384 EZRA FISHER
yet he has not avowed his intentions for the ministry. Organ- ized no church. No minister ordained. Received sixty-five dollars toward my support ($65.00). Received nothing for any of the missionary, educational or other benevolent so- cieties. We have received nothing from any of the auxiliary societies towards my salary. One Bible class, about 15 scholars. Three Sunday schools, about 15 teachers, sixty-five scholars, and about 150 volumes in the libraries. Done nothing to the meeting house since my last report.
The Campbellites are making great efforts in this place and vicinity to draw off members of other denominations, and, in view of all the circumstances, I have thought it my duty to deliver a lecture each Sabbath on the doctrines and ordinances of the gospel; thus far they seem to awaken an interest by confirming the brethren and eliciting the attention of the com- munity. Amid the flood of error with which we are surrounded, we greatly need the truths of God's Word exhibited in the spirit of meekness and zeal of the primitive Christians. Truly we need the wisdom of the serpent as well as the harmless- ness of the dove. I have never witnessed in any place in the valley so much determined opposition to the Baptists, as such, as in Rock Island and vicinity. Perhaps I have never felt more forcibly . . . the thought that the gospel and the whole gospel is God's appointed means of accomplishing his purposes in bringing sinners to repentance and establishing the churches in the truth than during the past quarter.
In the midst of our labors and trials, I have one great con- solation, that I, in common with all the missionaries of your Society, have the prayers of hundreds of thousands of God's dear people. Yours respectfully,
EZRA FISHER, Missionary.
I am waiting with some solicitude to hear from you relative to the subject of Oregon.
Cannot Br. Johnson be appointed to go out with us ?
Yours, E. FISHER. . . .
