84 
THE PACIFIC DISTRICT. 
After a tedious and perilous journey tliey at 
length found a home in the new territory, the 
ministers supporting themselves and their fami- 
lies, for the most part, with the labor of their own 
hands, and at the same time serving as shepherds 
over the flock of Godin that vast wilderness. The 
♦ 
Church in the East did not pay more than half 
their expenses, and the colonists could do no more 
than take care of themselves. 
It may be added here that White liiver and 
the Scioto conferences were not only first in urg- 
ing the colony to emigrate to Oregon, but they 
furnished most of the money by which the mis- 
sionaries were sent and sustained for the first 
vear after their arrival. 
t/ 
California Conference was organized by Rev. 
Israel Sloane, September 12th, 1863. This confer- 
ence has ever since given considerable signs of 
life and activity. There was no bishop present at 
the organization; but the great Shepherd and 
Bishop of souls was present to approve and bless, 
and his saving power has often been vouchsafed 
to this body of ministers. 
These small beginnings soon began to bring 
forth good results. Tracing the history of the 
work on the coast it will be seen that in 1866 
there were in Oregon and California conferences 
1,209 members; 44 preachers, local and itinerant. 
