Lapwai Aug 21 1878
Rev J.C. Lowrie D.D.
Dear Sir
Your letter of Aug 5th with its welcome tidings of the appointment of the Rev.
Mr Deffenbaugh to the Nez Perce mission came indeed ‘like cold water to the thirsty
soul." In the same mail with it came a letter from Mr D himself, making enquiries
about boarding here, what he would need to bring with him &c &c and saying he
hoped (D.V.) to start for Lapwai about the 1st of Oct. I answered his letter at
once, assuring him of a warm welcome from the Nez Perces and their teacher. Our Father
knows how gladly as He only knows all the burdens which have weighted one weak
woman down, almost to the Earth.
Your letter of July 9th with its endorsed check for $225.00 ($150.00 for Miss McBeth, $75.00 for the native preachers) was also received. I waited to answer it until I should know more definitely about Robert and Archies going to the Ind. Ter. to Josephs band. They have both been appointed by the Dept at Washington, as you know. Archie will go if money for his expense there is sent, but Robert had decided to remain here. And I am glad of it. Although he (Robert) is the best one for Joseph’s people, he is also the best for his people here too, and they need him and want him to remain with them. He preached here last Sabbath and on Monday I gave him $25.00 of the Boards money, with which he purchased a saddle. I told you I think that his saddle was stolen by the Umatillas last year, and he has had to borrow or hire a saddle when he came here to preach. I have not yet disposed of the remaining $50.00. Robert received his saddle as a gift from the Board. I have not yet told the native preachers, or the people of the appropriation of $300.00 by the Board for the native preachers, because I have been trying for a long time to make the people know and feel the duty of contributing to the support of their own preachers, their own poor, and church expenses &c. At first some raised the cry of "preaching for money" but I instructed my class last winter n the Bible teachings on the subject, and through them reached the people better than if it came through the preachers themselves.
It may be the Lord sees some in my new class He wants for native pastors here (in Archie’s place.) I have had, in my thought, for this, a very promising young man, who seems to have many of the elements of a good pastor. And there may be others. But the Master will shew. And Mr Deffenbaugh can judge.
I have sometimes thought, too, that it would be wiser to have a smaller class and be able to ‘push them on’ more rapidly. I think that the first five pupils accomplished more in the time for the enlightenment in the Gospel and the civilization of their tribe than if I had distributed the labor among twelve, needing to be taught separately, as these. I cannot teach them as a ‘class’ and so exhausting time and strength on the day’s lesson in books, and, in a great measure excluding the long explanatory talks, and drawing open their own minds as I could with the first class.
Sept 10th
We have had a most trying summer. First, the long continuous intense heat, then the Snake & Bannock war on the south of us, and Moses and his renegades in the Spokane country a short distance from us, on the North, threatening outbreaks any day. Then the late hostile Nez Perces of White Birds band, have been stealing back (from Sitting Bull) in twos & threes and small bands. Nearly all summer the people and the whites on the Res. have been kept in an unsettled state, not knowing what a day might bring forth.
The Snakes, in their eccentric flight last July coming near and in the direction of the Nez Perce country Mr Montieth very kindly sent for me (I was, and am alone in my house) and I remained in his home more than six weeks, until the Snakes were driven back. The Nez Ps remained loyal, and faithful friends of the whites through all. About 25 were with Gen Howard, as scouts. Gen Howard with abt 500 soldiers went, more than a week ago, to Moses, to remove him to a Reservation to which he was very averse. I have not yet learned the results.
Last Sabbath came the tidings that another band of White Birds people, had returned to the country near Kamiah and had committed depredations and the whites were in pursuit of them. In consequence, one of my pupils told me yesterday, the Agent forbade any of these N.P. going outside of the Res at present.
The Nez Perces, generally, had good crops this year, and are through harvesting, but their markets are so distant. They, my pupils among the rest, have to take their produce by pack trains, to the mines, and white settlements, sometimes being absent for weeks. Some of them are absent now. The White Bird trouble if true will cause further delay. I had hoped to have begun school by this time, but Robert who preached for us again last Sabbath, says that the Kamiah men will not be ready for a week or two yet. This is unavoidable, as all my pupils have to depend on their own labor for subsistence for themselves and families while they study.
A delegation of three of the Kamiah Elders came to me a little more than a week ago and
told me to tell Dr Lowrie that they had decided and the people had agreed to begin
contributing towards the support of their ministry, their poor, and other religious
purposes and they wanted to know, when, and what intervals they should
begin their contributions of money or produce or both, and how often (weekly, or monthly
&c). We concluded that as Mr Deffenbaugh was so shortly expected (D.V.) it would
perhaps be best to wait until he comes, and let him inaugurate the movement. While they
would (D.V.) try to have all things ready for him. Their contributions will probably be
small at first but it will be a beginning. They asked me to tell Dr Lowrie that they
‘wanted to know his commandments’ (about church matters) "and they would
try to do them." They have a good working Eldership at Kamiah. The greatest trouble
is in the church here. But there is plenty of work for Mr Deffenbaugh, and need for
it everywhere.
I have a letter dated Aug 12th from Mrs. W.E. Schenck, of the Womans B.F.M.
at Philadelphia in which she says "With the cordial approval of Dr Lowrie I write to
ask if you will consent to being a missionary of the society, while connected just as
formerly with the Foreign Board? We will pay into its treasury the $600.00 you recieve as
salary &c&c" I leave the matter with Dr. Lowrie under God. I never have been
working for any one or any Board but for my Master. He is with me always and kind
friends are helping Him by relieving Miss McB of pecuniary care for herself, and
letting her spend all her care on His work. Is not this so? I shall (D.V.) write to
Mrs Schenk perhaps by next mail, telling her that it should be as Dr Lowrie and she may decide
agree. Only this: it has been a life long principle, with me, (resulting from an
experience’ among the Choctaws when very young) to have only God direct my labors and
that One at the ‘fountain head’. And, as Mr Ds work and mine must be so closely
connected I do not see how they could be directed by different Boards. And Dr Lowrie knows
me best and knows the generosity that while warmly appreciating the kindness of the
ladies, and perfectly willing they should place my mission on their list I must still look
to Dr Lowrie as before, for directions and counsel, if he is willing to give them. I know
even the amount of my salary will be a relief to the Board at New York, and perhaps enable
me to do more for the Nez Perce. Robert, and perhaps others, will still need help. I am
waiting to make the disposition of the $50.00 and will (D.V.) refund the same to Dr
Lowrie.
This was not begun as a ‘Report’ only a ‘talk’ but may it not answer for a ‘Report this time? I will (D.V.) write again when I know more definite.
And, I pray if it pleases the Master that Mr Deffenbaugh will soon be here to help ‘Report’. Dr Lowrie does not need to be assured that every help in my power in the language &c will gladly be given Mr D. May God speed his coming, if it please Him, prays
S.L. McBeth