Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-05-15

men, on the same GRAND as myself, con-
tnued our journey to the other side OF
the world. September list | arrived
safely in Bern, Switzerland, and was as
signed to labor In this branch.
Arriving here September 5th, found
Elders John Nutier and Isaac X Barton
at the station to welcome me, A few
days later Elder Nuffer LETT for Switzef-
land and Elder Barton, who had been
here but short time and spoke very
little German and who spoke still less,
were left alone; not alone either for we
felt we had one friend at least, who
would remain with us, II we would but
ask Him In faith. Our cond ton was
one that indeed taught us humility.
With the hep OF lhe Lord, have
overcome the first difficulties oil the
language, but one who has not been
Through the mill" can hard y realize,
what it is 10 be left among strangers with
a strange tongue. and the interests of
branch to look alter. But it was. per-
haps the best thing ior us, as we had to
learn, and that very quickly, to speak
for ourselves and had no one to depend
on but the Lord, who | can testify, is
safe dependence.
This is among the very few cities OF
liberty to proclaim the glad ,idings.
Notwitbs andlng the fact that there are
hundreds of CLUBS and societies (verein)
and great many religious sects here,
which have perfect freedom to meet as
often as they wish, still handful OF
Laitei-day Saints. are denied this prive-
ledge. So our meetings have to be held
in secret in the homes OF the Saints.
Through the blessings Of the Lord, we
have been able to meet together nearly
every Sabbath, without disturbance.
the saints bring their friends and
acquaintlnces with them; so il one way
is not open for us to reach the honest.
another is; and so the little stone"
rolls, though somewhat slower here on
account of our limited freedom.
The Easter holidays are just over.
Easter, like the Christmas holidays. is
time of great rejoicing in the Father
land, especially for the young. Schools
have been closed for sometime, and
Good Friday (Charireitag) and also
Easter Monday are general holidays.
Good Friday Is celebrated in memory
OF the burial OF Christ, and on this day
all good Christeniom is supposed 10 alb
stain from the eating OF meats. Fish,
though. may be eaten freely, and our
good house frau brought us boiled cod
fi,h for dinner, instead of our usual ra-
tons of meat.
The past week has been a busy one
for the ministers. Services nearly every
day, and various ceremonies such as
confirmation OF children, confession of
sins, ETC., have taken place.
In the churches and among the people,
during the Easter holidays, there Is
nf al n nd
ating, for the greater part in heather
times. For instance the relating from
the pulpit OF an Easter-story or fable,
and the Easter laughter which follows
these jokes. For weeks past there
could be seen on every hand beautifully
colored Easter eggs, chocolate Easter
hares. ETC., which. together, with the un-
leavened bread, were among the eatibles
OF the old sprine-ieasts, and are now
symbols OF the death and resurrection
OF our Savior. The holy Easter-hare at
one time dedicated TO Venus, and which
is baked and eaten in the form o. cakes,
is symbol that is not entirely under
stood, but is partly no doubt in memory
OF the passover, (Osterlamm) rabbit
looking somewhat like lamb
Another superstition, seemingly hand
ed down from paganism, is the drawing
OF the Easter-water, at sunrise, from
spring flowing toward the East, and this
without speaking n word. This water
the young people pour over themselves,
believing by SO doing they will be kept
healthy, holy, and beautiful the whole
year This mixture of ea,henism and
Christianity is particularly noticeable
among the Catholics, and in the country
districts especially one finds the people
thus priest ridden.
II is interesting for the young Latter
day Saints to note these various super
stitious beliefs and compare them with
the true doctrines OF Christ. The youth
OF Israel truly should be thankful that
they are not brought up under such sup
erstitlon.
We are very glad to welcome spring
and warm weather, as we will soon be
able to go into the forest and hold our
meetings. where we can raise our voices
IN singing praises to our Maker, which
we seldom dare do in the city.
Elder John Heiner from Morgan, Utah,
is my co-lsborer at present. He has
been here about two mon his, and is hav-
ing his struggle with the language. We
are both well and naLpy in our labors,
and send greeting to ali our friends
CHARLES II. MILES.