Page:Oregon, her history, her great men, her literature.djvu/361

360 At the age of twenty-one years. Frederick H. Balch entered the ministry and organized churches, spending his days in the saddle and his evenings in the pulpit, laboring in remote settlements where sermons were practically unknown. During interims he studied Indian lore in quest of material for his book; and after much research among various tribes, became thoroughly convinced of the previous existence of the "Bridge of the Gods" of Indian tradition. No matter, therefore, what the reader may conclude regarding the existence of the "Bridge of the Gods;" for of this one thing he may be assured Frederic H. Balch, after conscientious study systematically pursued, wrote with the firm belief that the Columbia was once spanned by such a bridge.

While pastor of the Congregational Church of Hood River, he began writing the "Bridge of the Gods." Upon completing the book, he pursued a theological course in a seminary in Oakland, California, and while there his book was published. A short time before completing his course in the seminary, Balch was overtaken by illness, and had not the strength to rally. His death occurred in Portland, Oregon, June 3, 1891.

Frederic H. Balch outlined several other books among which were: "Tenasket," a tale of Oregon in 1818; "Genevieve," a story of Oregon in 1890; "Crossing the Plains,*and "Olallie." But his masterpiece is the "Bridge of the Gods." Americans agree as to the merits of **The Scarlet Letter;" yet the "Bridge of the Gods" is in some respects a better story. Unlike "The Scarlet Letter," it preserves the high moral tone of all the leading characters, thus constantly holding before the mind of the reader that which is purest and noblest; and it delights the reader with the triumph of virtue. The beloved minister rises in his victory over temptation; Wallula, the Indian Princess of Sauvie's Island, asserts herself as becomes the daughter of a great chieftain; and Chief Multnomah stands out to the end as the exponent of that integrity, courage and honor characteristic of the better types of the earlier Indian tribes. Frederic H. Balch is, therefore, entitled to rank with the leading Oregon authors.