Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 17.djvu/164



156 REVEREND EZRA FISHER

tion of country become a territory of the U. States. 148 Br. Ross, a member of Br. Evart's church, is there selling goods. I cannot close this without once more recommending to our Atlantic brethren, who wish to be instrumental in form- ing the character of some of the most important future states in the Union, to come and labor with us. Very soon the facilities for immigration will be greatly increased, and per- haps no new portion of our whole country will afford a more inviting field for usefulness and enterprise than the one fronting the vast Pacific. Would to God we could make some of our efficient deacons and private brethren arouse to a conviction of duty on this subject and induce them to come over and help us. At the present time it will require less sacrifice in time and property to sail from New York or Boston in October or November for the mouth of the Colum- bia than it does to immigrate by land from Illinois and Iowa in the spring. The farmer leaving your port in November may plant and sow Oregon soil in May, without spending a winter on expense before he can cultivate the soil. Time admonishes me to lay down my pen.

As ever yours, in gospel bonds,

EZRA FISHER.

March the 29th. We still see increasing evidence that the Spirit of the Lord is over us, and although Sabbath was very rainy our congregation was good and solemn. We learn of another case in which we begin to cherish hope a lad of thirteen years. Some backsliders are awakening. Our prayer meetings are becoming interesting. O, for a preparation of heart to lead God's people into the knowledge of every Chris- tian duty and to win sinners to Christ, our all compassionate Saviour !

In view of so many uncertainties in regard to my former letters on board the Whiton reaching you, I think best to

148 Rev. O. C. Wheeler was appointed to California in 1848 by the Home Mission Society. Soon afterward, Rev. H. W. Read was appointed, but stopped in New Mexico on his way out. Bap. Home Missions in N. Am., 1832-1882, p. 339.