Show ITEMS FROM TONGA MUA Tonga tabu tonga dec irth 1895 so seldom do we see or hear anything from this remote place in relation to the labors of the elders on these islands that I 1 submit the following which I 1 trust will find space in the NEWS for publication the account of elder andrew bensons Jen sons travels to these parts and elsewhere will no doubt be read with interest by many and his visit be greatly appreciated by the elders and saints throughout the different missions much good will surely result from his labors not alone in regard to the importance and necessity of keeping records correctly but his words of counsel and encouragement will ever be remembered and greatly aid the elders in preparing for and presenting the labors which have been assigned them A at present there are two elders laboring in in these island viz four here on the Tonga tabu group four at and wo at the latter field having been opened up recently with the exception of and which lie to the north between and samoa all the islands can be reached quite easily from where we are now located which will thus enable us to present before the people the gospel for their consideration the fruits of our labors have not been resized to a very great extent as yet it is true but the gospel must be preached to all the world for a witness and to aid in fulfilling this command we are now engaged trusting that some of the people may yet turn and share in the great blessings promised unto them church and state going hand in hand together as it does here works a hardship on some at least who are weak of which there are not a few as it furnishes somewhat of an excuse at least a pretended one for not accepting the gospel even though they acknowledge led I 1 e the truthfulness ot of it for they would would at once be accused of not being loyal to their kingdom as es many are in the other churches which are established here viz the wesleyans wesleyann Wesle and catholics the question should be however which is the most profitable to go according to ones honest convictions and endure such accusations etc and by faithfulness gain the greatest of bles blessings singa eternal life or to be spoken well ot of by the people ale gain honor among men and even if it should be gain the whole world and yet ye lose his bis own soul well might the question be asked what doth cioth it profit a man we have had beautiful weather the past four and a half months and our efforts have been to lo make use of it and get among the people as much as convenient veni ent we have made some thirty one trips out to the different parts of the i island visiting all the villages and being away from one to five days each time and besides our two regular meetings at headquarters every sunday we have been successful in holding seventeen in other places all of which have been fairly well attended november 3rd ard after holding a meeting at a village about four miles from here our hearts were made to rejoice over the privilege of baptizing three quite prominent men and confirming in g them members of the church of jesus J eus christ of latter day saints we entertain hopes that their actions will yield quite an influence for good in that locality acabo as also throughout the island for as a natural result every additional member tends to strengthen others who might be earnestly investigating we have great reason to be thankful for the treatment we receive when out a mong among the people as thus far we have alwa always S been provided with food and hodg lodging ing and as a rule without having to ask for it as elders do in many places while we enjoy these great blessings we realize that the enemy cf AJ all right is working also with all his bis might to stay the spread of truth and he exercises great power over the people realizing as did he in pauls day that his craft is in danger ff when truth begins to reach the hearts of the pei people ople As to temporal matters I 1 do not know of a more independent people on the earth than are the dougans Ton Tou gans all land is held by the government and allotted out to the people as they require it being impossible under present regulations for any foreigner to obtain land lor for any purpose whatever only through lease they can no doubt see the condition of some of their neighbors where the whites have been successful in securing tracts of land and by adding to them from time to time they have gained such a hold as to crowd the natives out and thus work hardships upon them such is not the ca cae e in tonga though the islands are small the population is still less it not reaching twenty thousand and as that land which is cultivated produces so abundantly there is a great portion unused throughout the group food grows with but little care and there is is always a market for the cocoa nut of which there has been an excellent ellent supply the past season more than has been known for many years back I 1 hardly need to say that such con editions have a tendency to make the people very proud and haughty and many are not slow to remark that it is because of their righteousness that such blessings are er enjoyed joyed it has been wisely said that pride cometh before a fall and my advice to all thus minded would be to humble bumble themselves before the lord and not be lifted up in the imaginations of their hearts lest they be led away by vain deceit and thus bring destruction upon them themselves kives the elders are in good health and spirits and by their works show a determination mi to magnify their callings as servants ot of god mail has been quite irregular of late owing to steamer changes and not connecting with the frisco boats at samoa and the consequence is that we are sometimes two months without receiving home news ever praying for the cause of truth I 1 remain etc ALFRED M DURHAM |