Messages from the Missions

MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS. From the report- of the Swiss and German mission for the year 1908, we learn that there were 3,074 members of the Church in that mission, that 607 baptisms were performed, and that the missionaries held 132,600 gospel conversations, distributed 803,539 tracts, 14,374 Church works, and held 5,612 meetings. Elder A. B. Foulger writing from Woodstock, Africa, February 10, says: "Elder G. M. Cannon, Jr., and myself will leave South Africa for home on the 18th of March by way of the eastern coast, visiting points of interest en route. We expect to be home some time in June or July." The Latter-day Saints Mission Headquarters and Assembly Hall, Aukland N. Z., were dedicated January 30 and 31, 1909. They are the first buildings for European services which the Church has erected in New Zealand. Elder Charles Hardy, president of the Auckland branch offered the dedicatory prayer. The Messenger for Feb. 3 and 17 contains an account of the proceedings and portraits of the beautiful buildings. The Church building recently purchased by the Latter-day Saints and located on Sherman St., Portland, Oregon, was dedicated January 31, the dedicatory prayer being offered by President Nephi Pratt. President F. S. Bramwell of the Union stake was in attendance. The Relief Society had furnished carpets, portraits of the First Presidency, sacrament set and table linen, and portraits of the three Mission Presidents, F. S. Bramwell, Nephi Pratt and Joseph L. Robinson. Elder George F. Rawson, president of the district comprising that part of New Zealand which lies north of Auckland and known as the "Bay of Island con-

EDITOR'S 1ABLE. 495 ference," writes the Era under date of January 18: "The elders here have mucb cause to rejoice over the success that has attended their labors. We have many friends and have many earnest investigators. Our mission paper published in the native language is one of our best means of spreading the truth. It circulates among all classes and becomes the topic of conversation, also a means of allaying much prejudice, and opening many doors that otherwise would be shut against us. Owing to the size and extent of our district, we do most of our traveling ELDERS OF THE "BAY OF ISLAND CONFERENCE." Standing: J. Earnest Johnson, Wallace W. Weaver. Oliver Humphreys. Sitting: George F. Rawson, 0. M. Bates. on horseback. We labor among the native people almost exclusively. Having a language to learn, we do but little European work. During the year 1908, we baptized one hundred and four souls, and blessed sixty-four children. The work is progressing rapidly in this part. We have several branches organ, ized, all doing well, and in most of them are Sunday Schools in good working order. We love the work, and enjoy many blessings in laboring for the great cause." Elder J. David Stevenson writes from Zara, Turkey, February 11, that many shocks of earthquake were felt in that region from the 5th to the 9th which greatly frightened the inhabitants. All coffee houses where liquor is sold were closed for the time being. The gospel is progressing, and many believe, but are not in possession of the moral stamina to be baptized. Several baptisms were

496 IMPROVEMENT ERA. anticipated by the elders, however, before March 11, when the elders expected to leave. From a report of President Nephi Pratt in Liahona, The Elder's Journal, it is learned, that in the Northwestern States mission for 1908 there were 117 baptisms, 1,362 members, and 39 elders in the ministry. Three new branches were organized: Weiser, Idaho; Eugene, Oregon; and Big Timber, Montana; with new conferences in Bozeman and Great Falls, Montana. The elders sold 412 Books of Mormon, 25 Doc. and Cov., 1,061 Cowley's Talks, 889 Voice of Warning; distributed 65,864 tracts, held 20,312 gospel conversations, and visited 47,603 families- Conditions in all parts of the mission are improving.

• ? r f m l %^I** 4 fc ^ f J ELDERS OF THE BRISTOL CONFERENCE Laboring in Devon and Cornwall. Top Row: D. D. Harris, A. Hender, C. E. Lofthouse, A. H. Parkinson, H. H. Salisbury. Second Row: K. W. Bird, F. I. Hill, Charles G.Jarman, Prest. J. H. Bowden, E. W. Williams. Front: M. Cope. From the report of President Peter Sundwall of the Swedish mission, it is learned that in the five conferences of that mission, there are twenty-five branches, with sixty- eight elders and one lady- missionary laboring. There are twenty- two hundred and four souls belonging to the Church in the mission. During the year 1908, 121 souls were baptized into the Church, and 70 emigrated; 38 died; 168,731 strangers' homes were visited for the purpose of distributing tracts, and 6,956 were visited by invitation; 27,077 gospel conversations were held, and 2,201

EDITOR'S TABLE. 497 meetings; and 272,618 tracts were distributed, and 45,192 books. President Sundwall is encouraged with the prospects of the work among the Swedish people, and reports to the Millennial Star that there is great need of more missionaries in Sweden, where many opportunities are given to hold meetings, and teach the gospel to the people. He says, furthermore, that the mission is about to pay more attention to the sale of the Book of Mormon than heretofore. The elders are united and enjoy the spirit of their calling, and the mission generally is in a satisfactory condition.