Dear Brethren:

Permit an unworthy sister to address you. Having found favour of the Lord and desiring to live for the conversion of the world, I now offer myself to the American Board to be employed in their service among the heathen, if counted worthy. As it is requested of me to make some statements concerning myself, I shall endeavour to be as brief as possible, knowing the value of your time, especially now under the late afflictive bereavement.

My native place is Prattsburg, Steuben County. I was born March 14, A.D. 1808. In the beginning of the year 1819 a precious revival of religion was witnessed in Prattsburg. I became a subject of the work, united with the Congregational church in that place and remained a member of it fifteen years. My advantages for acquiring an education have been good, having been situated near Franklin Academy - and most of the time when not attending school have been engaged in teaching. My last effort in teaching was an Infant School in which I took great delight. My brothers and sisters, nine in number, with our parents, have all united with the same church. In June last we removed to Amity, Allegheny County, where we now reside.

In relation to my feelings upon the subject of mission, I will say but little. From my conversion I have felt a particular interest for the salvation of the heathen, and an increasing desire for information on the subject and have not neglected to gratify that desire: but from time to time, with peculiar feelings, greeted the arrival of the Missionary Herald. I frequently desired to go to the heathen but only half-heartedly - and it was not till the first Monday of Jan. 1824 that I felt to consecrate myself without reserve to the Missionary work waiting the leadings of Providence concerning me.
Feeling it more my privilege than duty to labour for the conversion of the heathen, I respectfully submit myself to your direction and subscribe,

Your unworthy sister in the Lord,
Narcissa Prentiss

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Source:
Drury, Clifford Merrill 1897. Marcus and Narcissa Whitman and the Opening of Old Oregon. Seattle, Wash.: Pacific Northwest National Parks & Forest Association (Now Northwest Interpretive Association); 1986; 2 v. : ill., maps; 22 cm. ISBN: 0914019082. Notes: Bib. no:wln87044105; Bibliography: v. 2.