METHODIST REPORTS WILLAMETTE MISSION 333
toward our public servants and agents because they were not able always to see the end from the beginning? Such a spirit can only be the evidence of our ignorance of human nature, and of a lamentable want of that charity which "thinketh no evil." Instead of this, we should learn from our own frailities how to make due allowance for the unintentional mistakes of others.
It is a remarkable fact, to which it may be proper here to allude, that just after the large reinforcement of missionaries had been provided for, the cheering news came to this country of that great and glorious work of God among the Indians at the Balls Station. And it must be recollected by all, that though there has been considerable dissatisfaction expressed in different quar- ters, concerning this large appropriation, the reception of this intelligence seemed at once to secure a general acquiescence in the measure. But why this sudden and almost universal change in public sentiment? Simply because excited feelings were allowed to take the place of an enlightened and sober judgment. That revival was not the result, either directly or indirectly, of the project so recently and loudly complained of. It took place be- fore the newly appointed missionaries had reached their destination. Why then, should this intelligence, cheering as it was, have had the effect to reconcile the public to a policy which has since proved itself to have been unwise and uncalled for ? The true answer to this question may be found in this fact, that our faith and zeal are too often based upon the immediate, visible and uninterrupted suc- cess of our efforts.
We have dwelt the longer on this subject for the pur- pose of showing that if the Board, under the influence of eloquent and exciting appeals were, by the force of cir- cumstances, induced to adopt a scheme of doubtful util- ity, it is no less true that the very persons who were loudest in their condemnation of the measure, had their opposition all calmed down, at least for a time, by a re-
