Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 20.pdf/144

 REVEREND EZRA FISHER

136

now witnessing" through our whole territory ? Is it a wonder, under such influences, that our best ministers should talk sometimes of leaving the ministry, and betake themselves are

to teaching, as a

means of procuring an honest

livelihood?

Ministers indeed seem willing to make great sacrifices for the cause of the blessed Redeemer, and will preach what they can

under the circumstances. But they must become secularized. Their minds will not be fruitful in word and doctrine, and all the blighting influences of an ignorant, undisciplined, disorganized ministry and churches driven by every wind of doctrine must be the tendency in such a state of things. Now what is to be done? Should we not have in Oregon at

two

least

who

substantial,

efficient

ministers,

fully -sustained,

approve themselves workmen not needing to be ashamed? Should not the Home Mission Society immediately give us such men, either by sending us the men, or appointing will

we have among us? Should your Board appoint Brother Chandler to the Oregon City church, that church would do what they could to help sustain him. Portland church is virtually extinct for the want of a suitable man. I would suggest that the second man be appointed to locate himself discretionarily, but at some such as

important point.

With

the interest of the churches, our school at

City has suffered.

and

set

Oregon

Br. Post has withdrawn from that school

up an independent school

less

than two miles from

the building erected by the Baptists and where he formerly His course with us has not been in harmony with taught. I think I speak the sentiment the interests of the Baptists. of the whole denomination, so far as he is known, when I

say that his whole course has seemed to be governed by his views of his own interest in dollars and cents.

At present the school is taught by a son and daughter of Br. Hezekiah Johnson, your former missionary, and the school is doing as well as could be expected under the circumstances. But we need a teacher

qualified to teach the higher branches