Show missionary MISSI ONARI LETTER by permission ol of bishop C C johnson ot of bear river city the news Is permitted to publish the following interesting te letter 25 lancaster street albany N Y april 12 1921 my dear bishop johnson surely the time passes taster faster in the east than it does out west and I 1 think I 1 can account tor for such a statement I 1 recall my geography stating that the sun rises several hours earlier in the east and I 1 too recall turning my watch ff forward orward at several different limo belts pas as I 1 traveled across the continent in that way only can I 1 account tor for the past two months that have fairly flashed away with the speed ol of a high powered motor notwithstanding the fact that I 1 have seen more spent more met mat more people and traveled farther than I 1 have in any other two years ot of my me life 1 there were about twenty elders ciders that lett left on the same train bound eastward some going to the northern others to the central and still others taking a diagonal course out of chicago on thear way to georgia only one other missionary and myself took look the route through to new york I 1 we stopped off at buffalo long enough to view one pt the seven wonders ot of america located just an hours ride from the city have you ever seen the great niagara falls likely I 1 you have they truly beggar description crip tion I 1 was vas filled with awe and fright aright they fairly hy hypnotized me 1 I attempt to describe them but would assure anyone that although it was extremely slippery while there we take any and the most satisfying way would be to allow the falls to describe themselves the en etire trip was very pleasurable i I 1 no little time was spent the first f pw few days as the missionaries met on the ithe cars telling of the far farei etwell well parties ti es our home friends tendered us each one glowed with pride as he be or she related lust just all the splendid signs ot of love and friendship those friends showed upon separation I 1 recorded in my diary as vividly as possible the delightful dancing party the mutual I 1 barty and the many other tokens of love that I 1 received not that I 1 felt the memory ol of them would ever be lost to me but because the event was a milestone in my life accordingly I 1 wanted the details down in black and white i we lve arrived at hoboken early sunday forhing then after traveling under the earth and over it in traversing the co city of new york we arrived at brooklyn the headquarters or of the mission at 9 a rn we just had time to wash off a little of the transcontinental trans continental stain and then were ready tor for sunday school there is a peculiar bond of friendship and love between missionaries upon first meeting that does away with the formal conventionalities that accompany company other professions of life A feeling of equality of understanding of sympathy of unity in purpose between them we were allowed five days to marvel as we traveled about what is sometimes called the hub of the world the city of new york before being appointed i to labor we traveled fast and furious to get some idea of this metropolis of the world truly one needed menthola tum turn to the tonsils after stretching them gazing at sky scrapers it was indeed brave ot of us country bumpkins bempkins bump kins to 16 allow ourselves to become closed in an eleva elevator torl that was about to ascend sixty stories in the highest building including the tower in the world again I 1 was tilled filled with fright as I 1 beheld below what my knowledge told me were people land and street cars but what appeared to be ants and cockroaches the panoramic view from thal height was thrilling wei we visited several museums saw the tamed famed wall street and fashionable fifth avenue it if I 1 tell I 1 you that we also saw the hippodrome kho biggest show house in new york and several excellent plays I 1 must quickly associate the tact fact that only liflie five days were employed in this hilar ity I 1 must state however that the hippo was ill and in its place were substituted lour four elephants now Z to the bigger more serious side of this newly inherited work I 1 was appointed to labor in albany the caal capitol city for the present I 1 pass thru the handsome thirty three million dollar capital building to go tr trading acting each day this is a city hardly as large as salt lake and no so beautiful it is laid out on a crazy patch quilt plan and truly has the blind streets and alleys that salt lake is sometimes accused of 0 having there Is a small branch of 0 enthused saints and investigators here about thirty five in number and thirty five in attendance atten dince at every meeting unless legitimately excused how much happier work would be and the lives ot 0 the saints at home if they were per cent in attendance at the church gatherings partaking ot of the fee food of eternal life thereby laying up treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt nor cheives break in and steal instead of giving time to selfish temporal affairs which in no wise brings the joy and satisfaction that the former course does neither here nor hereafter af ter it is a psychological tact fact that we appreciate the things we gain only in proportion to the effort we exert in achieving them it is trite but true we get out of life just what we put into it the world is round and that which you give out will return to you it is easy to account through this line of reasoning for the integrity of the tested pioneer that in fio no wise however is any excuse for the pioneers children who he do not in so many instances appreciate the glorious heritage that has come to them through birth persecution and poverty do have their incalculable virtues in the process of gaining anil sustain sustaining rig faith I 1 sometimes wish that the he present gener generation atlon myself incle included ed might feel a touch of the persecution on that was so liberally heaped upon the he noble charter members of this church we need opposition to test us chasten and humble us in adversity do we cleave unto god but without we are all too willing to accept his blessings in silence and ingratitude not recognizing the source and then uttering a humble prayer of thanksgiving to the almighty although I 1 have been outs out in the field but two months I 1 know that god ja in this work I 1 have received that testimony thru my humble efforts on my knees I 1 cannot say too much tor for prayer as a medium through which one receives and is able to do CID her work through the inspiration of 0 the spirit of god I 1 am reminded of a story which is applicable here at ono one time a company were being conducted to the top of the alps they had ascended to such a height that it became necessary to hold bast fast to ropes that were stretched for or safety it was essential to climb on the knees and be exceedingly cautious upon reaching the summit of one of the perpetual snow capped peaks one of the company rose front from his knees standing upright as if defying the gaping abyss that yawned dawned just below the guide called out to your knees brother knees one is only sate safe at this height on liis his knees how do we know how near the abyss is it is necessary to pray always to bo be in safety there are undoubted marks of celestial power perpetually attending the work vork of missionaries the spirit of love for all humanity is in every mis sion arys heart and we pray tor for power of sending light into the understanding and conviction into the heart of gods children who have only a form of godliness As one studies the gospel it Is easy to see how the simple principles have become corrupted by the admixture of the so cabied philosophical systems ot of the times we see the unauthorized additions to the ceremonies of the church and tile the introduction of vital changes in essential ordinances such as baptism also them unauthorized changes in church organization and government I 1 am so thankful tor for the privilege of coming into the world with this message to preach the gospel of christ with its saving graces without which no one can receive salvation in the kingdom of god I 1 feel my lack of knowledge keenly but do truly enjoy the study of the gospel t may god bless you in your labors and may the good people of the ward sustain you not only by the hand but by work in the service of the master I 1 remain very affectionately MADEL MABEL HOLMGREN |