| 551 from Minnesota, including the organization of a branch of twenty-one members in Goodhue County.
Elder E. Jasper, who was appointed on a mission to Holland, returned to his home in Nebraska City, Nebraska, and from there wrote, on November 18, giving an account of the difficulties to be met in Holland. 1
Under date of November 29, Elder W. W. Blair wrote from Malad, Idaho, of his arrival from California and Nevada, and of meeting Elders A. H. Smith, D. H. Smith, and E. C. Brand, and with them attending a conference at Malad. Of this meeting and conference Elder D. H. Smith wrote, under date of December 5, as follows:-
"I believe I have only baptized one since writing last in Salt Lake City. Cold, incurred by undue exercise of voice, and exposure, placed Alexander in the office of Apollos, so that he has the report on baptism to make.
"November 15, I preached my farewell sermon in the City of Saints; congregation very large, showing no slack in the interest manifested in our work there. The people were
1 Bro. Joseph:-I arrived here last week. I could not stay any longer in Holland, for I did not have money, and I could not find any man to assist me. I had to pay for every meal. The Brighamites overrun the country, so that "Mormonism" has become a reproach.
I think I did some good there, I traveled as much as possible. In Zaandam I convinced a little branch of from five to six families; some in Amsterdam, and some in Rotterdam, all very good people, but too poor to assist in the work. And then they have been oppressed and deceived so much by the Brighamites, that they will stay awhile by themselves and see how we get along. If an emigration fund could be established, I think after awhile a great work could be done there; but it requires some means to establish truth in that language. I brought two converts with me, a young man and his wife.
A Presbyterian preacher in Holland asked me if I could send him the history of Joseph; he would like to know the root of this work, and whether Joseph the Martyr was called of God to do this great work. He was anxious to know this through the printed word. He is a very honest man, and is just as well acquainted with the English as with the Holland language. I gave him several tracts and asked him if he would translate them as he got time. He promised me he would. Can you send me the history of Joseph, or any other work you think proper, then I will send it to him. This I promised him. I think it will do some good. I wrote Bro. J. W. Briggs from Liverpool. I rejoice in this glorious work, and in being in the midst of the saints.
Please greet the brethren in the office from me, and also yourself.
Your brother in the gospel,
E. JASPER.
-The Saints' Herald, vol. 16, pp. 372, 373.
(page 551) |
