The Canadian Mission

The Canadian Mission By President Charles H. Hart THIS is one of the earliest mission fields of the Church. As now- constituted, it embraces the provinces of Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, in the Dominion of Canada, and the states of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, in the United States. Joseph Young, the first seventy called and ordained in this gospel dis- pensation, found his way into what was then known as "Upper Canada" as early as 1832, accompanied by Phineas H. Young, Elial Strong and Eleazer Miller. The Prophet Joseph Smith himself was one of the noted missionaries of these early days. Other men who afterwards became eminent in Church history, as Brigham Young, Parley P. Pratt, Orson Pratt, Sidney Rigdon, Orson Hyde, Wilford Wood- ruff, Lyman E. Johnson, John E. Page, Thomas B. Marsh and William E. McLellin, were among the early missionaries to this land. Among the early converts were John Taylor, who afterwards became President of the Church, Joseph Fielding and his sister, Mary Fielding, who afterwards married the Patriarch Hyrum Smith and became the mother of the late President Joseph Fielding Smith. The gospel was carried to Ernestown, Mount Pleasant, Brant- ford, Kingston, Hamilton, Toronto, Waterford, Colburn, Lyonston, and Loughboro in the early thirties. Some of the converts of these cities were among the first missionaries sent to Great Britain. Heber C. Kimball said, in 1836, that Parley P. Pratt, should go to Toronto in "Upper Canada" (now Ontario), and there find a people pre- pared for the gospel. He said further, "Thou shalt organize the Church among them, and it shall spread thence into the regions round about, and many shall be brought to a knowledge of the

572 IMPROVEMENT ERA truth, and shall be filled with joy; and from the things growing out of this mission shall the fulness of the gospel spread into Eng- land, and cause a great work to be done in that land." In fulfilment of this prophecy, Parley P. Pratt went to Canada in 1836, and, by divine guidance, was instrumental in finding John Taylor and bringing him into the Church; and thousands of others have like- wise accepted the gospel. While England is the earliest of the foreign missions, some of the converts of Canada were among those who first carried the gospel across the Atlantic. The missionary activities continued in the territory now com- prising the Canadian provinces herein named, from the year 1832 until after the migration to Utah. Each of the noted missionaries mentioned had many "souls for his hire." From a single convert in these early years, there are now thousands of energetic Saints helping to further the gospel cause. While this part of Canada has seen missionary work during the succeeding decades, the Canadian mission, so-called, was not organized as a separate mission until the year 1919, when Elder Nephi Jensen was appointed its president. He was succeeded, in 1923, by President Joseph E. Quinney, Jr., who, in turn, was suc- ceeded, in March, 1927, by the writer. During all the years of the missionary work in this field, the labors of the elders and of the sister missionaries have been char- acterized by spirituality and the blessings of the Lord. From the year 1919 to the present time, the larger cities of the territory have heard the voice of these humble ministers of the Church proclaiming the restored gospel of the Master. A very desirable class of people inhabit these northern regions, many of whom are of the Anglo Saxon races. Many choice con- verts have already joined our ranks and there are thousands of other earnest souls awaiting the message of life and salvation. In the centuries which have elapsed since the Master "spake as never man spake," many of his teachings have become obscured or misunderstood. The restored gospel is a restatement of the prin- ciples taught by the Savior of the world and by his prophets. It is now taught under the pressure of the divine declaration: "Behold, the field is white already to harvest; therefore, whoso desireth to reap, let him thrust in his sickle with his might, and reap while the day lasts', that he may treasure up for his soul everlasting salvation in the kingdom of God." The further glorious promise is given: "And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your }6y with him in the kingdom of my Father! And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you

THE CANADIAN MISSION 573 have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!" Great as have been the achievements thus far, there is yet a more glorious work to be done in this mission. Toronto, Canada A Rhapsody of Spring Oh, grey awakening of Spring! A sigh — a shaking off of winter's kindly mantle, Which covered over all that Autumn stript. A mighty longing to burst forth in splendor, From grim, gaunt, saddening crags to be released, And, hastening down to kiss the lowest vale, Begin a march triumphant back to force The Winter's snow from off the topmost peak. Oh, grey awakening of Spring! A grey-green whisper over sage-clad valleys, A swish of green across the foothills drawn, As by a Master and with mighty brush. A myriad summoning of wee green shoots, To gladden all the land with brightness later. When they have drawn from bounteous Mother Earth The substance which sustaineth life and beauty. The plowman, whistling merrily, treads the furrow, Visions of harvests flit across his way. Dreams of conquests over nature's forces. Visions of life's great battles fought and won. The fragrance of the earth turned to the sunlight Fills all the air with promises divine. Mellowing all the sharpest breezes lingering, To threaten with icy breath each bud and bloom. And, sounding through the halls of nature. One still, sweet note — thrilling — prolonged; A call to soul to burst its mighty bondage. To cast off all of prejudice and hatred. Old hide-bound jealousies and earthly ties. Which souls still cling to and which darken The love that radiates throughout the Universe. Oh, glorious destiny of man! Would that the Spring could waken A harmony and love of fellow-creature That, swelling over all the striven world, Transforms the blackest hour to paradise, Revealing all of life's astounding beauty, Unblinded by the glare of useless things. A call to soul to burst its mighty bondage And be free — as is the Spring. Corinne. Utah BERNEICE GIBBS ANDERSON