Brother Ford entered the Conference in 1845, as a classmate of the writer, and passed with him through the course of graduation.  I have referred in a former chapter to the seven sessions through which we passed between the upper and nether millstones.  Whether the result was flour or bran in the estimation of the Committee would have been forever hidden from us, doubtless, had not the good brethren, after our election to Elder’s orders, moved that Brother Ford and myself be a Committee to examine those of the class who had not been before the Committee.  With our own experience fresh in our minds, I have no doubt the balance of the class had an easy passage.

Brother Ford’s fields of labor had been Hamilton Grove, Macomb, and Oneida Indian Mission.  In each he had made a good record, and was now rapidly rising in his Conference.  Since he left Green Bay he has continued to hold good appointments, and has served his Conference six times as its Secretary.  Though slender in form, and apparently not vigorous in health, he has nevertheless taken his full share of work and is highly respected by his brethren.

The Oneida Indian Mission, lying twelve miles to the northwest of Green Bay, next claimed my attention.  Seated in my buggy, I was soon at the Parsonage, where I found Rev. Henry Requa, the Missionary, and his kind family.

The Oneidas came from the State of New York.  A few of them came as early as 1821, but through some hitch in the negotiations with the Menomonees for the lands constituting the Reservation, the removal did not become general until 1832.  Meantime, a Mission had sprung up among the western branch of the nation.  In 1829 a young Mohawk, who had been converted in Canada, began the good work and established meetings.  Among the early Missionaries the names of Rev. Mr. Poe and Rev. John Clark are especially fragrant, but I have been unable to find satisfactory data until 1840, when Rev. Henry R. Colman was appointed to the Mission.

Brother Colman remained until 1845, when he was succeeded by Rev. C.G.  Lathrop.  Brother Ford followed next, and remained until 1850, when he was succeeded by Brother Requa.  Meantime, the old log church had given place to a respectable frame edifice.  There was also a good frame Parsonage, occupied by the Missionary, and a school house, in which a school was kept either by the Missionary or some one employed by him.  The membership at this time numbered one hundred and twenty-five.

The Quarterly Meeting was held on Saturday and Sabbath, as on the other charges.  On Saturday the Quarterly Conference was held, composed of the official members, but it was somewhat unique in its method of transacting its business.  The Conference was opened with singing and prayer.  The next thing in order was an address from the Elder, or “Big Missionary,” as he is called.  The address simply expressed the gratification of the Elder with his visit, and the encouraging things he has heard of the good work of