[Statistics of these letters will be found in table at close of minutes.]
Our pastor has served us faithfully the past year, and our church has grown in spiritual strength and numbers. We are somewhat divided on some points of doctrine but united in heart. We had a series of meetings during the winter, by which we were revived and souls were saved. We have had a prayer meeting and Sunday school a part of the time, but have neither now. Our sisters have a Foreign Mission Circle of good interest. God has taken one of our young brothers, George Marsh, to his home above.
Dear brethren, we welcome you to our homes and to such hospitality as we are able to extend. The last year has not been as prosperous with us as we should have liked. We have been building a house of worship the past year, which is not yet finished. We have had a prayer meeting a part of the time. We have a Baptist Sunday School, which we have kept running all the year. Rev. L.E. Henderson is our pastor.
Another year has gone into eternity and we are standing idle, having a mere existence, living as though we do not believe the Scriptures. Brethren, pray for us, We are without a pastor. Rev. L.E. Henderson resigned last December. The missionary has never visited us as missionary. We do not feel that we are worthy to be represented in the Association because we are not living in peace and unity, yet we feel we would like to do something for our Master.
We have enjoyed the labors of our esteemed pastor, Rev. W.A. Childress, since last October, under whose care we have had good prosperity. We have preaching twice each month and Sunday school every Sunday, with nearly all our members and their families in attendance. We will pay the missionary next year $40. We invite the Association to meet with us next year.
Dear brethren, we are still contending for the truths of the Gospel, although we have been through a very trying ordeal and have lost ground, if not in numbers yet in spiritual power and influence. Pray for us, brethren. Rev. W.E. Adams, our pastor, ceased work with us about a month since. We are at this time without a pastor. We have a good Sunday school.
Dear brethren, the past year has been one of great dearth with us. We have had no preaching here for four years, only as Bro. Adams has made his annual visit here to his old home for a few days. But now we feel a better day is coming, as he intends living with us during the summer at least. We are in the midst of a very destitute year so far as Baptists are concerned, and one that seems to us to be ready for the harvest. Our missionaries have never visited us and we feel we have been neglected.
In the past year we have enjoyed a series of good meetings under the leadership of our pastor, W.H. Hollenbeak. We have been greatly strengthened, although we have had no additions. We have a good Sunday school with a good attendance and interest. We request that the Moderator of the Association appoint a presbytery for the purpose of ordaining our pastor, W.H. Hollenbeak. We will pay our missionary next year $30.
Dear brethren, we are getting along quite well as a small church. Our pastor, Rev. S.A. Childress, preaches to us twice per month. We are trying to build us a house of worship.
1888 Digest of Letters ~ page 2
Brethren, beloved is the lord. During the past year we have in a measure been dormant, and as a consequence have made but little or no advancement. Bro. H.M. Henderson suspended his labors with us last December, having ministered to us for two years with much zeal and sacrifice. Bro. M. Root has preached at our place of worship for some time past, and so the fire still burns on the altar. The Lord has taken our Sister Lamburth from among us.
Our church was organized January 28, 1888, by Rev. W.E. Adams and Rev. L.E. Henderson, with five members. Rev. W.E. Adams was elected pastor. Since organization we have increased in members. We organized an interesting Sunday school. We ask admittance into the Association.
No letters or delegates from Alturas, Paisley or Bidwell.