Messages from the Missions

474 IMPROVEMENT EUA. land, shall the words of Christ, if we follow their course, carry us beyond this vale of sorrow, into a far better land of promise. " SOME CHURCH FOUNDERS. In the first decade of the nineteenth century there were born into the world a number of men who were destined to take a lead- ing part in the establishment of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Among these were: Brigham Young, born June 1, 1801; Heber C. Kimball, June 14, 1801; John Whitmer, August 27, 1802; Willard Richards, June 24, 1804; Davii Whit- mer, January 7, 1805; Orson Hyde, January 8, 1805; Joseph Smith the Prophet, December 23, 1805; Oliver Cowdery, October 3, 1806; Wilford Woodruff, March 1, 1807; Parley Parker Pratt, April 12, 1807; Samuel H. Smith, March 13, 1808; John Taylor, November 1, 1808; Chirles Coulson Rich, August 21, 1809; Peter Whitmer, Septemb r 27, 1809. The Era takes pleasure in presenting the portrait of one of these noble founders in this issue, that of Parley Parker Pratt, with an appreciation of his life by one of his granddaughters. A celebration of his one hundredth anniversary will be held by his descendants. The Era hac also made arrangements with a grandson for a character sketch of Willard Richards, which will appear in the June number, with a portrait. The lesson which the present generation may learn from the past is that we, like the faithful among the found- ers, should live so that, like theirs, our children's children may honestly rise up and call us blessed.

MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS. In the Swedish mission for the month of January there were 2,088 gospel conversations held by the 62 missionaries and 256 meetings, 4 baptisms, and 2 children blessed. The Era is in receipt of the Elders' Messenger, number one, volume one, dated January 31, 1907, published semi-monthly by the New Zealand mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is an eight-page paper, one-

EDITORS TABLE. 475 half printed in the Maori and the other half in the English language. The object of the publication is to furnish communication between the elders and Saints labor- ing and residing within its jurisdiction. It will contain the mission news, record the arriving and appointment of new elders, and also a monthly summary of the work of each conference. It will also serve as an incentive to the Maories to learn the English language. Mission President Lewis G. Hoagland is the manager and editor, and David P. Howells, assistant manager and editor. We wish the Messenger success. During the month of January there were 18 baptisms in the Scandinavian mission, and 9 children blessed. The elders held 489 meetings, and 5,560 gospel conversations, and visited 28.817 strangers' homes. There were 138 missionaries laboring in Norway and Denmark. From the annual statistics of the Scandinavian mission, published in Skandinaviens Stjerne February 1, it appears that there are three conferences in Denmark, with a total of 67 missionaries, and a total mem. bership of 1,461. There were 150 baptisms, 80 children blessed, during the year, 32,219 gospel conversations were held, and 3,066 meetings. In Norway there are three conferences with 70 elders, and a total membership of 1,527. There were 104 bapisms and 32 children blessed, 28,113 gospel conversations were held, and 2,474 meetings. In the whole mission there were 184 emigrated, and a total number of baptisms of 254. Secretary Marion B. Naegle, writing from the City of Mexico, March 1, says: "The Mexican mission is in the most prosperous condition now of any time since its organization, and with the help of the Lord we hope to do much for the spread of truth during the ensuing year. On the 16th and 17th of February a general con- ference of the Mexican mission was held at Cuernavaca, Morelos. Prest. A. W. Ivins and Helaman Pratt of the Juarez stake, Apostle Heber J. Grant and wife, H. S. Har- ris, president of the Mexican mission, ten elders and a large congregation of Saints and investigators, were present. On the 17th, nine were baptized and confirmed members of the Church. The conference was a success, and the people were very much animated. Another conference was held in Ozumba, on the 23rd and 24th. This was much better attended, as the Chalco conference has a larger number of Saints. President Pratt remained with us and spoke several times during the con- ference. He gave the elders good counsel and advice regarding their labors. He was specially prepared for this as he spent four years in missionary work among this people, twenty years ago. Seven meetings were held, and at the close of conference an entertainment was given by natives and elders. President Pratt could hardly believe what he saw and heard. He hadn't dreamed that the young people had made such progress as was shown during the rendition of the program. It was really encouraging to see how readily they learn when given opportunity. The elders were assigned to their respective fields of labor as follows: To the Chalco conference, James E. Whett^n and E. A. Richardson, N. W. Thayne and M. L. Black, and Charles H. Martineau and Zenos N. Laws. To the Toluca conference, Rey L. Pratt and Simon Y. Beck, N. C. Tenney and L. M. Coombs, and M. B. Naegle and Atherton Farr.