Messages from the Missions

340 IMPROVEMENT ERA. rivulets, and the second word shining for shimmering. The lines should read as follows: ' To dance with the rivulets down to the sea * * -x- * And weave, as we go, a shimmering veil. MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS. Elder P. S. Williams, writing the Era from Calzada, Mexico, says: On the last and first of the old and new year, six elders of the Mexican mission, and thirty-five native Saints and investigaters met at Toluca.in the Toluca conference, 'lately organized, and for holiday pleasures held a two days' branch conference. Through the commendable efforts of President James Maybin and associate elders of this conference, a nice room, adjoining the elders' head-quarters, has been secured, decorated and furnished with seats and electric lights for religious purposes. A mexican friend, Mr. Sara, paid for fitting in the lights. Five well-attended meetings were held, and at the closing session, new year's evening, a program of songs, recitations, quartette, and music on mouth-organs mandolin, and phonograph, delighted all present. The next day the elders retired to a high mountain from which the great Toluca Valley had been dedicated by an apostle of the Latter-day Saints, and held prayer meeting. We sang "Praise to the Man," "We Thank Thee, 0 God, for a Prophet," and other appropriate hymns, invoking the Master to bless and prosper his cause among the descendants of Joseph. Elder R. Ray Nixon writes to the News that in the South Carolina conference many healings are reported. "The elders have had the pleasure of baptizing 70 souls into the fold of Christ, and have blessed 76 children, organized nine Sunday schools, which makes 12 schools now in this state. Two church buildings have been erected here, and means have been secured and arrangements made to build another one, which will make six buildings that the Church owns." An elder writes from the German mission, to the Era, as follows : ' 'I have read the December number of the Era, with great interest. 'One Hundred Years, ' and 'Joseph Smith as Philosopher, ' I think are simply immense. There is enough in that magazine to repay one for a whole year's subscription. We elders are very enthusiastic over it. The number certainly helps us to realize the enormity of our mission, to the world, and why so few will understand it. We have a fi ne choir in our branch, and the work is prospering. ' ' The Elders' Journal reports the following summary of work done in the Ohi^ conference, during the past seven months : Tracts distributed, 21, 040; families visited, 8,716; families revisited, 6,754; books sold, 1,556; books otherwise distributed, 678; meetings held, 716; baptisms, 37. The conference address is Box 126 Columbus, Ohio.