Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1899-04-29
MISSION FIELDS.

TO the Editor
According 10 appointment. the Elders
u the West Virginia conference meet
together on the morning u April sth.
at the Union school house. barbour
county. W. Va. The conference contin-
ued three day.. the 18th. 9Th and 10Th.
There were present OF the Priesthood.
Elders VIM. II. Smart. president OF the
Eastern States mission; VIM. II. Stark.
president % the conferences sixteen
travelling Elders, and one local Elder.
We all regretted 10 part with our former
president, A. u. kenicr. who was re-
i.1scd from his calling, but We knew
that God would send uu another shop
herd To watch over. AMI direct Ills
little flock In this part OF the vineyard.
agreeable. by the appointed time mum
bcr had assembled together. With this
assembly came opposition. AMI during
the mcctinEn u the frrt day feeling
of oppression was In our mldst. After
the usual opening exercises. Elder stark
explained the object OF our meeting In
conference. Elder Smart In few
words welcomed the people TO attend
all the meetings OF the conference. and
hear what the Elders had 10 nay on the
principles Of the Gospel Of Christ. Then
the time was occupied BY different
speakers on the frnt principles Of the
Gospel.
Al 3 y. m. the people again Assem-.
bled aud listened 10 the words OF the
speakers. A number OF principles were
clearly explained by the Elders.
Elder Smart suggested that all unite
In fasting and prayer the following day.
owing 70 the lnclemcncy ~ the wcsl-
Their. II was thought not wise 10 hold
an evening session.
a Christian minister took advantage
Of this and npralntcd a meeting for
that evening at $3.50. ~ the appointed
tllne the house was niled. The reverend
gentleman took for hia text the articles
q our faith.' ana rad extracts from
the Doctrine and Covenants Iie com
mented on the Book of Mormon. and
tried TO show that the -Mormona" were
IN the dark and that "Mof1noniam" u
all fraud. Iiia reasoning AMI pnoof
were ~ weak that Instead Of bringinE
opposition against ~, he truncd the
people against himself and their sym
patty was extended towards u-
at both meetings held. On sun
day, April 9th. the attendance was
large and good attention was given. Tho
spirit OF God was poured out ON the
Elders In rich abundance. and the
principles of the Gospel were presented
Ia the people In their true liRhi. singing
was a special feature u the mectines,
and the songs u Zion were enjoyed
AZ $50 the house was hllod TO over.
flowing. All tho people seemed to be
much Interested. and the Lord greatly
blessed W. again by aiding M with His
Holy Spirit. after several " tho Elders
had spoken 10 the people for a short
time. Elder fmnrt corrnboratci the
rcinarkH of the former speakers and
set forth the principles u honesty.
Kindness. purity Of character. The In
forest seemed 10 be- great aud many
were moved 10 tears,
Two Priesthood meetings were held.
April 10Th. az 10 .. M. and y, M. Ell
der smart presiding. The first meoilnR
was mainly occupied IN giving In the
reports OF the last six months labor.
~ y. M. the meeting was continued
and Elder Smart gave many lnHtruc-
tons for our future lnbora. The Au-
thoritieu ~ the Church and Of the
Eastern States mission, ana the north
West virginia conference unanimously
sustained. the appointments were then
given out
The spirit Of unity was with US dur
Ing tho entire time.
II wna decided 10 hold a concert at
the close of the conference and a COM
nittec Was appointed 10 prepare pro-
gram. The people united with M In the
concert At 5:ao Monday evening. The
house was again fiilcd To overlooking,
Songs. fccitationa and rpeccheH were
rendcred. and "A very enjoyable time
was had by the entire congregation.
Il would be unjust 10 close without
HpeakinT 81 the great Kindness ana hos
pitaity Of tho people In this locality.
Although they do not look at the prin-
cipca OF life and salvation aa do the
laticr-dny Saints they have surely
been az brothers and sister. during our
ontlre stay IN their midst
Any one having friends living In this
conference whom they desire the Elders
10 visit may address any % the Elders
labortnE here.
W. II. RAwsoN.
CLARENCE GARDNER,