Letter from Jonathan Golden Kimball, 30 June 1894
Written for this Paper.
SOUTHERN STATES MISSION.
Following is the report of the
Southern States mission, made to
President Wilford Woodruff, by Elder
Kimball:
Having finished my labors in the
Southern States, I desire to make a
written report, trusting that it will be
satisfactory and meet with your ap-
proval.
The mission is in excellent condi-
tion, and in no other time since 1877
has there been as good an opportunity
for proselyting. There are 126 effici-
ent Elders laboring in the South, and
they are the best qualified laborers
the mission has ever had at any one
time. There is not a sick Elder at
present writing.
We find that about twelve per cent
of the Elders are honorably released
on account of sickness. Brethren over
forty years old, in almost every in-
stance are released on account of ill
health before the two years expire, and
we can only remember of one man of
that age remaining that long.
The 126 Elders are laboring in 63
counties. During the three years that
I have presided 98 counties have been
systematically canvassed, from house
to house, village to village, and city to
city. Said counties are closed, for the
present at least.
There are 1,150 counties in the
twelve Southern States, with a popula-
tion of between sixteen and seventeen
million people. By a great deal of
hard work we have ascertained that
371 counties have been labored in to
some extent since 1877, and during
that time 877 Elders have labored in
the South. By this we conclude that
not one-third of the people ever heard
the Gospel.
The last quarterly report shows that
we have a total of 1,859 members,
twelve branches and six Sunday
schools.
The following report will give an
[i]dea of the labors of the mission from
Jan. 1st, 1894, to April 30th, 1894:
Pairs of Elders walked 42,194 miles.
Meetings held, 897. Families visited,
16,576. Refused entertainment (one
out of every five families), 3,211.
Baptisms (will increase to 300 or 350
during the year), 71. Tracts distrib-
uted, 22,359. This will complete my
report, and in conclusion I will state
that I am one hundred fold rewarded
for my labors, and thank you very
much for the good counsel and many
acts of kindness extended to me, all of
which I appreciate.
Elder Elias S. Kimball, my suc-
cessor, is now familiar with his duties.
The mission's finance is all right and
the debts all paid. At Chattanooga we
have many influential friends, and
find a most remarkable change in our
favor.
Ever praying for your welfare and
that of our brethren of the authorities.
I remain,
Your brother in the Gospel, etc.,
J. G. KIMBALL.
