Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 23.djvu/221

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and at once joined the Church. There were 6 others who asked an interest in the prayers of Gods people and a class of 8 persons was formed immediately The indications are very favourable for a genuine work of God in this beautiful section of the country. This was part of the Calapoya circuit but owing to the difficulty of crossing the Walamete was placed under the care of Broth McKinney with the understanding that he and Broth Helm would interchange whenever they could. Nearly opposite this place on the east side of the valley we have just erected a new Church. 6 It is a neat edifice built 'of hewn logs 24 by 32 feet and cost $173.70 It was consecrated to the worship of Almighty God on the 31 of May 1848 and is entirely free from debt, the day of opening was very stormy and cold, which materially diminished our congregation; but God was present, there the Lord recorded his name and will come and bless his people.

Sisters Wilber & Roberts accompanied us on this trip OR horseback and but for the storm of Sabbath it was one of real pleasure. The roads at that season were good, the prairies were covered with rich grasses, beautiful flowers, and lucious strawberries so temptingly attractive that our lady equestrians dismounted many times to gather and eat. The Church is 80 miles above Oregon City and thirty above the Institute and is in such a position as to exert a favourable influence for years if the mania for gold does not produce unlocked for changes in the population of this vicinity.

On the 2.1th of May a public meeting was held at Oregon City in the M. E. Church for the formation of our Oregon Bible society of New York, the attendance was good and an additional interest awakened in the distribution of the work of life since that time each of the preachers has been charged with the responsibility of searching out and supplying every destitute family in his charge with copies of the Holy Scriptures. Our first quarterly meeting for the year was held at this place on the following Saturday and Sabbath and never have I seen such manifestations of the power of God at any time in this city before. The meeting closed on Sabbath evening and had it been possible to have continued it longer much good might have resulted but other engage 6 Somewhere near the present city of Corvallis.