Primitive Christian and Pilgrim Nov, 11, 1879

From Oregon.

October 11^th, 1879

Dear Brethren:

According to previous arrangements with the brethren in Southern Oregon, my wife and I, in company with sister Sarah Root, of Coos county, started on a mission of love the 26^th of August, en route for that portion of the State. We stopped with the brethren in Albany, Linn county, one day. At Roseburg we were met, by brother Vanhorn, of Jackson Co., with a spring-wagon to convey us to the brethren near Jacksonville, at which place we arrived on Sunday morning just in time to attend their meeting on the 31^st of August, having traveled a distance of 100 miles south of Roseburg. Here in this neighborhood, near Jacksonville, we remained ten days. Met the resident minister, brother Hoxie, and continued our meetings eight days. Held a communion meeting September 6^th, at which place and time we more fully organized this arm of the church by calling two brethren to the office of deacon, viz., Alfred Rummel and John Wimer. We named this church the Rogue River church. It has a membership of about twenty-four, scattered over a large territory. Had about eleven meetings near Jacksonville. Very good order and attention was give us. May the Lord bless this arm of the church, and may the minister and deacons be firm and steadfast, earnestly contending for the faith once delivered to the saints, and may souls be added by their labor and influence.

On the 10^th of September we left the above neighborhood, having two others members added to our company, G. W. Hoxie and sister Esther, wife of John Vanhorn, making our number six. We all went in a spring-wagon to Williams Creek, Josephine county, and held three meetings. On Sunday had one meeting on Applegate at the Missouri Flat school-house. This is still in bounds of the Rogue River church, some twenty-five miles west of Jacksonville. During our stay with the brethren in the Rogue River church we had pleasant seasons with them. We were very kindly received and well treated by the brethren, and met warm friends generally.

On Monday morning, 15^th, we all started for the Coquille church, Coos county, sixty miles west of Roseburg. We arrived at brother Luellen’s on Saturday morning, September 20^th, and remained there about eight days. Attended quite a number of meetings, perhaps eleven or twelve. On Friday, the 26^th we had our first district meeting in Oregon, the business of which passed off very pleasantly. Also had a very pleasant communion meeting here on the 27^th, at which time and place there were two brethren called to the deacon’s office, Uriah Root and Thomas Barklow. David Barklow, Porter Overholser, Samuel Barklow, John Root and J. H. Roberts are the resident ministers here. They have a meeting-house 30x40 and a membership of about seventy. There were about fifty communicants at the said feast. Had good order and attention. During our meetings there were made to rejoice and sinners tremble. We surely had a feast of fat things. We hope and pray that the Lord will bless and protect this arm of the church. May they live and labor together in love bless and protect this arm of the church. May they live and labor together in love and union. Here we were met with a very kind reception and were well-treated.

On Monday, 29^th, all but sister Sarah Root left. We arrived at Roseburg on the night of October 1^st. Next morning wife and I parted with the rest of the company. They continued their journey in the spring wagon, while wife and I boarded the train at Roseburg for Salem, and arrived home sane day. Found all well. Praised the Lord. The distance traveled by rail on the above journey was 300 miles; by wagon, about 340. While traveling with the wagon we camped out6 a good part of the time. Hope the brethren in the Atlantic States will think of us here in the far West, and earnestly pray for us. Fraternally, David Brower