CORRESPONDENCE 273
and most delightful portion of Oregon. Perhaps a more picturseque scenery cannot be found in North America. The church is small, but its members are fast prospering and wish to work for good while they work for themselves; and under a faithful ministry we might reasonably hope for happy re- sults. This is about 65 miles above Oregon City in the center of the Willamette Valley and a few miles below the termina- tion of future steam navigation, in the vicinity of water power to almost any extent. I was strongly impressed with the thought that near this place was perhaps the most favorable point in the whole country for the location of an instittuion of learning for our denomination. By the recent developments of gold in California these convictions are strengthened.
9th. Brother Snelling and myself both preached and ad- ministered the sacrament of the supper. Congregation good for so new a country, but no unusual interest apparent.
10th, llth and 12th. Visited; viewed the surrounding country.
13th. Rode thirty miles to Salem, and spent the night with Br. Matlock. 14th. Crossed the Willamette and rode about 30 miles over a rolling prairie and open country to the south fork of the Yam Hill; visited two families, but noth- ing of special interest occurred.
15th. Rode 14 miles. My way lay along the Yam Hill bottom lands; soil luxuriantly rich and large fields of wheat of enormous growth were now waving their long golden ears to the gentle breezes that glide over the plains. Met the Yam Hill church at the time of their monthly meeting and preached on the occasion at the house of Br. Miller, 1 ? 2 an ordained minister from Missouri. 16th. It being Lord's day, Br. Snelling and myself both preached to a large con-
17 a This was Rev. Richard Miller, who came to Oregon in 1847. Mattoon, Bap. An. of Ore. 1:5, 59-
