CORRESPONDENCE 401
difficult to please as a whole, yet they greatly need a minister, and the Territory as much need a leading mind in the denom- ination who may exercise a father's care and kindness toward our esteemed young brethren in the ministry. Now I hardly know what to write you. I would not draw you away from a very responsible and important post to occupy a less im- portant one. Yet, should you determine to settle as a pastor, I feel greatly desirous that an effectual door may be opened for you in Iowa. The church at Davenport and in this place cannot unite in the support of one man ; each would claim the services and residence of the minister. And the field is so wide in this vicinity that our brethren feel that they must have a man all the time on this side the river. Perhaps they judge correctly. I have no doubt from the acquaintance I have with the brethren in Danevport that they are prepared to give you a unanimous call to settle with them, provided they can raise the means for your support.
The Church in Bloomington will probably be left destitute before long, at longest in the month of June. It is the object of this letter to elicit from you a reply to a few questions. Are you determined to continue in your present agency? If not, would you regard it duty to settle in Iowa, provided you could be supported at a commanding point? Should the churches of Davenport and Bloomington unite in giving you a call, could you consent to supply the two churches thirty miles asunder, but with an excellent road on the bank of the river? Dr. Witherwax says their church would wait six months, if they knew you would settle with them at the ex- piration of that time. He also thinks that your support might be raised by adopting that plan. Please write Dr. W. in answer to this, as I shall probably be on our long journey before you will be able to have a letter reach this place. We are only waiting a draft from N. Y. which we are expecting every mail. Do not fail to attend our convention at Bloom- ington the first of June. May God direct you according to his holy will. Pray for us that our enterprise may be under
