The Lehi banner. [volume] (Lehi, Utah) 1891-1917, 1906-03-22
JOHN s. EVANS
Writes an Interesting Letter
About His Missionary
Labors.
Kopu, New Zealand, Feb. IL, 1905.
EDITOR OF BANNER,

Lem, JUAN.
Dear Sir:-Having received number
Of copies Of your paper, since laboring
in this foreign land among strangers, /
assure you that it gives me much pleas
ure TO read the news, find recorded in
same. ] feel to thank you and all, who
are connected with the paper, for the
kindness you have shown towards me
by sending me your paper.
Thinking perhaps II would he inter-
esting TO the readers OF The BANNER TO
hear from the New Zealand mission,
and having spent two years in the mis-
zion aud principally among the Maori
people, it aiords me much pleasure in
writing you concerning my mission and
missionary experiences In Maori land
As have said, had spent two years
among the Maoris, and can say truth.
fully that | am iujoying ny labors
among them. have been pleased with
enough of their language to preach the
Gospel unto them in their language
which ain thankful to our Heavenly
Father for
The first nine months OF nv mission
spent In the Maikato District, where
Bro. Francis Kirkham spent most of his
mission. find Bro. Kirkham made an
impression among the Maori people
that is surpassed by few, IL any. After
spending nine months in said part was
transferred TO the Manraki and lauranga
Districts Of which was appointed pre-
eiding Elder. We elders labcring
among the Maori people live right with
them, eat their food and sleep at their
homes. We lind by doing so we are en-
abed to do much more with them than
some other denominations that hold
themselves above the Natives. / had
the privilege OF attending our annual
conference which was held IL and ~
inst. There were present at the con-
ference twenty-five Elders OF Zion, this
being about one nalf Of the number OF
Elders in the mission besides two Sisters
from Zion, who are doing missionary
work among the Maoris. Tiers were
about 800 people in attendance at the
conference. The gospel was preached
in power and plainness unto those who
had assembled themselves together for
the occasion. Many OF the Elders and
Saints bore strong testimonies TO the
truthfulness OF the gospel and to the
divinity Of the mission OF Joseph Smith.
We Elders travel from village to village
explaining the gospel wherever oppor-
tunity permits We are highly respected
among the Maoris and dare say there
isn't another race OF people on the face
OF the earth that surpass the Maori
people for hospitality and love towards
their fellow men. Time aud space will
not permit Inc TO give an account OF
their customs, however the most oil
them are pretty well civilized and a good
many OF them are living in mansions
NllH llc uutct hluu VI iuIHltuTts Ae
people they are apt in learning, for
some OF the smartest men in New Zea-
aud are to be found among the Maoris.
We have about 5000 followers among
the Natives. The annual report for the
year ending 1905 shows 1874 baptisms
and 1870 children blessed, making an
average OF about 3ye members for eacl
Elder laboring in the mission. We are
going to hold another conference be-
ginning April 9th. My companion and
l are going TO walk TO conference dis
lance OF $50 miles and do missionary
work as we go. Thanking you again
for your paper. will close with kind
regards to all.
Yours, etc, etc,
John s. Evans,