Show x f MISSION missionary ArlY MESSAGES tie the wort work iche orlee gospel progressing in tennes we EDIT e R thinking Thin thinking kinc a few lines lille from this part of lie the sunny south would be of interest to the many re readers alers ot the herald which is an ever visitor and companion as it comes regularly ular ay to my office 1 will write you a little it is is now about eleven months since since I 1 took my departure for this part of the vineyard and I 1 am plea pleased ed to stale state that my health has been good the entire time and I 1 havo have felt well in my endeavors to herald the gospel among my newly made friends THE WORK OF OP SOWING abe the seed and gt gathering the sheaves home to zion is ii i i progressing pro greasing with great satis satisfaction fact oil under the divine blessings of heaven and through the tile indefatigable ghisi able labors of the el ders iu this 3 conference on ference 1 I have but recently returned from visiting the various branches in company with elder eldert TH 11 merrill who presides presh es over tin this s conference we had the pleas pleasure sure of holding a number of meetings which were well attended considering the inclemency of the tile weather at that season of ilie the year as it wa raining almost every alternate day lay we ive found the saints felin feel ing well and rejoicing in the glorious rious truths truths of the tile gosai gosp which they had received and many were endeavoring to what little they had in order TO GATHER TO ZION ION with this spring s company there are also a few comiti coming forth and demanding inal iding baptism ana and feel to praise god that they were worthy to bo be spoken evil of falsely for tho the name 0 of christ ris going back until the years 1878 and 79 we find the labors of the elders confined to one country and one small branch with two tuo and three elders with but little prospects of openings and only little spirit of inquiry but in the short space kace of about four years we find t alie ie little mustard seed has spread into nto some eight counties where it lias has fallen upon good ground and the results arc are that it now requires FIFTY ELDERS EMPLOYED 7 in the ministry among anion seven healthy lie althy prosperous branches during ing the last six months ending feb F eb 20 ath 1883 there were for forty vy five new baptisms there were also I 1 forty emigrated from this conference to colorado and utah with this springs company the elders arc aro endeavoring to open new now fields as fast as possible ble under the direction oni of elder merrill ferrill and b by counsel of president morgan forgan IN fu in some localities we find a spirit of toleration and in others a spirit of mob violence and threats of whipping and driling out but as yet yet these menaces have gone no further and invariably the lord provides provide 3 friends for the elders among their most bitter opp opponents ments the time is fist approaching for us to hold OUR ANNUAL conference which will commence on may and continue the and we expect to have a large attendance at conference presidents morgan and B II 11 roberts fa are tre cx ex lecter to be present the people or considerable distances are tire preparing paring to attend which will allay a reat da deal 1 of prejudice tho the health of the elders is resorted reported good elder 31 merrill errill is just cc from a severe attack of ol 01 hills liand and fever ever braying praying for ho the welfare of zion I 1 am your rother brother in the cause of truth WM wk S GEDDES CLIFTON wayne Co Tennessee cpr 1883 |