| OCR Text |
Show -THE UTAH EVANGELTST.- <br><br> FROM MONTPELIER, IDAHO. <br> Editor* Evangelist*: <br> I saw in the Evangelist*, some time ago, an account of a Presbytery meeting at Romulus, N. Y., in which a list was given of missionaries sent from the Geneva Presbytery, and my name was mentioned as being in an unknown* field*. If I had been placed in Utah probably they would have had a clear idea of the work and field. <br> As in the political divisions of the earth, a boundary line does not always mark new modes, fields, or people, so in this mountain country being just over the line from Utah throws us into association with the same class of people which inhabit that country. The world ought to know that the influence generated there has spread and is daily spreading. But no; the East has no idea of the extent of this Mormon religion. Did they know that this whole western country is being filled with the incense and power of a curse greater than has ever existed in this glorious land, which we celebrate as a free land, would the churches idly sit with folded hands, and let this curse eat and spread, until this Union, which has been our pride and boast, shall become a loathsome object-a by-word? <br> Four months have I been at work in this beautiful valley; here we are encircled by the power of God in all His grand works of Nature; but O the great lack of all Christian influences. From March 2nd, I began meetings. The first ones were held in a little room in the house of a lady, who, though not a Christian, was interested in our work. On April 1st, I began school in my own house, which I rented. Since then I have held the Sunday School at 3 o'clock p. m., and prayer-meeting on Wednesday and Sunday evenings. <br> Only think of a prayer-meeting with only one to take part in it; in all this community not one to offer a prayer. But as many as 49 have come together at the precious little meetings, and often a hymn would be called for, such as "Nearer My God to Thee," or "Happy Day.["] At these meetings there is much singing, and though I do not advocate a lady's preaching, yet it might sometimes look like this in my own case, as I take my papers to read my thoughts-the earnest thoughts of a poor weak woman. But my heart is in all this; and, great a tax as it has been and is, on my mind and strength, in connection with my school work, I do not feel disposed to give up these meetings, twice a week. <br> I began school with 12 names upon my roll, and have since enrolled 50 all told. School will close one week after this, (July 18th.) <br> Probably one-half of my school are Mormons. I began with nothing in the way of school appliances. I bought my blackboard, and found nice desks; otherwise I had nothing to work with. <br> My Sunday School now numbers 25. <br> This is a railroad town of some size. A good congregation might be sustained,-and to think of these people living here without a word of gospel truth; Oh, would I had more power, more hands to do. But I will do all I can, and leave the rest with God. I wrote, when I first came here, to four very wealthy churches in my own vicinity at home, to put a few mites together, and send them to Mrs. Haines, to help on the work here, as we had no building. I received one letter from one pastor, the other pastors made no reply. Two of them are now abroad. O to think of the ease of the Eastern churches. I know some of them do much; but how little would they miss a few dollars, that might do so much good here. <br> Here I am alone (though not alone,) with only my brain and a few tracts. If we had an organ to help out the singing, how many might be benefitted. We sometimes have a great many good voices to sing Gospel Hymns, but with only a few books and no organ, we labor under great disadvantages. But I am happy to be here, and will work patiently, and trust the year will bring me more means to do a good work. <br> I must mention my little celebration, July 4th. As there was to be nothing in the town, the school resolved to have one. Four well packed wagon loads of us went into the canyon a mile from the settlement, found a bower which had been built for us, and had a very pleasant time. <br> FLORENCE E. BAKER. <br><br> CONVENTION AND PRESBYTERY. <br> EDITOR EVANGELIST: <br> Please allow me the following notice: <br> Teachers Convention will meet on Wednesday the 20th inst. at 8 P. M. at Springville. <br> Presbytery will meet on Friday the 22nd, at 8 P. M. <br> A full attendance is earnestly desired. <br> Arrangements have been made for the entertainment of seventy-five or eighty persons in private families and hotels. So much of this has been offered gratis* by the citizens that the expense of the balance, divided between all in attendance, cannot exceed fifty cents per day, each, and may not exceed thirty-five cents each per day. <br> We hope all will arrive on the first day and remain through the entire session of both the Convention and Presbytery. Our people will be disappointed if we do not have a grand time throughout. <br> Guests from the south by railroad will arrive at 4:17 P. M., there being but one train per day on the U. C. R. R. now. Conveyances will meet them at the station. <br> Those from the north are requested, as far as convenient, to take one of the D. & R. G. trains, which will deliver them at the center of town one or seven o'clock P. M. But if more convenient to come by U. C. R. R., conveyance will meet them at that station if notice is previously received by us. <br> We would be glad if all would notify us as early as possible of their purpose to attend. <br> GEO. W. LEONARD. <br><br> REV. MR. NEWELL AND CAMP MISSION. <br> The mission working force has met with quite an accession in the arrival of Rev. Harry A. Newell and wife to be identified hereafter with this work. Mr. Newell was formerly pastor of the Presbyterian church at Rock Island, Ill., and for the past two years has been connected with the flourishing church at Fargo, Dakota. <br> He will be associated generally with Dr. McNiece in the ministerial work in Salt Lake City, but his own special charge will be the West or Camp Mission, on Fourth West Street. The Home Mission Board has in that place a large lot and a good school house of two large commodious rooms, connected by a sliding partition. The length* of this house fronts the street eastward, and stands back far enough to admit of a good sized chapel in front. Or, if thought more desirable, the latter could be erected on some other part of the lot. The day school, started only last year, enrolled 115 names before the close of the fourth term, so that both teachers had fully as much as they could do. The Sabbath school, attended by young and old, averaged about fifty in numbers for the entire year. Altogether it is a good point. The people of that part of the city, though mostly Mormons, seem quiet and well disposed, and there is also a good sprinkling of Gentiles living around, mostly employes [sic] of the Denver and Rio Grande R. R., who might be reached by proper Evangelical influences. It is only a nucleus, but we trust that under Mr. Newell's moulding hand, and the blessings of Divine Providence, a good church may finally be built up here, and many souls be brought to Christ. <br> Mr. Newell had become greatly endeared to the people of Fargo, and he broke up many tender ties, and made many sacrifices pecuniarily [sic] and otherwise in coming to this field. But he feels that Providence called him to the work, and we trust that the hand of the Lord may be seen in his labors here. <br> We are also fortunate in having Mrs. Newell with us, whose well-known energy of character and success in Sabbath school, and other kind of work, will prove a great assistance to us. <br> We wish them both God speed. <br><br> ADVICE TO MOTHERS. <br> Are you disturbed at night and broken of your rest by a sick child suffering and crying with pain of Cutting teeth? If so, send at once and get a bottle of MRS. WINSLOW'S SOOTHING SYRUP FOR CHILDREN TEETHING. Its value is incalculabl [sic]. It will relieve the poor little sufferer immediately. Depend upon it mothers, there is no mistake about it. It cures dysentery and diarrhoea [sic], regulates the stomach and bowels, cures wind colic, softens the gums, reduces inflamation [sic] and gives tone and energy to the whole system. MRS. WINSLOW's SOOTHING SYRUP FOR CHILDREN TEETHING is pleasant to the taste, and is the prescription of one [of] the oldest and best female nurses and physicians in the United States, and is for sale by all druggists throughout the world. Price 25 cents a bottle. <br><br><br> * words are italicized <br><br> |
