Messages from the Missions

360 IMPROVEMENT ERA "Then, too, the working week increased from three or four days to six. No time was required for sobering up. Also the workmen were more efficient, twice as good as when daily under vodka. And, perhaps best of all, the women began to rejoice. It is not the women who drink in Russia, it is chiefly the men. And with the men earning double the usual amount, bringing it all home, and being always pleasant instead of stupid or quarrelsome the women began to say it was like being in heaven. "This occasion M. Chelinshev seized for a press campaign. Also, he organized delegations to present petitions to the proper authorities urging that the month's prohibition be prolonged dur- ing the war. "This His Majesty agreed to, and issued the necessary order. Further work on the part of M. Chelinshev secured the removing of the licenses from clubs and privileged restaurants, and the second month saw prohibition of vodka complete throughout the empire. "Filled with gratitude to the Emperor, a temperance deputation then called upon His Majesty to thank him for the reform, and the deputation got the further assurance from His Majesty that never again would the government engage in the vodka business. And that promise he at once made public in a telegram to the Grand Duke Constantine. "And what of the revenue? Is Russia going to be able to pay her national bills without the $500,000,000 revenue from vodka? It seems so and without any drastic. new taxation either. ; Already a bill has been introduced to supply the deficiency, not even by an increase in present taxes but, through arrangements by which the government domains and possessions may be rendered more productive."

Messages from the Missions Elder Wm. W. Seare, Bradford, England, November 20: "A few words respecting the parents' class work in this part of the world. One of the surest and greatest aids we enjoy in the promulgation of the gospel is the addition of a fully organized parents' class in the Bradford branch of the Leeds Conference. It was organized October, 1913, through the efforts of Elders Melvin J. Benson, Irvin S. Noall, Charles L. Porter, and Wm. W. Seare. Having been associated di- rectly with the class, I can truthfully testify that after a year's trial all the members recognize it is a God-send to them. The subjects presented are in harmony with the outlines found in the 'Juvenile In- structor.' Our efforts have been centered upon the overthrow of the monster mock-modesty, by implanting plain truths of great value in its place. The labor has been tedious, and much opposition has con- fronted our efforts, but today we rejoice in saying that truth has prevailed. Many mothers are rejoicing because of the enlightenment they have received through their parents' class, and fathers are proud to know they have discovered a way to be boys with their boys. Be-

tween 150 and 200 children in this part of the vineyard are receiving truths concerning themselves, due to the recognition of the counsels of God by true fathers and mothers who have delighted in parents' class work and teachings. The class in Bardford is the first to be established in the British Isles. The average attendance is about seventy. We meet for our lesson work every Sunday afternoon at the present time. Elders W. W. Seare and Alfred E. Higgins are the class teachers. We look upon the parents' class of the Bradford branch as being second to none, as every enrolled member is actively engaged in dealing a death-blow to the prevailing ignorance of sexual problems. We extend our best wishes and desires for the success of those connected with this great God-ordained movement. In tracting, we find much success in introducing the work and purposes of the parents' class to the people." Elders left to right: Benson, Noall, Porter, Higgins and Seare.

Elder F. J. Foulger, Auck- land, New Zealand, November 11: "The picture represents the staff of the 'Messenger' of the New Zealand Mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Lat- ter-day Saints: Standing, D. G. Seegmiller, Orderville; F. J. Foulger, editor of the 'Messen- ger,' Ogden; sitting: R. J. Kingston, Ogden; G. A. Chad- wick, editor of 'Te Karere,' Park Valley, Utah. We are all enjoying our labors and feel that the Lord is blessing our efforts, because our work is advancing. With best wishes for the success of the Improvement Era, we re- main, your brethren in the work of the Lord."

Otis E. Rogers, Natchez, Mississippi: "The Missionary work in this district is progress- ing favorably and the elders are enthusiastic in their work feeling that the hand of the Lord is with them in what they are doing. They are called to be messengers of truth to the people whose hearts the Spirit of the Lord has softened so that in our work there is a marked advancement over last year. Elders of the Mississippi Conference, from left to right, standing: Wm H. Jones, Eureka, Irvin L. Whatcott, Kanosh, Joseph Enckson,

ELDERS AT NATCHES, MISS.

Springville, Utah; John R. Brown, Preston, Idaho; Henry M. Jones, Enoch, Calvin Memmott, Scipio, Utah; Chas. E. Campbell, Ozone. Idaho, fitting: Richard Tullis, Pinto, Wilford B. Haws, Provo, H. L. Buttars, Clarkston, Utah; Conference Pres. Otis E. Rogers, Jr., Mesa, Arizona; Carlos S. Higgins, Dempsy, James L. Walker, Iona, Idaho; David R. LeBaron, Santaquin, Utah; Wallace Ellsworth, Show Low, Arizona; Front Row: C. E. Chatelain, Ogden, Albertus Dalton, Moab, R. S. Hughes, Spanish Fork, Utah."

Elder Stephen R. Paskett, Nottingham, England, December 8, 1914: "During the spring and summer of this year we received con- siderable attention by ministers of the different sects who slandered us to a great extent. Meetings were held by them in which the people were warned against 'Mormonism.' They told the people that our gospel tracts were Biblical, but that our real motive in this country was to. entice young women to Utah. Pictures were printed of the vilest type and unreasonable and revolting stories were told about us. A committee was or- ganized to expel us from the town but we have continued to labor without hearing from them, because our cause is just and true and our labors are for the good of the people. The more persecution we receiver! in that way the greater success \ ;

had in our tracting. People who had heard little or nothing of us were anxious to learn what we taught that had caused so much excitement, and when they read our tracts and pamphlets, and heard the principles of the gospel explained in their true light they received our message and recognized it as the gospel which Christ taught.

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The people in this way became interested and their prejudices have died away to some extent. We have made friends with several of the leading citizens of the town and can say that it is a pleasure to know that while so many of the men of the world are being called to fight to defend their kings and countries, we continue the soldiers of Christ fighting for the cause of truth and the downfall of evil. We are protected by truth and righteousness, the armor of the Lord, and we have peace and faith in our King Jesus Christ. Our branch is prospering. Elders, Saints and friends are united in trying to make the work a success, which is very encouraging to us. Aaron T. Pin- gree, Ogden; Stephen H. Paskett, GrouseCreek, Utah."

Elder W. N. Leavitt, Auckland, Xew Zealand: "These elders are laboring in the south islands of New Zealand, and the photo was taken at Christchurch, Canterbury, recently. The address of the elders' headquarters has been changed from Christchurch to Box 72, Auck- land, New Zealand. Elders Bellows and Jackson have been visiting with us for a few days and we enjoyed their stay very much. They have been laboring in a district chiefly composed of English-speaking Maoris, while our labors have been among the Europeans exclusively. The elders in Canterbury have not succeeded in increasing the numbers in the Church in the past year, but have secured a number of friends who, previous to our visit to them, were not informed about the Lat- ter-day Saints except through misrepresentations. We wish the Era every success possible, and read it with great interest. Elders left to right: J. A. Bellows, Spanish Fork; Francis Henrie, Panguitch; sit- ting: Ren Jackson, Logan, Utah; Wm. N. Leavitt, Bunkerville, Ne- vada, president of the Canterbury Conference; W. N. Adams, Bunk- erville, Nevada."

Elder Russell Titensor, Hobart, Tasmania, writes: "Although lack of rain, and the war, have caused some hindrance to the work of the Lord in this district, the elders are still working with great interest for the advancement of the truth. On October 18 last, we held our annual conference in Victoria hall. President Don C. Rushton and wife were in attendance. We held two meetings and received much encourage- ment and many good instructions from President Rushton. Both Saints and friends enjoy the Era greatly. It is a big help in our missionary work in preaching the gospel which is to be preached among all na- tions. We pray that the Lord will open the way for the elders through-

364 IMPROVEMENT ERA out the world, so that the truth may be established. Elders left to right, standing: Carl L. Johnson, Frankburg, Alta, Canada; Frank lin E. Weaver, Bennington, Idaho; Russell Titensor, Bedford, Wyo-

ming, who was sustained as conference president in October; Charles R. Turner, Hobart, Tasmania; sitting: Thomas A. Longey, Tooele; Don C. Rushton, Mission President, Salt Lake City; Sister Rushton, his wife; Edward F. Clark, acting confe rence president, Farmington, Utah." Elders and lady missionaries of the East Pennsylvania confer- ence. Top row, left to right: B. Frank Bert- cher, Salt Lake City, Utah; Walter E. Dye, conference president, Firth, Idaho; Leonard Madsen, Provo, Utah; second row: Quimby Roundy, Alton; Walter P. Monson, mission president, Ogden; Eu- gene Hilton, retired conference president, Hinckley; Percival P. Bigelow, Provo; first circle, Leslie Tidwell, Smithfield, Utah; Ruth M. Savage, Woodruff, Arizona; Viola C. Peterson, Samaria, Ida- ho; lower circle: Hy- rum W. Stevens. Mt. Carmel; Edmund Sper- ry, Salt Lake City; Samuel Hadley Jr., Og- den, Utah; Grover N.' Arrington, Twin Falls; Lorenzo H. Hatch, Franklin Idaho.