Show IN MIDDLE TENNESSEE gainesboro tenn feb 21 1898 having many friends at home and being unable to write them separately as I 1 would like I 1 take the liberty of writing them through the columns of your valuable paper which is highly esteemed each week by my companion and I 1 yea even all the elders of israel may 17 1897 1 I left my home in fillmore utah in answer to a call made of me by those in authority to take a mission to the southern states and there do the will of the father by publishing the gospel of christ which is salvation unto the obedient on midge M may y 27 1897 1 I was assigned to the middle tennessee conference as my field of labor soon after my arrival I 1 came to the conclusion that missionary work wark was anything but pleasure and that reports from returned elders were published so as to encourage the youth in this work but what a grand mistake I 1 made through not having the experience at that time which all should havig hav so as to realize the beauty of being a soldier tor for the cross for preaching christ and him crucified to this people brings joy to the heart contentment to the mind and satisfaction c to the soul one consolation to all of us who are not proficient in this work is to know that in every gospel dispensation the all wise creator took the weak things of the world to confound the mighty and the foolish to overcome the wise and should we falter when the greatest of gods servants were poor fishermen by the sea of galilee Gal we axe are continually sowing the seed of that plant which will by and by flourish and blossom forth in sweet flowers to brighten the rugged pathway of life that testimonies for truth will take the place of doubt so as to know of the doctrine whether it be of god or man the people axe are becoming acquainted with the elders of israel and the prejudice that at one time existed in their hearts is fast being removed and kindness enters in its stead many can see they have been and are at the present time taught the commandments and theories of man who only have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof while at home a young man may not appreciate the gospel in its fullness and purity after seeing what the sectarian world offers we come to the conclusion they have nothing general jackson was great man but no more so than axe are the inhabitants of jackson county where elder james H yardley and the writer are laboring at the present time unless each neighbor gives us an invitation home at the close of meeting he is not up to times churches and school houses we have free access to aud and most ot of the time a good many to hew hear us explain our faith or that of ow our fathers of which we are ambassadors it is impossible to do as much as the people would like for they want us everywhere one of the conversions which I 1 witnessed the other day has a similitude of that on the day of pentecost while peter spoke by the power of god whale preaching several days ago the spirit of the lord came on a lady in such force that she came and wished to be baptized making four honest souls I 1 have ha had the privilege of taking into the water while here of course some who have caf crafts ts in danger axe are trying to condemn and overthrow our doctrine by telling something they have read concerning our people in dime novels but the more they find fault the more friends we have it is impossible to overshadow the work of the all ail powerful god 1 our worthy leader elder N P nelson of Sp sprint sarini rini city utah is fast improving this conference and his timely letters are gratifying to us I 1 any one having friends or relatives in this part wishing them to be called upon can write to JAMES A KELLY gainesboro jackson co tennessee |