The Prospect in the N. P. Conference.
By Charles L. Boyd
1. Our ship, train, and city mission work is in a prosperous condition. Brother Reed, who has charge, is of good courage. He makes daily sales on the trains, and distributes SIGNS and tracts gratuitously. He is usually treated with kindness and respect. Fifteen steamers, which ply the tranquil waters of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers, have on each of them two distributors, which were presented by the International Tract Society. These are kept supplied with the choicest reading matter which comes from the pens of those looking for that blessed hope. The palace steamers on the line between Portland and San Francisco, are kept supplied at this end by our society, and at the other end by the California society. All the leading hotels in both East and West Portland are furnished with SIGNS' holders, and these are kept supplied with the weekly issue of this invaluable paper; 640 of the SIGNS, 500 Sentinels, 25 Stemme, 25 Tidende, 10 Harolden, and a supply of Good Health copies, are regularly placed before the reading public. Many of the men thus reached are from distant parts of our own land, and from the different nations of the world, and are fit representatives of their respective lands. This is the divinely arranged plan, and perchance the only means which some of these souls will ever have to become acquainted with the Third Angel's Message. If we were seeking only to build up our own Conference, we would work more directly for those within our borders; but, in the providence of God, we are placed where we can reach, with the printed page, hundreds and thousands of those who will never hear the living message of God. "And who knoweth whether" we are come to this place "for such a time as this?" 2. The missionary spirit is reviving among us; the different churches are drinking in of the spirit of the work; the librarians are sending in encouraging reports. One thing which looks particularly favorable is that they now see much to be done which they can do. 3. The Lord is blessing the labors of our colporters, and earnest calls are being received for a minister to come and follow up the interest through them awakened. With a feeling of sadness, we realize the scarcity of laborers. It is a solemn fact that for all this vast Conference we have but one minister, and two or three colporters in the field. But, by the grace of God, we expect that in the near future others will be with us in the field, helping to swell the notes of alarm, and to sound the glad story of a soon-coming Saviour. 4. Last but not least, the hearts of God's people are being drawn together, and united in love. Courage, brother and sister; be faithful; press forward, and soon we will hear the "Well done good and faithful servant, thou hast been faithful over a few things, . . . enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."