METHODIST REPORTS WILLAMETTE MISSION 311
are assured that our missionaries have not "labored in vain, nor spent their strength for naught."
Twentieth Anniversary,
Green Street Church, New York,
May 20, 1839.
From the Oregon Mission we have information of the most authentic character from the superindent of the mission himself, who arrived here on the 31st of October last, after a tedious passage over the Rocky Mountains of about seven months, He was accompanied by five young natives, three of whom were sent to be educated at the expense of their parents, and the other two Flat Head youths accompany Brother Lee in his travels, which since his arrival have exerted a beneficial influence on the interests of the missionary cause.
We are happy to learn from Brother Lee that the last mission family, which sailed from Boston in January, 1837, had arrived in safety, and entered upon their work with cheerfulness and diligence while we were called to mourn over the sudden death of the wife of Brother Lee, who departed this life in peace after her husband had left for the United States. Her death is to be the more lamented, because she was eminently qualified for her station, and promised great usefulness to that distant and important mission.
The object of Brother Lee's visit, which was under- taken at the earnest request of the mission family, is to procure more help in that field of labor. It appears, both from his own account, from letters received from Daniel Lee and Dr. White, as well as from the published account of the Rev. Mr. Parker, 9 who traveled through that coun- try under the direction of the American Board, that the various tribes of Indians inhabiting that region are not only willing but even desirous to be instructed in the
9 Journal of an Exploring Tour beyond the Rocky Mountains, by Rev. Samuel Parker, Ithaca, N. Y. (1838.)
