Kalihiwai Kauai S. Islands
Brother Woodruff
Dear Sir
In compliance with your
request, I will endeavor to improve the present opportunity
by writing a few lines to you. With a few slight exceptions
I have enjoyed good health since leaving the valley.
I presume you are aware of our delay at California, which
was occasioned by circumstances that we were unable to
control, therefore I believe it was all right. I landed at
Honolulu the 24th of December in company with Bros. Caine
and Johnson, being the last that arrived, of the Breathren
that were ^appointed^ to this mission, by the last April conference.
I stayed in Honolulu untill after the funeral of the old
King and the coronation of his successor, which took place
on the 10th & 11th of Jan. The funeral procession was a sple-
ndid affair and reflected much credit on the Kingdom.
As this Island had been designated as my future field of
labor, myself and Bro. Whitney (who was also appointed to
this Isdland) took the steamer on the 12th and arrived at this
Island the morning of the 13th & amediatly commenced the
task of learning the native language. Bros. R. A. Allred
and Molen are upon this Island. Bro. Molen has been here
about three months, he can talk some but has not a
sufficient knowledge of the language to preach much yet, but
is making rapid progress, the young Breathren generaly are
making are obtaining the language very readily, some of
them have commenced preaching. Judging from the length
of time that I have been here, Bro. Molen thinks I will get
the language pretty quick, but it is tedious for a person that
has not been accustomed to confine their mind to any one
thing. The Breathren that were here when the last lot
came, will all probably leave for home, after our July
conference. Bros. Johnson Karren & Lawson have gone.
I believe the work is prosperous on these Islands
generaly speaking, although the faith of the saints areis weak
in some places, they are a weak minded people and unless
continualy stired up will becom[e] slack and negligent.
at one branch where I stayed a couple of weeks, the Presiding
Elder and a number of the members threatened to leave
the Church in consequence of having to feed us, but there
are many good saints here, that are willing to do all
they can for the Elders, but after all the Elders have
a great many difficulties to encounter as the natives are
so poor it is almost impossible to get the means to defray
the expences of going to the different Islands, to attend conference
&c. But when a servent of God goes out in the world to procl-
aim the principles of eternal life, they naturaly expect
to to see hard times. I fancy they do not expect the same kind
of fare that they receive at home in the valleys of the mou-
ntains, at least I did not, I expected to pass through some
pretty tight places, and ^to^ undergo hardships & suffer privations,
if I do not have to suffer anything but should receive my
pay as I go along of course I should not expect to be rewarded
hereafter, my prayer is continualy that the Lord will
streangthen me & enable me to be the instrument in his
hands of accomplishing some good in this Kingdom.
It appears to be a difficult task to better the condition of
this people in their present condition situation, surrounded
with the influences that dos surround them.
This is a splendid country and in the hands of an enterp-
rising people could no doubt be made very productive,
vegitation grows the year round, which gives the face of
the country a beautiful aspect.
While in California we heard a great deal about the anex-
ation of these Islands to the United States but after
we arrived here we did not hear much about it, and I
think it is very doubtful about its taking place very
soon, as the present King is very much opposed to it.
He think that the inhabitants of the Islands will be
considered no better than negros by Americans from the
fact that while traviling in the United States he was
once called a niger by some one that did not know him,
the King is about 21 years old but looks much older.
The laws of this Kingdom do not appear to be such, as the
necessities of the people require, but tend rather to promote
the very evils they were intended to prevent.
A word of councill or advice would be thankfuly received by
me, if you could find the time & opportunity of writing.
Bro. Molen wishes to be remembered to you.
Praying that the blessings of the Lord may attend you
I subscribe myself respectfuly your Brother in
the Gospel
PS
I had like to have forgoten to mention my relatives
that reside upon these Islands. I saw my cousin
at Honolulu but did not have much conversation with
him, as he is quite deaf and did not appear very much
rejoiced to see me, my Aunt lives on this Island.
I have not been to see her yet, but shall in the cource
of a few weeks.
E. P.
Edward Partridge
Feb 1st 1855
[sideways text] 1065 + 65 = 1130 – 680 = 450
350 – 285 = 65
$500 + 90 + 30 + 60 = 680 [end of sideways text]