Preface

When Volume I of BAPTIST ANNALS OF OREGON was published, it was expected soon to publish the second volume; several circumstances prevented; poor health and a lack of funds were prominent, and other delays hindered. Then some brethren recommended an outline of the more important events, and for this, much aid was promised. Still the second volume lacks much of the fulness of detail of the first. The author was too old to gather records, or pick up reminiscences, and experiences. Personal sketches are scanty and usually mixed with other matter. Yet his extensive acquaintance and voluminous correspondence was a great help. He also had a large supply of denomination periodicals-especially the Pacific Baptist, the Home Mission Monthly, the Colporter Reports, and the Reports of our Eastern Societies and kindred sources of information. But while it will be perceived the present volume is more a compilation than a history, and especially the last decade, yet its superior excellence (if any) should be credited to the generous brethren who put the finishing touches to it. And we all hope and pray that these few records of the prayers and labors, and sacrifices, and feeble struggles of our faithful predecessors may serve as an encouragement, and as a stimulus to higher aims, and stronger and more exalted efforts for the upbuilding of the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The careful reader will notice that the detailed plan of arrangement in the first volume is changed somewhat in the second. (1) All the churches located within the boundaries of their own Association in 1910, are considered with that Association. By that means, the needy fields of the Association are brought in plainer view to those who should be most interested in their cultivation. In the first 40 years of the settlement of Oregon, the needy fields abutted up to the great majority of the churches, and the faithful churches sent their pastors on a circuit after the mission stations to also look after and care for them. The later policy is to have some man give glowing accounts of such vast areas here and there all over Oregon that the mass of churches are so bewildered that they do comparatively very little for the really needy sections, it all going to the "Strategic Points." Especially is this the case with the churches west of the Cascade mountains. Very rarely is anything done 10 miles from a railroad. (2) A few clearly expressed, pointed statements in the proper place are sufficient to show the standard position of the Oregon Baptists in doctrine and practice. In practical work, different environments sometimes call for some changes in details of management, but fundamental principles are substantially the same. (3) In the declaration of many moral or popular issues, a judicious collection of a few have added to the value of the work.

Conclusion

If any wish to know all about the Baptist cause in Oregon; the first efforts, the trials, the difficulties, the sacrifices, the struggles and true heroism of the undertakings, and the glorious results; if he want to know what the brethren did for themselves; what the Home Mission Society did for them; how against terrible odds they struggled, relying with strong faith in God till victory rested on their banners; if one would realize how with undaunted courage, and with unflinching faith they became a might people still pressing forward for conquest, read Baptist Annals. There you will find the name of every missionary sent to Oregon by the American Home Baptist Mission Society of New York; how they came, the hardships of the journey, how they fared on their arrival, and the trials and difficulty they met afterwards. You will find there the time each man labored, the churches he organized, and how much the Society paid for his labors. And you will find like details of those who came "at their own charges." And every field of the Home Mission Society is named, its time of occupation, its churches organized, its meeting houses built, its converts baptized, and the money expended upon it. This is all found in this book. No other book gives thus fully the origin, growth and wonderful expansion of the Baptist work in Oregon. It is in these volumes, the first from 1844 to 1886; the second from 1886 to 1910. Every Baptist wants it; needs it to post him as to the origin of our churches; needs it to tell him what our pioneers did, need it to tell him what the Home Mission Society did, needs it to tell him whether faith in God and hard work and zeal for his own work will triumph, needs it to draw from its columns inspiration and zeal for his own work. In its application to the Pacific Coast no other book tells the story so well and so completely. And it is authentic and reliable. Its data is gathered from official sources and the reminiscences frm brethren and sisters who were personal actors on the scenes. Every Baptist need it to be thoroughly posted in the history of his own churches. Subscribe for it and find it a source of much satisfaction.