before or since was ever received by the natives of the Columbia with such cordiality and ceremonious distinction." Returning to the East he published, in 1838, his Journal of an Exploring Tour Beyond the Rocky Mountains. "Owing to its issue four years before Dr. Whitman's trip to the East, and to the sale of fifteen hundred copies within a few years of its issue, Mr. Parker's volume did more to awaken the East, and secure emigrants for Oregon than did Dr. Whitman's famous trip to Boston and Washington in 1842-43."
Near the upper settlement the Methodist Church of the United States has established a mission among the Calapooah Indians, of whom there are but few remaining. Rev. Messrs. Jason Lee and Daniel Lee are the ordained Missionaries, and Mr. Shepard teacher.
Their principal mode of instruction for the present, is by means of schools. They have at this time Indian children in their school, supported in their family, and the prospect of obtaining others as fast as they can accomodate them. Their facilities for providing for their school are good, having an opportunity to cultivate as much excellent land as they desire, and to raise the necessaries of life in great abundance, with little more labor than what the scholars can perform, for their support. The missionaries have an additional opportunity of usefulness, which is to establish a Christian influence in these infant settlements. Mr. J. Lee preaches to them on the Sabbath, and they have a very interesting Sabbath school among the half-breed children. These children generally have fair complexions, active minds, and make a fine appearance. The prospect is that this mission may lay a foundation for extensive usefulness. There is yet one important desideratum—the missionaries have no wives. Christian white women are very much needed to exert an influence over Indian females. The female character must be elevated, and until this is done but little is accomplished and females can have access to, and influence over females in many departments of instruction, to much better advantage than men. And the model which is furnished by an intelligent and pious family circle is that kind of practical instruction, whether at home or abroad, which never fails to recommend the Gospel.
