TRIP TO THE NORTHWEST by George C. Tenney

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jun 19, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 32.

TRIP TO THE NORTHWEST.

By George C. Tenney

WE had the satisfaction of being on the grounds of the memorable camp meeting lately held in Oakland before the meeting began and remaining till after the last benediction was pronounced. The meeting was in this respect, as well as others, quite remarkable, both people and laborers being in full attendance gave to the occasion its full measure of interest and importance—a very fortunate feature of any meeting.

Elder Olsen, accompanied by Elder J. H. Morrison, Brother A. R. Henry and wife, Brother Peter Wessels, wife and sister, and others who were leaving the grounds, left Oakland for Portland, on the evening of May 22. The journey by rail occupied two nights and one day. The first night was occupied in traversing the Sacramento Valley. Looking out and ahead to the northeast at early dawn the snowy pyramid of Mount Shasta looms grandly and beautifully from a setting of verdant hills that intervene. The mountain does not appear to be far away, but at noon we have not reached it, and until the day is nearly gone the train struggles with grades and curves, tempts the precipices and trestles within easy sight of this grand monarch of the mountains. The ascent of the upper portion of the Sacramento Valley is exceedingly beautiful and romantic.

It is rarely that a more entrancing scene is met than that at the celebrated Shasta Springs, where there is a large fountain of natural soda water. All around the soda springs the pure snow water comes dashing down the mountain side. By the use of pipes fountains are created which throw the water to great heights, whence it descends in clouds of spray. The train halts for passengers to test the soda fountain, and it is amusing to witness the disappointment of some who have obtained their ideas of soda water from the confectioners, and who fill their mouths with this free beverage, expecting to find it sweetened and flavored to taste, but suddenly experience the gentle biting of the carbonic acid gas, and a spasmodic disgust because the sirup is left out, which causes them to expel the water with even greater vehemence than that with which it was received.

It is so with many of earth's experiences; they are not what they seem nor what we anticipate they will be, and the pleasure of anticipation gives place to the discomfiture of experience.

Toward night the Siskiyou Range is crossed by some surprising feats of engineering, involving loops, tunnels, and switch tracks. The difficulties presented by these mountain passes long obstructed the ambition of railway builders, but now the "Shasta Route" adds another monument to skill and energy.

The most of the second night was spent in passing down the Willamette Valley, and in the morning we were greeted by Elder Graham and others, and conducted to the camp ground, located in the eastern borders of the city of Portland.

This was the early part of the workers' meeting and the camp was in process of preparation for the regular meeting, which was to open the following week. There were, however, a goodly number of people on the ground, and services were being held four times a day. Elder Olsen spoke twice to the workers, setting before them as fully as time would permit the expansion of the work and its increasing demands for consecration, and the necessity of thorough preparation in all branches of Christian work. It was considered something of a hardship by those assembled that they could not longer enjoy the benefits of Brother Olsen's labors, but other duties were pressing, and the party proceeded that evening up the banks of the Columbia River to Milton, Oregon, where the Upper Columbia Conference were convened in the annual camp meeting and conference.

This meeting was held in a cottonwood grove on the banks of the Walla Walla River, in the border of Milton, and about eight miles distant from the school lately established near Walla Walla. The situation was pleasant, though the inclosure was rather small and crowded. The attendance was larger than was expected and taxed the resources of the committee considerably. All the tents available were procured but were hardly sufficient for the demand. It was said there were one hundred and forty on the grounds.

As the meetings were in progress when we arrived and in progress when we departed, it will have to be left with others to give complete reports of the occasion, but there is no doubt it will prove to be the most successful ever held. As in other places, the people seemed very desirous to obtain the blessing of God. The services on the Sabbath were impressive, and we trust accomplished much good. Many sought and found the Saviour for the first time, while others who had lost their hold on God sought and found him anew. Sunday evening Brother Olsen and Brother Henry and wife started East, Brother Wessels and family left the next morning for the East by another route, and Elder Morrison remained to the close of the meeting.

The school at Walla Walla closed its first year's work very successfully just before the camp meeting began. The attendance through the year has been one hundred and sixty, and there is a prospect of a material increase the coming year. Many of the students were at the camp meeting and shared in the blessings. G. C. TENNEY.