Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 13.djvu/387

 DOCUMENTS 379 ings of that gospel which brings life and immortality to light. Remember and pray for us that we may labor successfully for the promotion of our Master's cause in this heathen land. A few words to the little folks. Tell them we often think how happy they must be to have kind parents to take care of them, give them good food and clothes and books and send them to school where they can learn much that will be very useful to them. We have seen a great many Indian children who have no clothes and never have bread or anything very good to eat. They sometimes get a little meat but when they have no meat they eat roots, grass, seeds, crickets and a great many bad things. They are very poor children and know nothing about God. Dear children, is not your condition a happy one indeed ? Affectionately, MRS. SPALDING. LETTER BY JAMES W. NESMITH TO FRIENDS IN THE EAST. Oregon City, Willamette Falls, O. T. 27th June, 1845. My Dear Friends : As Dr. White is on the eve of starting with a small party for the United States, I avail myself of the opportunity to return you my most sincere thanks for your long and affectionate letter bearing date 15th of March, 1844, which was gratefully received on the 5th of December of the same year. I have read it until it is completely and entirely worn out ; the fragments I have carefully deposited in my desk and frequently refer to them as the only reward for the innumerable and lengthy letters written by me for the last four or five years. I console myself with the hope that you may do better for the future. It was gratifying to me to hear that you were all in the enjoyment of health and prosperity for the continuation of which you have my best wishes.