Samuel's Promise

Prologue

For he remembered his holy promise, [and] Abraham his servant.—Psalms 105:42

Cornwall, Connecticut—February 17, 1818

Samuel Ruggles sat in the dark, kneeling next to the tiny cot, listening to the moans of the man lying before him. He squeezed a cloth in a water basin, wiped his friend’s brow.

Henry Opukaha’ia opened his eyes and whispered. Samuel…

Surprised to see Henry’s eyes open, Samuel clasped his hands in prayer. Thank God you are awake. You had us worried.

Henry coughed, gasped for air, tried to lift his head off the pillow. Where am I?

You’re in the infirmary, but don’t worry, you’ll be alright. Doc Calhoun says you have Typhoid, but we’ve all prayed for you, and now you’re awake. Praise God.

Henry tried to lift his head. He coughed and wheezed. Blood splattered his sheets. He moaned in agony.

Samuel wiped his face again, unwilling to lose hope. Rest. Conserve your strength, my friend.

Henry reached out and grabbed Samuel’s forearm. A tortured look crossed his face. No. I must tell you…

Samuel leaned closer, his ear brushed Henry’s parched lips. Yes?

Henry struggled to roll to his side and pointed at the tattered book on his bedside table. Take it. He reached out and tapped the book with the tip of his index finger, inching it closer to the edge.

Samuel grabbed the leather bound volume before it fell onto the floor and put it back. No, this belongs to you.

With the most clarity he had in days, Henry lifted his head. Not anymore.

Yes, it does. You’ll need them when we go to the islands.

Henry coughed and shook his head from side to side, shoving the book closer to his friend. Please…

Reluctantly, Samuel picked it up and held it for Henry to see. The last thing he wanted was for his friend to upset himself and lose strength over something like this. Alright, but only until you are better.

Henry grabbed Samuel’s sleeve. Please promise.

Samuel leaned closer to hear. Promise what?

Spread the word.

He patted his friend’s shoulder. I promise you and I will do this together. You are the reason for my passion to spread God’s word. You must show me the way to your homeland. I can’t go without you.

Henry wheezed, his lungs rattled with disease and a new crimson drop dribbled down his chin, staining the wet twisted sheets. I can’t. God calls me. Please promise.

Samuel’s eyes filled with tears. You have my word, brother.

A pleasant smile fell over Henry’s face. Aloha-o-e, he closed his eyes for the last time.

* * * *

Across the sea, King Kamehameha listened to his advisor with great concern. What are you telling me?

The island priest, Kahuna Hewahewa awoke from a dream about a boy who he had long forgotten. The boy who betrayed you is dead, Your Highness.

The King growled remembering the one who had been stowed away on a ship for the new world. Why bother me with this now?

Mark my words, he will return, Hewahewa announced. He is not finished.

Impossible, the King shouted and slammed his fist on his dinner table. Go.

You have my word this is so. Hewahewa bowed with confidence and left.

Chapter One

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.—Philippians 3:14

Cornwall, Connecticut—Monday October 18, 1819

Nancy Wells climbed down the steps of the carriage into a brisk fall day. Autumn leaves scattered on the ground in front of the Mission School and a cold undercurrent of northern wind hit her cheeks.

She tipped the carriage driver, watched him drive away and stood staring up at the building on top of the hill for a moment. Was this truly what she wanted for her life? She prayed about this for a solid week and believed God had indeed called her here to work at the special school for missionaries. Still, standing here now seemed so contrary to the original vision she had for her life. She long imagined joining a nearby convent and living a solitary existence. Working in the offices of such a busy place wasn’t what she had in mind.

She tied her bonnet tighter around her chin, brushed her hands over her skirt and ascended the steps, walking through the small door located on the north side of the two story wood building.

Inside, giggling children scurried over old hardwood floors, their laughter echoed in the narrow halls. Nancy walked a few feet and saw the vacant office and stacks of paperwork on the desk where she would spend her days. The headmasters were nowhere to be found.

A tug at her skirt interrupted her thoughts. Excuse me, ma’am.

Nancy stared down into the biggest brown eyes she’d ever seen. Yes?

A tiny boy dressed in a pair of britches and a necktie approached her. I can’t find my teacher.

Nancy bent down.. I can help you. She took his hand, rubbed the tiny fingers. She led him down the hallway, passed several closed wooden doors. Mrs. Thurston should be here today to train her, but so far, she was nowhere to be found. Four doors up on the right, Nancy saw an older gentleman with thinning grey hair combed over to one side. He stared into the Bible reading through thick wire framed glasses.

Ahem. Nancy knocked and cleared her throat.

The gentleman looked up. Yes?

I’m Nancy Wells. I’m the new secretary. Today is my first day.

Welcome Nancy. He tossed his reading glasses on the pile of papers and held out a hand. Asa Thurston.

Pleasure to meet you, sir.

And what do we have here? He glanced down at the youngster without any hint of a smile.

She squeezed the child’s hand. It appears someone has lost his way.

I can’t find my teacher. The little boy blinked.

Thurston walked around his desk and bent down to his level. We’ll have to help you then, won’t we?

Yes, sir.

Very well then. He extended a hand to Nancy. Miss Wells, Lucy’s told me all about you.

It’s a pleasure, sir. Nancy gripped his fingers and gulped. She had a world of respect for the Thurstons and all they accomplished together by opening the school and setting the course for the missions, which would spread God’s word throughout the most uncivilized parts of the world. I’m a great admirer of your work here. I’m so happy to be here, thank you for having me.

Our pleasure. It’s a calling and Lucy assures me you’ve answered it. And you young man. Thurston stooped over to look the boy in the eye again. Come with me and we’ll see about finding your teacher.

The little boy took his hand and they disappeared down the hall.

Once they were gone, Nancy took a closer look at the office. Piles of books were stacked all around. Bibles, hymnals and study guides were piled in a neat semicircle around an old wooden desk.

Good morning, a cheerful voice spoke from behind her.

Nancy jumped and spun around, staring into the smiling face of Mrs. Lucy Thurston. Good morning, Mrs. Thurston.

Call me Lucy. A robust woman with a warm round face, Lucy Thurston’s smile showed off her deep dimples and curly bright blonde hair. She was her stern husband’s opposite. Excited about your first day?

Nancy pulled her satchel closer. Yes, very.

Wonderful. Come with me and I’ll get you situated. Lucy led her back down the hall toward the main entrance of the school.

Dozens of dark skinned children brushed past them. I see the classrooms are almost full.

Yes, Lucy agreed. These children are all part of our forthcoming mission.

Nancy didn’t recall Lucy mentioning any scheduled missions during her interview. Things are going well.

Better than we ever imagined. Lucy led her into a room at the farthest end of the hall and gestured to the desk Nancy had seen during her interview last week. Here you go. This will be your home away from home.

The desk, which was empty last time she visited, was now piled high with what Nancy assumed would be part of her new job responsibilities. Busyness was a blessing. She stepped closer and pulled out the high backed wooden chair. I’m looking forward to it.

Lucy grabbed a stack of paperwork off the top of the pile. Your first duty will be to compose a logbook with all the details from these applications.

Nancy leaned closer to have a look. What are they?

A knock interrupted them. Excuse me. A handsome dark haired man stood in the foyer.

Mrs. Thurston acknowledged him with her usual smile. Good morning, Samuel. Come on in. I want you to meet someone.

Nancy caught a glimpse of the handsome gentleman. Thick dark curly hair covered his head. His bright blue eyes questioned her.

Nancy, Meet Samuel Ruggles, one of our finest teachers. Samuel, this is Nancy Wells, our new secretary.

Samuel extended his hand. Pleasure to meet you.

Nancy stood frozen for a moment, her face flushed when she realized she forgot to offer her hand. Good morning.

Samuel is our head teacher. He has a special way with the younger children. He’s also fluent in several languages.

Samuel’s eyes fell to the floor. As are you and Mr. Thurston.

What can I do for you?

I need some more chalk. He opened his hand and held out a white stub.

Ah ha. Good. Nancy, come over here and let me show you where we keep the supplies. In the far corner, Lucy opened a tall cupboard and pulled out a box filled to the brim with sticks of white chalk. There’s paper in here, pencils. Whatever you need. Lucy rested her arm on Nancy’s shoulder. Nancy’s going to be working on the applications for us, helping us get the paperwork ready for our voyage.

Hmm. Samuel’s smile melted and he got a strange and faraway look in his eyes. Nice to meet you. He turned and walked away without another word.

Nancy knew she upset him, but how? She didn’t dare say anything. Since today was her first day on the job, she shouldn’t ask nosy questions. She cleared her throat, tried to pretend she hadn’t noticed Mr. Ruggles’ icy reception. So you want me to log information about this paperwork?

That’s right.

Where?

Lucy reached towards a shelf behind her and pulled down a thick ledger. The cover looked worn and used, but when she leafed to the first pages, the book was brand new from inside. She drew a thick line across the top and wrote the words: Name, City, Birth Date, Occupation, Wife, City, Birth Date, Occupation.

You’ll go through these applications and write this information in the ledger. The married couple’s paperwork should be together already.

Pardon me for asking, but what are these for?

Lucy clapped her hands. Since I last saw you, we received word that our mission trip to the Sandwich Islands has been approved. We’re leaving this Saturday to sail from Boston. We’ll arrive in the spring. Wonderful, don’t you think?

Nancy couldn’t hide her shock. Why would the Thurstons want her to start a new job when they wouldn’t be here next week? She tried to appear happy, but wondered what this meant for her future. With such a small school staff on board, her position was temporary.

Noticing the concerned look on Nancy’s face, Lucy addressed her concerns. I apologize, Nancy. I would have told you sooner, but we found out late last night. We’d been waiting for the funding to come in, and by the grace of God, it did.

Doesn’t give you much time to prepare, does it?

Lucy chuckled. God has prepared us for this work for over a year now. We thought the mission funding wouldn’t come through until spring, but we’ve been stockpiling supplies and readying ourselves for months now.

There must be a reason for this, Nancy thought to herself. Uh huh.

Your help this week will be invaluable to us. We’re so happy you’re here. I hope you forgive me for not telling you before now.

Nancy forced a laugh. Of course. It’s fine. Perhaps God wanted her to have this experience before she devoted her life to Him in the monastery. Your mission sounds amazing. I assume all the teachers here are going with you?

Most of them, yes. Mr. Ruggles, whom you met, will be in charge while we’re gone. Lucy got a strange look on her face. We wouldn’t be going without his help. She sighed. I suppose some things weren’t meant to be.

What do you mean?

He won’t be able to accompany us on the trip.

Why not?

"He is unmarried. Nancy hated to think what Mrs. Thurston would think of her own situation. Marital status seemed a strange reason to leave someone behind. I don’t understand."

We require all our missionaries to marry before accompanying us on the voyage. Mr. Ruggles is a devout man who introduced us to the need on the islands, but God seems to have other plans for him. Lucy shook her head and appeared disappointed. We prayed he would find someone, but now with few days left… She shrugged. It’s a shame, but we have to believe he is needed here more.

Now she understood his strange behavior. The poor soul would be unable to go on the voyage he inspired. Nancy pitied Samuel Ruggles. He seemed like a fine man, who anyone would be proud to call husband. There was something about his eyes. He reminded her of Thomas. Not the color or the shape, but the kindness. She hoped he would be happy staying here if that was God’s will. Perhaps she could stay and work for him. She couldn’t count on anything. He might have other ideas for the school once the Thurstons left. For now, she would take things one day at a time, but meanwhile, she would need to inquire about the monastery in case things here don’t work out.

God led her here for a reason, and in time she would know what purpose this short-lived employment contract will serve.

Chapter Two

Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth.—2 Corinthians 1:23

Samuel Ruggles sauntered back to his classroom with his head hung low. He was ashamed of himself for holding envy in his heart toward the lucky people who would accompany the mission to the Sandwich Islands. He should be happy for them, grateful now that Henry’s vision would finally be fulfilled. He should be going on this mission. He was tormented because he had made a vow to Henry Opukaha’ia on his deathbed to take God’s word to the islands. Samuel couldn’t justify the fact he will not be able to do this himself. Could the others go in his place? His heart told him no.

He spent much of the past year convincing the Thurstons to choose the islands for their mission trip over all the many areas in the world where God’s word was needed.

With little persuading, Samuel was overjoyed the Thurstons agreed. He was grateful, but this trip was Samuel’s idea. He alone was responsible for this whole situation, both to Henry who was now with God, and to all the men and women who would put their lives on the line to travel far from home to teach God’s word to the heathens there. What if something happened to one of them? He put them up to this in the first place. Worse, what if they failed to teach Jesus’ ways to the islanders the way Henry wanted? Henry’s writings were for his people, translated into his native tongue even Samuel couldn’t understand. He knew after spending countless hours in friendship with Henry what the boy wanted and why he believed in the mission.

These thoughts tormented Samuel. How could he be assured Henry’s wishes were followed to the letter if he wasn’t there to supervise? He had to go. Somehow he needed to find a way. The trouble was the Thurstons were in charge of the school and they decided the rules. Their money and the generous donations from the community would finance this trip. Samuel barely made enough on his salary to make ends meet, let alone offer the kind of financial incentive the Thurstons might require to include him. But the real problem involved a moral dilemma he was unprepared to face.

He had played by the rules of the society all his life. He courted a remarkable woman who should be prepared to marry and accompany him on such a voyage, but to his stunned amazement, Sarah refused a month ago. Not enough notice to make another arrangement since the couple had been betrothed all through their school years. The sting of her rejection still hurt.

He stood with his back against the wall in the hall outside his classroom, gritted his teeth and clenched his jaw thinking about her betrayal. He needed to forgive, but how could he know someone for so many years, listen to her promises of marriage and plan for their future and then watch her remove her promise because she did not feel the same calling to go overseas? Any good wife would follow her husband to the ends of the Earth. Samuel cringed thinking about it. Sarah wasn’t loyal like he had imagined. She never loved him. Even though her rejection still stung, he was happy God revealed her to him now rather than after they were married.

The trouble still remained though. If he couldn’t find a wife in a few short weeks, Samuel Ruggles would be forced to remain in Cornwall and run the Foreign Mission School. Under any other circumstances, he would consider it an honor to hold such a position, but his heart felt stone cold and his stomach nauseated by the thought of failing to keep his word. He always did what God wanted of him though, so if this was His will, then so be it.

The ship to the Sandwich Islands would sail in a week and Samuel still had no idea how he could accompany the mission.

Finding another woman was unnatural, but he had to or else stay in Cornwall. What might God do to those who could not keep their word, no matter how hard they tried?

But had he tried? Samuel hadn’t lifted a finger to find anyone else to go with him. He made the excuse he was still in shock by his Sarah’s refusal. They were soon to be engaged and had been friends their whole lives. He found himself replaying her words again and again in his mind. He would never forget the look on her face when she told him she could not imagine herself leaving her familiar home and surroundings.

He thought about staying with her, but he could not. She broke his heart by choosing her family over God, and him. On the one hand, he believed he broke his promise to marry her, but she broke her promise to put God and him first. Samuel had to go overseas. Somehow he needed to find a way. He promised many things and although some of these failures were out of his control, going to the islands was still within his reach. He vowed to himself and to God he would keep his word, no matter what.

Ever since Henry died, the mission to the islands had created a desire within Samuel’s soul he could no more ignore than a hunger pang or the need for fresh water. Perhaps his devotion wasn’t fair to Sarah. She had never considered him a missionary when they’d first met, but he’d still expected her to stand by his decisions. She had been agreeable to the idea when he first mentioned it. Then her cold feet set in and she called the entire marriage off and left him in a predicament he had no idea how to remedy.

Deep in thought, something tugged at his pant leg. He jumped.

Mr. Ruggles? The little boy who couldn’t find his class earlier looked up at him with big brown eyes. Coming to class?

Sure I am, he grabbed the boy’s hand and holding the door open for him. Come on now, let’s get you to your seat and get started with the next lesson.

The little boy ran under