Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 17.djvu/138



130 JASON LEE

which attended it. Often does the following stanzas rush

into my mind :

The sound of the church going bell, These vallies and rocks never heard, Never sighed at the sound of a knell, Or smiled when a Sabbath appeared.'

But blessed be God I rejoice to see the return of a Christian Sabbath though deprived of sanctuary privileges.

On this day ten thousand fervent prayers ascend the throne of grace for Missionary and Mission operations and how can we but rejoice to witness its return. May that time soon come when we shall enjoy the privileges of God's house on the western decline of the Rocky Mountains. I already long to hear from my dear friends in the east but am doomed to wait many long months before I can know anything of what is transpiring among those I love. We have very little pros- pect of doing any good among those with [whom] we jour- ney. Our time while in Camp being almost entirely taken up in taking care of our things horses cooking &c. so that it is with difficulty we find time to write a little in the journal.

Mon. June 2, 1834. We encamped last night near a beauti- ful grove of white ash. We have passed some groves of Cottonwood which is far more prevelent than any other in this part of the Country. We have been climbing the Black Hills which extend some distance South and North to the Missouri and forms the falls of that River. I think they receive their name from their dark appearance occasioned by small pine and cedar scattered over them. They make a very beautiful appearance. Dined on a beautiful little stream of clear water which is the first we have seen for hundreds of miles. Marched late and encamped in a small grove and little grass. Begun to see the snow caped Mountains which to me are a most wel- come sight.

Have been afflicted with a diorhae to-day.

Tues. Ju. 3. Started early this morning and came 15 m. before we could find grass and dined on the bank of the