Feb. 2^nd 1878
Rev. J.C. Lowrie D.D.

Dear Sir:
I do not think that I ever made a formal ‘Report’ of S.L. McB in my life until I came to the Nez Perce country and I have no ‘blanks’ from the Board which I could ‘fill up.’ So, if this ‘Report is somewhat informal I hope Dr Lowrie will forgive it.

My appointment from the BFM at N.Y. reached me in Portland, during the meeting of Synod, there, in the early part of Oct. and I started for Lapwai, as soon as possible afterwards. A letter I had written to Mr Montieth, had miscarried, and, in consequence, my household good (those of them that remained in my house after the war) had not been brought from Kamiah. I waited at Mr Montieths, until the effort was made to bring such of them as could be moved over the mountains at that time and to gather up my pupils. Indian men – all who could find places to abide in here. The Lapwai Settlement is small. The most of my pupils are from a distance. We could have had more pupils, and would have taken more, only there was no house room for them. Besides these twelve who rarely [illegible] from the school room – the old Elder Levi attended when he could. Another began, but had to stop on account of his wife’s illness. The names of my pupils are: Robert William, Archie Lawyer, Enoch Pond, Silas Whitman, Peter Lindsley, Moses Montieth, Joseph Kentuck, Abraham Bro, (the first eight belong to Kamiah) , James Hayes, Abraham Brookes, Noah Bredell, William Wheeler, James Grant, Levi (sick now).

R. Williams, and A. Lawyer belong to my old class, and were liscenced to preach by the Presbytery of Oregon last spring. They were very anxious to continue their studies and I let them come. They preach on Sabbath, and also on week nights often, and, I think they are improving, and doing a good work among their people. Having them with the others makes my work more complicated, but I am very willing to teach them, for the sake of the benefit to the people, through them. They continue their study of the Bible first in English then translate, verbally into the Nez Perce. They are studying the ‘Confession of Faith & Larger Catechism, Grammar, both in the English & Nez Perce languages, and other helps for their work, and for general knowledge. Of course we translate verbally the ‘Confession of Faith &c and we have begun putting portions of it into a more permanent form, for the use of the Church here.

My other pupils read in English, and translate, verbally (the Bible) three days of the week. The most of them began to read in English with me – some of them I had to teach the Alphabet. Some of them belonged to the class I was teaching in Kamiah, when the war broke it up. Two days of the week are for Spelling, Writing, Geography, Arithmetic. They are eager students, and learn rapidly. Music which they are passionately fond of, for which some of them have a natural talent – is an aside, and not counted as a study – usually closes the day’s study. My aim has been, and is, to fit them to learn, to sing & play new hymn tunes, for themselves, when they are without a white teacher. For this purpose (& to save my own lungs) I bought an organ for them in Portland, nearly three years ago, and expect to leave it with them.

All save three, of my pupils are married men and have to work for their families. So, I have them come to me as soon as it is light enough to read, and we study five or six hours without intermission. (Until 1 P.M. or after). That gives them an unbroken part of the afternoon for their home work. The most of my class are from the ‘pick’ of the tribe. If God should spare and bless us, we hope there are among them those who will be good teachers both of the Gospel and of its attendant civilization – perhaps to more tribes than their own (more than one invitation has come to the native preaches from neighboring tribes). While, a knowledge of the Bible and of books has been & is our chief aim, yet we try and always have tried in every way in our power to advance their civilization. (For instance, this A.M. Saturday we taught one of the class, how to make candles. Yesterday, P.M. we taught the wife of one how to starch & iron her husbands collars which we had taught her how to make.) I could write pages about ‘my Class’ which I think would interest – but that must be reserved for another letter D.V. This is principally a ‘Report’.

Mr Montieth is very kind, as he and his family have always been. He has given us a convenient and comfortable house. Grammars, Arithmetics, Slates, Geographies, &c for the school & furnishes us the wood and helped us by every way in his power.

In regard to pecuniary matters. My expenses from Portland here was nearly as I can remember
Fare by boat to Wallula (half price)                 $6.00
Freight on box of books &c, principally for $1.60
School & church
Meals on boat                                                 $3.00
Hotel at Wallula                                         $1.00
Rail Road from Wallula to Walla Walla        $3.00
Detained at Walla Walla one day Hotel bill $2.00
Fare, by stage from Walla Walla to Lewiston  $10.00
Extra freight, by stage, on trunk,                 $8.00
And freight on box of books &c
Meals by the way and hotel at Waitesburgh $2.00
Hotel at Lewiston                                         $2.00

                                                             (coin) $39.00

In the box of ‘books &c’ were two large pulpit Bibles, 18 Reference Bibles large, illustrated Bibles & Hymn books for the class &c. I had to pay $20.50 coin, on a ‘Missionary box’ for the native preachers, which I found at Walla Walla, on its way here. But, of course that came out of my own purse.

I send Dr Lowrie a photograph of four of my first Kamiah class. The remaining one, of that class, James Lawyer, is the present Head Chief of the tribe. Two, as I said are with me. James Hines is preaching at North Fork, near which is his farm. Mark Williams, the youngest and brightest of the class I wanted for printer and translator, when we got our hoped for (and still not dispaired of D.V.) mission printing press.

I paid his expenses to Portland last spring, from my own purse and the Rev. Mr Thompson of Olympia who accompanied my pupils to Presbytery promised to attend to his being taught to print, but through some mismanagement, Mark returned home with the others.

He is very quick to learn, and in a few months there could learn not only to print, but many things pertaining to civilization, which he could and I think would, impart to his tribe. I have promised him – God willing to try to send him back to Portland, and make another effort to have him taught. He is now at Kamiah interprets for Mr Lee on Sabbaths – studies part of the time with Mr Lee, and preaches, or exhorts, often.

So much for the ‘Report’ of S.L. McB and her pupils, and her work. Are they ‘all right?’ If they are not, if there anything wrong or anything Dr Lowrie wishes changed, will he please tell me?

There is one thing further, outside of my province, though it be: The native preachers understood at Presbytery that they were to have some pecuniary aid and they need it, especially those who are here. Archie’s brother aids him I think some. I have somewhat supplemented Roberts needs, what I could myself. He is an excellent man, and has given food and lodging to one and lately to two of my pupils, young men, who without it could not have attended school. (Their study through the week helps to fit them better for their Sabbath work.) Their farms are at Kamiah. Whichever preached at Lapwai could not work his farm. The people have not yet learned to support their minister even if they were able. Neither Robert nor Archie have ever received anything from the Board, and they are the principal preachers (and good preachers – I have heard worse sermons to say the least in City churches than I have heard from them). They have done bravely so far and are deserving (even $100.00 a year to each would be a great help to them) Would Dr Lowrie please tell me if the Board can, and will aid them? That they may know. Or, if he thinks best will he please communicate to Mr Montieth that decision of the Board on the subject.

I suppose Mr Montieth keeps Dr Lowrie informed of Church matters among the Nez Perces. (Which matters are outside of my ‘province’ too) He knows our needs doubtless as does not need have them penned here - knows of the presence of three Jesuit priests on the Reservation. With the knowledge Dr Lowrie doubtless has of their work on other Mission fields - that one sentence speaks volumes. Knows how much this people need an earnest, efficient minister pastor & leader to go out and in among them and break to them the Bread of Life.

(Report, again) In regard to the progress of my pupils in their studies I will (D.V.) report more at length again, if it is wished (my letter ought to be on its way now.) I will only say that I doubt much if the same number of white men under similar circumstances, could be found easily who would make greater progress in the same time. My school room and dwelling house (I am housekeeping, nescessarily are in the same building.

I need to hear from the Board soon, having been without income (and my means are limited) and part of the time on heavy expense, since last June. I wrote to Dr Lowry a long letter, nearly three years ago, and have as yet, received no answer. Perhaps my letter, or the answer to it miscarried. And I know that Dr Lowrie is burdened with many cares and duties. But please sir will you not answer this soon as you conveniently can and oblige.
Respectfully Yours

S.L. McBeth.