402 DIARY OF JASON LEE
Sun., 19 Oct. Made a few remarks from these words: "Turn ye from your evil ways," to a mixed assembly, few of whom understood what I said but God is able to speak to the heart.
Sunday, Nov. 9, 1834. Five weeks tomorrow since we landed here and our house not yet completed. Four weeks our goods were sheltered by our tent the last of which it rained most of the time, and ourselves by a borrowed one very small and inconvenient. We have been constantly employed and fre- quently obliged to retire early in the evening with our clothes wet to prevent being drenched in rain and yet we have en- joyed uninterrupted good health during the whole time, though we were far from being comfortable in many respects.
We have laboured hard during the week and walked two miles on Sabbath and laboured hard to instruct the few who understand us, in the things that pertain to their spiritual peace. I thank God for the mercies shown us collectedly and for the blessings I have enjoyed while labouring with my hands for him.
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August 18, 1837. It is now nearly three years since I have kept any record of the dealings of God with me, or of the events that have transpired around me. Indeed I have written exceedingly little during my life, except what I have been impelled to write by the imperious hand of duty. Hence I have kept no journal except while crossing the Rocky Moun- tains. And, indeed, such is my aversion to writing that when my time is chiefly occupied in worldly business, and in manual labour (as has been the case the three past years) it is even a burden to sit down to write a letter on business, or answer one of a friend. But when I have become a little familiarized to it by practice it is comparatively easy. Had I kept a reg- ular memorandum the three years past, I could have recorded little in reference to my own conduct, that would have af- forded pleasure and satisfaction, to myself, in the review; or that I should be willing to exhibit to others, for their imita-
