North Pacific Conference.
By I. D. Van Horn
I LEFT my home in Salem, Oregon, on the 30th day of July to commence work in the eastern part of this Conference. On arriving at Walla Walla, Brother W. L. Raymond joined me and we soon began meetings with the tent. After the weather became too stormy and cold to use the tent, we continued our work in the churches of Walla Walla, Milton, and Dayton. Up to date, we have held one hundred and twenty meetings. Our effort with the Dayton church resulted favorably. The church previous to this time had not been fully organized. We completed the organization, withdrew fellowship from three disorderly members, and received two into the church by baptism. This church now numbers nineteen, and they never were in a better condition. We moved the tent about thirty miles from Dayton to a new place, and after three weeks labor, ten began to keep the Sabbath. These all remain firm. In the Walla Walla church we labored at a great disadvantage on account of the members being so scattered; but few of them could attend. We had to withdraw from six, but still the church numbers forty-eight. The good Elder of this church, Brother Maxson, being away on a visit East, made it even more difficult to do all for this church which they so much needed. If this church would adopt the plan of concentrating their strength by settling near enough to Walla Walla, that they might maintain meetings, instead of doing as they have done, scattered away, it would be far better for the cause. But sometimes when our brethren move they do not consider so much the welfare of the cause, as they do their own selfish interests. Let the members of this church all make an effort to situate themselves in this life so they can concentrate their strength to carry on the cause in Walla Walla, and the condition of things would be far different than what we now see. But let no one think that the cause is dead in this church. Far from it. The church in Milton is still strong. Five united while we were there; three by letter and two by baptism. The members of this church have so far kept their strength united, and the result is, a growing interest continually. The church now numbers thirty-four. The prospect before them is favorable. On the whole the cause is moving onward in this part of the Conference. All the friends of the cause seem to be wide awake and anxious for a camp-meeting next spring. Such a meeting will be of great benefit to the cause here. We want at that meeting a thorough stirring up on the T. and M. work. We shall solicit the aid of some one of the ministering brethren who is thoroughly posted in this work to help us on that occasion. There is a large field for work in that direction in this Conference. We all need to wake up and to show more diligence in this branch of the cause. Dayton, W. T., November 15, 1878.