Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-04-14
PAINTS WORD-P|CIURE OF YOUNG
MISSIONARY MOTHER Of EARLY DAYS

Ia quest u the " DDdId Vi
sions to be read at their last meet
ing, not as a biography. but to pre-
sent a typical picture OF the charac-
ter and experiences of a young mis-
sionary mother OF the early days.
Mr.. grandmother. Betsey Curtis Ly-
ens, was, ! believe, the very youngest
missionary who came to these Islands,
being but 18 years old when she mar
Tied and embarked upon that long
voyage around the Horn in 1881. This.
was Immediately following her gradu-
alton, and certificates show that she
lad passed very creditabla examina-
tons in theology as well as in her
other studies. Many are the theologi-
cal questions we find propounded in
the love letters of her betrothed, Rev.
II Lorenzo Lyons, and satisfactorily ans
wered in hers.
HI In addition to being a remarkably
bright and well educated girl for her
age, she has been described as pos
sessing a most sweet and gentle dis
n position, and as much loneliness of
face as of character. Little wonder,
II then, that the young Lorenzo was
wont to confess In his epistles that his
/ mind was at times sadly diverted from
his studies by thoughts of my Bet
Lsey." Theirs was truly love match,
pure and simple. ~
Mother Taylor, who as IL years-old
!. Persis Thurston, witnessed their ar
rival upon these shores, has often
told us how the natives exclaimed at
sight of this beautiful, rosy-eheeked
girl, and her youthful husband; "why
I, the very children are coming to teach
i usl" Az. ILL.,.
Il A few extracts from Betsey Lyons
4 journal will best illustrate how fully,
& she realized the responsibilities of
4 the life work she had chosen. OF that
/ sad parting from home and loved ones,
she wrote, although esteem 1t an
j inestimable privilege, and one which
4 would not be denied. to be permit.
4 ted to assist one of the servants of
!, God to proclaim the glad tidings of
salvation. still it is a trial of no ordi-
!, nary kind to leave home, friends, and
nearly all that hold dear upon
earth. ..."
n On the last day of the year 1881,
!, at sea, "the last day of an eventful
Il day in my life has arrived year dur,
4 ing which have entered upon new re-
|, lations, and stations which will affect
/. my own and others interests for time,
/ and eternity, and which involve duties
that are overwhelmingly great and re-,
sponsible. Oh for grace to perform
them aright!" January 10th, 1892
i tstill at seal: This is the 10th ami
versary Of my birthday-19 years of
my life are passed, and what account
have | made of them? During this
period what have / done for my Mas.
ter for the promotion Of His Glory
with full purpose of heart may make
more rapid advances in life of holt
ness" -, .r..-..-. r. ...-. = e..
4 A. recital of the details of that five
/ months voyage, crannped in miserable
4 tiny quarters, encountering serious
Il storms, and enduring untold hardships,
would be a story by itself Il
Il They were obliged to put into Rio
Il Janeiro for repairs. and greatly en-
joyed few days on shore Later an
interesting visit to Robinson Crusca,s
Island" is recorded. -.- @#
II Upon their first sight of Oahu she
expressed her feelings thus: Can it
be that this is the land for which
have. so long been looking with ardent
desire? Can 1t be that | am $4,000
miles from home, or Is it all delu-
sion? No, this is indeed the land.
Here is 10 be my home These are
the isles upon which am to spend
my days, be they few or many, as the
II 4 fOVsd will Il F1lk
ness to lay my bones upon heathen
land than-the first time gazed upon
lOahu." lin just five short years she
was laid to rest in the land to which
i she so willingly gave her young life.)
4 Her interesting journal describes
their arrival here, the ladies of the
party being conveyed to the mission
i premises in hand carts drawn by
scantily-clad natives: their presenta-
Il ton at the court of Kamehameha ILL.,,
and to the Premier Kaahumanu. and
also tells OF the death and funeral of
4 that remarkable old chiefess.
i One entry tells of a trip by hand
Icart with Mrs. Bingham and children
to Punahou spring, for the purpose of
= washing some fine linen. All the
\ HalSI IOI Tie HISSIOl at Ma
i Waiahao was carried from Punahou.
4 After brief sojourn in Honolulu,
Mr.. and Mrs. Lyons were assigned to
the isolated station at Waimea, Ha-
vail, to assist DR.. and Mrs. Baldwin
the Baldwins accompanying them
from Honolulu, where they had been
1 attending general meeting. In those
| days 1t was nearly a weeks trip from
1 Honolulu to Kawaihae (via Kailual by
small schooner, the horrors of which.
together with the noise of $50 goats
and the odor of the tobacco used b.
the natives, she describes as being
even worse than anything they had ex-
perienced on the Averick
Arrived at Wainea, she Immediately
set to work with Mrs Baldwin, form
ing classes among the women and
children, and trying to master the Ian,
guage, which she did in a remarkably
short time