they were without a second suit to their backs, for the mob in Missouri had taken nearly all he had. On the 17th Sister Mary Ann Young got a boy to carry her up in his wagon to my house, that she might nurse and comfort Brother Brigham to the hour of starting.

"September 18th, Charles Hubbard sent his boy with a wagon and span of horses to my house; our trunks were put into the wagon by some brethren; I went to my bed and shook hands with my wife who was then shaking with a chill, having two children lying sick by her side; I embraced her and my children, and bade them farewell. My only well child was little Heber P., and it was with difficulty he could carry a couple of quarts of water at a time, to assist in quenching their thirst.

"It was with difficulty we got into the wagon, and started down the hill about ten rods; it appeared to me as though my very inmost parts would melt within me at leaving my family in such a condition, as it were almost in the arms of death. I felt as though I could not endure it. I asked the teamster to stop, and said to Brother Brigham, 'This is pretty tough, isn't it; let's rise up and give them a cheer.' We arose, and swinging our hats three times over our heads, shouted: 'Hurrah, hurrah for Israel.' Vilate, hearing the noise, arose from her bed and came to the door. She had a smile on her face. Vilate and Mary Ann Young cried out to us: 'Good by, God bless you.' We returned the compliment, and then told the driver to go ahead. After this I felt a spirit of joy and gratitude, having had the satisfaction of seeing my wife standing upon her feet, instead of leaving her in bed, knowing well that I should not see them again for two or three years."

Usually missionaries go to their fields of labor in small companies, and after the acute pangs of parting with loved ones are somewhat assuaged they enjoy their travels. The new scenes constantly coming within view help to divert their minds from the thoughts of home. If they have a long distance to travel to reach their destination, and especially when they have to cross the ocean, they find time to seriously consider the nature of the duty before them. Then they begin, if they have not done so before, to realize the necessity of depending upon the Lord for guidance and aid.

If they have to cross the great deep and should they become sea-sick they are liable to feel that their troubles are increasing in number and severity; but if their sea-sickness is of an extreme type it banishes all other troubles. They have no hope nor fear of the future and the past is entirely forgotten. All they can think of is the awful present. The more severe their sickness the sooner it is ended, and their recovery is so rapid that it causes astonishment, and they wonder how it was possible for them to feel so ill through such a trifling cause. In a few days nothing is left of the dreadful sensation but a recollection as of an unpleasant dream.

CHAPTER V.

FIRST EXPERIENCE IN THE FIELD.

The excitement or the interest of travel generally keeps up one's spirits while on the way; but soon the journey is at an end. Arriving at the headquarters of the mission to which they have been appointed, the missionaries are assigned to various conferences or fields of labor. During the short time they have traveled together they have become quite attached to each other. They appreciate one another the more through being alike newly separated from near friends and traveling through strange lands among strange people. It is another affecting experience to part from traveling companions; and when each one finds himself singly cast among strangers, or rather among new friends, he is for a little while lonesome. If he allows himself to take a cheerless view of the situation he may feel somewhat home-sick; and if he makes no effort to cast aside his gloomy thoughts he will soon be feeling extremely unhappy. He can encourage this feeling until it becomes a serious malady that can only be cured by the most heroic treatment, or else have the cause removed by a far less heroic method—that is by returning home at once. On the other hand, if the newly-arrived missionary fully determines to go to work immediately, to become familiar with the labor before him, to get acquainted with the people, and make himself at home among them, and take advantage of every circumstance that surrounds him, he will soon feel contented so far as personal comfort is concerned.

Although people are inclined to regard it as a trifling ailment, and extend no sympathy for those who suffer with it, homesickness is a very serious affliction. It is even fatal in some instances. A soldier of a Massachusetts regiment is reported to have died in Cuba recently through homesickness. Fortunately there are remedies for the complaint in cases where missionaries are attacked with it. The most effective remedy is for the one afflicted to go to work at once upon his missionary labors. He may meet with rebuffs, but such experience will be just what is needed to dispel the feeling of home-sickness and to inspire him with a determination to battle against discouragement.

A young man who lately returned from the mission field related that when he first arrived in his place of labor he felt symptoms of home-sickness. He determined to shake off the feeling at once, and went out to deliver tracts and seek to get Gospel conversations with the people. The first man he met opposed him and used considerable abuse. This treatment aroused him to put forth efforts to defend the cause he represented as well as his own character, for both were attacked. It also furnished a favorable opportunity for doing so, as the man made charges which he felt fully able to refute. The young man did not retaliate with abuse, but patiently and in a kindly spirit undertook to set the truth before his misinformed opponent. His pleasant manner and humble spirit conquered his antagonist and made him a lasting friend. The missionary received a standing invitation to his house, and besides this the gentleman who first opposed afterwards, with his family, attended meetings and they all became interested in the Gospel. The missionary continued his active efforts and had no more feelings of home-sickness. He subsequently became one of the most energetic and successful workers in the field.

Quite a number of missionaries who at first have become somewhat discouraged, and partially made up their minds to return home, have had dreams just at the critical time, and have been influenced thereby to continue in the field. They have dreamed that they had returned home without fulfilling their mission. The humiliation and chagrin they experienced in their dreams appeared so real that they have thereby had their minds changed by it, and once more determined to continue their efforts.

There have been instances where missionaries have returned home on account of home-sickness, but almost invariably they have felt dissatisfied with themselves until they have returned to their fields of labor and made a more successful effort to fill a mission.

It sometimes occurs that a missionary goes to his field of labor with a misapprehension of the nature of the work. Returned Elders in reporting their labors abroad often speak of the success they met with, and of the opportunities and needs there are for missionary work in the world. In listening to such reports a person sometimes gets the idea that those who go out as missionaries will find people anxiously waiting for them, and ready to receive their message. A missionary soon learns that such is not the case, and sometimes feels that it is only a waste of time for him to remain and try to do anything. How frequently has the remark been made by a newly arrived missionary, "Why, I could do more good at home than I am doing here!" But he soon discovers that to gain success he must work for it. If the people will not come to him, he finds that he must go to them. He must awaken an interest in the message he bears, and