Leonard and Harriet’s Backgrounds Prepare them to Respect the Ojibwe

Leonard Wheeler’s schooling at Middlebury College and Andover Theological Seminary seems to doom him to become a smug missionary. Fortunately, along with his theological instruction, he trains as a wheelwright, a job that requires a pragmatic rather than an ideological approach. And he never loses sight of his own flawed humanity, making it possible for him to move beyond righteousness. Harriet’s more limited education at the Ipswich Female Seminary run by Mary Lyon and Ipsah Grant better prepares her for mission work in that she learns one best helps others with compassion. Although they had not known each other long, Harriet and Leonard feel confident that their shared commitment to missionary work provides a strong foundation for their marriage.