THREE EARLY CHRISTIAN LEADERS OF

By

Oscar E. Maurer, D. D.

Former Moderator, General Council of Congregational Christian Churches

Published by

The Board of the Hawaiian Evangelical Association

Honolulu, T. H.—May, 1945 „ ...

With the cempllmenfs of the Autnof

THREE EARLY CHRISTIAN LEADERS OF HAWAII

CONTENTS

Page

I. BARTIMEA LALANA PUAAIKI

The Blind Preacher of - 3

II. Hawaiian Preacher of Social Righteousness 11

III. JAMES HUNNEWELL KEKELA to the Marquesans 21 First Ordained Hawaiian Minister

Note: The preparation of the three brief biographies which follow has afforded me a great deal of pleasure. It has been to me but another evidence of the power of the Christian message. I trust that those who read these stories will, with me, be impressed by what Jesus Christ can do in the lives of those who serve him fully.

I want to acknowledge my indebtedness to the following people who have helped me, both in unearthing material and in check- ing what I have written: Miss Bernice Judd, Librarian of the Hawaiian Mission Children's Society; Miss Ethel M. Damon, her- self the author of outstanding books on the early history of Ha- waii; Miss Emily V. Warinner, who was for many years the Managing Editor of The Friend; and the personnel at the Public Archives of Hawaii. Without their help this piece of work would not have been possible.

OSCAR E. MAURER Bartimka- Lalana Puaaiki

Sketch probably made in the for Mr. Bingham's story of Bartimea printed by the American Tract Society

I BARTIMEA LALANA PUAAIKI

The Blind Preacher of Maui

St. Paul was willing to become a fool rescue by a relative, would however, have for Christ's sake, and in the first Christian been a doubtful favor, except for the cir- century there were many who were glad cumstances of his later years, for he is said to be rated "fools of God" by their to have been. an ungoverned child, and his sophisticated pagan contemporaries. But name Puaaiki, (Little Hog) perhaps bears when a professional jester sickens of his this out. Among other habits he early ac-

folly and opens his mind to wisdom; when quired a fondness for awa, a narcotic root a blind man achieves inner vision, he, too, injurious in its effects on body and mind deserves a place in the annals of spiritual when used to excess. He became skillful regeneration. in the hula pahua, a dance of the classical or heroic era in Polynesia which was, even

BARTIMEA LALANA PUAAIKI, of in Bartimea's time, becoming obsolete, as

Maui, was such a person. From the very Dr. N. B. Emerson states. It was accom- beginning his life was subjected to de- panied by a low, monotonous chant and gradation. The exact date of his birth, in rhythmic beating of chest and drum, often

Waikapu, is not known, but it was prob- mounting to frenzied manifestations which

ably about 1785, thirty-five years before in the capable hands of a court jester no the Gospel came to the Islands. He evident- doubt became ridiculous contortions. ly was an ill-favored child, or may have been considered a nuisance by his mother, When he became a man in years, Puaa-

for she attempted to bury him alive. His iki was of dwarflike stature, nearly blind.

[3] and diseased. His unkempt beard hung the preach. Perhaps the very down to his breast. His only garments fact that he was practically sightless made were an old dirty kihei, or native kapa, his hearing more acute. At any rate Puaa- thrown over his shoulders, and a malo, or iki heard in more than a physical sense. loincloth. His ludicrous appearance and Our present age, preoccupied with scienti- his skill as a dancer attracted the atten- fic analysis of mental and spiritual as well tion of Kamamalu, the favorite queen of as physical phenomena, is sceptical of sud- Liholiho, Kamehameha II, and she attach- den conversions. However, among the data ed him to her retinue, not as a companion to be considered in the analysis of Puaa- but as a court fool or jester, sending for iki's experience there remains the attested him when she and the chiefs felt in need fact that this wretched, blind, pagan heard of entertainment, and rewarding him with and accepted something which completely pittances of food and potions of his fav- and permanently changed his life. orite awa. Such were the conditions of The fact that there had been a complete Puaaiki's life when the first missionaries change was soon proven when the chiefs arrived at Kailua in the spring of 1820. sent for Puaaiki to entertain them with the He was already past his thirty-fifth year. hula. It was dangerous to refuse such a re- "he The king and chiefs were in Kailua quest, but he sent back the answer that when the pioneer missionaries arrived, but had done with the service of sin and Satan serve the were about to remove to which and that henceforth he would of the was to be the future capitol of the mon- king of heaven." Instead making archy. Having given the missionaries per- chiefs angry the courageous answer ap- for there is no mission to remain in the Islands for a sea- parently impressed them, it tried son, the royal party sailed for . Rev. evidence that they resented or to Hiram Bingham accompanied them and prevent him from receiving Christian in- the nearly blind dancer was also in the struction. Indeed, some of the chiefs them- party. In Honolulu he had a severe illness selves soon afterwards began taking a which so aggravated his eye-trouble that serious interest and all of them were he was unable to make his customary visits friendly to the mission. Queen Kamamalu, so to the Queen, who promptly forgot her who had been Puaaiki's patroness, was poor jester. While in a pitiable condition far influenced by the gospel as to aban- of sickness and hunger, Puaaiki was visited don many of her pagan habits and to at- by Honolii, a Hawaiian youth who had tend in some measure to instruction in the attended the Missionary School in Corn- Christian faith. wall, , where Henry Opuka- Puaaiki not only experienced an entire haia had also been a pupil. Honolii spoke change of heart himself, but almost im- to Puaaiki of a great physician who, only, mediately began telling the good news to could heal his maladies and restore his others. He returned to Maui and was sight. Let the incredulous scoff, but it was already laboring among his former com- then that the fool had his first flash of panions when Rev. Messrs. Richards and wisdom. He eagerly asked, "What is Stewart took charge of the mission station that?" Honolii told him about Jesus Christ, at Lahaina, May 31, 1823. The station the Great Physician of souls and he said Journal under date of January, 1824 con- at once that he wanted to go where he tains the entry, "A Pious Blind Man:

could hear about him. As soon as he was There is perhaps no one in the nation who able to crawl he went with Honolii to hear has given more uninterrupted and decisive

[4] "

proof of the saving knowledge of the truth was no stranger there. His bending pos- as it is in Jesus than has Puaaiki, a poor ture, his clasped hands, his elevated but blind man who has been mentioned in the sightless countenance, the peculiar em- Journal kept in Honolulu. No one has phasis with which he uttered the exclama- manifested more childlike simplicity and tion, '0 Jehovah,' his tenderness, his im- meekness of heart— no one appears more portunity, made me feel that he was pray- uniformly humble, devout, pure and up- ing to a God not far off, but to one who right. He is always at the house of God, was nigh, even in the midst of us. His and there, ever at the preacher's feet. If was a prayer not to be forgotten; it touch- he happens to be approaching our habita- ed our very souls, and we believe it would tions at the time of family worship, which have touched the soul of anyone not a has been frequently the case, the first note stranger to the meltings of a pious spirit." of praise or of prayer word which meets In April of 1825, Puaaiki was examined his ear, produces an immediate and most as to his fitness for church membership and observable change in his whole aspect . . . his name was propounded to the church Indeed, so peculiar has the expression of at Lahaina. Mr. Richards, who conducted his countenance sometimes been, both in the examination, wrote in his Journal, public and domestic worship, especially "While questioning this blind convert from when he has been joining in a in his hymn heathenism, my mind has often turned to own language ... an expression so indica- the thousands in America, who with all tive of peace and elevated enjoyment, that their light and all their privileges, have tears have involuntarily in started our not half the knowledge of the Gospel that eyes . . . He is poor and despised in his he has." After a probationary period of person, small almost to deformity, and his three months the candidate was baptised countenance, from the loss of his sight, not and received into the church. "On the prepossessing; still, in our judgment, he 10th of July, 1825," records Mr. Richards, bears on him 'the image and superscrip- "did we reap the first fruits in this field tion' of Christ. If so, how striking an ex- of the Lord." Puaaiki chose the baptismal ample of the truth of the Apostle's declara- names of Bartimea Lalana, the first from tion, 'God hath chosen the weak things the New Testament character and the sec- of the world to confound the wise, and the ond from the city of London, in accordance weak things of the world to confound the with a Hawaiian custom of thus noting things which are mighty; and the base events, in this case the recent visit of his things of the world, and things which are former patrons, the King and Queen, and despised, chosen, yea, and things hath God their death in that city. His signature, things which are not, to bring to naught evidently written with the help of a guid- that are, that no flesh should glory in his ing hand, is the first in the list of native presence! converts recorded to this day in the manu-

In 1824 Rev. Charles Stewart, in his re- script annals of the Hawaiian Church. port to the American Board, wrote, "We Bartimea continued in Lahaina, a grow- called on Puaaiki to address the throne of ing and useful Christian, untiring in his grace. We had never heard him pray; but efforts to bring others to Christ. Among his petitions were made with a pathos of these was Daniel Ii, formerly one of his feeling, a fervency of spirit, a fluency and companions, who became an earnest propriety of diction, and above all, a Christian and was afterwards a magistrate humility of soul, that plainly told that he and trusted agent of the chiefs on Maui;

[5] also David Malo, a gifted youth, whose ex- cite the history of clan or race in their perience will be related in a separate arti- chants or metes, and Bartimea was en- cle. Among the alii, and his wife, dowed with this faculty. Rev. Mr. Arm- Hoapiliwahine, and other chiefs became strong, with whom he was later associated devoted Christian rulers. on Maui, said in his obituary of Bartimea, "He possessed a mind of the first order. In the spring or summer of 1829, Barti- Probably no man on the Isle, whether na- mea was invited by some of the chiefs to tive or foreigner, held at convenience so go with them to Hilo. Having become much scripture language in the Hawaiian Christians, with true missionary zeal they tongue. Many of his discourses mainly wished to strengthen the work which had consisted in quotations from the , in recently been started on the Big Island. which he often mentioned both chapter There were no high chiefs in the region of and verse. Long before the whole Scrip- Hilo and the low chiefs were hostile to tures were translated and printed in the the Gospel. It was therefore a field for native tongue, Bartimea would quote Christian toil and self-denial, well adapted readily and correctly from the parts not to the zeal, energy and perseverance of yet translated, merely from having heard Bartimea. The work was greatly helped them repeated in sermons, Bible classes, by the presence of the chiefs, and further

Sabbath and social occasions . . . Not a inspiration was given by the visit of the sentence escaped him; all was laid up Christian Queen Regent, Kaahumanu, in safely in his memory for future use. He 1830. On her advice, Bartimea accepted has been known to rise before an audience the invitation of Rev. Mr. Goodrich, the and deliver from memory the substance of resident missionary, to remain at Hilo for a sermon heard fifteen years previously. a time. Mr. Goodrich records, "He stood He would begin by telling the name of the by my side and held up my hands in my preacher, and would mention the time, labors and trials as pastor of that infant place and circumstances of the occasion. As church. He not only exhorted the people an orator Bartimea was certainly among to learn to read, so that they might be able the first if not the very first in his nation." to search the Scriptures, and thus to be- come wise unto salvation, but he actually This was printed in The Friend for gave them an example of learning him- February 1844; the italics are ours. self." Such a gift might reasonably be a source The humid climate of Hilo, the verdant of pride. For Bartimea it was not so, for fields and less dazzling sunshine seem to Mr. Armstrong goes on to say, "The charm have had a restorative effect upon his eyes, of his character was his childlike, humble, and a slight improvement in sight enabled modest and considerate piety." him to discern printed characters when In 1834 Bartimea returned to Maui, the page was held close to his face. But where he lived and labored until his death. the strain aggravated the eye disease and He cultivated his own taro, bananas, and he reluctantly abandoned his hopes of a small patch of cane, and was never, then learning to read. Indeed, his remarkable or later, a charge upon the people he memory of the Scriptures which he had served. Apart from providing himself with heard from the missionaries, made reading the bare necessities of living his time was unnecessary. Among the Hawaiians there given to magnifying his Lord. "I have were, and still are, those who have an ex- been with him by day and by night," says

traordinary memory, enabling them to re- Rev. J. S. Green in his Life of Bartimea,

[6] "at home and abroad; on the Sabbath and effect was the contrast between getting a on other days; in the house of God and Christian education now and a heathen

said, 'I been in his own humble dwelling . . . and I can education formerly. He have truly say that I have never known a more twice educated. In the time of dark hearts consistent and growing Christian." I learned the hula and the lua (the art of murder and robbery), and the kake (a He was particularly interested in the language unintelligible to any but those establishment of in Sunday Schools which initiated into its mysteries). I learned older people and children alike might learn mischief in those days, and did it cost me the Bible. quality of his The mind and nothing? Had we not to pay those mis- his power of expression is revealed in a chievous teachers? Ah, think of the hogs plea which he before the congrega- made and kapa and fish and awa and other tion at Wailuku in 1837, when Mr. Arm- things we used to give them; and we did it strong had called the people together in cheerfully. We thought it all well spent. an effort to improve the common and mis- But how is it now? Here are men of our sion schools. A delegation of young men own blood and nation, whose business it is from the Mission High School at Lahaina to teach us and our children good things, spoke of the need for education. "Many the things of God and salvation, how to good, sensible things were said by these read our , geographies, arithmetics, young men," reported Mr. Armstrong. and ought we not cheerfully to support "But the most eloquent speaker arose last. them? How can they teach if they have

This was Bartimea . . . who spoke with the nothing to eat and nothing to wear? Will most happy effect . . . Would that I had they not soon get tired of this? Who can in writing this as well as other addresses work when he is hungry? Let us take hold I have heard him make. They would, I and help, and do it cheerfully.' think, vie with some of the best efforts of the conclusion of these remarks our Indian orators, and in Christian senti- "At evidently feeling in the ment would, doubtless, surpass them. But there was much assembly, and to test it I first called upon he cannot write, and it is difficult for him the parents, if they approved of schools to gather up his precise remarks after they and were willing to send their children reg- have flowed from his lips. He pointed to signify it. whole the multitude of children who were run- ularly to the school, to The their hands. Again I ning wild like the goats, without care or assembly held up willing aid in instruction, and not only so but in most called upon all who were to in the of cases injured more by the filthy conver- the support of the teachers way sation and wicked conduct of their parents food particularly, (for this is all they have give), to rise. fifty arose. On than by anything else. He reflected to About that this severely on the chiefs for their indifference the whole, I am not without hope has given an impulse to our school in regard to schools. He appealed to the meeting operations which will be highly benefi- great assembly if they had looked on the happy effect of the Gospel in these islands cial." for seventeen years and were yet unbeliev- In 1838 came the long hoped-for revi- ing as to the value of instruction. He told val, when the Spirit of God moved upon them that civilized nations treated them the mass of the population and brought and their chiefs as children and domineered forth the fruit of the seed in faith, nour- over them because they were so ignorant. ished with power and watered by tears. No But the point he illustrated with happiest one rejoiced more than Bartimea. "The

[7] heart of the good old man semed to over- he finally accepted the invitation so that flow with joy," writes Mr. Green. "No he could give his full time to the church painter could do justice to the heaven- at that place and to the people of Kahiki- illuminated countenance of our friend . . . nui, a destitute district beyond Honuaula. Often have I thought when seeing him Accordingly, at a public meeting of the seemingly laboring under the weight of his church and congregation in February, holy emotion, of good old Simeon when he 1843, he was commissioned as an evangel- exclaimed, 'Lord, now lettest thou thy ist with the Honuaula district as his parti- servant depart in peace, according to thy cular pastoral responsibility. word; for mine eyes have seen thy salva- Bartimea was not long to exercise his " tion.' functions, however, for only a few months In consequence of the revival the desire afterwards he was taken with a serious for religious instruction greatly increased, digestive disorder and was obliged to re- and hundreds flocked into Wailuku, some turn to Wailuku for treatment. "He seemed coming from fifteen to twenty miles away. to have a presentiment from the com- It soon became evident that this was im- mencement of his sickness that he should practicable, and, therefore, the people in not recover," says Mr. Green, "but the various districts erected their own meeting thought of death gave him no alarm. Why and houses. For leaders Messrs. Green should it? He knew whom he had believed. Armstrong selected the most promising On the Lord Jesus Christ he had, long be- in church members and instructed them fore, cast himself for time and eternity. the Scriptures, in the elements of moral This surrendry had been succeeded by a science and in church history. Bartimea sweet peace. He had the hope of the was a prominent member of this class, Christian. True, he did not escape the buf- qualified although he was already better fetings of Satan. The Lord suffered him other than any member. for a little season to be tried, but the sin- Early in 1839 Bartimea was ordained to cerity of his profession, the genuineness the office of deacon or elder in the Wai- of his hope, and the intensity of his love luku church. Three years later, in 1842, he were never more apparent. Hence prob- was licensed to preach, somewhat tardily ably the reply which he made to his pastor, by modern standards, for he had been Rev. Mr. Clark, when asked how he felt in preaching with power for years before this view of another world—T fear I am not official recognition was granted him. A prepared—my sins are very great.' When further evidence of his humility is his re- he turned away, so to speak, from the cross fusal to preach from the pulpit, consider- of Christ, to look at his own sinful heart, ing it more fitting for him to speak from he seemed well nigh desponding; but a the floor on a level with his fellow-con- view, by faith, of his gracious Lord made verts. For a time he was an itinerant, the prospect of going to dwell with Him spending about three weeks of the month exceedingly desirable. Bartimea, however, at some of the outstations and returning did not say much which might be called a for a Sabbath at Wailuku, saying, "I have dying testimony in favor of the truths of come back to recruit my stores." The religion, as many others have done. There people at Honuaula, an outstation of Wai- was less need that he should do so. His luku, some twenty miles distant, gave him daily conversation, his holy example, and an invitation to settle with them and after his unremitted labors in the cause of the including them in his itinerary for a time blessed Master, had borne ample testi-

[8] —

mony, and by these, he being dead, yet we know that if our earthly house of this speaketh ... He slept in death on Sabbath tabernacle were dissolved, we have a build- evening, September 17, 1843, and entered, ing of God, a house not made with hands, as there is the most cheering reason to be- eternal in the heaven," his brethren with lieve, into the rest which 'remaineth for tender, believing hearts and gentle hands " the people of God.' so different from the customs of former In the large concourse which attended days—laid his earthly tabernacle into the his funeral in Wailuku, there were scores grave, thanking God for a spirit which had of converts whose feet had been led into surmounted sin and misery and had found the paths of Christian faith by Bartimea its way, through inner vision, to the Lalana. After a sermon on the text, "For Heavenly Father's heart.

19] David Malo

Sketch by A. Agate engraved for Pickering's The Races of Men DAVID MALO

Hawaiian Preacher of Social Righteousness

Mr. Ralph S. Kuykendall, in an article king's retinue. Malo, therefore, grew up in the Hawaii Educational Review for in close association with personages of November 1932, comments on the fact that rank, such as Auwai, favorite chief of Ka- little attention has been paid by writers mehameha, versed in Hawaiian traditions on Hawaii to the influence exerted by and customs. Early in life Malo was taken David Malo in the formative years of the into the family of Chief , Gover- . This present sketch nor Adams, brother of Queen Kaahumanu. does not presume to remedy such over- His keen intelligence and retentive memory sight, but is merely a sincere though in- gave him the reputation of being the best adequate effort to place before the present acquainted with the old state of things generation an outline of a gifted and force- as they existed in Hawaii before the intro- ful personality, with the hope that some duction of , and he was a fav-

future author will complete the task in the orite among the chiefs because of his comprehensive volume which the subject knowledge of the traditional songs, chants deserves. and dances.

DAVID MALO was born about 1793 at While still a young man and before leav- Keauhou, North Kona, on the island of ing the island of Hawaii, Malo married Hawaii, the son of Aoao and Heone. His A'alaioa, a widow of chiefish blood, who father, who had been a soldier in the army died without children. About 1823 he re- of , was attached to the moved to Lahaina, Maui, and soon after-

[11] wards entered into his second marriage, thew into Hawaiian and made it a practice this time by a Christian ceremony, taking to submit his translation to his pupil for to wife Pahia, also of chiefish blood, who, correction and comment, and in this way too, died without children. By a third Malo mastered this and other portions of marriage to a young woman of Lahaina, the Bible. In 1828 he confessed his faith Lepeka, or Rebecca, he became the father in Christ and was received into the mem- of a daughter whom he named A'alaioa, in bership of the church at Lahaina, taking memory of his first wife. This marriage the name David in baptism. clouded was the cause of bitter sorrow and During the early years of Malo's resi- much of his life with melancholy, espe- dence at Lahaina, there occurred a series cially in his later years. of events which profoundly influenced his relations with his people and made Malo's removal to Lahaina was the turn- own him for the rest of his life their champion ing point of his career, for it was there that he met Rev. William Richards, who had against exploitation by foreigners. The Islands frequently been settled in that place as a missionary, in Sandwich had visited merchant ships before the ad- 1823, at the invitation of the Queen-Moth- by vent of the American Protestant Mission- er, Keopuolani, and who subsequently be- aries in it an under- came Minister of Education after the 1820, and would be the people establishment of constitutional government statement to say that Hawaiian been such visits. While in the Kingdom. This meeting was the had improved by were merchants, masters beginning of a life-long friendship in which there undoubtedly officers in the Tropics, ob- teacher and pupil were to be associated in and who, even served the moral codes of Puritan Boston, mutual labors for the development of reli- whence of gion, education and government in the Salem and London, from many hailed, it admitted that these Kingdom of Hawaii. The two personalities them must be for the crews, complemented each other. Malo's qualities were in the minority. As main, recruited of mind and character challenged the they were, in the from men of little principle, thought they could teacher, and the teacher's skill and sym- who let or pathetic understanding awakened and set indulge themselves without hindrance licentiousness free the best in the pupil. An apt scholar in drunkenness and when of the Pacific in the lore of his people, Malo gave himself they reached the islands with characteristic enthusiasm to learning Ocean. the Christian teaching and comparing the As the influence of the missionaries be- two. Though he never acquired freedom gan to make itself felt, many of the native in English, he soon mastered the art of chiefs, though by no means all, began im- reading his own langauge and is said to posing restraints not only upon drunken- have read everything that appeared from ness and licentiousness but also upon the the newly established mission press at methods of trade by which the natives had Honolulu and afterwards at Lahainaluna. been outrageously exploited. The Queen He accumulated a library containing all Regent, Kaahumanu, professed the Chris- the books then published in Hawaiian. As tian faith in 1825 and was admitted to most of these were upon the subject of membership in the church at Honolulu. A religion, he became familiar, and sym- law was proclaimed the same year pro- pathetically so, with the truths of Chris- hibiting native women from going on board tianity. Mr. Richards was engaged in foreign ships for immoral purposes. The translating the Gospel according to Mat- result was a conflict, which often became

[12] violent, between seamen and traders on the tests, he had forced to accompany him one hand and chiefs and missionaries on during his cruise. Therefore his reply in the other. Rev. Mr. Bingham and his substance was, "Comply with the wishes family were assaulted in Honolulu by sea- of the sailors and there will be peace and men from the U. S. S. Dolphin, com- quietness." Two days after these assaults manded by Lieut. John Percival, who ap- the men returned, bearing a black flag and proached Queen Kaahumanu herself in a armed with knives and pistols. This time threatening manner in his determination they found a guard of Hawaiians who dis- to win for his men their accustomed privi- persed the invaders and kept strict watch leges. Other instances of a similar nature about the missionary's house until the ship could be given, but the outrages committed sailed for Honolulu. on Mr. Richards and his family in October, Mr. Richards, quite properly, sent a re- with the consequences of which Malo 1825, port of the outrage to the American Board connected, will suffice. was of Commissioners for Foreign Missions at The British whaleship Daniel, Captain Boston. It was printed in the Missionary Buckle, Master, dropped anchor at Lahai- Herald and was copied in many news- na, and instead of being greeted by the papers. In the meantime, before the fact customary throng of native women, found of this publicity had become known in none. The crew at once blamed the mis- Honolulu, another outrage, even more seri- sionaries for this invasion of what they ous, was perpetrated upon Mr. Richards considered their time-honored rights, and and Chief Hoapili, the governor of Maui. became enraged. Two of them visited Mr. The crew of the English whaleship, John Richards after sunset and uttered com- Palmer, Captain Clark, Master, anchored plaints and threats. They were followed off Lahaina and enticed several women on

- board. Hoapili demanded their return ac- by others who , in the presence of Mrs. Richards and children, threatened his cording to the law of the nation. The cap- house and life and the lives of all his tain evaded and ridiculed the demand. One family. Mr. Richards replied, "We have day when the captain was ashore, the gov- left our country to devote our lives, ernor detained him, insisting that the whether shorter or longer, to the salvation women should be returned. The captain of the heathen. We hope that we are got word to his men by boats from another equally prepared for life or death, and ship, to commence firing their cannon upon shall throw our breasts open to your knives the town if he were not released in an hour. rather than retrace the steps we have His son, however, promised that if the gov- taken." Mrs. Richards, too, said that she ernor would release the captain, the women was ready to share the fate of her husband, would be set ashore. The crew, in the but that she had expected better treatment meantime, began firing according to orders from members of her own race. The mob, and sent five balls in the direction of the somewhat abashed by her courageous mission house before they heard of the stand, withdrew without acts of actual captain's release. Mr. Richards and his violence, but threatening to return. A note family were forced to seek refuge in the was sent to Captain Buckle requesting him cellar during the bombardment, amid cir- to control the conduct of his men. He was cumstances of great terror. The next not in a position to interfere, because he morning Capt. Clark sailed for Oahu with- had on board his vessel, at that very time, out releasing the women. a Hawaiian woman whom, against her pro- The news that Mr. Richards had re-

[13] ported the outrages to the United States Which of the two did Kamehameha cause reached Honolulu near the close of 1827 to be slain?" and aroused great indignation among sea- "Kanihonui," answered the Queen. har- men and traders at that port. They "In what country," continued Malo, rassed the chiefs so continually and the pressing his point, "is it the practice to excitement great that the queen became so condemn the man who gives true informa- ordered the principal chiefs and Mr. tion of crime committed and let the crimi- Richards to to Honolulu for investi- come nal go uncensured and unpunished?" gation. The charge against him was not "Nowhere," said the queen. so much that he had misrepresented facts, "Why then," persisted Malo, "should as that he had made known in America we condemn Mr. Richards, who has sent how foreigners conducted themselves in to his country true information, and justify these islands. Even John Young, the com- these foreigners whose riotous conduct is panion and counsellor of Kamehameha I, known to all of us?" said that it was wrong of Mr. Richards to write to America. The queen, greatly relieved, replied, "The case is very plain: Mr. Richards is Malo, who had witnessed the outrages the just one we chiefs are very ignorant." and had already given his version of them — She then conferred with the chiefs who to the queen, accompanied Mr. Richards were well disposed and secured a decision to Honolulu for the hearing. His acquaint- to protect Mr. Richards. ances with Kaahumanu and her confidence in him were to stand Mr. Richards and The next morning the British consul, his fellow-missionaries in good stead. together with Capt. Buckle—whose ship had reached Honolulu at the same time as She called Malo to her side and said to the arrival of the offending report— him, with tears, "What can we do for our and several merchants, entered the council teacher? for even Mr. Young and Boki room and demanded that Mr. Richards be say that he was guilty in writing to punished. But the queen stuck to her de- America." cision and the matter was ended. The Malo replied, "The foreigners certainly same cannot, however, be said of subse- are very inconsistent, for they say it is quent actions of foreigners. very foolish to pray, but very well to learn The hearing upon the charges against to read and write, and now they condemn Mr. Richards marks a cardinal date in Ha- Mr. Richards, not for praying but for writ- waiian government, for, as a consequence, ing a letter. But let us look at this case. the first formal legislation by the chiefs If some of your most valuable property was enacted and proclaimed, December 14, should be stolen and you should be grieved 1827, providing the death penalty for mur- for the loss of it, and someone should give der, and imprisonment in irons for theft information of the thief so that you could and adultery. Other laws were enacted regain your property, whom would you soon thereafter, and on October 7, 1829 blame, the informer or the thief?" the king in a formal announcement pro- queen. "The thief, surely," said the claimed, "The laws of my country prohibit Malo went on: "Kanihonui was guilty murder, theft, adultery, fornication, retail- of improper conduct with one of the wives ing ardent spirits at houses for selling of Kamehameha, and Luluhe was knowing spirits, amusements on the Sabbath day, to the fact and gave him information. gambling and betting on the Sabbath day

[ 14] —!

and at all times." Malo was asked by the We are borne away, carried away; the very depths of us are torn from us this chiefs to draw up a code in 1827, but de- by passionate grief. clined to take the responsibility, although Our true liege lady was she, and I grieve. the Preface to the Laws of 1842 states that Love as to a sister is mine, yet not to a several of the original laws were written sister. Yea, a sister, chosen and separate in the Lord, born of the Holy Spirit, of by him. the one Father of us all. Thus, thus I In 1831, Malo, already in his thirty- feel that she is mine to sorrow for. The precious name, sister, is indeed ours [to eighth year, was one of the first to enter use] by dear inheritance. Alas, my sister! the recently organized Mission High School my beloved sharer in the sweet labor of the voice [i. e. conversation]. Oh, my be- in Lahainaluna which was to fit so many loved ! my beloved ! Oh centre of thought young Hawaiians for service in church and The voice is the staff that love leans upon. state. At the school he was one of a group With the voice we seek common treasures together, sweet of brilliant students, such as John Ii and converse together. Gone Gone—Gone! Boaz Mahune, who were interested in the Oh lady, seeking shelter from the Waahila cultural development of their nation and rain of Kona, the cutting rain with the influential in the formation of the first Ha- wind beating against the house gables! Oh lady, companion on the hot, sun-beaten waiian constitution in 1839, and later of plains of Paoho! Oh lady beloved, in the the Laws of 1842. The following year, cold rain of Nuuanu! We flee together; 1832, death deprived him of his royal there is nothing, all is in vain,—empty, forsaken. Confusion all tangled together; friend and patroness, Kaahumanu. His there is no more love, no more good; it is grief and veneration for her found expres- an enemy that is now with us! Alas! sion in a threnody which he composed, re- The spirit of the shadowy presence, the spirit body is gone. The many-shadowed, vealing even in its translated form his the glorified, the transfigured body is be- poetic and somewhat mystic temperament. yond,—new-featured, heavenly formed, companion of angels. She rests in the The translation was made by C. J. Lyons. rich light of Heaven, she moves trium- AFTER DEATH phant. She sings praise-psalms of joy in Ceasing from storm, the sea grows calm and the paradise of glory, in the everlasting glassy. Like a puff of wind flitting over day-time of the Lord. He is our Lord, the everlasting it, so her spirit glides away to the far Lord. He indeed, in truth. regions beyond Kahiki. [The word for far Such are the thoughts that burn within me; away shores.] She flies; averting her they burn and go out from me; thus I eyes, she fades away in the wild mists of pour out my soul, my soul! the north-land, the deep, dark mysterious north. After four years of attendance at the She has gone from us to the courts of Kane, Mission School, Malo continued to reside treading royally the red-streaked path of at Lahaina where he led a most active life. the rosy dawn; the misty, broken road to Kanaloa. His counsel was often sought on matters An ebbing tide flows out, laden with depart- of public concern and he was in frequent ing wealth. The chief is turning away, touch with various departments of govern- sinking to sleep, drifting away. She fled ment. Again and again his name appears at the first gleam of the dawn, at the faint ending of the cut-off night. Then in documents and reports. Although the was her departure. reduction of the to Oh our beloved one! our departed one! our written form was still in process, he began bemoaned one! expressing himself through this medium. The heart beats tumultuously ; it throbs

within us ; it strains us ; it breaks the He wrote a life of Kamehameha I, the walls it. around manuscript of which disappeared before it Oh the pain, the breaking up, the rushing could be published, perhaps for reasons of of tears, the falling of the flowers scat- tered of grief! state. He rewrote "The History of Ha-

[15] waii," Ka mo'oolelo Hawaii, which he and which Kamehameha III was the honorary other pupils at Lahainaluna had compiled, president. and later expanded it into the volume en- In the late '30s there was a movement titled "Hawaiian Antiquities," setting forth to encourage natives to develop the re- the ancient history, religion and customs of sources of the islands. Malo took up the the Hawaiian people. The book was after- matter with his usual zeal, planted cotton, wards translated into English by Dr. N. purchased a spinning wheel and a loom and B. Emerson and constitutes the largest had cotton spun and woven in his own body of Malo's writing. He is credited family. In commenting on this enterprize with being 's chief collabo- the anonymous author of Malo's obituary

rator in "The History of the Sandwich says in the Polynesian of Nov. 5, 1853, Islands," which appeared in 1843. His "The writer well remembers the expression booklet, "Some Instructions About the of satisfaction on David's broad Hawaiian Great Things in the Word of God," He face as he walked about dressed in a suit wahi manao kumu no na mea nui maloko of his own domestic manufacture. When o ka ke Akua olelo, printed for the Mission asked where he got that strange-looking High School in 1838, ran to 2,000 copies cloth, (it was rather coarse), he would and was reprinted as a tract by the Bible point to the dirt under his feet, saying, and Tract Society of Hawaii in 1861, and Tt came thence.' He also owned a cane again in 1865 with no publisher indicated. field and a primitive sugar mill, and is Captain Charles Wilkes, U. S. N., of the reported by Captain Wilkes to have manu- U. S. Exploring Expedition of 1838-42, in factured an excellent molasses. Several commenting on the activity of the mission pieces of land had been given him by the

press said, "Many tracts are also published, chiefs and he is said to have made a good some of which are by native authors. Of living by his industry and to have accu-

these . . David Malo is highly esteemed by mulated a handsome little property. all him. lends the mission- who know He Malo's conversion meant an utter com- aries his aid, in mind as well as in example, mitment of himself to the principles of in ameliorating the condition of his coun- Christianity. In his early life he had fol- trymen and in checking licentiousness." lowed customs prevalent in court life, in- After the adoption of a law providing cluding many of its vices. But it is the public schools in 1841, Malo was appointed testimony of his teachers and associates General School Agent for Maui, the first to that he cast them all aside and never re- hold that office; and also Superintendent turned to them. He looked with horror in charge of all the other agents, serving upon the corrupting influence of foreigners, until 1845. Rev. D. Baldwin in 1844 re- among whom he did not include the mis- ported to the Sandwich Islands Mission, sionaries. His zeal sometimes led him to

"David Malo is probably the most efficient extremes and subjected him to violent school superintendent in all the Islands, criticism, as when he said in his letter to who has done what he could for their pros- the Hawaiian Spectator, 1839, on the

perity. It is owing mainly to his efforts "Causes for the Decrease of Population in

and zeal that the government have fulfilled the Islands," that it is clear that from the their engagement in paying wages to all arrival of Capt. Cook to the present day, the teachers of Maui." In 1842 he appears the people have been dying with the vene- as a member of the executive committee real disease. "Foreigners have lent their of the Temperance Society of Lahaina, of influence to make the

[16] one great brothel." In a letter to Kaahu- ly accused of fomenting a revolution, but manu II, Kinau, he utters a warning friends rallied to his support and the against encouraging foreigners to take part charges were withdrawn. Mr. Armstrong in the government. "I have been thinking wrote to Mr. Baldwin, "My aloha to D. that you ought to hold frequent meetings Malo; tell him I have no doubt of his with all the chiefs with patience to seek for soundness, whatever may be said in haste, that which will be of most benefit to this by some close to you." His lands, however,

country; you must not think that there is were confiscated without notice or oppor- anything like olden times, that you are the tunity of appeal.

only chief and can leave things as they Chester S. Lyman, a teacher in the are. You must think. This is the reason: at Honolulu and afterwards If a big wave comes in, fishes will come a professor at Yale College, was impressed from the dark ocean which you never saw by the Hawaiian patriot's deep concern for before, and when they see the small fishes the welfare of the nation, and wrote in his

they will eat them up; such also is the case Journal, "David Malo is an influential with larger animals, they will prey on the man, popular with the common people smaller ones. The ships of the white man though somewhat antigovernment ... He is have come, and smart people have arrived a man of mind and influence. Today he

from the Great Countries which you have is lamenting the condition of the people, never seen before. They know our people the want of care of infants and children, are few in number and living in a small their improper feeding and want of train- country; they will eat us up. Such has ing to habits of industry. He seems to be always been the case with large countries, deeply impressed with the conviction that

the smaller ones have been gobbled up." the nation is destined to run out and give

This conviction is Extreme though Malo may have been in place to the whites. growing in the minds of more intelligent his statements, one cannot help sympathiz- natives, cannot escape the observation ing with his convictions, which are those of and person." a sincere patriot. He loved his native land of any reflecting and his people, who, he felt, were emerging Captain Wilkes of the U. S. Exploring from a primitive culture into one which Expedition was evidently among the re- had infinite possibilities of good. In his flecting persons referred to in Mr. Lyman's concern for the proper development of his closing sentence, for he advised Malo,

countrymen, he found it necessary to op- "You must go ahead, stand up for your pose certain chiefs who were using their rights. Rather die than surrender them.

/ great power in arbitrary and cruel ways, Push ahead education and maintain good oppressing the natives in the sandal wood laws, regardless of foreigners." This ex- industry and often confiscating pieces of hortation is found in a letter by the Rev. land from commoners after years of labor R. Armstrong. had been expended in their cultivation. He Despite his many civic activities, Malo also found himself in opposition to foreign- did not lose interest in the religion which ers who were insinuating themselves into he had espoused. Indeed, it was the force the economic and political life of the king- which drove him with burning zeal. He dom for reasons which seemed to him spoke often at churches and other religious wholly selfish. It is not surprising that he gatherings and must have had something was often suspected of being subversive to to say, for Mr. Armstrong wrote from the government. At one time he was open- Kawaiahao Church to Mr. Baldwin, "I

[17] wish to request Malo to come down and do in foreign lands; they (the people in keep ship here a little while I visit Maui foreign lands) work all the harder know-

. . . There are some good men here, but ing they own the land, and very likely it they are all in public business, and more- is the reason why they love their country, over their manao [thoughts] are all known and why they do not go to other places to the people beforehand, they have been and perhaps that is the reason why they holding forth so often." are great farmers." Malo's leadership in In 1844, Malo was licensed to preach pressing this matter was decisive, and in by the Hawaiian Association of American December, 1849, the Privy Council insti- Ministers and continued to serve the tuted the Kuleana or ownership system, churches throughout the Islands. This, setting apart lots of from one to fifty acres however, did not interrupt his activities on each island to be sold in fee simple at as a citizen, for he served as a member of a minimum price of fifty cents per acre. the House of Representatives at the session The act was confirmed by the Legislature, of 1846, and soon afterwards took an ac- and the last vestige of the old feudal land tive part in one of the most important system was swept away. Malo, in conver- events in the history of the Islands—the sation with Rev. J. S. Green, declared that Great Mahele. the action "had afforded him much satis-

After the adoption of the Laws of 1842, faction . . . and inspired him with hope of the matter of the ownership of land re- seeing better days." ceived close study from a legislative com- As in the case of Bartimea and others, mission. Originally all land, and in fact Malo's ordination to the Christian ministry all property, real or personal, was vested did not occur until several years after in the ruler as supreme monarch. On licensure. It evidently was the policy of

March 7, 1848 with the consent of Kame- the Hawaiian Association of American hameha III, the land was divided into two ministers to delay full ordination until the groups, those of the king and those of the sincerity and fitness of the candidate were chiefs, the respective lands remaining their fully established; or, on the other hand, personal property. This transaction is Malo himself may have preferred a status known as the Great Mahele or Division. which gave him freedom to move among The king then divided his portion into two the churches instead of devoting himself to parts, reserving the smaller as his private a particular charge. Whatever the reason, it or crown lands. The other and larger part was not until eight years after licensure that the king gave and set apart forever to the he was finally ordained and installed in the

chiefs and people, i. e. to the government, newly organized church at Keokea, in the

subject to the control of the legislative Kula district on Maui, Sept. 2, 1852, mak- council or of its agents. ing his home at the isolated seaside village The question then arose as to whether of Kalepelepo, where he resided until his or not the common people would be per- death. Also, like his fellow-minister, Bar- mitted to own land in fee simple and be timea, he was not to continue long as a

free from arbitrary confiscation, such as settled pastor, although it should be said that which Malo has suffered. Malo felt that his Christian service cannot be limited that they should. Two years before, while by the periods of his licensure and ordina- the matter was under consideration, he had tion. Apart from the erection of a stone

written, "I believe it is best that at this meeting house singularly few facts concern- time the people should own lands as they ing his work at Keokea have come to light.

[18] His marital tragedy told upon his health vey, as from a lofty watch-tower, his form- and at length came to weigh so heavily er home, the scene of his many labors." upon his mind that he could not throw From among the many Hawaiians ob- it off. "After a time," says Dr. N. B. served by the U. S. Exploring Expedition Emerson in his biographical sketch, "he of 1838-42 Dr. Charles Pickering, the an- refused food and became reduced to such thropologist of the party, chose Malo as a state of weakness that his life was des- the most characteristic example of the paired of. The members of his church Polynesian male. The tinted engraving by gathered around his beside and with prayer Alfred Agate, which appears in Dr. Picker- and entreaties sought to turn him from his ing's "The Races of Man," and which is purpose, but without avail." He passed said by those who knew him to be a perfect away October 21, 1853, after having been likeness, shows a strong countenance of ex- pastor at Keokea only thirteen months. traordinary intelligence with the eyes of a Malo's fear that the Islands would dreamer and seer. eventually fall into the possession of William P. Alexander, who was often foreigners pursued him to the end. "His associated with Malo in the work on Maui, last request was that his body should be referred to him as "one of the brightest taken in a canoe to Lahaina, and be buried trophies of the gospel in the islands." It is in a site chosen by him on Pa'upa'u, the not an over-statement to characterize him hill known as Mt. Ball, back of Lahaina. further as the first native Hawaiian min- He hoped that this spot would be above ister to apply the principles of Christianity and secure from the rising tide of invasion, to the social problems of his day. Many which his imagination had pictured as des- of his predictions which seemed pessimistic tined to overwhelm the whole land." His at the time they were made, have come white tomb is visible from the shore, "and true. But his efforts for righteousness and so his grave has become a beacon, and if justice have borne fruit and will continue his spirit ever lingers over it, he can sur- to do so, for that kind of seed does not die.

[19] Rev. and Mrs.

Courtesy of The Friend JAMES HUNNEWELL KEKELA

First Ordained Hawaiian Minister Missionary to the Marquesans

Ordination.—Ordained and installed pas- Christian to the ministry. However, the tor of the church at Kahuku, Island of Oahu, Dec. 21st, Rev. James Kekela, a subject of this stickful of type, or those graduate of the Seminary, Lahainaluna, and who were responsible for his training, may for several years a beneficiary of James Hunnewell, Esq., Charleston, Mass. form- have been more modest in preparing their erly a merchant at these islands. press release than would be the case in Reading of the Scriptures and introduc- modern reporting. Be that as it may, cer- tory prayer by Rev. J. S. Emerson; sermon Rev. L. Smith ordaining prayer by Rev. by ; tain later events of Kekela's life made the E. W. Clark; charge to the pastor-elect by Rev. J. S. Emerson; right hand of fellow- first page of more than one journal, sacred ship by Rev. E. W. Clark; charge to church or secular, and received international and people by Rev. L. Smith; benediction by the pastor. publicity.

All the native churches on Oahu were in- vited to take part in the Ordaining Council JAMES HUNNEWELL KEKELA was and nearly all were represented, but owing in 1824. to ill health and bad weather several of the born in Mokuleia, Waialua, Oahu, pastors were unable to attend. Rev. J. Ke- His father, Awile, though in humble cir- kela is the first Hawaiian who has been ordained to the Gospel Ministry. Several cumstances, was of chiefish blood as is others are licentiates.—Communicated. shown in a mele inoa, or genealogical saga,

The item given above, which appeared still in the possession of the Kekela family, in small type on the last page of The composed in anticipation of the latter's which refers to him as a de- Friend, January 4, 1850, seems a singular- birth and ly scant account of so important an occa- scendant of "the high chiefs of Molokai." sion as the first ordination of a Hawaiian His mother was descended from Oahu

[21] chiefs. The mele also predicts that the ex- nesia, and, after returning from this pected son would "live in humbleness, journey of seven months, was ordained and walking quietly on a foreign shore to the installed at Kahuku. The glimpse which south," — a prophecy which even named he had into the spiritual need of Micro- Nuuhiwa and was quite literally to be ful- nesia probably was a dominant factor in filled. In youth he was called Kekelaoka- his future choice of a life work. lani, signifying his chiefish origin. His By 1851 the churches of the Hawaiian later preference was for the simple form, Protestant Mission had become sufficiently Kekela, as more modest, his grand-daugh- conscious of their evangelical obligation to ter says. warrant the formation of their own board Even before Kekela's birth legend and for the spread of the Gospel, and on June prophecy clustered about him. Mrs. Pukui 5 of that year the Hawaiian Missionary tells that the name Kekela-o-ka-lani, Ex- Society was organized as an Auxiliary of cellent of the Highest, was likewise one of the American Board, for "the propagation the many cognomens of Queen Emma, who of Evangelical Christianity in the Islands once asked Kekela how he came by such of the Pacific, or other parts of the world." an unusual name. "It was given to me in a The Society, which had among its donors dream," he answered. many members of Hawaiian royalty as well After acquiring the rudiments of educa- as numerous other native Christians, not tion in the primitive mission school of that only aided needy churches in Hawaii, but early time, the lad, who had shown prom- looked beyond such boundaries to fields in ise, was sent to the Mission High School at the South Seas, and was for many years Lahainaluna, under the patronage of Mr. the chief supporter of the Micronesian James Hunnewell, mate of the brig Thad- Mission, the history of which constitutes a epic of deus when it brought the first company of notable missionary endeavor. missionaries to the Islands, and a life-long At the second annual meeting of the friend and supporter of the Hawaiian Mis- Hawaiian Missionary Society, in the Sea- sion. While at Lahainaluna, Kekela con- men's Chapel, Honolulu, May 24, 1853, an fessed his faith in the Master whom he earnest plea for missionaries to his people was so long and faithfully to serve, and was made by Matunui, the principal chief was baptised, taking the name of his bene- of Fatuhiva, which belongs to the isolated factor. On the advice of his counsellor, Marquesas group populated by people of

Rev. J. S. Emerson, who recognized his Polynesian race. The request was granted quality of mind and spirit, he remained at with such dispatch that within a month a the Mission High School and studied the- company of native Hawaiian Christians ology under Revs. S. Dibble and W. P. sailed from Honolulu, in the English Alexander, graduating in 1847. In that brigantine Royalist, June 16. The com- same year he married Naomi, the faithful pany consisted of James Kekela, Samuel sharer of his long years of labor, who had Kauwealoha, pastor at Kaanapali, Maui, been trained at the Wailuku Female Semi- Isaiah Kaiwi and Lota Kuaihelani, teachers nary. The young couple went to serve at who were subsequently ordained. All were

Hauula, Koolau, Oahu, where a church had accompanied by their wives. J. Bicknell, been gathered by Mr. Emerson, and later described as "a pious mechanic," whose at Kahuku. He was chosen to accompany father had been connected with the Eng- a party sent out from Honolulu to explore lish Mission at Tahiti and who could speak possibilities of missionary work in Micro- the Tahitian dialect, went with them as

[ 22 ] an independent helper at his own charges. protested, albeit mildly, against the en- He afterwards accepted ordination and be- trance of the American Board. The com- came an official member of the Marquesan pany returned to Honolulu in 1834, and Mission. Rev. B. Parker, W. who had visit- the Board's first attempt to evangelize the ed the islands once before, as shall we see, Marquesas came to an end. was chosen to assist the company in their initial arrangements and to return on the The intrepid little company of eight na- same vessel. Matunui went back to Fatu- tive Hawaiians who set out for the dark hiva with the company. Marquesas on June 15, 1853, must have been aware of the unsuccessful attempt This was not the first attempt to evan- that had been made nineteen years before. gelize the Marquesas. The London Mis- However, they felt that the plea of Chief sionary Society and French Roman Catho- Matunui was a Macedonian call which lics had made earnest efforts to occupy the could not be disregarded. They were to islands but had failed because of the hostil- discover, all too soon, that their ity of the Marquesans, a fierce people given reliance on this unstable chief to tribal wars and cannibalism. In 1829 the was misplaced. But even his treachery did not U. S Sloop of war, Vincennes, touched at destroy their conviction that their real call was the voice the islands, and the chaplain, Rev. C. S. of God. "To this call Stewart, who had formerly been a mission- we cheerfully res- pond," said Kekela in ary at Lahaina, Maui, wrote back such a his farewell address. "I cannot resist it. The favorable account of conditions that the Marquesans are in darkness. They need our help. American Board decided to investigate the We do not go to seek our possibility of a Mission. Three American own things. Love to Christ and love to the benighted missionary couples, the Alexanders, the constrains us. It is hard to leave parents Armstrongs and the Parkers, were sent and kindred and friends. We love them and they love from Honolulu, in 1833, to Nukuhiva, the us. It is hard to leave church largest island of the Marquesan group, to my and people. They cling to me and heart attempt the establishment of a mission. A my clings to them. But we will go. vivid description of the missionaries' ex- Our bodies will be separated, but our hearts will periences and the imminent peril in which be united. You will go with us, and will they and their children lived may be found we all go together. And will be with in Chapters 10-11 of the "Life of William God us and with you." Patterson Alexander." After eight months of earnest effort the pioneers decided that The sense of obligation felt by these "considering the number and situation of native missionaries is further revealed by the people and the danger of our situation Kekela's associate Samuel Kauwealoha, among them, and considering the number in his farewell words on the same occasion. and wants of 100,000 in the Sandwich Isl- "We go to Fatuhiva to dig treasure—not ands, it appears to us to be the path of gold—not silver—for these are poor. We go wisdom and duty to abandon this field, to dig for truth — for hidden pearls — for and return to the Sandwich Islands by the heavenly treasure. We go to remove the first good opportunity." It is also probable rubbish — the earthiness of sinners — to that another reason for giving up the ven- seek souls—to find immortal treasures for ture was the fact that the field lay within Christ ... I go to pay a debt I owe for my the area already partially occupied by the education. I give myself for the debt—it London Missionary Society, which had is all I can do. Will you cancel it?"

[23] .

The Royalist reached Fatuhiva, August Matunui's increasing unfriendliness fin- 26, 1853, and anchored in the bay of ally compelled the missionaries to remove, Oomoa. The missionaries immediately ap- in 1856, to Hivaoa, an adjacent island, the plied themselves to their tasks. February chief of which, Tahutete, was friendly. Ke-

4, 1854 Kekela reported that a comfort- kela was assigned to Puamau, Hivaoa, and able house had been built and that the work from that base until his return to people were friendly but clinging to their Oahu. tabus, their deities and superstitions. The For almost fifty years the Marquesan following year he reported, "Think not Mission carried on its work despite inter- that the expense and labor here are all in tribal wars, cannibalism, and the intrigues vain. The hand of the Lord is in this work, of South Sea politics in which the masters and His promise will not fail . . . We feel and crews of foreign vessels visiting the much encouraged to persevere in the work islands had their often unsavory share. of the Lord in Fatuhiva nei." Chief Natua Four reinforcements were sent from Ha- had begun to show a religious interest. waii, until, at one time, there were eleven When asked why he preferred these parti- Hawaiian families on the field. In 1868, cular missionaries to others, he said that wrote, "The light and love and the captain of a whaling vessel had told gravitating power of the Gospel are per- him that if missionaries came to the Isl- meating the dead masses of the Marquesas. ands, not to heed them unless they brought Scores can read the word of the living God,

The Book. Others who had come did not and it is a power within them. Hundreds have The Book. Natua became a convert, have forsaken their tabus, and hundreds was baptised Abraham and was the first of others hold them lightly. Consistent to be received into church membership. missionaries and their teachings are res- pected. Their lives and persons are sacred In 1856, Rev. Lowell Smith, in his re- where human life is no more regarded than port of a visit to the Marquesas, speaks of that of a dog. They go secure where no the privations which the members of the others dare to go. They leave houses, wives Mission had suffered because of lack of and children without fear, and savages pro- means to purchase food. "Brother Bick- tect them. Everywhere we see evidences nell had sold his handsaws, plainirons, of the silent and sure progress of truth." chisels, hatchets and adzes and one or two Three years previously Rev. D. Baldwin razors in exchange for food. And the na- had reported that the making and drinking tive missionaries had parted with most of of rum had been made tabu, and he adds their knives and forks and spoons for the the shrewd comment, "The Marquesas Isl- same purpose. They had been obliged to ands are ahead today of old Massachusetts spend a considerable time in fishing and in the line of temperance." in going to Hanaveve, a valley 4 or 5 miles off, in a canoe, where they succeeded A detailed history of the Marquesan in buying vegetables with pins which the Mission cannot be given in this article. It natives then converted into fish-hooks. richly deserves a volume, which some fu- They said that they would soon have been ture historian will be privileged to write. obliged to part with their clothes if their The Hawaiian Missionary Society in 1863 supplies had not come." Mr. Smith adds, merged into the Hawaiian Evangelical As- "I carried a $500. bill of credit, which will sociation which took over the American renew itself every year, and which, I trust, Board's work in Hawaii and also continued will prevent a similar embarrassment." to share in the support of the Missions in

[24] the Marquesas and Micronesia, though to a wide-spread attention. Kekela's achieve- diminishing degree. The American Board ments as evangelist, teacher and mission- found that the special and costly trips of ary pioneer are immured—one might the Morning Star and other chartered ves- almost say embalmed—in printed reports sels made the expense of maintaining the which have met the eyes of few, at most. isolated Marquesan Mission disproportion- But in 1864 there occurred an event which ate to the population served and sent no attracted the attention of the President of new reinforcements. In 1872 Kekela and the United States and became a matter of Kauwealoha were the only ones of the ori- international interest. The story of this ginal company left on the field, the other event, tho well known to former genera- being Z. Hapuku, who had been added to tions is now so largely forgotten that we the staff in 1862. In the report of the Ha- feel justified in adding as an appendix two waiian Evangelical Association for 1899 re- different accounts to this biographical 1 2 ference is made to fact that the French sketch. - Without doubt, however, James Protestant Mission at Tahiti had consented Kekela's own reports far excel all others to send Rev. Paul Vernier to Hivaoa. The in simplicity, dignity and directness. The report of the following year notes his first was written to Rev. Lowell Smith, arrival, and from that time on the work printed in the Hokuloa of February 1864. was under the auspices of the French Pro- We are indebted to the Bernice Pauahi testant Mission. Hapuku died in 1901 at Museum and to Mrs. Mary K. Atuona, Hivaoa; Kauwealoha in 1909 at Pukui for the translation from the Hawai- Hakanahi, Uapou. ian. Only the salient parts of the letter Even a cursory reading of the reports are here reproduced: and letters sent to Honolulu by the work- Puamau, Hivaoa, January 15, 1864. ers in the Marquesan Mission reveals the Rev. Lowell Smith. Greetings to you, faithful and untiring concern of a group of to all the members of your household, to devoted and consecrated workers. It may the members of the church in the Hawai- seem invidious to select one person from ian Archipelago and to all the missionaries. among those so closely associated in a com- The Lord be with you all. Amen. mon endeavor, but as one reads along it The news here in Puamau: A certain becomes evident that Kekela was recog- white man was almost killed here in Pua- nized as outstanding among his brethren mau. He was the mate of the whaling ship —he the Moses and Kauwealoha the Congress, commanded by Captain Stran- Aaron. "Kekela is a leading member of burg. I was greatly saddened at hearing the Mission," reported Rev. D. Baldwin in that this man was going to be killed,

1862. "He is a man of strong intellect; his though he was without fault. ideas are clear; he is well-informed for one I shall explain in detail below. On the who has been shut away from the world for 9th of January 1864, I sailed to Tahuata nine years. His spirit seems always un- because a chief named Tahitona wished to ruffled; he seems to have unbounded see me. We landed at Hapatoni, a place patience with natives and rightly to appre- close to the harbor of Vaitahu. ciate his work." January 11. A certain whaling ship While the labors of countless mission- arrived and I went to meet it. I met the aries throughout the world are, doubtless, captain and asked of news from America recorded in the Lamb's Book of Life, they and various places. I asked the captain if do not, ordinarily, become the object of he wanted sweet potatoes. The captain

[25] asked, 'Where is your place?' 'On Hivao at have. Great is my pity for the guiltless Puamau.' He took out a map of Hivaoa white man. and I pointed out my place until he knew January 14. On the morning of that it. He said he was not going to such a day, A. Kaukau and I went up for a friend- long distance, for they were going fishing. ly visit with the white man and Mato. As January 12. We returned from Tahuata we met with Mato and talked with him, to Hivaoa. Tahitona arrived with a gun in his hands

January 13. We arrived at Hanaiapa. and gave it to him, saying, 'Let the gun ate breakfast, and about nine o'clock we be yours and this white man mine.' Mato returned to Puamau. Oh! the whaling ship agreed and the white man was spared. I was moving slowly outside of Puamau. reached for him at once and took him to Two boats from the ship had come to my house We are glad for this white man, Puamau to buy various supplies for the for his escape from the hands of those who ship. want to destroy white men. We beached and many were the voices The name of the white man who was of people who said to us, 'A certain white expected to be killed here at Puamau, is man is about to be roasted.' 'Who is doing Mr. Jonathan Whalon. He used to be a it?' 'Mato.' He is the chief of the land captain of some whaling ships. His wife where the French teacher is living. 'What lived in Hilo and Mr. Coan was acquainted wrong had the white man done?' 'Ha! be- with her. cause the Spaniards had kidnapped his There is no time to write you all in- son.' dividually. Pray earnestly to the Lord for I met A. Kaukau and he explained fully, us. Give my regards to the missionaries for he was here and had heard all that was and all the churches in Hawaii. being said, 'It is well to kill the white With love to all the brethren in Jesus man.' Therefore Kaukau went to Mato, Christ, the chief who desired to kill the white man J. KEKELA. and said, 'Desist! Do not kill the white man. He has done no wrong.' 'Mato an- The dramatic circumstances of Whalon's swered, 'The white men are wrong in kid- capture and rescue were reported when napping my son and carrying him to their his ship reached America, and received land. I dearly love my son.' wide-spread publicity. The story, as retold Kaukau said, 'This is a different kind of in The Friend of February, 1935, eventual- white man, an American. They are good ly came to the attention of President people. Those who kidnapped your son Abraham Lincoln, who, though engrossed are Spaniards.' Mato replied, 'They are all in the war between the states, was so one kind, white men. This is all I have to moved that he sent $500. in gold to Dr. say to you, Kaukau, whether the captain McBride, U. S. Minister resident in Hono- gives me a new boat or not, I shall roast lulu, for the purpose of suitable gifts, in this white man.' token of his gratitude to those who had I heard all that Kaukau told me. I was taken part in the rescue. With this money very sad and unhappy at this act of an Dr. McBride purchased two gold hunting ignorant people. So I told Tahitona to go case watches, one for Kekela"' and one for at once to Mato and tell him to spare the Kaukau, his associate in the rescue; two life of the white man to me. That here is double-barreled guns, one for the Marque- my boat and everything else that he can san chief, Tahitona, and the other for B.

[26] Nagel, the German who assisted the chief friendship, by the receipt of your com- in securing Whalon's release; a silver munication through your minister resident medal for the girl who hailed the whale in Honolulu, James McBride. boat and told the men to "Pull away," I greatly respect you for holding con- and lastly a spy-glass, two quadrants and verse with such humble ones. Such you two charts to the Marquesan Mission—in well know us to be. all, ten presents. On each of them the fol- I am a native of the Hawaiian Islands, lowing inscription was engraved in Hawai- from Waialua, Oahu, born in 1824, and ian, varied only in the names of the re- at twelve years of age attended the school cipients: at Waialua of Rev. Mr. Emerson; and was From the instructed in reading, writing and mental President of the United States arithmetic and geography. to In 1838 I was entered at the High Rev. J. Kekela School of Lahainaluna, and was under the For His Noble Conduct in Rescuing instruction of Messrs. L. Andrews, E. W. An American Citizen from Death Clark, S. Dibble and Alexander. Not being on the Island of Hivaoa in advance of others, I remained in the January 14, 1864. school some years, and in 1843 I graduated The gifts were delivered by the Morning and was then invited and desired by the Star, which sailed from Honolulu for the teachers to continue my studies in other

Marquesas in February, 1865. Kekela ac- branches, that is, to join a class in the- knowledged receipt of his gift in a personal ology, under the Rev. S. Dibble. He died letter to the President of the United States. in 1845, and I and others -continued the When Robert Louis Stevenson, who was study of the Scriptures under W. P. Alex- not without bias against Protestant mis- ander. In 1847 I graduated, having been sionary efforts in the South Seas, saw this at Lahainaluna nine years. In that year, letter, he was moved to say, "I do not envy 1847, I married a girl from my native the man who can read it without emotion." place, who had for seven years attended The original manuscript of this Hawaiian a female seminary at Wailuku under the classic is kept among the Lincoln papers in instruction of J. S. Green, E. Bailey and the Library of Congress in Washington, Miss Ogden. and is not the least of the documents in In the same year 1847, I and my wife that notable collection. A grandson and were called to Kahuku, a remote place in namesake of Kekela, James III, on a re- Koolau, on Oahu, to instruct the people cent visit to Washington obtained and there in the Scriptures, and in other words owns a photostat of the original. The fol- of wisdom. I remained in this work for lowing translation was made for The Chris- some years. It was clear to myself and to tian Register by Judge E. P. Bond form- my wife that our lives were not our own, erly of ; in Honolulu it appeared in but belonged to the Lord, and, therefore The Friend for May 1866. we covenanted one with the other, that we would be the Lord's, 'His only, His for- Hivaoa, March 27, 1865. ever.' And from that time forth we yielded To A. LINCOLN, President the United of ourselves servants unto the Lord. In 1852, States America: of certain American missionaries, Dr. Gulick, Greetings to you, great and good friend: and others, were sent out on their way to My mind is stirred up to address you in Micronesia. I was one of their company,

[27] .

and after seven months absence, 1 returned who knew not Jehovah. This was Mr. with E. W. Clark. On my return I was Whalon, and the date January 14, 1864. employed in arousing the Hawaiians to the As to this friendly deed of mine in sav- work of foreign missions. ing Mr. Whalon, its seed came from your land, brought certain In 1853 there came to our islands a great and was by received the Macedonian cry for missionaries to Nuu- of your countryman, who had It planted in Hawaii, and hiva, brought by Matunui, a chief of love of God. was Fatuhiva. I brought it to plant in this land and in these dark regions, that they might receive The missionaries speedily laid hold upon the root of all that is good and true, which me to go to this group of islands. I did is love. not assent immediately. I stopped to con- 1. Love to Jehovah sider carefully, with much prayer to God, 2. Love to self to make clear to me that this call was from God, and I took counsel with my 3. Love to our neighbor wife, it was evident to us that this was a If a man have a sufficiency of these call from God, therefore we consented to three, he is good and holy, like his God, come to these dark, benighted and canni- Jehovah, in his triune character, (Father, bal islands. I had aged parents, and my Son and Holy Ghost) one-three, three-one. wife beloved relatives, and we had a little If he have two and wants one, it is not girl three years old. We left them in our well; and if he have one and wants two, native land. We came away to seek the

this, indeed, is not well ; but if he cherishes salvation of the souls of this people, be- all three, then is he holy, indeed, after the cause our hearts were full of the love of manner of the Bible. God. This was the only ground of our coming hither, away from our native land. This is a great thing for your nation to In the year 1853 we came to these can- boast of, before all the nations of the nibal islands, and we dwelt first for four earth. From your great land a most pre- years at Fatuhiva, and in 1857 we re- cious seed was brought to the land of dark- moved to Hivaoa, another island, to do the ness. It was planted here, not by means of work of the Lord Jesus; and from that guns and men-of-war and threatenings. It time until now, we have striven to do the was planted by means of the ignorant, the work of Jesus Chirst, without regard for neglected, the despised. Such was the in- wealth or worldly pleasure. We came for troduction of the word of the Almighty the Lord, to seek the salvation of men, into this group of Nuuhiva. Great is my all and this is our only motive for remaining debt to Americans who have taught me in this dark land. things pertaining to this life and to that which is to come. When I saw one of your countrymen, a citizen of your great nation, ill-treated, and How shall I repay your great kindness

about to be baked and eaten, as a pig is to me? Thus David asked of Jehovah, and eaten, I ran to save him, full of pity and and thus I ask of you, the President of the grief at the evil deed of these benighted United States. This is my only payment, people. I gave [offered] my boat for the —that which I have received of the Lord, love [aloha] stranger's life. This boat came from James — Hunnewell, a gift of friendship. It became I and my wife, Naomi, have five chil- the ransom of this countryman of yours, dren, the first with Miss Ogden, the sec-

that he might not be eaten by the savages ond with Rev. J. S. Emerson; we now

[28] send the third to live with Rev. L. H. eighty-first year. Naomi, equally revered, Gulick; the fourth is with Kauwealoha, my preceded him in death, passing to her re- fellow missionary, and the fifth is with us ward August, 1902. They accepted the at present. Another stranger is soon ex- necessity of their retirement with equan- pected. There is heaviness in thus having imity, but their hearts remained with their to scatter the children where they can be beloved work in the Marquesas until the well taken care of. last. We have received your gifts of friend- When a new driveway was cut in the ship according to your instructions to your Kawaiahao Church yard, necessitating the minister, James McBride. Ah! I greatly removal of graves, Kekela's remains were honor your interest in this countryman of reverently removed, under the supervision yours. It is, indeed, in keeping with all I of his daughter, Mrs. Rachel Kaiwiaea, to have known of your acts as President of their present location in the mission ceme- the United States. tery next to those of his older daughter.

A clear witness this in all lands of your On June 14, 1931, a memorial stone to love for those whose deeds are love, as Kekela's memory was unveiled near the saith the Scripture, 'Thou shalt love Jeho- site of the grave, Mrs. Kaiwiaea and James vah, and shalt love thy neighbor as thy- Kekela III of Hilo, a grandson, assisting in self.' the exercises. The tablet, sponsored by The Friend and beautifully executed in bronze And so may the love of the Lord Jesus by Mr. Earl Schenck, is set on the face of abound with you until the end of this ter- a moss-grown Hawaiian stone given by rible war in your land. . The inscription reads: I am, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, your o'bt serv't, EEV. JAMES KEKELA JAMES KEKELA. Kekela o ka lani Born in 1824 at Mokuleia, Oahu labor in the After forty-five years of Educated by James Hunnewell at Lahaina- Marquesas, the infirmities of age and the luna changing status of the Mission rendered it First Hawaiian Christian Minister advisable for Kekela and Naomi, his wife, Ordained at Kahuku, December 21, 1849 retire active service. Through the to from In 1853 he went as a pioneer missionary to material assistance given by Mr. Samuel the Marquesas Islands where for 46 years T. Alexander and the Hawaiian Govern- he exercised a remarkable influence against cannibalism and tribal warfare, ment, a vessel was chartered to bring the a true spiritual guide. devoted pair back to Hawaii in 1899, to- In 1864 he was signally rewarded by Abra- gether with some of their children and ham Lincoln for rescuing an American grandchildren, of whom there were twenty- seaman from cannibals.

seven in all. Some remained in the Mar- Died in Honolulu, November, 1904. quesas where survivors still reside. Kekela "O ke aloha, oia ka molo o na mea pono oiaio pau." took up his residence on Oahu, where he ame na mea a Love is the root of all that is good and remained, venerated by all who knew him, true. until his death, November 29, 1904, in his Kekela.

[29] NOTE 1

Robert Louis Stevenson in his book, "In 'You like file—a'm?' (fire-arms). the South Seas," gives a version of Whalon's 'Yes,' he say. rescue as related to him in Kanaka English 'You like blackee coat?' by Kauwealoha, Kekela's fellow-missionary, who was not present at the scene but had 'Yes,' he say. evidently heard it described by eye-wit- Kekela he take Missa Whela by he

nesses : shoul'a,' he take him light out house; he T got 'Melican mate/ the chief he say. give chief he whale-boat, he file-a'm, he 'What you go do Melican mate? Kekela he blackee coat. He take Missa Whela he house, sit say. make him down with he wife and chil'en. Missa Whela all-the-same pelison 'I go make fire, I go kill, I go eat him,' he

(prison) ; he wife, he chil'en in Amelica; say; 'you come to-mollow eat piece.' he cly—0 he cly. Kekela he solly. One day 'I no eat 'Melican Kekela he want mate!" Kekela he see ship. (Pantomime.) He say say; 'why you want?' Missa Whela, 'Ma' whala?' 'This shippee, this slave shippee,' the bad Missa Whela he say, 'Yes.' chief he say. 'One time a shippee he come they begin beach. Kekela from Pelu, he take away plenty Kanaka, he Kanaka go down he get eleven Kanaka, get oa' (oars), get take away my son. 'Melican mate he bad evely thing. He say Missa Whela, 'Now you man. I go eat him; you eat piece.' go quick.' They jump in whale-boat. 'Now T no want eat Melican mate!' Kekela he you low!' Kekela he say: 'You low, quick, say; and he cly—all night he cly! quick!' (Violent pantomime, and a change 'To-mollow Kekela he get up, he put on indicating that the narrator has left the blackee coat, he go see chief ; he see Missa boat and returned to the beach.) All the Whela, him hand tie like this. (Pantomime.)— Kanaka they say, 'How! 'Melican mate he Kekela he cly. He say chief: 'Chief, you go away?'—jump in boat; low afta. like things of mine? You like whale-boat?' (Violent pantomime and change again to 'Yes' he say. boat.) Kekela he say 'Low quick.'

NOTE 2 An extended account of the rescue ap- Whalon, first officer of the whale ship, who peared at Honolulu in the Pacific Commer- had charge of the ship's boats, then trans- cial Advertiser, February 20, 1864, based ferred his trade into the natives' boats, got evidently upon a personal interview with in and went ashore with them, leaving his own anchored off in the harbor. Whalon, who not only relates his experience but comments on the nature and quality of Upon landing and proceeding up the the work done by the missionaries and gives valley, the natives commenced chasing pigs, caught one tied it. While they were some detail omitted in the Hawaiian reports. and chasing the animals through the valleys, the A DAY AMONG CANNIBALS chief and Mr. Whalon stood together, and the natives were shouting, evidently for the —Or Adventures of a Whaleman at the Marquesas purpose of calling the people, for they came rushing from all parts of the valley, armed The American whale ship Congress, Capt. with hatchets and knives, which at least Stranburg, sailed from New Bedford in looked suspicious. Mr. W. fearing that they June, 1863, on a cruise for the North Paci- meant no good, proposed to the chief to re- fic. After touching at Sidney, she called at turn to the boat; upon which the latter Hivaoa, or Dominique, one of the Marquesas stepped up to him, suddenly seized his hat Islands, to obtain water and fresh provi- and placed it upon his own head. This he sions. Arriving before the harbor of Pua- thinks was a well-known signal among mau, January 13, 1864, two boats were fitted them, for he was instantly seized by a score out with articles of trade, such as knives, of natives, thrown down and stripped naked, flints, hatchets and muskets, to exchange for his hands and feet bound with ropes, which what they might wish to obtain. the chief had in his hands, but which he When the boats had anchored in the har- supposed were intended to tie the pigs. bor, another boat, manned with a chief and The natives then proceeded to tear up crew of native islanders, came off, who ap- his clothes into small pieces, and cut the peared very friendly and anxious to trade buttons off, making a distribution among the with the strangers, stating that they had crowd. After this they paid their atten- hogs and potatoes in abundance. Mr. tion to their prisoner by pinching him

[30] severely, bending his fingers and thumbs had been sent for, hastily untied the hands over the back of his hands, wrenching his and feet of their prisoner. nose and torturing him in every imaginable Kekela and his wife are Hawaiian mis- way. They would strike at his head and sionaries, sent out from the Sandwich Isl- limbs with their hatchets, always missing ands, and supported by the Hawaiians. They him by a hair's breadth. For about three live in a neighboring valley, but at the time hours they continued to amuse themselves of the capture of Mr. Whalon, were on a and torment him in this manner. He sup- visit to another island. Kekela soon arrived poses this was the custom preparatory to with the chief under whose protection he being killed, as it doubtless is. Some of the lives, and instantly commenced remonstrat- natives tried to entice the ship's two boats ing with the natives for their inhuman to come to the shore, and Mr. W.'s boat- treatment, and besought them to release steerer was on the point of landing to find him. They demanded a ransom as the only him, when they were warned off by a young terms for his release. After a council among Marquesan girl, belonging to the family of themselves they decided to release him for the Hawaiian missionary Kekela. This girl a whaleboat and six oars, upon which Keke- shouted, "Pull away," it being all she could la told them to take his boat. At this offer, say in English, beckoning at the same time however, Kekela's chief Tahitona, demurred, to leave the shore. The boats returned to as this would deprive the settlement of their the ship without their officer. Had they only boat. The discussion now waxed warm gone on shore, it is not unlikely that there between the two chiefs, during which Kekela would have been a combat and all been declared that he was ready to give up any- massacred, as they were not prepared for thing and everything he possessed, if he any attack. This same girl had tried to could but save the foreigner's life—an in- warn Mr. W. not to go inland with the stance of disinterested philanthropy which chief, but he did not understand her, and the annals of missions cannot equal. After when he was seized she used her utmost en- some further parley, it was agreed to give deavors for him among the natives, weep- a musket and some other trade in exchange ing all the while that they were tormenting for Mr. Whalon, which was immediately him. done, and he was led beyond the boundary A Hawaiian missionary, whose name he which separated the domain of the two did not learn, having heard of the trouble, chiefs, and across which to recapture a per- now approached him, but was unable to con- son would lead to open warfare between the verse with him. Soon after a German car- two tribes. Mr. W. hesitated when they penter arrived, and being unable to release wished to lead him farther inland, as he did him, told him he would remain by and do not know what the new chief intended to what he could to save him. At night the do with him; but upon being assured by natives placed their prisoner in the house Kekela that he was to go to his own house, of a chiefess who had tried unceasingly to where he would take care of him, he gladly secure his release from the chief, and no went. doubt her efforts alone saved him from Upon arriving there, Mr. Whalon was death during the day. The German re- astonished to find a pleasant airy cottage, mained by him through the night, which to furnished in a neat and tasty manner, much the prisoner was a long and dreary one, an- after the style of a New farm ticipating as he did every moment that the house, surrounded by a garden where flow- natives would break into the house, and ers, trees and vegetables grew abundantly. carry out their design of murdering him. The boats had returned to the ship on the He afterwards learned, that according to previous afternoon, when warned off by the the native customs, the house of a chief is Marquesan girl. Thursday and Friday Mr. sacred, and no native can enter it without Whalon remained with Mr. Kekela and wife, permission, under peril of death. Morning during which time he was a witness of the dawned, and the natives began to reassemble daily routine of a Hawaiian missionary's and became noisy for their victim. All his house. Morning and evening a bell was hopes of relief had now fled, and he began rung for prayers, which were attended by to look for death as certain, as the chiefess about fifteen natives, male and female, who would soon be called on to release him. seemed quite orderly and attentive to the About this time, which was early in the exercises. Meals were served at a table morning, the German heard the natives after the European style, and consisted of speaking of the arrival of the Hawaiian meats, sweet potatoes, and bread fruit. missionaries, Mr. Kekela and wife, in the While here natives belonging in the same neighborhood. Upon hearing this, the Ger- settlement brought fresh bread fruit daily man dispatched the other Hawaiian for for the foreigner. Mr. Kekela assured Mr. him, and the natives finding that Kekela W. that had the natives demanded all he

[31] had, he should have given it to release him. Nothing that he could give to them could In conversation with Kekela regarding the cancel the debt he owes, and he says that progress Christianity was making among whenever Kekela stands in need, let him the people, Kekela states it as his opinion know and he shall share with him. Of that his efforts among the adults were al- course, both Capt. Stranburg and Mr. most useless, but that among the youth he Whalon rewarded Kekela and his chief with promise success, having now had of great such gifts as they had at their disposal, forty regular attendants on divine worship and they returned to the shore. on the Sabbath. Mr. Whalon bears testimony to the upright Christian character of Kekela Speaking of Mrs. Kekela, Mr. Whalon and wife, and of the great influence which said he was surprised to find a native Poly- they have over the natives in their settle- nesian so courteous, kind and polite, and so ment. Kekela is a most industrious man, well educated. Her manner and conduct at thus setting a worthy example to the isl- all times were ladylike. It is the best com- anders. He has more land under cultivation mentary of the transforming power of reli- than any other one man, and more sweet gion. Kekela and his wife could speak potatoes than the whole of the rest of the broken English, just enough to be under- settlement together. They have one Mar- stood, and supplied all his wants. quesan girl (before mentioned) living with After Mr. Whalon had been released, and them, who shows unmistakable evidence of escaped to Kekela's house, he inquired the improvement, being very domestic in her cause of his seizure by the natives, and habits and an apt scholar. learned that it was done out of revenge for Saturday morning, Jan. 16, the ship ap- the kidnapping of Marquesans by the Peru- peared off the island, and Kekela and the vians, who had stolen a cargo of men and chief made preparations to take Mr. Whalon women from this and the neighboring off to her, in their own boat—first sending islands. Some of these kidnapped natives a native ahead to see that nobody was in had been returned by the Peruvian Govern- ambush for the purpose of shooting any of ment, but many had died on the passage to the party. Finding the coast clear, they or from Peru, while others had had various embarked and soon reached the vessel, diseases including the small pox, which they where they were welcomed on board by brought back to the group and it was Capt. Stranburg. spreading over the islands. The Marquesans Mr. Whalon's emotions on reaching the were so incensed with these outrages of the ship can better be imagined than described. Peruvians, that they took vengeance on any He had been rescued from the savages and foreigners that might fall into their power, returned to his vessel through the efforts regardless who they were. Had not Kekela of a native Hawaiian—a stranger, who had been away, they would probably not have been prompted to act in his behalf by the maltreated Mr. W. in the manner they did. teachings of the Christian religion, of which Kekela does not live with the tribe into he gave the most exemplary evidence. Dur- whose hands he fell, and has but little in- ing 23 years voyaging around the world, he fluence with them. They are frequently at says he has never passed through a more war with the other tribes on the island. eventful cruise than this one, nor anywhere Still he is known all over the island, and met with strangers who have won his grati- the day may come when through his teach- tude and affection as these humble Hawaiian ing wars there may be ended and the tribes Missionaries, living on the Island of Hivaoa, dwell together in peace as they do on our to whose efforts alone, he owes his life. more favored Hawaiian group.

NOTE 3 In 1934, Kekela's son James, who re- Marquesan Mission in 1833, in his plan to mained in the Marquesas, stirred by the finance historical research work in exchange erection of the memorial to his father, sent for the Lincoln-Kekela watch. In this way the Lincoln watch to Miss Emily V. Warin- the timepiece became the property of the ner of Honolulu, through the mediation of Hawaiian Mission Children's Society. When a Roman Catholic priest, Fr. Moreau, of the dream of a historical museum for Hono- Tahiti. After Miss Warinner retired as lulu materializes, it is hoped that this his- managing editor of The Friend, several de- toric treasure will be placed there for per- scendents of the Mission joined Mr. Wallace manent exhibition. Alexander, grandson of members of the

[32]

(I

MERCANTILE PRINTING COMPANY