--- 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: 30 number: 1 published: 1926-11 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* 30, no. 1 (November 1926): 56–65." source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera3001unse 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: improvementera3001unse start_page: 56 end_page: 65 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1926-11) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera3001unse publication_year: 1926 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 1926, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Messages from the Missions MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS A House with a History This house is located on the St. John river, at Middle Southampton, York county, New Brunswick. Elder Owen Grant of Granger is standing in the foreground. More than fifty years ago, so we were told by an elderly man, two elders were holding meeting in this house, when a mob of men broke in the door, beat the elders and drove them out of town. The resi- dents of the house moved to Utah, and it stands today, as it was left more than fifty years ago, a witness against this act of violence. It has been twenty years since the last elders labored in this particular part of the province, yet nearly every one remembered them. In spite of the treatment imposed upon our predecessors, the people endeavoring to starve them out, we were treated in a very friendly manner. Few people have refused our literature, and not once in nearly a month was it necessary for us to sleep out. In this time we covered nearly two hundred miles on foot. The elders of the New Brunswick conference are all rejoicing in the work of the Lord, and send best wishes to all similarly engaged. — Walter F. Ririe, Conference President, Box 23, St. John, N. B., Canada. Twenty-two Baptized An inspiring semi-annual conference was held at Amsterdam, Holland, on the 28 th and 29 th of August. President and Sister John T. Lilly white were in attendance. The Spirit of the Lord was manifested in rich abundance. We held four meetings. The elders of the Amsterdam conference report en- joying their labors immensely. We are trying our best and working hard, and it is indeed gratifying to see some of the results of our efforts through the help and grace of the Lord. In the last three months we have had the privilege of baptizing twenty-two souls into the Church, and we see a general improve- ment in all lines of the work. Our meetings are well attended by both stran- gers and Saints. Sometimes we have as many as thirty-five investigators pres- ent at our meetings. — William F. Ashton, Conference Secretary. MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS 57 ELDERS LABORING IN THE AMSTERDAM CONFERENCE Front row, left to right: C. Fred Berghout, Ogden; William F. Ashton, Salt Lake City; Martinus Vuyk, conference president, Salt Lake City; Peter Noorda, Salt Lake City; Albert R. Venema, Salt Lake City, Utah. Second row: George A. Grover, Parker City, Idaho; Chas P. Mietus, Ogden; Rupert Ravston, Clarkston, Utah; W. G. Esplin, Cedar City, Utah; Royal G. Smith, Salt Lake City; Samuel Reed Andrus, Ucon, Idaho. The Martinez Sunday School This school was organized in Martinez, California, on the 27th of June, 1926, under the direction of President W. Aird MacDonald of the Oakland branch. At its organization there were fifty-six souls present. The picture was taken on a return visit by President MacDonald on August 22, 1926. Ten months ago Martinez was visited by Elders David F. Haymore and J. Lyman 58 IMPROVEMENT ERA Fawson, who remained there two nights, one at the h6me of Brother and Sister John H. Bunce, where we held a cottage meeting, and the second night with the Bunce family and their next-door neighbors, who were not members of the Church. "Again, during the first week of May this year, we visited Martinez, accompanied by Elders Anthony T. Hansen, Russell P. Minson and Wm. C. Drage from Vallejo. Three "Mormon" families were located instead of one this time, and another cottage meeting was held-. Elders were chosen to tract the town, and other "Mormon" families were soon located, and on the 27th of June an organization of the Sunday school was effected, with Brother John H. Bunce as superintendent. A recent communication from Elder Leo H. Nielsen, in charge, reads: 'We have now located twenty-two families, a total of seventy souls. Our attendance last Sunday was the largest yet.' So the work is growing. In behalf of the missionaries of the San Francisco con- ference, we express our appreciation of the Era each month." — David F. Hay- more, Conference President. Quit Tea and Coffee When They Hear the Gospel We are informed by President John G. Allred that it had been just six weeks (Oct. 6, 1926) since the first elders to labor in Cambridge. Minnesota, arrived. Since that date there has been organized a Sunday School composed entirely of non-members, who desire to learn of the messages which the mis- sionaries have to offer them. Regular classes are conducted and much enthu- siasm shown. Street meetings are also being held, and the attendance ranges from seventy-five to three hundred persons. The elders obtain advertising through the medium of the rural mail carriers and the country newspapers. At the close of a meeting in an old meeting house, in one of the towns, one of the oldest residents said to the elders, "This old church house has stood here for fourteen years. We've had preachers come from the twin cities, but the sermons given here tonight by you young men are the best that have ever been preached within these four walls." Many of the residents of the town in which the elders are laboring have given up their tea and coffee, and are trying their best to live the gospel as they are being taught it. "We believe that many will apply for baptism and a goodly harvest is expected." Elders and members of the Sunday school. Left: President John G. Allred and Elder Alma N. Redding. Right: Elder John V. Johansen. MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS 59 British Mission Commences Fall Conferences The Fall-conference season of the British mission was ushered in on Sun- day, September 5, when the Liverpool conference convened at Blackburn, Eng- land. All three sessions were attended by a large number of earnest investi- gators and resident members. The conference president reported that twenty- two baptisms had been performed thus far this year, and that resident mem- bers throughout all the branches of the conference were showing increased activity. The missionaries have been tracting the country towns and villages that had not been visited by our elders for many years, and in all our accom- plishments we recognize the hand of the Lord. Aside from the general con- ference sessions, separate meetings of the Mutual Improvement Association. Relief Society, the Priesthood and the traveling elders, were held, in each of which instructions were given by President or Sister James E. Talmage. We receive the Era regularly and appreciate it very much, because we derive much good from reading and studying its contents. We wish it continued success. — Wilford L. Hansen, President Liverpool Conference. ELDERS AT LIVERPOOL CONFERENCE Front row, left to right: Welden G. Green, Salt Lake City; Wilford L. Hansen, conference president, Richfield; James E. Talmage, mission president, Salt Lake City; David M. Kennedy, conference clerk, Riverdale; David W. Eardley, Baker, Oregon. Back row: Harry I. Willmore, Logan; Kenneth A. Nielson, Emmett, Idaho; Robert M. Adams, Cedar City; Kendall D. Garff, Salt Lake City; Horace L. Barker, Ogden; Jesse R. Smith, Salt Lake City; Grant W. Wilde, Union, Oregon; Marvin P. Thain, Logan. The Lord's Mysterious Way The semi-annual conference of the Long Beach conference, California mission, was held at Santa Ana on June 26, 27 and 28, 1926. Mission President Joseph W. McMurrin was in attendance and gave valuable admoni- tion and instruction to missionaries and Saints alike. Among those present were two recent converts, who were noticeably impressed with the spirit of the occasion. Their conversion somewhat exemplifies the quotation, "The Lord moves in a mysterious way." In praying and searching for the true Church, the wife saw in a dream an elder conferring the Holy Ghost through the lay- 60 IMPROVEMENT ERA ing on of hands. She dreamed that she also received the ordinance, and im- mediately knew that the man officiating had the authority of God, as she felt a change come over her. Several months later a short-term missionary. Elder Heber T. Willis, tracted the home of these people, and the woman immedi- ately recognized him as the man seen in her dream. Elder Willis explained the principles of the Gospel to them, during the course of several visits, and after one month they were both baptized. The missionaries of the Long Beach conference look forward with keen anticipation to the arrival of the Era each month. It is, indeed, a missionary in itself, and we appreciate thr- kindness of the authorities in sending it to us. This conference is back of '.he Era. — T. Dclice Andelin, Conference President. Top row, left to right: Ethel H. Chadwick, Jean We:t Hawkes, Jane F. Stewart, Edwin J. Neuffer, Virelda West (released), E. Joseph West (released). Center row: Cora Jcffry, Thomas E. Doman (released), Mission President Joseph W. McMurrin, Thomas E. Cheney, former conference president (released) , Stella Mae Rees. Bottom row: W. D. Cranney (79 years of age), Marion Tanner (released), Lois Webb, Iris Coombs, O. Robert McKinley, Thomas D. Andclin, conference president. President Talmage Visits Norway The Narvik branch, Norway, is the most northern branch of the Church, not only in that country, but in the world. "This branch was organized in 1903. From that time until the great war, in 1914, we had elders from Zion laboring here almost constantly, but in 1914 they were released, and we have since taken care of ourselves. In 1922 the branch was reorganized and I was set apart as president. Since that time we have baptized two and three persons each year. Elder Hyrum Lynn Jensen, Jerome, Idaho, is laboring here now. On the 1st and 2nd of August, this year, we had a visit from President and •MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS 61 Sister Talmagc and our mission president, Martin Christopherson. Four meet- ings were held and many friends and Saints attended them, and had an oppor- tunity to hear an apostle of the Lord, Jesus Christ. I am a local elder, but resided in Utahfrom May, 1910, to September, 1911, and also one and a half years in Idaho. With kind regards to all the Saints in Zion from us in this land, sincerely your brother in the gospel." — Emit John Evensen, Narvik, Norway. Front row, left to right: Edmund, Olaf, Ellen and Henry Evensen. Second row: Hausine Even en and our baby, Rolf Evensen, May Booth Talmage, Mission President Jamej E. Talmage, Mission President Martin Christopherson, Aslang Sorensen, Marie Lassen, Kirsten Hind. Third row: Johanne Evensen, Branch President Emil Even;en, Hyrum Lynn Jensen, missionary, Jerome, Idaho. Fourth row: Henry Sorensen, Theodore Karolinssen, Olaus Evensen. Working in Untrodden Fields From Conference President James H. Bowns, we learn that the elders of the Sheffield conference, of the British mission, have been assiduously engaged in proclaiming to the people of their section the glad tidings of the restored gospel of Christ. To quote from the letter: "We have departed from the well beaten paths and highways of the cities," say Elders James S. Chadwick and Theodore N. Hutchings, "and have entered into the quiet, peaceful lanes of the country district. Here amid the so-called simple, yet sincere, people, we have sown the seeds of truth and righteousness. In the course of our travels, we have made the acquaintance of people who have never heard of the so- called 'Mormons.' In walking from town to town, from village to village, canvassing the country on our way, and tracting, holding open-air meetings and cottage meetings, we have been able to distribute a great amount of lit- erature, and gained entrance into the homes of the people, making many friend- ships. By our efforts we have broken old prejudices, and created in the people a desire to hear more of our message. The picture herewith portrays Elder Theodore N. Hutchings speaking to a group of people who have assembled 62 IMPROVEMENT ERA on a street corner to listen to his few remarks regarding the plan of life and salvation. In many of these meetings, our friends have protected us from the railings of our enemies, and in many cases they have materially aided us. A great deal of good has been accomplished by our efforts, and we look forward to the harvest of the seeds that perchance may have found a resting place in the warm hearts of some kind souls." — Elders James S. Chad wick and Theodore N. Hutchings, Sheffield Conference, British mission. Six Hundred Saints in Forty-one Counties Elders Joseph H. Seeley of Hayden, Utah, and Orion N. Follett of Logan, Utah, have enjoyed unusual success laboring in West Virginia North conference. In this conference there are six hundred Saints, scattered through forty-one counties. Many of these members have not seen elders for many Missionaries covering territory by help of a Ford. MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS 63 years. Living in the fastnesses of the hills and in a scattered condition, few missionaries have been able to cover the territory. By the help of Elder Follett's Ford, these conditions have been overcome, and the gospel has been preached to many who are hungry to hear more. Three thousand miles have been traveled in sixty days, thus affording opportunity of distributing much literature also. Many cottage meetings have been held with the Saints. One good brother, Ove Lester, had not seen the elders for twelve years. Another investigator was overjoyed to see them again, saying, "It is twenty-one years since I saw the 'Mormon' elders." The Era is a welcome monthly visitor. — Clifford L. Madsen, President West Virginia Conference North, Eastern States Mission. Four Baptisms in Gavle, Sweden Elder Wilford F. Peterson, writing from the Swedish mission, informs us that the work is progressing there quite satisfactorily, a number of earnest investigators having attended the meetings. "We have had four baptisms," he says, "to date this year, and feel that others are ready to take the step soon." At their Fall conferences the meetings have been well attended and much inter- est shown by both Saints and investigators. The elders have been tracting a new district this year, leaving the local brethren to take charge of the meetings at times in the cities. ELDERS OF GAVLE CONFERENCE, SWEDEN Standing, left to right: Knut T. Borg, Wilford F. Peterson and J. C. Bsrgland. Sitting: Andrew Johnson, Stockholm; Gustaf E. Anderson, and mission president John H. Anderson. Elders Walk to Conference The greatest conference of the German-Austrian mission thus far was held on August 14 and 15 at Dresden, the mission headquarters. Every e'der of the entire mission was in attendance, and at least 75% of them had walked from their various fields of labor, thus bringing the gospel message to the attention of the country people. Since the division of the German-Austrian L*>'lM #.:* 8 3ms H^ ■ -Y«t£. ■ ' 3 V J^" | }fc-*V> MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS 65 mission from the Swiss-German mission in August, 1925, an earnest effort has been made to do more country work. The main session of the conference was held on Sunday evening, August 15, which was attended by approximately 850 persons. On Monday and Tuesday, August 16 and 17, an elders' con- vention was held, at which every missionary was given the opportunity to ex- press himself. The experiences related were both interesting and inspiring. In one instance the elders found a woman who had been praying that same day that the Lord would send her some knowledge of the true Church. She is now engrossed in the study of the principles of salvation which the elders presented to her. At the conclusion of each missionary meeting, each of which was continued for ten hours, a banquet was held, the large depot restaurant having been hired for the occasion, and about one hundred twenty participated. At the banquet on the second evening, Sisters Eliza W. Tadje, Ann Cannon and Lucy Van Cott were present. Sisters Cannon and Van Cott, who were touring Europe together, displayed a genial American spirit. At this banquet several excellent toasts and speeches were made, "What America Means to Me" and "Our Pioneers" being the principal themes. The good results of both the conference and the missionary convention are already apparent. Shortly after the elders had returned to their various fields of labor, thirteen friends in the Dresden branch alone entered the waters of baptism. — Robert R. Burton, Presi- dent Dresden Branch. Our Baby Thou mystery of creation. What do I see in thee? A little cherub of spirit land v Out of eternity, Come here to earth, thy former self Forgotten and unknown, And through probation of earthly life „To return to the Savior's throne? Am I aware of the treasure That God has loaned to me? Can I assure a parent's love — The responsibility Of this my place in the physical world In advancing the human race — And through my parenthood insure This child in the Savior's grace? For lo ! it guarantees to me A partnership with accord: I am an appointed co-worker In the universe of my Lord. So, welcome thee, little cherub, Coming from Heaven above! We are both of God's own kingdom And one in the bonds of love! Los Angeles, Calif. JOSEPH LONGKING TOWNSEND.