TONGUES OF FIRE

[Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Music] In 1778, Captain James Cook, the English explorer, discovered a little group of Pacific islands as beautiful as any on Earth. Hawaii surrounded by such verdant, overpowering beauty, it is no wonder the primitive Polynesian inhabitants had become a race of nature worshippers. Their spiritual leader was called the Kahuna. The kahuna chanted his prayer to eternity, a song-like appeal to the many gods he saw in nature. Ku, the architect god who built the world. Lono, the god who made things grow. Kanaloa, god of the sea and its creatures. Strangely, even in this nature worship of many, many different gods, the kahunas exalted above all other gods one supreme deity. Him they called Kane, the giver of life. The most fearsome of the lesser gods made her home on the great volcano, Mauraloa. From deep in the crater, her house of fire, Palele, the fire goddess, roared her vengeance on any who disobeyed her, broke her capus, did what was forbidden. The Kahunas, the priests of nature, wielded life and death power. Then came the challenge. A little group of Christian missionaries left Boston in 1819 for the Sandwich Islands, as Hawaii was then called. In 1823, reinforcements arrived. They were received in the Mission House, prefabricated in Boston, then shipped to the islands to become the first permanent building in Honolulu. Members of the second party were welcomed by a prayer read by the leader of the original group. This was the Reverend Hyram Bingham, kindly, distinguished, capable. At his side, the Reverend Asa Thirsten, who had founded the mission on the largest island, Hawaii, 200 miles from Honolulu. James Elely was a young Christian layman. He and his wife Louisa were among the new arrivals. Things I've heard, beckoning, murdering little children, human sacrifice. But don't you see, Mrs. Elely, the people were not evil. They did these things out of ignorance. That's what makes our work so rewarding. But how can you face them knowing that they May I ask you a question, Mrs. Elely? Certainly. Why did you and your husband come here? He isn't a minister. Why did you take up this work? To be honest, I did my best to persuade James against it. I finally agreed to come on one condition. Yes. James promised that if we got here and it didn't work out, that is if we weren't happy and weren't accomplishing anything, we'd take the first ship home. That amounts to putting the people and us on trial. In a way, I suppose it does. Attention everyone. I would like to suggest that our new friends get some rest. Later today, King Leo Leo has arranged a real Hawaiian feast of welcome, a luau. [Music] The king's luau was proving a colorful, novel, thrilling experience to all except the Elies. James and Louisa were still nervous and uneasy. Then the missionaries were aware of a strange but traditional sound. The song of the royal chanter heralding the approach of Liho Leho, boy king of Hawaii, son of the great Kamehameha, the conqueror. Feather ornaments, Kahilis also signified the royal presence. Your Majesty, may I present our new arrivals? in your language. Welcome to Hawaii and may you be happy here. I'm worried about those two. I've been talking to Mrs. Elely. She didn't want to come at all. In fact, she did everything she could to prevent it. What about her husband? I think he was accepted because of his father's influence. The deacon wanted his son to be a minister, but James wasn't sure. So, they compromised and they sent the boy out here. They seem a nice enough young couple, but in the wrong post, they could do more harm than good. We must be very careful where we send them. You have some place in mind, Kona. I see. You're counting on Capilani. With Capilani's help, I think the Elies could do useful service. Besides, we have nobody else to send. And we promised her when we left that the post would be filled. All right. We'll trust the Healies to copy Alani. And God, I'll tell. Jean, that girl. Oh, shocked. Disgusting. Depends on the point of view, Mrs. Elely. The Hawaiians, the Hulas, a sacred ceremonial dance telling a story. What story does this one tell? Actually, she's giving you a formal welcome to their island. [Music] [Music] Eloh Yeah. Would you like to hear something about where you're going? Uh, yes, we certainly would. You've been assigned to our old post at Kona. We left when the king moved his capital to Lahina. Where is Kona? On the main island of the group about 200 miles from here. 200 miles? Well, will we be alone there? You'll be among some of the strongest Christians in the islands. You'll have all the help you need. From whom, if we're to be alone? From one of the most remarkable women and one of the finest Christians I've ever known, Capilani. Lani, a high chief's daughter. The amazing thing is when we first arrived here, she was one of the lowest. dirty, slovenly, a drunkard, living with two husbands. She had no children alive, so you can presume the worst. Yet, Capilani was among the first to come to us to be converted. It was like a miracle. She became a new woman, entirely new woman. She never touched liquor again. She dismissed one of her husbands and lived faithfully with the other. It was as if she had been waiting all of her life for Christ's message. She became a tower of strength in our little church. And since we've left, we've been depending on Capilani to hold the church together. From Aahu to the island of Hawaii, where Kona is located, is 200 miles, a considerable distance. Here in Kona, Mr. Thirsten had established the first Christian church in the islands in a large grass hut. Here, Capolani was still conducting services as Mr. Thirsten had taught her. [Music] Inside it was a strange sort of service. [Music] A nearly empty church. A few huddled, frightened people in attendance. [Music] [Music] Even these few seemed anxious to get [Music] away. By the time the service ended, only Capolani herself and her husband Na were left. What is wrong, Na? Before even after the missionaries left, our church was filled every Sunday. I know. Now every week there are fewer of us. Soon we will be alone in our church. Why? I learned the reason only this morning. Copy. The kahuna is back. The Kahuna. At a secret shrine high on the mountain slope, the Kahuna was at work. He had already shaken the faith of the people, emptied the church. But for complete victory, he must now destroy Capolani's faith by demonstrating the power of his gods by destroying her husband Na. Over a burning lock of Na's hair, he chanted the Plea, the terrible pagan prayer of death dooming Naih to die. [Music] Now into this critical situation completely different from what they had been led to expect came James and Louisa Elie. Nervous, uncertain, inexperienced. A canoe con. A canoe from Kyoa. Any howley? Two. A man and a woman. They were faced to face with centuries of deep ingrained pagan fears and beliefs. The woman on whom they had been told to depend was herself in desperate need. Aloha. You are welcome. So welcome. You have come just in time. I am Capilani. I'm James Zely and this is my wife Louisa. We will have a meeting and a prayer at once. There is so little time. Oh, please. We We must rest first. My wife is ill and exhausted. 200 miles in a small ship in a canoe. You are right. We take you to house then we have a meeting. [Music] Is there anything I can do for you, my dear? No. No. How could you do it, James? Do what? Bring me to a place like this, thousands of miles from home, to live in a shack. Nothing but salt water to drink and to wash and all the insects and dust. I've tried, James. You know I have. And the people, they mean to be friendly. What? I know. These people expect something of me. Whatever it is, I I wonder if I have it to give. Let's go home, James. Now, today. I I can't, Louisa. Not yet. Not without trying at all. We'll stay for a while. And if nothing's improved here, I'll I'll write Reverend Thirsten. You promise? I promise. Now I I must go to the church. The people expect me to hold a meeting. You're not going to leave me here alone. Unless you want to come. No, you'll be perfectly safe here. And the people are waiting. Just as Elijah, the appointed prophet of the Lord, defied the 450 priests of the false god Bal. Just as Elijah's faith brought down the sacred fires of heaven to consume the sacrifice, so have the white missionaries from afar come here to defy the false heathen gods and to prove that Jehovah alone is the true God. This is ridiculous. Just you and I. You You said the people wanted a meeting. Where are they? They are afraid. Afraid of of what? Of Pely fire goddess and her vengeance. Kahuna say she's angry. The kahuna? You mean the native priest? Oh, but that's ridiculous. You don't believe that or your husband? I do not. But nah. He believes the kahuna because he is dying. The kahuna prayed the prayer of death. Puly ana ana and now he dies. Oh but but that just can't be can in the old days always when the kahuna prayed the ana the man would die. Pure superstition with a little real faith. That's why I'm so glad you came. We need you. You can break the kahuna's power and restore my people's faith. I I'm only one man. Hey, I can't. Please don't expect miracles. What is it? The earth shedddters. It is the volcano Maloa. The people will say it's P. my wife. [Music] I'm here, dear. Don't be frightened. Now, trouble had indeed reached its scenery. The slumbering volcano reputed home of Palele, the fire goddess, had awakened in a roaring blast of fury. The whole island quaked and rumbled. The people cowered in fear. Wasn't this just what their priest, the Kahuna, had predicted? Ple was angry and would destroy them all. Only 200 m away, Honolulu seemed like another world until the packet boat brought a letter from James Elely to Mr. Thirsten and Mr. Bingham. So, you can see, Mr. Thirsten, that my remaining here longer is useless. Even before the volcano began erupting, my work proved ineffective. The people have reverted completely to their pagan beliefs. Both Mrs. Elely and myself would appreciate your asking the first vessel to put in here and pick us up. Sincerest regard, James Elely. It came by packet this morning. Sounds pretty hopeless, Asa. It's all my fault. I shouldn't have talked you into sending him. Don't blame yourself. It might have worked out except for that conffounded volcano. It wasn't the volcano. Our mistake was in expecting somebody else to give Elely the faith that he lacked in himself. What are we going to do? It's all arranged. I'm taking the same boat back that brought this. A few days later, back in Kona, while Elely was awaiting a reply to his letter, he received a summons from Capolani. He found her in the church at prayer. They said you wanted to talk to me. You're really going. There's no reason to stay. I I can do nothing. And it's killing my wife. Your people's beliefs are too strong. But the Reverend Thirsten taught if we had faith, miracles happen. I know that the Bible's full of them, but but in our lives. But why our lives different? When you first came, you said it was like Elijah and the false god. Thou, when Elijah defied the false god, what did he do? He called on the lightning from heaven to burn up the sacrifice, demonstrate the power of the true God. And the people believed and worshiped the Akura Jehovah. But it took a miracle. Now I know. I know now what I must do. I want to thank you for all you've done for us. We are grateful. If my people believe Akur Jehovah again. If false gods are destroyed, will you stay? You mean if a miracle happens, will you stay? Yes, of course. But if you do not see me more, the power of P is greater than my faith. But if we meet again, our eyes will smile and it will be very happy time for all of us. Ele high at top Kilawia Crater, the Kahuna's chant was triumphant. With the help of Pale, the goddess of the volcano, he would be victorious. Never again would his powers, his beliefs, be threatened by the white missionaries. Once more, his gods would be supreme in the islands. Say you must stop her. Stop who? Kapilani. The whole island knows she goes to the volcano. But why? To prove that your god is greater than petty. Like Elijah. Elijah. This story of Elijah. I told her how the prophet defied Bal. And now she wants to risk her life. Hurry. She will die. This is something I I must do. I I owe them this much. No, James, you could be killed, too. Yes, I I could. But what will become of me left here all alone? You know that that's what's been wrong with us all the time. We've worried only about ourselves, not what we came here to do. I'll be careful. It was true. Capolani was indeed on her way up the mountain, determined to make one final desperate gesture of defiance in support of her new faith. Deserted by her people, her husband dying, condemned to death by the Kahuna, disappointed by the Hulle missionaries, Capolani was on her way to the crater of an erupting volcano to defy false gods like Elijah did. On the rim of the crater, the Kahuna halted her, issued a final dire warning. Go back. Go back. You make Ple angry, you break carpoo, we all die in frequent fire. But in open defiance of Ple, Capolani first picked sacred oalober berries, prepared to break all the deadly kapus one by [Music] one. Defiantly, Capolani moved to the very brink of the crater. The most terrifying phenomenon in all nature. Directly below the beliefs and fears of centuries seem to cry out to her. You break Capu, you die. Hear my thoughts, Pel. It is I, Capil. I fight. I bring your cups. And the fiery fountains boiled higher. See, I eat the sacred Oh, there. Another terrible insult. The terrified men and women puddled glow, afraid to run, afraid to stay. But truly, Paley was furious. I throw stones into your house of fire. Now the insulting pebble seemed to inflame the fiery goddess. Then James Elely arrived and marveled. There was Capilani alone, defying every superstition, every primitive fear of her people. depending on no one, nothing but her faith. Kill me now, Kelly, for your power is broken forever. Now the furies of a pagan hell roared loose below. Kill me, or my god only will be worshiped in our island. Fountains of fire rose almost to their feet. Capolani disappeared in smoke forever they were certain. But when the smoke cleared slightly, [Music] when from the terrors of nature a people have fashioned and worshiped a spirit of evil, blessed be the voice of a teacher who calls to them, "Set yourself free." So inspired by Capolani, wrote the great English poet Tennyson. Truly, she had vanquished the false gods in what has been called one of the finest acts of courage in all Christian ends. [Music] [Music] in [Music] a non [Music] [Music] Oh, [Music] no. Your letter worried me. I decided to investigate firsthand. I can understand that. There'll be a ship within a week. I'm I'm not going. I want to stay here. But you said that she convinced me. My place is here. I want to stay. Capulani. She was willing to give her life for her god. She had faith strong enough to give to everyone, even to me. Within a year, a new devout, self-confident James Elely was ordained a minister. Today, we realize that Capolani accomplished far, far more than any of the missionaries could realize at the time. The little grasshut village, Honolulu, has become a beautiful, modern, thriving city of a quarter million people, crossroads of the Pacific. And in Honolulu and throughout Cafeani's beloved Hawaiian Islands today, beautiful modern churches of all denominations stand as living memorials to the steadfast courageous heroine of the volcano Capolani. In the words of Tennyson's poem, Great and Greater and greatest of [Applause] women Heat. Heat.