UPPER COLUMBIA by W. F. Martin

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 3, 1900

UPPER COLUMBIA.

By W. F. Martin

Many times during the last few months the Lord has richly blessed me in laboring for him. Oct. 1, 1899, I went to Lewiston, Idaho, and secured the Grand Army hall in which to hold meetings. Elder C. L. Taylor was to join me in a few days. After arranging for the meetings in Lewiston, I went by invitation to Troy, to attend quarterly meeting at that place. The members of that church are mostly Scandinavians. We had a good meeting.

I returned to Lewiston, where I was stricken with smallpox the day that Elder Taylor arrived. We were quarantined for a month, so had to abandon all idea of holding meetings. The Lord graciously spared Elder Taylor from taking the disease, although he nursed me through its entire course.

On being released from quarantine, I spent a month at home, then went into the field again. I visited Pullman, Moscow, Genesee, and Lewiston. In each place the Lord blessed the labor put forth in his name.

From January 8 to April 18 I labored in Walla Walla and College Place, then took another trip to the Palouse country, holding quarterly meeting with the church at Genesee, Idaho. From Lewiston I went to Lapwai, on the Nez Perces reservation, where a family had recently accepted the truth, through the influence of an Adventist family that moved into that neighborhood. After visiting, instructing, and praying with them, four of their number were baptized.

During the Walla Walla camp-meeting, I had general charge of the young people's meetings. The devoted workers rendered valuable aid. At first the work moved hard, but the Spirit of the Lord came in, and we had wonderful meetings. There were several conversions, and some who had drifted away were reclaimed. It was a real pleasure to see the ready response to the efforts put forth in behalf of the youth. Many testified that they had never attended such good meetings as were had with the young people the last few days of the camp-meeting. It is to be hoped that the good work begun may be carried on in the homes where these youth have gone. There is great responsibility resting on parents to assist their children spiritually. Unless the work begun at camp-meeting is seconded by the parents, the good results desired will not be obtained.

I am now at Echo, Ore., a small village on the Umatilla River. There was once a good-sized church here, but it has been broken up by removals. There is now only one family of Adventists in the community. There seems to be some interest. If the Lord has honest souls here, I am sure he will lead them to accept the truth. My courage is good.

W. F. MARTIN.