Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 15.djvu/93



FIRST PRESBYTERIANISM ON PACIFIC COAST 85

THE WHITMAN AND SPALDING MISSIONS

The Mission, during these early days, was financed and encouraged by the American Board of Foreign Missions, the board at that time being under the joint control of the Con- gregational, Presbyterian and Dutch Reformed churches.

Dr. Whitman was a physician and a very energetic and capable man. His station was known as the Waiilatpu Mis- sion, located on the Walla Walla River, six miles from the present site of Walla Walla, among the Cayuse Indians, of which he had personal charge. A station at Lapwai, on the Clearwater, among the Nez Perces, was in charge of Mr. Spalding. Missionary work among the Nez Perces was more successful than with the Cayuses, due, no doubt, to the superior character of the Nez Perces.

The services of Mrs. Whitman and Mrs. Spalding were in- valuable as teachers in the native schools which were soon established. The Indians were furnished farming utensils and taught the art of agriculture. The squaws were given lessons in knitting, sewing, carding, spinning, weaving, etc. This method of treatment cured many of the habit of roving. The bucks would jestingly remark that they were being made a nation of women. Formerly the squaws did all the manual labor ; the bucks hunted and fished and for a diversion engaged i'n warfare.

The needs of impoverished emigrants entering the new country when passing the mission were promptly met by Dr. Whitman, who sent them on their way rejoicing.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

On August 18, 1838, the first Presbyterian Church in North America west of the Rocky Mountains and on the Pacific Coast was organized at the house of Dr. Whitman, at the Waiilatpu Mission station, six miles west of the present city of Walla Walla, Wash. Rev. H. H. Spalding was elected pastor and Dr. Marcus Whitman, ruling elder. Mr. Spalding was a member of the Bath Presbytery, New York, and this first church was attached to the Bath Presbytery.