Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 17.djvu/254



246 JASON LEE

The females generally bring it and put it down and return without saying a word as they can speak no language that we understand.

Fri. August 8, 1834. Drank -a little milk and water but took no breakfast, having set this apart this day for abstinence and prayer. Went out hunting hoping that I should be able to kill an antelope as we shall probibly see no more game this side of Wallahwallah but saw only one and could not get near enough for a shot. Made a long march of more than 20 mi. Found some access to the throne of grace but still my insatiate soul cries out for more of God. Find myself very weary but thank God he gives me time for rest and repose.

Sat. Au. 9. Our way for two days has been mostly over sandy plains covered only with wild sage and pulpy leaved thorn and a few willows and birch on the streams.

Came over 20 mi. and are camped without running water.

A large brook flows here in spring and fall but there is now only here and there a stagnant pool which is warm and has a very disagreeable taste. I can endure but little am much fatigued when we reach camp.

Sun. August 10, 1834. My soul would delight exceedingly to enjoy the privileges of God's House to-day but on the contrary we must soon each and pack our animals and proceed on our journey. But my heart is cheered my soul is com- forted from the consideration that God is here in this "void waste as in the city full" and that he is the fountain of all blessedness and that all the means that can be used are only instruments or mediums through which he conveys his bless- ings and that he can as easily convey them to us in this barren waste directly from himself as he can to others through the preaching of his word or by any other instrume[n]tality. And blessed be his name he does not forget or overlook us even us though so far isolated from the civilized world in this heathen desert. Thank God I find peace in believing and joy in the Holy Ghost. My ardent soul longs to be sounding