Messages from the Missions

EDITORS TABLE. 809 existence. But we are also told that "all spirit is matter, but it is more fine or pure, andean only be discerned by purer eyes." (Doc. &Cov., 131:7.) Is an officer of the Church—a bishop, for instance—justified in consecrating oil for anyone to sell—Jew, Gentile or Saint—in a public store? Tbe brother who asks this question further says: "Of late years, it has been customary to have twenty or thirty bottles of oil consecrated at our fast meeting, and then taken to the stores to sell, as a convenience for the people. This seems to me like trifling with sacred things." You are certainly correct; and if any such practice as consecrating oil by the wholesale to be retailed from any public store, is in vogue, the proper ward or stake au- thorities should see that such practice is immediately discontinu; d. Consecrated oil may be obtained from the properly designated officers of the temples of the Latter-day Saints; or unconsecrated oil may be handed to the bishops of the wards for coflsecrati

on. MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS. Elder James M. Gibbs, writing from New Zealand, October 30, sends the fol- lowing message to the Eka: "The elders of the Bay of Islands conference. New Zealand Mission, feel thankful to the Lord in being able to report the baptism of five more converts, and one child blessed, October 21, 1906. This makes 45 baptisms and 29 children blessed in this conference since July 29, 1906. Notwithstanding the opposition that the elders meet, the work of the Lord is growing in this part, insomuch that other denominations are beginning to realize the fruits of 'Mormon' labors and are sending their shepherds out two by two to gather their flocks from before the 'Mormon' wolves." ' 'Baltimore is a city of over six hundred thousand inhabitants. It is famous for its many and beautiful churches. We have six elders laboring in the city. Seven baptisms have been performed since last July. We have sold oyer five hundred b)oks in six months, and have a Sunday School and a Mutual Improve- ment Association. Several of our local members are doing active missionary work. The people of Baltimore are very hospitable as a rule." So write* Elder George A. Cochrane, presiding elder, under date of January 9, 1907. The headquarters of the European mission are now at Durham House, 295 Edge Lane , Liverpool. All communications intended for the Millennial Star, and

310 IMPROVEMENT ERA. for emigration and other business connected with the establishment, should be addressed there in future instead of Holly Road. Elder Lawrence R. Layton, laboring in Grimsby conference, gives particulars to the Millennial Star, December 27, 1906, concerning a remarkable case of healing which was witnessed in York, England, about December 13. His report is as follows: "On Tuesday, December 4, Elder Adam Glenn and I were visiting the Saints of this branch just prewious to his leaving to go to labor in Grimsby branch. Among others, we visited Sister Jane Siddall,who had been without the free use of her speech for over fifteen years, not being able to speak above a whisper when she went out of the house. During our conversation she said she had often wished that she might have her voice restored, as it had been a great drawback to her in many ways. Sue had not murmured, however, thinking it was God's will that she should be thus afiiicted. She said she had tried many kinds of medicine, and had been under the care of several doctors, but they had failed to do her any good. The last doctor told her that he could do nothing for her. We asked her if she did not believe that God could heal her. She said she knew he could if she had been afflicted long enough to answer the end for which the affliction had been sent. "We told her of the blessings which attended the ministry of the Savior and his apostles, and that the same power is on the earth today. If we lack the blessings of God it is because we have not sufficient faith in him. She expressed a desire to be administered to. As we had not brought any oil along, we conse- crated a bottle that Sister Siddall had, and then we knelt down and prayed to God (Elder Glenn being mouth) to bless her, and, if it were his will, to restore her voice. I then anointed her head with the oil and Elder Glenn sealed the anoint- ing. After we had removed our hands from her head she spoke, and we could hear that her voice was much clearer. She said that while our hands were on her head she felt something loosen in her chest, and she was able to breathe much easier and deeper. She said that she knew God had answered our prayers. We left soon after, as we had several other families to visit that after- noon. The next night we received a letter from Sister Siddall stating that she felt so happy that she could not resist the temptation of going into the night air and giving her voice a trial. She found that she could speak as well outside as inside the house. The next morning she went out into the town and met a Wes- leyan friend. He noticed that her voice was better, and asked her how she had got it back and she told him that it was through the power of God. This case of healing has been a great testimony to all the Elders and Saints and to all who have heard of it. We hope that it will be the means of strengthening the faith of others. ' ' During November there were fifteen baptisms in the Scandinavian mission; 21,575 strangers' homes were visited; 437 meetings were held; and eight children blessed. The presidents in the three conferences in Denmark were changed, so that they are now organized as follows: Chas. C. Nielsen, Aalborg; Anders P. Nielsen, Aarhus; Niels L. Lund, Copenhagen. In the Swedish mission there are sixty-one missionaries laboring, and they visited 16,306 strangers' homes,

EDITOR'S TABLE. 811 held 240 meetings, baptized nine people, and blessed five children daring tfae mouth of November. Tho annual and Femi-annual statistical reports of the Southern States mis- sion, for 1906, are printed in the Elder's Journal for January 15. The semi-annual report fo- the six months just ended, shows a vast improvement over the previous one'half year, especially in tho families visited and revisited, books sold and dis- tributed, and meetings held. Comparing the work of 1905 with that of 1906, the latter, in nearly every item is far in advance of the former, the baptisms for 1906 having been 90 more than for the year 1905. In 1906 there were 30,370 fam- ilies visited, 101,904 revisited, 342,869 tracts distributed, 12,189 meetings held, 202,395 gospel conversations, 678 children blessed, 645 baptisms, 11 Sunday schools organized, and one new branch organized. The Elders' Journal, published by the mission has had a remarkable growth, and the past year has been a very prosperous one in that field. The Journal says: '"Many remarkable healings by the power of the Lord have been reported, and his blessings have been poured out in great abundance upon the elders and their work. The Saints, too, have been blessed for their faithfulness, and a good, peaceful spirit is found among them. ' ' Elder John Russon, Milwaukee, Wis., writes: "Our Saints and friends m Milwaukee are universally interested in the study of 'Modern Revelation' as it is outlined in this season's manual. We have a good attendance in our meetings, and all take an active part in the lessons that are treated from week to week. The result of our winter work will be an increased love for the Book of Com- mandments, and a strong testimony that Joseph Smith is a prophet of the Lord. We hope to place the proper value on the gospel of Jesus Christ, and live in har^ mony with it. ' ' The Millennial Star began its sixty-nin^h year on Thursday, January 3, 1907, and to celebrate the occasion came from the press clad in a new dress. The type is bolder and larger than used in previous volumes, but the reduction in the amount of reading matter is very small indeed. This is but one of the improvements rec- ommended by President Charles W. Penrose, the editor, who desires to see the journal hold its high place among the publications of the Church. We congratulate the splendid publication on its new anniversary, and its beautiful dress, and wish it many happy returns of the day. De Ster, the monthly journal of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for the Holland Mission, issued a double illustrated number for January, 1907, which celebrated the beginning of its twelfth year. Among the illustrations were Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands, the Temple Block, Eagle Gate and Bee Hive House, Salt Lake City, First Presidency of the Church,- and President Alex- ander Nibley, editor, and Paul Roelofs, associate editor, together with their co- laborers in the office; and presidents of conferences. We congratulate the editors on having such an abb representative in De Ster, and wish it increased usefulness during the coming years.