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The Missionary

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International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Feb 17, 1888

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 14, No. 7.

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The Missionary.

By U. C. Conf. Committee

PROGRESS IN THE UPPER COLUMBIA CONFERENCE.

THINKING that a brief statement of the condition and progress of the work in our part of the field may be of interest to your readers, we send you the following:—
The reports concerning the week of prayer from different localities are so brief that we cannot give descriptions which we are sure would be specially interesting. The appointment was received with favor, and its importance recognized. It was observed by nearly all our churches and companies, and proved a season of profit and spiritual growth.
We feel thankful to be able to report the present condition and future prospects of the cause in the Conference, as encouraging in different directions. Two camp-meetings have been held,—one at Milton, Or., which was reported, the other in Idaho. This last was for the special benefit of those who could not attend our annual meeting. It was the first privilege of the kind that most of them had enjoyed, and their faithfulness in attending and in sustaining the meeting was rewarded by the blessing of the Lord in a marked degree.
About eighty persons have accepted the truth since the beginning of the Conference year, and calls for labor are more than can be responded to. One church has been organized, others have had additions, and several companies have been brought out which await organization.
The missionary spirit seems active as evidenced by the work being done by the local societies. A liberal amount of money has been subscribed for a reserve and mission fund, and steps have been taken to secure a lot and erect a church in Spokane Falls, and to continue the mission there.
Canvassing has not kept pace with other branches because of peculiarities of the field, which presents special difficulties. Plans are now being laid which it is hoped will bring up this branch of the work.
A special degree of interest is manifest in Sabbath-schools. Four new schools have been added to the list, with a membership of nearly one hundred.
The temperance work is making some headway.
Our school at Milton is the center of much interest. A society has been regularly incorporated, a substantial school building erected at a cost of about fourteen hundred dollars. This is paid for, and means provided to build a boarding-house as soon as circumstances will permit. The school is under the management and instruction of Elder G. W. Colcord and wife, assisted by two under teachers. The number of pupils enrolled is seventy-five. All instruction and discipline seem thorough, and there is a commendable degree of application and interest noticeable on the part of students. The reputation of the school is such that it is being patronized by those not of our faith. The credit for this enterprise is mainly due to the energy and zeal of the Milton church.
While we have some difficulties to meet peculiar to this field, and others common to all, we feel to "thank God and take courage." U. C. CONF. COMMITTEE.