This week's featured article at the Christian HistoryWeb site, "Tested on All Sides," comprises excerpts from the diary of Mary Richardson Walker (1811-1897), a pioneer missionary to the Oregon Territory. She kept a diary her whole life, opening a window into 1800s family life, ministry, and major events like traveling the Overland Trail. Her husband, Reverend Elkanah Walker (1805-1877), began a diary as well in 1841. Their different renderings of the same days highlight their distinct roles and unique personalities—and the huge differences between their time and ours.

Mary: Made, cut & made two pair drawers for A. & a dress & one pair for Elizabeth. My health good except I can not sit long without my sides aching [Mary was pregnant at the time] so I mix in my house work to rest me & sew a great part of the time.Elkanah: Taught the children in the morning. I had a request to let the Indians thrash the wheat of the Chief in the new house but did not consent.

Mary: Rose about 5 o'clock, had an early breakfast, got my house work done up about 9. Baked six more loaves of bread. Made a kettle of mush & have made out to put my clothes away & set my house in order. May the mercy of the Merciful be with me through the expected scene. Nine o'clock p.m. was delivered of a son.Elkanah: Mrs. W. was safely delivered of a son this evening. We have every reason for gratitude from our heavenly father for his unnumbered mercies.

Mary: Rested pretty well last night. The rain disturbed me some. My little boy laid still all night. We call his name Marcus Whitman [after another missionary to the Oregon Territory].Elkanah: The snow was much gone in the plain. We had a very ...