Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 23.djvu/388



338 CHARLES HENRY CAREY

In concluding this review of the Oregon Mission, it may be proper to observe that though the number of laborers in this field has been greatly reduced during the past year, this reduction has been mainly in the secular department. And there is good reason to hope that as the mission becomes less secular, it will become more spiritual in its character; that seeming weakness will prove its real strength, and its apparent retrogression turn out to be a forward movement. Such a sequel will serve to remind us of what it is always fatal to forget that neither worldly policy, numerical strength nor hon- orable distinction can ever be safely substituted for divine efficiency. "Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord." The good seed which has been sown in this far distant field is not lost. The enter- prise in Oregon must not be set down as a failure. There are two or three scores of triumphant spirits now in heaven who will bless the God of Missions and the Church through eternity that the voice of our missionary heralds was ever heard on the other side of the Rocky Mountains. Others are on their way who will, doubtless, unite in their rapturous strains for ever and ever. Besides the good already effected, under the most untoward circumstances, a foundation is laid for great good in the future. "The little one shall become a thousand?" and the valley of the Columbia shall yet become vocal with the songs of re- generated thousands the fruit of missionary instrumen- talities. In these views we are abundantly sustained by the language with which our worthy Superintendent closes his last letter. "There are," says he, "a number of worthy members in our church who have been converted here. Some have already gone to rest in Abraham's bosom. I think our Mission in Oregon has done good, is doing good, and will yet do great good in this land. Continue, 0, continue to remember us in your prayers!" To this request we sincerely hope the whole Church will give a hearty and united response.