Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-12-24
FROM MISSIONARY FIELDS.
A Letter from Samoa.
Alao Tutuila, Samoa,
November 10, 1897


November 10. 1897.
To the Editor:
The Saints and Elders of Tutuila
have looked forward with pleasure to
the coming of our conference, and Ell
ders Il. j. Wood. AS the time drew near,
the Saints began to make the neces-
sary arrangements and everything
looked encouraging. Two days before
the conference west wind began to
blow, and many of the people of the
east end of the island went on visit
to Manu'a. Among them were most
Of the Saints of Alao, the place where
conference was to be held. 1t seemed
as though the elements had combined
against us. for on Friday, the day the
Saints and Elders began to gather, we
had one of the worst storms of the
season. But in spite of rain and wind
the Elders and Saints from the other
villages began to gather. The visiting
brethren were Elder e. ]. Wood, presi-
dent; Elders D. r. Clufr VIM, A. Moody
and Brother Opapo. The Elders who
are laborlng in this island are John +.
Conley, presiding Elder; II. l.. Horne,
Ernest Wright. Il. l.. Clayton. Archie
Bennion and l.. f. Hatch.
The meeting house was beautifully
decorated. At o'clock a. nj. Satur-
day. the first meeting of the conference
was called to order by the presiding
Elder, John f. Conley. The house was
well filed, there being upwards of one
hundred in attendance.
After singing, prayer was offered by
Elder w. A. Moody. Elder John f.
Conley made few remarks, explain
ing the object of confirmation, after
which two ladies, who had just been
baptized, were confirmed members of
the Church. Brother Manoa was the
first speaker. He exhorted the Saints
to faithfulness. Elder d. F. Cluff pre-
scented the names of the presiding au-
thorities of the Church, the president of
the mission and the Elders of this
island. The vote to sustain them in
their positions was unanimous.
Elder Wood gave the Saints some
valuable instructions and Elder Ernest
Wright offered the closing prayer.
After meeting dinner was served in
native style. 1t consisted of breadfruit,
taro. bananas palusarni, beef and fish.
ETC., and was greatly, enjoyed.
At ] p. m. the Elders met In testi-
mony meeting, at which all the Elders
spoke; an excellent spirit prevailed.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
At APP. m. the house was filled again.
Brother Lealao offered the opening
prayer. Brother Lemafa was the first
speaker, Elder c. l.. Clayton followed.
speaking on repentance and baptism.
Elder w. A. Moody spoke on the same
Saturday evening the Saints and
Elders enjoyed looking at the views of
interesting places in Zion. also the
photos of the First Presidency and
Apostles, which Brother Wood showed
by the use of magic lantern.
SUNDAY MORNING.
After singing, Elder John f. Conley
offered the opening prayer. The speak
ers We're Brother Opapo, Elders IL. L..
Horne and Ernest Wright. Benedic-
ton by Elder l.. II. Hatch.
SUNDAY SCHOOL EXERCISES.
These opened with singing 80,
Siona," a translation of Beautiful
Zion" Prayer by Brother Faamuli;
singing, Hope Israeli The schools
from the various branches recited in
concert the Articles of Faith.
Speech of welcome by Brother
Faamuli of the Alao school. Ques-
tons on Church organization were an
swered by the Alao school. An answer
to the speech of welcome was made by
Mataumo of the Paga Pago school and
Il Our Lovely Deseret," was sung by
the Page Page school. Questions were
asked and answered concerning Joseph
who was sold into Egypt. The Alao
school answered questions on the geog-
raphy of Samoa. A report of the work
done in the last six months by the
Page Page school, was given by Sister
san uuEa. 1rDLntT fahtutulld gave
review of the work done by the Alao
school during the last six months.
| Questions concerning the life and works
Of President MILFORD Woodruff were
answered by the Alao school. The Page
Page school was catechised on the ex-
istence of God. Song, Marching
Homeward, 'by Alao school.
The different countries where the Cos
pei has been and is being preached were
| given by Sister Lepeta. Elder Wood ex-
| pressed himself as being well pleased
| with the exercises rendered by the
Sunday schools of Tutuila, and gave
| the children some excellent advice and
| words of encouragement.
TUT of Pago Pago offered the closing
| prayer
At o'clock Sunday afternoon a
| general Priesthood meeting was held
at which all the native brethren hold
| ing the Priesthood. and all the Elders
! from Zion, spoke, each bearing testi-
mony to the truth of the work of God
established in these days Elder Wood
| spoke of the work being done in Samoa
| at the present time, how the work is
| growing as ii never did before, and
| the prospects for the near future. He
| oxhorted all to be humble and prayer
full, pure in thought and deed. and
seek continually the guidance of the
Holy Spirit in all things.
AFTERNOON MEETING.
AT o'clock the Saints again assem-
| bled to listen to the word of God as II
fell from the lips of His inspired SER
| wants. The opening prayer was offered
| by Elder d. +. Clun. The Sunday
school hymn, Hope of Israel" was
rendered in most credible manner by
| the Sunday school children, Elder
! John T. Conley was the first speaker
| Elder Archie Bennion made interest
! ing remarks Elder ID. Foster Cluft