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From The Quarterly Review of The Oregon Historical Society.
June 1908.
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Six churchesamong the Nez Parces, two among the Spokanes, one among the Umatillas, one among the Sh shones of Southern Idaho, and one among the Shivits of Utah represent the direct present outcome of the missionary labors among the Indians led by Dr. Marcus Whitman and Rev. H.H. Spalding. However Mrs. Elize Spalding and the two Me. Beth sisters, Miss Sue L. and Miss Kate C., are to be creditedwith a large share of the permanent results. It is exceedingly fortunate that we have this familiar first-hand record of the most notable Protestant missionary work among the Western Indians. Miss.Me. Beth's account furnishes a faithful picture of the difficulties, trials and victories experienced by the devoted missionaries in their efforts to christianize the Nez Perces. As the record is compiled by a more recent missionary the later phases are depicted with more detail and reliability than these the reports of which were handed down largely in the form of tradition. Miss Me. Beth's sketch, however, is throughout absolutely candid. It portrays in detail the real life conditions of this noble representative of the native races. Their struggle to adapt themselves in the trying transitions from barbarism to civilization appeals to our sympathies. The abiding faith of the missionaries in the all sufficing efficacy of the gospel coupled with a bread-minded wisdom elicit our admiration. The book is a genuine record of devoted missionary effort that rand true at every stage and which was crowned with a large measure of the rewards sought. An appendix gives the most important Nez Perces myths.

It is to be noted that the alder Miss.Me. Beth compiled a dictionary of the Nez Perces language during the years of her life among them. This was turned over to the Smithsonian Institute.