Messages from the Missions

EDITORS TABLE. 569

Thrilling Experiences is the title of a little book of 157 pages, by Solomon F. Kimball, and neatly printed by the Magazine Printing Com- pany. It has a portrait of the author as a frontispiece and contains twelve chapters of personal experiences of the author, and reminiscences of early days in Utah. Quite a number of the prose articles have ap- peared in the Era, and were so well received that the author decided, upon solicitation of his friends, to print them, with others added, in book form. Those who love stories of adventure interwoven with good counsel, and teaching useful lessons, will find in Thrilling Experiences, five solid hours of genuine entertainment.

The Deseret Sunday School Union has just issued a handsome volume of 295 Deseret Sunday School So?igs, including nearly all of the old favorites in the old Deseret Sunday School Song Book, and to which have been added over one hundred other choice selections by home musicians and by some of the best song writers of America. A thousand Sunday school stake and ward choristers responded to a request to submit a list of ten favorite songs, and the result was a list of one thousand from which the one hundred new and beautiful selections were made, includ- ing many valuable copyrights. The songs are so arranged that each selection may be sung or played without turning the page. The typo- graphical work is by Henry C. Etten & Company, of Chicago, and the work copyrighted by President Joseph F. Smith. This new volume will be very handy and useful for the schools, primary associations, religion classes, quorum meetings, social gatherings, and the home. Price, cloth 50 cents; leather $1.

MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS. From a letter of Elder H. C. Mortensen, president of the Seattle conference of the North-western states mission, we learn that on Sunday, March 14, 1909, President Nephi Pratt paid them his farewell visit as mission president. All the elders, and the members of the branch and their friends were in attendance. President Pratt gave a brief history of the work in this conference, and the establishment of the Seattle branch, some eight years ago, with but a few mem- bers. There is now an enrollment of over two hundred members, in Seattle alone, and many others scattered throughout the city and state. The Sunday School, Mutual and Relief Society, are all well organized and attended. The speaker bore a powerful testimony to the divinity of the Prophet Joseph Smith's mission. He testified also that he knew the Savior is the Redeemer of the world. On Monday evening a reception was held in the honor of President ' Pratt. Everybody turned out, to honor the 'father of the branch," for they

love him greatly, for his work, testimony and counsel.

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EDITOR'S TABLE. 571

There was a program of songs, recitations, speeches wise and otherwise, ulogies and sentiments. Refreshments were served, and a general handshaking and sociable time was enjoyed. Durir.g the evening Supt. C. H. Fritsche, in behalf of the Sunday School, presented Pres. Pratt with a beautiful watch charm, one side made up of Alaske gold, with a fine diamond in the center, the other side bearing the inscription "To Pres. Nephi Pratt, from the Seattle Sunday School— 3— 15— '09." Elder H. C. Mortensen, representing the elders of the Seattle conference, presented him with a gold signet ring, with his initials beautifully engraved there- on. In the presentation speech many kind words were expressed for President Pratt showing the friendship and love in the hearts of the elders for him. The president's response was so kind, tender and full of love, that it touched the hearts of all present. He leaves this part of the mission with the love and esteem of all who have had the privilege of meeting and knowing him. "We are much interested in the newspaper reports of the part Utah will take in the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition to be held here the coming summer. If a knowledge of Utah's wonderful and varied resources, her magnificent school sys- tems, and the tabernacle choir, could be impressed upon the people it would result in much good in paving the way for the elders to get a respectable hearing. Seattle is a great city and no doubt the fair will be one of imposing grandeur, and contain many exhibits of great educational value."

Elder Orson M. Rogers writes from Port Elizabeth, C. C. South Africa, Mar. 12: ' 'I am laboring alone in a city of about the size of Ogden, and am meeting with fairly good success. The Era is always looked for on the first 'mail day' of each month, and I assure you that it is soon read through. I find its articles

a great help to me, for they always breathe encouragement, instil faith and in- crease my knowledge. Port Elizabeth is the shipping center for Cape Colony, and is called 'The Liverpool of South Africa,' though at present there is not much activity in the port. This is the chief ostrich feather market in the world, and every week from $70,000 to $75,000 worth of feathers are sold to the foreign

Photo by S. N. Alger, Jr

A Modern Kaffir Location near King Williams Town.

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572 1MPR VEMENT ERA

markets, London receiving most of them. Hundreds of tons of wool, hides, and pelts are shipped away from here every week, too, so this town stands the depres- sion which is hanging over South Africa about as well as any. All of the elders

out here think this is the finest mission field in the world, and not one of us would like to. be transferred elsewhere."

Elder E. J. Evans writing from Lille, February 26, says: "Perhaps it will

be interesting to many Era readers to hear that active missionary work is being done in France. Active work has not been carried on here for some time in the past, but it has long been the desire of the Liege conference to recommence work, so that those who might be seeking for the truth would have a chance to accept the gospel. Elders were sent here some six months ago, and Lille is prov- ing to be a nice place for missionary work. It is the capital of North France and has a population of 211,000 people, mostly all of whom are a good working class. The city is well fortified having a citadel almost impregnable. The fortification is so arranged that the city can be entirely surrounded by water by the breaking of canal dykes. We are being blessed in our work, and have several very promis- ing friends. The people accept our tracts very readily, and we feel that in due time Lille will have an organized branch of the Church. I wish the Era much success."

Elder Samuel Gerrard, president of the New England conference writes from Boston, April 8: "We commenced the study of Science and the Gospel, November 8, 1908, and last evening completed a successful study and treatment of the les-

sons contained therein. The subject mattci was indeed interesting and the en- thusiasm with which the elders and Samtb took hold of the lessons, was appreci- ated by the officers. We were fortunate in having with us occasionally Brother C. W. Porter, of Porterville, Morgan Co., Utah, who is taking a scientific course at Hirvard. and his able treatment of the lessons assigned him, brought out many points, which might have been overlooked by other than students of scientific sub- jects. The musical and literary part of our work was of a high order, participated in by students who are attending the New England Conservatory of Music, and also by our local brethren and sisters. The elders who were laboring in the nearby districts rendered valuable assistance. Mutual improvement is our motto, and we appreciate the valuable assistance and the high class matter that is found in the Era. The people we labor amongst enjoy reading its pages, and it assists us to

make friends wherever we can get them to read it. The Era should receive the loyal support of our young people, for the matter contained therein is choice, the points of doctrine are made clear, and the instructions valuable to those who apply them in their lives. Our conference has recently been divided, and instead of one conference, we now have four, covering the same territory, thus bringing into activity more elders, thereby getting in closer touch with scattered Saints and

friends. The work is growing, and efficient help is in demand. We hope that the youth of Zion will take anvantage of every opportunity of preparing themselves for this great labor of love which we all should be interested in."