greatly promote the cause of God. There is too much ——— in the country to trust in the hands of our men (especially in mine) at this time and our economy most wisely provides for the most constant intercourse be- tween the various portions of our work. The least of this that in my humble judgment can be allowed us is for a Bishop to visit us next season and for the Supt. to visit the States in the spring of 1852. The visit in question may be made [extensive?] and arduous or otherwise as the health of the Bishop may allow as to the best time to cross the [Isthmus?] you have more information than myself the expenses of the trip would be confined merely to the travel by sea. I need not say how much I would be grat[ified] to see you. per gratification is not so much the ques. but we should all be benefitted and our wants are such that were you aware of them most assuredly would you break away from your important work at home and come or comit us some spiritual gift, if pos- sible I shall meet you in Cal. unless otherwise instructed, provided I learn in time when you are coming. It is now my expec. to go down the coast in all the Month of Feb. I know nothing of the arrival of Bro. O & T up to this time. I have no doubt they are at their post, there are many points on which I should like to write. When shall we hear some one favourable response to our many applications for a Teacher for the 0. I. [Oregon Insti- tute] perhaps it is already on its way if so it will gladden our hearts. Despite the effects of the Love of money there is yet some piety in Oregon. I think it is growing will you can you Dear Brother come and superintend its growth in person for a few weeks at least perhaps by watering and hoeing it may yet flourish as the palm tree hoping to hear from you shortly [1]
I am
Yours in Christ
W. R.
- ↑ We trust that Mr. Roberts used a better pen and fewer original abbreviations in the original letter which he sent to the Bishop than he did in the copy
we have before us.
Bishop E. R. Ames presided at the conference in the year 1853, being the first M. E. Bishop to visit Oregon.