Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 22.djvu/255



LETTERS OF REV. WILLIAM M. ROBERTS 245

(Copy) (Private)

Salem, Or. T., Feb. 14, 1849. To THE COR SEC &c

Dear Bro.: It is proper to express a few thoughts on some points less adapted to the public eye than those in the accom- panying letters. There is a strong propability I think that the people of this country will be better able to pay something towards the support of the gospel shortly than they have been. Some of them are returning from the mines with some quanti- ties of gold. I think 250 person in all have come in on the 5 ships now in the river, and perhaps they will average $1500 apiece in gold dust their success varies from $100 to $5000.

Most of those who have come home this winter will go again in the spring; the people are in a most unsettled state still I hope they may be induced to contribute towards the sup- port of the gospel. I am greatly perplexed with one embar- rasment in Oregon. It is the preachers liveing away from their circuits ; how to remedy this is not easy for me to see. I have said everything against it possible.

Bros. Helm, Waller, and Parrish are on their own premises, while their own houses and circuits are together, it may not be so objectionable, but when conference comes it trammels the appointments, in fact it works here just as it does at home.

I never did believe in Itenerant preachers having Local fam- ilies and my submission to it in Oregon is with a very poor grace, but the country is new there are very few schools and but two parsonages. My idea is on every circuit let the preacher go and live, if no house can be had otherwise let him build one with such help as the people can be induced to give and the mission funds do the rest. Then let there be a barn and garden and if need be (and we cannot do without it) a few acres put in oats. Then whatever time the preacher spends in work at home at house or fence or garden or pasture it is directly promoting the work of the Itinerancy and not for private personal interest. So that very shortly the whole coun- try completely covered with a net work of circuits, will be ready for the somewhat comfortable occupancy of the pastors of the people living among them, and then the swollen river and violent storm will seldom or never get between the preacher and his work.

But then this plan contemplates the entire consecration of