Eells felt it his duty to visit New England in the interest of the institution. He says:
"It was the hardest year's work I ever did, to raise that sixteen thousand dollars." 254
The old pioneer would much rather have cut cord wood or plowed his fields, if that would have brought in the money for his loved college. The Christian who reads Dr. Eells' diary during the closing years of his life, will easily see how devoted he was to the work of honoring the memory of the occupants of the "Great grave." His diary of May 24, 1890, says:
"The needs of Whitman College cause serious thought. My convictions have been that my efforts in its behalf were in obedience to Divine Will."
June 11, 1890. "During intervals of the night I was exercised in prayer for Whitman College. I am persuaded that my prayers are prevailing. In agony I pray for Whitman College."
October 2d. "Dreamed of Whitman College and awoke with a prayer."
His last entry in his diary was: "I could die for Whitman College."
The grand old man went to his great reward in February, 1893. Will the Christian people of the land allow such a prayer to go unanswered?
In 1884 Mrs. N. F. Cobleigh did some very effective work in canvassing sections of New England in behalf of the college, succeeding in raising $8,000.
