290 REVEREND EZRA FISHER
a denomination will be largely lost. A country is now settled, at favoured points, about as large as half the state of Illinois, and we are expecting large accessions the coming fall. Then the most important points will be seized upon with great eager- ness, if it is true, as we fondly hope, that the notice bill 105 is passed by both branches of our National Legislature and become a law. We see Romanism taking root in our soil and special effort being made to secure the influence of the leading men in our colony, and to establish schools for the education of our children and youth. We have already three churches, if they may be called churches, 106 and members favourably located to organize two or three more ; besides, we must soon look after more important interests than any already brought into existence, or entirely leave the seaboard to others. My heart bleeds at this view of things, while I find myself confined in school as the best way temporarily to exert a limited influence while I provide my family with the present necessaries of life. With this state of things before us, we have but three Baptist ministers in good standing in the churches, 107 and the other two are more confined than myself. We know your Board does not expect we will exhaust our physical powers for the bread that perishes, and, were you here to view things as they are, you would lift up your voice in the churches till we 'were liberated from the necessity of serving tables, or say, We will leave you to your ways, but appoint more faithful laborers in this vineyard of our common land. You know what we have to expect from the first emigrants from Missouri and Iowa. It is too much to expect to be thrown into the bosom of affectionate churches who sympathize with the faithful ministry and study to make his labors delightful. 108 Men do not rejoice
105 The bill provided for twelve months' notice to Great Britain of the termi- nation of the joint occupancy of the Oregon agreement of 1818. The news of the p-issage of the notice bill did not reach Oregon until a number of days after this letter was written. Bancroft, Hist, of Ore. 1 1589.
1 06 These three Baptist churches were at West Union (Tualatin Plains), La Creole (Polk County), and Yamhill (South Yamhill). Mattoon, Bapt. Annals of Ore. 1: 1-4.
107 The three Baptist ministers were Rev. Vincent Snelling, Rev. Hezekiah Johnson, and the author. Mattoon, Bap. Annals of Ore. 1:43-50.
1 08 Biptists from these western states and territories were not yet accustomed to supporting the ministry of the church.
