The Work in Portland, Oregon.
By William Ings
Two months ago I left San Francisco, and during this time I have been assisting in the work in this Conference, but more particularly in Portland. This is a very important point for our work, owing to the amount of travel. Much of this emigration consists of seekers after homes, both in Oregon and Washington Territory, which gives us an excellent opportunity of placing reading matter in the hands of those who are broken off from their former associations. There are eighteen passenger steamers that leave this place, three of which go to San Francisco. The others navigate the Columbia and Willamette Rivers. On these are excellent chances for people to read, as the water is smooth and some of the journeys are from eight to ten hours in length. We have our distributors on every boat, two on each—one the loaning library of fifteen pamphlets, the other a free distributor containing our periodicals and tracts. The last mentioned is supplied on the return of each boat, some daily and others every other day. The work of getting our cases on these boats has been brought about through the direct providence of God. Without his help this could not have been accomplished. Nothing was allowed to be attached to the finely polished walls of the saloons, but God put it into the hearts of men to permit our cases, holding the truths that are to warn the world, a place on the walls, and in several instances those having the authority would take them and with their own hands place them in position for us. The favors that we have been granted far exceeded our expectations. We have cheering reports as the result of this work; people will read for hours, and others, when the distance is short, ask the steward to let them take the pamphlet to their homes with the promise of returning it to the boat. We have placed thirty holders for SIGNS in nineteen of the leading hotels. In this the Lord has given success, not one having refused, and all were pleased to have it in their houses. By this means thousands will have access to our valuable pioneer paper, and we little know of the good it will accomplish. Two overland trains are visited daily, and many persons are found who become interested in our work. After learning the object, papers are taken freely and hardly a train is visited but something is sold. We are using 650 SIGNS per week to good account, besides many tracts and pamphlets. The latter are sold. Brother Reed, who is devoted to the cause, will have this work in charge, and will find plenty of work to do. Since the canvassing class closed its work, the friends have gone to their fields of labor. The prospect for this Conference was never more favorable than at the present time. The camp-meeting brought about excellent results. The labors of Elders Boyd and Loughborough among the churches have been appreciated, and my visits have been a source of encouragement to me, and I trust profitable to them. Clubs of SIGNS have been taken, the missionary spirit has been revived, and all are encouraged to work. The Lord has given strength, and helped in the work we have tried in his fear to do. To him be all the praise. WM. INGS.
Portland, Aug. 5, 1884.