Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 19.djvu/174

 162 REVEREND EZRA FISHER an amount that, in his estimation, is about equivalent to the value of his labor. I have now stated the case as nearly as I can, without going into details, and trust your Board will not use this communication either to the detriment of Br. Chandler or Br. Johnson. They are both valuable, tried Baptist ministers. Br. Chandler would succeed well at Salem or Oregon City, with the above named exception, and also in Marysville, that place being again suddenly vacated by the removal of Br. Stevens to the Umpqua Valley. By this removal that young church is left in a bad condition in a critical period of their history. But you must send an efficient, engaging preacher to Portland, if you can find the man. He should be a man of capacity, to meet the emergencies of building up a church in a rising city. Br. Read, as you have learned before this, was invited last fall to take the pastoral care of this church (Oregon City). He is now in the place and will probably give the church his answer this week, which will be to decline the invitation. He has spent the winter in Rogue River Valley near Jacksonville, the principal mining town on the waters of that river ; has collected a small churchs 1 ? of twelve members, five of whom are efficient working brethren of the right stamp. That church have in- vited him to become their pastor. They propose to pay him $250 and hope to add $50 more 'during the year. They also propose to build a house of worship in the town the present year, if he will settle with them. The Methodist church sus- stained two ministers in that valley last fall and winter, but have left the field and, should Br. Read leave, that valley with about 10,000 souls would be without a gospel minister of any kind. I dare not advise Br. Read to leave that field, although he would be acceptable here. He endured great privations last winter for Christ's sake, paying his board; while flour was $1.50 per pound and fresh beef fifty cents. Sold his horse to pay his board. He needs immediate aid from your 317 This was the Table Rock (Jacksonville) Baptist Church, organized May 28, 1853. Mattoon, Bap. An. of Ore. I:ia.