Messages from the Missions

Messages from the Missions Elder Vernon J. Clark, writing from South Bend, Indiana, says the three elders in that place have succeeded in organizing a Sunday school. Many parents are letting their children come to the school, and are so well pleased with the way the children are taught the principles of the gospel that they accompany them, and learn more of gospel as taught by the Latter-day the Saints. The cottage meetings are well attended and there is keen interest. Elders, left to right: H. C. Young, Fruitland, New Mexico; Vernon J. Clark, Georgetown, Idaho; Leslie Warburton, Tooele, Utah.

MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS 425 Elder Wells Cloward, writing from Mount Vernon, Illinois, January 16, stated that the Hill branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has done much to further the truth among the people of that section. The meeting house was dedicated in 1907. When the building was first erected the people were much against the work, but since they have had the privilege of studying the faith of the Latter-day Saints and living among them, they have become mucn softened. At the Christmas, 1911, entertainment, people for miles around joined with the Saints in the celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Those present expressed themselves that the entertainment was the best they had ever attended. One man who was called upon to speak said he had been very much benefited by attending, and he knew the entertainment would help all present to live better lives in the future. He hoped he would be able to attend many more such gatherings. The elders at Mount Vernon, 111., are: Wells Cloward, J. N. Scovil, E. H. Asay and Charles T. Johnson.

Elder Grant Ivins, writing to the "Era" from Tokyo, Japan, says: "There are fifteen of your friends in Japan who watch for the "Era," and read it with pleasure; and the only reason that sixteen of us do not enjoy its contents is that Chiyo doesn't read very well yet, but she is 'coming,' and though we fear from indications that the Japanese will hinder her progress in our mother tongue, we shall endeavor to see that she is taught somewhat in the learning of her father, which consists partly of good old English, and a knowledge of what is published in 'your,' perhaps better 'our,' magazine. We are working earnestly, with perhaps more hope than success; but we feel unable to rightly judge the good which we are doing. We know one thing.

however, which gives us much satisfaction— we know that we are carrying, the first new a of the teachings of our Savior to many of

426 IMPROVEMENT ERA Japan's people. Though we have not the opportunity of seeing the enlightened Christian accept the knowledge of the restored gospel, we enjoy the chance which we do have of watching the effect of true religious light in its operation on the hitherto darkened mind. We are doing our best to spread that light, and feel in a way satisfied with our labors here. The missionaries in the group are: Left to right, back row: James M. Miller, Murray; Lloyd O. Ivie, Salina; Lester T. Chipman and Leonard E. Harrington, American Fork; Alvin B. Hintze, Murray; Henry R. Emmett, Ogden; Grant Ivins, Salt Lake City, Utah; E. LeRoy Anderson, Salem, Idaho; front row: William S. Ellis,North Ogden; Joseph H. Stimpson, Riverdale; James Scowcroft, Ogden; Elbert D. Thomas, mission president, Edna H. Thomas, Salt Lake City, Utah; Chiyo Thomas, Tokyo, Japan; Jay C. Jensen, mission secretary, Heber City; Walter H. Barton, Kaysville, Utah.

Elder Shirley Penrose Jones, writing from Hull, England, December 19, gives an account of a celebration of Thanksgiving day, November 31: "Although away from home, and in a country where this day is not regarded, we enjoyed a real Thanksgiving spirit, possibly cultivated by an excellent dinner, including roast turkey, plum pudding and sweet corn. This latter dish was quite a delicacy, since it was the first any of us had eaten in England. On Saturday we met in priesthood meeting, at which a departure was made from the usuai mode of procedure, and the question, 'Resolved, That we are worship-

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*€k », ^f. ping on the correct day,' was debated, with two elders on each side and the remainder of the class as critics and judges. Very interesting and valuable points were brought out, and we all felt better for coming together. Elders, left to right, top row: Charles A. Walters, Eureka, Utah; John F. Olesen, Hooper, Utah; Alvin J. Sharp, Preston, Idaho; second row: T. Roy Bell, Richmond; William T. Patrick, Salt Lake City; Joseph F. Holyoke, Parowan, Utah; Homer J. Brown, Cardston, Canada; Douglas T. Murdock, Heber City; William H. White, Jr„ Salt

MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS 427 Lake City; bottom row: Edward Williams, Spanish Fork: Shirley P. Jones, conference secretary, Salt Lake City; Conference President Bernard Parry, Manti, Utah; Elmer W. Smith, Thatcher, Idaho; Hyrum B. Harris Henefer, Utah.

Elder Rex I. Spencer, of the Missouri conference, Central States mission, writes that the elders in his district have been laboring in the city of Cape Girardeau, in Missouri. The circuit judge permitted them use the court house to hold a to meeting in, and while he was severely criticized, he stated to the elders that he was not at all sorry that he let them use the house, as he made no distinction between religious sects, which shows a liberalmind; and also that as Latter-day Saints we are able to meet and make favorable impression upon a good class of people. "Just prior to coming to this town, we worked in a place where, for five weeks, we never bought a meal nor a bed, but were amply provided. In one month, we held twenty-eight hall meetings and seventeen cottage meetings, and this was in a town where, two years ago, I could hardly find a place to stop, which shows a marked change for the better." Elders in the picture are: Homer Taylor, Richfield; Rex I. Spencer, Salt Lake county, Utah.

Writing from Newport, England, January 20, Elder J. H. Vaughan reports that missionary work is progressing nicely in that district, notwithstanding the misrepresentation of the Latter-day Saints in some of the papers and particularly by the picture shows which are being exhibited, detrimental to the people. These are causing the fairest minded and most thoughtful, however, to investigate as never before. "In tracting, yesterday, I had a conversation with a fine looking, middle aged man, at whose house I called with a tract. He invited me in, saying that he desired to talk personally with a 'Mormon,' and to learn for himself something about them. He is an English lawyer, born and reared in Newport. Asking me about the object I had in visiting here, I told him that it was to preach the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. When he stated that the gospel had been on earth ever since Christ was here, I begged to differ with him, and thus had the privilege to relate to him the vision of Joseph, concerning the restoration of the Book of Mormon, and the priesthood and authority granted to the Latter-day Saints through the visitation of

428 IMPROVEMENT ERA angels to the Prophet Joseph Smith. Parting with him, he expressed a desire to have more of our literature, and wished me success in my labors." The elders in the portrait are: Left to right: J. W. Madsen, Provo, Utah; J. H. Vaughan, Calders Station, Salt Lake City; A. L. Flitton, Shelton, Idaho.

Elder Ezra J. Poulson, Richmond, Virginia, states that cottage meetings are being held at the homes of the Church members, at which many new friends and investigators are generally in attendance. The elders find that a great deal of prejudice has been removed through the recent visit of the Tabernacle choir. This is a new field, but prospects are bright for a thriving branch. The elders in the picture are: Front: Ezra J. Poulson, Paris, Idaho; back, left to right: Reuben A. Parnsworth, Dublan, Mexico; John L. Ferris, Junction; Oscar Whiting, Mapleton, Utah.

Elder Elmer Jackson, writing from St. Joseph, Missouri, January Joseph branch of the Independence 26, states that the people in the St. conference are treating the elders in a friendly way. Quite a number of the people are very much interested in the gospel message, and the meetings are well attended by friends and Saints. The St. Joseph branch has a membership of about forty, and is in a thriving condition. The elders and lady missionaries in the photograph are: Left to right: T. F. Riggs, Mesa, Arizona; Henry Miller, Thayne, Wyoming; Elmer Jackson, Randolph, Utah. Back row: Miss Pearl Critchfield, Oakley, Idaho; Dagmar Mauritsen, Logan, Utah.

Olaf J. Anderson, president of the Copenhagen conference, writes under date of January 2: "The missionaries of the Copenhagen conference of whom there are thirty-two, are doing a good work among the people. During the past holidays they were invited out to many socials among the Saints and friends. On December 26, the Sunday school pupils and their friends enjoyed a Christmas-tree party, all being served with chocolate and cake and a sack of nuts. On Friday, 29th, the choir gave a concert, and on the evening of the first of January a leap-year party was given, in which many of the Saints and their friends participated."