Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 16.djvu/414



386 EZRA FISHER

it did not occur to my mind when I could have an interview with you. Br. John Peck however advised me personally. He thought in this case it would be the pleasure of the Board to advance the year's salary before we left Iowa. I have just received a letter from Br. Johnson still expressing a strong desire to accompany me to Oregon, informing me that you say, if money can be raised, he can be appointed to go with me, provided he can receive a recommendation from the Executive Board of the Iowa Baptist Convention. This being the case, I laid the subject before said Board on the first instant, and the Board passed the following resolutions :

1st. Resolved that this board cordially recommend Elder Hezekiah Johnson as a most suitable man for the A. B. H. M. Soc's. Board to appoint as a missionary to Oregon to ac- company Elder Ezra Fisher to that field next Spring.

2d. Resolved, that the Secretary be instructed to accom- pany this recommendation with a brief description of Elder Johnson's qualifications for a missionary in a new country. In complying with these instructions, I will simply state that I am confident I give the sentiment of every faithful Baptist in Iowa who knows him when I say that Br. Johnson's uni- form ardent piety, his strong perceptive and comparing powers, his originality of thought, his familiarity with Bible doctrines, the facility with which he defends them, exposes error in the spirit of the gospel, and the long experience he has had as a faithful pioneer of the West in planting and fostering churches, as well as enduring hardships and privations, render him eminently qualified for the work of a missionary in a new coun- try, where error is rife and counsellors are few. Without de- traction from the merits of all our worthy brethren, I speak the sentiments of all when I say he is regarded as one of the few fathers of our denomination in Iowa. I have long known him and taken great pleasure in his counsels. Your Board will not wonder then when I repeat the earnest request that Br. Johnson may be appointed to accompany me. Will you think