North Pacific Conference.
By I. D. Van Horn
Since our excellent camp-meeting the last of June, the quarterly meetings in this Conference have been held, which showed a waning of interest in some parts of the field, but an increase in other parts. The cause is doing well in western Oregon, and the Salem church who have had my labors so long felt strong enough to stand alone awhile, and they were willing I should leave them and go to the support of the cause in the eastern part of the Conference. The Indian war and excitement in eastern Oregon had almost decided our minds to pitch the new tent at some place in the Willamette Valley, but on receiving letters from churches in the Walla Walla country, we felt called upon to go at once to that field. Accordingly, July 30, we left home and had a prosperous journey to Walla Walla, with the exception of a break down of the steamer on the upper Columbia, which delayed our arrival one day. I found the church in Walla Walla much scattered; many of the members having moved away from town so that the attendance at meetings is quite small. Then, at the time of my arrival, all were sad over the deep affliction in the family of Brother J. F. Wood. Diphtheria was doing its dreadful work among his children and three of them yielded to its power, and were carried to the grave. We could but weep and mourn with them, having been so closely connected with them in building up the church in this place. We visited the church at Milton, and found them entering into some severe trials. We gave them counsel, and I hope they will free themselves from trouble, and stand as they have stood in the past, a band of loving brethren and sisters. Last Tuesday, August 13, we came with our new tent to Dayton. We find the church here, in a very good condition, though they, too, need help. We did not come to this part of the Conference too soon. Our presence here has already had a reviving influence among the friends of the cause. We believe by the time of the next quarterly meetings we shall see a new power added to the cause here. We pray for help from the divine hand that we may be able to build up and establish the work here that it may be a success hereafter. Brother Raymond is with me and we hope for much good. The following is a later report:— Our new 50-ft tent has been pitched in this place for ten days. Twelve discourses have been given. The attendance through the week has averaged about one hundred each evening, but on Sunday from two hundred to two hundred and fifty have attended. This is a fair attendance for a place of this size. So far we have dwelt upon the prophecies, coming of the Lord, nature of man, and resurrection of the dead. Quite a number of interested hearers are present at every meeting. We hope to see good results from our efforts here before we take down the tent. The church in this place needs help. We came here as much to encourage the members of the church to activity and devotion, as to persuade others to receive the truth. We already see indications of good in both the church and the people of the place. We thank the Lord for this. The Lord is very near us. He condescends to bless us and aid us in the work of opening the precious present truth to the people. August 26, 1878. I. D. VAN HORN.