https://hmha.missionhouses.org/files/original/e5d5f74222ff5e13d13e14056b5aece6.pdf a3b6f3ba6580f216a593e7a14e55db82 PDF Text Text EXTRACTS FROM THE MINUTES OF A G E N E R A L M E E T IN G OF THE S A N D W I C H I S L A N D S MISSION? HELD AT HONO LULU, JUNE 1831. H onolulu, W ednesd a y, f Ju n e 15, 1831. A.N arrangem ent having been made for holding the G en­ eral M eeting at this place instead of L ahaina, in conse­ quence of the expected arrival of new laborers from the B oard; and the brethren of the different stations having arrived, a m eeting was convened this morning at the house o f Rev. Mr. B i n g h a m , and continued by adjournments un­ til the 28th: present O f the Station at "Rev. H ir a m B in g h a m , E p h r a im W . C l a r k , G e r r e t P. J u d d , M. D. Mr. L e v i C h a m b e r l a i n , “ S tep h en S h ep ard . u H onolulu, < K auai, Rev. C Rev. L ahaina, < ( K ailua, & K aaw aloa, H ilo , “ “ f Rev. < ( “ M r. Rev. 1 S a m u e l W h itn e y . W illia m R ic h a r d s , L o r r in A n d r e w s , J o n a th a n S. G re en . A sa T h u r s to n , A r t e m a s B is h o p , S a m u el R u g g les. J o s e p h G o o d r ic h , �2 REINFORCEMENT. (1831. T h e moderator of the last general meeting called for the ballots for a moderator; Rev. H i r a m B i n g h a m was chosen. T h e moderator opened the meeting by prayer. Ballots were then taken for a secretary; Mr. L e v i C h a m b e r l a i n was chosen. T he mission having occasion to record with gratitude, the arrival of a reinforcem ent of four new laborers, with their female helpers, to aid in building up the cause o f Christ in this land; viz: Rev. D w i g h t B a l d w i n , Mrs. C h a r l o t t e F . B a l d w i n , Rev. R e u b e n T i n k e r , M rs. M ary T . W . T in k e r , R ev. S h e l d o n D i b b l e , M rs. M aria M . D j b b l e , M r. A n d r e w J o h n s t o n e , Mrs. R e b e c c a M. W . J o h n s t o n e : it was motioned, that the instructions to them, delivered on the eve of their departure from INew Bedford, be read ; which was done. W hereupon the following resolution w as adopted: In consideration of the appointment, and instructions o f the Prudential Committee to Messrs. Baldwin, T inker, Dibble, and Johnstone, to labor in concert with us, as mem­ bers of this mission, Resolved, T hat with the most grateful acknowledgement of the Divine favor and mercy to us and the heathen, we with open arms and affectionate hearts bid them welcome to this field o f usefulness; receive them as fellow-laborers; and invite them to unite with us in the business of this m eet­ ing, and in all the weighty though delightful duties of mis­ sionaries. T h e committee of overtures presented the following list o f subjects for consideration: 1 Reports of committees and others, who re«frved ap­ pointments at the last general meeting. 2 Appointment of a committee, to write a joint letter to the Board from the above reports, em bracing also the ac­ count of this meeting. 3 L etter of the Prudential Com mittee, respecting a mission to the M arquesas islands. �1 83 1 .) LIST OF SUBJECTS. 3 4 F ailure of the printer’s health, and means for supply­ ing his place, 5 Location of M r. G reen. 6 Location of the new missionaries. 7 Assignment of translations, and other public labors for the coming year. 8 H igh school for natives, and an appeal to the literary and scientific public for aid in support of it. 9 S e w distribution of native books, and manner of dis­ posing of them. 10 Foreign distribution of native books. 11 N ew plans of book-making, including the subjects of a bindery, papermill, stereotyping, lithographic stone, type foundery, &c. 12 Superintendence of the press. 13 M aps and cuts for a Geography, and cuts for Scripture H istory. 14 Intercourse with foreigners, 15 Duty of this mission in reference to the Rom an Cath­ olic Mission. 16 D uty of the mission in respect to marrying foreigners. 17 Building for medical department. 18 D uty of churches to support the Gospel 19 M athem atical estimate of the pecuniary value of the time of a preacher, or translator actually employed in labor­ ing for the heathen. 20 Inquiry into the subject of keeping Saturday or Sab­ bath night as sacred time. 21 R etrenchm ent in supplies from the Board; such as sugar, butter, beef, pork, &c. 22 Books for translations. On subject no. 1, the several reports were approved;— the following is the report of the printing committee: 1. Paper on hand, Jan . 1, 1830: D em y, 340 R eam s; Foolscap, 441 do. . . 78* R eam s; Do. received and purchased: D em y, 238 Ream s; Foolscap, 423 do, . . 661 do. 3, Works printed: T o tal, 1442 �PRINTING. Scripture H istory, 192 pages 18mo. 10.000 copies, 1,920,000 pages; *■ « First book for children, 36 U 25.000 “ 900,000 " 12mo. 10.000 “ Epistles, Rom. to 1 Thes.108 1,080,000 18 “ 50.000 “ Spelling book, (6,7&8eds.) 8 400,000 a Appendix to do (3d ed,) 8 10.000 “ 80,000 M inutes of Gen. M eeting, 44 12mo 30 “ 1,320 10.000 “ 240,000 F irst 23 psalms, 24 24mo . 10,000 “ 1,080,000 H ym ns, (5th ed.) 108 18 “ 10.000 “ 600,000 Joseph, (2d u ) 60 12 u 4.500 “ 324,000 L uke, (2d a ) 72 18 “ 10,000 “ 640,000 Joshua, 64 a 10,000 “ 80,000 Catechism , (4th ed.) 8 V arious small works, amounting in all to ............................. 53,260 T otal, . 7,398,580 3. Expenses: , ( Dem y, 2 9 6 | R eam sat $3 12*. $926 56 F o r paper used j Fool£ ap> 465 do. 2 50 1162 50—2089 06 - 37 50 Ink, 75 lbs. at 50 cts. per lb. - $ 78 37 Composition, . . . 405 56 P ress work, 233 16 Folding, . . . . . 58 35-----775 44 Stitching, 85 45 Contingencies, $2985 45 (1831 �1831.) M A R Q U ESA S. 5 On subject no. 2, Messrs. Richards, Bingham and Thurs­ ton were appointed the proposed committee. On subject no. 3, the following resolutions were adopted: 1. T hat we view the subject as one of great importance, and one demanding the special attention of this mission; not merely on account of its having been suggested by our pat­ rons; but also on account of its direct and immediate bearing on the eternal interests of an interesting group of islands, sustaining such a relation to us, as that we cannot be absol­ ved from important duties respecting them. 2. T hat we both mutually and personally pledge our­ selves to the Board, and each other, to give the subject that prayerful and diligent investigation, which they have recom­ mended, and which we think its importance demands. 3. T hat since the means of information in reference to the immediate establishment of a mission, or even an im­ mediate survey of the islands is at present limited: Resolved, that we appoint a committee of four, whose duty it shall be to collect all the facts in their power, relative to the present state of the islands, and on every point which has a bearing on this important subject. 4. T h at the above mentioned committee, should they find the plan feasible, shall have power, either by a deputa­ tion of their own number, or by any other members of the mission, to make a survey of the islands at their discretion; it being understood, that the committee shall consult all the members of the mission, who can conveniently be assembled. 5. T hat, holding ourselves in readiness to do the will of God, wherever he shall call us to labor, and being well aware that the good of the common cause may frequently call us to sunder the tie by which we are bound to a particu­ lar station, we believe that this subject need not prevent the present location of any member of the mission. 6. T hat a committee of one be appointed, to address a letterto the Prudential Committee on the subject, stating all we know at present of the islands; and also the reasons which operate on our minds to justify the above resolutions. M essrs. Bingham , Richards, Clark and Chamberlain, were chosen a committee, to attend to the subject of a sur­ vey of the M arquesas islands. M r. Richards was chosen to write to the Prudential Com­ m ittee on the subject. 2* �6. L O C A T IO N . (1831) On subject no. 4, the following report was adopted: 1. T hat Mr. Shepard’s health is such that it should be entirely optional with himself how far he shall engage in the duties of the office; and, considering the importance of the press as an auxiliary to the g reat work in which we are en­ gaged, it becomes indispensably necessary that some one of our number be appointed to that place, in order to afford M r. S. such relief in his labors as the nature of his case requires. 2 T he committee further recommend that M r. S. be at full liberty to dispose of himself as he, and the brethren of the station where he may reside, shall think best; or as the providence of God shall seem to direct. 3. The committee recommend also, that the B oard be informed ofthe failure of Mr. Shepard’s health, and request­ ed to send us another printer as soon as practicable. M r. Goodrich was chosen to supply the printer’s place. On subject no. 5, the following resolution was adopted: T hat, considering the claims of the windward part of H a­ waii, to immediate and more extended efforts, M r. G reen be appointed to the station at H ilo. On subject no. 6, the following resolutions were adopted: 1. T hat those stations for which aid from the Board had been solicited by us, to wit: H onolulu, H ilo, and Kaawaloa, and the station fixed on by the mission at the last general meet­ ing, to be occupied at W aim ea, for the double purpose of benefitting invalids and promoting the best interests of the natives of that place and o fH am ak u a and K ohala, have the prominent claims to aid. 2 . T hat in endeavoring to strengthen our own posts, the wishes ofthe Prudential Committee respecting the M arq u e­ sas be still kept in view. 3 . T hat Mr. Johnstone be requested to reside at Honolulu. 4. That Mr. Baldwin be requested to reside at W aim ea, on Hawaii, with reference to the medical wants of that sta­ tion, and of all the other stations on that island; and that the three brethren at Kona, H aw aii, supply him with an asso­ ciate for the present year, except such parts of the time as lie may be providentially supplied from some other station. 5. T hat one of the two remaining new missionaries be chosen by ballot, to be located at Hilo. �1 8 3 1 .) TRANSLATIONS. 6. T hat a ballot be taken for the place of residence ofthe remaining missionary, and fixed on by a vote. M r. Dibble was located by ballot at Hilo. Voted, that Mr. T inker be requested to reside at Hono­ lulu, till providence shall make it his duty to remove. On subject no. 7, the following report was adopted; 1. T hat the assignments of the last year, remaining un­ finished, and now in the hands of the translators, be continued as before, 2. T hat M essrs. R ichards and Andrews be requested to translate the Books of Judges and R uth, and the last 70 Psalm s, beginning at the 81st. 3. T hat the Rook of 1 Sarnuel be assigned to M r. T hurs­ ton for translation. 4. T hat the Rook of ^S am uel be assigned to Mr. Rishop for translation. 5. T hat the Psalm s from the 23d to the 81st, and the first book of Kings,be assigned to M essrs. Bingham and Clark for translation. 6. T hat M r. Bingham be requested to prepare a Gram­ mar of the H aw aiian Language. 7. T hat a committee of three be appointed to devise a plan for making a Hawaiian V ocabulary, and assigning the different parts of its execution to different individuals, and then of revising the work for the press. 8. T hat M r. Richards be requested to collect and prepare for the press a volume of practical and doctrinal sermons in the H aw aiian language. 9. T hat M essrs. W hitney and Gulick be requested to pre­ pare a tract on Civil H istory, and M r. Green a tract on Ecclesiastical History. 10. T hat the above works be revised in the same manner as were the translations of the last year. 11. A work on book keeping, to Mr. Chamberlain. 12. A Sunday School tract to M r. Ruggles. 13. A tract on marriage to M r. Clark. 14. T he Committee would further recommend, that the four Gospels already published, be revised, preparatory to the entire republication ofthe New Testam ent, in the following m anner; viz, T hat the Gospel of M atthew be assigned to M r. Rishop j that the Gospel of M ark be assigned to Mr. Richards; that the Gospel of L uke be assigned to M r. �8 HIGH SCHOOL. (1831. Bingham, and the Gospel of John be assigned to M r. T hurs­ ton: and that each Gospel after passing from the hands of the revisor, shall be submitted to the review of the other three before it be transcribed for the press. Messrs. Richards, Andrews, and Bishop were chosen the committee recommended in the above report. On subject no. 8, the following resolutions were adopted: 1. Resolved, that we consider the education of the natives of these islands generally, and the preparation of some of them in particular for becoming teachers of religion, as holding a place of great importance in our missionary labors. L 2. Resolved, that though we consider the present situa­ tion of this people as requiring all our efforts in the w ay heretofore directed; yet we believe this subject of sufficient importance to demand the exclusive tim e, attention and la­ bors of one of our number. 3. Resolved, that relying on the strength of the G reat H ead of the Church, we agree to establish a H igh School, for the purposes above mentioned, and on a plan hereafter to be submitted. 4. Resolved, that the school go into operation as soon as suitable accommodations for the principal and scholars shall be ready; and that we show a plan of the school to the chiefs, and invite them to co-operate with us. T he committee recommend that the above mentioned school be under the inspection and regulation of five di­ rectors, including the principal, who shall be chosen by the mission, and whose duties shall be assigned them in the plan of the school. The committee also recommend that a suitable place for the location of the school, together with the name of the principal, be nominated by ballot. M r Andrew s was chosen principal of the school. Lahaina was selected by ballot as the place of location for the school. Messrs. R ichards, Bingham , Thurston and W hitney, (with the principal,) were chosen D irectors of the school. T he directors presented the following plan for the school, which was adopted: W hereas the contemplated institution is a matter of expe­ riment; that as the materials are exceedingly rude, and as �1831.) PLAN OF THE HIGH SCHOOL. 9 the means in our power for carrying it on are extremely limited; it is not expedient at this time to draw up an extend­ ed plan for the school; but simply to state the general out­ lines o f what we hope it may prove to be hereafter. The Design o f ihe School. Sec. 1. It is the design of the H igh School to instruct young men of piety and promising talents; in order that they may become assistant teachers of religion, or fellow-laborers with us in disseminating the gospel of Jesu s Christ to their dying fellow-men. Sec. 2. In connection with the foregoing, it is also the design of this institution to disseminate sound knowledge throughout these islands, embracing literature and the sci­ ences, and w hatever may tend eventually to elevate the whole mass of the people from their present ignorance; that they may become a thinking,enlightened and virtuous people. Sec. 3. Another design of the H igh School is to qualify native school teachers for their respective duties; to teach them, theoretically and practically, the best methods of com­ municating instruction to others. O f the Board o f Directors. 1. T he H igh School shall be under the care and super­ intendence of five directors, including the principal, who shall be chosen by the mission; and whose duty it shall be to watch over the interests of the school; to point out the course of instruction to be pursued; and to make an annual report to the mission, of the state and progress of the school. 2. T hey shall moreover, from time to time, examine the plans of instruction adopted by the principal, and shall have power to approve, alter, or recommend others, as they may judge best adapted to secure the end. 3. It shall be their duty as a body, or a committee of them, to examine, after the present year, the qualifications of such as wish to become members of the school. 4. ,They shall also as a body, or a deputation of them, attend to the semi-annual examination of the school, accord­ ing to the manner hereafter specified. O f ihe Principal. 1. It shall be the duty of the principal to take charge of the property of the institution, such as apparatus of any �10 PLAN OF THE HIGH SCHOOL. (1831. kind, used as means of communicating instruction; also to take the immediate direction of the school; appoint studies, class the students, hear recitations; to deliver lectures, & c.; and manage the whole according to the best of his judgment. 2. H e shall have power to appoint monitors, or assistant teachers, from time to time, as he may think necessary or conducive to the good of the school. 3. It shall be his duty to keep an account of the state o f the school, progress of the scholars, and method of instruc­ tion; and to report to the board of directors at the end of each session. 4 ft shall be his duty moreover, to watch over the moral and spiritual interests ofthe scholars,and he shall direct a por­ tion of their every day studies to the great truths of the bible, that while they increase in knowledge of the things of this life, they may have the means of that knowledge which makes wise unto salvation. 5. It shall be his duty to open and close the school each day by prayer. O f the Scholars and their qualifications. 1. T he number of scholars for the present year shall be limited to fifty, to be apportioned as follows:— H aw aii, 18; M aui, 14; Oahu, 10; K auai, 8; and liberty granted to the king to attend with 5 of his favorite men. % T he number may be increased hereafter, provided fa­ cilities and ability shall increase for instructing them. 3. After the present year, that is from Ju n e, 1832, the candidates for the privileges of the school, shall be examin­ ed and approved by two or more of the directors, and none shall be admitted but with their approbation. 4. Every scholar, after the above mentioned time, before entering the school, must be able to read fluently and intel­ ligibly in his own language; must be able to write a neat, plain, legible hand; and be acquainted with common arith­ metic and the fundamental principles of geography. 5. It shall be the duty of the scholars to attend regularly and faithfully u^on all the duties assigned them by the! prin­ cipal. Course o f Study. 1. As school books are so extremely limited, it is nearly impossible at this time to lay out a course of study. It is desirable, however, that the scholars should be put forward �1 8 31.) NATIVE BOOR®. 11 as fast as they become proficients in any one branch,to anoth­ er of the next importance; and that next to arithmetic and geography, should be composition in their own language, and such other studies as the board may direct. 2. T he study of the doctrines and duties contained in the word of God should be a prominent study, never to be lost sight of. 3. T he year shall be divided into two sessions, of five months each. T he first to begin with July of each year, and end with November, the second to begin with Jan u ary , and end with M ay. 4. At the close of each session there shall be a public ex­ amination of the scholars, in presence of the directors, and such others as they may invite to attend. 5. T he length of time necessary for the students to attend the school will depend on circumstances. It is to be hoped that they may be induced to attend until they shall become competent to instruct, and skillful in communicating instruc­ tion in such ways as may be beneficial to the people at large. 6. It is designed that a piece of land shall be connected with the institution, and the manual labor system introduced as far as practicable; that the scholars may not only support themselves, but be enabled to furnish their own stationary, and such other articles as will be necessary in pursuing their studies. O f Amendments. I t shall be the duty of the directors to make such alter­ ations and amendments in this plan as their experience shall dictate, and present them to the next general meeting. O n subject no. 9, the following report was adopted; 1. T he proportion for each station during the ensuing year, shall be as follows, viz. F or K auai, 6-40ths of the whole num ber; Oahu, 7M O ths “ “ M aui, 9£-40ths “ tc K ailua, 3?-40ths a “ K aaw aloa, 43-40ths “ W aim ea, 4-40ths <c u H ilo, 5-40ths u u W ith respect to the manner of disposing of native books, the committee recommend: �12 NATIVE BOOKS. (1 8 3 1 . 1. T hat in the bestowing of books gratuitously, the mem­ bers of each station be at liberty to make such regulations as shall best suit the circumstances of the station. 2. In the disposal of books for cash, the committee re­ commend the following prices: T hat the Gospels printed in America, and the N m auhoike, be sold for $0 50 T hat the H ym ns, L uke, Acts, Rom ans with 1 & 2 Corinthians, the remaining Epistles of P au l, the remaining books o fth e New T esta­ ment, Genesis, and Exodus, be sold for 0 25 each. T hat Joseph, Joshua and Psalm s, be sold for 12^ each. And the other small tracts at the rate of 12£ cents for ev­ ery 48 pages 18mo. 3. T hat in disposing of books in exchange for the produc­ tions of the islands, we have reference to the value of the articles to the mission, and the prices of books as estimated in the disposal of them for cash. O n subject no. 10, the following report was adopted: 1. T hat the several members o fth e mission be at liberty to send to their friends, and others, as many books as they 8hall think conducive to the good of our common cause. 2. T hat the printer be requested to put up and forward as follows: 1. To the Board, 12 copies of each successive work in the H aw aiian language, as it comes from the press. 2. To the Societies of Inquiry at Andover, Princeton and Auburn, 2 copies each. 3. T o the London Missionary Society, 3 copies. 4. To the missionaries in the G eorgean, Society and H arvey Islands, 12 copies. 5. T o the American missionaries in Canton, and to Dr. Morrison, 1 copy each. O n subject no. 11, the following report was adopted: T he committee beg leave to state that they have consid­ ered the subject, and they regard it as one of great impor­ tance; but, as it is one of great compass, they do not feel themselves able to treat it with much particularity. T he business of making books, to supply the wants of a nation, must obviously be a great, laborious and expensive one; but a full and permanent supply of books, adequate �1 8 3 1 .) NATIVE BOOKS. 13 to the multiplying wants of the people among whom we labor, should, in the opinion of your committee, be distinctly recognized in the plans of this mission. It cannot be ex­ pected that the Christian public will be disposed to furnish the means of carrying on, to the extent desired, the business of bookm aking; it behooves the mission, therefore, to inquire what resources the islands afford of the nature of materials, and what ability the mission possess of employing those m aterials to advantage; and whether they may not be so employed as to render, eventually, appeals to the Christian public for gratuitous aid not necessary. W ith regard to a Bindery, your committee are of opinion, that the subject is of so. much importance as to demand the particular consideration of the mission. M ate­ rials for carrying on the business of binding, or most of them, in their crude state at least, are at hand, and might be employed almost immediately to good advantage, though some of the necessary implements for the work are wanting; this, however, would not be an insurmountable obstacle, if the mission should deem the object of sufficient importance to justify the appointment of one of our number, to give a part, or the whole of his attention, to the subject. Y our committee recommend that three persons be ap­ pointed as a Committee, whose duty it shall be to procure and forward a quantity of kapa to the U nited States, in order that an experiment may be made of the manufacture ofthe material into paper. T hat it be also the duty o f the same committee to write to the Board upon the several subjects above named, requesting them to afford such aid in these several branches of bookmaking as their best judg­ ment shall dictate. V oted, that the mission do deem the subject of a bookbindery of sufficient importance, to justify the immediate appoint­ ment of one o f our number to superintend the business. Messrs, Clark, Chamberlain and Andrews were chosen to write to the board on the subject of bookmaking, and to forward a quantity of kapa for an experiment in papermaking. M r. Goodrich was chosen to superintend the business of binding books, On subject no. 12, Messrs. Bingham, C lark and Cham­ berlain were chosen a committee to superintend the P rint­ ing Department. 2 �14 INTERCOURSE WITH FOREIGNERS. (1831. O n subject no. 13, the following resolutions were adopted: 1. T hat a person be appointed, whose duty it shall be to prepare a set of maps and submit them to the publishing committee; to be published in such a way as they shall judge expedient. 2. That the same person be requested to address the Board on the subject of furnishing cuts suitable for a geo­ graphy and also for Scripture History. G. P . Judd, M. D . was chosen to prepare a set of maps, and to write to the Board respecting cuts or emblems. O n subject no. 14, the following resolutions were adopted: 1. That, in consideration of the instructions of the P ru ­ dential Committee to be particular in all our communica­ tions respecting difficulties with foreigners, we advise Mr. Bingham to transmit to the Prudential Committee, the cor­ respondence laid before this meeting, together with a full explanation of the attending circumstances. 2L. T hat Messrs. Chamberlain, C lark and Judd, be also requested to write to the Board, stating all the important particulars which have come to their knowledge, respecting the recent excitement at this place. 3. T hat we consider the ground, or foundation, of all our difficulties with foreigners, to be laid in the nature of our office as missionaries and preachers of the Gospel. W e feel ourselves bound to give the fourth and seventh command­ ments a place in our instructions in connection with the other commands; we feel bound to preach, to exhort and teach the chiefs to use their exertions to suppress the commission o f crimes,among which we consider murder,infanticide,theft, drunkenness, lewdness, and Sabbath-breaking, all to hold a distinguished place. 4. T hat while we pursue this course, for the good of the cause to which we are devoted, and in accordance with the instructions we have received as missionaries, we will not for­ get that sacred injunction o f our religion, to “ recompense to no man evil for evil,” but “ as far as possible to live peaceably with all men;” and that, in all our conduct, we will cherish towards those who may oppose the principles which we ad­ vocate, the same kind and tender spirit which Jesus Christ exhibited towards his enemies on the cross, and wThich he has especially enjoined upon us, as his ambassadors to the heathen. �♦ 1831.) J e s u its . 15 5. T hat this benevolence which our religion enjoins upon us, requires us to “ do good to all, as we have opportunity;” and as there are many residing here who are removed from the common Christian privileges of their native country, and as many others visit this place, who are debarred from the sanctuary for months and even years together, therefore, Resolved,that unless the American Seam en’s Friend Society relieve us, we feel ourselves under obligations to do all we can, by holding meetings, as far as practicable, for their benefit, by the distribution of tracts, and in such other ways as providence may open before us, to seek their temporal and eternal good; and that no efforts shall be wanting on our part, which are consistent with our multiplied duties, that they may enjoy the privileges of the Gospel, and be led to rejoice in Jesus Christ as their Saviour. On subject no. 15, the following resolutions were adopted: 1. T hat as laborers in the vineyard of our Lord, we view with deep concern the efforts made, to break down the hedges around that V ine which we believe Jesus Christ has here planted, caused to take deep root, till it has filled the land, and to introduce the beast of the field to devour it; and that we unitedly and fervently beseech God, our H elper, to “ return, look down from heaven,behold and visit this vine, and the vineyard which his right hand hath plant­ ed, and the branch which he hath made strong for himself.” 2. T hat while we deeply feel our need of divine interpo­ sition, we resolve that no efforts on our part, consistent with the spirit of the Gospel, shall be wanting to guard this sacred enclosure from the invasion of the threatening foe. 3. T hat we fully subscribe to the principles recognized in our report, presented at the last general meeting, relative to the right of private judgment, and conscience, on the one hand, and the right of the civil government in regard to foreigners, on the other; therefore, 4. T hat we cordially approve ofthe spirit of the rulers of this nation in the measures which they have devised to banish from this country an evil so threatening in prospect to their hightest interests. Nevertheless, 5. Resolved, that while we ra fe sfP thfe chiefs sendyti^ away the Jesuits from these islands, as soon as may be, we caution them against adopting any measures which can ra- �16 MARRIAGE. (1831. tionally be interpreted as persecution for conscience sake; that they also be forbearing, but still decided and energetic. 6. Resolved, that we all feel ourselves at liberty, if cir­ cumstances shall require it, to warn the people from the pulpitr and on other occasions, to beware of this common foe; and that we redouble our diligence as teachers of the Christian Religion, that we may speedily train up an inteligent, thinking people, able to detect the fallacious reas­ onings of errorists, while we beseech God the H oly Spirit to sanctify them “ through the truth.” On subject no. 16, the following resolutions were adopted: 1. T hat the institution of marriage has an important bear­ ing upon the objects of this mission, and that the people should receive special instruction upon this subject from the pulpit and the press. 2. That the marriage of unprincipled foreigners with na­ tive females is highly to be deprecated. 3. T hat we do not consent to anarry any foreigner, unless he offer satisfactory evidence that he has no wife in any other part of the world, and unless he exhibit a written certificate from the Governor, that he has permission to reside permanently on the islands, and unless he has actually been a quiet resident, engaged in some regular em ploym ent at least one year. 4. T hat it be the duty of the senior missionary at each station to make known these resolutions to the chiefs, and the reasons for adopting them: and that one of our number be appointed to write a tract or sermon for publication on the subject of m arriage. On subject no. 17, the following resolution was adopted: That we approve of the P hysician’s building for the medical department, according to his own discretion. On subject no. 18, discussion was held, but no order was taken upon it. On subject no. 19, the following report was adopted: 1. T hat the life of a missionary, from the time of leaving his native land, cannot safely be estimated at more than 20 years; and that considering the length of the voyage, and the time spent in acquiring a new language, 17 years is a �1 8 3 1 .) PECUNIARY VALUE OF MISSIONARY TIME. 17 proper estimate of the time spent in active missionary labor. A lthough a man may do much before he has been 2 years on missionary ground, yet even at the end of that time he conies so far short of the full qualifications for a translator and fbi other missionary duties, that 17 years is as inach time as should be counted in this estimate. 2. T hat a man ot good qualifications for a missionary may actually receive for his labors in A m erica $8 per week with all his expenses paid; which in 20 years would amount to $d,320. If therefore, he were to pursue that e~ con<»mical course which we have pledged ourselves t< do, he wfculd have this sum to devote to the special education o f his children, or otherwise leave for their benetit. It is also presumed that no man qualified to labor as a missionary, could be hired at a lower rate than this, inde­ pendent of his design to benefit the heathen by an actual donation of this time. 3. T hat the actual expense of a missionary to the Board, before he becomes prepared to enter on efficient labor, is at least $2,000. 4. T hat according to the 19th and last report of the Board, the expense of the Sandwich Islands Mission was $8,092; to this should be added at least $1,000 more, as our proportion of the contingent expenses of the Board. This, divided among the families then at the islands, would give $650 to a family. To this,however, should be added a part of the expenses of the lay members, at least half of whose time is devoted to general services for the mission, independent of direct labor for the heathen. This sum in­ creases the annual expenses of a family to $700. 5. T hat one third of our missionary influence is of a general character, exerted through the females of the mis­ sion in connection with our general system, aside from ac ­ tual and effective labor. 6. T hat considering the time spent in domestic cares and arrangem ents and necessary exercise, also the time spent in devotional, critical and general study, for the purpose of increasing our usefulness, we cannot regularly spend more than 4 hours a day in direct active missionary labor. 7. T hat according to the above mentioned principles and estimates, the following is a correct estimate; �18 SACRED TIME. (1831. A ctual donation to the IJoard of 20 years time, $8,320 00 Expense previous to entering on efficient labor, 2,000 00 $10/320 W hich amount being divided upon 17 years effective labor, gives to a single year, To this add actual yearly expenses, 00 607 00 ‘700 00 1,307 00 W hich divided upon the days of the year, gives the expense or value of a single day, 3 55 From this deduct one third for female and general influence, 1 18 W hich leaves $2 37, as the pecuniary val-----ue of a missionary’s four hours of labor, 2 37 that is in round numbers 60 cents per hour. 60 8. That it appears from the above, that when wTe spend a whole day or eight hours in any labor which has no con­ nection with missionary work, or which can be hired to be done by others as well as missionaries, that day should be considered worth $4 74, because two missionary days of 4 hours each are actually spent. 9. T hat in view of the above we consider it to be our imperious duty, and we do most solemnly pledge ourselves to be conscientiously scrupulous in the manner of spend­ ing our time, and that we renew our promise to spend it in that manner which our former vow s and the above calcula­ tion so clearly mark out for us. On subject no. 20, the following resolution was adopted: Resolved, that in our instructions to the people we recom­ mend the religious observance of Sabbath rather than Satur­ day evening; but that while we act according to our own private opinion in our private practice, we will, neverthe­ less, refrain as much as possible from secular business on Saturday evening. On subject no, 21, the following preamble and resolu­ tions were adopted: W e find many reasons for retrenching, where it can properly be done; such as, 1. T he expectations of the Christian public, when, they send out missionaries, that they are entering upon a seli1 \ �1 831,) RETRENCHMENTS. 19 denying work; and their views o fth e m anner in wThieh mis­ sionaries live: 2. The example of Christians in Am erica who are re­ trenching, that they may have more time and money to devote to the Lord: 3. T he self-denying examples and unparalleled success of the M oravians: 4. T he pecuniary pressure now on the Board, which must, from the necessity ofthe case, always rest upon them ; the vast work to be done before the world is evangelized; the wide fields now open to missionary effort, and the wants of those already entered: 5. T he consideration that a large share of missionary funds come from those who have none o fth e superfluities and hardly all the necessaries of life: 6. T he fact, that the most cogent appeals to the Chris­ tian community, not only to contribute to benevolent institu­ tions, but to raise the standard of piety in general, come from the self-denial of missionaries, Therefore, Resolved, 1. T hat each member of the mission give in to the Agent, for his direction in writing to the Board for supplies, an ac­ count, as precise as circumstances will admit, of such articles as he shall want, or of such articles as he can di p. rise with for one or more years to come, 2. T hat, in supplies for food, we will substitute articles of native production, instead of those heretofore received from the Board, as far as can be done at a cheaper rate, without injuring health, and without diverting us from the great ob­ ject of our mission. 3 T hat we will make known to the chiefs and people, in such ways as may be deemed best, the duty of every people to support the Gospel themselves, and encourage them to do this, as far as lies in their power. 4. T hat we will as individuals and as a mission, be gov­ erned in all things by the principles of rigid economy, and do all in our power to lessen the expenses of the mission, so far as the good of C hrist’s cause in these islands will allow. 5. T hat as we frequently receive from chiefs and others presents of a costly kind, which, if used by us may have an unhappy effect on the minds <*f beholders, and thereby prove injurious to our cause we therefore consider it our duty to give instructions to the chiefs and other friends on �20 CHILDREN OF THE MISSIONARIES. (1 8 3 1 . this subject, and strive to induce them to change their pres­ ents to a more useful kind. On subject no 21, M essrs. Andrews, G reen and Judd were appointed a committee to write to the Board on the subject. Children o f the Missionaries. On this subject the following resolutions were adopted: 1. Resolved, that the kindness and solicitude felt and manifested by the Board, in reference to the condition of the children of their missionaries, and the pledge given by the principles they have adopted as published in the H erald for Nov. 18 33, to meet the necessities of the case, demand from us a tribute of lively gratitude. 2. Resolved, that encouraged as we are by this pledge that the friends of missions will do for our offspring what we, from the nature of our office, are by no means able to do ourselves, we feel ourselves bound to dismiss that anxiety for them, which may have borne too heavily on our spirits, and to apply ourselves the more cheerfully to the care of the many thousand children of pagans, who look to us for pastoral influence, and parental guidance. Presents. On this subject the following resolutions were adopted: W hereas there is not a uniformity of practice in this mis­ sion, in relation to the resolutions recorded on the 34th page of the printed minutes for 1830; and whereas said resolu­ tions have been and are liable to be misunderstood, there­ fore, Resolved, 1. T hat we deem it inexpedient to spend our time in keeping a definite and particular account of those light and trifling articles of our presents, which add so very much to their number without adding much to their value; we nev­ ertheless consider it to be our duty to make a faithful gen­ eral estimate of these articles according to our best judgment. 2 T hat we make a distinction between such private presents as are made by relations and particular friends in America, and those donations which are made at the islands, or are by strangers sent to us as missionaries of the B oard; �1 8 31.) 21 STANDING COMMITTEES. the latter to be placed precisely on the same ground with assignments from the depository, the former to be placed entirely at the discretion of the individual receiving them, except that they be mentioned summarily in the annual ac­ count of the station. Minutes. V oted, that the minutes of this meeting be referred to the publishing committee, to make selections for printing, ac­ cording to their own discretion. N ext General Meeting. T he meeting was adjourned to meet at L ahaina, in the first week of June, 1832. STAN D IN G COMM ITTEES FOR 1831. 1. M essrs. Richards, Bingham and Thurston, to wiite a joint letter, &c. P age 5. 2. Messrs. Bingham, Richards, Clark and Chamberlain, to attend to a survey of the M arquesas islands. P age 5. 3. Mr. Richards, to write to the Prudential Committee on the M arquesas subject. P ag e 5. 4. M essrs. Richards, Andrews and Bishop, on the sub­ ject of a Vocabulary. P age 8. 5. Messrs. Richards, Bingham, Thurston, W hitney and Andrews, on the H igh School. P age 8. 6. Messrs. Clark, Chamberlain and Andrews, to write to the Board respecting printing materials, &c. Page 13. 7. M essrs. Bingham, C lark and Chamberlain, to super­ intend the printing department. P age 13. 8. G. P . Judd, M. D ., to prepare a set of maps, and to write to the Board respecting cuts. P age 14. 9. Messrs. Andrews, Green tmd Judd, to write to the Board respecting books. P age 30. �CONTENTS. List of members present, P ag e i - 2~ R eception of Reinforcement, 3 List of subjects for consideration, 4 Subject no. 1.............R eport on printing, - 5 2— Committee to write joint letter, • 5 3 — M arquesas, - * 6 4—P rin ter’s health, 6 5— Location of M r. G reen, - 6 6— Location of the reinforcement, - 7 7— Assignments of translations, &c. 8—-11 8— H igh School for natives, 11 9— N ew distribution of native books, 12 10— Foreign do. do. 12 11— N ew plans for bookmaking, i cy 12— Superintendence o f the press, —' 13 13— M aps and cuts, &c. 14 14— Intercourse with foreigners, - 15 15— Rom an Catholic Mission, 16 16— M arrying foreigners, 16 17— Building for medical department, 18— D uty of churches to support the gosspel, 16 17—-18 19— V alue of M issionary time, - 19 20— Sacred time, . 19 21— Retrenchm ent in supplies, 20 22*—Books for translators, 20 Children of the M issionaries, - 20 P resents, - 21 N ext general meeting, - 21 Standing committees, �On the subject of trading, the following resolutions were severally adopted: 1. T h at whereas the Prudential Committee in their public instructions to this mission, say, “ L et it be apparent that you have nothing to do with traffic or gain; that far nobler objects brought you from your native land, and that you re­ gard all that the world has to offer as of very little value compared with the salvation of a single soul.” Therefore, Resolved, that we are sacredly bound, one and all, to ob­ serve the utmost circumspection in regard to trading, and never to lose sight, either in buying or selling, of the prin­ ciple brought to view in the instructions of the Board above quoted. 2. Resolved, that no one of our number can be justified in engaging in trade of any kind, either with natives or for­ eigners, farther than will subserve the interests of the cause which wre are laboring to advance. S. Resolved,that when the general good may be promoted by the sale o f any redundant articles, or savings by retrench­ ment, or as will necessarily happen,proceeds of native books, the avails of such articles sold shall be common stock and at the disposal of the Mission. 4. Resolved, that in the sale of those articles which are now becoming redundant in the mission, on account of hav­ ing been received from the Board, or been manufactured on the ground, such as beef, pork, sugar, molasses and butter, we think 100 per cent, on the American price current is the highest price which we can be justified in receiving. � 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 Sandwich Islands Mission Meeting Minutes 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 Sandwich Islands Mission Meeting Minutes - 1831 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1831