Messages from the Missions

552 - IMPROVEMENT ERA. gentleman and his wife with one of our tracts, also a copy of the pamphlet, Rayg of Living Light. I expected to see them at our meeting the following Wednes- day evening, and was very disappointed when they failed to appear. I did not see either of them again until two months had passed away, but I had by no means lost faith in them. I believed most firmly that the time would come when they would unite themselves with the Church. My joy can be imagined when one Sunday evening the lady above mentioned appeared among the strangers at our meeting. She seemed deeply interesied in all that was said. After the meeting she told me that she was the lady to whom I had spoken some weeks before on the street, and that she desired me to come to her home. I accepted the invita- tion with thanks. I invited Elder William A. Morton to accompany me. We found the lady's husband very much prejudiced against us. We were, however, careful not to say anything to offend him. We spoke kindly to the gentleman and his wife, and explained, as far as circumstances would permit, some of the first principles of the gospel. Before leaving we asked the gentleman of the house if he would permit us to pray with them. He consented, and kneeling down, we implored the Father of All to let his blessings rest upon that home and the inmates thereof; to soften their hearts that they might receive the glad tid- ings of great joy which he had revealed to the children of men in these latter days. The lady invited us to visit them again, which we did once each week. As we explained to them the gospel, we could see it gradually taking root in their hearts. They treated us with much kindness even to inviting us to eat with them. Each evening we could see an improvement in them, and began to realize the truth of the apostle's words when he said the kingdom of God was likened unto a seed planted in the earth and which grew up, "first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear." In answer to prayer, this good woman was shown in a dream two men coming to her with a book, written in golden letters. She was told that it was a true and correct record, and that if she and her husband would obey the gospel they would receive many blessings they knew not of. She was told, however, that they would have hardships to endure before the blessings were realized. Not knowing of this dream, we were impressed to take the Book of Mormon to them and explain it, which we did. When we introduced the book the lady exclaimed, "That is the very book I dreamed about." They continued to investigate the gospel and were very anxious to listen to the Elders. They longed for the evenings to come when we were to visit them and, as we knelt in prayer and petitioned the Lord to continue his blessings to them and to lead them by his Spirit way of life everlasting, tears coursed "down in the their cheeks, and from their hearts there arose a fervent "Amen." . On New Year's Eve we had the pleasure of seeing them baptized. Their two children have also been blessed by the elders and confirmed members of the Church of Christ. At our midnight service the same evening, the husband bore a strong testimony to the truth of the gospel, and thanked God for having directed his servants to their home.