--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 29 number: 1 published: 1925-11 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: "Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations, “Messages from the Missions,” *Improvement Era* 29, no. 1 (November 1925): 69–73." source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2901unse 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: improvementera2901unse start_page: 69 end_page: 73 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1925-11) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2901unse publication_year: 1925 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 1925, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Messages from the Missions MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS Swiss-German Mission Divided The following official notice, signed by President James E. Talmage, appears in the Mdlenniat Star: "The Swiss-German mission holds a place of honorable prominence in the missionary history of the Church. For over three quarters of ,a century the glad tidings of the restored gospel, and the re-establishment of the Church of Jesus Christ have been proclaimed in these lands; and, as a result, tens of thousands of honest souls have heard, believed and accepted the divine, word. i "For a period of over forty years, missionary service in the two nations was directed by one presidency, then with the two countries as separate units; and again, dating from 1904, "as a single mission, with headquarters first at Zurich and then at Basel. Branches in Austria have been included in this mission. "During the greater part of the last decade, the, growth of the Church in this field has been greater than ever before. In the current month, August, 1925, the membership comprises 11,430 souls, classified as to location in sixteen main divisions known as conferences. "In the interests of efficiency it has been deemed advisable to divide the mission; and, in accordance with the decision of the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles, preparations ior such a division have been in progress for several months. The segregation is made, not on the basis of nationality, but according to distribution of members of the Church, accessibility of conference centers and branches by the principal lines of travel, and other considerations of convenience and effectiveness in administration. i "The division was made at a general conference held in Chemnitz on Sunday, August 23. The western part retains the name 'Swiss-German mission', and the eastern section is to be known as the 'German-Austrian mission.' As announced at the conference: "The dividing line begins just east of Rostock, on the shore of the Baltic Sea, runs west of Gustrow and Erfurt to the south, then curves below Hof to the German-Checkoslovakian frontier. Thence the German-Checkian and German-Austrian border constitutes the dividing line, which continues from the most southerly point of the German-Austrian border directly southward.' " "Thus segregated, the Swiss-German mission comprises the following eight con- ferences: Hamburg, Hannover, Cologne, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Basel, Zurich, Bern. The membership of record in this mission is 5,305 souls. "As now constituted, the German-Austrian mission comprises also eight con- ferences, these being: Konigsberg, Breslau, Stettin, Berlin, Leipzig, Chemnitz, Dresden. Vienna. The recorded membership of this mission is 6,125 souls. "President Tadje will be in charge of the German-Austrian mission Bnd President Hugh J. Cannon will preside over the Swiss-German mission. "President Tadje and family are already established ;at the Dresden home, which is now the headquarters of the German-Austrian mission. His release from the presidency of the western section is cause for inevitable sorrow on the part of the thousands of Latter-day Saints within that area, to whom he has endeared himself by efficient service and loving ministry. However, the saddening effect of-, the change is mitigated by the welcoming of Presdent Cannon) and family, who are now domiciled in the Church home at Basel, which will remain the headquarters of the Swiss-German mission. President Hugh J. Cannon took charge of that mission in 1904, following a period of devoted service as president of the German mission only; and he now returns to his former position of presidency under conditions of rich promise of increase in the work of the Lord within this field. "Sister Eliza Walz Tadje retains her position as president of the Relief Society 70 IMPROVEMENT ERA 6 N c g" 9 3 E c ■S 1 U Jo . U I g h I z .-n W w a ja Q *C B jS -g .. "c •- ^3 £ £ « .- s E Ox „• •3 "" u CU c c c .2 c c I .- 1> "1 E S I E -v ! E | jj : « dj ; in m u •- gW c/3 ,2 .. < -a - -B 2 ^ l-. u N 5* E g U I w u z w * S S O fi fi U c -o B ?! z < w 0 52 u •■!b c o 5h Id "g w ■g N « S^B- B c ■a c 'S : £ "S J i O C 73 c -n « c « Bi ■ rS J: -1 ^5 - ^ I s:"* H S a U S. "3 {n « >-J ■- >- ,5 M « U Cfl ) w 4-. 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Each of the mission officers "will be able to give closer and more detailed attention to the component units within his field; and we may confidently hope that the saving messags of the gospel of Jesus Christ will be accepted by yet greater numbers of the good people of these countries than have hitherto been reached by the gladsome sound. — James E. Talmage, President of the European mission." Striking Events of History Recalled President Hugh J. Cannon sends the Era an interesting account of the division of the Swiss-German mission which he says was made without disturbing the boundary of any conference, with very little changing of missionaries, and with a comparatively equal population of Church mem- bership in each mission. He continues: "The Stern, that sturdy defender and exponent of the truth, which has been issued continuously since 1869, will be printed in Basel, as the offical organ of both missions. The Stern succeeded the Darsteller, which was first issued in 1855, by Daniel Tyler. All outlines and publications which may be needed in priesthood quorums and auxiliary organizations will be issued jointly. "The division recalls some interesting events in the mission's history. "At the Chemnitz conference there were 1,415 people present and it was estimated that not less than 200 were turned away, being unable to get near enough to hear the speakers. [In an account of this conference in the October Era, p. 1177, an obvious error in the types was made by saying thousands instead of hundreds. — Editor. ] Little more than two decades have passed since, in this same city of Chemnitz, Bishop Frank Pingree, of the University ward, in the Ensign stake, was sentenced to ten days imprison- ment for having performed a baptism. He was incarcerated from January 2 to 12. 1903. "The last meeting which the writer attended in Frankfurt during a former mission to this land was held in a private home. The few Saints came together unobstrusively, one or two at a 'time, in order not to attract attention. We dared not sing, and the speakers were cautioned not to raise their voices unnecessarily. Now there are two flourishing branches in this city, and their Sunday schools and meetings are held openly in school houses. Indeed, it is a remarkable fact that the Germans have far less fear of their school houses being used for such purposes than do some of our cautious friends in Utah. "At a conference in Hamburg, August 30, the first one held in the reorganized Swiss-German mission, 840 people were present in a school building, and after listening to a splendid rendition of Professor Stephen's 'The Vision,' heard a sermon from President Talmage such as is rarely presented to the world. While Hamburg has been more liberal in its treatment of our missionaries than some other places, there have been many years when a public meeting could not have been held there, and at no time before the war could such a number have been brought together. "A very large number of faithful Saints have been gathered from these German speaking lands. They are to be found in stake presidencies, in high councils, in ward bishoprics, and throughout the various organizations. These members have been a blessing to the Church, and what a blessing the Church has been to them! "'And speaking of the useful men who have come from these lands, it may not be out of place to mention that President Talmage and his party visited the old home in Meissen, where Dr. Karl G. Maeser was born. This property is now owned by Robert Bernock, an hospitable shoemaker. Some 71 IMPROVEMENT ERA time was spent about the place, looking through the rooms, and conversing with the occupants. Mr. Bcrnock has given permission to have a metal tablet put up on the house telling briefly of Dr. Maeser's birth and his subsequent work. He suggested that such a tablet would cause many inquiries, and that he must be prepared with literature and information for those who seek «t. One need hardly say that it will be furnished. "It is to be hoped that the work in these lands will continue to flourish, that the lives of many more thousands may be enriched by the gospel's saving principles." — Hugh J. Cannon, President of the Swiss-German mission. Celebrating Pioneer Day Boyd H. Ririe of Nottingham, England, encloses this photo of the traveling missionaries of that conference. The photo was taken just after an interesting cricket game while the elders were celebrating Pioneer Day. The saints and elders of the conference with their friends joined in properly celebrating the occasion. The day was spent in games, sports and open- air services with song and oration bearing upon the pioneer movement. Elders laboring here are: G. F. Deem, Ogden; G. O. Gee, Provo; R. H. Haight, Salt Lake; G. M. Broadhead, Beazzer, Alberta; W. H. Johnson, Ogden. Front row: E. E. Snow, St. George; Z. V. Derrick, Salt Lake; B. H. Ririe, Lewiston, conference president; A. F. Kendell, Ogden; and H. P. Foster, Ogden. The Gospel for All "The gospel is for all, and those seeking the truth are being gleaned from all walks of life. President Corbett, of the Independence conference, reports that a Kansas City attorney has recently applied for baptism. His investigation of the Church teachings began following dealings with Salt Lake attorneys in law-suit. To the open, unprejudiced mind, the fruits of 'Mormonism' will bear testimony of its divinity. Truly God works in a mysterious way. We never know when a word or act may plant the seed for further investigation of the truths of the gospel as restored in these latter days. The Book of Mormon as a second witness of the divinity of Christ and of the restoration of the gospel, is bearing testimony to many. Follow- ing a lecture and exhibition of the Book of Mormon slides, by J. T. Lindsay of the East Texas conference, in New Boston, Texas, five people applied for baptism. Our desire as missionaries is to help others to understand the true gospel teachings — a gospel of faith in God's word and power, hope in the future, and charity toward the failings of others, by helping them to over- come them." — J. Hencicksen, Mission Clerk, Independence Mo. Photo by Geo. Ed. Andeersori TWELVE OF "THE ORIGINAL TWENTY-NINE" The Brigham Young University, then the Brigham Young Academy, Provo, Utah, was founded October 30, 1875. The original deed of the property was then conveyed. On October 15-17, 1925, the semi-centen- nial was grandly celebrated. The new„and beautiful Heber J. Grant Library Building was opened and dedicated on Friday, October 16, 1925. On Monday, April 24, 1876, twenty-nine students registered in the Academy, that being the first day of the opening, under Dr. Karl G. Maeser. For many years these have been spoken of as the "Original Twenty-nine." At the celebra- tion, twelve of this group were present: namely; top row, left to right, Alice Smoot Newell, Rachael D. Davis, Mary Roberts Farrer, Marietta Riggs Beesley, Jonathan L. Harvey, Nancy Smoot Beebe. Bottom row, Sarah Eggertsen Cluff, Simon P. Eggertsen, Joseph B. Keeler, Rose McCune, Diantha Billings Worsley, Mary Nielsen Jorgensen. In front of Brother Eggertsen, is a portrait of the beloved teacher, Dr. Maeser. At the rear, is a float they used in the celebration parade, and back of them, the Maeser Memorial Building. In the farther back-ground rise the Wasatch Mountains with the "Y" to the right, symbolizing the great educational institution.