Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 24.djvu/327

 Diary of Rev. George Gary — III 305 Sunday, 22. Today Mr. Fisher, 28 a Baptist mission- ary, preached for us ; rather a profitable sermon. Hope he will do good in this land of darkness and wickedness. Monday, 23. We are having cool nights; little white frosts, but beautiful sunny days. There are charms in this climate, but the dreary, rainy winters make a great offset against the early, blooming, beautiful spring. The want of society enlightened and cultivated is the great desideratum to render residence here desirable and pleas- urable. Duty may lead a man here and keep him here ; the ambitious may come here and remain here that they may be great in the community of which they are mem- bers ; the avaricious may come and remain that they may become rich; the guilty and wandering may come to get rid of their shame and perhaps their name; but aside from these and a few other considerations, I would advise friends to remain in the land of their nativity and of their high, rare privileges; provided they were born in the state of New York, and provided also they enjoyed the privileges of the people of that happy state. A half barrel directed to Mrs. Perkins opened by Bro. Waller; on ex- amining it, we conclude to use the things in this country and pay Mrs. P. its value in specie, estimated at $26. The mission assumes the liability of paying this amount, and we charge the things as disposed of so as to cover the amount. This cask came by the Toulon. Friday, 27. Have quite a temperance meeting in the meeting house. It is somewhat doubtful how the great question will turn, whether alcohol will have a place in this territory or not. Very much depends on the manner in which this point is disposed of. Monday, 30. Today we have some sympathy for Bro. Parrish. He has difficulty with a Mr. Gray 29 about a house and lot in this city which he bought of Mr. Gray 28 Rev. Ezra Fisher. 29 W. H. Gray.