Ah, a battle between an Archbishop of Canterbury and a king. That seems rather familiar. But the real question is, which island will emerge victorious in this matchup between William Laud and Kamehameha? England or Hawaii? Whoever it is, the winner will advance to face David Oakerhater in the next round.
Yesterday's battle between Thecla and John Keble led to some respectfully passionate debate in the comment section. In fact, we set a record for most comments in a first round pairing with over 300. Impressive! In the end, Thecla prevailed 58% to 42% meaning we'll be hearing more about those ravenous seals in the Saintly Sixteen when she squares off against Brendan the Navigator.
William Laud
William Laud was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1633–1640 and remains among the most controversial figures in the history of Anglicanism. Heralded by many as a martyr and condemned by others as a tyrant and bigot, Laud was among the most visible proponents of a uniquely English brand of anti-Calvinism in the seventeenth-century Church. As such, he was in near constant conflict with English Puritans of his day.
Even before his elevation to the See of Canterbury, Laud was somewhat of a liturgical and ecclesiastical innovator. During his term as dean of Gloucester, he caused great consternation (as so many priests throughout the ages have) by moving furniture. Laud moved the altar table in Gloucester to the east wall — the location typical of most altars before the Reformation. This move brought upon him the ire of his bishop and local Puritans, suspicious of a reintroduction of a Roman Catholic custom.
Laud’s movement of the altar was a liturgical manifestation of his theological persuasion that the Church of England followed in unbroken succession from the pre-Reformation Roman Catholic Church in England, although under the supreme governance of the king and the oversight of bishops. This belief led him to stridently impose liturgical uniformity throughout the church, seeking that all things be done “decently and in good order” in the “beauty of holiness.” His increased emphasis on the celebration of the sacraments was often viewed as contrary to Reformation doctrines of salvation through faith alone. An abortive attempt to impose The Book of Common Prayer on Scotland in 1637 marked the apex of his time as Archbishop of Canterbur y. By 1638 Scottish leaders pledged to resist the new prayer book and uphold Puritan practice by force, and by the end of the year, no bishops remained in Scotland.
Laud was sincere in his beliefs but dangerously out of touch with common persuasions in England of his time. His fierce defense of the Church’s privileges and prerogatives came at the same time as a growing sentiment against the divine right of kings, and his strident rule as Archbishop of Canterbury in favor of liturgical uniformity won him few friends. By 1641 he was impeached and carried away to theTower of London.
He was sentenced to death in 1645. At his execution, he said, “The Lord receive my soul, and have mercy upon me, and bless this kingdom with peace and charity, that there may not be this effusion of Christian blood amongst them.”
Collect for William Laud
Keep us, O Lord, constant in faith and zealous in witness, that, like your servant William Laud, we may live in your fear, die in your favor, and rest in your peace; for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Kamehameha
On January 11, 1855 Hawaii crowned a new, young monarch — King Kamehameha IV.
With his wife Queen Emma, Kamehameha set forth to transform the Hawaiian islands by offering his people a new way, new healthcare methods, and a new faith — Christianity.
Kamehameha was born on February 9, 1834. As a young man, he toured the United States, Central America, and Europe, and he discovered Christianity — and Anglicanism in particular. He was taken with the liturgy and core beliefs of Anglicanism. In 1860 Kamehameha and Emma petitioned the Church of England to send Anglican missionaries to Hawaii. Three priests arrived on October 11, 1862. Kamehameha initiated one of his greatest contributions to his people — translating The Book of Common Prayer into the native language. He led his people as a practicing, dedicated Anglican and began a building campaign for a cathedral and a school.
A devastating smallpox epidemic in the Islands prompted Kamehameha and Emma to go into the communities and witness firsthand the devastation from leprosy, influenza, and other foreign diseases that were spreading through the native population. They embarked on a fundraising campaign to build a new hospital, and even today, their commitment to the health of their people is evident. Queen’s Hospital is named for Emma.
Kamehameha’s death on November 30, 1863, didn’t stop the work and ministry that was underway. Emma continued her husband’s dedication and charity by establishing more schools and churches and by tending to the sick and poor.
Although Kamehameha died a young man, the impacts of his Christian ideals and dedicated work on Hawaii are still witnessed today. Kamehameha and Emma are honored throughout Hawaii and are depicted in stained glass windows at St. Andrew’s, the church they helped found.
His feast day is celebrated in conjunction with his wife, Queen Emma, on November 28.
Collect for Kamehameha
O Sovereign God, who raised up Kamehameha and Emma to be rulers in Hawaii, and inspired and enabled them to be diligent in good works for the welfare of their people and the good of your Church: Receive our thanks for their witness to the Gospel; and grant that we, with them, may attain to the crown of glory that never fades away; through Jesus Christ our Savior and Redeemer, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Vote!
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266 comments on “William Laud vs. Kamehameha”
William Laud was a righteous man, no doubt, and tended to beat others over the head with his righteousness. I voted instead for a man who loved his people and served them as the Lord Jesus loves and serves us.
As someone who has read one of the many journals of a prominent protestant missionary's wife who lived on Hawaii for the rest of her life and was still working when Kamehameha IV become monarch I was compelled to vote for the King. From what I have read about the time, I agree that both the king and his wife were both saints for the work that they did for their people.
All you had to do was look at the pictures and think about what life would be like without Hawaiian Bread.
How it warms my heart to see King K in the lead. I might have to go catch some waves in tribute! Aloha ke akua.
Yesterday I got all caught up in feminism and blood thirsty seals. Today I was determined to vote in a more rational way. Hawaii is a beautiful place. Kamehameha and his wife, Emma were inspired Christian people in the very best sense. But, I didn't vote for them. Usually I am totally against Tyrants and bigots, but universal liturgy got me. "All things to be done decently and in GOOD ORDER in the beauty of holiness" this is what brought me to the Episcopal Church; so my vote went for William Laud.
As a lover of Pre-Reformation and modern Roman Catholic ritual and mysticism, I was thinking that there had to be some information to balance these two contenders out a bit: Something less than exemplary about Kamehameha and some evidence that Laud too could be kind and benevolent, but alas, Encyclopedia Britannica does nothing to help out poor well intentioned but misguided Laud: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/332198/William-Laud/4085/Trial-and-execution, or cloud the luster of Kamehameha's halo: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/310557/Kamehameha-IV. I think that Laud's story exemplifies the observation of Old Lady Grantham to Lady Mary in a recent episode of Downton Abbey, that love can be a far more dangerous motivator than hatred. Thank the Almighty that the last Hawaiian royals used divine love for love's sake.
Kamehameha, you get my vote.
While I voted for Kamehameha on the basis of his service to his people, I believe there was insufficient information about William Laud's life to encourage a vote for him. The very fact that Laud was killed by fundamentalists should have encouraged more of a sympathy vote. While I voted for Kamehameha, "Je suis Guillame".
I vote for the King and his saintly wife Emma. He appealed to me for translating the book of common prayer into the native language of his people & for the care and concern he showed for his people - building a cathedral, school, and hospital. I found his commitment to improving health care for his people admirable. Emma's dedication in continuing the work of her husband after his death - is admirable as well!
I've often used Laud as an example in All Saints' Day sermons: "If he can be one, you can too!"
But I have to vote for someone bringing the worship to people in their own language, because when I say "And now - in the language of your own heart - as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say" in my parish I usually hear at least 4 languages joining in common prayer.
King Kamehameha and Emma are commemorated on my birthday, so Kamehameha it is! Happy Lent Madness!
As a liturgist, I'm going to cast a sympathy vote for Laud. There's a joke I heard a few years ago:
Q. What's the difference between a liturgist and a terrorist?
A. You can negotiate with a terrorist!
and I love this joke because the first time I heard it, it convicted me; and it captures so clearly the ever-present temptation for us liturgists, who care so passionately about every detail because we care so passionately about the liturgy, and we know the symbolism associated with every jot and tittle of the text, music, art, vestments, architecture, and yes even furniture, which contribute to and influence the experience of the liturgy whether consciously recognized by the assembly or not.
So in rueful recognition of my own besetting sins, and also because of his final plea for peace and unity in the church that was about to execute him, I cast my vote for Abp Laud, whose life story serves both as an inspiration, and as a cautionary tale.
As a fairly new permanent resident of Hawaii, of course I voted for King K IV. We haven't learned nearly enough about our surrounding culture, but the Aloha spirit of this diverse community is due, certainly in part, to the early work of King K and his predecessor who united the islands. We love it here, surrounded by the glory of God's creation. The Christian community is also diverse and active!! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!
I've never commented here, but the comments of others here are prompting me to today. I am a life-long UCCer and pastor of the lowest-liturgy congregation I've ever known, but I sang in a very high Episcopal youth choir and I adore good liturgy. In fact, I crave it on certain occasions, and usually head that direction when I'm on vacation. That said, I will never be able vote for anyone who tells me the only way to worship truly is their way. I feel like that kind of rigidity displays a pretty tiny view of God.
Not sure why Kamehameha and Emma couldn't share the ticket together. They share the collect and day. They were clearly a ministry team. Let's not promote "lone rangers" among our Holy Women and Holy Men. 😉
I was raised in the United Presbyterian Church and came to the Episcopal Church when I got married the second time. I am not high church at all. King Kamehameha has my favor.
BTW what is wrong with Calvinism.......
Nancy
Almost had me with "decently and in good order" . . Then again, anti-Calvin? St. K gets my,vote.
Come on you guys! A Liturgical Manifestation! I for one am glad for the "sticklers" concerning our Tradition. But, alas, I am in the loser's camp again.
All glory, Aloha & honor?
Why'd they put a dinosaur like Laud up against a sweetheart like Kamehameha! Poor old Laud can't even get out of the gate, let alone stay in the race.
I wish I could say I voted for Kamehameha solely because of his great contributions to the spiritual and physical well-being of the people of Hawaii. That, and he translated The Book of Common Prayer into the vernacular, which is awesome. And I think I would have voted for him for those reasons, all else being equal.
But I have to be honest - I was predisposed to Kamehameha as a Dragon Ball fan. I have a sneaky suspicion my kids will both vote for Kamehameha for that reason alone.
I love Laud! I love Laud, and all the Caroline Divines, and all of the cavilers, and the Stuarts, and I have since I was 16.
Someone messed up....there was no difficulty choosing who would get my vote today.
I voted for Kamehameha because during my time in Hawai'i his spirit could still be felt in the people of that beautiful land. He was the leader that is only seen in fairy tales. I also agree that he and Queen Emma were a real team!
K may have been crowned a king but he (and Emma) was a deacon at heart! 🙂
Lent Madness. What a wonderful read! I might even suggest it to my book group!
So...with a nod to laudable Laud... King Kamahamaha it is.(It is fun to say) and Emma's Palace is well worth
seeing. Love is inspirational (but never when coupled with mistrust --which may have been the Downton Abbey observation.)
Thanks for the history! Being born on Kauai, my dad was the priest at St John's, Eleele. The folks my family met there remained friends throughout our lives. It is a culture we all can learn so much from.