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M O L O K A I
S T A T I O N
R E P O R T S
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�P R E F A C E
These reports of the American mission at Kaluaaha,
Molokai, during the 1830's and 1840's, were prepared by
the missionaries stationed there for the General Meet
ings, usually held at Honolulu.
Summaries of these
reports appeared in the Extracts from the Minutes of
the General Meetings, which were printed for the use
of the members of the Mission only.
As there is a dearth of historical material on
Molokai, it was thought wise to have these manuscripts
copied.
The originals are in the archives of the
Hawaiian Mission Children’s Society.
Through the cooperation of the University of
Hawaii and Mr. George P. Cooke of Molokai, three
copies have been made by a university student, Mr.
Bert N. Nishimura.
One copy will be placed in the
library of the University, one in the Hawaiian Mis
sion Children's Society library, and one in the
private library of Mr. Cooke.
The typescripts have
been proof-read by Mr, Nishimura and Miss Bernice
Judd.
June 4, 1937
�T A B L E
OP
C O N T E N T S
Report of the Station at Kaluaaha, Molokai
from the 7th of Nov. 1832 to June 1st
1833
...................................................
Report of the Mission Station at Molokai for
the year ending June 1st 1834
11
Annual Report of the Station at Kaluaaha
1835
15
Report of the Station Kaluaaha for 1836-7 ..........18
Report in part of Molokai Station for the
year 1837-8
............ 22
Report of Station of Kaluaha [sic] 1848
Statistics of Kaluaaha for 1847-8 .. . . . . . .
24
. 33
Report of Kaluaaha 1848-9 ............. ............34
Statisticks [sic]
�4
Report of the Station at Kaluaaha Molokai from
the 7th of Nov. 1832 to June 1st 1833.
In pursuance brethren of your note, at the last general
meeting I with my family embarked for Molokai on the
of
last november [sic] and on the same day took the station
assigned m e .
The name of the place selected for the station is Kalua_aha, about 12 miles west of the east point and nearly in the
centre [sic] of the population residing on the south side of
the Island.
The climate is cool owing to the trade wind which by
which [sic] it is almost constantly fanned. For two month
[sic] after our arrival there was an abundance of rain since
[sic] that time there has been much less. Much of the time
has not been uncomfortable in the open sun— and much of the
time too thick clothes, have been comfortable. If we may
judge from from [sic] the Influence of the climate on our
selves thus far we are prepared to pronounce it perfectly
healthy. Neither myself or wife [sic] has ever enjoyed bet
ter health than since we have lived there— and the same if I
mistake not has been, the fact with Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong.
The station is about 20 miles from Lahaina and in fair
view of this harbour. About a mile and a half east of the
station is fine [sic] harbour [sic] for native vessels and
good walking from the landing to the house.
On our arrival at the station we found a commodious
native house on the spot we had previously selected for the
purpose as also a good house for our natives both built by
the people.
Kaluaha [sic] belongs to Hoopiliiwahine who encouraged
us to select it as a site for a station.
We were accompanied by Auhea the principal owner
of
the island. She was very kind, and charged the people to
regard us as their teachers, listen to our instructions and
cleave to the pono. [sic:right] She gave strict orders to
supply us with such food as we needed if it grew on the island.
Taro for our table has accordingly been every day furnished
us free of expense. As also much of the food for our natives.
The people received us very cordially-— and as is usual and
is unusual manifested their good feelings presents [sic] in
abundance. For several months past presents have been rare
the people having probably learned that their Aloha may be
exhibited in a cheaper way.
Moral & Religious state of the people— -Previous to our
arrival there had been but three sermons preached on the is
land and these but a month or two before. The first by Brother
Andrews, the 2nd- by myself, and the third by Brother Spaulding.
Many and ---- probably most of the people never have heard
�a sermon before our arrival, and could of course have pos
sessed little more more [sic] knowledge of the christian
religion than what they had gathered from the few hooks that
had been distributed among them.
The gods having been destroyed they were destitute of
any— and I presume there were few exceptions indeed to the
truth of the general remark that the people were as com
pletely ignorant of the true god as''they were forty years
ago. I n fact most of the inhabitants of one of the most
populous districts on the Island soon after the station was
taken actually returned to their old way-— they have since
been reclaimed.
At first our congregations were full. It is evident
however that the people were many of them at least induced
to attend from motives of curiosity--for once the novelty
has ceased much fewer attend. at [sic] first there were
present on the Sabbath from 1500 to 2000— at present the
average number is about a thousand.
Congregation— attendance— Meeting house
At first as we had no meeting house we met under laaualas [sic] in front of our dwelling house. Here we were
much disturbed by the wind and rain--in about two months a
meetinghouse was finished 30 feet by 120.
For several sabbaths the people were unable to get seats
inside of the house and many were obliged to sit without .
The congregation however soon grew smaller and were soon ac
commodated with seats in the house. At present the house :
on the sabbath is not filled. For sometime however the num
ber has been about stationary at 1000.
Several causes might be assigned for the decrease of
the congregation. At first the people came from a great
distance-— who after the novelty of seeing the newcomers had
ceased had not motives sufficient to continue. Many no doubt
from the fact that they were fatigued with sitting— but more
I apprehend from not being permitted by the people in the
neighbourhood [sic] to smoke in or about the houses on the
-sabbath.
Religious exercises— we have had two sermons on the sab
bath, a written one In the morning— an extemporaneous one in
the afternoon.
For sometime fee intermission between the two services
was less than half an hour that those at a distancem
i
g
h
t
return home before night and at the same time stay to both
exercises. This expedient of keeping them together at the
afternoon service and we hold this service now at 4 oclock.
Though fewer people attend than before, those who do attend
attend willingly and give much better attention.
Before the morning service Mrs. H [sic] has a sabbath
school consisting of about 90 children— 30 or forty of whom
recite the 7 verses for the week, and [sic] seem to be
�6
somewhat fond of attending.
We have also a sabbath school for adults in the inter
val of the morning evening [sic] services--consisting of
about 200 scholars, each of whom recites the 7 verses with
great accuracy-— at least with very few exceptions. After
recitation they are questioned as to the meaning of the les
son- -and after this upon the leading points in the morning
sermon. At present they manifest a good degree of interest
in these exercises and can this interest be kept up, much
good may be expected to be the result.
We had for a time a third meeting on the sabbath after
dark--safe [some?] of which were very solemn and would have
been continued had it not been apprehended that evening meet
ings would throw new temptations in the way of the people.
The only religious meetings we have during the week is
preaching Wednesday [sic] afternoons at which there are usual
ly present from 100 to 200.
Imediately [sic] before this meeting Mrs. H has a female
meeting of from 1 to 200 the [sic] exercises this meeting
prayer--singing— all the women who are. able to read read each
a passage of scripture and are questioned as to its meaning.
On Saturday evening we have a prayer meeting for pro
fessors of religion.
The effect of Religious instruction upon the people,
thus far has been scarcely perceptible. The great mass ap
pear as yet to have no definite views either of their own
character or that of God. And what is worse many and I
know not but most of them are utterly indifferent in regard
to both. For in my visits I have found but I have found [sic]
but sorry evidence of their regard to a knowledge of the
pono.
Soon after the commencement of the station & for several
weeks succeeding they were truly assiduous [sic] in their
efforts to convince us they were proud flocked in in [sic]
great numbers with their thoughts, and seemed proud of con
fessing their former sins with all their aggravations in
order that present innocence and goodness of heart might
appear the more consicuous. [sic] Formerly we were adult
erers and theives and murderers but at present we are good
have great desires for the pono seemed to be the almost
universal sentiment. Finding us however incredulous on this
point, they sudenly [sic] changed their ground and would for
a time have us believe that they were almost everything bad.
Finally as neither these professions of goodness nor of bad
ness had the effect of making us believe they were saints,
most of them desisted and of late we have been troubled with
comparatively few of their manoos.
To the general remark however that religious instruc
tion has had scarce any perceptible effect there [are] some excep
tions. There are are [sic] a goodly number of very attentive,
�7
sirious, [sic] and well disposed hearers of the truth, most
of these have comparatively correct views of the plan some
manifest considerable anxiety for their souls, three or four
give no little evidence of possessing the spirit of Christ.
The [sic] are a great encouragement to us in our work give
[sic] us some assurance that our labour [sic] is not in vain
in the Lord.
Schools. Of these there are 38[?] on the island. [sic]
at the time they were examined by Brothers Andrews and Green
they were thought to be in as flourishing a state as that
those [sic] of any of the islands.
We have had two general examinations the next week after
our arrival and the other on the 15th of last month. At
the former we examined a few over 2000. At the latter though
every school on the island was present we examined less than
1900. Of these 1687 were nominal readers. Matt 150 Mar 133.
Luk. 231. Oih. 781
Rom 47. Gal. 42. Pet 39 Ninau 84 Josu 105
Josep 24-— Nahelu 38, Hal 66. The remainder in the Pa Kamalii
and in the P. Maoli. 69 in arithmetic 112 in writing on
slates. [sic]
Of the nominal readers one third at least cannot read
at all— one third can read with difficulty and the other
third with considerable ---- fluency. Probably 500 hundred
[sic] or about 1/15th of the whole population can read with
considerable ease.
The schools are manifestly on the decline. They have
ceased to be a novelty. Teachers are chiefish, indolent
and ignorant and have little or no influence. No authority
on the island to make either them or the scholars attend to
their duty. The order of the chiefs which from superstitious
fears probably induced the people to frequent the schools
formerly has lost its power. The result is a falling of [sic]
from the study of the palapala.
The schools at the stations are three: A school of children consisting of from 80 to 100 scholars taught by Mrs. H
5 days in a week each school [sic] occupies between two and
three hours. She has native assistants. Most of the scho
lars have been uniform in their attendance and as easily
governed as the same number would have been in our native
land. When the school commenced there were 25 readers. These
have made good improvement in reading and most of them write
a fair and legible hand on the slate and have commenced arith
metic. Thirty 5 [sic] can read with ease who when the school
commenced could not read at all and many of whom did not
know the letters.
Nothing seems necessary to give success to this schools
[sic] but books to keep up the interest of the children.
The idea of commencing in a new book is very pleasing to them.
�Beside this [sic] Mrs. H has a school for adult females
consisting of between 20 and thirty--they have read and stud
ied geography. This school has been holder [held?] four
days in the week. A very few of them have done well.
I have a school for the teachers. There are between 50
and 60 schoolars[sic]— they have attended to reading— study
of geography from the map— and to the helu kamalii.
Some of them have done credit to themselves. both [sic]
by their conduct attention and good improvement while others
have not requalized [sic] themselves in either.
In order that the school may become an eficient [sic]
one it highly [sic] necessary that provisions be made for
the support of the scholars while at school— many of them
can provide no food and of course will not attend. Could a
small quantity of land be devoted to the benefit of the school
on which the scholars could erect houses and where they might
cultivate some food, their constant attention to school would
be secured until it should be proper to send them back to
their places to teach and then the houses could be occupied
by others.
Books On this subject I am unable to report as definitely
as I could wish. I think on the whole that the demand for
books has been as great as we could have expected. W e have
given out more than our proportion of the stock o n hand. For
many of them we have received in return potatoes, taro, onions,
pia wood by the stick fowls, eggs, mats, tapa, pairs [sic]
small jobs of work &c of these we have kept no account.
We have paid in books for a stone study 40 dolls, for
stone wall 25 and for stone for a dwelling house 40
have paid for work also 30 yards of cloth at 5 cents per
yard. Have sold 7 testaments for cost. These I could sell
to the best advantage. And could I get them should prefer
them for trade with the natives to cloth— as I came came
[sic] here with a view of supplying the people with the
bread of life. And though it may be a pecuniaryxxxxxx ad
vantage to sell the new testament for cost only If [sic] I
can procure them and they request them for labour I should
not dare refuse them.
Out Stations. Of these there may be t w o -one is about
150 miles west of Kaluaha [sic]--and the other perhaps 12
miles east.
The one at the east is accessible either in canoes or
on horseback.
As near as we could learrn there will be a congregation
of between 6 and 700. They have a meeting house now that
will contain nearly or quite 500 people it is hansomely [sic]
walled in with stone and surrounded on two sides by an ex
tensive Ranai Both the house and ranai are frequently filled.
[sic]
�9
A member of the church owns land there and and [sic] is
now engaged in building a station house and expects preachin there soon. As the meeting house is to [sic] small and not
in the most convenient spot for the people, they are about to
build a larger, and on a more eligible spot. This as an
outstation is especially important as it is accessible by
the people of the east side of the island who otherwise can
not have the preaching of the word it being extremely [hard?] to
getat them. The members of the church hold meeting there now
on the sabbath— and have a sabbath school.
The place for the other out station is about 12 or thir
teen miles from Kaluaha [sic] were it as easy of access as
the other it would be nearly as important. But access to/it
is very difficult any way— when there is any wind it is unsafe to go by water and when there is not it is very tedious.
The route to it by land is nearer, the path however is inter
cepted by tremendous precipices— the whole surface- of the
earth seems like an ocean instantaneously solidified while
thrown into palis by the wind and storm.
Brother A and myself however left home at 8 oclock in
the morning and arrived there about three in the afternoon.
The name of the land is Halawa belonging to Hoopiliwahine. It is a beautiful deep valley half a mile wide at
the ocean runs back two miles and a half and is watered by
a large and delightful stream of fresh water which falls
from the mountains at the other end in two grand and beauti
ful cataracts one of which rushes over a perpendicular de
cent of more than 500 feet into a deep cole [sic] and crys
tal lake of 30 or forty yards in diameter. The stream which
issues from this lake is suff. for extensive machinery--it
is so situated as to be easily drawn of [!] by sluices into the
taro plots. These [sic] valley is principally laid out in
these small rectangular plots which when viewed from the pre
cipices which impend three thousand feet above loose [sic] the
features of reality and assume those of the most enchanting
romance.
Were this really made an out station we might expect a congregation of 500 or 600 or even more. Many and ---- in
deed most of which do not enjoy the means of grace--The people
would come in canoes from the north side of the island who
are not precluded from the sanctuary.
The people would imediately [sic] erect both a dwelling
and meeting house.
Could these out stations be occupied it would it would
[sic] put the preaching of the gospel within the [reach?] of
nearly or quite the whole population of the island.
To the station on the west one might ride Saturday after
noon, and return early monday [sic] morning. To the other,
owing to the difficulty of access to it will probably be ad
visable to spend several weeks at a time.
�10
Population— From a census recently taken by the teach ers
there are at least 6000 inhabitants on the island. the returns
amounting to upwards of 5700--to which are to be added the
people of 5 lands from which returns have not been received.
Since brother A has been with us he has had a singing school
to which he has devoted 3 evenings in the week and which has
been of essential service not only as a foundation of sacred
musick, [sic] but in convincing the natives that by persever
ance they may arrive to respectable attainments in this de
lightful science. Very few cases of open immorality have
come to our ears.
Soon after the station was taken some measures were addapted [sic] to discourage smoking. Those who were willing
to forsake it were requested to come and enroll their names
in a cataloge [sic] kept for the purpose. All the most res
pectable part came forward— I do not know how many probably
200. Since this time I have not seen an individual smoking
on the island. Though no doubt that many do.
In conclusion I cannot conclude this report without re
marking brethren which you that the station brethren [sic]
that you have assigned me is one of great importants [sic]
and is on many accounts a very desirable one. The island is
highly fruitful--producing most of the articles of food required in a family--the people are friendly— so situated as
to be able all them [sic] to hear the word of God--and though
we have not the example or authority of the good Chiefs to
aid us-— we have not the indiference [sic] the cupidity--or
the opposition of the head ones to hinder us--and though we
have not access to foreign ship and foreign men to obtain
the things which we might wish from them yet [sic] is an am
ple equivalent that they have not access to us to corrupt,
lead astray, and ruin our people.
I wish therefore to say that I am thankful in being
placed in a field where there are so few obstacles to the
success of well devoted efforts to the salvation of sinners
and so may so well adapted to secure that success— request
ing Brethren that we may have the sympathy and aid of your
prayer in the labour you have assigned us I submit the Report.
H. R. Hitchcock
June 1833
Station at Waimea
Morokai 1833
— oo—
�11
Report of the mission Station at Molokai
for the year ending June 1st 1834
[sic]
In giving in these report /or the past year [in pencil:
the missionaries] at Kaluaaha station would first of all
notice with unfeigned gratitude the merciful providence of
God which has allotted to the greater part of their number
such a degree of health as to be enabled to attend constantly
to the duties of the station.
But while we rejoice in the prosperous hand of [in pen
cil: God] toward us in this respect we can but feel humbled
under the hand of the same infinitely wise and righteous pro
vidence which has deprived one of our number of health, and
thus dissapointed [sic] her hopes of engaging as she expected
in the work of the Lord. --- -- ---- On returning from the last General Meeting we were happy
to find the state of our people much more favourable [sic]
than we had anticipated. The meetings on the sabbath which
before we left for general meeting had become thin, were on
our return much fuller, and have continued so ever since.
And we thought that we discovered an increase of attachment
arising out of our short absence. We heard of no disorder
among our people which we could have probably prevented had
we been with them.
According to a resolution of the Association a church
w as been [sic] organized on the first sabbath in august [ sic]
consisting of 12 native members— 7 of whom were members from
other churches, the remainder were received on profession of
their faith. After the organization of the churc h the sacra
ment of the Lord supper was administered for the first time
on on [sic] the island. The scene was solemn and interesting.
Religious exercises. Besides the two principle exercises
on the sabbath, we have for the greater part of the time held
station meetings weekly at two of the distant districts
at which meetings we have usually had a good audience and
sometimes very solemn attention; these together with the
sabbath and Wednesday [sic] sermons make five for the week.
Besides a weekly church meeting we have also a weekly meeting
for. conference and prayer with all who please to attend.
-- ---- --- ------- ------- --- --- ------ [sic]
We have two sabbath schools; one for adults, and one
for children— -the latter consisting of not far from one hundred,
thirty or forty of whom recite reguarly [sic] the verses for
the week according to the verse a day system. The school for
adults consists from one hundred to --- one hundred and fifty,
who also recite the same. About thirty of this number meet
at our house every evening to recite the verse for the day
to ask questions upon it and to unite in prayer. This meeting has been found very profitable. Beside [sic] this the
�sabbath school, after the recitation of the 7 verses and exa
mined on the sermon of the preceeding sabbath morning— as well
as the one to which they have just been listening; in this
exercise they manifest a decided interest and such are the
encouragements resulting from it that we shall probably con
tinue it.
The missionaries had for some time had --- ---- been think
ing of a protracted meeting, our feelings were decideded, [sic]
and warmly engaged in their favour--from the wonder effects
we had known to result from these by the [sic], divine blessing
in our Native land. we [sic] wished to give them a trial
at our station. But were kept from it partly
from a fact that it would be a new measure in the introduction
of which we prefered [sic] others should go before us— partly
from fear that the result might not prove salutary in this
field, and partly from the circumstances of our people which
at that time seemed to afford no convenient opportunity for
it.
The two first of these obstacles were soon hapily [sic]
removed by the reception of a letter from one of the brethren
[sic] from Hido stating that they had in fact held such a
meeting and that it had been an instrument in the hands of
the spirit of special good to souls. Whereupon we resolved
to apoint [sic] one— which we did to comence [sic] on the
25th of March.
From the time in which the apointment [sic] was made
untill [sic] the meeting, -- --- we trust that if the influ
ences of the holy Ghost were indispensible to the success of
such meetings in our own land. They certainly could be no
less so here— and we hope that ours was made the subject of
frequent and ardent prayer that our own hearts might be in
some measure prepared to conduct such a meeting in a proper
manner and that the people might be benifited [sic] by it.
The meeting commenced, and was continued --- two days
and well attended. When Brothers Richard and Spaulding ar
rived from Lahaina, Brother S preached once and returned to
L. Brother Richards continued with us during the meeting
which lasted five days. We would wish to notice in this place
our obligations to him for the very important aid he afforded.
The assembly were [sic] usually numerous and attentive; No
measures were adopted to awaken feeling aside from preaching
the word, singing, prayer and private conversation. It was
soon however discovered that there were several under apparent
ly genuine conviction. I had forgotten to say that we had
instituted a morning prayer meeting. The attendance and
appearance of the people at these meetings together with the
feelings of our own hearts had caused us to say that the di
vine Spirit was in the midst of us, some days before the protracted meetings [sic] commenced. These meetings still con
tinue, are well attended and are highly useful.
�Not long after the commencement of the meeting as I
observed above it was discovered that several were labouring
under a sense of th
eir sinfulness. A sermon by Brother R on
the Nature of Repentance was the ---------- apparently directmeans, of this state of things. At an examination of a few,
on sabbath evening respecting the sermon, it was found that
several conversed more like awakened, [sic] or convicted sin
ners in our own land than any that we had before heard.
-- in this state of things we discontinued the protracted
meeting— we-have since seen more of its effects than while
it was in progress.
From ten to fifteen all of whom had before given us no
evidence of a change of heart seem more so far as we have
been able to judge by the -------- -- ------------ their appearance, words, and actions to be the subjects of the re
ceiving influences of the Holy Spirit. Most of these are
from the class of the moral, better instructed. But there
are are [sic] several cases of hopeful convesion [conversion]
the subjects of which before the protracted meeting were
either very ignorant in comparison with others, or very im
moral and opposed to the pono. So obvious is the change in
the conduct of one especially, that it can hardly be associ
ated for on any other ground than that of his having been
taught by the Holy Spirit.
On the whole the obvious results of our meeting have
been such as greatly to encourage us— and to induce us to
have another as soon circumstances [sic] will, and to reccommened [sic] their adoption as far as practicable [sic] at
every station in the mission.
Schools— we have had three day schools at the station
for most of the time during the past year all of which have
made as good proficiency as considering the time, and means
devoted to them would allow us to expect. One of these schools
is for teachers and consists of about 40 males, and six fe
males. These have studied Geography, Coulburns Arithmetic
and writing-— and they have been taught on an average 10 hours
per week.
- The second is a school taught by Brother Smith for adults
consisting on an average of 24 scholars— who have attended
to reading, writing, and mental arithmetic.
The third is a school for children, taught by Mrs. H.
containing rising of eighty scholars— the average number has
been perhaps 75 during the year. This school consists of
three classes. The first if [sic] which containing 25 read,
write, cypher on the slate— recite in mental arithmetic,
and recite the verse of scripture for the day. The second
class containing about the same number read write on slates
and answer question in mental arithmetic and recite also the
verse of scripture. The third class embrace those that are
unable to read.
�14
We would remark with regard to our station schools that
we have advanced about as far as we can untill [sic] we are
furnished with a school house--and that of course a good
house is of as much importance as the instruction of the
children of the station. To attempt to benefit the people
without such a house is a fruitless attempt.
Of our native schools we have nothing to say, except
that they are entirely down . We have during the year given
them attention except to attend two General examination at [sic]
the first of which there were present 1000— or nearly that-at the other something more than 12 hundred. Besides this
we have encouraged them to purchase books and have sold a
good many. We are of the opinion that no more good can re
sult from these schools on Molokai untill [sic] we can procure better schoolhouses and better qualified teachers.
A singing school has been established consisting of about
50 learners and their proficiency has been such as to en
courage us to hope that by suitable attention they will be
come good singers.
Maried [sic] during the year 69 couples
Baptized during the year adults 5
Children 9
In conclusion your missionaries have much reason to
mourn that more good has not been accomplished by their
labours during the past year for we feel that had we had more
love to God— more compassion for sinners— more faith, zeal,
and self-denial much more would have been done. But while
we mourn over our own deficiency and unfruit fulness, we would
give Glory to God that he has in any measure owned and blessed
our imperfect labours--and give us much reason to hope that
they have not been in vain in the Lord.
outposts 2 at which we have preached occasionally
preached [sic] during the year. one 20 miles distant,
the other 12.
Station report
Molokai'
— oo—
�15
Anual [Annual] Report of the Station at
Kaluaaha [1835]
In making this report the missionary at Kaluaaha, would
first notice with unfeigned thankfulness the kind hand of
God toward himself and family the past year in giving him
such a degree of health that without interruption he has been
permitted to preach the gospel to his precious but ignorant
and dying flock--and especially in recovering his companion
from an illness from which we had begun to dispair of relief.
For these mercies we are confident the brethren of the mis
sion will unite with us sincere praise to. God. [sic]
Much of my time the past year has been unavoidably
devoted to secular concerns such as the superintendence of
buildings. As the result of this we have completed a subs
tantial stone schoolhouse— thatched roof— 54 ft. by 26 inside— plastered and whitewashed outside and in with good
writing forms and glazed. An excellent dwelling house is
nearly finished and a meetinghouse commenced and the walls
already raised to the heighth of nine feet.
The Station Schools have met the past year with consi
derable interruption partly from the illness of Mrs. H and
partly from the scholars being engaged in building the school
house. Since the completion of the house however special
efforts have been made to revive the childrens school. These
efforts have been successful beyond our expectations. The
school now numbers 170 scholars—
is perhaps the average
2
5
1
attendance. I have the sole superintendence of it, and de
vote from two to three hours dayly [sic] in it 5 days in the
week. The scholars are highly interested and make rapid
improvements.
Native Schools have not depreciated since the last ge
neral Meet. Some things respecting them are even more en
couraging than formerly at the late semianual [sic] examina
tion there were present 1300 a greater proportion than for
merly were able to read and ------ some with, and some with
out difficulty. There were too a greater number of children
present than usual on such occasions. There are much more
frequent calls for children's books than I have b efore wit
nessed since my residence on the island. Had we the proper
books children's schools might now probably be established
in most of the districts on the island. May we not there
fore hope that books will be speedily provided.
Religious Exercises have also been somewhat modified
by circumstances. We have had fewer meetings during the
week away from the obvious cause that we have one less la
s tation than we had last year from the
�16
bourer in the field and also that one who is left has had
so much other business to attend to.
Two sermons and two sabbath schools each consisting of
from 100 to 150, on the sabbath a daily morning meeting at
which I usually expound the scriptures in course and which
has been attended on an average by more than 120 hearers—
a bible class of from 20 to 50 most of the evenings in the
week; the sermon on Wednesday--a church meeting on Satur
day— the monthly concert together with an occasional meet
ing- at an outpost are the amount of our religious labours
the past year. If we except occasional visiting the people.
The result of these labours tho decidedly favourable
has been less so than we had fondly hoped it would be. We
are grieved when we must say that there is of late a falling
off in the congregation on the Sabbath, and that we have not
experienced those special influences of the Divine spirit of
God which alone can convert the heart of Hawaiians. There
are however a few whom we hope are not unprofitable hearers
of the truth— and for whom we entertain strong hopes as being
the children of God. These we hope soon to admit to the
fellowship of the church.
Members received into the church the past year
Disceased [sic] — — — ----- —
---- ---- Members of the church now in good standing
Children Baptized during the year
Marriages
11
1
21
9
82
An associate. I wish simply to remark on this subject
that my desire for a fellow labourer, and my views of the
propriety of my having one remain unchanged as also those
the separeting [sic] system which was adopted at the last
meeting. Brethren, " two are better than one." we shll [sic]
have no body whom we can consult with, who in sickness can
sympathise [sic] with or afford us that assistance which we
need and which most of our brethren of the mission have.
No one of you if he wishes to visit a brother, or if his
family is sick need expose his life on the ocean in a frail
canoe. My heart faints within me when I contemplate those,
who began to hear the word of God when Brother Smith was
with us but who are now as much deprived of the privilege
as though there was no missionary on the island or nearly
so. Were another brother stationed with me beside the great
privilege of social enjoyment which would be confered [sic]
on us I should be at liberty at least much of the time to
carry the gospel to those who would be glad of it but are
now deprived of it. The population in the vicinity of the
station Is dense and presents a field altogether too import
ant to be entrusted to the case of a single individual es
pecially as much of his time, instead of being devoted di
rectly to ministerial labours, is taken up with the care of
schools and of his own family. But the circumstances of the
�17
station are well known to the mission. I leave you to decide
whether, if a member of the mission is this session to be
stationed as an associate with another, any station has a
stronger claim than Kaluaaha; and whether we shall or shall
not be denied those social joys and privileges to which you
yourselves have access; but on which our happiness and usefulness too as much depend as do that of our brethren.
House of worship. One has been commenced and the walls
nearly up ninety feet by 42 outside and walls are three feet
thick and are to be 12 feet high, the roof to be thatched
it is laid up in mud and grass and is thus far the best
piece of native masonry that l have seen. The whole island
are engaged in building it. The natives will find stones,
lime for plastering and timber— and do all the work except
what requires a carpenter- -and perhaps for a few days a mason:
[sic] In a word the people will do all that can be done by them.
The boards and glass and carpenter they cannot procure on
account of frequent rains and it will be necessary for us to
have glass windows as shutter merely in a rain storm would
keep out the light as well as the rain--shall need 2 boxes.
The natives will not be able to make the doors as there is
no timber on the island suitable. The roof will need to be
framed as there is no timber on the island long enough with
out piecing. A good carpenter might possible do all the work
in two months.
That part of the building which the natives cannot meet
will probable not be far from the following
2 boxes of glass at 10 dolls per box size 8 by 10 $20.00
500 feet of boards suitable for doors & sashes,
pulpits &c
$25 to 50.00
10 lbs. nails at 25 cents per lb
2.50
Putty and paint perhaps
3.00
2 1 /2 months work of carpenter at 30--35 ----dolls for month exclusive of board
87.00
Trimmings for doors
5 .00
$14,700
I therefore hereby petition the mission that that part of the
expense of the above mentioned building which the natives
cannot defray be defrayed, on my order, out of the funds of
the American
as something [sic] of a drawback on the above amount I
would state that a schoolhouse for which I was alowed [sic]
by the mission 100 dolls has cost the misson less than ten
should you please to add to the remaining ninety one hundred
dollars more it will enable me to finish the house of God,
and thus render what is now fast wearing out of my lungs a
much more easy task. My health has already suffered, ---much from preaching in an open leaky and very windy native
house.
�.18
In concluding this report I cannot but crave the prayers
of the brethren of the mission that that [sic] the present
year may not pass away without the descent of the Holy Spirit
in the midst of us--and that we may have the ability and the
disposition to labour faithfully in the cause of our common
master with the end
[written at the bottom of the sheet:] Praying that you
may have the Divine presence at the meeting I remain dear
brethren your unworthy fellow labourer
H. R. Hitchcock
June 1 1835
Station Report
Kaluaaha
June 1835
—
oo—
Report of the Station Kaluaha [sic] for 1836-37 .
In this Report the first thing to be noticed is the good
ness of God to the missionaries. Though it has been a year
of more than unusual ill health to them yet they have experienced
in a wonderful degree of the restoring mercy of God. So that
now the health of our family are in better health [sic] than
we were at the last general meeting.
Having been absent one third of the year to obtain medical
aid for my family the affairs of the station have necessarily
been less effectually attended to than could have been wished.
And my account of its prosperity must be less encouraging
than I had fondly hoped. Glad would I be to narrate a powerful revival but this we have not experienced. Still we are
not entirely destitute of evidence that the Lord has been
with us. Our sanctuary on the Lords day has born [!] witness
that the dispensatons of the truth has not been lost. There
has usually been a full assembly many of whom seemed concerned
to know what to do to be saved.
Preaching has been enjoyed twice on the sabbath and once
during the week. No additions have been made to the church
not because I have supposed that none were qualified for it;
but because it was not prudent for me to attend to it at the
time --------. designed. Had I not been prevented by ill
health several would have been received in March. These I
now regard as candidates to be received at our next communion
season. It is a cheering fact that the attention of the people
�19
to religion has not diminished, and .that there has been a
gradual but visible improvement in the understandings and
consciences, and habits o f many of the congregation. Beside
preaching on the sabbath a sabbath school for adults has
been kept up consisting of from 100 to 300 most of whom have
recited the verses of the ai okala. This school owing to
the disease of my throat I have not always attended. When
absent myself the natives themselves have conducted it.
The Sabbath school for children has been in constant
operation through the year. It has averaged at least five
hundred scholars. Of these not far from 150 recite the 7
verses for the week. The remainder are catechised by the
teachers. After the recitation is through I have usually
made it a point to address the whole school myself. Some
times in a short and familiar sermon— some times by the re
hearsal some [sic] bible story and immediately questioning
them on what I have said and applying it to their consciences,
In these exercises I have never found it difficult to secure
the attention of the children or to interest them. Though
the superintendence of this school h a s laxed my vocal powers
beyond their ability I have viewed the matter of such importance as to be unable to find it to be my duty to desist.
May god provide suitable teachers for this school and reduce
it to such order as to promote in the highest sense the good
of the young immortals of which it is composed.
The day school for children has been kept up 8 months
out of the year. It has been interrupted three months by
tearing down and rebuilding the schoolhouse. It has averaged
about 240 scholars-— 100 of readers--50 write [sic] about 80
In the Helunaau [Arithmetic] and from twenty to 30 study geo
graphy. A large proportion of the others can pronounce words
of one to four syllables--and there are but few who do not
know their letters. The proficiency of the scholars the past
year has been greater than in any former one. Since my return
from Lahaina I have generally spent from three to four hours
of my forenoons for five days in the week in the school. It
has been uncommonly orderly and easily managed considering
the great number and the age of the scholars, by far the great
er part of them being under 8 years of age. Five of the boys
are prepared for entering the High school and are expecting
to enter the term now about to commence. Though god in his
providence has seen fit to interrupt me greatly in my labours
this year yet I have cause for unfeigned gratitude that he
has given me such a promising field for usefulness at this
school.
While my attention has been chiefly given to the school
at the station, the schools for children throughout the island
have not been entirely neglected. We have held two general
examinations for them the year past and have sold them many
books and otherwise encouraged them . At the first examined [sic]
�20
more than nine hundred children, and at the last eleven hund
red. The children of proper age for attending school through
out the island were nearly all of them present probably not
more than 100 more could have been found. Almost all them [sic]
have attended such schools as they have had statedly. [sic]
The schools as a general thing have been a mere name and the
children have made little or no improvement. But the fact
that they have been induced to go so steadly [sic] under such
unfavourable circumstances shows [sic] conclusively that had
we the suitable means nearly every child on the island might
be. kept constantly in school. At two of the schools laud
able improvement has been made. The one at Halawa a pleasant
and populous valley at the northeast end of the island numbers
140 scholars 67 of whom can read - - - - with tolerable ease.
Of the school at Wailua containing 60 or more, not more than
three or four of whom could read at the commencement of the
year, thirty two now read intelligibly. Of the eleven hundred
examined at the last ------- ------- examination 260 at least
are able to read, which, considering that this is the first
year any thing has been done for them as a body and that with
but few exceptions their teachers have been utterly incomptent [sic] speaks loudly in favour of their ability to learn
when they shall have the suitable means.
Three permanent schoolhouses are about to be built one
at Halawa, one at Wailua and one at Kamaloo. The two last
places are in opposite directions from the station one four
and the other five miles distant. These houses when finished
will embrace six hundred and sixty of the eleven hundred in
cluding those at the station school. The importance that these
schools be furnished with competent and faithful teachers can
be measured by nothing less than the salvations of the hun
dreds who now stand ready to enter them. At all of the above
places a teacher would be comfortably situated. A schoolhouse
112 feet long and 26 wide has been completed this year at an
expense to the mission of only about 40 dollars. Nothing
but benches and suitable forms for writing are wanting to ac
comodate at least three hundred scholars.
At Kalaupapa a populous district on the windward side of
the island and about thirty miles from the station a school
of 160 scholars might be collected immediately were there a
teacher to superintend it. At Kalamaula 20 miles west of the
station one embracing at least 100 scholars might be put in
to successful operation. These two schools together with the
one at the station and the three others above mentioned would
take in 920 scholars. One American teacher to each would be
a benefit to the children too great to be estimated in this
life.
sic
Allow me then to reccomend^to the mission to make as
speedy provisions as possible for the supply of these schools
with teachers from America. The blessed opportunity which
God in his providence has p u t into the hands of Christians of
educating almost the whole mass of the children of these island [!]
�21
and thus of forming their consciences as well as of raising
them from their present degradation cannot I am sure meet
with neglect. If five more suitable teachers are sent to
Molokai the generation that are now [sic] coming on the stage
will be rescued from ignorance and very many of them from
death eternal. Everything depends on striking the blow now
if we would reclaim these children from black ignorance and
save the nation. It will not do until we can raise up native
teachers for before this can be done the present generation
of children now so prepared for being instructed will be
forever out of the influence of schools and prepared to exert
a more deadly influence on their children than their parents
are now exerting on them. Beside native teachers cannot the
[sic] exegences of the case. The children must be governed
and kept under a salutary disipline [sic] in order to reap
advantage from schools. Prom what we know of native character
no teacher can be expected to do this. They may be and even
are indispensible auxiliaries to the missionary teacher; but
labouring alone they can scarcely be expected to have any
great influence over the scholars for good.
I do therefore ardently desire the mission to lay the
subject of children schools in these islands more distinctly
before the Board and in such tones as will convince every
pious soul in the land of its amazing importance and allow
them no longer to sleep over it except under the pressure
of the terrible responsibility of refusing to gather for God
so promising a harvest as this. I suppose that there are
at this moment more than twenty thousand children on these
islands who are ready this day to enter schools were there
any to teach them. But as it is more than fifteen thousand
of this number must remain in their ignorance until the op
portunity for enlightening them has passed away. 0 that at
our meeting of 34 we had all felt more deeply on this subject
and so ordered our speech to the churches that instead of
the thirty two only who have obeyed Gods voice [sic] and come
to xxxxxxxxxx our assistance, three hundred might have been
now on the ground ready to commence the too long neglected
work of rescuing these children from sin, and the nation
from ruin.
I
ask 6 more teachers for Molokai and assign as a reason that a school of from 100 to 150 children is this moment
ready for each of them. These children if not supplied with
teachers must remain ignorant and probably baffle all efforts
that can be made for their salvation. Three of the teachers
might have respectable congregations on the sabbath which
renders it important that they should be licensed to preach.
One should by all means be a physician. Whatever value may
be attached to missionary labour on Molokai one third of it
may be fairly deducted an account of our having no physician
at hand. One third of my time the past year has been spent
away from the station which would have been saved to it had
�22
there been a physician on the island. Besides saving us from
exposing ourselves on the water, a physician would be nearly
as useful as a teacher and perhaps more so than ifhedid not
understand medicine, as his practice would occupy but a small
part of his time.
I would include in the wants of Molokai a well educated
physician.
Owing to reasons which are obvious to the mission the
Boarding school which was contemplated and for which money
was voted at the last General meeting has not been put in
operation. I still feel however that it is highly important
that one should be commenced as soon as practical. The facts
that we have so many children in our immediate vicinity that
they are all poor and that we a r e secluded entirely from the
bad influences of seaports are obvious arguments in my mind
that we should have such a school.
I hope as soon as the station school can be taken off
my hands to commence boarding the scholars. I design for
the high school. Hoping and praying that effectual measures
may be taken by the mission to institute a permanent school
of the kind at the station.
Report of
Molokai station 1837
Station report
Kaluaaha 1837
Report in part of Molokai Station
for the year 1837-8
admitted to the church on letter
2
"
" profession 14
Baptized adults
14
"
children
9
Whole number members in good standing 49
Marriages
.
18
Scholars at the childrens station school 270
Scholars in all the schools
1061
Propounded for admission into the church
175
H R Hitchcock
To the Chairman of the
Delegate meeting Lahaina
Molokai
Hitchcock
1858
�Report of the Schools & progress
Civilization on the island of Molokai
May 1848
There is a school in every village on the island that
can enroll 14 or 15 scholars. The number of schools are [in
pencil over it: is] 19 taught by 31 teachers including the
Gen. Superintendent. There are 1200 scholars. Of these two
schools alone are professedly Romish which report 14 & 18 as
their number of Schollars.[sic] But even one of these for
lack of a popish teacher of sufficient attainment to instruct
has employed one of our good men for its teacher, one of the
early schollars [sic] of Lahainaluna who has the testament
read and prays in school & even goes so far as I learned to
my surprise as to hold his Sab. School & require his schol
lars [sic] to commit to memory our "ai o Ka la." no one for
bidding him. There has been an average daily attendance of
3/4th of the schollars [sic] of all the schools since Janu
ary last, & where the weather was not inclement, almost all
attend daily.
But while the machinery is complete & in operation, Ed
ucation is retarded by the lack of competent teachers. Out
of all our teachers at the last Gen. Meeting, 12 were toler
ably competent to teach. Since then 3 of the 12 have fallen
into adultery. The best one has been taken by the Gov. for
Judge. One not the most forward in book knowledge, but on
whom was our main dependence to direct a large school & be
its spiritual guide as well as a minister for their parents
has been removed apparently by the will of Providence to be
a Kahu Kula for the Female Seminary of Wailuku. We have [in
pencil: a] plenty of indifferent teachers, but only a few
competent ones left.
To make up the deficiency of competent teachers I still
continue my normal school, collecting all the teachers two
separate months in each year, to instruct them more perfectly
in their labors & practical duties.
There was a small debt owing the teachers at the close
of last year but now they carefully paid up. [sic]
The schollars [sic] have taken up this year the system
of labor recommended by the acting Minister of Public Instru ction, & I can see a rapid increase of industry among them.
The boys divide themselves into companies, & work together
for hire or in cultivation of food & in other productive la
bor & with the direction of a superintendent & their teachers
divide the proffits [sic] equitably among the laborers.
The girls out of school hours work & on Friday of each
week bring together & show their handy work, thatching, cord,
hats, mats, sewing, knitting &c, the amount of which is noted
down by the teacher each one's to her name.
This plan received great efficiency at the station by
the attendance & over sight of the mission ladies who inspect
their labor.
�24
Besides the common schools, the select school of Miss
Brown has been continued during the past two years, the skill
acquired in knitting & spinning by the schollars [sic] has
acted like leaven in dough among their associates in prompt
ing them to try to learn to spin & knit.
Every girl wants to knit & if there was a barrel of yarn
& a quantum suffecit [!] of needles it would be used up speed
ily.
Since the increase of industry among the schollars [sic]
books have more been called for & paid for promptly. The
system of trusting out books & especially school books is
nearly done with.
The domestic and social comforts of the people are not
decreasing. I think they would compare well with what I have
observed at other stations. The main improvement is in the
cleanliness of houses.
The health of the people has not been as good the past
two years as previously. The deaths have been 80 more than
the births during the year 1847. Many even of the most en
lightened prefer the medical treatment of the native quacks
to death itself to civilized medicine. The increase of industry has been more observable among the children than among the adult population. The older people seem to retain
their old habits of working & lying still alternately.
I have lately taken the census of the island & to get
it more accurately have registered the names of the men, wo
men & children. The whole population amounts to 4626.
Report of Schools &c of Molokai
by C. B. Andrews
May 1848
— oo—
Report of Station of Kaluaha 1848 [in pencil]
In making to the meeting our Report for the two years
past the missionaries at Kaluaaha are happy to say that they
have been years of unusual prosperity so far as our own health,
and circumstances are concerned. Good [in pencil; ness and]
mercy have followed us. None of us have been visited with
severe and wasting sickness and few have been our interrup
tions in our work from ill health. during [sic] the two years,
only one or two sabbaths have I been prevented by illness from
preaching. surely [sic] in view of,the divine goodness and
care we should feel more and more deeply our obligations to
love obedience and praise.
�Condition of our field
The island is divided into six parishes or congregations
and these into smaller sections. At each of the parishes
there is now a comfortable meeting house except Moakea. [ !] where
the house of worship has recently fallen down. Since l ast
general meeting and principally during the last year meeting
houses have been built in Kalaupapa, Wailau, Pelekunu, (Puahonui and Kameloo. Three others, one at Halawa, one at Moakea
[ !] and one at Kawela are in building. So that ere long
we shall have the happiness to see a permanent and commodious
place of worship in every principal district of the island.
Labours at the station and
Principal out posts.
The labours [sic] at the station have varied but little
if any these two years past from former years if we except
a meeting for the professedly serious on tuesday [sic] which
has been kept up constantly. The sabbath is always opened
by the brethren of the church who live within a convenient
distance, by a prayer meeting in the house of God at early
dawn. At 1/2 past 8 the children to the number of between
300 and 400 hundred [sic] have their school full half of the
number and perps [sic] more than half, recite the 7 verses
of the Ai o Ka la. This school is always attended by Mr.
Andrews when he is at the station, when he is away the su
perintendence devolves upon a member of the church, who I
am glad to say performs the duties of his office with un
usual faithfulness and ability. This school, after the ex
planation of the lesson and exhortation to the children is
closed by singing ( in which nearly the whole school join
without a discordant note,) and prayer, where the children
all repair directly to the meeting house, and the forenoon
service begins and lasts 1 1/4 hours. The morning service
is immediately followed by the adult sabbath school which
embraces all the members of the church and as many others as
an average is not probably less than 200. Bro. A [sic] su
perintends this school when at home; when not the duty de
volves on me. Connected with the services of this school
is an examination of the sermon; questions are proposed by
the preacher and answered simultaneously by all who feel dis
posed. This is a very interesting part of the school and
has resulted in great good in creating an attention to the
sermon and in giving the preacher a fresh opportunity to ap
ply more particularly and to press more closely the prominent
doctrines and duties brought in the discourse. This adult
school has continued from the very infancy of the station
without interruption, and many are the members who have not
failed at each school to recite from memory their seven
verses of the ai o ka la, and who of course have each, during
�26
the 15 years past, recited more than 4000 verses of the bible.
No one means of grace next to the preaching of the gospel,
has had so powerful an effect on the moral and religious cha
racter of our people ---- as this school. Carrying the daily
food about with them in their works, [sic] and journeyin g s ,
an untold amount of time has been rescued from being worse
than lost, and employed in studying the word of life.
After an intermission of 1 1/2 hour the [sic] all the
children together with as many adults as please, meet for
the afternoon sabbath school. The exercises of the scholars
in this school are reading the testament in course 10 verses
each sabbath. Each one usually reads the 10 verses several
times over, so that the sentiments of the lessons become fa
miliar. After reading each teacher examines his class on
what they have read. After which, I go over the whole ground
catichise and apply the lesson to the circumstances of the
school. All is closed by singing and prayer when the whole
school again repair to the sanctuary for the afternoon ser
vice. This service which usually lasts less than an hour and
closes at 1/2 past 3 is last of the public exercises of the
sabbath. The people return home and hold social conference
and prayer meetings. During the whole of the two years past
there has been no decrease in the congregation for the most
part of the last year there has been an increase both in the
former and latter part of the day. In no previous year has
the afternoon service been so well attended. The congregation
at Kaluaaha embraces all the people six miles east and the
same number of miles west of the station; so that a consider
able part of it come from the distance of 6 miles.
The monthly concert for prayer and contribution for be
nevolent .purposes has been steadily attended and has been
altogether one of the most interesting and best attended week
day meetings we have had. We have made an effort to have the
people present there [sic] offerings to Lord on the day of
meeting instead of any time during the month or year as they
have formerly done. In that we have in a good measure suc
ceeded and have found it a manifest improvement upon the old
plan as the contributions have nearly doubled, and the people' s
interest in the meetings has been greatly enlarged. The do
nations great or small of each one are noted down at the time
they are presented so that I have at the end of the year not
only a clear view of the amount of each month but the names
of all the contributors. I write down usually more than 200
donors at the monthly concert at the station, beside nearly
a hundred at a near outpost where I am in the habit of hold
ing the monthly concert before sunrise. As soon as convenient
the lunas at the different outposts either bring or send in
the amount contributed at their respective places which I
carefully enter into the monthly concert book. I am glad to
be able to say that while the people contribute more in amount
they do it with less effort in our part and more cheerfully
and out of an enlightened view of duty. The children of the
�27
schools are getting into the habit of giving the fruits of
their own labour to the lord and it is exerting a happy in
fluence on their character. Parents are taught not only theilr
own duty in reference to giving to the cause of benevolence
but that it is a sacred duty to bring up their children as
far as they are able to habits of liberality.
On tuesday [sic] afternoon a meeting has been held for
inquiries. From fifty to 100 have usually attended. Several
of these have during the two years given satisfactory evidence
of conversion and have united with the church, Many continue
to attend without showing marks of piety sufficiently clear
to admit of much hope. The course of instruction in this
meeting has much of the time been an explanation and appli
cation of the doctrines contained in the articles of faith
in the church, which they have as a general thing committed
to memory. This meeting has afforded a good opportunity to
distinguish between the really anxious and those who assume
concern for their souls from sinister motives.
The Wednesday lecture has been well attended though less
so than the monthly concert and some other meetings. When
present myself I have lectured on Matthew in course usually
devoting one lecture to one Paragraph or subject of discourse.
We have advanced to the 10th chapter which is now nearly fi
nished. It gives a better opportunity to declare all the
counsel of God than preaching from issolated [sic] texts.
On thursday [sic] at 5 oclock [sic] we have preaching
at Kamaloo an outpost about 5 miles distant from the station.
Here they have during the last year completed a stone meeting
house 40 feet by 24 inside with a good panel door and windows.
The house is always well filled. It is in the vicinity of
the schoolhouse and the scholars of the school form a part
of the congregation. At this outpost there has been an un
usual attention to religion for several months past. Several
excommunicated members have given evidence of repentance and
a goodly number of the impenitent [?] are actively engaged
in seeking the salvation salvation [sic] of their souls.
The papists have several disciples at Kamaloo several of
which [sic] have during last two years forsaken them and
come over to us— one is now a useful member of the church.
The people from this district always attend meeting at the
station on the sabbath.
On Friday preaching is held at Waialua an outpost a
district six miles east of Kaluaaha. The attendance here
is not usually so good as Kamaloo and there is at present
no serious attentions [sic] to religion. The children of the
school are always present at the meetings. This district
come to the station to meeting on the sabbath stay to both
meetings and return in the evening. We regard the distance
as to [sic] great, and have resolved to set them off to Honouli a district 3 miles further east, so that will, when the
arrangement is completed have only half as far to travel to
the house of God. The subject of discourse at Kaluaaha, Ka
maloo and Wailua has been the same so that the whole congre-
�28
gation listen to the same instruction as which is much the
same as if they have been assembled in one meeting as they
do on the sabbath.
On Saturday evening is the general meeting of the mem
bers of the church within three each [sic] miles each way
from the station. This meeting is second to no other one
in importance or in the influence exerted upon the state of
morals and religion. As the instruction is always designed
to be adapted to the existing circumstances of the people
and opportunity is had for being more particular in applying
truth and in exposing sin than even in regular preaching.
I am sorry to say that this meeting is more thinly attended
than it should be though it numbers more than 100.
Out posts of the 4 outstations I have laboured only at
two at at [sic] these, together with Bro. Andrews. One of
us have always been present at Moakea at least once a month.
Frequently we have gone on Saturday to Halawa, three or four
miles beyond, held meeting with the people there on Sat [sic]
evening and sab [sic] morning, and than returned followed
by the people to Moakea the place for public worship. The
exercises at on the sabbath are the same as at Kaluaaha with
the exception of the afternoon sab school of the children.
The meeting house 72 feet 24 inside, is always comfortably
and frequently densely filled. The house is only of two years
standing but owing to some defect in the roof it has fallen
down. This may be regarded as a favour [sic] in providence
as it was not in a situation to accomodate in the best ------ manner the population. Halawa having to ascend a pali nearly
100 feet high to get to it beside walking three or 4 miles
further after they get up. Hereafter the meeting house is
to be removed farther west to as was observed above Waialu a
and the people of Halawa will form a congregation by themselves.
The sacrament as administered 3 times a year at Moakea.[s ic]
The members are above 200.
The other principle out post is Kalae. This embraces
a wide teritory [sic]. Indeed all the western section of the
island. The branch of the church at this out post numbers
somewhat over 200 members in regular standing. I have spent
in company with my family about one 4th [sic] part of the
year at Kalae. We have there a good dwelling house and meeting house which will seat from six to seven hundred people,
and which is ordinaraly [sic] crowded. The place being about
2500 feet above the level of the sea. It is a fine retreat
from the sultry climate of the seaside, where we not only
are in the midst of our work but in circumstances to improve
our healt h . At this outpost as at Moakea the Sacrament Is
administered 3 times a year.
Of the other two stations Pelekunu and Wailau on
the windward side of the island I leave to the report of my
assistant, who has had the only care of them since he has
�29
been in the field. [sic] and merely remark that in the former
place especially the word of good has seemed to take root
and to flourish like the vegetation of nature in their fruit
ful valley. Out of a population of about 100 there some
40 church members almost all the people are serious and live
in peace and contribute willingly to the building up of the
redeemers Kingdom abroad. I should say much more about these
two outposts, but I hope to hear a full report from their
Pastor.
Female department of labour. This has been more vigor
ously and efficiently sustained the past two years than for
many previous years. Mrs. H has succeeded in getting a sys
tem of instruction and supervision established among the
women, which already begins to show excellent fruit and which
will doubtless, if her life and health are spared show much
more.
On Thursday of every other week she holds what is called
the mothers meeting, or society. The conditions of membership
of this meeting are cleanliness of person, Industry--Faithful
care of family--neatness in house &c. There are similar meet
ings in all the principal districts of the island of which
the one at the station is regarded as the parent. Over each
is placed lunas whose vigilance and faithfulness under the
instructions of Mrs. H, has a decidedly salutary influence
in their places.
Beside this Mrs. H has a weekly school for teachers-—
in which she explains to them in chapter or a part of a chap
ter of the bible. The next day all these teachers meet with
as many women as can be prevailed with to attend, and repeat
as nearly as she can the explanations given the day before.
so that in many, if not in all the districts of the island
the women have schools for reading the word of God. In con
nexion [sic] with the mothers meeting or I might say the meet
ing itself is a society for the relief of the poor which makes
semi-anual [sic] donations for that object, and this embraces
all the districts of the island so that the call for the con
tribution of the poor is as much expected as the pay for salary
or for the monthly concerts. Scores of those sick and help
less have been clothed and made comparatively comfortable.
Mrs. H has also a meeting with the women on friday [sic]
afternoon to which all come who please. Our women are before
the men in every good work and show more decided ----- attatchment to the saviour and it is much owing to the influence
which religion possesses over them that the other sex are as
faithful and steafast [sic] as these. A little labour [sic]
expended on the former seems to be much more effectual than
a much ---- greater amount expended on the latter.
State of religion. If a uniformly good attendence on
public worship, and observance of the means of grace and a
�30
liberal contribution for the support of the gospel among them
selves and for its spread in other lands together with a con
siderable increase of the church be indictave [ !] of prosperity
--- than has religion been in a prosperous state among
us for these two years past. But Blessed be God we have more
satisfactory evidence of the prosperity of cause especially
for the last year. In the Increased activity and prayerful
ness prayerfulness [sic] of professors of religion, and in
the increase of attention to the concerns of the soul among
the impenitent. For the last 12 months past, our congrega
tion on the sabbath has been unusually full and has contained
many young men and women who before were not in the habit of
being present. The congregation in the afternoon has been
nearly as full as that of the morning.
About 4 months ago and simultaneously with the same thing
at Honolulu and Lahaina Several [sic] church members at Kalua
aha were found praying together in the house of God in the
after part of the night. The meeting was soon attended by
several fallen church members and some others who seemed to
be deeply impressed with their guilt. The Bell [sic] rings
frequently at 3 in the morning and always before or at 4.
Thinking that rising so long before day might do more hurt
than good I proposed that the bell be rung later but they
felt hurt at the proposal. There is now w hat may be called
a revival in Halawa, Wailau, Pelekunu, and in all most every
district on the island there is an unusual interest manifested
in the means of grace. So that although the actual conversion
of souls is a hidden matter yet we have great grounds to
hope that not a few have been thus converted and are now on
the way to heaven.
At Halawa some six weeks ago at a meeting for the anxious,
I found nearly 100 who professed to b e seeking salvation. [sic]
And Christians earnestly engaged in praying for them.
At Wailau I have been informed only two remain careless
in the whole village. At Pelekunu the work has been silently
progressing for many months and nearly all the inhabitants
of the valley are either professing Christians or are more
or less serious. I know not that any - - - - - stand aloof from
the Pono.
At Kalaupapa there has for most of the time since last
general meeting been a pleasing attention to religion and
some few members of the church have been awake [sic] in the
work of the ---- Lord.
At Kalae the attention to religion was greater last year
than it has been this there were [sic] last year several hope
ful conversions at that post.
Kaluakoe the most distant part of the island has been
visited with the special influences of the spirit. The school
teacher and his wife has [sic] been most engaged and the result
has been that they are now surrounded by a little band of
praying souls. So distant are they from the station and so
�31
small is the number that we have never visited them but once.
and they rarely can come under the sound of our voices. At
our last residence at Kalae, they however in mass came and sp ent
several days that they might hear the word of God,
Temperance. It is known to the brethren all the children
of Molokai of suitable age to attend school are banded together
in a juvenile temperance society in which they pledged to ab
stain wholly and forever from all intoxicating drink from the
use of tobacco and from the practice of gambling. This society
has its aniversary [sic] on new years day of each year. These
two years past this aniversary [sic] has been unusually interest
ing connected as it has been with the general examination of
schools and with the convocation of --- parents and children
and members of the church at Kaluaaha from all parts of the
island. The aniversary [sic] of 47 was signalized by the
presence of king and suit[!] our lamented Brother Richards and
several of the brothers from Maui. The one of 48 though not
graced with the nobility of the nation as its predecessor was
was the most interesting on the whole of any we have ever had.
Report of these aniversaries so far as the children are con
cerned belongs to the department of my associate. A s I should
dwell longer upon them I will only remark that the benefit
to the cause of education, Religion, morality and civilization
has [sic] been obvious and greater as to give them a place
among our most powerful means of usefulness.
desire of getting into the church [sic]
In conclusion I would say that there -- has been -- evi
dently an advance made upward by the people of our charge
these two years past. The more the Sanctions, and claims,
and duties of religion are understood by the people the better
---- days are ----- prized. In the case of our people we are
convinced that Religion is in no danger of being forsaken on
account of the burdens it imposes upon the professors. But
on the contrary it is a pleasing fact that the people are of
their own accord involving their values in labours [sic] and
sacrifices, and expences [sic] for its support which they
would not do had it no hold upon their affections. Beside
the support of Bro Andrews which they have more than done thus
far and monthly contributions for missionary objects, and
frequent donations [to] the poor, they are making up the work
of building their meeting houses.
In every principal district of the island they either
have now or soon will have a commodious house of worship plaster
ed and whitewashed with doors and glass windows all secured
by lock and key from the intrusion of the quadrapeds which
have been would [?] infest our sanctuaries in former days.
Pour of these are exclusive for the public worship of God:
meeting houses in the strict sense of the term while several
are used for the double purpose of meetings and schools.
�32
Native helps. Beside our pukus and common lunas we have
one whom we about one year ago set apart for the work of the
ministry so far as it can be performed by the native mind in
its present state. He has a charge assigned him consisting
of a parish embracing nearly or quite 1000 souls has a salary
of 40 dollars in trade [?] per year and is giving great promise
of extensive usefulness and had we 3 or 4 more like him we
should not hesitate to intrust them a larger share in our
labours and responsibility. But we have no more like him.
But intend when we return to invest one more with the privi
lege of preaching formally the word of God and with the over
sight of the congregation in which he lives. I would here
take occasion to remark that though on Molokai we could not
without disaster to the cause dispense with the aid of such
native help as we have yet when -- asked when in consequence
of a good supply of native preachers and pastors Molokai will
no longer need the presence of foreign missionaries I answer
decidedly that the twilight of that auspicious morn has not
yet appeared. The possibility of native born ministers of
the gospel being able to sustain and carry on the institutions
of religion and education which now exists lies far down in
the blank darkness of night and he who fancies it to within
10, 20, or 30 years of our door is doomed to certain disap
pointment. No hope could be more visionary and were it in
dulged without the danger of defeating the arrival of the
desired period at all. It might be passed over without notice
But when it is made the ground of the enquiry by our patrons
how soon we can release them from the task of send [sic] more
missionaries to this field it deserves to be exposed in its
true light.
Any diminution of missionary influence in our field would
be felt in a retrograde movement of every interest which we
hold dear. But were this influence to be removed -------and every where within the period of 20 or even 30 years no
other result could follow but the loss of all that has been
done and the blotting out at no distant day of the last trace
of piety among the people. I state not the arguments upon
which I found these assertions. But have no fear that the
assertions themselves are capable of being disproved. I there
fore deeply regret that any favourable response should be
made to the demands of the board as to the time when they
may withdraw support of the mission at these islands.
�33
Statistics of Kaluaaha for 1847-8
Whole number received on examination
1125
certificate
37
on exam--2 past years
162
letter
4
Whole no. 2 past years
168
dismissed to other churches
37
past 2 years
5
Whole number died
150
2
past years
45
Whole number suspended
Remain suspended
30
Whole no. excommunicated
24
Remain ex
20
Whole no. in regular standing
10.25 [sic]
Whole no. baptized children
5.51 [sic]
Baptize 2 past years
114
Mariages [sic] last two years
115
Average congregation
752
Contributions monthly amt avails in cash
for 1 1/4 years now past cash
40.50
Support of Pastor in cash
411.83
For the poor
75.00
Building meetinhouses [sic]
1200.00
Eleles taken 400
- - --------400
Books sold for cash about 150 doll
150
Whole amount
�34
Report of Kaluaaha
1848-9
1. The Missionaries. Our circumstances the past year have
been much as formerly. Our healths have been usually good,
at least so much so as to enable us to go on with our ordinary
work; & on the whole the year has been prosperous. Though
Mr. H's health the latter part of it has been poor. From
December to February while the call for all sorts of mission
ary labor were [sic] more frequent & loud than ever we were
unable to respond to them as we could wish. In reviewing
the mercies of the year we see renewed cause for gratitude
to the Great Bestower, while on the other hand, we deeply
regret that these mercies have been so poorly appreciated.
2d Our Missionary Labors
1 st Preaching the Gospel. Usually there have been 5 ser
mons each week, i.e. two on the Sabbath at the Station, one
on Wednesday at the same place, one at Kamaloo on Thursday
& one on Friday at Waialua. These meetings have of course
been interrupted when the missionaries have been away at the
out stations Kalae & Halava. [sic] It has been the design
to preach to the congregation of the latter place at least
once a month, while at the former they have had preaching
about 10 Sabbaths during the year. Another interruption to
the regular course of preaching has been the prevailing sick
ness, which disabled the people from attending meetings.
For the first 10 months of the year 48, little transpired to
prevent the frequent & uninterupted [sic] preaching of the
word.
2d Meetings for other purposes. One has been held statedly
on Tuesday at the station for those professing to be serious.
The course of instruction pursued at this meeting has been
that of the catechetical kind followed by direct & pointed
remarks, suggested by the circumstances of the individuals
present. 2d The usual Saturday evening meeting for the mem
bers of the church at which the time has been occupied in
singing, prayer & a lecture designed to impress Christian
experience & practice.
3. The Mother's biweekly meeting. At this meeting which
consists of a select number of females who, as a condition
of belonging to it, obligate themselves to cleanliness in
their persons & houses & to industrious habits, Mrs. H. usual
ly reads with them the scriptures & imparts such instruction
as their circumstances require. There are I believe more
than 100 belonging to this meeting, most of whom are usually
present.
4 thl y T h e F r i d a y meeting which is held every other
week & which is attended by all who are disposed to come.
Mrs. H. makes it a point to attend this meeting as often as
possible, & it affords her a fine opportunity -- --- of exert
ing a good influence over the female part of the congregation.
�35
5thly Besides the two above mentioned Mrs. H. has a weekly
meeting with a class of female teachers. With these she reads
& explains a passage of Scripture or rather a chapter & on
the morrow these teachers assemble as many women as they can
induce to come & impart to them the knowledge, as well as they
are able, they received the day before.
Lastly the Monthly Concert for Prayer. Of these we have
usually attended two each month. One at Kamaloo before Sun
rise in the morning. The people have usually been together
praying before we have arived. [sic] Our time at this meeting
is mostly occupied in registering the names of the numerous
donors who are sitting with their gifts in their hands. This
feeing done we lecture them on the necessities of a sinful &
heathen world. The monthly concert at the station, which is
one of our best attended & most interesting weekly meetings
is held late in the afternoon, after having received & credited the donations to their respective givers, which last work
occupies most of the afternoon. This much for our religious
meetings.
3d Labor in schools, 1st Sabbath Schools. Of these we
have 3 each sabbath. One before meeting in the forenoon en
tirely for children. one directly after the morning sermon
for adults only, & one at 1/2 past 1 P.M. for adults & child
ren
united. The school for children since Mr. An
drews left has been superintended by Mr. Dwight. It was very
prosperous up to the time the sickness intervened & for several
months nearly destroyed it. The adult school consists of
chh [sic] members & whoever else is disposed to attend. In this
--- school the 7 verses of the Ai o ka la are recited from
memory. Questions are asked & explanati o ns given on both
on the sermon & the lesson. The school is closed by prayer.
The third school is for reading the Bible, reciting the ca
techism, singging [sic] &c. All three of the schools were
full & prosperous before the sickness & are now regaining
their former good condition. 2dly Common Schools To these
we have been able to devote but little time the past year-less perhaps than in any former year of our residence on the
island. All we have been able to do has been to have an eye
upon them & to counsel the teachers & Lunas. Gladly would
we have given more attention to this important part of our
work, but our hands have been full of other more pressing
business.
Besides the above missionary labors, our time has not
been unfrequently occupied in the care of & administering
medicine to the sick; giving out books; settling difficulties
between the offended & the offending; in taking care of the
herd; repairing houses, walls & other fixtures about the
premises.
4. The condition of our Field. (1) Religlous At our last
Gen. Meet. a revival was in progress in nearly every part of
the island. It commenced several months before & continued
�36
with much decrease of interest for several months after. The
features of this revival were in some respects different &
more satisfactory than those which have characterized former
religious excitements among us. One peculiarity was an un
usual concern of Christians for others & the making of efforts
to extend the revival to all parts of the island. Several of
the brethren, when the awakening commenced, felt constrained
to visit another village for the purpose of endeavoring to
awaken the people. This endeavor the Holy Spirit favored,
& the result was a general attention of that village to the
concerns of eternity & the hopeful conversions of some 30
individuals. The brethren of this village in their turn formed
the plan of going around the island for the purpose of convers
ing with Christians & the wicked striving to awaken them to
activity & concern about their souls. On our return from
Gen. Meet. we found this company of itinerant missionaries at
the station. Their report of the enterprize [sic] was truly
encouraging & such as to leave little ground to doubt that
they had been under the guidance of the Spirit of God. From
that time the people of the most distant & unfrequented part
of the island became anxious for their souls, & the conse
quence has been the addition to the ch'h [sic] of some 18 or
20 from a district which has never but once been visited
by the missionaries. & From [sic] all the accounts we can
get (for they are more than 40 miles distant from the station)
they are adorning their profession as might be expected.
Molokai could not limit their desire to extend the Gospel &
the brethren of Wailau actually came to the determination,
if their missionaries would give it their sanction, to construct
a small schooner in which they might go from island to island
on purpose to promote the cause of Religion, & in which they
might transport to market the produce contributed for the
monthly concert. They had actually commenced executing their
plan when sickness laid them asside [sic] not only from this,
but from all other engagements. It is thought that the professed converts have more generally held out than in former
revivals, which is another pleasing peculiarity of the work.
At all events no doubt can exist that during the time embraced
in this religious excitement many were born again--or that
the angels have had occasion to rejoice at the repentance of
many who up to that time were living wholly estranged from
God. Coincident with the genuineness of this revival are the
facts that in every part of the island houses of worship were
at the time & have ----- been since unusually well filled,
& that the cause of benevolence & efforts to support the Gos
pel have never been so prosperous. More than 300 were propounded for admission to the ch'h. [sic] Very few of these
tho' they were on trial --- several months have gone back &
most of them have been received. Another pleasing & striking
peculiarity of the revival is the number of young people whom
it has --------- brought out from the ranks of the world.
�57
Since it has ceased [it] has evidently been more vigorous, &
has held a more powerful sway over the whole island than at
any previoud time. There has been but little cause for the
exercise of ch'h [sic] discipline. Indeed from Jan 48 to
the end of that year not one instance of overt sin was brought
before the ch'h or was known to have been committed by any
of its members. Christians have seemed, at least many of them,
to have had an unusual spirit of prayer and our hearts have
been encouraged at the evident increase of piety, if not
in the ch'h [sic] as a whole, yet in many of its members.
It must still be confessed that the Molokai ch'h is a ch'h
of Hawaiians, i.e. a ch'h of weak, ignorant, short sighted,
erring, half civilized, suffering Christians. To this remark
there are indeed exceptions, but with regard to the mass the
remark is by no means a libel on their characters. [sic] &
while on the one hand we can but admire & praise God at the
readiness of their obedience to the precepts of the Gospel
when clearly comprehended, on the other we are pained to per
ceive the exceedingly limited nature of their knowledge of
truth, & the consequent frequent failure in many to live up
to its requirements. We are tried with them much the same
manner only perhaps in a greater degree, as we should be with
a congregation of small children who tho' on the whole they
gave evidence that they are Christians, yet in their plays
& intercourse with each other, either did not know or forgot
the application of Gospel rules to the regulations of their
conduct & as in the case of the children the heart of the
enlightened christian would be pained at many inconsistencies,
in the innumerable conflicts which their pride & selfishness
would produce, so in the case of the Molokai, & I presume
most other native Christians, much occurs to discourage &
wound the feelings of the missionary while at the same time
they are so different from what they formerly were, or even
from what their impenitent & ungodly neighbors now are, as
to foster in the breast the fond hope that though they are
weak babes in Christ, still that they are babes; & that by
a constant & faithful supply of milk of the word they
will become if not strong men in this world yet strong men
in that which is to come. Another year's experience has only
served to strengthen my former conviction that the religious
state of the people is by no means high enough t o allow the
hope that were the missionaries to leave the work, there could
or would be any advance. It is to be feared that our Patrons
at home are laboring under the idea that the cause of Religion
here has attained that high position where it may be left
to itself, not only without hazzard [sic] of losing ground
but with high hopes of its upward progress. If the influence
of the missionaries on this island has been indispensable
to the success which the Gospel has thus far had, the same
influence must be continued to secure its future success.
There is noother influence on the ground which could sus
tain it. The ch'h at these islands is yet in the earlier
�3B
stages of its pupilage & treating it as having nearly passed
its minority is the sure way to its ruin. The short relaxa
tion caused by the present sickness in the regular preaching
of the gospel & in the use of the usual means of Grace, has
but too plainly proved that under God the prosperity & even
the existence of true Religion here must necessarily for a
great while to come depend on the faithful prosecution of
missionary work. We dwell the longer on this subject as it
is one as important as the maintenance of our ground on these
islands which seems to be jeopardized by many of the mission
aries leaving the field. We rejoice to say under this head
that Popery has during, the year made no advance o n our island.
It probably has lost ground. No less than five or six of
its most respectable adherents have united with our ch'h.
A goodly number of their children attend protestant schools.
They have been visited by a priest once during the year.
He forbade them to attend our schools, but his orders have
in some instances been disregarded. Equally pleasing is it
to state that Paganism tho' not dead is dying as has been
evinced by the rare instances of the people resorting to their
old incantations & supersticious [sic] practices for the re
covery of health. In the late distressing sickness several
individuals indeed have been suspended for employing heathen
doctors. But the wonder is how the number could have been
so small, when we consider their distressing situation & the
powerful impressions which come by education & habit has [sic]
upon a partially civilized people.
2dly Morals. There has been a considerable advance made
in the morality of the island the year past. With the excep
tion of a few cases of theft, most of which have escaped de
tection, the year 48 knew not that I am aware of a single
prosecution for crime, & but comparatively few cases of liti
gation or civil ----- suits. This state of things was so
remarkable that it was a common remark that the judge had
little or nothing to do & was of no use. No instance of in
temperance has come to our knowledge. The use of tobaco [sic]
continues to be as unpopular as ever & breaches of the Sabbath
by natives have been almost unknown altho' some foreign res
idents or visitors have set them an example to the contrary.
These foreigners have in some instances been fined. There are
now on the whole island but 5 prisoners for crime & it is
doubtful whether one of these was guilty.
3d Industry We are not able to report as much progress
in this department as we could wish. In no one virtue per
haps are our natives more deficient than in this. It is a
painful fact that the great majority labor only to a sufficient
amount to keep themselves from nakedness & starvation. Their
heavy taxes force most of them to extra exertions. But steady
systematic labor which looks forward towards a competency is
extremely rare. Not that they are incapable of industry.
This is not true. Place them in circumstances where labor
would be reasonably repaid & no men would be more able or
�willing to work. But such are their present circumstances
that it is extremely difficult for them to break off from
their old ------ beaten course & go forward in well directed
labors for obtaining property. If o n for instance needs
a house how great are the difficulties of getting one decent
to live in & how strong the tendency of those difficulties
to lead him either to dwell year after year in his leaky &
half prostrate house, or to build another of not much better
quality. The tim ber must be sought & shouldered or dragged
by his own hands the distance of miles. It is a long job
& cannot be otherwise & operates seriously against industry.
Again with the mass of what must be. called farmers what in
citement or encouragement have they to free industry - - - while the utmost proceeds of their labours are eaten up by
the exorbitant taxes which they are obliged to pay to the
Landholders & the Government? When notice was first given
two years ago, that the lands were to be made over to the
occupants, & they were told to send in each man his claim,
an immediate spur was given to labor, & many without delay
commenced fencing in & improving their little homesteads.
But since month after month has passed & they are no nearer
to receiving their lands than when the [sic] sent in their
claims, the incitement to industry has ceased. Only let
Government assign to the people the lands for which they have
claims on record & industry would spring up like grass after
the showers. While as things now are it cannot prosper.
The women of Molokai, carry on quite a trade with Lahaina
& Honolulu in hats. Thousands of these are anually [sic]
made but the great difficulty is that they avail but little,
first because their husbands eat up much of the income while
peddling them out & next, that what little is obtained is
actually laid out to purchase food or pay taxes, which the
labor of the man should have supplied. No aspect of the
nation looks darker or more hopeless than the present state
of industry & it is surprising that the encouragements to
a change, for the better in this respect, which are in the
power of the government to grant, are so slow In forthcom
ing. The missionaries, & perhaps it may be said religion
itself cannot materially improve the state of industry while
the present obstacles to it exist.
4th Of the Social conditions of the people little need
be said after what has been said of their industry. It can
not be expected, that, when there is so little effective
labor, social & domestic comfort, to any great amount can
exist. The persons, dress, houses, furniture of the mass
have improved but little the past year. Very few -- are the
families who have suitable apartments for either domestic
comfort or purity. It is true that more decency in this.
particular is found than was to [sic] found years ago. Still
so far are the people from our views of social & domestic
happiness, as to render the difference easily discernable.
�In a few families we are happy to ----- see a more civilized,
way of life. These are a great comfort to us. In some houses
are to be found civilized beds, tables, chairs, cooking uten
sils & other furniture. But much more concern seems to be
felt by the people in general to put what they can spare on
their backs, in the form of fine & expensive clothing than
to furnish their house's or Increase their domestic comforts.
5th Health Most of our anual [sic] reports have been
able to speak more favorably on this subject than those from
the other islands. Fewer deaths & more births have occured
with us than any other part of the group. This report will
not probably fall behind in the record of sickness & death.
No former year has been like this in frequent cases of mor
tality & in the small number of birth even before the epi
demic set it. This commenced with us about the same time
as at the other stations. At first it excited but little
attention or alarm. The measles made their appearance & left
without any fatal consequences for several weeks, when an
obstinate disease of the bowels was added in the majority
of the cases & death began his work. This continued for two
months, in which time [in pencil: 371] [or 311?] of the
population were carried off or more than one in every
.[sic]
Halava [sic] the largest valley on the island & where there
were m ore than 4 0 0 inhabitants lost one in six of the whole.
Never were a poor people more unprepared for so terrible a
scourge. Their miserable houses, the unwanted rains & winds
& floods; their destitution of proper food & medicine; the
insufficiency of well ones to take care of the sick; Their i n domitable ------ apetite [sic] for fish & recklessness in respect
of diet, all combined to favor the ravages of disease & death.
The diarrhoe [sic] had not subsided before the most distres
sing (perhaps whooping) cough set in, which owing to the al
ready emaciated frames of multitudes greatly helped forward
the work of death. The sickness has been very fatal to the
aged & infirm, to females near confinement or just after &
by far the greater part of the children born the latter part
of the year have been carried off. So that of the very few
births which have taken place during the year probably but
a very small portion are now alive, Deaths were still fre
quent during the months of January & February, so that the
percentage of Death must ------ be considerably greater than
it was when the census was taken, & now tho the prevailing
diseases are over very many who had escaped death will doubt
less soon become its victims in consequence of coughs & con
sumptions which those diseases have occasioned. In connec
tion with the ravages of the pestilence it may not be impro
per to notice those of the storm. Never have we known on
Molokai two months Of such sunless days as these of the
last two of the year. /Clouds & darkness literally over
spread the heavens. The bellowing of the winds the h e a v y
roar of the ocean & the gloomy sound of the mighty rains
kept concert with the groans of the dying & the moanings of
�the bereaved. We have nearly experienced storms & rains before,
the flood which so nearly destroyed Br. P [ogue] was a dreadful
one but with us it did not compare in violence or destruct
iveness with the one of December last. After a constant &
powerful rain of many hours between midnight & morning the
mountain torrent like an avalanch [sic] rushed down upon us.
It had gorgue [gorged] out for itself a new & deep gulph [sic]
whose large rocks & heavy stones, it bore like feathers on
its foaming surge & piled them in hugh [sic] masses in the
rear of our dwellings. So heavy & violent was the rush that
it broke to pieces a strong gate before Miss Browne's door;
burst open her cook room door carried away the opposite wall,
& bore off on its bosom nearly every thing in the room. In
this critical condition Miss B, was forced out in the drench
ing rain & the stream to cry for help. Meanwhile both flood
& rain increased & her whole premises were in danger of being
overwhelmed, & her self of being carried away. The natives
who ran to her relief brought constant reports that the wa
ters were increasing rapidly between us. The goods were re
moved by the kindness of the natives to Mr. Dwight's house
& the current so far turned off as to prevent its tearing
down hers. Meanwhile it had wreanched [sic] of [sic] the strong
iron hinges from a new gate in Mr. D's yard, torn the strong
& deep set posts out of the ground & passing through his
yard filled his cellar & buried with gravel & stones a new
flower garden which he had with great care been making.
Owing to very thick stone wall in the rear Mr. Hitchcock's
premises were comparitively [sic] safe, tho' his cellar began
to fill & a powerful stream ran through one of his rooms.
With returning day the the [sic] rain ceased & with it the
torrent; but the light only revealed the devestations of
the night. A broad area back of our house had been deeply
covered with stones & nearly ruined. A deep & frightful
gorge has been dug between us & our nearest neighbors. The
whole course of the water had, by the filling up of the old
channel, turned directly upon us. The flats below us were under
water. The walls around the premises had been prostrated
in many places & one newly built to defend Miss Browne had
been most of it either carried off or buried under a new
accumulation of stones. Boards which had been used for
defenses had been buried, stones in great quantities had been
deposited on our gardens. A new & deep ditch cut alon [g] side
within a few inches of our Bell house, & our boat, which had
been made fast the night before in a small harbor near by,
had parted all its cables & drifted on the bosom of the tide,
onto the wall of the fish pond.
In fine nature had assumed a dreary aspect. The ces
sation of these troubles was barely long enough to enable
us to prepare for a fresh attack, or for several repeated
attacks of the crazy elements. By a perseverance unusual
in natives we succeeded in fortifying our premises by an
�42
embankment of stones & in opening a new channel for succeed
ing torrents, which soon made their appearance in rappid [sic]
succession. One of these demolished the kitchen of Mr.
Dwight's house, & had we not been better prepared for it,
would have been nearly as devastating as the first. No re
membrance is had by the oldest persons on the island of any
flood like these. It has changed the face of the land & new
& deep water courses now exist where there were none before;
while the old ones are so enlarged as to be scarcely known.
The rains finally ceased, but the winds were not pacified,
but long & dreary weeks they continued to howl & keep old
ocean in a foam. Never has intercourse between us & Maui
been so long interrupted. This state of the weather en
hanced the severity of the other judgments of God. Not only
have the people suffered in their persons, but very serious
ly in their property. At Halawa & Honouli the people had
labored hard to provide themselves meeting houses. At the
the latter place they have just got ---- their thatch when
sickness prevented their doing anything more to secure it,
& the consequence has been its utter demolition by the flood.
The walls of the one at Halawa were as fine a specimen of
native masonry as the islands could produce & were all pre
pared for the roof. They are now a heap of ruins! Three
schoolhouses between the station & Halava [!] have also been
demolished--two of them entirely, one of them nearly so, so
that now there is no house either for schools or public
worships between the two places. Several other school
houses partly built have been destroyed. So discouraged
& weak are the people that there can be little hope of their
soon reconstructing these buildings. Owing to the very un
favorable state of the weather & the inability of the people
very little plating has been done. The food of most is
exhausted & there has already been much suffering from hun
ger. Many have been driven to the mountains in pursuit of
roots as the only relief from starvation. During the sick
ness we supplied with medicine, rice, pia [arrow root],
bread & molasses all who applied for them & many who did not
& no small relief has we hope been given to the distressed
& afflicted. It is to be regretted that the sick many times
refused our help or did not abide by the instructions given.
But most cases where our medicine could be seasonably given
& when our directions were followed resulted in a cure. Long
must the nation suffer from the effects of this remarkable
visitation of God. We should have said that owing to the
unusual inability of the people to attend, our meetings on
the Sabbath were nearly abandoned & all other meetings entire
ly so for several weeks. It was not until February that our
sanctuary became again filled & our religious meetings at
tended. The meetings even now are not so well attended as
they were before the sickness, partly because very many are
still feeble & scarcely able to get out, & partly no doubt
from some having during the sickness formed the habit of
�staying away. The children's not [sic] being generally
gathered into schools during the week is another cause why
our congregations are smaller than formerly.
Exertions for the support of the Gospel among themselves.
During the first nine months 48 of the people contributed
[in pencil: $280.66] in cash for the salary of the mission
aries, a sum considerably in advance of what they have con
tributed for this purpose in any former year & it can be truly
said that the payment of this sum was made with a promptness
& cheerfulness before unknown. After long experience they
seem to have learned that the Gospel is a personal as well
as public good & that a few cents paid annually for its sup
port was not money thrown away. The ease & cheerfulness with
which they have contributed this much for our support, while
it defends us from the imputation of oppression in calling
--- -- upon them for it, shows conclusively the benefit which
it confers upon themselves. One thing is plain. Poor & desti
tute & degraded as ---- are many of our people are, what they
have contributed for the support of the Gospel has not made
them more so. So many are the advantages which have already
resulted to the people themselves from a voluntary contribu
tion for the support of the Gospel, that it would be hazzardous [sic] to their best interests both temporal & spiritual
to relieve them from the burden. But contributions in money
are far from being the only, or the greatest sacrifices they
have made for the enjoyment of religion. They have been re
markably alive & self-denying in erecting large & pleasant
places of worship. 3 of these have been dedicated since Gen.
Meeting. One of them is 60 feet by thirty--stone laid up in
mud-mortar, plastered & whitewashed; with substantial roof
pannel [sic] doors, glass windows & fine clean mats. The
whole of this was done by their own labor & expense, with
the exception of a few dollars & now it is delightful to meet
with them & see how they enjoy the fruits of their labors.
In Pelekuna [ !] & Wailau, two deep dismal vallies with only about
100 or 150 inhabitants each, by dint of hard labor they have
each a house of the same kind, but of less size: & the
cleanliness & pleasantness of these sanctuaries of God, com
pared with the miserable habitations of the people, allure
many to public worship who otherwise would probably not at
tend. Following on in the same direction on the Kolau side
y o u come to Puahonui [!] with its 50 inhabitants & neatly plas
tered stone meeting house. After two unsuccessful endeavours
to finish this house on account of the rains which destroyed
their work as fast they made it, they --- as the last means
resorted to special prayer that the rains might be so far
restrained as to enable them to complete God’s house. This
prayer was answered to the letter & they met with no more
hinderance [sic] to the work till it was completed. After
they had --- got the roof on another insurmountable obstacle
presented itself to the full realization of their wishes. It
�was the want of lime to plaster the house. No lime stone
was to b e found in its region, or ever had been. What could
they do but to call upon Him who has in His hand the treasures
of the deep. This they did in solemn united prayer & the
next morning a sufficiency of lime stone lay ---- on the
beach, like the mana around the Camp of Israel, with which
they soon prepared the material for plastering their house.
The people of Halava [sic] at great labor & toil had finished
the walls of a meeting house 60 by 30 feet & 12 or 13 high,
had the timbers all prepared & were about to put on the roof,
when the pestilence disabled them from doing more until the
flood demolished the house. They are not however discouraged
but are determined to rebuild the house In a more favorable
location. The work is now going on & probably e'er another
freshnet will be completed. At Honouli a house of the same
---- dimension had been got under roof but through some defect
in the work it was unable to withstand the unparalleled
rains of the season, & it fell, carrying with it sorro w &
discouragement to the hearts of the poor people who had la
bored so hard in putting it up. They will not probably re
build it without aid as death has greatly thinned their ranks
& disease & weakness abounds [sic] among the remainder. The
house could not have been built on hire for less than $300
cash. Several other houses of worship have been commenced
the year past, & will - - - - it is hoped during this one be
finished: so that, if we may judge of the value of the
people put in the Gospel & the ordinances by the sacrifices
which they have voluntarily & cheerfully made for its support,
it will not appear small. It may be added as illustrative
of the samething, that without even the suggestion from us
they have in several districts, that when there were no schoolhouses, put up houses for prayer meetings. In one land they
have two of these, one for promiscuous meetings & one for
females exclusively.
Cause of Benevolence Up to the time of the general sick
ness, the donations at Monthly concert had exceeded those of
any former years. The average receipts per month have been
for 1848 33 1/2 dollars. The system of giving monthly for
the spread of the Gospel abroad has become established through
out the island. This has been done slowly & by degrees. The
means by which it has been brought about has been keeping
frequently before the mind the state of the heathen world,
& the imperative duty of all chrisstians [sic] to labor to
send unto others the great blessings of the Gospel, which
they themselves enjoy. It is a usual practice to devote the
sermon of the afternoon previous to the monthly concert the
subject of giving for the spread of the Gospel. The monthly
concert meetings are made as interesting as possible by
ing the contributions to their respective donors, by reporting
to the meeting the amount received the last month, By [sic]
relating missionary news & anecdotes of heathen usages & by
pointing out on the fine missionary maps, which adorn our
�45
meeting house, the location of the scenes which are described.
Not only are the members of the church taught that they can
not maintain a Christian character while they neglect contri
buting for the spread of the Gospel; but more are encouraged
to hope that they are prepared for entering the chh [!] who do
not engage in the same work. We have also endeavored to im
press upon parents the duty of teaching the children to give &
the children of the schools have done no small part towards what
has been raised the past year, The different lunas are instruct
ed to keep the subject constantly before their various apanas
& the people are encouraged to bring their gifts to the meeting
instead of waiting till a future day. Care has been taken to
inform the people that their contributions have been laid out
according to their wishes. Appropriations of the funds have
usually been made at the monthly concert by the vote, or rather
by the consent of all present to propositions made by the
missionaries. Of the contributions for the past year (48) 40
d ollars have been given for a scolorsh ip [!] at Lahaina Luna
50 dollards to the Home Miss Soc o f U.S . to help support
Mr. Atkinson & 300 dollars to the American Board. One hundred
of which is to constitute the King An [ sic] honorary member
of the board 2 dollars.
As usual the Mothers' meeting has made contributions fo r
the poor in the vicinity. Owing to causes which need not here
be mentioned the amount for the year has fallen short of what
it was the last. Although it is not less than 15 [in pencil]
dollars. I had forgotten to say, while on the subject of the
people for the support of the Gospel at home, that we have
remitted pay for salary the last 3 months of the year in
consequence of the sickness & much has been done at monthly
concert in consequence of the same although the case of the
poor widow has been presented to show that few or none are
too poor as to be unable to give something for the spread of
the Gospel.
Schools & Education We are sorry to say that our report
for the past year must be lacking in that interest, which has
heretofore characterized this department of our labors. The
schools up to the time of the pestilence were in much the same
state of prosperity as they had been in former years so far
as teaching is concerened; & unusual preparations were being
made for a more brilliant [sic]. Puali inuwai than we had ever
known, & had not the sickness prevented, our hopes would pro
bably have been realized. We have had 17 schools taught by
29 or 30 teachers at the price of 25 cents a day embracing
between 11 & 1200 children & have had but one examination
during the year the statistics of which we are not able to give.
Our teachers tho' equally paid, even to an ignorant woman, are
by no means of equal qualifications. A few of them are -- as
good as can be found any where in the group, while the greater
part, tho' better than none, & the best that could be got,
are unqualified for their duties to say the least. The paying
so many teachers so high wages, & the failure of the Lunakula's
to exercise a proper watch over them & care over the avails of
the Pahaa [!] resulted at the end of the year in the heavy debt
[Paahao:
system of work under the Hawn. govt. in which the
common people worked out their taxes]
�of [in pencil: $300 or 400] dollars. Of course the schools
have had to rest, as it would have been folly to have kept
them up without the means of paying the teachers.
The Superintendant whose administration brought all this
evil upon us, tho' the best that could be had at the time was
less qualified for his office than he was thought to be. The
teachers as a general thing have been permitted to keep their
own accounts, as to the number of days they have taught, & as
to the pay they have received, & there is reason to suppose that
in some cases, if not in many there has been dishonesty practiced.
A new superintendent, in many respects superior to his prede
cessor has been appointed The debt by stopping the schools
& purchasing goods cheap & selling them to the creditor teacher
at the market price has been discharged & some of the schools
have been recommenced. The number of teachers has been diminish
ed & the ways of some of the remainder reduced so that it is
to be hoped we shall hereafter avoid falling into debt & be
able to keep the schools in operation the whole term. Some
districts are wholly destitute of schoolhouses. When the
children of Molokai will recover from the injury so long a
freedom from the salutary restraints of a school has done them
we cannot say; but so obvious have been the evils that we
shall hereafter endeavour, so far as we are able, to prevent
the recurrence of the same evils again. Hawaiian children, with
very few exceptions have no government at home, & the Hoomaha
Kula is but another name for relief from all moral & religious
restraint. As always before, so still, our schools suffer
greatly from the want of properly qualified teachers. Were
this difficulty removed it would do more for the interest of
schools than all other means put together: & whereever a [sic]
he should be regarded as with his weight in gold. For further
particulars of our schools I must refer you to the minister of
Instruction. Only one of all the teachers have [!] died during the
year.
Soon after writing the above, the Governor gave orders to
his Luna on Molokai, who had been taking quarterly payments of
the people for the Paahao, to do so no more, but to require
pay at once for the full year, this will operate very unfavour
ably for our schools at least this year as all the cash that
could be raised has been required to cancel the debt. There
has been little labor done these many months past, & the labor
of the Paahao at present cannot be made available, to any very
great extent, to the payment of teachers this year.
Most of the men will try hard to get 1/2 a [sic] dollar [sic]
for three months & when the 3 months are out they ---- will be
more unwilling than ever to return to the Paahao, so that the
greater part would pay the cash for the whole year if allowed
to do it part -- at a time, whereas but few can & fewer will
pay in advance for tire whole year
-- ------- -- -- -- & it
is our opinion that ----- Paahao of Molokai at $2 cash for the
year will go farther in the support of schools than the whole
could do if paid in Labor.
"school vacation"
�47
Native Helpers These consist in members of the ch'h [sic]
called pukus & lunas, & have not been different the past year
from former ones. So important is the aid offered by them that
it would be impossible without them to go forward with our
work with success. As a usual thing they are truly good men
& willing to labor for the cause. Besides these lunas we have
3 native ------- preachers one of whom was licensed two years
ago. He has thus far shown himself worthy of the confidence
reposed in him. He h as a field of 120 or 30 ch'h members &
a congregation of two. He is beloved & respected by the people
& had the ch'hs [sic] of Hawaii a sufficiency of such preachers
it would be a good blessing. Kanakaokai, a graduate of the
first class of the high school, & who has spent many years at
Kalaupapa; & by whose activity & faithful- - [sic] labors
that people have been raised from a state of the greatest
darkness & stupidity, to a high stand among the native Christ
ians, was examined last summer by Brethren Alexander, Andrews
& ourselves, & a license was given him to preach the Gospel.
Lokomaikai, a man of first rate mind & hopeful piety, but of
no school education, tho' not licensed, is engaged in the same
labors as the others, & promises to be an efficient fellow
laborer. God has greatly afflicted him. His wife, with whom
he had lived for many years in the greatest harmony & affection,
was seized with with [sic] a disease in the head. She became
deranged, & while he was asleep, escaped & has not been seen
since. Several weeks after her departure a person appearing
insane was seen by several & search was made hoping to find
her, but the search has discovered ------- not the least trace
of her. Her loss is a great detriment to the ch'h under their
care. She was a kind & pleasant person & had secured to an
unwonted degree the affections of the people & an influence over
the females of the place.
The native preachers are not expected to spend all their
time in laboring for the Spiritual good of the people. It has.
been thought that being obliged to labor for a part of their
support would tend to lessen the temptations to sin, which so
thickly beset the idle everywhere, but especially of this
land. And as idleness is perhaps now the greatest sin in the
church. It was hoped that the example of their teachers in
the kalo patch, a potato field, or with their net in the ocean,
would render more respectable what by common consent has been
regarded as a disgrace to the luna, from the King downward
to the lowest.
They are paid 50 dollars in trade a year.
This is sufficient to clothe themselves & families, while they
are to procure their own food by their own industry.
Four of our most efficient & esteemed lunas ---- have died
the past year, & it is confidently hoped now are enjoying in
Heaven the fruits of the blessed religion they so long labored
to extend to others.
Secular Matters
The Herd This consists of 12 head [sic] of all sizes &
�4©
ages. On account of the severe laws for damage the care of the
herd has become more troublesome & expensive than formerly.
Until of late we have paid the Kahu $1.50 a month we now pay
him $2.50. The time is near at hand when we must have a sepa
rate pasture for our cattle ---- or be obliged to dispose of
them which last is becoming more & more difficult to do. There
are numerous herds in our vicinity & if no other difficulty
occur [sic] that of want of food for them all will be an in
surmountable one to their remaining where they are. The mount
ain part of Kaluaaha should in some way -- be procured from
the Government without delay, It can be converted into pasture
with as little disturbance to the people as any other tract
of land. We would request therefore that measures be taken to
secure it for the mission herd. Will not the government sell
it & take pay in cattle? Or will they not lease it for a reason
able price for 50 years.
Mission Premises These during the year have suffered con
siderable damage by the floods & rains. Our yards & cattle lotts
[sic] are surrounded by stone walls laid up in mud & cannot
stand long continued & violent rains. A valuable lot of Mr.
Dwight has been much injured by a deposit of sand & stones from
the mountain, as also has his door yard. Necessity has been
laid upon us to be at considerable expense in defending our
selves from similar damages. We have built a breakwater con
sisting of a stone wall 9 feet wide 3 feet high &
[sic]
feet long at the expense of 75 cents the fathom. This wall to
render it effectual must have considerable work done on it.
The following are the items
Paid for turning off water in another direction $2.00.
For building wall n ear [?] our house to keep off water $1.00.
For making Miss M Browne’s wall $5.25. For walls round Mr.
Dwight's- premises $16.50.
[sic] for
[sic] fathoms
of breakwater.
Our houses require repairs. Miss Browne's was partly
torn down by by [sic] the flood. It needs thatching immediate
ly & will cost at least $12.00. Mr. Hitchcock's house has
leaked badly these several years & cannot be longer left with
out shingling withou t greater expense than can be saved by
delay. The frame of the roof is native timber & has probably
become injured already to a degree which should not have been
allowed. Another year’s soaking will we fear so rot the frame
that it will have to be made new. Our house at Kalae also
needs thatching & a roof for the cook house together with some
other trifling repairs. We therefore ask for the purpose of
defraying the above expenses. The following sums
1. For walls & water carriers
2. For Mr. Dwight!s house
3. For Miss Browne's house
4. For Mr. Hitchcock's house
5. For the Kalae house
�Statisti cks [sic]
Whole num. added to ch'h by con.
do
do
do
do
certificate
Received the past year by Profession
do
do
do
Certificate
Whole number received past year
Dismissed to other ch'hs
"
This year
Whole no. Deceased
"
"
do
Last year
Suspended Last year
Remain Suspended
Excommunicated Last year
Whole numb [sic] Excommunicated
Remaining
"
Whole number in good standing
Whole number of children Baptized
Average Congregation
Marriages_____
Benevolence
Salary from May 1848 to March 49
------------ --- ------- ------"
" May 1848 to March 49
"
" the poor
"
For building chhs
Census
Number of inhabitants now living
Number died since Jan 1 st 1848
do
do by measles &c
Died in 16 months 1 i n -9
1401
40
276
3
279
45
8
235
85
40
36
0
24
16
1129
750
52
$ 280.66
$ 280.66
15.00 [in pencil]
$ 900.00
3821
453
371
by the sickness 1 in 10 1/2
�
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Title
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Mission Station Reports - Molokai
Dublin Core
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Title
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Mission Station Reports - Molokai - 1833-1849
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1833, 1834, 1835, 1836, 1837, 1838, 1848, 1849
-
https://hmha.missionhouses.org/files/original/30c227ea24b52ff891ecbfb7178da844.pdf
09facf3746736fe851f7ca27d5814993
PDF Text
Text
Molokai Station Reports, No. 2,
1839 -1863
Table of Contents
Seventh Annual Report of the Station at Kaluaaha - 1839, Hitchcock
Report of the Station at Kaluaaha
p.2-4
1840, Hitchcock
p. 5 - 7
1841,
p. 8 - 1 5
1842, "
p. 16 - 23
1843,
p. 24 - 28
1844,
p. 29 - 34
1844, P. J. Gulick
p. 35- 38
1846,
p. 39 - 40
1846, Hitchcock
p. 41 - 4
1847, Hitchcock letter to Chamberlain, p. 47a
Report of the Station at Kaluaaha, May 1849 - May 1851, Samuel. G. Dwight
Abstract
Abstract
Report o f the Church on Molokai
Abstract
Report of the Molokai Church
Abstract
Abstract of Report for Molokai
1851, Hitchcock
1852, Samuel G. Dwight
1852, Hitchcock
1852, Hitchcock
1852 & 1853, Samuel G. Dwight
1853, C. B. Andrews
1853 - 1854, C..B. Andrews
1854, Samuel G. Dwight
1855, C. B. Andrews
1855, Hitchcock
1856, C. B. Andrews
1855 or 1856, Hitchcock
1857, Samuel G. Dwight
1858- 1859, A. O. Forbes
1859, A. O. Forbes
1860, A.
1861, A.
Report of the Presbytery of Maui and Molokai,1862 Report of Molokai Station
1863, A.
O. Forbes
O. Forbes
1863, A. O. Forbes
0. Forbes
Abstract of Report of Molokai Station, 1871, unsigned
p. 48 -51
p. 52 - 57
p. 58
p. 59 - 66
p. 67
p. 68 - 70
p. 71 - 74
p. 75 - 78
p. 79 - 81
p. 82 - 83
p. 84 - 85
p. 86 - 87
p. 88
p. 89 - 91
p. 91a- 91b
p. 92 - 95
p.
p.
p.
p.
96 - 97
98 - 100
101 -103
104 -106
p. 107
Revised & corrected 5/99
�[1839] [Hitchcock]
Seventh Anual ( !) Report of the Station
at Kaluaaha
Seven years have elapsed since the establishment in all of
which goodness and mercy have followed us. Though in none of
them have we been free from the chastizing hand of our heavenly
father. Even before the station was taken the health of Mrs. H.s
-------- ------ poor. ( !) It became more so for two successive
years. Until in the merciful providence of God partial relief
was obtained. Though far from well she has been more or less
comfortable from that time up to the middle of the present year.
Since this time her disease has been more active; and she is at
present suffer[ing] much from debility. In the month of
december ( !) last a daughter was added to our little family;
but to our great grief and disappointment was taken away by
death after eight days esquisite(!)suffering. an event which has
manifestly contributed a share to the increased indisposition
under which she (?) now labours but an event in which notwithstanding we have clearly seen the love and kindness of God.
And for which I hope we have felt unfeigned gratitude.
The labours of the Pastor have suffered an interruption
this year as in previous years from his necessary absence. W e
were called to Lahaina by the sickness of my sister which occu
pied nearly 4 weeks - and subsequently to the same place for
medical aid for our family which occupied nearly three months so that nearly one third of the year has been spent away from
the station.
The effects of this interruption have been highly prejudicial
to the interests of the people. A manifest retrogation in the
work - a falling off in the interest which existed in the minds
of the people on all the subjects to which their attention had
been called. Were the interruptions of this kind of occasional
or unfrequent occurrence they would require little attention
as the loss to our cause would be trifling - But as they may
be looked for to a greater or less extent every year/as it seems
to me they should not be suffered to exist (?) but from imposs
ibility to prevent them. Our (?) labours at the station may be
expected to be curtailed at least three months in the year on
an average including both families until until ( !) such time
as the island be supplied with a physician. This fact of it
self would go far toward making it apparent that a physician
should be allowed us; but when the great facilities which the
island affords for the usefulness of another family, no doubt
as to the necessity, expediency, humanity, or economy of the
subject existed in the minds of the present occupants of the
field. It is therefore our sincere and earnest request that
the Mission in the general letter to the rooms, call for two more
physicians, with a view (?) to the supply of Molokai, and that
the call be made in such a manner as to effect if possible the
great (?) object.
The pastoral labours of the year have been so much like
�Hitchcock -
Kaluaaha, Molokai 1839 - 2.
those of former years that a distinct account does not seem to
be called for Several unforeseen causes have prevented me from engaging
in extraordinary (?) means for good of the people of my charge.
The principle of them has been the morbid state of my vocal
organs The attention to the concerns of the soul has become much
less earnest and general than it was the previous year. Still
it is much better than at any time previous to that year. A
Manifest improvement in ability to understand and appreciate,
and yield to the controul of divine truth exists among the people.
And though as we have passed through the various stages of our
labour for the good of the population we have many a time sighed
deeply on account of the smallness of good achieved (?) yet
looking back on the whole thus far we find abundant occasion to
praise god ( !) for the striking contrast between our people
now - and what they were when we first landed among them. We
feel confident that our labours though comparatively limited and
ineficient ( !) have not been in vain in the Lord.
I grieve that I am unable to report progress to the cause
of public benevolence to as pleasing amount as many of my breth
ren have been able to do - But my inability in the case should
be charged to the peculiar circumstances rather than to the in
disposition of the people. True (?) I am no political econo
mist but it seems to me perfectly evident that if I were I should
be utterly unable to devise how the people on Molokai in their
present (?) circumstances could do much either for the support
of their own teachers or for foreign objects.
They are kind to us and manifest a willingness ,to do what
they can for our support. But their disabilities are so many
and great as to preclude the possibility of doing much.
Still beside furnishing our families with most of our vege
tables gratuitously and furnishing most of the timber for Bro
Munn[ '] s buildings - they have contributed for the high school
thirty dollars or nearly. Tapas to the amount of about thirty
dollars more have been contributed by the maternal association
for the benefit of the poor.
Of the schools I shall say nothing as to report them falls to
Bro Munn.
We have two associations one for males and the other for
females - the former consist[s] of all the members of the church,
and all those out of the church who are willing to be called
upon to labour for or contribute to the cause of benevolence.
This association meet ( !) once in two weeks, and are ( !) mostly
instructed in their duties as parents, and members of society.
�Hitchcock-Kaluaaha, Molokai 1839
-3
The Maternal association over which Mrs. Munn and Hitchcock
have presided has been In a more prosperous condition this year
than in any previous one. It meets regularly on friday of
evy (?) other week - The exercises at the meetings are reading
the scriptures and conversation by the sisters on such subjects
as [are] most necessary to be presented to Hawaiian females.
The children meet with their mothers once in four weeks. One
great object pressed upon the association has been care for the
poor, infirm and sick. And we are hapy ( !) to say there has
been a most pleasing improvement In this respect. Committees
have been appointed to seek out the poor, and sick and those
suffering without ability to aid themselves and to confer upon
them the charities of the association - and extend to them the
care which their circumstances required as far as practicable The result of their labours they are required to report to their
teachers from time to time - The association numbers from 150
to 2 0 0 .
Beside the above meetings the ladies at the station have a
regular meeting once in two weeks with the female members of
the church.
Members admitted to the church the past year
on profession - - - - - - - - - - - - 59
Do received in previous years - - - - - - - - - - 221
Whole number received - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 280
Died the past year - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2
Died in all - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 4
Dismissed to other churches - - - - - - - - - - - 3
Cases of discipline in all - - - - - - - - - - - 7
Whole number of excommunications - - - - - - - - 4
one for neglect of providing for his family
2 for adultery
one for covetousness, dishonesty, destitution
of Christian character, and contempt of the
authority of the church
Members now in good standing — — — — — — — — — — —
269
Baptized infants - the present year - - - - - - 104
Died - - - - in all - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3
Total of Baptized infants - - - - - - - - - - - 151
Marriages the past year - - - - - - - - - - - - 38
Married in former years - - - - - - - - - - - - 338
Sum total of marriages - - - - - - - - - - - - - 417
Present population of the island 4903
Former (?) census 1835-6 - - - - - - - - - 6000
Decrease - - - - - - - - - - ------1097
? 7 lands populations-- 6 - 3 7 --- Males ---333
females
304
children ---222 (?)
Average number of congregation
on the Sabbath---------------- from 700 to 1000
�[Hitchcock]
Report of the Station at Kaluaaha - 1839
[1840]
The missionaries in their report are again enabled to record
the mercies and superintending care of God, which has been mani
fested in the general health and prosperity which they have ex
perienced. While we have not been entirely free from illness
of body, some of the members of the members ( !) of the station
have enjoyed better health this year than last. Nor has any
hard (?) sickness been permitted to disturb our operations.
The labour of the pastor has been the past much as in former
years.
Preaching twice on the sabbath, attending a bible class
of 20 girls before meeting in the morning; and the Adult sabbath
school immediately after the morning service. The monthly concert
has been regularly attended. Preaching on Wednesday afternoon.
Meeting of the church on Saturday - and part of the time an adult
bible class on tuesday - every other friday a meeting with the
Men[']s Benevolent Society has been held. For about half of the
year a bible class daily with the above mentioned girls - with
which singing has been connected. Visiting from house [to house]
has been practiced to considerable extent to gether ( !) with
preaching the gospel by the way side.
Owing to ill health the pastor has on 4 sabbaths not preached
at all - and four Sabbaths has preached but once.
The maternal and benevolent association has been vigour(s)ly
sustained during the year under the superintendence of the ladies
of the station. It numbers nearly 150 members who have done
credit to the society by the readiness with which they have con
tributed to the relief of the poor, the attention they have given
to the sick, and the improvement they have made in the knowledge
and practice of the duties of their sex. Not supposing when we
left home that there would be a general meeting we have not the
amount of what this society have contributed to benevolent pur
poses. We regard it however as among the most efficacious instru
ments for promoting the good of the people which we have been able
to put in operation.
We have a. Men's Benevolent Society Embracing all the male
members of the church and all others who are disposed to join.
But few join who do not give more [or] less evidence of being
Christians. The contributions of this Society to the objects of
charity consists of wood at the monthly concert - and gratuitous
labour in building and repairing schoolhouses and houses for wor
ship. The Amount of their contributions I have not at hand.
The Society meet every two weeks at least as many as live within
a convenient distance and when there is no other business of
importance the time is occupied by Reading the scriptures - a
verse or two each who is able - and exposition by myself.
During the year we have had two protracted meetings - one at
Kalaupapa and the other at the station. The former continued
only three days owing to the failure of my voice. We were
�Hitchcock
-
Kaluaaha - 1840
however most evidently favoured by the presence and influence
of Him who alone can convince of sin and convert the soul. And
there Is reason to hope that several found pardon at the time
and will finally be found among the ransomed in heaven. Several
date their awakening and conversion to God at that time, some of
whom I think have been a (?)
The continued meeting at the station was held in the fall
was attended [by] Brethren Andrews and Armstrong and was in some
respects the most interesting season of the kind we ever had.
The house was full during the whole of the meeting which was from
Wednesday until monday - the attention never better although the
people were much pressed with want of food and many of them were
from a distance. The impression left by the meeting was deep and
has been decidedly beneficial - several instances of hopeful conversion have occurred in consequence of and we have great occa
sion for thankfulness to God and to those brethren who lent us
their aid on the occasion. I could have been ( !) wished that
the number of conversions had been greater still the blessings
attending the meeting are so many and obvious that we shall be
anxious to have such seasons as frequently as the providence of
God will allow.
The church now consists of 320 members having received an
addition of 63 during the past year. 8 have died during the
year and 12 in all. The number of excommunicated suspended &
restored I cannot state as I [do not] have them by me. It may
however be stated in general that very few gross offences have
occurred - and that the conduct of the church in general has
been as consistent and free from reproach as in former years.
Some of the members have appeared much awake and have exerted a
salutary influence arround them. But many while they walk orderly
in view of the world are too careless and worldly and asleep.
Of those members that have died this year three or four have
left highly satisfactory evidence of being ripe for a better world,
while of the others nothing has appeared inconsistent with their
Christian character.
None are now propounded for the church but there are several
who are regarded as proper candidates and will probably be re
ceived soon.
As to the State of the people in general there has been no
improvement the past year so far as religion and morality are
concerned. Our congregations on the sabbath has ( !) on an aver
age been smaller than any former year. The young have fallen
off greatly to that but comparatively few now are seen in the
house of God. It has been owing to the almost entire licence
that has been given to vice since the establishment of the new
laws, and even the laws themselves have formed so great a part
of the subject of thought and conversation as to leave little
room for anything else.
Another cause of the increased indifference in the mass of
�Kaluaaha - 1840
3
the people has been the change of landholders. Hoopiliwahine
has been the owner of the island but it now belongs to the King
who has apportioned most of it out to his hulu manus many of whom
probably could not be more grieviously offended than for their
tenants to malama i ka pono Still there is no cause for discouragement.Truth has un
doubtedly a deeper place in the minds even of those who reject
it than it ever has before. The consequences of rejecting the
gospel and living in a course of sin [are] better understood.
The middle aged and more advanced in life are more easily inter
ested in conversation about their souls - Frequently while con
versing with one individual by the way side others have drawn
nigh and listened with attention and seriousness. I know not
on the whole that the means of grace have been better received by
the people in any former year.
According to a vote of last general meeting a comfortable
dwelling house has been put up for Miss Brown who has remove(d)
to the station and commenced her operations in part. A work
house of 40 feet by 18 has been contracted for for 25 dollars
and partly put up. The Mission are hereby requested to make an
appropriation of 50 dollars to cover the expense of the building as she cannot put up looms until the house be completed.
Owing to not putting on the roof of our school house well
after standing 5 years it has fallen down and we are now destitute
of a house for the large station school. Our people have just
finished a a (! ) meeting house 20 miles distant from the station
and have been unable to
the house as soon as would be
desireable ( !). Mr. Munn has hired it done for about 30 dollars
which is very cheap. Should we depend upon the church for doing
it it would not be finished before fall - I therefore have to
request an appropriation of 30 dollars to defray the expense of
rebuilding the house that the Schools may be resumed in it as soon
as possible.
My dwelling house is in suffering condition for want of
repair the Roof needs painting - It leaks and the walls becoming
Injured. I applied for an appropriation last year but did not
receive (?) one. -I now renew the request that 50 (?) dollars be
allowed me from the building fund in order to defray the expense
of painting repairing the roof - and putting up a Ranai in front
of the house which is needed.
(Hitchcock)
�Report of the Station Kaluaaha -[1841] [Hitchcock]
The Missionaries at this station have renewed occasion to
speak of the lovingkindness of the Lord.Though we have been
much of the time in poor health, jet we have been mercifully
preserved, from protracted and severe sickness; and the year
has passed away without being upon us any distressing calamity.
And never have we had more occasion to exclaim What shall we
render unto the Lord for all his benefits. Would that our zeal,
and faithfulness and efficiency in his work had been more pro
portioned to the high obligations under which his great mercies
have laid us.
Owing to ill health less pastoral labour has been performed
this than any former year. By the advice of the physician
I did not preach during the first 7 months of the year. During
this period a general oversight of the church and interests of
the station was most I could do. The services of the Sabbath
were conducted chiefly by Bro Munn, and native members of the
church. Sermons written either by the pastor or some other
member of the Mission were usually read in the forenoon, and
in the afternoon Mr. Munn frequently addressed the people himself.
After the close of the sermon I usually spoke about 10 minutes
in application of the subject to the assembly. So that though
I did [hot] preach formally I was not entirely silenced.
I found no benefit from ceasing to preach - owing to this
and being otherwise unwell it was thought best to consult the
physician again, accordingly in the month of December I came
to Honolulu. By the advice of several physicians I commenced
a new regimen and after the stay of a few days returned to my
station. I immediately Increased my labours - and in about a
month was enabled to perform all the services on the Sabbath
which I have continued to do ever since. This is a blessing
for which I praise [the Lord] not more on my own account than
in behalf of my poor people who seemed truly thankful for the
removal of the long dearth of the word with which they had been
afflicted. The value which they attach to the ministry is in
itself no small compensation for the labour of exercising it among
them.
My labours in the Sabbath school have been continued but with
altogether less exercise of voice than formerly. Indeed I have
done little else than barely to superintend. The Adult school
embracing most of the church members, and some out of the church
has been constantly attended by myself. In this school bro
Munn has usually assisted. Beside the adult/school I have had
a school of young girls who have recited in the Ai o ka la.
This school has consisted of about 30. During the former part
of the year the plan of xxxxx exercises was to hear each individual separately recite her 7 verses. Then employ the most
�Hitchcock
Kaluaaha 1841
-
2.
forward scholar to catechise the rest, on the verses recited,
and then to ask questions myself by way of explanation and ap
plication - We have usually sung a hymn after which I have ap
pointed one or two of the scholars to lead in a prayermeeting
( !) and have myself withdrawn. These prayermeetings of the girls
were for a Season conducted with propriety - and were profitable.
But they finally became less serious, and were discontinued;
laterly ( !) I have closed the school by prayer. They have
usually recited with accuracy and during the year have treasured
up an amount of divine truth which can scarcely fail of being
of great service to them through life.
An hour before the commencement of the afternoon exercise
this school together with school of Mrs. Munn have for several
months past met in my study to read the scriptures in course.
Alltogether ( !) they are about 50. They are all good readers
and seem to understand what they read. After reading each one
or two verses, one of the girls has questioned them in review
of the chapter they have read they looking on the book [.]
After this they have closed their books and I have questioned
them upon the principle topics about which they have been read
ing which exercise has fully shown that they have been inat
tentive. This school has usually been closed with singing and
prayer. After which the whole school has gone to the after
noon meeting. It has also been the practice to have each scholar
to repeat the text of the morning and give an account of the
principle thoughts in the sermon.
Beside the verses of the ai o ka la these scholars have met
in my study five mornings in the week before school to recite
the scripture the oldest class have committed six verses each
day which with the ai o ka la has made seven; making for each
scholar 43 verses each week and 2236 for the year
beside
these the church members belonging to the class have met with
me each Saturday morning and recited each one or more verses
as they have chosen (?). The younger members of the class have
committed daily 4 verses beside the Ai o ka la making for each
week 31 verses and for the [year] 1612. These added to those
committed by the older scholars amount for the whole school during
the year, alowing ( !) the school to average 40 scholars [,]
153920 verses. To commit so much scripture to memory must
necessarily have retrenched (?) much from time which would have
other wise ( !) been spent by the children either in Idleness
or something worse. Beside committing their 5 verses of scripture
each day the younger scholars have for the greater part of the
year attended day school both forenoon and afternoon. And for
several months past the older schoolars ( !) spend four [or]
five hours a day in spinning - so that during the year they have
had had ( !) but comparatively little time for Idleness, and
the commission of sin.
The weekly Wednesday lecture has been as statedly observed
as my health would allow, and when I have been unable to preach
the meetings have been conducted by my Associate or the natives.
�Hitchcock
-
Kaluaaha 1841
3.
-
I have divested (?) considerable time at these meetings in
lecturing on the nature and evils of Romanism. Meetings of
the church have been statedly held on Saturday evening.
The congregation on the sabbath, though respectable considering
the small population within a suitable distance, has been less
on the whole this year than ever before. The average number In
the morning has not been over 7 hundred, and in the afternoon
about three hundred. Many of these are children of the schools
it being a rule in all the schools that the scholars attend
meeting on the Sabbath and those of the station school twice.
The Sabbath school is large averaging over three hundred and all
attend meeting so that the average number of Adults at the
morning service is not more than 400; and it would not have
been so large had it not consisted in part of people from some
of the distant out posts. The people from Halawa (?) a dis
tance of 12 miles much of which consists of deep ravines have
been at the station (?) every 4 weeks - Those of Moakea a dis
tance of nine miles have not failed to be present every other
Sabbath. Those of Wailau on the windward side of the island
have frequently been present once in two sabbaths though their
path to the station lies over a pali thousands of feet high
and through a rocky beded ( !) torrent much of the way - from
all these places the people usually come on Saturday and return
on Monday. From the more distant out posts Pelekunu, Kalaupapapa, ( !) and Kalae there have been none present at the station,
except on sacramental occasion[s]. The fact that the congrega
tion on the Sabbath has been smaller the past than in former
years does not show that there has been a proportioned decrease
of interest on the subject of religion. Much of the interest
manifested heretofore has been only apparent. The Island has
until the year now past been owned by individuals whose influ
ence has been more or less favourable to the peoples attending
the house of God. Hoopili has always had a powerful [influence]
over the people of Molokai [.] This and most of the other re
ligious restraints under which the mass have acted have not
[been] exerted the year past. The people have found by experience
that they can neglect going to meeting on the Sabbath without
incurring the displeasure of any they fear to offend. They are
mostly under the controul of the hulumanus who are now the land
holders of the island. To set loose to the pono is probably a
recommendation of the common people to their Naku aina instead
of being as it formerly was a discredit. The consequence has
been a general falling off from the congregation on the Sabbath
[of] all those who have not attended from worthier motives than
pleasing the chiefs. While as a general thing those who have
(?) ever given evidnce of loving the house of God have con
tinued to do so, and a goodly number have been added to the
number of such during the year so that though the audience is
less numerous than formerly it has been more decent, orderly,
and attentive. As a general thing, also the people seem more
disposed to listen to conversation, and appeal In reference to
the welfare of their souls than ever before. So that the mis
sionary commencing religious conversation will draw others around
him in xxxxxx places where a few years ago they would have fled
�Hitchcock
Kaluaaha
1841
-
4.
from his presence. And frequently during the year have I
sighed in spirit as I have looked on the field ready for the
harvest with no strength to thrust in the sickle.
The church during the year has been in a lamentably cold and
fruitless state. And several members, some of whom were of the
highest standing have been guilty of aggravated offences. A
small number have however seemed not to have lost the spirit of
prayer - or their former
(?)
in the blessed cause.
These have acted as a constant and highly salutary constraint
on the less devoted (?) by which many have no doubt been pre
served from falling into sin.
Though a diminution of feeling and interest in the church
cannot be excused yet the causes which have promoted it are
obvious. They have had much less instruction, and a far less
variety of means used for their spiritual welfare than in former
years owing to the incapacity of the missionary to impart in
struction. Another fruitful source of the low estate of religion
in the church has been the change in the civil affairs of the
nation. When the new laws came Into use it was necessary that
executors (?) be chosen. Most of these on Molokai have been
members of the church. And these have not been able to attend
to their new duties to their satisfaction without releasing their
attention to religion - and some of them not without doing
violence to their sacred profession. Many have exposed them
selves to church sensure ( !) from their dishonest exactions,
and unjust procedings ( !) in the discharge of their duties, so
miserably (?) had they carried the laws Into execution that on
an inquiry's being made before the church scarce an item (?) in
the law had not been overreached - or carried to positive oppression. The matter was settled in church meeting by the prin
ciple offenders confessing their
and by all promising here
after to go no farther In their exactions of the people than
the law of taxation requires.
The distress and anxiety that many have felt less they should
fail to get their tax money in due season has operated not very
favourably on the minds of many of the church. Other causes
might be
why religious feeling is so low among us Especially It would not be giving a fair account of the matter
were we to neglect to ascribe much that has been in desireable,
in the church to our own unfaithfulness and want of the proper
spirit. Though our Outward man has been such that we could do
little by Active labour for the benefit of the vineyard of
the Lord; yet had the inward man been what it ever ought to be,
much more, doubtless would have been done for averting that
state of the church of which we complain.
But while we mourn over the low state of feeling which exists
in the church, yet have we reasons for gratitude that God has
preserved it from any considerable defection. No case has
called for final exclusion from the church the year past. But
few cases of suspension have occurred and only four for the
higher offenses, two of whom have been restored.
�Hitchcock
Kaluaaha 1841
-
5.
The outposts have been looked to as far as our circumstances
would permit. That at Halawa containing above 500 souls and
rising of 30 church members has had stated worship on the Sab
bath conducted by members of the church. It has a large Sab
bath school and a some what ( !) efficient teacher. The head
man, who has been very active in doing good to his people and
in helping forward the cause has lost his sight and has been
otherwise ill for a long time in consequence of which the cause
of religion has been less prosperous.
Moakea which contains a population of from 3 to 4 hundred
is under the care of an efficient and active member of the
church, and the good cause has been as prosperous there as
in other part[s] of the field perhaps more so. The distance
is nine miles from the station yet many have attended meeting
at the latter place every other Sabbath. An adult school has
been kept up among them, quite a number of them have committed
to memory the confession of Faith - The Sabbath school as well
as the day school have been more prosperous than could have
been expected considering their limited means. They are about
putting up a commodious stone meeting house the stone and tim
ber for which are chiefly collected.
Kalamaula a post 20 miles west of the station and embracing
a population about 700 has had no native missionary but has
been supplied on the Sabbath by the brethren alternately. Dur
ing a part of the year the attendance has been very encouraging;
afterward much less so - and later still it has been better.
There are only 5 church members two of which have been added
the past year. These were the subjects of the great revival.
A large dobie meeting house capable of containing 800 people
has been finished the past year by the contributions of the whole
church. This post is much exposed to catholic invasion from
its remoteness from the station and the great ignorance of the
people. A native catholict ( !) has been over the ground and
obtained some followers - Probably very many would go over to
that destructive sect were there any one qualified for the work
of soliciting them.
Kalaupapa nearly oposite ( !) Kalamaula on the windward side
of the island with a population of about 700 Has a very active,
pious though not very competent teacher. There are rising of
30 members of the church and a number who give more or less
evidence of having saving faith in christ ( !). They have regu
lar exercises on the sabbath, and the state of religion among
them is as good as could be expected considering their distance
from the station, the three thousand feet pali between It and
us, and the incapacity of the teacher to carry them on in know
ledge - Sabbath and day schools have been kept up as well as
the means would admit, and on the whole a religious influence
which though small compared [to] what is desirable ( !), is
invaluable and a matter of devout thankfulness to the blessed
Spirrit ( !) from whom it has been received. There are consider
able comfortable accommodations for a family there a large
�Hitchcock
-
-
Kaluaaha 1841 - 6 .
native house walled in - The meeting house is large.
This post is more exposed to danger than any other part
of the field. The catholick (!) have entrenched (?) themselves
there, and already number about 30 (?) exercising (?) all the
malice and hostility to the protestants usual to the followers
of the man of sin. They are as yet only natives, and they of
the darkest, and lowest and most ignorant kind. Still facts
show that they have been much more apt to learn the peculiar
principles of popery, than those of the pure gospel of Christ.
The leader, who can neither read nor write, was formerly teacher
of the heathen custom [of] hugging to death called Lua - a work
for which his huge muscular, and bear
(?) like appearance
must have eminently qualified him. When that horrid work was
abolished by the destruction of idolatry; he was for many
years as wide awake in seeking celebrity through the pono hou
[new right] as he had been under pono kahiko [old right]; and
when the station was taken he was soon discovered as a zealous
hoikaika
- He continued to labour to get into the church
without success until within about two years ago he got wind
of the catholics and out of revenge probably went over to them.
At any rate his becoming a catholic is called by the natives
who are acquainted with him a mea Hoohuakeo [a thing stubbornly
bent on wickedness] . At first little notice was taken of the
matter, we heard frequently of the poe Pope
[
Catholics?]
at Kalaupapa but concluded that one so perfectly ignorant could
not make much headway in leading the people astray. Some of the
members of the church proposed that we send and bring him to
the station and encourage him to hope to be received into church
at no distant day being quite confident that such a course would
annihilate popery at once. We came finally to the conclusion
to visit Kalaupapa mainly to do what we could to break up the
young Society. After arriving there and inquiring where the
popish teachers were we were informed that they were waiting
for an invitation to call upon us. The distance by water from
the station is between 50 or 60 miles - much of it on the wind
ward side of the island. The weather had been pleasant for a
long time and the sea quiet, but on the morning appointed for
starting things seemed somewhat threatening. The wind began to
rise, dark clouds to lower over the direction we were to go.
But the canoes being all ready we ( !) it was resolved to go
ahead. Accordingly Brother Munn with all his family Miss Brown
and myself and a crew of five or six natives set off and arrived
at Halawa where we spent the night. The badness of the weather
increased during the night and the surf had become so high that
the natives thought it not safe to proceed. We on the whole
however concluded to go forward, and so pushed out into the
open sea. We had been out but a short time when the rain over
took us, and before we found a landing place we were very un
comfortably situated. We landed in a deep ravine about noon,
and after having (?) talked to the people [and] taken a little
refreshment, put out again to sea and reached the place where
we lodged, sometime before night. The rain continued - our
clothing were wet and no means of drying them very quick. We
rose in the morning the rains falling plentifully, the wind
blowing, and the surf roaring tremendously - and the word was
that we could not get out, on account of the volume of the surf
�Kaluaaha - 1841
and that the purport was that it would he more and more diffi
culty and that if we did not escape immediately we might be
shut up for weeks and perhaps months for when the surf once
gets up for the winter season it is impossible for canoes to
get through it for a long season [.]
But as we had but little
clothing with us, and still less food that the ladies could
eat, it was not safe to remain where we were, and to retreat to
the right hand or left or backward was not possible. The least
evil therefore was to attempt to get out once more over the
constantly dashing and raging surf and pursue our watery way
onward. The canoes were accordingly got in readiness as soon as
possible, and with the exception of the one on which I was to
go, with much danger of filling were shoved through for ( !) a
long time no interim was found in the rolling breakers to allow
my canoe to put out, and when the natives attempted to go,
we only got to the point at which the angry surge broke and
were overwhelmed and driven back. The natives for a while insisted that it would be useless to try again to get out, and advised me to stay ashore. But my company were all floating beyong the surf with all my food and clothing, except what I
had on which were saturated with salt water. For them to come
to my relief was impossible and for me to get out of the deep
gully any other way than over the roaring surf seemed equally
impossible - and the sea was becoming every moment more and
more perilous and when it would be safer no one could tell so
that I was not long in deciding to make another attempt to get
out in which we bearly ( !) succeeded. One second of time later
would have covered us again with the deep. Having all got be
yond the surf our condition became more alarming than it had
been while confined in the abyss from which we had escaped.
There we had terra firma at least. But now we were out on the
ocean troubled into mountain waves the rain darkening the shore
and the wind high and irregular. There was no possible landing
place but the one to which we were going and that several miles
distant. An attempt to have have ( !) escape[d] from the vio
lence of the waves by getting ashore would have been death.
The canoe on which I sat could have been easily transported by
two men, perfectly open [ ,] and Neptune in his billowing boat
seemed scarcely less defended from the yawning deep than my
self. We were however mercifully preserved and landed in
safety - Had a conference with the leaders of the papal party
who confessed that they were hewa [ wrong] and promised before
many witnesses to have nothing more to [do] with Romanism.
This however they had no intention to fulfil and as soon as
convenient one of them repaired to Honolulu to get further
instructions how to proceed. At a subsequent meeting with them
I had a fine opportunity which I did not fail to improve to
illustrate one indispensible ingredient in popery from the
flat breach of promise of which its leaders there before me was
convicted by the whole assembly.
�[On Back]
Appendage to
M r . Hitchcock's
Station report
1841
Kaluaaha
Whole No added to the church examination
Whole No on letter
Past year on exam
"
"
on certificate
371
17
32
3
Whole no past year
35
Whole Num dismissed to other churches
11
Dismissed the past year1
Suspended past year
Remain Suspended
Excommunicated past year
14
10
0
Whole num ex
9
Remain ex
7
Whole Num in Reg. Standing
342
Whole numb children baptized
170
Baptized the past year
Whole number of children deceased
Deceased past year
Marriages past year -------------
(no figure)
17
(no figure)
49
Whole num Deceased
Deceased the past year
18
6
�Kaluaaha
Ap 26 - 1842
H itchcock]
[
Dear Brethren.
It would have afforded me pleasure to have reported in person the
state of this station. But pleasant as this would have been, duty has
plainly forbidden it. And even now I shall not be able to send you so
particular a statement of our condition as I could wish, owing to the
pressure of more important business.
The year has been marked with mysterious providences (?) My com
panion over whose dying bed for a few sad hours I stood in anguish
has been raised up and her lamented associate, in the midst of high
hopes of long usefulness, and from the bosom of her now desolate (?)
family has from the same bed ascended to her eternal rest. Had I time
I should indulge my feelings in remarking upon the severity of ourloss in that humble, noiseless yet eminent Saint. [Mrs. Munn.] I can
only say that her death has made a breach in our circle, and a wound in our
hearts which we little expect can ever be heald ( !).
The health of Mrs. H. during the year has on the whole been more
feeble this year than it has been before, still she has been permitted
to over see her domestic concerns - and to exert no little influence
on the female society about us. My own health, as though my Heavenly
father had graduated it with special reference to the feebleness of my
family and the reduction of our numbers in the removal of our associates,
has been better than usual so that I have had as few interruptions from
labour on acount ( !) of personal illness as in almost any past year
since I have been at the station.
More of my time has been devoted to secular business this year than
either my own inclination, or the good of the people would have alowed ( !),
had there not been an imperious call for It in the circumstances of my
family. Mrs. H ’s protracted weakness and the faint prospect of her
getting better without change resolved us to try a residence in a cooler
climate which we hapily ( !) found at a distance of less than two miles
from the station, directly back on the mountain. For the purpose of
making a trial a tempory ( !) house was put up without cost by the
members of the church, the superintendence of which broke in for a
month upon my professional work. The result of the change was altogether
more favourable than we had dared to hope for - so that, from not being
able to walk but a very few steps, Mrs. H. in three weeks began to ramble
at considerable distances from the house. And her strength increased
so rapidly that our expectation of returning health were ( !) high.
Circumstances however made it duty to leave the mountain and only a few
days of care, and excitement and more labour than she had been accus
tomed to, brought her down, and induced a new disorder from which we
almost despair of her recovery. The weather had become so wet and
stormy that a better house became indispensible ( !). This took much of
my time for two months. When this was completed Mrs. H. was again
carried to the mountain where she experienced a change for the better
in her health - Three trials of the Retreat have all resulted favourably
and fully compensate for the time and expense which the house has cost.
It is a good native house and will do for several years. I may also
remark that the bracing air of the mountain has been one means of my
own uniform health the last half of the year. We feel thankful that so
good a remedy for our health has been discovered. And do wish that all
�Kaluaaha
-
Hitchcock
1842
2.
our brethren worn down and exhausted by the heat of a seaside residence
could try the mountain air. The average difference in the thermometer
is probably about 12 degrees - with even a greater difference in Salu
brity of the air and the beauty of the scenery.
The Labours of my own particular department have been some what
different this year. Soon after our return from general meeting, I
instituted several catechetical meetings in different parts of the con
gregation which I attended weekly until our removal to the mountain
made it impossible to attend longer. In these meetings, principally
composed of adults the "Ano o Ke Akua" was made the text book. After
hearing them read I have questioned them on the various points contained
in the lesson, and improved the good opportunity presented to apply
truth to their consciences - The afternoons of Mondays and Thursdays
were devoted to this work. Good has accrued from these meetings though
much less than would have [been] done could I have continued them. I
hope to commence them again as soon as my circumstances will allow.
Another new feature in my work the past year has been preaching
on the Sabbath at the out posts distant each way from the station about
6 miles.
I have been induced to adopt this plan from the fact that
many more will hear the Gospel on the Sabbath. Very few from those
places attend meeting at the station. The most from unwillingness to
endure the fatigue of walking so far, but many from old age, bodily in
firmity, or confinement with children. But by establishing meetings
in their own neighbourhood most of them hear the word of God. During
the winter I have left the congregation at the station in the afternoon
to the deacons - who so far as I have been able to learn have conducted
the services with propriety and order. But since the length of the day
has allowed I have returned in season for the afternoon meeting and
have either preached myself - or superintended the exercises. Obvious
good has already resulted from the plan.
My labours on the Sabbath during the year in addition to the above
have consisted in a short lecture to the children of the Sabbath school
at nine. Sermon at ten - and expounding the lesson of the Ai o ka la
to the adult Sabbath school at 12 oclock.
In addition to the Wednesday lecture which ha 3 been kept up as
usual I have held a meeting for those who were formerly scholars in the
station school. "A meeting for fathers” has also been established, and
consists of a large number of male adults who by becoming members of
the meeting obligate themselves to more care in training up and providing
for their families. It is designed to be a counterpart of the "Mother's
meeting", which Mrs. H. has remoddled ( !), and which now consists only
of select individuals chosen from the old meeting - individuals whose
houses are neat, whose children are in a good degree under parental
control, and who actually exhibit advance in family order. These
meetings are held semimonthly and on thursday - the old Mothers Meeting
is still continued on Friday and its members transfered ( !) to the new
as they give evidence of being prepared for it. We are encouraged to
hope that much good both to the bodies and souls of the people will
result from these meetings. The females suffer much the loss of Sister
Munn who had begun to be an efficient helper in that department of
labour. The female meetings are now mostly continued by themselves.
�Kaluaaha - Hitchcock - 1842
3.
A meeting for the professedly serious is held on friday afternoon
in which the members are catechized on the doctrines and duties of our
religion. These meetings are extremely interesting, have already re
sulted in good, and they give much encouragement of increasing useful
ness. The church prayermeetings Saturday afternoon have been regularly
kept up. And nearly half of the year also a prayer meeting with the
diciplined (!) or suspended members.
I have had two protracted meetings and another is appointed for
next week. The first was at Kalamaula at which I preached 6 times.
There was good attention - but the meeting was thinly attended owing
to famine, popery, and infidelity all which combine for the ruin [of]
the souls of that portion of the island. The meeting however has done
good not only in discovering to the people the wiles of the man of sin
but in awakening some it is hoped to their own condition as sinners.
At the close of the first sermon, those who viewed popery as a dangerous
delusion and were determined to avoid any connexion with it were re
quested to rise. All present rose. Of course there were no papists
present.
The second meeting was held at the station. It commenced on Wed
nesday and closed on Monday morning. It consisted of 13 meetings all
of which were well attended beside one meeting for the anxious at which
there were present about 200. Never have we had a protracted meeting
better sustained by the people. The house was filled at the commence
ment and continued so w ith but little variation until the close. The
attention paid to preaching evinced the presence of an influence more
than human moving upon the minds of the congregation. I take this op
portunity to express the cause I have for Gratitude to brother Andrews
who notwithstanding the great pressure of his business came to our help
and laboured hard in preaching the word/. The labours of the meeting
could not have been sustained but for his efficient help. What the
results of this meeting will be cannot now be foreseen. But we have
never held one of the kind that gave greater promise of good.
In addition to the above labours I have for at least 4 months of
the year spent from one to two hours a day four or five days in the
week with my children in school. If they continue with us the coming
year more of my time must unavoidably be devoted to their instruction.
Three months at least have been spent at Maunaoluolu where I have
slept with my family nights, making a constant demand on my time for
going and returning. Much of the best part of the day has gone before
I am able to get down to the station - and frequently I am obliged to
return early on account of the rain.
The state of the congregation of the Sabbath has been better this
year than it has been the two past ones. There has been a more uniform
attendance on the means of Grace, and a greater willingness in the
people to receive instruction. Our meeting house has always been suf
ficiently full for the comfort of the audience and frequently quite
crowded. And it has been composed less than usual of people from the
out stations - the average number has been from 700 to 800.
�Kaluaaha - Hitchcock - 1842
4.
At an outpost 10 miles distant there has been a state of things
approaching to a Revival during most of the year and there are a goodly
number who give evidence more or less satisfactory of having become real
christians. They have attended meeting at the station twice a month.
At Waialua about 6 miles distant and where there has been preaching
once in two Sabbaths there is now an unusual attention to the concerns
of the soul. Two have been received to the church and several others
profess to have chosen the Saviour for their portion.
On the whole though the adult part of the
so numerous in this year as in some that have
be hoped that real attention to the interests
greater except during the Season of the Great
congregation has not been
gone by, still it is to
of eternity has never been
Revival.
I cannot report great numbers added to the church during the year.
The many deceptions practiced upon myself and most of the brethren
in the great ingatherings of former years have begot in me a fear of
admitting as members of the family of Christ any who have not shown
the fruits of repentance by a long term of trial. The folowing ( !)
statistics will show the present state of the church compared with
last year.
Whole number added on examination
—
on certificate
—
added the past year on examination
on certificate
whole number added the past year
Whole number dismissed to other churches
—
dismissed the past year
—
Whole number deceased
Deceased the past year
—
Suspended the past year
—
Remain suspended
—
Excommunicated the past year
—
Remain excommunicated
—
Whole number in Regular standing
-Whole number of children baptized
—
Baptized the past year
—
Whole number of children deceased
'
Children deceased the past year
Mariages ( !) the past year
—
Average number of the congregation
—
395
20
24
3
27
14
3
28
10
22
29
0
7
337
225
55
[no figure]
"
"
24
750
By comparing this with my Report last Gen. meeting it appears that
the number now in regular standing is less by five than it was then.
Death has made greater inroads in the church this year than ever before.
And of the 29 who remain suspended few of them are for gross offenses and it is hoped that many will soon be restored.
Four stand propounded and there are others who will be added to
the numbers as opportunity shall offer to attend to their examination.
There are perhaps nearly 200 who profess repentance - most of whom
are new cases whose attention has but recently been arrested. How
�Kaluaaha - Hitchcock - 1842
many of these will be saved, or give evidence of conversion a future
day will decide, but we have reason to bless God that so many have
aroused from their stupid slumbers and begin at least to attend on the
means of salvation.
The Sabbath schools at the station are as follows. Childrens school
at nine A .M. Average number about 380 - perhaps four hundred. Nearly
half of whom recite the "Ai o ka la". They are in three divisions,
and after the recitation they all assemble in one school and I lecture
them from a quarter to a half an hour which is all the instruction they
have; as the teachers do nothing but hear their recitations. At three
oclock the children belonging to the station school and those who can
read from the other schools meet to repeat the text and to read the
scriptures in course. Some fifty girls have in this way made consider
able progress. I have not been able to pay but little attention to them
But I find it to be a more profitable way of their employing their time
even though they have none but native teachers than to spend the sabbath
in play or idleness. Our adult sabbath school is much as usual consists
of all the members of the church and many others. It has been a means
of great good and to attend to its duties is one of the severest tests
of the attachment to the Pono.
The department of common schools must be reported as in no flourish
ing condition. With all my other cares, a bare supervision the most
superficial, is all that It has been possible for me to give to them.
It has caused me much pain of mind that I could do no more for the
numerous and interesting children who compose our station school es
pecially. It has been Impossible to give them even what religious in
struction they have needed, to say nothing of other things. Still the
little attention I have been able to give them has been better than
nothing - it has kept them together. The practice of committing scrip
ture to memory has been continued and no doubt much good will eventually
result from it.
At an examination of all the schools held in february last and con
tinued for three days there were present
Boys
483
Girls
435
Whole number present at
examination
918
Whole number present at
examination 1841
839
Whole number of scholars absent
152
Whole numbers of scholars on the Island
1070
Whole number who can read without spelling
469
Whole number of writers
102
Whole number in Arithmetic
285
In Geography
158
Schools
15
Teachers from Lahainaluna
11
Whole number of teachers
19
The Station School
Scholars present at examination
274
absent
14
whole number
288
�Kaluaaha - Hitchcock
Readers
Arithmetic
Geography
Writing
Hoike A Kule
Teachers from Lahainaluna
Female teachers
- 1842
160
100
90
67
34
2
2
The mission will readily perceive that the department of schools
on Molokai must necessarily remain at a stand at least if not retrograde
until the place of Brother Munn is supplied. As family, and pastoral,
and other labours are more abundant than I can perform well.
Contributions of the church to benevolent objects are necessarily
very small owing in part to the fact that our church consists only of
common people who have no property, and mostly to the fact that we have
no market where the natives can turn the products of their industry into
money. They have however done something. They have contributed in cash
for the Sacrament --$21.00
In labour for us
about
—
12.00
In wood
—
at least -15.00
In timber for meeting house
—
50.00
In meats
—
10.00
In fish &c
—
2.00
In Net bags
-about two -2.00
In all
---------------------- --$ 112.00
This account of contribution probably falls short of what they have
actually done as I have not the means of determining precisely the value
of wood and timber collected for the Meeting house. The amount would
have been much more than it is, If I could have superintended their
labours and laid out work for them. But this I have been unable to do.
I must close this Report with a reference to our wants in men and
money. With regard to an associate for the present year I have but
little hope of obtaining one. Should there however in the providence
of God be a man to locate or even to dispose of for this year If I
were a disinterested judge I seriously question whether there is a
station where that individual is more needed or would be more useful
than here. If my own continuance in usefulness is worth preserving;
it can be preserved humanly speaking only by a seasonable supply of
help. To say that "you. must leave undone what you cannot do" would be
like saying to a fond parent; do as much as you can toward providing
for your children and let the rest go undone when owing to his weakness
they were suffering from hunger. In both cases strength would be
taxed to the utmost. Missionary work cannot be left undone. It must
be done - and will be done while the Missionary can articulate, or
totter on his cane to the house of God. I am aware that other brethren
need help - and I cannot say much as I would on my own behalf - because
I feel for them but there is one consideration which I hope the Meeting
will weigh those brethren are young and in health, with healthy families
and probably have less in hand than there is to do at an old station.
I have desired that If Mr. Smith from Oregon stays in the Mission and
it be not against his mind that he be located here for the present year
�Kaluaaha - Hitchcock - 1842
7.
There is perhaps no better spot to pursue the knowledge of the language
and he would be able to relieve me of the superintendence of schools But I submit the case to the brethren. I have but little if any ex
pectation that Brother Munn will return.
Should any thing be written to the Board about another Reinforcement
do not fail to press the subject of supplying Bro Munn's place should
he not return with a clergyman, and of sending immediately two families
for Kalauapapa; Efforts are already making to get a Popish priest there
I should have stated before, that all possible efforts are making
for the spread of popery. The emissaries of the priests are besieging
all the villages distant from the station and succeed in making di
sciples, all of whom may be regarded as so many returned to a delusion
and idolatry worse than the old which the nation has forsaken. O how
much we need more help to oppose the darkness by the light of God's
word.
In conection ( !) with these remarks I would express my opinion that
the "Nonanona" has done good and that it should by no means be discon
tinued. I have used most of those sent me this year in the school
because I supposed they would be more useful there than else where. I
shall make unwonted efforts to get more money for them this year, and
I think I shall succeed. I will pay for fifty copies for the school and get all the subscribers I can beside.
While on this subject I would suggest that "Nevins on Popery" be
assigned to a translator and printed at the expense of the tract society
as soon as possible.
I feel much concern for the high school. As it seems to me very
few (if any other) posts in the mission are too precious to be sacri
ficed if need be to keep it up and carry it on efficiently. At a full
meeting of the trustees in January a plan was voted to be recommended
to the meeting which gave high promise of securing a man for the
Seminary (?). That plan proposed Brothers Armstrong, Lyman or Alex
ander as candidates - Providence has shown that the former cannot be
had - But I have heard no sufficient reason addn e e d to convince me that
either of the others may not be had. Let Bro Lyman Be removed to the
Seminary and his place at least for the present be filled by Bro Wilcox
or Bro Alexander - and his place supplied for the present by broth J.
Just regard this paragraph as a parenthesis in the Report to which you
will give only that attention which it merits.
Owing to the great pressure of business on my hands the past year
I have not completed the translation assigned me - but shall resume it
as soon as possible.
The letter I was appointed to write to the Madrass Mission has not
been written owing to a mistake. I did not receive the Minutes until
after I had written to Auburn Seminary, which I supposed was assigned
to me. There must have been a mistake in the Minutes, as I was
present when the assignments to correspondents were made, and Auburn
was assigned to me which I fulfilled accordingly - But have not sent
�8.
Kaluaaha - Hitchcock - 1842
the letter as the minutes assigned it to Bro Dibble.
and can be sent if Bro D . has not sent his.
It is now by me
In making appropriations the mission will remember that all our
children are over five and under ten.
We must send David away to school and an additional allowance will
need to be made for the expense of tuition which cannot be less than
25 dollars if the school is at Lahainaluna the expence for his board
will also need to be defrayed by an aditional ( !) grant unless he can
be boarded for what he now draws after the expense of clothing is
deducted.
We must have if possible the sum of 50 dollars the present year for
repairs to our dwelling house. The grant of last year for the purpose
could not be laid out owing to the impossibility of getting a carpenter.
There is now a prospect of getting one, and the work must be done or
the house will suffer much. The grant of last of last ( !) year - was
not all received from the vessel - 100 feet of Boards were not delivered
by the captain of the vessel - much of the remainder of the grant has
been expended upon the house on the mountain and should to ( !) be paid
out of the Medical department as much as a voyage to the coast for
health. What remains of the grant will no more than cover the additional
repairs which the year’s delay has rendered necessary, so that 50 dol
lars is the least that can be got along with. Brother Munns House
needs attention. An expense of 5 dollars will keep it in its present
state of repair for the year. If neglected the injury to the house
will much exceed that amount.
Therefore [!] ask for the following grants
For repairs for dwelling house
From Med. Dep. for Mountain house to ballance ( !)
the portion of last years grant
For Repairs to Br Munns house
Respectfully submitted
P.S.
$50.00
50.00
5.00
H R Hitchcock
Should it again be impossible to procure a carpenter the grant
if made will not be called for.
[On back:
H. R. Hitchcock
report
1842
Station Report
Kaluaaha
1842
1
�[H i t c h c o c k ]
Kaluaaha
May
1843
Dear Brethren of the Mission.
It is [a] matter of disappointment to me that I am un
able to send you
any thing but a miniature Report of this station for the past year, as
perhaps no year in its history has been more fruitful in interesting
events. But sudden sickness in my family, and my own ill health have
prevented me from writing a full report.
From Gen Meeting 1842 up to December of the same year nothing occured
( !) either in my own situation or that of my family to interrupt me in my
work and in no period of my missionary life have I been able to do more
or with more success. In December the illness of Mrs H obliged us to
leave the station, to which we did [not] return till March had nearly
past. Since then though I have not been sick yet I have felt myself nearer
the invalid list than I have for these many years past. David now l ies
on a sick bed. He has had a course of fever but through the goodness of
God he is convallescing. I am happy to state that our visit to Honolulu has
proved a decided benefit to the health of Mrs H whose health is we hope per
manently improved. For these mercies our Dear brethren will unite with
us in rendering devout thanks giving to God.
The state of Religion has been unusually interesting on Molokai
for nearly 2 years past. Great numbers have forsaken
?
sins
and subscribed with their hands to the Lord of hosts. A Series of
protracted meetings was commenced about a year ago which resulted in the
awakening, and I doubt not in the conversion of many. The work has
not ceased though it is not as marked now as it has been. During our
long absence from the station, the influences of the Spirit were mani
fested among the people not only in keeping those who had previously
turned to the lord from going back; but in greatly increasing the num
bers of inquirers. Of these nearly 1000 are on my books.
The church has had a prosperous year. Christians have seemed to
understand and to discharge their duties better than before. Altogether
more harmony and less contention than is common has characterized the
church this year, and in proportion to its numbers fewer cases of dis
cipline have occured(!). And considerable additions have been made to
it of such as It is hoped will be saved.
The Adult Sabbath school has been much better attended than ever
before. Many more comitt ( !) to memory the seven verses for the week And the catechism is now being learned in every part of the island.
The average number of attendants on this School at the station is about
200 - and Schools of the same sort are established all over the island.
The children’s sab school remains much as it has been in past
years - and has averaged between 350 and 400 I suppose. Considerable
attention has been given to singing and a good number of the children
can sing pretty well.
On the Department of schools I can scarcely report at all. They
have been almost entirely under the management of the native teachers.
I have not the number of scholars at our last examination not being able
�Kaluaaha May 1843 - Hitchcock
2.
to attend from sickness. I know however that the general prosperity
of the schools for the past year has been as great as perhaps any pre
vious year. And have no hesitation in believing that education has ad
vanced as fast. Nearly all the children go to schools more or less
good - and are under the general influence of the station and are re
ceiving religious instruction. The school at the station has averaged
during the year more than 200 and many of the scholars are well prepared
to enter the High school. Four scholars of the Seminary have graduated,
one of them has returned to Molokai and I am expecting the others. But
I Understand that the condition on which they stay is that they can
get such wages as suits them, and ordinary wages will not probably suit
them. I would suggest to the Mission whether every scholar who has the
benefit of the seminary shall not previous to his entrance be required
to give bond for the amount of his expenses to the Mission to be paid
to the treasurer of the institution within a reasonable time after he
graduates - unless he shall return to the Missionary who sent him and
teach for such pay as the people are able to make - We have not much
money on Molokai and if the teachers stick for a great price we cannot
em[ploy] them. The graduates should be content with such living as
they can get at the places from which they were sent to school until
some little remuneration at least has been made/ the Mission for the
expense of their education. I much deprecate the Influence of employing
the Lords treasure to educate men for the mere purpose of better enabling
them to take care of themselves. Will not the committee on overtures
put this subject on the list? I shall take a written obligation of the
scholars about to enter from this island to teach school on this island
at least three years - and for such pay as we can get for them. And I
hope that no one will be allowed to enter without coming under some
similar obligation.
My plan of labour for the year has been as follows Lecturing the
childrens Sab. school at 9 sab. morn, preach at ten. Expound the Sab
School lesson of the Adult School at 12, and preach at l/2 past three.
This I have been enabled to follow and with but little interruption.
The Monthly concert has been attended - a meeting on the same day of
the week for a portion of the enquirers - another for another portion
of the same class on teusday ( !) at a distance (?) usual lecture on
Wednesday - Thursday and friday each a meeting for enquirers and on
Saturday meeting of the church. The last friday of every month has been
designed for the union of all the enquirers throughout the island. And
Every other thursday a day for the meeting of the parents association
which has been remoddled ( !) the past year. The above has been My plan
of labour. I was enabled to adhere to it to a good degree until we left
for Honolulu from which time I have not been able to resume it. The
meetings have however been carried on by native members - The female
meetings are continued as usual.
On the whole, we have reason to bless God that a more perceptible
advance in the religious, moral and social condition of our people has
[been] exerted this year than in any other year since our conexion ( !)
with them.
The unstable character of our present house of worship; the probab
ility that no future time would afford us greater facilities for building
than the present; and above all the fact that great numbers are precluded
from the house of God on the Sabbath who have a desire to to ( !) enter
it in consequence of the want of room has made the duty plain to build
�Kaluaaha May 1843 - Hitchcock
3.
a permanent and larger house. The subject has been had in view for
these several years. Not much has been done until the present one.
It has been commenced - the materials are mostly collected and the stone
work about one fourth or a little more up. And if the Lord enables me
to give the work any considerable degree of superintendence we shall
probably dedicate the house to the Lord on the first day of January
next.
I wish to state to the mission that as little delay as is possible
should be had in finishing the house because our present house will
not accommodate the people who come to meeting on the Sabbath. I cannot
finish by the first of January without involving a debt of at least
100 dollars for which I must become responsible. Probably the debt
must be more. It will Somewhat diminish it if the mission will allow
me the avails of what books I may sell and also of some few articles
of furniture of Mr Munn’s the Account of which will be but little, but
will all help - and if turned in this way will, While it aids the cause
save the trouble of transfer to the depository books. If the mission
will allow me the Books and what few articles of Bro Mun’s ( !) remain
here for sale it will be received by me with great thankfulness - I
present the request — We are saving all from our own stipend we can for
the purpose - Last year we gave 30 dollars. Our people are supremely
poor. They have done well thus far.
I had hoped not to be under the necessity of calling for an ap
propriation this year. But I find I must. Our
?
condition the dangerous nature of the passage to Lahaina, the frequency of our
being necessitated to go over, and our friends to come to us for sick
ness or other purposes, renders it absolutely indispensible that we be
provided with as safe conveyance as the circumstances of the case admit.
Our canoe leaks and if fast falling, I would not go on it now if the
case were not urgent. When it may give way and be entirely unsafe to
go over on cannot be told though it may be very soon. A canoe will
cost from 100 to 150 dollars. I beg the mission to allow me to purchase
one as soon and as cheap as one can be found, and draw upon the treasury
to not above 150 dollars. I have my eye on one which I think will suit
us - which will be cheap as 150 dollars.
I need not remind the brethren of the urgent need the station
stands in of more labourers, and I am confident that if it be a practible thing you will assign us a clerical associate at your present
meeting. If no you will not fail to represent the necessities of the
station to the Prudential committee in its true light. Should mission
aries arive the present year (it maybe blindness) but I conscienciously
think that no station has claims for help equally strong as this. Nor
is there one in more danger or being given up unless it Is reinforced.
While I have health I am willing to use all my strength - but my health
fails and how long it will allow me to sustain even poorly as I now do
the interests of the station. Dont fail to give us the first minister
who comes. It may add years to my life and preserve the station from
overthrow.
With regard to salary if I mistake not Bro told me that the salary's
commencing or including the past year would depend on the pleasure of the
�4
Kaluaaha May 1843 - Hitchcock
Mission. For certain reasons I would prefer that my stipend for the
last year be regarded as salary - My accounts are so involved with the
Meeting house that it will give them more simplicity, as the property
gone Into the meeting house, so far as I am concerned remains still
mission property - whereas if it was my own, the case will he different
I will put my requests for help to gether.
1
For the Meeting house the entire avails of Book for the current
year.
2
For the same what few articles of Mr Munn’s remain to be sold at
the station.
3
For the station from 100 to 150 dollars (when I shall have found
a canoe) - to purchase a canoe. Should I not succeed in getting one
the money will not be called for.
4
An Associate without fail as soon as possible.
The following table of Statistics
Whole number of church members received on confession —
Do
By letter
Do
Recieved ( !) the past year on confession
Do
—
—
By letter —
-Do
Recieved the past year —
—
—
—
Whole number Dismissed to other churches
—
—
The past year Whole number Deceased
—
—
-—
Past year
Suspended the past year —
—
—
Remain suspended
—
—
—
-Whole Number in regular standing —
—
—
Whole number Baptized children —
----Baptized the past year
Married the past year
Average number congregation probably over
Native schools cannot Report
Station schools -22 scholars
Contributions of the natives for the Meeting house
cash
714
24
319
4
323
18
4
44
16
3
21
655
368
143
42
900
$ 276.
Respectfully submitted
H. R. Hitchcock.
chairman of Gen Meeting
I Should have said something in reference to our extra expenses for our
children the past year.
I was allowed for David 40 dollars the past year.
him have been as follows.
Clothing - - - - - - - - - - - - Board for about l/2 year at 37 1/2 c
Travelling expenses to get him to
Outfit for school - - - - - - - -
My expences ( !) for
- - - - - - - per week
School - - - -
$20.00
10.00
15.00
13.00
$58.00
�Kaluaaha May 1843 - Hitchcock
Which is 18 dollars more than we have had allowed for him.
Much the same is the case with Rexford
Should there be a bill of expenses more, I hope that the Mission
will make an appropriation to defray it. As I shall not be able to and still meet other unavoidable engagements - I think at least 15
dollars travelling expenses should be credited to my account in order
to be equal.
H R H
(On back)
Report
of Kaluaaha for
1842-3.
�Kaluaaha May 20 1844
[Hitchcock]
In no former Report of this station have we had more urgent rea
sons to begin with acknowledging the goodness of God to us and our
people, than in the present.
The first half of the year we experienced in our family unusual,
hea[l]th and ability to labour, and the Lord caused his work to pros
per in our hands; and his candle shone round about our tabernacle. And
looking back on those months I have reason to be ashamed that I made ( '?)
n o better returns to My Heavenly father for his great goodness in
raising My dear companion from a long and distressing illness, in
giving her so unexpected a degree of hea[l]th, in the continued heal[t]h
of our children, and in my own ability to labour hard in his work.
The last half of the year has been full of affliction. I have
been visited with two severe fits of sickness from the last of which
I have not yet fully recovered. It went further toward entirely
breaking down my already feeble constitution than any thing ( !) I have
ever before experienced.
This sickness and the feeble health subsequently which I have ex
perienced, together with an absence of six or seven weeks on a visit
to Honolulu has resulted in at least 3 fourths of my former amount of
labour being diminished. And such at present is the State of my health
that my prospects for efficient labour are dark. But He that has
often heard me when I have been in distress and been better to me than
my fears may help me now and enable me again to do my wonted amount of
labour .
Pastoral labours have necessarily been less abundant this than in
former years not only in consequence of sickness but mostly from the
great pressure of other business connected with building the Meeting
house. Until prevented with sickness and whenever able since the
pastor has preached twice each Sabbath - besides lecturing the chil
dren's sabbath school, and the adult school in the Ai o Ka la. The
only weekly religious exercises he has attended have been the Wednesday
Lecture and the Saturday meeting with the church.
At the commencement of the year our congregations were unusually
full and interesting. They continued so for two or three months when
the effects of droping ( !) some of the means of Grace to give more
attention to building began to appear in a diminution of the people at
meeting on the Sabbath, and in a general state of coldness which gave
us no little uneasiness. Still later in the year there was a sensible
revival of feeling and disposition to attend on the preaching of the
word until we left for our visit to Honolulu which being protracted
longer than we intended and followed by a severe sickness resulted in
another great falling of[f] in the congregation, and in a lower state
of feeling than I have known here for several years. When I left for
H my hopes were high - I am sorry to say that now though our number
on the Sabbath is not small yet that there is very manifest a less
disposition in the mass to attend public worship, and a general indif
ference to the concerns of the soul. May the Great shepherd soon
grant us a reviving and renovating influence.
Sabbath Schools have been attended this year at the Station though
�Kaluaaha
May 20, 1844 - Hitchcock
2.
by fewer children than in former years. This has been mostly
owing to a carelessness on the part of the teachers in not calling to
an account those who failed to attend. Formerly the rules of the day
schools required the scholars to attend the Sabbath school and meeting
on the Sabbath. These rules have become a dead letter in the
and those children who prefer to spend the Sabbath in idleness or play
have mostly deserted the school. Still many have attended and but for
the want of adequate instruction would have made good progress in rel
igious knowledge; as the verses of the Ai O Ka la have been committed
to memory by many. Bro Gulic ( !) has of late taken charge of this
school so that it may be hoped that the children will have hereafter
more attention than it has been in my power to bestow upon them.
Our Adult Sabbath s chool which includes the church members and
the more serious part of those who are not members has been constantly
kept up. There has been no sensible falling off in numbers during the
y ear. There [are] usually present from 4 to 5 hundred. Propably ( !)
1/4 of them recite from memory the 7 verses of scripture for the week;
and of the remainder, from five verses to one, and all have the oppertunity ( !) of hearing the lesson explained. I have depended as much,
almost, upon this exercise for enlightening the mind, getting at the
conscience, and regulating the practice of my people as upon formal
preaching. And could not all three be attended to it would probably be
well to omit the afternoon session (?) for the sake of the school. As
yet however with the exceptions of seasons of seasons ( !) of sickness
I have been able to attend to all three. This school has been more
useful of late than formerly owing to the fact that we are on the most
interesting part of the bible ( !).
Bro Gulic ( ! ) since his arrival at the station has kindly aided
me in preaching. Much of the time since he has been with us I have been
either absent or unable to preach twice on the Sabbath.
Mrs. Hitchcocks ( !) freedom from the great amount of care which
she had when the children were with us, and an improved state of health
has allowed her to spend much more time with the females than before
for these several years - She has frequently met with the native Mothers
Association, and with a larger number on friday. She has also organized
societies in different parts of the congregation for reading the scrip
tures, over each of which she has placed one or more native female
teachers who has met with her class after having heard the lesson ex
plained by Mrs H. and given it what instruction she could. Mrs H has
not been able to be regular in these plans - being frequently prevented
by ill health from attending. But she is confident that they have been
attended with signal benifit ( !).
Improvements. Our Main work the past year has been the errection
of a permanent house of worship. Partial preparations had been made
the year before, such as beginning to collect timber Stone and coral
for lime. A little beginning had also been made in collecting funds.
But at the commencement of the present year we had collected none of these
articles in sufficient quantity to complete the work. Preparing most
of the timber and getting it onto the ground from the distance of ten
mile3 or more, procuring many of the stones for building, and some of
the lime, Mason and Carpenter work have all been done within the compass
�Kaluaaha
May 20, 1844 - Hitchcock
3.
of a year, beside collecting a considerable part of the funds.
The house has been completed nearly two months. It Is 100 feet
long by 50 broad outside; walls 2 1/2 feet thick and 18 feet high. It has
a gallery 18 feet wide across the brea[d]th of the house, and is lathed
with American lath and plastered over head somewhat arched. The thatch
ing is pili maoli. It leaks but little; Has 4 doors three of which
are 7 feet high and about as wide, and one of the ordinary size; 8
windows with each 50 lights of glass, and two others with 12 each. The
cost of the house beside stone, lime timber, and gratuitous labour of
the people has been between 800 and 900 dollars, probabably ( !) nearer
the latter amount. It is an exceedingly pleasant one, and one easier
to speak in I never saw. You will rejoice and praise the Lord with me
brethren that at last I have at last a place to preach in where I shall
have but little danger of injuring my throat. It is a luxury in my
missionary enjoyment for which I hope I may ever be grateful.
At the Out Station at Kalamaula a large thatched meetinghouse built
in good style has been finished and dedecated ( !) this year. It holds
about 800-.
That portion of the church have been set off by themselves so that
now they do not come but very occasionally to the Station.
We have held but one protracted meeting this year, and that was at
the dedication of the New Meetinghouse. Bro Andrews, and Alexander
were the preachers to whom I am under great obligations for their truly
faithful labours and the occasion. I am sorry to say that my own ill
health had not only prevented my use of the means hitherto blessed for
the proper preparation of the church, but it likewise prevented me during
the Meeting from holding such meeting[s] and having such conversation
with the people as success to the meeting demanded. Good was doubtless
done though less apparent than at any former one we ever held.
Some time in October a several days Meeting was held at the New
Meeting house at Kalamaula which was well attended (.)
Native Agency has been constantly employed at the various out posts
and more distant placed of the island, and though of a feeble kind has
been of Great use. Religious meetings conducted by Natives have existed
in nine or ten places on the Sabbath. And the state of religion and
morals at those places has been as encouraging during the year as from
their circumstances could be expected.
Still good native helpers is a desideratum in the opperations of
the Station. And I know of no thing ( !) which would more surely promote
the prosperity of the cause aside from the outpouring of the Spirit,
than would a good supply of well qualified native preachers. Most cer
tainly some means should without delay be adopted and vigorously pros
ecuted to procure such indispensable help.
Contributions of the church have been mostly for the Meetinghouse.
In less than two years they have contributed for this purpose in cash
�Kaluaaha
May 20, 1844 - Hitchcock
4.
not less than than ( !) five hundred dollars, and in labour and materials
what, if it had been procured with money would have amounted to more than
three times that sum. I have been gratified to see that so poor as our
people are and as unfavourably as they are situated with regard to the
market they have been so willing to contribute for this important work.
We have a ballance on hand of 230 dollars - enough to purchase a bell,
and an uncollected subscription of more than 50 dollars. And as the
people have been aided from abroad, a part of the balance on hand will
be appropriated to help build the meeting house at Hana - and the re
mainder should none of it be needed to pay for the bell as I hope it
will not be, will be devoted to a schoolhouse or some other benevolent
object. If the Lord help us we shall be able to refund all the help we
have received from abroad.
On the subject of reinforcing the station, I cannot now say all I
would be glad to say for want of time. I have written to Brethren
Chamberlain & Armstrong on the subject and so far as those letters can
throw light on it they can be refered ( !) to by the mission.
I would hower [however] say that I am expecting one of the new
brethren to be located at Kaluaaha, and as there is not a healthy sister
at the station, the importance of having a married man must be obvious.
You brethren are acquainted with the state of my health and need
not that I tell you that both its preservation from being worse, and
entirely sinking, to say nothing of its amendment, as well as the well
being of a church of more than six hundred members depend very much
under God on our having a helper to to ( !) share with me my labours and
heavy cares. The precarious state of my hea[l]th, the frequency with which
on that account\I am prevented from preaching, and the inability which
it causes of exercising properly and efficiently the discipline of the
church, were there no other reason would as [it] seems to me be suf
ficient to make clear my claims for a fellow labourer in my department
of the work.
Since my illness I find that I cannot attend to but a small part
of what is necessary to be done in church matters, and the cause of ben
evolence in the people, because I am not able to paipai [prod] them, is
going backward at a fearful ratio. It is painful for me to witness it
and this again injures my health. I do something, and had I an associate
I should be able to [do] more. As it now is the interests of the sta
tion are by no means safe in my hands.
But another reason why another family should be located here is that
the population is abundant, and the work more than even two healthy
ministers can do. With my present health, If I had another brother
with me the whole island may hear the Gospel once at least in six weeks
and most of it oftener. One hour and a quarter's ride to the east (?)
is a congregation of 500 people. We might have preaching there at least
every other Sabbath had we another man. At the distance of 4 hours to
the west there is another congregation of at least 700. The people have
laboured hard and put up a good house of worship also a house and ac
commodations for us when we visit them, and are anxious to have frequent
�Kaluaaha May 20, 1844 - Hitchcock
preaching. It is my wish to have meetings there once at least in six
weeks which could probably be done if we had another minister. As the
ease now is we may not be able to preach there at all during the year.
Shall it be so - shall those distant sheep Who have even no competent
native Shepherd be left a pray [prey] to the devourer? There are more
than 70 church members in that part of the field - and very many people
who will never hear the Gospel unless it be carried to them - come to
the station they cannot. One minister be he ever so strong cannot meet
the wants of this people, two though one be partly an invalid will be
a proportionate supply, if the school department which is one of rare
promise be filled by a third as is now the case.
I might answer the objections which some of the brethren unacquainted
with circumstances in the case might make; but as these circumstances
are known to many perhaps to most of the brethren I forbear, hoping that
the meeting in deciding as to allowing us an associate will imagine for
a moment my circumstances their own.
Should building a third house be deemed an insurmountable objection
by the brethren it is is ( !) not by us. We have too much evidence that
the population of Molokai loudly calls for and can most advantageously
employ at least three families. And any one at all acquainted with the
situation of the field would see at once that If we can have but one more
family it must be located at Kaluaaha, as at no out post could a family
be comfortable alone.
I am very anxious to have a man with a family as the ill health of
the sisters of the Station presents doing good where it is always most
appreciated is among the females. They are in one sense the most Im
portant part of our charge.
But if the fact of not having a house cause[s] the Mission not to
locate here a married man, one of the single brethren will be received
by us with open arms and he will be made as comfortable in our nice
upper chambers as we can make him - so there will for the present be no
occasion for building. We should expect also that a man and wife will
stay with us until better accommodations should be provided for them.
We could let them have two rooms. I know not that I need say more on
this topic but leave the matter to the wisdom of the Mission who I am
confident will give it all the consideration it demands.
The roof of our house needs repairing as it leaks badly in some
places. Our pantry Is flooded with every rain and the house is becoming
injured very fast[.] It cannot be repaired short of 100 dollars [.]
Probably it will cost more. If it should the balance can be brought into
an appropriation for another year.
I request therefore that the Mission will allow me 100 dollars for
the purpose of reshingling a part of the house, and such other improve
ments as are necessary to keep the rain out of our pantry and kitchen.
It will take 5000 shingles hinges (?) boards &c. We have endured the
rain in our house now more than a year
The statistics of the church are as follows.
�Kaluaaha May 20, 1844
6.
- Hitchcock
Whole number received on examination
—
—
-on certificate
—
—
—
—
—
—
Past year on ex
Past year on certificate
—
—
Whole number past year
—
—
—
—
-Whole number dismissed —
—
-—
—
Dismissed the past year
—
—
-—
—
Whole number Deceased —
—
—
—
—
Deceased the past year
Suspended the past year —
—
—
—
Remain suspended —
—
—
—
—
—
—
Excommunicated past year —
—
—
-Whole num ex —
—
—
-_ _ _ _
Remain ex —
-—
—
—
-Whole number in regular standing
—
—
—
—
Whole number of Baptized children
—
—
—
Baptized past year
—
-—
—
—
—
Deceased in the whole
.
not known
Deceased past year
.
not known
Marriages the past year —
—
-—
—
Average number of the congregation about
783
24
69
0
69
22
4
65
21
17
48
00
8
8
682
465
97
40
800
It was my intention to have sent a more finished Report, and I
commenced it in season for the purpose but sickness interrupted and I
have been obliged to write it in a hurry. I hope the brethren will ex
cuse any errours it may contain.
( !)
I have much more to say but cannot as I have not time or strength.
I feel deeply on the subject of Punahou School - Have written my views
as to what improvement it seems to me are called for without delay.
I pray dear Brethren that our Blessed Master may be with you in your
meetings and guid[e] your deliberations, and render profitable and joyful
your communion with each other. I long to meet with you but my ill
health forbids it.
This Report is respectfully submitted by your Affection[ate]
brother and fellow labourer
H R Hitchcock
[On back]
Station Report - 1844
Kaluaaha
�P. J. Gulick's Report,
Kaluaaha, Molokai
May - 1844
By an arrangement at the station the superintendence of the schools
on Molokai, devolved on the writer. But the state of Mrs. Gullck's
health, (who was very ill several months) the sickness & absence of Mr
Hitchcock, together with the superintendence of the erection of a church
edefice, which, owing to the absence of the pastor, required a portion
of his time, have prevented the attention, & those systematic efforts,
which would otherwise have been bestowed on this branch of missionary
labor.
From the time however, that we became settled, & sufficiently re
leased from the duties above stated, I have been accustomed to meet twice,
daily, with the station school. Owing to the want of a suitable house,
& competent teachers, till very recently the boys only, have been
taught in the forenoon, & the girls in the afternoon. The school is
opened with prayer, accompanied with singing a hymn or reading a portion
of Scripture, or both, & questions on the passage read, or on the fun
damental doctrines of religion; and on Mondays, on the sermons of the
preceding Sabbaths.
Although it is not at present our privilege to report any striking
results of our efforts to imbue the minds of the children & youth, with
the principles of religion; still, in the more advanced, there is evi
dent progress in the knowledge of the plan of salvation through a cruci
fied Redeemer. And we are cheered by the hope, that to some of them,
at least, this knowledge may yet prove a 'Savor of life unto life'.
The number in the station school, though varying somewhat, was till
recently about 150; a majority of 12 or 15 being boys.
There are now in all, over 200, & the former house of worship,
being occupied as a schoolhouse, & an additional teacher employed, both
boys & girls meet twice a day for instruction. They are taught by 3
male teachers from the Sem. at Lahainaluna, & one female from the fem.
Sem. at Wailuku. Owing to causes stated in the beginning of this report,
no tour of the Island has been made, for the examination of schools,
except by the superintendent appointed by G o v . t ; hence the state of the
schools cannot be reported as accurately as is desirable. It is said,
compared with former years, they are now in a less flourishing condition.
And there is unquestionably, much room for improvement, both in teachers
& pupils.
About half the teachers are graduates from Lahainaluna Sem., and
as well qualified to teach, as a majority who have enjoyed the same
privileges; Still they succeed poorly, in the gov.t & discipline of
schools. And yet it is true, their schools would not suffer by a com
parison with those of their compeers, whose management I have observed
on other Islands. And it must be admitted, that while the children are
scarcely restrained at all, out of school, it is no easy task, to reduce
them to order & decorum, & to keep them so, when in. The indifference
of many parents, to the mental culture of their children; & their re
luctance to have them corrected, tend to augment the difficulties,
which, from the waywardness of ungoverned children naturally beset the
teachers's path .
But probably, the chief cause of the diminution of children in our
schools, is, the relaxing of the law, requiring the attendance of chil-
�P.J. Gulick’s Report, Kaluaaha
1844
2,
dren from 4, to 14 years of age. And/yet, in consequence of the presence
of the papists the relaxing of this law, seems necessary; lest those who
are willing to live in ignorance , should go over to t h e m ,
where they can
he assured of ample indulgeance ( !). I am however informed, that no
more than 20 or 30 children, on Molokai, have left our schools from all
the inducements the Papists have been able to offer. But doubtless many,
& perhaps all, who are now enrolled as pupils, would be more regular &
constant in their attendance, were the law requiring it enforced.
As already stated I am unable to give statistics with perfect accu
racy, W e had a gen.l examination in April. But it was rather a sickley ( !) time/; & being held at the station only, & many from sickness,
& many more from infantile weakness were unable to attend. The no.
present on that occasion, was 6 8 8 . But the whole no. enrolled on the
lists of our 15 schools is 959. According to the best of my present in
formation 420 have made some progress in arithmetic. 630 read with
various degrees of facility. 329 are in the alphabet & spelling lessons.
Sabbath School.
More than 400 children, including a large majority of those on the
Island who are able to come to the station, are connected with the Sab
school which has long been maintained here.
But many of them living
from 5 to 1 2 , & some 2 0 , miles, distant, their attendance is quite ir
regular. The more remote are expected to come only once in 4 weeks.
Since Br, Hitchcock has been able to preach, somewhat regularly on
the Sabbath, I have taken charge of this school, & meet with them an
hour before the morning service; when I endeavor to explain to their
understandings, and to impress on their conscience, the portions of
Scripture which they may have committed through the week & recited on
the Sabbath.
It is the custom in the common schools that those who read with
facility, commit to memory & recite each morning a verse of Scripture.
And those who attend the Sabbath School, again rehearse the whole, Al
though this exercise is often very imperfectly performed, yet by it, &
the instructions which accompany it, it is believed, their knowledge of
the Scriptures, is essentially promoted
The state of my health has neither ( !) permitted me to labor vig
orously, nor constantly; & I have been sometimes interrupted by the
illness of my wife; still on the whole, my hindrances from causes of this
kind, have been less, the past year, than the two last preceding.
W hile br. Hitchcock has been able to labor, in addition to super
intending the schools, I have, with few exceptions, preached, once on
the Sabbath, & once during the week, either at the station, or at an
outpost.
Owing to his sickness, & absence, the care of the station devolved
on me, nearly three months. During this period, I usually preached
�P.J . Gulick’s Report, Kaluaaha - 1844
3.
twice on the Sabbath, & on Wednesday afternoons; attended the monthly
concert & a meeting with the church, Saturday eve. A part of the year,
I have also, at their o n request, instructed a class of teachers of the
adult Sab. school.
I am however conscious, that my labors have been feebly & imper
fectly performed; & I think considering br. Hitchcock’s state of health
there is ample room for another missionary on this Island. And if one
can be found, who is willing to take a new station some 25 miles west,
and means also to make him comfortable there, I shall rejoice to see
him in this field.
But from some experience & 16 years observation, in this mission,
I could neither ( !) vote for associating pastors, nor for locating another
minister at Kaluaaha. For I am persuaded, that in a few years, at most,
such an expenditure of strength & funds would be deemed unprofitable, &
the plan relinquished.
A word in regard to the accommodations of my family. It was known
to the mission last year, that the house which we now ocoupy was in a
dilapidated condition. Although a small sum has been expended on it,
it is still far from a comfortable habitation. Nor, owing to its size,
& original form, will it be practicable to make it a commodious, or de
sirable habitation, for a family as large as mine. But it may be im
proved, Every room in it leaks, & some of them badly. It therefore
needs to be rethatched, & some joist, & other lumber furnished. The
chimney, oven, & backhouse, need to be rebuilt entire. By the present
condition of the chimney, all the mission property at the station, is
in danger of being destroyed, as well as our furniture &c. —
Possibly it is my duty, to ask an appropriation for erecting new
buildings. But various considerations prevent my pursuing that course.
I request however of the mission an appropriation of $40.00 which
may cover the expense of so much as is indispensable at the above named
repairs.
All which is respectfully submitted
P . J. Gulick.
Statistics of schools
15 Schools
21 Teachers
630 Readers
of whom
420 cipher
329 Are in the A.B.C. & spelling lessons.
Total of pupils 959
About —
450 are girls
and -- 509 are boys.
A considerable no. have studied geography, & some, church history, but
[I cannot] state how many.
�P.J. Gulick's Report, Kaluaaha - 1844
P.S. I
for the
quested
it this
4.
have already, expended on the house we occupy, since the accounts
past year were closed, $18.27/100. And we hope the sum re
may cover this & what more we shall be compelled to expend on
year.
Were it possible to make it a desirable or commodious habitation,
I should ask a much larger grant. But as it is, we had rather endure
much inconvenience & discomfort than to spend time & funds in efforts
to improve such an unimprovable concern.
�P.J. Gulick’s Report.
May. 1846
My labors, for two years past, have been of a pretty uniform char
acter; & although owing to general & constant dibillty ( !), they have
not been prosecuted with much vigor; yet through divine goodness, they
have not been greatly interrupted by sickness.
Beside superintending the station school, which I have usually
met twice daily, I have preached generally, once in the week, & once
on the Sabbath; & frequently expounded the Scriptures to a portion of
the female members of the church.
I have also superintended a morning Sab. school, for the children
in the vicinity of our station; except in the absence of br. Hitchcock,
when b r . Andrews took my place in the School.
The pupils in some measure connected with this school, amt to 500.
But some of them living quite remote, are seldom present except at
communion seasons, wh. occur quarterly.
In favorable weather, the no. in attendance is about 400[.] But
some 40 or 60 of these, come from the out stations, by turns, only
once in 4 weeks. This leaves but 350 who are consta[n] t in attendance,
while the remaining 150 are occasionally there, making the ordinary no.
about 400. —
But owing to the pastor’s well directed efforts those
who are absent, with many others too small to come to the station, meet
in Sab schools, at their respective places, & are instructed by school
teachers or other church members.
Pupils who can read with facility, commit to memory the daily food;
— & this is the custom in all the schools on Molokai, though less per
fectly carried out, than we could wish — & recite it on the Sabbath.
Many also have committed the 10 commandments, & the major part of the
catechism. The smaller children, & others unable to read, commit hymns
from the children’s hymn book.
In the station school, the portion of Scripture committed the week
preceding, is expounded to the pupils, on the Sabbath.
The school containing 170 males, & 130 females, is divided, the
boys only being assembled in the forenoon & the girls in the afternoon.
The former are taught from 8 to 11 A.M. & the latter from 12 to 2 P.M.
Both forenoon & afternoon, the school is opened with reading the
Scriptures, singing & prayer; & occasionally brief exposition of Scrip
ture & efforts to impress it upon the hearts of the pupils. And al
though we cannot report, what is most of all to be desired, — that they
appear to be generally under the sanctifying influence of the truth, yet many of them manifest an increasing knowledge of the Scriptures;
especially of the great fundamental doctrine of justification by faith
alone. -- They also in general appear to make commendable progress in
their secular studies. The table below will show the no .s in the various
stages of improvement.
�P.J. Gulick's Report - 1846
2.
Teachers. These although none of them, exactly what [I] could wish
they were, & some of them very deficient, yet as a whole, are in advance
of those with whom I have formerly been acquainted.
And from the best
information at
command, I judge they are more regular & constant, at
their appropriate work, than is customary with native teachers, In other
parts of these islands.
This may perhaps be owing to what I suppose is a fact, viz. that
here they are more promptly and more liberally paid, than In the other
islands.
It may also be in a measure, the result of the interest which
parents take, in the schools.
In good measure through the influence of the church the parents
are induced to pay one half the salery ( !) of the teachers. And as a
natural consequence they begin to manifest considerable interest in the
progress of their children. And the teacher who is specially deficient,
or who frequently leaves his school without good reason, or does not
advance his pupils in their studies, frequently finds some dificulty ( !),
in keeping his post, & especially in collecting his pay. This is a
pleasing indication, that the people are beginning to understand their
rights, & to assert them.
The present pay of school teachers on Molokai is I think, a suf
ficient reward for their services.
School-houses. In these we are quite behind the age. There Is
not a good one on the island; nor even one to compare with those at
several other stations. I think a few hundreds, of the funds raised
there, would ["could" written above "would"] be very judiciously expend
ed in fitting up one or two school houses. And that the influence of
such a measure w.d be very salutary especially on the children & youth.
Jan. 1, 1846
Total
14
22
1138
612
526
595
227
398
562
203
150
Schools
Teachers
Pupils
Males
Females
Readers
Have commenced writing
--- Mental arithmetic
Commit the Daily food
Written Arithmetic
Have studied geography
145 In the A.B.C.
[On back]
Report of
Rev. P.J. Gulick
May 16 - 1846
�Report of Molokai Station.
1846 -- [Hitchcock]
In their report for the year past the missionaries of Molokai have
renewed cause for gratitude to God for the health and general prosperity
with which he has blessed us. While most of our number have been visited
with occasional ill health, none have been ill for a long time, nor so
ill as to lay us aside from our usual labours. Of the good things of
this life we have had all things and abounded, and in the retrospedt we c
can complain of nothing but our unworthiness of the great favours with
which the year has been crowned.
The means used for the benefit of the people are
1. Preaching. We have I believe had invariably two sermons on the Sabbath
at the Station and frequently as many or more at other places. Bro
Gulic ( !) has most of the time preached once in the week and oftener
when the other brethren have been absent from the station. Bro Andrews
has preached frequently either at Kaluaaha or else where. Preaching on
Wednesday has been constant.
2. Sabbath Schools. Of these we have had three - two for children and one
for adults. The morning school for children has been superintended by
Bro Gulic ( !) who will give an account of it in his report. The adult
school held Immediately after the forenoon service, and attended by all
the members of the church and all others who are disposed most of whom
recite from memory the ai a ka la, has been attended by the pastor in
company with Bro Andrews. In this school after the recitation of the
verses they are explained in the catichetical mode and applied in the
most direct and faithful manner of which the teachers are capable, and
here I would remark that I know of no exercise so full of promise of
usefulness, aside from preaching as this. In the first place it forms
employment of the very best kind for many who otherwise would be in
cessantly engaged ma ka manao ike kino [
?
]
or what would be no better wasting their time in sleep. Besides the
subjects come up in order without being selected for the occasion and
the application of the word under such circumstances Is less liable to
be regarded as the result of ill will or similar motives. So satisfied
am I from long experience of the expediency and usefulness of requiring
members of the church to commit to memory the Ai o Ka La that nothing
would tempt me to dispense with it. Of the edition this year 1800 were
sent to Molokai and more will be wanted before the end of the year.
The third Sab school which is held one hour before the commencement
of the afternoon service is superintended by the pastor. It includes
as scholars all the children of the morning school and as many adults
as choose to attend. The exercises of this school are simply reading
ten verses of the scripture by course at a time, and three or four times
over. By this course they have the whole xxxxx in part in their minds
and are pretty well prepared to answer questions which are proposed to
each class by its teacher. After the questioning of the teachers is
through the pastor catechizes them on the whole and makes such use of
It as the occasion requires. The school is usually closed by singing
which is frequently good. That part of the school which cannot read
meet in another room and chant hymns The commandments or other verses
of scriptures, after this and before the school disbands they assemble
with the others and form one School of between 300 or 400 scholars.
Tw[o] objects are answered by this school; first it makes the scholars
�Molokai Report
1846 - Hitchcock
more familiar with the bible and secondly it keeps them constant in their
attendance at the afternoon service so that whatever may be the state of
the adults, we are always sure of a congregation of 300 or 400 Sab
school scholars. I would here observe that the order of Sab schools
at Kaluaaha is as far as practical pursued at the other stations on the
island.
A third means of benefitting the people is by watching over and
regulating the interests of common schools. As the whole subject of
schools will of course come into Mr Gulics ( !) Report I shall say nothing
more of it here except that the controul ( !) of the schools has never
passed from our hands but [we] are consulted on all subjects important
to their welfare and no change is attempted without our consent. I
would also say in general that the past year has been one of signal
prosperity to the cause of common schools, on the island.
Another means of seeking the welfare of our charge has been the
Special care of the church. One meeting each week has been held for
the direct purpose of instructing them. In this department may be in
cluded a constant attention to the various complaints that arise between
church members - In their difficulties they appeal to the missionaries
and no small portion of our time is spent in seeing that justice is
rendered to the ones to whom it is due. The administration of disci
pline is a part of our [duties] more fraught with care than any other.
Of this we have had much to do this year although perhaps fewer than usual
cases of Suspension have been called for.
A Meeting has been held weekly with those who profess to be serious.
And a lecture each at two out posts has been preached with little in
terruption during the year.
The monthly concert has been kept up and has been one of our most
interesting meetings.
The usual female meetings Mrs H has kept up and attended herself
as often as health would allow. One of her meetings is held on friday
and embraces all who are disposed or can be induced to attend. Reading
the bible and conversing on its meaning constitutes its principle ex
ercise. The second female meeting assembles on thursday of every other
week and includes only such as obligate themselves to pay particular
attention to the care of their families - the neatness of their houses
and the cleanliness of their persons. It is a Mother's Meeting though
not confined to them. Its object is to promote domestic order and
happiness. Beside these meetings Mrs H meets a company of female
lunas and reads a chapter with them weekly, and gives them a familiar
explanation of its contents, and they in their turn read the same with
their respective classes and tell as much of its meaning as they can
remember.
More than usual attention has been given the past year to efforts
for raising the natives from the miserable social condition and to get
them in the way of providing houses and furniture and clothing more
comfortable for themselves. In this department Bro Andrews especially
has Laboured unweariedly - and as will be seen not without much en
couraging success. The same may be said with regard to the practice
�Molokai Report
1846 - Hitchcock
of medicine the whole of which has devolved on him. And the success
which has attended his treatment of the sick calls for gratitude to
him who has blessed his efforts. I say less upon these things as they
fall more properly within Bro A 's Report.
Of family visitation but little has been done - such have been our
circumstances that it has not been convenient. Considerable time has
been spent at the out stations of Halawa and Kalae. The pastor has
spent 7 weeks at the latter place with his family beside several other
visits of three days each.
The above are the principal labours performed at the station the
past years. It remains to give some account of the doings of our
people.
They have been punctual an[d] constant in their attendance on
divine worship on the sabbath our assemblies have been uniformly full,
especially as a good part of the people come from a distance of six
miles and many of them from 10 or 12. Week days meetings have also
been better attended the past year than usual. The after noon Meeting
on the Sabbath though less numerous than in the morning has without
exception been well attended. So that judging of their love of the
worship of God by the labour they endure to attend it, we must hope it
to be not only sincere but on the advance. These observations apply
also to the outstation where the difficulties of getting to meeting
are in many instances even worse than at the station.
The members of the church and nearly all the children who can read
have committed to memory hundreds of verses of the scripture and listen
ed to instruction from them in sabbath schools. This is a work I am
happy to say considered by our people as indispensable to a good and
consistent Christian character. And the steadiness with which most
persevere in it is a pleasing evidence that it is xxx not an oppressive
service.
They have paid for the support of the gospel among them in part
the past year and the cheerfulness and punctuality with which they have
done it and the willingness which they manifest to continue to do what
they can for our support are pleasing indications both of their sense
of the value of the ordinances of religion and of their obligations to
sustain them. Novel as the trial has been the past year we are hoping
that their contributions to our support the current year will not fall
short. By far the greater part have paid all or nearly all their pro
portion - Many but a part and not a few none at all. Those who at the
close of the year had not cancelled their subscription were not |not| (!)
allowed to do so afterward. Their delinquencency ( !) was refered ( !)
to God and their-own conscience. We have now addopted ( !) the plan of
quarterly payments, whic h so divides the amount each individual is to
pay as to enable him to do it with much less sense of burden. The result
thus far this year has not been bad. Nearly one fourth of the sum re
quired having been paid in. I am happy to be able to [say] that the
experiment of requiring our people to support the gospel has thus far
been attended by no xxxxxxxxxxx unhappy influence. There has been no
Instance come to our knowledge of any ones forsaking his attendance on
the preaching of the Gospel to avoid paying. Our Luna and a konohiki who
�Molokai Report 1846 - Hitchcock
4
subscribed 4 dollars but paid just once commenced drinking awa and
assigned as a reason his makau i ka uku
and was of course suspended from communion. But he found himself miser
able in his new chosen condition and came back before the next sacrament
after having most willingly paid his portion of the salary. I am well
convinced that no injury to our cause can accrue from receiving our
support from our people. While It is equally plain that should we urge
them to do much for the support of native teachers the effect would be
to create carelessness if not disgust for the pono. Much better as It
seems to me would it be for the missionaries to support the native
preachers - so far as clothing is concerned out of our own salary.
Our people have done something the past year for objects of benevolence. This has been voluntary - no mony ( !) has been required. The
men have been exhorted to furnish at least one stick of wood at each
monthly concert - and the women a mat each once in six months - or if
they choose ahuawa string to the same amount. No one has been regarded
as delinquent who has contributed this much
Of course those who
have prefered ( !) it have contributed money. We have a system of giving
which works pretty well, and which by the future improvements which
experience may suggest we hope will result in securing for the cause of
God all that the people are able to give. Beside contributions at the
monthly concerts the women especially are getting into the way of sys
tematically contributing to the necessities of the poor. Each princi
pal district constitutes a society for this object. They contribute
potatoes or fowls or onions or money as they please. The produce of
these contributions are carried to market gratuitously by some brother
of the church and sold and the cloth given to the lunas of each district
to distribute to the poor after submitting their claims claims ( !) to
Mrs H who has the general superintendance of the whole. The charity of
Kaluaaha district she gives out with her own hands. We intend to give
more attention to this department of benevolence than circumstances have
allowed us to do before and the success with our efforts in it have
been crowned the past year gives encouraging promise that the people
will abound more and more in this good work. Beside these direct contri
butions the people have in progress two meetinghouses one designed to
be lathed and plastered 78 feet by 30. The walls of this are completed
and the tim[ber] mostly procured. This has been a great tax upon their
time and should be regarded as forming no inconsiderable part of what
the people do for the pono. The other house is 40 by 28 - and the timber
is on the spot and the walls more than half up.
Two hundred and ten Eleles [a newspaper, translated "Messengers"]
have been taken on the island and nearly all paid for in cash. They
have bought more books for cash (?) this year than in any previous one
and done much more for the support of school teachers beside having pro
vided more things for the comfort of their families. They many of them
are free to own what has thus far been a fact that the more they have
done for the pono the more prosperous have been their worldly affairs.
I am happy to say also that there has been more attention given to
mahi ai ana [
] than formerly and consequently
less complaint of destitution of comfortable food.
�Molokai Report
1846
- Hitchcock..
.... 5
The contrast between the present condition of the people of Molokai
and what it was before [this] station was commenced is great - and
demonstrates the great power the Gospel possesses in ameliorating the
darkness and/guilt, and poverty and sufferings of our race (?). And it
is with unfei gned pleasure as well as gratitude to God that we have
watched the progress of divine influence over the minds, and habits and
circumstances of society about us.
But while it would be wrong for us not [to] own what the Lord has
wrought for us, nor to take encouragement from it, It would be no better
not to acknowledge that much very much remains to be done. 14 years ago
the whole field was overgrown with briars and thorns ar.d every hurtful
plant. In their progress of these years much good seeds ( !) has been
sown. The plants of righteousness have sprung up and presented different
degrees of vigour and beauty still all have indicated the unfriendly soil
in which they were planted. Christians on Molokai are like plants
struggling up to maturity with little more than moonlight influence and
are far very far from exhibiting that perfect verdure which appears In
those who have had more and stronger light. On this account we are ever
and anon pained by sights and sounds and deeds which did they exist in
Christians of greater measures of light it would be difficult to recon
cile with true religion. In particular the whole field of social and
domestic order seems an almost an ( !) unbroken waste. Improvement in
this department has been slow indeed and many years must pass away be
fore Christianity and civilization shall constitute society into what
we mean into families, or diffuse through it what we understand by
domestic order and peace. This is only one of very many heartsickening
aspects of the moral and religious condition of our field. So that while
we on the one hand we rejoice and bless God that our people have risen
so far up from the dreadful degregation in which we found them on the
oth ( !) other we are admonished not to relax but if possible to increase
our efforts If we or even our children would ever see them rescued en
tirely from the deep dark pit of Ignorance and Sin.
Statistics of the Station on Molokai
From May 1844 —
May 1846
Whole number admitted to the church on profession
by letter
Admitted on profession in 1845
in 1846
two past years
do by letter
Total 2 years past
Whole number dismissed to other churches
Dismissed the past 2 years
Whole number deceased
deceased the past 2 years
Number suspended the 2 past years
"
Remain suspended
Whole number excommunicated
excommunicated 2 past years
Whole number in Regular standing
Whole number children baptized
"
Baptized 2 past years
957
33
120
54
174
9
183
32
12
105
40
19
31
23
15
766
619
152
�Molokai Report
-
Hitchcock
Mariages ( !) the two years past
Average congregation on the Sabbath
Average number at the adult sab school
Average number at the afternoon childrens sab school
Average number At the church Meeting
Do at the Wednesday Lecture
Do at the Monthly concert
Do at the Womens Meeting on friday
Do at the Mothers Meeting
Sermons preached by the pastor weekly during the year
117
700
300
400
150
200
100
80
75
143
Contributions to the Pono.
Salary up to May 1st. cash
For the poor
For the Monthly concert
Total
Eleles taken
Paid for
Books Sold for cash
25 teachers at 25 dollars each
Outlays of the people in Money for
Religion and Education
Population of Molokai
Births year past
Deaths
In a population of 2867 there are males
females
$400
58.75 or 235 yds
cloth
220.00
678.75
2.10
179
$100
$525
625.00
Whole amount $1313.75
4500
142
90
1515
1352
When I commenced writing this report I had forgotten that it should
include the transactions of 2 years - consequently some things have been
passed over which It may be well to mention here. A series of pro
tracted meetings commencing somewhere in october 44 were held at the
different stations all of which seem to have been blessed in a greater or
less degree with the influences of the Holy Spirit. The one at Halawa
especially was one of the most interesting of the kind ever held on the
island - The congregation was full - and scarce a word seemed to fall to
the ground useless. Christians became aroused from their palaka
to an earnest and pleasing spirit of prayer - and to an unwonted concern
for the impenitent. The consequence was that nearly all the assembly
became concerned for their souls and for the time resolved to attend to
their salvation. The fruits of this revival for such it may with pro
priety be called, on the portion of our field in which it took place
were truly salutary. Hundreds broke away from the outward sins in which
they had been living. Many of these continue among the number of the
pious - and no fewer than a hundred perhaps more of them have been ad
mitted to the church while the general state of society in the region
has shown a pleasing degree of improvement. Much the same may be said
of the results of the protracted meeting held at Kalae soon after. The
effects of these meetings continue to be seen yet.
�Molokai Report - 1846 - Hitchcock
7
During the year just past we held no meeting of the kind. No ex
traordinary means have been used and yet we have not been wholly desti
tute of the special operations of the spirit. Two lands (?) both of
which have stood aloof from the means of Grace and seemed to be almost
hopeless have been induced to yield to the pono a few are it is hoped
real converts.
The subject of temperance will be noticed in Mr G!s report as the
scholars of the school are the only subjects of direct efforts in that
department of reform. Our church constituting de facto a temperance
Society - on the tetotal plan. Some 10 or 12 have violated their pledge
the past year but none I believe continue to do so, and most of them
it is to be hoped are penitent.
(On back)
Molokai
Report
1846
To be returned.
�Kaluaaha
Sept 25 - 1847
Dear Bro C[hamberlain]
Your letter requesting me to send the statistics of this station I have not
such.
It came while I was at Mauna Olu and was not sent me.
I had prepared a
letter but it got mislaid.
I have not the wherewith to make a correct statistical account of the station
for 1846-7 - I am not able to say how many have been received to the church.
So
please make out your report without reference to this station.
I can only say that the usual prosperity has attended us since the last gen.
meeting.
We retain a growing interest in the people in the means of grace and an
undiminished perhaps increased willingness to do. all they can to support the gospel
among themselves and to help spread it abroad.
The people have thus far supported Bro Andrews - and their average monthly
contribution for the spread of the gospel has been nearly twenty dollars.
Besides this they have contributed considerable for the relief of their own poor.
Books have never been in so great demand as in the present year.
We have taken
more cash for books than in any two previous years.
Our church consists of rising of 800.in good standing - some 60 or 70 stand
propounded for admission on the first Sab in January 1848.
have no more numerous this than former years.
than common
The cases of dicipline
There seems at present to be a more
interest in the subject of religion and I cannot but hope that many
souls are now living in obedience to the commands and preparing for heaven who a
short time
ago were in the broad road to death.
Three meeting houses are in a state of progress and will I hope be finished
before the end of the year.
On the whole we have reason to praise God for the success which has attended
us
the year just end [!]
I am sorry that I have not been able to make a correct report.
hard not to be so hemahema again.
Shall try
The reason is the account as record
of
admissions have been made in the books of the different branch churches and in
some cases without date.
Your affectionate brother
H. R. Hitchcock
�[Dwight]
Report
May 1849 to May 1851
Dear Brethren of the Hawaiian Mission
Two long & eventful years have sped their course leaving deep
irrasable ( !) marks upon the features & the hearts of each member of
the Mission as well as upon the islands we inhabit & the people for whom
we labor. These years have been years of progress to all, years of
severe trial to not a few, years of blessings to the many. As a mission
& as individuals we
should raise our ebenezer here, as, with
heart reechoing the sentiments of our hearts, we exclaim, "Hitherto hath
the Lord helped us."
The diseases, that ravaged the islands two years ago, with such
fatality as to leave scarcely a hope for the native race, have passed
away & have been succeeded by general health, & abundant prosperity.
The decrease of population has been in a measure stayed, & the births,
for the last quarter ending in March have, for the first time since my
connection with the mission, exceeded the number of deaths on the island
of Molokai: so that were it not for the continual drain made on that
island of the most hopeful part of the population to supply the wastes
of Honolulu & Lahaina, we might report an actual increase of numbers
thus far in 1851. The reserves (?) of the people have also largely in
creased & they have surrounded themselves with many of the necessaries
& comforts of civilized life which were unknown even by name to their
ancestors.
Their progress in these matters should cheer every philanthropic
heart as evidence unmistakable that the poor people have advanced in
intelligence & civilization - those twin handmaids of Religion. The
houses lately constructed by the people are larger, more commodious,
better furnished with doors windows & other conveniences, than those of
former days. Many of the natives own houses & cattle, & more land is
under cultivation now than has been in any two years together of late
times. Very considerable progress has been made by all the people in
attaining industrious habits. While the school children do more work
than was ever done by the same number in these islands before, perhaps
as much [as] is done by the children in the U.S.
For the History of the Ch ’h. the present state of piety, Benevolence
& other virtues, I would respectfully refer you to the report of my
associate the pastor of the ch’h who will doubtless have something
cheering to communicate while I lay before you a suscint [succinct ?]
account of the duties that have fallen to my lot.
1
The Sick
Of these several thousand cases have come under my care since my
connection with this station. Those living within a mile or two of the
station I have usually visited at their houses & occasionally &
even more distant patients tho' it is to be feared these last
have been neglected. In March 1850 after consultation with my associates
it was determined to charge a small price for Medicine, enough at least
to cover the expenses of this department. The plan has been in opera
tion a year & we think has been beneficial to the natives. The amount
realized by this plan has been $19.50.
�Molokai Report - Dwight - 1851
2
2 Books
In December 1849 The care of this department was handed over to me.
I immediately opened an account with each of the School teachers, set
ting a price on the books that they were by no means to alter, & allow
ing them 12 1/2% on all they sold to the children. The amount to [be]
handed in every quarter. This plan has worked well. The number of books
sold has been more than doubled. The reciepts ( !) from that date up to
the present time, including subscriptions to the Elele being "320.00.
Of this sum $158.00 has been handed over to the Depository.
34.00 more
been paid to Judge Andrews for Atlasses. $18.75 is due to La hainaluna
for books kindly furnished by that institution & the remainder will be
handed to the depository at the end of the current year.
There are deficiencies in regard to books which I hope means may
be taken to remedy.
An Arithmatic (! ) of rules & principles is very much needed to
carry the larger children arround (?) & to give the general principles
of the science. Of atlasses not one remains. I succeeded in getting
290 in all from Judge Andrews 3/4 & they have aided me not a little; but the children are not supplied & they are all gone.
A good geography & general history are greatly needed. The children
are almost entirely ignorant of the history, condition, extent, charac
ter, &c of these very nations where ships fill their harbors & whose
sons occupy the high places in their government, & will be so I fear
until the study of Geography & History become more generally branches
of education in the common schools.
3
Aiding the Surveyors.
In October last R. W. Meyer was sent by the land commission, to
survey the Native claims on the island of Molokai. He brought a letter
from the Pres. Hon. (?) Judge Lee, requesting Mr H. & myself to aid
him in his work. Since then I have complied as far as possible with
Mr. Lee's request. have aided in settling disputes, ascertaining boun
daries, & taking testimony when necessary. My spare room has been at
the surveyors disposal ever since he came to Molokai.
4
Law
In last August a circuit Judge was appointed for the island of
Molokai, by my recommendation. The Judge is a good man anxious to do
right, but entirely unaquainted with this important business. It has
been my plan to sit with & advise him in this new duty. Moreover I have
held 4 times a week a school for the reading of the law, at which he
& others have attended. It has become more & more evident to me since
my connection with this matter, that no common native has yet attained
to those powers of intellect & Judgment which are required to make a
good, impartial & fearless judge.
�Molokai Report - Dwight - 1851
5 Schools
In January 1850 this department of labor fall ( !) to my care &
on it/ my strength has been laid out. A t that time a debt of over 250
dollars had accumulated.
This embarrases ( !) us. It has been my plan
to spend one week at the end of each quarter in examining the schools.
The sixth quarter has passed & the benefits of this plan are such that
I hope to continue it to the end.
After the last
I divided 14- of the schools into 4
sections, appointing each section to meet me once in 4 weeks at a central
school house.
The objects of these meetings were 1st to make the
children & teachers love their schools 2d to see their improvement &
3d to assist in attaining excellence in Elocution, Reading, & singing.
This has been a fav orite plan with teachers, scholars, & parents. 7
times each week I have lectured to 3 classes of the larger children in
Geography & history, & once a week I spend 2 hours with a school 4 miles
from the station.
The studies pursued in the schools are Reading,
writing, spelling, mental & written Arithmetic, geography, Algebra,
drawing, Elocution, & vocal music. Every child that can read is ex
pected to learn the verses of the daily food & in this way more than
200,000 verses of scripture are fixed yearly in the memories of the
Molokai children.
A working school was established by my predecessors in this depart
ment, & as it seemed to be exceedingly useful It has with a few modifica
tions been continued up to the present time. How long this will be con
tinued hereafter Is quite uncertain as the parents in one place are
opposed to it & my associate has taken their side & thinks the time has
come for it to b e broken up. My own opinion of its utility has not
been changed. But there are tides of opposition which one cannot stem
& therefore it is the path of wisdom perhaps, to yield to them.
A new station school house to be built of lime & stone has been
commenced this year.
The corner stone was laid with appropriate cere
monies April 30th ult. I have engaged two of the larger boys to aid
the masen ( !) ------ employed- in its constructions that they might
get a knowledge of this art & that they might not lose in their studies
I teach them 5 evenings in the week 1 /
hours.
2
1
This school house is to be
37 1/2 by 25.
The walls 12 feet high & to have 6 windows & a door.
It will have a wood floor, seets ( !) desks, & other school room
furniture so far as we can procure it.
Mi ss Brown's school has been in successful operation most of the
time under review & has been exceedingly useful to some 30 or 35 young
ladies.
Its discipline is admirable & two sets of the larger girls have
been taught the act of knitting thoroughly.
In September last a sewing school was established at Kaluaaha.
To this purpose the mauka room in my house was appropriated.
It was
commenced with twelve girls, which number has been gradually increased
to 25.
They meet under the Superintendance of a most excellent native
woman Peenahele (?), who had been for a long time in the employ of Mr
�Molokai Report - Dwight - 1851
Andrews & my associates.
The school meets 5 times a week & spends 2
hours a day in this very necessary feminine employment.
In the 6 months
they have been in this school, only one scholar has required punishment
& for order, punctuality, neetness ( !) of person obedience this sewing
school will compare well with any school I have seen. They are taught
to cut out & make pants, vests, Sacks & shirts. The older scholars are
now at work on a set of shirts with linen colars & bosoms that will be
exhibited at the next examination. They have earned for themselves by
their needles the sum of $37.12 1/2. It has been my hope when this school
commenced to have had the aid of my Lady associates but in this, owing
to the presure of duties & ill health upon them, I have been disappointed
Statisticks ( !) of the Schools.
Scholars 969. Teachers 29. Catholic scholars 56 Prot. do. 918. Cat.
Schools 2. Prot. 17. Pay of Teachers pr quarter $320.00. First quarter
$378.00 Readers 574. in Arithmetic 496. Geography, 494 Drawing 73.
Writing 374. Elocution 430. Algebra 14. Sewing & Knitting 37. Vocal
Music 430. Earnings of the Children from Jan 1850 to Mch 1851 $2268.12 1/2.
6
Marying ( !)
Since the last gen. Meet. there have been 140 marriages performed
on Molokai. . It has been customary to charge 25 cts for this ceremony &
to hand the receipts over to Mrs Hitchcock for the poor.
7
Preaching lecturing &c
In a strange language, with a stammering tongue & a limited number
of words, the writer has engaged in this most important department of
labor. In the two years under review he has addressed Sunday Schools
168 times & spoken from the pulpit in Hawaiian on 220 occasions, two
of which were in dedecation ( !) of Houses for Worship.
In these various labors, such health & strength as the Lord has
vouschafed ( !) him have been expended & have been accompanied with so
little perceptible fruit as to leave him almost discouraged. Feeling (?)
however that while it is his duty to prepare the ground, to sow & watch
the seed, the increase is in the hand of One abounding in might, holi
ness, & wisdom, the writer would go on to the end of his course until
it shall mercifully please His Lord to call him hence.
With sentiments of esteem &c, this report is respectfully submitted
to the mission by their fellow Laborer & servant
Samuel G. Dwight
Deaths from Jan 1st to March 31st 1851
Births "
"
"
"
“
(On back)
Mr. Dwight’s
Report.
Molokai
1851
29
28.
�Hitchcocks Report of Kaluaaha
1851.
The direct missionary work of the Pastor and his companion
have the past year met with more interruption than usual and con
sequently less has been done. Soon after our return from General
Meeting in 49 we began making preparation for repairs on house.
The contract for the work was made, including an obligation on the
part of the workmen to do it with dispatch, which obligation if
faithfully fulfilled would have completed the works in at most 4
months where it was not completed in near a year from the time the
contract was made. This long delay though mostly owing to the
neglect of the workmen, was partly owing to want of lumber. Repair
ing of the house had an injurious effect upon the health of Mrs. H.
whose strength was not adequate to endure the noise and confusion
and additional labour with which it was attended.
As early as July she was taken with a nervous disease - in
dicating tendency to paralasys ( !) . The malady increased untill ( !)
we were constrained to go to Lahaina for medical aid. She was sub
sequently somewhat relieved for a season, and our hopes that the
disease was over come [overcome] quite sanguine yet the symptoms
never entirely disappeared; and for the last 5 or six months they
have greatly increased, and have made it exceedingly difficult
to use her hand and to attend to her domestic affairs, the disease
being attend[e]d with general debility — and a suffering of cold.
Her illness has thrown the care of the domestic department of labour
mostly on to my hands, and however imperfectly the duties of this
department have been performed they have greatly interrupted the
vigorous performance of those of my own particular sphere.
These last for the past two years have consisted in preaching
twice on the Sabbath, attendance at the adult Sab School held im
mediately after the forenoon sermon, a Sab school for children held
at 1/2 past 1 oclock - a meeting for the professedly serious on
teusdy ( !) - the common wednesdy ( !) sermon, the same sermon on the
two successive days one at Kamaloo, and one at Wailua. The Saturdy
( !) Prayermeeting, preceeded by a meeting of the officers of the
church, has been constantly attended and made the occasion of a
discourse amounting to a Short sermon on Christian duty and prac
tice. Occasional sermons have been preached at the outstations
Kalae [,] Kolaupapa ( !), Halawa and Moakea. The weekly meeting at
Waialua (?) has been discontinued for the year past. Add to these
labours that of the general supervision of the church and managing
its discipline and you have all or nearly all the direct missionary
work of the pastor. The balance of his time has been spent upon
unavoidable secular and family cares. I would here state the way
in which the above mentioned supervision of the church Lunas has
been carried on. The plan of a monthly meeting of the church
lunas on the Saturdy following the first Mondy of the month, has
been in operation about one year. At these meetings we have had
as a general thing a delegation from almost every district on the
island, by which the affairs of the district are made known, and
�Hitchcock's Report 1851
—
2
such measures taken with regard to them as the case requires.
So far the meetings have greatly simplified the management of the
church, and facilitated the extension of our influence in every
part of the island. We have the countrepart of this meeting in
a similar one of the chief or luna women from all parts of the
island. This is a method which Mrs. H has devised and successfully
employed to have her influence felt through all the districts.
Little as the pastor has been able to do - still partly per
haps owing to this little - partly to the indefatigable labours of
my associate in the various departments which he has filled and
partly owing to other arrangements of providence we are able to
Report progress.
Soon after General Meeting of 49 - a special prayermeeting
for a revival of Religion was appointed in my study - this was known
only to a few. The meetings were solemn. The brethren present
confessed their sins one to another, and manifested much feeling
for the impenitent. These meetings increased in interest and were
soon opened to others beside professors - many flocked in. Chris
tians prayed with intenseness of desire, and the influences of the
Spirit were manifestly In the assembly. The attention increased
and spread into other districts - and continued for several months and though many who professed to have turned to God have since
shown their goodness was as the morning dew which passeth away [,]
some I am happy to say give satisfactory evidence of having passed
from death into life, and others still who have been numbered with
the poe pono before come out more decidedly on the Lord[']s side.
The influence of this little silent rain of divine grace has been
a precious influence, not only as it regards the souls that were
hopefully converted - but In having much deeper and more correct
impression upon the people in general In favour of the doctrine of
Salvation by grace alone. As the result of the excitement about
80 were added to the church in July 1850.
There has on the whole been an Increase as it regards an
attendance on the means of grace, not that the numbers who attend
are greater, for the great dimunition of the inhabitants by death
and other causes has rendered that impracticable; but in the con
stancy of their attendance. Our morning and evening Services are
more equally attended now than ever before and a much greater por
tion than usual consists of such as in former years were not found
in the house of God. Especially is this the case with the impen
itent youth of both Sexes.
Some progress seems also to have been made in the value
which the people attach to the pono [right or morality] . Indeed in
no one respect has the progress been greater. They have done much
many years past for the support of the gospel among themselves in
form of support of pastor, building meetinghouses and places of
prayer. But for the two or three years past they have done more,
and that more spontaneously. What they have contributed for salary
has been given with little or no effort on my part and with a
seeming conviction on the part of most of the contributors that it
�Hitchcock’s Report 1851 —
3
was money well laid out so far as their own profit was concerned.
But the salary of the pastor is hut a small part of the burden im
posed upon them for the sake of supporting religion at home. A
still greater burden has been the erection of planes of worship.
And this they have done much in the same way as the same work is
done in the United States, from a conviction that meeting houses
are required for their good, and that they could not do without
them — that they would be worth to them more than they would cost,
and they have laboured to get them on the same principle as they
have laboured to get houses for themselves. There are now two
meeting houses one of costly native material and another of stone
laid up in lime mortar, completed and in use. The one has been
erected by the inhabitants of Pelekunu - who all told are not more
than 150 men women and children. There ( !) house is excellently
finished and furnished with doors [,] glass windows - and seated
with chairs instead of seats. They have ordered a church bell for
the house to cost 75 or 80 dollars. The people of Moakea are now
worshiping ( !) in their new stone meetinghouse 60 feet 30 - put up
In lime mortar glazed - with six windows - and for which they are
out of debt. They are now collecting money for shingling and
lathing and plastering and finishing the house in American style.
The people of Halawa who had the misfortune at the time of
the great sickness to have the new house they had just got ready
for roofing washed down by the Kona floods have erected another of
more durable character[.] The walls are up and the roofed ( !)
shingled, and all the materials are on hand for completing the
building except the floor. It will when completed cost about 1000
dollars besides their own labour in procuring timber [&
] lime from
the distance of 5 miles by water and &c &c. Pull half of this sum
has been already paid - and the remainder will probably be forth
coming soon. The windows in this house are 6 with 25 or 30 lights
each. The building of this house has not only not been koiwali
[
] but it has been done against many cautions on
our part as to the evil of beginning to build without being able to
finish. In the addition to the house they have ordered a bell not
to exceed 175 dollars delivered at Halawa.
The People at Kalaupapa who have but recently finished a
stone house - 60 by 30 feet, are now engaged in collecting funds
for a new and more durable one intending to devote the old one to
the use of the school. They have a bell paid for which has cost
them 170 (?) dollars - They have taken hold of the work of geting ( !)
a good and permanent house with a strong hand and without some sad
interposition providence prevent will probably carry it through.
The meeting house
the Station repairing at the expense
of some 1600 dollars. The people of that district principally
have subscribed for the object nearly 2100. Over 100 dollars of this
has been subscribed by the children of the schools in the vicinity
of the station.
An other ( !) pleasing evidence of an increased extension (?)
of religion in the minds of the people is their building houses
for prayer and conferences, of which there are no less than 7 within
�Hitchcock's Report 1851
—
4
half that distance each way from the station, and which are construct
ed for the only purpose of enabling the people of the separate
neighbourhoods to meet for prayer — Some of these houses are large
and commodious - and all have been put up at the expense of no
little labour, As all must perceive who reflect upon the great dif
ficulty of building at the present time. Two of these houses have
been recently dedicated and it was an occasion of unfeigned joy to
the people - and experience has shown, that they were not mistaken
as it regards the amount of Good to be derived (?) from them. I
have been more particular on this head as it illustrates most satis
factorily to my own mind
the truth that there has been among
my people an advance in their appreciation of religion. And that
what they do for its support is done as freely and with as little
constraint or urging as perhaps in any other land. Progress in this
respect is progress indeed, greater than though the amount contri
buted had been doubled but done by constraint.
There has also been progress in our (?) field in the item
of general benevolence or in liberality for the need and support
of the Gospel abroad, and in providing for their own poor - and
cheerfully responding to the various calls which are made for their
help. The statistics will show a great increase in the amount con
tributed for these purposes the two years past and not only their
pastor but many others can bear them witness this They have done
what they could and done it with a ready mind.
Progress also has been made in house (?) condition and do
mestic comfort. To this I could testify with more particularity
than is necessary, as my associate Mr. Dwight will doubtless more
than alude to it in his account of his labours. Sufice ( !) it for
me to say that our congregation on the Sabbath is composed of persons
better attired than ever before, rags and dirt being now rarely
met with. Civilized habits are more prevalent - attention to child
ren more common, and furniture in houses more abundant - the wants
of the people have become more numerous - as have also the means of
supplying them. I should not probably hazard the truth were I to
say that five fold more [has] been expended in houses - furniture,
comfortable clothing and other mercenary (?) things the past two
years than in the same time previous.
Of the schools of course I shall not be expected to speak
as those come more properly into that of Bro. Dwight [the follow
ing interlined in pencil] and as my other cares have prevented
my knowing their condition. I wish merely to say in reference to
them, that they must be in a most prosperous state if such a state
is always the result of an unwavering devotion to their interest,
of zeal well nigh enthusiastic - Pains indefatigable and of labour
inormous. ( !)
I can only add that progress has been made in the way of
getting our support independent of the Board. In accordance with
the sense of the Mission on the subject last general meeting, what
�Hitchcock's Report 1851 —
5
little we have been able to get aside from our salary has been as
judicially expended for liquidation of our debt as we know how.
The herd on our return from Gen Meeting was found not large enough
to give to each the number specified in the resolution - Still
every dollars worth were sold and the avails sent in to the depository
The balance of the herd ------------------------------- consisting
only of 3 cows, 2 steers, 3 calves a year old and 3 unweaned we
have appropriated to ourselves. [9 words crossed out] I had intend
ed to have applied for dismission from the Board on the basis of
the G M (?) Resolution as early as last january ( !), but as it be
came indispensably necessary to repair our meeting house as soon
as possible - and as I feared the people would be unable to raise
the necessary funds over and above my salary, I was constrained to
delay the application a year longer. I have written to have our
present relation to the Board cease on the first of January next.
I have taken this step both (?) realizing some of the danger -which it exposes my family to want. Especially as I am so infirm
and my companion [in] so poor health.
------------- its being necessary the comming ( !) year for
our family to Reside on the mountain at our outstation according
to the advice of the physician on account of Mrs. H ill health,
and as the house there needs repair before we can be comfortable
or even safe there it becomes necessary to ask a grant of 100 dollars
to be used as much of it as shall be needed in rendering the dwell
ing there a proper one for invalids.
I will conclude by a few statistics
�Hitchcock's Report 1851
Received the past two years on examination
90
Whole num ber received on examination
1490
Whole number received from other churches
30
Whole number dismissed to other churches
50
Deseased (!)the past two years
68
Church members excluded desceased ( !)
0
Whole number --------- desceased ( !) in good standing
303
Whole Excluded the past 2 years
68
Remain excluded
68
Now in Regular Standing
1101
Decrease in the two years
28
Children baptized the past two years
30
35
Whole number children Baptized
671
Marriages the past year
(no figure)
Population of the field
(no figure)
Proportion who attend public worship
3/8
Stand Propounded for admission to the church
33
Contributions
To salary the two years past
To monthly concert from May 49 to Jan 50
To
do
for the year 1850
To
do
from Jany 51 to April inclusive
Whole amount since last gen meeting
To Mr. Bonds meetinghouse
To the Poor
To David Hitchcock
Whole Amount contributed two years past in cash
Expended In meeting houses Labour and cash
Whole amount done for religious purposes
903.00
280.00
73 6 .00
276.00
1212.00
100.00
115.00
150.00
$ 2366.00
1300.00
3666.00
[[The following in pencil]]
An other pleasing feature of Progress in religion, was the
prompt and universal response given by government to observe a day
of fasting and prayer in view of our difficulties with france ( !)
and of the cholera then expected to visit our shores - The appoint
ment arrived only 2 days before the time for meeting - yet not a
but what assembled on that occasion for prayer - And
the meeting at the Station was unusually great and solemn a grati
fying sign of simple faith in the efficacy of prayer and in the
power and willingness of God to save.
An event which has not a little aggravated her illness was
the departure and absence of our eldest son which took place in
Nov 49 for the United States. The painful suspense with which we
awaited his arrival in the United States and anxiety respecting his
condition there, and the trials which he has experienced there
?
?
greatly the painful nervous disorder which
she is now suffering.
�Abstract [Mr. Dwight, 1852]
The writer has gone to housekeeping -
Has had health & strength.
Has preached 106 times on Sundays & 90 times on week days.
Has visited the sick & taken for medicine $13.06
Expended $21.00
Has married 50 couple
Has taught the schools which are generally improving
Has reported (?) the completion of a fine new station school
house at an. expense of to all parties $1357.63
3 sewing schools in operation with 50 scholars who have
made 261 garments & earned $138.00
A great lack of school hooks
Catholic schools increased on the whole
Deaths on Molokai
Births
Excess of births
127
135
8
A considerable improvement in dwelling houses & general ad
vancement in other temporal respects.
Books
Bible
Miss (?)
[On. back!
(?) sold
"
"
Mr. Dwight's
Abstract report.
1852
$20.25
124.75
$145.00
�[Hitchcock]
Report of Kaluaaha Station 1852
The missionaries have, as in all former reports, to speak of
Mercies and Afflictions - The past year has been more than its
predecessors frought with the latter.
Mrs. H who was very unwell
at the last general meeting is still so, and more so than- then.
According to the advice of her physicians - as soon as we could
after General meeting we took up our abode at Kalae.
The pure cold
and invigorating atmosphere and the greater freedom from care which
we found there quickly wrought a sensible improvement in her health
and could we have remained there as we intended to do the year
around it would have done her an essential benefit.
But we were
forced to leave after having been there only 3 months - unusual
amount of labour and care just previous to our leaving brought on
the recurrence of her complaint and she has been getting on the whole
more feeble ever since.
In the month of October business called me me (sic) to Honolulu
and being very unwell when I left home when I arrived here I was so
ill as to prevent my return for several weeks during which time Mrs.
H came.
And had the benefit of medical advice which has helped
retard the rapid progress her disease was then making.
N o radical
influence for the better seems as yet to have been exercised over
her complaints.
And she is n ow in a very feeble condition.
My
own health most of the year has been very bad. Living at Kalae and
having to attend to the station at the same time was more than my
strength could bear.
This together with a more than ordinary
share of trouble of mind at the time overcame and threw me on a sick
bed.
From the affects of this sickness I have not as yet recovered.
�Hitchcock -
Kaluaaha - Molokai - 1852
2
V
The above being the case my labours the past year have been
n i
greatly interrupted and dim^shed; and of course then results proportionally small.
The General Superintendence of the church
preaching twice on the Sabbath and once or twice on week days together with an attendance on the adult Sabbath school occasionally
visiting the sick and conversing with the people in their houses
is all I have been able to do as a missionary since our last General
Meeting. I have administered the Sacrament 12 times during the year.
I have also preached ocasionally ( !) at Hoonouli and Halawa.
Our field accordingly has the appearance of partial and de
fective cultivation.
The plants are not dead but feeble - the
fruit has not been blasted but stinted and noxious vegetation and
its ever abundant fruit have not run (?) out, and over come the
good but have greatly injured its growth.
The past year must be written d own as one of great Spiritual
declension in the church.
This is proved by our greatly diminished
congregation on the Sabbath, and the greater diminution of week day
meetings.
As well as by the fact that during the year there have
[been] no especial attention or awakening among those ouf of the
church.
Most of those received to the church during the year have
been the hopeful converts of former years.
thing is the increase of contention -
Another mark of the same
strife
and litigation
for which '52 has been remarkable in comparison with its predecessors
So that the impression on the mind is that religion is lamentably,
though (?), blessed be God, not desperately (?) low.
The evidence
of its xxxx low estate exists but I forbear to say more on the
point.
It would be arrogant in me to suppose that this state of things
�Hitchcook
-
3.
Kaluaaha - Molokai - 1852
is wholly or perhaps mainly owing to the inability of the pastor
to do the labour which a more desireable state would have required.
Other causes for the declension have existed - such as an unusual
direction of the minds of the people to their temporal concerns,
and the unwonted facilities which have been furnished them to grati
fy their worldly wishes.
Almost for the first time have the people
of our island known/ that they were anything else than serfs - or
that that ( !) they could be the bonafide proprietors of lands houses
and flocks and herds - Efforts more than a year ago to awake them
up to this now welcome truth were well nigh fruitless.
are awake and no mistake about it.
But now they
And so strong is the current
which the discovery has given to their thoughts and pursuits that
it has been in danger of sweeping away everything else - thus re
ligion has suffered - settling their claims to land, getting money
v
to pay for their titles - and and ( !) contending for them when they
have been disputed have left less time for attention to the more
important concerns of the soul.
But [what] ever may have been the
causes - the fact exists that Religion on Molokai is uncommonly
low. and is a matter calling for our deep humiliation - and for our
ardent prayers and exertions for its improvement.
Nor is the state of religion lower than usual.
But as it
seems to me the moral tone of the public mind has sunk many degrees
below w h ere it formerly stood.
As a proof of this we have only to
notice things that are now tolerated that formerly would have ex
cited concern among the people.
at ( ! ) the seasoning ( ? )
-
Formerly Parents were alarmed at
Ball playing - marble roling ( ! ) of their
children (-) now they seem not [to] be troubled at profane swearing.
Profane oaths are common. Formerly Honolulu and Lahaina pleasures
�Hitchcock
-
Kaluaaha -
Molokai
1852
4.
were tabu among us of late however the tabu has been removed, and horse
riding on Saturdy ( !) and other days has been fast becoming the order
of the day - Formerly it was a kind of municipal law from one end of
our island to the other that the young of neither set should be allowed
lest
to visit Lahaina and Honolulu xxx they should become exposed to and
familiar with the vices of those places.
But now we have no such law
and our youth have unrestrained intercourse with these places and access
to all the temptations which they hold out to alure them.
Once the
children of the schools were docile and easily kept in subjection to
the teachers and regulations of the schools - Now they are men — lawyers
and who is Lord over them?
But the low state of morals compared with
former times is more clearly seen and felt than described.
with ( !)
bones are pained from the fact.
Social improvement.
Of this much might be said.
But all ray
But I shall
only Remark in this Report that while the people in a few instances in
a very few instances, have better houses - in more instances better
furniture in more abundant and in almost all instances while their
clothing is better; and that while in many respects their comforts are
somewhat increased; still it is seriously doubted whether the facility
for obtaining this increase of comforts has not engendered an extrava
gance - and involved them in debts which cancel to say the least, if
they do overbalance the good received.
Within sight of our door are 5
stores where goods have during the year past or most of it been obtained
on credit - which has made it extremely easy even for penyless ( !)
natives to make purchases which they would have well dispensed with
had cash only been demanded.
So far as our experience goes the credit
system has been a curse instead of a blessing to this people, and has
retarded social improvement instead of increasing it.
As this however
�Hitchcock
-
Kaluaaha - Molokai - 1852
5
is a matter of opinion I would say no more, but leave it [interlined]
the matter to the decision of those who may fee better acquainted with
the general effects of credit upon a poor community.
See page 8 [ interlined]
[page 7, this typed copy]
Religious services among the people - Houses for prayer have been
erected for conference and prayer in various places and not a neighbour
hood on Molokai is destitute of the places (? ) where Prayer is wont to
be made usually before light or at early dawn.
These prayer and confer
ence meetings of the people among themselves I deem one of [the] best
evidences of as well as the greatest security to the purity of real
piety.
And while they continue to be attended as well as they are now
though religion may be less vigourous at seasons it cannot expire.
Beside the houses for conference and prayer which have been built
by the voluntary efforts of the people, much has been done in the way
of providing permanent houses of worship in most of the principle out
districts.
In Halawa a permanent stone edifice has been erected mostly
during the past year 30 feet by 60 which is not only a great ornament
to the
?
valley in which it stands but which is so far as I know
the first one of the kind ever built by the unaided efforts of the
people at any outstation in the group.
It consists of stone laid up
in lime mortar, is shingled with American shingles saturated in oil
lathed and plastered - has six windows with 24 lights each a Divine (?)
pulpit and galery ( !) and what is an including fact the expense of the
whole has been defrayed by the people of Halawa except 260 dollars con
tributed on the day of dedication but which sum was paid for by a feast
which cost the people aided more than double the amount.
I am not at
present informed of the cash paid for this house but it cannot be much
if any less I think than 1000 dollars.
�Hitchcock
-
6
Kaluaaha - Molokai - 1852
At Hono uli the people have collected over 100 dollars for the
purpose of completing a similar House of worship in their village while
the People at Kamaloo have reroofed their house at an expense of about
70 dollars cash.
At Kaunakakai a large (?) house is being constructed
also one in Wailau.
The House of Kaluaaha needs reroofing for this more
than 2000 dollars have been subscribed and 800 dollars paid in the past
year.
We can but award to the people a value to the Gospel and means
of grace if we judge from the willingness with which they labour t©
support them.
Since the last Gen meeting I have applied to the Board
for a dismission on the Basis of the 7th Resolution and have been dis
missed accordingly.
But as the pecuniary circumstances of our people
are much more unfavorable than when I made the application alluded to
I have been constrained to ask the Prudential Committee to allow me the
privileges of the mission at least for the year 52 - - - - - - - - - - - - - -------.
( !)
This request was regarded favourably and refered ( !) to
the action of this meeting which action is expected to be refered ( !)
again to them for their sanction.
I have therefore to request you to
continue my privileges as a missionary - during the year 52 in order to
enable my people to repair our house of worship.
It needs reroofing
immediately as the rains are already greatly injuring the walls and
to be delayed another rainy season would greatly endanger it.
The
people cannot raise money enough for the purpose in addition to my
support - what I want is to use (?) out of the funds of the Board this
year that what they pay for my support may be devoted to that object.
I submit it for your consideration.
On account of our continued ill health we were advised by some of
our brethren and by our physicians to visit as soon as possible the
U.S.A.
In a letter Dated Dec 10-51 I applied to the prudential
�Hitchcock
-
7
Kaluaaha - Molokai - 1852
committee for permission to make such a visit which letter has been
responded to in the kindest and most favorable manner.
But as I cannot
think of leaving my people without another to take my place in taking
charge of them during our absence I would beg the mission to allow Mr.
C.B. .Andrews to return to his old station.
Should he do so the obstacle
to our going so far as our people are concerned [would be removed].
I
should have no anxiety in leaving them in the care of one who I am happy
their
to know has been so devoted to xxx welfare and whom they all love with
so strong an affection.
I have petitions signed by a great number of
church members requesting him to be allowed to return to Molokai.
In
fact they have given him a loud and sincere call from one end of the
island to the other.
Will the mission acceed ( !) to their wishes, and
thus put to rest the heavy anxieites of their now worn out and feeble
pastor and alow ( !) him to leave them for a season feeling they are
in the care of another fully able, and willing to break to them the bread
of life.
Our going to the U.S.A. seems now suspended upon your favour
able reception of the petition herein presented.
-------------------------------- ( ! )
The field consists of 12 congregations - Halawa, Wailau, Pelekuni,
Kalaupapa, Kalae, --------- ( !) Kaluakoe - Kaunakai, Kawela, Kaluaaha,
Honouli - These constitute the native meetings on the Sabbath.
Mission
ary Congregations are Kaluaaha - Hoonoule - Halawa, Pelekuu, Wailau Kalae.
�Kaluaaha - Molokai
Statistics of Molokai church for 1852.
Admitted to the church the past year
”
in all
”
"by letter
1571
in all
Dismissed to other churches
in all
Deceased past year
61
324
Remain Suspended
55
Remain in regular Standing
Children "baptized the past year
"
30
21
Deceased in all
"
81
in all
Stand propounded
Contributions - past year for support of pastor
1095
41
712
43
$ 471.00
”
in cash for meetinghouses
”1809.00
”
cash at monthly concert
” 622.00
”
in all in cash past year
”2902.00
”
in Labour and materiel for
meetinghouses permanent
”1000.00
at Monthly concert from 1847 to 1852
inclusive
”2498.72
”
�Mr. and. Mrs, Hitchcock both feeble during the year - so much
as to render it necessary for them to relinquish for a season our
labours and take a voyage of the United States as soon as convenient.
No Epedimic (!)or Special sickness during the year on the other
hand there have been fewer deaths and a more general state of health
than usual.
Efforts for the support of the gospel at home
1. for support of Pastor
2. cash Paid for meetinghouses
Labour and materials for
$471.50
1709.00
do
1000.00
In this estimate is not included the labour and material spent
in the erection of houses for prayer and conference in several
neighbourhood[s].
Contributed at the monthly concert
cash
$622.00
Popery Has actually gained no ground the past year.
A few some 8 or ten individuals have [been] seduced by
Mormonism.
The church has neither diminished or increased during the
past year - But its prosperity on the whole is a matter calling for
gratitude to Him who has planted and thus far sustained it.
General improvements have been greater perhaps than in any
former year.
�[S.G. Dwight's Report for 1852 & 1853]
Dear Brethren of the Hawaiian Island’s Mission
The close of another - - - - -- ( !) year of missionary
labor, in this most fruitful field, makes my pleasing duty once
more to tax your patience a few moments while briefly as may be,
I recount the various incidents connected with the 5th year of
my S o j o u r n among you.
Some changes as you know have been made on Molokai. A
new pastor has been temporarily appointed to oversee the church
& it gives me no little pleasure to say that change has removed
the friction that formerly cloged ( !) the wheels of labor.
Soon after the separating of the Last Gen. Meeting The
office of Treasurer of the School fund was at my request transfred ( !) by the Minister of Instruction to Mr. Andrews. This
will make it his duty to report on the schools generally to your
body. The only office I now hold in connection with schools is
that of Trustee for Kaluaaha to which I was reelected in Dec. 1852
In my last report I had the pleasure of stating that a
new (?), commodious school house for a Station school had been
finished at an expense of about $1400.00 & was then ready for oc
cupation.
On Monday Aug 9th 1852 the school was opened with 88
Scholars 44 of each sex, & with the exception of 3 vacations of
2 weeks each has been --------- ( !) continued in operation ever
since a period 37 weeks.
There have been connected with this school, in that time
131 pupils of whom 2 have been expelled for bad conduct
8
have returned to their homes in other parts of the island, 3 have
run away & gone to sea, 2 have been married & the remainder 116
attend it still: 24 being new ones just admitted.
The School is popular. Many children desire to enter it
that cannot some even from other Islands.
In consequence of this desire the number of Pupils has
always been larger than either the strength or ability of the
teacher would justify.
The branches taught In this school are English [,] reading,
writing, spelling, ------- ( !) & speaking. To these 4 hours each
day are devoted 2 by the female department & 2 by the male, Leav
ing only 4 1/2 hours in which to teach the important branches of
Arithmatic, Algebra, Geography, History, composition & Elocution a time entirely too short.
�S. G. Dwight 1852-3
--
2.
The School is divided into two departments a Female & Male
Department. The former assembling at 1/4 before 8 & continuing till
Noon — The latter meeting at 12 1/2 P.M & continuing in session till
before 5 [ .]
This school in its native department owes no little of its
efficiency to the Labors of Hooilo who has been a teacher in it
from the commencement.
The progress made by the Scholars In the English language
has surpassed the expectations of their teacher. The pupils have
read & translated the four Gospels & some chapters in the Acts of
the Apostles. A few of the best scholars read the English with some
readiness. At the last examination the 4 best readers were females.
In all the other branches taught evident progress had been
made. This was particularly true of Geography, history & Arithmatic ( !). Indeed considering the entire lack of text books & atlesses ( !) their progress in the two former was surprising.
In the duties of this school the energies & strength of the
writer have mainly been expended. He has however been permitted to
preach o n the Sabbath 60 times to deliver during the week 25 lec
tures to take care of the Sabbath Schools [,] to perform the last
offices over the remains of 5 children & 7 adults. To unite in
marriage 43 couple & to take some care of the sick — Tho his as
sociate has relieved him from the burden of this department.
It has also been his pleasant task to convey a large number
of awards (?) to the people of this island & to put them in pos
session of some hundreds of acres of land.
Of the three sewing schools established on Molokai 2 years
since, one only remains. One of the two was discontinued in conse
quence of the ineficiency ( !) of the teacher [.] The second was
continued on till the beginning of the present year when it died
out. The third however thanks to the excellent Teacher at its head
& to the efficient aid of Mrs. Andrews Is still flourishing.
It
contains 34 pupils.
During the year there have been made in it 95 shirts, 14
pair of Pants, 5 vests, 5 Sacks, 4 quilted patchwork quilts, 3
pairs of Socks, 55 tight dresses & a number of other smaler ( !)
articles. The pupils have earned for themselves $103.38.
The working (?) school, as a department of the Molokai Schools
has been in active operation during the year & the children have
earned in it for themselves $2491.18 1/4 or about an average of $7.80
for each of the Boys who belong to it.
The average number of Scholars in all the Schools of Molokai
during the year has been 850 of these 28 are Roman Catholick ( !)
Leaving the number of Protestant children 822. At the commencement
of the year the R C had 3 schools at its close one only was in
operation.
�S.G. Dwight 1852-3
The deaths on Molokai during the year was 111 [.]
births 102 an excess of the former of 9.
3
The
The progress of the People in temporal things has been
marked
New & comfortable houses have been built
Comforts
have been multiplied. Increased Industry, frugality, & improved
taste are among the cheering (?) evidences.
On my Associate divolves the pleasing task of reporting the
Spiritual state & benevolent efforts of the Chh of Molokai & ---( !) no doubt his report will be all that you can desire.
As the People of this island/proposed voluntarily to support
me I requested Messrs (?) Castle & Cooke to stop my salary from
Jan 1 1853. To this request I presume they have with their usual
promptness attended.
The appropriation granted the last year to the writer of
$100.00 has been entirely expended & the house he occupies still
stands but tremblingly [ .] It needs to be thoroughly repaired &
as it is absolutely necessary that It should be done soon or it will
fall & as the writer has no other place in which to find a shelter
for his weary head when the labors of the day are done & is quite
unable to build a home now He would respectfully ask that a grant,
leaving the ammount ( !) entirely to the wisdom of the Mission,
might be made to repair the dwelling; Or, if they do not see fit to
do this that the entire materials in the building be conveyed at
a reasonable rate to him He being permitted to use them where they
are till he might have means to remove them & build elsewhere (?).
As the teaching in which he is engaged will not allow the
writer to attend the Gen. Meet, he would respectfully submit the
above report to its consideration (?) & with the earnest Prayer to
the Protector of Missions, that He will bless its Deleberations ( !)
& conduct it to those decissions ( !) that will tend (?) most to
glorify His great Name, advance His cause in the Islands & shed
abundant Mercy on each of its individual members [ .] Remain
Their Affectionate Fellow laborer
Samuel G. Dwight
(On back):
To the Moderater ( !) of the
General Meeting
Honolulu
(Also): S. G. Dwights
Report for 1852 & 3
Rec'd May 7th 1853
Read May 18, 1533 (1853)
by Mr. Cooke
�Report of the Church on Molokai May, 1853 [C.B. Andrews]
1st
The report of the church of Molokai is very imperfect, owing
to Mr. Hitchcock's leaving no data of affairs there while he su
perintended them. When he sailed for the States he transferred
the care of the church to me, but with no record of how many mem
bers he had received into or dismissed from the church, - how
many deaths had occurred, or children baptized.
On this account
no accurate statistics of the church could be made out. There
was a very large addition to the church in July last, & many
children baptized.
&
Religion has held its former ground,/I think, has advanced
somewhat on most parts of the island during the year.
There
seems to be a contin u ed development of Christian character, more
than would naturally be expected of people brought up in heathenism.
This appears
From attendance upon public & social worship.
Never has this attendance been more general on Molokai, than
during the past year. Nearly all of the people go to meeting on
the Sabbath, & most of the church members are steady attendants
at the smaller meetings for prayer & conferrence ( !) which are
held almost daily in each village.
I have wished sometimes that they would not have so many
meetings, & indeed once tried to break up the appearently ( !)
least important & least attended, but It raised such a breeze
among the good people, that I was glad to get out of the dif
ficulty, & let them have as many meetings as they wanted.
Reflection since upon this point has convinced me that they are
right. Hawaiians have few books & no taste for reading.
By
personal contact only of mind with living mind do they get any
Intellectual activity or awakening of thought. Oral intercom
munications at meetings supply with them the place of our books,
newspapers, lectures, debates, & similar interchange of thoughts
among our race. It is to them the levee, reading-room, & news
paper depot of other nations. Nay In some sense, meetings are
the Forum & Arcopagus of Hawaiians. Meetings they will have, &
let them have them.
There has been unusual religious engagedness in some of our
villages.
Our good old patriarch Job, who for the last few years
has been our main prompter in building meeting & praying houses,
conceived that the engagedness in religion was not symmetrical
with the number of meeting houses, & accordingly took up the work
of an evangelist, going from house to house & village to village,
& doing the work that their pastor wanted to do. The effects of
his ministrations were soon manifest, in increased attendance
upon &, interest in the means of grace. Christians became more
awakened, & some old & stiff irreligious ones professedly turned
to the Lord.
Christian development appears
2ndly
In their Benevolent efforts.
The contributions given & expended in buying cloth for the needy
�2
Kaluaaha 1853
C.B. Andrews
have amounted to nearly 100 dollars during the past year.
is given to the agency carried on mostly by the women.
This
Our 2nd System of Benevolent effort is the Mon. Concert.
Almost all church members & many others contribute to this. The
contributions vary from a quarter to a penny's worth, but a
rial each is a standard gift by the men & a four pence by the
women monthly. The system has become stereotyped throughout the
island & the average receipts from these contributions exceeds
50 dollars pr. month.
When Kekela came & presented Micronesia & it's ( !) mission
to us, it so stirred up the interest of the people that, although
I was absent, a special contribution of 96 dollars & a quantity
of clothing was given for that mission. When a certain luna
brought me the Micronesian gift from a village where they have
contributed largely each month, I told him "this is the same as
Mon. Con. money. You have given so well heretofore that we will
not take up a Contribution among you next month."
He stared at me a little & then answered, "Nay, this is an
entirely different thing. It is a Kokua Kau e, a special Aloha
to Micronesia, called forth by what Ke Kela related from actual
observation there. He will give next month as usual." True to
his word, a contribution a little larger than usual was given the
next month.
We had a special pilikia at the Station which I feared would
involve our Mon. Con. fund in bankruptcy.
Immediately after last General Meeting Mr. H. began to
reroof the meetinghouse with shingles before the money subscribed
for the purpose was paid in. Their treasury failing, he with
the Session of lunas agreed to lay hands on the Mon. Con. money,
& replace it as subscriptions were paid in. But the outgoes for
repairs proved to be many hundred dollars more than they had
anticipated, & the money realized much less than the Subscriptions.
When this new call came from the Marquessas ( !), we found no
way appearing by which to recover 600 dollars of Mon. Con. funds
from the Meeting House. Nearly all the available subscriptions
were paid in, A few Sabbaths ago, with a heavy heart I presented
the compound pilikia, of our meeting House being in debt to the
fund which was given for sending the gospel to the isles of the
ocean, thus turning into this house what was both given & now
called for, to send the gospel to the Marquessas. The people
awaked up, & as with the heart of one man, although they had given,
some beyond their ability before, they made a levy upon themselves,
the men giving $1.00 each, the women from a quarter to a half
dollar each, & the children from a 4th (?) to l/2 a dollars
each. Streams of money have been coming in from the drops & rills
of the multitude while their pastor had only to receive & note it
down. I come now with $360.00 in hand out of the $593.00 with
the express injunction of the people, "Send teachers with it to
Fatuhiva."
�Kaluaaha 1853
C.B. Andrews
3.
The remainder we hope to refund at some future day. This
was the amount of Mon. Con. receipts previous to Nov. 1853, all
which was invested in the meeting house by Mr. Hitchcock, before
sailing to the States. The contributions have amounted, to
767.75 cts in all, which I have paid over to the H.M. Soc.
treasurer.
3rdly
The development of Christian character appears
F r om their Increasing expendiature ( !) for building churches.
In some villages where they have built before with Stone laid in
clay, they are collecting funds for building better & more comely
buildings. I did not find this out until lately & in some places
disceraged ( !) their prosecuting such a purpose, being already
comfortably supplied, & having other & greater necessities.
In
the poorest & most barren district of the island, the people have
completed a stone building 30 ft long, have plastered it neatly
within & without, & by dint of perseverance have finished it with
windoes ( !) & doors, all, paid for. In one of the deep vallies ( !)
on the windward side of the island where only 150 people live,
they are struggling to build a framed Meeting house & shingle it,
which will cost them 500 dollars before completion.
At Kaluaaha, the Mission Station, the people have taxed them
selves heavily to shingle their meeting house. Having subscribed
largely when money for their produce was abundant, & paying those
Subscriptions this year when the same brought little, the reroofing
of their house has been a heavy draft upon them. But they have
met the pilikia cheerfully, manfully, nobly. I hear them record,
that of their ability & more than their ability, they have given
for the House of God, & that his Tabernacle may abide among them.
There has little comparatively been given for their pastor's
support. According to a rule established by Mr. Hitchcock they are
to give for this object, quarterly previous to each sacrament. The
amount given in the two quarters already past is 166 dollars, which
will probably be the measure for the next half of this year.
To this report thus presented let me add a few items by way
of Summary.
1s
t
False religions, on Molokai, save old pagan superstitions are
nearly defunct. Romanism has scarcely a worshiper ( !) left there.
It has but one school, with fewer scholars than the Govt demands
& it is kept by a protestant, so that it exists only by sufferance
from both sides.
Mormonism made some shew a year ago, but has dwindled to
nearly nothing, so that I pity & show kindness to the Mormon who
dwells among us, as he Is a modest, amiable retiring man, but firm
in his delusion. He & his wife started an English School among us,
but it has long ago died a natural death.
ndly
2.
Industry & the price of labor & produce is decidedly increas
ing. Since Kuleanas have come into allodial possession, few hired
�Kaluaaha 1853
C.B. Andrews
laborers can be heard of.
4.
All have enough to do at home.
3rdly The progress of Refinement does not keep pace with that of
Religion. With some exceptions they live in the same dirty houses
that they ever have inhabited, wear their cloths as dirty except
on Sundays to meeting, - their heads are as full of vermin &
Kuaaina(,) women & children can still be seen picking & eating
from each other's heads. There are not three native families
on Molokai but what prefer to eat from the calibash ( !) with their
fingers rather than endure the luxury of using, or the labor of
washing plates, knives, & forks. Habit is second nature & upon
many generations yet to come will these habits be enstamped.
4th Schools on Molokai exhibit progress & not retrogress in know
ledge, discipline, & efficiency in educating the whole of the rising
population. The teachers are all paid. No deb[t]s lie on hand
for educational purposes, although the schools have been in opera
tion during the year. Statistics will be found in the report of
the Minister of Instruction. I will add to that report, that
since it was made out, the catholic school as such distinctively,
is extinct, there being not a Catholic school teacher on Molokai,
& but few people who call themselves catholics. Work, industral (!)
& proffitable ( !) labor is one part of practice in all of our
schools, & there is an evident increase of industry in the rising
generation, compared with that of those preceeding them.
In conclusion, I would remark, that the state of Religion
& Education among the people of Molokai is not discouraging. Vice
is decreasing, & immorality yielding to better influences. The
stupor of dark mindness ( !) is breaking, the vis inertiae yield
ing to effort. There is no reason sufficient to justify the
dropping effort, or for being discouraged in trying to invest this
people with an atmosphere of purity, in place of the pollutions
which have been breathed too long.
If the Lord build the house the workman laboreth not in vain.
"He that goeth forth & weeping beareth precious seed shall doubt
less return with joy bringing his sheaves with him."
C. B. Andrews
�[C .B. Andrews]
Report of Molokai.
Church,
During the years 1853. &, 4.
The past year in its main features has not been marked
differently from that preceeding. Religious interest has been
much the same, in it's ( !) various developments of attendance
upon public worship, benevolence, morality & education.
The attendance upon public worship continues steady & upon
the Sabbath is almost universal.
On Sabbath morning, almost all
of the people on Molokai go to meeting. Fewer attend in the
afternoon, but as the larger congregations break up into little
neighborhood meetings, there is again a third leaving the house
& convening more informally to confer upon religious things.
Then comes the endless series of little meetings through
the w eek, some mixed, some for females only, but all considered
by natives, as indispensible. I think also that bible reading
both publicly & privately has increased upon the island.
In the
absence of the printed "ai o Ka la" , there has been a steady
call for testaments, & for bibles & I hear frequently of the use
of them.
In connection with attendance upon public worship, church
building is intimate.
Our station meting ( !) house is completed, & through much
pilikia is almost paid for. A few dollars only are owing to the
masons who plastered the house. There is a debt however of 248
dolls for Mon. Con. money used by Mr. Hitchcock to pay for demands
on the house when the treasury was empty. To meet this are the
remains of the old subscription which if all paid would nearly
cover it. But to meet the failure thereof, there are several
cattle handed over on subscription & their increase will ultimately cover the debt. In Wailau a deep valley on the windward,
the frame shingled & clapboarded building which the inhabitants
determined in 1852 so heroically to put up, is completed & only
133 dollars are owing for it. This they hope to pay for in the
next month, without calling upon their brethren at Lahaina to
report church building on Molokai. It rises like a beautiful
gem on an ascent in the green valley contrasting strongly with
the thatch that surrounds it.
The meeting house roof at Kalaupapa where the people have
a bell has fallen down.
The event was I believe a joyful one, for now they have
resolved to put up a handsome stone building, laid up in lime
mortar, instead of their present walls laid in mud.
They asked me when consulting about rebuilding, if they
could not call upon hoahanaus [fellow professors of religion]
who were lanakila [strong] elsewhere, to help them. I answered
that such calling might bring a little, but not half as much
�C.B. Andrews
Molokai Church 1853-54
2.
as the cost of getting it. Bu t if they would call to the ground
it would answer bountifully.
If each man would cultivate a small patch of potatoes extra
for their luakini [church] & each woman would make a set of
sleeping kapa for the same purpose, their luakini would be com
pleted & money left in the treasury. It took with enthusiasm,
& now many of their kapas are ready for sale, & their potatoes
for the meeting house are growing.
An interesting event occurred last summer in one of the last
holds of popery at Kalae. Twenty eight of them turned from Ro
manism to the pono [right] & their first labor was to build a
place for meeting, a house of prayer, which I was invited to
consecrate. So thorough was their abandonment of popery, &
the work of grace there, that six have lately been admitted to
the church from that place.
The people at Mapulehu near the Station, have felt themselves
constrained to build a stone synagogue in place of their thatch
house. A s the work was progressing their thatch house blew down
which has stimulated their work of building, & they hope soon to
meet in their new house.
Church building on Molokai seems to have become a hobby,
which the people ride the harder for having a little cold water
thrown onto their projects.
In connection with this topic I would say, that many have
given good Hawaiian evidence of a change of heart.
With great trembling the pastor has received into the church
260 since 1853 commenced besides restoring from 20 to 30 sus
pended church members. 20 (?) have been suspended.
The benevolent efforts of the people have not been eaqual ( !)
to that of former years, but I have rather hoped, It was In con
sequence of so much of their efforts being taken up at present in
building meeting houses.
From May of last year until Jan. of the present, $269.00
w e r e given to the Mon. Con. fund, & from Jan. to May, 1854 in
clusive, $211.00.
During 1853 $364.31 cts were given for Salary. Nearly $200.00
have been given for the same object the present year thus far.
Another bell has been bought & now calls the people of Halawa to
church, which is the 3rd now on the island, at an average cost
of $180.00 [or $150? ] each. I cannot estimate the amount expended
for religious purposes on Molokai during the year not being able
to collect the amount given to different objects.
The morality of religion is a test of it's ( !) genuineness
in any place. With this for our guide religion for Molokai would
suffer severely from criticism. There is a great deal of adultery
on the island. I do not know whether it has increased in fre
�Molokai Church 1853-54
C.B. Andrews
3.
quency, or whether, what has always existed has gathered bold
ness. Young men & girls both in, & hoping to get into the church,
have had their guilt brought to light by it's ( !) natural con
sequences. I have had occasion to go often during the past year
& stay at out places on the island, & have had my heart pained
in ferreting out this hewa [evil], & having it show itself even
in church lunas. Sometimes I think there is no principle among
them.
All is outside show. I dare not confide in any one whose
circumstances are in any respect liable to bring suspicion upon
him.
I have found too, one source of trust in finding out hihias
[causes of trouble] has failed.
The lunas themselves instead of bringing forward all cases
of immorality to be sessioned, bring forward only such as cannot
be conceiled ( !).
I fear my brethren may find similar evil in their board of
council, & perhaps a debth ( !) of immorality beneath the outside
appearance of their members, such as they do not now anticipate.
Stealing is the sin of the land next succeeding adultery.
There
is too little concience ( !) even among professedly religious
natives upon this subject. This is however only a branch of an
other sin viz. Hoopunipuni [deceitfulness] in all it's ( !) forms.
Prevarication, misrepresentation & wicked deceiving are among
the most rife of evils both in & out of our church, & it seems
as if preaching would never touch the evil.
It Is one of the sins that the law, except in case of per
jury, does not touch.
In peacebleness ( !) of living, I think there has been an
improvement on Molokai during the past year. There has been but
little of litigation, & no quarreling that I have known on the
island.
We have no rum drinking, save by a foreigner & half breed
native who take a spree occasionally at Lahaina, & a most strict
survellance ( !) develops but little use of tobacco among us.
But an oddity has developed itself among us. About the
beginning of the year, some one from Oahu, & at the same time
one from Hawaii introduced tatooing among the Kuaainas [people
of back country], & it took like tinder. Before many weeks were
past, many hundred were tattooed more or less.
I should like to know if this mania was confined to Molokai.
Education as far as I could judge, Is about as it has been
years past, save that there are fewer in comparison on the a.b.
c. list, or rather, scholars read sooner than they did in the
schools. The schools were suspended during the 3rd quarter of
1853 for lack of funds.
�Molokai Church 1853-54
C.B. Andrews
4.
Mormonism has gained some ground appearently ( !) on Molokai
during the year, but I thing ( !) the gain has been trifling.
They have made most strenuous efforts in prosolyting ( !), &
boasted that they would soon subvert all our foundations.
A French priest Gregory came & made a demonstration last
month, but all of his professed followers collected from all the
island made a sorry show, & proclaimed them to be nearly defunct.
Another item of interest is the progress of industry.
This on most parts of the island has been & is appearant ( !)
for work is becoming the order of the day with most natives,
whereas it was only an occasional matter in past years.
The
people are beginning to feel that the(y) must work to meet
their increasing expendiature ( !). Especially is industry man
ifest among the school children. The system of working begun many
years ago among them, is becoming stereotyped among them as their
greatest source of gain. The children at constant labor each
day is my greatest encouragement for the future of Molokai.
The health of our people has been usually good the past
year.
The besom of destruction which has swept Oahu of thousands,
has not come nigh us. We have seen & heard of it at a distance
but have been kept therefrom.
I record it with deep thankfulness to God who has preserved
us from the scourge.
C . B . Andrews
�[Kaluaaha - Dwight]
[1854]
To the Sandwich Island
Mission
Dear Brethren
The close of another missionary year makes it my duty to
lay before you a brief account of the labors, trials, changes &
blessings that have left their traces upon the writer during the sixth
year spent on the island of Molokai.
Health & strength have been granted most abundantly by the Master
to his servant, while mingled with some severe trials, his cup has been
made to overflow with many unmerited blessings. So that in reviewing
the year he can, like Samuel of old erect his pillar, & tell how truly
the Lord hath been his Helper.
In consequence of the fact that some [of] his Brethren in the
mission felt bound to censure severely his conduct towards females, with
the hope of removing this source of contention & also from the hopeless
ness of ever again feeling towards an intellectual & refined female those
sentiments which she would have a right to demand & without the exercise
of which towards her she could not be happy as a wife, he resolved,
after a severe struggle, to take a w ife from among the people for whom
he was laboring. In carrying out this purpose he became engaged a year
ago last April to a young woman connected with the English school.
Circumstances beyond his control prevented the marriage till March 1854
when he was by the Rev. C. B. Andrews united to Anna only daughter of
Mahoe of Mapulehu.
Labors. The writer has been permitted to preach the Gospel during
the year now past to attentive & often apparently interested congrega
tions. The number of sermons preached during the year has been 75
The number of week day lectures 54.
The Sick Since Mr Andrews has been stationed on Molokai the care
of the sick has largely devolved upon him. Tho’ frequently when called
upon, and especially during Mr As absences from the station it has been
the writers priviledge ( !) to administer mentally & phisically ( !) to
the sick & dying About 85 cases of sickness during the year have been
under his care.
Marriages During the past year the writer has performed the marriage
ceremony for 41 couple. Eight of the parties had been members of the
English school Among those married 2 were foreigners.
The School. The English & Native school now completing its second
year has absorbed the most of the time & strength of the writer.
It has prospered greatly during the year. The pupils have, with a
very few sad exceptions, been attentive, obedient, punctual in their
attendance, &, as a consequence, made very considerable progress in the
various branches in which they are instructed. The school has been
in Session 45 weeks & there have been connected with the school during
that time 64 female & 63 male pupils in all 127.
�Molokai
-
Dwight -
1854
2.
Of these 2 entered Lahainaluna in June last 2 are employed as
teachers on Molokai 21 were dismissed at their own request 6 entered
Mr s . Andrews' school, 9 were married, 2 have died, 3 ran away, 2 of
them to go to sea, & 4 were expelled for bad conduct: Leaving in the
school at this date 37 females & 41 males In all 78 pupils.
The sewing school now completing its 4th year has been in success
ful operation Commenced 4 years ago with 11 pupils it has gone on
gradually increasing in numbers & efficiency. It now numbers 41 pupils
who are daily instructed by two who were taught themselves to ply the
needle in this school. Prom the commencement 92 have in it been instruc
ted in this truly feminine accomplishment
During this year the girls have earned
”
"
”
" Boys of Eng. School
$168.06
394.37
$562.43
of nearly $5.00 each.
In the School described above the writer spends very nearly 42
hours each week He is there from about 7 3/4 A.M. to 5 1/4 P.M. except an
interval of about 20 minutes at noon Besides this translating & prepar
ing materials occupies some 10 hours more.
Of the other Schools on Molokai it will doubtless be the pleasing
task of my associate to present a statement. Permit me to say they
stand in advance of most of the schools of the same class on the other
islands & with each a working school is connected in which about $2400.00
have been earned by the children. There is here as well as elsewhere
a steady decrease among the children in the schools The rate of it being
about 40 per Annum Since my connection with the schools the 1000
scholars has become 800 & this process is not yet stayed.
Frequent testimonials are given of the benevolence of the people
of Molokai. Not only is this seen in their contributing of their means
to foreign objects; but also in their cheerfully & promptly assisting
each other in their troubles thus fulfilling the law of Christ & bear
ing one anothers burdens.
Occasionally too, some unmistakable sign of advancement in the
graces of the Christian, will be exhibited by them & this will throw
its cheering influence around us & make us rejoicingly to see that here
the years labors have not been altogether in vain in the Lord; but that
the seed sown has in some cases fallen on good ground & is springing
up & bearing its fragrant blossoms. But as this department belongs to
another, the writer may not tarry in it.
The intelligence, enterprise, foresight & industry of the Molokai
people have increased during the year Several very nice houses have
been erected, & Several more a [re] in the process of being erected.
Quite a number of natives own cattle & several make very good butter
It is pleasing to notice that the taste of the people is improving &
that striking incongruities in personal appearance are less & less
common.
�Molokai - Dwight
1854
In addition to the labors already innumerated It has been the writers
priviledge ( !) to protect the poor & friendless from the oppressions of
the powerful To put a considerable number of acres of land into the
hands of the natives and to put a large number of Land Commission awards
into the hands of their owners.
In these various labors the year under review has passed swiftly
away having left behind its indestructible record & its various waves
of influence to spread over the current of time & to bury themselves
in the vast ocean of Eternity.
Now while still aiming after higher attainments in holiness, a greater
disregard of self & sublunary things, a more complete devoted ness to
the work, whatever it may be, which the Lord may give him in the future,
the writer, with sentiments of affection & fraternal regard towards his
brethren generally, would subscribe himself. The Missions servant in
the Lord
Samuel G. Dwight
�Report of Molokai Church
from May 1854 to May 1855.
[C.B. Andrews]
There has been a sameness of character about this church
during the past year.
Our history during this period has been
varied by few specialities. Therefore this report will be short.
The special religious engagedness felt on this island the
year previous has declined. It is not appearent ( !) that active
vital piety became less, but that special desire of persons out
of the church, to enter it & of the lunas to induct them therein,
so often seen at these islands, lies dormant here, now.
The immediate occasion of this was our sifting the practise
of tobacco-smoking, a practice abjured in our covenant. The
accusation came frequently to our ears that all of Molokai church,
smoked most hypocritically in secret. Accordingly in a meeting
of the sessions, the inquiry was started, how much of this was
true & how much, slander. The idea was presented in a strong
light to the lunas, & by them promulgated throughout the church,
that the guilt of hypocrisy & deceit in smoking secretly was
far greater than any wrong "per se" in the use of tobacco.
In
some places this was frankly acknowledged by all of the smokers
rising & publicly telling their practice. In other places less
ingenuous the lunas made shrewd guesses who did smoke, from the
smell of the drug in their houses, clothes, & their breath.
The disclosures showed that one quarter, & in some villages
one half of the members of the church secretly smoked tobacco.
Some who had been admitted since Mr. Hitchcock's absence, & many
previously admitted to the church by him, said that they never
stopped the use of tobacco when they entered the church, but the
very day that they vowed to the Lord, "aole makou e puhi hou i
kabaka" [we will not smoke tobacco again
] , they returned &
deliberately smoked. As the pastor felt not called upon to dis
cipline them, for smoking, w h e n by the very act of confession
they refrained from the greater sin of hypocrisy, the propriety
of coming to the table of the Lord was left to their own conceinces ( !), while they continued to break their covenant vows.
In consequence, the communion in one or two places is very thinly
attended, where one half of the church smoked tobacco, they
understanding however, that there is no formal action against
them, & their abstaining from the Sacrament is voluntary.
Those who were propounded before the inquiry began, have
been received, but as there was such manifest heartlessness &
low views of vows to God there have been few recent applications
for church membership & these have been postponed.
This state of things has made little difference in the gen
eral attendance upon religious meetings. It is in the aggregate
not much less according to the population than i n past year.
Almost all the people of Molokai attend meeting & have family
prayers.
�Molokai Church
C.B. Andrews
2.
Their outlays for religious purposes have not greatly dim
inished. Meeting house building continues a hobby among the
people. Several unfinished ones have been completed, others are
progressing, & preparations are making to build others.
It would
be impossible to state how much had been expended on meeting
houses & school houses on Molokai during the last year.
The
amount all told cannot be less than two thousand dollars.
The people paid on the salary of their pastor during 1854,
about 450 dollars(.)
The amount of contributions to the Mon. Con. during the last
11. months has been $477. 14 cts(.)
These three objects, Minister’s salary, Meeting house or
"church erection", & Monthly Concert for sending the gospel to
the heathen have been the three objects of collection & expendiature ( !) for religious purposes on Molokai (.)
Mormonism & popery have not figured among us the past year.
They appear like pagan & pope as represented by Bunyan, "grind
ing" (?) against true religion for lack of other power. The
strongest enemy now appearing against religion & it's ( !) pros
perity among us is a Spirit of worldliness & money making which
seems to absorb the minds of all classes.
I was expecting to attend the meeting of the Association
untill ( !) I heard that both vacancies in the stations heretofore
occupied were provided for, & as I am not on any standing committees, my presence there would be of little consequence. Fully
confiding in the wisdom which we trust, will be granted from
on high to guide your deliberations I remain
Yours Truly
C. B. Andrews
�Kaluaaha May 20
1855
[Hitchcock]
Dear Brethren of the Mission.
I am sorry that I am not to
I had anticipated much pleasure
after our long separation. But
to the rough usage of the ocean
be with you at this Annal ( !) meeting.
in meeting you my dear fellow labours ( !)
I dare not expose my very feeble health
especially in a small Hawaiian. vessel.
I have made you as good a Report in my letter to Bro Lyons which I
have requested him to read to you as my poor pooniuniu (dizzy)
head will allow - The staggers contracted on the Ocean pearl abide
[with] me yet Especially should I like to be present at the anual ( !) meeting of
The Hawaiian Missionary Society, an institution I and my people feel
a deep interest [in] . I do hope that the annal ( I) meeting will be
held in the King's Chapel, and at least one whole day and evening given
to it in which both foreigners and natives shall take part. The mis
sionary meeting held in the meeting house - the general meeting of 52
gave a wonderful impulse to the cause among our people. May I not re
quest you to hold such a meeting again. The business and the speech es
of the Society should be done in the native language as much as the
the ( !) speeches in the Legislature as it seems to me, and it looks
like a misnomer to call it a Hawaiian Missionary Society when none but
foreigners have the transaction of its affairs. I suppose that no small
part of the funds have been received from natives - I hope my people
will do considerable - and would like to have them represented in the
Society. They have chosen Kaluna the present chairman of the Legisla
ture as their delegate and I hope there will be such arrangements of
the anual ( !) meetings as will enable him and others to take a part if
they desire to do so. It may have been more correct to have made this
requests ( !) to the propur ( !) officers of the Society, But I write to
the association to save writing so many letters.
As to the condition of Molokai church Mr. Andrews will no doubt
Report you in due form.
I am happy to say that my dear people gave us a most hearty and
joyful home welcome, and have done all they well could to show the
sincerity of their aloha.
The various meetings which on our return I found very thinly at
tended are filling up and every thing ( !) but my ill health seems to
indicate a growing and prosperous state of our church.
I suppose the subject of Mr. Andrews Location will come up before
the association. You will learn from him that he had. the intention of
getting his support by teaching English. We could not ask for an as
sociate at the expense of either the Board of the people after support
ing us, yet nothing would be more agreeable to us than there ( !)
society and what help bro A can render without damaging or interfering
with his other business. We should deprecate the loss of there ( !)
society very much should they be removed. And the more so as they
�Letter to Brethren - Hitchcock
2.
reciprocate our desires and have no wish to remove, but desire to stay.
I hope they will he allowed to do so - Mr. A has expressed h i s willing
ness to visit those places which I cannot - This will he a great fa
vour to me and benefit to those places. Our people will make an effort
to do something for a part of his support. They have resolved to let
him have all they can raise beyond my salary.
I feel deeply interested in the Oahu college. And I do hope that
Parents of the Mission will as far as possible Educate there ( !) chil
dren at Home rather than send them to the best colleges in the U.S.A.
for tho the expense will not be much less, The advantages will be vastly
greater as it seems to me. I have had experience on the subject - and
had I ever so many sons to carry thro there ( ! ) education I would pre
fer to do it here. Somehow American soil does not suit our tropical
plants. They grow to ( !) fast there, and are in danger of growing out
of shape and proper heighth and of bearing less fruit than do those
which are suffered to grow and take root in there ( !) native soil
The root will be more healthy - and the whole plant more vigorous.
Rexford has determined to stick by Punahou if it has a class - I am
confident that there would be not the least difficulty of getting an
ample Endowment of Oahu college from the United States, if such an
institution can have (?) Scholars. To Educate our own children on our
own soil is a favourite idea of the people there. And the Sandwich
island is regarded as the pet child of the American churches - no body
but feels an interest in us.
Praying that the Lord may be with you and grant you a pleasant
meeting
I am dear Brethren yours truly
H R Hitchcock
[On back]
Rev. H.R. Hitchcock's
Report for
May 1855
�[
C .B. Andrews]
Report of Molokai Church
from May 1855 to May 1856.
It devolves upon me to give this report, as the hand of
God has bereft this people of their pastor, who, it was fondly
hoped by all, would b r a k e ( !) to them the bread of life for
many years to come.
Well does he deserve the title of father to this church.
He collected it from heathenism, fed & nurtured it.
He wrought with energy while his day lasted, & had the
tact to transfuse an unusual degree of that energy into those
under his charge. All around the island, in the veneration, felt
by the people for his memory, - in their activity & benevolence, in the abondance ( !) of their labors for the cause of Christ, in their readiness & forwardness in good works, the character of
our brother Hitchcock lives & will live long, I trust, although
he has passed on to the better world.
He rests from his labors, & his works do follow him.
Thank
ful may any of us be, who at the close of life may have the work
of his hands thus established, not having lived for naught.
Upon the return of our brother from the States, a new activity
was observable among the people, in their attention to religious
things.
This continued during the Summer months until he died, &
although part of it may be ascribed to unusual vivacity on ac
count of his return among them, & to some new mesures ( !) introduced,
yet a part I trust arose from genuine engagedness in spiritual
things, & lasts to this day.
Nay, attention to religious things is decidedly increasing
in some districts.
In one village on the Kolau side of the island, which I late
ly visited, I was surprised to find the whole population in the
meeting house, the sick being almost the only ones excepted.
There they sat, serious & attentive, no one seeming concious ( !)
of what drew them there. I held four meetings with that same
congregation on that Sabbath, & at the close of each, no one
seemed ready to go away. The luna from there, had told me a
few weeks before, that their meetings then were fully attended,
but I had not given much thought to it.
As I came away ten bibles were requested besides hymn book
& testaments. At the beginning of this year, being requested by
some of the lunas to adopt some new means for reawakening the
people, after long consideration upon what would be judicious,
I proposed the following viz.
That they should devote simultaniously ( !) all over the is
land, two of their morning meetings to reading the bible & con-
�C.B. Andrews Molokai
1855-56
2
.
versing familiarly & informally upon it's ( !) meaning. Wednes
day & Sabbath morning meetings were to be set apart solely to this
bible reading at each place of meeting, & all were to begin alike
at Genesis. We have a general luna meeting once a month, estab
lished by Mr. Hitchcock, on the 1st Friday after each Mon. Con.
One feature of this bible reading is this. As this luna
meeting is attended by at least one luna from each place of
meeting, all the passages noted in the bible reading as needing
explananion ( !), or pohihihi [puzzling] in their familiar dis
cussions, are marked & brought up for explanation in this body
of lunas by their pastor, & it has afforded me rich enjoyment to
clear up the passages in question. Thus far the measure has
progressed better than my hopes, & I feel all of the time, that
an Increase of bible reading among this people is safe. I have
felt uneasy many times at the undue time spent by them in meet
ings, but this manner of spending them may not be unproffitable. ( !)
The questions brought up in luna meeting, & points for explication,
evince a very thorough study of the ground gone over. Some
Shew ingenuity & acuteness, & all are not easily answered, for
Inst, "what is meant by the Spirit of God brooding upon the
face of the face ( !) of the waters" in the creation?
What was the mark on Cain for the murder of Abel? Were
the mountains at the time of the flood only fifteen cubits higher
than the level earth? When Abraham deceived, & had a "wahine
manuahi" [woman
] , & otherwise sinned as is recorded.
why did God make him such a punahele [favorite]?
Such & other like questions shewed that their reading was
not a mere conning of words.
�[Abstract]
Molokai
There has been a sameness of character about the church during
the past year.
No special religious engagedness.
Almost all the people
of Molokai attend meeting & have family prayers.
Mormonism & Popery have not figured among us the past year.
They
appear like Pagan & Pope as represented by Bunyan "quivering” against
true religion for lack of other power.
The strongest enemy now
appearing against religion & its prosperity among us is a spirit of
worldliness & money making, which seems to absorb the minds of all
classes.
For contributions see Statistics.
Mr. Hitchcock received a most hearty welcome back from his
former people.
[On back]
Molokai
Abstract
No. 9
�Report of the
Molokai Church
[Dwight] [1857]
In the month of June 1856 Rev C B Andrews left this church to enter
upon new duties & relations at Lahainaluna Sinch ( !) which time the
Molokai church has been without a p a s tor.
The meetings on the Sabbath the ordinary weekly meetings the
monthly concert & session meetings have been sustained as have also the
Sabbath Schools Many of the adult members of the chh & most of the
children able to read have committed to memory the Ai o ka la.
The average attendance at the Sabbath meetings has been about 256.
The church has been favoured with two visits from Rev R. Armstrong
& one from Rev Mr Pogue at each of which the Sacrament was administered
& at all 115 converts were admitted to the church & 89 suspended church
members restored to communion
It has been necessary to cut off from the communion of the church
1 deacon 1 Luna & 5 church member[s] for various sins
At the meeting of the Session Jan 16th 1857 a committee of 5 was
chosen of which Committee Rev R. Armstrong was chairman to write the
committee of the Haw. Miss Association asking them to procure a pastor
for this church At a subsequent meeting the letter was read to the
church & approved. No response has as yet been received
Mrs. Hitchcock has been spared to this church & tho' in feeble
health has been abundant in labors to advance its interests of piety.
Her meetings have been regularly & fully attended. Since the departure
of Miss Browne ( !) Mrs H has been the only foreign female resident of
Molokai .
The progress of the people in knowledge & virtue has not been as
marked as in some former years. The unexpected death of the Rev Mr
Hitchcock the being without a pastor & the efforts of 2 or 3 Mormon
Elders to drag down this people have tended to retard the aparant ( !)
progress tho' not sufficient to avert it entirely. Still the Holy
Spirit has not left Himself without a witness in these matters as
well as in the additions to the church.
Industry has advanced so also have the interprise ( !) & skill of the
people.
The houses are improving in size & the circle of comforts
& conveniances ( !) by which the people have surrounded themselves has
been enlarged.
No pestilence has fallen on the island tho’ the deaths have exceeded
somewhat the births during the year.
The contributions to benevolent objects have not generally fallen
off tho the contributors have diminished in number by death & removal
to other islands
The statistic table made up for the 2 years last past ending May
1 1857 will show a good degree of liberality In this poor people who
�Report of Molokai Ch. - Dwight -
1857
2
out of their deep poverty do more for foreign Missions than many more
highly favored churches in this & other lands.
The schools have "been in session 40 weeks during each of the 2
years past & have c o st the government between 15 & $1600 dollars per
Annum
For the last 6 months no English school has been sustained
The efficiency of these schools will compare favorably with those of
any other district on these islands the number in attendance is about
600 of whom more than 3/4 can read, write, sing & cifer ( !).
It may be proper to state that by a resolution of the Molokai
church passed June 6 1856 Rev Samuel G. Dwight was restored to fellow
ship with them, but he fearing this action might involve this church in
difficulty with her sister churches at the islands, has not availed
himself of the priviledges ( !) of communion.
Hoping that the Lord may overrule all the counsels of the Haw.
association to His glory & the good of His church Universal the above
report is respectfully submitted by
Samuel G Dwight
Scribe of the Session of
the Molokai Church.
The Mormons have decreased in number since the census
number about 75
So also the R. Catholics
members
they now
they have but 2 meeting houses & few chh
�1855 to 1856
May 1 to April 30 1798 55
1856 to 1857
Ma
y 1st to April 30 1866 55
92
65
34
4 365 30
133
137 1250
92
44
10 421 36
145
207 1149
Contributions
from May 1855 to May 1856 Pastors Foreign Church Church
Other
Support Miss
Erec
Erec
Objects
& Mr H's
Cash
Materials
at Coat
Price
$805.18 $335.00 $1774.05 #615.00
#230.00
"
"
1856 to " 1857
297.26 417.85 1697.06 1590.50
103.43
[On b ack]:
Report of Molokai C h .
By Mr. Dwi
g
h
t
1857
34 56
About
members
1 7 45 | are
|missing
Total
$3759.23
4106.10
�Whole No of members on Profession
Whole no of Members on Certificate
Whole no past year Profession
Whole no past year on Certificate
Total past year
No Dis to other Churches
Dis past year
Whole no. Dis
Dead Past year
Excluded past year
Remain Excluded
No. in Reg. Standing
Whole No of Children Baptized
Children Bap past yrs.
Married
�A. O. FORBES
Abstract of report of
Molokai Church
1858 - 9
The duties at Molokai were entered upon with many misgivings, yet, we trust
with some degree of faith, & a feeling of entire dependence upon the strong arm
of the Lord of Hosts.
In October of 1858, within a month from the time of landing upon these
shores the labors of the station at Molokai were commenced.
the language was rapidly learned, so that by the early part of
November, I was able to preach & converse with some degree of fluency.
Things were in much confusion.
running to weeds.
The flock had run wild.
The field was
Yet, on the whole, the aspect of matters was
more encouraging than was expected.
The people warmly welcomed their new pastor, & we cannot hut
feel that the Lord has helped us.
The old, steadfast, leading mem
bers of the church are rapidly passing away, & the generation now
rising up are not what their fathers were. Their wildness & in
difference to religion as a class, cause many painful hours to the
missionary.
Yet we have many excellent men
& women.
Some who are
truly pillars in the church
Our good Bro. Hitchcock's labors on this island are seen to
follow him, & he being dead, yet speaks on Molokai.
As yet, I have been slow in admitting to the church.
The usual labors of the Sabbath have been attended to
- viz -
Sabbath School & two sermons, with a Bible class during the inter
mission.
§ regular,
The audiences increase in numbers, & are orderly, attentive,
there are encouraging signs of increasing interest in
religious things.
Other weekly labors consist of a Wednesday after
noon Lecture & prayer meeting & a Bible class on Saturday for the
Deacons & Teachers.
The monthly [concert] is observed and we endeavor to make it as
interesting and profitable as possible.
The first week of each month is devoted to Monthly concert meet
ings & labors - on the first Friday of each month the contributions
from each district of the island are brought together by appointed
Lunas, or officers, & various business relating to the general interests
of the Church
is transacted.
I
have twice visited the Eastern end of the field, & once the
Western - The windward side of the Island being almost inaccessible
�Station
report,
Molok a i ,
1858-59 .
A.
O.
Forbes
during the winter months, I have not yet been able to visit it.
The schools, as a general thing, are flourishing; though of course
susceptible
of much improvement.
Immorality has been greatly on the
increase among out young pople for a few years past.
Mormonism is, practically, dead.
Popery is in the same condition, though there are indications that
renewed & vigorous efforts will be made in that direction -Idolatry still exists among the natives, though mostly in secret.
It occurs chiefly perhaps, in connection with the practice of the
native doctors -The foreign element is increasing among us.
About 20 foreigners
[ ] are now settled on the island.
The statistics of C hurch/membership I am not able to present this
year.
Con tributions
Mo. Con.
for 1858
-------- $141.00
Mo. Con. from Jan. 1859 to date-------
79.20 3/4
Arrears
85.00
of Mrs. H itchcock's salary
Pastor’s salary ($800 per an. comm
encing Jan 1st, 1859)
29 2.49 1/4
Total $597.70
On the 18th Nov .1858 - the installation of the Pastor took
place.
Messers D. Baldwin, W. O . Baldwin, Pogue, C. B. Andrews,
Alexander & L. Andrews, officiating.
It was a season of much
interest.
On the 21st. of Dec, 1858 , occurred the marriage of the Pastor
to Miss M. J. Chamberlain at the residence of the brides mother in
Honolulu,
�[1859]
[Anderson O . Forbes]
Report of Molokai Church
In presenting this, my first Report of labors on Molokai, I desire
to record with devout gratitude, the loving kindness of our Heavenly
Father In bringing me back to my native Shores to labor among this dear
people *
"Men, brethren, & fathers," It is with peculiar feelings that I
stand here among you to take part in this ministry: - here, - - - - , on
the self-same spot, & in the same old room endeared to me - -- ---. by
many sweet associations -- --- ----, many hallowed recollections of
Sacred Scenes, many an & ( !) embalmed memory of boyhood's days. You
will forgive me if I take the liberty to -- - - - look back eleven years,
to the time when, a thoughtless boy, as free of care & innocent of the
world as the mountain bird, I played around these very walls & plucked
the blossoms of the yellow flowered thorn that carpeted the ground,
& which was at once the delight of the bright eyes, & the torment of the
little bare feet that capered in gleeful troops around this house, or
-------- strayed in childish wonder among the silent graves.
The most Sacred associations of my life cluster around those days
when parents & children --- gathered here in General Meeting. Impressions
were then made upon my mind & heart whose power has never waned, & it is
to a lecture of our good brother Coan delivered before one of those
"children's meetings" that I trace the first distinct impressions of
serious things on my heart. I have often thought, & cannot help think
ing yet, that the Fathers & Mothers of this Mission cannot have an ad
equate idea of the power with which the impressions of those days
stamped themselves on the hearts & minds of their children.
On some it
would naturally make a greater impression than on others; but I can say
with assurance that I have met none as yet of the Mission children who
were old enough to remember those days, upon whom they have not left an
impression, unique & lasting.
Little did I then think that, with the lapse of a few short years,
I should be standing here among you, a brother among brethren, a child
among Fathers. Yet so it is. And it Is difficult at times to realize
the fact. It seems like a dream. And the past - oh it is a sweet,
blessed picture, framed in prayers of faith & songs of praise, hanging
now within the halls of the upper sanctuary, & reflected back on bright,
unfading tints upon many a heart here below.
Two years ago, I had no more expectation of standing here now than
of exploring the craters of the moon. But, suddenly & unexpectedly,
the call came for Some one to take charge of the Church at Molokai.
Sitting at my table in Princeton Seminary, a year ago last October,
conning over a chapter in Hebrew, some one knocked at the door. Sup
posing it to be one of our student bores who are always wasting their own
& their fellow students' time instead of being at their studies, I did
not answer. The knock was repeated. Half vexed, without stirring from
my chair, I answered "Come In" - A third time the knock was heard.
Thoroughly provoked, I arose, opened the door, & who should be there
but the well remembered face & figure of Bro. Armstrong. Not more than
ten minutes did he stay in my room, but that ten minutes was the turning
point in my life. "We want a man at Molokai; come & help us." "Well,
this is entirely a new idea to me. I must have time to think about it."
�Molokai Report - 1859 - A.O. Forbes
2
"I’ll give you two weeks to make up your mind, & then I want the answer,
for I am t o sail at that time for the Islands."
"You shall have the answer then" - That was the conversation that
passed between us on the subject. The two weeks passed - The matter
was made a subject of prayer & consultation. [Footnote] The circum
stances were remarkable. The Providence was a marked one - -In the last
year of my theological course, a child of the Hawaiian Mission & a native
of Hawaiian soil, just as I was seeking to know in what field the Master
of the harvest would have me labor, the call came loudly from Hawaiian
shores directly to me. What could I do but say "Lord, here am I. Send
me" — [End footnote] At the end of the two weeks, Bro. Armstrong made
his appearance again. "Well, what is your decision?"
"I will go” The result was, that, in September of last year, my feet once more trod
the soil of ray native land. You will bear with me when I add, that one
of my first acts after landing here was to look for those same yellow
flowered thorns that taught my boyish feet the force of the proverb "No
rose without its thorns."
2 nd footnote] Page after page might be filled with the first
impressions of the return. What changes, what vacancies, what novelties,
what sadness, what joyful meetings & greetings with old friends & school
mates. - the same, yet not the same - old & new, blended together, until
it was hard to tell which feeling predominated - that of the stranger
in a strange land, or of the wanderer returned to home & friends - [end
2nd footnote]
And now, today, the quondam child & boy presents to you the report
of the pastorate of Molokai from October of 1858, to the present date.
The duties at Molokai were entered upon with many misgivings, yet,
I trust, with Some degree of faith, & feeling of entire dependence upon
the strong arm of the Lord of Hosts.
In October of last year, within a month from the time of landing
upon these shores, I commenced the labors of the station at Molokai.
The first thing to be done was to become acquainted with the people &
the wants of the field. The language was readily learned in a sufficient
degree to enable me to preach to & converse with the people.
I found things of course, in much confusion. The flock had run
wild - the field had many weeds & briars. Yet there were many encouraging
things, & I cannot but feel that the blessing of the Lord has been with
us. It was found necessary to take hold with a firm hand. My plan has
been to pursue an independent course, & by a mild, yet determined
pressure, gradually to bring things back to their proper channels In this, my hands have been greatly strengthened by the training
& influence of our deceased Bro. Hitchcock, whose works do follow him,
& who, being dead yet speaketh. Mrs. Hitchcock & her son Edward, have
also been right hand helpers in the Lord. Disorder has been to a great
degree checked, & order & system restored. As a consequence, a new
impulse Is evident in the church & among the people.
Discipline has as yet been but sparingly resorted to, although
�Molokai Report - 1859 - A.O. Forbes
3
there is much need of it. But it seemed the wiser course to he slow &
cautious until I could get firmly established in the field, & feel
that I had full command of the reins —
Admissions to the Church on
profession have, for the same reasons been delayed.
Labors performed The usual labors of the Sabbath have been attended to - viz - the
Sabbath School, & two Sermons, with the Ai-o-ka-la, or general Bible
class during the intermission at noon. The attendance upon all these
means of grace has gradually increased, until now, --- it is nearly
double what it was at first. The religious life of the Church has
been evidently quickened, & there are encouraging signs of awakening,
both among Ch. members, & those outside
Other weekly labors consist
of a Wednesday afternoon lecture & prayer meeting, & a special Bible
class on Saturday afternoons for the Deacons & Teachers -Monthly labors are those connected with the monthly concert, which
generally occupy the greater part of the first week in the month —
Besides four general monthly concerts on the Kona side of the island,
the ( !) a general meeting of all the Lunas from the different districts
of the island is held within that week, at which reports are called
for of the births & deaths, & of the state of the districts — the
contributions from the different districts are handed in, & the con
tributions for support of Pastor & other objects also handed over.
I
have twice visited the Eastern end of the ------ field, & once,
the western — The Koolau side of the island has not yet been visited
as it is almost inaccessible except by boat, & that only in the summer
months —
The Communion has been administered twice —
Schools —
Having been so short a time in the field, & being fully occupied
in the more direct duties of the pastorate, I am not prepared to say
much on this subject -- There are some very good schools among us,
& some very poor ones. But the influences that have been at work
for the past few years among our young people, have been lamentable
in their tendencies & effects —
Immorality has been greatly on the
increase among them — We can only labor & trust in the promises of
our God for their salvation from utter destruction, both temporal &
spiritual — I trust that another year will enable me to report more
progress in this direction.
Mormonism is practically dead among us, though, just before leaving,
three of our Ch. members, were baptised in that faith by a native from
Maui —
Popery is also practically dead. There yet remain a dozen or two
of its adherents but they have no meetings.
�Molokai Report - 1859 - A.O. Forbes
4
Idolatry
Still exists among the natives, & to an extent that is trying to
our faith — The hula is not known among us. There have been some
cases of drunkenness on awa & the sweet potatoe, which have however,
been confined to one district of the island, Kalaupapa —
The foreign element is increasing among us. About twenty foreigners
are now settled on the island, some of them men of influence —
Statistics
The Church Statistics I have not been able yet to gather in a satis
factory form. I can make very little out of the Church Records, &
am endeavoring to begin "de novo". I cannot therefore present the
usual statistics at this time —
Contributions
Arrears of Mrs Hitchcock’s salary
Pastor’s salary $800. per. an. com. Jan. lst/59
Mo. Con. from Jan. 1859, to date.
Mon Con. for 1858 —
Total -
85.00
292.49-1/4
79.20-3/4
139.00
$595.70
�[A.O. Forbes 1860]
Abstract of Report for
Molokai
The past year has been spent in efforts to bring the different
parts of the field into active working order. While there are some dis
couraging features in the work, yet, there is also much that is encour
aging.
The people are evidently decreasing - The usual labors have been
performed - In December & January, a series of itinerant protracted
meetings was held, extending through all the accessible parts of the
field. Some religious Interest has been manifest, though no general
awakening can be reported. Some backsliders have been reclaimed, & some
hardened opposers have been brought to the foot of the cross.
The people have manifested a commendable liberality & activity in
furnishing & repairing houses of worship throughout the island. Two
new churches have been completed & dedicated during the year, & seven
others are in process of completion.
The Mormons, under native leaders, have been making strenuous
efforts, & have immersed a few.
The Papists remain about as reported last year.
Cash. Contributions To
"
"
"
"
Kaluaaha Church
Pulpit for same Monthly Concert
Noa
Pastors Salary -
$400.00
78.00
242.50
33.12-1/2
725.00
$1478.62-1
2
/
Cash - Total Other Contributions
-
In work &c on meeting houses, say
One Box clothing &c for Noa - say -
$500.00
20.00
$520.00
1478.62-1/2
$1998,62-1/2
Total Amt Statistics Whole no on Profession "
" " Certificate Past year on Profession
''
" certificate
Total past year
Whole no dismissed Dismissed past year Total deceased Deceased past year -
2038
65
103 5 108 50 3 461 20 -
�Molokai Report - 1860 - A.O. Forbes
Excluded past year 20
Remain excluded 214 Now in regular standing
1004 Total childn B a p t i s e d ____________________
Baptised past year 36 Marriages 31 -
�[A.O. Forbes]
Report of Molokai —
toil.
1860-1
The past year has been one of exhausting & almost unremitted
Yet our health has been spared to us for further labor.
In ---- June of 1860, shortly after our return from the Annual
Meeting of that year, a series of itinerant protracted meetings
were held throughout the assessable parts of the island, & lasting
four weeks.
The pastor, accompanied by -- his elders, deacons, & deaconesses,
to the number of 27, labored in each district of the island separately,
beginning at the eastern end, & working over the whole Inhabited part
of the island to the western end. It being the desire, & intention
to reach, as far as possible, every Inhabitant within the circuit,
a day was spent at each village, or apana, from which & in which as
a central point, the native helpers, male & female, were sent out,
generally two by two, to "Komo hale" & "paipai", or visit each house,
& endeavor to converse & pray with, all the people. The forenoon of
the day was spent thus, & in the afternoon, religious services were
held at which all were assembled. The services being ended, an opportunity/was afforded during the remainder of the afternoon for conversa
tion with inquirers & backsliders, as well as attending to cases of dis
cipline.
The meetings were all well attended, & it was a season of much
enjoyment to all. Some good we hope was done, but no marked increase of
religious interest was manifested. During this series of meetings, the
pastor preached on an average ten times each week, & administered the
Lords Supper at seven different places.
On the second Tuesday of July, according to previous arrangement with
one another, the pastors of Maui & Molokai met at Lahaina to organize an
ecclesiastical body for the care of the churches within that field.
After a harmonious meeting, the result of which was the formation of the
Presbytery of Maui & Molokai, we returned to our respective stations.
Shortly after that, Satanic influences seemed to be let loose upon
Molokai to a greater extent than for a number of years before.
The first
manifestation was in the revival of potato drinking, & intoxication.
The prickly pear, watermelon, ti root, all contributed to the liquors
which our "civilised & christianised" Hawaiians of Molokai imbibed. Their
orgies became, in some places, a nuisance to the neighborhood, & some in
dividuals were prosecuted & fined by the native magistrate.
Some of the
leaders however, appealing to the circuit judge at Lahaina, the sentence
was reversed, on some slight technicality, & the native judge admonished
not to do so again. As a consequence, it was openly boasted that there
was no check upon those demoralising ( !) practices, & we were left in
heaviness of heart to contend as best we might, with an evil which pre
vailed in some districts like an epidemic.
The result was, however, favor
able. Christian principle was tested, & quite a number of worthless
professors were sifted out. The Lord shook us roughly, but the very
shaking which sent all the refuse through the sieve, only brought out
the more the brightness of the true metal.
�Report of Molokai —
1860-61 —
A.O. Forbes
2
The tide of evil spent itself, after the lapse of three or four
months, & we have not been troubled with it in that form since.
In October, the second meeting of our Pres, was held at Honuaula, to
ordain Mr. S. Nueku as associate pastor with Bro. Alexander. After a
pleasant & profitable meeting, I accompanied Bro. Alexander in a preach
ing tour around East Maui. Returning to Molokai, in the latter part of
October, the labors of the station were resumed, & have been pursued as
usual, from district to district until the present time.
In January last, through the activity & energy of Mr. E.G. Hitchcock,
an extensive organization of cattle stealers was broken up, & some thirty
persons are now paying the penalty in the chain gang. The organization
comprised almost the whole of three districts, embracing Kaunakakai, Palaau, & Kalae, with few exceptions, either as authors, active partici
pators, or subsequent & privy partakers.
Of the number who were convicted,
eight were church members, the rest were hoomalokas [
]
& Papists.
Besides the active duties of the station, the building of our house,
which has progressed slowly, & met with many interruptions, has taxed
every energy, both physical & mental.
On the second Tuesday of January last, our Pres. held its third
meeting at Wailuku, where we found an interesting work of grace in progress.
It was a season of precious things to us all. I remained a few days after
the Pres. had adjourned, assisting Bro. Alexander in his meetings. Short
ly after returning to Molokai, the Spirit of the Lord seemed to be stir
ring among the people in one district contiguous to the Station. There
was a manifest difference in the meetings, & in the earnest seriousness
of inquirers, as well as an awakening of dry & dead professors. This
has continued gradually, & gently spreading until now three districts are
in an encouraging state. Our prayer is, that it may continue until the
whole island shall become a fruitful field.
The Lord has been gracious in granting to Mrs. Hitchcock a general
measure of health which has enabled her to do much towards strengthening
the pastor’s hands, & encouraging his heart.
The people have manifested perhaps as much activity in contributions
of labor & money to the work of the Lord in proportion to their decreas
ing ability, as in former years.
In accordance with the recommendation of the Am. Board, the Pres.,
through the Pastor, have stationed a licentiate (native) at Kalaupapa,
to assist the pastor in the work on the windward side of the island.
Thus far, he does well.
�Report of Molokai -- 1860-61 - A.O. Forbes
Statistics.
Whole No. on Profession —
"
"
" Certificate
Past Year on Profession
"
"
" Certificate
Total past year
Whole no. dismissed
Dismissed past year
Total deceased
Deceased past year
Excluded past year
Now in regular standing
Childn Bap. past Year
Total
Marriages
(no figure given)
Contributions Cash
In labor &c -
�1862 - 3
Report of the Presbytery of Maui
and Molokai.
At the last meeting of the aforesaid Presbytery, the Scribe was
directed to prepare a report of their proceedings during the past year,
to be read before this Body.
During the past year, the number of the Churches in connection with
this Presbytery was ten, viz., Kaluapapa, Kaluaaha, Kaan apali, Lahaina,
Lahainaluna, Wailuku, Honuaula, Kaupo, Hana, and Koolau.
Seven ministers
have belonged to the Presbytery, viz. Rev. Messrs. Forbes, Baldwin, Pogue,
Alexander, Nueku, and S.E. Bishop, who were pastors of churches, and Rev.
C.B. Andrews, who was without a charge. Nine persons have been under
the care of the Presbytery as licensed preachers or preparing to be
licensed, viz. Messrs. Aholo, Manase, Moku, Kuaumoana, Kamakahiki, Naloloa, Mawae, Kahananui, and Kaono, the two last named of whom have during
the year ceased to be under our care.
The Quarterly meetings were sustained during the year with great
regularity. They were held on the 16th and 17th of July at Lahaina, on
the 22d & 23d of October at Hana, on the 14th and 15th of January at La
hainaluna, and on the 17th and 18th of April at Honuaula. At each meeting
the Sessions have continued for two days. Every pastor but one, Nueku,
has attended three of the meetings.
One, Mr. Alexander, has attended
all. There has also been an average attendance of eight elders sent as
delegates by their respective churches. At the last two meetings, the
delegation was full from each of the ten churches. Of the persons under
the care of the Presbytery, 2 have attended constantly, 3 at 3 of the
meetings, two at 2, and one only once. There has usually been a consider
able attendance of Elders and others from the different churches, who were
not delegates. The attendance of the people of the places of meeting
has likewise been large. Rev. E.W. Clark was present and took a seat as
a Corresponding member at the meeting in July.
The presence of Rev. Dr.
Anderson at the meeting of April was hoped for by pastors and people and
his detention upon Hawaii for one week later caused general disappoint
ment .
The regular exercises at the meetings have consisted in the reading
of Quarterly reports of labors by the persons under the care of Presbytery,
and the reading also of assignments by the same persons, also in the exam
ination at each meeting of two of them in Theological knowledge and Rel
igious Experience.
Various Items of business have been disposed of,
petitions acted upon, and Committees appointed for various purposes. After
the close of the two last meetings, at Lahainaluna and Honuaula, the mem
bers of Presbytery remained to assist in the consecration of the new
houses of worship at those places.
Of the Assignments read by the Licentiates, 21 in all have been
presented during the year. They have embraced topics of Theology, Bible
History, Christian experience, Exegesis, Hawaiian customs and opinions,
Skeletons of Sermons, Economics and moral, religious and political duties.
Many of them have exhibited much mental ability, reflection, and spiritual
knowledge, while others have been as seriously deficient.
The reading has
�Report of the Presbytery of Maui and Molokai - 1862-3
2.
been followed by vigorous criticism from the members of Presbytery, with
farther development of the subject, as it might seem to require for general
instruction, the elders present joining in with zeal, and often contribu
ting valuable information on points of Hawaiian custom and opinion.
These
have constituted the most interesting portion of the exercises to those
present, affording to their minds a healthy & powerful stimulus.
At each meeting two of the Licentiates have undergone examination in
Theology and experience. Nearly all have appeared creditably, while some
have shown admirable proficiency and intelligence, and much that was in
teresting and delightful in religious character has been displayed. At
the last meeting Mr. Aholo of Lahainaluna Seminary was one of those ex
amined, and displayed peculiar acumen, promptness, common sense and know
ledge in solving knotty points in Theology. Mr. Aholo has been especially
distinguished in his essays, some of which have been remodeled for the
press .
The Quarterly Reports of the preachers have given evidence of a good
degree of activity and success in their work, and of progress on the whole
in the churches where they labor. There has appeared to be an increasing
appreciation of the value of their labors, yet the improvement of the
churches in making good the sums pledged for their support, has been very
small. Four of the churches, viz. Kalaupapa, Kaanapali, Kaupo and Koolau,
have been supplied by Messrs. Kuaumoana, Moku, Manase, and Kamakahiki,
at nominal salaries of $100 each. Of this amount, the Scribe believes
that less than half has been paid, and that the main dependance of the
preacher has been upon other sources than the voluntary contributions of
the people, two being school teachers, one a school superintendent, while
the remaining one has found lucrative employment as an Hon. Representative,
and as a Tax-Collector. To this subject of the better support of preachers
by the churches, especial attention has been paid by the Presbytery, and
Committees appointed to write exhorting (?) and reproving the delinquent
churches in respect thereof.
Of the five persons named who are not settled as stated preachers,
Mr. Aholo is engaged in his important post as an instructor at Lahainaluna
Seminary, Naloloa who has been licensed only one year has been employed
as teacher at Wailuku, and in preaching in Mr. Alexander's parish. Mawae
having been dismissed from a small school in Nahiku for incapacity, having
been licensed in 1858, and for several years declining in knowledge and
mental activity, and having latterly engaged in trading, is about to ask
to be dismissed from the care of Presbytery. Kahananui, who had been under
the care of Presbytery for two years, but had never received licensure,
was at the last meeting, dismised at his own request, upon the plea of
being too much involved in secular cares to make proficiency in the
requisite qualifications for the ministry. Kaono, who was preaching in
the Koolau church, was at the July meeting, expelled from the care of
Presbytery, xxxxxxxx and deprived of his licensure, for criminal conduct.
There will therefore be but six persons under care of Presbytery at the next
meeting, unless new ones should be found to be taken up. All of the
present licentiates are graduates from Lahainaluna, except one, Kamakahiki,
who has been a missionary at Ponape.
The preacher stationed at Kaanapali church, J. Hunnewell Moku,
presented before Presbytery an invitation received by him from Rev. B.W.
�Report of the Presbytery of Maui and Molokai - 1862-3
3.
Parker of Oahu, to supply the church at Waikane, in his field. An ad
verse petition was thereupon presented by Kaanapali church, praying that
he might stay with them. Certain serious obstacles to his usefulness
which formerly existed there having been removed, the resolution of
Presbytery was in accordance with the petition. The church then pre
sented their petition that he should be ordained as their pastor, which
was laid on the table, for reasons.
The effect of these meetings has been valuable to the churches where
held, and to all the churches in promoting mental and spiritual activity,
in promoting a sense of union and mutual dependance, and interest in and
esteem for the common calling and work. They have especially been of
indispensable service to the young preachers, in quickening their minds
and hearts, in stimulating their mental exertion, study of the Scriptures,
spiritual culture, and devotion to their duties, and in generally rousing
them out of the mental torpor that is almost sure to creep over those
who are confined to intercourse with the ignorant & inactive minds of
country districts. To the Missionary pastors, they have also been sea
sons of refreshment and encouragement, and comforting fellowship with each
other and the native brethren.
There has been some correspondence with Associations of the Churches
upon other islands, but how much, the Scribe is unable to report.
�[A.O. Forbes]
Report of Molokai Station. 1863
Another year of labor in our solitary field. It has been a year
of unusual toil amid peculiar discouragements; as also of heavy struggle
with foes from without & within. But the Lord's hand was in it all, &
we trust we can now begin to see his wisdom in so ordering the events of
the past year. Again we have reason to bless our Heavenly Father for
almost uninterrupted health, & for strength sufficient to the discharge
of duty.
On returning to Molokai in June of last year, we found that Satan
was at work. Drunkenness & revelry were on the increase, & it seemed
for a time as though no check could be effectually applied. Daily, the
votaries of intemperance swept furiously on horseback through our vil
lage, -- ---------, with shouting & revelry. Nightly could be heard the
yells of the riotous, & the shrill whistle of the vile. No attempt was
made by the proper authorities to check the mad current. At last, even
the people themselves could
endure it no longer. Complaint be
came so loud & frequent that the authorities at Lahaina found it neces
sary to make a move. A new Sheriff was appointed, the old one removed,
& in two weeks about a dozen leaders were arrested & fined — two of
them $100 apiece, for making & furnishing intoxicating drinks, & the rest
in smaller sums. The blow was effectual, & for three months past we
have enjoyed our former peace & quiet.
Our Judge was ready to do his
duty, but the difficulty was in the local Sheriff, who was a worthless
stick. There is reason to believe however, that ----- --- the fire is
rather smouldered than extinguished.
Some still drink, but secretly.
The sweet potato, ti root, watermelon, sugar cane, & cactus fruit fur
nished the materials for intoxication. Awa drinking & cultivation, with
which we had been obliged to contend in former years, have meantime
dropped almost out of sight. So far as we can ascertain, the immediate
source of this outbreak may be traced to the fact that the people had
formed an impression that they could manufacture & drink intoxicating
beverages with impunity, so long as they made them of Hawaiian grown
materials, & drank in their houses. The leaders boasted that they could
not be convicted. "Kauwahi had told them that there was no law against
it, & that he would clear them if they would appeal from any such con
viction." Whether this was true or not, I cannot certainly say, but such
an impression, & so widely spread, must have arisen from some source of
apparent authority. -- ------- One thing is certain. The authority of
the "Hoku Pakifika," & even of the "Polynesian", was quoted as on the
side of the debauchees, & it was confidently proclaimed by some of the
leaders, that the restrictions on the manufacture & sale of intoxicating
drinks would be taken off at the next meeting of the Legislature. They
seemed to feel that they had strong backers.
During the excitement, it was very difficult to ascertain how far
the members of the Church had joined in these carousals.
On investigation since, however, we have been rejoiced to find that
the defections were not so numberous as was feared.
The leaders were chiefly - -- -------- -- --- --- ---- Papists &
non-professors. The followers ditto, with the addition of a consider
able sprinkling of Mormons. The proportion of Protestant Church members
�Report of Molokai Station, 1863
- A.O. Forbes
2
was small. Ten were --------- excluded from the Ch., & there are about
the same number in addition whose cases are still under advisement, for
lack of positive evidence against them.
During those months of carousal, the hula showed itself once or
twice in one district, Kamalo, which was also the headquarters of the
drinking.
But the actors, not being able to show a license to practise
in that district, nor to prove that they had imported the sanctified
article under the authority of the "Reformed Catholic Church", soon
found the place too hot for them, & disappeared.
Idolatry & Witchcraft
There seems to be good authority for believing that the actual worship
of idols still exists among a very small number of the people. Kanehoalani is kept & worshipped at Kalae, & possibly others here & there,
though it is very difficult to get any positive testimony as to the
facts.
Molokai has always been rather celebrated for sorcery.
The Kahunas,
or priests professing to exercise supernatural powers, are numerous,
& the whole population are under their influence. We state these facts,
not as anything new or rare in the history of this people, but as
having ---- ------- risen to the surface more than in former years.
The pastor has not yet met with a single native who does not firmly be
lieve in the supernatural powers of these Kahunas. Even those who give
every evidence of true simple-hearted piety, are still unable to eradi
cate the impressions born in them & inwrought with their whole lives from
earliest infancy. Many a rock, rent asunder by the action of the elements,
---- - --- ------ do they point out as split by the prayers of a Kahuna.
It seems this is a favorite mode of testing their power before proclaim
ing themselves as thoroughly prepared to practise their diabolical acts.
Yet wherein are this poor people more superstitious in proportion to
their light than multitudes in civilized lands now, to say nothing of
a Bacon or a Cotton Mather of former days.
Pastoral labors.
The usual routine of pastoral labor has been performed. At the
Station, this consists of the Sab. School & two sermons with a Bible
Class in the interval at noon, the regular Wed. afternoon lecture, &
Saturday morning meeting with the elders of the Church. Besides these,
the first week of each month is devoted to a series of monthly concert
meetings extending 8 miles in either direction from the Station.
Our Sabbath School consists of about 130 children. The attendance &
interest has been in general well sustained; especially since the in
troduction of some of the Sabbath School Hymns & tunes which give such
a charm to Sabbath Schools in the United States.
Three tours have been made through the length of the island, accom
panied with the usual labors of preaching, disciplining, examining can
didates for Ch. membership, administering the Lord's supper, counselling,
visiting the sick, settling quarrels, & c .
On Saturday mornings, the elders within a distance of eight miles
�Report of Molokai Station, 1863 - A.O. Forbes
3
in each direction assemble in the Pastor's study for the transaction
of Ch. business. As far as time would permit, they have also studied
Church History. On the first Friday in each month a general meeting
of lunas or deacons & elders from the whole island is held. At these
meetings, each luna brings in the contributions from his district towards
Monthly Concert, & Pastor's salary.
For a while, in the latter part of last year, there was much that
was discouraging.
Religious interest was at a low ebb. The people seemed dead to
spiritual things, & ---- certain low foreigners of the baser sort,
spared no pains to ----- ---- --- ---- overthrow the cause of the Lord.
Sleepless nights & heavy hearted days were no uncommon thing then to the
Pastor & his wife. But the Lord in mercy gave us strength to endure,
& the result has been more cheering. Since the beginning of the present
year, the clouds have broken away, & the people have begun to awake.
The
attendance on meetings has increased, & in some places, considerable
interest has been manifested in spiritual things. The month of March was
spent in a series of protracted meetings during which we enjoyed some
precious seasons. Mrs. Forbes, in addition to the labors attendant upon
the care of a large school, has been able generally to meet with the women
of the station, for prayer & Bible reading, once a week, as also to
afford much assistance in training our choir.
Kuaumoana, the licentiate preacher in charge of the windward side
of the island, has run well, & is a valuable man.
He has however, been obliged to spend much of his time in teaching,
in order to eke out a livelihood.
Schools.
The common schools, of which the Pastor has been the superintendent
during the past year, have been prosperous. There are ten of these schools
on the island, supplied with a good corps of teachers, & embracing 331
scholars, 189 boys, & 142 girls. Besides these, there is an English
school for Hawaiians, at the station, embracing 55 pupils, 46 of whom are
boys, & 9 girls. Mrs. Forbes has had the charge of this school since
the beginning of the present year. The attendance has been good, &
progress satisfactory in all. The whole number of scholars on the island
is now 386 — 235 of whom are boys, & 151 girls.
Mormonism & Popery make very little, stir. Nor have the "Reformed
Catholics" seemed to think it worth while to undertake to reform the
inhabitants of Molokai.
We feel that we can praise God for his loving-kindness & take
courage for the future. His strong arm & mightly hand have not failed
us so far, & we can truly say it is precious to lean upon the arm that
is stronger than ever.
�[Molokai 1871]
Abstract of report of Molokai Station
Religion on Molokai is not in a discouraging state.
Christian character is
developing more than would naturally be expected of a heathen people.
This
is manifest from
1st
Attendance upon public & social worship which has been uniformly good
during the year.
2nd
From their Benevolent Efforts. One hundred dollars have been given for
the poor.
Seven hudred(!) & sixty seven dollars have been given for
missions, collected at the Mon. Con. & handed over to the H.M.Soc.
Treasury.
Between two & three thousand dollars have been raised &
expended in building & repairing churches.
These have allowed but
little left for their pastors salary, viz one hundred sixty six. thus
far the present year.
Romanism & Mormenism(!) are nearly extinct on the Island.
have been continued prosperously during the year.
Schools
Statistics of the church
could not be made out on account of Mr. A. leaving no data of his labors
during 1832.
�
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Mission Station Reports - Molokai
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Mission Station Reports - Molokai - 1839-1871
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1839, 1840, 1841, 1842, 1843, 1844, 1846, 1847, 1849, 1850, 1851, 1852, 1853, 1854, 1855, 1856, 1857, 1859, 1860, 1861, 1862, 1863, 1871