February 28, 1820

February 28, 1820 - no entry.

February 27, 1820

February 27, 1820 - Lords Day. - This morning our little church solemnly renewed their covenant with God and with one another. 

At 12, Brother Thurston preached, on deck from Ps.  At 4 P.M., after a sermon from Br. B. from Matth. 25: 26, 27, 28, on the significancy, the nature, and the tendency of that holy ordinance, the church was allowed to sit down at the Lord's table, and to commemorate his dying love in the communion of his body and blood.  It was a favored season.  The day was truly interesting and happy.  Seldom if ever have we been invited to this supper under circumstances more truly interesting and affecting.  We chose the cabin where our little church of 17 members were like the family of Christ at the institutuion of the supper, furnished with comfortable seats around a large semicircular table, on which the elements and covenant vessels were placed and easily passed round, while the light propitious breeze bearing us gradually onward with the unsearchable riches of Christ, the peaceful sea, and the very gentle motion of the vessel could scarcely be considered as the least inconvenience.  We have reason to believe that he who thus kindly ordered every circumstance was graciously present at his table and grantng us answers to the prayers of sister churches in America, and also to our unworthy petitions.  A lecture on self-examination preparatory to the celebration of the supper had been given Friday evening preceeding from I Cor. 11:28, and it is believed that every member made special efforts to be in readiness and we hope it will promote our growth in piety, cement our union and increase our strength and our preparation for our work which seems now ready to employ our hands.  Our next communion may be in the midst of the worshipers of Akooah.   May they soon be prepared for a worthy participation.

February 26, 1820

February 26, 1820 - no entry.

February 25, 1820

February 25, 1820 - no entry.

February 24, 1820

February 24, 1820 - Favorable winds have speedily brought us to the region of the regular trades, where we now enjoy the steady and propitious breezes.  With the exception of a few hours, since the 8th inst. we have been sailing N.W., directly towards the S. Isles.  Today we pass the Tropic of Capricorn and again enter the Torrid Zone in which we expect to end our days. Here again we would call upon our souls to bless and praise the divine goodness that has thus far covered us with so much prosperity.

February 22, 1820

February 22, 1820 - no entry.

February 21, 1820

February 21, 1820 - no entry.

February 20, 1820

February 20, 1820 - no entry.

February 19, 1820

February 19, 1820 - no entry.

February 18, 1820

February 18, 1820 - no entry.

February 17, 1820

February 17, 1820 - no entry.

February 16, 1820

February 16, 1820 - The hold has been opened and many articles put up by our friends for the mission examined.  'Tis pleasant to have such testimonials of love to Christ and the heathen.  Other testimonies of his love we desire to acknowledge and record, as comfortable health, a good measure of peace within and without and general properity. - Few changes of special note since doubling the Cape.

February 15, 1820

February 15, 1820 - no entry.

February 14, 1820

February 14, 1820 - no entry.

February 13, 1820

February 13, 1820 - no entry.

February 12, 1820

February 12, 1820 - no entry.

February 11, 1820

February 11, 1820 - no entry.

As we do not have any entries for the next few days.  I thought it would be interesting to share some of the objects the museum has in its permanent collection which came with those on board the Thaddeus.  I will also try to share images from our archive of those who came with the pioneer company. 

This is Reverand Bingham's Trunk.  It is part of Mission Houses Museum's permanent collection and was brought on board the Thaddeus with him.

February 11, 1820

February 11, 1820 - no entry.

February 10, 1820

February 10, 1820 - no entry.

February 9, 1820

February 9, 1820 - no entry.

February 8, 1820

February 8, 1820 - After running so long and so directly on our course, at 7 o'clock this evening we are conducted westward by the same overruling and uncontrolled hand.  Possibly that hand may conduct us to the Society Isles where Christianity has so lately and so gloriously triumphed.  Nothing could be more agreeable to our feelings, if that should be the good pleasure of the Head of the church, than to visit the dear Missionaries at Otaheete and Eimio, to sit down with the good Mr. Orsmond and others and converse with them on the great things of Christ's kingdom, to see the state of schools and churches there, to learn the method of instruction, and the means of establishing most speedily and effectually the institutions of christianity in the Sandwich Isles, and obtain such facilities for our work as could easily be afforded there.  But in this and every other case we must learn cheerfully to say the will of the Lord be done.

Today the shipmen caught a porpus, the first fish that we have taken since our embarkation if we except one turtle and a half a dozen flying fish that came on deck of their own accord.

February 7, 1820

February 7, 1820 - Monday. - Advancing still rapidly toward the field of our trials and privations, we have today felt it to be of special importance to inquire diligently and seriously, what qualities of character are specially needful to the missionary in order to meet the trials, to endure the sufferings, and to perform the lablors of a missionary life, what are his peculiar wants; and what should be unitedly asked of God for those who are employed in propogating the gospel.  We find much to humble us and bring us on our knees - much indeed to encourage us.  Cheerfully have we this evening united with our brethren in America, and with the friends of Christ in different lands, in observing the Monthly Concert of prayer.  God was with us.  Our hearts were made to rejoice.  The affectionate and parting counsels of Brothers Fisk and Parsons were communicated; the design of Christ's kingdom and of this concert, and the promises of the gospel were contemplated, and the mercy seat approached, we believe, with great satisfaction.  We have new occasion to say the missionary cause has peculiar charms for us, and cheerfully will we wear out in its service.  Whether success or defeat shall be our particular lot, we are comforted with the firm belief the cause in which we are embarked and the best feelings of the church enlisted, will finally triumph, - the heathen will be converted, and to the praise of divine grace, it shall be everywhere known that there is a God in Zion who hears united prayer.

February 6, 1820

February 6, 1820 - Lat. 53° S. Lon. 78° w. - In many respects a pleasant sabbath.  The Lord has greatly smiled upon us during another week, in delivering us so speedily from the Cape.  Had this course of winds arisen a little sooner instead of proceeding directly on our course, we must have stood away upon the other tack, running South and East to avoid the danger of the weather inclement, but enjoyed our prayer meeting both in the morning and afternoon, and was enabled with joy to say again, "Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.  He still gives us favorable winds without and a comfortable state within. - Brother and Sister Ruggles scarcely able however to attend public worship.

February 5, 1820

February 5, 1820 - Last night was one of the most toilsome for the sailors that that we have had since our embarkation.  The wind fair and strong and the sea exceedingly rough to day, and the waves break over deck repeatedly.  But still we have great cause for thankfulness that we are wafted rapidly towards a milder climate.

February 4, 1820

February 4, 1820 - Bearing North West with a fair S. West wind we continue our march towards our destination, aided by the good providence of God.

February 3, 1820

February 3, 1820 - A strong westerly wind takes us rapidly to the North.

February 2, 1820

February 2, 1820 - This morning finds us rejoicing in prosperity.  A fair wind from the South West sets our faces directly toward the scene of our anticipated labors.  We are now 10° or 12° west of Cape Horn, and feel much as if we were on our way home.  Capt. B. says again we could not ask for a better wind.  Mercury this evening at sunsetting is 44°, that is 12° above feezing point at the close of a long summer day.

February 1, 1820

February 1, 1820 - Today we pass the meridean of the Foreign Mission school in Cornwall, Conn. U.S.A., sailing westward 7 or 8 knots an hour.  During 24 hours we have made nearly 5 degrees.  Our respected Capt. B. says therenever could be a better chance to get west, from the cape, and that if this wind should continue another day, he should then be desirous to turn more to the north.