Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1896-01-16
FROM THE SAMOAN ISLANDS.
Interesting Item, OF Experierc, from
a Mi,slonarJ-A Judge's
Baptism

The following lie taken from letter
written at Fag,lii, Upolu, Samoa,
Nov,m1sr 20, 1895, to Elier l.. NJ.
Grant, Bishop Of West Bountiiul,
Davis county, by member Of tue
West Bouatiiul ward nov on a mile
sion:
have been here loss than a year
an an, pleased to SAY that am blessed
with the best OF health nud strength,
and am trying IN my weak way 10
sefys the Lore the best know now,
40 that AT NJ mes He will be pleased
10 showef HI. choicest blessings down
upon me. feel week instrument
in His nands, and tealizs that without
Hl, blessing will be aule 10 accom-
plish but very little good while here "
at home.
ltakc great comfort from the words
written In 1 Cor. b., 2v. / feel that
this IL truly the case ne FAT a. nni
concerned; and therefore put my
whole trust In Him, aud believe u
atrlye Vi all times TO serve an1 KEEP
His commandments, that Hp viii
make me an instrument In acolmplish'
ing n good work among this dark ana
bunightcd people, IN bringing Them 70
knUwledge OF tue true aud everlsst-
ing Gospel 90 II has been revealed %
US Ia the latter diys through tbs
Prophet joseph Smith. i feel thank
ful tnAt have beon called 10 represent
such q noble cause, and | hope that
will be Able 10 prove worthy VI tue
bish and holy calling.
G0d's cause IA siosdily growing In
this land. There have been about twen-
ty.fve added TO the fold since the nfst
OF October. Among this numurr was
man by tho name OF FOlsu. lie IL a
native nigh chiei Judge, becOnJ to acne
In Influence tmong the NATIVES, not eA-
cepting tue king himself; he II also ole
OF the richest among tins people.
About i've years ago Brothers J.
H. Dsau aad q. w. bue visited
this man. rhefe were also present
teachers fom three other denOmi'
nations. Brother Dean was A'kud
10 explain bis lelieL Alter he
did this the chief gave tbs other teach
ers chance, but none accepted the in-
v.tatlou.
since that time the Elders have
called on him oil aud on until tive
wseks ago. About two weeks ago Bfp.
Sears anu / called on him. There were
two teachers At his house al tho time.
He asked us some questions, which
were answered 10 hit satisfaction. lie
also gave tho teachers chance, but ~
they have poor ground 10 stand on,
they mAde very weak Argument,
which more than ever convinced tho
Judge that ours was tho true Church.
We left him feeling good, and lew
d,ys later he drove down to fagalll iu
his cart, his son coming with him.
They requested baptism. We asked them
some questions, among other things N
they Understood thoroughly the Obli.
cations they were tking upon them.
selves. rBey said they did. They
also said they dld not care for the scoiis
OF their fellOwmen. They ate dinner
with ,,then We walked up TO the cfe,k
anu, for the nrat tins In my life, had
the happy privilege OF performing the
sacred ordinance Of baptism. ifst
baptized Folau, then his sou. 10 this
II the way tue work ptospep; somo
SOW, some water anu prepare tor the
gathering, while others come along
and foap. Brother Les will DO pleased
to hear OF this baptism. lie hss many
friends here who Inquire about him
often.
am IsborinR at the mission head.
quurteis. This has been my home
ever since l came here, excepting two
weeks that | was At 2mpspH. Hy
companions are President J. Il. Beck
Tore OF the best men IN the world), ana
brother Sears, VINO Ia also n fac yOuug
man. In fact they are all good men.
There arc thirty-iivs Elders on this
mission and there IL work for that
many more here. Ton u this number
are NJ Tonga, 600 miles south Of here,
seven on Iutuila, seven on BAyAii,
sud eleven Of US ON this island. Brother
William Vinegar 10 on thls Island, and
1 went part OF the way with him on
hls journey 10 bis now field Of labor,
IA II about twlrty.flys miles, and
went 10 show him the way and do thu
talking, as II IL very difficult 10 under,
stand them or talk W them until learn,
ing their language. l walked twenty.
i've miles with him, aud got a place
for him to stay all night I started
back tho same night Ia q boat with
six natives; we hadn't got fat when
the wind began 10 blow, and the TAln
began 10 fall In torrents. This caused
the sea 10 be very rough. opd the nigh
"ea Wv AAAhN w
would run ON tue reef, NJ pulled fol
shore, anu waited an hour or 90 for tn,
Tleing OF the moon; the moon came uI
and We continued our voyage. 1 ar.
rived homo the next day at 10 o'clock
after being out on the sea all nighl
with wet clothes on. muat say
didn't enjoy my boat ride very well.
Elder Beck has been away from
here Tor n mouth. lilo has gone /,
MAnua, an island 100 miles from hore
The object no had In view was TO "a
tablish now branch At that island
We arc locking for him back ever!
day.
l am pleased TO hear Of 90 mAnl
young men from West Bonntiiul going
on missions. IL will DO great help 1
the ward when they return, ~ well a
an everlasting benefit 10 themselves.
would be pleased TO hear Of othel
being called.
The mail 10 soon 10 60 out, and no
having any more time 1 viii draw 1
close. DUNCAS KIPPES.