Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 23.djvu/217



a number of our brethren have wrought with commendable zeal to sustain and foster the School. Days of labour and scores of dollars and many prayers have been expended in its behalf It is a rallying point a center of conservative influence for the rising generation a fountain of light and knowledge and evil shall be the day when the Methodist church shall let it drop or die from mismanagement or neglect

With the following remarks I shall dismiss this question with much, solicitude as to the result There should be a school of a high grade in this country, Salem is a most central location, The ground is peculiarly suitable The soil is gravelly so that during the heavy rains of winter the going here is quite good and the attention of the community is drawn to this place and that whenever the Methodist fail here They will succeed. They began the school they own the buildings they are desired to sustain their own Institution and do it well, most sacredly are they pledged to do their utmost. God has already blessed our labours I know of three of the students who have recently been converted and I will not fear to put the good influence of this Institution for a year past into the balances of the final Judgement over against all the money that ever has been expended in this mission. It is true that these students were members of our Sabbath School, and subjects of our pastoral and pulpit ministrations, and it is also true that this threeflod influence is One and God has Joined togather let no man put assunder. On a review of the entire subject I am led to enquire to whom does the Institute now belong? There is a deed somewhere I think I may get to see it shortly which would answer the question I think it is the one Brother Gary gave Broths Wilson, Leslie, Beers, Parrish, & Abernethy when he took their obligation jointly & severally for $4437.83 Now I suppose these men are trustees in fact for the "Methodist society in Oregon" to which belongs the Institute NOT THE M. E. CHURCH (UNIVERSAL) but that peculiar portion of it Resident in Oregon Wilson holds the claim with obligations under bonds of 8100,000 dollars to nine men to pay all the debts of the institute (not exceeding a given amount) and they did not exceed it to perfect a title (if he can) then to convey to the FIRST ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE M. E. CHURCH MAY BE ESTABLISHED IN OREGON TERRITORY by the general