Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1891-11-07
THE SAINTS IN SAMOA.



Editor Deseret Nere
by request I herewith give an ac-
count Of the attempt made by the
branch Of the Church Of Jesus Christ
situated on Ssvsii at rogatuli to attend
conference at Fagslli, Upolu, Oct. 9TH,
1891. Brother Chas. w. Poole and
myself, accompanied by some twenty
people, most Of whom were members
Of our faith, LEFT Fosatuli September
18th, and went 10 5alailua, about seven
miles, from which place boats leave for
Apla and all parts Of Upolu; being
located In, suppose, the most out Of
the way place In Samoa, aud having
about sixty miles OF water TO cover In
order 10 take part In the long sn,ici-
pated gathering. We started 30 as to
have plenty Of time, rs we thought,
but to our great disappointment we
afterwards found we were just one day
late for favorable winds. Arriving at
Stlailua, we found n strong wind blow.
ing; nevertheless we urged our com.
paulonp TO make the attempt 10 get up
the coast TO place where we were de.
sirous Of spending sunday. To reach
this we had to follow an iron bound
cosst twenty-five miles. All Samosns
soon TO hsyea dread OF this part Of our
journey; consequently our crew were
afrnid OF the wind being too strong, rs
II would cause 40 much sea that we
would have 10 return. 80 We consent
cd 10 walt TIL the morrow Saturday,
and thus we waited until rhunday,
October LIST, having tried to get up the
coast on the night " September 18th,
aud returned ~ Fogatuli, the Saints
buing unwilling ~ walk overland some
thifty-five miles, where We could have
hired a boat aud gone tO conference
without being hindefed by the wind.
As We we've at SalAilua GU the Sabbath
we held morning meeting In house
Of a friend Of the Saiuts, but In the
afternoon tho owner " the house came
and Informed us that We could not hold
services there again, for their minister,
tho Rev. DR.. Davis Of the London
Missionary Society, was present
with them. This we were aware
Of his cuisines being 10 col.
leCt their yearly contributions, and
he forbade them 10 let u use his house
ON pain Of excommunicatiOn from their
society. We could not credit our friend
for such step, ~ We had previously
met him; 10 we visited him, aud he
corToboHted the natives statement.
We had long conversation with him,
cndosvoring To fDd the cause for such
coursc towards az; and he, not being
able TO justify himself any other way,
resorted 10 arguments that | am posi-.
tive cannot be found anywhere hut In
the pages Of the Salt Lake Tribune.
After trying 10 procure another house
we were forced TO give up the afternoon
meeting. Returning, as before stated /,
10 Fogatuli, we spent Sunday, Oct. 4,
with our Saints, and made up for miss
ing conference by partsking OF tho en-
blems u our dear Savior.
ON the 9Th Brother Poole and myself
took passage In u trading weasel for
Apia, aud after two days and nights
Of beating against \ heavy wind we
reached our destination, and soon
covered the two or three miles dis.
tance from Apia TO Fagalii, where we
had tho pleasure OF being greeted by
nineteen Of our brethren and Sister Lee
and her two children. We found them
all we'll and glad 10 rec US, for they
were rather anxious 10 know why We
had failed 10 attend conference. Since
our arrival we have had one contin uAl
holiday and time Of rejoicing for =
samoan missionary.
! am, your brother in the Gospel Of
Christ, GEO. McCusE.
FA0AIu, Upolo, Samoa,
October II, 1891.