Western Oregon by H. W. COTTRELL.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 18, 1915

Western Oregon

By H. W. COTTRELL.

WE had five tent companies operating in field work during the summer, resulting in one hundred and fifty-one additions to our church membership. One hundred and thirty-one of this number were baptized; the others were accepted on former baptism.

There has been great depression in business circles in the Northwest on account of the slump in the lumber market, caused in part by the European war. Work has been scarce, and but little money has been in circulation.

While our membership has increased, our tithe receipts the past nine months remain about as during the corresponding months of 1914, with an increase for the nine months of only $800.

We have received in cash for foreign missions, not including Sabbath school offerings, $7,650; for missions in the United States, $300; for local work, $4,600. The Sabbath school offerings have amounted to $5,200, and the retail book and periodical sales to $11,000.

Our foreign missions offerings at the time of our general camp meeting, including cash, pledges, and real estate which was deeded to us, amounted to a little over $19,000. However, it may take some time to sell the land.

The question of Sunday law enforcement is a live issue in this State, especially in Portland. As a result of the recent decision of Chief Justice Burnett, declaring the Sunday laws of the State constitutional, within the last ten days twelve grocers have been arrested for keeping open stores on Sunday. Mr. G. L. Tufts, of Berkeley, Cal., is here looking after affairs for the Sunday-closing advocates. We are keeping in constant touch with the actions of this band of men. In the meantime we are educating the public through articles in the daily papers, and by sending the journal Liberty to all judges, lawyers, justices of the peace, editors, and school superintendents.

We have twenty-three denominational schools in our conference, including our Laurelwood Academy. The schools are all well attended, and reported as doing good work. The academy has the largest attendance in its history. Its buildings are in excellent condition, property entirely free from debt, stock looking well, and at this writing it has six hundred dollars in the bank, with all the teachers' salaries paid up to date.

We have recently organized a church in the center of the city of Portland, which is well attended; and at the present time we are carrying strong evangelistic work on both sides of the Willamette River, with excellent results in prospect.

For all these things, and many others of like character, we are profoundly thankful to God. H. W. COTTRELL.