Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 19.djvu/165

 CORRESPONDENCE 153 ing an effort to build 1 a Baptist meeting house in Jacksonville in Dec. Should he succeed in the attempt (and God grant that he may), he will undoubtedly find it his duty to make that his field of labor, I trust, for coming years. The church in this place have so much confidence in Br. Read that they unani- mously voted to invite him to return and take charge of the church as pastor before they knew he had left the Umpqua. But now they have little hope that he will accept their invita- tion. I have, in another letter, given you my views respecting Br. Read's talents and character as a minister. I presume his extreme modesty, blended with his spirit of independence, will not prompt him to ask of your Board a reappointment till I either see him or receive some communication from him by letter. By this move of Br. Read, the whole of Umpqua Valley is left without a Baptist minister of any description. I trust, however, that a self-sustaining minister at least will find his way into the valley and gather up the scattered members into a church,* 1 * if nothing more efficient can be done for that most inviting field. SANTIAM CHURCH. I visited this church and attended their yearly meeting, commencing Friday before the second Saturday in February, which continued four days. Fifteen miles before I reached the place, my horse took fright and dashed me to the ground with such violence that, falling upon my umbrella, I had six ribs fractured, two in two places each. I however proceeded the next day and by walking my horse was able to ride to the place; preached four sermons the three following days, but it was attended with much pain in the flesh. Meeting was well attended, church seemed much revived and a few persons manifested unusual concern for their soul's salvation, Br. Stevens, 31 * now near Marysville, was present. Br. Cheadle is pastor of the church. This church has passed through a long series of trials, but seems to be in a healthy and promising con- 3x2 See note 328. 313 See note 084.