While serving as a gold panning missionary in California, he and nine others were called to labor in the Sandwich Islands. The call and setting apart was done by Elder Charles C. Rich on September 25, 1850. They continued panning for gold to secure passage to Hawaii and sailed on November 15, 1850 being the first missionaries called to the Hawaiian Islands. He was assigned by President Clark to take employment with the British Consul. He departed the field in April, 1851.