friends, weighed anchor at one o'clock P.M. and at 2 sent letters ashore by the pilot - before evening most of the mission family began to be seriously seasick.

Friday, October 23, 2009

October 23, 1819

JOURNAL OF THE SANDWICH ISLAND MISSION
No. 1
____________________

On board brig Thaddeus, Capt. Blanchard bound to the Sandwich Islands.

Oct. 23, 1819 - This day in the good providence of God, we have been allowed to leave our dear native shores on an embassy of mercy, having been set apart to the work of propagating the gospel in the Sandwich Isles.  Having been commended to God and to the word of his grace by the Rev. Dr. Worcester, and attended on board by many dear friends to whom with tears we gave the parting hand, we left Boston harbor with a prosperous gale, and with peculiar smiles of heaven.  The little mission family containing 22 souls attended by G.P. Tamoree is this evening blessed with universal health.

He who has called us is faithful, and though we go out to a foreign land not knowing the things that shall befal us there, we cheerfully commit ourselves to his guidance and protection and endeavor to give up ourselves and all we have, to be forever employed in his service.

"Journal of the Sandwich Island Mission"

BEGUN ON BRIG THADDEUS, CAPT. BLANCHARD
OCTOBER 23, 1819.
164 DAYS FROM BOSTON TO KAILUA, HAWAII

Members of the Pioneer Company were
Rev. and Mrs. Hiram Bingham,
Mr. and Mrs. Danl. Chamberlain and 5 children,
Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Holman,
Mr. and Mrs. Loomis,
Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Ruggles,
Rev. and Mrs. Asa Thurston,
Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Whitney,

Also four Hawaiian youths, Thomas Hopu, Wm. Kanui, John Honolii, Geo. Tamoril.

This Journal was probably written by Hiram Bingham, Asa Thurston and Elisha Loomis in turn.

Note: In this journal, Daniel Chamberlain is referred to as "Capt. C." This was his military title from service in teh War of 1812.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Coming to Hawai`i: The Thaddeus Journal

Mission Houses Museum welcomes you to the first program of its upcoming exhibition: Coming to Hawai`i: A Trunk Show (January - July, 2010).  This program is a blog taking visitors day by day on the journey to the Sandwich Islands with the first group of protestant missionaries to Hawai`i. 

Today we know that the trip on board of the brig, the Thaddeus took around 6 months to bring its passengers to Hawai`i.  That journey began on October 23, 1819. 

Please join us on Friday, October 23, 2009 -  a hundred and ninety years later as we take you day by day on that first journey.  We will share each day's log entry as it was entered.  Hopefully, we will then enjoy some interesting and thought-provoking discussions - from how a word's meaning has changed between the 19th and 21st centuries to how people passed the time on board ship to discussions of who does what on the ship.  At journey's end, we hope everyone who participates will come away with a better understanding of these people who hoped to make a difference in their world.