Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 17.djvu/340



332 REVEREND EZRA FISHER

ing. That Society has had a missionary agent in Oregon more 22 ^ t j ian a y ear w j ien money has been plenty and books scarce and almost everybody asking for religious books and the agent not a book to sell. And that too, when the agent could probably do ten times the amount of work for the country with his buggy of books by visiting and preaching and selling truth from house to house that he will unaided by this valuable auxiliary. I venture the opinion that no part of the union has opened a more inviting field for this work than this territory. In addition to this, we have not a church of our order in the country with half a supply of hymn books, and no note books. 230 All this with a people who are every day be- coming more and more conscious that their children must be put on an equality with the rising generation on the Atlantic coast. Our gold is fast going to build up eastern cities and en- rich the old states and we shall be less able to patronize this cause than at this time and there will be greater difficulties in training the people to a spirit of enlarged benevolence. Could our colporter be furnished with such works as he might order it would be a source of great influence to every Baptist min- ister in Oregon, of incalculable benefit to fortify the public mind against error and afford a good profit to the Society. Please urge this matter upon the consideration of that Soc.'s Board. Immigration is rapidly coming in by land and by wa- ter. 231 jj. j s now time for Christians to work. I hope your Board will appoint Br. Snelling as your missionary ; it will do good, more so than a man of the same ability from the States. For explanation on this subject I refer you to Br. Johnson's letter. I should write to Br. Chandler, but I know not where to direct a letter at this time. If he comes with an ox team, let him have good, substantial oxen of 4, 5 and 6 years of age. 233 Horses will do if he gets good ones and comes in

229 This was Rev. Richmond Cheadle. See note 188.

230 The "note books" refer to books giving the music for the hymns.

231 The immigration of 1850 amounted, so Bancroft says, to about eight thou- sand, Hist, of Ore. II: 174.

This is four times the estimate of F. G. Young. See note 305. Young'* estimate, however, probably refers only to those who came overland.

232 Mr. Chandler finally came overland, but some of his goods cam* by *. Sec letters of Sept. 3, and August 8, 1851.