Brethren at Work Jan, 30, 1897 page 7 Vol. IV No. 5

From the Pacific Coast.

For the Satisfaction of many of the readers of the Brethren at Work, I will say, I left my family and residence on the 6th of Nov., en route for Washington and Idaho Territories, on a mission of love. Traveled most of the way by steamboat, some by railroad, some by stage, sometime on a wagon, some on horseback and some on foot. Arrived at brother Moses Hunts, Columbia Co., W. T. on the 11th of November. Remained with the Brethren here a few days. Had a very small council meeting on the 14th.

On the 15th, in company with brother A. E. Troyer of Columbia Co., we started for the Palouse Country; arrived at brother A. P. Flory’s, Whitman Co., W. T., on the 15th. Had a small meeting on Sunday afternoon.

On the 17th, in company with brother Flory, we started to brother Steward’s, Arrived there the same evening. This is in Nezperce county, Idaho Territory. We found nine members of the church residing in this neighborhood. Here we held a series of meeting; at which time we organized a church, calling it the Palouse Valley church. There were seventeen members present, and all agreed to carry out the general order of the church. We then held a choice for a minister and deacon; the lot fell on brother Thomas Steward for minister and brother Nathan West for deacon. May the Lord enable them to be useful and faithful in their calling. They had one deacon before we organized the church, viz, brother Willing R. King. The address of all these official brethren is Moscow, Nezperce Co., Idaho Territory. During these meetings there was one accession by baptism. These were the first meeting held by the Brethren in that county.

On the 28th of Nov., in company with brethren Thomas Steward and Nathan West, we started for the Pataha church, Columbia Co., W. T. Arrived at brother A. E. Troyer’s on the 29th. Remained where one week; had seven meetings and one council meeting. Found things in a pitful condition with most of the members – so much so that it was necessary to disorganize this church. On the morning I left that neighborhood there were two made application for membership, to be attended to at the first opportunity that will offer itself.

Dec. the 7th, C. W. Frick conveyed me down to brother F. N. Winder’s, the same county. Had two meeting here.

On Monday, the 9th, brother F. N. Winder conveyed me to Dayton, the county seat of Columbia Co. Went from Dayton to Walla Walla City. Arrived at Walla Walla city on 10th. Lodged with brother George Bashor, who resides about one mile East of the city. Next day went out to David Bashor’s, nine miles nearly south of Walla Walla, where I met brother David and sister Bashor, who arrived here from ID the 8th of Nov. While in the neighborhood, held four meeting; then back to Walla Walla city, the 16th of Dec. Remained here with brother George Bashor.

I then started on the train for Waluia and arrived the same day. Next morning, I started on the steamboat for Mulnomah county, I the lower end of the Willamette Valley. Arrived at Stott’s Landing, near the mouth of the Sandy river, on 20th. Lodged with friend J. Stott; next day I went to brother J. Heiney’s. Here we held six meetings, five at the White school-house and one at Stott’s school-house. On Friday the 27th, brother J. Heiney conveyed me to Portland, and next day to Dayton, Yamhill Co., where we had three meetings. Lodged with brother Samuel Doney on Sunday night; thence home, at which place I arrived on the 31nd of Dec. Found all in moderate health. While I was on my trip I had very good luck, enjoyed good health and generally met a very kind reception; preached thirty-three sermons since the 15th of November, and attend three council meetings. Had a very good attention generally, for which I feel truly thankful to the Lord and to the brethren and sisters and friends for their kindness towards me.

Distance traveled on the above journey is between eight and nine hundred miles.

Now after taking the above long and tedious trip, being absent from home eight weeks, and having labored hard for the cause of our Divine Master, I wish to say to the Brethren in the Atlantic States, that we need help here on this coast very much indeed. We have a scope of country all of five hundred miles in length, with only one ordained elder to preside over these scattered brethren and churches. Eastern Oregon, Washington Territory and Idaho Territory, as it stand now only have one organized church, with only one young minister and three deacons, who reside at Moscow, Idaho Territory, near the line between W. T. and I. T.; and here in the Willamette Valley church, we have a large territory with only a very few working ministers, and our members very scattering indeed. While you are working at the missionary cause out there, think of the large field of labor here in the far West. Could not some of the elders, ministers, deacons and private members emigrate to this country, and settle down somewhere, and help us carry on the great work of the Lord? Souls are starving here for the bread and water of life.

There are so many calls here for meeting, many more than we can comply with; and very seldom do I have any ministerial help at our meetings, while out in there often have from four to eight or more minister present at one meeting. Will you not consider our condition? Can you do you duty and not heed this Macedonian call? Our county is good enough and the climate mild. We have had very little rain since the 15th of Nov., and a few little snows; mostly very fair weather of late; but this is not common here at this season of the year.

Since I arrived home we had six meetings here in our neighborhood. Brother A. H. Baltimore, of Albany, Linn Co., was with us at four of these meetings. Attention and orders was good. Closed our meetings last night. Our text last night was the Lord’s Supper., showing the difference between the Jewish Passover and the Supper instituted by the Savior the last night before His crucifixion.

Yours fraternally,

David Brower, Salem Oregon, Jan, 5, 1879

The Gospel Messenger Sept. 10, 1989 page 573 Vol. 36 No. 36

Nezperce. - As I have accepted the charge of the Moscow church, I paid the members at that place a visit, in order to learn what their needs are. After holding preaching services with them, and forming their acquaintance, we convened in council. Brethren James Weimer and Ellis H. West were elected to the ministry. Bro. Enoch Faw, of the Grafton church, has been preaching for them once a month, for a while. his labors were much appreciated. They have kept up their social meetings as well as their Sunday school. there is a bright future for the Moscow church if they are faithful in their Christian duties. - Stephen Johnson, Aug. 14.

The Gospel Messenger Dec. 5, 1914 page 792 Vol. 63 No. 49

MOSCOW CHURCH, IDAHO.

Bro. S. S. Neher commenced a series of meetings for us Nov. 1, and I joined him in the work on Tuesday, Nov,. 3. Notwithstanding the very unfavorable condition of the weather, most of the time, the meetings continued each evening until Nov. 16. A very pleasant, spiritual love feast was enjoyed by those present Nov. 14. Bro. Neher officiated. Bro. Orrin B. Gregory, of Sunnyside, Wash., led the song service, which was appreciated very much. Eleven put on Christ in baptism. Nov. 15, at 11 A. M., Bro. Neher preached a missionary sermon, after which an offering of $28.25 was lifted for District mission work. The membership had previously requested that an organization be effected at Moscow. Having received the consent of. the elders of the District, that the Mission Board and myself proceed in the matter as wisdom would indicate, a council was held Nov. 16. It was decided unanimously to organize a congregation,— in part at least. Brethren Hiram and Otho Lyons were elected to the deacon's office and, with their wives, duly installed. Bro. Cecil Hart was chosen clerk; Bro. Homer Lyons, treasurer; Sister Pearl Estes, Messenger . correspondent; Sister Eveline Hesseltine, Messenger agent; Sister Virdie Lyons, chorister. The writer is to take charge of the "church for one year. It was unanimously decided to name the church after the city, "Moscow Church of the Brethren." We have forty charter members, and a goodly number of them are young men and women, who have great opportunities for good before them. A bright outlook seems to favor this new organization, and if the members will live consistent lives, and march forward under the banner of Jesus Christ, this church is destined to be ome one of the flourishing churches of the Northwest. Bro. Neher is now with us in Coeur d-'Alene, preaching each evening. Chas. M. Yearout. Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, Nov. 22.