The author, Rev. Pitezel, accepted his first missionary assignment to the north in 1843. He, with his family, was assigned to take charge of a mission in Sault Ste. Marie. After a year he was reassigned to Kewawenon, 250 miles west on the shore of Lake Superior at Keweenaw Bay. This volume seems to cover his experiences in northern Michigan until 1852.

The narrative is well-written and lively. It contains descriptions of the full scope of his daily life in running the missions, which included schools, and also describes family and domestic concerns and activities. The book is partly a travelogue, with descriptions of the numerous trips Pitezel made to other missions in Northern Michigan and to conferences or events at cities in southern Michigan. He also spent time ministering to miners in the area of the Keweenaw Peninsula.

The book contains, in addition to the narrative of his daily life, chapters about the Indians, about Missionary life in general, and various other topics. The author appears to have intended this partly as a guide for prospective missionaries.