Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1905-12-30

cult TO learn. Even the losses we may
have sustained, through death Or sick
ness. or various other causes. add to
that will be Of future benefit. And 50.
we gladly acknowledge the hand Of the
Lord in all things.
To the Latter-day Saints It is a
source of great satisfaction to know
that the work of the Lord is continual
ly growing throughout the world.
There are now In the neighborhood Of
number is too small for the demand.
From all parts OF the world come re-
quests for more laborers. Thousands
desire to hear the Gospel explained,
who cannot be reached by our Elders.
Numerous baptisms have been reported
during the year. though there has been
no special excitement in any part of
the field. South Africa Is opening up
to the Gospel. From Cape Colony II Is
spreading northward, to the interior,
thus reaching class OF people to
which II has not formerly been sent In
Belgium very good progress Is made;
also In the Scandinavian countries. and
in other parts, and the year has been
one of marked missionary progress.
According to the reports received
from all parts OF the field, II Is safe to
say that the anti Mormon" agitation.
though deplorable for the sake OF those
engaged in It, has had the opposite ef-
feet to that intended by It's orig!nators.
IT has IN many instances been the cause
of opening doors to the Elders, that
otherwise would have been closed. 1t
has aroused ne curiosity OF many and
induced them to inquire. That Is tho
report from nearly every mission.
At home the Saints have been great
" blessed In their Sabbath meetings,
their quorum meetings, and their con-
ferences. quarterly, and mi-annual.
These last gatherings especially have
been more numerously attended than
ever In the history OF the Church, and
they have been characterized by a
spirit of brotherly love and unity, and
the outpouring of the Holy Spirit The
Authorities of the Church have the un-
divided confidence and support OF the
Saints This Is also shown IN the
amount OF free-will offerings in the
form Of tithing and other donations,
these being in the aggregate larger, Il
is believed. than any previous year.
The faith OF the Latter-day Saints who
endeavor TO live in the light OF the Cos
pei OF the Redeemer, Is growing strong
or. and their testimony IL becoming
ever more firmly established.
The raising and dedication OF a mon
ument to the memory OF the Prophet
Joseph Smith on the spot where he was
born, Is one of the memorable events
OF the year. 1t will stand there as a
testimony to the fact that n Prophet
was raised up 20 this generation--a
martyr, who sealed his testimony with
his own blood. IL II a witness In stone
20 the restoration Of the Gospel IN this
age, as we'll as tribute of love from
the Saints TO the memory Of that ser
want Of the Lord. u very well typl-
fies the progress of the Church from
the beginning to the present time.
The past year does not present very
many striking features In the ecclesias-
teal world. but there are some. One Of
these Is the agreement Of representa-
tives OF over thirty religious bodies
of America to recommend the forma-
ton of federal council. to meet in
1905 and to speak and net for those
bodies on matters that may be brought
before II Undoubtedly, the suggestion
will be carried out, for II appears en-
tirely feasible. IL differences IN creed
are overlooked, ana then we will have
vast religious organization in this
country formed for the purpose Of ex-
ertlng it's influence on public life IN
every direction.
One OF the leading features OF the
year was a so-called evangelistlc move
ment. Great excitement was looked
for IN several places In the United
States, and some remarkable reyivals
we're reported from Wales and from
some OF the larger English cities. But
on the whole the religious excitement
did not assume the proportions expect
ed, and some are still looking for fur.
Their rcvivals next year.
The membership growth OF the sec
tartan churches Is reported somewhat
more encouraging than for some OF the
preceding years. Still the results do
not seem to correspond TO the enor-
nous energy spent in that direction.
Among those who are reporting
marked increase are the so-called
Disciples, the Lutherans. vhe Episco-
pallans. the Roman Cathoiics tho pras