Messages from the Missions

From Adelaide, the Land of Flowers W. Charles Spence, writing from Unley, Adelaide, South Australia, January 5, says: "The Era is a wonderful missionary. Its deversified contents are to the liking of all, one man who is a good judge of litera- ture said: 'The Era is my choice of magazines.' We heartily agree with him; so, kindly accept our thanks and gratitude for the assistance of such a worthy helper. Although impaired by lack of assistants, we are en- deavoring to carry on the work of the Lord, feeling that it is his will that our bit should be done in this district. We receive valuable assist- ance from some of the members of the Church here. Our branch is not large, but it is in a thriving condition, and we are grateful for the com- panionship of such true Christians as we have found in this southern

dime. We love sunny Australia and its people. The lana is one of flowers, such roses as you seldom see. Missionaries: top row, standing, Edward C. Phillips, retiring president, Ucon, Idaho; Parson U. Webster, Cedar city, Utah; W. Chas. Spence, Evanston, Wyoming. Sitting, J. Fred Potter and wife Cora W., Grace, Idaho.

Anti-"Mormon" Campaign Fails President Charles F. Steele writes, March 11, from Georgia: "Although the war drew many elders from our ranks, the work of the

538 IMPROVEMENT ERA

Lord is making steady headway in the Empire state of the South. This week Elder Taylor, son of Bishop T. N. Taylor, of Provo, and I organized two new Sunday Schools. We have a church edifice under construction at Empire, Georgia, which will be ready for dedication, we trust, soon. At Savannah, a city which has not been canvassed for years, a notable work is being done. Recently two souls were baptized by Elder F. J. Burt, of Ogden. We have many other excellent prospects. In Atlanta, two representatives of the so-called National Reform Association of Pittsburgh, Dr. J. M. Tibbetts, an ordained Methodist minister, and Mrs. Lula Love- land Shepherd, of Salt Lake, launched a sensational anti-'Mormon' cam- paign, in January. The old thread-bare, boiler-plate, stereotyped, press- agent stuff was rehashed with an extra dash of emotion, in the hope of swaying the southern mind. Their vile, money-making campaign of char- acter-assassination was abortive. It fell flat, and they left the city crest- fallen. The press ignored their chatter, and thinking men turned away in disgust. The most pronounced result of the month's 'warfare' was a healthy sitmulus to 'Mormonism' and its blessed message of salvation."

Successful Street Meetings

Elder McKay Pugmire, writing from Albany, New York, November 16, says: "The Era is a very welcome visitor, anxiously looked for each month by all interested in the gospel in this city. It is a missionary in itself, and a great aid to us in spreading the message of truth. We are able to place it in the reading room of the Y. M. C. A. library, thus helping us to present

the truth before the public. We have only five missionaries, but the work is going forward satisfactorily, and we rejoice to know that the people are

....

)i

'. i ^Hf V

becoming more receptive to the truths of the gospel. We have liberal street privileges, and much good has been accomplished in the eight street meet- ings we have held during this season. We have found these meetings effec- tive in reaching large numbers of people, and we have made many friends. Books and pamphlets are always in demand. Elder, standing, Orson J.

EDITORS' TABLE 539

Morgan Salt Lake City; sitting, left to right: Alice Hatch, Woods Cross, Utah; A. Earl Worlton, Lehi, Utah; McKay Pugmire, St. Charles, Idaho (conference president) ; May I. Ingles, Ogden, Utah. A Good Choir of Fifty- Fred L. Peterson, secretary of the Christiania mission, Norway, writes December 17, 1918: "These are the elders laboring in Norway, left to right standing: Hyrum P. Nokleby, Ogden, president of the Trondhjem conference; Fred L. Peterson, Tremonton, R. D. 2., Utah, secretary of the Christiania conference; sitting, John J. Plowman, Smithfield, presi- dent of the Christiania conference; Peter R. Johansen, Salt Lake City, traveling elder in the Christiania conference. We are well and en- joy our labors which are blessed of the Lord so that the work is not standing still, but continually progressing. Most of the Saints are diligent workers and are great helpers to us in preaching the gos- pel. The Christiania conference is the largest in the Scandinavian mission. We have a good choir of about 50 members, highly ap- preciated by both Saints and strangers. It is doing a good work in providing singing for our en- tertainments and meetings. Many are drawn to our meetings through the musical services, first to hear our singing, and finally to become interested members of the Church. The elders in Norway thank you for the Era which is always welcome, highly appreciated, and very beneficial in as- sisting us in our work of preaching the gospel."

Awarua's Peculiarities Awarua known, honored, despised, feared, and loved more than is any other of the many similar, or even larger Maori settlements in the North Auckland district. It is "known for good and evil" throughout the whole of Ngapuhi. I venture to say that there is scarcely another similar place in the whole of Maoridom. "And why is it so peculiar?" Asks the new elder, or the ordinarily interested individual. "I see nothing to give me the slightestclue to its peculiarity, scarcely a half-dozen hand-hewn and rudely-constructed shacks making their humble appearances on the hilly points, or crouched where the axeman felled his last tree on his slow and almost impassable way through huge jungled forests." When he looks again, he sees that there is one or two small mill-sawn and painted homes, and a sm^ll rude church house. Civilization to Awarua has been extremely stingy with her dainty and artistic touch. The mystery of Awarua's peculiarity is found deeper; yea, it reaches even to the very spiritual heart of Awarua: Awarua has had and now has her entire li'tle army of men engaged in actual missionary work. Most of thrm hold the Melchizedek priesthood. They have traversed and re- traversed this Ngapuhi district as many times as a miser goes to his money chest. They h<?ve met their kinsmen in all their walks of life; they are always found at their duty's post expounding the gospel, meeting chieftain and clergyman who are not inclined to be friendly, but who find it im- possible to confound the Maori ministers who didn't go to college. These

—

540 IMPROVEMENT ERA modern Nephite preachers of righteousness have been on missions of long duration into almost every district of New Zealand, often at great sacri- fice. It may be explained that while Awarua has the largest percent of these local preachers, Ngapuhi as a whole has about sixty to which the above description applies. To illustrate more fully the "core of steel" which these brethren have, the following incident will, I think, properly answer: Henare Pere had been called to go to Matauri, 75 miles distant to spend Sunday and preach. On the preceding Friday, his wife took very ill and remained so, but she was not willing that he miss his appointment to preach; hence, as he bimself was anxious to fulfil his calling, he resolved to go. He also knew the power of prayer and fasting, and resolved to do both. Thereupon he rode the 75 miles on Saturday, stayed and preached at Matauri on Sun- day, rode back on Monday, having fasted and prayed the whole of three days. He was not surprised to find his wife well, upon his return, but we can imagine his joy and satisfaction. The Relief Society of Awarua has taken it upon themselves to build a church house, and are struggling successfully and triumphantly on, by giving basket socials, making and selling articles, such as mats, etc. No wonder the eyes of Ngapuhi were turned toward Awarua, when the Spanish influenza was causing such an enormous amount of deaths all over Ngapuhi. Some no doubt wished for its destruction. The influenza attacked almost every inhabitant of the settlement, but not one case proved — fatal yet they had no doctors, no nurses, no patent medicine! The regular religious gatherings were not suspended in Awarua, a con- dition, I believe, that existed nowhere else at least in the civilized world, — during the visitation of the terrible plague. Will they see the light? Elder A. Leonard Elledge, New Zealand.

Three Baptized The Newcastle Branch, N. S. W. Conference, Australia, is doing well, and all the Saints are energetic in the good work. The names on the photograph are as follows: Left to right: Ben Alward, Ruby M. Wadding-

EDITORS' TABLE 541

ham George Nancarrow, Roy Innis, Rene Innis, Walter J. Bailey, Florence AgnC R Waddin g«am, Wm. H. Dittmore Crnl r ? ST PrTn' rP Ro ^ ^A l | -

ertson' Sp"ngville, (presiding elder); James P. Clayton, Pleasant Provo, (President Queensland Conference); Leonard D. Fuller, Eden, Children: Eric, Nita, and Walter Bailey. Utah On the evening of the day this photo was taken a baptism service was held by moonlight as I was to leave early next morning.—James P. Clayton.

Red Cross Unit Commended Elder L. L. Palmer and Otto Mehr write from Indianapolis, Indiana, enclosing a picture of the Indianapolis missionary force, of the Southern Indiana conference. Left to right, back row: Carrie Hanson, Shelley, Idaho Amelia Randall, Centerville, Utah; front row: Vloe B. Jackson, Randolph, Utah; Leslie L. Palmer, Raymond, Alta., Canada; and Otto Mehr, confer- ence president. He says: "We are denied the privilege of street meetings but are having much success in our cottage and hall meetings. We are using

the Book of Mormon quite extensively in our trading, and find it a splendid way to remove prejudice. We have a branch of about one hundred people here who are energetic and zealous in spreading the truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our Red Cross unit is extending every effort to do their best, and are commended by the authorities for their excellent work. We are anxious to receive the Era, and read its contents immediately upon receiv- ing it."

Died in the Mission Field Elder Herman Kerr Danielsen, of Lewiston, Cache county, Utah, died of pneumonia, Sunday, March 9, 1919, while laboring as a missionary in Great Britain. The First Presidency of the Church were notified of the death by cablegram from Elder George F. Richards, President of the European Mission. Elder Danielsen is the son of Herman H. and Clara J. Kerr Danielsen, and was born, August 30, 1890, in Lewiston, Cache county, Utah. He held the office of a Seventy and left for his mission, December 6, 1916.

538 IMPROVEMENT ERA

Lord is making steady headway in the Empire state of the South. This week Elder Taylor, son of Bishop T. N. Taylor, of Provo, and I organized two new Sunday Schools. We have a church edifice under construction at Empire, Georgia, which will be ready for dedication, we trust, soon. At Savannah, a city which has not been canvassed for years, a notable work is being done. Recently two souls were baptized by Elder F. J. Burt, of Ogden. We have many other excellent prospects. In Atlanta, two representatives of the so-called National Reform Association of Pittsburgh, Dr. J. M. Tibbetts, an ordained Methodist minister, and Mrs. Lula Love- land Shepherd, of Salt Lake, launched a sensational anti-'Mormon' cam- paign, in January. The old thread-bare, boiler-plate, stereotyped, press- agent stuff was rehashed with an extra dash of emotion, in the hope of swaying the southern mind. Their vile, money-making campaign of char- acter-assassination was abortive. It fell flat, and they left the city crest- fallen. The press ignored their chatter, and thinking men turned away in disgust. The most pronounced result of the month's 'warfare' was a healthy sitmulus to 'Mormonism' and its blessed message of salvation."

Successful Street Meetings

Elder McKay Pugmire, writing from Albany, New York, November 16, says: "The Era is a very welcome visitor, anxiously looked for each month by all interested in the gospel in this city. It is a missionary in itself, and a great aid to us in spreading the message of truth. We are able to place it in the reading room of the Y. M. C. A. library, thus helping us to present

the truth before the public. We have only five missionaries, but the work is going forward satisfactorily, and we rejoice to know that the people are

....

)i

'. i ^Hf V

becoming more receptive to the truths of the gospel. We have liberal street privileges, and much good has been accomplished in the eight street meet- ings we have held during this season. We have found these meetings effec- tive in reaching large numbers of people, and we have made many friends. Books and pamphlets are always in demand. Elder, standing, Orson J.

EDITORS' TABLE 539

Morgan Salt Lake City; sitting, left to right: Alice Hatch, Woods Cross, Utah; A. Earl Worlton, Lehi, Utah; McKay Pugmire, St. Charles, Idaho (conference president) ; May I. Ingles, Ogden, Utah. A Good Choir of Fifty- Fred L. Peterson, secretary of the Christiania mission, Norway, writes December 17, 1918: "These are the elders laboring in Norway, left to right standing: Hyrum P. Nokleby, Ogden, president of the Trondhjem conference; Fred L. Peterson, Tremonton, R. D. 2., Utah, secretary of the Christiania conference; sitting, John J. Plowman, Smithfield, presi- dent of the Christiania conference; Peter R. Johansen, Salt Lake City, traveling elder in the Christiania conference. We are well and en- joy our labors which are blessed of the Lord so that the work is not standing still, but continually progressing. Most of the Saints are diligent workers and are great helpers to us in preaching the gos- pel. The Christiania conference is the largest in the Scandinavian mission. We have a good choir of about 50 members, highly ap- preciated by both Saints and strangers. It is doing a good work in providing singing for our en- tertainments and meetings. Many are drawn to our meetings through the musical services, first to hear our singing, and finally to become interested members of the Church. The elders in Norway thank you for the Era which is always welcome, highly appreciated, and very beneficial in as- sisting us in our work of preaching the gospel."

Awarua's Peculiarities Awarua known, honored, despised, feared, and loved more than is any other of the many similar, or even larger Maori settlements in the North Auckland district. It is "known for good and evil" throughout the whole of Ngapuhi. I venture to say that there is scarcely another similar place in the whole of Maoridom. "And why is it so peculiar?" Asks the new elder, or the ordinarily interested individual. "I see nothing to give me the slightestclue to its peculiarity, scarcely a half-dozen hand-hewn and rudely-constructed shacks making their humble appearances on the hilly points, or crouched where the axeman felled his last tree on his slow and almost impassable way through huge jungled forests." When he looks again, he sees that there is one or two small mill-sawn and painted homes, and a sm^ll rude church house. Civilization to Awarua has been extremely stingy with her dainty and artistic touch. The mystery of Awarua's peculiarity is found deeper; yea, it reaches even to the very spiritual heart of Awarua: Awarua has had and now has her entire li'tle army of men engaged in actual missionary work. Most of thrm hold the Melchizedek priesthood. They have traversed and re- traversed this Ngapuhi district as many times as a miser goes to his money chest. They h<?ve met their kinsmen in all their walks of life; they are always found at their duty's post expounding the gospel, meeting chieftain and clergyman who are not inclined to be friendly, but who find it im- possible to confound the Maori ministers who didn't go to college. These

—

540 IMPROVEMENT ERA modern Nephite preachers of righteousness have been on missions of long duration into almost every district of New Zealand, often at great sacri- fice. It may be explained that while Awarua has the largest percent of these local preachers, Ngapuhi as a whole has about sixty to which the above description applies. To illustrate more fully the "core of steel" which these brethren have, the following incident will, I think, properly answer: Henare Pere had been called to go to Matauri, 75 miles distant to spend Sunday and preach. On the preceding Friday, his wife took very ill and remained so, but she was not willing that he miss his appointment to preach; hence, as he bimself was anxious to fulfil his calling, he resolved to go. He also knew the power of prayer and fasting, and resolved to do both. Thereupon he rode the 75 miles on Saturday, stayed and preached at Matauri on Sun- day, rode back on Monday, having fasted and prayed the whole of three days. He was not surprised to find his wife well, upon his return, but we can imagine his joy and satisfaction. The Relief Society of Awarua has taken it upon themselves to build a church house, and are struggling successfully and triumphantly on, by giving basket socials, making and selling articles, such as mats, etc. No wonder the eyes of Ngapuhi were turned toward Awarua, when the Spanish influenza was causing such an enormous amount of deaths all over Ngapuhi. Some no doubt wished for its destruction. The influenza attacked almost every inhabitant of the settlement, but not one case proved — fatal yet they had no doctors, no nurses, no patent medicine! The regular religious gatherings were not suspended in Awarua, a con- dition, I believe, that existed nowhere else at least in the civilized world, — during the visitation of the terrible plague. Will they see the light? Elder A. Leonard Elledge, New Zealand.

Three Baptized The Newcastle Branch, N. S. W. Conference, Australia, is doing well, and all the Saints are energetic in the good work. The names on the photograph are as follows: Left to right: Ben Alward, Ruby M. Wadding-

EDITORS' TABLE 541

ham George Nancarrow, Roy Innis, Rene Innis, Walter J. Bailey, Florence AgnC R Waddin g«am, Wm. H. Dittmore Crnl r ? ST PrTn' rP Ro ^ ^A l | -

ertson' Sp"ngville, (presiding elder); James P. Clayton, Pleasant Provo, (President Queensland Conference); Leonard D. Fuller, Eden, Children: Eric, Nita, and Walter Bailey. Utah On the evening of the day this photo was taken a baptism service was held by moonlight as I was to leave early next morning.—James P. Clayton.

Red Cross Unit Commended Elder L. L. Palmer and Otto Mehr write from Indianapolis, Indiana, enclosing a picture of the Indianapolis missionary force, of the Southern Indiana conference. Left to right, back row: Carrie Hanson, Shelley, Idaho Amelia Randall, Centerville, Utah; front row: Vloe B. Jackson, Randolph, Utah; Leslie L. Palmer, Raymond, Alta., Canada; and Otto Mehr, confer- ence president. He says: "We are denied the privilege of street meetings but are having much success in our cottage and hall meetings. We are using

the Book of Mormon quite extensively in our trading, and find it a splendid way to remove prejudice. We have a branch of about one hundred people here who are energetic and zealous in spreading the truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our Red Cross unit is extending every effort to do their best, and are commended by the authorities for their excellent work. We are anxious to receive the Era, and read its contents immediately upon receiv- ing it."

Died in the Mission Field Elder Herman Kerr Danielsen, of Lewiston, Cache county, Utah, died of pneumonia, Sunday, March 9, 1919, while laboring as a missionary in Great Britain. The First Presidency of the Church were notified of the death by cablegram from Elder George F. Richards, President of the European Mission. Elder Danielsen is the son of Herman H. and Clara J. Kerr Danielsen, and was born, August 30, 1890, in Lewiston, Cache county, Utah. He held the office of a Seventy and left for his mission, December 6, 1916.