Brs. Snider and Winchester set out for Lahaina. Br. W. is on his way to Honolulu. Brs. MacBride and Lawson left before breakfast for Makawao. Kaunaea, a native lawyer, came to see us. We had a good talk with him on Mormonism; he is believing, I think. In the evening, Napela, his wife and his wife’s sister, Nelly, came in to hear the brethren sing. Spent the evening pleasantly. I forgot to mention my going down to see Kahulua to see Mr. J. Fern about his boys coming to school. He agreed to send the oldest one (about 5 years old), and is to pay at the rate of 3 dollars per week and pay a quarter of a year in advance.
Sun May 29, 1853
At 10 a.m. the meeting was called to order, and Elder Cannon was chosen president, Brs. Winchester and Napela clerks. I was called upon to speak first on the subject of priesthood, had a good flow of the spirit, spoke better than I ever spoke before on that subject. The house was filled with the spirit and many were seen to weep for joy. Br. H. followed on the doctrine of baptism for the dead. Br. Cannon followed on priesthood and concluded with a short lecture on the first principles, adjourned for half an hour, baptised 5 during the intermission.
Met again pursuant to adjournment; singing and prayer by Elder Keeler. Pres. C. addressed the congregation upon the nature of the offices which we expected to fill that afternoon, what they should teach and what they should not teach etc. After which, we ordained those who had been baptized last Sunday and today also, 11 in all. After which, we chose Brs. Napela and Kaleohano for the office of elder and they were unanimously voted for. Maiola, Maeweua, George Raymond, P. White, Kanahunahupu, Kapano, Kimo Pelio, Kulapulu were chosen for priest, Kekoa a teacher, Kaihumau a deacon.
I spoke to them on the nature of their duty etc, had much of the spirit. Prophesied to them that if they would keep the same spirit which they had received this day and go forth and magnify their offices, that it should not be long before there should be a mighty work done through their instrumentality and they should triumph over every opposing power and etc. Administered the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper and we all did rejoice much in the goodness of the Lord to us. [Had] prayer by Elder Hammond, adjourned to meet again at early candlelight.
Got the house prepared with lights, and came together according to appointment to ordain the officers who had been chosen; [had] singing and prayer by Elder K. After giving them much good instruction according to the promptings of the spirit, we proceeded to ordain them; had much of the spirit while ordaining, many blessings and prophecies were pronounced upon their heads. Continued our meeting until near midnight; the brethren that have not the language got very tired and weary, adjourned sine die. Napela’s wife was preached to; she belongs yet to the other church, but has a good spirit towards us. She has been healed several times by the elders. After meeting wrote a letter to Mrs. H. to send by Brs. Snider and Winchester.
Sat May 28, 1853
This day we all fasted for the spirit to be with us on the morrow. About 1 p.m. Brs. H. and Reddin A. Allred arrived from Kula. They had baptized that cripple and 7 others, Kapono and Kekoa among them, two deacons from Rev. Green’s church. At 2 [o’clock] met for prayer and praise, had much of the spirit of the Lord. All felt humble and confessed our sins, and the Lord did pour His spirit upon us. Brs. C., Keeler and myself went down and administered to Br. Uaua’s child. In the evening met. When we returned we found Brs. MacBride and Lawson had arrived from Makawao. In the evening held a council meeting to choose candidates for the priesthood to be ordained on the morrow. Br. C. presided, I was chosen clerk; had a good spirit with us, and all went off harmoniously. Two were chosen for the high priesthood, (Br. Napela and Kaleohano) and 7 for the lesser priesthood, adjourned about 10 o’clock sine die.
Fri May 27, 1853
All day at Wailuku; in the evening we met according to the order for prayer. Had much of the Spirit, and we were much blessed and believe we will receive the things which we asked for. Brs. Green and Keeler did not meet with us as they had no clothes.
Thu May 26, 1853
Set out for Wailuku before breakfast, arrived there about 9 a.m. Found Brs. Green, Allred, Snider and Keeler there and they were all well. I enjoyed myself much in the society of the brethren.
Wed May 25, 1853
All day at Br. W’s, spent the day pleasantly with the brethren conversing upon principles.
Tue May 24, 1853
Wrote a letter to father, wrote some about my religion etc. Br. C. arrived about 2 o’clock from Kula, his cold is better. Had a talk in the evening with Brs. MacBride and Lawson concerning the work on these islands; they are a little inclined to find fault. We all indulged in a wrong spirit and I felt that we all had grieved the Spirit. Asked them to forgive me if I had said anything to hurt their feelings, so did Br. C., but Brs. MacBride and Lawson did not ask any forgiveness.
Mon May 23, 1853
Called away to see the poor cripple who was administered to yesterday, he says that his body seems changed. We administered to him again. Br. Cannon was mouth, as he was mouth before, according to the request of the native. His name is Kauelu. Preached to the household a little and left them. In the afternoon I went over to Br. Winchester’s at Makawao. Found Brs. MacBride and Lawson well and studying the language.
Sun May 22, 1853
Beautiful morning, cool and bracing the air. At 10 o’clock the branch came together. Br. Cannon was called upon to speak first; spoke a little while [but] did not feel well. I followed on the subject of there being a famine for the word of God. I showed them the way and the order of obtaining the word of the [Lord] in all ages when there was a church on the earth. They seemed to rejoice. I told them to look to Br. Napela for the word of the Lord to them etc. Br. Napela followed with a few remarks and closed. In the afternoon met and administered the Lord’s Supper, had a good time teaching and instructing the Saints. All felt well. Administered to a man who had been down with a stroke of the palsy for years, could not stand upon his feet. We anointed him and laid hands on him. He said that he felt strange all over his body as though his flesh was coming anew and his hands getting strength again. Also laid hands on Br. Kanaunaopu and one sister.
At sundown Br. Napela arrived from Wailuku, had a good time down there, 6 baptized. He told us the Br. Uaua was in prison at Honolulu for baptizing on Sunday. The branch numbers 250 at Honolulu and baptizing daily. There was one baptized at Kula today.
Sat May 21, 1853
All day at Kula conversing upon the things of the kingdom. Br. Napela went down to Wailuku to be there on the morrow. Br. Cannon wrote a letter to the Keanae brethren for the teachers of that branch to come to a special conference to be held on Sunday, May the 29th, for the purpose of ordaining some more to the priesthood. Went and took a bath, enjoying myself much.
Fri May 20, 1853
Wrote a note to Mrs. H. Antonio furnished me with a horse to keep until I return home. Arrived Wailuku about 8 o’clock, found no one at Napela’s except a sick woman. I learned through her that Br. Cannon had returned and that all the brethren were at Kula. Saw Sis. Uaua, had a talk with her; she is looking for Br. Uaua home soon from Oahu. Left Wailuku and set out for Kula, arrived there about 9 p.m. Found Brs. Cannon, Hawkins and Reddin A. Allred. Br. Reddick N. Allred and Snider had left that morning for Wailuku with a horse for me to ride up, but I missed [them] somewhere on the road. Brs. MacBride, and Lawson had gone to Makawao. Br. Cannon had a good time while on his tour strengthening the branches etc. Cold weather, ma kula nei.
Thu May 19, 1853
At 8 a.m. I set out for Wailuku. Before I left home, I called my family together and blessed them one and all and dedicated them to the Lord. I found no place between Lahaina and the foot of the mountain where they wanted to hear me preach; it is a distance of about 12 miles. The road leads along the beach, lush and good traveling, several streams running down from the mountains which lay in a range about 2 miles from the beach. The highest one, or the peak of the highest one, is about 8000 feet above the sea level.
I arrived at Mr. Brooks’ about 1 p.m., quite tired and hungry. He told of how much he had done for my brethren, how he had fed and lodged them and he wanted them to stop whenever they were passing by etc, but he did not say a word about my eating with him. He is an Englishman and quite partial to his countrymen. I rested about ½ hour, and then set out over the mountain without eating or drinking in Brooks’ house as he made quite a poor mouth about so many passing by without buying any beer or anything to eat. Some, he said, would stop and get a drink of water and so pass on. So I thought I would not trouble him at all although I was quite thirsty. The road over the mountain is very rough and stony, dry, and dusty, called about 6 miles over it down into Wailuku Valley on the great plain laying between the Wailuku mountains and the Kula mountains on the south. The plain is about 15 miles wide, and as much or more broad. This is what separated east Maui from west Maui, it makes them look not unlike two separate islands. About halfway over the mountain, there is a very deep ravine where water sometimes stands for a good while after the rains, but when I arrived there I could not find but about a half a pint of water and that so far under a rock that I could not get at it to drink. Although I was very dry by this time, traveled on till I came to the path the leads down to Kahalia. As I was tired and thirsty, I took this path, for it was the nearest way to water and there was a branch of the church at Kahalia. I thought I would go there and stop overnight and meet with and give them a preach. Arrived there, sun about an hour and half high, and to my great chagrin, there was not a member there to be found, all had gone to Kula on the potato business. Got a drink of brackish water and set out for Waikapu, a distance of about 5 miles, against a very strong trade wind which blew with fury across the plain, got very tired and laid down to rest several times before I arrived at Waikapu. My right leg got very weak as it always does when I go on foot far. Arrived at Antonio Catalina’s just at sundown; he was glad to see me, got a good supper for me, and I went bed very thankful.
Wed May 18, 1853
Went again to Br. Kahakulua’s, but was too late for meeting although the sun was hardly up. They are very short in their exercises when I am not present. The deacon was not there, he is quite weak in the faith. Tried to hire again the house we formerly occupied for a meetinghouse, but could not agree on the price. Called on Mr. Lippit, the lawyer, had quite a pleasant interview, left a file of the Deseret News with him. In the afternoon held a meeting at my house, very few present, talked upon the necessity of having faith enough to have power over diseases and not to be afraid of the scourges which the Lord will pour out upon the nations. We have heard that the smallpox is in Honolulu. The Saints wished to know if they should not go and get vaccinated as all the people were doing. So I told them, if their faith was weak and [they] did not trust the Lord to go, but as for myself I should not go and if I died all was well. Had a good time with them; they appeared to be warmed up. As I expected to go away on the morrow to Wailuku, I bid them adieu in the name of the Lord. I shall probably be gone 2 weeks.
Tue May 17, 1853
Went out to attend the morning meeting at Br. Kahakulua’s, but found no signs of meeting. The deacon is very weak and those he has the oversight of are weak also. This makes two mornings I have been up there and found the same state of affairs. Oh for wisdom to lead men in the way of life that they may be saved at the last day. Employed in study. In the afternoon held a meeting at Br. Solomon’s under a lanai which he has build for the purpose, preached on the second coming of Christ, not but a few present, had a good flow of the spirit.
Mon May 16, 1853
Employed in copying and getting ready our letters for mailing; wrote letters to Brs. MacBride, Woodbury and to Kaleohano and to Mr. Tripp on Molokai, sent Br. Allred’s letter. The sick brother from Hawaii has got better through our administering to him. I am at a loss to know what else to do to set the work agoing here. I feel to call mightily on the Lord to teach me how to act that I may bring forth His work in this place.
Sun May 15, 1853
Met at my house, preached from Amos 8:11, had a few strangers to hear. Showed them that the words of the text was fulfilled in these days, for there was a great famine among the nations already for the word of God. Confirmed those baptised last night. In the afternoon preached on the gifts of the church from 1 Corinthians 12. Had a good flow of the spirit, but my voice was dry and worked from the effects of speaking in the open air this morning under the trees before the door. I tried to enforce upon the officers the necessity of living up to their duty and not to be ashamed of their callings. Between the hours of meeting, wrote a letter to Mother Dilworth and sister Maria, while Mrs. did the same.
Sat May 14, 1853
Called early this morning to administer to that sick brother from Hawaii, he is quite sick. Attended meeting at Br. Kaluau’s, spoke on the first principles. There were two strangers there from Hawaii, a man and his wife. I talked some to them about our doctrine and, after I had got home, Br. Kaluau came up with their names for baptism. This makes me to rejoice and hope the work may take a start again in this place. On account of the tide being low, we shall not baptise them until night at high water time. In the evening went down and baptised them, two men and one woman. One man and the woman belonged to Hawaii, the other man belonged to Lanai. I hope the work may now take a start and go ahead again in this place, for I greatly desire to see it prosper and increase.
Fri May 13, 1853
Employed all day in answering letters, wrote one to each of the following names: brothers Samuel and Sanford, one to Elder J.D. Woolley, and one to Elder B.F. Johnson, and copied extracts from them all except Br. Johnson’s. Br. Hawkins left for Wailuku, he left in good spirits.
Thu May 12, 1853
Wrote a letter to Br. Rice in regard to the one which I received from Mr. J.L. Mitchell, also wrote one to Mr. Mitchell himself; took them down to the post office and found a good lot of letters for myself and the other elders. Found 4 for me, and 3 for Br. Cannon, 3 for Br. Woodbury, 1 for Br. Lawson, 1 for Br. Bigler. One of mine was from the Valley written by Br. John D. Woolley; 2 from the States, one of them from brother Samuel and one from brother Sanford, also one from Br. B.F. Johnson at Honolulu. My letter from the Valley was filled with good news. The Saints were prospering in all their undertakings. Health, peace and union prevail.
My letters from my brother were written about the 7th and 15th of March, many things in them which cause me to rejoice and some to make me feel sad. Uncle David Young died on the 4 of March without a struggle as it were, for he had no sickness but dropped away as were like the lamps going out for the want of oil. “Aunt Patty” was alone with him at the time. After they were done breakfast, he said [that] Uncle David said to Aunt Patty that he did not feel very well and asked her to help him on to the bed. She did so, and he laid down and died almost instantly. He was my second father; I thought a great deal of him for his kindness to me when a boy, for I lived with [him] when a boy. Father and Mother were well and so were all my brothers and sisters. They all desire me very much to come home soon, and I am sure I would like to very much if it was the mind and will of the Lord so to be, for I am not my own master but a servant of the Lord and go only where He tells me. Uncle David has made some provision for me in his will, saying that I was one of his boys, and it seems he did not forget me.
Employed in answering letters. Called away to administer to a sick brother from Hawaii, he is very sick. May the Lord forgive his sins and raise him up. Have given up my intended trip around the island.
Wed May 11, 1853
Finished up my shoemaking and repaired Br. Hawkins’ [shoes], and begin to get ready for our mission around the island. After breakfast Br. John left us for Makawao, paid me for his shoes and made me a present of a couple of dollars, for which I pray the Lord to bless him much and prosper him in all his undertakings in righteousness. The prospect is good for us to get the money to pay the balance on our place. The Lord has blessed us much and still continues to bless us from day to day, and I feel to praise His holy name and pray that I may ever be kept faithful and humble in His kingdom.
Latter part held a meeting with the branch. I preached on the spread of the gospel from Romans 10:14,15. Br. Napela followed on the same subject and others also. I then proposed that Br. Kane be, and act as, presiding elder while I am away. Br. Napela seconded the motion. All the brethren and sisters voted for him (Br. Kane), except Br. Kaluau (a teacher). He opposed on the ground of Br. Kane not being as old in the church and as old in the priesthood, saying that he was the oldest and it ought to be his privilege to preside in my absence etc. Br. Napela replied to his remarks first and then I replied, telling him that I admired his independence in telling his mind but that he erred in judgment, that a special appointment wasn’t ahead of age. Explained the principle at some length; Br. Hawkins followed and pointed to the same thing having been done before in the church often times and etc. After which, Br. Kaluau acknowledged his error and said he was ignorant of the order of the church, but had no bad feelings on the subject, none whatever.
Called Br. Kane and blessed him; Brs. Hawkins, Napela, Kaluau and myself laying on hands to bless and set him apart to preside in my absence. I was mouth, did not feel as much of the spirit as I do sometimes, but felt divided in my spirit, but believe it is all [well]. At any rate, it gave a good opportunity to explain that principle. While in meeting received a letter from Mr. J.L. Mitchell, stating that Br. Rice had not done as he agreed to in relation to some tools which he agreed to purchase for him at Oahu and etc.
