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North Pacific Mission

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Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, Cal. · May 27, 1875

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 1, No. 29.

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North Pacific Mission.

By I. D. Van Horn

The cause of the Lord is still slowly and steadily advancing in this part of the field. Those who have received the truth are generally in earnest and are bending their energies and means to advance the work.
Our last quarterly meeting was held in our new meeting-house in Walla Walla, the first Sabbath and Sunday in April. By comparing this meeting with the first one I held in this country, about one year before, I could not help noticing the contrast. Then, I saw about twenty Sabbath-keepers and a few others gathered in a small school-house near the Walla Walla River; now, there was assembled before me some seventy-five Sabbath-keepers with their children and others making a congregation of one hundred and fifty or more. Instead of occupying a school-house in the country, we assembled in our large house of worship in the city of Walla Walla. Then, we had no Sabbath-school; now, we have the best one in this Valley.
Our people have entered heartily into the plan of Systematic Benevolence, and I do not know of a single dissenting voice among them. When they get their present burden of building off their hands they will be prepared to help by their means in other directions.
This spring I have hardly known how to plan for future labor. When I came into this mission it was designed that I should labor one year in the Walla Walla Valley to assist the brethren who had been so long calling for help, and then move the tent to the Willamette Valley where the greater portion of the people live. The year is now up. I have not thought it best to go into the large towns of the Willamette Valley without some efficient laborer to help me. The brethren up here are all pleading for me to remain in this part of the field another year. There is work enough here to keep me constantly busy. I read with joy the suggestion of the President of the General Conference that Bro. E. B. Lane and wife should come to this coast and this mission to labor. I have thought of Bro. Canright as the man to labor with me here, but shall be pleased to labor with any one the General Conference Committee may see duty to send.
My present conclusion regarding labor the coming season is to remain in this upper country till after our next quarterly meeting the 1st of July. Accordingly, I have pitched the tent in the little village of Waitsburg, W. T. I have already held six meetings with good interest, considering the rainy weather and the smallness of the place. We shall do what we can in new places till the quarterly meeting. The meeting-house will be completed by that time and will then be dedicated. This will leave the work here in very good condition.
Should some one be sent to labor with me, we could ship the tent down to Portland, and immediately following our quarterly meeting here, go down there to commence the work. By that time the rainy season will be over in the Willamette Valley and we could probably run the tent there four months this season.
We hope to be directed by the providence of God in the work in this mission. Pray for us. I. D. Van Horn. Waitsburg, May 12, 1875.