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Show A YOUNG MISSIONARY TO HIS COMPANIONS. Elder Thomas H. Merrill of Richmond, now on a mission in Tennessee, writes a lengthy letter to the Y. M. M. I. A. of that ward, which is full of the best advice and counsel to them. We extract a portion relating to his travels: Dear Brethren and Companions-I have often felt impressed to write a letter to the Association of which I have the honor to be a member, and now take the opportunity to write you a synopsis of my travels from Richmond to my first field of labor. On the morning of the 12th of July 1881 I left my home for Ogden; there I met Elders S. S. Cluff, Jos. L. Townsend, and W. O. Beesley, all missionaries for the Southern States. We had a very pleasant time across the plains and arrived at Omaha on the 14th. We crossed the Missouri river to Council Bluffs, where we took the Wabash and St. Louis train, and arrived in the city of St. Louis on the 15th. We put up at the St. James's Hotel. We spent the day in viewing the city. We also went over the great St. Louis bridge which is a stupendous piece of workmanship. It spans the Mississippi on three arches and is high enough for steamships to pass under. The rail road runs over; and the general wagon road over that. On the 16th we left for Nashville on the Iron Mountain R. R.; arriving there on the following morning; we put up at 48 South Cherry street, Elder John Morgan having his office in the same building. Bro. Morgan not being in town we had to wait until we received a letter from him, appointing us to our field of labor. Bro. Beesley and myself were appointed to Perry Co., Tenn. On the 18th we started for Johnsonville by rail; from thence by steam boat on the Tennessee river up to Mousetail landing, where we arrived on the 21st; by inquiry we learned there were two Elders on Spring creek, about one and a half miles from this point. We walked over and met Bros. Eardley and Bateman. We remained with these Brethren until conference which was held on Cane creek, the 6th and 7th of August, at which I was appointed to labor with Bro. Eardley in the Shady Grove district. I labored there about two months. From there I was appointed in connection with Bro. Bateman to open a new field with headquarters at Spring creek; but being driven by the Ku Klux we separated, and I was appointed to labor with Elder Joshua Taylor in the Cane creek district, Louis Co., Tenn. On that memorable day, the 24th of July, I made my first attempt at speaking to a congregation of people that did not belong to our Church. Then I began to realize that I had not made good use of the time and opportunity afforded me in being brought up among the Saints of God. We ought to take advantage of the instructions given to us from time to time that we may be prepared to give a reason for the hope that is within us. I would say, now is the time for you to learn and prepare yourselves to preach the Gospel. |
