Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1896-09-12
N ALAnAmA AND FLORIDA.


Eindnss. OF "Jossphites."
LoANoo, Covingion CO., Ala,
August 74th, 1896
To the Editor
The experiences OF missionary are
varied. In some localities he IS received
and treated kindly, people feeling UNI
able 10 do enough Tor him, and in other
places he meets with prejudice, which is
always the result OF ignorance.
The place from which we write might
be classed among these prtiudiced re-
Rions, although the people OF course de.
clare TO the contrary. When we entered
this place they said, Those fellows
who have turned the world upside down
have come hiiher also" They had
heard of us and knew that we had been
holding many meetings in the southern
part OF the county.
Although we meet with much opposi.
ton, yet we are constantly adding TO
the 'qittlc stonen Owing to the neat
we have not been as active as We other
wise would have been, yet We have been
instant in season and out OF season.
and have tried to make II point TO
convert our visit to every house INTO a
meeting.
In the pas, three weeks we have held
forty-eight meetings, blessed sixteen
children, and baptized and confirmed
fourteen persons as members OF the
Church.
Sometimes we get somewhat discour'
aged and feel that we are not doing our
duty, but considering We feel that we
are doing fairly well and that the Lord Is
blessing our efforts and crowning them
with success.
Since our conference we have travelled
without purse aud scrip, and our testi-
mony is that we have had Tar better sue
cess than previous to our entering into
this plan. We are trying TO fully realize
the great importance Of obeying this
rule. The Lord commands that we
carry no money or anything Of a kindred
nature, and has said, you shall not 70
hungry. neither aihifst." We have
feaped the blessings promised the lust in
proportion to our obeying this com.
mand.
This county is very thinly settled. One
travels Tor FIVE or six miles In some
places without passing a house. This
renders Il impossible to compete with
the labors OF the brethren Of more thick
ly inhabited places.
On the ~ ult., we visited Pensacola,
Florida, the old seaport town. Many
interesting sights were 10 be seen,
Among those most worthy OF mention
were the larger steam and sail vessels.
Many we're sunken and some washed
inland by the terrific storm which oc.
cured on July 9Th. We also visited the
Navy Yard and Lighthouse department.
The former Is about gone TO rum. there
being few old.fashioned guns LETT.
While In the old city we met man
who was once an inhabitant OF Jackson
Co., Missouri. lie said he knew many
OF the Mormons well. Among them
was DAVID Whitmer one OF the three
witnesses Of the Book OF Mormon. lie
spoke oil him In the highest terms. lie
added, "Mr Thomas, ! know more
about the Mormons than you can tell
me-" and further said that Tor their re-
ligion etc., they were not expelled, but
Tor stealing cattle" A little cross.
examination however proved his in
formation to be somewhat limited, more
SO than he had realized; and being un.
able TO carry his point he would try TO
take sides with me.
In the southern part OF Escambia
County we met some OF our "losephite"
brethren who treated US well. We held
two meetings In their church and have
a standing invitation to preach there
whenever we choose. We spent one
forenoon In explaining" succession"
that II fell upon the twelve and not the
seed OF the Prophet, to lead the Church.
One man told OF an incident which oc.
cured soon after the civil war. There
being an organization in this section,
some one would speak In tongues and
bemcan another. someone would give
the Interpretation and the party adj.
dressed dared not offer any reiutation
or they would charge him with "Tciect
ing the Spirit.p lie has for five years
belonged TO this church. think ere
long some Of them will see their error
and come In at the right door.
Realizing the value OF your space we
will close, thanking you Tor paper which
reaches us regularly and Is always a
welcome guest
ID. HADLoED THOMAS,
lonE II. PACE.