Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-15

asked OF MIN he Is required TO drop his
own affairs. or leave them in the hands
of friends and devote himself exclusively,
or so far as Is necessary. to the duties TO
which he has been assigned OF course
the members of the presidency take into
consideration the circumstances and con-
ditions Of the person concerned. They
would not ask poor man to spend
money he did not have: they would not
assign an ignorant man to duties that
require learning; they invariably exer-
else good Judgment and shrewdness ia
the selection of their agents: but any
member of the church is liable to he
called upon at any time to do what he is
capable of doing, and to ask no ques-
lions.
Church's Field Worldwide.
The other day I was talking with the
father OF two young men who have been
suddenly and Unexpectedly ordered to
Europe missionaries. He explained To
me that the church was carrying on a
propaganda in every corner of the earth.
and In the islands of the sea: that there
| is scarcely civilized country in which
Mormon missionaries are not stationed.
converting the people to the doctrines
taught by Joseph Smith, and organizing
churches. These missionaries not
necessarily immigration agents, although
they encourage such converts to go to
Utah as will be likely to promote the
prosperity of the state and the church.
These missionaries are laymen, who
| support themselves by their own labor.
very often by the humblest kind OF toll.
although some professional men and peo-
pie of wealth are stationed i'm Europe and
other countries. They do not appear in
the guse of missionaries but they first
cultivate the good will Of the community
in which they live. and, having gained
the confidence of their neighbors. tactful-
ly call their attention to the doctrines of
the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter
Day Saints. and furnish them with eN-
planatory reading matter.
This gentleman's sons had been educat-
ed In the classics, the applied sciences
| and modern languages, and he expected
one OF them to go into business and the
other to practice profession. But last
summer they were called to the temple
at Salt Lake City, and there subjected
to examination which continued for
several days. They were then excused
and told to return to their homes
few weeks later they received notice to
be ready to sail for Europe on or before
a given date, and were informed that
further instructions would be given them
upon their arrival at a certain city. They
gave up their careers. promptly and
cheerfully, and began preparations for
departure. Their passage had been en-
gagged and they expected to sail about
week in advance of the limit assigned
them.
Their Destination Unknown.
Their father said that when they reach
ed the city named they would report to
a gentleman who had a general SUPER
vision of European missions, and kept the
first presidency informed of the progress
and requirements of the work. He had
authority to assign the young men to
whatever place he considered most de-
sirable, and there they would take up
their residence permanently until they re-
ceived further instructions. They would
find their own employment and support
themselves, and as opportunity offered
would the seeds of the doctrines
taught by Joseph Smith and Brigham
Young among their acquaintance. Both
of the boys might be assigned to the
same place: he hoped that would be the
case, but 1t would not be proper for him
to request 1t. They might be given letters
they might be sent into cities or towns
where the Latter Day Saints were un-
known. Then they would have to begin
entirely new. and make their own way.
There was term of service In such
cases. The boys might remain In Eu-
rope indefinitely; they might be trans
ferred at any time; or they might be re-
called home. and allowed to return to
their chosen occupations That would be
decided by the presidency without applt-
cation. recommendation or advice.
The boys seem to be very cheerful about
their missions. They are going to cross
the sea to new country and meet with
adventures and experiences which may
be novel and exciting. They are buoyant
with hope and courage and zeal, ana
eager to accomplish something for the
good and the glory of the church.
They thought 1t strange that I should
ask why they were not given salaries or
at least an allowance to cover their ex-
penses. They explained that such thing
is never done: that Mormon missionaries
always pay their own way and were glad
to do so, and when some one remarked
that he feared the missionary forces
of other denominations would be very
limited under similar circumstances they
answered:
''Our young men are always ready and
glad to go on church work and pay their
own expenses
The future of these young evangels will
depend upon the manner in which they
conduct themselves in the performance Of
the first duties that have been required
Of them. The career of every promising
young man is carefully watched by the
hierarchy, and he is assigned to the work
that he is best qualified for. The organ
ization Is not SO large, but 1t is quite as
perfect as that of the Vatican, and the
first presidency has as much authority
as the pope.
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