METHODIST REPORTS WILLAMETTE MISSION 327
spread branches." The place selected was the Twalatine Plains, thirty-five miles from the Willamette Falls. The meeting commenced on Thursday, July 12th, 1843. On the first day only fourteen persons were present, and the text was, "Where two or three are gathered together," etc.
The next day the congregation had increased one half. Four sermons were delivered on Friday by Broth- ers Lee, Perkins, Leslie and Clark, 14 a Presbyterian cler- gyman, all of which deeply interested the people in the great truths proclaimed. On Saturday this interest very evidently increased, and some began to inquire, "What must I do to be saved?" On Sabbath, the number pres- ent on the ground was about sixty, nineteen of whom were not professors of religion, but before the exercises of the day had closed, sixteen of this number were re- joicing in a sense of sins forgiven and praising God for salvation through faith. Among these were several who had been Rocky Mountain trappers and rangers. One of them, who was well known and almost proverbial for his boldness, joyfully exclaimed, "Tell everybody you see that Joseph Meek, that old Rocky Mountain sinner, has turned to the Lord." Small as was this pious assem- blage on the plains of Twalatine, still it was great and glorious on account of the presence and power of the living God. Since the meeting several others have been brought to God. Thus we learn that even in these dark regions, where so many unpropitious circumstances have combined to hinder the march of evangelical truth, our labors, contributions and prayers, have not been un- rewarded. Precious souls have been converted to God, and the Oregon "wilderness" is beginning to "bud and blossom as the rose."
The Rev. D. Lee and wife have also withdrawn from this mission on account of continued indisposition, and both have recently arrived in this country. Brother Lee
14 Rev. Harvey Clark.
