--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Carroll, Elsie C. collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 21 number: 12 published: 1918-10 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: "Carroll, Elsie C., \"God's Way,\" *Improvement Era* 21, no. 12 (October 1918): 1042–1047." source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera21012unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera21012unse start_page: 1042 end_page: 1047 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1918-10) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera21012unse publication_year: 1918 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1918, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # God's Way God's Way By Elsie Chamberlain Carroll "Here is a letter from the President. He wants us to go down through the western part of the state and canvass a number of towns that haven't been worked for a long time, and through which a Rev. N has been spreading his influence against us." Elder Simpson handed an open letter to his companion beside him on the park bench just outside of the post office. The letter was perused in silence, though the young man's face showed some agitation. "Elder Simpson, I don't see why the Lord permits such men as this N to go about doing all the harm they do," he burst out indignantly when the letter was finished. "Why, one man like that does more to injure the cause than the good a dozen of us missionaries can do." "0 no, Elder Crane, I think you are mistaken. Of course, we Elders suffer some unpleasant consequences from the work of such men, but on the whole they do more good than harm for the Church. They succeed in drawing the attention of people we could never reach. It is all good advertising, and after all that is a big help. The Lord has a peculiar way of turning the effort of his enemies to the ultimate good of his cause. There is something about the gospel message that no matter how it is distorted by the foes of truth it still echoes a familiar tone in the souls of the true sons and daughters of Israel, and many an honest heart has been aroused to investigate the truth by having it traduced." The man spoke earnestly and as his companion did not reply he continued. "When the keys for the gathering of Israel were committed to God's servants in this last dispensation, they were promised that his power would accompany the message which they were — asked to bear, and that the honest in heart the blood of Israel would know the call of their Shepherd. I have heard of a number of conversions, for instance, that can be traced directlv to the curiosity aroused by this same Mr. N — ." "That may be true," the younger man admitted relunctantly, "but I don't relish the thought of going along in the fellow's wake. I suppose I won't mind so much when I'm a little older in the work and don't have a fit of the ague every time any one tries to open an argument with me." Both men laughed as they gathered up their mail from the bench. GOD'S WAY 1043 "You'll get over that. We all had those days," the older man assured him as they started toward their room. "I suppose we may as well start in the morning," said Elder Simpson. "We can get to Courtland in two days, I think. There are a few investigators in the town, besides this man Beckett that the President mentions, who has already been baptized. We'll wait until we get there to arrange for a meeting." A couple of days later the two men reached Courtland and found their way to the home of Mr. Beckett. , "I'm mighty glad to see you," Beckett greeted them warmly. "It's time some of you elders came. There has been a man named N — through here telling all sorts of scandalous things about the 'Mormons.' John Dillon's folks and the Mercer sisters and Mrs. Adamson were all about ready to be baptized, but they are wondering now whether to be or not. Shall I invite them over this evening and let you straighten their questions out?" "Certainly," Elder Simpson replied. "I believe we would better hold a few cottage meetings before we try to do anything in a public way." Young Henry Beckett was sent to notify the investigators of the meeting. When he returned he seemed somewhat excited. "Pa, Champ Connell was over to Dillion's and Nick Dennis from out at the Cross Roads and they said that they were coming to the meeting, too." "Why, that is all right, my boy," Elder Simpson assured him. "We are glad to have any who wish to come." "But they are the two worst toughs in Courtland," asserted the lad. After supper the elders and the Beckett family gathered in the living room. Soon the Mercer Sisters with a couple of friends arrived, and a little later Mrs. Adamson and her daugh- ter-in-law came; and finally the Dillion family and the two self- invited guests. A hymn was selected and sung. Elder Crane opened the meeting by prayer. Then after another hymn, Elder Simpson arose and spoke at some length on the first principles of the Gospel. When he had finished he said, "Now, if there are any questions we will be pleased to hear them and answer them if possible." Before anyone else had a chance to speak Champ Connell who was sitting near the door, got clumsily to his feet. "Yer sermon sounded purty fair, Mr. 'Mormon,' but I bet ve ain't got Scripture fer all of it. Ye must a got some o' that dope out o' ole Joe Smith's gold Bible. I jist wish ye'd let Rev. Jackson ask ye a few questions, an' I'd like t' hear ye explain a few o' the things a Mr. N — told us about ye last week. So 1044 IMPROVEMENT ERA ifye ain't afraid, we'd like to see ye show yerselves over in the Baptist Church tomorrow night." "Do I understand this to be an invitation to a meeting?" Elder Simpson asked. "It is." "Very well, we shall be glad to come, and we thank you for the opportunity." At this point, Connell and his companion withdrew and the elders spent a couple of hours in conversation with their friends. The next day was spent by the elders in visiting and letter writing.Late in the afternoon Mr. Beckett and his son came home very much excited. They hurried at once to their guests. "That meeting you were invited to tonight was a fake," Mr. Beckett began. "Henry, here, overheard Champ and Nick and a gang of their friends planning to tar and feather you. Henry tell us just what you did hear." "Us fellers was playing 'Run Sheep' and I hid under some logs down behind the old saw-mill. Pretty soon Champ and his gang came around there and sat on the logs right over me. They were drinking and swearing and laughing over the good time they are going to have tonight. I found out there wasn't to be any meeting at all. That was just a trap to catch you in, then they are going to take you to the woods and tar and feather yoii and make you perform for them. If you don't come to the meeting they are coming here and drag you out." Elder Crane was plainly agitated and even Elder Simpson was grave. "Surely there is no -danger of a barbarous thing like that being carried out in a civilized community," he said seriously. "I don't know, Elder Simpson," their host replied. "Of course, you must not judge the whole town by this lawless gang, but as for them, there is no limit to which they will not go when they are full of whisky. It is strange I didn't wonder at it last night when they gave the invitation for Rev. Jackson, so to speak. Champ hasn't been inside of a church since he was a baby and many times since he 'hoodooed' pretty I guess Nick hasn't been little Millie Greene into marrying him. I called Rev. Jackson up after Henry told me what he had heard, and he knew nothing of a meeting. It will be positively dangerous for you to stay in town tonight." "It seems cowardly to run away," Elder Simpson said after a thoughtful pause. "But I suppose it is worse than useless to stay. We would only be rieking Brother Beckett's family as well. I was just thinking, Elder Crane, we might go out and stop at some of those farms we passed coming in, then we can do some trading in the morning and take the Cross Roads over to GOD'S WAY 1045 Spencer, and probably come back here in a week or so and do the work we had hoped to accomplish now." And so, as twilight settled over Courtland, the elders took their heavy grips and started out upon the road. "This is the discouraging part of missionary work, Elder Simpson," complained the younger man. "To think of having the good we ought to have accomplished there in Courtland, defeated by a couple of 'drunks.' " The two were making their way against a fierce storm which had been brewing all day and had now arrived with February fury. "We cannot be the judges, Elder Crane," the older man remonstrated. God's ways are not always ours, you know. Per- haps even this defeat may be turned into a victory; who knows?" "Well, it doesn't look very probable out in a night like this." Before long it was pitchy dark. Their clothes and shoes were wet and cold and the wind blew the icy sleet into their faces. When the light of the first farmhouse gleamed before them, they turned hopefully into the lane and knocked at the door. A rheumatic old man hobbled across the floor and opened it with a mumbled curse. "Good evening, friend," Elder Simpson said pleasantly. "Could you take in a couple of travelers for the night?" "No, I couldn't," came the ill-natured reply. "I ain't able t' take care o' myself an' all the folks is gone t' town," and the door was shut unceremoniously in their faces. Patiently the two men turned back to the road and resumed their unpleasant journey. In a half hour they saw another light twinkling ahead of them. Again they approached the door and knocked. This time a pleasant-faced woman with a babe in her arms came to the door. "I would like to let you stay," she told them with sincere regret as she looked at their wet clothing, then out into the stormy night, "but my husband is away and I couldn't very well take you in. I believe the Carters who live a few miles this side of the Cross Roads take travelers." They appreciated her position and thanked her for her kindness of heart as once more they turned back to tramp through the mud and slush. When they reached the Carter farm, they found it deserted. The storm was still raging fiercely. "Shall we try to find shelter some place about the barn?" asked Elder Simpson, feeling great sympathy for his young companion who had not yet grown accustomed to the hardships of the mission field. "No!" replied the young man stoically. "I'd rather walk all night than resort to the methods of a common tramp," and so once more they plunged into the darkness ahead of them. 1046 IMPROVEMENT ERA They walked on for a couple of long, painful hours, before the next place was reached. Scarcely daring to hope for any- thing but further disappointment, they approached the light that glimmered in the gloom beyond. In answer to their knock the door was thrown open instantly and much to their surprise, a white-faced woman with wide, frightened eyes cried out, "Oh, thank God! Thank God! I have been praying that — someone would come! I'm alone and my baby is dying!"— She rushed from the door back to the cradle which stood by the open fireplace, where now she knelt, sobbing hysterically. Elder Simpson removed his dripping coat and approached the cradle. A little child of about two years lay gasping for breath. One look told the man that the mother's fears were well founded. The little one was choking with croup. There was no time for formalities. He turned to his companion. "Get the bottle of oil from my grip, Elder Crane." Then to the mother: "We are ministers of the gospel, madam, and through the power of God, and the priesthood which we hold, the sick are often healed. Will you allow us to anoint and bless your baby?" "Yes! yes! Do it quickly!" The poor woman was almost frantic with anxiety and grief. Elder Simpson poured some oil into a spoon and asked Elder Crane to administer it to the child. This he did and afterwards anointed the little head. Elder Simpson was about to seal the anointing when there was a sound at the door. But the mother as well as the elders were so engrossed with the sick baby that none of them heard it. A big, dark man, with a bloated dissipated face, had entered and stood glowering at the group before the fire. He clenched his fists and was about to step forward when Elder Simpson's deep voice arose in earnest prayer. The man stopped. He could see the death-like face of his child, and also hear its labored gasps for breath. A peculiar change came into his face. The hated stranger was praying for his baby. The baby he had left sick, alone with its pleading mother to — . * The fierceness left thedull face and something like re- morse stirred in the man's soul. As the wonderful blessing up- on the sick child continued, even the blear-eyed father could see a change. The breathing became more and more natural. The drawn lines of the suffering face relaxed. The prayer had scarcely ended when the baby's eyes opened and the little voice cried, "Mama." The mother stared at the miracle which had been wrought GOD'S WAY 1047 before her eyes, then she clasped the little one to her, murmur- ing, "My baby! My baby!" while tears of glad thanksgiving rained down her cheeks. A deep sob from the door filled the room. The group at the fire looked around. "O, Nick, these men have saved our baby's life!" the woman cried and the elders were looking into the astonished face of Nick Dennis. He stumbled toward them and threw himself upon his knees beside the woman and the child. Heavy sobs shook his big frame. Presently he rose to his feet and faced the elders. The dull eyes had cleared and the face showed only the workings of sincere remorse and deepest gratitude. He held out a trembling hand to each guest. "Can you forgive a cowardly sinner and tell me how you — can do a miracle like this?" he asked brokenly. Elder Simpson grasped the rough hand warmly as he said, "It was not we who did it, my friend, but our Father in Heaven." Provo, Utah "MILKING UP," AND RESTING ON RETURN TRIP M. I. A. Scouts, Troop 35, Emigration ward, in charge of Scoutmaster T. S. Green, returning from night hike, Decoration Day, May 30.