Messages from the Missions

Messages from the Missions The French Mission By President Ernest C. Rossiter The French mission had its begin- ning in the year 1850, when John Taylor, who afterwards became presi- dent of the Church, arrived in Paris, in company with Elder Curtis E. Bolton. It was in the center of this great metropolitan city that they were guided by the Spirit of the Lord to the home of Mr. L. A. Bertrand, a man of wide expe- rience and of pro- found learning. The Lord had needed a man of his ability to as- sist in establishing the work in the French nation. At first he disputed stubbornly, but soon all the ques- tions and all the objections with which he opposed the elders were made clear, or suc- cessfully refuted to his entire satisfac- tion. After three months of earnest study and reflec- tion the Lord re- vealed the divinity of their mission to him. On December 1, 1850, John Taylor baptized five souls at the He Saint- Ouen, Paris, Mr. Bertrand being among those to receive this divine ordi- nance. The same day they were con- firmed. Thus it was that the restored Church was established among the French people. On the 2nd of December, 1850, the day following the first baptism, the translation of the Book of Mormon was commenced. Shortly afterwards the Voice of Warning and Doc- trine and Cove- nants were trans- lated by Brother Bertrand. After having finished the trans- lation of the three books, Brother Bertrand sailed for the land of Zion, where he remained for several years, becoming better acquainted with the doctrines of the newly restored truths. In 1859, President Brigham Young sent a let- ter to Brother Ber- trand calling him to proceed to France to take up his labors as presi- dent of that mis- sion. Under the able direction of Presi- dent Bertrand, many conversions were made in France. Switzerland and Bel- gium. The people of Geneva, Laus- anne, Neuchatel and La Chaux de Fonds were quick to recognize the truth of the beautiful message that the missionaries carried to them. Manv PRESIDENT ERNEST C. ROSSITER

MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS 55 wonderful manifestations were enjoyed by the converts in those cities in direct fulfillment of the promise given by the Lord to all who would obey his mes- sengers. Among the many converts of French Switzerland was Brother Ballif, born at Lausanne, and reared in the Protes- tant school of theology. Prior to his conversion he was a sincerely devoted Protestant minister. Shortly after his baptism he emigrated to Utah, but sub- sequently returned to Switzerland as a missionary. The devoted work ac- complished by Elder Ballif was far- reaching. Many of his descendants have returned to this land as ambassa- dors of the Church of God, and even today we have one of his progeny laboring in France. Serge F. Ballif, twice mission president of the Swiss- German mission was of his posterity. Several very faithful attempts have been made in France to establish a per- manent foundation of the Church, but the harvest has not been of an en- couraging nature. Many of these, however, who were converted remained faithful. Because of the non-response of souls there, it was deemed advisable by the inspired authorities of the Church to abandon the territory for a season. Subsequently the missionaries were recalled, and placed in Belgium and Swiss Romand, where the harvest had been more gratifying. The branch- es have steadily increased in number in those two nations until now the many faithful adherents are of such a number as to command recognition, and their fruits are readily recogniz- able. The Spirit of the Lord is made abundantly manifest and they all bear testimony of the truth of the latter-day work. It was on December 26, 1924, that President David O. McKay, of the European mission, organized France, Belgium, and the French part of Swit- zerland into a separate unit, thus the French mission was reborn. Russell H. Blood, then secretary of the Euro- pean mission was chosen mission pres- ident, with headquarters at Geneva. Switzerland. In this capacity Presi- dent Blood labored with ability. On August 30, 1925, he was suc- ceeded by the writer, who had previ- ously labored as a missionary in Bel- gium from 1904 to 1907, also as president of the Tihitian mission from 1915 to 1920. Since its last organization, the French mission has grown until it is now in a prosperous condition. There are fifty-two elders working in twen- ty-two cities, which are organized into five districts, three of which are in France, one in Belgium and one in Switzerland. Sunday Schools, Relief Societies and Mutual Improvement As- sociations are organized in sixteen of these cities. In commemoration of the one hun- dredth anniversary of the delivery of the plates to the Prophet Joseph Smith, a pageant and illustrated lectures on the Book of Mormon were given throughout the mission. This re- sulted in an increase of the sales of this book. It also made many friends, as well as allaying much prejudice. Manv favorable press articles appeared in newspapers of the different cities. We have, under construction, two chapels, one in Liege, the other in Seraing, Belgium. This is the first property to be acquired by the Church in the mission. Paris has only recently been opened for missionary work. The one peculiarity noted in this wonder- ful city is that our missionaries find it almost impossible to get past the con- cierge who has control of all apartments in the building. We have, therefore, had large posters printed and pasted them up throughout the city. This has resulted in bringing a number of investigators to our meetings. In many of our branches we are giv- ing English classes which are open to all. Many young people have been attracted to them, some of whom are attending our Sunday services. From young men who attend these classes,

56 IMPROVEMENT ERA we have been able to start Boy Scout organizations. We have a splendid body of humble missionaries who are working faith- fully for the progress of the Lord's work, and the salvation of the French- speaking people. The progress which is now being made in France is far greater than was expected. We have high hope of the future progress of the French mission. We love the French-speaking people, and are deeply interested in their sal- vation. During the past three years the ex- pansion of the mission has largely been in France. Some of the cities which have been opened up have made won- derful progress. Heretofore it has been thought that to convert a real French- man was a thing impossible, but to- day we have many of that blood who have embraced the Gospel and are among our most faithful members. Our missionaries are speaking very good French, and often it becomes difficult for the natives to detect that they are not one of their own coun- try-men. We are making special effort to teach our elders the importance of acquiring a French accent or at least to approach it as near as possible. Hap- pily this has resulted in much improve- ment. Any student of French who wishes to perfect his knowledge of the language, and prepare himself for a better future, could well afford to come to France as a missionary. "Australia!" "Where is that?' "What kind of a country is it?" "Are the people white or black?" "Do I have to learn another lan- guage?" Such have been the questions many an elder has asked when he re- ceived a call to go to Australia on a mission. And of- ten those to whom the questions were directed were but little better in- formed. So the atlas was hunted up and it was found that Aus- tralia is an English possession, popu- lated almost entire- ly by descendants of English people, that the English language is pre- The Australian Mission By President Charles H. Hyde dominant, that the main products of the country are wheat, cattle, sheep and kangaroos. Aus- tralia is a con- tinent— not a mere island, for it is as large as the United States. It lies about eight thousand miles southwest of San Francisco where we take the boat for a nine- teen-day journey. Some one has said that "If you realb want to know the definition of the word eternity, just take a trip from San Francisco to Sydney. Australia: and, further, to understand the meaning of eternal punishment, just be sea sick all the way down." Of course the journey seems long, and many of the elders PRESIDENT AND SISTER CHARLES H. HYDE

MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS 57 "have never seen so much water in all their lives." But the journey is not without its interesting features. For example: Our first stop is at Honolulu, about seven days out, and after finding our land legs again, and overcoming the feeling that the land is trying to come up and meet our feet, we take a look around the city, look up the mission headquarters, where obliging elders are kind enough to show us the attractions of that wonderful city. Then we em- bark for another seven-days' journey. We cross the equator after about three days and usually are introduced to "King Neptune" and his court, then on to Samoa. We enter the harbor of Pago Pago, beautiful hills, fern and flower-covered to the water's edge, towering on each side. It doesn't take long to go over the city. There are many natives on the wharf offering curios of the country, mainly their own handiwork — then on again to Fiji, entering the port of Suva. Here the elders who are at all fa- miliar with the Book of Mormon and the Lamanite people obtain a most valuable testimony to the effect that the people they meet in Suva are not those spoken of in that sacred record. The physical distinctions between them and those they have just left are so marked that the truth is borne into our minds with great force, and is of great value. We realize that the real Polynesians who inhabit the islands of Hawaii, Society Islands, Sa- moa. Tonga and New Zealand are a kindred people, having the same tribal characteristics, similarity in language and traditions. These latter people inhabit the islands nearest the Ameri- can continents. Those lying farther west are peopled by a distinct type not nearlv so adaptable to civilizing influ- ences.' Usually it is with gratitude we again board ship for the last lap of our journey. Five days later we pass through the "heads" into Port Jackson — Sydney harbor — said to be one of the finest harbors in the world. On each side of the harbor are tree-covered hills out of which the red-tiled roofs of the differ- ent suburbs appear, forming a beau- tiful contrast to the eye. Here are the homes of the well-to-do people. Joy fills the heart at the beauty of the scene and the thought that the long journey is at an end. About noon we are alongside the wharf and, looking down at the crowds assembled, we see black-hatted and black-clothed young men, who have already picked us out and are endeavor- ing to attract our attention. We now realize that this is the rule in the Aus- tralian mission — a strict uniformity in dress. These elders welcome us at the wharf. We are conducted to the head- quarters of the district, where we re- ceive instructions and assignments — the latter sometimes meaning another trip by rail or boat as we may choose for a distance of from 500 to nearly 3,000 miles. The mission is divided into six dis- tricts, each state forming a district. New South Wales, with headquarters at Sydney, has the largest population. Sydney itself having more than 1 ,000, - 000 inhabitants. Victoria stands next. Melbourne being the headquarters with a population of more than 900,000. Queensland on the north has an area larger than Texas, with quite as large a population for the whole state, with headquarters at Brisbane, and but forr elders to cover it. South Australia has its headquarters at Adelaide — the citv of churches — the city having a popula- tion of more than 300.000. Wesr Australia comes next, bordering on the Indian Ocean, Perth being the principal city, with a population of 184.223. and four elders located there. Then comes Tasmania, the headquarters lo- cated at Hobart. which has a popula- tion of 55,130. Eight elders are lo- cated in Tasmania, there being three branches of the Church established there. The total population of Aus- tralia, urban and country, is 6,167,- 429.

58 IMPROVEMENT ERA In visiting the districts for the pur- pose of holding conferences we cover considerable territory. It is 715 mihs from Sydney to Brisbane; 589 from Sydney to Melbourne; 484 farther on to Adelaide, and then comes a three days' journey on to Perth, covering 1,686 miles, then all the way back again. We take the boat from Mel- bourne to Tasmania, about 200 miles, across the Bass Strait, said to be the worth of property in Australia, r'our of the chapels have been erected within the past four years and all of them within the past eight years. In all the Church buildings, except the one in Glen Huon, elders' quarters have been provided at the back of the chapel. Tasmania is one of the most inter- esting districts from the point of view of the traveler. The boat from Mel- bourne enters the river at the nort'i THE L. D. S. CHAPEL AT HOBART. TASMANIA, DEDICATED FEBRUARY 22. 1925 roughest bit of water in the world, and from experience we have no argument on that point — we admit it. In each of the capital cities we have fine brick churches erected, while at Glen Huon, Tasmania, and at Banks- town, New South Wales, we have at- tractive rustic buildings, the latter only just completed and dedicated on June 10, 1928. We also have a comfort- able mission home recently purchased. In all, the Church owns over $75,000 end of the island and proceeds south- ward 40 miles to Launceston. a beau- tiful little city of perhaps 25,000. We proceed from here to Hobart, 1 20 miles by motor bus or train, through wood- ed hills, farms and orchards. It is colder here, snow being quite common in the winter months. In the spring when the orchards are in bloom the ride down from Launceston is beau- tiful, but when we take the bus again to go up the Huon river and valley it is

MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS 59 transcendant. Millions of cases of ap- ples are shipped each year from Tas- mania to England and the continent, fruit growing being the principal in- dustry of that little island. One of the soul-inspiring experiences comes from traveling from district to district, visiting the elders and saints, and finding the elders enjoying the spirit of their callings, filled with the spirit of brotherly love and unity. "Be ye one even as my Father and I are one" is beautifully exemplified. Scrip- ture class is held at 7 o'clock each morning, breakfast a little after 8, then out tracting soon after 9. Saturdays the elders do their own washing, clean up the chapel and their living quarters, each elder being assigned to some par- ticular duty. It is especially delightful to see the marked change that comes over the new elders as they enter into the work as- signed them. Sometimes homesickness plays its part, but is soon overcome. A new light begins to shine in their eyes and as they grow in experience their countenances are illumined by the spirit of truth. Their influence is felt for good wherever they go. The gifts and blessings of the Gospel follow their ad- ministrations, some of the most re- markable cases of healing having only recently occurred. Their understand- ing of the Gospel plan is quickened and enlarged. To hear them bearing testi- mony and singing upon the street corners fills one with joy and thanks- giving. What a blessing it is to these elders and what joy would enter the hearts of the fathers and mothers could they but stand near by and listen to them! Our constant prayer is that wc might have a hundred such young men instead of thirty-five or forty. Now we have just enough to care for the Saints and occasionally a little coun- try work. The year 1927 was a banner year for this mission in the sale of the Book of Mormon. Late in 1926 we adopted the slogan of "One thousand Books of Mormon for 1927," and we went over the top, selling and loaning 1316 copies. This was double the number for 1916. This was accom- plished with an average of thirty-two elders. There was also more country work done, and this year we seem to be reaping the benefit of the sowing. Of the auxiliary organizations we now have fully organized five Relief Societies, nine Sunday Schools and seven Mutual Improvement Associa- tions, all officered by local brethren and sisters. These are a great help to the mission. We also highly appre- ciate the Improvement Era. Each year the magazine more and more lives up to its name. The Swedish Mission By President Gideon N. Hulterstrom The territory, originally designated as the Swedish mission, embraces Sweden, Finland, and Russia, and was included in the Scandinavian mission together with Denmark and Norway. To our knowl- edge no elders have ever been stationed in Finland or Russia, and there has not been any organized branches of the Church in these countries. However, occasionally some elders have made trips to Russia and Finland to visit the few Saints living there. The Scandinavian mission was first opened with headquarters in Copen- hagen, Denmark, June 14. 1850, by Apostle Erastus Snow. We learn from the historical record, that missionary work began in Sweden in June, 1850. by the late Elder John E. Fors- gren, who at the general conference of the Church held in Great Salt Lake City, in October. 1849, was called as the first missionary to Sweden at the same time Apostle Erastus Snow and Elder Peter O. Hansen were called to Denmark. Five days after their arrival in Denmark, Elder Snow blessed and set apart Elder Fors-

60 IMPROVEMENT ERA grcn for his mission to Sweden, and he proceeded at once to the little city of Gavle (where his relatives resided) and commenced to preach the Gospel. In a short time he made a convert of his brother, Peter Adolph, who was miracu- lously healed by the power of God, and then baptized on Friday, July 26. 1850. as the first fruits of preaching the restored Gospel in Scandinavia, for this was about three weeks before Elder Snow commenced to baptize in Denmark. Elder Forsgren also baptized his sister Erika. and another person. His success aroused the civil authorities, there being no religious liberty in Sweden, and he was arrested, accused of being a law-breaker, tried, and finally banished from the country; but before he left he baptized a number of people, who were about to emigrate to America. Instead of return- ing to America, as the Swedish authori- ties expected him to do, Elder Forsgren escaped from his ship in Elsinore, Den- mark, and there con- tinued his missionary labors, but his ban- ishment from Swe- den delayed the fur- ther introduction of the Gospel in that President and Sister G country until 1853, when the missionaries from Copenhagen crossed over the sound (Oresund) and commenced operations in the province of Skane, where the first branch and the first district was organized early in 1853, through the instrumental- ity of Anders W. Winberg and others. From Skane the missionaries pushed north- ward, and in a few years a large num- ber of branches were opened up in dif- ferent parts of the country, grouped into five large and flourishing districts. Fierce persecution was occasionally en- countered, but the missionaries endured it with cheerfulness and continued their la- bors with added zeal, baptizing thousands of souls as time went on. The laws governing religion in Sweden were gradu- ally made more liberal, and November 20, 1901, a number of the leading brethren in the city of Stockholm, made an ap- plication to his majesty Oscar II, king of Sweden, to have a branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints legiti- matized under the laws. The Department of Ecclesiastics advised against this, how ever, and the appli- cation was denied. The city of Stock- holm gradually be- came the central point for missionary activity in Sweden, being the capital ana metropolis of the na- tion and soon had the largest branch of the Church in the Scandinavian mis- sion. The necessity of a commodious meeting house and headquarters had long been felt and agitated when Pres- ident Anthon L. Skanchy of the Scandinavian mis- sion, on May 25, 1902, appointed a committee consisting deon N. Hulterstrom of Joseph j Can. non, then president of the Stockholm district, Elder Neils Anthon, andi Nils Nilsson to search out a suitable loca- tion, and immediate steps were taken to start a contribution fund. The prop- erty known as No. 3 Svartensgatan was finally obtained and the construction of a hall started early in May, 1904, under the immediate supervision of the president of the Stockholm district, Elder C. J. A. Lindquist. The work was completed and the property dedicated by President Heber J. Grant, October 22, 1904.

MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS 61 On November 8, 1904, the ecclesiastical synod or consistorium of Stockholm petitioned the "Overstathallare Embetet" to enjoin the Latter-day Saints from holding public meetings in their hall. In a decision rendered February 4, 1905, the petition was denied. The consistorium immediately appealed their case to the king, but he subsequently sustained the decision. Elder Anthon L. Skanchy was released as president of the Scandinavian mission in December, 1904, and Elder C. D. Fjeldsted appointed in his place. Mis- sion houses had now been erected in Copenhagen, Denmark, Christiania, now Oslo, Norway, and Stockholm, Sweden. The Church authorities now thought it wise to divide the mission into two and organize the Swedish mission, embracing the territory before specified, with head- quarters in Stockholm, Sweden. Elder Peter Matson of Mount Pleasant. Utah, was set apart to preside over the mission May 16, 1905, and arrived in Stockholm June 19, 1905, and the Swedish mission was duly organized, with headquarters at Svartensgatan 3, Stockholm, Sweden. The official date of the organization was July 1. 1905. Since its organization, the following ciders have presided over the mission, in order, as follows: Peter Matson, Peter Sundwall, Andreas Peterson, Theodore Johnson, Theodore Tobiason, A. P. An- derson, Theodore Tobiason, (second term) Isaac P. Thunell. Gideon N. Hulter- strom. Hugo D. E. Peterson, John H. Anderson. Andrew Johnson, and Gideon N. Hulterstrom (second term), who is now presiding. This field at present is divided into five districts and sixteen branches. The Church owns two large buildings, one in the city of Gothenburg, and the other in Stock- holm. There are 1 2 Sunday Schools, 1 1 Relief Societies, and 8 Mutual Im- provement Associations. The member- ship of the mission is 1,789 according to the membership record. The mission magazine, Nordstjarnan, published twice a month, was begun Janu- ary 3, 1877. This magazine is the means by which the scattered Saints are kept spiritually alive. Many members who have emigrated to Zion remain subscribers, and for years they have been partakers of the missionary spirit thus carried to them. Utah-Posten, the Swedish weekly paper published in Salt Lake City, and edited by Elder J. M. Sjodahl, is also doing a great missionary work among both mem- bers and non-members in the mission. Through the courtesy of the First Pres- idency of the Church, about 1,200 copies are received and effectively distributed ev- ery month in Sweden. There are only 28 elders laboring in this large mission, but they are perform- ing a splendid work. Last year's record reads thus: 11,197 Gospel conversations, 312 Books of Mormon distributed, 291 other books, 9,785 pamphlets and 61,464 tracts distributed, and 2,352 meetings held. There were 9 1 baptisms last year. The first five months of the year 1928, show the results of enthusiastic and in- telligent work on the part of the elders in this "Land of the Midnight Sun" among the good- -hearted people of Sweden, where so much of the blood of Israel has been found. The five months' report shows that the missionaries had 5,452 Gospel conversations, distributed 154 Books of Mormon. 5,405 other books and pam- phlets, and 73.068 tracts, and held 965 meetings. There have been 27 baptisms up to the present time. A special effort is being made this year to place the Book of Mormon before the public. A number of copies have been placed in the public libraries and pre- sented to editors of newspapers, and this work will be followed up. President and Sister John A. Widtsoe are expected to visit Sweden the latter part of the summer, at which time a sum- mer conference will be held in Stockholm. The work of our heavenly Father i< growing in this mission; the elders art laboring unitedly in an effort to carry the Gospel to all, and they are well re- ceived by the people in general.

62 IMPROVEMENT ERA The Hawaiian Mission By President William M. Waddoups Few indeed are they who cast aspersions upon the Church of Jesus Christ of Lat- ter-day Saints in Hawaii. The fruits that have been brought forth by its' members are so manifestly beneficial that the name "Mormon" has long since ceased to be looked upon with dis- favor. The first party of missionaries, ten in number, arrived in these islands on De- cember 23, 1850. There were few for- eigners! here then, but those early mission- aries found the na- tive people receptive to their message. The absence of whites and the necessity of learn- ing a new and diffi- cult language, com- bined with the strangeness of native customs and living conditions, all tended to discourage these early missionaries. It was not long after their arrival, therefore, that some of them felt called to return either to their homes or to go to more promising fields of labor. A few of the original party, among them President George Q. Cannon, remained, learned the language, became acquainted with the people translated and published the Book of Mormon, and laid (he foundation upon which has since been built the magnificent structure of the Ha- waiian mission. When George Q. Cannon returned to his home, after three and a half years of service, about three thousand good President William M. Waddoups Hawaiians had accepted the new message. Branches of the Church were organized, and since then tens of thousands of the choice people of Hawaii have tasted the joy that comes from membership in the Church of Christ. There are five large islands in the Hawaii- an group, (formerly known as the Sand- wich Islands, so-called by their discoverer, Captain Cook, in honor of the Duke of Sandwich.) We have active branches on all these islands. The mission is divided into eleven districts: Hilo, Hamakua, Kohala and South Hawaii districts on the island of Ha- waii; East Maui, West Maui, Molonai and Kalaupapa on the islands of Maui and Molokai. Kalaupapa district is located on the north coast of Molokai and is occu- pied exclusively by the Molokai leper settle- ment; Honolulu and Laie districts on the island of Oahu, and one district on the island of Kauai. There are twenty-two branches on the island of Hawaii, seventeen on Maui, fif- teen on Oahu, and eight on Kauai, making a total of sixty-two organized branches in the Hawaiian mission. Most of our branches have chapels in which to meet, ranging in cost from $50,000 down to very modest sums. There are now several churches in course of construction, and a number of others on our building pro-

MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS 63 gram for the near future. Honolulu, Hilo, South Hawaii, Laie, and Kauai are also well equipped with amusement halls and gymnasiums. Every district in the mis- sion, except Hamakua, is provided with a mission home of ample proportions to furnish headquarters and house all mission- aries laboring in the district. We now have funds available for the erection of a mission home in the Hamakua district. We are proud and happy to report that the tithes and offerings of the Saints in this mission have so far been ample to meet all our building and other expenses, making our mission entirely self-sup- porting. Hawaii is honored and blessed by having the only temple erected outside of the geographical boundaries of the stakes of Zion. The erection of this beautiful building has been one of the greatest mis- sionary efforts ever put forth in this mis- sion. It has given us a dignity, a rating by tourists, as well as island people, as one of the most beautiful buildings and grounds in the Territory. Many thousands of travelers from the four corners of the earth visit our temple grounds each year. Courteous, well-in- formed missionaries are always present at the Bureau of Information, at the front gate, to conduct visitors through the grounds, to answer questions, explain the Gospel, dispense free literature, sell Books of Mormon, and be of any other service possible. Our temple grounds and Bureau of Information are, we believe, one of the important and far-reaching missionary ac- tivities of the Church. Our annual report for 1927 showed a total membership of 14,299 in this mis- sion. We have 451 elders, 152 priests, 263 teachers, and 484 deacons. These men holding the Priesthood, are most of them holding offices and assisting very materially in the auxiliary organizations L. D. S. CHAPEL, HONOLULU. HAWAIIAN MISSION The best of four meeting houses in the city of Honolulu. A new $25,000 building will soon be erected in the Kaimuki district. Honolulu

64 IMPROVEMENT ERA of the mission. In 1927, 455 entered the Church through the door of baptism, 204 of whom were converts. There were 454 babies presented to the elders for blessing and christening. We have well organized mission boards of all the auxiliary organizations, the Re- lief Society, Sunday School, M. I. A.. Temple Genealogical Committee, and Pri- mary, all being officered by local members of the Church, the missionaries acting largely in an advisory capacity. Our mis- sionary auxiliary organizations are officered and function much as they do in the stakes of Zion. We hold semi-annual and annual conventions, and contests, and follow les- sons outlined by the General Boards. We have been very fortunate in receiving ample missionaries to conduct our work. Fifty to sixty missionaries are sufficient to cover well our limited territory. We use a number of local missionaries in the fields. A home missionary system has been established and, in addition to the missionaries giving their full time, we have perhaps fifty home missionaries en- gaged in spreading the Gospel and build- ing up the Church. Even a brief account of the Hawaiian mission would not be complete without reference being made to President Joseph F. Smith. His name and that of President George Q. Cannon are still revered by the natives. It is a privilege to work in the vine- yard in thus paradise, among this favored people. No truer Latter-day Saints can be found anywhere. Our missionaries are happy, united, humble, and diligent in their work. To their parents, we extend greetings, and congratulate you on the wonderful work they are doing. Your letters encourage them and your prayers in their behalf will continue to avail much. The missionaries and Saints in this land send "Aloha" and best wishes to all who may read these lines. If you were to call on us sometime, you would find us in the enjoyment of the same spirit that characterizes this great latter-day work in all parts of the earth where it has been established. Editor Albert Shaw, writing in the October Review of Reviews, has this to say: "That any country like the United States is better off without the regular widespread use of alcoholic beverages is too obvious to be argued about. The so-called 'drinking habit' is not compatible with the conditions of oui present-day life. Twenty million automotive vehicles on our public highways provide twenty million arguments against the use of alcoholic beverages. * * The drink habit is doomed by virtue of the fact that we, as a nation, have adopted other habits and customs that make drinking a thing outlawed except by the reckless and foolish." There are three kinds of people in this world, the Wills, the Won'ts and the Can'ts. A life is alive so long as it is useful in some way to some one. When we give to others, we keep the best things of life. We grow only so long as we give and do. Our blessings come when we forget the service we have rendered. Goodness will fill our lives just as soon as we believe only good of others. The Home of the Soul is reached by the paths that lead along God's Highway. When we are prepared to use the Grail undcrstandingly, we shall find it. Happiness will crown our toil if we take the hard places and leave the easy chairs for our weaker brothers. — Dorothy C. Retsloff.