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

The following sketch was prepared
by Mrs. Arthur w. Richardson by re-
quest Of the Woman's Board of Mis-
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 young mis-
sionary mother OF the early days.
Sir. grandmother, Betsey Curtis Ly-
ons. was, ] believe, the very youngest
missionary who came to these Islands,
being but Is years old when she mar
RED and embarked upon that long
voyage around the Horn in 1881. This
was Immediately following her gradu-
aticn, and certificates show that she
Ihad passed very ereditable examina-
tons in theology as well as in her
ether studies. Many are the theology
cal questions we find propounded in
| the love letters of her betrothad, Rev.
| Lorenzo Lyons, and satisfactorily ans
weTed in hers. ....
In addition to being a remarkably
bright and we'll educated girl for her
age, she has been described as pos
sessing a most sweet and gentle dis
position, and as much loneliness or
face as of character. Little wonder,
then, that the young Lorenzo was
wont to confess in his epistles that his
mind was at times sadly diverted from
This studies by thoughts of my Bet
| sey." Theirs was truly love match,
pure and simple. -. .--. l. -,
Mother Taylor, who as IL years-old
A. nj
rival upon these shores, has often
told us how the natives exclaimed at
sight of this beautiful, rosy-cheeked
girl, and her youthful husband. why
/, the very children are coming to teach
us!" =: f-.~.4- ~ .ssE -
/ A few extracts from Betsey Lyon 6
i journal will best illustrate how fully
she realized the responsibilities OF
1.-THE life work she had chosen. Of that
fsad parting from home and loved ones
she wrote, although / esteem it an
finestimable privilege, and one which
4 j would not be denied. to be permit
ted TO assist one Of the servants of
Il God to proclaim the glad tidings of
salvation, still it is trial Of no oTdi-
! nary kind to leave home, friends, and
nearly all that hold dear upon
earth
i On the last day of the year 1881,
at sea, "the last day of an eventful
Z day In my life has arrived-a year dur.
s ing which have entered upon new re.
lations, and stations which will affect
Il 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, 1882
/; 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 a life of holi
ness - :.
A recital OF the details of that five
months voyage, cramped in miserable
tiny quarters, encountering ssrious
storms, and enduring untold hardships
would be story by itself. -,
n They were obliged TO put into Ric
Janeiro for repairs, and greatly en-
joyed a few days on shore. Later al
Interesting visit to Robinson Crusoa':
Island" is recorded. ...--.@
Upon their first sight of Oahu SHIT
expressed her feelings thus: Can i
be that this. is the land for which
have so long been looking with arden
ldesire? Can it be that / am 1906
miles from home, or Is it all delu
sion? No, this is indeed the land
Here Is 10 be my home. These ar
the isles upon which i am to spent
my days, be they few or many, as tn
Lord will. ] never felt more willing
mess to lay my bones upon heather
land than the first time gazed upol
Oahu" Gn just five short years sh
was laid to rest in the land to whicl
she so willingly gave her young life.
Her interesting journal describe
their arrival here, the ladies of tn
party being conveyed to the mission
premises in hand carts drawn b
scantily:clad natives; their presents
ton at the court of Kamehameha III
and to the Premier Kaahumanu. an
also tells of the death and funeral @
that remarkable old chiefess.
One entry tells of trip by han
lcart with Mrs. Bingham and childre
Ito Punahou spring, for the purpose @
washing some, fine linen. ALI tn
drinking water for the mission at Ks
4 waiahao was carried from Punahou.
After a brief sojourn in Honolulu
Mr. and Mrs. Lyons we're assigned t
the isolated station at Waimea, Hs
wall, to assist Dr. and Mrs. Baldwin
the BalGwins accompanying ther
from Honolulu, where they had bee
attending general meeting. In thos
days 1t was nearly a weeks trip fror
Honolulu to Kawaihae (via Kailua) b
small schooner, the horrors of which
together with the noise of $50 goat
and the odor of the tobacco used
the natives, she describes as bein
even worse than anything they had e,
perienced on the Ayerick.
Arrived at Waimea, she Immediate
set to work with Mrs. Baldwin, form
ing classes among the women an