メリディアン

日本語

帰還宣教師から

From Returned Missionaries

Alma O. Taylor's Journal Excerpts-3

戻る(Return)

.

Accordingly I went back to the room in the hotel, expecting to find the brethern there, but they were not. Thinking however that they would soon return I sat down and addressed a letter home. While writing Bro Grant came in and said that they had met 12 or 15 Elders who had just completed there conference and that they were going to have a group picture taken and desired us to appear in it.

I told Bro Grant that I had come back to have him and the other two go back to the hospital with me for the purpose of administering to my friend. But as the Elders were already waiting for us, at the photographers, I went with Bro Grant and we were given the dignity of the central position in the picture. Among the .Elders whom I met was Bro A.H. Lindquist of Logan, Utah, Elder Elijah Hiatt, of Parker, Idaho, Elder W.J. Clark of Bingham Co, Idaho, and Bro Sims of Salt Lake City. The first three named gave me their photographs and in return I presented not only to them, but to all the Elders my Japanese Card.  

The Elders were very happily surprised in meeting with Apostle Grant and his companions and before leaving the photograph gallery it was decided to hold a street meeting that evening so that an oppertunity could be had of hearing Bro. Grant and of having the people who might stop and listen hear him.  

Apostle Grant, having some letter writing to do, was unable to go out to the hospital but Bros Kelsch, Ensign & myself took the car and after a fifteen minute ride we arrived at the cottage where Sister Frost was staying. We administered to her in the name of the Lord and encouraged her to live in faith and hope so as to merit the fulfillment of the promises made.  

According to arrangement we met the Elders on the street and opened our meeting on Adler between 3 rd and 4 th Streets. We sang two hymns, and had prayer, sang again, and succeeded in drawing a large crowd.  

This was a new and novel experience for me, one which was indeed funny, but I felt quite easy; thinking of course that Apostle Grant would be the speaker of the evening. When he called on Bro Kelsch to lead out I began to shake for fear that I would be captured next, (as I stood next to Elder Kelsch) and before Bro Kelsch had concluded his talk my knees were clashing to-gether and my mind was floundering around trying to settle on something to say but in vain. My impressions were correct and I became the next victim. I took off my hat stepped into the middle of the ring and began to speak. What I said, I do not know; How I said it, was a mystery; and the amen came as a relief, bringing me to a realization of the position I occupied, and giving me a consolation in the thaught that it was over.

Bro Ensign followed me speaking on the necessity of Faith and works. Following him, Bro Grant spoke with great force for 20 minutes on the divinity of the mission of Joseph Smith. He created a great interest and started which resulted in considerable favorable comment on the part of the audience. Leaving the Elders we went to the depot and took the 11 o'clock train for Seattle & Vancouver.