The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-09-06
An Interesting Letter

Myrtle Point, Oregon, Aug. %, 1917.
Editor of the Somerset Reporter,
Skowhegan, Maine
Dear Sirs:
wish to say Hello to all of
the good people that l once knew
there in your good old town and much
wish could give each of them hear
ty handshake this evening, but that is
impossible as three thousand miles or
more lies between us.
Does 1t seem as though nearly FIVE
years have passed since I left the
good old State of Maine to seek a
home here in the far off state of Ore
gon; but so it is. And now perhaps
you would like to know a little some
thing about the little village that
live in The people here call it a
city but it is far from being a city
twelve or thirteen hundred people in
it but Myrtle Point is pretty little
town. some people that come here
say that it is the prettiest place on
Gods green earth, but 1t is pretty
place just the same. There is a very
high hill a little east of the town and
| do so like to stand on that hill and
look over the settlement it is surely a
picture that any artist would delight
to paint. Myrtle Point is nestled in
valley which is surrounded by lofty
hills that for the most part is covered
with tall stately frs, then the Myrtle
trees are very pretty as they nearly
all are shaped like dome and the
foliage is a bright green and is glossy
as when the sun shines on them they
glisten like silver. There is a river
runs thru the town and is called the
Coquell.
Myrtle Point is only about twenty
miles from the ocean and the tide
reaches here so il will cause the river
to rise about three feet at high tide.
But Myrtle Point cannot grow very
fast as there is no chance for water
power here. then too, somehow there
is not capital enough for any one to
make a venture. There is nice
cannery here, also dryer which
could be made paying investment
but somehow the business men, many
of them, seem to lack enthusiasm
enough to make things go.
There are seven churches here
There is the North and South Metho-
dists, the Latter Day Saints, the Ad-
vent, Presbyterian, Christian and the
Church Of the Bretheren. | will tell
you of a sight I witnessed at the
Church of the Bretheren last evening
as | do not think many of you ever
saw anything like it and | think it
will be interesting to you, as it was to
me, as | have never seen anything of
the kind before. These people have
been holding their yearly conference;
they hold it week as was the custom
in the days of our Saviour. Last
evening was the closing of their con-
ference. They are a people that be-
lieve In feet washing and last even
ing they partook of the feast of the
Passover, the Lords Supper, and car
ried out the service of the washing
of feet and now to tell how it was
performed. The ladies were seated
at one end of the room, the men on
the other. Long tables were placed
at each end of the room; also on
which was placed some bread and
meat covered with a large napkin. /
think there were four tables. Besides
the plates of bread and meat were
large cups which | think were filled
with beef broth as there was a strong
odor of beef. Beside these laid a
knife, fork and spoon. The service
began by the singing of hymns, then
the chief minister arose and announc-
ed that the service of the washing of
feet was to be held and repeated the
Scripture where Christ laid aside his
outer garments and girded himself
with towel and at the same time TAX
ing off his coat and tying towel which
had a string attached to the upper
corners around himself, then again re-
peating the verse where Christ poured
water into basin and began to wash
the Disciples feet, doing the same as
he quoted the Scripture, he washed
the one next to him. After the wash
ing was done the man arose, then they
embraced and kissed each other, then
he removed the towel and the man
that had his feet washed performed
the same service to the man next to
him, removing his coat and tying the
towel on as did the minister and so
the same was done to all of the mem
bers OF that church as the men were
performing the service on their side of
the house, the ladies were doing the
same on their side. AS they we're
going thru the service an old minister
got up and explained as to why they
thought 1t was most essential for that
service to be carried out. / forgot
to mention that not only did they en-
brace each other and give the holy
kiss but they shook hands also. After
this service was over then they sang
again, then the head one told them to
remove the covers from the food on
the tables, then they ate the feast OF
the Passover. After this was over
they were ordered to cover what food
was left, which was done. Then they
sang again and a minister read the
service of the Lords Supper, then the
head one took strips of bread which
looked much like pie crust, the strips
were about four inches long and an
inch wide and looked to be about an
eighth of an inch thick He took a
bunch of these strips in his hand and
distributed them among the ladies
giving every fourth lady strip, she
dividing 1t among the ones next tC
| her; another minister was going thru
the same ceremony among the men
The bread was held until all had been
served. When 1t was eaten the two
ministers then took silver cup, also
medium sized pitcher and passed
around the wine. During this service
several hymns were sung when prayer
was offered all stood with bowed
heads. That seemed a little queer tc
me as In all of the services at any
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