Kamiah Feb 8th 1875
Rev John C. Lowrie D.D.

Dear Sir
Your letter of July 10th 1874 reached me last thursday (Feb 4th) nearly eight months after it was mailed. I suppose it has been lying in the Post Office at Walla Walla
(it was remailed from there – or forwarded rather) although I left my address with the P.M. & afterwards wrote to him asking him to forward mail.

But – tardy as it was, it was very very welcome. I had written three letters to Dr Lowrie without an answer and although I could very easily understand how the
answer could be delayed amid the press of other and more important matters – yet it was a new experience to me, and made me feel a little lonely sometimes.

But this is not an answer to it, only a note to tell him it has reached me at last for Dr Lowrie too my have wondered a little (if he had time to think of it at all). And I
have only a few minutes in which to scribble a note.

The road between here & Lapwai has been impassible from snow, for five or six weeks, and we have had no communication to or from there, until last week an
Indian brought our mail on the ice & returns tomorrow morning on snow shoes. I did not know he was going so soon until my pupils came, and now it is late. If God
spares me, I will write to Dr Lowrie the earliest opportunity telling him about my work here.

I will only say now that I could not well have more earnest, faithful & industrious students than these native ‘helpers’ who have been placed under my care. And they
are making excellent progress. It is a very serious matter indeed that causes one of them to absent himself for a day. Even during the intense cold James Lawyer
came every day from his home three miles away walking when the roads were impassable for his horse.

God helps us wonderfully. Our daily lesson is two and a half, and three chapters in the Bible. English first, and then translated, verbally, into Nez Perce. And when
Dr Lowrie knows that all my explanations, illustrations, &c have to be made in Nez Perce (they understand so little English) besides preparing the days lesson, or
studying it before hand myself, he will understand what a very very busy life God give me here.

But I must no write more now. I will not ask an answer to this. Hoping to write soon again, if God pleases. I remain
Respectfully Yours

S.L. McBeth