Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-08-31
IN THE SOUTHERN STATES
The Harvest Is Great and the labores
Few
A Promise Of More Elders for the
Field Hailed With JOY and
Anticipation.

Elders n. 4, strong, r.. u. SHiltn anu
W. NJ. McKendrick send this report,
dated Chattanooga, Tenn, Aug. nth:
The time was once, not many months
ago. when there were upwards OF Ave
hundred missionaries distributed
throughout the different conferences in
the Southern States, and the effective
way they performed their labors Is
evidenced by the many accessIons to the
fold, and the daily pleadings for visits
from the Elders by the honest inyesti-
gators This vast army Of message
bearers has been reduced TO the smali
number Of one hundred and elghty-hYb,
and even this number Is suffering sub
traction nearly every week The records
of the mission furnish US with the fol
lowing data, which will give our read
ers some idea OF the past and present
OF the mission: Mississippi once hau
forty-three Elders, nov only six South
Carolina, thlrty-seven Elders, now only
fourteen; North Carolina, forty-fou,
Elders; now only ten; Virginia. forty
two Elders; now only nineteen; the
three conferences Of Kentucky once had
ninety-two Elders; now only twenty
seven Other conferences have suffered
this decrease which has necessltated thu
contraction OF the several conferences
that existed heretofore, as In the case
Of Kentucky, into one conference, So
that the sixteen conferences the mis-
sion was divided into less than a year
ago. have been reduced 10 twelve. This
change has thrown more territory into
each conference, so that now some
have as many as one hundred counties
with only five pair OF Elders 10 do this
work. When the fact that our Elders
travel without purse or scrip Is taxi
en- into consideration, and that thelt
only means OF travel is by walking, one
can readily see that our numbers are
not commensurate with the vast
amount Of work TO be ACCOMPLISHED.
The pleasing intelligence that comes
from Zion, that our numbers are 10 be
Increased by additional Elders. In the
near future. goes long way 10 bright
en- up this condition OF affairs. ana
make II possible for the Saints as we'll
as many an honest investigator to re
ceive a visit from the Elders, at least
once year.
Every daily mail brings with II let
tiers from many parts Of the missionary
field, requesting visit from the Elders.
They all contain the almost universal
question: "WheTe are the Elders We
haven't seen them fol nearly year?"
The weekly report from each confer
ence. showing the miles walked and the
families visited by each pair of Elders,
bears testimony that the reasons justl-
flying the asking OF the above question
are not furnished because the Elders
are derelict in their ministerial duties
but rather because the harvest Is
great and the laborers few" Many Of
these letters are from friends, not only
In name, but In very deed-men and
women who would willingly lay down
their lives for the Elders and the cause
they represent; men and women who
have done as much, II not more than
the Elders, in spreading the grand
truths OF the Gospel, because they have
made II possible through their hospital.
ity to the servants Of God. for the Cos
pei message 20 be delivered. Each OF
US have lahored among many such. ana
understanding the conditions as we do,
their peadings for visits from the Eli
them with a prayer for their future
betterment, and no wonder then. W.
hail with gladness the good news OF
more Elders coming
AT no time In the history Of the mis-
sion has there been so many investi-
gators Of the Gospel ana so many calls
Or baptism as al the present time.
Truly is the time fast approaching. n
60 IA Ion
the kingdom Of God Is preached. and
livery man presseth into H."
President Rich Is now making a toui
Of all the conferences where he win
meet the presidents Of the same, coun-
sci and advise with them regarding
matters pertaining 10 their respective
conferences and no doubt, one Of the
greatest problems he VIII have 10 wres-
tie with Is: How can We so arrange
the handful Of Elders in this stateso as
10 reach the greatest number OF those
who wish 20 be baptized7"
The health Of the Elders as a rule.
is and has been very good. Occasion
ally one or two are released on account
Of III health and az present We have
some few cases OF chills and fever. The
organization ~ the mission Is so com
plete that Elder Rich Is IN touch with
every Elder. He watches with a jealous
eye the health OF each, and the policy
Of the mission in this regard Is forci-
bly, expressed IN his own words; II
don't want to send any more Elders
home IN a box"
The News Is ever a welcome and
interesting visitor, and Is one mission
airy We don't want 10 see released.