Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1894-12-15
Kll,r nnrnlnm. In snmon
sAyAn, Samoa. october "a, rsg


Zion, and labohng In the same glorious
cause with Elders who are similarly
situated. now take the time to write
to the many readers Of your valuable
paper, that they may be informed con
corning the labors OF the wandering
Mormon boys on Samoa. will en-
deavor to give a little Of the history Of
few Of us the past six months
Six months ago now, left Fagalii
Upolu, and went alone TO lagatuli
Savai, about one hundred miles
west Of FagaiL Il was just a few days
before our beloved president X. NJ.
Stevens, LEFT as for his heavenly home
that parted with him, his lovely wife,
Sister Hilton and several brethren, for
my western field Of labor How well I
remember the last remarks and actions
Of our late beloved PRESIDENT IT'S
stamped upon my memory, never to be
erased. while life or immortality en-.
dufc.
10 was a month after leaving Fagalii
before heard from any Of the brethren,
but at last the sad account OF our prcsi.
dents death arrived. How terrible Il
seemed at hrsu But after duly consider.
ing the matter, ] had TO say THY will
q Lord be done; give a. strength to trust
Ia Thee" Though some might think
foolish, / have many times thought J
would welcome the day when ! am
called to 20 TO preach on the other side
u / could be worthy to reunite with
tHfNfr GfstHnUH trf ftH.aFhtuar the .RauNl
% the dcpartcd-to the old Samoan
fathers. who have died since they lost
the knowledge OF the Gospel Ia the
days OF old, after their ilounshing so
long In the light Of truth, and united In
great, ancient America; after the ap.
pearing OF our Savior to them. But,
am yet a sinful man. ! must wait to
learn and gain experience, that II may
be said OF me, The has fought a good
fight, and finished his work IN righteous
ness" Then and not til then, do /
wish to 20; that may be able. as here,
to unite with my brethren IN carrying
the Gospel to Gods children-ollering
salvation at their doors.
To return to my story | spent seven
weeks OF the happiest days Of my life
laboring at Fogatuli together with J. a.
Rashand, my companion there. We
healed each other and healed Others
when afflicted, by the power OF the
Priesthood, which brought JOY and great
comfort to us, knowing that the Lord
accepted our weak efforts TO serve
Him.
June I4th we were surprised by the
sudden appearance OF Elders J. W.
Beck and ). w. Walker at our door
They brought Our mad, but | was so
anxious 10 know their business that
forgot to ask about the mail until two
hours had passed away. 1 was greatly
impressed that my field OF labor would
soon be changed, aud 20 Il was; Tor on
the morrow, about 10 q. m, Brother
Beck took me for his companion aud
len Brother Walker to labor with Elder
Rasband.
We were three days journeying from
the west to my destination. / was re-
quested by Elder Beck to do my best
towards erecting a meeting house In this
banch-Salelayalli Win Elder ]. {.
knudsen for companion, we soon
were busily engaged In our new APP
pointmcnt, and at last, through the
blessings OF the Lord in opening up the
ioreigneTS' heart to assist ms, ana giving
us excellent health aud strength, we
have our labor completed; the house
being finished and dedicated the 9th
instant al our conference, which was
held here at that time we are
happy and glad to say Is the best ON the
mission, and hasn't cost the Church $40.
Thus the Lord has blessed and to Him
all praise We give.
lwish to state here, In favor OF for
eigner here on Samoa, especially on
this island, that they treat MS Elders
with all the kindness and respect that
we could wish Tor. Many from whom
we buy give as things at wholesale prices,
and some without even charging the
freight. Mr.. ID. kenisou and sons, aud
Mr. Allen OF this place. NJ. Peter Jtn-
sen OF Salailua. and the Burgess family
OF Falalima are among those who will
ever be remembered bylall. Elders OF this
island because Of their helping us In 50
many ways. There are others who are
equally as kind whose names / will not
give. Our prayers are that they will re-.
ceive the reward that the Savior prom.
ised those who assisted His servants Ia
any way; surely they will 10 no wise
lose their reward, % Tor they have given
Us much more than cool glass OF
water when We have been IN need.
AS TO our experience after conference
at SaelayaW Monday the 9Th instant,
after the morning meeting had closed
the Saints of Slleaul soon got
ready aud were not long sailing home
ward. About noon, Elder Suver aud
the writer took Brother Beck out 10 the
schooner Of Mr., Allen. Brother Beck
wished 10 go 10 UpOlu to visit his old
field OF labor before the gathering OF
the Elders at Fagalii, the 10Th OF the
present month; however the schooner
returned at p. M, aud ON learning the
cause OF is quick return, we were SURE
prised that the captain OF the boat was
overcome by fear because OF the rough
sea IN the sTaights
Tuesday the 9th, Elders Rlsband and
Silver started ON their journey over land
TO Saleaula 10 spend a week before gu-
ing to Upolu Bros. Beck and Walker
remained with until Saturday the 5th
when lheyileil In Mr.. kensou's vessel for
UpOlu.
Monday the Is,h, Bros. Rasband and
Silver returned from Salcaua, They
found my companion and me very usily
engaged helping our friend T.. Kenisun
10 put a roof ON his stone kitchen. The
next day we four Elders spent the day
very pleasantly together
On Wednesday the 18th, Mr., ID. Kent
son returned M bis schooner from ApIg.
but we were very much put out to learn
that his boat ran over the reef the night
before and so damaged IL that he would
not be able to take Us TO Fnga d. The
boys then looked 10 me for way 10 20
20 UpoIu 50 / seat my companion with
two natives 10 lunSiyp five miles IN r.f