April 4, 1820

April 4, 1820 - At 10 o'clock this morning, 163 days from Boston, we came to anchor in Kirooah Bay, about 1 mile from the palace.  Crymokoo, who still seems friendly to our cause, was soon sent for by Reehoreeho and was soon followed by Brothers Bingham and Thurston, Capt. Blanchard and Thomas Hopoo, to lay before his majesty the plan of our enterprise.  Found him bathing in the sea with his mother and his first wife, landed, visited John Adams, a native chief who has acquired something of the English language and manners, also John Young who has long resided here and is now acting secretary to the King.  Then waited on the King with the most important message that could be sent to any earthly potentate.  Read the letter of Dr. Worcester to Tamh. and the letter of Capt. Reynolds to Tamh. and Reehoreeho, and had them interpreted by Mr. Young and Thos. H. and through them made known to his majesty the views of the American Board and the wishes of the Mission family.  He seemed pleased with the object laid before hm, but far from being in haste to give an answer.  All indeed, both king and chiefs, honorable women and common people, who spoke on the subject expressed their approbation the general term "Miti", i.e., "it is good".

April 3, 1820

April 3, 1820 - First Monday in april.  Approaching Kirooah Bay, in sight of the King's residence.  Expecting an interview with him tomorrow, so lift up our petitions in concert with thousands of the friends of Zion,  rejoicing in the hope that he who has begun a good work here will carry it on to perfection.

April 2, 1820

April 2, 1820 - Lords Day,  This morning Capt. B.  and Brother B. visited Crymokoo and with him the most celebrated moreah of the Islands.  It was built by Tamaahmoah who himself laid the cornerstone.  It stands on the brow of a hill, fronting the seashore.  It consists now principally of a huge wall about 10 feet thick at the bottom and 5 at top, 20 feet in a height, on three sides of the parallellogram which is about 120 feet in breadth and 240 in length; but on the front side the wall, instead of being elevated much above the area enclosed, consists of 4 or 5 large offsets down the declivity of the hill, which made convenient places for hundreds of worshipers to stand while the priests was within offering prayers and sacrifices of abomination.  In this inclosure are ruins of several houses burnt to the ground, the ashed of various wooden Gods, remains of .... and other like buildings. the ashes and burnt bones of many human visitors, sacrificed to demons.  At the foot of the hill is a similar enclosure 280 feet in length and 50 in breadth, which had been used for the sacrifice of various beasts and plants, &c. The walls and areas of these open buildings, once tabooed and sacred, are now free to every foot, useless and tumbling into ruins, and as upon the fallen walls of Jerico, every man goes up straight before him, to set up the banner of Jehovah, Israel's God.  In the afternoon, Crymokooand his suit and visitors came on board with an intention to accompany us to the residence of the King.  In the midst of these interesting Isles, surrounded with a listening and admiring group of natives, we attended public worhip on deck and offered prayers and praises to the God of Zion.  Brother Bingham preached from Isa. 42.4. "The Isles shall wait for his law". and considered the character of the Law-giver; of the law waited for;  of those who shall wait for it; the manner of waiting; the evidence that these Isles do now or soon will wait for it, and the consequences of receiving it.  Tho' these Islanders could not now understand the precepts of the law of Christ, yet they harkened to the sound with almost perfect stillness and were pleased with our singing and our worship.  One of the former queens had before requested that our Wihenes would make her a gown like their own, was told that it was the Lord's day, and that they would make it tomorrow.  This evening they have spread their portable mats and tapas on deck and laid themselves down peacefully to sleep.  May the watchman of Israel keep them, and bring them to heavenly rest.

April 1, 1820

April 1, 1820 - Tody Crymokoo and the two widows of Tamh., several other chief women, decently dressed came on board the Brig, having sent before them a present to Capt. B. of 3 hogs and 3 or 4 large bundles of sweet potatoes.  This noble chief, after being introduced to the Mission family individually, and after the mutual salutations of shaking hands with the compliment, "Alloah," sat down with us to dine, and appeared with great civility.  His appearance was much more interesting than we expected.  His dress was a neat dimity jacket, black silk vest, mankin pantaloons, white cotton stockings, and shoes, plaid cravat and a neat English hat.  He sometimes however wears the native dress.  He manifested peculiar fondness for the children of Capt. C.  When we made known to him something of our objects and wishes, he listened with attention and said he must see the King, and they must consult together about it and then let us know what they would say.  As a token of friendship he presented to Brother Bingham a curiously wrought spear, which may serve for a pruning hook or for a curiosity to gratify our American friends.  They were pleased to find we could speak easy phrases in their language, made themselves more agreeable that we could have expected, and then left us with apparently kind sentiments.  We are encouraged to hope that we shall be allowed soon to take possession of these Islands for the church and for Christ, even without a contest with the priests of Idolatry, now reduced to a level with the lowest class.  It appears today that in settling the affairs of government that the chief - who chose not to destroy his Gods, with a powerful party, resisted till he lost about 40 men and his own life - Crymokoo with the loss of 6 men, was victorious.

March 31, 1820

March 31, 1820 - The interesting intelligence of yesterday is confirmed today by a visit of Mr. Ruggles, Tho. H. and Tamoree to the residence of Krimokoo where they were kindly received and entertained.  The widow of Tamh. sent us a present of fresh fish, cocoanuts, sweet potatoes, bananas, sugar-cane, breadfruit, &c., expressing much satisfaction that we had come to teach them good things.

Several natives came off to the Brig in the canoes, with some little articles of provisions, of their own manufacture, shells, &c. for the purpose of traffic.  of them we inquired whether they had learned anything about Jehovah who had made Owhyhee and all things.  They replied, that Reehoreeho the King had heard of the great God of the white people, and had spoken of him, that all the chiefs but one had agreed to destroy their Idols, because they were convinced that they could do no good since they could not even save their King.  idol worship is therefore prohibited and the priesthood entirely abolished.  - Sing, O Heavens for the Lord hath done it.

March 30, 1820

March 30, 1820 - Let us thank God and take courage.  Early this morning the long looked for Owahyee and the cloud capt and snow spt Mauna Keah appear full in view to the joy of the animated multitude on board (11 o'clock A.M.) We are now coasting along the noth-east part of the Island, so near the shore as to see the numerous habitations, cultivated fields, smoke rising in different parts, fresh vegetation, rocks, rivulets, cascades, trees &c.  and with the help of glasses men and women,, immortal beings purchased with redeeming blood.  We are much pleased, not to say delighted with the scene and long to be on shore. (4 o'clock - P.M.) Pass Mowe on the right.  Having turned the Northern extremity of O. Capt. B. this afternoon sent off a boat to make inquiries respecting the king &c.  Mr. Hunnewell, a mate, Thos. Hopoo, J. Tamoree and others, went nearly to the shore and fell in with 10 or 12 native fishermen in their canoes, who readily gave the importatn information that the aged King Tameamaah is dead - that Reehoreeho his son succeeds him - that the images of his Gods are burned - that the men eat with the women in all the Islands, - that one chief only was killed in settling the affirs of government, and he for refusing to destroy his Gods. - that Reehoreeho the young king, and Kiimokoo the first chief, sometimes called Billy Pitt, both reside at Owhyhee.  If these are facts they are interesting facts, and seem to show that Christ is overturning in order to take possession and that these Isles are waiting for his law, while the old and decaying pillars of idolatry are falling to the ground.  The moment seems favorable for the introduction of Christianity and the customs of civilized life, and our hopes are strengthened that there will be welcome.  Whatever be the moral character and habits of the young king, we believe that these important particulars may with some confidence be rested on ; 1st that he is specially desirous for improvement in learning; 2nd that he has long been indifferent to Idol worship, that he is not unfriendly to the whites.  Our hearts do rejoice, though we are disappointed in not being allowed to preach Christ to that venerable Chief, - and tho' we believe we shall have trials enough to give exercise to faith and patience, yet our hearts do rejoice to hear the voices of one crying, "In the wilderness prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for your God".

March 29, 1820

March 29, 1820 - no entry.

March 28, 1820

March 28, 1820 - Lat. 19° N., Lon. 150° West.  Within two or three days sail of Owhyhee.  We have thought it desirable to observe this day as a season of fasting and prayer, that we may be better prepared to enter on our work with proper feelings of heart; with confidence in God; with penitence for our own sins, with gratitude for the blessings of gospel, with compassion for the wretched children of superstition, and with benevolence toward all intelligent beings and with faith in the blood and promises of Christ with reference to the salvation of the heathen.

March 27, 1820

March 27, 1820 - it is with peculiar emotions of adoring grattitude that we acknowledge the distinguishing goodness of God seasonably interposed for our deliverance this day.  While Brother Whitney was assisting in painting the outside of the vessel, which he considered not only as pleasant and profitable, but needful exercise, the rope on which he held by one hand gave way and let him fall from a temporary scaffold into the sea.  His weight, and the force of the ship entirely broke his hold from the rope and left him astern calling for help.  Capt. B's orders were promptly executed, and the Brig, tho' under full sail at the rate of 6 or 7 knots an hour, was "hove to" in less than 5 minutes and stopped sailing.  In the meantime Br. W. whose perfect self-possessed skill in swimming enabled him successfully to buffet the waves after one or two had broken over him happily gained a small bench which had been providentially carried on deck a few minutes before, and was thrown overboard to serve him as a temporary buoy.  On this he was easily sustained after it had once or twice deceived him by rolling, tho' his strength was considerably exhausted.  Never before did the Mission family know how much they loved him.  In 5 minutes more the boat was cleared away and let down, and sent to his relief, which reached him in about 5 minutes at the distance perhaps of 1/6 of a mile.  Before the Boat set off, he raised his hat and waved it, lest his anxious wife should be too much distressed, and then composed himself in prayer; while many on board were, in this "soul-trying hour" lifted up to God in fervent petitions that he would spare his life for his appointed work among the gentiles.  Not far from 21 minutes after he fell, by the blessing of him who had said, "When thou passest through the waters I will be with thee", he was safely returned and joyfully received on board and welcomed with many tears, and with thanksgiving to our strong deliverer who saved the sinking Peter, and who was now equally present with his saving help.  Assembled this evening and presented our united thank offering to our covenant Father who is our "very present help in trouble", who can at once deliver those who trust in him, from the waves and from the monsters of the deep, and with equal care "from the floods of ungodly obligation".

We acknowledge too, our obligation to Capt. B. and others under him,  not only for the kind sympathies which they manifested but for the prompt and efficient aid which they extended to our brother in distress.  As the best return which we can make, may we be enabled to exhibit equal sympathy, promptitude, and efficiency in seeking their salvation.  We hope this interesting providence will do us all good, make us feel more deeply the importance of constant preparation for our unexpected summons, produce in us a more cheerful spirit of laborious diligence in the work which we believe God has designed for our brother and the rest of us to do among the heathen, who without aid must sink in endless perdition.

March 26, 1820

March 26, 1820 - Lord's Day. - We suppose the present to be the last Sabbath of our passage.  Brother Thurston preached on deck a seasonable discourse from Prov. 14, 9. "Fools make a mock at sin." May the Lord add his blessing.  Mr. Cooper, the officer before mentioned, gives some evidence of an important change in his feelings; his external reformation is very apparent, and his conversation agreeable.

March 25, 1820

March 25, 1820 - no entry.

March 24, 1820

March 24, 1820 - no entry.