The Eastern States Mission

The Eastern States Mission By President Henry H. Rolapp THE growth and accomplish- ments, during the last two years, in the Eastern States mission have been outstanding. Each year has witnessed the baptism of more than two hundred converts; and the year 1928 promises at least three hundred more. Our ranks have also been ma- terially increased by the arrival, from Europe, of many German Saints, most of whom have remained in New York and Brooklyn. At present, we have a German mem.bership of approximately five hundred in those two branches. Upon arrival here, these people rarely have any knowledge of the English language, which makes it necessary for us to hold German meetings for their benefit; however, as the majority of them are young, they are learning the new language very rapidly. Though the membership of the mission, at present, is about six thou- sand Saints, it is still small in comparison to the population of our territory, which is nearly thirty million. However, we are en- couraged by the fact that our number is constantly growing larger. The Eastern States mission comprises the territory from Rochester and Brooklyn, on the north, to Charleston and Huntington, on the south; from Boston and New York City, on the east, to Baltimore and Washington, on the west, with all the large towns in Penn- sylvania. We have forty-two branches, and forty-seven Sunday; Schools. In the last year, we have organized twenty-nine Primaries, which now have an average non-"Mormon" attendance of approxi- mately twenty. The largest of these associations has a membership of more than forty, while the smallest claims only seven. The parents of these non- "Mormon" children grant the missionaries fre- quent interviews, which, I believe, within a short time, will result in many of them accepting the gospel.

THE EASTERN STATES MISSION 583 Aside from spiritual labors, our mission has also been active in a material way, having erected a large number of Church build- ings. Besides a large chapel in Brooklyn, New York, where our mission headquarters are located, we own chapels in Baltimore, Maryland; Charleston, Verdunville and Fairmont, West Virginia. We have recently purchased a chapel in Philadelphia, and are now engaged in the building of one in Buck Valley, Pennsylvania. We are also conferring with the First Presidency as to the advisability of buying a chapel in Pittsburgh. Our one hundred twenty missionaries, thirty of whom arc young women, are all enjoying good health and the Spirit of th Lord, and are all doing excellent work. We always welcome new missionaries into the Eastern States. We could use, to advantage, many times the number we now have. Prospective missionaries should depend, primarily, on their knowledge of the principles of faith, repentance, baptism, and the laying on of hands for. the gift of the Holy Ghost. They should also have an understanding of the restoration of the gospel and the authority of the Priesthood. No mission school can rightfully con- sider its duty done, until it has imbued the missionary with a knowl- edge and understanding of these fundamental principles of the gospel, in which the majority of new investigators are primarily interested. With a thorough understanding of these principles, the missionary Mission Home and Chapel in Brooklyn, New York, Eastern States Mission

584 IMPROVEMENT ERA is well armed, and will be able to answer the questions and meet the arguments that arise in the course of his labors, to the satisfaction of both himself and his questioner, and to the glorification of the work of the Lord. Brooklyn. New York. A Boy's Tribute to Mother Oh, what a wonderful thing is a mother, Given by heaven my refuge to be; In all the wide world there isn't another So full of love and compassion for me. Into the valley of deep tribulation, Close to the portals of death must she go, Giving me birth in sweet humiliation, Bringing me life in the midst of her woe. Hers were the first tender hands to caress me, Hers the first kisses to dry up my tears, Hers the first voice praying heaven to bless me. Hers the first efforts to silence my fears. Then when my first baby footsteps were taken, Hers were the hands that propelled me along; Gentle, but firm, with a purpose unshaken. Her heart overflowing with rapture and song. Gently as dew is distilled in the flowers, Bright as the sun that illumines the day, Entered she into my soul's sacred bowers. Plucking the thorns that infested my way. Soft as a sunbeam, her arms stole around me. When in the throes of my long, bitter pain, Soothing the hurt of the shackles that bound me. Easing me back to life's sunshine again. And when I could see through the tears that were falling, Soft o'er my soul came a halo of joy; For, there on her knees, my name softly calling. She was pleading with Gcd for the life of her boy. Wonderful love, my devotion commanding, Mother-love, pure as the angels on high, Love that surpasseth all understanding, Love of a mother that never can die. Rarest of jewels with luster untarnished. Guide of my life on the land or the sea, In sunshine or sorrow, my way you have garnished. You have been true, angel mother, to me. La Sal. Utah WiLMER BronSON