Life and times of Mrs. Lucy G. Thurston, wife of Rev. Asa Thurston, pioneer missionary to the Sandwich Islands

Front matter

BV

MRS, LUCY G, THURSTOr,

LIFE AND TIMES

Preface

It was more than thirty years ago that an editor applied to me for an Essay to put into his Periodical Pamphlet. Subject : " Sketches of Missionary Life at the Sandwich Islands,'* — " Sketches grave and gay, showing the lights and shadows, the ups and downs, the trials, perplexities, joys and sorrows of missionary life." He wished this subject handled fi-om a point that came within the special range of the observation and experience of the ladies.

Then, in the earnest strife of life, I failed to give a description. Now, in the repose of age, I spread out the subject in minute detail

Of my writings during the first twenty-four years of my life, not a vestige now remains. In the very commencement of missionary life, my husband stixjiigly advised me to preserve a <copy of my letters, and gave me a blank book for the purpose. Thus I commenced, and, under his influence, formed a habit of so doing. I have, by the preserved copies of my letters, noted in their circuit all the years of my pilginmage.

Now, wrapped in the folds of age, of widowhood, of solitude and infirmities, I feel the gi-eat importance of independent resources of happiness. In the fear of Cjod, I said, "What wilt Thou have me to dof ** My mind turned to the writings which had accumulated beneath my hand. My physical and mental powers ere equal to extracting and arranging a volume from the mass. It is the only legacy I can leave my children and grandchildren, the only way I can warn, enlighten and cheer the future daught^irs of our country who engage in the missionary enterprise. It is the only remaining service I can do for the public by whose contri-

[V PREFACE.

butions I have been sustained all these years. It is an expression Df thanks to the great and good Father, to whom all is due. Offerings to Him, He accepts ; but He waves them into channels which will convey blessings to His other chileren.

In the silence and solitude of night, with my study lamp, I took the writings of 1819 ; I read and re-read them. Thus engaged, I was lost in reverie. I was young again, and I saw my father's family surrounding me, so loving and so lovely. Many, many noble friends had assembled with them. All happy and exuberant. I too. It appeared to me a grand jubilee. So real> so near they all seemed, that when about to open these lips to speak to them in an easy manner, a thrill went through me» These friends have all outstripped me in the race. They have become as the angels of light. I alone am left in the wilderness^ but happy : so happy that it was long that night before I could sleep.

Thus the dim eyes of 1872 turned back and fastened upon the vigor and bloom of 1819. Fiivst driven, then drawn, to the work of lifers supplement. It is my dying bequest to the living, when I shall have passed beyond the reach of censui'e and applause* Meantime, while alone, walking the shady vale, preparing its pages, I shall admit to my bosom the solace, that she hath done what sTie could.

LUCY G. THURSTON.

NuuANU Valley, Nov. 8, 1872.

Contents

MtkSvSionary and Family History. Educating Childrbk of Heathen Ground in Pioneer Life.

1819. article 1. Kamehameha and "Obookiah." 2. Great Loneliness. Desire to Learn the Will of the Supreme. 3. Invitation to join a Missionary Band, and its Results. Remarkable Conversion. 4. A Dream. A. Marriage. 5. Missionaries Met at Boston. Organized into a Church. Received Public Instructions. 6. Parting Address. 7. Embarkation and Voyage. 8. Letter from a Sister to Sisters. Sorrow for Separation from one so Dearly Loved. 9. Voyage and Experiences. Page 1 — 25.

1820. article 10. Hawaii in Sight. 11. Destruction of Idolatry. 12. Second Priest. 13. Missionary Movement in New England. 14. First Interview with Natives. 15. Arrival of Principal Chiefs. 16. Sewing Circle. 17. Kalanimoku. 18. Anchored and Went Ashore. 19. King Dines on Board. 20. Several Missionaries go ashore. 21. King's Position and Views. 22. Permitted a Residence on Shore. 23. Two Hawaiian Youth and Two American Missionaries. 24. Table, 25. Development of our Associates. 26. Feast in Honor of Kamehameha I. 27. Preaching and School. 28. Native Manners and Customs, and Domestic Privations. 29. A Royal Feast. 30. Peculiar Exhibition that Marked the Times. 31. Life Alone, No. 1. 32. Life Alone, No. 2. 33. Life Alone, No. 3. 34. Removal from Kailua to Maui. 35. Stay at Maui. 36. Rejnoval from Maui to Honolulu. . 26 — 54.

Part Third-1 870

I'^XrUACi^S FROM LETTERS. COKCLFSION.

1S7I-2.

ARTrcLE I. Tlninke,i>-ivini>- Dirniei*. 2. (Trandmotliers' Tea Party 3. Battle Fields of 1a%. LifV^ Alone. 272-- 271K

1874.

ARTICLE 4. Letter- to Mrs. Pei\si.s (t. Taylor. 5. Death of a Grandmn, 6. Mai'riag(^ of a (iranddan^^'bter. 7. To Secretai'y of the Mission Children's iSoeiety. 8. Advice on Faiteiing- Married Life. 9. Blessed Path that Leads to a Blessed Death. 10. Death of a (Trandchild Five Months Old. 279— 2114.

1875-6, ARTICLE 11. S])rint!* Sn<-e<»eds Winter. 12. To the Readers of the Precedinfj;- Pa^"(*s. 13. IVh iinnia! Discourse. 14. Mrs. Lucy G. Thurston. 295-^-308.

MES. LUCY G. TIU'KSTOX By Rev. D. Dole.

To the Spirit world departed, Nobly has the race been run ;

Not in 801TOW, heavy hearted.

Grieve we that the prize i.s won.

Not <leBponding-, not in sadness Bid we her a shoi't farewell ;

But we rest in g-i'atefiil gladness That her work is done so well.

'Mid the darkness of Kailua

Long" she shone, a heavenly light ;

Guide — there was none kinder, truer. Leading wanderers to the right.

Passed in cheerful self-denial, Eigjity years sped swiftly by,

Then commenced the grevious trial, Gold from dross to purify.

Long in weariness she waited,

Suffering waited, longed and prayed, Prayed with fervoi* unabated.

Still the summons was delayed.

^'er the river frequent glances Sought some heavenly glory there,

Glory, which the soul entrances- Glory, which the ransomed shai-e.

Came at length the welcnme message— "Cross the river, wiating one,''

*Twas indeed a joyous presage Of a triumph nobly won ;

Won through grace, in Christ l)elieving, All the praise to him belongs;

From his fullness still receiving, Ne*er shall cease her grateful soDgs.