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Show NEW ZEALAND. By permission we make the following extract from a letter written by Elder L. C. Farr, now in New Zealand, to his wife, in this city. Carterton, Wairarapa, New Zealand, July 7, 1882. I received your letter of May 25th, and now make an effort to answer. I leave within three or four days for the south end of the Island, and expect to labor for a short time at Wellington and adjoining districts. I am going to travel alone, and Elder Nathan Ricks will do likewise, as we believe that we can do better by separating, at least for a short time, as the weather is stormy and we are therefore unable to travel far in a day, and we frequently find that the people can care for one more conveniently than they can for two. We have been at Carterton about two months and think we have accomplished some good. We are expecting soon to add a few to the Church by baptism. However, this will be as the Lord may will; we try to do our duty and prayerfully leave the results with God, having faith that He will work all for the best. The confusion that recently existed in this branch through the conduct of one Brother Sorensen (about whom I wrote to Brother Moses Thatcher), has subsided, matters having been satisfactorily settled and he, Brother Sorensen, re-baptized. I have made quite a number of friends here and trust that some of them may embrace the Gospel. I have hopes of securing at Wellington also some converts as I have a number of friends there. I have received a request for baptism from a man who lives about two hundred miles from here. He thinks that his brother-in-law will join the Church at the same time. We shall visit that part of the country within two months. I have been assisting Brother Wily in ploughing his garden, trimming trees and making shingles, the latter being his trade. I am frequently invited out evenings and by that means have opportunities of preaching the Gospel privately. The slight knowledge of music gained before leaving home has been of service to me, as I have, through it, succeeded in making friends where otherwise I might not have succeeded. July 10th. On Sunday I had the spirit of my mission and spoke in public about an hour. At the close of the meeting a lady came and expressed a wish to be baptized; and on learning that I would return from Wellington in two weeks, said she thought that by that time three or four others would be ready to join the Church. I start for Wellington to-morrow and on my return expect to baptize five or six persons. I will receive and answer my home mail and then again go to Wellington and labor in that district about one month, return to Carterton and get my things and make a trip through the northern portions of the Island where we have formerly labored. This will occupy three or four months. At this place I have become acquainted with a Wesleyan Minister who believes the Gospel as taught by us. He is a gentleman of influence and should he embrace the truth will, no doubt, be the means of bringing others into the Church. We have, with the help of the Lord, finally got the people pretty well stirred up, and while the adversary is not by any means idle, we are confident that much good will be accomplished. July 18th I will now finish and mail my letter as the steamer leaves this afternoon. Leaving Carterton on the 14th I walked fourteen miles and put up at a hotel, was invited to attend a meeting the same evening. At the conclusion of the meeting I asked for the privilege of making a few remarks. The request was not granted but I was invited to remain and address the people on the following evening in the Town Hall, which I did. The hall was packed and many remained outside, unable to get in. I preached to them one and a half hours, and then continued with them answering questions until half-past twelve o'clock. The Lord was with me and helped me, I can assure you. The hotel proprietor charged me nothing, and the following day I went on my way rejoicing. Going to another place fourteen miles distant I made application for a hall to preach in, but was informed by the gentleman to whom I applied, that there was no public hall in the town. He however kindly invited me to remain with him over night and I soon found that he and I agreed perfectly regarding the plan of salvation and I expect to baptize him within a week. I am now in Wellington. My eyes still trouble me some, otherwise I never felt better in my life. Do not worry at all about me, for the Lord will preserve me. His power has been made manifest in my behalf during the past few days beyond any thing I ever experienced before. Love to all the folks and may God bless and protect you and the little one. |