Then  there  was  "Father  Walker"  of  no  less  gi-
gantic stature,  early  missionary  of  the  American


ACROSS  THE  CONTINENT  AND  BACK      39

Board  to  the  Indians  at  Walla  Walla,  and  "Father
Eells,"  his  companion  on  the  far  frontier.
That  second  year,  1874,  was  not  far  advanced
before  I  found  myself  wearied  with  carrying  the
unaccustomed  weight  of  large  responsibilities ;  and
the  church  was  frankly  informed  of  my  wish  to
be  relieved  entirely  of  the  burden,  unless  it  might
be  practicable  to  arrange  for  an  extended  ex-
change of  pulpits  with  some  eastern  minister.
The  good  people  expressed  their  preference  for
the  second  alternative;  and  soon  it  was  decided
that  the  Reverend  A.  H.  Bradford  of  Montclair,
New  Jersey,  would  take  my  place  for  the  months
of  June  to  September  inclusive,  and  commit  his
people  to  my  care  for  the  same  period,  each  min-
ister having  obtained  leave  of  absence  for  six
months.  Years  afterwards  it  was  learned  from
the  Bradfords,  that  they  too  were  just  then  feel-
ing that  some  way  must  be  found  for  securing  a
much  needed  rest,  but  could  not  see  how  it  was  to
be  brought  about,  when,  behold!  the  novel  pro-
posal arrived  by  mail.
What  a  summer  sojourn  was  that  for  me,  pur-
suing the  study  not  of  books  but  of  folks,  making
the  acquaintance  of  choice  men  and  women  who
had  formerly  belonged  to  churches  in  New  York,
Brooklyn  and  Jersey  City.  There  were  visits  to
the  great  metropolis,  to  relatives  and  friends  in  the
vicinity  and  in  New  England,  and  to  the  meeting
in  New  Haven  of  the  National  Congregational


40  LIFE  UNDER  TWO  FLAGS

Council,  to  which  I  was  elected  delegate  from  the
churches  of  Oregon  and  Washington.
