"April 26th, 1841. This morning I started from my residence, near Napoleon, Ripley county, Indiana, for the Oregon Territory, on the Columbia River, west of the Rocky Mountains; though many of my friends tried to dissuade me from going, telling me of the many dangers and difficulties I should have to go through, exposed to hostile Indians and the wild beasts, and also on account of my advanced age, being at the time in my 64th year. But my mind leads me strongly to go; I want to preach to the people there, and also to the Indians, as well as see the country. I try to put my trust in the God of heaven, who rules the earth, and seas, and mountains, and the savage tribes, and all the wild beasts of the forest, and the storms, and all the poisonous vapors of the earth and air; who preserves all who put their trust in him."