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- U N P U B L I S H E D -
"Minutes of General
Meetings of the Mission”
1. May 16 - June 20, 1825, [Honolulu]
2. Sept. 23 - Oct. 20, 1826,[Kailua]
3 . Apr. 23 - May 3, 1828, [Honolulu]
Copied from Original found in Archives,
Hawaiian Board.
Nov. 1909.
�p. 55
(p.57)
Minutes of the third general meeting
of the Sandwich Island Mission.
On the 30th of March 1828 the Sandwich Island Mission
was enlarged by the arrival of a Second reenforcement, sent
out by the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Mis
sion, consisting of sixteen individuals, comprising four
ordained missionaries and their wives, a physician & print
er and their wives, and four single females:
viz.
Lorrin Andrews
Jonathan S. Green
ordained missionaries, with their
Ephraim W. Clark
wives.
Peter J. Gulick
Gerrit P. Judd
Physician, with his wife.
Stephen Shepard,
Printer, with his wife.
Miss Maria C. Ogden \
Miss Mary Ward
/
C
unmarried ladies.
Miss Delia Stone
a J
Miss Maria Patten
The Missionary Packet was despatched to Lahaina & Kai
lua to Inform the brethren of the above accession to our
numbers, and to request their attendance at Honolulu for
the purposes of a general meeting.
On the 19th of April Mr. & Mrs. Ely arrived from Kaawaloa in the ship Friends, and on the 22nd Mr. Bishop from
Kailua, and Mr. & Mrs. Richards from Lahaina in the Packet.
(p.58)
Mr . Goodrich of the Hilo station was previously at Honolulu
and Messrs. Bingham and Chamberlain permanent members of the
station.
�r
(1828)
p. 56
Organisation (sic) of the Meeting
Honolulu, April 23rd 1828.
The brethren having assembled this morning for the purpose
of organising (sic) a meeting, Mr. Bingham at whose house
were convened, called them to order, and directed them to
bring in their votes for a moderator and scribe.
Mr. Richards was chosen Moderator & Levi Chamberlain
Scribe.
The meeting was then opened with prayer by the moderator,
and afterwards the moderator read the regulations adopted
at the last general meeting respecting the manner of con
ducting the meetings of the mission.
The appointment of a committee of overtures was mo
tioned to consist of three persons, and
Hiram Bingham, A. Bishop and
James Ely chosen to discharge the duties of it.
Motion to adjournment being made and seconded, one o ’clock
P. M. was the hour fixed on for reassembling and attending
to the report of the committee of overtures.
Met at 1 o ’ck, and the meeting opened with prayer by
Mr. Bishop.
The Committee of overtures presented their report of
subjects as far as they had been able to consider them and
place them in order, and communicated as follows:
(p.59)
1st. Immediate supply of matter for printing.
2nd. The expediency of sending one of our number to the
N. W. Coast of America in compliance with the Instructions
of the Board.
3rd. If expedient, the appointment of the person.
L
they
�( 1828)
p . 57
4th. The location of the reenforcement.
5th. Location of printing presses.
The senior missionaries feeling it desirable that the mem
bers of the reenforcement should be formally accepted as
fellow laborers, and their certificates from the Correspond
ing Secretary of the Board, of their appointment to this
mission having been read, the following resolution was pre
sented & adopted.
With devout thanksgivings to the Lord of Missions for
his gracious Providence in bringing so seasonably to the
aid of this mission the second large reenforcement, appoint
ed and sent forth by the American Board as a new pledge of
the Churches to support the cause of civilization and
Christianity in the Sandwich Islands.
Resolved that we who have been permitted earlier to
(sic)
engage in the tolls of this open and whitnlng/field cor
dially receive them as fellow laborers and helpers In the
cause of truth, and members of this mission, both proffer
ing and inviting that friendly, faithful and constant co
operation & support in our common cause which the nature of
the work and the arduous duties of the office of the mis
sionary invariably require, uniting affectionately now in
the transactions of the present general meeting and hence
forth in all the duties and privileges of the mission as
the Lord shall direct.
Adjourned to meet at half past 7 o*ck tomorrow morn
ing.
Thursday April 24th.
Met according to adjournment,
meeting opened by prayer by Mr. Gullck.
Mr. Bingham having requested to be excused from serv-
�(1828)
p. 58
ing as a member of the Committee of overtures motioned that
the gentleman who was next highest on the list should be re
ceived in his stead:
the motion was passed and Mr. «ndrews
declared to be of the Committee instead of Mr. Bingham.
Voted that the subject of the Immediate supply of mat
ter for printing be connected with the subject of the lo
cation of the printing presses and printer, and be
considered at the time that that subject is taken up.
Voted to refer the second subject on the list viz.
"The expediency of sending one of our number to the N. W.
Coast of America in compliance with the instructions of the
Board," to a Committee of three:
and made choice for this
committee of Messrs. Bingham, Richards and Andrews.
Voted that a Committee of three be appointed to attend
to the 4th subject: viz. "The location of the reenforce
ment", and made choice of Messrs. Chamberlain, Green and
Bishop.
In reference to the 5th subject viz. "Location of print
ing presses & supply of matter for printing during the
year";
Voted that it be referred to a committee of three,
and made choice of Messrs, Ely, Richards & Andrews.
Voted to adjourn to meet again at the call of the mod
erator or Scribe.
Being called together In the evening by the moderator
and the meeting opened by prayer by bro. Andrews, the Com
mittee to whom was referred the subject of the North West
Coast, reported as follows! viz.
The Committee appointed to consider "the expediency of
sending one of our number to the ^orth W. Coast of America
in compliance with the suggestions of the Board", beg leave
�( 1828)
p . 59
to reports
1st. That in the opinion of the committee it is inex
pedient at present to make the survey proposed by the Board
and for the following reasons,
1st. That from the best information obtained it
does not appear that a survey could now with safety be
so thoroughly made as at all to satisfy the Christian
public.
2nd. No good opportunity of proceeding to the coast
is at present known.
3rd. The field of labor is so widely open at these
islands that in the present state of the mission all
our strength is required here.
4th. Kaahumany. and several of the other chiefs
have expressed an unwillingness that any individual
should at present be removed from this field of labor.
Ilnd. That in the opinion of the committee three persons
should be appointed to investigate the subject more thor
oughly, and whenever they shall consider the way to be open
for such a survey, and the strength of the mission will ad
mit, such individual or individuals be appointed for the
purpose as the mission shall then deem proper.
All which is respectfully submitted to the meeting
H. Bingham
L. Andrews
W. Richards
The votes for the Committee recommended in the above
report being called for eholce was made of Messrs.Bingham,
Clark & Green.
�(1828)
p. 60
In reference to the next subject proposed by the Com
mittee of overtures; viz.
"Distribution of Hawaiian books
& tracts to the several stations and the sale of them":
Voted that a Committee of three be appointed to report on
the subject.
For this Committee made choice of Messrs. Ely, Richards
and Chamberlain.
In regard to the next subject:viz. "The disposal of a
house frame and lumber";
Voted a committee of three be ap
pointed to report on this subject and made choice of Messrs.
Richards, Chamberlain & Bishop.
Voted to adjourn till called together by the moderator.
Saturday April 26th.
The brethren having been notifyed (sic) by
the moderator assembled to attend to business:
meeting was
opened with prayer by Mr. Ely.
The Committee to whom was referred the subject of the
location of the presses, —
printing etc. presented the fol*
lowing report which was accepted.
The committee appointed to consider and report on the "Lo
cation of the printing presses and supply of matter for the
presses during the year", beg leave to offer the following
report.
I.
That the presses be located at Honolulu.
II.
In supplying matter for the presses they would recom
mend the following publications.
1st. A fourth sheet for the hymns.
2nd. The remainder of Luke.
3rd. A historical tract from Genesis embracing the pe
riod from the creation to the history of Joseph.
4th. A tract comprising the most important events In
�(1828)
p. 61
Exodus and Leviticus.
5th. A tract comprising the most important events re
corded in Numbers & Deuteronomy.
6th. A historical tract from Joshua & Judges.
7th. One from the first and second books of Samuel
and so much of the first of Kings as to complete the his
tory of David.
8.
One from the two books of Kings and two Books of
Chronicles.
9.
One from Ezra and Nehemiah.
10.
The Book of Esther.
11.
Psalms sufficient for two forms.
12.
The Acts and Epistles.
13.
A historical catechism.
The Committee would recommend that two new elementary
books be prepared for publication one to comprise the out
lines of arithmetic and one the outlines of Geography.
The above named publications to be printed in the follow
ing order.
1.
The last sheet of hymns to be ready by the first
of May.
2.
Luke, the third sheet to be ready by the 15th of
3
The tract from Genesis, the first sheet to be
May.
ready by the first of June.
4
Acts to follow Luke after which the Epistles in
their order.
5
The tract from Exodus & Leviticus to follow the
tract from Genesis.
*
Next the Psalms, after which the tracts
from the old testament in order as mentioned above.
�(1828)
6
p. 62
The historical catechism to he printed as soon as
ready.
The Committee would recommend the assignment of the
following labors for the ensuing year.
Mr. Bingham
Last sheet of the hymns. —
Luke, the his
torical catechism & Psalms for 2 forms.
Mr. Bishop
One third of the tract from Genesis, half of
Romans and the 1st Epistle to the Corinthians.
Mr. Ely
One third of the tract from Genesis, —
Gala
tians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colosslans,
L.Thessalonians II.Thessalonians.
Mr. Richards Tract from Exodus, and the Acts of the Apos
tles .
Mr. Thurston One third of the tract from Genesis, half of
Romans & 2. Corinthians.
Mr. Whitney
half of Luke —
1. Timothy, 2 Timothy Titus
& Philemon.—
For the regulation of the presses the Committee would re
commend that three persons be appointed to superintend the
printing department whose business it shall be to make pro
vision for the supply of type, paper etc. —
proof sheets, —
to examine
in case of failure in the supply of matter
previously assigned to make new arrangements for a supply,
end to examine and direct In respect to any matter to be
printed not previously assigned by the mission.
All which is respectfully submitted
Lorrin Andrews
W. Richards
James Ely.
�(1828)
p. 63
The appointment of a Committee for the purposes above
expressed being approved, the ballots of the meeting were
called for, and the following persons chosen
H. Bingham, E. W. Clark & Wm. Richards.
The Committee appointed to Investigate more thoroughly
the subject
of an exploring visit to the North lest Coast
«
presented the following report which was accepted.
The Committee appointed to investigate more thoroughly
the subject of attempting to explore some part of the North
West Coast, particularly the region of the Columbie River
with reference to the establishment of a mission there in
conformity with the suggestions and wishes of the Board,
beg leave to report.
That in the opinion of the Committee the object is too
important not to be kept steadily in view and that in order
to act promptly as occasion may require an agent should be
designated before the meeting is dissolved to hold himself
in readiness to engage in that service as soon as in the
opinion of the Committee a favorable opportunity 13 present
ed.
Respectfully submitted
H. Bingham
E. W. Clark
J. S. Green
Votes for an agent to hold himself in readiness to vis
it the N. W. Coast as above recommended being called for the
\
Rev. Jonathan S. Green was chosen.
The Committee tc whcm wts referred the subject of location
presented their report as follows: — which was accepted: viz
The Committee to whom was referred the subject of the
�( 1828)
p. 64
location of the members of the late Reenforcement, report
that It Is desirable to keep as near to the advice of the
Prudential Committee on this subject as Is consistent with
the present state of the mission and the wants of the sev
eral stations.
1.
Therefore
Resolved, that Br. Gulick be recommended for the
supply of Kauai.
2.
That Br. Clark be recommended to remain at Oahu.
5.
That Br. Andrews be recommended to reside at La-
halna.
4.
That In consequence of the appointment of Mr.
Green to hold himself In readiness to visit the North West
Coast of America, It is recommended that he select the place
of his residence.
5.
* 6.
7.
That Dr. Judd be recommended to reside at Oahu.
That Br. Shepard be stationed at Oahu.
That the location of the unmarried ladies be re
ferred to the Sisters of the Mission.
All which is respectfully submitted
A. Bishop
J. S. Green
L. Chamberlain.
On the subject of collecting evidence in regard to the
conduct of Lieut. Percival while at the islands.
Voted that
a Committee of three be appointed to collect evidence in
”f»gard to the conduct of Lieut. Percival while at the is
lands agreeably to the request of the Corresponding Secy
of the Board, and to make out a communication for the use
of the Board to be forwarded by the first opportunity.
�(1828)
p. 65
Made choice for this Committee of Messrs. Bingham,
Richards end Chamberlain.
Adjourned till some business should be in readiness for the
deliberations of the meeting, & to be called together by
the Moderator.
Monday April 28th.
The meeting having been called together
by the moderator and opened with prayer by Mr. Gulick, the
Committee appointed to report on the distribution etc. of
books, presented the following report, which was accepted.
The Committee appointed to report respecting the Dis
tribution and Sale of books, respectfully report.
1.
That the station at Hilo be allowed 6/40; Kailua
7/40; — Kaawaloa 5/40; Lahaina 2/40; Honolulu 8/40 &
Kauai 4/40. —
2.
That the books be sold for money or any article
of produce or manufacture which can be turned to good ac
count.
3.
That the books be charged to the station at the
true cost which Is at present estimated at 1 1/3 cent per
sheet, but that the rate of selling the books to the natives
be six times what they are charged to the stations:
Examp.
the six half sheets of Luke when completed to be charged to
the stations at four cents and to be sold at 24 or 25 cents.
The committee would recommend that hymns be sold at 25 cents.
4th. That in the quarterly or annual accounts of each
station an estimate be made of the real value of the books
to the station.
Submitted
W. Richards
James Ely
L. Chamberlain
�( 1828)
p . 66
Upon the subject what course ought the missionaries to
pursue with respect to the Jesuits the following resolution
was adopted.
Resolved that a Committee of three be appointed to
inquire into the objects of the Jesuits now at this island,
to collect all the information possible respecting their
operations and to make out a communication on the subject
for the information of the Board.
Made choice of Messrs. Bingham, Clark & Chamberlain.
On the subject "In what light should the testimony of
natives In general be regarded"i
Voted that a Committee of two be appointed to draft
instructions to the standing committee for collections evi
dence respecting the riot of the Dolphin, expressing also
the views of the mission as to the value to be put upon the
testimony of natives.
Chose Messrs. Ely and Andrews.
Adjourned to be called together whenever there shall be
business.
Tuesday April 29 1828.
Met at the call of the moderator;
meeting opened by
prayer by Mr. Bingham.
The Committee to whom was referred the subject of the
house frame & lumber presented their report, which was ac
cepted.
The Committee appointed to report respecting the lum
ber beg leave to recommend:
1st. That the house frame be offered to Mr. Thurston
together with 4000 feet of boards & plank and all the other
necessary appendages that are supplied.
�( 1828)
p . 67
2nd. That the 3500 already sent to Kauai be consid
ered as the portion ef that station.
3rd. That 6000 feet be allowed to Honolulu for the
purpose of finishing the buildings already in a state of
forwardness.
4th. That the remainder estimated at 9000 feet be di
vided among the remaining members of the mission:
viz.
Messrs. Bishop, Ely, Ruggles and Goodrich.
5th. That the shingles, clapboards & lathing be re
served in the depository at the direction of the agent and
to be delivered out to the members of the mission as their
circumstances may require.
All which is respectfully submitted
W. Richards
A. Bishop
Levi Chamberlain
On motion,
Voted that a Committee of two be appointed to re
port on the expediency of the mission’s requiring compensa
tion for medical services rendered to foreigners & natives.
Chose for this Committee Dr. Judd and Ltjvi Chamberlain.
On the subject "How far ought the missionaries to go
in advising and instructing the chiefs and people in order
to comply with our instructions from the Board to get into
extensive operation & influence, the arts and usages and in
stitutions of civilized society: —
Voted that the resolves passed at the General Meeting of the
Mission held at Kailua be considered as the expression of
the sentiments of this meeting on the subject.
On motion
Voted that a committee of three be appoint
ed to report on the suggestions of the Board with respect
�(1828)
p. 68
to Mr. Clark’s labors among the foreigners and the treat
ment of the mission towards foreigners resident in or oc
casionally touching at the Islands.
Chose Messrs. Binghair, Clark & Andrews
Upon the question what matter shall be supplied for print
ing in America for the use of the mission.
Voted that the subject be referred to the committee
for superintending the presses.
On motion voted that a standing committee of three be
appointed to attend to the subject as to what method shell
be taken for securing a supply of paper type, ink, bind
ing instruments and other materials for book making adequate
to the anticipated wants of the nation.
Made choice of Messrs. Bingham, Richards & Andrews,
The Committee to vh om was referred the subject, In what
light shall the testimony of natives in general be viewed,
presented their report which was accepted.
The Committee appointed to express to the standing Commit
tee the opinion of the mission respecting the value of the
testimony of the natives, beg leave to suggest the follow
ing, as the result of long experience and close examination.
1
That when the natives are engaged in relating
second hand stories, that Is, things that have
been related to them by others, especially, if
they take much interest in them: — when they
give a relation of something out of the common
order of things, or of uncommon occurrence, —
when they speak of events for which they cannot
well account, or, of an event of which they do
not know the cause; — and especially, when they
�( 1828)
p . 69
relate that which In itself may border on the
marvellous;
like all Illiterate people, are very
apt to exaggerate, and thus, in such cases their
testimony should be admitted with extreme caution.
But:
2ndly
When the natives who have been instructed in
the principles of the Christian religion;
character and attributes of Jehovah;
countability to him;
the
their ac
who have taught the Scrip
tural doctrine of future rewards and punishments;
and in general, all the natives, when they make
direct statements of what they have seen, and
what they have not seen, — what they have heard
and what they have not heard, and especially,
when they are not Interested in deceiving; are
worthy of the same confidence and their testimony
should be considered of the seme value as that of
tL3 middle class of people In England or the
United States.
3rdly.
The mission are led to this opinion, from the
fact admitted by all jurists, that men of all
countries end all conditions, unbiased or unfluenced (sic) by passion, prejudice or interest naturally
speak truth rather than falsehood; — from the
fact also, that those who have been instructed
by the missionaries do as really understand the
obligation to speak truth, and the evil conse
quences of falsehood as taught In the word of
God, as the middling classes of persons in civil
ized countries; — and also from the fact that
�(1828)
P- 70
the missionaries in their intercourse & dealing
with the natives, do not experience any incon
venience from the want of veracity in them, than
they do from the want of it in those who have
been born and educated in Christian lands on civ
ilized countries.
Voted to adjourn to b© called together again at the dis
cretion of the moderator.
Friday May 2nd.
Met this evening for business, meeting
opened with prayer by Mr. Goodrich.
The Committee appointed to report respecting compensa
tion for medical services presented their report which was
accepted.
The Committee appointed to consider the subject of the
expediency of the mission’s requiring compensation fcr med
ical services beg leave to report, that in their opinion it
will not be expedient to make a formal charge either for
medicine or attendance, but that it will be proper to re
ceive compensation when offered the amount to be regulated
according to the discretion of the physician.
Dated Oahu April 29th 1828
On motion
Respectfully submitted by
Voted that the mission will require no other
compensation for the passage money of the four native
youth’s who attended the reenforcement thati a diligent at
tention to their duties as Christians among the people in
such a manner as the missionaries shall approve.
Voted that a Committee of three be appointed to give further
advice to the native youths and to report their views to this
�( 1828)
p . 71
meeting.
•
Made choice of Messrs. Bingham, Richards and Andrews.
Voted adjournment to be called together by the moderator.
Saturday May 3rd. At 2 o'ck P. M.
The meeting was
called together for business & opened with prayer —
The
Scribe being necessarily absent brother Andrews was appoint
ed Scribe pro tem.
On motion
Voted that a Committee of two be appointed to
make out the annual report to be prepared by the first of
September.
Made choice of Messrs. Richards & Andrews.
On motion
Voted that a Committee of two be appointed to
write a joint letter to the Board soon after this meeting.
Chose Messrs. Bingham and Bishop for that Committee.
On motion
Voted that the Committee appointed to report on
the suggestions of the Board with respect to Mr. Clark’s
labors among the foreigners and the treatment of the mis
sion towards foreigners resident in or occasionally touching
at the islands, be discharged from their duty to report on
the subject.
Adjourned to meet at 7 o ’ck in the evening.
Met according to adjournment meeting opened with prayer by
the Scribe.
The Committee appointed to give advice to the native
youths respecting their employment presented the following
report which was accepted; viz.
The Committee appointed to propose a plen for the em
ployment of the four native youths who accompanied the reenforcement so as to subserve the cause of the mission beg
leave to recommend
�(1628)
p. 72
1st. That Henry Tahiti be advised to attach himself
to the Printing Department in the same manner as Richard
has done to board in a native family, be under the direc
tion of ^r. Shepard and when sufficiently advance in the
art be paid wages as the means of his support.
2nd. That Tyler be advised to apply himself to his art
as shoe maker so as to give a good example of useful indus
try & thus procure his own support.
3rd. That Mills be advised to remove to Maui Immedi
ately and If agreeable to the young Princess attach himself
to her school as Instructor under the direction of the mis
sion there.
4th. That Phelps be advised to attach himself to the
Medical Department as a student & assistant under the di
rection of Dr. Judd, boarding in the family of a neighbor
ing chief and rendering such service in the laborious parts
of the Doctors practice as will afford him an opportunity
to pursue the study of theology.
Respectfully submitted,
H. Bingham
V?. Richards
L. Andrews.
On motion
Voted fhat (sic) Doctor Judd, agreeably to the design
expressed in his appointment, be allowed such facilities,
as will enable him to prosecute the study of Theology, with
a view to his preaching the Gospel.
Adjourned sine die.
Wm. Richards Moderator.
Levi Chamberlain Secretary.
�
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Sandwich Islands Mission Meeting Minutes
Dublin Core
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Title
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Sandwich Islands Mission Meeting Minutes - 1828
Date
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1828