Messages from the Missions

88 IMPROVEMENT ERA.

lar calling. That is indispensable, too; and all must have lived their lives, carried on their struggles, and earned their success under conditions, in the main, in which our boy must live his life, carry on Ms battle, and wrench out his success. It is an interesting series. You ought to put it into the hands of your boy. It will make a vast difference in his life. He will read it with interest. It will take firm hold on him. It will

spur him to be more and to do more than he otherwise would. It will brace him up like a tonic, make him hold up his head, and go to with a will to do what is in him to do. The next of the series will be called, Brains on the Farm.

Messages from the Missions. The Millennial Star of September 30, announces with deep regret the death of Griffith E. Williams of Blackfoot, Idaho, who came to Eng- land on a mission, landing June 1, 1909. He died in the hospital at Trede- gar, South Wales, on September 25, 1909. An operation performed prior to his death showed that he was suffering from appendicitis and peritonitis, the appendix having supperated and burst. Every attention was paid to him possible, but he succumbed to the disease. He was a good, stalwart man, six feet, three inches tall, and was apparently in excellent health until September 22, when the disease attacked him. He leaves a wife and one child. His body was shipped to Utah on the steamship Megantic, in care of his brother, Franklin E. Williams, who was released to return with the body.

Writing from Trinidad, Colorado, President Alfred J. Atkinson says that "although the elders of the West Colorado conference must undergo some physical hardships to carry on their work, yet they have proved true to their cause, in word and deed." They were called to travel a dis- tance of from three to four hundred miles to attend conference in Trini- dad. They carried their grips through mud and rain, with light hearts. The elders were treated well in some cases by friends which they made as they traveled to conference. The meetings held were mutually bene" •

ficial, judging from the words of appreciation spoken by unbelievers' Saints and elders. President John L. Herrick especially commended the singing of Elders James H. Ellison, R. A. Wilkins and Ray C. Green. The elders separated at the close of the conference for their fields of

EDITOR'S TABLE. 89

labor. Ray C. Green and Conference President A. J. Atkinson remained to complete the work in Trinidad.

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ELDERS OF THE WEST COLORADO CONFERENCE. From left to right: Ray C. Green, Jas. H. Ellison, Jno C. Taysom, Wm. H. Lynn, Alfred J. Atkinson, Conference President; Urban Green and Robert A. Wilkins.

The organization of the Vermont conference on July 24, as noticed New York Times to "discover" in the October Era, gave occasion for the

that the Memorial Monument to Joseph Smith was about to be dedicated, although this event had taken place nearly four years prior to that time. The Times said some mean things about the "Mormons," and these were copied and added to by other papers, including the Burlington Free Press. Elder Junius F. Wells, in charge of the Memorial, sent the following ex- planation and invitation to the editor of the Vermont paper:

The Joseph Smith Memorial, Sharon, Vermont. South Royalton, Post Office. 5th September, 1909. Editor Free Press, Burlington, Vt. — Dear Sir: The monument in honor of Joseph Smith, the "Mormon" Prophet, was erected, under my superintendence, at his birthplace, and dedicated on the 23rd of December, 1905; the one hundreth anniversary of his birth. That some N. Y. Times editorial numbskull, four years behind the news and forty in his knowledge of the "Mormons," should be just rub- bing his eyes open to the anticipation of that event does not surprise me. but that the Burlington Free Press should copy its drivel and comment reassuringly, as if it also is scarcely awake, rather astonishes me. The Memorial here has not hurt anyone but has been very gratify- ;

ing to the feelings of some half million "Mormons," who love and re- spect the memory of Joseph Smith. It was erected to satisfy their sense

90 IMPROVEMENT ERA.

of the proprieties; they believing it to be the least they could do upon that occasion; as they owe to the life and ministry of this son of Ver- mont, their identity as a Church, a community, a happy and prosperous people. It has been a pleasure for me to receive and welcome from ten to twenty thousand visitors here, since the dedication of the monument. These have expressed their pleasure at coming, and I believe, quite generally, their delight at what has been done to improve and beautify this place, one of the loveliest places in the state of Vermont. I regret that the managing editor of the Free Press has not been

among these visitors; though we have had many representatives of New England newspapers here, at one time and another, and other dis- tinguished visitors: statesmen, ministers, teachers, scientists and general travelers. I believe it is informing to come here; and I should be very glad to

receive the writer of your editorial of August 31st, if he can make it convenient to come. I assure you that he will discover nothing here that is hurtful to the fair fame of Vermont or its people; and I think he will

have a good time if he comes. I should like to be advised a day or two ahead, as I am so much of

the time away in New York and Boston. Governor Proctor or General Howard would perhaps vouch for the sincerity of this invitation. Yours faithfully, Junius F. Wells.

Elder Wells, speaking of the monument, says: "We have had many visitors here this summer, some every day. Among these the speakers of the G. A. R. reunion of the counties of Windsor, Orange and others. It happened that General 0. 0. Howard was one of these. Ex-Governor Pingree, Rev. Metzger of Randolph, a noted preacher, made up the com- pany. The village band volunteered to come and play on the lawn while we served them a cold lunch. I was particularly pleased to draw out of General Howard, Christian soldier and Indian fighter, the statement that: 'It is eminently proper that you people should have built this memorial here. You know in regard to faith, I am telling the people, nowadays, that there is so little faith in the world, we ought to welcome it from any one.' That is a good deal coming from that source, and shows that all men are broadened by knowledge, and that to come here and partake of the influence of this place is helpful to friends and op- posers alike. I wish more of our people could come and see us."