Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 19.djvu/147

Rh his operations and is gathering a small church. The Presbyterians are holding occasional meetings here and contemplate forming a church before long. We have a few Baptist members wintering immediately adjoining the town but they will soon move to the country, perhaps Umpqua. We have two Baptist members living two miles north who were formerly united with others into a small church in the town. But the peculiar features of the land law called them all to their land claims.

I have formerly given you my views of the importance of occupying this place. I will repeat them and perhaps enlarge upon them: First, it is the seat of government and, whether that shall be removed or not, Salem cannot fail to be the center of a large and rich agricultural portion of the Willamette Valley and must have a rapid growth, situated, as it is, on the east bank of the river about midway between the Willamette Falls and the head of river navigation by small river steamers. From all that I know of the people in the place and the surrounding country, I think they are not generally committed to any denomination, although the Episcopal Methodists control a great share of the wealth and a large amount of influence. Yet the field in the immediate vicinity is very large and easy of access to a faithful, common sense, efficient preacher.

But another most important consideration is the fact that we have three young, feeble churches located in important farming portions of this county (Marion), all at this time destitute of a minister. Should a Baptist minister be located in Salem and preach but half his time in town, he might receive a* portion of his support from one or two of these churches and exert a general influence through the county by way of building up these and other churches which must spring up soon, should the means of grace be enjoyed and blessed of God.

The churches in the county evince a missionary spirit and would aid liberally in the support of a man in Salem, if they