https://hmha.missionhouses.org/files/original/c4da6ced26bcaffcee486a272b667451.pdf 381de8da667aed24bd9cfd58c7d29f83 PDF Text Text SOUTH KONA STATION REPORTS CONTENTS John D . Paris.......... ....... . — ........... . John D ,. Paris....... ................. ........... . Unsigned (Paris)....... . 1852 1854 1854 ----1855 John D. Paris............ ......................... ..1855 (the first page of the original is marked "5' in­ dicating that there may be a sheet of 4 pages missing) Unsigned (Paris).... ...... ..... .................... 1858 Unsigned (Paris) 1858 Statistics ........ .............. John D . Paris................ ........................ 1860 John D. Paris ...................................... 1862 Unsigned (Paris) ....................... ...... ...... 1863 See also Kealakekua. Station reports for South Kona report of 1846, others �Report from. S. Kona, Hawaii - [1852.; read 1853] To the Sand. Island Mission Dear Brethren There are many considerations which make it desirable to be with you in the approaching Gen. Meeting. But circumstances will not permit, & I must content myself to remain at my fort. May the Great Head of the Chh. be in your midst:- Preside in all your Councils & deliberations;- & lead to such conclusions & the adoption of such measures as shall redound to the glory of God;- the highest interest of this Mission & those united with us; & the greatest & most lasting benefits to all who dwell on these Islands. My hearts desire, & prayer to God is, that a Spirit of Christian love & unity may pervade all your meetings, & that it may be a season of quickening & refreshing to all who are permitted to attend. The past year has been much broken up. To us, it has been a year of trials, of wear & tear of body & soul; & also of joys & blessings, peculiar rich - many. After the close of last Gen. Meeting, we remained some three mos. in Honolulu. Our sojourn there, was on a time when every body was sick (or thought they were) & we were sick ourselves, & we had rather a sorry time of it. We had the head ache - the tooth ache - the fever, & I know not how many other aches. 9 Having spent some two months in Kings Courts living in Royal Style & being fully satisfied with that kind of life;- we sailed for our Station on Hawaii in the Sch. Maria on the 28 day of August. Touching at Lahaina where we enjoyed ( !) the kind hospitali­ ties of our good Bro Baldwin & his family, for twenty four hours,we reached our destination on the first day of September 1852. �S . Kona 1852 On reaching Kealakekua;- after taking a careful survey of the Mission Stations; & after mature deliberation, we deemed it wise & expedient to come directly to the old Station, chosen & occupied by the first Missionaries. Though we have suffered great inconvenience - & life & health has been endangered ( !) from the storm & tempest during the rainy season in our miserable shelter:- Still having explored this field in its whole extent, & held frequent meetings in all the most pop­ ulous & central points; I am fully persuaded ( !), that this is the best location for a Missionary, (say nothing of his family) who would accomplish the greatest amount of good for South Kona. Since reaching our Station, much time has been occupied neces­ sarily in preparatory work - collecting materials for building dwelling & meeting houses &c. &c. - We have now a Cook house so far completed that we are able to occupy it. A cistern dug - cemented finished ready to receive water - a good substantial frame of a dwelling house ready to be erected - & before many months have elapsed we hope by the blessing of God it will be so far com­ pleted, that it will receive all Paris, & have a "stool - a bed a table a candlestick" & a plate for the "stranger". My Missionary labors have hitherto been performed to great disadvantage - & my own health has suffered much for the want of houses for public worship. The great meeting House, at Kealakekua has "fallen - fallen", piece by piece, until it has become, not we hope the "habitation of devils of foul Spirits, of unclean & hateful birds" - but a mere wreck, without a roof. For the last five months, we have been compelled to worship in the open air. have also been without houses of worship. At two out stations, we So that about half �S . Kona 3. 1852 our meetings have been held out of doors. Bating the time spent in regular tours - I have preached every other Sab. at Kealakekua, & divided the remainder between Nawawa, Honaunau & Kealia. My regular Sab. labors have been Sab School - two sermons, & a Bible Class. Sometimes an inquiry meeting. Week day labors, aside from daily private intercourse - a regular weekly lecture or exposition of scripture - a lecture in Chh. History - a business & religious ( !) meeting with church lunas - and a meeting for con­ versing with inquirers &. hihia Chh. members. week. The latter, not every Besides occasional meetings in different neighborhoods. State of Religion "The morning cometh, & also the night." & we have sad. W e have light breaking over the mountains & we have dark shadows - deep, rough ravines. ging. We have good tidings, We have much that is encoura­ And shall I say much to discourage? No. - But much over which we mourn & weep. In some portions of our field though it is a region of dry volcanic cinders ( !) & lava - formed from rivers of fire & shaken together by a thousand earthquakes [note on side:] There have been some 8 or 10 in the last waters in the "wells". 8 months. yet there is a "rising of the (!) A spirit of "grace & of supplication" has been imported to some of God’s people. Little bublings ( I) of religious interest have appeared in different places. The Spirit of the Lord has come down here, & there, as "showers upon the mown grass". The "still-small voice" of God has spoken to - softened, & subdued many hearts. Not a few, we trust, have been brought to see & feel their lost & Undone condition as sinners, & led to the "Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world". �S. Kona 1852 4. I have never preached, the Gospel to more attentive & deeply s o l emn audiences than in portions of S. Kona. And I think I have never witnessed a more eager desire to hear. Quite a number who had back-slidden & wandered away from and the Good-Shepherd - have returned & come confessing & mourning over their past sins & promising to walk hence forward in newness of life. But there are villages & large districts in S. Kona, where there is little or no interest, either in religion or sound moral­ ity. There are numbers who seldom or never visit the house of God. Others who attend, but seem as careless & indifferent to the great concerns of their souls, & seem to have as little sense of their responsibility to God or their lost & ruined estate as the wild beast of the forest. The Sab. is awfully desecrated ( !) both by Foreigners & natives. But especially among the former. The no. of foreigners on this part of Hawaii is rapidly increasing - & with scarce an ex­ ception, their influence is all withering & blasting to every thing "lovely, & excellent, & of good report." Chinese s l a v e r y - from which "may the Good Lord deliver us"’ only gives additional power & influence for moral degradation & death. We have also one or two Chiefs (High Chiefs perhaps) - Des­ cendants of the excellent Kapuolani whose whole influence is exer­ ted in favour of drinking - dancing - dissipation - sab. breaking & everything which tends to darkness & death. In these Communities some who are or have been members of 'the Chh. hang like dead weights or putrid masses. The very atmosphere in which they live seems to be tainted & will produce nothing �S . Kona 1852 but sin & death. Still we are not discouraged. , The Lord hath done great things for us - for this people - "for which we are glad" & give thanks. To his name be all the glory - To Him & Him alone it is due. Even now while I write there is a "moving a noise among the dry bones" - One, & another of the old wrinkled, gray headed ( !) idolaters who have long lived without God & without hope - have come of their own accord - unsought by me to inquire the way of life. Pray for us Brethren - & for this people among whom we dwell. The records of this Chh. have passed through so many different hands that it is rather a difficult matter to arrange statistics either satisfactorily or with accuracy. I can only give them for the current year, & arrange the whole by reference to last years deceased report as a very large number of d e c e a s e d & Excommunicated are not to be found on on ( !) any records in my possession. Statistics The whole no. on prof. of faith in Christ " " By Certificate " Recd . past year on profession " Past yr by Certificate Past year " Dismissed to other Chhs Whole " " Dismissed past year " Deceased Whole Deceased past year Remain suspended Excommunicated past year in regular Standing " " Children Baptized " " Baptized past year Wh ole No of Marriages past year 3018 115 112 18 130 886 8 662 20 15 1 1069 1181 60 50 The average No. of congregations on Sav. I know not. have some 8 We or 10 assemblies in different parts parts ( !) of S. Kona every Sab. �S. Kona 1852 6. It will be seen by the above table that the number Excommunicated in years past is not put down & is no where found on the records of the Chh:- Consequently the no. of names found on our records in good Standing, is much smaller than would appear from a comparison with the other parts of the Statistical table. I hope before the close of an other year (Deo volente), to know more of my people & to give Statistics with more satisfaction to my­ self. During the last eight month our people have contributed in money & labor for the support of the Gospel, & benevolent purposes, more than I anticipated. Two good substantial houses of worship one of stone, & the other of thatch have been erected & Completed, & two others at out stations are in progress. Materials - lime - sand &c. have been collected for rebuilding the house at Kealakekua And they have raised & paid in for roofing the house & finishing $5 5 5 . 7 5 & are going forward with a determination, if it is possible to have a house of worship with a shingle roof. It will be a hard tug, but they were unwilling to have a thatch roof, & seem determined to have a comfortable house of worship. Monthly concert contributions since I have been among them $ 1 0 0 . Not including a large amount of labor bestowed on the above mentioned houses of worship. Our people have also done something for "hanai kahuna” [support of pastor] . Some four months since they authorized their Treasurer to pay over $140 for support of the pastor. At a recent meeting our Chh. Lunas got together & passed a vote - pledging them selves to do what they could for my support. They voted also to give their pastor for the coming year $600. kala maole [foreign money];- & 100 in kalo [taro] - uala [sweet-potato] - moa [chicken] �S. Kona 1852 7. kao [goat] - puaa [pig] - ia [fish] - maia [banana], a ia mea aku ia mea aku [and so forth and so forth.]. This I consider a very large promise, & especially so, as they will have a great deal to do in completing their own house. If we realize the half of this amount, it will.be more than I expect, & I shall consider that they have done well. Popepery ( !). I am inclined to think from every thing I have seen & heard in this field, is on the wane. I am not aware that they hold meetings at all, except in three or four villages. - Their schools have dwindled,& in some places where a few years since they were large & comparatively flourishing, they have entirely disap­ peared. In one large village where only a few years ago, the inha­ bitants were all Papists, - the Protestants have now a good sub­ stantial stone Meeting House, built of their own accord & there are but few of the followers of the "man of sin" to be found. Many of their former disciples are now found in the house of God, from Sab. to Sab. & some of them from time to time in our inquiry meetings. Advance in Civilization &c On this subject I can say but little, - as I know not how the people appeared in years past. One thing I think is true beyond all contradiction, viz- that the inhabitants of South Kona generally, are notoriously lazy. (An ugly, lazy word, but just the thing.) Among all the people I have ever seen, in any part of the world, I have never found any more indolent & averse to industry or steady labour. South Kona embraces a large extent of the richest, most fertile land, with the best climate on Hawaii:- A little back from the sea shore, vegetables of all kinds, & fruits in great �S. Kona 1852 variety, can be produced with as little labor & in as great perfec­ tion as in any portion of the Hawaiian Islands. The shipping, lying off & on under the lee of this Island, one half the year, & smaller vessels touching at different points along the shore, afford a good market for every thing that can be raised. Hence the people can live comparatively comfortable, with almost no labor & idleness is the source of innumerable evils. But there are signs of improvement & progress amo[n]g our people. A number are purchasing farms, & fencing them & seem to be inspired with new life in putting in order & cultivating them. Orange & other fruit trees are b eing planted extensively, & are be­ ginning to adorn our hills & v a l l e y s:- a little better class of houses, with enclosed yards ornamented with flowers, & a variety of fruit & shade trees, begin to appear. The people are much better clad & appear more tidy & cleanly on the Sab. Mothers seem to bestow more time, & take better care of their children. There is a marked improvement in the care & treatment of children, & this is one of the most encouraging signs among my people. May the Lord "turn, the heart of the fathers to the children" & yet save a remnant of this people. I remain dear Brethren as ever yours in the bonds of the Gospel John D. Paris [On side:] J.D. Paris Report for 1852 Read May 18, 1853 �Report from South Kona Hawaii [1854] To the Sandwich Island Mission Dear Brethren I am very sorry that I cannot be with you at the General Meet­ ing. It would give me great pleasure to meet the Brethren - see them face to face - & to give & receive the right hand of fellow­ ship. I know I greatly need to mingle In the delightful services connected with that occasion, to be refreshed & strengthed ( !) by the wisdom & counsels of my Fathers & Brethren. My desire is that the great Head of the Church may be in your midst - preside in all your deliberations - guide in all your Counsels & make it a season of great good to all who are permitted to assemble. As a family we would record the lovingkindness & tender mercies of our Covenant-keeping God. We know & feel that it is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed - because his compassions fail not. They have been near every morning - we have been kept as the apple of the eye - under the Shadow of the wings of the Almighty. During the prevalance ( !) of Small Pox our little Ella Hudson was brought down to the borders of the grave, & for some days we had many fears that she would be taken from us. But the Lord graciously raised her up and restored her to health. On the 30th of last March there was born to us a a ( !) son whose name is John - so named by the angel who brought him forth. He is a fine large healthy boy - but as destitute & penniless as any son of of ( !) the ABCFM. Since the last General Meeting many of our people have been called from time to Eternity - to render an account of the deeds done in the body. Since my last report fifty one of the members of this Church have died. Of these twenty two died of Small Pox. �South Kona Many others I have no doubt whose names have been recorded on the Books of this Chh. but who have been wandering hither & thither for many years - have been called suddenly to their long home. State of Religion Where has not been that deep interest in the subject of re­ ligion which we greatly desire to see. Even in the midst of judge­ ments of God, the love of many seemed to wax cold, and there has been a stupor & indifference ( !) - a hardy-hood ( !) greater than usual among non professors of religion. While this dreadful scourge (The Small Pox) prevailed were subjected to the laws of a Board of health. Non intercourse was proclaimed. During several months some of our largest & most populous villages were cut off from the public worship of God. And in some places where mortality was the greatest, the inhabitants were en­ tirely cut off from the ordinary means of Grace. Often where the hand of God seemed to be the heaviest - in the midst of loathsome disease- ( !) - death & desolation, even there (a thing not uncommon) there ( !) to be the greatest indifference & most melancholy stupid­ ity. But some of our people, while the judgements of God have been abroad in our midst have "learned righteousness". They have kissed the rod & bowed with humble submission before Him "whose judgments are a great deep". Thus the "judgments of the Lord" which are "true & righteous altogether" - have proved a Savour of life and life & of death unto death. It is sad to think how many of this poor people have gone into Eternity the past year “without God & without hope". Surely the Lord of the harvest is calling loudly for us to "do with our might" "what our hand findeth to do" for this remnant. We may not rear a monument for the admiration �South Kona 3. of this world - but through the "unsearchable riches of Christ," we may yet gather m any trophies who will stand forth as monuments of his grace forever & ever. We trust the Lord has not left us to labour the past year altogether in vain or spend our strength for naught. The glorious gospel of the blessed God has not returned void, but has accom­ plished that whereunto He sent it. In some of the members of our Church, there has been a marked improvement - a growing interest in the Word of God, & in every good word & work. While Sabbath breaking intemperance - licentious­ ness - & infidelity have been coming in upon us like a flood - they have come up to the help of the Lord against the mighty & taken a more decided stand for the cause of truth & righteousness. While we have had no general revival of religion, & while the great mass of those who were once found among inquirers have gone back to the world; still there have been quite a number of hopeful conversions. The Spirit of the Lord has been moving upon the hearts of sinners here & there bringing them to see their sinful & undone condition & leading them, we trust, to the "Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world". Since my last Report there have been added to this Church on Examination By Certificate Backsliders & wandering restored Dismissed to other Chhes Died the past year Suspended " " Excommunicated past year The whole No. In Regular Standing No. of Children Baptized past year Marriage's celebrated past year 64 6 23 27 51 38 2 1084 35 53 Among those admitted to the Chh. about two thirds are adults & mostly over middle age. Fourteen have been Papists. One had made three voyages to the United States - one to China & one to �South Kona 4. England , seeking rest & finding none. Bating the few months when the Small Pox was raging;- I have distributed my missionary labors very much as in the year 1853. Aside from my quarterly tours - I preach regularly every other Sabbath at the Station at Kealakekua, & divide the remainder of my time between Nawawa - Kealia & Hoanaunau. Usual Sabbath labors two sermons a Bible Class & Sab School. A regular weekly Lecture at the Station & occasional weekly meet­ ings at out Stations. - A regular weekly meeting with Deacons & Lunas for business & Spiritual, improvement. Meetings for inquiry ( !) & hihia ["wandering"] Chh. members as circumstances seem to require. Eight meetings are held on the Sab. besides the one at the Station, Our field & Church is now divided into six different parts or branches, & the Lords Supper is to be administered to each of these divisions four times in the year. This arrangement has been made within the last three months. Our houses of worship both at the Station & at Kealia are very large - with high ceiling - well lighted & well ventilated. But we are such mole eyed creatures that we greatly need a little stained glass or something else to mellow the rays of the sun. Our Common Schools have been suspended nearly half the year on account of sickness & for want of funds. For nearly two years they have suffered great loss for want of Books. Our School houses too are mostly poor miserable shelters, unfit to be occupied by human beings. I do wish our good Brother Armstrong would get out of Honolulu "Come over & help us" a little with our schools & school houses in South Kona. We have some comparatively good Teachers, & some fine little round pates & bright eyes ready to study, & some of them do �South Kona 5. make some progress in study. dirt - But we want to get them up out of the They can never make much improvement until there is some improvement in our houses. We also greatly need a good school for the children of f or­ eigners with native wives, Most of them & there are not a few) are growing up around us as ignorant of books as the beasts of the field. Their Parents will not send them to native Schools & we have no others, & consequently they are suffered to run wild. They never attend Church & seldom do their children hear the blessed gospel, & consequently they are as wicked as they are ignorant. I would be glad to establish a school & teach them the English Language but my people need all my time & more. Popery. year. We think has rather lost than gained during the past They have no Priest located in South Kona. But the Bishop of Kailua makes occasional tours through this dark region consecrating Hale Pules - hearing mass - Baptizing children, a e kala ana i na lawe hala a pau. Mormonism. This is an other ism of the devil. The whole System was manufactured in the Bottomless Pit. They have made strenuous efforts to establish themselves in South Kona & what is astonishing they have hitherto had but little success. They have had one & sometimes two Priests among us for 18 months perhaps ransacking the field, & have made one proselyte. Whether he is "two fold more the child of hell" than his Teacher, I cannot say. Some months ago one of their Priests became very much enraged at the writer for having told a member of his Church at whose house �South Kona he (the Priest) was stopping - to read in the 2 Epistle of John 10 & 11 verses. He chall enged a public discussion - threatened public disgrace (as I was informed) and went to meeting for that purpose. Taking his seat in a corner he heard a sermon from the words. "Except a man.be b o m again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” When the benediction was pronounced - he was not. Benevolence All our benevolent operations were suspended for nearly six months & have been greatly crippled in consequence of the Small Pox. The contributions in cash for the year have amounted to Of this sum were for Foreign & domestic missions For Hilo Boarding School House For Meeting House at Kealakekua Houses of w orship at outstations For Support of Pastor $ 943.44 230.00 63.87 194.33 100.00 355.24 Our people have also contributed in building & completing several houses of worship at out Stations. They have collected most of the materials for rebuilding our House of Worship at the Station. The lime from the bottom of the sea - the wood from the forest the sand & water for mortar have all been brought together by the members of our Church. I am as ever Dear Brethren Yours most truly & affectionately John D. Paris �Abstract of Report for Minutes [1854-55] The Church has been reorganized & divided. We have now six churches with members as follows - Viz. The first at Nawawa o with 140 members. The Second at Naapoopoo with 280 members [Napoopoo] The third at Hoonaunau with 169 " [Honaunau] The fourth at Kealia 270 " The fifth at Ka ohi has 101 " The Sixth 140 " with at Milolii has [Kaohe] This arrangement greatly augments the labours of the pastor but is attended with many advantages to the people. well attended. Meetings have been Sab. Schools & Bible' classes at three Stations large & interesting - in other congregations small. A good degree of religious interest in three of the Chh's. Meetings more solemn than in times past - hearers more attentive. Thirty five have been received to the Chh. Thirteen Deacons have been ordained. Sixty seven children baptized The Lords Supper has been administered twenty one times during the year. The Pastor has spent a great deal of time in catechising & personal conversation with chh. members. Benevolent Contributions. The disposition to aid in supporting the institutions of the gospel has greatly increased. Contributions in cash for building the house of the Lord at the Miss. Station Meeting houses at out stations Foreign Missions Native helpers at home in S.K. For the support of Pastor Donation to Pastor, his salary being inadequate Sum total $503.88 46.72 241.60 57.00 400.00 107.00 $ 1356.28 Materials collected & gratuitous labour on three meeting houses estimated at not less than one thousand dollars. �Abstract 1854-55 Papists - have made no apparent progress. At several stations many of them attend our meetings. Mormons - only three in Kona Civilization on the advance scale. People more industrious - Land owners are planting fruit trees & fencing their farms & kuleanas. Schools have prospered as well as we could expect considering our poor school houses & that the children have only been taught one or two days in the week for want of funds. No. Protestant Schools 15 No. Papists [Marked on back:] No. 4 Report of South Kona 1854 & 5 5 �[Mr. Paris' Report 1855] Since our last Annual Report our Church in S. Kona has been reorganized or divided into six branches. Perhaps not in strict (! ) accordance with the Ratio Discipline or Confession of Faith. We hope the Hawaiian Association will see to us on that point. This arrangement while it greatly augments the labors of the Pastor or Miss. is nevertheless we think, as this people are scat­ tered over a large extent of country, & can never all meet together greatly beneficial to them. The first of these Churches extends Geographically from Hokukano on the North to O N ouili on the South. members. It embraces 140 In May last we ordained three deacons ( !) & during the year 10 individuals have been received to the Chh. on profession of their faith in Christ & two by certificate. With this Church I have spent 12 Sabbaths during the year administered the Lords Supper four times - labouring three & four days in connection with each Communion Season. This church has to contend with the opposi­ tion of quite a number of foreigners - who have no love to the blessed Saviour & whose whole influence is opposed to his pure & holy Doctrines & precepts. ing for discipline. We have however had but few cases call­ There has [been] a steady increase in atten­ dance on the means of grace, & attention has been good. The truth of God has not been proclaimed in vain. The Chh. is now taking hold in earnest to collect materials for building a comfortable & substantial House of Worship to be located some two miles from the sea shore. The second Church extends from Kaawaloa to Keei . is Naapoopoo the old Mission Station. six churches. This is the largest of the It embraces 280 members. tion of from three to five hundred. Its centre With an average congrega­ Sabbath Sch ool (!) & Bible �Paris 1855 2. class of about 150 children & adults. cons. This church has three Dea­ Three adults have been admitted during the year on profession of their faith & one who had been Excommunicated restored. With this Chh. & people I spend every other Sab. at least a portion of every other Sab. when not absent on my tours. Here I have a week­ ly lecture, & have regular meetings with Lunas & Deacons. We also meet here all the Deacons & lunas from the several districts once a month for the transaction of business, consultation & prayer. In these meetings we have reports sometimes verbal & sometimes written, & this keeps each other informed of what is going on. We are sorry to say that a portion of this Chh. mostly resid­ ing in Keei & Kaawaloa give but little if any evidence of spiritual life & love to Christ. We have many fears that not a few of them are destitute of faith in Christ & are strangers to the new birth. These are dead weights. But we have many good people in this Parish, active Christians. Who love the "gates of Zion - take pleasure in her stones & favour the dust thereof". For three years they have been struggling hard for a comfor­ table & substantial house of worship. Many have made great sacri­ fices, contributing largely (in proportion to their means) both in money & in manual labour. Owing to the rise in the price of all materials for building our work has advanced amazingly slow. And for a while we feared we should have to give up & say we began to build but are not able to finish. We are happy to say however & thankful, that our house is now under Cover - having a good self supporting shingled roof. The inside is also nearly ready for lathing & plastering & a large quantity of fine flat stone slabs collected for laying a floor. But it will be a long time, & to use a Southern phrase, require a heap of money & a heap of work before it is completed. �Paris 1855 Attendance on the worship of God at this station both on Sabbath & week days is generally good. A goodly number attend the prayer meetings every morning between day light & sunrise. Meetings Sab. P. M.'s for rehearsing sermon, conversation, & prayer are very fully attended. During the year I have spent a great deal [of] time in person­ al conversation & chatechising each member of this & other branches of these Churches. I have also endeavoured to extend it as much as possible to those out of the Chh. This I have found a difficult & self denying work. A sad & painful work to find so much ignorance & stupidity in the Church. So many who know nothing of the depravity of their own hearts or of faith in Christ. On the other hand I have been cheered & blessed the Lord to find such a goodly number who are living by faith in the Son of God - who are able to give a reason of the "hope” that is in them. The 3d is the Hoonaunau Church. members. This Church embraces 169 There have been 10 additions to chh. during the year on profession of their faith & one Excommunicated member restores. Three individuals stand propounded for admission at some future time. - This Chh. & people have a rude Stone Meeting House which they have improved a good deal. plastered or floored. It has a thatched roof - is not But it is well cov[er]ed with Lauhala mats & partly seated. There has been a very great & marked improvement among this people within a few months. Formerly I found it a hard place to preach, there was such a careless (?), listless inattention in the house of God. But now it is all changed. is still & solemn. The house of the Lord People seem to realize that they are in the �Paris 4. 1855 presence of the holy Lord God, & that they have come up to worship him & receive his messages of love & mercy. We have pleasing evi­ dence that the blessed Gospel has not been preached in vain. That the good seed sown in tears by beloved Brethren who have preceded ( !) me, is now springing up & bringing forth fruit to the praise & to the glory of God. Another cause of this change is, I think, under God, to be attributed to the influence of Nahinu a graduate of Lahaina Luna Sem. a Licentiate. He is a native of Kealia S.K. [South Kona ?] & married his wife at Hoonaunau. He was afterwards called to be a tutor in the Seminary, but owing to the feeble health of his wife & sickness & death of an infant, he has spent a considerable por­ tion of the year in Hoonaunau. He is we think a young man of an excellent spirit, sincere piety & gives promise of extensive use­ fulness. I have been exceedingly gratified & bless the Lord for his example & influence both over the members of the Chh. & over the children & youth. In connexion with this chh & congregation there is an inter­ esting Sab. School & Bible classes of between 90 & 100 pupils. Weekly pray[er] meetings in addition to their regular morning meetings, which are pretty well attended. Also female prayer- meetings. Many of the Papists are in the habit of attending our meetings at this Station & we hope some of them have not heard the truth of God in vain. The 4th Church at Kealia This Church was set off in the time of the Brethren Forbes & Ives. It embraces - 270 members. Ruling Elder. It has 3 deacons (!) and one As David Gideon Ezekiel Philemon. Good men. Men �who never move without thinking a great while & then waiting a long time after they have done thinking before they take the first step. For two years this Church has been without a house of worship, & in consequence I have spent fewer Sabbaths with them than last year. They have now the walls of a good stone house laid up in lime, ready for roofing & we hope they will soon have it In a con­ dition to occupy as a house of worship. They have recently in ac­ cordance with my wishes, & at my suggestion ( !) given a call to Mr.. Nahinu to become their Pastor. He however declines accepting the call to be their Pastor preferring ( !) to labour as an assistant & Stated Supply, for the present. salary of $250. The Chh. promise to pay him a I hope the association will make some arrangement for ordaining Nahinu during the coming year, should he desire it. Either as an Evangelist or as a Pastor over one of these Ch h s . The Kealia Chh as a whole has manifested less spiritual life than any other in S. Kona. With few exceptions, the whole Chh has been in a ”luke:warm" State - "neither cold, nor hot." table state of stupidity. A lamen­ Quite a number hihia [have gone astray] from drinking sour potatoes, kakau uhu [or uhei, or huie; there is a dot] [ ], & neglect of the ordi­ nary means of grace. There is a great lack of Christian benevo­ lence & self denial. In proportion to their means they contributed but little for benevolent purposes. There have been quite a number of inquiries from time to time among the child & youth. But no deep searchings of heart & but little if any conviction & sorrow for sin. The Chh has promised to build a house for Nahinu & we hope his labors & influence will be blest to their spiritual good. �Paris 1855 6. The other two Churches one at Kaohe & the other at Milolil. The former has 101 members the latter 140. comfortable houses to worship in. Both these Chhs have The one at Kaohi ( !) is of thatch, the one [at] Milolii is stone. These Chhes ( !) are made up of the poor of this world & of the poor of Hawaii. Most of [the] people get a liveli hood ( !) principally toy fishing - their villages are mostly near the sea shore on the barren lava. Their food is cultivated hack from the sea shore, the distance of from three to five miles, where the land is generally fertile & with proper culture would produce abundantly. During the year we ordained two Deacons at Milolii & one at Kaohe. We have some good warm hearted Christians at Kaohe, who are lights in the midst of surrounding darkness. At Milolii in doubt. We have some good people & some of whom we stand A few living epistles known & read of all men - some whose light shines more dimly & through many clouds & others whose light is darkness. We have had a sad case of discipline in this church.Selepano a Chh Luna who has had more influence than any one man perhaps in S. Kona. Early last spring there were many rumours & suspicions which led to an investigation, which resulted in the irresistible conviction not only that he was guilty of a breach of the Seventh Commandment - but that he had lived in the indulgence of this sin with several different.individuals for a number of years. He is a shrewd cunning artful man & has a pretty good knowledge of the Bible. His example & influence has been sad indeed. Poisinous ( !) withering to vital godliness. All the evidence to the contrary he persists in asserting his innocency. He thinks we cannot do �Paris 1855 7. without his influence in the Chh. & hopes to b e restored without confessing his sin. We hope the Lord will yet bring him to see his sinful course & lead him to repentance. He has already been the means of sifting the Chh. & some we fear have stumbled over him into perdition. Table of Statistics Since my last report there have been added to the Churches in S . Kona On Examination & profession of F Added by Certificate Backsliders & wanderers Restored Dismissed the past year to other Chhs Deaths the past year No. of Suspensions past year No. Excommunicated past year Whole No. in Regular Standing No. Added from the Organization of Chh No. of Children Baptized past year " " ." in Kau Whole No. of Child Baptized in S. Kona No. of Marriages past year 36 3 1101 3181 67 18 1318 37 The No. of Births in this District has been greater than in the two preceding ( !) years & No. of deaths Smaller Births Deaths 81 57 35 8 42 9 20 In reviewing the past we would acknowledge with gratitude & humility, the multiplied mercies of the Great Head of the Church. Lovingkindness & tender mercies have crowned us. The health of the native population & foreign residents in South Kona has been during the past year unusually ( !) good. We have had no epidemics & but little sickness of any kind & comparatively but few deaths. It has been a year of peace & plenty. Our hills & valleys have been watered abundantly with the showers of heaven. yielded its increase & the ocean abounded with fish. The Earth has Some of our people we think are more diligent & industrious than in years past. More patches have been cultivated - more fields fenced - more trees planted more houses built & repaired, & more roads & paths made �Paris 1855 8. than in years past. In some of our Villages there is a very marked improvement about the houses & yards every thing wearing a more cheerful aspect. We have no field waving with golden harvests (as on some other islands) but our people are multiplying their Coffee patches, & the number of Orange trees loaded with golden fruit, are rapidly increasing. Some of the "thousand hills" are dotted over with cattle & horses;- and vast fields of barren lava, fertilized with streams of living goats. The year has been one of progress. poral, & progress in things spiritual. dark shadows. Progress in things tem­ We have had clouds & some But the light has prevailed; & even the clouds have been tinged with light. The love of some has "waxed cold" - others some have fallen into "temptation & a snare into many foolish & hurtful lusts" & have been drowned. — God has been sifting & winnowing his wheat. The blessed gospel has been accomplishing its two-fold work. It has proved a savour of life unto life & a savour of death unto death. The number of hopeful conversions & additions to our Chhs . has been small. But we would not despise the day of small things - nor would we forget that - Paul may Plant & an Apollos water but God only can give the increase. The good seed has been sown from the sacred Desk - in Bible Class - by way side & from house to house - it has been watered by the tears of some of the people of God. And there have not been wanting evidences of its subdoing ( !) & transforming power. �Paris 1855 Benevolence The Contributions for the year have amounted to the sum total of $ 1356.28 For the Support of Pastor 400.00 Donation to Pastor 107.00 For Foreign Missions 241.60 Helpers at Home in S. Kona 57.00 " Meeting House at Mission Station 503.88 " Work on Meeting Houses at out Stations This is exclusive of funds paid in for Communion & other incidental Expenses. I would remark that the materials collected & gratuitous labour on three houses of worship at Kealia, Naapoopoo & N awa, would amount to more than a Thousand dollars over & above the sum paid in cash. [Unsigned but marked on back:] Mr. Paris' Report 1855 46.72 �Missionary Labors in South Kona [1858] My missionary labors have been very much the same as in former years. members. I have pastoral care of six Churches embracing in all 1157 These are scattered over the the ( !) whole district of South Kona, an extent of some 50 o r 60 miles of Sea-Coast. The people live for the most part along the shores & inland from two to four or five miles. The increasing demands of our foreign population has also claimed no inconsiderable portion of my time. These are a heterogeneous mixture from all lands. have native wives. Most of them They profess a great variety of religions, but with few exceptions are ignorant, & utterly destitute of the Spirit of the Gospel of Christ. God & without Hope. They are living & dying without Connected as they are with the natives & many of them being large owners of the soil, their influence is very great. I yearn over them, & greatly desire their salvation, not simply because their souls are precious, but on account of their wives & children & the multitudes they are ruining ( !) for time & eternity. Many have come from California ( !) with shattered constitutions hoping that the salubrious climate of Kona would soon restore them to health. But most of them have found their graves. I have been with them in their sickness - administered to their wants - en­ deavoured to point them to the strangers ( !) & the sinners ( !) friend, & attended their funerals. Many a young man who has left his fathers ( !) house, a happy home, an affectionate mother & brothers & sisters has come here to die alone, & be buried by the hands of strangers. And here permit me to remark that in my opinion, the Hawaiian Miss. Soc. could not do a better work, than to employ a Missionary �South Kona '58 2. paying a part of his expenses to labour directly for the moral & spiritual improvement of the rapidly increasing foreign Community on the borders of North & South Kona. But I hope to speak of this subject again. I rejoice that Bro Taylor has been able to preach to this community once a month & a part of the time once a fortnight for more than a year. support. But Bro. T. has a large & expensive family to His own health is very far from good, & he cannot con­ sistently labour & spend his strength for the good of this community without support. But we have abundant evidence that your Missionaries who have lived in S. Kona have not "laboured in vain, nor spent their strength for naught . " predecessors, has not been lost. The good seed sown by my From year to year it is springing up, & bearing fruit to the glory of God. "For as the rain cometh down & the snow from heaven & returneth not thither but watereth the earth, & maketh it bring forth & bud that it may give seed to sower & bread to the eater. So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth, it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, & it shall prosper in the thing whereto I send it." We have a band of brethren, who though children in many things, are steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. Some who were among the first fruits of the Mission & others gathered in within a few years. These are always in their peaces on the Sabbath - at Monthly Concert & in prayer & conference meetings. Ready to help their pastor in every good word & work. They are our "living Epistles" - known & read of all men." Our Joy & Rejoicing in the Lord. A large proportion of the people in S.K. attend the several �South Kona '58 3. places of public worship on the Sabbath. every Lords ( !) day A.M. at some 8 Congregations assemble or 10 different places. I frequently preach at two places distant from three to five miles on the same Sabbath. my absence. The Elders & Deacons hold meetings in A large, portion of my Sabbaths are spent in preaching alternately to three Congregations, not far distant from the Mission Station. Once a month I visit Kealia, a Station some miles distant. 8 or 10 Here we have a native minister D.H. Nahinu. He is a native of Kealia - a graduate of Lahainaluna & superintendent of our Com. Schools. He is a good man modest - discreet, a very respectable preacher, a good teacher; & his influence over children & youth has been very salutary. His heart was set on a foreign Mission, but he Is detained on account of his wife's health. Church at Kealia numbers 280. The During the last two years they have built a very good Stone meeting house laid up in lime, painted outside & plastered inside. The work has all been done by members of the church, & their children. A very interesting sight, which we have often witnessed, of Pastor & people, old & young - male & female all united in collecting materials, building the walls & helping forward the house, of the Lord. We have now 4 houses of worship, built of stone capable of seating from 500 to 1000 persons each; - all built & some of them nearly completed within the last five years. They are very plain. No guildings of gold. Not orna­ mented with stained glass & some of them as yet with no glass at all. But they are cemented by the tug & toil & prayers of our poor people . I have a regular weekly lecture at the Station, except when absent on my tours. In these lectures we have taken up select portions of Scripture, & have gone through with the Prov. of Solomon - �South Kona '58 page 2 A But to return to my more appropriate field of labour as a Missionary, where I have more work than I am able to perform. In some of our churches we have to mourn over the spiritual apathy which prevails. The love of many waxes cold. Some, Demas like "have forsaken us, having loved this present world.” Spirit of the world is coming in upon us like a flood. The The transi­ tion, with some of our people, from a state of entire destitution ( ! ). & dependance, to that of owners of the soil, & the acquisition of property - even though on a small scale; - has had the same effect on our people, that worldly prosperity has on the Christian com­ munity at home & on the foreign community in this City. Some among us, "hasten to be rich & are not innocent" - err from the faith, & pierce themselves through with many sorrows". Intemperance & temp­ tations in a great variety of forms - as playing cards - feasting dancing &c &c backed by the influence & example of some in high places, have greatly multiplied. Tempters & seducers from every land - some bold & brazen - some cunning & artful, are infesting our shores, entering every village, hamlet & home leading captive the unstable & unsuspecting. Our churches are being, sifted & winnowed. is a good deal of chaff. Doubtless there But the lines between the world & the people of God are becoming wider, & more marked. accomplishing its two-fold work. The Gospel is It is a Savour of life unto life, & it is a Savour of death unto death. It makes men better, but some it makes worse. "To them which are called - it is the power of God & the wisdom of God". But unto [them] that "perish" it is "foolishness". Now I have given you a little of the dark side of the picture. I wish there was no more. But let this suffice. Good people don't �South Kona '58 page 2 B like to hear bad things however true, & I don't like to report them. It is so much more congenial to think & speak of of ( !) those things which are lovely & of good report;- and spread the mantle of charity over all that is dark & sinful;- that we are in danger of representing our missionary field as a beautiful landscape, seen in the distance. �South Kona '58 4. the Epistle to the Rom - the Prophesy of Daniel, & a part of the Revelation. During the last year I have had a class of some 18 or 20 who meet every Monday A.M. for instruction in Theology & Miss. Geography. Last year I built a very good & convenient native room at my own expense ($400) where we have Bidwells Large Miss. Maps Once a month we have a convocation of representatives Elders & Deacons from all the chhs. in South Kona. At these meetings we have a Sermon preached by someone previously appointed. is open to all who wish to attend. The meeting After sermon I usually make some remarks & the congregation after joining in in singing & prayer is dismissed. Then we discuss the merits of the sermon - point out its defects & errors, & administer advice & instruction to its author. At these meetings we have monthly reports, either verbal or written, from all the churches. Subjects of general interest to the chhs are discussed, & funds reported & a p p r o p r i a t e d to the several objects for which they were Contributed. I have also a regular weekly meeting with the Elders & Deacons residing near the Miss. Station, in which we take up & dispose of various items of business of local interest. Bible Readers Some months ago I proposed a plan to my people, hoping to awaken a more general in (L) interest in reading the Sacred Scrip­ tures. The people meet Sabbath P.M. Some in Meeting houses, some in School houses, & others in private dwellings, as most convenient to themselves. with prayer. Some one is appointed to preside & open the meeting After which the Chapter being named, old & young, parents & children - reads each one verse, & so continue to read round until two chapters are completed. Thus we have more than �South Kona '58 5. a thousand simultaneous Bible readers. In some of these circles a there is deep interest manifested & we hope the blessing of God will attend them. Tours. I make three tours annually through the District of South Kona - preaching, visiting & examining Schools, - visiting from house to house conversing with parents & children, & admin­ istering the ordinances of the Gospel. During the year the Lord's Supper has been administered 18. times in the Several Chhes ( !) under my care. 57 individuals have been received to the Communion of the Chh. on profession of their faith in Christ & 10 by Certificate from other Chhs. 45 infants & 15 adults have been baptized. Of those received to the Chh. the greater proportion are young persons, mostly young men. Converts there were -8 - who had renounced Popery. Among the Many who were bigot ted Papists a few years since, are now often seen in the house of God, & others who are afraid of the Priest, come & stand out­ side the doors & windows, & listen to the messages of the Gospel. The Good Spirit of God seems to be moving silently upon some hearts where we least expected it. The wind bloweth where it listeth. Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit saith the Lord." "Yes Not unto us, O Lord I not unto us but unto thy name give glory" - If souls are saved - it is the "Lords doing & it is marvellous In our eyes ." Our hearts have been made glad by the repentance & return of some who had forsaken the fold of the Good Shepherd, & wandered long & far off in the mazes of sin & folly - feeding on the husks of this world & starving their undying Souls. Some of them had gone to the mother of Harlots - bowed to the Virgin Mary & done penance a thousand times, & the Priest had pronounced their sins forgiven. But they found no peace to their guilty consciences until they came �South Kona '58 to that "fountain opened to the house of David & to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sins & for uncleanness - to that blood, which speaketh better things than the blood of Abel." Of these 12 have been restored to the Communion of the Church. We have also been under the painful necessity of Excommunica­ ting a much larger number than in any previous year of our Miss. Ministry. Some of these however were cases of long standing, who had been followed & laboured with according to the rule laid down in the New Testament, until all hope of repentance had failed. Christian Benevolence Our people have contributed less for the support of their own pastor than in years past. This is owing to the fact, that we had a whole year of wilting drought, & then followed a year of famine & blight. So that crops of Coffee - Oranges - Potatoes &c almost entirely failed. Hence money was scarce. The people could not give that which they had not. But they have done what they could. For the support of Pastor for the year ending Dec. 31, 1857 they have paid in $382.00 For support of D.H. Nahinu native minister 75.00 The Monthly concert contributions for foreign Miss during the year have amounted to ( Besides a balance of wood not yet sold) $155.43 Last Spring the children of Sabbath schools paid into the Treasurer of H. Miss. Soc for shares in the Morning Star 50.00 Contributions from adult members of our Churches for Morning Star 71.00 A little band of females ( !) who meet from time to time with Mrs P. for prayer & Christian converse have just sent a Box of Clothing to the Miss. at the Marquesas worth 40.00 Monthly Concert contributions on hand for 1858 $ 68.72-1/2 Contributions for the several houses of of ( !) worship alluded to above have amounted to in cash $420.00 Besides a great amount of labour has been performed by our chhes (! ) of which we keep no account The whole amount contributed in cash for the year 1857 $1192.43 Balance on hand for 1858 $ 269.02-1/2 �South Kona 7 '58 Public Schools The Schools in this District have been gradually rising for the last two years. in teachers & pupils. There has been a very marked improvement, both This is owing in a great measure to the faith­ fulness & happy influence of Nahinu our superintendent. He exa­ mines every school, either alone or in company with me four times a year. Besides he teaches a select school, which he requires all the teachers in the district to attend once a week. We have 16 schools in all, 3 of them under the Papists. 524 scho l a r s . Several school houses are in course of building. Statistics Whole No. admitted to Church the past year on Profession On Certificate Total the past year Dismissed the past year Deceased the past year Excluded the past year Now in regular standing No. of Children Baptized Past Year Marriages the past year The whole amount contributed in cash during the year [Unsigned; Paris] [On back:] Kealekekua Station Report May /58 57 10 67 7 26 29 1157 45 35 $ 1461.45-1/2 �Statistics of S. Kona The Whole No. added to Chh. on Profession the past year " " " On Certificate " " Total the past year Restored to Chh. past year Dismissed past year Deceased " " Excommunicated " Whole No. now in regular Standing No. of children Baptized past year " Marriages the past year The whole amount contributed in Cash for Benevolent purposes during the year 1858 Of this sum has been paid for Sal. of Pastor to D.H. Nahinu Monthly Concert contributions included in the above Sum, has amounted to Worth not less than $45 or 50 each 2 More Boxes are ready for Micronesia by return of the Star [On back:] South Kona Church Statistics 1858 55 5 58 35 8 18 6 1218 37 33 $1466.00 $ 400.00 150.00 211.99 �May 24, 1860 Report of Chhs. in South Kona Hawaii To the Brethren of the Hawaiian Evangelical Association. Dear Brethren My missionary and pastoral labours have been very similar to the routine of p r eceding years. The six chhs. in South Kona have all shared in my labours. The gospel has been preached from time to time (as I was able) in all the chhs. & villages in the Distric t[!] Family visitation, visiting the sick, & examining schools has been part of my work. The Ordinance of the Lords Supper I have administered twenty three times during the year to chhs under my care. Thirty nine infants and twenty seven adults have been Baptised. Fifty five individuals have been received to the Chhs on Profession of their faith in Christ & eight by Certificate from Sister Chhs. A goodly proportion of our Church members are active- praying- working Christians. But we have many a- mong us who are like the Laodiceans "neither cold nor hot" & who give but little evidence, that they have passed from death into life. The Spirit of the work has called in upon us like a flood, & some have been drowned. & they have been swept from their moorings. IN one of our chhs. we had to Out of twelve females of large fleshy dimensions for the Hula & other abominations which always ac­ company it. But the chh was greatly strengthened by their loss. Truth - righteousness - temperance & godliness, have been steadily oh the advance. The Prince of Peace too has made his abode with us, & we sat under our own vine & fig tree, worshipping the God of our fathers - having none to molest or make us afraid. The sound of war & civil discord has only been head [heard] from without. We have great reason for gratitude to God that we have been this far pre­ served from the ravages of that terrible epidemic, the Yellow fever, which has made such havoc in some districts on our Island. One of the most alarming features of this disease, is that it seems to attack the Leaders of the People of God first, & thence [!] it spreads through all ranks from the highest to the lowet;- So that men, women & children-teachers of Schools with all their pupils, of all ages & Sexes b e c a m e crazy, flee to the hills & the mountains, & wander about up & down for days & even weeks. Whole villages are left without inhabitants. From gathering Pulu[?] to build splendid Churches, & decorate these earthly tabernacles- "Good Lord deliver us"![!] And let all the Servants of Jehova say �South Kona 1860 2. Amen. While our hearts have been made glad from time to time, with the joyful tidings of Souls Converted trophies of God's grace multiplied in other lands, we have had to mourn over the desolation in our midst. We have toiled, - prayed & hoped; b u t we have not exercised implicit faith in God. We have not taken hold of his promises with childlike confidence - with a deep, abiding sense of our entire dependence on his Grace. has been withheld. Hence the blessing We are prone to lean on an "Arm of flesh" & trust to our own wisdom. At times there has been a little reviving-cheering indications that God was coming near. Showers portions of our field. of Divine grace have gently descended[!] here & there upon Sinners have been awakened, & precious souls have been converted, & we have indulged the hope that we were on the dawn of a glorious work of grace. But alas! our hopes have again & again been disappointed [ !]. Our church members as a general thing are not awake & alive to the interests of their undying souls & spiritual things as they should be. True we have our Jeremiah's & Daniels weeping over the desolations of Zion - with here & there, a Daniel con­ fessing our sins, & Job saying-"Where is God my Maker, who givith [!] songs in the night? Oh Oh! that I knew where I might find him"![!] And once & again we have heard the solemn inquiry- "What must I do to be saved"?[!] And there have not been wanting here & there a Lydia whose heart the Lord had opened to receive the things of the Spirit; & a Zakius who has come down from his lofty hiding place & received the Lord Jesus joyfully. But these have been the little showers interspersed through general drought. The Oases in the great desert! We hoped they were a few first drops before a general shower, & our hearts were glad & our eyes sparkled with joy. "O lord how long? Return- Visit us with thy salvation! But alas! Revive thy work in the midst of the years, - in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy! Praying the the[!] Great Head of the Chh. may preside & bless you in all your deliberations- I remain Dear Brethren Very truly & affectionately yours John D Paris [Written on the other side]: Report of South Kona Church 1860 J.D. .Paris �Statistics of South Kona [1860] Whole Humber on Profession On Certificate Past fear on Profession On Certificate Total past year Whole Number Dismissed to other Dismissed Past Year Total Deceased Deceased Past Year Excluded Past Year 3324 149 55 8 63 984 16 804 22 17 Remain Excluded not recorded Now in Regular Standing 1165 Total Children Baptised 1485 Baptised Past Year Marriages Past Year 39 46 [Unsigned, not dated] [J.D. Paris, 1860] �May 15th 1862 Report of Churches in S. Kona Hawaii To Hawaiian Evangelical Association Dear Fathers & Brethren An other year of Missionary labor is gone. An other year of service in the vineyard of our blessed Lord & Saviour is ended. And now I hear you calling, from that old hal­ lowed central point to the Elders & Bishops of our Hawaiian Zion "Watchman what of the night? ing cometh" - Watchman what of the night? I reply - "And also the night. light increases. The morn' The day dawns - the But it is mingled light & darkness. The light is not clear - nor dark - not day nor night." One year ago a dark cloud hung over us as a family. True it was tinged with light & there was a beautiful bow on. the Mountains. Still to us it was a night of weeping. the wife & mother was on a sick bed. The light of our house;Day after day the loved one & drooped her whole System racked with most intense & excrucia­ ting pains, until she was brought down to the borders of the grave. But the Lord who is merciful & gracious - slow to anger - plenteous in mercy, Who knoweth our frame, & remembereth that we are dust - Who healeth all our diseases ( !) & redeemeth our life from destruc­ tion, He hath graciously restored the sick & suffering one to com­ parative health. His way is in the sea - his path in the great waters, & his footsteps are not known. His chastisements we would remember & receive as from a Fathers hand - His gracious deliver­ ances we would record & settling up our Ebenezer say - Hither to (! ) hath the Lord helped us. Most of the Mission families on our Island, in some of their members have been afflicted with sickness during the year past. �S . Kona 18 62 2. God in his all wise & mysterious Providence has called some of our brethren & Sisters to drink the Cup of affliction. Yes deeply ! While we bow in humble submission to the will of our Heavenly Father - we also sympathize tenderly with all the afflicted be­ reaved desolate ones. Those who have been called home, seemed to be the very ones we could least spare. doeth all things well. But it is the Lord - He Our Brother Shipman - Sister Andrews & Sister Doane have gone to join the general assembly & church of the first b o m to unite with not a few who have gone before from our & number & with all the redeemed in praising God the Lamb. Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord - that they may rest from their labours - yea Saith the Spirit, & their works do follow them. But what of the night among the people? There has been a great deal of sickness & suffering in our district during the past year. Whole families & in some instances almost entire villages have been down sick at the same time. Many are still down - while a large number have gone the way of all the dearth. The voice of weeping - wailing & lamentation has been heard in many of our houses & hamlets day & night for many months. The The lava here & there all a long our coast is dotted with new made graves. Some of our most pious, stable Christians have gone to receive their reward. They died as they lived, trusting implicitly in their Crucified & Exalted Saviour. One whole family, the father & mother & two sisters, died within a few months of each other. All of them, bound together by love, & bound up in the sure bonds of life, we trust. Missionary Tours & labors In many respects these have been very similar to my labors in y ears past. Owing to the circumstances of my family & the very �S. K ona 1862 3. delicate & critical state of Mrs. P's health I have not visited the extreme Southern portion of my field as often as in past years. Much of the time & labor however spent in the extrem[e]s in pre­ vious years, has been expended nearer home. South Kona is divided into six Apanas or districts. these divisions we have a regularly organized Church. In each of These are Centers where the Scriptures are read & expounded & prayer & praise offered to the Lord Jehovah every Sabbath, & at stated times during the week. Each of these Chhs. has its own officers - ex­ amines candidates & receives to Its own Communion, & disciplines its own members. Pastor. But always with the approbation of the Missionary These several Chhs. are Centers again for still smaller divisions for the worship of God. - They send delegates to our regular monthly convention held at Kealakekua. These meetings, composed of all the best men in our field, are often deeply inter­ esting, & productive of great good. A sermon is preached at the opening of each session by some one previously appointed. Reports are m a d e of the state of religion- Contributions for objects of benevolence, support of Pastor - Ex­ treme & difficult cases of discipline;- in short everything of general interest to the Chh. A multitude of little hihias settled, which would otherwise go to law. "Behold how great a matter a little fire kindleth" ! The districts of Kaohe, Milolii & Kapua, have been visited only twice since our last General Meeting. I feel that this por­ tion of the field needs a good faithful, Self denying Native Pastor. I should rejoice to find a man of the right spirit, who could be entrusted with the entire responsibility of that portion of South Kona. There is an increase [in] the population of Kapua, & that �S. K o n a 1862 4. vicinity, from emigration, but they are scattered over a large Territory, & need more instruction & frequent Pastoral visits, than the Missionary residing at the distance of 40 or 50 miles can give them. As it is, I try to do the best I can for them. In itinera­ ting, I preach two & three times a day;- visit from house to house, & village to village;- Converse with & Catechise children & youth instruct the inquiring;- Seek after & endeavour to reclaim the wan­ dering & lead them to the Good Shepherd. "Looking for that blessed hope, & the glorious appearing of the Great God & our Saviour Jesus Christ":- I endeavour to reprove - rebuke & exhort with all long suffering & doctrine". State of religion There has been very marked advance in good order,- solemnity & Christian deportment , in all our Churches and congregations, Progress in externals, becoming the people of God. We have not been permitted to witness a revival in all our Chhs, as some of our Brethren on other Islands. "heath in the desert." But we have not been left as the The influences of the Holy Spirit have been felt to a greater or less extent through nearly the whole extent of our field. The good seed sown, has been watered with the dews of heaven, & brought forth fruit to the glory of God. Professors of religion have been quickened & become more spiritual & active Christians. Sinners too have been converted & found pardon & peace in the precious blood of Christ. In our little Chh. & con­ gregation at Nawawa, there has been a great change. power & grace of God has been very manifest. The Divine For some three years there had been a most lamentable state of careless indiffer­ ence to all Spiritual things. preach to them. So that it was exceeding painful to I often felt (like the Prophet in vision) that I stood among "dry bones, very dry." "There was no breath in them" - �S. Kona 1862 5. no spiritual life. But now everything is changed. solemn. The house of God is silent, It is easy - delightful to preach the glorious Gospel of the "blessed God. Delightful to point anxious-inquiring souls to "that fountain” of living waters "opened to the house of David & to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin & for uncleanness." Some, whom we looked upon as the last, & most hopeless, have been plucked as "firebrands out of the burnings" - subdued by the grace of God, & led to repentance. Four females ( !) of middle age, the wives of foreigners, have renounced the world & given their hea[r]ts to the Saviour, & made a public profession of religion. of their husbands. This too with the cordial consent Would to God that these foreigners from Christian lands, were not only willing that their wives & children should be genuine Christians, but that they also may experience in their own hearts the power & preciousness of that gospel they have so long neglected! Some of them evidently feel differently towards u s , & the cause of our blessed Lord & Master, from what they did in years past. Two foreigners who wandered far from God & plunged into the lowest depths of iniquity, have been anxious about their souls & think they have passed from death unto life. One of our native teachers, a graduate of the Seminary, who for many years had stood high in the chh. & then fallen - has returned. Like the prodigal Son, he wandered far away from his Fathers house;- & like him he came to himself & returned with a broken spirit & a penitent heart, confessing his sins. Tears of joy streamed from many eyes on his return. Some seven or eight persons who had had ( !) bowed the knee to the Virgin Mary & received forgiveness from the lips of a Priest - �S . Kona 1862 have renounced, the dogma's of Rome - embraced the pure doctrines of of ( !) the gospel, & notwithstanding many many threats of Excommuni­ cation - openly professed their faith in Christ as their only & all Sufficient Saviour. The number added to our Chh's. during the year has not been large. Only forty five by profession. Not quite equal to those who have slept in Jesus (as we hope) & gone to join the "Chh. of the first born." Fourteen have been added on certificate & quite a number re­ stored who had strayed & backslidden. For all the good which has been accomplished we would say Not unto us- not unto us O Lord, but unto thy Name give all the Glory. On the next page you will find the Statistics & Contributions of our Chhs. Statistics of South Kona Hawaii Whole No " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " on Profession of Faith on Certificate Past year on Profession " " On Certificate Total past year Dismissed Dismissed past year Total Deceased Deceased past year Excluded past year Now in regular Standing Total No Baptized Child Baptized past year Marriages " " 3391 163 45 14 59 109 15 879 50 16 1161 1556 35 20 Contributions. Support of Miss. Pastor Native Helpers - Communion Expenses-Sexton &c Monthly Concert Contributions Houses of Worship Chh. Bell School Houses Returned Missionaries Total ---- --------- -- - - - $ 400.00 111.97 200.00 250.00 120.00 85.00 15.00 - ---------- -- $1181.00 �S . Kona 1862 7. Our Benevolent Contributions are not what we could wish. Ow­ ing to the blight on Coffee Oranges & all the products of the earth for several years past the means for giving among our people have been greatly diminished. Then we have had so many sick - Such a multitude of old Hawaiian Doctors - like hungry bears prowling round every habitation for pigs ! locusts of Egypt! Eating up every green thing like the Death hath removed some of our most "liberal souls". We are trying "mighty hard" to train our people to a more Systematic course of giving: And we think we make some advance. But it is slow - snail like. And sometimes like the "backslider with his face foremost". About two thirds of all our chh. members give something to the support of the gospel at home & abroad. One half give constantly & one third give liberally, c h e e r f u l l y & from principle - feel­ ing that it is more "blessed to give than to receive". Our Sabbath Meetings for the worship of God, are generally well attended through­ out the field. Our weekly lectures conference & prayer meetings also. The females, mostly members of the Chh. continue to meet with Mrs. Paris once a month at our house. These meetings are well attended, & God hath not withheld his blessing. They seem to be very precious seasons to some of our Mothers in I s r a e l . (I) Once a week, a part of the year I have had a Class in Theology. They have been instructed in Church & Scripture History - Theology & Sermonizing or "rightly dividing the word of truth" . And now Dear Brethren, Praying that the Great Head of the Chh. may be in your midst & preside in all your deliberations & grant you a precious season of Spiritual: Communion - I remain your ever faithful brother & fellow labourer in the Vineyard of the Lord. J.D. Paris �S. Kona 8. The fall of D.H. Nahinu & his influence since has been very sad indeed. Had he been tempted & fallen suddenly into sin & brought disgrace on himself & on the cause of Christ it would have been a grief to the Chh. to us all. But when it is known that for some six or seven years, while engaged in the holy work of preaching the gospel - he has been during all this time habitually violating the seventh commandment & indulging in all the abominations of licen­ tiousness! How melancholy ( !) ! How awful ! But this is not all - ever since the developments ( !) of his hypocrisy & true character. His course has been evil & only evil. Licentiousness - card playing - Sabbath breaking - making & vending intoxicating drinks & drinking himself drunk - these are some of his fruits. And at the same time he professes to be a penitent ( !) & would like to be in the Church. His is no ordinary case - influence especially on boys & young men has been very bad. His He was admirably adapted to teach & govern & his boys were very much attracted to him. man He was popular as an humble, wise & judicious A good Kahu Kula. Preacher. He was industrious - a very acceptable We thought him a good man - a faithful brother in Christ. A tried man! We were just on the point of layin[g] hands on - ordaining & installing him as Pastor of the first chh in South Kona. When - Lo & behold! - we were thunder st[r ]uck with the report that he was a base hypocrite ( !) & a miserable whoremonger!! May the Lord have mercy on his soul - open his eyes & give him that repentance which is unto life ! Schools Owing to the fall of Nahinu our Boarding & manual labor School for boys was given up. We could not find a man qualified & suit­ able in every respect to fill the place. we were also without a Kahu Kula. For more than a year Consequently I had the additional �S. Kona 1862 9. burden of superintending all the Public Schools. We have made very considerable progress in getting more comfortable substantial & better arranged School Houses. We have a beautiful stone house well finished at Kealakekua - an other nearly complete at Keei & a third at Kealia. Besides we are build- ing several houses at out Stations to answer the double purpose of School & Meeting house. Our native Teachers, as a general thing, are not only better qualified for their work, - but they are more diligent & faithful in the discharge of their duties. We do not employ Protestant teach­ ers who do not give evidence of of ( !) piety. A large proportion of our children over seven years can read, & there has been very great improvement in reading throughout all our schools. The New Testament is read daily in all our Protestant Schools, & in one Catholic. A large proportion of the children who are found in the day schools, attend the Sabbath Schools in different parts of the field. Mrs. Robinson late of Honolulu is teaching a private School (English) at her own house. of haoles with native wives. It is made up mostly of the children Such a School is much needed & I am happy to say that Mrs. R . is very faithful in this self denying work. May 15 1862 John D. Paris �Report of Chhs. in South Kona Hawaii The first Chh. in South K o n a Hawaii was organized in the year 1826. The Rev. James Ely Pastor. At the very earnest s olici[Kapiolani] tation of the Chiefs Naihe & Kapuolani, Mr Ely took up his abode at Kaawaloa in Ap. 1824. The house he occupied was built by these interesting Chiefs & stood very near the spot whe[re] the Celebra­ ted Cpt Cook ( !) fell. The house erected by the same persons for the worship of Jehova - stood near by & Kapuolani was the first con­ vert admitted to the communion of the Chh. Soon after Naihe & five or six others all of them interesting characters were admitted to this infant chh. Mr. Ely was Pastor of this chh. until Octob. 1828 when he with his family returned to the U. States. 1832 the chh. was without a Pastor. From the year 1828 to In the year 1832 the Rev. C. Forbes became pastor of this Chh. & people. His Pastorateassisted a part of the time by Messrs Vanduzee ( !) & Ives - continued until 1845. During most of this time his field or parish embraced the districts of S. Kona & Kau. The members of his chh were scatte[r]ed from Kapuohao on the borders of North Kona to Kapapala - the dis­ tance of more than one hundred miles. After Mr Forbes left, the chh. was left to the care of Mr. Ives & was for several years in a very chaotic, unpromising state. The chh. was an anti tobacco Society & as some of its members were secretly indulging in the luxury of smoking this vile narcotic in violation of their covenant vows - it vexed the righteous soul of the acting pastor & at a single stroke he cut off two thirds of the members from the Com. of the chh. For no other reason but smoking! In 1848 the Rev. J. F. Pogue was made Pastor of this chh & people. He found a very undesirable state of things - but his self denying, �S. Kona 1863 2. faithful & efficient labours were a great blessing to the chh. & people. In 1851 Bro Pogue reported the whole No. in good standing in the chh. at 664. the same year. Of this number 107 had been added to the chh The Church was again left without a pastor in 1851, Mr. Pogue having been removed to fill the important post he now occupies at Lahainaluna. The whole field was left in charge of a native licentiate who soon fell from his steadfastness, Thurston acting as Pastor pro tem. Father The whole No. of chh. members in regular standing as reported by Mr, Thurston in 1852 was 1172 Thus making an addition of 505 in a single year. In the year 1841 a chh was organized at Waiohinu in Kau an off shoot from the first chh, in S. Kona, & the writer became its -pastor a few of its members were received by certificate from Hilo ( !) & Puna. In 1852 I was located in S. Kona & made pastor of the chh. In the years of 1854 & 5 we divided S. Kona into six apanas or districts & organized five chhs branches or off shoots from the Mother Chh at Kealakekua The first Chh. at Nawawa about four miles distant from Kealak e k u a ( !), was organized on the 30th of Ap. 1854 with including one ruling elder & three deacons. ganized we had no house to worship In. 86 members, When the chh. was or­ Our meetings were held for several years under a beautiful group of Kukuis - when the sun shone it was a charming spot to worship the Lord God of Hosts who dwelleth not in houses made with hands. And when It rained we said, it is the Lord. This chh & congregation now worship in a good substantial stone house;- built by themselves or nea[r ]ly so, & paid for. The house is floored ceiled plastered & seated with good Koa pews;- and finished in very plain but appropriate style - as �S. Kona 3 1863 . we think. The whole expense (the head work man charging nothing for his services) is about $1575. This house is situated on an em­ inence in the midst of our foreign residents. During the last two years we have experienced a very precious revival, in which some 8 or 10 of the wives & children of foreigners have been hopefully converted. The chh now numbers in all 120. Of these 4 have been added, the last year on profession, & 1 by certificate. The mem­ bers of this chh. are exposed to many temptations & snares - they have been sifted & fanned - Some have fallen others have been carried away as chaff. But the great majority are steadfast in the faith, & give evidence that they are the disciples of Christ. The Chh at Kealia This Is the largest & leanest of all our out chhs. A majority of this chh are not active - rich in good works living epistles known & read of all men as are many in other places. Laodicean like, they are neither cold nor hot - a Spiritual leathary ( !) seems to hang over them. And yet there are some whose Christian character shines in beautiful contrast with those spiritually dead. Some who speak often one to another the desolations of Zion. who sigh & cry - & mourn over Yes there is David & Gidion - Moses & Aron ( !) - Josua ( !) & Caleb & Daniel & Joseph, & some good female brethren who are faithful witnesses for the truth & whose names we trust are in the Book of life. They have a large stone meeting house, built by their own hands, f r o m the foundation to the top stone. Not an old man, woman or child, but what has a stone in that building, cemented too, with the lime & sand, which they have carried; & covered with the timbers & grass which they have gathered. They have already expended over �S . Kona 4. 1863 a $1000.00. & their house is far from being completed. But they will finish it, if not for themselves, for their children, & that house will be filled with those who worship, the Lord, to the third & fourth generation. They have not the energy & go a head a tive- ness ( !) of our good Brethren of Waimea & Hamakua who build chhs in a day & paint them before they are built. Neither are they of that number who "make haste slowly" for they never think of making haste in anything. Nevertheless 100 of their females ( !) contribu­ ted a little more than a year ago, A dollar a head & paid it over to me, & that hundred dollars in New York bought a great steel Bell which Cost $120. The Bell was shipped - landed in good order & hung, by these same Hawaiian females. But it rings so loud that they put a straw cap over it to keep in the sound numbers in good stand. The Chh. now 222. The Chh. at Pahoehoe is a little branch from the Chh. at Kealla. It was organized in 1859 with 64 members - the Chh. at Hoonaunau having been dispersed by the notorious Halelea Esq. The members of this little Chh. are scattered over a largged ( !) territory. shore. They first worshipp ed ( !) in a, grass house near the sea But now their meetings are held in a rude structure on the Mt. road where they are making preparations for a better house. There have been quite a number of hopeful conversions & additions to the Chh. during the past year, as there had been in the two years previous. The Chh. now numbers 88. Most of the Chh members are poor & yet with very few exceptions they contri­ bute for Foreign Missions & the support of the gospel. Kaohe. The Chh. in this district is also very poor compared with other Chhs on the Islands & its members scattered over a still larger extent of country mostly Pahoehoe & aa. When the Chh. �S. Kona 1863 5. was organized in 1854 - they had a large & very comfortable meet­ ing house on the sea shore. But since the opening of the mountain road there are more inducements for cultivating the soil & the people are gradually moving inland & they are now bending all their energies to erect a good house of worship. They have just paid into my hands $1 0 0 . 0 0 for me to purchase lumber - hire an architect & have the work comp[le]ted. ! Mean time they have thrown up two rude thatched houses which serve the double purpose of school & meeting house. During the last year or 18 months there has been a good degree of religious interest in this Chh. Sinners have been converted & wanderers reclaimed & brought back. Nine have been admitted to the Chh. on profession of their faith & five who had for years sought rest & found it not among the Papists & Mor­ mons restored. The chh now numbers 168 i n regular standing Milolii & Kapua This Chh. has its station & house of worship at Milolii on the sea shore about 35 or 40 miles from the Miss. Station at Kaawaloa. They have a rough but good stone meeting house, worth $6 or 800.00 on the sea shore, & an other at Kapua 5 miles beyond, & an other as far distant inland. These are small. Some of the members of this Chh. live at least 15 miles from the central part at Milolii. Except when the Missionary visits them, they never all meet at the same place. We have some good active Christians in this district. The Chh. was organized in 1855 with 90 members - it now numbers in good standing 180. None of whom were received during the past year on profession & three by certificate. Many who are now con­ sistent members of this chh. a few years ago - were bigoted Papists. A good faithful - self denying Native Pastor is much needed in this field. �S. K o n a 1863 The Chh. at K e a l a k e k u a This is the Mother Chh. and Kapuolani ( !) a mother in Israel, constituted the Chh. The Chh was organized at Kawaloa ( !) in 1826 with only one member. Geographically it now embraces from Kawaloa on the North to Hoonaunau on the South. It numbers in good standing 286 members with 2 ruling elders & 12 Lunas. They have a house of worship, reconstructed from the ruins of the great Temple erected by Rev. C. Forbes with Kapuolani at his right hand. - ture is 62 by 56 feet. The present struc- A very singular & uncouth looking structure outside, but a very comfortable & pleasant house inside. something over $3,000. Esq. of New York. It cost The Bell was presented by Wm. E. Dodge A donation of $200. from Thos. M. McLean Esq. of N York & about $175... from Brethren & friends at the Islands consti­ tutes the amount of aid received from abroad. More than two thirds of the members; of this Chh. contribute regularly to benevolent objects. And most of these by their daily walk & conversation, show "forth the praises of Him who hath called them out of darkness into his marvellous light." While they have a rough exterior, & are unacquainted with the usages of the more ci­ vilized & refined;- Still many of them bear the lineaments of that beautiful character, formed by the word & spirit of God. Called by our blessed Lord - the salt of the Earth & the light of the world. They are not ashamed of the Cross of Christ - & we doubt not that a goodly number would suffer not only persecution & the loss of all things - but death itself, if need be for the name of Jesus. At this Station we have a regular weekly lecture - taking up select portions of Scripture from time to time as deemed best adap­ ted to the wants of the people. 150. The attendance varying from 70 to Our Sabbath School & Bible Class including adults numbers from �S. Kona 1863 150 to 200. 7 The first week of every month, we have a meeting of Delegates from all the Chhs. in S.K. These Conventions a[re] com­ posed of the very best - most intelligent (! ) & reliable men in the whole field;- & are frequently very interesting & productive of great good. - A sermon is preached or an address delivered at the opening of each cession ( !), by some one chosen at the previous meeting. Chhs:- Reports made of the state of religion etc. in the various Contributions for benevolent objects - Extreme & difficult cases of discipline;- in short everything affecting the general in­ terests of Christs Kingdom. During the year, we have had three union Conventions made up of all the Chh Lunas in North & South Kona. These have been meet­ ings of great interest, & were made the means of spiritual good we trust to the Chhs. In Octob ( !) 1862 we had a meeting of the Hawaiian Evangelical Association. All the Pastors & missionaries (with 2 exceptions) with a large number of native lunas were present; & it was a meet­ ing of much interest to us & to our people. At the close of this Meeting on Sab. A.M. our young Bro Mr. 0. H. Gulick was ordained to the Gospel Ministry, & in the P.M. we had a precious, season of commemorating with our Brethren the Sufferings & death of our blessed Lord Saviour ! At the meeting of the H.Ev. Association, it was voted that, I should have the oversight of the Chh. & people of N. Kona. At the request of the Native Preacher, Pilipo & officers of the Chh. I had previously spent a few days with them, & a d m i n istered the Sacrament. Since that time I have visited the field several times preached & met the Chh. lunas in different places & administered �S. Kona 1863 8. The Lords Supper twice at the old Mission Station at Kailua. The last communion there was a season of deep interest & one which will long he remembered by us & by the people in that district. It was on the 12 of Ap 1863. just 43 years from the landing of the first missionaries in that interesting spot amid all the darkness of heathenism ! In the A.M. that large house was well filled & the whole audence attentive & deeply interested in hearing messages of love & missionary intelligence ( !) from the Rev. Dr. Anderson. In the P.M. the body of the house was filled with communicants - who received the memorials of a Saviours dying love from his hands. What a con­ trast from the first meeting held on that spot ! "Behold what hath God wrought” ! During the year four Individuals [were] added to the Chh. on Profession & three who had been suspended restored. been excluded. And three have Six children have been baptized. This is a field of great importance - in which a good & great work has been accomplished - & I trust, this body will see to it that it is not neglected in future. of the Chh. [unsigned] [On back:] 1863 June South Kona Station Report , More than a thousand children � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Mission Station Reports - Hawaii Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Mission Station Reports - Hawaii - Kona - 1852-1863 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1852, 1854, 1855, 1858, 1860, 1862, 1863