Messages from the Missions

1122 IMPROVEMENT ERA and solicit every present subscriber to send in his renewal on the blank found in this number. From writings already on hand and promised, we can truthfully insure our readers a continuation of the high class, instructive and interesting literature for which the Era is conspicuous. We shall appreciate prompt action on the part of our loyal friends of the Y. M. M. I. A. who have been, or will be, appointed to canvass the wards and stakes of the Church for Volume 16, and bespeak for them the kind consideration of Church officers, and the public generally. Thankful for past success, we look forward to a year of unexcelled prosperity and usefulness for our magazine, and invite the kind co-operation of all our friends to this end. Messages from the Missions Elder Thomas E. McKay, who presided over the Swus German mission, gave the following report to Elder Rudger Clawson, president of the European mission, before his departure, on February 29, 1912, to his mountain home. It was printed in the "Millennial Star." He presided over the mission about there years, and the following statistics give an idea of the work done during the three years of his presidency—1909-10-11: "Today, February 29, 1912, at 2:30 p. m., our boat left the port at Liverpool. In a few hours all sight of European shores will have vanished from view. It will be three vears next Tuesday, March 5, since I arrived at headcmarters <n Zurich. The following: statistics will give an idea of the work that has been done during the three years 1909-10-11: "Number of families visited in tracting, 762,422; number of gospel conversations, 594,002; number of tracts distributed, 2,499,320; number of books distributed, 94,466; number of hall meetings, 11,429; number of cottage meetings, 3,552; number of open-air meetings, 175; number of Priesthood meetings, 2,190; number of fast meetings, 1,962; number of elders released, 231; number in field December 31, 1911, 169; number of members now on record, 6,120; number baptized during the three years, 2,431. "I think our elders, as well as our members and friends, have just cause to be proud of this splendid record. We shall be disappointed, however, if it is not greatly improved upon during the next three years. "This is a beautiful world after all — God's world, and it's his work in which we are all engaged. You have heard this testimony from me many times, but I want to bear it again. I love you all; and my only desire has been, and is now, and always will be to help you; to do and say those things that will help you to be happier; that will bring us all nearer our Father in heaven."

EDITOR'S TABLE 1123 Elder S. W. Merrill writes from Gisborne, New Zealand, May 24: "Little is ever heard through the Era from the New Zealand mission. We are too busy with our duties to report our work. We labor both among the Europeans and the Maoris, teaching them the gospel of Christ. The elders herewith are laboring in the Waiapu district. Elders Matthews and Ricks labor among the Europeans at Gisborne. They meet new friends every day. Elders Virgin and myself are laboring among the Maoris in this district and are enjoying our labors very much. Left to right, standing: J. S. Matthews, Castle Gate, Utah; L. S. Virgin, Sugar City, Idaho; sitting: E. A. Ricks, Benson; S. W. Merrill, Trenton, Utah. Elder A. E. Peterson, writing from Battle Creek, Michigan, May 28, says: "We have two lady missionaries and four elders in this district. We have made a systematic canvass of nearly all the factories here giving a series of five tracts published by the mission. We have had good success in distributing them, having passed thousands of tracts to the working men, and to the moving picture shows, when the 'Victim of the "Mormons" ' was here. We have a few Saints and a good class of friends. On May 26, I baptized two exemplary persons, and a large group of friends and strangers came to the river bank to witness the sacred ordinance. We have never been represented heretofore in the Era. Elders, left to right: A. E. Peterson, Carey, Idaho, presiding elder; A. C. Clufr, Pima, Ariz.; Joseph S. Williams, Blackfoot, Idaho; front row: Ruby Tattersal, American Fork; P. R. Helm, Calders Station; Sarah E. Meeks, Thurber, Utah. Elder Lorenzo Swenson, Christiania, Norway: "During the past two years we have learned that each time the enemy persecutes us, fresh impetus is added to our cause. Ministers in this country are diligently working against us. Tracts and books derogatory to Utah and her people have been published, setting forth the alleged immoral conditions existing, and the awful slavery to which the women are subjected in Utah. Lectures have been held warning the people against conversation with the horrible 'Mormons.' On March 26, Pastor Karl Schriner lectured in one of the largest halls in Christiania, at which

1124 IMPROVEMENT ERA 1,130 people attended, but happily they were not all sympathizers with the speaker. Since this lecture was held, exposing the "Mormons" and warning the people how dangerous their organization is to society, our meetings have been bettor attended than ever. Elder Anthon J. T. Sorensen spoke lately to a congregation of some six hundred people. The accusations were refuted, and the truth was told about the Latterday Saints. Though many had to stand during the meeting, there was no disturbance; hence, this pastor's lecture did us a world of good. Twelve elders are laboring here in Christiania. We are happy in the faith and know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God. Elder Fred C. Mickelsen, president of the Trondhjem conference, Norway, writing May 5, 1912, says: "President Andrew Jenson, Martin Christopherson and I visited the chief of police and had the pleasure of a private conversation with him. While he gave us to understand he was not our friend, he did guarantee us the same protection that other religious bodies receive. President Jenson improved the opportunity to relate some facts regarding our faith, and we feel that good was accomplished. Prospects are bright here. We have baptized five persons in the past two months, and have several good investigators. The elders are: Martin Christopherson, president of the Scandinavian mission, John H. Evenson, and Leroy L. Larsen, all of Farmers ward, Granite stake, Utah. Evenson and Larsen labor in Bado, which lies within the arctic circle, in the most northerly branch of the Church in the world. Elder J. Eugene Lichfield writing from Sunderland, England, August 3, says: "We are still doing all in our power to maintain our rights to establish the truth. No doubt all have read something concerning the agitation in this city and the tirade of abuse and slander from the mouths of some would-be religious leaders who are either innocently misrepresenting or willfully and maliciously lying concerning Utah and her people. Owing to their agitating the more ignorant class with their weird stories of woman slavery in Utah, we have had a very lively and exciting time for about four months. Even our meetinghouse has been very roughly handled. Windows have been broken, furniture damaged, books destroyed and sign-board demolished. On two occasions the mob forced its way into our meeting and threw out the elders, Saints and friends alike, regardless of sex or age.

EDITOR'S TABLE 1125 Ultimatums were .served by the mob notifying us to leave by a certain time fixed by them, or take the consequences. They went so far as to try to frighten, and then to bribe, our landlady to have her turn us out of lodging. The mob began at a street meeting on March 30 and continued until stringent measures were taken by the officers of the law two weeks ago. On that occasion one hundred police officers were in the vicinity, and mounted men were in readiness for action if needed. At times there were ten thousand people around the meeting house to escort us home, and when the city fathers did not have a goodly number of men in blue coats on the scene the elders came in for exciting if not interesting journeys to their lodgings. Lately several arrests have been made and fines of one pound and cost inflicted. This seems to have cooled the zealous anti-'Mormon' leaders, and we are now able to walk to and from the church without being escorted by several thousand hoodlums led by religious bigots singing, 'We'll hang all the 'Mormons' on a sour apple tree.' Since the strong arm of the law assumed its rightful position there have been no more rotten eggs nor brick bats thrown at us as we elbowed our way through the crowds to the church door. All seem to be coming to their right minds, and once more peace is gaining supremacy in this part of Christian England. The Saints have been valiant and have attended their meetings through thick and thin. The weather is very cold and stormy, and on account of the windows being out, our meeting house is exceedingly well ventilated. In spite of our trouble, many investigators attend the services, and we have good opportunities to explain the gospel and to give a reason for the hope that is within us." Elders in the picture are: Joseph Parmley, Winter Quarters, Utah, secretary; J. Eugene Lichfield, president, Provo; sitting, Nathaniel Ludlow, Spanish Fork, branch president; Victor E. Gilbert, Winter Quarters, Utah. President Hyrum W. Valentine, writing from Zurich, June 11, says: "During the last few years we have been busy building up strong branches of the Church. We have been advising the people not to emigrate, but to stay and help the elders in spreading the message of life and happiness. You realize that our freedom in Germany is very limited, as often the elders are banished as undesirable for-

1126 IMPROVEMENT ERA eigners. In spite of this, we have grown and increased considerably so that quite a number of our branches compare very favorably with our organized wards at home. Some, I think, are larger than a good many in the organized stakes of Zion. I enclose a picture of the Zurich branch choir. There are about twenty choirs like this one in our mission, and all of them are doing a great deal of good. In fact they are a very great factor in getting our friends to meetings and getting them interested in the gospel. We enjoy reading the Era, and profit by the splendid information contained therein. Elder Leonard B. Christensen, of Richfield, and William H. Squires, of Hyrum, Utah, state that they have a Sunday School in Helsingor, Denmark, which was organized May 14, 1911, and has thirty-two members enrolled. It is a real live organization in spite of the fact that the outside element is continually endeavoring to hinder its progress. There are thirty-eight members of the Church in the branch, the greater number of whom reside in Helsingor. The city has about 40,000 inhabitants, and is located in the northeastern part of Sjselland on a point projecting into the beautiful Oresund, which is but two miles wide at this place. The famous Kronberg castle, at one time the proud mistress of the north, to which all foreign vessels were required to pay toll for entrance into the Baltic, holds commanding view over the sound. It is also prominent because of the fact that it was the scene of Shakespeare's "Hamlet." Prospects for the growth of the gospel in this branch are very favorable, and the elders have been quite successful in the past.

EDITOR'S TABLE 1127 Rebecca Atkin, writing from Chicago, Illinois, June 26: "The true light of the work of the Lord is being placed before the people from day to day. and the result is growth. We feel impressed with the people we have met in North Chicago, and have had the privilege of bringing the truth to many. We are holding cottage meetings every night with the people and begin to see the fruits of our labors. Many good, honest people are here, and the missionaries are putting forth their best efforts to place our literature before them. Elders, reading from left to right, top row, are: J. H. Buckmiller, A. N. Smith, A. H. Wells, C. Stephens, John Schenk; bottom row: G. F. Wendell, Viola V. Howard, Rebecca P. Atkin, Leona Ossman, N. B. Chugg Elder Martin Mortensen, writing from Toronto, Canada, July 9, says: "On June 23 we held our summer conference at Toronto attended by Mission Secretary W. S. Langton, ten elders laboring in the conference and Saints and friends in and near Toronto. We have some twenty-five members in Toronto with many friends who are interested in our work. We have a Sunday School with all local officers, regular hall meetings on Sunday and cottage meetings almost every night in the week. Four elders are laboring in western New York and report meeting many friends and distributing considerable literature. They are re-visiting where elders worked years ago and hope to find some of the fruits of the labors of their faithful predecessors. Two elders are traveling through Canada and report some little bitterness, but are making progress towards allaying it.

1128 IMPROVEMENT ERA President A. Lester Francom, writing from Konumui in Wairarapa, states that their district conference, recently held, was enjoyed by a large number of Maori Saints and friends. The elders baptized one member and two more are ready for baptism. The elders are laboring hard, often through mud and rain, for the advancement of the cause. The marriage photograph herewith shows one of the many beautiful marriage ceremonies which President O. D. Romney is performing from time to time. The Maori people are fast setting aside their old customs of marriage and are adopting the European custom — a far better one. The couple shown in the picture, who are being married, are Te do Te Whaiti, and Te Rena Te Maari. The group of elders are: President O. D. Romney and wife, to the left; and standing, left to right, Conference President A. Lester Francom, William Bird, Wesley J. Beck, H. H. Jensen, D. H. Wood, and Barrey W. Harris. Elder P. E. Wrathall writes from Muskagee, Oklahoma, May 26: "The 'marvelous work and a wonder,' commenced by the restoration of the gospel, is moving forward with successful strides in this district. Prejudice is diminishing gradually, and the people are beginning to understand our doctrine in its true light, and as a rule prejudice is displaced by admiration. People are coming to hear the truth explained and investigate for themselves, refusing longer to listen to the old worn-out tales told by fabricators." Elder Howard S. Standage, writing from Rock Island, Illinois, June 15, 1912, reports that during the first week in June the elders laboring in that place sold seventeen Books of Mormon, 80 small doctrinal books, and performed one baptism. The branch of the Church is in a thriving condition, and they have a number of investigators whom they expect to baptize in the near future.