144 REVEREND EZRA FISHER to term it. But it has been because I could not help it while all these and many kindred considerations were pressing upon me and sometimes preying upon my spirits. I have just written your Board requesting a reappointment, with privilege of performing a little more of the same kind of work, sincerely hoping when that is done this part of the cause of education may rest a few years. I know not what kind of a reception the educational part of the request will meet in the Board, but I believe they are all good; men and wise and, if they could be here and see things as they are, they would to a man judge of this matter as we do here. I sincerely hope the Board will weigh this subject well and allow me to do this work in connection with the work of exploring agent, so as not to interfere with my official duies. I will try to the utmost of my ability to prevent interference. I seriously fear that the work must remain undone unless it is done this way by me. If another man could be found here to do it, I would sincerely rejoice, probably more than you all. Yours with sincere esteem, EZRA FISHER. be secured free? When Mr. Atkinson 2 99-a returned to the be secured free? When Mr. Atkinson returned to the States to solicit funds for liquidating the debts of the female seminary building in this place his passage was secured free or nearly so. We have built our house without asking help from the churches at home and we ask for a man to be sent to bless Oregon in sustaining the teaching department of a public school of much greater moment than a county female school. Will our suit be denied by men making money by the hundred thousands? EZRA FISHER. Received March 19, 1853. Oregon City, O. T., Feb. 3d, 1853. Rev. Benjamin M. Hill, Cor. Sec. A. B. H. M. Soc., New York. Dear Brother: I noticed an article in the Christian Chronicle, under the ed- 299 Rev. G. H. Atkinson, who arrived at Oregon City in June, 1848, and was the first Congregational home missionary in Oregon.
