Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 20.pdf/108

REVEREND EZRA FISHER

100 years somewhat retard our onward progress, yet I think the immigration will be checked only to flow in more abundantly when the Nebraskan excitement shall have worked its discontent among the early settlers to that territory. I trust your Board will be prompt in making the appointment and may God in His infinite mercy bless to the building up of a strong interest in Portland and the surrounding country.

With much esteem, your unworthy brother, EZRA FISHER. N. B. — Br. Boyakin, in behalf of the brethren in Portland, will make the application stating the time they will wish the appointment to take effect. Received Dec. 26.

Oregon City, O. Ter., Jan. 1st, 1855.

To Rev. Benjamin M. Hill,
 * Cor. Sec. of Am. Bap. Home Mission Society:

Herein I send you my report of labor under the appointment of the Home Mission Society as Exploring Agent for the third quarter ending the thirty-first day of Dec., 1854. During the quarter I have visited Portland twice, the Cascades in Washington Ter., The Dalles, east of the Cascade Mountains, West Union Church, West Tualatin Church twice, Shilo Church and a settlement of unorganized Baptists near the junction of the Columbia and Sandy rivers in Clackamas County; labored 13 weeks; traveled to and from my appointments 617 miles paid nine dollars eighty-two cents ($9.82) for traveling expenses and eighteen cents ($0.18) for postage; preached 20 sermons. I attended a council in case; of difficulty of a serious kind in which I labored three days and almost two nights, with but six hours' intermission. The result of our labors seemed blessed under God in restoring union to the distracted church, Respectfully submitted, EZRA FISHER, Exploring Agent.