THERE have been in the Walla Walla Valley, which extends through south east Washington and north east Oregon, a few Seventh-day Adventists for several years. Brother Maxon, a Seventh-day Baptist, moved to this valley several years since, and has raised his family in the observance of the Bible Sabbath. But he did not succeed in bringing others over to the true Sabbath until his son-in-law, brother Wood, heard Elder Loughborough in California, and returned to Walla Walla, not only a convert to the Sabbath, but to the doctrines of the S. D. Adventists. Brother Wood, by the aid of our publications, soon brought brother Maxon and family over to the Second Advent views, and brother Costin, another son-in-law of brother Maxon, embraced the faith.
At this state of the cause, strong appeals were made for a missionary to visit the Valley, and set forth our views before the people. But such men as the General Conference Committee could recommend to so important a field were scarce, and not one could be spared. Our brethren continued to call for help; but did not sit down and wait for help. They went to work themselves with our publications, and as the result they had a body of Sabbath keepers in the Walla Walla Valley, at the time brother and sister Van Horn reached them in April last, of more than thirty souls.
By reason of the failing health of sister Van Horn, the General Conference decided to send brother and sister Van Horn to the Pacific coast. They reached California in December, 1873. And at a council of the officers of the California Conference, and several ministers present, it was decided that they should go to the Walla Walla Valley, and that they take a sixty-foot tent with them. These missionaries reached their new field of labors April 8th, 1874, and in a few weeks had their tent erected in Walla Walla city with a good interest on the part of the people to hear. Brother Van Horn writes from Walla Walla, May 4th.
"Our tent meeting in this place is the absorbing theme of conversation. The interest is good. Some of the most influential citizens are interested."
Again, brother Van Horn writes May 12th:
"Our meetings have now been in progress nineteen days. We have gone over the prophecies and given the Sabbath and law question quite a thorough investigation. The congregation still holds good, and the interest also. Last Sunday evening, the 10th, after giving a discourse on the restoration of the Bible Sabbath, we called upon all those who were convinced that the seventh day was the Bible Sabbath, to manifest it by rising to their feet. Between fifty and seventy-five immediately got up. We then called for all who still believed that Sunday was the Sabbath by divine authority for this dispensation to arise, and not one responded. There were about three hundred and fifty present at the meeting, and you can judge something of the interest."
The editor of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES has become responsible for the sum of one thousand dollars to start the North Pacific Mission, the amount to be given in the tent already in the field, and in books. Three hundred dollars' worth of books have already been shipped, and more will be as soon as they shall be needed. We have invited our friends everywhere to share this blessed stock in the Lord's cause on the Pacific coast with us, and there have been already a goodly number of cheerful responses. And yet there is room. It will be seen that the stock is not all taken yet. Should more be received than needed for the N. P. Mission, it will be used in the publication of THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES. Please remit in drafts on New York, or Money Order. Address Elder James White, Oakland, Cal.
And as you send forward your liberalities for the North Pacific Mission, send up your fervent prayers that God will give the missionaries great success.