SKETCHES OF MISSIONARY LIFE

BY EDWIN F. PARRY,

RECENTLY OF THE PRESIDENCY OF THE EUROPEAN MISSION,
CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS.
AUTHOR OF "A PROPHET OK LATTER DAYS," ETC.

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH: GEORGE Q. CANNON & SONS CO.
PRINTERS.
1899.

PREFACE.

The recital of incidnts in human experience is always interesting to the young, and such recitals, if of a proper character, may be listened to or read with profit as well as pleasure. Especially beneficial and interesting are stories of missionary life wherein the wonderful providences of the Lord are shown. They serve to awaken faith and strengthen confidence in God, and teach many valuable lessons.

The object sought in presenting this little work to the public is to supply fresh reading matter of a wholesome character to the youth of Zion; and it is issued with the hope that its contents may stimulate faith in the heart of the reader, and assist him in his efforts to become more useful in the Kingdom of God.

Most of the events and incidents herein related are of recent occurrence, and many of them were narrated to or came under the observation of the writer while engaged in missionary labors abroad. Salt Lake City, Utah, November, 1899.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

Character of Men Called as Missionaries

CHAPTER II.

First Temptation to Missionaries

CHAPTER III.

Providential Aid Received

CHAPTER IV.

Leaving Home—The Journey

CHAPTER V

Firt Experience in the Field

CHAPTER VI

Lack of Ability

CHAPTER VII

Miraculous Help from the Lord

CHAPTER VIII.

Presenting the Gospel to the People

CHAPTER IX

Discouraging Prospects—Pleasing Results

CHAPTER X.

Effect of Hearing the Gospel

CHAPTER XI.

Experiences in Holding Meetings

CHAPTER XII.

Divine Guidance and Protection

CHAPTER XIII.

Friends Raised up

CHAPTER XIV.

Signs that Follow Believers

CHAPTER XV.

Miscellaneous Experiences—Conclusion

Sketches of Missionary Life,

CHAPTER I.

CHARACTER OF MEN CALLED AS MISSIONARIES.

The manner of conducting missionary work by the Latter-day Saints is unique and marvelous; and the further one inquires into the details of the method the more wonderful it appears. The remarkable features of this work will be better understood when it is known how it is carried on, and what some of its results are.

At present the great majority of Latter-day Saint missionaries who are sent out into the world are young men, ranging upward from sixteen years of age. They are selected from all avocations of life. Some are farmers or farm-laborers, sheep herders or followers of other common occupations; some are mechanics or mechanics' assistants; others may be clerks, book-keepers, merchants or school teachers, while a very few are lawyers, doctors or other professional men. But many of them are so young that they have not begun to follow any regular pursuit. Some of the latter may have received a fair common-school or even collegiate education, while others are called from remote parts of the country, newly settled, and where the educational advantages are but meagre. None are trained especially for the ministry outside of what teaching they get at home, in the Sunday Schools, Church schools and Improvement Associations.

Generally when called, these young men are given only a short time for preparation before taking their leave of home—usually a few weeks, sometimes only a few days, and in some instances only one day. They are sent with the expectation of bearing their own expenses to their fields of labor, wheresoever they may be called, whether to the adjoining States or to the far off islands of the southern seas; to the sunny south or the dark and frozen regions of the Arctic circle. Except in countries where it is possible to carry on missionary labor "without purse and scrip," they are also expected to support themselves with their own means while away from home.

It is a notable fact that there are but very few young men called to take missions who decline to go; and very frequently men whose circumstances apparently might justify them in being excused accept the call, trusting in the Lord to overrule circumstances in their favor and thereby enable them to respond. Those who thus place reliance in the Lord are not neglected by Him. Invariably the way is opened for the accomplishment of the duty imposed upon them.

It is also remarkable how willing many young men are to accept the call to go out into the world to promulgate the Gospel, fully understanding that they are expected to preach in public as well as to teach in private, when in the majority of instances they have never made the first attempt at public speaking. Such willingness is an evidence of great trust and confidence in the help to be received from the Lord. In going out they may not all have a knowledge of the truth of the Gospel they go to advocate, but