1888 Board of Indian Commissioners
"Annual Report of the Board of Indian Commissioners," pp. 733-859. In U.S. House. 50th Congress, 2d Session. Report of the Secretary of the Interior, 1888 (H.Ex.Doc.1, Pt. 5, Vol. 2). Washington: Government Printing Office, 1889. (Serial Set 2637)

From: Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions, Missions Among the Indians, pp. 766-771.

. . . NEZ PERCÉ MISSION.

During the year the Presbytery of Idaho appointed a committee of three to have in special charge the Indian work of the Nez Percé mission, with the expectation that thus the native force of ministers would in time be prepared to perform the actual work of overlooking the churches. But owing to peculiar circumstances it was thought best, both by the presbytery and by the board, that the services of Rev. George L. Deffenbaugh should be continued till April 1, 1888, and during the year he has faithfully attended to the work of his charge.

Three of the native preachers connected with the mission were installed during the year as pastors over churches, namely: Rev. James Hayes at Umatilla station, Rev. William Wheeler at North Fork, and Rev. Robert Williams as pastor of the Kamiah church. Rev. Peter Lindsley was elected pastor of the church at Lapwai, but declined the call. Rev. Archie B. Lawyer has for most of the year supplied that pulpit, Rev. James Hines was assigned by the presbytery as the supply of the Deep Creek church. Rev. Enoch Pond was placed in charge of the Wellpinit church for the period of two years. Revs. A. B Lawyer and Silas Whitman were appointed to visit the Crows and other Indian tribes in Montana, with a view to the inauguration of mission work among those Indians, who up to the present date have been strangely neglected by the different missionary boards and societies.

Miss Kate McBeth has continued her work among the women of the Lapwai station. Her general influence in the whole community is increased by her knowledge of the language. . . .

The year has not been one of great spiritual results in the mission. Apathy and coldness have characterized most of the churches, and some of them, as, for example, the church at Lapwai, have rather declined than gained in membership. But Miss Sue McBeth in her report notes one exception. She says: "the interest in the Kamiah church still continues. Last fall the session of the church decided that because of the little ones and the old people in the community at Lakahs, 6 miles from Kamiah, the Lakahs outstation should be ministered to separately during the inclement weather and bad roads of winter. Robert Williams, the two licentiates, and Caleb McAtee (another of my pupils who hopes to go before presbytery soon as a candidate for the ministry) have been supplying Lakahs by turn. At the holidays the Lakahs people and the whole Kamiah church assembled at Kamiah, where they had preaching services for more than a week, the Lord’s Supper on Sabbath (Christmas), and such a time of refreshing from the Lord as they have not had for years—Christians revived, backsliders restored, those who were in danger of being led astray brought back into the fold. Ten were added to the church at that time, several of them from among the heathen of Joseph’s band, causing much rejoicing. Another of the wildest looking of Joseph’s heathen has since professed faith in Christ, and been received into the church, making in all eleven added to the church, while the whole church is quickened and strengthened. Help us to thank Him who has so helped and encouraged his people." . . .