Messages from the Missions

MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS. Elder Edward S. Hall, writing from Papeete, Tahiti, April 29, reports that there are no Mutual Improvement Associations in the Tahitian mission. He says further: "I realize that the Mutual does a great deal of good, and we hope some day to start it here in the islands." Elder Serge F. Ballif, president of the Swiss and German mission, writing to the Era April 10, says: We have no Mutual Improvement organizations in the Swiss and German mission, but I am much interested in Mutual Improvement work, and can assure you that it is a source of pleasure to me to hear of the continued progress of this association. I wish to express our appreciation of your kindness in sending the Improvement Era to us each month. I ask God to bless you in your labors. Elder L. Vivian Hinckley, of Lawrence, Kans., writes, April 17, to the ERA that the work of the Lord in that part is progressing favorably. "The work has

EDITOR'S TABLE. 655 just been commenced in this city, and the elders desire that none be left without an excuse. We have been courteously treated, and have held some good street meetings. I read with interest each issue of the Era, and am particularly interested in the messages from the missions." From a letter written by President Alma 0. Taylor of the Japanese mission to the Elders' Journal, January 4, 1906, we learn that there are nine missionaries in Japan, five of whom are now in the field. There are three fields, with a Sunday school in each. The elders are doing considerable translating; among other works they are translating the Book of Mormon and a Brief History of the Church. President Taylor has been working on the Book of Mormon for two years, and has now reached the last of the 20th chapter of III Nephi. He says that the revision of the work will take several years, to which he looks forward with the most intense pleasure and delight. "The work of this sacred book is a constant inspiration." During the year 1905, only one soul was baptized into the Church. F. B. Hammond, Jr., secretary of the Northern States Mission, No. 149 So. Paulina street, Chicago, reports that there are five Mutual Improv ement Associations in that mission, with an enrolled membership of 97, and an average attendance of 16; 101 regular weekly meetings had been held, and there had been 88 exercises from the manual, with 66 miscellaneous exercises, and 59 questions answered. One of the five associations had not reported. The report is for the year ending April 30, 1906. The associations are only partly organized. Elder Samuel E. WooUey, president of the Hawaiian mission, writing to the Era, under date of April 4, says: ' 'We are getting along nicely in the mission. Our general conference is upon us, and we hope to have a good time. The elders are all in from their fields of labor, all well and in a good spiritual condition. We all look forward to the arrival of the Era as something good from home. Best wishes for Zion and her people." In connection with the general conference, the M. I. A. conference of the Hawaiian Islands was held on Friday evening, 6th of April, and presided over by Elder P. B. Cowan. The exercises consisted mostly of instructive lessons prepared for the occasion by the Laie Branch. President Woolley gave the young people valuable advice concerning dress, manners, and care of their bodies. Elders Robert G. Booth and Joseph Nielson, writing to the Era from Bruce, Horry county, South Carolina, May 8, say: "During March and April we held sixty-one meetings, baptized eleven souls. A minister, upon learning of our success, became very angry, called a secret meeting to determine what was to be done with us, and in this meeting began a tirade of slander about the 'Mormons,' and tried to raise a mob to drive us out of the country; but he was signally unsuccessful, and his meeting ended only in threats. We rejoice in the work of the Lord. The Era is always a welcome visitor. May God bless you and all the interests of Zion."

056 IMPROVEMENT ERA. From the annual report of the Y. M. M. I. Associations of the Swedish mission, sent by President Peter Matson, it is learned that there are five associations with a membership of 162, and an average attendance of 99. Four officers' meetings were held and 128 regular meetings. Eleven conjoint officers' meetings were held, 25 special meetings and 3 semi-annual conferences; 36 public lectures were given. There is a beginning for a library in one branch, with six volumes. From the Elders' Journal of May 1, we learn that Elder James H. Wallis, who for nearly two years has been the associate editor of the Journal, was honorably released to return to his home. Elder Wallis has given great impetus to the literary value of the Journal, which has increased during his administration from 2,200 to 5,000 in circulation. "His labors," so the Journal says, "have endeared him to the Saints of the South, and established in their minds and hearts a place for his memory that will last forever.'' President Heber J. Grant writes to the Era April 19, from Liverpool: "We distributed 311,000 tracts last month, an increase of over 50,000 as compared with February, and also as compared with March of last year. We had 22,091 gospel conversations, an increase of 3,206 as compared with Febriiary, and 7,588 as compared with March of last year. Our books distributed were as follows: 4,756 sold, 2,544 loaned and 1,488 given away, an increase of 761 and 114 and 109, as compared with February, and 1,964 and 786 and 343, as compared with last March. We visited strangers' houses with first tracts, 67,221, by first invitation 1,446, and by reinvitation 3,239; as compared with February the increases were 13,539, and 296 and 372; as compared with last March, 16,582, and 112 and 296. From these figures you will see that the elders in the British Mission are working hard. The spirit of our meetings at London, April 14, 15, was one of determination, and I really believe that the next quarter will be a record-breaker in the British Mission. * * * Before the London conference I just returned from a 30-day trip to Italy. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and saw many things to make me truly grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ.'' The elders of the Swiss and German mission hold a convention and conference in Zurich,May 27,28 and 29. A sacred concert will be held on the evening of the 27th, at which Arvilla Clark, Willard Andelin, students in Berlin, and Spencer Clawson, who is studying in Wien, sing, and furnish music. It will be a highgrade entertainment. In connection with the convention and conference, President Serge F. Ballif planned a sight-seeing trip through Switzerland, and as far as Milan, in Italy, where the International Exposition is now being held. They pass through the St. Gothard tunnel, in Italy, and also the new Simplon tunnel which is the longest in the world, and which it was expected would be completed and opened on the 1st of June. At the convention the elders expressed their ideas in relation to bettering the work—in tracting, visiting, literature for the mission, and the great question of how to reach the people. The elders anticipated a most splendid time, and this will be their only vacation for the year 1906, in that mission.