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OFFICE OF SOUTHERN STATES MISSION CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS.
P.O. BOX 103.
Chattanooga, Tenn.,
President Wilford Woodruff Salt Lake City Utah
Dear Brother:—
Enclosed you will please find the semi annual report of this mission ending Feby 28th
A number of the brethren of the different conferences are now in new fields and are making fair progress. Others will be instructed to follow, as their present fields cease to yield more fruit and thus we hope to give all people an opportunity of hearing the sound of the Gospel.
No serious trouble has attended the labor of the Elders during the past winter, but just now the situation is becoming quite stained in some places. The cause of which I attribute to the fact of our approaching emigration. The Elders will be instructed to use and excerise the greatest care to avoid any difficulty with the people.
I have just had a circular letter printed, a copy of which you will find enclosed, and will have them distributed among the brethren. I trust it will meet your approval and have a tendency to encourage the brethren in the labor before us
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OFFICE OF SOUTHERN STATES MISSION CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS.
P.O. BOX 103.
Chattanooga, Tenn., 188[9]
A company of Saints will leave here tomorrow evening for different parts of Zion. They will number about 175. I shall accompany them through and after seeing them located will continue on to Salt Lake City, where I shall be pleased to receive whatever instructions you may have for me. A number of Elders will also accompany the Saints, their places having been filled by the party of seventeen who arrived here safely on Saturday morning.
On the first of the month I visited at his field of operations the man whom we have employed to work up this case of Elder Richards dissapearance. Nothing definite has been reached as yet, but he is gradually following his clue's up and is quite hopeful of success. I expect to hear from him before I leave concerning a trip he was to make after I left him and should there be anything of importance I will communicate it to you.
I am feeling quite well as regards my labors my greatest desire being to labor successfully for the Cause of God and I pray to be strengthened and blessed to this end
I am exceedingly gratified to learn of your freedom as also that of Pres Cannon and praying for your continued health and prosperity
I am Your Brother in the Gospel William Spry
No answer
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Office of SOUTHERN STATES MISSION. Chattanooga, Tenn., March 1st, 1889.
To the Presidents of Conferences and Traveling Elders:
DEAR BRETHREN:—We deem it prudent to address you a few words of encouragement and instruction, that a general understanding may be had throughout the mission, of the labors before us.
During the past year a reasonable amount of success has attended our labors in proclaiming the gospel and in gathering Israel home to Zion. Our prospects for the future are bright and encouraging and, through a strict attention to duty, we hope to accomplish much good among the people with whom we are laboring.
As the milder weather approaches, those who are laboring in fields that are worn out will find it advantageous to move away in search of other communities where their testimonies will be received. In doing so, however, it will be well for you to follow the direction of the Spirit, that you may be led to those who are willing to hear. In our ministrations among the differ- ent classes of people, it should be borne in mind that it is a duty we owe to our fellow men to respect them in their religious be- liefs and customs. We are not sent out to tear down the religions of the day, for we allow all men to worship God according to the dictates of their own conscience, but to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and grant the people the right to decide as to which they shall accept or reject. In going into new localities, you will find prejudice existing against you to a greater or less extent, which must be removed before you can make progress. This cannot be accomplished immediately, but will take a reasonable length of time; and your course should be pursued with care and in such a manner as to call forth the respect of the people. If any speak evil of you, let your lives be such that no one will believe them. It is not advisable for the Elders to wander through the country without any apparent aim or object, but that they canvass the different sections thoroughly and, "when ye enter into a city or town, inquire who in it is worthy and there abide till ye go thence."
Where it is practicable, Branches of the Church and Sunday-schools should be organized, and maintained with suitable men to preside over them. that the Saints and their children can meet together as often as possible and be instructed in the principles of the gospel; that their knowledge and faith may be increased.
The spirit of gathering should be kept alive in the homes of the saints, and they be encouraged to make unceasing efforts to gather to the place designated by the Almighty, where they can learn more of His ways and assist in building up His King- dom. As you have been advised in a former circular, there are good facilities for those emigrating to secure homes in Arizona and with a climate much more congenial to them than that of Colorado. The Saints should as far as practicable emigrate to that Territory.
We again assert that we have no funds on hand to assist in the emigration of the poor, and suggest that the Elders take particular pains to so inform the Saints, that there may be no misunderstanding on the subject.
We still have an abundance of free reading matter on hand, and are particularly desirous of getting it in circulation; hence, we should be glad to have the names and addresses of prominent citizens sent to us that we may mail it away. We are, also, in a position to furnish tracts at a comparatively low rate, and you will find such matter of great assistance in removing false impressions from the minds of the people. The "Weekly Deseret News," can also be secured at $2 per annum and this too will exercise a most salutary influence.
As the summer months approach, the greatest of care should be taken of your health, that a repetition of our bitter experience during the past summer and fall may be avoided. Where the Elders are laboring in low, malarial districts, they should remove to a more elevated and healthful locality, and free themselves of any sign of disease that may have fastened itself upon their systems; and seek, as far as circumstances will permit, to take only such food and exercise as will be most conducive to health. In connection with this matter, we desire to have it distinctly understood by all the brethren that, should any of them become affected in any way, we are particularly desirous of having them acquaint us with the true situation, and, if necessary they shall be returned home at once; as we have no desire whatever to retain Elders in the mission when their health will not permit of their remaining. There are some whose intense desire to fill their mission, causes them to remain silent as to their physical condition, and who will remain in their fields to suffer and perhaps to die. The motive may be a noble one, but it allows zeal to overcome judgment and had better be moderated sufficiently to permit reason to teach us that good and valiant men are too scarce to part with their lives unnecessarily.
Great care should be taken to avoid undue excitement during the summer months, too many meetings should not be held, and the Elders should strive in every way to avoid any unpleasant contact with the people. We are not here to make enemies, but friends, and to do so, our manner and bearing toward them should be such that no exception could be taken. Should persecution arise, however, you will seek to protect yourselves as best you can. You are not required to place your lives in jeopardy, but, "If they persecute you in one city, flee ye to another." Owing to the sparsely settled country, and the dangers beset- ting our pathway, it is not deemed advisable for elders to travel alone; and when circumstances separate two of them, the one remaining should seek the protection of friends until he is joined by a companion.
Care should be taken in officiating in the different ordinances of the gospel, particularly that of baptism, and under no circumstances should an individual be taken into the water unless he is sincere in his professions. It is just as possible for a "generation of vipers," to apply for baptism at the hands of the servants of God to-day, as it was in the days of John and equally as necessary that, "fruits meet for repentance," be required at their hands.
The situation of affairs at home is still somewhat strained. The hand of oppression rests upon the people, and those of the opposing power seem determined in their efforts to overthrow the Cause of God and their appears to be but little prospect for immediate relief. Still, by the assurances of the Spirit, we can see through the gloom and observe a bright future before those who remain firm and steadfast to the cause, and eventually Zion will arise, as the sun, in all her splendor and continue to grow and spread until she covers the earth and all nations shall pay homage to her. In the meantime let us remember the trust committed to our care and acquit ourselves like men, honoring the priesthood conferred upon us, living lives worthy the name we bear, and performing our duties in a manner that will redound to the glory of God and the establishment of His Kingdom here on earth. Asking God to bless and protect you and crown your labors with success, I remain,
Your Brother in the Gospel,
WILLIAM SPRY.