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THE
MISSIONARY TEACHER:
Qº ſºlemoir of
CY RU S S H E PARI),
EMBRACING A BRIEF SKETCH OF THE EARLY HISTORY
OF THE OREGON MISSION.
BY REV. Z. A. MUD G. E.
ED ITED BY D. P. KIDDER.
*Neu-1}ork:
PUBLISHED BY LANE & TIPPETT,
FOR THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL,
CHURCH, 200 MULBERRY-STREET.
J O SE P. H. L. O. N. G. K.I.N.G., PR IN TE R.
1848,


Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1848, by
G. LANE & C. B. TIPPETT,
in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Southern
District of New-York.

PR. E. F. A. C. E.
-
THE propriety of offering to the
public a work like the present, we
trust, will be apparent to all, at least
to the friends of missions and of
Sunday schools.
Mr. Shepard was one of the first
Protestant missionaries to Oregon,
and his labors are identified with the
early history of religious missions for
the benefit of the inhabitants of the
Pacific shore.
May it not be hoped that his ex-
ample of devotion and usefulness

6 PREFACE.
will inspire many other persons, in
similar circumstances in life, to exert
themselves to fulfill the high destiny
to which God calls them by his pro-
vidence and grace?
We take pleasure in acknowledg-
ing our indebtedness to Charles
Wilkes, Esq., U. S. Navy, for the pri-
vilege of copying the cuts found in
this volume, from the fourth volume
of the United States Exploring Ex-
pedition.
- - - - -
- - - -
-
-
Con TENTs.
-
-
CHAPTER I.
THE Mission ARY TEACHER—MR. SHEPARD's PA-
RENTAGE AND YouTH–BEcoMEs A PUBLIC SCHOOL
TEACHER–His conversion . . . . . . Page 9
CHAPTER II.
MR. SHEPARD As A PUBLIC school, TEACHER—
LITERARY QUALIFICATIONs—APTNEss to TEACH-
FAMILLARITY witH PUPILs—PIETY . . . . . 18
CHAPTER III.
Mr. SHEPARD AT LYNN-SKETCH of THE LYNN
CoMMON CHURCH-REVIVAL–Journal–LABors—
CoNVERSIONS IN THE SABBATH school—REMARKs
CONCERNING THE CONVERSION OF CHILDREN . . 26
CHAPTER IV.
MR. SHEPARD's PERson AL EFForts For THE con-
version of souts—DIFFIDENCE–ZEAL–CASE or
B. J. H.-Mission ARY EFForts AT Home . . . 37
CHAPTER V.
MR. SHEPARD As A SABBATH-school TEACHER—
His studies—TEACHERs or Ass—PREPARATION For
TEACHING—HIs LovE of THE school—Success—IN-
TER course witH HIs CLAss—LETTERs to scholars
—FRANKNEss—SINCERITY . . . . . . . . . 46
CHAPTER VI.
Mr. SHEPARD's Mission ARY SPIRIT-Sympathy
For THE HEATHEN-LABors to PROMOTE THEIR IN-
struction—ONEIDA Mission—FLAT. HEAD . . . 57


8 CONTENTS.
CHAPTER VII.Y
MR. SHEPARD ENGAGEs As A Mission ARY TEACHER
–PREPAREs to go to OREGON-PARTING witH
FRIENDS . . . . . Page 64
CHAPTER VIII.
DEPARTURE For OREGON.—Journey–NEw-York
–PITTSBURGH – CINCINNATI—Louisville–INDE-
PENDENCE–THE over LAND RouTE–KANZAs IN-
DIANs—BUFFALoes–ANTELOPEs—Scott's BLUEF—
Rocky MoUNTAINs - . . . . . . 74
CHAPTER IX.
LETTER—SoDA SPRINgs—BEAR RIVER—LEwis
RIVER—MEETING IN THE GROVE–SNARE INDIANs—
DIGGERs—FISHING INDIANs—SALMon—Columbia
RIVER—Fort VANCOUVER . . . . . . . . 101
-
CHAPTER X. -
DESCRIPTION of THE Columbia–CASCADEs—Es-
TABLISHMENT Air Fort V.A.Ncouver—SABBATH Ex-
PERIENCE – LETTER – EMPLOYMENT IN school —
JAPANESE—DIFFICULT BEGINNINGs . . . . . 125
CHAPTER XI,
A DESCRIPTION of OREGON.—WILLAMETTE VAL-
LEY-INDIANs—CoMMENCEMENT of THE Mission—
LETTERs—LABors AND success of THE MIssion-
ARIES . . . . . . . . . 146
CHAPTER XII.
INDIAN CHILDREN-FLAT. HEADs—THE FAMILY-
INFLUENCE OF THE Gospel—ENTHUSIASM IN TEACH-
ING—EN court AGEMENT . . . . . . . . . . 175
CHAPTER XIII.
REMARKs—MR, SHEPARD's DEATH-NoTEs of A
VISIT TO THE PLACE OF HIS LABORS AND BURIAL-
CoNCLUSION . . . . . . 203

ME Mo i R
OF
CY R U S S H E PARI).
CHAPTER I.
The missionary teacher—Mr. Shepard's parentage and
youth—Becomes a public school teacher—His conver-
S1011.
THE sacrifices and labors of the faithful mis-
sionary of the cross are peculiar. Besides the
great work of instructing the heathen in the
truths of religion, his own heart is to be kept
in perfect subjection to the will of God, as an
indispensable prerequisite to success in his ar-
duous enterprise under circumstances of great
provocation to distrust the divine favor. The
church, it is feared, has added no little to the
burden of his duties, by the scantiness of her
contributions and the lukewarmness of her zeal,
when the cause of missions has been urged upon
her consideration, and when the reasonable de-
mands of her missionaries, whom she has sent

10 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
into the field of labor, have been held up to her
view. The embarrassment and mental anguish
thus produced, the church may never know
fully, though she may in some measure see and
feel it.
This little volume was undertaken to contri-
bute, in some small degree at least, to introduce
the reader to the missionary and his work—es-
pecially to introduce him to the missionary
teacher, that member of the mission family who
does not often appear prominently to the public
eye, and who may not therefore have a due
share of the sympathy of the friends of missions,
but who may nevertheless be subjected to the
severest labor, and that which in its results will
become the most glorious. Those who have
already dedicated to the cause a part of their
substance, and their continual, fervent suppli-
cations, will be encouraged by such an acquaint-
ance, while they see that there are among the
heathen a devoted few who have counted all
things as loss that the multitudes perishing for
the lack of spiritual knowledge may learn and
live. -
Those who have been indifferent to the
solemn appeals of a dying world, may, by the
blessing of God, while they go forth in thought
with the devoted servant of Christ to his field

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 11
of trials and unremitting toil, feel the fountains
of their sympathy opened, not only for him, but
for the object which he seeks.
It is desired also, that the humble Christian
of unpretending talents, whatever may be his
sphere of action, may be encouraged by this
sketch of the life of one, for whom even partial
friends would claim neither extraordinary gifts
nor unusual acquirements; that such may learn
that the widest fields of usefulness are open to
those who are deeply devoted to God, perse-
vering in the path of duty, and not sparing in
those abundant labors which were the glory of
an inspired apostle.
To the youth of our Bible classes and sabbath
schools we would make known the missionary
teacher. While they may learn from these
pages something of the labors of faithful in-
structors like those who labor for their own
good, they also become acquainted with the suf-
ferings and toils of many who have gone into
the darkest places of the earth to instruct chil-
dren who have known no sabbath and no Sa-
viour. We would have our young friends feel
the warmest affection for those destitute chil-
dren, and their kind and laborious teachers, that
when the missionary box is passed around the
school, they may not only give their penny, but

12 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
give it cheerfully, with a prayer to the God of
missions to bless the heathen. After we shall
have informed them that boys and girls have
been taken from the forest, where they wan-
dered in ignorance of the Saviour of the world,
and made members of a school in which they
learned to pray and to give their hearts to their
Redeemer, and from which they have gone
home to glory, they will, we are confident, love
the missionary cause, and be willing, yes, happy
to support it by their prayers and money, so
long as they live. And while they think of the
coarse fare and log huts of these missionary
children, and think of their own fine churches
and abundant food, they will thank God they
were born in a gospelland.
CYRUS SHEPARD was born in Acton, Massa-
chusetts, August 14, 1798. Most of his youth,
however, was spent in Philipston, to which
place his parents removed. His father, Stephen
Shepard, an industrious, unpretending farmer,
was a soldier of the American Revolution, and
died on the morning of the anniversary of our
national independence, July 4, 1831, at the ad-
vanced age of 81 years. A plain monument
marks the place of his repose, erected by the
filial regard of the subject of this Memoir. His
mother, Prudence Shepard, still lives in Philips-

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 13
ton, to contemplate the mystery of that provi-
dence which has removed the son from a field
of great usefulness, in the morning of his days,
and left the aged parent to linger yet longer in
her earthly pilgrimage.
There is nothing known of the youth of Mr.
Shepard which deserves to be recorded, as dis-
tinguishing him from other children. It is wor-
thy of remark, however, that at an early age he
devoted himself to the cultivation of his mind
under circumstances of considerable discourage-
ment, and became a teacher of a district school
near his native town, several years before his
conversion to God. It is interesting and pro-
fitable to consider how God makes use of the
early bias of the mind to secure the soul's best
interest. The devotion of young Shepard to
his books, his subsequent profession as a teacher,
and his ardent desire to advance in useful know-
ledge, brought him in contact with clergymen
of distinguished ability and influence, and pious
members of the church, who, almost impercep-
tibly to himself, led his mind to the contempla-
tion of religious truth. A different bias, early
indulged, without correction by his parents or
instructors, might have been followed by very
different results. An indifference to the ac-
quirement of sound learning, and an almost cer-

14 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
tain formation of the habits of idleness and dis-
sipation, would have led to irreligious company,
skepticism, and final impenitence. How incon-
ceivably great therefore is the responsibility of
those who bend the tender twig How deeply
ought my young readers to be impressed with
the fact, that those decisions which are to them
now of so little apparent importance, are laden
with the destiny of their whole existence The
streams which issue from the snowy summits
of the Rocky Mountains, may, by a slight al-
teration of their course, flow through the sunny
plains of California, or take a more northerly
direction over the rocky bed of the Columbia to
the Pacific, or make the long journey of the
Missouri and the Mississippi. But no human
power can arrest these streams at their mouth.
Mr. Shepard received the renewing grace of
God on the first of January, 1826, at Marlboro’,
Mass. Previous to this time he was remarkably
upright in his deportment, and constantly placed
himself under religious influence by his attend-
ance upon the public and private means of
grace. In his journal, which he kept several
years before his conversion, he makes frequent
mention of his abiding conviction that he ought
to become a Christian. Under date of August
14, 1824, he has left the following record:–

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 15
“This is the twenty-sixth anniversary of my
birth. Alas! what fruit have I brought forth
to the glory of God? With confusion I am
constrained to say, None! Would that the re-
mainder of my life might be spent in his ser-
vice—would that I were prepared for death
and eternity; but,
‘Though my will seem fix’d,
Yet wide my passions rove.”
Again, under the date of August 14, 1825, he
writes, “I feel quite a load of guilt resting upon
my heart. Why have I not long before this
repented of my sins, and placed myself on the
Lord’s side 2°
With such feelings, he continued to procras-
tinate the day of repentance, though he scrupu-
lously records some items of every sermon he
heard, sometimes making comments upon them,
expressing a deep concern in what related to
his soul's best welfare. Years after this period,
the writer conversed with him freely concerning
this part of his experience. He used to say, “It
was my pride and vanity which kept me from
God during those years in which the Spirit so
clearly showed me my duty. I loved the party
of pleasure and fashionable apparel, though con-
demned by my conscience in their indulgence.

16 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
I often wept over my sins, and still clung to my
idols. I desired to have religion, but I would
have worldly gratifications too. Thus I contin-
ued for years, until God's Spirit, I trust, con-
quered.”
How many there are whose experience might
be described in the same language, who, alas!
persist in their contentions with God, as if he
would abate aught of his requirements. Per-
haps their souls become entangled finally in
that favorite snare of the enemy, that of substi-
tuting, in their own belief, these good desires
for the experience of godliness itself—flattering
themselves, because they have cherished the
wish for religion so long, and cultivated its
form, that they have its substance. Mr. Shep-
ard was happily preserved from this snare,
though he was evidently tending toward it.
On the last evening of the year 1825, he at-
tended a watch-night at Marlboro’, where he
was then teaching school. It does not appear
that up to this time he had had any acquaintance
with the Methodist Church, to which he subse-
quently became so much attached. During the
meeting his mind became deeply convicted.
His past resolutions, so often made but not
kept, rushed powerfully upon his recollection,
and his long-cherished regard for religion was

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 17
awakened with renewed force; and the Spirit
set forth, with a strength never before felt, the
demands of the cause of God upon him. The
struggle was short, and his conversion clear.
After retiring from the meeting between twelve
and one o'clock, he conversed with Christian
friends for some time, and then entered his lodg-
ing-room, but not to sleep. His cup was run-
ning over with joy, and the night was spent in
praise. But there was another struggle through
which he must pass. The enemy was not so
easily to be thrown off, but assailed him so
violently that his confidence was shaken in his
experience, and he dare not say that God had
pardoned his sins; but through Christian coun-
sel he was instructed more fully concerning the
wiles of the devil, and was soon restored to
confidence in the work which had been wrought
in him.
His religious character began, from this time,
to develop itself, not so rapidly, perhaps, as that
of some others, but with a beautiful symmetry,
such as won the esteem and confidence even of
the ungodly. The marked characteristic of Mr.
Shepard, even at this time, was his discharge of
all the duties of religion, even of those which
are esteemed small, though no duty is really such
which the gospel º He discharged them

18 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
not only because he had assumed a voluntary
obligation to do so, but because he loved them—
loved them for the good they conferred upon
his own soul, and for their salutary influence
upon the church as a whole. He disciplined him-
self, at once, to attend regularly the class meet-
ing, that means of grace so peculiar to Metho-
dism, and so abundantly blessed by the Head
of the church to the good of his people. So-
cial religious intercourse with Christian friends
was another means of promoting his piety in
which he delighted. He loved society, not
merely to gratify social feeling, but for the
healthy tone it gave to his piety. Thus he
steadily progressed as a Christian. The subse-
quent narrative will exhibit, we trust, fully, the
strength and beauty of his piety in connection
with the means by which they were secured.
CHAPTER II.
Mr. Shepard as a public school teacher.
NExT to the gospel ministry, there is, perhaps,
no field of labor affording so extensive an oppor-
tunity for usefulness as the instruction of youth.
We have before observed, that Mr. Shepard en-

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 19
tered upon this work before he professed faith
in Christ, and that this occupation brought him
under influences which, under God, secured his
conversion. Feeling therefore that his calling
had conferred upon him a great blessing, he de-
voted himself with zeal to it, to make it hence-
forth a blessing to others.
The first entry we find in Mr. Shepard's
journal concerning his teaching, is the record
of the commencement of a district school at
Marlboro’, Mass., which we conclude was his
first attempt. He taught in the same place
three successive winters; in Stow two, in West
Marlboro' one, and in Weston four. His re-
engagement in each place is a sufficient evi-
dence of his success as a teacher, or, at least,
an evidence that he gave satisfaction to his em-
ployers. It is manifest from his journal, that,
from the beginning of his teaching, he was
deeply impressed with the responsibility of his
situation, and of his need of saving grace. This
impression was deepened yearly, until he was
constrained by the Holy Ghost to yield to its
renewing influence.
How admirably adapted to the wants of all
is the economy of divine grace! How various
are the means which God uses to bring sinners
to himself! In the above case the heart was

20 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
drawn to him by the gradual and powerful
revelation of the fact, that the responsibilities
of life could not be met without his grace.
Doubtless a previous work of the Spirit was, to
lay the solemn burden of those responsibilities
upon the conscience, which the Spirit and the
word had concurred in enlightening. One of
the bright lights of our Israel, the Rev. J. W.
Downing, whose writings have been given to
the public, was brought to the point of decision
in favor of living for God, while a sabbath-
school teacher. The whisperings of the Spirit
upon his tender conscience were, You have as-
sumed an important duty; you must be consis-
tent; you recommend religion to others by your
very office—obtain it yourself; you write condem-
nation against yourself, while you preach and
do not practice. To him it was a successful
appeal.
Concerning Mr. Shepard's conviction of theim-
portance of his calling, we have had opportunity
to learn from his own lips. He returned from
Lynn to Weston, to reassume the charge of his
school, with a burdened spirit. Not because he
had no pleasure in its duties, nor because he
did not appreciate the hearty welcome of his
patrons and scholars, but because his language
was, Who is sufficient for this great work 2

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 21
“These dear children,” he would say, “will be
made better or worse, perhaps happy or misera-
ble for ever, by my influence.” To get relief
from this burden, he would resort to his strong-
hold—prayer—until he received the assurance
that God’s grace would be sufficient for him.
While teaching, he endeared himself to those
with whom he boarded, by the sweetness of his
spirit, a constant solicitude which he manifested
lest the family should be put to inconvenience
by him, and especially by the mark of deep
and consistent piety which his whole deport-
ment bore. No family could be favored with
his presence an entire winter, without feeling
drawn imperceptibly, by the force of his exam-
ple, into a more intimate spiritual union with
God.
Mr. Shepard’s literary qualifications for teach-
ing were not eminent, though sufficient for all
which he engaged to do. We venture to affirm
that no branch of common education suffered in
his hands; for his extreme conscientiousness and
great industry led him thoroughly to investi-
gate whatever branch of education the good of
those placed under his care required him to
know ; and what he himself knew, he toiled
unsparingly to impart to others. But in the
higher qualifications of a teacher of youth, Mr.

22 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
Shepard was above the most of his profession.
It may offend the prejudices of some to say, that
there are qualifications, for a successful teacher,
more indispensable than eminent literary attain-
ments. Yet such is undoubtedly the fact.
Aptness to teach, is one such requisite. In
vain may a person plead a liberal education, or
the most profound acquaintance with science
and literature, if he be not possessed of an abil-
ity readily and with clearness to communicate
his knowledge to others. Such an ability may
be cultivated, no doubt; but it cannot be denied
that some have this gift pre-eminently from the
Author of our being, who distributes his gifts
“severally as he will.” Mr. Shepard was among
the latter class: yet he did not depend wholly
upon his natural tact, but developed and per-
fected it by use. We have dwelt upon this part
of our brother's character as a teacher, because
it will enable the reader to understand the secret
of his success in a subsequent part of his life, in
a more important field of labor. We wish also
to open the way for others to follow in the same
path of usefulness. One of the elements of apt-
ness to teach, as we have been able to study it
in Mr. Shepard's character, is a deep and abid-
ing love for the work. His feelings kindled
within him at the sight of a company of youth

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 23
with their unformed characters offered to him to
mold for usefulness in time, and glory in eter-
nity, until they became a passion so strong that
his duty to them was his greatest delight. Of
this burning for the work of teaching, many
little but important expedients are the natural
offspring. It is an exhaustless source of energy
and effort, which will secure the most unlimited
influence, and permanent success.
Another means of his success, was his affec-
tionate familiarity with his pupils. This ena-
bled him to know the peculiar mental habits
and constitution of each scholar, and to adapt
his mode of imparting knowledge skillfully to
each. He did not repulse their approach to
him for fear of compromising his influence in
the loss of their respect; nor assume the voice
of authority to awe them into reverence; nor was
he so triflingly free as to cause them to forget the
fact that he was their superior and teacher.
Another feature which strikingly marked Mr.
Shepard's whole character, and entered largely
into his peculiarity as a teacher was, its entire
simplicity. He was one of those few who re-
tained in manhood the artlessness, the sympa-
thy, and the kind feelings, of a child, combined
with the maturity and energy of a man. No
one acquainted with him could suspect him of

24 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
the least dissimulation, or fail to believe that
what they saw in his conduct was the real in-
dex to his motives. This trait is peculiarly
necessary to permanent influence with children.
It is a part of a teacher's or parent's character,
that even they can study and understand, and
when known, it is both suited to their feelings,
and necessary to their continued confidence.
Concerning such a one the saying soon becomes
common, “That is right because our teacher
says so.”
Having these qualifications to teach, Mr.
Shepard secured the ardent attachment of his
scholars. The writer had the pleasure of visit-
ing many of his former pupils at Weston, some
of whom are already assuming the responsibil-
ities of life, and gathered most of the above par-
ticulars from them. If a good name is valuable,
then was Mr. Shepard truly rich. It were
worth the whole labor of an ordinary life, to
leave upon some scores of immortal minds those
deep impressions which called forth, at the men-
tion of his name, a gush of grateful feeling not
to be suppressed.
We shall leave the consideration of Mr.
Shepard as a school teacher, with a few re-
marks on the direct exertions he made for the
spiritual welfare of his scholars. With some

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 25
professed Christian teachers, it is enough to en-
force upon the minds of their pupils the princi-
ples of morality only. To do more than this,
it must be allowed, is oftentimes difficult, from
the fact that parents and guardians are sensitive
with regard to such teaching. But that wis-
dom that is given liberally to those who ask,
will qualify for even this duty. Mr. Shepard
did not teach denominational peculiarities. He
aimed to impress upon the heart what he con-
sidered, in common with the great mass of
Christians, necessary for salvation ; and this he
did with but little, if any, reserve. To ac-
complish this desirable result, he relieved the
weariness of his scholars, occasionally, by the
relation of a story. In the devotional exercises
of the school, he made brief but impressive
comments upon the portions of Scripture which
were read. But especially did he carry his
pupils, with daily supplication, to God; entreat-
ing his Holy Spirit's influence upon the seed
thus carefully sown. In many instances he saw
the fruit of histoil, but much, doubtless, remains
for eternity to reveal.

26 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
CHAPTER III.
Mr. Shepard at Lynn–Sketch of the Lynn Common
church–Revival–Journal–Labors – Conversions in
the sabbath school—Remarks concerning the conversion
of children. - -
ON the 19th of May, 1829, Mr. Shepard re-
moved to Lynn, and connected himself with the
First Methodist Episcopal Church in that place.
This removal he always regarded as a providen-
tial one, forming as it did a new era in his life,
and opening to him a wider field of usefulness.
The means of grace, especially those afforded
by private prayer meetings and weekly classes,
in which he so much delighted, were abundant.
Although of a retiring and unobtrusive manner,
it was not long before he had formed a some-
what extensive acquaintance with those ".
like himself, were seeking to glorify God by
adorning, in a private life, their-Christian pro-
fession. -
We have intimated that Mr. Shepard ever
rejoiced in the providence which led him to con-
nect himself with the church at Lynn. This
church was planted by the apostolic Lee, in one
of his first visits to New-England to scatter the
light of Scriptural holiness. From the com-

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 27
mencement of his labors, the soil promised an
abundant reward to the spiritual husbandman,
and subsequent laborers have not been disap-
pointed in the expected fruit. Pickering, Soule,
Hedding, and others of the fathers, eminent in
gifts, grace, and the abundance of their labors,
many of whom have gone to their reward, have
served in this portion of God's heritage. At
the time of which we are speaking, the seed
which had been so long and faithfully scattered,
gave signs of a vigorous growth, and a speedy
and plenteous harvest. Not that the servants
of God heretofore had gone forth and returned
weeping, bearing no sheaves, but intimations
were given that there were to be seasons of
great plenty. Not only did a few drops pro-
claim the coming shower of divine mercy, but
the shower itself began to fall. Everything,
under the superintending providence of God,
seemed to be set in ºrder for the work. It had
been preceded by ministers who had labored
unremittingly to remove obstacles and prepare
the instruments; and when, at last, all things
were ready, the Holy Ghost descended in co-
pious effusions, and the people of God spoke
with other tongues than those with which they
had been accustomed to speak the wonderful
dealings of God. That eminent servant of God,

28 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
-
the Rev. A. D. Merrill, who still lives, and of
whom we may not, therefore, speak with the
freedom our feelings would impel us to do, was
the stationed preacher at this time.
Mr. Shepard early identified himself with this
work, by seeking his soul's spiritual profit in
diligent labor for all the unconverted within his
influence. He became extensively known and
highly esteemed in consequence of these per-
sonal efforts, while he, at the same time, sought
to conceal himself from the public eye. So
true is it that “he that humbleth himself shall
be exalted.”
In August, 1829, he attended a camp meet-
ing at Eastham, on Cape Cod. From this meet-
ing may be dated the commencement of the re-
vival to which we have alluded. In the autumn
succeeding, a series of “four days’ meetings,” as
they were called, were held in the various
evangelical churches of the town. Not less
than a hundred persons were added to the First
Methodist Church, many of whom were young
men, who subsequently were thrust out into the
gospel ministry. The following year a new
society was set off, under the charge of the Rev.
Rufus Spalding, and the work prevailed greatly.
The preceding hasty sketch of the revival
seems to be necessary to prepare the reader for

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 29
an acquaintance with the experience and labors
of Mr. Shepard which follow. A few extracts
from his journal will show the general state of
his religious experience at this time. Those
who knew him will be willing to accord with
the statement, that he was incapable of record-
ing a too flattering testimony of himself. His
tendency was ever toward the opposite course.
“Aug. 29. I have enjoyed my mind unusually
well these few weeks past. I feel my evidence
to grow brighter and brighter, and my path to
become more and more shining. I feel wholly
resigned to the will of God, and would not wish
to have any one thing different from what he
has ordered it. Glory to his name, yea to him
be all the glory. -
“Sept. 8.
‘O what shall I do my Saviour to praise,
So loving and true, so plenteous in grace;
So strong to deliver, so good to redeem,
The weakest believer that hangs upon him.’
“This quotation seems at this time peculiarly
adapted to describe my situation. So good has
God been to me of late, that I know not where
to begin or end when contemplating his good-
ness. His arm has delivered my soul from
the snare of the evil one; he has redeemed my
soul, and put a new song in my mouth. This

30 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
day has been a good day. I never before felt
what I now feel of glory and heaven. I at-
tended a class meeting this evening, and was
exceedingly profited. O my soul, be thou hum-
bled in the dust, and may gratitude ever swell
may heart for all the blessings—unmerited bless-
ings—which I daily receive from my heavenly
Benefactor.”
Mr. Shepard had his seasons of comparative
darkness and of temptation, in which he walked
by faith, not by sight, which he as faithfully
records as he does his ecstatic moments, but
they were at this time few, and of short dura-
tion, and his triumphing certain and glorious.
“Sept. 20. Through infinite mercy I am
brought to behold one more of the days of the
Son of man. I have a serenity in my soul this
morning, which far surpasses all the joys of
earth.
‘E’en comfort here, and comfort there,
Free mercy flowing everywhere.”
“I find access to a throne of grace, and feel
deeply for the advancement of the cause of the
Redeemer. O my soul, bow down in the dust,
and adore the mercy, infinite mercy, which
grants thee every blessing. Praise the Lord,
and worship him in the beauty of holiness.

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 31
“Oct. 3. Through the day I have experienced
the presence of God, and still more so during
the evening, in a meeting at Bro. W. 's, at
the west part of the town. Here the Master
of assemblies was present in awful majesty; such
a time I never before witnessed. -
“Twenty-five or thirty persons spoke, in the
course of a short time, of the comfort they found
in religion. Most of them had experienced par-
doning grace within a few weeks past—one the
last evening. All testified that they never re-
alized so much of the power of God before:
some were struggling for a clean heart; and
two young women arose for the prayers of God's
people, that they might be converted. When
the meeting was closed, some retired, and others
tarried to pray, particularly for one who was
seeking for holiness. We kneeled and prayed,
and arose and sung. At this moment a young
man was noticed lingering near the door, evi-
dently under great concern of mind, who, on
being invited, entered and kneeled before God,
earnestly requesting us to pray that his sins
might be blotted out. In a few moments his
burden having been removed, peace filled his
soul, and he arose and joined with us in sing-
Ingº-
* Arise, my soul, arise,’ &c.

32 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
Another young man was in the room, who had
hitherto refused to communicate to us his feel-
ings. He now expressed a wish to partake of
the happiness the other had experienced, and
desired our entreaties with God for him. We
kneeled and prayed, and soon his burden for
sin left him. It seemed as if we had something
more than a heavenly place, it was like heaven
itself. We remained in prayer for the sister
who was wrestling for holiness until past twelve
o'clock. I then reluctantly left this solemn,
awful, and glorious place, thanking God that I
had been led thither. I have since learned that
the sister was set at liberty about three o'clock.”
It is presumed that some will call in ques-
tion the propriety of this late meeting, notwith-
standing the evident blessing of God which
rested upon it in the conversion of two inqui-
rers, and the sanctification of at least one be-
liever. We have one precedent in God’s word
of a meeting for prayer and exhortation con-
tinuing until break of day. We may confi-
dently claim for Christians, in earnest supplica-
tion, on extraordinary occasions, and under the
influence of the special operation of the Holy
Spirit, the right to continue all night in prayer.
So did our Saviour; and so have many done
who have followed his example, and thus will

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 33
there be found many to do, when the church of
God shall feel more fully the burden of her
responsibility for the world's salvation.
Mr. Shepard, in continuing his journal, writes:
“Oct. 11th. I am brought to behold the dawn
of another sabbath. I feel a calm composure
of mind, and a sweet reliance upon God, but
not that elevation of feeling which is imparted
to me at times. Yet I am not conscious of hav-
ing departed from my God, so that I feel no
condemnation, but a steady waiting upon God,
and a settling into his will. He knows what is
best for me; and will lay nothing upon me
which I am not able to bear. Bless his holy
name.
“19th. I attended a prayer meeting this
evening, held in the vestry by the teachers and
scholars of the sabbath school, and found it a
very interesting season. Probably there were
sixty of the scholars present. The most of
them seemed to be under serious awakening,
and some indulged a hope.
“When prayer was offered, the most of them
knelt, and seemed to be in earnest to be de-
livered from the burden of sin. After returning
home, and bowing in secret at a throne of divine
grace, I experienced a great blessing; salvation,
like a full, flowing * came into my soul,

34 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
and refreshed my spirits; for, although I was
so surrounded by the goodness and mercy of
God, I had but little feeling in the meeting. -
“26th. I have been present this evening at
one of the most remarkable and encouraging
meetings I ever attended. It was a prayer
meeting, composed of the superintendents, teach-
ers, and scholars, of the sabbath school. The
evening being unpleasant, not more than forty
of the children were with us; some of whom,
we trust, had been renewed, and others were
inquiring what they should do to be saved.
One lad arose, and said he had been a great
sinner, and desired to receive the pardon of his
sin, and was determined to seek God until he
found him. One of his young companions,
about twelve years of age, immediately knelt
down with the congregation, and offered for
him a fervent prayer. Other lads arose, and
expressed a determination to seek the salvation
of their souls. The meeting increased in in-
terest until the time arrived to close. Several
of us tarried to pray for two boys who were
under deep concern of mind; and both were
comforted, we trust, by the Holy Ghost.”
The interesting revival referred to above, and
in the promoting of which Mr. Shepard was an
efficient instrument, was no ephemeral work.

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 35
Though there were some, perhaps many, who
returned to the sinful practices of the world, a
large number live to adorn a profession of god-
liness, and to promise distinguished service to
the church, and not a few have fallen asleep in
Christ.
The early conversion of children is a subject
of deep interest to sabbath-school teachers and
parents. A great change has, doubtless, come
over the minds of the church, in reference to
this subject, since the sabbath-school institution
was established. Formerly, more than at the
present time, distrust was indulged, in reference
to an early profession of piety by very young
people; but we regret to have reason to believe
that by far too little encouragementis now given,
by many, to youth, when under the awakening
influence of God's Spirit. Who can doubt that
God calls them, at a very tender age, to repent-
ance and faith in Christ, for the saving of their
souls? Let not Christians flatter themselves
that children who have read the Bible, and been
taught by pious teachers, if they die quite young,
are not accountable, and therefore are saved,
without evidencing a change of heart. When
the Holy Spirit once produces a conviction of
sin, however youthful the subject, it is a com-
mand to a holy life, by sincere repentance and

36 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
faith, and the “washing of regeneration,” and,
at the same time, an assurance that the soul
cannot be saved without it. Let parents and
teachers, then, impress their own minds, first,
with the great truth that God requires children
to be converted. Let them remember, secondly,
that whether the awakening of their minds re-
sults in a little impulsive feeling merely, or in
a life of consistent piety and usefulness, depends
almost wholly, under God, on themselves. If
they are distant and distrustful in their inter-
course with them, the young will probably be
repelled, and contract a disgust for religious
things that will endure for years, if not for life.
But certainly, in avoiding this error, it is not
necessary to adopt another—that of an indis-
criminating and unqualified encouragement of
all inquiries, and all supposed religious feeling,
in sincere penitents. We may expect in sab-
bath-school teachers, at least, a good degree of
heavenly wisdom in the proper instruction of
awakened scholars, the most momentous duty
of their calling.
The revival above alluded to included the
first general awakening among the children in
the history of the church with which it was
connected; and it was also probably the first
religious interest, of the kind, Mr. Shepard ever

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 37
witnessed; and yet, to the credit of all engaged
in it, it was encouraged with prayerful and
diligent watchfulness. In co-operating in such
a revival, and conducting it to a successful ter-
mination, Mr. Shepard showed the peculiar
excellence of his character. With a modest
simplicity, and earnestness of manner, and by
an undisturbed good nature, he restrained the
headstrong, and encouraged the timid inquirer.
He knew how to instruct, and when and how to
reprove. But it ought to be emphatically re-
marked, that he loved such employment. No
meetings were so interesting as the sabbath-
school prayer meetings. He lingered about
them with the exclamation of the enraptured
Peter upon his lips, “It is good for us to be here.”
CHAPTER IV.
Mr. Shepard's personal efforts for the conversion of
souls.
MR. SHEPARD’s labors, during the revival
of which we have given some account, were
eminently of a personal character. Though he
frequently exhorted and prayed in the public
meetings, his natural timidity shrunk from the
gaze of the multitude, and led him to delight in

38 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
the no less laborious, but often neglected, service
of saving sinners from eternal death by private
solicitations. It is in this interesting light that
we wish now to present him to the reader.
Among the many subjects of renewing grace
were a large number of young men, with whom
Mr. Shepard formed an intimate acquaintance,
which we trust was mutually pleasing, as it was
certainly profitable to the former. He being
their senior by a few years, and being in ad-
vance of them in Christian experience, they
naturally looked to him for counsel and en-
couragement. His low estimation of his own
attainments would never allow him to assume
the office of a public teacher; though he was,
in reality, a spiritual guide. Any decline in
religious enjoyment, any neglect of the appointed
means of grace, or any impropriety of deport-
ment, was noticed by his watchful eye, and the
“word in season” was given with so much
gentleness and plainness of speech, that it sel-
dom failed of its desired effect. There was
one, especially, of this number, for whom, in
view of his peculiarly sensitive temperament,
which led him into severe mental conflicts con-
cerning his religious experience, Mr. Shepard
formed the most ardent attachment, and for
whom he labored “both night and day, with

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 39
tears.” This young man, B. J. H., not long
after his profession of piety, under the influence
of a sharp conflict, in reference to a public duty
which God required of him, relapsed into a state
of worldliness, and neglect of religious duty.
We present the history of this case, in connec-
tion with Mr. Shepard’s labors for his recovery,
because it exhibits him in a strikingly charac-
teristic light, being only his common method of
toiling for souls; and because we believe that
such an example may be profitably imitated by
all who believe in the Scriptural doctrines, that
“none of us liveth to himself,” and that each of
us “shall render an account of himself to God.”
After many attempts to obtain private inter-
views with him, with but little success, he wrote
him frequent letters on the subject of his per-
sonal salvation.
These letters were of the most affectionate,
and, at the same time, of the most pointed,
character; exhibiting the terrors of the Lord,
and the tender entreaties of Christian love.
The series commenced in October, 1830, and
extended through a period of a year and a half.
Such efforts, accompanied with persevering,
agonizing prayers, could scarcely fail of success.
In this case they, beyond all doubt, “ saved a
soul from death, and hid a multitude of sins.”

40 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
We believe it was early in the spring follow-
ing the date of Mr. Shepard's last letter to him,
that the subject of these untiring efforts re-
turned to his first love. Mr. Shepard had then
returned to Lynn, and had free access to his
friend for conversational intercourse; so that no
letters, marking the time of his restoration, were
written. The intimacy became again renewed;
and the labors of the sabbath school, the melting
communion of the sacramental table, and the
refreshing effusions of the Holy Spirit in the
prayer meetings, were enjoyed together. B.
J. H. made rapid progress in the divine life,
and the Spirit whispered a call to the labors of
the ministry. The subjoined letter, written in
answer, as it seems, to a request for counsel
upon this important subject, will exhibit the
Christian satisfaction Mr. Shepard must have
taken in a correspondence so different from that
which a painful duty imposed upon him before—
a correspondence which was the evidence of
his faithfulness, and the earnest of a future
reward.
“ Weston, Dec. 26, 1832.
“DEAR BROTHER J.-The interest which
I feel in your present and future welfare has
not lessened by separation, but is rather in-
creased. You are daily present to my me-

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 41
mory, and have a share in my prayers. Hav-
ing a little leisure, I joyfully employ it in writ-
ing, with a desire that what I write may prove
both edifying and pleasing.
“We have long been accustomed to converse
freely, and I shall therefore do the same, at
present, without any apology. As it regards
the duty to which the Spirit of the Lord ap-
pears to be calling you, I would simply say,
Follow the leadings of the Spirit, bear your
cross in the meetings, especially in the Friday
evening meeting, visit Gravesend” as often as
possible, and speak there for Jesus; and, if cir-
cumstances will admit, go once in awhile to
Danvers.” By thus bearing the cross, the Lord
will make known his will more clearly to you,
and you will gain strength to do it when made
known.
“I would also recommend to you to spend
much time in secret prayer and self-examina-
tion; this will lead to a close walk with God,
and daily growth in grace. Another means to
arrive at a knowledge of duty is fasting or ab-
stinence. This should be attended to by every
* Two villages, the first two, and the other about three,
miles from Lynn, in which weekly prayer meetings have
been for many years sustained in part by members from
the church with which brother B. J. H. was connected.

42 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
Christian, not as a thing meritorious, but as a
means to humble ourselves before God, and to
keep our bodies in subjection.
“Lastly, I would advise and exhort you to go
on unto perfection. Aim at perfect love, and nev-
er rest until you have obtained the witness that
your heart is thoroughly purged from all un-
cleanness—all filthiness both of the flesh and
spirit. O, my dear brother, seek this diligently,
and search for it as for hid treasure. We cannot
be prepared for that usefulness, as members of
the church of Christ, which is required and ex-
pected of us, without this great blessing.
“Please write me a long letter, using the same
freedom that I have. May you be blessed and
happy now, and hereafter shine among those
who shall have turned many to righteousness.
“Your unworthy brother,
“ CYRUs SHEPARD.”
The anticipations formed concerning this young
friend, so far as it regarded this world, were, by a
mysterious providence, soon disappointed. The
spring following he died, and the writer was
permitted to witness in him the most joyful
triumph of divine grace, and the most glorious
exit from time to eternity, we remember ever
to have beheld. Mr. Shepard was, at the time,

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 43
on his winter term of school teaching. In an-
swer to a letter informing him of his friend's
death, he writes,
“With mingled emotions I attempt to answer
your kind epistle which came to hand yesterday.
I was much surprised by the melancholy yet glo-
rious news of brother H.’s death. It was truly
what I did not in the least expect; but God
seeth not as man seeth, and is just in all the
dispensations of his providence. Bro. H. was
a lovely youth, one with whom I have, in times
past, taken great delight and comfort. He was
one, too, from whom I expected much future
usefulness to the church and the world. But
his work is done—he has gone to his eternal
reward, and it would be cruel in me to wish
him back. I mourn not without great consola-
tion, having no doubt that his spirit is crying,
* Holy holy!’ among the saints on high. I
can truly say, I feel a quickening in my soul,
since I read your account of his triumphant
death, and have resolved anew, in the strength
of the Lord, to contend more earnestly, and
fight more faithfully the good fight of faith. I
long to be with brother H. in glory, and trust I
shall be ere long. I almost envy you the hap-
piness, the exalted privilege, of having been
with this dear saint in his last hours—of accom-

44 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
panying him down to the banks of Jordan.
With Dr. Young I feel that
“The chamber where the good man meets his fate
Is privileged above the common walks
Of virtuous life, quite on the verge of heaven.”
“Dear departed brother, farewell! We will
try to follow and work our passage through.
We wish thee not to return to this world of
trial. Our separation will be short, and soon
we will shout with thee among the angels!
Thy memory still is dear. We will often think
of thee, and where thou art gone, and this shall
stir us up to diligence in duty.”
We have dwelt thus fully upon this corres-
pondence, under the strongest conviction that it
will exhibit Mr. Shepard's character—his inte-
rest in the salvation of souls, and the pains he
took to secure it—more clearly than the most
labored portraiture. No Christian heart can
but be affected in reflecting upon the fact, that
the anticipations so warmly expressed in the
last letter have been, ere this, fully realized.
How glorious the meeting with one who as-
cribes both his glory and his crown, under God,
to his faithfulness |
We have intimated that Mr. Shepard's labors
were not confined to these private exertions.
The little villages referred to, Gravesend and

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 45.
Danvers, were places to which he delighted to
resort, and by prayer and exhortation refresh his
own soul, and secure, if possible, the salvation
of others. These visits were made occasionally
on a week-day evening, after its fatiguing toils;
he thinking it a privilege to walk four or six
miles, under such circumstances, to enjoy Chris-
tian communion, and endure the cross for
Christ: but it was chiefly on Sunday evening
that he visited these places on foot, after being -
at the teachers' class in the morning, the sab-
bath school at noon, perhaps the sacrament
after preaching, besides the regular public ser-
vice, which on no account, except for sickness,
he ever neglected. There being no established
church in either of these places, his labors were
highly acceptable; and the remembrance of his
name will, at this moment, call forth from many
Christian friends residing in them an expres-
sion of the most ardent affection. It will be re-
membered, that he never held any license as a
public religious teacher, but went in the capa-
city of a private member of the church, seeking
to glorify God in doing good of every possible
sort. Nor was this the extent of his sabbath la-
bors. When he did not go out of his own village
on sabbath evening, he attended a private meet-
ing for prayer, previous to the public evening ser-
46 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
vice; and, during the long days of summer, he
frequently arose with the dawn of day, and
resorted to the woods, with a few congenial
spirits, and poured out his heart in prayer to
God, thus preparing himself for the duties and
privileges of this holy day. We have often
heard the forest resound with his early songs
and agonizing entreaties, in which the sabbath
school, and especially his own class, were par-
ticularly remembered.
CHAPTER V.
Mr. Shepard as a sabbath-school teacher.
WE have seen Mr. Shepard in connection
with a gracious outpouring of the Holy Spirit—
beheld his great diligence, his prayerful habits,
and his untiring efforts for the salvation of
souls. There is an interesting relation in which
we are now to view him, in which a fuller
development of his character may be seen—
something be gathered by the serious reader,
for instruction and incitement to duty, and en-
couragement be afforded to those who, without
great opportunities, are willing to do every pos-
sible good. The relation is that which he sus-
tained to the sabbath school. To enable the


THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 47
reader properly to appreciate his labors in this
relation, we present a passing sketch of the
sabbath school with which he was connected in
Lynn.
About the time Mr. Shepard removed to Lynn,
in 1829, and just before the occurrence of the
revival, this school was reorganized by the
Rev. Horace Spaulding, then a local preacher,
and a public school teacher. In 1816, the year
after the introduction of this institution into
New-England, a school had been formed in
connection with this church, and had been con-
tinued with great usefulness. From the period,
however, of which we speak, a new impulse was
given to its operations, and a commanding in-
fluence afforded it. One element of this suc-
cess was the thorough discipline to which it
was subjected. This was secured, in part, by
the organization of a teachers' class, which met
on sabbath morning to rehearse the lesson to be
taught to the school, and to listen to a course
of Biblical lectures from Mr. Spaulding. The
discipline and doctrines of the church were
made, at times, subjects of investigation; and
thus were the teachers trained efficiently for
the task of instruction. An excellent library
was provided for the class, embracing many
standard works of theology for reference, and

48 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
a considerable number for general reading.
A regular course of instruction was introduced
into the school, commencing with the infant
series of books, and our excellent smaller cate-
chisms, and advancing quarterly, according to
the progress of the scholars: thus presenting to
the scholar a constant incentive to diligence and
punctuality, and to the teacher the encouraging
satisfaction of seeing his pupils promoted. The
results were such as to meet the most sanguine
expectations of the excellent author of the plan,
Mr. Spaulding, and his colaborers. Some of
the fruits we have already brought before the
reader; and still more will appear in the next
chapter.
In his punctual attendance upon the teachers'
class, Mr. Shepard evidenced his sense of the
importance of a thorough preparation for his
duties as a teacher. No engagement, unless
of the most imperative kind, was permitted to
keep him from the accustomed place of meeting.
A slight illness, unpleasant weather, or uncom-
fortable traveling, were not sufficient. He at-
tended both from duty and inclination; and of
course he never contrived an excuse for ab-
sence. He did not take a prominent part in the
discussions upon the subject of the lesson, or
any doctrine which was an occasion for differ-

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 49
ence of opinion, however deeply interested he
might be in the remarks. In mere speculations
upon Scripture truth he had no interest, but
anything which really illustrated God's word
secured his attention. Hence, the chronology
and geography of the Bible, as they came into
the course of study, were thoroughly examined;
believing, as he did, that they could be made
subservient not only to the advancement of his
own piety, but the better instruction of those
committed to his care.
So fully was Mr. Shepard convinced of the
importance of becoming well acquainted with
all the topics of investigation which came before
the class, that he formed, in connection with a
few intimate friends, a social class, preparatory
to the other. These private meetings are re-
membered with the sweetest emotions by those
who attended them. It was in such scenes that
Mr. Shepard shone to the best advantage,
because his natural diffidence, which kept him
retired in more public meetings, was here
laid aside. The lesson was studied, the best
method of teaching, and the peculiar condition
of the classes of each person present, were made
the subject of earnest conversation and prayer.
It was here that Mr. Shepard felt free to coun-
sel and to reprove, though always with great
4.

50 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
delicacy and kindness. After these interviews,
the topics of the evening continued to be dwelt
upon during the walk home, and were frequently
the cause of extending it to a considerable
distance.
It may be remarked, in passing, that of twelve
young men who thus met by Mr. Shepard's
suggestion, more than half the number were
called home to heaven before him. We trust
they have met above with songs of rejoicing.
Thus it may be seen that Mr. Shepard laid great
emphasis upon a diligent use of all possible
means to prepare sabbath-school teachers for
their task; and especially upon the formation
of teachers' classes in every society, to give in-
telligence, zeal, and unity of effort, to all their
members.
Mr. Shepard's attachment to the sabbath
school was cherished from principle, from the
time of his conversion, and became a part of his
religion, as indispensable to his feelings as it
was to his sense of duty. After what we have
said of his desire to be well qualified to teach
his class, we need hardly say he was a success-
ful teacher. He aimed to enlighten the minds
of his scholars concerning the fundamental doc-
trines of religion, while at the same time he
labored to convict the heart. Whether he in-

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 51
structed or exhorted, the same end was in view
—the salvation of the soul.
In the social preparatory class, to which we
have referred, prayer was always offered for
the conversion of the scholars in the several
classes; and it was here that Mr. Shepard's
strong desire for the accomplishment of this ob-
ject was most apparent. On retiring from the
meeting with an intimate friend, they would
sometimes, during the warm summer evenings,
before parting, step aside into the woods or
fields, and again wrestle for the same object.
And on Sunday morning, at the dawn of day,
he often sought the privacy of the grove, to
pour out his soul in prayer, that his labors
might not be in vain. -
In his intercourse with his class, no trait of
character was more prominent than his kind
familiarity, which won the confidence and love
of his scholars, and gave him a great influence
over them, which he knew well how to use for
their spiritual benefit. When he was separated
from his class during the winter months in
which he taught school, his pen supplied the
place of his personal presence, in part, and con-
veyed to them admonitions and encouragement,
evincing the continuance of his solicitude for
their best interests. The following will show

52 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
the spirit of these unpremeditated letters, writ-
ten to do good, and satisfy the longing of his
soul for usefulness:–
“TO MY SABBATH-SCHOOL SCHOLARS.
“Weston, Jan. 15, 1834.
“DEAR YouNg FRIENDS,-Permit me to
claim your attention for a few moments, while I
address you probably for the last time. The
candor with which you have in times past lis-
tened to my instructions in the sabbath school,
inspires me with confidence on the present occa-
sion. An ardent desire for your present and
future welfare prompts me to commit a few hur-
ried thoughts to writing, hoping they may tend
to your spiritual improvement. The many
agreeable hours I have passed with you in the
sanctuary on the sabbath often recur to me-
mory, and bring with them the most pleasing
associations. Oft, I trust, when far away, when
darkness covers the land, and gross darkness
the people, will the scenes of the past season
return in imagination, and convey emotions of
comfort and consolation to the soul.
“It has been with peculiar satisfaction that I
have witnessed your diligent study of God's
word, your constant attention to the means of
grace, and your apparent willingness to deny

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 53
yourselves, and bear the cross of Christ. May
God assist you by his grace thus to continue
walking in Christ as you have received him;
and by a life of daily devotion, self-denial, and
prayer, increase in usefulness, holiness, and hap-
piness, all through the journey of life. Most of
you, I trust, have found God precious by con-
verting grace. Some of you may not have
found him in the manner you expected. To
such I would say, be not discouraged, but cleave
to the Lord with full purpose of heart; thus
shall your joy increase, your evidence grow
brighter, and your faith stronger. “Your right-
eousness shall go forth as brightness, and your
light as the noonday.” If he tarry, wait for
him; for He who is our joy and our salvation
will come, and will not tarry. Continue stead-
fast in the resolution to serve God at the ex-
pense of everything.
“But those of your number who may be
destitute of the saving knowledge of Christ, let
me beseech, by all that is attractive in heaven,
and warn by all that is dreadful in hell, to flee
immediately to Him who is the only ark of
safety,+
‘Let not conscience make you linger,
Nor of fitness fondly dream.”
While thus delaying, death may receive com-

54 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
-
mission to hurry your soul into the presence of
that God whose calls of mercy you have hitherto
slighted, and whose spirit you have often urged
to depart. There is yet a brighter side. There
is yet mercy for you. Jesus is still on the eternal
throne interceding for sinners. The Holy Spirit
has not yet taken his final departure. God,
our heavenly Father, waits to be gracious.
Then why delay any longer? Why reject that
sweet Messenger of peace, who still woos
you to the arms of sovereign love? Be en-
treated, I beg of you. For your soul's sake
delay no longer.
“Suffer me to exhort you to faithfulness in
the cause of God. Beware of the world, in its
spirit, maxims, and fashions. These are all in
opposition to the meek and lovely spirit of pure
religion, and cannot be indulged without a loss
of spirituality. I would not by this intimate
that you ought to appear in that singular man-
ner that will draw the particular observation of
the world, and cause them to talk of your dress
when they ought to be talking of the salvation
of their souls. The apostle exhorts Christians
to provide things honest in the sight of all men;
and, in doing this, it is necessary that we should
take a medium course, and not run into extrav-
agance and pride on the one hand, nor a neg-

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 55
lect of proper appearance on the other. May
the good Spirit of God direct you in the right
way, and keep you therein. -
“The many tokens of respect and Christian
affection I have received from you, and other
dear friends in Lynn, will never be forgotten.
While memory lasts, my prayer for your wel-
fare shall be offered to God. Adieu ! May
Heaven's choicest blessings attend you in life—
abundant consolation be yours in death—and
glory your portion in eternity.
* CYRUS SHEPARD.”
The above letter was written just before Mr.
Shepard removed to Oregon. He remembered
his class and sabbath school when in a distant
land, and, as he had promised, renewed his cor-
respondence with some of them. The sugges-
tions in this letter on dress, remind us of an
anecdote of Mr. Shepard, which came under
our observation. A friend was rallying him on
the rather mean appearance of his outward
man, and, knowing him to be possessed of the
means, remarked,
“Brother Shepard, it is time you treated
yourself to a new suit.”
“I would,” he replied, in a hesitating tone,
as if doubting how the reply would be received,

56 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
“if I had not such a propensity to extravagance
in dress.”
“You dress extravagantly " said his friend,
laughing heartily at the idea, “I think that must
be one of your weakest besetting sins.”
“It is true, nevertheless,” answered Mr.
Shepard, “that I have naturally a strong desire
for display in my personal appearance, and in
the earlier part of my Christian experience it
was one of my strongest besetting sins, against
which I have had many a hard struggle. I
dare not now purchase any article of wearing
apparel without making it a subject of special
prayer. It is the fear that I shall not glorify
God in this matter which has caused me to de-
lay the purchase of better clothes.”
This conscientiousness will be better appre-
ciated by those who recollect the plainness,
even to a fault, of Mr. Shepard's dress. So
far had he by grace corrected this wrong incli-
nation, that not a vestige of it seemed to remain.
But, in returning from this digression to the
consideration of Mr. Shepard's character as a
sabbath-school teacher, we would notice one
more trait which has appeared to us as no small
reason of his efficiency, namely, his intimate and
hearty co-operation with his fellow-teachers.
If there were any plans started for the im-

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 57
provement of existing regulations, he was never
ignorant of the fact, and was thus in the way
of their final accomplishment. His cheerful
readiness imparted, in some measure, the same
spirit to others. In the school-room he main-
tained an affectionate familiarity with the teach-
ers. He never followed the practice of entering
it, from sabbath to sabbath, and retiring almost
by stealth, thus offending the feelings of the
sensitive, who might suppose such a habit to
arise from a pride which sought others' greet-
ings rather than theirs, and thus preventing that
full understanding which is necessary among
colaborers, to secure the best possible results.
But in avoiding this evil, he did not run into
the opposite one of squandering the sacred mo-
ments of the Lord's day in trifling conversation.
He steadily maintained the middle course.
CHAPTER VI.
Mr. Shepard's missionary spirit.
IT is difficult to tell when Mr. Shepard's
sympathy was first awakened for the heathen,
but it is believed that his interest in their spirit-
ual welfare began with his conversion. His
piety implied an interest in the welfare of souls

58 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
wherever they were found, white or colored,
bond or free; nor did he check this love by the
trifling pretext that much is to be done at home
—that laborers in foreign lands are unsuccess-
ful—nor that men and women dying in Africa
or India for the word of life, are too far off to
command our sympathy. He read that “the
world lieth in wickedness,” and his heart yearned
over their lamentable condition.
We believe his feelings were first drawn to-
ward Africa, as the field to which God would
call him. We remember that one sabbath
morning he addressed us, smiling, “O brother,
I have had a most delightful dream. Would I
could realize it. I set sail for Africa with our
missionaries, and our noble ship dashed finely
on toward that distant and neglected land, while
my heart leaped within me for joy. I had
gathered around me already the sable children
of the missionary school, teaching them the
word of life, when I was hurried back to know
that I have yet to wait for that time. But it
will be,” he added with joyous emphasis: “I
shall yet labor in a heathen land. The Lord
has called me, and I have laid my plans.”
His missionary spirit showed itself in the
most practical form ; in his punctual attendance
upon the monthly concert of prayer for mis-

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 59
sions, which he ardently loved; in his liberal
contributions to the cause; and his hearty co-
operation in all the means to increase the mis-
sionary spirit and action of others. Through
his exertions with the devoted Spaulding, and
their colaborers, the teachers' class was formed
into a missionary society, by the adoption of a
constitution which pledged each teacher of the
sabbath school to become a collector of the
voluntary contributions of his class; keeping
an account of the same in his class book, oppo-
site each scholar's name. Provisions were made
for frequent addresses to the school on the sub-
ject, and for occasional ones from the pastor to
the congregation in reference to these collec-
tions, explaining the object, and inviting the
assistance of the parents. The constitution pro-
vided for the appropriation of the money, ac-
cording to the vote of the society from time to
time, to assist in establishing schools among the
Indians.
The results of this plan were equal to the
most sanguine expectations of those who de-
vised it. By referring to the account of the
treasurer, for the first three years of its opera-
tions, we find the school credited with the sum
of three hundred dollars, which had been ap-
propriated to the benefit of the heathen. The

60 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
appropriations were made to the Canada Indian
mission of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
through the Rev. Mr. Case, then superintend-
ent of the mission. No reports of the schools
of the mission in acknowledging these donations
have been obtained by the writer, if any were
made. These reports would undoubtedly show
the happy effects of these juvenile efforts.
A correspondence was subsequently opened
with the Rev. John Seys, superintendent of the
Oneida mission of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, offering to sustain a missionary sabbath
school among the Indians. The following is the
first report of the schools established in accord-
ance with this proposal, made by its superin-
tendents to their patrons:—
“Vernon Oneida Mission, June 14, 1833.
“In making our first report we would express
gratitude to Almighty God for his loving kind-
ness in guiding us thus far. Our schools, which
were organized in January last, have been more
prosperous than we at first anticipated. We
feel disposed to bless the Author of all good
that so many natives are disposed to learn the
truths of divine inspiration. We are still en-
couraged to go on in imparting religious instruc-
tion to them.

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 61
“We have three schools in operation, generally
well attended, numbering about a hundred and
fifty scholars; the average attendance is nearly
one hundred and twenty. Some of the scholars
are members of the church. We have forty-two
that can read in the New Testament, some only
in their own language. Most of the scholars
have committed the third and fourth chapters
of Matthew to memory. Some have learned
hymns, and nearly all the Lord's prayer. We
have two superintendents, and seven teachers,
whom we believe to be truly pious. We hope
our friends will not expect our red children to
make as rapid progress as the white children;
but, with the divine blessing, we trust they will
one day arrive in heaven. With enlarged antici-
pations we look forward to the time when, if
prospered, we shall be able not only to sustain,
but to extend, our work, until every child within
our bounds shall be brought into the school,
where the word of the Lord is taught, which is
able to make wise unto salvation.
“The scholars are gradually advancing; and
the parents are becoming deeply interested in
their children’s education.
“DAVID BURNHAM, Superintend-
MARTIN DEWEY, } ents.”

62 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
In a subsequent report, brother Seys, after giv-
ing the details of the state of the schools, adds,
“Permit us to say, in conclusion, that we shall
feel grateful for the continuance of your friend-
ship and assistance; and, in behalf of our pupils,
we thank the dear children of your school for
the interest they have taken in the little Indians
of the forest. May their little bosoms still burn
with philanthropic and missionary zeal, and may
they in a future and a happier world reap the
blessed fruits of having engaged here in rescu-
ing their fellow immortals from ignorance and
degradation, and teaching them to know Him
whom to know is life eternal.”
Soon after the date of the above report, the
Wesleyan Catechism, No. 1, was printed in the
Indian language, at the expense of the school.
The following is an extract from the preface by
Mr. Seys, the translator –“To the members
of the sabbath school of the Methodist Episco-
pal Church at Lynn Common, who have so long
and generously patronized our Indian schools,
I offer this little humble effort to spread the
knowledge of Christ among the children of the
forest. Should it succeed in helping them to
“remember now their Creator in the days of
their youth,' I shall have gained my object. It
will be highly pleasing to me, when in a foreign

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 63
land,” to reflect that I had an opportunity of
leaving among them this small testimony of my
affection.” -
These extracts have been made to show the
practical effect of the missionary spirit of Mr.
Shepard, and those who labored with him, and
to excite others to like commendable efforts.
Missionary collections are still continued in the
Lynn Common sabbath school. Other Indian
schools have been assisted, and a part of the
New Testament in the Mohawk language has
been printed, through the instrumentality of this
Sunday school. Numerous reports from the
schools aided are before the writer, acknowledg-
ing with gratitude the assistance received, and
detailing its happy effects upon the benighted
minds of the heathen. Who can tell the final
consequences of these efforts in their entire re-
sults? Not the least of these results, so inspir-
ing to the Christian to contemplate, is the fa-
vorable influence exerted upon the minds of the
youthful donors themselves. From such the
church may expect contributions to those be-
nevolent operations which are to usher in the
full glories of the Messiah's kingdom, with no
stinted hand nor grudging heart. Let our sab-
* He was then about to sail for Africa, as superin-
tendent of the Liberia mission.

64 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
bath-school scholars be thus trained, and our
future membership will not fail to give some of
their conveniences, and all of their luxuries, to
the cause of God.
CHAPTER VII.
Mr. Shepard engages as a missionary teacher—Pre-
pares to go to Oregon.
MR. SHEPARD having thus cultivated his
missionary spirit, and having been for several
years convinced that it was the will of God that
he should labor in a heathen land, waited with
prayer and watchfulness the opening providence
which should thrust him into the field. It was
at this time that a cry for spiritual instruction
came from beyond the Rocky Mountains, sent
forth by the neglected sons of the forest with so
startling an emphasis, that the most thrilling
emotions pervaded the Christian community
throughout the United States. A letter had
been published in the “Christian Advocate and
Journal,” announcing the interesting fact, that
four Flathead Indians, having been delegated
by a council of their nation, had traveled two
thousand miles to St. Louis, through heat and
cold, in hunger and nakedness, to inquire of

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 65
General Clark, the Indian agent, concerning the
God of the white man, and to request that
teachers of his religion should be sent to them.
Two of them, it was said, died at St. Louis, and
two lived to carry back what they had learned
to their waiting countrymen. Subsequent in-
vestigation has shown that the circumstances
of the case were very much exaggerated, and
that the truth was no more than that several
Indians from the Flatheads beyond the Rocky
Mountains had come down with the trappers to
St. Louis, and, calling upon General Clark,
had made inquiries, entirely, as it is asserted,
upon their own account, concerning the book
which the white men had received of the Great
Spirit, of which they had heard the hunters
speak. -
The call, however, awoke an interest in the
churches, especially in the Methodist Episcopal
Church, in behalf of the Indians of the extreme
west, which their situation fully demanded,
however poorly established the reason might be
which, in the moment of the first excitement,
was so successfully urged. Missionary meet-
ings of a deeply interesting character were held
in various parts of the country, to which the late
Dr. Fisk lent his efficient aid, as he did also to
the whole enterprise.

66 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
An appropriation for an outfit for such a
mission was made by the Missionary Board, and
two missionaries, the Revs. Jason and Daniel
Lee, were engaged for the work. The train
of providences which led the former, the super-
intendent of the mission, to an acquaintance
with the character and missionary spirit of Mr.
Shepard was of a marked kind. Mr. Shep-
ard’s name had been mentioned to Mr. Lee at
New-York, as one who had sometime previously
been proposed as a teacher in the African mis-
sion; his character as described had impressed
Mr. Lee's mind favorably; but as he was only
incidentally named, and not in reference to the
Oregon mission, he had been forgotten. While
Mr. Lee was visiting Boston to make prepara-
tions for his departure for Oregon, he was walk-
ing one day the crowded streets of that city
with a friend, earnestly engaged in conversa-
tion. While thus engaged, the friend inter-
rupted him by the passing remark, that “bro-
ther Shepard had just passed them.” “Shep-
ard,” replied Mr. Lee, as if just awaking from
a revery: “I have heard that name before. I
must see him.” They turned and came up
with Mr. Shepard, and so highly pleased was
Mr. Lee with his acquaintance, that he recom-
mended him to the Board of Missions as a mis-

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 67
sionary teacher. This call, taken in connection
with his prayers and long-cherished convictions
of duty, Mr. Shepard regarded as the command
of God.
The interview narrated above took place in
November, 1833, and on the following Decem-
ber, Mr. Lee, accompanied by the Rev. John
Lindsey, called upon Mr. Shepard, while in his
school at Weston, and the arrangement was
completed for him to engage in the missionary
work. In reference to this event, we find the
following entry in his diary, under date of
December 5th :-
“This day brothers Lindsey and Lee came
to see me in reference to my engaging in the
Flathead Indian mission. After some conver-
sation, I agreed to go. It may seem to some
that I was precipitate in making up my mind
on this important subject; but it is all known to
myself and my God. For more than seven
years my mind has been exercised on the sub-
ject of missions; and a conviction has been .
fixed for years, that duty would ultimately re-
quire that I should give up the comforts of
civilized life, and spend my remaining days in a
heathen land, far away from those social endear-
ments which render earth, in a measure, a para-
dise to the true Christian. I have endeavored

68 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
to count the cost, and after a careful, and I
think thorough, examination of the privations,
difficulties, and dangers, attendant on a mission-
ary life, even the probabilities of death itself not
excepted, I can say, that, by the assistance of
divine grace, “none of these things move me,
neither count I my life dear to me, so that I
may do the will of my heavenly Father, and
fulfil his work. O may God grant me his
grace! and let a double portion of his Spirit
rest upon me and those who are to go with me,
and prepare the way for the reception of the
blessed gospel.”
In reference to the same event, he writes to
a friend in the following strain —
“For more than seven years I have felt a
conviction that it was, or would be, my duty to
go to the heathen. My prayer has been that
God would open the way, in his providence,
and that I might be directed into the path of
duty. At times my soul has been on the stretch
for the work, and it seemed as if I could wait
no longer: the way at other times has been
closed up in an unexpected manner. Some-
times I have been almost ready to despair of
ever entering into the work which lay so near
my heart, and then again my expectations have
revived with increased vigor. At length the

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 69
Lord has, I trust, in his own time and manner,
opened the way before me; and thus far has
smiled upon my every effort which has been
made in reference to the mission. In him is my
trust: I feel I can lay all at his feet—resign
my friends, and every dear privilege enjoyed
here in my native land, and go at his command,
trusting in his righteous providence and grace
to carry me through a long and wearisome jour-
ney in the wilderness, and to give success to
our enterprise in the place of our destination.”
The following extract of a letter, dated Wes-
ton, December 24, will still further show the
exercises of his mind in reference to his great
and responsible enterprise:–
DEAR BROTHER P : I received your
kind letter yesterday, and read it with much
pleasure, though not without tears—not tears
of sorrow, that duty calls me to relinquish the
comforts of home and civilization, to labor in a
heathen land; but rather tears excited by the
fond recollection of scenes past, never to return,
which, while they force the starting tear, con-
vey a pleasing and melancholy sensation to my
breast. When I met you last my feelings were
almost too deep for utterance. But why talk
of these things when we are living in expecta-

70 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
-
tion of meeting on the other side of Jordan, to
enjoy the ravishing delights of the heavenly
Canaan, where separation will be known no
more ?” -
Mr. Shepard now began in earnest to pre-
pare himself for the work in which he had en-
gaged. His confidence that he was fulfilling
the purpose of God concerning him never for a
moment forsook him. He records frequently
his cheerful assurance, that the trials of the long
journey, the trials of the uncultivated moral
waste, as well as the anguish of the hour of
parting from Christian friends, will all be ac-
companied by the sustaining grace of God.
He speaks of his last visit to Lynn with the
deepest emotion. He passed around among his
numerous friends, receiving from them tokens
of their sincere regard, and assurances that both
himself and his enterprise would be held in
prayerful remembrance. So tender were his
feelings in reference to these friendly expres-
sions, that in more than one case he was unable
to bid the family, whom he was visiting, fare-
well; but, bathed in tears, could only press the
hand which would never more exchange with
him Christian salutations. His last visit to the
teachers’ class was one of the severest trials to

TEE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 71
his constancy of faith. He says, in reference
to it, “My heart was too full for utterance;
during the recitation of the lesson the tears
flowed freely. Could it be that I should behold
their faces no more ? Ponder with them no
more the precious promises of the gospel? Had
we indeed fought our last battle together, and
now a different service awaited us? Well, the
will of the Lord be done! I regret no step
that I have taken—our separation will be short.”
One more severe trial awaited him. He left
Weston at the close of his school, in the winter
of 1834, and visited South Royalston, to take
leave of his aged mother, and a brother and sis-
ter residing there. The former, in feeble health,
deeply felt the sacrifice she was about to make
in consenting to be separated, no doubt until the
judgment day, from an affectionate and sympa-
thizing son. But, with a mother's characteristic
firmness and resignation, she made no complaint,
but went cheerfully to work to assist him in
preparing all the little conveniences for his
journey, that the great distance and manner of
traveling would allow.
Mr. Shepard does not record the particulars
of the interesting scene of the parting hour.
His frequent allusions to it when far away,
show how unutterable were his inward conflicts

72 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
on that occasion—conflicts not with his sense
of duty, for he had yielded his heart up fully
to that; but with the natural clinging of the
affections to home—a home so dear by the re-
collections of happy days, and scenes of youth-
ful pleasure.
We do Mr. Shepard great injustice unless
we bear in mind that his local attachments
were uncommonly strong. No person took
more satisfaction in visiting the places made
sacred by the associations of early days. He
was the last person to wander from the land of
his birth, to visit new and strange countries to
gratify a love of novelty. It has been seen also,
that his personal attachments and social enjoy-
ments were of the most ardent kind. Where-
fore, then, did he do such violence to his feel-
ings, as he necessarily did in going to a distant
and benighted land with but few with whom he
could sympathize, and those persons yet stran-
gers to him? It was in obedience to an impe-
rious sense of duty—a call from God, to obey
which he was ready to lay down his life. He
had cast his eyes over the world perishing for
the lack of knowledge, and his soul had been
strengthened by divine grace to labor for their
instruction. He saw the conflict between truth
and error going on, and he ventured cheerfully

THE MISSIONARY TEACEIER. 73
into the dangers of the battle. Cultivating in
his heart that faith which is “the substance of
things hoped for, and the evidence of things not
seen,” he renounced all favored connections with
present things; counting the afflictions of this
present life not worthy to be compared with
the glory that should follow.
We find the following among the poetic
effusions in which Mr. Shepard was accustomed
to express his feelings, for his own gratification.
We presume it is original; at any rate, it seems
to us so perfectly in keeping with his manner
of giving utterance to his emotions, that we ven-
ture to insert it without claiming for its author
what he would have disowned—a poetic genius.
“WHEN SHALL WE MEET AGAIN ?
“When the last trumpet sounds in thunder,
And rising myriads, fill'd with wonder,
Burst the strong bands of death asunder,
We'll meet again.
“When sinners on the mountains call
To hide them from the Judge of all,
While sun, and stars, and systems fall,
We'll meet again.
“When the course of grace is run,
When the fight of faith is done,
When we’ve crowns of glory won,
We'll meet again.

74
- MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
“When time has swept us on its surge
To where its troubled waters merge,
Where all its shining bubbles end,
And the eternal waves extend;
While, as the vital moments fail,
Our parting spirits pierce the veil
Whose awful gloom from mortal ken
Shadows the destinies of men:
This busy moving life will seem
Like the dim memºry of a dream;
And all its pleasures and distress
E'en vanish into nothingness.
Then, while along the flowing tide -
Our slender vessels swiftly glide,
May we in folly gaze no more
Delighted at the enchanted shore;
But bend the sail, and bear away
To happy realms of purer day;
Where sin, and strife, and trouble, cease,
And all is holiness and peace.”
CHAPTER VIII.
Mr. Shepard starts for Oregon over land–Extracts
from his notes by the way.
ON the 4th of March, 1834, Mr. Shepard
bid adieu to his home and friends, to commence
his long journey. He tarried one day in New-
York, receiving, as he remarks in his journal, a
kind reception, and Christian counsel and en-

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 75
couragement, from the missionary secretary,
Rev. Dr. Bangs. Arrangements had been made
for Mr. Shepard to meet his associates at Cin-
cinnati. The outfit of the mission, except what
was necessary for the journey, had been sent,
by water, from Boston to the mouth of the
Columbia. Mr. Shepard remained one day
with his brother, Stephen Shepard, in Pittsburg,
and then, as he remarks, broke away from his
best relative, with painful emotions; yet re-
joicing, in unabated confidence, that his way
was ordered by the Lord. We cannot but ad-
mire that decision of character and straight-for-
wardness which marked his entire conduct. He
does not permit the society of a brother, whom
he had not seen for many years, and from whom
he was about to separate for life, to detain him
but a single day; though he speaks in the
strongest terms of fraternal love, and of the
happiness he experienced in the short interview.
He arrived at Cincinnati on the 17th, and
was rejoiced by the presence of the Rev. Jason
Lee, and by the kindness of the brethren of that
place, especially by the society of the Rev. J.
B. Finley. The latter is well known to the
church as the laborious missionary among the
Wyandot Indians. From him Mr. Shepard
received much encouragement, and information

76 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
concerning the character of the natives of the
forest, the trials they were to expect, and con-
solation to be derived from the assurance, which
he exhorted him to cultivate, that God would
give the enterprise success. A missionary
meeting was held in this place, which was ad-
dressed by the Rev. H. B. Bascom, and a liberal
collection taken. After tarrying a few days in
Louisville, Ky., and holding a similar meeting,
with good success, and great comfort to their
spirits, the missionaries arrived at St. Louis,
Mo., on the 31st. They were here joined by
the Rev. Daniel Lee, who, with Jason Lee,
remained at St. Louis to make further prepara-
tion for their journey across the country, while
Mr. Shepard proceeded to Independence, be-
tween three and four hundred miles up
the Missouri. At this place they were all to
join the party of Captain Nathaniel J. Wyeth,
who was about to start for the Columbia River.
During Mr. Shepard's passage to Independence,
he wrote a number of letters to his friends, one
of which will show the ardor of his social feel-
ings, and his abiding trust in God.
“On board the steamer Iowa, Missouri River, April 6, 1834.
“DEAR BROTHER Johnson-While I write,
far away from home, surrounded by the thought-

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 77
less and ungodly, you are probably in the sanc-
tuary of the Lord, and about to commemorate
the dying love of our Saviour. I pray that
Christ, in his divine fullness, may be revealed
to you all this day, in this sacred institution, in
a more glorious manner than on former occa-
sions; that he may be truly known to his people
in the breaking of bread. Although I am de-
prived of the privilege of kneeling at the altar
with Christian friends, and partaking of the
emblems of the broken body and shed blood of
our Lord and Saviour; although surrounded
by those who have not, apparently, the fear of
God before their eyes; although I have no
Christian friends to converse with me, yet,
glory be to God, I have the same heavenly
Father, the same Saviour, the same Holy Com-
forter, here, that you have in the sanctuary.
This adorable, triune God, is revealed so sweetly
to my soul, that I almost feel disposed to stop,
and shout glory to his name. I do praise him
in my heart. Hallelujah to the blessed Trinity!
He is not confined to pompous temples, nor
stately palaces. He condescends to reveal him-
self to me; truly testifying that the consola-
tions of his grace are abundant. O, what love,
what amazing, condescending love, is his Well
has the poet sung– -

78 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
‘O, for such love, let rocks and hills
Their lasting silence break;
And all harmonious human tongues
The Saviour's praises speak!’
“I have enjoyed my mind, on my journey,
very well, much better than I did last summer.
I have found friends in every place where I
have stopped, who have received me kindly,
and, when about to depart, have invoked a
blessing upon me. Thus far has the Lord led
me, and I have not for one moment doubted
respecting my duty in leaving home and friends.
I believe God called me to make the sacrifice.
I have done it, and he has blessed me. My
health is astonishingly good; and if I continue
to grow fleshy, as I have done for a few weeks
past, you would scarcely know me, were we to
meet.
“I think much of the teachers' class, and
sabbath school; and am often, at the appointed
hour, present in spirit. Imagination places me
on the very seat I have been accustomed to
occupy, and the momentary illusion is delight-
ful. . . . . But the motion of the boat becomes
insupportable, and I must forbear. Farewell!
If on earth we meet no more, we will meet in
heaven.
* Cyrus SHEPARD.”

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 79
Mr. Shepard arrived at Independence on the
12th of April, weary and unwell. The circum-
stances gave occasion to the adversary to
severely try his faith, by an attempt to over-
whelm him with temptations. His colleagues
did not arrive at the appointed time, and he
was left alone to spend a sabbath—a day so
dear to him—with none but the ungodly around,
who were busily engaged in preparing for the
journey. He thought of the house of God,
the teachers’ class, and the sabbath school, and,
for the first time, was forced into a moment-
ary depression. He immediately resorted to
his stronghold, prayer, and the clouds broke
away, and joy filled his heart. On Wednesday,
after his arrival, he set up the tent, to be
pitched hereafter for the use of the missionaries
in their travels. Of this occasion he thus
speaks:– -
“I erected our tent, and dedicated it to the
service of the Lord. The season was one of
great profit; my soul was refreshed while im-
ploring Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, to come
down, and take possession of the tent; that his
glorious presence might ever dwell there; that
my poor heart, and the hearts of my brethren,
might become the constant dwelling place of the
divine Spirit, and thereby be purged from all

80 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
impurity; that my brethren might be brought
in safety to this place, and that, in our future
journey, and subsequent labors among the hea-
then, we might be made the instruments of much
good. Slept in the tent, and, notwithstanding
the newness of the situation, enjoyed a com-
fortable night's repose.
“Tuesday, April 22d. This morning, to my
unspeakable satisfaction, brother Jason Lee ar-
rived. I bless God for the privilege of again
meeting this dear brother in the gospel. My
mind is calm and peaceful; and, on awaking
in the night, my soul was overwhelmed with the
presence of God, so that I shouted for joy.
“26th. Loaded our beasts, and left the Inde-
pendence landing about twelve o’clock for the
town of Independence, where we had some
articles to purchase, and business to transact,
Having finished our business, we set out to
join Captain Wyeth’s company, which was en-
camped on the prairie, about eight miles distant;
but, as it was nearly night, we accepted the kind
invitation of a Mr. Rickman to tarry at his
house all night.
“27th. Took leave of our kind host at eight
o'clock, by whose liberality the wants of our-
selves and beasts had been gratuitously supplied,
and arrived at the camp about noon: pitched

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 81
our tent, and took dinner, for the first time, of
our own cooking. We have now passed most
of the vestiges of civilization, and may not again
for years have the opportunity of sitting at the
table of dear friends; but, glory to God, it is
enough if we may at last sit down with the
glorified in heaven.” -
The journey about to be undertaken by the
missionaries was one of no little difficulty; the
facilities for encamping, and the experience of
the conductors, being much less than at the
present time. The course taken by them has
since become somewhat known to the public by
the valuable exploration of Captain Fremont,
and through the many narratives, public and
private, of those who have since passed through
it to the Pacific shore. The route, however, is
still one of considerable difficulty, and of ro-
mantic interest. No one, who has a heart to
appreciate nature in its vastness and primitive
simplicity, can be soon wearied in following the
delineations of the traveler, as he crosses the
almost boundless prairie, spotted by immense
herds of buffalo, and the scattered encampments
of the Indians, relieved by the occasional flight
of the swift-footed antelope or deer. Nor can
he well feel any abatement of interest, as the
traveler camps, at night, under the open hea-
6 - -

82 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
vens; or plunges, by day, into the rivers which
thread the continent in every direction; or
passes the foot of mountains, whose tops are
clad with perpetual snow, but which have
opened at the base to afford him an ingress to
the valley of the Columbia, into which he en-
ters, leaving a long range of mountains behind
him, without having been subjected to any ap-
parent ascent. He sees him dependent upon
the bounties of Providence, spread along his
path, which never fail to reward his persevering
labor.
With a map in our hand, we purpose to
follow our missionaries, from camp to camp,
through a distance of about two thousand miles,
before they reach the vicinity of their field of
toil; and, as we go, make ourselves acquainted
with the private feelings of him with whom we
have journeyed thus far, we trust, with pleasure
and profit. If we see an occasional faltering
of his spirits, it will surprise us much less than
his uniform glorying in the cross of Christ. We
will remember why this sacrifice of ease was
endured, and for what purpose this exposure
by night, and weariness for many continued
months, were so cheerfully sought; we willim-
press our minds with the fact, that he loved
home, and had no spirit of daring enterprise to

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 83
gratify; that he was of a sensitive temperament,
and in feeble health. We will dwell upon the
truth, that it was to seek the wandering souls
of men, in imitation of Him who has said, “Go
preach to all nations.” We will seek not only
gratification in the narrative, but profit, by
aspiring to imitate his example of sacrifice, for
Christ's sake. ,
We shall let Mr. Shepard, for the most part,
describe, in his own words, the different stages
of his journey, both because it will be the most
truthful description, and will develop most faith-
fully his character.
On the 28th of April, 1834, the party started
toward the Kanzas River, a distance of about
eighty-seven miles from Independence, which
will mark the first stage of their journey, and
can easily be traced upon a map. Mr. Shepard
thus describes their setting out:- -
“Monday, April 28th. Decamped at eight
o'clock, A. M., and pursued our course toward
the distant west. The scene, on either hand,
was truly delightful. There are in company
about two hundred animals of burden, namely,
horses, mules, and eighteen or twenty head of
horned cattle. Our party numbers upward of
sixty men. The mission family consists of five;
that is, Jason Lee, Daniel Lee, brother Edwards,

84 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
a layman of Richmond, near Independence, and
Mr. Walker, who has been hired for one year,
to assist in establishing the mission. The ap-
pearance of our company, while on the march,
reminds me of the caravans of the oriental
countries, of which I have often read. Each
man rides a horse, and leads two others, laden
with merchandise and necessary baggage. We
encamped the first evening in a beautiful situa-
tion, near a crystal fountain and shady grove;
having come about fifteen miles, and passed from
the state of Missouri into the Missouriterritory.
The day has been to me one of close self-ex-
amination and searching of heart. Solemnly
indeed have the hours passed, and I have been
humbled in the dust before God, and profited
by thus scrutinizing my heart.
“29th. While we remained in camp this fore-
noon, brothers J. Lee and Edwards visited the
Shawnee mission. At twelve o’clock we struck
our tents, and again moved forward. After
proceeding a few miles, we were overtaken by
a violent storm of thunder, lightning, hail, rain,
and wind. For some length of time the war
of elements was truly terrific. Our animals
refused to go forward, and our clothes were
completely drenched, and our boots filled with
water. During the tempest, a pack horse, not

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 85
liking, probably from this taste of trouble, the
prospect of our journey, broke loose, and, clear-
ing himself from his burden, bounded off on the
homeward track. We encamped on a small
creek; and, after having caught a mess of fish,
lay down in our wet clothes, and slept comfort-
ably.
“During the day, I have experienced great
peace of mind. In the morning my soul was
filled with inexpressible joy. “Praise the Lord,
O my soul, and forget not all his benefits."
* May 1st. Traveled till ten o’clock, when
we turned our beasts loose to refresh themselves.
Began our march again at twelve o'clock, and
continued it until nearly night. We encamped
in an enchanting situation, near some of the
Kanzas Indians, who are a dissevered branch
of the Osage tribe. We have passed this day
the most rural scenes—wide-spread plains, and
gentle swells of land clothed in deep green, and
embellished with numerous flowers, and verdant
groves of heavy timber stretching out on either
hand. While passing these delightful scenes,
almost untrodden by the foot of civilized man,
my mind was inspired with adoration of the
great Author. These are the work of his hands,
and the earth is full of his goodness.
“The Indians made us an early visit, men,

86 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
women, and children. They appear to be in
the most rude and savage state. Several of the
adults were nearly without covering to their
bodies, and those best clothed were only covered
with deer-skin leggins, and a blanket or buffalo-
skin thrown loosely over their shoulders. But,
even in this nearly naked state, they are not
unmindful of ornaments, which they profusely
attach to their noses, ears, and wrists, which, in
the absence of more elegant materials, often
consist of a piece of red cloth, drawn through
the holes made in the skin, and tied in a knot.
Even their infants had their ears and noses
bored, and were decorated in a gaudy manner.
I never felt so much like making a sacrifice of
time, talents, strength, and life, for the spiritual
good of the red man. These tribes lie near my
heart, and, by the grace of God, I can willingly
forego the common comforts of life, and submit
to privations and toils, for their benefit. I would
not change my present situation with the richest
and most powerful monarch of Europe or Asia.
How superlatively great are the blessings of
Christianity, and how miserably wretched the
condition of the savage!
“Stood on guard from eight till eleven, and
then enjoyed sweet repose.
“May 26. Being in camp to-day, to recruit

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 87
our horses, we were visited by our Indian
friends, who seated themselves by our fires, in
such numbers as to prove a great inconvenience.
They were continually begging victuals, clothes,
knives, or other articles. Not understanding
their language, there was but little chance to
do them good. I visited their wigwams in the
afternoon, which are built of boughs and bark
of trees, being very open, and exposed to the
storms, scarcely keeping out the rays of the
sun. These huts, though small, contain ten or
twelve persons, and three or four half-starved
dogs. The children of six and eight years of
age, and younger, were entirely without clothes,
and present a most forbidding appearance.
These Indians are friendly, but require to be
watched closely; their thieving propensities
leading them to steal whatever comes in their
way. They gave us boiled ground nuts to eat,
and offered more for sale.
“May 3d. Started from our camp, which is
39° 38' north latitude, and journeyed through
a deep ravine, through which a stream of water
passed. The descent into it was difficult, and
even dangerous, for loaded animals, and the
bed of the stream quite miry; but, by the
blessing of God, we got safely over, and con-
tinued our march until eight o'clock, when we

* 88 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
arrived at the Kanzas, which we crossed in a
flat-bottomed boat, with our goods, swimming
our horses and cows over. An excellent beef
cow, purchased by brother Lee at the Shawnee
mission, for the sustenance of the mission family,
in a case of necessity, broke from the company,
and, dashing into the woods, escaped. Her
triumph at being thus free was doubtless short;
for the Indians of the vicinity, being in a half-
starved condition, having been frightened, by
sickness, from their fields last year, probably
soon made her their victim. We encamped
near the United States’ Agency, where were a
number of Indian families, waiting for the ar-
rival of General Clark, the agent. These are
more decent in their appearance than those
described yesterday. The men, however, are
indolent, leaving the laborious work, such as
drawing water, bringing wood, and constructing
their huts, to the women. The men shave their
heads, except a tuft on the crown, and partly
down the back of the head. Ten or fifteen men
lay about our camp, watching our movements,
and talking among themselves incessantly.
Many of them have a noble bearing, indicating
great physical and mental power.
“Sunday, May 4th. Spent this day in camp.
Have not enjoyed a lively spirit of devotion,

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 89
but feel my heart, in a measure, cold; yet, in
the midst of all my stupidity, I do realize the
Holy One of Israel to be my refuge. I feel the
reality of my situation here, on the banks of the
Kanzas, two thousand miles from home. At
this moment, in favored New-England, in the
sanctuary of God, my Christian friends are per-
haps about to surround the table of the Lord,
to celebrate his dying love; while I am sur-
rounded by a wicked, profane, and licentious
company of white men; and scores of Indians,
whose minds are sunk in deep moral darkness.
It pains me, not that I am here, but that I have
to complain of insensibility of heart. My eye
is turned toward the Lamb, who can remove my
stupidity.” -
From their encampment on the Kanzas our
travelers passed the Kanzas country, across the
branches of the Blue River, as well as that river
itself, journeying toward the Platte River, their
next stage, a distance of nearly two hundred.
and fifty miles. We shall notice only the most
prominent incidents of this period, taking a
hasty survey of the country, as we pass, which
we shall find well worthy of a more careful ex-
amination.
“5th. Commenced our journey, and traveled
eight or ten miles before halting for breakfast.

90 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
We saw on our way a herd of deer, which
bounded swiftly out of sight at our approach.
There are in our company an Indian chief and
his wife, who are going to the Kanzas village.
They have with them a pair of oxen, which
they drive with our cattle. While cooking and
eating our dinner, they lie near, on the ground,
watching every motion, as though they would
like to partake with us; but such is likely to
be our situation, that we cannot think of feed-
ing others. One of the Indians killed a large
rattlesnake, near where we cooked our food.
Loaded our animals again, about two o'clock,
and continued our journey until near night, and
then encamped by a fine shady grove, and run-
ning stream. For several days past we have
been passing through a most romantic country,
beautifully diversified by hill and dale, prairie
and woodland. The prairie is clothed in a robe
of lively green, decorated with elegant flowers,
in rich profusion and variety.
“Last night the dogs devoured about fifty
pounds of our good bacon, upon which, and the
beef cow which we lost day before yesterday,
we were depending for food, until we arrived
at the buffalo country. Thus the Lord is teach-
ing us that the most careful human calculations
may prove abortive, and that, after faithfully

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 91
using the means, we must depend upon him
alone for preservation. Brother Lee made an
exchange, at the agency, of a cow and a calf,
which were troublesome to us, for another beef
cow; and Captain Wyeth offers to share his
bacon with us, for taking care of one of his
pack-horses. Thus we are relieved, in part,
from concern about our stock of provisions.
“6th. Moved forward till noon, having crossed
several difficult creeks, by the good providence
of God, in safety. Encamped for dinner near
the Kanzas Indians' village, where we left our
friends, the Indian chief and his wife. Men,
women, and children, flocked around us, endea-
voring to beg, as usual. The women carry
their children in their blankets, on their backs,
except those quite young, which are bound upon
a board, to cause them to grow straight. An
old Indian took a great fancy to my gun-case,
which is composed of selvedges of cloth of va-
rious colors, and importuned me to give it to
him, to ornament his head.
“Saturday, 10th. Breakfasted on venison,
presented us by Captain Wyeth, one of his men
having killed a deer on last evening. We are
now in the Pawnee country, resting on the
banks of the Big Vermilion River, and our
beasts are refreshing themselves on the herbage.

92 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
Deer are frequently seen bounding over the
hills; prairie hens are common, and turkies are
found, but not abundantly.
“12th. Much afflicted with sore throat, and
otherwise indisposed.
“One of our cows, with several of Captain-
Wyeth's, having escaped, and taken the home-
ward track, brother J. Lee and brother Ed-
wards have started in pursuit. We moved
forward about two o'clock. Brothers Lee and
Edwards overtook us in a few hours, bringing
the cows with them; they had mistaken the
trail to bring them into camp, but had taken
the right one to meet us on our march. At the
moment they thus unexpectedly saw us, they
had been thrown into much alarm, by mistaking
some of our men for Indians with hostile in-
tent. Just after our encampment, at night, our
horses took fright, and rushed out of the camp,
with all possible fury, the guards barely escaping
being trampled under their feet. After much
toil and anxiety, they were all recovered, except
three, which we supposed were taken by the
Otto Indians, who made us a visit this morning.
* 14th. Encamped on the banks of the Big
Blue River, in which Mr. Walker caught two
fine large fish, which we ate for supper, with
grateful hearts.

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 93
“ 17th, Left the Blue River, and took a
north-westerly direction, to strike the waters
of the Platte; passing through a delightful and
highly diversified country until five o’clock,
P. M., when, to our great joy, a long stretch
of cotton-wood trees made its appearance some
miles ahead, indicating the vicinity of water,
and soon the course of the Platte made its
appearance. At length we gladly encamped
upon its banks, and supped on a fine fish,
caught from its waters.” -
This river, upon whose banks our travelers
are to journey many weary miles, is, in many
respects, one of the most remarkable of the
North American continent. It rises in Wind
River Mountain, and runs through a barren
country for many hundred miles, leaving its
path of green laden with vegetation, to bless
both man and beast; and finally loses itself
in the waters of the Missouri, after circling the
country for about a thousand miles. It is wide
and shallow, except when swollen with recent
rains, and is consequently generally easily ford-
ed. From each bank, at a distance of about
three miles, are continuous lines of sand hills,
beyond which the prairie stretches out to an
almost illimitable extent. Within these hills
the buffalo have, for ages, been accustomed to

94 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
herd in countless numbers; but are now fast
disappearing at the approach of civilization.
The deer and antelope have found here a home,
especially in the dry season, when driven, by
the scantiness of food, from the outer plain.
But they too are becoming shy, in consequence
of the frequent report of the deadly rifle, which
has stretched upon the earth so many of their
fellows.
The road along this valley is described, by a
recent traveler, as generally level, and one of
the most beautiful in the world. In this high-
way, thus provided by nature, our missionaries
and their companions journeyed twenty-two
days.
But we will let Mr. Shepard note still further
his travels, while we share, in some degree, his
pleasure, without enduring the toil to which he
was subjected:— -
“May 19th. In the course of the morning's
march we came upon the east bank of the Platte,
where the stream must be, at least, a mile wide; it
is, however, shallow, and interspersed by numer-
ous islands, whose verdant appearance renders
it a truly romantic scene. Its water is thick
and turbid, like the Missouri, carrying along
with it a quantity of sand, which makes it unfit
for use until after it has stood a short time in a

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 95
vessel. The banks continued to present, during
the day, the same beautiful appearance; the
verdant hills and extended plains, upon the
opposite side, reminding me of the hymn, begin-
ning— - -
“There is a land of pure delight,
Where saints immortal reign.”
“21st. During the afternoon we passed near
a vast herd of buffaloes. The sight produced
within me the most thrilling emotions, which it
would be in vain to try to communicate. The
plain, in this place, extends from the river, in
an almost unbroken line, a distance of three
miles; and is then intercepted by high, rugged
bluffs. On this plain, clothed with the most
luxuriant verdure, and spangled by ten thou-
sand brilliant flowers, glowing in vernal beauty,
vast herds of these noble animals were seen
grazing upon its soft herbage, heightening the
grandeur of the scene beyond description. In
the evening several of the Pawneeloup Indians
visited our camp; their village being a few
miles off, on the other side of the river. Cap-
tain Wyeth made them some small presents,
with which they seemed pleased, but were dis-
satisfied that we did not visit their camp. They
are the most noble-looking natives we have yet
seen, but are in a very degraded condition.

96 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
Some of the men who visited us were entirely
naked, having left their buffalo robes behind.
“On Saturday, the 24th, we crossed the
South Fork, whose shallow waters afforded us
easy fording, and moved on for the North Fork,
through plains and over hills, profusely deco-
rated with the most elegant wild flowers.
“25th. On leaving the camp this morning,
which is on a part of the river about half a mile
wide, and, in this place, beautifully studded with
small islands, covered with wild flowers, we
came, after a short travel, to high bluffs, which
are generally several miles from the river, but
here rise abruptly from its banks, presenting
the most wild and romantic scenery in nature.
In passing over one of them, we saw a bald
eagle's nest on a cedar-tree, below us, so that
the eaglet was in full view. The nest was
situated on the extreme top of the tree, and
seemed to be composed mostly of sticks. Pass-
ing further on, we entered a path which led
through a grove of ancient cedars, growing
among the barren rocks and earth, affording an
agreeable shade to the weary traveler, and his
still more weary beast. While passing this
grove, I was greatly pleased with the appear-
ance of several luxuriant thistles, simply be-
cause they reminded me of my native land,

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 97
being the only ones I had noticed for many
days.
“The hunters brought in an antelope, which
they were fortunate enough to kill; and thus
relieved the wants of the camp at a time when
provisions were becoming scarce. How bounti-
ful is our great Benefactorſ
“28th. Very cold, for the season, being un-
comfortable riding. This morning, to our no
small joy, buffalo were seen, and some taken;
we having just killed a wild horse, upon which
we were about to subsist. In the afternoon
another large herd of buffalo were seen, which
some of the company, at first, supposed to be
Indians, thus causing us some alarm. How-
ever, we supped on the supposed Indians, and
found them to relish extremely well. En-
camped opposite a singular rock, called the
Castle.
“29th. We dined opposite a bluff, called the
Chimney, of singular appearance, rising in the
form of a pyramid to about half its height, and
thence shooting off perpendicularly, in the
shape, and apparently the size, of a chimney.
It consists of marl and earthy limestone, and is
about two hundred feet above the river. In
the evening we encamped opposite some rugged
bluffs, which our imagination could easily trans-

98 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
form into old castles, ruins of ancient cities, and
fortifications. -
“30th. About noon we crossed some ravines,
one of which must have been sixty feet deep,
worn out by the action of water, for ages past.
They are now dry, and ornamented by the
most elegant wild flowers. Immediately after
crossing the ravines we passed Scott's Bluffs.
“Sunday, June 1. My thoughts rove back to
happy New-England—to the scenes of my
childhood—and, still more warmly, to the purer
joys of my riper years, when blessed with the
privilege and inclination of going to the house
of God. No longer may I enjoy the sublime
delights of the sanctuary service in a Christian
land! But all is well. I have enjoyed much
comfort to-day, and peace of mind, while re-
flecting upon the compassion of the Saviour,
and his willingness to save all that come to him.
“2d. We are now journeying among the
Black Hills; the scenery is wild and enchant-
ing. On one of the high peaks snow, appa-
rently in large quantities, is visible. A grizzly
bear made his appearance and was wounded by
the hunters, but finally made his escape.
“4th. Three months this day have elapsed
since I left my ever-dear mother, to sojourn in
a heathen land. Hitherto the Lord has sus-

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 99
tained me under every trial. The consolations
of his grace are abundant. I have not once
wished to turn back, nor has my soul become
weary because of the way. My cry is, O Lord,
make me useful in thy cause, and take to thy-
self all the glory. I retired to a distance from
the camp after supper with brother Daniel Lee,
and there we read the Scriptures, sung and
conversed together, confessing our sins before
the Lord, imploring forgiveness and the quick-
ening influence of his Spirit. The season was
solemn, interesting, and profitable.
“7th. I derived much comfort through the
day by reading the Bible, meditation, and
prayer, while on guard. I can say with a
feeling heart, This is the book of books. My
mind has been peaceful, but I have been
troubled with wandering thoughts, and I lack
a fervent spirit of prayer. O that the Holy
Spirit would breathe on this poor feeble worm tº
The pensive strain which marks the diary
of Mr. Shepard at this time is fully accounted
for, we think, by the fact that the body, always
feeble and unable to sustain fully the ardor of
his soul to work for God, was shaken by fre-
quent fits of the ague. Those who have had
this annoying disease will want no prompting
to be able to recollect its unmanning effects.

100 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
The firmest physical frame, under its influence,
is the merest reed, shaken by the slightest
breeze. Mr. Shepard stood guard while the
atmosphere was piercing cold, with the chills
upon him, and we only wonder that he did not
find a grave under the shadow of one of those
“castle” bluffs near his path. But the great
Head of the church had a short work for him
to do eer his journeyings should be over.
“8th. We left the Platte at sunrise, having
journeyed on its banks twenty-one days, and
encamped upon it twenty-two nights. We took
a northerly direction, hoping to encamp on the
Sweetwater this evening. Two grizzly bears
were killed during the day. One, a huge mon-
ster, having been several times wounded, chased
a mounted hunter, but soon gave up the pur-
suit; being wounded again, he made a desperate
plunge at the horse of another, which barely
escaped being torn by his formidable claws.
“On the 9th we encamped, at noon, at the
foot of Rock Independence, on the banks of the
Sweetwater. This stream passes, in a channel
very narrow and deep, through a range of the
Rocky Mountains, unites with the Colorado on
the west side, and, dashing on toward the Pa-"
cific, thus affords the traveler a road both direct
and pleasant to the great western division of

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 101
the northern continent. The Rocky Mountains
are now on both sides of us, with their lofty
granite peaks.”
From the Sweetwater our travelers struck
the Big Sandy, and from thence moved west-
wardly to Hain's Fork, where they arrived on
the 19th of June. Here they tarried twelve
days to recruit their wearied beasts, and to ga-
ther strength themselves to prosecute their yet
long journey.
CHAPTER IX.
Letter—Notes of his journey continued.
WHILE thus resting, Mr. Shepard busied
himself in providing, so far as possible, some
little conveniences for their future journey, and
in writing to his friends by a returning com-
pany, then about to start for the States. The
following is an extract from a letter written to
his mother's family, which will show his feelings
at this time:–
“Hain's Fork, a branch of the Colorado, June 22, 1834.
“Though mighty rivers roll their waters be-
tween us, and towering mountains and wide-
spread prairies separate us, yet memory and

102 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
affection dwell with delight on by-gone days.
Surrounded by the Rocky Mountains, lifting
their snow-clad summits above the horizon, and
on the banks of waters which flow far west, un-
til they are lost in the Pacific, I am permitted,
in health, peace, and contentment, to address
you. * * * * We are now near the
place of rendezvous, where all the trading and
trapping companies assemble, this season of
the year, to receive goods in exchange for furs.
There are here at this time a number of In-
dians from the tribes to which we purpose to
go. Our tent is now crowded with them, who
are listening with profound attention to what
we say, and seem interested in the object of the
mission. They are the most cleanly and best-
clad Indians I have seen. They are decently
dressed and quite civil in their behavior,
shaking hands when they part, pronouncing the
words ‘shix tiaw, that is, my dear friends.
“I have just been dining on dried meat, pre-
ferring it to the trouble of cooking, as it is the
sabbath. Indeed, dried buffalo meat tastes well
at any time, without salt or bread. It is now
over two months since I left the comfort of a
soft bed for a lodging on the ground, and have
found no inconvenience from it. I have never
failed to have a good night's rest, when not on

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 103
watch; and my health, with a little exception,
has been good. I have never regretted leaving
happy New-England, feeling that I am in the
way of duty, and finding great comfort in the
discharge of that duty. I think of you very
often, and daily offer prayers for your spiritual
and temporal prosperity. I may never see
you again on earth: that is known only to Him
who knows all secrets; but let us labor dili-
gently in God’s cause, that we may meet in
heaven.
“My dear mother, let not your mind be trou-
bled on my account, neither fancy to yourself
hardships and dangers for me to pass through;
you can by such a course do me no good, but
yourself much harm. I indulge the fond hope
of seeing you once more this side of eternity.
But we know not what God has in store for us
in this respect. You are aged, and, in the good
providence of God, free from all care in the
decline of life, and are, in respect to temporal
things, at least, finding your last days to be
your best days. O give much time to medita-
tion, prayer, and the reading of the Scriptures,
and may you find sweet and constant consola-
tion in the employment.
“Yours in love.”

104 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
This short stay in camp, the privilege of
writing to his friends, holding communion more
at leisure with his Christian companions, and
the resting of his wearied and feeble body, gave
a new spring to Mr. Shepard's religious as well
as social enjoyment. Their route now lay, as
the reader will perceive by consulting a map,
under the shadow of the Rocky Mountains,
along the streams, most of the time, which were
leading them out into the great valley of the
Columbia. Trusting it will be interesting, since
we have journeyed thus far with him, to ac-
company him to his field of labor, we shall con-
tinue our extracts from his journal, noticing only
the points of interest. These extracts will af.
ford, we think, as good an idea of this route,
which at the present has become so interesting
from the thousands that are flocking over it to
a home on the Pacific shore, as any account ac-
cessible to our readers in a condensed form :
and we have come to this conclusion after read-
ing a large number. We have compared it
with the official notes of Captain Fremont, and
find the facts stated to be in agreement with
those made by him. -
“July 8th. We traveled this day about
twenty-five miles. The latter part of our way
lay over, what I supposed to be, beds and

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 105
streams of ancient lava, somewhat in a state of
decomposition. We crossed a creek of very
transparent water above a cedar grove, and
encamped by the creek. Near our encamp-
ment are twelve or fourteen springs, or rather,
one spring rising in twelve or fourteen different
places within the space of one or two rods, of
mineral water; the gas as it escapes causes a
constant agitation of the surface, like the boil-
ing of the water in a kettle. This water is
highly valued for drinking by most of the com-
pany; it is, however, quite unpleasant to my
palate. The place has received the name of
Soda Springs. These springs occupy basins in
the ground of one or two feet in diameter, and
the water is very transparent and cool. The
continual ebullition which the gas makes in es-
caping renders them objects of great curiosity.
“9th. As we continued this day in camp, I
visited a spring about a half a mile distant,
down the river, which issues from a rock on its
margin. The water is at a temperature of
ninety degrees. As it proceeds from the rock,
the noise much resembles the puffing of a steam
engine. The water rushes or is thrown out
with great violence, accompanied by a loud
noise, for a moment, then ceases; thus it con-
tinues puffing and sending forth a strong sul-

106 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
phurous smell. Near by are one or two holes,
where the air rushes out in like manner, with
little or no water. The rock around this spring
is thickly coated with a porous substance of a
handsome yellow. In the vicinity is an an-
cient crater, where probably the water and
vapor once found vent, but became clogged by
the incrustations. It is about four feet high,
in the form of a circle, and hollow. Similar
craters are common in this region.
“10th. Leaving Bear River, we passed a
very rough portion of country, bearing evide t
marks of having anciently submitted to the ac-
tion of volcanic fires. The rocks in many
places are black, containing deep caverns, from
which, no doubt, red-hot stones and lava were
once projected. While passing the side of a
stream, a huge grizzly bear started out of the
willows, and sprang at one of the mules. He
was overcome after a sharp contest, in which
he received eighteen rifle balls. He would
probably weigh seven hundred pounds.
“13th. “How amiable are thy tabernacles, O
Lord God of hosts' My soul longeth, yea
panteth, for the courts of the Lord—my heart
and my flesh crieth out for the living God.”
These texts have been continually in my mind
this day, and are, I trust, the sincere longings

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 107
of my heart. I truly long for the courts of my
God. I long once more to enjoy the holy Sab-
bath as in a Christian land. But I do not re-
pine that my present lot is otherwise, but re-
joice that I am permitted to submit to privation
for the sake of the Lord. Even here hath God
a temple, and may be worshiped in spirit and
in truth. We are surrounded by the profane,
who are continually taking the name of God in
vain, which sounds still more and more horrid
every time I hear it. I miss my regular sea-
sons of retirement for secret prayer and the
reading of God’s word, with fasting. Such
means of grace as my circumstances allow are
strengthening to my soul.
“We encamped on the 14th on Lewis River,
a branch of the Columbia. On the following
day we removed a few miles down the river,
and tarried several days for Capt. Wyeth to
build a fort. Twelve of our men left us to
hunt and cure buffalo for our future use.”
During Mr. Shepard's stay at this place, he
recounts the mercy of God during his journey
thus far, and spent, with the mission family,
many hours of social prayer and religious con-
versation, in which he greatly rejoiced. He
says, “I truly feel that my place is on this side
of the mountains, far, far away from friends

108 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
and former home. I would not reverse my lot
for thousands of silver and gold. I have never
wished to return, but have at night, when lay-
ing my weary body down to rest, anticipated
another day of toil with the pleasing thought
that it would bring me one day nearer the place
where I may be doing the work God has as-
signed me.
“July 24th. My mother's birthday: if liv-
ing, she is seventy-seven years of age. But
ah! what changes may have taken place in the
little family circle since my departure Death
may have entered the humble mansion, and
taken one and another, until it is nearly left
desolate. There is no probability that I shall
ever behold that smiling face, which used in
youth to give me so much joy, and soothe my
childish grief. Farewell, aged, honored pa-
rent May Heaven bless thy declining years,
and smooth thy passage to the tomb, and may
we meet in heaven to sing the song of Moses
the servant of God, and of the Lamb for ever
and ever. -
“Sabbath, 27th. Sweet day of rest, I hail thy
dawn with joy and delight. I am much unwell
and depressed in body, but enjoy a happy and
solemn frame of mind. Retired about a half a
mile from camp to a willow grove, and poured

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 109
out my soul in prayer and praise to God. Had
a melting season. My heart was humbled
within me. Prayer and faith seemed to take
hold on the promises, while
‘The bending heavens around me shone
With beams of sacred bliss.”
After tarrying here some time, I returned to
the camp, and passed the rest of the forenoon
in tranquillity, mostly in reading. We dined
with Mr. M'Coy, a gentleman in the employ
of the Hudson Bay Company, after which Ja-
son Lee, by his request, held a meeting in the
grove near his camp, and addressed the people
from 1 Cor. x, 31. I felt my mind drawn out
in prayer before the meeting began, that the
blessing of God might rest upon us. At the
time appointed, about thirty Indians, and as
many whites, came together to hear the word
of the Lord. Brother Daniel Lee opened the
meeting by reading the fifteenth Psalm, and
singing the hymn beginning, ‘The Lord of sab-
bath let us praise. Prayer and an address fol-
lowed by J. Lee. The congregation gave the
most profound and solemn attention, and the
whole scene was encouraging, being the first
season of public worship I have enjoyed for
nearly five long months

110 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
“Two Indians came into our tent after ser-
vice, to whom we showed the Bible, and ex-
plained, as well as we could by signs, its origin
and use. They gave the utmost attention, and
went away apparently satisfied.”
The company commenced their journey
again on the 30th of July, conducted by Mr.
M'Coy, Capt. Wyeth tarrying longer at the
fort. They journeyed seven or eight miles, and
encamped on the Portneffi. Brother J. Lee
being quite indisposed, as he had indeed been
for some time past, greatly added to the care
and anxiety of Mr. Shepard.
“Friday, Aug. 1. Our way this day has been
over rough and barren hills. The earth and
stones give signs of its having been once vol.
canic. We passed the American Falls on Lewis
River, said to be fifty feet, though not in a per-
pendicular descent. The scenery is very grand
and sublime, as it is on this river generally.
“We are now out of the range of the Black-
feet; having traveled several hundred miles
through the country usually infested by them
without having seen one. Mr. M'Coy says he
has been through this country many times, and
never before without having had one or two
skirmishes with them. My prayer to God has
been that we might be spared the necessity of

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 111
conflicting with these untutored men, who are
by nature our brethren, and whose salvation I
most ardently desire. It was not to destroy
men's lives that we came thus far from home,
but to seek their present and everlasting wel-
fare. -
“Encamped on Raft River, and supped on
beaver's flesh, kindly presented by Capt. M'Coy,
and a part of the ham of an antelope, given by
the Indian wife of a Frenchman.
“10th. In the afternoon we descended a very
steep hill on Lewis River to come upon the
bottom land, which in this place is very barren.
These bottoms are bordered, on both sides, with
high perpendicular bluffs. We passed two re-
markable springs issuing from the bluff on the
side of the river, the largest of which brother
Lee calculated discharged sixty tons of water
in a minute. It rushed with great rapidity,
foaming in such a manner as to appear perfectly
white, like a stream of milk. It was several
rods wide. The other did not discharge quite
so much water, but foamed with equal fury.
We passed the habitations of the Snake Indians,
who are encamped for the purpose of catching
salmon, of which we purchased a supply. Their
huts are composed of willows, so fastened toge-
ther as to resemble haystacks, and are covered

112 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
with bundles of long coarse grass. These In-
dians subsist almost wholly on fish and roots;
hence the name of ‘diggers, by which they
are known. Most of them are nearly naked,
some of them entirely so. They are well pro-
portioned, and apparently quite healthy, and
very full fleshed. Their curiosity was much
excited by the appearance of our cows, which
were the first they had ever seen. Nearly the
whole settlement followed me with great as-
tonishment, and some of them, more bold than
the rest, ventured to help drive the cows, and
seemed to think they had performed some very
noble exploit; but the larger part were too
much afraid to approach very near the animals.
Opposite are the falls where they take the sal-
mon. The water where they are taken is shoal,
and to render the object more certain, the In-
dians have placed stones quite across the fish-
ing ground in the form of acute angles toward
the falls.
“13th. We were visited to-day by more of
the Snake Indians, who offered cords, made of
a sort of wild hemp, and a few dried salmon, in
exchange for hooks, clothes, knives, &c. These
cords are manufactured by first spinning or
twisting the bark of the hemp, and then braid-
ing several smaller cords together. They must

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 113
be the result of much patient labor. We pur-
chased some which were forty or fifty feet long.
“August 14th.
“To thee, my God, to thee,
My cheerful voice I raise;
Thy goodness bade me be,
And still prolongs my days:
I see my matal hour return,
And bless the day that I was born.”
Thirty-six years of this short life have now
passed over my head. When I reflect upon
the past it seems but a dream. What! have I
lived on earth thirty-six years! It seems im-
possible. During the period since I have at-
tained the years of understanding, what have
I been doing? Has God been glorified in my
life, and have sinners been converted by my
instrumentality? If at all, I fear in a very small
degree. It is now nearly nine years since I
dedicated time, talents, and everything, to God,
professedly—have I done it in reality? Surely,
conscience says no ; and many a scalding tear
has been caused to flow, and many a gloomy
hour have I endured, in consequence. At pre-
sent I feel desirous to be all the Lord's, and
neither speak, think, nor do, anything displeas-
ing to him.
‘Here, Lord, I give myself away,
'Tis all that I can º

114 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
Even now let holy fire come down and consume
the sacrifice, ‘and make me all thine own lº
“The river scenery is delightful; the water,
now running in a narrow channel, then widen-
ing and encircling small green islands. On one
of these islands we encamped, and found plenty
of green herbage for our animals.
“16th. This morning took leave of Captain
M'Coy, he having concluded to stay in the
mountains to trade away his goods for furs.
On parting, he gave us ten pounds of flour, ten
of sugar, and offered us any article he had
which we might need. We leave him with
much regret, he having been to us, though a
stranger, a most valuable friend. May God re-
ward him sevenfold.
“18th. We have passed this day a number of
hot springs, one nearly or quite at boiling heat,
sufficient to cook an egg. These springs were
so large as to form a considerable stream, and
emitted a strong sulphurous smell. The surface
of the earth, for some distance round, appeared
as if strewn with ashes. -
“28th. We have for some time been travel-
ing among the mountains; sometimes leaving
the river, (the Lewis,) and, climbing a difficult
hill, returning to it again. The Cayuse Indians
have a settlement near us, which brother Lee

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 115
and myself visited. We were treated in the
most friendly manner, being invited into the
lodge, where we had broiled salmon, cherries,
and other dainties, set before us. They have
returned our visit, and presented the mission
with four valuable horses, receiving some pre-
sents in return. The friendly manner in which
we have been received by them is owing, under
God, in a great degree to Mr. M'Coy, who has
used his influence to recommend us to their
favor. When brother J. Lee and I set out,
early before the company, on the next morning,
with the cattle, two chiefs accompanied us un-
til we had passed all the by-paths in which we
should be likely to be led aside from our course,
and then bid us an affectionate adieu. I could
stop and labor with these people with cheerful-
ness, if duty called. Our track lay through a
heavy-timbered land of pitch, fir, hemlock, and
pine, some of which were of great size. There
is a kind of black moss on the trees, which the
Indians use for food, after having bruised and
mixed it with cammass root. A fire has been
communicated to the woods, and has overrun
the mountains and much of the adjoining coun-
try, making our traveling very unpleasant by
the smoke with which the atmosphere is filled.
I slept soundly at night under a tree, in the

116 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
open air, being reminded of the words of Eze-
kiel, (xxxiv, 25,) ‘They shalldwell safely in the
wilderness, and sleep in the woods.’
“30th. The company set out early this morn-
ing, expecting to reach Fort Walla-Walla be-
fore night, leaving brother Edwards and me
behind with the cattle. We journeyed slowly,
lost the trail, and encamped at night on a small
creek, not knowing whether we had traveled in
the right way or not. We rose at early dawn,
and I crossed the creek to an apparently de-
serted Indian hut, hoping to find some one to
put us in the right way, having seen last even-
ing signs of Indians being near. I found two
Indian women, who assured me the fort was on
the junction of the creek on which we had en-
camped and the river, and by signs showed how
far the sun would have gone in the heavens
when our company would arrive there, which I
concluded would be about noon. Being thus
encouraged, we ate breakfast with buoyant
feelings and drove on, but found the way long
and tedious, over sand hills which seemed to
lengthen as we went. We passed two small
cornfields, which produced inexpressible feel-
ings of delight, being the first traces of cultiva-
tion we had seen for four months. On gaining
the summit of a hill, about five o’clock, P. M.,

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 117
Fort Walla-Walla was in full view, situated as
the Indian women had told us, on the junction
of the creek with the noble Columbia. We
were soon in camp, and found our companions,
who had arrived but a short time before us,
having been destitute of food nearly all day.
“Sept. 3d. Arose this morning much unwell,
having rested poorly during the night, but en-
joying a calm serenity of mind, and sweet com-
munion with the ever blessed Trinity. I en-
joyed family worship, and felt heaven come
down to earth, not in the thunders of Sinai, but
in the gentle whisperings of the Holy Spirit.
I visited the shores of the Columbia again,
which afforded me much satisfaction, from their
near resemblance to some of my favorite haunts
in Lynn, where I have passed many happy
moments in contemplation of the wisdom, power,
and goodness of God, in creation, providence,
and redemption. There also have I passed
some of the happiest hours of my life, in con-
versation with Christian friends, some of whom
have already, I trust, found the harbor of eter-
mal rest.
“Fort Walla-Walla has a commanding
situation on the southern shore of the Colum-
bia, on a peninsula, formed by a large creek
and the river. This creek approaches near the
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120 MEMoir or shºp ARD,
river above the fort, and thence, winding around
some distance, flows into it below. The soil, in
this vicinity, is entirely barren, consisting of
loose sand, except some narrow stripes covered
with verdure on the banks of the creek. High
barren hills and bluffs, to a considerable dis-
tance, rise, in stately grandeur, above the broad
waters, which now seem to sleep in unruffled
silence, scarcely distended by a single ripple,
except those caused by the fish, which, in their
sportings, frequently leap quite out of the wa-
ter. The Indians have their habitations on the
bank, in the loose sand, and are the most indo-
lent, filthy, and disgusting creatures I ever saw,
being the refuse of the Walla-Walla tribe.
I am told, by the gentleman in charge of the
fort, that they are so lazy, that when there are
salmon in abundance, they will catch only
enough for their present use. When, O when,
shall these poor darkened minds be illuminated
by the bright beams of the Sun of righteousness,
and learn to provide diligently both for their
bodies and soulsº -
* 4th. Six months since I left home. How
astonishingly kind have been the dealings of
my heavenly Father with me, during this pe.
riod! In health he has been my joy and song,
in sickness my solace. O that every future

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 121
moment of my life may praise him, and every
word and action glorify him!
“We took an affectionate leave, this morning,
of our kind friends at Walla-Walla, and put
our effects on board a boat, in which we are to
go to Fort Vancouver with Captain Stewart.
Launched about twelve o’clock; but were soon
obliged to put ashore, in consequence of a
leak, which occasioned a delay of several hours;
after which we reloaded, and glided swiftly
down the stream until six o'clock, when we en-
camped on the shore. The banks of the Co-
lumbia, as far as we have come, are guarded
by high, rocky bluffs; the stream is deep, clear,
and highly beautiful.
* 7th. Passed the falls of the Columbia,
where there is a portage of a mile in length,
and were assisted by the Indians in carrying
our boat and baggage. We passed the little
Dalls, and encamped just below the south side
of the river, near the large Dalls. A numer-
ous company of Indians are encamped at the
falls near where we now are, for the purpose
of catching salmon. Some of them have large
quantities of dried fish on hand, showing that
they have been diligent in this employment.
These Indians are less in stature, and much
inferior in appearance to any we have yet seen;

122 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
most of them have their heads much flattened.
Though not high, the falls of the Columbia are
truly beautiful. The salmon appear in great
abundance below, sporting, and sometimes leap-
ing quite out of the water. Seals, or sea-dogs,
are also swimming about, or sunning themselves
on the rocks.
“14th. A rainy, yet, to me, a pleasant day;
occasioned by constant enjoyment of mind, and
the invigorating beams of the Sun of righteous-
ness illuminating my soul with heavenly influ-
ence. In passing down the Cascades the scene
was most picturesque. The channel of the
river is interspersed with numerous islands,
covered with trees in full verdure. When we
arrived at the rapids we were obliged to convey
our goods three-fourths of a mile, and then take
our boats through the water, which cost us be-
tween three and four hours' labor. The greater
part of the time we were nearly to our waists
in water, while the rain from above continued
to descend copiously. By the blessing of God,
we got safely by ; and, having taken some re-
freshment, we re-embarked, and continued our
voyage, wet, cold, and weary. After erecting
our tent, we built a large fire in front of it, but
were unable to dry our clothes, the rain con-
tinuing with unabating fury. Having taken a

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 123
cup of tea, and a small quantity of dried salmon,
we offered prayer and praise to God, and lay
down in our wet clothes and blankets, rejoicing
in the past and present goodness of the Lord.
“15th. We used the last of our provisions
this morning, and, launching at half past seven
o'clock, arrived at Fort Vancouver at two
o'clock. We were politely received by the
gentlemen of the Hudson Bay Company, and a
large and convenient room was prepared for us
and our effects. I retired to rest, exceedingly
fatigued, on a bunk, prepared for the purpose;
being the first time I have lain aside my clothes
to rest, or slept in a house, for one hundred and
forty days, having traveled one hundred and
five, and rested in camp thirty-five days, during
that time.” -


THE MissionARY TEACHER." 125
CHAPTER X.
Mr. Shepard at Fort Vancouver.
Mr. Shepard had now arrived at an im-
portant point in the prosecution of his enterprise.
Though not located in the immediate work of
the mission, yet he felt that his travels were
about ended, and that his labor for the salvation
of the heathem was soon to begin. It was
thought best, owing to the feebleness of his
health, that he should remain at Vancouver
while the Messrs. Lee proceeded to the Willa-
mette Valley, to select a location for the mis-
sion.
Before giving a history of his Christian ex-
perience and labors at this place, we shall
present a brief sketch of Vancouver, and the
points of interest in its vicinity, on the Colum-
bia River, derived from the latest publications
on that section of the country. These short
digressions, by which the reader is made par-
tially acquainted with the region in which Mr.
Shepard toiled, will be valuable, it is hoped, not
only as items of geographical information, but
as a means of a clearer understanding of the
history narrated,

126 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
The Columbia River, at this point, is sixteen
or seventeen hundred yards wide. The moun-
tains, which overhang it in the country further
up, gradually diminish as they approach the
fort, and, when within about ten miles, diverge,
on both sides, at right angles, leaving a level
but high district of fertile land, covered with a
heavy growth of timber. Two islands, of more
than three miles in length, divide the river in
this place. During the rise of the water, in
May and June, these islands, as are the lower
prairies, are mostly covered; but it is a singu-
lar fact, that these inundations, unlike the wa-
ters of the Nile, so far from enriching the soil,
destroy every species of vegetation. The rea-
sons given are its coldness, and the quantity of
fine sand with which it is impregnated. The
appearance of these swollen waters, at the time
of their highest rise, is extremely grand, bear-
ing upon their bosom gigantic trees, which oc-
casionally lodge on some projecting point, and,
rapidly accumulating, choke up the river, and
overflow its banks, until their great weight over-
comes the obstacle, and they dash suddenly and
furiously on to the Pacific. Its depth is suffi-
cient, at Vancouver, at its lowest state, to float
vessels of fifteen feet draft. The view of the
river from the site of the old fort, less than a

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 127
mile from the present one, on the brow of the
upper prairie, is truly beautiful. It winds, for
a long distance, through the wide-spread prairie
and cultivated fields, and is lost to the sight in
the depth of the boundless forest. Mount Hood
lifts up its snow-clad top on the south-east,
breaking the monotony of the forest scenery in
that direction. -
When ascending the Columbia, from Fort
Vancouver, the first point of interest is the
Cascades, about twenty miles distant. They
are formed by the approach of the resident
range of mountains to the river, making a nar-
row channel of about two miles in length,
through which the waters are forced with great
violence. The bed of this channel is covered
with rocks, some of which project ten or fifteen
feet. The foaming and roaring waters dashing
through their obstructed bed, and the high,
overshadowing banks, form a scene of the wild-
est grandeur.
Fort Vancouver, the principal establishment
of the Hudson Bay Company, in Oregon, is situat-
ed about one-eighth of a mile from the Colum-
bia River, and ninety miles from the ocean, in
a. direct line. The inclosure contains about four
acres, highly cultivated. Within this area are
the houses of the officers, clerks, and visitors, a
-

128 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
Roman Catholic chapel, ware-rooms, stores, and
magazines of powder. Dr. M'Laughlin, who
was, at the time of Mr. Shepard's visit, chief
factor, is highly esteemed as a man uniformly
courteous to all who call upon him, especially to
the missionaries, of whatever denominational
character, though he is himself a Catholic, and
is, withal, eminently qualified for his important
and difficult office.
The farm connected with this establishment
is nine miles square, well stocked and exten-
sively cultivated. The business done here by
the company must of course be immense, as it
is the great depot of supplies for all their sta-
tions on the west of the Rocky Mountains.
The settlers and traders of the country obtain
here almost any article at an advance of eighty
per cent. on the London cost. The enter-
prising emigrant may purchase on credit, and
repay by the fruit of his well-remunerated toil,
in cultivating the land. The internal regula-
tions of the fort are of the strictest kind. At
the break of day the working classes are in mo-
tion, and the hum of business leaves but little
time for slumberers, after that time, to enjoy
repose. The labors of the day close at six
o'clock, except on Saturday, when the day

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 129
closes at five o’clock, and the servants receive
their weekly rations.
During the stay of Mr. Shepard the sabbath
was occupied, in part, by the reading of the
service of the Church of England, by Mr.
Douglas, the second in command, but there
was no regular preaching. It will be seen, by
the extracts to be presented from this diary,
that though a strictly moral discipline was
maintained, much to the credit of the governor,
but little religious influence was felt. Mr.
Shepard could be satisfied with no society,
however intelligent, in which his devotional
feelings could not be gratified. Hence the se-
were trial to his feelings of his stay here during
the winter, to which he so often alludes in his
journal. We again introduce to the reader Mr.
Shepard's own narrative. -
“Sept. 18th, 1834. Brothers Jason and Daniel
Lee left here this day for the Willamette Val-
ley, to select a location for the mission, as it is
considered expedient to have such location
where the soil is productive, and extend our
labors from thence to places less favorable to
cultivation. We have been so long together,
and, as it were, an entirely united band, that I
feel deeply the loss of their society, though they
9

130 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
expect to be absent only a few days. Brother
Edwards, Mr. Walker, and I, tarry here un-
til their return. I take charge of the school
of the fort for a few weeks, consisting princi-
pally of half-breed children who have French
fathers and Chenook mothers. Some of them
have been under tuition nearly two years, and
have made considerable advance in English in-
struction.
“Sabbath, 21st. My mind is in a happy frame.
I found much enjoyment in bowing around the
family altar with brother Edwards, and offer-
ing our morning devotion. I attended the read-
ing of the Church of England service in the
dining hall at ten o’clock, and, though different
from my usual mode of worship, I found it to
be profitable. A deep sense of my accounta-
bility rested upon me while we offered praise
to God in the name of his Son. In the after-
noon my heart was deeply affected while visit-
ing a sick boy at the hospital. How glorious
that land where
‘Sickness and sorrow, pain and death,
Are felt and fear'd no more tº
No wonder the apostle was ‘willing rather to be
absent from the body, that he might be present
with the Lord.

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 131
“Sabbath, 28th. I rejoice that I am permit-
ted to spend the sabbath without profanation.
Brothers J. and D. Lee returned yesterday,
having selected a place for the mission about
sixty miles from this, on the Willamette. Bro-
ther Jason Lee preached this morning from Jo-
nah ii. 8, 9, and in the evening from Zech.
vi, 12, 13, which are probably the first two
sermons ever preached this side of the Rocky
Mountains. The season was one of great com-
fort to my soul, not only because I have been
deprived of such means of grace so long, but
my heart is being drawn nearer to God's writ-
ten and preached word. I desire it should be
my meditation both day and night.
*29th, Brothers J. and D. Lee, Edwards,
and Mr. Walker, left this place to-day for the
one designed for our residence, intending to call
at the vessel, now lying in the Columbia, which
brought our outfit, and get such articles as they
need to commence operations. I tarry behind
a few weeks, though rather reluctantly, and
then, if God will, shall join them at the mis-
sion. My earnest and frequent prayer is, that
God may prosper them, and permit us, unitedly
and successfully, to labor in the work appointed
uS.
“Oct. 13th. The comforts of the grace of

182 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
God have been granted me this day, though I
have felt some solicitude respecting the mission,
and a desire to be walking in the order of God's
providence. I have much drawing of mind to-
ward the Flatheads, Nez Perces, and Cayuse
Indians. I am resolved constantly to pray for
the teachings of the Holy Ghost. I do not feel
at home here, although everything is done for
me which I could wish. I have an irrepressible
desire to be at the Willamette, in the imme-
diate work of our calling; but in this matter I
would only do as God wills. -
“Sabbath, 19th. This has been an unusually
solemn day to my soul, and one which I hope
will long be remembered, in such a manner as
to influence my future life and conversation.
While attending the reading of prayers and
church service, a great solemnity of mind rested
upon me, attended with an unusual spirit of
prayer. It was truly a good time. I have felt
also much the importance of walking circum-
spectly toward those that are without, and of
letting my light shine before others. The im-
portance of this has been particularly impressed
upon my mind from the circumstance of an in-
dividual who saw me writing in my journal,
and thereby excused himself for mending a
watch, and asked me if I thought there was

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 133
any more harm in mending a watch on the
sabbath than in writing. .
“Sabbath, 26th. I have had the satisfaction
of hearing from brothers Lee and Edwards this
morning, that they are in general health and
prosperity. I enjoyed the reading of prayers
and church service, and also a season of secret
prayer in the grove. The remainder of the
day has not been pleasant, as nothing has been
going on around me calculated to inspire devo-
tional feelings, and the rain preventing me
from seeking my accustomed retreat in the
grove. O how I long to be once more with the
dear companions of my past journeys, where
we may have an opportunity of enjoying God’s
day quietly Methinks for the enjoyment of
this blessed privilege I could undergo almost
any toil, privation, or hardship, during the other
days of the week.”
We cannot forbear departing from our usual
course of withholding comments upon Mr.
Shepard's narrative, which so plainly speaks
its own instructive truths, to call the attention
of the reader to his remarks on the value of a
quiet enjoyment of the holy sabbath. It is to
be feared that a great many who live in Chris-
tian lands lightly esteem this inestimable gift.
Though they may not labor with their hands,

134 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
yet those seasons of special communion, sought
by Mr. Shepard in the grove, are seldom the
object of the longings of their hearts. We
have seen that these hours of holy intercourse
with God were always enjoyed by him, amid
the most arduous spiritual labors of that day,
being stolen, if necessary, from the accustomed
time of sleep. Indeed, active labors on the
sabbath, for the good of souls, are not apt to
detract anything, either from the number or the
profitableness of the seasons of secret and quiet
converse of the soul with the Saviour. So
true is it that the discharge of one duty predis-
poses the heart for the performance and enjoy-
ment of others.
“28th. I have had the pleasure this day of
hearing from my dear brethren and fellow-la-
borers in the gospel. Would that I were per-
mitted to be with them in the work of erecting
a place for our future residence! A great bur-
den has been laid upon my feelings by the in-
telligence that I must remain several weeks
longer in this place. I can find support only
by fleeing with tears to a throne of grace.
“Nov. 3d. I have enjoyed secret devotion
this morning, and prayer in the school-room, in
an unusual degree, having free access and com-
munion with my God, through the only medium,

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 135
Christ Jesus our Lord. The day passed sweetly
by in peace and comfort, while my soul, hang-
ing on the merits of the Son of God, was en-
abled with joy to draw waters from the wells
of salvation.”
On the 11th of November Mr. Shepard left
Vancouver in a canoe with two boatmen, and
visited the place of his future labors on the Wil-
lamette. Here his brethren were at work, not
sparing themselves of hard labor, to erect a
shelter before the rainy season should set in.
This call upon his brethren of a few days only
greatly revived his drooping spirits. A sermon
preached by J. Lee in the house of an emigrant
in the vicinity strengthened his faith, and he
returned to Vancouver to bear patiently another
separation. We see developed in this part of
Mr. Shepard's experience that extreme sensi-
tiveness which was peculiar to his constitution,
and which makes the general course of his life,
especially as a missionary, deeply interesting.
As we have before had occasion to observe, his
love for Christian society amounted almost to
a passion, and yet he had chosen voluntarily to
exile himself from all but a few Christian
friends. If, when these friends were removed
from him, he desponded occasionally, we do not
so much wonder as at his general cheerfulness,

136 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
and happy seasons “in the grove,” and in the
use of the few public means of grace which he
enjoyed. The tenderness of his feelings, at all
times, with regard to his duty, led him to fear
lest he might have erred in consenting to re-
main at the fort, while his brethren were sub-
jecting themselves to exposures, and almost un-
paralleled exertions, to secure for themselves
and him “a lodge in the wilderness.” The
tempter whispered the false but annoying sug-
gestions, that he was sparing himself, and al-
though he had come through “perils by land”
and “perils among the heathen,” yet he was
now set aside from the missionary work, and
was following an employment which he might
well have followed at home, in the enjoyment
of the privileges of a Christian land. It was not
that he felt that he had too much labor, or too
arduous a field, but because he feared lest he
might do other work than the great work of his
life, that of instructing the heathen in things
which belonged to their eternal peace. We
shall see clearly that this painful state of sus-
pense, into which the tempter had led him, did
not prevent him from a diligent use of his pre-
sent circumstances to be useful. Such trials
of our confidence are not strange things hap-
pening to us, but are common to those who ear-

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 137
nestly seek after the greatest possible useful-
ness. They are very great evils, however,
when we permit them to prevent present ac-
tivity in the cause of God, be our circum-
stances ever so embarrassing. Mr. Shepard
felt this truth, and did with his might what his
hands found to do, and prayed constantly, and
waited for clearer light upon the path of duty.
He expected, on his return to Vancouver, to
remain there but a few weeks, but his stay
was necessarily prolonged until the succeeding
spring. The following letter, written at this
time, will further show his feelings:–
“Fort Vancouver, Columbia River, Dec. 23, 1834.
“DEAR BROTHER MUDGE, While I sit
down to address a few lines to you, from this
distant land, I can hardly realize the long
stretch of, at least, four thousand miles, travel-
ing distance, which separates me from my former
associates and dear friends at Lynn. But such
is, in reality, the fact. Indeed, it seems like a
dream, that nearly a year has passed since I
left home, kindred, friends, and the highly ex-
alted privileges of New-England, in exchange
for a residence among the wilds of Oregon.
Time has flown so rapidly, that in our journey-
ings among the mountains we seemed to have

138 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
entirely lost the summer, as though no such
season had passed since we left the States. We
lived on buffalo, antelope, deer, elk, and grizzly
bear's flesh; and, during the latter part of the
time, on salmon and cammas root; sleeping
frequently in wet clothes, perhaps under a
spreading oak. You may suppose these were
days of suffering and privation; but I do not
esteem them so. When in health, our food
relished well, our rest at night was sweet and
refreshing, and we envied not the most highly
favored. When our bodies were enervated by
ill health, for we had some sickness, circum-
stances seemed, by a kind Providence, suited to
our necessities. My brethren and myself were
severally sick, and, for several weeks, were
afflicted by severe pain in the head, back, and
limbs, attended with high fever; but this hap-
pened at a time either when we were in camp,
or when, for some cause by human view unper-
ceived, we made but short journeys. A little
flour, which we had been keeping with great
care, enabled us to provide suitably for the
sick, which, in the absence of appetite for the
common coarse food, proved a great relief.
“When I reflect upon the sufferings of our
Lord in the days of his flesh, to save rebellious
man, not even having where to lay his head, I

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 139
blush to think that I have endured either priva-
tion or suffering. I wish to spend the remain-
der of my days in doing good, according to the
grace of God given to me. I am as willing my
body should lie with that of the red man in this
region, when the spirit shall have returned to
God who gave it, as that it should sleep with
kindred dust.
“The miserable condition of these poor In-
dians deeply impresses my heart; and can I
but be instrumental in ameliorating their con-
dition, in any degree, my life shall be cheerfully
spent, and my tenement of clay worn down, in
their service. I thank God that I have been
permitted to come thus far, with a desire for
their salvation. I bless him for having caused
me to feel the burden of their souls. It is my
earnest prayer, that my small spark of mission-
ary zeal may be kindled to a flame, by the
Holy Ghost, and henceforth stimulate me to
more vigorous exertions to save souls. It is
true I feel the loss of Christian society and
sanctuary privileges. During the months which
I have passed since I left home, in forty-two
sabbaths I have had opportunity to hear but ten
sermons. You will readily conclude that our
sabbaths were far different from those which
you enjoy, where the sound of the church-going

140 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
bell' calls to the peaceful and soul-enlivening
duties of prayer and praise in the house of God,
and to greet the smiling face of youth in the
sabbath school. How often, on sabbath morn-
ing, has fancy conveyed me to Lynn, and placed
me in my accustomed seat in the teachers' class,
when I have beheld the well-known counte-
nances of those who used to assemble with us,
and engage in the delightful task of studying
God’s word ' I would say to you all, in the
fullness of my soul, dear brethren and sisters,
continue steadfast in the good work, and con-
stantly endeavor to stir each other up to greater
diligence, in promoting the religious instruction
of the young.
“My daily employment, at present, is with
about thirty half-breed youth, instructing them
in the sciences, and giving them such religious
instruction as I hope may be, by the blessing
of God, a lasting benefit to their souls. In ad-
dition to the day school, I have two young men
and eight boys in the evening. Besides these,
I have been teaching three Japanese, named
E-wa-ketch, Ke-o-chi-cha, and O-too, who were
wrecked on the coast, some time last season, and
taken by the Indians, and held in slavery until
released by the humanity of Governor M'Laugh-
lin, and brought to this place. They have now

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 141
sailed for England, from whence they are to
return to their native land. While at school,
they made rapid improvement, and were re-
markably studious and docile, and learned to re-
peat the Lord's prayer and some other portions
of the Scriptures. God, who ever delights to
work by small instrumentalities, to attain the
most astonishing ends for the good of the world,
thereby shaming the unbelief of his people,
may, by these poor children, carry the gospel
to their neglected countrymen. I think I see
a train of providences in their history. They
were cast on a foreign shore, and seized by
savages. From their hands they were deliver-
ed by Governor M'Laughlin; and I, a stranger,
and unexpectedly, and rather reluctantly, de-
tained here to teach them, though in too feeble
a manner, the good news of salvation by Christ.
How short-sighted we mortals are We know
not what will prosper, whether this or that.
Why am I not more passive in God's hands,
and willing to be led by him *
* Lieutenant Wilkes, in his “Exploring Expedition,”
thus speaks of the deliverance of the children above
named, by Governor M'Laughlin —“It was near this
point (Point Grenville) that the very remarkable occur-
rence of the wreck of a Japanese junk happened, in the
year 1833. The officers of the Hudson Bay Company

142 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
We have traced Mr. Shepard's history
during his stay at this important and central
point of influence, and have discovered in him,
we think, a genuine missionary spirit, slightly
shaded, it may be, by those weaknesses insepa-
rable from erring man. What the effects of his
toils in this place were, we have no means of
knowing certainly, nor does it concern us so
much to know, as to be persuaded, that while
here he was faithful to his calling. In reflect-
ing upon this period of his life, we can plainly
see the guiding hand of God, seeking the best
became acquainted with this disaster in a singular man-
mer. They received a drawing, on a piece of China
paper, of three shipwrecked persons, with a junk on the
rocks, and the Indians engaged in plundering. This
was sufficient to induce them to make inquiries; and
Captain M'Neil was dispatched to Cape Flattery, to
make further inquiry, and to afford relief, if it should be
necessary. He had the satisfaction to find the three
Japanese, whom he rescued from slavery; and the Hud-
son Bay Company, with characteristic liberality, sent
them to England. Thence they took passage to China,
where, I understand, they still remain, in consequence
of their not being able to obtain a passage to Japan.
As a memorial of this extraordinary incident, porcelain,
of Japanese manufacture, which was purchased of the
Indians who plundered the junk, was seen in possession
of Mr. Burnie, the agent of the H. B. Company, at
Astoria.”

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 143
interest of his cause, and of his servants en-
gaged therein. Mr. Shepard was now securing
for himself, and for the mission, that confidence
of the officers of the Hudson Bay Company,
whose influence was so universally felt, and
with whom he here became acquainted, which
was necessary in carrying forward their future
operations. The importance of this he could
not, at this time, realize, as it was developed in
the subsequent experience of the mission. These
officers were favorably known to the Indians
and settlers throughout the whole territory, and
the great power they possessed, civil and moral,
rendered it difficult to carry on any operations
without, at least, their favorable notice. This,
we have reason to believe, was extended to the
missionaries, especially in their early labors,
bespeaking for them a favorable reception by
the inhabitants. Mr. Shepard makes frequent
allusion in his journal to the kind feeling culti-
wated with the officers of the fort, during his
stay there. -
Another advantage, derived from this part
of his experience, was the preparation it was
giving him for the heavier trials reserved for
him. God wisely leads us on, step by step,
disciplining us, little by little, for the great work
assigned us. The teaching of the heathen, in

144 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
the Willamette Valley, was undoubtedly Mr.
Shepard's great work; and it was one for which
he could not be immediately adequate, without
some acquaintance with his new pupils, and
time to adapt his own feelings to his new posi-
tion. A sensitive mind like his, especially,
needed to know gradually the severe trials that
awaited him.
At Vancouver he was initiated into the labor
of teaching minds not like those he had hitherto
taught in favored New-England, nor yet so de-
graded and obtuse as those who were soon to
be his pupils. He here began to see and feel
what was before but a dreamy presentation;
hereafter, when the full measure of his toils
should be experienced, he could not be much
disturbed. But we are by no means prepared to
allow, that the result of his labors at Vancouver,
upon his scholars, was not as beneficial as it would
have been if expended upon the children of the
Willamette. Indeed, the case of the Japanese
youth is one of a marked character. It will be
remembered, that to this day Japanremains closed
to the commerce of Christian nations, with an
unimportant exception, and wholly shut to the
gospel, while China, India, Africa, and the isles
of the ocean, are stretching forth their hands to
God. The singular manner in which these

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 145
heathen of a distant and a darkened land were
made acquainted with a civilized people, and
the very providential arrangement by which
they were placed under a Christian teacher, to-
gether with their final free return to a port from
whence they have, doubtless, ere this, been for-
warded to their home, all concur in evidencing
some great design of God. We are forcibly re-
minded of the captive Hebrew in the house of
the Syrian general. A child of God’s people,
in this case, introduced his true worship into a
Gentile nation. In the former case, the chil-
dren of a benighted land have returned from
an unwilling sojourn among Christians, to speak
of the Son of God.
My young readers will learn from Mr. Shep-
ard's example, at Vancouver, to labor in the
present time. The future may look more de-
sirable—may seem to promise a more encou-
raging field, while the present may look dark
and discouraging. Remember that the future
has its difficulties; there will be rough places,
when you shall have arrived at it, to be made
smooth by your diligence, with the blessing of
Heaven. It will have its darkness for the ex-
ercise of your faith, as well as its sunlight for
your encouragement. Most of all, remember,
that one great source of encouragement in the
10

146 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
future will be the sight of the well-cultivated
fields, through which you have labored, having
left on each the marks of success, which shall
indicate the result of all your persevering ef-
forts. -
At Willamette, surrounded with difficulties,
in comparison to which all the difficulties he
had ever encountered were small, Mr. Shepard
could say sincerely, “By the blessing of God
I have tried to cultivate my former fields; if
this bring forth no fruit, they are safe.”
CHAPTER XI.
A description of Oregon–Willamette Valley—In-
dians–Commencement of the mission—Letters—La-
bors and success of the missionaries.
EARLY in the spring of 1835 Mr. Shepard
became established at the mission, in the Wil-
lamette Valley, with his co-laborers, who, as we
have before stated, had been on the ground
during the fall and winter, and in some measure
prepared the way for his reception. This val-
ley, and the territory in which it is included,
has become so well known that a brief sketch
of each, in passing, will be sufficient to intro-

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 147
duce the reader to Mr. Shepard's last and most
important field of labor.
A glance at the map of the United States
will impress the observer with the immense
size of the Oregon Territory, while he mea-
sures with his eye its boundaries, and compares
them with the relatively narrow limits of most
of the states. It occupies a large place in the
geography of our country, and will doubtless
fill an important part in its future history.
The Rocky Mountains gird it on the east, and
the Pacific washes its western shore. From
Mexico, forty-two degrees south, it extends to
the British possessions, about fifty degrees north.
It may not be unnecessary to inform the young
reader, that travelers differ very much in their
descriptions of this country; some represent it
as a country abounding in rich soil, abundance
of animals for food, and all the means of in-
creasing in riches and living easy. We must
not be hasty in believing these stories. -
Those who have followed Mr. Shepard in his
narrative, will recollect the section of this terri-
tory he passed through between the Rocky
Mountains and the Blue Mountains—its salt
springs, volcanic remains, cold, variable climate,
and sterile soil—all of which he so often notices.
This region forms one of the great divisions of

148 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
Oregon, but, as will readily be supposed, not a
very important part. After crossing the Blue
Mountains, we have seen that Mr. Shepard
traveled a long distance through a rough and
high country, though less elevated than that
just described, until, sailing down the Columbia
River, he came to the place where the waters
hurry through their rocky beds, the Cascades,
being pressed into a narrow channel and dashed
over abrupt falls, indicating another range of
mountains. This is the President range.
These two mountain ridges form another great
division of Oregon. The last named is called
the middle section, and abounds with wild ani-
mals, which feed upon its abundant grass, and
numerous tribes of Indians, who chase the game
through its dense forests and over its extensive
plains—a wild race, but not a good, and there-
fore not a happy, people. In this region of
country our missionaries did not deem it best
to stop, for reasons which we shall notice here-
after, but, persevering in their difficult and long
journey, they followed the Columbia down to
where a beautiful river, from the south, flows
into it, just below Vancouver. They might
have sailed gently on to the Pacific, when they
would have reached the western limits of an-
other great division of Oregon, namely, that
THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 149
between the President range and the ocean.
This is allowed to be the best part of the coun-
try, especially that on the south of the Colum-
bia. Here is good land for the farmer, heavy
timber for the ship-builder and carpenter, and
a rapidly diminishing herd of wild animals for
the trap and rifle of the hunter. The rich
green carpet, which covers the plains and val-
leys in its season, is decorated by numerous
wild flowers, many of which are rare and ex-
ceedingly beautiful. It must not, however, be
supposed that it is a land of eternal sunshine
or perpetual spring. “The dry season,” as it
is called, begins in May and continues until
November. During this time it seldom rains,
but the heavy mists which rise from the ocean,
in some measure, answer the purposes of rain.
The rest of the year the rain descends in fre-
quent or long-continued showers.
It used to be thought that in every part of
Oregon there were immense numbers of In-
dians. One writer, who no doubt followed the
estimate of some traveler, puts them down at
one hundred and fifty thousand; but Lieuten-
ant Wilkes, who was sent by the United States
to examine the country, says that there cannot
be more than twenty thousand, and with this
opinion Mr. Lee agrees. The truth is, the


150 - MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
-
vices of the adults, their many wars, and the
murder of a great number of infants, cause
their number to diminish so rapidly, that in a
few years “the poor Indian” will have passed
away. The Callapoewah Indians, who inhabit
the Willamette Valley, where our missionaries
labored, Mr. Lee believes do not number more
than eight hundred. We shall learn, in the
course of this narrative, some of the particulars
of their very degraded condition.
If we start again with our missionaries at
Vancouver, and sail down to where the Willa-
mette pours its waters into the Columbia, and
from thence up to the falls, and then, taking
the land, travel through a beautiful and large
part of the Willamette Valley, we shall come
to the place where Mr. Shepard and his com-
panions pitched their tents, and ended their
long and weary journey.
It may be known to the reader that this was
not the part of the country where their friends
and the Missionary Society expected them to
locate. They were sent to labor among the
Flatheads, a tribe of Indians into whose coun-
try they entered soon after they crossed the
Rocky Mountains. They found these Flat-
heads a very different people, and very differ-
ently situated, from the accounts which had been

THE MIssion ARY TEACHER. 151
given in the States. Rev. Daniel Lee, in his
“Ten Years in Oregon,” gives the following
reasons in justification of their course: “1. The
means of subsistence, in a region so remote and
so difficult of access, were, to say the least, very
doubtful. It was not a small matter to trans-
port all necessary implements and tools six
hundred miles, to build houses and raise our
provisions. 2. The smallness of their numbers.
Their perpetual wars with the Blackfeet In-
dians had prevented their increase; and they
were, for their safety, confederate with the Nez
Perces. 3. Their vicinity to the Blackfeet, as
well the white man's enemy as theirs, and who
would fall upon the abettors of their foes with
signal revenge. 4. A larger field of usefulness
was contemplated as the object of the mission,
than the benefiting of a single tribe. The
wants of the whole country, present and pros-
pective, so far as they could be, were taken
into the account, and the hope of meeting these
wants, in the progress of their work, led to the
choice of the Willamette location, as a starting
point, a place to stand on, and the centre of a
large circle of benevolent action. Here any
amount might be produced from the soil that
might be required in the enlargement of the
work. And here the first blow was struck by

152 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
the pioneer missionaries in Oregon. Here they
began their arduous and difficult toil, to elevate
and save the heathen from moral degradation
and ruin.”
The toils through which the companions of
Mr. Shepard had passed in preparing a com-
fortable habitation are worthy of notice. Hav-
ing selected the spot in September, 1834, like
pioneer settlers, as well as teachers of our holy
religion, they began to clear the land and build
a log house.” They labored under great in-
conveniences, as must be supposed, their oxen
being but half tamed, their tools few and need-
ing to be put in order, and their best shelter,
after the fatigue of the day, a canvass tent.
To add to their trials, a violent storm of wind
and rain visited them in the midst of their la-
bor, wetting their effects and flooding their
works. But all this they submitted to patiently,
and in a few weeks their tabernacle in this wil-
derness was set up in the name of the great
God, whom this dark corner of the earth had
never known, and was so far completed as to
shelter them from the approaching rainy sea-
son. It was, doubtless, to eyes accustomed to
look upon the elegant mansions of civilized so-
ciety, but a rude hut. Its dimensions were
* See Frontispiece.

TELE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 153
thirty feet in length, and twenty feet in width,
separated into two rooms by a partition in the
middle. Rough doors, split from the logs, and
hung on wooden hinges, a plank floor, a chim-
ney made of sticks and lined with clay, and
four windows, the sashes made in part with a
jack-knife, constituted its finishing. Its fur-
niture consisted of a chair, a table, and stools,
all of domestic manufacture. Their cows af-
forded them milk, and to the provisions of their
outfit were added a little flour from Vancouver
and occasionally game from the Indians. Thus
provided, they commenced clearing the land to
plant for their future sustenance, to teach the
natives, and preach to the emigrants, as oppor-
tunities were presented. -
In returning to Mr. Shepard's personal his-
tory and experience, we cannot but express our
regret that his journal, which has thrown so
much light upon his character, and permitted
him thus far to write much of his own memoirs,
was discontinued after he commenced his mis-
sionary labors. This fact, which at first seems
surprising, is accounted for, in part, by the cir-
cumstances of his situation, he having adopted
the plan of keeping a journal of the mission,
and being prevented by numerous duties from
much writing. Some compensation for this de-

154 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
ficiency will be afforded by the copious extracts
we are enabled to make from his letters, the
unpublished manuscripts of his co-laborers,
kindly loaned us, which contain valuable infor-
mation of the progress of Mr. Shepard's de-
partment of labor, and lastly, by many facts re-
ceived verbally from the same source. His
letters were written with the freedom of one
communicating with confidential friends, it be-
ing no part of his purpose to write for the pub-
lic eye; they are therefore, in some measure,
journals of his feelings, though permitting us to
know them only at long intervals. If there is
an occasional repetition of facts, it occurs from
the circumstance that they were written, many
of them, at the same time, to friends widely
separated, who would need to be informed of
the same items. As these instances will be
found to be few and unimportant, we have pre-
ferred to let them remain, rather than mar the
connection by erasures.
“Mission House, Willamette River, Sept. 24, 1835.
“DEAR BROTHER Johnson, I am privi-
leged once more with an opportunity of send-
ing letters to my dear native country. My
thoughts naturally turn to former enjoyments,
the converse of friends and scenes now passed,

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 155
to return no more. In addressing you, I feel
as if I were conversing with an old friend, and
can almost fancy myself sitting by your fireside,
or walking to the house of God in company.
But I am aroused to the reality of my situa-
tion, and find myself seated at a rough little fir
table, scribbling my thoughts on paper, which
must travel many thousand miles before they
reach you. Well, “blessed be God that causeth
us to triumph in all our afflictions. I feel my-
self as much at home here as at Lynn, though
I feel sensibly the loss of the privileges I there
enjoyed. When a company of wandering red
men come and seat themselves all around me,
chattering like a flock of blackbirds, I feel per-
fectly at home and at ease, except that my
mind is pained that I can do them so little good.
The Indians in this vicinity are in a most
wretched and deplorable condition, being mise-
rable, temporally and spiritually. We have
several of their youth under instruction, and in
this way hope to be useful.”
Under the same date he writes to brother
and sister Adams, of Lynn:-
“We have a small but flourishing sabbath
school, which is exciting an increasing interest.
It is composed mostly of half-breeds, with a

156 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
few Indian youth. Some who attend are mar-
ried people, and yet commenced by learning
their letters. It is truly pleasant to see them
coming together, men, women, and children;
women bringing their children swung over their
back on a board, to which they are tied, and
which answers the purpose of a cradle.”
The following was directed to his brother,
John Shepard, under the same date:—
“How kind that Providence that still pre-
serves us and crowns our days with his loving
kindness and tender mercies. Blessed be God,
I rejoice in his present mercy to me. Since I
wrote, I have endured considerable pain from
an inflammation in one of my kidneys; of that
complaint I am now totally free. For several
weeks I have been much reduced by fever and
ague, but am now recovering. I have never
yet felt homesick, nor seen the moment when I
wished myself back.”
“We have had six native youth in our family,
one of whom died on the 19th of August, from
pulmonary consumption, after a distressing ill-
ness of two months, during which he manifested
a degree of patience and mildness seldom seen
in persons of riper years under similar circum-
stances. His body lies buried in a rural retreat

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 157
not far from the mission house, in an open space
between two firgroves. There probably my body
will lie when the spirit shall have returned to
God who gave it. He was a youth of much
promise, of an amiable disposition, and about
fourteen years of age. We expect seven more
natives to live with us soon; one of those with
us now is an orphan girl of not more than three
or four years. If our health permits, we ex-
pect to open a daily school soon. I have been
teaching the half-breed children, gratuitously,
every other day during the week.”
The following, about a year later, addressed
to his brother, will show the increase of the mis-
sionary work, and his continued assurance that
he had reason to be glad that he came to Oregon:
“Mission House, Willamette, Oct. 29, 1836.
“My DEAR BROTHER,--I received your
letter in less than nine months after date, toge-
ther with one from brother Enoch Mudge, of
New-Bedford. My soul truly leaped for joy at
the opportunity of hearing from home. It was
the first intelligence I had received from that
quarter since I left, nearly three years ago.
I was also rejoiced to receive such full intelli-
gence from every branch of our family. It was
a favor beyond my largest expectations. We

158 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
are and ever have been much driven with busi-
ness at this place; have much more than we
can possibly do, as our health is but feeble—
often poor indeed. I rejoice to hear that we
may soon expect help. Our family amounts to
twenty-eight, and we expect more soon. These
we have to clothe, feed, and look after, with as
much care as if they were our own children.
We have had to make coats, gowns, pantaloons,
and shirts, in abundance, but are hoping for a
supply of these articles from the States by the
next arrival from the Sandwich Islands. Since
I wrote you, we have made an addition to our
house, thirty-two feet by sixteen, a story and a
half high, and yet we have not been able to
erect a school-house, which we very much need.”
“My love to mother. I hope she is ripening,
like a full shock of corn, for the garner of our
Lord. Tell her I am still glad I came here.”
The subjoined extract is of still later date,
written to Mr. I P , of Lynn, one of
his intimate Christian friends. Its length will
be excused on account of the information it con-
tains of the progress of the missionary work.
“Mission House, Willamette River, Jan. 14, 1837.
“DEAR BROTHER-With pleasure I take a
few moments from the hurry of business, and

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 159
spend them in conversing, by pen and ink, with
an absent friend. I am permitted to address
you for the first time, after a lapse of nearly
three years of seclusion from the civilized world.
Blessed be the name of the Lord ' We have at
this time a family of thirty-one souls, and have
lost five by death since we commenced this es-
tablishment. During nearly half of the time,
the last year, brother Jason Lee and I were
here alone, the other members of the mission
being absent from the station. I have been
alone with our Indian family a week and a
fortnight at a time, and felt as much at home
and contented as if I had been in my native
state, surrounded by friends and associates.
Surely, the Lord is in every place, and his
presence creates our paradise. The rich boun-
ties of his providence have been displayed in
granting us a favorable seed-time, and an abun-
dant harvest. Our fields have brought forth
plentifully, and our barns have been filled with
rich sheaves of grain. With what we raise we
are enabled to make a comfortable living, and
are enabled to add sometimes wild game, such
as venison and fowls: so you see we have
much temporal good to be thankful for.
“We are anticipating with much pleasure
the arrival of the brethren from the States, who,

160 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
we understand, were sent out to reinforce this
mission. Their help is much needed, but none
more than that of a physician. We therefore
rejoice to learn that one has been appointed.
“We have just had the pleasure of receiving
a visit from Wm. Slocum, Esq., an officer in
the U. S. navy, and, in appearance, a real gen-
tleman and true American. Though of no re-
ligious profession, he appeared much interested
in the operations of the mission, and spoke in
terms of high commendation of the cleanliness,
good order, and improvement of our family, and
particularly of the sensations he felt on behold-
ing an ancient Islander, who lives with us, ask-
ing grace at the table in his own language.
Mr. Slocum said that this circumstance, toge-
ther with the solemnity with which it was per-
formed, and the apparent devoutness of the
children, made a profound impression upon his
mind. This gentleman has shown much inte-
rest in this rising settlement, and has offered
the settlers a free passage in his vessel to Cali-
fornia, to purchase cattle and drive back to the
settlement, as all now in this country belong to
the Hudson Bay Company, except a very few.
He has also favored the temperance cause
among us, the prospects of which were very en-
couraging, except that a man in the vicinity was

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 161
erecting a distillery, and was making prepara-
tions for distilling whisky from barley. The
members of the temperance society, and most
of the other settlers, had sent a request to the
owners to abandon the project, at the same
time promising a full remuneration for any loss
sustained in giving up the same; but the re-
quest was not granted. Through Mr. Slocum's
influence the distillery has now been given up,
I trust for ever.
“Our hearts have been recently encouraged
by the conversion of a young man who has led
an abandoned life. The first week of the new
year he came to work at the mission, being a
mechanic. He had for some little time pre-
vious abandoned his intemperate habits. While
with us, he resolved to leave all for Christ. He
said that, when he saw our children, heard them
recite lessons and answer questions, his heart
smote him, that these poor Indian children
were learning what he had so long neglected.
In our class meeting his heart was melted down,
and he wept like a child. He soon found peace,
and now boldly advocates the cause of religion.
“We have also had much consolation in the
death of a member of our day and sabbath school.
He was seventeen years of age, and a lad of much
promise. His father was a Canadian, and his
11

162 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
mother a native of this country. He expressed
much thankfulness that we had come to tell him of
the ‘good way, and teach him to read. “I used
to break the sabbath,” said he, “but now I know
it is wrong. Now I am willing to die.’ His
remains repose in the mission burying ground.
“You see by these statements we have some-
thing to cheer our hearts amidst the discourage-
ments and various trials to which all persons
laboring among the heathen are exposed.
“Yours in love.”
“TO S -
“Mission House, Dec. 7, 1837.
“DEAR BROTHER,-Ireceived your letter in
May last, and was most heartly glad to hear
from you. I bless God that you were then so
well, and in the enjoyment of so much peace of
mind. May the Lord fill you with all his rich
communicable fullness, and cause you to abound
in the fruits of the Spirit. Providence has
placed us far apart in this world, and we have
not now the privilege of running together to
talk of God's goodness, to pray for his blessing,
to sing, to shout, and to rejoice for all his loving
kindness. But, glory to his holy name, we
shall soon meet, if faithful, and shout our jour-
neyings o'er in the New-Jerusalem. We are

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 163
pilgrims yet, and, if serving God, are traveling
the same path; we are in the narrow way; we
have entered the gate at the head of that nar-
row way, and have in full prospect the city of
God. Bless the Lord, we find the way, though
a narrow one, a blessed way indeed. You
allude in your letter to the glorious seasons we
once enjoyed together in prayer and praise. I
remember them well. I remember the first
time I visited you, and how we found the Mas-
ter of assemblies present, and how there was a
great shout that might be heard afar off. Glory
to God!
“Soon after the arrival of our re-enforce-
ment, in May last, I was violently seized with
an inflammatory fever, which brought me to the
very verge of the grave. Dr. White told me it
was very doubtful which way it would turn
with me, but he thought the chance was against
me, the disorder being such as to defy the usual
remedy. I felt that I was in God's hands, and
that he knew what was best, and could only
say, ‘Thy will be done.’”
The following was written to his mother, un-
der date of March 23, 1838, and breathes the
same kind and sanctified spirit which ever cha-
racterized his notes to this aged parent —

164 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
“DEAR MoTHER,-Four years and nineteen
days have passed since I saw you. By the
blessing of God I yet live, and am in the enjoy-
ment of comfortable health. I have time to say
but a few words to you now, but cannot let the
opportunity pass without saying something. I
think of you much, pray for you, and dream
of you, I have an ardent desire to see you
once more in the flesh, but this is º, un-
certain. God grant we may meet in heaven,
where we shall never part. I often think of
the scenes of home, and am often in imagina-
tion, for a few moments, at the dear place, and
view the humble mansion, the, to me, pleasant
spot where repose the ashes of my father, his
lowly grave and unpretending monument, and
the willow I planted; but soon I awake from
my revery, and find myself contentedly about
my business, surrounded by our family of twen-
ty-eight children, happy in my present home
and employment. Our business here below is
to glorify God. It is peculiarly pleasant, if
in doing so, we can be situated near those we
love, and especially near our dear and honored
parents. But if called, in the course of provi-
dence, to leave those friends and the endear-
ments of early associations, and go to foreign
and unknown lands, it is unquestionably our

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 165
duty to obey, and trust in God for grace to sup-
port us. I feel that I was called to go, and
having obeyed the call, I feel that God does
support me, and the consolations of his grace I
find to be neither few nor small. May you, my
dear mother, be thus supported in the decline
of life; and, after years of comfort, when life's
sun shall descend low, and finally sink below
the horizon, may you find God to be your por-
tion, and heaven your eternal home. Farewell !
“Cyrus.”
“TO MRS. THOMAS BOWLER, LYNN.
“MY DEAR SISTER Bowl ER,--I admire the
sentiment you so kindly express in your letter.
You say, that were you in my place you would
be glad of a letter from any one. It is so; and
could our friends and acquaintance but know
one half the comfort a letter from home gives
us, I am sure they would let no opportunity
pass by without writing. To be secluded from
civilized and refined society—surrounded by
heathen, degraded, if possible, beneath the very
brutes; debarred the expectation of ever seeing
again those dear relatives and friends with whom
weused to take sweet counsel, and go to the house
of God—at first thought appears rather gloomy.
But when we reflect, that, even in these circum-

166 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
stances, we can interchange ideas with those
kind relatives and dear friends, the gloom is in
a great measure dispelled, and light beams along
our path. So buoyant were my feelings on re-
ceiving my letters, when the re-enforcement ar-
rived, that sleep, for the first night, departed
from my eyes.
“I was happy and truly rejoiced to learn, by
a letter from brother James Mudge, jun., last
spring, that the Lord was reviving his work in
your society. May the good work go forward,
until converts are mnltiplied like drops of the
morning
“In speaking of your own enjoyment, you
say you have felt anxious of late for more of
the love of God in your soul, and cannot rest
satisfied without it. I hope you never will rest
satisfied, my sister, until you attain all the
mind that is in Christ our Lord. But I have
thought that you, sister, were too apt to write
bitter things against yourself, instead of looking
to God for the blessing now, relying upon his
all-sufficiency to save, casting yourself upon his
bounty, and believing he does save to the utter-
most. I hope you will be able, in view of God's
willingness to sanctify his people wholly, to be-
lieve at once, and enter into rest.
“Your brother in Christ.”

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 167
In May, 1837, a large re-enforcement for the
mission arrived at the station, consisting of
the following persons:–Dr. Elijah White, wife,
and two children, Mr. Alanson Beers, wife, and
three children, Mr. W. H. Wilson, Miss Anna
M. Pittman, Miss Alvira Johnson, and Miss
Susan Downing. The latter was one of Mr.
Shepard's co-laborers at Lynn, and possessed a
spirit congenial with his in the great work of
saving souls. She had been for many years
looking for the opening of God's providence, by
which she should be led forth into the mission-
ary field, having become deeply imbued with
the missionary spirit, during several years of
devoted service in the sabbath school. To this
lady Mr. Shepard was married in the July fol-
lowing her arrival. Alluding to this event, in a
letter to a friend, he says, “I have left a life of
celibacy for that of matrimony, and am happy
in the change, realizing that
“Marriage, rightly understood,
Gives to the tender and the good
A paradise below.”
Mr. Shepard’s letters, from which we have
made extracts in the preceding pages, have
enabled the reader to form a general idea of the
character of his labors. In the succeeding chap-

168 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
ter, a more detailed account is added of his
school, the happy results which attended it, and
the means by which those results were secured.
We trust it will be acceptable to the reader,
and give a greater interest to the subsequent
part of the narrative, to close this chapter with
a brief statement of the labor and success of
Mr. Shepard's companions, up to the time of
his death, while he was teaching his little flock
in their quiet and humble home.
Much of their time for the first two or three
years seems to have been necessarily occupied
in clearing the lands, and cultivating the soil, to
prepare for advantageous operations in the fu-
ture. Great labor and privations were endured,
and many grievous discouragements were pa-
tiently suffered, during these years of experi-
ment in a very difficult field. They preached to
the emigrants in their own tongue, and endea-
vored to teach the Indians, not only the im-
portant truths of religion, but, better to secure
their moral improvement, the habits of civilized
life. They held. meetings among them, visited
them at their lodges, and tried to induce them
to locate permanently on a piece of ground, and
till the soil. For their encouragement they
helped them build houses, and gave them ne-
cessary instruction in planting the seed, and
----
|
-
º º
º
º-


170 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
raising the crop. They hoped to impress their
minds with the great advantage of such a .
course to themselves and their children.
In September, 1837, Rev. Daniel Leslie,
wife, and three children, and Rev. H. K. W.
Perkins, were added to the mission. Being
now sufficiently strong to enlarge the sphere of
their operations, they formed a station at the
Dalls, on the Columbia, about eighty miles
above Vancouver, and another on the Nesqually,
on the Puget Sound. Much success attended
their labors at the Dalls, which we have not
space to detail. A few extracts from the let-
ters of Mr. Perkins to the missionary secretary
will give some idea of the character and extent
of the work which began in 1839 —
“About this time some of the natives began
to pray. The first individual who was so
wrought upon by the Holy Ghost as to be-
take himself to this duty was an old Indian
doctor, who lives within half a mile of the
mission house, by name Tumsowit, a little, free
hearted, jovial old man; but, on account of his
profession, a man of some consequence, for the
title of doctor always gives weight to character,
either in the civilized or the barbarous world.
At first the old man thought praying to be an
art, and most happy was he when he could

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 171
string together ten or twelve sentences in the
manner in which I used them, and his inquiry
seemed to be how he could increase his stock
of words. He, therefore, lost no opportunity
of praying and attending prayer.
“But now a storm of persecution opened upon
him, for all his people contended that he did not
pray correctly, and used words which I did not;
and I was called upon to decide the question,
which gave me a fine opportunity of explaining
to him and them fully the nature of prayer—
that God looks not at the words, but at the
heart.
“Seeing the old man anxious to be taught the
right way, I lost no opportunity of impressing
upon his mind the corruptions of the natural
heart, and the necessity of a thorough change.
Brother W. and I took him with us in private
to pray; and feeling that God alone could teach
him effectually, we often plead before the Lord
for his conversion. As he was the only one for
some time who showed any deep feeling, we
took in him a peculiar interest.
“It was not long before conviction was deeply
wrought in his soul, and his only desire seemed
to be, to escape the wrath to come, and lay hold
on eternal life. After praying a week or more,
he entirely forsook his family; and what time

172 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
he did not spend with us at the mission house,
was spent alone among the rocks and hills on
his knees. When our meetings were over for
the night, he would lie down on the chamber
floor, and pray sometimes for half an hour, or
until nature was exhausted, then sink to rest,
and in the morning, at an early hour, leave his
bed for the woods. Every day, for a fortnight,
his convictions seemed to increase. For a whole
week I do not know that he once visited his
people, or his wives, (for he had three:) and his
sighs, and his tears, and his prayers, told his
deep penitence. He used almost constantly to
watch for us when we retired for our secret de-
votions, that he might have the privilege of
praying with us; and often when we would be
engaged in the woods, not suspecting any one
near, the old man would make his appearance,
and kneeling beside us would pour out his soul
in strong cries, and sometimes tears, to Him
who is able to save. At length, after a fort-
night spent in this manner, God, who is rich in
mercy, turned his mourning into joy. This
took place at the close of one of our little meet-
ings, while we were engaged in prayer and sup-
plication for this same object. His joy on this
occasion was not great, but the change was im-
mediately observable. He was a new man.

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 173
“The work now spread. Others commenced
seeking the Lord, by prayer and supplication;
and such were the number of inquirers, that I
was obliged to lay aside all business, and devote
myself day and night, to the great work.
“Some twenty were now under conviction,
of each sex about an equal number. The most
interesting case was that of one of the chief
men of the village, whose Indian name is Ya-
cooetar. This interesting native stands unique
among his tribe for one singularity—his parents
did not flatten his head. He is a stout, well-
built man, with a full forehead, and such a coun-
tenance as would command respect in any nation.
Proud, haughty, fearless, ‘a brave’ among his
tribe, it was hardly to be expected that he would
be among the first who should become followers
of a meek and lowly Master. But God can
abase the proud, and give humility. This man
lived in the same house with Tumsowit, and,
for a time, was his bitterest opposer. They
now met to pray together, as did many more,
while old prejudices were forgotten.
“For a time, he said but little; but sat and
heard with deep attention. Evening after
evening he was the first to come, the last to go
away. In the morning, too, while the other
villagers were locked in slumber, he would steal

174 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
from his bed, and make his way to the mission
house. Seeing him thus attentive, I asked him
one morning how it happened that he rose so
much earlier than formerly. “Why," said he,
‘I cannot sleep. When I go home, and lie
down, I think of what you tell me, and I can-
not sleep. I sleep a little; then I dream I am
in meeting, and my heart is all the time talking
over what you say. My heart was formerly
asleep, I see ; but now it is awake. Soon after
this he began to pray; and his convictions of
sin increased until he was led to give his heart
to God. The evening of his conversion will
long be fresh in my memory. It was an even-
ing of the power of God. I was kneeling by
Yacooetar's side; his strong heart bowed; he
prayed, unconscious, it seemed, of all that was
passing around him. He plead before that
God who has said, “Draw nigh unto me, and I
will draw nigh unto you.’ God was there; his
heart yielded; he trusted; the struggle was
gone, his soul was at peace.”
We have selected the above instances from
many given to illustrate the power of God upon
the hearts of the Indians. The work spread,
through the labors of these converts and the
missionaries, over a considerable extent of
country; and many hundreds were added to the

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 175
Ilord. Thus, while Mr. Shepard's labors, as
we shall see, were being blessed in the conver-
sion of the youth, was the Lord of the harvest
having mercy upon the gray-headed sinner.
CHAPTER XII.
Mr. Shepard's missionary school.
WE will now introduce Mr. Shepard to the
reader as a teacher of the heathen children of
Oregon. We have seen with how much affec-
tion, diligence, and success, he labored for the
children of the sabbath school, in Lynn, and for
the youth of the various public schools which he
taught. But he was now to try a new and very
different field. His former charges were sur-
rounded with all the blessings of civilized life;
all were taught the restraints which good morals
impose, and some of them were under the salu-
tary instruction of religious parents. They had
no established habits of vice, learned from all
they saw and heard, and no darkened views of
God and the invisible world, to be corrected
before the truth of the Scriptures could be im-
pressed upon their hearts. But here everything
was to be done. Even their bodies were to be
clothed, and their daily food provided, and they

176 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
were to be taught the first principles of their
duty in such matters. And then, how slowly
they must learn concerning God, Jesus Christ,
who came to save them, the way of being re-
deemed by believing in him, their own depraved
nature, and the duty and the use of prayer!
All of these truths the children who read this
book have learned so early, and so clearly, that
they wonder how they can be hard to be under-
stood. But these things have been presented
to our minds from infancy. One ray of light
after another has shined upon us, as we have
been able to bear it, until we can see clearly
the way of salvation.
Mr. Shepard's Indian children were like the
boy who was confined, from infancy to manhood,
in a dark cellar. When he was brought out,
the sun, the sky, the green earth, and everything
he saw, delighted and astonished him. But it
was very difficult to teach him the nature and
use of the most common things. So it was with
these Indians. One little girl, after she had
been singing “The Star of Bethlehem,” ran to
the door, and, looking at the clear sky and
twinkling stars, clapped her hands, and ex-
claimed, joyfully, “O, I see the star of Bethle-
hem " The account here presented will further
explain their condition.

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 177
The following extract is made from a letter,
written after a visit of several weeks to the
mission, before Mr. Shepard's final removal to
Willamette:—
“Fort Vancouver, Dec. 20, 1834.
“DEAR BROTHER,-We have already three
poor Flatheads, orphan children, and, as soon
as circumstances will permit, shall have a great
many more. One of these is a lad of fourteen
or fifteen years of age. After he had been with
us for a short time, news came that his mother
was dead; and his little sister, about seven years
of age, (these two being the only children,) was
left without a friend to take care of her. Bro-
ther Lee therefore sent for her, and she has
since been one of the mission family. When
she arrived she was almost entirely naked, as
were the other children. My first business was
to make her a gown of some tow cloth, which
had been used to cover our goods while on the
journey. Though it was piece upon piece, I
finally succeeded in making a considerably good
dress, but not with ‘bishop sleeves, as my pre-
sent means were only adequate to make them
about the size of the arms. Having completed
this garment, we cast off her former covering,
which was only a small piece of deer-skin, tied
12

178 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
over her shoulders, and another, in strips, tied
round the waist, we clothed her in the dress
above described. A day or two after this,
a poor little orphan, with a very flat head, who
had neither brother nor sister, came, and, in the
most innocent and imploring manner, asked to
stay and live with us. He is about seven or
eight years old. His request, as you may sup-
pose, was readily granted. An Indian, soon
after, came and claimed the only article of
clothing which the little fellow had, which was
nothing more than a leather shirt; and, while
we were busily engaged at our work, he actu-
ally made the boy take it off, and thus left him
entirely naked! Ascertaining that the shirt
probably belonged to the man, brother Lee
bought it of him, and he went away apparently
satisfied. Finding that the new members of
our family were covered with vermin and filth,
brother J. Lee and myself undertook to cleanse
them. This was no desirable task, but we felt
happy in the discharge of duty, and succeeded
quite well.
“The only obstacle, to appearance, to prevent
our having a large family of these destitute suf-
ferers, is the lack of means to feed them, as
provisions are scarce; but, by the smiles of
kind Providence, we hope, next season, to raise

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 179
enough to meet these demands of humanity. To
the girl who remains with us we gave the name
of Lucy Hedding; to the other, who was left
by her mother, but who has since gone home,
we gave the name of Ann Webster. Lucy
Hedding is now the name of the first Indian
girl who has lived at the mission. A great
difficulty in the way of taking these children is,
that we have not suitable means of clothing
them; though we shall endeavor to do the best
we can in this way, until our friends, and the
friends of humanity, in the States, can send us
children's clothing ready made.”
The following was written to one of his for-
mer pupils, at Weston —
“We have a large family of Indian children,
and we are as parents to them, for they have
no other parents; we love them very much, and
they love us. Those of them who are full-
blooded Indians have very flat heads. They
would appear very strange to you; but we
have become so accustomed to the sight, that
we do not mind it so much, though we abhor
the practice of flattening heads, and endeavor to
keep the Indians from it. I think I have seen
some children the back part of whose heads was
not more than two inches and a half thick. The
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FLAT. HEAD INDIAN-SIDE VIEW.
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THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 181
flattening process is commenced when the child
is first born, by putting a cushion on each side
of the head, and tying a board tight over the
front, this board being fastened to one upon
which the child is laid, which is used also
for a cradle. When the head is sufficiently
flattened the compressing machine is taken off,
and the cradle only is used. When a child has
just got through with this process, it is a most
frightful-looking object. Its eyes stand out of
its head, and its countenance is distorted; but,
by degrees, it looks better, and loses, slowly,
this frightful appearance.
“The children of our family learn well; at
least the most of them; and are very fond of
picture-books and pretty stories.”
One of Mr. Shepard's kind friends, at Lynn,
had sent him, among many other things, some
slates, with the names upon them of each of her
sons who gave them. In answering the letter
which accompanied them, he writes:–
“I was much gratified to find the little slates,
with string and pencil attached, and the names
of your four boys upon them. It opened a fine
chance for me to lecture the children of our fa-
mily on the importance of using all diligence
in improving their minds in useful knowledge;
telling them how the good people of the United

182 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
States feel for them, and contribute clothing,
books, &c., for their benefit, although they
never had seen them. I told them. I knew the
little boys who sent those slates, that they were
sabbath-school children, and that they and many
others carry their money to the sabbath school,
and put it into the box for the Indian children,
that they may have books and sabbath schools,
learn about God, and heaven, and Jesus, the
Saviour of mankind, who died for them. They
were attentive, and wondered at the love of
strangers thus shown to them, which gave me
an opportunity of showing how the love of God
affects us.”
At the close of the year 1837 Mr. Shepard
began to see the fruit of his labor for this inte-
resting school. His surviving partner, now
widow Whitcomb, has given the writer the fol-
lowing account of the commencement of the
work:-
“At the close of the year we had an uncom-
monly interesting time with the children. Two
or three of the boys had been thoughtful for
some time. Mr. Shepard and Mr. Whitcomb
had labored much with them; but this night
they appeared unusually hard, and were un-
willing to attend meeting. The sound of praise
to God led them to listen at the door; after

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 183
awhile, they ventured in, and soon they were
crying aloud for mercy. It was not long before
the Saviour appeared to bless them; and so
great was the feeling that pervaded the house,
that some who had retired for the night awoke,
and came into the meeting. Between the hours
of nine and twelve, Samson, Hosea, Joseph,
Mary Sargent, Mary Hoxherst, and Harriet
Newell, were awakened, and converted. Many
others were convinced of sin, and, in a few
days, through faith, joined with them in praising
God. We were astonished to hear boys and
girls, who were almost afraid to speak to us,
pray and exhort in a meeting with great pro-
priety. If I had ever doubted the power of
God in the conviction and conversion of sinners,
what I was permitted to see of his mercy at this
time would have removed all my doubts, so
great was the change.
“As soon as Mary Sargent was blessed, she
came into my room, and, throwing her arms
around my neck, exclaimed, “O, Mrs. Shepard,
I am happy! I am happy!' The largest boys,
when spoken to, would manifest all the simpli-
city and affection of little children; the lion was
indeed become a lamb. For many months the
voice of prayer and praise was the last thing
we heard at night, and the first in the morn-
184 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
ing. As long as Mr. Shepard lived he met
them every week as a class, and had no doubt
but many of them served God acceptably.
They had a great deal to contend with, and
would frequently fall into temptation, which
caused him much labor. One day, after the
school was dismissed, Elijah Hedding tarried
behind, weeping. Mr. Shepard inquired the
cause. He replied, that his heart had become
bad; that he got angry with his enumeration
table, and called it a dog. He wished Mr.
Shepard to pray with him. Taking him to his
room, he complied with his request; and, after
spending a long time together in prayer, the
little mourner found peace.”
We see here, in Mr. Shepard, the same spirit
which induced his personal effort with B. J. H.,
given in the early part of this volume, and the
same success following. What sight could have
been more interesting to angels, who “are min-
istering spirits sent forth to minister for them
who shall be heirs of salvation,” than these re-
tired, earnest, and successful exertions to save
a soul from death P. If such success crowned his
efforts, in his, in many respects, very embarrass-
ing circumstances, what might the army of sab-
bath-school teachers in the United States do for
their pupils, with like faith and prayer? Our


THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 185
feelings burn within us at the thought ! Mr.
Shepard's pupils came to him when they were
under conviction for sin. It speaks pages of
comments in favor of his tact and faithfulness.
They came to him because he had drawn them
toward him by the silken cords of love. His
temper, even under the very great provocations
of his situation, was so uniformly sanctified by
the grace of God in his intercourse with them,
that through him the Holy Ghost fashioned
their spirits in the same mold. Though theirs
was the heart of the savage, it became the ten-
der spirit of the lamb. In their sorrow for sin,
to whom would they resort to unburden their
feelings but to him who had bent over them
from day to day with the kindest solicitude, and
whose countenance always beamed with benevo-
lence? When such shall be the spirit of every
sabbath-school teacher, a great glory will sur-
round the church of God.
But, in returning to Mrs. Whitcomb's narra-
tive, we have the following additional particu-
lars:–
“The little grove on the Willamette River
has witnessed Mr. Shepard's frequent supplica-
tions with and for his pupils. No parent could
manifest more interest for his child than he did
for these poor Indian youth. His efforts to do

186 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
good were not confined to the mission-house,
but he visited every lodge within his reach. If
he found a sick Indian he would carry a dish
of porridge, piece of bread, or whatever he
thought would do him good. I have known In-
dians, a mile or two distant, to send for him
when they were sick. Frequently when he
was engaged all day, so that he could not find
time to go out till after all had retired, he
would then take one of the boys, and go to carry
something for some poor creature he had been
thinking of all day.
“The year 1839 was, on many acounts, the
pleasantest year which I spent at the mission.
Mr. Shepard's health was better than it had
been for some years. Several interesting chil-
dren were added to the school; a dining-room
and school-room, which had been added to our
house, contributed to our comfort and conveni-
ence. Mr. Shepard took great satisfaction in
the children. He felt that they only needed to
be placed in equal circumstances with the chil-
dren in the United States, to make the same
proficiency.”
We have received an account of one of the con-
verts of the year 1839, the time of peculiar pros-
perity to the school of which Mrs. Whitcomb
speaks. It was written by Miss M. J. Smith, now
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188 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
Mrs. Bailey, for sometime an assistant teacher in
Mr. Shepard's school. This will further show
the success attending the instruction of these
youth. We give it entire, though of considera-
ble length, because one such instance, minutely
detailed, shows more impressively the fruits of
this work than any general statement of facts.
“One thing is necessary to be remembered
in reading accounts of heathen children, that is,
the disadvantages of their early lives. Should
I say that a little girl in Boston was very neat,
or industrious, or attended well to her studies,
or was pious, it would be thought, I presume, not
strange, because she had been favored with the
instructions of older persons, who had tested the
advantages of cultivating such agreeable qualifi-
cations. But should I say the same concerning
a heathen child, who had till recently been
taught nothing better than to roll in the ashes,
or spend the sunny day in hunting wasps' nests,”
that she might devour the young, and who had
never been told of the Being who made that
‘big fire with smoke,” which daily rises in the
east to give us light and heat, nor seen a book,
it would be said, I think, that to the instruc-
tions of the better educated had been added the
* The natives of Oregon consider “wasps' nests,” con-
taining young, roasted in the fire, avery great luxury.

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 189
grace of God, which had so sanctified them to
her good, that they seemed to be natural to her,
and enabled her to appear like an educated
child from a Christian land.
“Thus appeared Sally Soule, the loved In-
dian girl of ten years, who had resided in the
mission family three years, I think, previous to
her death, which occurred in February, 1839,
while the girls were under my care. She was,
if I mistake not, of the Yam Hill tribe, from the
Yam Hill country, a few miles from the mis-
sion, on the opposite side of the river. Her
English name was given her in respect for the
excellent lady of Bishop Soule. I can relate
none of the particulars of her introduction into
the mission family, as I was not then in the
country, but I soon discovered on my arrival,
that in the circle of the girls being educated by
the missionaries, was one who was frequently
styled the ‘old maid.’ I, of course, felt a little
curiosity to learn the cause of this epithet being
applied to her, who was the youngest and small-
est of the group, and regarded her for a short
time with some degree of suspicion. I soon
discovered, however, that, if there was among
the girls’ tasks an article of sewing which re-
quired especial care, it was given to Sally
Soule; that when the others, in their moments

190 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
of recreation, were running about for berries,
or gathering gum to masticate, she was in the
house observing the ladies work, of which she
was fond. I also observed that when the other
girls soiled or tore their clothes, or were care-
lessly dressed, she, the ‘old maid, was neatly
attired; and when the children around were
loudly talking and jesting, this little pattern of
excellence would be silent, or simply smiling to
show she was not heedless of their enjoyment.
Yet she was not a stupid child. She loved to
play, but her spirits were less noisy and more
useful than those of her mates. On her toy
babies was displayed her taste for neatness, and
the propriety with which every article of their
dress would be arranged, was one cause of her
being styled the ‘old maid.’ I cannot say that
she had received much instruction in this kind
of amusement; for, as regards myself, I seldom
had occasion to assist her, otherwise than to in-
dulge her very modest request for thread and
pieces, for which one of her sweet smiles, which
I was sure to receive, amply repaid me. As
this little girl was thus lovely in her plays, the
reader will suppose, almost without any intima-
tion from me, that she made a right use of her
books. She certainly did. She studied and
learned her lessons; and when the children in

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 191
the school had carelessly destroyed their books,
Mr. Shepard would hold up hers before them,
and exclaim, ‘See, here is Sally Soule's book,
which she has had so much longer than you
have had yours, and it is scarcely injured.’
“Being a great favorite with the children, it
was very amusing, when they had permission to
play outside the house, to see the anxiety of
every one to have her for a mate. No sooner
would the word ‘yes’ be pronounced, than you
would hear all their voices at once, crying out,
“I must have Sally.” “No,' says another, “she
is going with me.’ ‘She went with you before,
and now I’m to have her.’ “Come go with me,
Sally, says another, and I’ll give you some-
thing.” Thus would they generally contend, un-
til some older person interfered, and appointed
her place. She loved them all, and was happy
and pleasant with any one, which was, perhaps,
the reason why her society was so much de-
sired. In 1839, when several of the children
professed to feel that God had given them new
hearts, Sally Soule was among the number.
She was very young, and as it could not be ex-
pected that she had a perfect understanding of
what she professed, we thought it possible the
effect on her mind was a mere childish sympa-
thy with the feeling of others: however, we

192 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
knew it was best to encourage her to be good;
to approve of her praying, singing, and going
to meeting; and whether she had experienced a
work of grace on her heart or not, we could not
then determine; but her behavior in her last
sickness, and her death, furnished us with good
evidence that she was a converted child. She
was ill, to our knowledge, but ten days before
her decease, although her disease, the dropsy of
the chest, must have existed for months, and
perhaps for years. I had observed, during the
winter, that she was more sedate and less play-
ful than formerly, and often, as I unhappily
concluded, dull; yet I did not have the least
apprehension she was sick. She made no com-
plaint, attended to her work and books, until
she was sent to me from the school for medicine.
On calling our physician, he pronounced her
very sick; but mistaking the nature of her
disease, his efforts for her recovery were not
well directed, although, had it been otherwise, it
is probable a cure could not have been effected.
During her illness she appeared peculiarly in-
teresting and lovely. She was, if possible, more
gentle, more interesting, and more patient, than
she was in health. Every intimation that she
would not get well was received with pleasure;
and when I talked about her probable decease,

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 193
and prayed in her hearing that she might be
prepared for death, the brightened and intelli-
gent appearance of her countenance told me
that it was already done. She even manifested
a willingness to die; and once, when I wished
to ascertain more certainly if she understood
the change from life to death, I asked her which
she had rather do, get well, go to school, and
play with the girls, or die and go to God, and
have her body put in the ground. She replied,
she had rather die, and go to God. None of
us were prepared for her sudden exit, though
pretty well convinced she could not recover.
We thought she might possibly live a consider-
able time. I was even surprised when her
physician said she could not live ten days; yet
that was the last evening of her life. At the
hour of retirement, I again endeavored to lead
her thoughts, by conversation, to another world.
I prayed with her, and she said the Lord's
prayer with me, as was her custom. I ob-
served that her voice faltered, and attributed it
to drowsiness. I gave her a kiss, and bade her
good night, when she replied with a sweet smile,
and so peculiar an emphasis, that I can never
forget it, “Good night, ma'am.’ I was at the time
peculiarly affected; but as it proved to be her
dying breath, it can º escape my memory.
1

194 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
“Not long after I had retired, one of the
girls aroused me by saying, “Miss Smith, Sally
is making a very strange noise.' I hastened to
her bedside, and found her indeed dying. I
several times attempted to arouse her, so she
might speak and give some evidence that she
understood what we said, but all in vain. Mr.
Shepard desired she might be baptized, and
Mr. Leslie was called to perform the ceremony.
This done, we could do no more than to pray
the Lord to receive her spirit. It was my hap-
py privilege to sit alone by the bedside of that
loved heathen child, in her dying moments,
waiting to see the last flickering flame of life,
and know she was no more. This took place
after daylight, but before sunrise. The moon,
which, during my stay at the bedside of death,
had been shining with a light as feeble as the
life which was then waning, was now lost in
the sun's effulgence, while upon Sally's spirit
had burst forth the resplendence of the Son of
righteousness. Mr. Leslie pronounced a fune-
ral discourse, and she was conveyed to the
grave-yard, a few rods from her chamber, to
sleep with several of her mates who had been
called before her. During the service the rain
was falling very rapidly, and nothing but an
imperative refusal was sufficient to prevent the

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 195
girls from following her to the grave, so ardent
had been their attachment to her. She sleeps,
or rather wakes, in heaven, where I desire to
meet her, adorned with the spotless robe which
alone can entitle us to a seat among the just.”
The following more general delineation of
the school and the children, kindly furnished us
by the Rev. H. K. W. Perkins, will enable us,
in thought and feeling, to sit down with the
little group, and catch the spirit of benevolent
feeling which animated Mr. Shepard while he
gently but successfully led them to the Re-
deemer:-
“As a teacher, I do not know what brother
Shepard’s qualifications were, but I know that
he succeeded, and that is the best proof that
they were good. In undertaking the instruction
of the heathen he had to surmount obstacles of
which we of this country can form but an im-
perfect idea. He had not only their educa-
tional wants to supply, but their physical wants
also. Many of the children taken into the mis-
sion school had none to provide for them.
They were boys and girls who had been thrown
helpless and friendless upon the charities of re-
lations, who were glad to make a transfer of
them to any one who would take the trouble
to bring them up. Some of them were real ob-

196 - MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
jects of charity among their own tribes—chil-
dren who had no home—the orphan and the
fatherless. Such came at length to know of the
missionaries, and naturally sought a shelter be-
neath their friendly roof. Harder-hearted men
than the Lees and Shepard might have turned
them away as too loathsome and poor to be
brought into contact with the spirit of refine-
ment produced in a Christian land. But they
turned away none of these poor creatures.
They housed them, fed them, clothed them, in-
structed them, prayed over them, and made
them as their own children, when they had
scarcely food, and shelter, and clothing, for
themselves. What this devoted band of mis-
sionaries suffered in the first years of their
missionary toils will never be known in this
world. But it is known on high, and there
our dear brother rests from his labors. I
wish I could make you acquainted with brother
Shepard's school as it was when I first visited
the country. I wish I could make you see the
very log-house, the school-room, the chambers
where the children slept, the little clapboard
bedsteads, if bedsteads they could be called, the
loose straw in which they nestled, the dining-
room, the table, the bits of coarse bread, and
basins of soup, as they used to be placed regu-

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 197
larly along from one end of it to the other, and
last, though not the least interesting, to see the
good man quietly seated at the board, sharing
the fare with them. I wish I could introduce
you to them, as he knelt with them and offered
up evening and morning prayers, that you might
hear them while they sing, and listen to the
simple, artless instruction, which they receive.
The scene would impress upon your mind a
vivid idea of the beauty of goodness.
“I have said that brother Shepard was un-
commonly humble. This, I think, cannot be
denied, when we consider the manner he asso-
ciated with and took care of so many heathen
children. At the time of which I am speak-
ing, he had under his care twenty-five or thirty
of these poor creatures of all classes and de-
scriptions. Of the most of them it might be
said they were anything but pretty, and any-
thing but interesting. To brother Shepard,
however, they appeared like so many angels.
There was his dear little Frank, a short, chub-
by, black-eyed, mischievous little fellow, whom
Iremember to have been a particular favorite;
and Thomas, a poor, scrofulous, sickly looking
lad. There were also his little Mary Ann, and
Harriet, and Ann Stevens, the veriest little
pappooses in the world, but in his eyes as

198 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
beautiful little girls as ever need to be. Then
there were Angelica and Sophia. They were
indeed somewhat interesting; for they were
two half-cast sisters, with sparkling black eyes
and long curling hair, and they were so talka-
tive and lively that they would always attract
attention. But then they were so rude, and
it was so hard to teach them anything like pro-
priety, that anybody but brother Shepard would
have been quite out of patience with them.
“There were groups also of large boys and
girls. There were Jesse, Samson, May, and Isa-
bel. No one, I am sure, that had ever seen
either of these would soon forget them. Jesse,
in particular, was a most awkward boy. He
did not know, of course, his own age, but he
might have been nineteen. He was the tallest
of the boys, and on this account was singled
out as the one to wear some old coats, which
had been sent out in some of the boxes of dona-
tion goods. In this kind of garment I used to
think of him as the grandfather of the school.
He had a low forehead, a wide mouth, and an
uncommonly long nose, and withal was round-
shouldered. He made but little progress in
learning, and indeed was expert at nothing.
Jesse, however, was modest and retiring, and
gave good heed to religious instruction, and be-

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 199
came hopefully pious before his death, which
occurred in a short time after my acquaintance
with him. Samson was a large boy, and some-
what smarter than Jesse, but, poor lad, he had
an ulcerous leg, which often confined him to the
house, and occasioned a great deal of trouble.
He had been carried away into slavery in his
early days, from one of the southern tribes upon
the head waters of the Willamette River, and
after a series of transfers, toils, and wanderings,
had in some way been brought into brother
Shepard's school. It made no difference, how-
ever, to the kind-hearted Cyrus Shepard, whe-
ther he had worn the badge of slavery or free-
dom, or whether he was diseased in body or
otherwise; he was equally welcome with the
others to his hospitalities and most assiduous
attentions. -
“May was a fair specimen of a young Cala-
poewah squaw. With low stature, with uncom-
monly coarse features, she was poorly calcu-
lated, by her personal appearance, to win upon
the affections of any one. But she, too, found
her way into the school, and became one of the
most important helps in taking care of the rest.
Next to her was Isabel. Isabel is since dead;
she died some time before her teacher, and,
with Jesse, was thought to be prepared for her

200 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
last change. She was a tall, spare girl, and, on
the father's side, was of French descent. She
was naturally frail and feeble, and, two or three
years after her reception into the mission fami-
ly, fell a prey to that ruthless disease, con-
sumption.
“These were some of brother Shepard's
pupils. The poorest, frailest, lowest specimens
of our common humanity. With these he toiled
—with these he died.”
In reviewing Mr. Shepard's character as a
missionary teacher, we cannot fail to be im-
pressed with the difficulty of his labors, and the
success which crowned them. They required
great patience and heavenly wisdom, which he
secured by constant reliance upon God, and not
by any superior gift or labor-saving process, for
which the natural heart is so apt to clamor.
The simple details in the preceding account,
showing the fruit of his toil in connection with
those of his co-laborers, in the hearts of the de-
graded children, are truly encouraging. They
are such as we should expect from seed sown
so unsparingly, watered with so many tears,
and watched with so much faith. The same
means were applied in Oregon, by Mr. Shepard,
that were used by him in a Christian land.
He used constant diligence, It was exceed.

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 201
ingly repugnant to his feelings as it was con-
trary to his uniform practice, to hesitate in the
midst of his labor, to repine over the peculiari-
ties of his situation, the feebleness of his health,
which was really great, or any real or supposed
want of qualification in himself to do the work
assigned him by divine Providence. To the
responsibility for his little flock, out of school
as well as in, and the care, to a considerable
extent, of the domestic concerns of the family,
he voluntarily added visits to the sick and dy-
ing. “Never be unemployed,” was the motto
of his early Christian life, and the habit that it
secured was one secret of his success.
We would call the reader’s careful conside-
ration to those seasons in the grove, on the
banks of the Willamette, in which prayer was
offered with his children, as well as for them
while he wrestled alone. This, too, resulted
from a settled habit of doing everything possible
for the salvation of his pupils. He practiced
the same means in Lynn, in the woods, and
among the rocks, which were made to resound
with his earnest prayer, oftentimes before the
dawn of day.
His cultivation of an intimacy with his pu-
pils, begetting, from the sweetness of his spirit
- and deep sympathy for them, a confidence in

202 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
their minds, in the purity of his motives and
general excellence of character, contributed
much to secure so many, we trust, sound conver-
sions. His general cheerfulness, too, evidencing
his calm trust in God, was no small item in the
account. We would not be understood, how-
ever, to state that he never had hours of des-
pondency, when the billows went over him, but
in them he did not relax, but rather quickened
his exertions, and therefore they were of short
duration. But, most of all, Cyrus Shepard
planted, as a farmer plants his seed in the
spring, reckoning upon having toil through heat
and cold, in weariness and embarrassment, but
expecting to reap by the blessing of God. The
object, the salvation of souls, was ever before
him: it was his stimulus to exertion almost too
great for his poor body, and, when in some
measure attained, the spring to fervent thanks-
giving. His example may afford a word of
kind and profitable reproof to those teachers
who, through faintness at the untoward circum-
stances in which they are placed, labor with
little or no hope of success; or, perhaps permit-
ting disgust to possess their minds, abandon
their posts altogether.

THE MISSIONARY TEACEIER. 203
CHAPTER XIII.
Remarks—Mr. Shepard's death—Notes of a visit to the
place of his labors and burial—Conclusion.
HAVING, through the preceeding pages, been
Mr. Shepard's companion in his early experi-
ence, through his travels, and in his last and
most important field of labor, it is now our
mournful privilege to accompany him during
his hours of great suffering, as he slowly ap-
proaches the tomb. We shallenter the humble
dwelling in a heathen land, where the good
man meets his fate, with deep interest, to see
how, amidst the dissolution of the body and
the nearness of the invisible world,—his priva-
tions, his crosses, and labors, appear to him.
We wish to witness the power to sustain him
of that inward principle of love to God, which
caused him, under its first impulses, to praise
and shout aloud, by which, to him, even the
wilderness smiled, and through whose elevating
influence he was enabled to say, in the darkest
and most discouraging moments of his benevo-
lent labors, “I never have regretted leaving
the enjoyments of home.” It is the past life of
the Christian which gives the greatest interest
to his death. We think of his early conver-

204 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
sion, and mark how his long experience gives
firmness to his present faith, and clearness to
his present visions of eternal glory. We think
of his sufferings for Christ's sake, and contrast
them with the rest he is about to enjoy. We
recollect how lightly he esteemed worldly gain,
accounting it but dross, and our hearts rejoice
with him in view of the treasures he is going
to inherit. But, most of all, if he has been suc-
cessful in winning souls, and many have gone
to God before him, to await his arrival, do we
feel it profitable to contemplate his departure.
Then we may give ourselves up to sweet imagin-
ings. The farewell whisper will have scarcely
died upon the closing lips, when the glad wel-
come will burst upon the ears of the ransomed
saint. While, as a company of weeping friends,
we yet stand gazing upon the lifeless form, an-
other group has been formed among the re-
deemed, it may be, of children from a heathen
land, who welcome the instrument of their sal-
vation.
We desire our young readers to peruse the
account we are about to give of Mr. Shepard's
death, in this connection; bearing in mind his
conversion, his life of prayer, and his constant
sacrifices and sufferings, to do good. May you
expect such a death, only from a life like his.

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 205
And if it appear strange to you, that one who
had willingly suffered so much, in life, for his
Redeemer, should be required to suffer yet
more through his last painful illness, remember
that this, too, was a part of his preparation for
triumph in death and glory in eternity.
Mr. Shepard was much afflicted through life
with the scrofula. It induced a general feeble-
ness of constitution, especially during his last
labors in Oregon, against which he struggled
like a Christian martyr. In the spring of 1838
it attacked his right knee. Under date of No-
vember, of the same year, he thus addresses the
writer:-
“I have been hoping to do much more with
these children, by way of teaching, the coming
winter, than it has been possible for me to do
before; but I am almost constantly taught; by
experience, the folly of calculating beforehand.
It has pleased our heavenly Father to afflict
me severely, for several months past, with a
very painful affection of the knee joint. Afflict
me severely, did I say? I correct the expres-
sion; he has afflicted me but lightly to what he
might, in justice, have done. For some five or
six weeks past, my sufferings, by way of reme-
dy, have not been of small amount: no, really;
for the time being, the remedy is quite as bad

206 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
as the disease. I have had five or six blisters,
of the most sore and painful kind, I have been
bled by the lancet once, and have had a small
quantity of blood taken as often as once every
other day by the cupping-glass. By these
means my strength has been much reduced, yet
I have set in school with twenty pupils, the last
week, our older boys having been employed,
for several weeks past, in putting fall wheat
into the ground. I expect this evening, or on
the morrow, to have another blister applied,
which will lay me by a few days, at least. But
enough of self, unless it be better. I would
simply state, however, that I am endeavoring,
thqugh in a feeble manner, to hold on the Chris-
tian course, and so to live, as at last to finish
my pilgrimage on earth with joy. I do not en-
joy the same lively devotional feelings, as in
days past; but I am not aware that my attach-
ment to the cause of God has, in any degree,
diminished, nor do I feel less willing to make
sacrifices for its promotion. If I have ever
made any sacrifices, I have no desire to have it
otherwise, and could they be recalled, I would
not do it on any account. Can I but be useful,
it is my wish and most ardent desire to spend
and be spent in this benighted country for the
good of my dying fellow-creatures. My great-

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 207
est uneasiness arises from a fear that I shall
be found unfruitful.”
Mr. Shepard continued his labors in the
school, notwithstanding his infirmity, until the
fall of 1839, when he was again prostrated. Of
this illness his widow, in a letter which lies be-
fore us, thus speaks:–
“Early in the fall of 1839 Mr. Shepard be-
gan to suffer again from the pain in his limb,
which continued to increase until he was obliged
to apply his former remedies, which failed to
afford any relief. He was obliged to give up
the care of the school and family, in November;
Mr. Whitcomb taking the latter, and Mr.
Geiger, a Presbyterian, who was passing the
winter at the Willamette, the former. He was
unable to use his foot; but knowing that there
was much to be done, and being unwilling to
give up, while he could labor with his hands,
he sat up in bed, and made caps for the boys,
for several days. After keeping quiet a few
days, he thought he could dress, with the assist-
ance of Mr. Whitcomb; but as soon as he was
raised upon his feet, the pain returned with
such violence that we were all alarmed, and
sent immediately for Dr. White, who came to
the conclusion that amputation was the only
chance for his recovery. This was a very great

208 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
and unexpected trial to me, but I learned it had
been talked of long before. On the 11th of
December, Dr. White, assisted by Dr. Bailey
and Mr. Wilson, performed the work of amputa-
tion. He bore it very patiently, as he did all
his sufferings: “God is good.” he would often
exclaim.”
The following is an extract from a letter,
written after the amputation, to Rev. Daniel
Lee, received while he was at the Dalls, and
published in his “Ten Years in Oregon:”—
“‘Through all his sufferings,’ said his sym-
pathizing and excellent wife, in a letter of the
22d of December, “I have not heard a murmur
escape his lips; but in his most trying hours he
could rejoice, and sing praises to God.' An
opportunity to forward the letter, of which this
is an extract, not occurring until the 27th, he
(Mr. Shepard) wrote me a few lines in the
margin, the last his hand ever penned, which
breathe the same spirit with that quoted above.
Including all at the Dalls' station, he says,
December 27th, ‘Dear Brethren and Sister,
Feeling a desire to say a few words to you this
morning, Susan has kindly unsealed her letter
to favor my purpose. I am feeble in body, and
am gbliged to lie on my back from morning till
night; excepting of late I have been permitted

THE MESSIONARY TEACHER. 209
to turn on my side, or to lie raised on my bed
for a short season, to relieve the pain caused by
lying in one position so long. But the doctor
begins to think even this, on the whole, is inju-
rious, and discourages it. I have lain from
midnight till ten o’clock, A. M., in the same
position, and bear it very well. Dr. White has
been very attentive indeed since my sickness,
and has done all fully to satisfaction. All the
brethren and sisters seem to take delight in ex-
erting themselves to manifest their sympathy
and kindness, in every manner possible. I think
no person under heaven ever was more kindly
and faithfully attended to than I have been,
during my sickness. Expressions of deep
sympathy are pouring in from every quarter.
French, English, Americans, nor must I ex-
clude the poor Indians, have given unequivocal
proof of their sympathizing love. I cannot say,
I think I shall get up from this bed whereon
I have gone down. God has dealt with me in
a way which it is impossible to describe to you.
Such support, such a removal of every care,
the mind constantly free from every anxious
thought, I never could have conceived to be
possible Under the most excruciating pain,
when at every breath it seemed to be impossible
to refrain from screeching as loud as my strength
14

210 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
would bear, these cries were mingled with shouts
of praise. I would say to you, such has been
the abundance of peace given, that not a rising
of impatience or fretfulness, nor a murmur, nor
a complaint, has ever been felt by me during
my sickness. Farewell! The God of all peace,
grace, and consolation, be with you continually.”
Signed, “A PART of CYRUs.”
Mr. Shepard was now enjoying, while racked
with severe pain, not only the smiles of his
heavenly Father, to whose service he had given
his strength, but the deepest sympathy, as it
appears from the above statement, of the whole
settlement, and, what was evidently very grati-
fying to his feelings, the kindest concern of his
“poor Indians:” a more impressive tribute to
his worth could not have been offered. They
were the spontaneous acknowledgments of his
goodness, more to be coveted than the noisy
acclamations of the thoughtless multitude, and
of greater worth in the sight of God, and more
valued by the dying saint, than all worldly
honors. He who lives so as to cause the tears
of the converted sinner, redeemed by him from
the darkest paths of vice, to flow at his death,
lives as an immortal being—lives, in some good
degree, as the gospel of Christ requires.
Mr. Shepard lingered, in this suffering con-

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 211
dition, until the ushering in of the new year,
1840; and, at that consecrated hour in which
he was born into the kingdom of grace—which
he used to celebrate with such grateful emo-
tion—his spirit was admitted into the kingdom
of glory. It had been the hour of the renewal of
his covenant with God, from the time of his con-
version, and we cannot but indulge the thought,
that he esteemed it a privilege, at that moment,
to be released from the body, as he had before
been from the burden of sin; it was the moment
in which his purest joys, on earth, commenced,
and from which he dates the sanctified enjoy-
ment of heaven.
Mr. Shepard died at the age of forty years
and five months, leaving his bereaved partner,
and two little daughters, in the hands of that
same kind Providence which had been his own
support and guide, though they were far from
their immediate friends, and the comforts of a
Christian land. Mr. Leslie preached the fune-
ral sermon; and he was buried in a quiet spot,
near the mission house, often frequented by him,
to commune alone with that Redeemer to whom
his spirit has ascended.
We shall be excused for the apparent intru-
sion upon private grief, if we insert the follow-
ing extract from a letter, written by Mrs.

212 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
Shepard to a friend in Lynn; it portrays so
touchingly, not only her own desolate feelings,
but the esteem in which Mr. Shepard was held
by his pupils.
“I am now sitting opposite the window over-
looking the garden planted by my dear hus-
band. The flowers bloom as fresh, and the
trees thrive as well, as when he was here to
take care of them: but the tender plants miss
his careful hand; the grape-vines run across
the path, and no one thinks of putting them up.
Seven months have passed since he left me,
and I still look for him in the garden, morning
and evening, and can hardly persuade myself I
shall not see his straw hat among the vines.
But I have to turn my eyes a few rods further
to the little grave, and there see nothing of him
but a little mound of earth covered with withered
flowers. The little girls, when they walk out,
gather flowers and set them out on his grave.
This testimony of affection, from these poor
children, is more gratifying to my feelings than
to see over his resting-place the most splendid
monument on Mount Auburn. I often visit
the grave with little Ann. She runs and plays
around, singing and gathering the wild flowers,
a poor little unconscious orphan, while I stand
and try to think of that glorious day, when his

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 213
happy spirit shall put on, not that poor, aching,
weary body, but a glorious body like our blessed
Lord's. Little Angelica will weep when she
kneels beside my bed, and pray, “O Lord, thou
hast taken my dear father up to heaven; have
mercy on me, and let my heart be good, that I
may come up to him and be happy, with all the
little children, where Jesus Christ is.’”
The Rev. Daniel Lee has favored us with
the following tribute to Mr. Shepard's memory:
“He now rests from his labors, and with him
a goodly band of his fellow-soldiers, who have
fought the good fight, finished their course, and
kept the faith. There, too, are some of the
spoils they gained in a heathen land; and there
are also other fruits of their toil, ripening in the
harvest, which shall shortly be gathered into
the garner: other lambs, whom they fed with
the sincere milk of the word, who shall, ere
long, be gathered into the heavenly fold. Bro-
ther Shepard was an ardent and constant friend
—was strongly attached to the writer. After
I was stationed at the Dalls, we corresponded
at every opportunity. In my frequent visits to
the Willamette, I was kindly received by all,
but by none with more affection than by bro-
ther Shepard. He has hobbled to the gate, on
his lame leg, to meet me, when he would em-

214 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
brace me in his arms, his face beaming with de-
light, while his tongue gave utterance to the
glad emotions of his heart.
“‘He, being dead, yet speaketh.’ I shall not
soon see his equal. He was no visionary, look-
ing for effects without adequate causes, but acted
on the instruction of Solomon, “In the morning
sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not
thy hand; and of Isaiah, to give ‘line upon
line.’ He spared not the means, while he
aimed at the end. He kept the happy middle
course, between enervating doubts on the one
hand, and sanguine hopes on the other. Though
surrounded by many and great difficulties, yet
he remembered it was written, ‘Not by might
nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord
of hosts.” He knew for whom he toiled, and
that his labor would not be in vain. That he
should be removed from a station, for which he
was so well suited, and where he was so much
needed, to human appearance, is one of those
dark dispensations which we may not pretend
to comprehend. God buries his workmen, yet
carries on his work. He can do what he will
without us, while we are nothing, and can do
nothing, without him. O that I might follow
him with equal steps!”
Our readers may feel gratified to linger yet

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 215
a few moments around the spot, consecrated by
so much devoted labor, where rest his remains.
The Rev. H. K. W. Perkins has kindly
loaned us a part of his unpublished journal,
from which we make the following extract of
notes of a visit, in April, 1844, to the now old
mission house, in which Mr. Shepard labored
and died. The picture of this house accompa-
nying this volume, as it appeared after the ad-
dition, was drawn on the spot by a member of
the “Exploring Expedition,” and published in
the work of Lieut. Wilkes.
“As was natural, the first place to which my
thoughts were drawn, the morning after our
arrival, on going out, was the old mission house,
which is distant from the present farm house
one mile. It stands on the eastern bank of the
Willamette River, and, although now aban-
doned, is still remembered as the home of the
first band of Oregon missionaries. I could not
approach this relic of former years without
having awakened in my mind a train of melan-
choly, yet pleasing associations. I never can
forget those who have there, from time to time,
resided, or the happy moments I have myself
passed under its friendly shelter. Nearly seven
years ago I had the pleasure of greeting there
the brothers Lee and Shepard, and one who

216 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
was then, and has been ever since, dearer than
all. There I first commenced my missionary
career; and, however poor and fruitless that
career has been, I thank God for the help I re-
ceived under that humble roof. Change, change,
change, has been going on from that day to this,
but to my mind the Oregon mission has never
stood fairer, or exerted a more blessed influence,
than at that moment. There was the plain,
simple-hearted, and affectionate Cyrus Shepard,
and his little household of rude, uncouth, and
sometimes half-naked, little girls and boys; and
there were their little rough apartments and
clapboard bedsteads, covered with a little loose
straw. There was the long rough table around
which they assembled for their scanty meals—
their basins of soup and bit of coarse bread, and
over which the good man might have been
daily seen lifting his hands for a blessing on the
little group before partaking of their repast,
and, at the close, blessing God for the homely
fare. There, had you listened, you might have
heard, morning and evening, his earnest plead-
ing at the throne of grace for his little flock,
that they might become members of the family
of the Redeemer; and those prayers were
heard, and numbers of those whom his pious
love then watched over, with earnest solicitude,

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 217
have, one after another, joined him, in that
world of happy spirits where the toils of the
faithful missionary are rewarded with crowns
of everlasting bliss. Dear brother Shepard, as
every Christian and every Christian missionary,
had his faults and his failings, and he must have
been more than human not to have had. He
was sometimes disturbed by the thousand little
trials incident to his situation, but he never so
far forgot himself as to cherish such feelings.
They were the clouds of a summer day. If he
had injured any one by a hasty word, he was
sure to confess the wrong and seek forgiveness,
both of God and man. No one could be his
enemy, and no one could help admiring his pa-
tience and Christian zeal. Such, I well re-
member, was dear brother Cyrus Shepard, the
first teacher in Oregon, and such, when I first
arrived in Oregon, was his little flock.
“As I approached the old log mansion I could
not help turning aside, and viewing the little
mound which contains his ashes. No stone
marks the spot where he was laid; and only a
few fence-rails separate the grave-yard from the
wild, unbroken prairie.” A few bits of split
* Marble stones were prepared, in New-York, some
years since; the inscription upon which was in our pos-
session, but has been mislaid. Whether they have ever
been forwarded we have not been able to learn,

218 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
boards are standing around, and here and there
a few tufts of wild roses, now sending forth their
green leaves and buds, as if to render as plea-
sant as possible the lonely spot. At no great
distance stands the white marble tomb-stones of
another, who early fell in the same glorious
work—Mrs. Ann Maria, first consort of Rev.
Jason Lee. The chaste and beautiful inscrip-
tions upon them, I think, have already been
published in the Christian Advocate and Jour-
nal. Suffice it to say, her best record here on
earth is in the memory of her missionary asso-
ciates, who best knew her worth; all of whom,
I trust, will yet meet her on the happy shores
of the blessed. But I will not detain you in
the grave-yard, which I left, as I have no doubt
you will, full of pensive thoughts, but will take
you, although circuitously, to the house; for,
by the way, I stopped to linger, for a few mo-
ments, around the little inclosure which con-
tained the old mission garden, originally planted
by brother Shepard's own hand. This was
formerly the most pleasant spot connected with
the mission. It was well planted with young
trees, and a great variety of herbs and flowers;
and also contained a large quantity, in their
season, of plants for culinary purposes, which
formed a great part of the support of the chil-

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 219
dren, during the first two or three years of the
school. This was always the first place of re-
sort for visitors; for a change from the rough
and crowded apartments of the old log house to
brother Shepard's nice garden was always salu-
tary. In the summer and fall one could always
enrich himself with a turnip, a radish, a fine
juicy tomato, or a good ripe melon; and gather,
in passing, a rich nosegay of New-England
flowers, the seeds of which had been carefully
carried over the Rocky Mountains. But even
the place which contained all this would be
hardly discernible now, to the eye of a stranger,
unless his attention was arrested by a row of
fine peach-trees, which are all that now remain
on the spot. There is, indeed, a clump of rose-
bushes, and fine bunches, here and there, of
catnip; but of all the rest nothing now remains.
Perhaps you ask, in surprise, ‘Is all then de-
stroyed? I answer, No; but, like the owner,
brother Shepard, transplanted to flourish in a
ºrcher soil.”
“The main body of the house is, very charac-
teristically and firmly, standing; but all the
appurtenances, put up later, and by other hands,
are fast hastening to decay. I could not help
thinking, as I entered at the open door-way, of
* Removed to the new mission garden.

220 MEMOIR OF SHEPARD,
the interesting seasons I had there enjoyed. I
remembered when first I knelt, on the evening
of my arrival, and with what peculiar feeling I
there offered my first prayer with the family,
now scattered. The place of the stand, the
table, and the chairs, I found supplied by a
couple of rude benches; the library and cup-
board empty; the doors unhung; the partitions
broken down. The old kitchen fireplace I found
in pretty good repair, with the appearance of
having been lately used. Passing to the cham-
ber, I found nothing but a parcel of tracts, and
some specimens of quartz and cornelian, from
the pebbly shores of the Willamette. Leaving
this, I took a hasty look at the old chapel and
school-room, now a roofless tenement, and
partly thrown down. Over the old school-room
fireplace a letter, and an old ‘Declaration of
Independence, which I had pasted up with my
own hands, was still legible; but nothing else
could I recognize as at all interesting. Poor,
perishing ruins! useful, like many other things,
only as remembrancers. After this brief notice,
let them sink into oblivion, which they are des-
timed, ere long, to do, if not into the bed of the
Willamette, which is making its yearly encroach-
ments, and will soon occupy the place where
they now stand.”

THE MISSIONARY TEACHER. 221
We trust the reader will not receive the
impression from the above, that the work, so
successfully carried on in this favored spot, is
abandoned, but only the place; a more eligible
location for the mission buildings having been
selected.
But, what if the material evidences of Mr.
Shepard's industry and zeal are all effaced;
what if the Willamette, fretting away its banks,
bears away the earthly house in which he toiled,
the trees he so carefully reared, the flowers so
fondly cultivated, and even the grave where
rest his ashes;–he hath a tabernacle not made
with hands; he sits beneath the trees of para-
dise; the flowers, which bloom for his enjoy-
ment, are fadeless; the place where his spirit
reposes can never pass away. Though no mar-
ble monument speaks the esteem with which the
living cherish his memory, multitudes survive
to call him blessed. He has erected a monu-
ment that time cannot crumble; when earth
shall have passed away, and the heavens are
no more, it will stand secure.
THE END.
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BOOKS PUBLISHED BY LANE & TIPPETT.
THE GREAT EFFICACY OF SIMPLE FAITH IN THE ATONEMENT or
CHRIST, EXEMPLIFIED IN A
Memoir of Mr. William Carvosso,
SIXTY YEARS A WESLEYAN METHODIST CLASS-LEADER.
Written by Himself, and edited by his Son,
He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in the
faith, giving glory to God.-Rom, iv, 20.
(FIFTY THousAND coPIEs of THIs Book HAVE BEEN CIRCULATED.)
Large 18mo. With a Portrait. Fifty cents.
This little volume commends itself to the attention of the reader
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no guile.” It records also an extraordinary number of memorable
instances in which, by the agency and blessing of God, he was
made the instrument of great spiritual good to unawakened sin-
ners, penitent seekers of salvation, and Christian believers.
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mighty efficacy of that faith which God’s Holy Spirit creates in
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work with sincere cordiality. A careful perusal of it will, we
trust, lead many to aspire after the inestimable blessings which
are so strongly represented and enforced in its pages.—(London)
Wesleyan Methodist Magazine.
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IF -
| views on the subject, which will greatly interest the admirers of
BOOKS PUBLISHED BY LANE & TIPPETT.
The Pilgrim's Progress
FROM THIS WORLD TO THAT WHICH IS TO COME.
33m John 33 unnan.
With an Introduction, Index, Notes, etc.
BY S. B. WICKENS,
EMBELLISHED WITH A PORTRAIT AND OTHER ENGRAVINGs.
Large 18mo: Pages 478. Price Fifty cents.
A household book wherever the English language is known.
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placed in any family, is a lasting good-Biblical Repertory.
Yet another edition, and one that will doubtless meet with a
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phy of the author. It also contains an index, and has a good
selection of interesting notes, chiefly from the writings of Bunyan
himself-Guide to Holiness
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WILLIAM L.
CLEMENTS
LIBRARY
University of Michigan
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Gift of
The Clements Library
Associates