Messages from the Missions

MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS. Elder James W.R. Hurst, writing from Manchester, England, says: "TheEKA is indeed a valuable publication, and is a big help in spreading the truth. It is carefully read, and with great interest, by Saints, elders, and investig tors of the Gospel. We feel grateful for the privilege we have of receiving it." A baptismal service of the West Hartlepool branch was held on Saturday, May 26, we learn from the Star, on the shore of the North Sea. Ten persons were baptized, Elders Walter Cox, William 0. Smith, and Joseph A. F. Everett officiating. The confirmations were attended to on May 27, in the Villier Hall.

734 IMPROVEMENT ERA. Elder Ralph A. Badger writes from South Africa that on April 1, three baptisms were performed by Elder Geo. A. Simkins, at Woodstock; and Elder S. Burton Newman informs the Millennial Star that on May 6, three were baptized at Aintab. Syria, and a number were added to the Church at Aleppo, some time ago. The elders are well and the Lord is blessing them greatly. Elders Simkins and Warren H. Lyon are now, May 23, released, writes Elder Badger, president of the South African mission. Elders Hugh Melvin Welker and Abraham John Gold, missionary companions, laboring in Groningen, Holland, died from smallpox. Elder Welker, who was the first to contract the disease, died April 29, last, and he was followed by Elder Gold on the 14th of May. Elder Welker was the son of J. A. and Eva M. Welker, of Bennington, Bear Lake county, Idaho, and was born Feb. 5, 1885. He was set apart April 15, 1905, for his field of labor. Elder Gold was the son of Cyrus and Mary W. Gold, and was born in Salt Lake City, Oct. 16, 1882, and was set apart for his mission September 6, 1904, leaving for his field of labor on the tenth. No further particulars have been received. Elder Brigham F. Duffin, Jr., writes from St. Joseph, Mo., June 9: "We have a Mutual Improvement Association organized here, which is in good condition, a spirited interest being taken by the members. We are studying the Junior manual, 1905-6. There is also a Sunday-school organized here, which is a complete success, and doing a good work. The elders are working energeticly for the success of these auxiliary organizations, presenting the truths of the Gospel to the people, and are trying to remove the walls of prejudice which surround us. We read the Era with enthusiasm, and then distribute the numbers among our friends and investigators to read. Elder Arthur McKinnon writing to the Era from Council Bluffs, Iowa, May 21, says: President T. 0. Stokes of the Iowa conference with Elders T. F. Jones, J. B. Woolsey, Jr., and Lorenzo Harris, have returned from Mt. Pisgah, where they have spent some time improving the appearance of our cemetery at that place, where many of our noble pioneers were buried during the perilous times of 1846- 48. In the year 1888, the Church erected a monument to their memory. About one acre is under fence, and what before looked more like a thicket than a cemetery, is now smooth, and with occasional care may be made a beautiful spot. Elder Lehi Larsen, Jr., writes the Era from Mahia, New Zealand, April 20: Our semi-annual conference last month was well attended by natives and elders from all parts of the Mahia district, and we had a spiritual feast and grand time. During the conference there was a double wedding. President Lewis G. Hoagland united the native couples. The ceremony was followed by an excellent dinner prepared by our native Saints. Our Southern annual conference was held in Tet Haupe, Hawkes Bay, on April 6, 7, and 8. There were present 41 elders and one lady missionary from Zion, and 500 or 600 natives, some of whom were not members of the Church. The Spirit of the Lord accompanied all our services, and before parting the elders met in testimony meeting where the power of God was made manifest to all present.