The Diary of
Frederick William Hurst
[HERE THERE WERE SEVEN PAGES MISSING FROM THE JOURNAL, AND THE TIME FROM SEPTEMBER 30 TILL OCTOBER 10 IS NOT ACCOUNTED FOR.]
October 10th, Waialua. After breakfasting on very fat pork, Kala and Poi, we pursued our journey to Kiliula, where we arrived at about twelve o'clock. We found the Saints middling, but in great pilikia (trouble) for food. We therefore pursued our journey to this place and found the Saints first rate and some fit to cry with joy at our return. After some difficulty we got some dirty unclean fish and poi. I have seen the time when the sight of what we ate would have been sufficient for my stomach. We got news from the brethren in Honolulu, Lahaina, and Lanai.
October 11th, Waialua. Had a good meeting before breakfast. The saints made me a present of a hat. After breakfast we got a couple of horses to go to Kaluaaha for letters. I received one from my brother, Clement, stating that he was well and enjoying good spirits. On our way back I was nearly thrown from my horse owing to the saddle slipping nearly under the horse's belly. We were coming along at a smart canter at the time. We are in great pilikia for food at the present.
Waialua, Friday, October 12th. Met with the Saints and after breakfast of fish and poi I wrote an answer to the letters I got yesterday, and after dining of Pakia and poi we went to Kiliula to send our letters off. We found Brother Halela very near dead and the Saints very dull. On our return we met with the Saints.
Waialua, Saturday, October 13th. I spent the day in writing my journal from memory from the first arrived at Honolulu, July 5th. Spent the evening as usual, singing.
Sunday, October 14th. We had four very good meetings today. One of the brethren preached for a pair of shoes for Brother Bell as he was nearly barefoot. The weather is very hot and dry, the creeks have dried up entirely and the Saints are looking very anxiously for rain.
October 15th. After Breakfast, Brother Bell and I went to Kiliula to see when there would be a boat going to Lahaina as he wanted to go over. The man wanted fifty cents, and not having the money he could not go. We found Brother Halela dead. He died last night. The Saints mourn his death most woefully, howling, etc. It is the custom. I took a stroll in the evening by myself, I fell in with a Calvinist and tried to bear my testimony to him. I long to see the time when I shall be able to do so with ease. Spent the evening with the Saints.
October 16th. Had meeting and after breakfast I had a long talk with a Calvinist. I find that talking with the natives helps me with the language. Brother Bell and a native Elder went to Kiliula to preach a funeral sermon for Brother Halela. On their return we had meeting here, Brother Bell preached.
October 17th. I had a strange dream last night. I dreamed I was on board ship, sitting in the cabin. I got up and opened one of the cabin windows and looked out over the water, it was as smooth as glass. I looked for some time, at last I saw a gentleman and a lady, very gaily dressed, pass by under the stern of the vessel. The more I looked the more people I saw till I could not see the water there were so many. At last I got tired of looking for my eyes grew dizzy. I turned away and said: "My eyes have been opened, behold it is a vision." I spent the evening with the Saints.
October 18th. I had another dream last night. I dreamed Brother Bell and I were traveling, preaching at every place we came to. I thought we were traveling and at last we came to a hill, very steep and almost perpendicular. It was covered with dead grass, dry sticks and loose stones. I thought there was no other road and we must either ascend or turn back. However, up the hill we went but it was with extreme difficulty for as fast as we would catch hold of anything it would give way. When we got to the top we found a house where we fixed sumptuous light. The weather still continues very dry and hot.
October 19th. Met with the Saints twice today. The long wished for rain has come at last, it has been pouring all day. Brother Bell and I had a long talk between ourselves on the Kingdom of God. I feel in very good spirits though we are very short of food.
October 20th. Owing to the pilikia for food we had no breakfast today till near midday. The rain still continued very heavy, the natives enjoy themselves out in the rain; they have the advantage of us for they go naked and so are not troubled with wet clothes. There was an immense fall of water from the mountains. I thought at first it was going to flood the whole place it came with such force, it rolled great stones down. They made a noise in the water like distant thunder.
October 21st, Sunday. Owing to the heavy rains we held meeting here today instead of at Kiliula. The Saints would have me speak to them. I got up and said to them that in order to have the Spirit of the Lord among them they must study cleanliness for it was next to Godliness. Spent the evening talking and singing.
October 22nd. Brother Bell left this place of Lahaina. I accompanied him part way. The vessel was lying about four miles from here. I returned about two o'clock and dined on Pokai and poi. I set to studying the language in the evening. I was in a pilikia about where I should stop as Brother Kealo is going over to Lahaina for a short while to work. Kealo asked Lili if he would keep me but he hung his head and said nothing. Kelali, the President was in an awful way. He ran all around the neighborhood trying to get me a place to stop, although I called him back and told him I was not hungry this evening and as for lodging I could sleep in the meeting house that night. And in the morning if the Saints did not want me I would go to Kaluikai, and if they did not want me I would leave the Island and go to Lahaina. This had the desired effect, Kelali was off directly and told the brethren and sisters. Down they came to the house, some cried and some begged and prayed for me to stay. At last Keluli persuaded me to sleep where I had slept before for tonight and next morning he would see what could be done, adding as soon as his house was built he would keep me.
October 23rd. Met with the Saints before breakfast. Keluli did not forget to lay it on pretty stiff about them neglecting to keep the Elders as they ought. He rehearsed what had taken place last evening, and added that if they wanted the blessings of the Lord to rest upon them they would keep me till he had his house finished and then he would not ask them to keep me. Or else I would run off to Kaluikai, they would keep me well and be glad of the chance. Some got to a pretty high mind. Some wanted to fit me up a house and all hands keep me so I would live comfortable, and several wanted to keep me entirely themselves. I thought it would be wisdom to choose the house and all keep me. After a deal of fuss the meeting was closed, and I was told to stop at Brother Liilii's house until they were ready for me. About ten o'clock I was escorted in great pomp to my new abode. I found they had fitted up the house that Brother Green lived in. There is a bedstead in it covered with a new mat as well as the floor, also a nice large table, which is quite a treat after laying around on the floor reading and writing, and on the table was a nice boiled fowl and some good sour poi, etc.
I could not help thanking my Heavenly Father for all the benefits he bestowed on me from time to time. I felt I would try to live worthy in His sight. In the afternoon I got talking with some Saints about the gift to be enjoyed in the Church; in fact that I had enjoyed myself both temporally and spiritually. I related some instances of healing by baptism. Presently Makapa disappeared of a sudden, and bye and bye back he comes bringing his wife with him, who had been sick for some time. Says he, "My wife wants you to baptize her." I told him it would do no good unless they had faith in Jesus Christ. He said their faith was strong. I told them if that was the case directly as she was baptized she would be healed. I went and changed my clothes and then in company with Keluli and a few of the Saints, we went down to the water. I then prayed that I might have wisdom, that I might do everything for the honor and power of God to strengthen my faith, after which I baptized her in the name of the Lord Jesus. The disease left her and she got well from that hour. I feel that the time is not far off when the Lord will do a marvelous work among this people.
October 24th. Soon after I was up and dressed this morning I received four letters, three for myself and one for Brother Bell. Mine were from Brothers Cluff, West, and C. C. Hurst; Brother Bell's from J. T. Caine. All good news except Brother Caine was in a pilikia about the vessel having no means to get a license for her.
It has rained heavy all day. They killed a pig today. I did not get anything to eat until nearly two o'clock today, they having no fish. I had to wait until the pig was killed, dressed and some of it cooked. They also cooked some cabbage, the first I have seen since I have been on the Island.
October 25th. Still raining very heavy. One of the Brethren brought my box from Kiliula. I wrote answers to Brothers Cluff and West's letters. Feeling in good spirits, also that the Lord is blessing me every day.
October 26th. Still heavy showers of rain accompanied with very heavy winds. The Saints kept me up till near midnight talking about the scriptures. They had a notion that Cornelius fell asleep at Peter's feet, etc.
October 27th. The weather was so fine after the rain that I was tempted to take a walk. While I was out a wasp stung me over the right eye, it was very painful for some time. I am troubled with a headache this evening, I suppose it is from studying for I spend all my time trying to get the language.
October 28th, Sunday. I met with the Saints here before breakfast after which we went over to Kiliula and held two meetings. I opened the second meeting by reading the first ten verses of the first chapter of the second Epistle of Peter, then made a few remarks and exhorted the Saints to be faithful. This was my first attempt in the native language. The Saints felt good. While there I received a letter from Brother Bell stating that he was still at Lahaina; enjoying good health and everything prospering very well.
October 29th. The weather is fine at present. I wrote an answer to Brother Bell's letter and took it to Kiliula. The Brethren are all well.
Waialua, October 30th. I met with the Saints before breakfast this morning as usual. I had some trouble to get men to go to Kaualua next Sunday to preach and partake of the Sacrament. I spoke on obedience to the Priesthood.
October 31st. I got up early this morning intending to go and have a bath but when I got about a half mile from the house it commenced to pour with rain; having nothing on but my shirt and pants, I was soon drenched to the skin. We are very short of food at present. I have had but two very slight meals today. I supped off Luao and poi.
November 1st. I and one of the Brethren went to Kiliula to stir up the Saints there and get them to attend meetings. They all said they felt well, but some were in one pilikia about one thing and some in another. Brother King came over from Lauai in Brother Bell's stead. We met in the evening, Brother King preached at length. It being the first Thursday of the month we fasted all day.
November 3rd. Rained. In afternoon we had a heavy rain, caught Brother King in it.
November 4th Sunday. We had some very good meetings today, most of the Saints from Kiliula attended. Brother King preached and we administered the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. The Saints feel well. Spent the evening as usual, singing.
November 6th, Lupehu. We met with the Saints at Waialua before breakfast, after which we left intending to go to a village beyond Halaua. We stopped once or twice along the road to talk to some natives but they all seemed stupid. They put me in mind of what Isaiah said: "They have eyes but see not, and ears but are dull of hearing." We arrived at our destination about one o'clock, and some of the natives seemed very inquiring. Spent the rest of the day talking on the principles of the Gospel.
Halana, November 7th. Had a good meeting at Lupehu this morning. A good many attended. Brother King preached on the first principles of the Gospel. We arrived at this place about two o'clock. The natives seemed glad to see us.
About four o'clock we attended a Calvinist meeting, after their native teacher had finished one of the natives got up and proposed that we preach. He was seconded and it was carried unanimously by the congregation, but their teacher was in great wrath and said he did not want anything of the kind and told the people to go home, with great vehemence, and not stop where we were. But he might as well have spoken to the wind, the people wanted to hear us preach, they therefore asked us to preach outside. We consented and went out to the end of the chapel. The natives sang a lively hymn and Brother King opened the meeting with prayer and then preached to them for some time. The natives were very attentive. One young man wrote down the passages as they were quoted on the back of a plate. The congregation amounted to considerable over one hundred. After meeting was closed they kept us there till dark arguing on the scriptures. We then went to our homes and spent the evening until a late hour.
Waialua, November 8th. We left Halana about nine o'clock this morning. We called at Lupehu and had dinner, talked awhile, then pursued our journey to Waialua. On the way we stopped at a house where a young man could talk English pretty well. He treated us very hospitably to poi and fish and some oranges. We arrived at this place at about four o'clock. We went to the Halepule to hold meeting, but the Saints did not attend so we postponed it until a later date.
November 9th. It has poured with rain all day, accompanied with very heavy wind. Spent the day studying.
November 10th. Heavy showers of rain all morning. It cleared up in the afternoon. Brother King and I went and had a bath. We are in great pilikia for food, had no breakfast.
Sunday, November 11th. While at meeting Brother Bowman came to see us. He had put in at Pulehu about six miles from here. He had just arrived from Honolulu and Lahaina with some horses and donkeys. Two had died on the passage. Brother Bowman is the man who built the Lanai Cutter. Owing to our pilikia for food we had nothing to give him to eat. He stopped with us about one hour and then left us and proceeded around the Island East to get freight.
November 12th. Brother King and I got a couple of horses and went down to the store to see if there were any letters for us, and also to see the vessel. I got a letter for Brother Bell, and one for myself from my brother C. C. Hurst. News good. We called at Kealoha's coming back and had dinner of beef and poi. He tied some up for us to take home with us. He had a nice piece of ground ready for sowing some wheat. Brother King showed him how to sow it and then we came home.
November 13th. Elder Odu's brother died last night. Very few Saints were out to meeting this morning on the account. The house is about one half mile off yet we can hear the natives weeping and wailing. We went before dinner to bathe after which we started for Waiakana about one o'clock.
We called at Kaluaho and got two letters, one from Brother Partridge and one from Brother Cluff. They were well but the saints were very dull. This is pretty general all over the Island just now.
This time we put up at a home kept by Keluli. We had quite a variety for supper, bread fruit, potatoes, boiled Kalo and fish. Spent the evening talking, and after prayers we went to bed.
November 14th. The mosquitoes kept me awake nearly all night. About two o'clock this morning our host offered up a prayer. I will not venture to say how long he prayed but I thought he was never going to leave off. He was especially praying for us, the servants of God. His prayer was full of repetitions from beginning to end. We breakfasted on poi and salt just at dawn of day, and before the sun rose we were on our way toward Waiakana, thirty miles distant.
We stopped at Kahanakakai for dinner, they treated us very hospitably. We dined on fish and sweet potatoes. At their request we sang two or three hymns and then proceeded on our journey.
We arrived at Waiakana a little before sunset. The brethren and sisters were very glad to see us. We ate a hearty supper of splendid boiled fish and potatoes. Being very tired we retired early to rest.
November 15th. After breakfast, Brother King and I walked three-fourths of a mile and bathed in fresh water. Spent the day studying. The brethren were away fishing, they caught a fine fat turtle and had it cooked for supper. I believe it was the best meat I ever ate. Spent the evening talking and singing.
November 16th, Papahaku. We ate a hearty breakfast of sea turtle and sweet potatoes, and then pursued our journey to Papahaku Kalaakai. We arrived here about twelve o'clock noon and the Saints were very glad to see us. We found them all well but one sister who we found very bad with a disease that is very prevalent among the natives. We also found a small vessel here from Honolulu. The Saints have been busy all day shipping melons and pigs. I wrote a letter to my brother C. C. Hurst. I had a fine swim this evening which refreshed me very much after our travels.
November 17th. Brother King was taken very bad in the night with the Diarrhea. I laid hands on him after which he took a bath and from that time he got better. The wind has blown so hard all day that the Saints could not ship their things, there is a very heavy sea.
November 18th. We met with the Saints before breakfast. Brother King preached. About ten o'clock the Saints arrived from Waiakana, we then held another meeting. Brother King preached and was followed by the President of this branch. About two o'clock we met again, a great many attended that did not belong to the Church. Brother King spoke for some time on the first principles, and then we partook of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. The Saints feel well in this place. Brother King had quite a long argument with a Calvinist Teacher, Kumuwe.
November 19th. The trade winds continue blowing strong. So much so that the vessel has not yet left for Honolulu. We spent most of the forenoon studying. In the afternoon we took a walk to see melon patches. Held meeting in the evening, Brother King exhorted the Saints to live faithfully.
November 20th. The vessel left this morning for Honolulu although the trade winds blew as hard as ever. Brother King and I had a bath, there was a very heavy sea at the time, the heavy waves would dash us up on the sand, then wash us back again. We had rare sport for some time. In the evening we went to see the sister that was sick. At the man's request we examined her and found her body completely covered with large holes eat into the flesh some places as large as my hand. Her body was in a filthy condition and wrapped in dirty old kapa's. Enough to kill any ordinary person. We told her husband to see that she got some clean clothes and was washed clean. We spent the evening talking about old times and singing.
November 21st. Held meeting with the Saints before breakfast. Brother King preached on the first principles. We left Papahaka about eight o'clock intending to go to Kaualuna. We reached Mauunio about eleven o'clock but found no one at home. We had walked nine miles but could not get a drop of water to drink. We had a fine bath near Mauoui. The trade winds have been blowing strong all day right in our faces. The roads were very sandy and heavy to walk on and I am almost barefoot. I think it rather doubtful if I have any shoes left when I reach Waialua. We walked 18 miles before we could get anything, either to drink or eat. I picked up a dried fish in the road, we brought it along with us and when we got to the first house we asked for something to eat and drink. They said they had no fish. We said we had so they gave us some potatoes and poi and we ate a hearty meal for we had had a long fast.
We reached this place after sundown. We were treated very hospitably to melons, potatoes, and fish.
November 22nd, Nauina. After a breakfast of sweet potatoes, dried fish and melons we pursued our journey to Kaualuna; we traveled about five miles and then we came to what we called the hill of difficulty. It took better than an hour to descend. I believe I mentioned this hill before. The road is cut out of the side of the mountain and very narrow some places and very dangerous for if anybody should make a false step they would to down hundreds of feet. However, after some difficulty we reached the bottom.
Soon after reaching the bottom some Kanakas called us to go to their house. Being pretty hungry we went, they gave us some pork and potatoes and poi. After resting a while we pursued our journey to Kaualuna. We reached this place about three o'clock. Found Brother Kahakawila feeling pretty well and all very glad to see us. We supped on potatoes and salt. Spent the evening talking. My boots had just given out when we got to this place. One of the brethren gave me a pair of low shoes, so when I have begged a pair of socks somewhere I shall be set up.
November 23rd, Kaualuna. Met with the Saints before breakfast. Brother King preached on
the gathering;
the end of the world. They could get no fish so we breakfasted on potatoes, poi and salt and some kukui nuts.
Brother King and I walked about a mile and had a fresh water bath. Owing to our travels my trousers had got very dirty, in fact, instead of being white they had turned red. I expect I looked more like a laborer in a brick kiln than a missionary. I had none with me to change so I pulled them off and washed them and waited for them to dry. I made my hands very sore rubbing them, it was with great difficulty that I got them clean for I had no soap.
As usual we have been in a pilikia for food today. We had no dinner and but a very light breakfast so when supper was ready we were almost ravenous. We made a hearty meal of potatoes and salt.
November 24th. Spent the day studying the language. We dined about four or five o'clock on salt and potatoes and Kola. Spent the evening singing and talking on the gathering and Deseret.
Sunday, November 25th. Met with the Saints before breakfast. Brother King preached, followed very ably by Kahakawila, the President of this branch. Breakfasted on cold potatoes and salt. We met again about eleven o'clock. Brother King preached on first principles. Quite a large number of Calvinists attended, but very few of the Saints attended. I got up and bore my testimony as well as I could. I am still very (hemahema) poor in the language. We met again in the afternoon, Brother King preached on the gathering. There is one thing that I feel thankful for and that is that I can understand the natives much better than I did.
If all is well we will start for Waialua early tomorrow morning. We supped off salt and potatoes. Spent the evening talking and singing.
* footnote 5:
"With the selection of the valleys of the mountains as the future home of the Saints an 'ensign' was truly raised,
under which converts of the Church were called to gather from every land and clime.
In a general epistle sent by Brigham Young and the Twelve from Winter Quarters, December 23, 1847, ...
" the Saints were told to "flee to Zion."
The Restored Church, p. 275-276