tearless from its very weight, not knowing what next would befall her. Oh, such agony as she endured through that night's dreary vigils! She felt as though she had been obliged to drain the cup of bitter sorrow to its dregs, without a chance to pray that it might pass from her.

They sat off as soon as it was light, that they might, if possible, reach the mission before putrescency had discolored the body of the infant. They arrived at McKoy's about one o'clock, where, while they were dining, horses were prepared, and they went on without delay. It is impossible to describe the emotions of the doctor, when he met them, about twelve miles from the mission, as, excepting a floating rumor among the natives, which he hardly credited, he had had no intimation of the accident. The sad presentiment was realized! Death had entered their circle and robbed them of their fair child; and as he looked into the face of his wife, he comprehended in part her suffering. Mrs. White brought with her the following letter from Mr. Beaver, the chaplain at the fort, to her husband:

MY DEAR DR. WHITE:

Fort Vancouver, 9 P. M., Thursday.

"The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away"-yea, and the Lord hath preserved—" blessed be the name of the Lord." I am just come from seeing your dear wife; bless me! in how very different a condition from that she was in at our house, only one short week ago! And yet, she is wonderfully composed, under the circumstances of her and your bereavement. I sincerely hope, that her health will not suffer; but that we cannot tell, till the fever of agitation has subsided. She insists on going up to-morrow, and perhaps she is right; you will mutually console each other. I cannot speak as a father, but I think if I had suffered a similar

you

loss, I should have been too grateful to Providence for one of his most miraculous interpositions, to murmur one moment at the dispensation, with which he thought proper to afflict me. The Almighty has shown you how much more severely he could have laid on his hand. And have another left, and one-again I speak not as a father-in whom you both must feel more interest. And yet the "sucking child!" I know not what to say, or how to offer any consolation, but that it is an angel in heaven. That thought alone must prevent us from sorrowing as those who have no hope. My wife was with me, but we stayed only a few minutes, not being able to render any real service. We had been waiting anxiously for Mr. Leslie, intending to accompany him to the Willamette, or to follow him in two or three days. We shall not now do so, but shall put off our intended visit for a week or two; not that we have any disinclination to be in the house of mourning, but because, just at first, we might be in the way there. Pray send us a line by the first opportunity, to let us know how Mrs. White is, and believe me, my dear Dr. White,

Yours, very faithfully,

HEBERT BEAVER.
Friday morning.

P. S. We rejoice to learn that Mrs. White has passed a good night, and that her bodily health does not appear to be materially affected. For the mind there is "Balm in Gilead," Her's will be much tranquilized before you meet. That meeting will be over before you read this. Acquit yourself like a man for her sake, and God be with and make the light of his countenance to shine upon you. So pray your friends,

you,

H. & JANE BEAVER.

They received many letters of condolence from their friends, among which was the following, brought to them by Mr. Hall, who was travelling with his invalid wife:

MY DEAR SISTER:

Honolulu, Sandwich Islands, Feb. 22, 1838.

I cannot allow the present opportunity to pass, without writing you a few lines at least. When you left us

for your field of labor, I thought it more than probable, that I should see you in your wild home ere this. But you will be glad that the causes which seemed to render such a circumstance possible, are, for the present, at least, removed. I now rank among the well ones of our mission, through the blessing of our gracious and merciful Father in Heaven. When our last general letter was forwarded to our patrons, my name was erased from the list of invalids, where it had stood for more than four years. Bless the Lord, oh, my soul, and forget not all his benefits. I feel happy in commending to your kindness and sisterly attention, our dear, delicate sister Hall. I rejoice, that they are going on her account, and earnestly hope that it will result in permanent benefit to her health. She has had a severe trial in leaving her little girl behind, and it will need, on this account, a larger share of your sympathy and kind attentions. But I need not enlarge on this point; you have not forgotten the heart of a stranger. You have been afflicted in your family, and in your mission. Oh, how your maternal bosom must have been rent with anguish in losing your little babe, under such affecting circumstances. And yet your husband will feel, that his loss is small, compared with that of Mr. Lee. We were much shocked at the account of her death. She seemed to me capable of enduring hardship as a good soldier; such appeared to be the strength of her constitution. And yet

she has been the first of your number to fall. The Lord does all things well. This is our consolation, even when he moves in a mysterious way his wonders to perform." There has not been a death in our great mission for more than two years. But there are the more to go. I feel an inexpressible solemnity in looking forward to our next annual meeting. It seems so possible that our ranks may be invaded by the grim messenger. May we all have our lamps trimmed and burning. What a privilege to be permitted to labor in the vineyard of the Lord. Let us be diligent and keep our eyes bent upward, and not become ensnared with the temptations of the world. The Lord guide and bless you with his continued favor.

Your affectionate sister,

ABBA W. SMITH.

CHAPTER XIII.

Hlness of Mr. Shepherd-Surgical operation-Singular impressions of Mrs. White-His death-Benevolent society-Visit to Xavier'sA Mother's anguish-Burying alive-The drowned boy-Outline of Dr. Bailey's history-John Turner-A hermitage-Turner's bravery-His seclusion.

Soon after this unhappy disaster, occurred the death of Mr. Shepherd, who has before been mentioned, as one of the most useful and devoted members of the mission. He went to Oregon, from Lynn, Massachusetts, in delicate health, being predisposed to the scrofula, having previously lost a sister by the complaint. This, after two years' severe exposure in that new country, exhibited itself in a scrofulous knee joint. After a protracted and painful illness, endured with unparalelled patience, from the acuteness of his suffering, caused by the high state of inflammation in the affected joint, he besought Dr. White to remove the limb. This was done with all possible despatch, and notwithstanding it was "hope against hope," most of his friends looked forward to his recovery. For fifteen or sixteen days, the operation afforded the anticipated relief, and all watched the symptoms in the beloved patient with a solicitude only second to that with which he had watched over the interests of the mission. But, alas! it was in vain; for although he was better in many respects, it was discovered that a large abscess was forming, the discharge of which convinced them that he could not long survive. In a week from that time he expi