Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 23.djvu/365



METHODIST REPORTS WILLAMETTE MISSION 315

their preservation and success in their arduous enter- prise. 11

On the 13th of February last, letters were received from them, dated at Rio de Janeiro, December 12, 1839, giving a very interesting account of their voyage, of their safe arrival all in good health and spirits, at that place, and of their expected departure for their destined place in a few days. With the blessings of a gracious Providence, they have probably ere this reached their in- tended field of labor. When they shall have arrived, there will be in that station, including those who were there before, not less than 68 souls, old and young, under the patronage of this society.

But what is most cheering and encouraging to the friends of this holy cause, just before this company sailed a letter was received from Dr. White, the resident physi- cian at the mission premises on the Willamette, in Ore- gon, giving an account of a powerful work of grace among the native children at the school, which extended to a number of the adult white settlers, who had em- braced religion and become members of the church. This great and good work, he states, is exerting a powerful influence upon the population generally, both white and Indian; so that those who were averse to labor are be- coming industrious, and those who were merely friendly are now most warmly attached to the missionary cause and deeply engaged to promote its objects. All, indeed,

11 These arrived June 1, 1840. They were: George Abernethy (steward), wife and two children; Thomas Adams; Dr. Ira L. Babcock (physician), wife and child; Henry B. Brewer (farmer) and wife; Ham- ilton Campbell (carpenter), wife and child; David Carter (teacher); Chloe A. Clark (teacher); Rev. Joseph H. Frost (minister), wife and child; Rev. Gustavus Hines (minister), wife and child; Lewis H. Judson (cabinet-maker), wife and three children; Rev. W. H. Kone (minister) and wife; Orpha Lankton (teacher) ; James Olley (carpenter) and wife; Josiah L. Parrish (blacksmith), wife and three children; Almira Phelps, teacher (married W. W. Raymond) ; W. W. Raymond (farmer) and wife; Dr. J. P. Richmond (physician and minister), wife and four chil- dren; Rev. Alvan F. Waller (minister), wife and two children; Maria T. Ware (teacher).