Time of Departure--Funds Provided--Sorrow at Separating--Contrast
Between Our Landing and Our Departure--Souls for Our Hire--An
Exceedingly Happy Mission
The time had arrived for the five Elders, who had remained out of the
first ten who were sent to the islands--to return home. It had been a
matter of some thought how we would be able to obtain means to return.
The islanders had but little money. A dollar with them was a very large
sum; a ten cent piece was a much larger sum with them generally, and
more difficult to procure, than a dollar was to Americans. But when
they learned we were soon to be released, they manifested a very kind
and liberal spirit. Still, with all they had done, when our passages
were engaged, we did not have near enough money to pay for them. But we
had faith that the necessary means would come from some quarter. And it
did. Through the kindness of Elders Lewis, Johnson and Hammond and some
white brethren whom we had baptized, we had enough, and some money to
take with us, to help us when we reached San Francisco.
The Lord knew our wants and he supplied them. And thus He always does
with His servants and those who put their trust in him.
Elder James Keeler, one of the five, failed to reach Honolulu in time
to sail on the vessel on which we had engaged our passages. This was a
great disappointment to us.
Elders Henry W. Bigler, James Hawkins, William Farrer and myself bade
farewell to the Elders and Saints at Honolulu on Saturday, July 29th,
1854, and sailed for San Francisco, homeward bound. The wharf at
Honolulu was crowded with native Saints and others, to see us embark.
We had quite an ovation. There also were the Elders from home and
Sister Hammond--Sister Lewis was not able to be out--to bid us farewell.
When the signal was made for all to go on board, we had considerable
difficulty in making our way to the vessel, through the throng
of people who crowded around to shake hands. My feelings were
indescribable. My dear white friends I had been associated with on
terms of the closest intimacy for several years. Ties of blood could
not, it seemed to me, have caused us to be more attached to each other
than we were. We had endured privation and toil together; we had
counseled and prayed together; we had had seasons of joy and happiness
together, such as those only know who have been engaged in similar
labors.
My feelings were so acute at the thought of parting with these beloved
companions and Saints, that, long as the years had been during which I
had been absent from home, and much as I had yearned for that home and
its loved associations, I could not control my emotions.
How great the contrast between our landing and our departure! We had
landed there friendless and unknown--so far as man was concerned. Now
there were thousands who loved us, who rejoiced in the truth of the
gospel and in the testimony of Jesus. On that wharf that day was an
illustration of the wonderful power of the gospel in creating love
in the hearts of the children of men. We had gone forth weeping and
bearing precious seed. The Lord had given us souls for our hire. Many
who were baptized there have gone hence, who I firmly believe will be
numbered among the redeemed and sanctified. Others, doubtless, will
prove faithful, and receive an inheritance in the kingdom of our Father.
More than twenty-five years have elapsed since my departure from the
Sandwich Islands. During that period my life has been a happy one.
I have filled many missions, have seen great varieties of life, and
have had exceedingly agreeable and delightful associations; but, after
making allowance for growth and increased capacity to enjoy, I can
truthfully say that, destitute as we were of many things which people
brought up as we are think necessary to comfort, at no time or under no
circumstances have I enjoyed more sweet, pure and soul-filling joy than
I did on MY FIRST MISSION.