| 706 of Twelve; and from that time on he labored in the missionary field according to appointments with which he was intrusted.
In 1892 in company with Gomer T. Griffiths he was assigned to the European Mission, where he spent about a year.
After his return to America he labored principally in the Western States, especially in what was known as the Colorado Mission, until the fall of 1899, when he offered his resignation as a member of the Quorum of Twelve, since which time he has disappeared.
So far as we know none of his family, nor his former friends or acquaintances, know of his whereabouts. The resignation was accepted by the Quorum of Twelve at the General Conference of 1900; presented to the conference which also accepted it. The resignation is as follows:
"The First Presidency and Quorum of Twelve, Dear Brethren: After carefully and prayerfully considering the matter, I have come to the conclusion that it will be for the best interest of the church and myself to withdraw from the Quorum of Twelve; so I hereby tender my resignation, and ask to be released. My reasons for this course can be briefly stated: For some time past my physical powers have been giving way and at times my mental powers seem to have been affected to a degree, that I fear a complete collapse at any time. I need absolute rest, and dare not attempt to engage in the work of the coming conference. There are others that are better adapted to that position than I am, and I feel that I may be standing in the way of abler and better men. I love the work and desire to see it prosper, and for this reason I desire to see the best men that the church can afford, stand in that Quorum. I therefore ask to be released therefrom, believing that the church and the work can be better served by some other man.
"May God continue to superintend and direct the work of the Quorum, not only in the coming session, but in all their work, until the Master comes, is the earnest desire and prayer of your brother,
J. W. GILLEN.
"KANSAS City, Missouri, November 13,1899."
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