METHODIST REPORTS WILLAMETTE MISSION 339
DEATH OF JASON LEE
We have received the painful intelligence of the de- cease of Rev. Jason Lee, the late Superintendent of the Oregon Mission. He left Oregon before the present Superintendent had arrived in that country and before he was advised of his appointment to the Mission. Brother Lee arrived in the city of New York in May last, during the session of the General Conference, and re- mained until its close. He attended the New Hampshire and New England Conferences, at both of which he de- livered addresses and powerfully and successfully advo- cated the claims of Christian Missions. At the New England Conference, which was his own, he received the appointment of Agent for the "Oregon Institute" that institution first having been taken under the patronage of the Conference. He then left New England on a visit to his friends in Stanstead, Lower Canada; and from a note which he directed to the Board some months since, we have reason to believe that the sudden and rapid failure of his health prevented him from accomplishing much, if any, of his duties of his agency. He died among his kindred and early friends on the 12th of March, 1845, in the 42nd year of his age.
His joy was not estatic during his prolonged illness, but his faith was firm and his hope unwavering. When the Rev. Mr. Brock, the Wesleyan Missionary in Stan- stead, in one of his visits, inquired of him the state of his mind, he replied with much assurance, "I know that my Redeemer liveth." In a letter to the Board, ad- dressed to Brother Lane, February 7th, he says, "Rest assured, beloved brethren, "For me to live is Christ, to die is gain." About ten minutes before he expired he raised his eyes toward heaven and seemed to be gazing with intent fixedness upon celestial objects, while a heav- enly smile played upon his countenance, and his immortal and happy spirit, had glided away to his eternal rest.
Our beloved brother was the great Missionary Pioneer
