Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-01-08
Two Elders Christmas


Dec. 9th, 1897.
To the Editor:
As the anniversary of our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ has just passed by
once more. will try to describe how
couple of His humble servants Jared
in the Missionary field.
Several weeks ago we were invited to
spend Christmas day at Crimson
Springs. Monroe county, w. Va, with
an aged gentleman, whom the Elders
all call Uncle William Hall, and we
ready accepted his invitation. The old
gentleman has reached the SSth mile
stone of his life and is very lively for
one so old. He and family have always
been very kind to the Elders who
chance to come their way. since first
they met one OF us. something over two
years ago. although none of them have
Joined our Church as yet.
The place In view is very beauti-
full sight among the hills Of West
Virginia, which are noted for their
granduer. Crimson Springs derives Its
name from beautiful spring that
gushes out from under high rock at
tho foot Of 1a-tere mountain. which
divides part of this state from old
Virginia.
llle peautifui crimson water comes
out in n large stream, and as 1t
courses it's way through forests. its
crystal waters are seen tetninS Win
nice spotted trout, so common to be
found in our Rocky Mountain streams
But no one Is allowed to catch one of
them. as they are the private pro-. srty
of our worthy host.
According to our appointment we ar
rived at Mr.. Halls the day before
Christmas; although we had been
walking all morning through heavy
snowstorm. the welcome we received
and the good news we received from
loved ones at home made us forget our
fatigue.
After reading our letters, etc, we
spent the remainder of the day sit
ting around huge old fireplace sing
ing the songs of Zion. which are always
listened to with interest by the people
here. Bedtime arriving, we held fam
lily prayers and all retired to await the
coming of Christmas day. Next morn
ing we found the air very cold and the
sky clear. The ground was covered with
a beautiful mantle of snow. Just
enough to remind us of the time of
year, and to make Christmas appear
lovely.
The morning was spent telling stories
of the occasion, until our conversation
was stopped by the ring of the dinner
bell.
We were then ushered into the din
ing room where a beautiful display of
cookery met our gaze. The huge old
table fairly groaned under Its heavy
load.
The first thing that met the writer's
eye was n monster turkey. our host
soon began the operation of distribute
ing 1t to the guests. Besides turkey
there were roast of beef, pies, cakes.
jams, iellies and about a dozen diffes.
ent kinds of fruits. and biscuits.
After dinner we retired to the sitting
room and spent the balance of the day
very enjoyably, feeling we had been
blessed abundantly.
There Is certainly plenty of room for
Elders in this part of the country, as
we do not have near enough to begin to
fill the demands and the appointments
we have on all sides. Truly the /. carts
of the people are being softened
towards us as q people, and great
deal of the prejudice is fast dying away,
as the dew before the mornings sun.
And we are able to reach the people
much better than ever before. But
under the present circumstances 1t will
take long time before all the honest
in heart can be found. and brought
into the true fold of Christ.
Good reports come in from all sides
from the Elders, and still the good
work rolls ON slowly but surely. And
the little stone Daniel saw cut out of
the mountain without hands, has be-
gun TO roll and will not stop until 1t
fills the whole earth
Elder j. w. Hanson of Brigham
city, Utah, and are travelling in this
county. and are meeting with many
friends, and enjoying our labors very
much. The News" is ALWAYS n well
come visitor. JAS C. wAGSTAFF.
j. w. HANSON.