Missionary Work in Oregon and Washington Territory.
By Eld. S. N. Haskell
Evidences are multiplying which show that the providence of God has gone out before us, and is preparing hearts to receive the truth in almost every place. Notwithstanding this, there are some portions of the country where the people are more susceptible of the truth than in others, and where labor can be put forth with far greater success. Newly settled territory always presents excellent fields for missionary work. Where the country has been longer settled, the people become more settled in their ideas, more fixed in their habits, more established in their religious faith, and it requires greater efforts to get them out of their old ruts. To them, new ideas seem like heresy. The opinions of their friends, especially of their fathers and grandfathers, have great weight with them and hence come directly in the way of their embracing the truth; but when they have left former associations, broken up family ties, and have moved to a country where there is but little reading matter of any kind to be had, their minds are more capable of admitting new ideas; in short they want something to supply a deficiency which they now realize. Such a field the North Pacific Coast presents at the present time. Thousands of people are emigrating to this country, and are settling in Oregon and Washington Territory. Villages grow up in a short space of time. Reading matter is scarce; and in many places their school-and church privileges are nothing in comparison to what they were in the country which they left. Oftentimes entire neighborhoods have no preaching; and they receive no religious reading, unless it be sent them by their friends in the East. The prospect of interesting these individuals in the truth is far greater than when they lived with their friends. There are scores of such fields which should be entered at once by colporteurs; and the work of canvassing for our publications pushed forward with great zeal. These are golden moments, and the time is precious, for it presents opportunities which will not last long. The book, "Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation" sells more readily in this part of the country than any other. The people are anxious to purchase something to read. Nebraska is a new territory in many respects, and they have great success in canvassing for the SIGNS, receiving monthly subscriptions, and then re-canvassing for yearly subscriptions, and selling publications. It is a great mistake to wait until these people have their meeting houses, and become confirmed in their religious faith, before entering these fields. Not a stone should be left unturned that will press forward the work at the present time. The time has arrived that the cloud has arisen, and the voice of Providence says, Go forward! Shall we not obey by entering these fields and placing our publications before the thousands of these new settlers? Shall we not at once move forward and place in all these villages the reading matter which has been made ready at our hands? Shall not our pioneer sheet find its way to the homes of many who have recently moved to this distant land? If we are wise we shall improve the opportunity. Men go to these places to make money, yet they are not all destitute of the Spirit of God and a heart to fear him. We want a score of men and women in each of these Northern Conferences, to visit from house to house, and obtain subscribers for the SIGNS, and then visit each family weekly to learn of their interest in the truth, and carry to them such publications as they may wish to purchase. The paper will be prized more highly and read with more interest, if those who receive it are required to pay something for it; and they will also be more ready to purchase other reading matter than if the first had cost them nothing. Our preachers are few, and while they are few we should avail ourselves of every talent that we can make use of to advance the cause of present truth. Consecrated men and women are wanted everywhere. While the cause is rising in other parts of the field, and this field presents advantages which some of the other portions do not, it should inspire the brethren in these Conferences with such life and zeal that during this present season they will be second to no other Conference in the missionary work. Every city and village should be canvassed. People will pay their money more freely when they have become accustomed to paying it; and this they have learned to do in meeting their expenses in settling this new country. This, with their desire to obtain reading matter, is an urgent reason why special efforts should be immediately put forth in this section of the country, and why this is an excellent field of labor. There is a harvest that lies just before our brethren in this portion of the country, if they will avail themselves of it.