The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1888-01-11
2 SUNDAY SERVICES.
Elder J. NJ. Tanner Speaks Of
His Missionary Labors.
THE JEWS IN THE HOLY LAND.
Some Interesting Information Con-
corning Religions, Opinions and
Tendencies In the Far East.

weather, there was a pretty large at
tendance at the Tabernacle on Sunday
afternoon. The services having been
opened by the choir singing:
OGodl our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come.
Prayer was offered By Elder Joseph
Kingsbury.
The choir and congregation then sang:
How sweet communion is on earth
With tho e who've realized the birth
water-who the spirits powers,
Receive in genial quick ming showers.
While the Sacrament was being adj
ministered, Elder j. NJ. Tanner began
to address the audience. In the month of
June, 1884, he was called and set apart
to go on mission to Germany. Leav-
ing his home on the following month, he
visited his friends and relatives in the
Eastern States and presented to them
the principles of the gospel, He then
set sail for England and was set apart
by President Wells to go and labor in
the mission of Berlin. Thirteen months
la er he received call to go to Constan-
tinople and assist Elder Spari, who mad
been sent there to Introduce the gospel
to the natives. Owing to the reports
which he ha heard concerning the
people, he entertained fears regardin
hls personal safety; bat he was encour-
aged with the thought that If he proved
faithful JO MS mission he would safely
return to his friends in the valleys OF
the mou ,tains. Not long. afterwards,
he, accoA panied by Elder F. NJ. Lyman,
Jr., Jeff FOR Greece Egypt Palestine,
and different parts of Syria but they
found little encouragement to introduGe
the gospel into THESE countries. He
could not speak very highly of their
civilization. The filth and squaler of
the people were repulsive to those of
finer feelings. After inquiring into the
condition of the colonies, they returned
to -onstantinople and wrote their
views upon the subject. Speaking OF
his labors in Europe, he said that 1T was
not an easy matter to introduce the Cos
pei to the Turks, as they were retired
and seductive people. Among other
classes of people with Wnom lie hau
come in contact Elder Tanner made
special mention of the Germans, who,
though not religious people, are
liberal in their views, and were willing
to hear what the elders had to say. He
had been many times surprised when
contr 4sting the different Euro pean ma
tions. We had regarded these as SUD
ject to the greatest despotism and de-
void of religious liberty; yet he had
been ashamed of his own nationality
when he saw that the people were
liberal and that freedom was given to |
the Elders of Israel to preach the prin
ciples they wish to promulgate. The
most interesting, however, of Elder
Tanners experiences, were connected
with his labors in the Holy Land. At
ter touching briefly on Armenia he
went on to speak On thecondition of the
mission in Palestine. As the colonies
were scattered in different parts, it was
thought proper that the elders should
labor there until the principles of the
gospel were thoroughly taught; and
then gather those who embraced their
principles to this country where they
might enjoy the association of the
Saints. 1t had been revealed in this
dispensation that the time had come
when the Jews would again assemble
and build up Jerusalem and redeem the
lauU vi Du6lI 1AO LAWFUL
day Saints should therefore look on
with deep Interest to all the movements
that are taking place in that country.
Some twenty-five or thirty years ago
there was q move made in Germany
among class of people who formed
themselves into society. They be-
lieved that the time had arrived when
the prophecy of Daniel should be full
filled; when the God of heaven would
again set up His kingdom. and that the
people would gather. Impressed with
these feelings, they considered it their
duty to build up the church and king
dom of God upon the earth. They be
lieyed that "a temple should be estab--
lished; that they themselves were the
{ uupie of cot; and they called them
.elye Temp ars. At6rst they were in
doaot as to wnere they should go az,
carry out their plans, and Palestine
was decided upon. Their leader, d
very able and learned man, visited the
ountry in order to study the soil end
climate and considered it favorab for
carving out the IDEAS entertained,
MANY, VINO took hold IN earnest, emil
grated thi her. and began 10 establish
colonies and cultivate the soil. After
building beautiful villages and furnish
ing themselves with elegant homes,
they began to buy little more of the
Hand. Soon, however, these new set
tiers found that they could not make
money out of their Investments. and
consequently were unable to succeed,
owing to the natives raislrg the price II
the soil. Regardless of their future de
velopment. they hsd only considered
present advantages; but they subse-
auently learned where they should be.
| 1t was to them that Elder Tanner had
| gone to assist In making known the
gospel, ami several had received 1T.
| Some Of them saw that tneir iabors
| hitherto had not been blessed. They
we're considered NOBLE class OF meu
and women who were willing in thril
| hearts to serve God aud be His servants
in every deed. Their not being called
of God their incorporate mode Of liy
| ing, aud that want of unity necessary tC
their future development were dOu btless
some or ihs reasons of their moi sue
cess. The speaker did not wish to b.
understood as speaking disrespectfulil
of these people, foI he found among
them MANY warm friends who wished