These young folk had assembled informally two weeks before, on May 22, at the Old Mission School House, in Kawaiahao Lane and occupied later by the Boy Scouts, to welcome home one of their number, Luther Gulick, who had left Hawaii at the age of 12, to secure an education, and had now returned with his new wife, under appointment of the ABCFM to organize a mission in Micronesia.
Gulick, in an earnest, enthusiastic manner, talked of his work, asked for cooperation, and pictured the satisfaction it would be to him could he but feel that his near and dear island friends were with him in thought and sympathy, and in assistance also in case of need.
There was in the audience another son of the missionaries, Asa Goodale Thurston, but lately arrived from California, having spent some time there after his graduation at Williams College.
His appearance, when seen with his cowboy hat, curled-up moustache, and general mien of a California miner, was not that of a pious mission worker.
But he had inherited an admiration for pioneer work and missions, and with his natural force and energy, he took up the project, and was appointed to draft a constitution.
The preamble to the constitution reads:—[2][3] "We, the children of the American Protestant Mission of the Hawaiian Islands, desiring to strengthen the bond of union that naturally exists among us, and to cultivate the missionary spirit among ourselves; also with the view of aiding in the support of the Micronesia Mission about to be sent forth, one of whose members is of our number, do hereby organize ourselves into a social missionary society under the following Constitution and By-Laws."
[2] The society supported Gulick for nine years, till failing health compelled his return; then support was given to the Micronesian, Marquesas and Mortlock missions, and money expended upon the island boarding schools, Waialua, Kawaiahao, Maunaolu, Kohala and Hilo Boarding School; especially in the education of the children of the Hawaiian missionaries at Marquesas.
A thought was suggested in 1855, that the children of the Sunday schools in the U.S. be asked to build a missionary vessel of 150 tons, for the service of this mission.
It infused life into the workers and by its pledges of secrecy, some who would not venture on previous literary works were induced to contribute to the entertainment.
Lifelong friendships were made, and at least one marriage, that of O. H. Gulick and Annie Clark occurred at a "cousins' meeting" in the same Adobe Schoolhouse.
The missionary work of the society, also, seemed to be duplicated by the Hawaiian Board of Missions, and the "cousins" found they were contributing twice to the same object.
In 1904, after much discussion, a change was made in the constitution, including this one article:—[2] "The design of the society shall be to perpetuate the memory of the mission fathers and mothers who brought Christianity to these Islands, also to promote union among its members, to cultivate in them an active missionary spirit, stir them up to good deeds, and to assist in the support of Christian work.
[2] The money received was held in trust till enough had been accumulated to put up a suitable memorial building in honor of the fathers and mothers.
[2] In 1861, a new departure was made, and The Maile Wreath, a monthly paper was edited and became the chief literary feature of the meetings until the close of 1896.