Introductory.--Letter from Lorenzo's son-in-law on the
Sandwich Islands.--The weather.--Cane crop.--Five hundred and
forty-nine baptisms.--King David Kalakauna is coming to visit
the Saints.--Great preparations for his reception.--Houses
decorated.--Inscriptions.--Breakfast is waiting.--The steamer
comes.--The King is escorted between two files of men, women and
children.--Cheers.--Introductions.--Breakfast, then to the meeting
house.--Reception.--Singing choirs.--Dedication prayer by President
Partridge.--The King speaks approvingly of the Saints.--Meeting
adjourned.--A "big feast" prepared by the natives.--What composed
of.--How the King was seated.--How he ate.--How they all, numbering
one thousand, ate.--The King escorted to the steamer.--A national
custom.--Splendid conference.--Number of the Saints.
As an incidental jotting of the present, and as a family historic item
in connection with the preceding reports of missionary labors, we here
introduce a letter which my brother has received from a son-in-law, now
on his second mission to the Sandwich Islands. When sent on his first
mission to the isles, he was quite young, and went as a lone boy; now
he has his family, consisting of a wife (my brother's daughter), and
two children with him. He was called at the last April Conference, and
started soon after its close. This is Morris Young's third mission
abroad.
Laie Plantation, Oahu, Honolulu,
Hawaiian Islands, October 11th, 1883.
_President Lorenzo Snow, Brigham City, Utah_:
My Dear Father.--I take pleasure in writing you, and hope this letter
will find you all well, as it leaves us. With occasional pleasant
showers, the weather here is delightful. I presume you at home are all
preparing for a cold winter.
Our cane crop is growing finely, a portion of which will probably be
ready to take off in December, when we expect to commence grinding.
For several weeks past I have worked very hard, finishing up the
painting of our new meeting house, attending many meetings in the
afternoons and evenings.
Last week the brethren were very busy rebaptizing and confirming
the people, numbering in all, including new members, five
hundred and forty-nine. We took turns in baptizing. I baptized
seventy-two--fourteen of this number were new baptisms. I baptized one
woman whose weight is two hundred and sixty, and several who weigh over
two hundred.
Saturday, October 6.--Hundreds of people were out early in the morning.
Prior to this, we had received the announcement that the king, David
Kalakauna, would honor us with his presence, and now the word is that
the steamer on which he sails will land here at Laie at six a. m.
Every possible preparation had previously been made for the reception
of His Majesty, and the plantation is now dotted all over with people.
The women are dressed in all colors--some in silks and satins, some in
native manufactured material, and all in their very best.
I have been assisting in making and decorating a crown, to be placed
over an archway, through which the king will pass. In the archway is
written in large letters, "_E ola morn ka Moi_"--in English, "Forever
live the King." This motto is on the Makia side of the arch, and on the
Mauka side is written "_Hui hooulu Lahue_," which means "To increase
the nation." The arch is beautifully decorated with ferns and flags.
The large gate near the sea is also nicely decorated with ferns, leaves
and shrubs.
The "Mission House" is fancifully ornamented with ferns and
flowers--the posts, railings and ceiling of the porch are all draped
with braided ferns, bountifully interspersed with flowers, which gives
it a very beautiful appearance.
We have a fine liberty pole in the center of the grounds, on which
the Hawaiian flag is floating. The new meeting house is truly grand;
it is set off with three chandeliers, a large clock on the center of
the gallery at the east end, and on the west, over the stand, hangs my
father's likeness, elegantly draped. On the right-hand wall is written,
in large letters, in the native language, "He that endureth to the end
shall live;" and on the left, "He will remember the isles of the sea."
The stand, the gallery, and the aisles in the body of the building, are
spread with neat Chinese mats.
After this cursory glance at the meeting house, we will return to the
Mission House, where we find breakfast all in readiness, waiting the
arrival of the king. Nine o'clock a. m., the steamer is in sight, about
twenty-five miles out--eleven a. m., steamer arrives at Laie, anchors
in the harbor some forty rods from land, and at twenty minutes past
eleven, the king landed in a row-boat, and was carried from the water's
edge, three or four rods, to his horse. His Majesty's party consists of
three ladies and one gentleman. Whether these all belong to the royal
family I do not know. The party have several servants in attendance. An
escort of about fifty horsemen are at the shore to meet the king.
The following committees are at their posts, viz: Committee on
reception at the beach, Elders Reed, Meldrum, Brim, Marchant,
Kinimakalahua and Kaleohano; captain of the horsemen, Samuel Woolley;
committee on reception at the Mission House, President Partridge,
Young, Fox, Hansen, Farrell and Partridge, Jr.; committee on programme,
H. A. Woolley, Gardner and Pack.
The people are now in line on either side of the road for a long
distance. Sunday schools, relief societies, young men's and young
ladies' mutual improvement associations, Elders, Priests, Teachers,
Deacons, and the Saints generally, all out in honor of the occasion.
About twenty-five minutes past eleven a. m., the king mounted his
horse, and was escorted to the Mission House amid a volley of cheers,
"Hip, hip, hurrah! hip, hip, hurrah!" from the delighted multitude.
Elder H. A. Woolley received His Majesty at the archway, where the king
and party dismounted, and were conducted into the house, where they had
introduced to them President Partridge, Mrs. Partridge, Mrs. Young,
and many of the brethren. President Partridge welcomed the king to the
location, etc., who seemed very pleased with the reception given him.
The party partook of the breakfast in waiting. During this time the
people gathered to the new meeting house, which was densely crowded;
although it accommodates about five hundred, half of the assemblage was
outside the building. Breakfast over, the king and party, President
Partridge and wife, and B. M. Young and wife started for the meeting
house. On entering, the congregation arose, and three choirs sang
a national air of the Hawaiian Islands, entitled, "_The crowned
King_." One of the choirs came from Honolulu City, one from the town
of Kahana, and the other belongs to Laie. His Majesty was invited to
the stand--his party occupied a position near the stand, with Sisters
Partridge and Young. After singing, the king took his seat, and the
congregation followed suit.
Meeting was called to order by President Partridge. Singing by the Laie
choir. Prayer by Elder Gardner. Singing by the Kahana choir. After
which, President Partridge made a few remarks, also read a report of
donations for the new meeting house, and of cost of the building, to
wit: $7,947.58. Next in order was singing by the Honolulu choir, then
the dedication prayer was offered by President Partridge, when the Laie
choir sang a hymn composed for the occasion; after which, the king
was invited to speak to the people. His remarks were very good--he
exhorted the people to continue their good works, and to carry out the
teachings they receive from the Elders in our Church. Said we were the
only denomination in his kingdom that kept the laws of the land, etc.
Singing by the Honolulu choir. A few remarks were made by Mr. Cummings,
one of the party. I think he is owner of the steamer. After singing by
the Kahana choir, President Partridge stated that arrangements had been
made for a big feast, prepared by the natives for the king and party,
the Utah Elders and wives, and for the whole people on the island,
which would be partaken of at the old meeting house, where a long
bowery was erected for the accommodation of all the people. Singing.
Conference was adjourned until to-morrow morning (the 7th) at ten
o'clock.
Now to the "big feast"--the old meeting house is not taken by surprise,
but is trimmed and tastefully fitted for the doubly interesting
occasion. On each side of the house tablecloths are spread on the
floor, with plenty of ferns scattered around for the people to sit on;
and on the tablecloths are spread _poi_ in callow baskets, beef, pork,
chicken, watermelons and bananas, on plates, but _no plates, no knives
and forks, and no spoons_ to eat with. We all ate as the Hawaiians do,
_with our fingers_.
At the head of the tablecloths, the king had a bedspread and pillow
to lounge on; his party was seated next him, on each side, then the
brethren and sisters from Utah, then the natives. His Majesty and all
ate _poi_ and meat with their fingers. The king was very sociable and
agreeable, much more so than when he was here before.
The finger process of eating was so entirely new to Meda, I thought she
might feel a strong repugnance, but she said she "rather enjoyed it."
There were at least one thousand who partook of the feast, but not all
at the same time.
The king and party returned to the steamer at twenty minutes to four
p.m. The people escorted him to the beach, and, in accordance with
Hawaiian custom, he received presents from the natives, such as poi,
pigs, chickens and bananas. The sea was very rough when the steamer
came in and when it went out, in consequence of the heavy breakers,
which are sometimes very dangerous at this harbor. The day was pleasant
although windy.
Conference adjourned on the 8th. We held seven meetings--two evening
meetings; the house is brilliant when it is lit up.
Over one thousand people were present; they came from all the Hawaiian
Islands. We had a splendid conference. There are three thousand
six hundred eighty-nine Saints, children and all. Two hundred and
eighty-six have received the Gospel since last April.
Armeda joins me in love to you and the family. Please remember us to
all inquiring friends.
I remain your obedient son,
B. Morris Young.