ReformationUCC.org

This is the fifth installment in a series on Congregational Missions.

(c) 2008 by Dr. Phil Corr

Titus Coan lived such an amazing life that I am going to use two sources (one of which includes Coan’s own words) to describe his obedience to God and service to people.

The first source is the 1969 Hawaiian Mission Children’s Society’s “Missionary Album: Sesquicentennial Edition, 1820-1970.” Born February 1, 1801, Killingworth, Connecticut. Died December 1, 1882, Hilo, Hawaii.

“While away serving in the militia where he rose to the rank of First Lieutenant, a religious revival had wrought a tremendous impact on his native town which greatly influenced Mr. Coan’s subsequent decision to join the ministry. He was educated at Auburn Theological Seminary, Massachusetts, 1833, and ordained at Boston, Massachusetts, August 4, 1833. He made a missionary exploring trip to Patagonia, 1833-34.

“Mr. and Mrs. (Fidelia Church) Coan were members of the Seventh Company which sailed from Boston, December 5, 1834, ship “Hellespont,” Captain Henry, and arrived at Honolulu, June 6, 1835, a voyage of 183 days.

“They were stationed at Hilo and Mr. Coan labored continuously in that district and Puna. He was released from the [American Board of Commissioners of Foreign Missions] in 1853; made two trips as delegate to the Hawaiian Mission in the Marquesas Islands in 1860 and 1867; visited the United States with Mrs. Coan in 1870-71, and was pastor of Haili church in Hilo until his death.

“An impassioned preacher, Mr Coan baptized literally hundreds, sometimes even thousands, in a day during the great revival in 1838. Unwearied by mountain, flood or storm, heat or cold, he strode for years through Hilo and Puna districts, converting the
people. At General Meeting in Honolulu he was the first, it is said, to convert the mission children, many of whom held lifelong memories of his vigorous, magnetic personality.

“Mr. Coan wrote, ‘Life in Hawaii, an Autobiographic Sketch…1835-1881.”

The second source is (the Big Island resident) LaRue W. Pierce’s 1992 “Hawaii’s Missionary Saga: Sacrifice and Godliness in Paradise.” “Titus Coan with great energy pushed forward the work of the Hilo Mission. An indefatigable traveler and talker, he toured the territory and preached and taught with vigor.”

Coan was the sixth of seven sons born to Tamza Nettleton, aunt “of the Rev. Asahel Nettleton, distinguished evangelical preacher.”

“At Middlebury, Fidelio [Church] was teaching in the Female Seminary. After Titus arrived, the couple went directly to her father’s house in Churchville, where they married on November 3, 1834. Next day they were off to visit friends in Connecticut and New York on their way to Boston. In Park Street Church on November 23 they met their traveling companions of the
seventh company and received their instructions.”

“By the 5th of June they spied the mountains of Hawaii and landed at Honolulu the next day…. At the general meeting then in progress, the Coans met the ‘veteran toilers’ with whom thy would join forces. ‘Some looked vigorous and strong,’ Titus observed, others seemed pallid and wayworn.’ Here were their ‘brothers and sisters, with flocks of precious children.’ The Coans were eager and ready to forge into the wilds of Hawaii and add their energy and abilities to the tasks awaiting them at Hilo.”

The Coans arrived in Hilo by July 21. “Titus reveled in the grandeur of the ‘scene of surpassing loveliness.” “Tackling the new language, the Coans went ahead ‘teaching about a hundred… boys and girls,’ at the same time being ‘pupils of a good man named Barnabas, who patiently drilled us daily in the language of his people.’ Within three months Titus was able to preach his first sermon in Hawaiian. Tours through the district also aided him greatly in learning to talk with the people.”

“For many years Coan traveled on foot three or four times annually, with no roads, no bridges, and no horses, spending from ten to 20 days each time.” Journeys by canoe were also perilous.

“Titus Coan carefully planned his tours to villages sending ahead his preaching schedule. Having mastered the language, he could ‘converse, preach, and pray with comfort’ quite effectively, speaking with a charm and preciseness that captivated his audiences.”

“Coan was increasingly fulfilling his role as the great evangelist.” “He made converts of even the high priest and priestess of the volcano.” “The people from outlying places thronged into Hilo to live there and hear more and more of the divine messages of Titus Coan that so exuberantly enriched their lives.”

“Coan’s great ‘day of days’ arrived July 7, 1838, when he dramatically baptized 1,705 natives specially selected from the roll of names he called from the villages of the district…. After singing and prayer and explanation of the rite of baptism, Coan strode back and forth between the rows sprinkling [with a brush?] each individual from the basin of water he carried.” From the center of the congregation, he pronounced the customary words of the rite. ‘All heads were bowed, and tears fell. All was hushed except sobs and breathing.’ The ceremony closed with the Lord’s supper for all 2,400 communicants present.”

LaRue writes of many more interesting aspects of Coan’s life. Here is his concluding paragraph: “Coan had high ideals, wide interests, a mind that carefully organized facts and a determination to do his best in every respect. Having lived a full and rewarding life, he closed his career on December 1, 1882, the year his autobiography was published, ‘Life in Hawaii.’”

Titus Coan’s love for God and service to Hawaii continues to this day with the endowment that bears his name and helps Congregational churches as part of the UCC Hawaii Conference Foundation.