Kamiah Sept 23^rd 1880
Rev. Dr. J.C. Lowrie D.D.

Dear Sir
I have read and returned to Mr. Deffenbaugh the two last joint letters from Dr. Lowrie, together with a copy of what Mr D wrote him on the subject of a native preacher for Joseph’s Band. There is nothing special, still requiring an answer, in Dr. L’s letters, I think. But while Mr D and I wrote him on the subject of a native preacher for Joseph a part of my pupils are absent at Presbytery. I have more time to talk to Dr L than I may have for a long time again, I hope.  I enclose in this a correspondance with Mr D a few days before he started to Presbytery which explains itself and is all I know on the subject.

In regard to the ‘joint disbursement’ of funds for native helpers, that is all right. It does not matter in whose hands the money is placed, if the needs of the native helpers are met in such a manner as is best for them, and through them, for the best interest of the Masters cause among their people. There is one inconvenience, however, i.e. the distance (sixty miles over the mountains) between Lapwai and Kamiah. For about six months of last year (from Oct. when he accompanied us until Apr or May I think) Mr D was not in Kamiah, or of course, we in Lapwai. Sometimes in the winter, even letters cannot go between for weeks or more, so that in cases of emergency, or which require prompt action, joint action is very difficult. As the last illustration.

Silas Whitman whom Mr D selected for liscensure now (D.V.) was with Mr D & Robert, lately, among the Spokans, until he had barely time to cut and thresh his harvest, and no time to sell any of it before starting to Presbytery, so could not raise money for his expenses to Pres and failed to borrow. I did not know he was penniless until a day or two before he started so could only send a note with him to Mr D telling him this so we could confer together as to whether Silas’ expenses could be taken from the Boards money, he not yet being liscenced.

And while I am on this subject, might I ask Dr L. whether my pupils who accompany Mr D & Robert on missionary tours, could have their expenses for provisions &c on the trip paid from the Boards money? They travel on their own horses and camp, usually (both on these trips and to Presbytery) from materials sent me. I have given them two light tents, and a couple of camp blankets, so that they need, usually only provisions for themselves and, in winter for their horses (and occasionally money for ferries). These provisions they cannot take along without the extra trouble and expense of pack horses. I want them very much to go (by turns) on these missionary tours. I do not want them to be helped more than they can do with out overburdening them, or hindering the work. I want them to help themselves still, to the extent of their powers as they have been doing. But the support of themselves and families while studying, their wives too, in school taxes them (though they do it bravely without a murmur).

I cannot spare them from school to go on long trading expeditions, to distant villages, and mining camps where they could get a higher price for their produce as the other Indians do. They must take what they can get nearer home. The friends have sent them some much needed clothing lately, the first outside help this class has ever received. I have helped them a little but In my extra expense for my new house and with the liberal provision from the Board this year if they could be helped in the way I have asked, I will be glad (I do not know when I can confer with Mr D. face to face, on the subject, is why I write it now.) Besides he would probably have to write to Dr L to ask him about it so I may as well write to Dr L while I am on the subject.

If my pupils could have needed help in expenses to Presbytery paid, Robert’s salary supplemented, and his expenses to Pres. & Synod paid, while he is the only minister, and his and others who may be ordained S.L. McB will be perfectly content.

At Roberts request, I asked Mr D. to teach him the ‘modus operandi’ of travel on boat, and cars, and stage this trip to Synod that he might not be an encumbrance to any one, and could take care of himself, if he needed to travel anywhere alone. These trips of Robert to Synod even though he may take no part in that Synod at present are invaluable to Robert as a means of education in English speaking civilization, increased knowledge of Church Government and increased influence for good with his people. And he, once trained and taught could train and teach the ‘coming’ Nez Perce Ministers, or licentiates or Evangelists (to whom he is now a kind helpful trusted ‘Elder brother’) should they be left with no other teacher, and he lived. Robert understands nearly every word of English, though his tongue is ‘thick’ to speak it as are many tongues. So many of the consonant sounds of the English are wanting in the Nez Perce which makes it difficult for them to pronounce it (and feeling shy of speaking it). Robert makes great strides forward every trip to Synod. If his teacher were rich as she is not, she would send him herself every year, for the sake of the Masters cause among the Nez Perce.

May I tell Dr L the ‘Day Dream’ I had.

These five, who have been studying with me for three years banded and trained together, under the care of Presbytery with any others who may prove worthy, helping Mr D & Robert & there accompanying them by turns on missionary tours to other tribes, preaching at North Fork, (North Fork is a small community of about 25 miles from here). Each pupil would only lose from school, one day in five weeks if they supplied that station by turns. (I do not know what Mr D intends to do with James Hines, who lives about six miles from North Fork.) If need be for the present and at other out stations & continuing their studies with me as in the past, until openings for work for them one after the other or two together are found for them, when they could be ordained, and placed in charge, or ordained simply as Evangelists working on their farms as now – when not absent on duty, understanding (these last) clearly, from the beginning that their work as Evangelists was, while they were so working, simply Evangelistic and must not interfere with those in charge here whom they might still assist if called upon while they were on the Nez P. Reservation. I am scarcely conscience of a happier work and sphere save my own than Mr Ds with such a band. And he has got along with them very well thus far. I dreamed thought too that from this time further when on their missionary tours Mr D and they could be looking for, and perhaps finding from time to time some from those other tribes to bring (with their wives) to the school at Kamiah if the Master pleased.

There are only three schools of the kind, to my knowledge, among the tribes of the North West, among whom the Nez Perce language was long ago, perhaps more widely known that perhaps that of any other tribe and our boys could have greater influence I think among these tribes than could white teachers. (Did I ever tell Dr Lowrie of the petitions sent to my pupils by the Shoshones just before the Nez Perce war? i.e. that some of them would come and teach them (the Ss) that they wanted to hear about these things too.

Besides those who know that they are preparing for liscensure, I keep a ‘margin’ of pupils testing them while teaching them from whom other teachers could be raised from time to time (D.V.) if needed. If not there is plenty of good work for them as laymen and helpers. I want (D.V.) to teach my pupils this year something of the principles and laws of the U.S. Government, that they may teach their people to become good citizens in due time if God wills.

Since I came to the Nez Perces I have ‘dropped’ four of those being tested pupils, and by their dropping ‘raised the standing of my class and by their disgrace helped to create a ‘public opinion’ against sin, a ‘public conscience’ so to speak which seemed utterly lacking in many things. None but those who in like circumstances have tried to do this, know how difficult a thing it is to do.

May I tell Dr Lowrie what I think? 1^st The class preparing for liscensure need to study for years yet, as they wish to. Their wives too, need to study that they may be help

mates for them and increase (double) their effectiveness in future work. When the five came to me three years ago no one (save, perhaps) James Hayes knew all the letters of the English alphabet, could speak or understand scarce a word of English. Their study has been hindered by removals &c. After the first six months until Mr D came they was no white minister in the Reservation and they had to help both liscentiates with the Nez P churches. After Mr D came he though he could only preach one sermon on Sabbath because of his study of the language, and, as Robert was at Kamiah and Archie with Joseph the 5 had to help Mr D at Lapwai. So that, for the first two years, my main work with them besides teaching them to read and translate the English to write &c was in their own tongue indoctrinating them in Bible truths, that they might not mislead their people. I am not afraid to trust any of them in that now, but they need more English, and additional studies.

I would rather have one thoroughly trained and tested, and efficient N.P minister & pastor, than half a dozen half taught & tested. If any one, or more, were needed for a special work, (as, for instance for Josephs Band) he could be ‘pushed in’ in advance, in the line of that work.

2^nd An old Christian missionary said to me, when I was among that people, ‘These people are not like the whites; You cannot judge them by the whites; They need to be judged (in their religious course) by a trial of years.’ And I have proved this to be true among the Nez Perces.

I ‘think’ the liscentiates need to be tested perhaps as long as Robert (unless there is pressing need. Then the best tested could be chosen & stand the test, as he. There is little danger in liscensing after three years of study for liscense can be easily revoked, but I am afraid or ordaining the unworthy, or unadapted or putting into the Sacred office those who might use it to work out their own worldly ends. They are so lately removed from heathenism and are all (save James Hays) full grown heathen when the Gospel reached them. "What did you do lasst Christmas?" I asked William Wheeler my North Folk pupil the first Christmas of his study with me (three years ago) "I got drunk" was the answer.

William began to study shortly after his conversion, and (with occasional slight symptoms of wavering when under Archies influence) so far, he has ‘run well, as have they all. Still, I hold them all lightly, remembering ‘the pit out of which they were digged’ so lately and think they need a longer training & trial until they are proved, as Robert. Even he we must remember is not infallible, although I have a constantly growing trust in and respect for him. I have seen him so sorely tempted and tried, and come out of the trial stronger, and better fitted for his work feeling his own weakness. Pray God there may be some more Roberts among the later classes if it please Him.

I leave my ‘dream’ and ‘thoughts’ with Dr Lowrie.

Has Dr L time, now, (while I have) for a brief glance at Nez Perce land in this ‘crisis’ year to which I have alluded in former letters) and the ‘Scylla & Charybdis’ between which the Nez Perce church and tribe has had to, and is trying to steer!  I sometimes wonder if even the Ind Dept. realize fully the power of the old heathen tribal relations of ‘Chief and Band’ or ‘Head Chief’ and tribe and the obstacle it presents to civilization and progress. (I uncovered so much beside ‘words’ when ‘digging among verbal ‘roots’) The Head Chief or Band Chief was (is) an absolute Monarch – knowing no law but his own will. [illegible] as Archie trying them as serfs; by custom and superstition with no will or voice of their own in tribal matters save whet he permits.   It is against the interest of the Chief that his people should become enlightened, and his power weakened, or over thrown.

In July of this year, the Nez Perce treaty with the Government expired, and with it the recognition, by the Government, of the Office of Chief which of late years was filled by election. And, until the last year when Felix Corbett was elected from the common people the Head Chiefs were tribal chiefs or Chief sons.

The most of the old Chiefs who signed the treaty are dead; the power of the old customs and traditions waning fast by the power of the Gospel) in the advance of the ‘common people’ much to the dissatisfaction of the Chiefs and Chiefs sons who have been making desperate efforts to regain and continue their old power even at the expense of a retrograde movement of the tribe.

The leading Spirits in this, are an Ex-Chief at Lapwai, and James (or ‘Jimmy’) Lawyer the oldest son, and hereditary successor of the old Head Chief Lawyer. As his successor trained from his childhood in all the craft and cunning, and lying and ‘wire pulling’ by which his father raised himself from a petty chieftainship to the Head Chieftainship of his tribe and held himself there for so many years. (Though I know that perhaps not many whites save, perhaps the old traders who christened him, aside from those like the Monteiths, knew him well and his language had this opinion of Lawyer. I sometimes wonder that Jimmy and Archie are even as ‘decent’ men as they are knowing their inheritance of blood and training. Their mother too was a big ‘tiwat’ or conjurer so they have much to excuse them.)

Jimmy professed Christianity at the same time as Robert, & many others. Mr Spaulding appointed him deacon or helper when he (Mr S.) came to Kamiah about eight years ago, but deposed him shortly before his death, my pupils tell me for trying to hinder the Nez Perces from accompanying him, in his missionary tours among the Spokanes, as he still tries to hinder them with Mr D & Robert.

Mr Ainslie, not knowing this, or ignoring it, appointed him one of my first class (although both he and his cousin James Hines were too old to study) and so gave him the added influence of being a ‘college man’ as they term it.

I, not knowing Father Ss action set Jimmy to ‘preaching’ with the others. His father died about this time. His father [illegible]. After about sixteen months of very interrupted study, the remittances from New York for Jimmy and James Hines ceased. The death of the Head Chief, Reuben, left a vacancy for which Jimmy promptly dropped his studies and entered the lists, and succeeded in filling for two years unscrupulously using his professed knowledge of the Bible to further his own ends. (As, for instance, his ‘Good is a soldier Agent. So says the Bible’ led many whom he could not else win to vote some years ago for a transfer of his tribe to the military who would probably though retarding his tribe, advance him. Nothing has so much weight with the Nez Perce as ‘the Bible says so.’

Last winter, the Agent called a council to decide whether the Nez Perces wished a continuation of the present Agency plan when the treaty expired. The Chiefs & Chiefs sons forbidding the common people to speak in that council answered that they did not.

The Agent called another [illegible] of all the Nez Perce men. A few days before that Council Robert discovered a conspiracy of the Chiefs to get rid of the Agent and take matters into their own hands; dividing the Gov. buildings among themselves. Robert promptly banded together all the Christian Kamiah voters and riding with them to the Council at Lapwai then carried the election, the conspirators were utterly defeated.

Since then, the effort has been to divide the church and so make such an combined action impossible (with an eye too to a future pulpit for Archie at Kamiah) The confidence of both whites and the Nez Perces in Robert makes this difficult but still the persevere untiringly.

The Clearwater river divides the population of the Kamiah valley into the Nakaipu’(the people of the other side) and the Naiknikpu (of this side) The Gov buildings, school, church & Robert are on this side but the larger half of the people among them Jimmy Lawyer, and the most of the K Chiefs are on the other of the river. 2 of them elders. Three of my 5 candidate pupils, Enoch Pond, Silas Whitman, and William Wheeler have their homes on this side & two, James Hayes & Peter Lindsley on the other.

Every year a Camp meeting is held at Kamiah the 1^st week of July, and large numbers attend. The Camp grounds last July were on this side. When the ‘this side’ people had gone into camp on the day the ‘other side’ people were to come over, Jimmy and his helpers by a sudden, bold, movements (the wires for which had been laying for weeks unconsciously aided by some of the whites) and some favoring circumstances which they were prompt to take advantages of, succeeded in preventing the great majority from crossing. Set up a rival Camp Meeting of their own on the opposite bank, planting their aids on both sides of the road leading into Kamiah to intercept visitors and prevent them from crossing. (What splendid Generals) A favored method of working of the Chiefs is by conspiracy, or carefully planned surprises, waiting sometimes long for the right moment in which to ‘spring’ them on by making traps and pitfalls for those in the dark who are in their way. Excellent politicians or statesman, some of these chiefs would make. Certainly the Nez Perce are not an inferior race intellectually. They sought almost by force to hold back and James Hays and Peter Lindsley from joining with their classmates in camp but failed. James having to leave his family behind and go alone. Peter, almost persuaded but startled at the last moment by the proposition to set him up in opposition to Robert whom he loved. (This separating these two from their classmates in Presbytery plays right into Jimmys hands, and he is using it. They [illegible] his neighbors and narrowly passed back to his influence.

Jimmy and his aids did the ‘preaching’ at their camp themselves, amusing the people, at intervals, with procession &c Archie had just gone to Lapwai a few days before, Mr D had Communion there.

To add to the confusion, some of the white borders started the ‘scare’ of ‘an outbreak at Kamiah against the ‘whites’ nearly bringing the military upon them until on Sabbath, the Agent who with his party, had come up to the Camp meeting had to take Jimmy and some of the leading men to Lapwai to still the fears of the whites, and on Monday, Jimmys camp broke up in come confusion.

A legation from the Umatillas were coming to the Camp meeting to hear the Gospel. Failing to intercept them and prevent their coming the co-conspirators at Lapwai sent then to Jimmy who kept them with him. After he went to Lapwai and his camp broke up, numbers of this people crossed over to Kamiah and much was done towards healing the breach. But our camp had only enough provisions for another day and had to break up on tuesday. Among the crossers were the most of the Umatillas who came to hear the Gospel and take it back to own people who hunger for it. They told our boys sadly "But now the time allotted on our pass expired and we must go back to them empty handed as we came."

Even in that trouble of those days you do not know how my heart sang as I watched every one of the Elders of the church and every one of the candidates and pupils here banded together around Robert obeying his wise, judicious counsels in the things which make for peace, quietly leading the people in worship though with heavy hearts and breasting the storm shoulder to shoulder like one man. Near them, too though still no a Christian was one of the leading Chiefs of last winters ‘conspiracy,’

In their desperation, the Chiefs had sent to the Ind. Ter. for James Reuben to help them, paying his expenses here. He failed to reach here until the middle of July.

James is a son of the late Head Chief Reuben, learned English in a white family and was a pupil and afterwards a teacher in the Gov school at Lapwai. He is ‘smart’ had much influence with many of his people and though favorable to civilization is very far from being a Christian. Another effort after he came to reestablish the old order was again frustrated, and he had to return to the Ind. Ter, when his furlough expired having accomplished little.

The last much weakened effort of the Chiefs was at a late Council called by the Agent to elect native police. Again they were defeated. I know not what the future holds but I think we can truly say, even through all ‘Hither to hath the Lord helped us.’

To turn to Charybdis
Perhaps Dr Lowrie knows that the present Nez Perch church (so the NPs & others tell me) had its origin in a Camp Meeting held here by native preachers from the Yakima Indians, shortly before Father Spauldings last return to the Nez Perces. Perhaps a majority of the present older members of the Church are fruits of that revival. Methodism (or Methodist as they term it) was their first love though they understand little more it than the name and they always had a ‘warm side for it.’ It was very difficult to rid the church of some exaggerated imitations in worship.

It was said, I know not how truly, that Father Spaulding originally favored the plan of turning over the Nez Perch church to the Methodist in his trouble with the Agent and others just before I came here. And his will and wishes had & have great weight with the Nez Perce among whom with all his failings he did a good work. In all events that Methodist element gave Father Montieth in the church and the Agent on the Reservation so much trouble that the Agent had to forbid the leading Yakima preacher, George Waters, from coming on the Reservation although he had married a Nez Perce wife. Only a few days before Mr Montieth started to the Ind Ter. (with Archie and others) we accidentally intercepted a correspondence between the Lapwai Ex-Chief (who is a very badly ‘backslidden’ member of the church there) and one of George Waters Methodists Nez Perce relatives living outside the Reservation to whom the Ex-Chief and others had sent an invitation to "come and help them work in the church that winter." A plan which Mr Montieth promptly stopped. Of course, Mr D and the New Agent know nothing of these things, personally and the Montieths are dead.  Only Our Father, knows the wakeful troubled hours ‘Methodism" and Jesuitism’ have caused the writer. After Father Montieths death she had no one to even give her a word of counsel or advice.

I think the Lawyers have always or for a long time had the Methodist ‘card’ in their minds. If others should fail. ‘Keep quiet, and go on and study and gather knowledge and when you are through studying we will be ‘naksap’ (of a different denomination.) said Jimmy to Silas whom I came near ‘dropping’ in the first year of his study when he lived in the house with Archie at Lapwai. (Not for sin, but for his overbearing manner to his fellow students which he then stopped. Harmony and mutual courtesy is one of the conditions of study. I want them to grow & together in the unity of the Spirit while studying that they may labor together in the bonds of peace. And for this reason too have always avoided making any distinction between the boys. They have labored together wonderfully until Archie returned to Kamiah. He does not study himself and tries what he can to hinder them. And I can see a disposition to fly apart a little when he is present at K - in his absence it disappears.) "If they do no ordain us, we will become naksap" said Archie to Robert years ago. "Whether they ordain me or not I am a Presbyterian" was the answer. (Queer naksap doctrine any of my pupils would preach) I dare not say send Archie to Joseph as glad as I would be to have him away from my pupils.

My great fear ahead is my fear of ordaining him now, was in this direction. Robert not yet installed. (I wished so much to have him settled as soon as possible after ordaining, fearing plotting) If Mr D could or would keep Archie with ‘himself’ at Lapwai I would have said nothing. But, Archie at Kamiah a ‘W.C.’ and uncontrolled if Robert would not be supplanted in the church (which would be difficult unless he could be entrapped into sin, which God forbid, as his younger and weaker but more brilliant brother was entrapped and so dropped from school when he was outdistancing them all in his studies). The Nez Perces learned such ‘trap’making in their heathenism I have never known any such work among the whites to equal their in subtlety & skill needing brains to accomplish it. I have seen the effort made with Robert in such circumstances that I could only look on and tremble and pray and rejoice when I saw the tempted foiled. Even Robert is not beyond the reach of effort and he is only human. Please remember in your prayers for him. He [A] would then have power to organize suddenly the other side church (to which all indications point) ordain Jimmy an Elder (an office to which he has long aspired for the sake of its power in the Nez Perce land.) and do much mischief before the Presbytery could reach him. Even the initiatory steps of such a move are disastrous.

Failing with a Presbyterian ‘other side’ church, he could then with the aid and influence of the Chief raise the standard of ‘Methodist’. I do not know what could be accomplished in the present state of affairs. That was one great reason why I wanted all the five Candidates (and more if I had them) placed together under the care of Presbytery and united, and banded and trained together as Presbyterians – becoming acquainted with and attached to white Presbyters in yearly meetings with them they would be strong to resist such an effort should it be made now or in the future when their present teachers might not be with them.

The appearance and manners of our boys at Presbytery and at places through which they pass on their way has a reflex influence upon the ‘outside’ whites too helping the Cause by the sight of the result of our Church work and God helping and blessing it among Indians. For this reason, as well as for their own advancement, I am glad when others of my pupils and of the Christian Nez Perce accompany Mr D & the others to Presbytery when practical as they do.

But Dr Lowrie must be as weary of reading this long letter as hand (and eyes) are of writing it. I have lifted the cover from this little world of Nez Perce land completely in this shewing him much that is veiled from casual glance and unaccustomed eyes and I have written principally of the darker side. Perhaps, I ought not to have done so. Is he discouraged? I am not for like reward. And if other Indians are like the Choctaws and Nez Perce I would be glad if Our Church had many more such tribes as this. If these two tribes and all I know personally are a fair sample they are well worth the labor.  It was in my thoughts too in writing as I have that if the Master should sent S.L. McBeth there would be no one living who could tell Dr Lowrie much that I have written and a knowledge of past and present situations ‘might help him to understand situations in the future if he lives

I hope the friends in New York and Philadelphia both see the letters I write to each. I do not write the same things to both, but generally, give different parts of the same picture. Putting them together gives a better view of the whole.  Is this long letter worthy of an answer to itself? To save Dr Lowrie labor, and for some reasons ‘joint’ letters are good (but do you know I never did like to be ‘lumped’) But please remember the long distance between Lapwai and Kamiah, and our only mail carriers between usually are occasional Indians so that sometimes in the winter Lapwai is as ‘far away’ for letters to reach my sister and I as New York via Mt. Idaho.

I forgot to say above that I wrote the letter to Dr Lowrie. He will know if it is best to share it [illegible]. And again much of this is concerning a ‘crisis year’. Pray, earnestly that God will help His people among the Nez Perces as He has so far in the past, and the passing year and bring them all safety and triumphantly through the ‘crisis’ to the strengthening and upbuilding of His own Cause. Pray earnestly for the teachers among them. They need it.

In the Masters Work & love
Yours truly

S.L. McBeth
After a copy of what he wrote to Dr Lowrie about a native preacher for the Joseph Band & a paragraph about his late visit to the Spokanes Mr Deffenbaugh wrote, Sept 6^th

"I told Robert to tell James Hayes and Peter Lindsley not to go to Presbytery with the expectation of being liscenced. That they would better not go at all, unless they wished to do so for their own pleasure and satisfaction: told him that three were all we need at present that James could well wait, and Peter would do well to study another term yet.’ Then he speaks of his having advised Robert to think of making some other use of this money than paying out in going to Synod advising him to buy books with it instead. But that he (Robert) thinks he can best use the money by going. And he asks me to please send him the check (advance him for Roberts expenses to Synod (which I did). A request for a return of Dr Ls letter and a paragraph to my sister, closes the letter. I wrote to Mr D Sept 9^th

‘Dear brother
Your letter last night telling me of the message you had sent by Robert to James Hayes and Peter Lindsley telling them that they were not to be liscenced with the others took me by surprise. It was the first intimation I had of either message or purpose, and has cost me an almost sleepless night. But it explains clearly something which perplexed and troubled me much.

I had told these five pupils that I wanted them to study with me awhile before starting for Presbytery. William and Silas have been in school every day this week, and Enoch when he could, but James and Peter did not make their appearance. I sent for them and they told those whom I sent (so was reported to me) that they were going to quit school. They had never intimated such a purpose to me though I talked with them but not long since. So that Mr Ds action in this matter has probably (unless God should prevent as I pray he may) cost me two of my most promising pupils.

For Solomon and others have told me lately that James had got over his ashamedness now on preaching, and that he now preached such good sermons ‘so plain and clear’ Solomon told me and Enoch himself has told me more than once that Peter was a better and stronger preacher in the Nez Perce that either himself or Silas or William because he said ‘Peter is so much more apt with illustrating than we are." (You know how much they like [sapt[ill]] parables and teach by them, as did Jesus. They say it makes the people understand plainer.’

[Inserted note to Dr. Lowrie explaining why she had not heard James preach in church]
(A slight, partial paralysis, from a mental shock more than ten years ago while it does not hinder my work prevents my walking the long distance to the Kamiah church. My new rooms are much nearer the church. Solomon is an Elder and is one of my pupils.)

Of course, James and Peter do not understand much more than their teacher why they are rejected and are hurt. If Mr D had even sent the message to them through the teacher or notified her of it, she could perhaps have softened the blow to them a little. As it is for the first time in their experience of her their teacher has raised hopes and disappointed them, made a promise which was not fulfilled, and so lost what she prizes so highly their trust. And yet they do not think the fault was hers. The consequences are hard to bear, and will probably (unless God prevents as I pray He may) reach beyond these two to hurt her school

I asked Mr D and wrote to Dr Lowrie about liscencing together these five who have been studying with me the same length of time (3 years) before I said one word to them on the subject. I have said or done nothing in the matter without consulting Mr D first if I remember rightly and I understood from him that the way was clear and I have not seen any objection from Dr L about the number, (have you?) though I wrote to him about the five if I remember rightly. As to this ‘present need’ you know I told Mr D that they needed to study, as they do, for at least three years yet. Those who might be needed sooner for work elsewhere, could study until they needed to go and I gave some of the reasons why I wanted them under the care of Presbytery now. If Mr D had even told their teacher when he saw her that all could not be liscenced, or liscenced now we could have conferred together as being jointly interested in the matter as to which ones it were best to liscense now in the present state of affairs: whoseemed most promising for future pastors Evangelists &c. And their teacher ought to know something of their dispositions in three years.)

I have not heard anything against Peter or James’ integrity, or teaching. Have you? James although the youngest is the most advanced of them all, Peter more advanced than Silas. All five are as advanced and understand as much of the English language (though that is too little) as did Robert when he was liscensed and are better indoctrinated in the Gospel than is Archie now because of my better knowledge of the Nez Perce language. A and Robert had no Mr D to teach him from the pulpit as these had.

If Mr D-s action in regard to James and Peter is because of what I said to him about Archie.

"My dear brother, Archie is you own hands entirely and has been ever since his return, you were not here when he left you know. I only said what I did because I felt it to be my duty before Our Master. And I have no further responsibility in the matter & no more to say only if I must to & try to protect my scholars as far as can be. Archie is yours to ordain or not as you think best. Be sent where you please or do with what you please if you will only control him and keep his disturbing and dividing influence out of my school

My dear brother, if there ever was a time when we needed whites of purpose and action & throwing aside of self seeking and working and conferring together prayerfully for whatever may seem best for the Masters cause it is now in the present condition of the Nez Perce tribe and church. We will need all our strength for the enemy."

And, if ever Mr D needed wisdom from God & an understanding voice to direct him, it is in his decisions & actions now, and when deliberating and deciding upon the far reaching results of the action in the coming meeting of Presbytery, actions whose influence to rebuild & advance or retard the Masters Cause among the Nez Perces will survive Presbyters or Presbytery. He did know that there is one whose heart will go up in earnest petitions to God while that Presbytery is in session as it has been going up today.

That is all on the subject. They started from Kamiah for Pres Sept 17 in the notes [illegible] Robert, there are no further allusion. And it is all there will be see I suspect now God helping whatever mischief if any is done. No further trouble can help it and trouble in the camp is ruin to the cause. Even my knowing Mr D reasons will not help the matter with my pupils. I am so tongue tied in my explaining because of Mr D. His influence with them and their trust in him is my interest too. For while there may be a rightful division of field and labor there is no ‘meum antium’ in the things which belong to Christ.

What I said to Mr D about Archie, when I saw him lately was a solemn charge about putting in to his hand the power of an ordained minister, now as he is, without telling Presbyter plainly when he knew himself and what his teacher who has known Archie well for six years told him that the Presbytery might know well what it was doing.  I can understand and sympathize with Mr Ds feelings for Archie, perfectly. They were my own, even after I had known him longer than Mr D. And I like Archie still, but trust him not. He is very prepossessing in appearance and in his manners too, to the whites. What he would be if separated from his brothers influence or how he would have developed had he not gone to Joseph I can not tell. Certainly, that trip has not benefited either him or Mark though both seem to have done good work there at first. (Mark was never liscenced. I told Dr L I sent him to Portland with the other in 1877 to learn to print. Dr Lindsley had the money in hand for a mission printing press then.)

Archie’s good, Christian wife died a few days after his return from Joseph. A new wife, not a Christian has not helped him, spiritually. Perhaps the ‘testing’ of Archie in the Ind Ter was providential for the church here. Mr D was about four weeks in Kamiah, lately (in July) attending to some repairs in the church &c leaving Archie in charge at Lapwai

[missing]

…to Communion, came to me, asking me to tell or interpret to Mr D. the state of affairs in the church there under Archie’s ministry which trouble him much. The interpreter who interpreted for Mr D on sabbath, usually, was absent, he said, and he did not trust the other interpreters there. I told him to get Robert to interpret or wait until the Lapwai interpreter returned and then ‘shew Mr D his heart’ himself that the matter was Mr Ds business and I did not want to meddle with it. I know my danger and temptation from having been long ‘left to the freedom of my ‘own’ will & with the Nez Perce church. Besides being badly spoiled before I came here, and try hard to avoid anything which as the appearance of ‘meddling’ and if I fail promptly apologize to Mr D). Paul persisted and at last I consented to interpret but when he went for Mr D he was busy preparing to leave in the morning and I did not see him again and do not know if he heard Pauls story or not.

Perhaps I ought not to sent this correspondance to Dr Lowrie but I do not see how I could have him understand clearly past or passing ‘situations’ without it. (And I feel better after ‘confessing’ for my letter is the worst of the two. If S.L. McB is to be rebuked please rebuke her softly, and in a separate letter)  It is the first verbal or written correspondance of the kind, which has ever passed between Mr D & her an Dr Lowrie need have no apprehension that it will be continued or repeated by her at least. His letter came so suddenly and unexpectedly – was the cause. I have written this on a separate sheet to Dr L alone.

S.L. McB

October 2

Robert surprised me yesterday. He returned from Presbytery with my other pupils. He does not know why. He expected to go on to Synod from Presbytery with Mr D until shortly before Presbytery broke up, when Mr D expressed his wish that he (Robert ) would not go simply saying that he R could go another year but he wanted to go himself, this year, while he was still not married. The Rev. Mr Fee a U. R. Minister of whom Dr Lowrie probably knew while he was a teacher among the Nez Perce has some attractive daughters. (Perhaps I ought not to write that) Mr D took $20.00 of the money sent for Roberts expenses to Synod, to buy books for him (so R. tells me). Robert is deeply disappointed, of course, but not offended. Our three candidates were liscenced – Archie not ordained.

A pleasant letter (with ‘references’) from Mr D says ‘We had a very pleasant meeting of Presbytery. William, Enoch, and Silas passed a very satisfactory examination, and were liscenced on Sabbath evening, at the same time as two white persons (Mr Gamble & Mr Thompson) were ordained to the ministry. They were received from the Presbytery of ‘San Francisco’. Robert gave charge to the liscentiates. "But he will doubtless report to Dr Lowrie himself, on his return. In the enclosed long letter I have only ‘reported’ as much of Lapwai as comes into my story in this ‘crisis year’ leaving the reporting of Lapwai to Mr D and the Agent & only saying that at the late election of 6 or 8 policemen the Agent told the Kamian that they were so quiet and orderly that he would (could) only give them two policeman for Kamiah.

As I feared, the new blacksmith has moved into the house in which her my sister had her school room and her school is at a stand still (save her visits to homes) until I can give her this house by moving into my new rooms – which, I hope (D.V.) will be ready for me in a few weeks. I expect (D.V.) to begin school again on monday.

I do not think Dr Lowrie will want to read such another letter soon from

S.L. McB. If he can do no more, now, would Dr Lowrie please send me a postal at least, via Mt Idaho telling me that this long letter has reached him?