The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-11-08
Presbyterian Missionary Meeting at the
Rev. A, ID. Smiths Church

Yesterday evening, at o'clock public meeting wac
held in the Presbyterian church corner of Fourteenth
street and Second with reference TO the departure
OF eight missionaries OF the American Home Missionary
Society for the Pacific coast whose names as follows
Rev Messrs. Samuel D. Bell, Thomas Condor, obsd
Dickinson John G Hale silss S. Harmon James Pier
pont William c Pond, and Edward b. Walworth
very large and highly respectable audience present
The exercises of the evening opened by the Rev
Mr. Badger who read the 35 chapter Isaiah and hymn
516 How beauteous their feet who stand lions
hill" having been beautifully sung, and prayer
offered up
Rev Mr. D Il Coz was introduced to the meeting and
aidIt Is probably understood by all present that this
eryce has been appointed in reference to the approach
ing departure Of several missionaries of the American
Home Missionary Society the Pacific coast As intro
ducory to this propose to state ina few words what
teps the society has already taken in reference to this
mission and also what is their present condition. The
work which the society has undertaken that coast
constitutes chapter in the home missionary work
IN this country Till within the last five six years
that coast practically Of the most remote and
was Of the most obscure unknown and inaccessible
portions of globe California province OF Mex
co and was inhabited by few thousands Of Califor
mans, mostly Of Spanish birth, and the
Der OF Indians Oregon WAS claimed both by the
United states and Great Britain, and was nomnally
euped By both, though really occupied chiefly by
OF the most ferocious tribes Of Indians upon CONT
neh' ana tnere was apparently little prospect that
this portion Of our continent would soon occupy the at
tenion and interest OF the civilized world as almost any
portion Of the globe II mystery to what end
God had fitted up that coast with that gniacen. sys
tenn OF mountains valleys prares, forests rivers ami
hsrbors and witha the most genial and deliehtfal ou
mate upon the globe and left II for msny ages unoc
cupied But the mystery was soon and suddenly solved
by the treaty Of 1896 the claim to Oregon conceded
to the States and the attention OF the Home Msoharv
Society very turned 30 1t field Of missionary
labor. 1t found that during the previous three or
four yesrs something like 10 600 II 600 Americans had
found their way there and were needing and demanding
the Gospel at hands, and although the American
Missionary Home Society was fully occupied in cutva-
ing large field In the Valley OF the Mississippi yet IL
apprehendsd that II their duty to enter upon
this new Geld and accordingly In the autumn Of 1917
the Rev Mr. Atkinson who Is present 20 address yon
this evening despatched 10 that field. He sailed IN
oct lb47 but detained for some time at the sand
wch lsands waiting for passage 10 the mouth Of the
Columbia and did not arrive there until June wasn ne
commenced ht lsbors and In 1S4s another missionary
isned bin ~ regard 10 their lsbora trials AMI
cssassi be VIII speak for hlmseu While Mr. Atkinson