I will inform you that I have just returned home from Washington Territory. Last spring Bro. Moses Hunter of Columbia Co., W. T., urged me, by correspondence, to make them a visit, and set things in running order with them. I was also requested by elders of other parts to go there. After much thought I yielded, and on the morning of the 7th of November, I got on board the steam-boat at Salem, enroute for Walla Walla City, W. T. Traveled most of the way by stream-boat. From Walula on the Columbia river to Walla Walla city I traveled on the railroad. Arrived at Walla Walla city the 12th of Nov. from thence I went by private conveyance, as best I could. Arrived at brother Ira Hopkins the 15th, having laid over in Walla Walla city two days.

On the 17th brother Ira Hopkins conveyed me over to brother Moses Hunt’s, some 12 or 15 miles nearly northeast of brethren Hopkins. Although strangers in the flesh, the brethren received me very kindly. Soon after our arrival, arrangements were made for holding a series of meetings in different localities in said county, also to make a visit to a few member in Whitman Co., some 35 or 40 miles nearly north across the snake river. First we had three meetings in a school house near brother Hunt’s. From here we went to Whitman Co., where bro. A. P. Flory and wife, a sister, and sister Susannah Flory and her son-in-law, James Dawler, reside. There are all old acquaintance and were very glad to see us. Had a very pleasant visit with them. In consequence of rainy weather at the time we were there, we only had one meeting with them. Bro. A. P. Flory not being at home, we did not get to see him.

Returned back to the neighborhood of brother Hunt’s the 2th, convinced holding meetings there on the evening of the 29th, and continued over Sunday. On Friday, preached the funeral of brother Wheeler. Closed our series of meeting there on Monday night the 4th of Dec.

We had ten meeting and one council meeting, which was held on Saturday, the 2nd day of Dec. At said council, we organized a church here according to the regular order of the Brethren, both in faith and practice. We also held a choice for a visiting brother, and the lot fell on our dear Bro. Eli Thornton. Hope and pray that the Lord may enable him and his wife, a sister, to prove faithful in their calling and set a good example before others. My prayer is that the Lord may help then all, all the official brethren and lay members to be steadfast, prove faithful and all labor for the up building of the Master’s kingdom. While there we had very interesting meetings. We had no accessions, but think there were deep impression made on some, and the brethren seemed to be much edified and built up.

On Tuesday the 5th day of Dec., I returned to brother Ira Hopkins, had seven meetings there, much interest seemed to be manifested, the very best of order and attention, and like at the other place, had a crowded house.

On Tuesday the 12th, went about 20 miles west to the Washington school-house, in the west end of the county. Had three meetings there. This school-house is 8 miles west of Dayton the county seat of Columbia Co., and two miles east of Waitsburg, Walla Walla Co., W. T. in all we had 21 meetings. Bro. Moses Hunt, who is a minister in the 2nd degree, intended to accompany me to the these meetings, but his eldest son took sick, with the fever shortly after my arrival, and was very poorly when I left the 5th of Dec. Afterward I learned that his son died the 9th, consequently I was alone the most of the time. Let me say that there is a large field of laboring brethren in W. T. as well as here, and I believe that much good might be done up there. They have some good country, some very good soil, easy to cultivate and seems to be very productive. It is a good country for stock raising. Timber very scarce. Generally speaking all have to resort to the Blue mountains, where they say they have plenty of timber. As yet, markets are low. The climate seems to be dry and healthy. It is quite a new country, but the people are generally very well satisfied with it.

The 14^th I heard that the last boat on the Columbia river would start to Dallas in a few days, consequently, I closed the meetings at Washington school-house that night, and started for home the 15th, and on the 17th, early a. m., got on the steam boat at Walula and arrived home the 20th. Found all well and thanks be to the good Lord for his rich blessings bestowed upon us all.

Here let me say to our dear brethren and friends in W. T. I tender my thanks unto all of you for your kindness shown unto me while with you. We met as strangers, but we soon formed an acquaintance with many of you, and also formed an attachment, which will not be forgotten. How often do I think of the happy. How often do I think of the happy seasons I enjoyed with you.

While I was absent, brother Jacob Bahr, a ministering brother and family arrived here from Moulton, Appanoose Co., Iowa. They are now residing near Lebanon, Linn Co., Oregon, some 30 miles south of us. They moved up there before I returned, therefore I have not met them yet. The health here and where I have been is generally good.

Yours Fraternally, David Brower.

Primitive Christian Feb. 6, 1877 page 91

Brother H. Hunt, of Columbia county, Wash. Territory, Jan. 17th^,says:

We are all well for which we thank God. Our intent in writing is to inform you that there are a few brethren and sisters in this isolated placed. Elder David Brower, of Salem, Oregon, was with us a little season, laboring for the salvation of souls. He preached the word with power. May God bless his labors. We organized a church. A brother by the name of Eli Thornton was also called to the deaconship

Brethren at Work Jan, 30, 1897 page 7 Vol. IV No. 5

From the Pacific Coast.

For the Satisfaction of many of the readers of the Brethren at Work, I will say, I left my family and residence on the 6th of Nov., en route for Washington and Idaho Territories, on a mission of love. Traveled most of the way by steamboat, some by railroad, some by stage, sometime on a wagon, some on horseback and some on foot. Arrived at brother Moses Hunts, Columbia Co., W. T. on the 11th of November. Remained with the Brethren here a few days. Had a very small council meeting on the 14th.

On the 15th, in company with brother A. E. Troyer of Columbia Co., we started for the Palouse Country; arrived at brother A. P. Flory’s, Whitman Co., W. T., on the 15th. Had a small meeting on Sunday afternoon.

On the 17th, in company with brother Flory, we started to brother Steward’s, Arrived there the same evening. This is in Nezperce county, Idaho Territory. We found nine members of the church residing in this neighborhood. Here we held a series of meeting; at which time we organized a church, calling it the Palouse Valley church. There were seventeen members present, and all agreed to carry out the general order of the church. We then held a choice for a minister and deacon; the lot fell on brother Thomas Steward for minister and brother Nathan West for deacon. May the Lord enable them to be useful and faithful in their calling. They had one deacon before we organized the church, viz, brother William R. King. The address of all these official brethren is Moscow, Nezperce Co., Idaho Territory. During these meetings there was one accession by baptism. These were the first meeting held by the Brethren in that county.

On the 28th of Nov., in company with brethren Thomas Steward and Nathan West, we started for the Pataha church, Columbia Co., W. T. Arrived at brother A. E. Troyer’s on the 29th. Remained where one week; had seven meetings and one council meeting. Found things in a pitful condition with most of the members – so much so that it was necessary to disorganize this church. On the morning I left that neighborhood there were two made application for membership, to be attended to at the first opportunity that will offer itself.

Dec. the 7th, C. W. Frick conveyed me down to brother F. N. Winder’s, the same county. Had two meeting here.

On Monday, the 9th, brother F. N. Winder conveyed me to Dayton, the county seat of Columbia Co. Went from Dayton to Walla Walla City. Arrived at Walla Walla city on 10th. Lodged with brother George Bashor, who resides about one mile East of the city. Next day went out to David Bashor’s, nine miles nearly south of Walla Walla, where I met brother David and sister Bashor, who arrived here from ID the 8th of Nov. While in the neighborhood, held four meeting; then back to Walla Walla city, the 16th of Dec. Remained here with brother George Bashor.

I then started on the train for Waluia and arrived the same day. Next morning, I started on the steamboat for Mulnomah county, I the lower end of the Willamette Valley. Arrived at Stott’s Landing, near the mouth of the Sandy river, on 20th. Lodged with friend J. Stott; next day I went to brother J. Heiney’s. Here we held six meetings, five at the White school-house and one at Stott’s school-house. On Friday the 27th, brother J. Heiney conveyed me to Portland, and next day to Dayton, Yamhill Co., where we had three meetings. Lodged with brother Samuel Doney on Sunday night; thence home, at which place I arrived on the 31th of Dec. Found all in moderate health. While I was on my trip I had very good luck, enjoyed good health and generally met a very kind reception; preached thirty-three sermons since the 15th of November, and attend three council meetings. Had a very good attention generally, for which I feel truly thankful to the Lord and to the brethren and sisters and friends for their kindness towards me.

Distance traveled on the above journey is between eight and nine hundred miles.

Now after taking the above long and tedious trip, being absent from home eight weeks, and having labored hard for the cause of our Divine Master, I wish to say to the Brethren in the Atlantic States, that we need help here on this coast very much indeed. We have a scope of country all of five hundred miles in length, with only one ordained elder to preside over these scattered brethren and churches. Eastern Oregon, Washington Territory and Idaho Territory, as it stand now only have one organized church, with only one young minister and three deacons, who reside at Moscow, Idaho Territory, near the line between W. T. and I. T.; and here in the Willamette Valley church, we have a large territory with only a very few working ministers, and our members very scattering indeed. While you are working at the missionary cause out there, think of the large field of labor here in the far West. Could not some of the elders, ministers, deacons and private members emigrate to this country, and settle down somewhere, and help us carry on the great work of the Lord? Souls are starving here for the bread and water of life.

There are so many calls here for meeting, many more than we can comply with; and very seldom do I have any ministerial help at our meetings, while out in there often have from four to eight or more minister present at one meeting. Will you not consider our condition? Can you do you duty and not heed this Macedonian call? Our county is good enough and the climate mild. We have had very little rain since the 15th of Nov., and a few little snows; mostly very fair weather of late; but this is not common here at this season of the year.

Since I arrived home we had six meetings here in our neighborhood. Brother A. H. Baltimore, of Albany, Linn Co., was with us at four of these meetings. Attention and orders was good. Closed our meetings last night. Our text last night was the Lord’s Supper., showing the difference between the Jewish Passover and the Supper instituted by the Savior the last night before His crucifixion.

Yours fraternally,

David Brower, Salem Oregon, Jan, 5, 1879

Primitive Christian Jan. 16, 1877 page 44,

Brethren at Work Jan, 30, 1897 page 7 Vol. IV No. 5