THE churches in this Conference observed the fast-day and week of prayer as recommended by the General Conference Committee, and as far as we have been able to learn it has proved to be a season of spiritual benefit to all. I spent the first part of the week of prayer with the company at Woodburn. December 18 their new church was dedicated. Brethren Reed and Dickenson were also present. The remaining portion of the week was spent with the East Portland church. In order to accommodate the students who were attending the school, it was thought best to hold the meetings in the evening. Meetings were also held in the day-time for those who could not attend in the evening. Each service of reading was followed by a social meeting.
As the urgent need of means to aid in the different branches of the cause was presented to us, the hearts of all seemed to be opened to do what they could to aid in the work. The Christmas exercises passed off pleasantly. The donations in this church amounted to $436.46—more than double the sum raised last year. This, with what was paid in by the other churches, made $778.38.
We feel thankful to God for the blessings of the week of prayer, which is in the past, and we trust its influence will be felt throughout the coming year. We have reason to rejoice for the omens of good manifested in this Conference. As far as our limited knowledge extends, we can report favorably, both as regards finances and the spiritual condition of laborers and members; and with the corps of workers that are preparing to enter the field in the spring, we cannot see why, with the blessing of God, the coming year may not be more prosperous than any in the past. A good degree of interest has been manifested in the missionary work.
At the last Conference $1,000 was pledged to support the ship work. At Portland, Seattle, and Victoria about seventy-five steamers are visited weekly. These with the sailing vessels carry the precious truth to the various ports of the coast from California to Alaska, and to foreign countries. About one thousand periodicals are sent out in this way, and by our societies and individuals. The past winter, thirty thousand Bible-readings have been printed and circulated.
The school at East Portland, which has been in operation a part of the past three years, is proving a great blessing to the cause throughout the Conference. The room occupied being too small to accommodate all who wished to attend, a building capable, when completed, of seating one hundred and fifty, was erected last summer. The attendance this winter numbers eighty, with Professor Starbuck as principal, and Carrie Mills and Frank Bunch as assistants. Bible study is one prominent feature of the school. A tract and missionary society of thirty-five members has been organized. Regular work is being done, so that while giving a better understanding of the truth and those things that will enable the students to become useful, they are learning to labor for the salvation153of others. Nearly a score are preparing to go out either as canvassers or Bible-workers, the coming season.
Our prayer is that God will continue to bless the work in this part of the great harvest field.
S. FULTON.