Messages from the Missions

MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS. Elder Alma T. Jones writes from Grahamstown, Cape Colony, South Africa, November 23, 1908: "There may be Era readers who would be interested in a note from South Africa— Ethiopia, the land inhabited mainly by the sons of Ham. Although the majority of the people here are colored, yet our labors are almost exclusively confined to the white people. At present we are represented by elders in the following cities: Woodstock, where the mission headquarters are located, which city, strictly speaking, is a suburb of Cape Town; Kimberley, the city noted for its diamond mines ;Bloemfontein, a typical Dutch city; Queenstovn and Grahamstown. The last named city is being canvassed by Elder Orson M. Rogers and myself. We have met with a great deal of opposition, but still we have every reason to rejoice: our labors have not been fruitless by any means. We have many friends who are convinced of the divinity of our message, and who will, we believe, soon be numbered with God's chosen people. We look forward, every month, to the coming of our welcome friend, the Era. Alma T. Jones. Orson M. Rogers. Elder George W. Simons writes from Bloemfontein, South Africa, October 5, that he is having great comfort and joy in his mission labors, notwithstanding some opposition from ministers and others who are publishing ridiculous tales about the elder. The elders hold from sixteen to twenty meetings each month, besides visiting families every evening and afternoon. The mornings are spent in

EDITOR'S TABLE. 317 tracting. They expected soon to hold baptism services, at which ten were to be added to the branch which they had established, making a total of twenty- six souls. There are twelve elders from Zion, but they are scattered so far apart that they cannot get together very often. They were in hopes, however, of gathering at Christmas in their first conference in South Africa. At the time of writing, the flowers were in bloom, and all the trees in full leaf, as the spring season was just beginning. They expected to have strawberries for Christmas. There is fruit all the year round. The elders are enjoying themselves and think that the South African mission is the best on earth. They are working hard to place the people in possession of the truth. Elders Thomas E. Orton, North Ogden, and Edgar J. Alder, Preston, were arrested about December 14, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for selling tracts without a license. They pleaded not guilty in the police court, and being unable to obtain $200 bail were sent to jail, where they received severe treatment from the other thirty prisoners. Elder Orton was seized and given ten lashes with a large strap. Their conference president finally secured their release, but thev were to stand trial later. What the result was, we have not learned. Just after Christmas, a prominent doctor of Chicago called at the Mission office, 149 So. Paulina St., desirous of learning something of "Mormonism. " He stated that some three years ago he purchased a Book of Mormon which he placed in his library, where it remained unread until Christmas eve'. At that time he was looking for a Voice of Warning, which he had also placed in his library. He is a member of the Redman's Lodge, and desired information about the American Indians. While searching for the Voice of Warning, he came across the Book of Mormon. He took it down and read the testimony of the Three Witnesses; he became interested, and spent some time reading the book that evening. Sunday evening he attended our services and after returning home continued his reading of the book. It is his opinion, after thus perusing it, that it could not have been written by any man without inspired assistance. He is past fifty years of age, and so far has not affiliated with any of the sects, because he cannot harmonize the doctrines taught by them with the teachings of the Bible. The Book of Mormon is an inspired record, and sooner or later must be accepted by the world as such. The promise is unto all, that if they will read the book with a sincere desire to know of its divinity, God will make the truth manifest unto them. The Book of Mormon contains the gospel of Jesus Christ, and it cannot be read without inspiring its readers with noble thoughts and a desire to lead upright and virtuous lives. The following report of the Northern Illinois Conference, of the Northern States Mission, for the year 1908, is sent to the Era by the president, Elder Joseph Campbell: We have distributed 2,540 Books of Mormon, 145 other standard works, 9,932 other books, 133,835 tracts, 8,073 copies of Liakona; taken 426 Liahona

318 IMPROVEMENT ERA. subscriptions; 55,800 families visited, 8,122 families revisited; spent 16,423 hours tracting, 16,673 hours gospel conversation, 4,826 hours with the Saints, 10,600 hours of study; held 67,523 gospel conversations, held 837 hall, 837 cottage, 598 open air, 118 priesthood, and 28 fast meetings; 17 children blest and 35 baptisms. We have been very successful in meeting the people of Northern Illinois and have received good treatment. Many times during the summer months we traveled without purse or scrip. After our elders have gone through the towns and cities the people have spoken very highly of them, stating that they never saw cleaner, more honest, conscientious ^young men than the "Mormon" elders who left impressions that will never be forgotten. In the city of Chicago we have been very successful in getting the Book of Mormon catalogued in several of the largest mail houses, through which we are now receiving good return for our labors. We look forward for the time to come when the Book of Mormon will be as common in the homes of the people as the Bible is today. We rejoice in the excellent work that has been done in this conference during the year 1908. In Chicago we have one of the best Sunday Schools in the Church outside of the stakes of Zion, and we rejoice in the excellent work being done among the school students who are in Chicago to study, and who come to our school. Less than a year ago we had three families in Joliet, now we have a branch numbering thirty-five, with excellent prospects of increasing our number. A good work is being done in that city. At present we have elders located also in Rockford, where the prospects are bright, and where the elders report a good work being done. During the past two weeks, at our services in the Chicago branch, we have had a great many visitors, as high as twenty-five people who are classed among the most intelligent. During the past ten days two Chicago doctors have been investigating the gospel and have become so thoroughly convinced of the truth of our doctrine that we look to see them become members of the Church. In our conversation with them we learned that they have been thorough investigators of the various doctrines of Christianity, but up to the time of their attending our serices and reading our literature, their souls had not been satisfied. One of the doctors states that he is now fifty years of age and was being tossed to and fro on the sea of confusion, in a religious world. Tho most intelligent, the thinking classes of people, are becoming much impressed with the principles of the gospel as taught by the Latter-day Saints. We feel sure that the time is rapidly approaching when many will be brought into the Church. In conclusion, I wish to thank the Saints and elders for the good support they have given me in my labors, and I wish them a happy and prosperous New Year, with every blessing which it is their right and privilege to receive. I also extend best wishes to the Era, and wish you every success.