Life of Mrs. W. H. Gray
a Missionary to the Oregon Country in 1838.
MARY AUGUSTA DIX was born at Ballston Springs, New York, January 2, 1810, of English ancestry, and of the same family tree as Dorothy A. Dix, the philanthropist. She was one of seven daughters who grew up in a Christian home amid refined associations. Her parents took an active interest in church work, especially the singing. It was no unusual thing to see them and their seven daughters seated in the church choir, the mother and daughters air dressed in white. This happy home circle was destined to be broken, for in February, 1838, Mr. W. H. Gray, of Utica, N. Y., who had lately returned from the Oregon country, where he had gone in 1836 with Dr. Marcus Whitman and Rev. H. H. Spalding, as secular agent of the missions they went to establish, sought the hand of the eldest daughter, Mary, in marriage. Not a wife alone did he seek, but a co-laborer in this missionary field. Esteeming it a privilege to do the work of the Lord, she seemed to hear in this offer the voice of the Master calling her to His service. She accepted Mr. Gray, and within a month married him, bidding adieu to home and kindred.
Traveling by steamer and stage coach, Mr. and Mrs. Gray arrived at Independence, Mo., where they were joined by their fellow-missionaries, Rev. Cushing Eells, Rev. Elkanah Walker, Mr. and Mrs. A. B. Smith and a Mr. Rogers. There were more dangers and hardships than had been anticipated. Horseback riding in imagination and in reality they found to be two very different things. They spoke of this journey as going to sea on land. Perils beset them on every hand. Swift streams were to be forded, and deep ravines to lie crossed. Indians often surrounded their camp, standing around like great dogs, and sometimes even followed them all day. Their tents were their houses, the bed and bedding a buffalo robe, a piece of oil cloth and blankets. Often they slept in their blankets when saturated from the rain, and upon rising in the morning put on their clothes as wet as when they took them off the night before. When they halted for the night the tents were pitched, the robes spread upon the ground within, then the piece of oil cloth. The saddles and loose baggage were arranged neatly about the walls inside; the blankets were rolled up and placed around the center for seats, and within the space the tablecloth was spread for the evening meal. Half-past three in the morning all were astir. Animals were turned out to feed, breakfast prepared and eaten, dishes washed, repacking done, morning prayers, and they were ready for the journey of another day.
One hundred and twenty-nine days after leaving Independence, Mo., they reached Whitman Mission, August 29, 1838. Dr. and Mrs. Whitman and Rev. and Mrs. Spalding were anxiously awaiting their arrival, and joyously received these weary voyagers.
Mr. and Mrs. Spalding having established a mission to Lapwai, Mr. and Mrs. Gray went there to assist them.
Mrs. Gray entered heartily into the work of teaching the Indian women and children. Immediately she began her labors with fifty or more natives, whom she taught under a pine tree until a log schoolhouse could be built. This is described as a puncheon-seated, earth-floored building. Here she taught till November, 1842.
Mrs. Gray had a remarkably sweet and finely trained voice. When she first joined in the singing at family prayers, Mr. Spalding realized that her singing would be a power in their Sunday worship, and requested her to conduct that part of the service. When the Indians heard her sing they were visibly impressed, and spoke of her as "Christ's sister," long after related by the old Indians and Hudson's Bay men. No doubt the awakening powers of her voice (coupled with her rare sweetness of character) had much to do with bringing about the great revival among the Nez Perce Indians. Sev-
