Henry ʻŌpūkahaʻia
vers 1792-1818 19th century
The desire to learn held against everything, and prayer stammered in a language not one's own.
Who was Henry ʻŌpūkahaʻia?
An orphan from Hawaii (his parents killed before his eyes in a war between chiefs), he shipped out as a teenager on a whaler and landed in New England. He is said to have been found weeping on the steps of Yale College because no one would teach him to read. He learned, began a grammar of his own language and a translation of Genesis, and died of typhus at twenty-six without ever getting home.
In their own words
O Lord, how long shall I continue in my own sins? Lord, wilt thou hear my secret prayer?
My wicked heart has been just as those clocks which run down very often. But I hope I love the Lord Jesus Christ.
Do not delay your prayers to the Almighty God for such a one, that is very dear to you.