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Show EMIGRATION OF THE POOR. Below we give a letter from Elder N. Wilhelmsen, written to President Wm. B. Preston, and it is by courtesy of the latter that we are enabled to present it to our readers. The writer is at present presiding over the Scandinavian mission, and is also editing the Scandinavian [unreadable], the organ of the Saints in that land. One subject touched upon by Elder Wilhelmsen, namely the gathering of the poor Saints, is one which we cannot refrain from urging upon the attention of the Saints who are here and surrounded by comfort and plenty. It is a sacred obligation resting upon all the Saints in Zion, who are able, to assist in the gathering of their poor and [unreadable] brethren and sisters, whose emancipation has not yet been accomplished. Think of some of our brethren and sisters, who are bound to us by the bonds of the new and everlasting covenant, being obliged to go without food day after day because they can get no work. The requirements of our religion and the ties of blood call upon all who have relatives in the Church in those lands, to do their utmost in gathering them, and upon all Saints who gather there rests a solemn covenant and obligation to, in their turn, assist in the gathering of obedient Israel, until that great work shall be accomplished. In this connection we wish to urge the necessity for sending means designed for the emigration of any person this season, early. Remit as soon as you can, and do not wait until fall, or the means may reach its destination too late to be of service before another season. I think that I promised, when I last partook of your kindness at your pleasant home in Logan City, to write to you and let you know how I was getting along in Scandinavia; I will just say, accept thanks for your brotherly feelings manifested towards me at my departure. It is now going on the second year since I left home, and I truly say that I have enjoyed myself very much on my mission ever since I came here; my health has been tolerably good, and the brethren in connection with my self are united in the good work. The Lord has blessed our labors with much success and many have been added to the church during the last year; we have baptized 1,164 persons and have emigrated, last summer, upwards of 803 souls, so we have great reason to be thankful to our heavenly Father, and to Him be all the honor for a good that we have been permitted to accomplish in these lands. There are at present 57 Elders from home here in the Scandinavian mission, and we have missionaries in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Germany, Finland and Iceland. We have had some persecution, especially in Germany. Once our brethren, Elder [unreadable] Suhrke ? from Soda Springs, has been arrested and imprisoned 57 days, for preaching the Gospel. He is now free and laboring this winter in the great city of Hamburg. In Finland, which is under the Russian government, the Elders have been followed up from place to place by the authorities, who have confiscated quite a few of our books and pamphlets; in parts of Sweden the authorities and priests have tried to hinder the progress of the Elders, but it seems that in the places where they have met the most oppression, the Gospel has spread the [unreadable]; opposition has awakened the people and many have embraced the truth. We have not had much snow so far this winter in Copenhagen, but a long and hard frost; the sound between Denmark and Sweden, a distance of twenty English miles, is laid over with ice, which has not happened for many years past. All shipping is stopped, and our mails are very irregular. It is hard times for the poorer classes of the people; there is no work, and on the day they are without work, as a common thing, they have no food. The poor Saints of course also feel the pang of hard times, but they are waiting patiently, looking forward to the day that they may be delivered from Babylon. Last year a good many were emigrated by the help sent here from friends and relative at home; and we do hope that the same liberal spirit may be manifested towards the poor this season. Now is the time to gather means and send drafts, that those who will be favored this way can make themselves ready for the next emigration, and I would beg leave to ask you if you would be kind enough to use your good influence in that direction. Some sent their drafts too late last summer, and then afterwards they wanted the money returned; this is only loss for those who send it and benefits nobody save it be the bankers. The brethren from Cache County, so far as I know, are all doing very well and are all in health. I most heartily sympathize with Brother Skanchy who has had the bad news that he has lost his oldest son, but he feels to acknowledge the hand of God, and desires to fill his mission and leave his family in the hands of God, and his brethren. I am afraid I am tiring you with my long letter. Please remember me kindly to your family and others who would like to hear from me, and may God bless you in your high and responsible calling. Your brother and co-laborer in the Gospel of Christ. N. WELHELMSEN. |