This day is a fast day set apart by the church as a day of fasting and prayer to the Lord that He would roll on His kingdom in these islands; that the gospel may be preached speedily to all the inhabitants of these islands that the honest in heart may be gathered out. This morning met with the branch, but it being a new branch and my forgetting to tell them on the Sabbath to prepare for a fast today, we thought it not wisdom that they should fast today. But they covenanted to set apart the first day of each month for a fast day, to lay aside their food and water and their pipes on that day. This is the hardest of all the rest, their pipes; they are very much attached to them. Some of them thought that our church allowed smoking, drinking, whoring and etc.
Apparently by their conduct after they came in, [they] thought that it was a very comfortable church, nothing to pay their preacher and could do about as they were a mind to. Hence they are afraid that if we do not allow them to smoke, that our church will not stand. This was caused by Br. Napela’s preaching the Word of Wisdom the other Sunday; he was not wise in doing so soon, but should have waited until the church had strength and wisdom to understand the commandments of the Lord, but he did it with good intention. There has very few come in since he preached it, but I pray the Lord to smooth the way before His servants all the day long and that it may all turn to roll on his kingdom.
I have great freedom in speaking to them on the subject of their understanding the nature of the kingdom of God; that it was able to roll on even if they should not happen to come in. I spoke very plain and may the Spirit of the Lord bear testimony to the truth of it to their hearts, even so, amen.
Br. Winchester spoke first, fasting today and praying for the spread of the [gospel] upon these islands. In the afternoon Mr. Hallock came to see me again; while he was with me, received a letter from my father. They are all well those that are alive, but one is no more. John F. was drowned in a gale of wind off the coast of Virginia in the winter of 1850, month of November. The vessel was wrecked and all hands [lost] except the captain. He was picked up on a piece of the wreck the next day. Sad news. He (John) was about 21 years old. I had not seen him since he was 13. I loved him much, but I do not grieve like one with no hope. Peace to his memory. There are now only 6 of us left out of nine, and I [pray] that they may all embrace the gospel.
