The Lehi banner. [volume] (Lehi, Utah) 1891-1917, 1898-06-21
the California Mission.


Frisco, where l have devoted the past
year, and assigned to San Jose where
am now associated with Bro and Sister
Bennett of American Fork and Elder L.
A. Wall OF Huntington. We have one
OF the choicest fields in the whole state
to operate in. From point Of beauty,
there is no place in California that sur
passes San Jose. The city is built in
one immense tract of green lawns with
fruit and ornamental trees in abundance
and flowers decorating everywhere. The
climate of San Jose is perfect dream
and is quite an agreeable contrast to
foggy Frisco. 1t is beautiful sight in
the evening to see the people, young
men and maidens, clad in stylish
costumes, promading through the parks
and palmshaded sidewalks, where every
thing yerdant in nature and the
fragrance OF beautiful beds Of flowers
filling the air. The people of this city
seem to be taking life in a quiet pleasant
manner and are never too rushed to sop
and talk In the evenings they saunter
leisurely around the streets, and when
Elders Bennett, Wall and yours truly
sally forth about p. M 4, hymn book in
hand, we are usually greeted with a
large audience and respectful attention
is given to what we say. Street preach
ing Is the leading feature OF our work in
this California mission and we have
some very interesting times competing
with the Salvation Army, Volunteers OF
America and other organizations foi
street honors and the attention Of the
transient public. Since / came here We
have been. drilling ourselves in singing
and now we have trio, Wall soperano
Bednett basso, and Smith tenor, which
is quite able to gether an immens
crowd. We are beginning to hear
great many plimentary things abou
our street services from some OF tn
finest people in the city and we fee
much encouraged at the bright prospect
for the future, Invitations are comm
in all we can attend to to visit people j
their homes. Our literature is accepte
everywhere and sooner or later ther
will be rich harvest of souls from th
seed which we are sowing The nan
Mormon" is fast loseing its odium an
as the people begin to get some concep
ton OF who we are, they seem dispose
to extend to us every courtesy we coul
ask. Sister Benefits OF great assistanC
to us; she is representative Mormo
girl and never fails to make favorab
impression upon those whom she meet
A grand field is opening here for Of
ladies to do evangelical work. Tho
OF our sisters who have been convertt
in this state take great pride in Il
progressive are making. They are reaC
to pass tracts, cards, loan books or me
in conversation and explain the tene
of our religion to any who desire
investigate. Nothing is more encoura
ing to MS than 10 see the clouds OF o
position which have hung SO persisten
ly and bitterly over us during the pas
gradually lifting and the sunshine
truth shining upon our work. In 81
Francisco the greatest difiicultywe ha
had to contend with is the utter disr
gard the vast majority have toward an
thing of religious nature. The Peep
have given themselves over headlong
the excitement OF worldly pleasure a
1t will require stronger testimonies al
more persuading arguments than o
Elders are able TO make to convince I
average San FRANCISCAN OF the error
his way, and l think much easier co
of moral ethics would be demanded tn
the standard Latter-day Saints mt
obey. Yet few are found here a
thcre who have been searching Tor [