January 30, 1820

January 30, 1820 -  Lord's Day. - This region of terror we find to be the place of our rejoicing.  No Sabbath, perhaps, since our embarkation has been more interesting or happy than this, or deserves a more grateful rememberance.  This day we double Cape Horn.  and write upon it "Ebenezar."  We enjoyed our meeting in the morning as usual.  At 4 P.M. as it was too cold and rough to meet on deck, we assembledd in the cabin and attended a public lecture by Br. B.  from I Sam. 7:12, in which after giving an exposition of the passage he endeavored to show the prevalence of the ancient practice of wording special favors, and perpetuationg their memory by significant names, grateful songs or monuments of praise.  2ly. The utility of the practice as it tends to promote gratitude; - to waken a sence of obligation when inclined to murmur; - to give comfort in adversity; - to promote confidence in God; - to increase the knowledge and the praise of God; - 3 ly That it is suitable and important that we should this day record the distinguishing goodness of our God to us and here erect our monument of praise.  The service was closed by singing the following original Hymn designed as our monument and entitled,

Jan. 30. Cape Horn. 1820.                                       1 Sam. 7.12.

1. With joyful hearts and grateful praise,
           our Helper, God, thy name we hail,
    Our Ebenezer here we raise,
           While round thy stormy Cape we sail.
2. Conducted by thy sovereign hand,
            Mysterious, mighty, wise and good,
   We left our friends and native land,
            To toss upon the raging flood.
3. Then adverse winds our course delayed
           And dangerous currents rolled below,
    Thy voice the roaring tempest stayed,
           And made the breeze propitious blow.
4. From want, from pestilence, and death,
          Defended by they gracious care,
    To thee we raise our tuneful breath
          Our Rock of Help forbids our fear.
5. This waymark in the trackless seas,
          Fixt by his hand who rules above,
    The tempests of six thousand years
          Have ne'er been able to remove.
6. So shall our grateful record stand,
           That, "Hither by thine aid we come"
    No will we trust thy constant hand
           To bring our souls in safety home.

Having thus publicly erected here our Ebenezer, of praise, as we hope, to the God of our Salvation, we desire forever hereafter to remember his signal and undeserved goodness.  We desire that the name of our divine Helper may be glorified by future navigators when they double this cape; by our Patrons and benefactors when employed in the same work; by our Patrons and benefactors when they see that their prayers are thus far answered, by the rising and future generations both in heathen and christian lands, when they look on the map of the world and remember that the first Christian Mission to the Sandwich Isles passed the dangerous region of Cape Horn, singing the praises of the God of Zion, for his smiles upon the enterprise and for his gracious assistance thus far.