--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Anderson, Nephi collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 11 number: 8 published: 1908-06 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Nephi Anderson, "Romance of a Missionary. VIII. “What Shall I Do?”," *Improvement Era* 11, no. 8 (June 1908): 589–596.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1108unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera1108unse start_page: 589 end_page: 596 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1908-06) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1108unse publication_year: 1908 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1908, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Romance of a Missionary. VIII. “What Shall I Do?” ROMANCE OF A MISSIONARY. BY NEPHI ANDERSON, AUTHOR OF "ADDED UPON," "tHE CASTLE BUILDER," ETC. VIII. "WHAT SHALL WE DO TO BE SAVED?"— DWIGHT THORN- TON'S STORY. Elder Donaldson was paying his farewell visit to Elder Dean in London. They had promised John Loring to attend with him a meeting of the revivalists then being held in a nearby hall. On the evening appointed, these three made their way to the place of meeting. The two elders had seen many devices for the purpose of attracting sinners to repentance, but the big placard displayed at the entrance to the hall was the most startling they had ever seen. It read: "Stop! You Are Going to Hell! Come in and Receive Salvation." They went in, and Mr. Loring led them well up in front. He was one of the workers, and therefore at home in the large hall which was well filled with people. The leading spirit of the re- vival and his singing assistant soon mounted the platform and took charge of the meeting. The singer had a good voice, and he led the congregation in a song. The first stanza or two were rather listlessly sung, but then the magnetic conductor gained power over the crowd, and soon he had them all singing lustily. The preacher uttered a short prayer, and then there was more singing. The sermon came next. It was of the "Come to Jesus" type, with the usual appeals for sinners to come just as they were, "come just now." The preacher told dramatically stories of : 590 IMPROVEMENT ERA. saved and unsaved people, depicting in his most forceful manner the dire results which came to those who put off the day of salva- tion. Then there was more singing, with the apparent intent to work up the emotions of the people. The leader then asked all to bow their heads and join him in a prayer. He sat down in a chair before them, and with eyes wide open talked as to the Lord. Then he called for a perfect silence, which was as sensational as the prayer. "Those who desire salvation, raise their hands," said the leader. "Everybody keep their heads bowed," he admonished^ "this is a sacred place." As each hand was raised the preacher said, "Thank you, brother; and you — and you." The silence soon became oppressing, and another song was sung. Then there was more praying and more calling for hands. Both the preacher and the singer were working hard, while the large corps of helpers labored among the congregation. The scene now became extremely sensational. Those who had raised their hands as a token that they were waiting to "accept Christ" were asked to stand, and then to come forward to the front benches; there to cry out their confessions, to strip their souls naked before thousands of excited, whispering on-lookers. Men and women, boys and girls, with pale faces, trembling with emotion, came up towards the front, some- times alone with head bowed, sometimes urged on by energetic mission-workers. Reaching the front benches, they dropped on their knees. The workers kneeled by them, cutting their arms about the trembling, excited candidate for saI nation, and urging them on by whispering exhortation. After this scene was over, the "converts" were led into the ^consultation room at the rear, where their names were taken and hey were told to align themselves with some of the churches of the city. It was not of great consequence which church — that was simply a matter of personal choice or convenience. While this was going on, the song revivalist was teaching the people to sing the famous "Glory Song." Then the preacher came into the big hall and asked if there were any yet who wished to be saved. Just then a man arose in the hall and asked "Mister, what shall I do to be saved?" The preacher looked " — ROMANCE OF A MISSIONARY. 591 for a moment at the man who stood and waited. Then the re- vivalist opened his Bible and said: "I will read the answer from the word of God. This man is evidently pricked in his heart as were those on the day of Pentecost who asked a similar question; and Peter stood up in the midst of the people and answered them. What did he say? 'Repent, every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ —repent, repent, repent!' " The preacher stopped there, and the man sat down again. Elders Donaldson and Dean looked at each other in blank astonish- ment. Why did he not complete the quotation and thus give the man a complete answer? "The hypocrite!" said Elder Dean. John Loring had been busy among the congregation, but he was sitting with the two elders when the man arose and asked the question. Mr. Loring stared at the man, and then exclaimed: "That's Dwight Thornton, sober and in his right mind. Praise the Lord." Then he went down the aisle to where the questioner sat, to help him on the way to salvation. The revivalist urged Mr. Thornton to come up in front, to repent, to accept Christ, and not wait another minute; but his pleadings were without avail. The man sat still during the remainder of the services. At the close of the meeting he went out with John Loring and the two elders. Mr. Loring urged his friend to come home with him. "Why do you ask me to your house tonight?" enquired Mr. Thornton. "You have never done so before." "Well, you are sober tonight, and appear to be repentant besides — "Well?" "Nora is at our house." The man gave a startled look at Mr. Loring. "No; is it true?" he asked. "Yes; come and see." "Did she ask you to ask me? Does she want to see me?" "No; she did not ask, but I suppose—" "Well, I'll not go," said he. They were about to part at a comer, when Willard was im- pressed to say: "Mr. Thornton, I'll walk along with you a short distance. I want to talk to you." . 592 IMPRO VEMENT ERA He took hold of his arm, and the two walked along together. The night was cold, and Willard could see that the man was poorly clad. Willard led him into a nearby cafe and ordered cocoa and buns for two. "I know Nora Loring," explained Willard. "Her mother and mine are cousins. I used to visit Nora and her mother, and I have heard your name mentioned in connection with Nora's. I don't want to appear inquisitive, Mr. Thornton, but I desire to help you. That is our mission — to help people." "Thank you, sir, for your kindness. I am a poor, weak creature, not fit for the company of decent men and women; but I am trying to do better. I am looking for help — that's why I went to the revival meeting tonight." "Did you get any help there?" asked Willard. "No; it is the same old story with me. I have tried for years to get rehgion. I have believed, I have attended church, I have listened to the services; but I always go away empty handed and empty hearted." "That which you have been doing may be well and good, my friend; but tell me what you yourself have done to attain to this sal- vation which you asked about in the meeting this evening?" "What have I done? I can do nothing for my salvation. All the preachers tell me that. I have asked the question many a time, as I asked it this evening, but I have always received the same reply, that a man can do nothing." Willard took his Bible from his pocket and then said: "I am sure you will pardon me if I show you something that the preacher left out in answer to your question. Let me read it while you finish your cocoa." He then read Peter's complete reply to the Jews who asked him what they should do, as found in the second chapter of Acts. Mr. Thornton looked the passage over again, and said, "Well, it does certainly seem that something more than mere belief was necessary in those days." "Another thing," continued Willard. "I understand that your main trouble is with yourself — your greatest enemy is your own weakness." ; "True," said the man. ROMANCE OF A MISSIONARY. 593 "And you have been looking for help from some outside source, forgetting that upon you youreelf rests the duty of taking the initiative. God has given the power to every man not only to will to do, but to do —at least to make a beginning. This begin- ning may be very small, and the doer may be very weak; but when once there is action by the being himself, then, and not until then, can he call on the Lord for assistance. That 'the Lord helps those who help themselves' is a true saying. You have been taught to believe that you are such a mean, weak creature that you are powerless to help yourself. I tell you, mv friend, that every man has within him a spark from the eternal God. Man is more than the world has dreamed of, and there is a closer connection between us and our Father in heaven than is believed or thought by re- ligionists of the day." The two men lingered for some time in the cafe and then they went out. Willard talked, and his friend listened as they walked arm in arm along the street Willard would have gone with him . to his lodgings, but he objected. ''But I will call on you, if you will permit me," said the man. "I would like to talk further with you. There is something in what you say that gives me more hope than I have ever had." An appointment was made for the next day, and promptly at the set time Mr. Thornton came. Willard noted that his shabby clothes had been brushed, his face was newly shaven, and he had altogether a more manly appearance. He was not a bad looking man, and had it not been for the marks that drink had left in his face, his thirty-five years would have sat lightly upon him. Willard received him alone. He felt as though he had gained this man's confidence, and he wished to encourage him to open his heart to him. It was the middle of the afternoon when he arrived, and he at once began to ask questions about that which they had talked the evening before. "Do you know," said Mr. Thornton, after he had listened at- tentively to a long explanation, "that Nora Loring has talked in very much the same strain to me as you have. May I talk to you about Nora?" "Certainly," said Willard, "be free; tell me what you de- sire." 594 IMPROVEMENl ERA. "You have perhaps wondered y.'hat there is between us. Has Nora ever told you?" "Not a word. She has never mentioned your name to me." "No.; of course she wouldn't. Mr. Dean, I wish I were worthy of her!" "I believe Nora is a good girl," replied Willard. — "Good! Listen let me tell you." The two men drew their chairs nearer the table. Mr. Thorn- ton rested his arms on the table and leaned towards his listening friend. Then he continued: "Years ago Nora and I were lovers. It was up in our native town, where there are green fields and no smoke and fog. The day for our marriage had been set, and two happier people never lived. Then her father's drinking got the better of him. He lost his business, he lost his health. His family was brought to poverty. What a time those poor people had! And think of it, right in the midst of it all, I one day became the worse for liquor, and Nora saw it. It nearly broke her heart. I have always had a craving for drink, but I had kept it under control pretty well. Nora did not say anything to me that day, but the next time I called on her she seemed to be a changed woman. The color had nearly gone out of her cheeks, I remember, but she looked beautifully grand. I was a little afraid of her. "Then she spoke of her father and their condition; 'I don't , think drunkards ought to marry ' she said ; ' and I have decided that I shall never marry a man who drinks.' She looked straight at me as she spoke, and her lips quivered. "I resented what she said, because, of course, it was aimed at me. 'Does that mean that I am a drunkard and that you will not marry me?' I asked. 'It means,' she replied, 'that I shall not marry you unless you quit drinking, and promise me that you will not begin again.' "Then I lost my temper, fool that was, and told her what I a pleasure it was to me to break our engagement which was a — base lie. Ah, she was a brave girl. She did not break down and cry nor carry on, but her face became paler than ever. Then she pleaded with me to be a man, and, I remember, she talked to me very much as you have done. . : ROMANCE OF A MISSIONARY. 595 "I stayed away for a month, and then her father died— drink had killed him. I called again and tried to patch up our trouble; but there was only one thing that Nora would listen to, and that was that I should become a teetotaler. I wouldn't promise, and so we separated again. I drank harder than ever after that. She moved away and I lost track of her for a time "In a year I married another girl. We moved here to London. I did not drink for a whole year. A baby girl came, and then its mother died. From that day to this, I have been as a piece of driftwood on the ocean, without hope, without ambition, without strength to overcome my craving for drink, without power, it seems to me, to move in the direction of the good." "Where is your little baby girl?" enquired Willard. The man bowed his face in his hands. There was silence for a few moments and then a sob escaped him. Willard did not in- terrupt. Presently the man raised his head and said "You must pardon me for my weakness; but let me tell you further." "Goon," urged Willard. "It has been about a year since I have heard of Nora — until just the other day, about a week ago. I had been away all day trying to get something for my baby. Coming home at night I found that someone had been there — some good angel, my baby tried to tell me. The landlady described her to me, and I decided it was Nora. She had been in my poverty-stricken lodgings and had fed my baby. How she had found me, I cannot imagine. Once since then she has been there, and what do you think I found on my return? The floor of my dirty room scrubbed my little girl, with a new dress on, and some food in the otherwise empty cup- board." Willard looked steadily at the man who was telling him all this, and then he said: "And you mean to tell me, Mr. Thornton, that you have no hopes, no ambitions, no incentive to reform and become a man?" "All this has come to me recently, my friend, and since then I Oh, that I could be a man again!" have tried to do better. Willard Dean was much the younger man, but he had the in- spiration of his calling, and he talked in a wise and fatherly way : — 596 IMPROVEMENT ERA. to this man who was in such sore straights. He told him of the simple gospel plan which is the power of God unto salvation, told him of the part he would have to play in this plan, if he desired to get its benefits. Then Elder Donaldson came in and they all had "tea." They told their guest of their missionary experiences, how they had left their homes at the call of the priesthood; how they paid their own way; how they had to be very simple and eco- nomic in their living; how they were despised by the world gen- erally —and all this for the love of their fellow-men, and the testi- mony of Jesus. And D wight Thornton marveled at it all, and into his soul, struggling from its chaotic condition, there came the power and the majesty of self-control and first faint impress of the sacrifice for the The elders then initiated him good of others. into the mysteries of "Mormon" tea, and then they explained to him their views on eating and drinking. "You see," explained Willard, "we cannot do much in the world to relieve the present want and suffering, because we our- selves are poor; but we can do that which is infinitely better. The giving of alms is a praiseworthy and good thing. Outward aid is good, but it is only temporary. That which enters the soul, and inspires the man to do something for himself, to develop his un- born strength and to make it a permanent, ever-growing power that is of great importance and value in this world — and that is the restored gospel of Jesus Christ which we have to give to all the world." Dwight Thornton went home that evening with more hope and happiness in his heart than he had ever before experienced. (to be continued.) LEADERS AND FOLLOWERS. The following is as true today as when quoted years ago No man ever became a great leader unless he had great followers. Nor do great leaders appear until the people are ready to follow their leaders. The Spirit of the Lord given the Latter-day Saints individually is what has made the work of their leaders so great a success, without which nothing of conse- quence could have been accomplished.