Notes of Labor in Oregon.
By John O. Corliss
ON the morning of March 10, I left San Francisco on the steamer Columbia, for Portland, Oregon. I arrived at the latter place the evening of the 12th. I spent the following Sabbath and Sunday, in company with Elder Boyd, at Beaverton. Influences not best calculated to promote the welfare of a church had been at work there, which we labored to counteract. At each meeting nearly all the members of the church were present. On Sunday, especially in the evening, many from the outside were present, apparently interested listeners. We think good was accomplished by our visit. We hope to meet every member of this church at the camp-meeting, to be held in June, at Sellwood, a suburb of East Portland. Tuesday, the 18th, we were called to Salem to attend the funeral of Sister Donaldson, and remained with the church over two Sabbaths. The most of this time was spent in holding Bible-readings on the cardinal points of our faith, some of which had been questioned by one who, after gaining the confidence of the church, sought to overthrow it by his quibbles on doctrine, and by insinuations against those who hold leading positions in the cause. The meetings were no doubt timely, since they counteracted an evil project, and opened the eyes of the people to the deception being practiced upon them. We left them united in the truth, and more determined to labor for the upbuilding of the cause. We trust that from this time on they will work diligently for gospel order, and in due time they will reap the reward of their efforts. April 3 and 4, the quarterly meeting of the East Portland church was held, with a good attendance. We were privileged to speak a number of times on this occasion, with freedom. The brethren here seem to be doing all they can to spread the truth, consequently we find them all of good courage. God has already blessed their efforts by quite a number of additions to the church. Three more were baptized on Sunday. These, with two from the Baptists who have lately commenced to observe the Sabbath, united with the church; also one by letter. Their place of worship is already too small, and they will be obliged soon to enlarge it. We commend the zeal of this church as worthy of imitation by others. We are at present with the church at Damascus.