Voyage to Alaska. — Historical and Descriptive. 23 



These hours were very precious. The interest deepened. Emotion arose 

 and overrtowed, as these men and women, so recently lost in heathenism, gave 

 'n their testimony to the love of (rod, and to the presence of Ilis S|)irit in 

 their hearts. A rapid developement of christian character was very notice- 

 able, being aided doubtless, by the time given for prei)aration, and the fre- 

 quent interviews with the candidates. I took pains to explain to them all, the 

 nature of the church and its ordinances, change of heart, profession of religion, 

 and the obligation of the christian life. I was careful to ascertain first that 

 the inter|)reter herself, understood m.- in all these vital (juestioiis. lirotliL-r 

 Voung, who was disabled by accident from active service, assisted me by his 

 counsels, without which no sound progress could have been made, and the en- 

 tire transaction moved on with the utmost harmony to the consummation ; and 

 ihe tranquillity which was the very peace of Ciod, pervaded it all. 



When the? bright marning came, the most distinguished Sabl>ath in the an- 

 nals of .\lask.a, the public services began with a prayer meeting, after which I )r. 

 Kendall preached. Brother Voung, though scarcely able to stand, performeil 

 the rite of baptism ; and your commissioner had the honor to execute thie task 

 of organizing the Church of God. 



HISTORICAL STATEMI:NT FRO.M THE CHURCH RECORDS. 



I i)egan by reading a brief account of preliminaries. As it contains a few 

 items of veritable history, I transcribe it from the minutes of the new cliurch 

 wherein these words are recorded : 



Fort Wrangel, Alaska, Aug. 3rd, 1S79. 



The need of christian effort was felt by a few christian people, who lived in 

 this Territory or visited it, and my own sympathies were moved by the infor- 

 mation which I ol)tained from them and other sources. 



After various delays, I had the inexpressible satisfaction of taking charge 

 of this mission through the agency of two members of my church at I'ortland, 

 Mr. J. C. Mallory and Mrs. A. R. McF'arland. < This charge was afterwards 

 assumed by the Board of Home Missions, which also sent hither the Rev. S 

 H. Voung, who arrived in August, 1878, and immediately entered upon hi^^ 

 duties here. 



The services of these faithful missionaries and teachers have been crowned 

 with God's blessing. Nor should we forget the departed. John C. Mallory 

 and Philip Mackay should be forever sanctified in the hearts of those who knew 

 them here, for their prayers and efforts and faithfulness. They deserve this 

 tribute. Let their names be kept in aflectionate remembrance by this church. 



Two firm friends of Alaska who are strenuously supporting its claims to 

 the attention of the American people. Rev. Henry Kendall, D. IJ., one of 

 the Corresponding Secretaries of the Board of Home Misssions, under whose 

 fostering care this mission churjh and school are carried on, and future missions 

 in Alaska will be conducted; and Rev. .Sheldon Jaclcson, D. D., Synodical 

 Missioaary of the Synod of Colorado, are present and have assisted by their 

 counsels on this occasion, and participate in the services of this memorable 

 day. 



