Dear Bretheren; Permit me
to greet you again with a "Happy New Year," which I am
pleased to say we are enjoying here, and I am pleased
to hand you herewith Report of our doings in the Eastern
States Mission during the past year; both of Church and
Financial affairs.
The Elders in this Mission are generally well in health,
and are enjoying their labors in the Ministry. Many friends
are being made: places are being a pencil for holding meetings
in doors more abundantly than heretofore, and numbers
of persons are expressing themselves quite satisfied with the
Gospel requirements. It is reported to me that quite a
number of persons would commence a new life with this
"New Year" day by being Baptized.
During the past year much time has been employed visiting
among the people, distributing tracts, and thereby much prej-
udice has been removed, and the first thereof is now ripening.
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The Elders of this Mission, now numbering 27 in all,
are mostly engaged in the States of New York and in Pennsylvania, with only two in Rhode Island, and one
in Maine. The northern parts of the Mission in winter are
so severe as to almost entirely prevent travel among the
people, and it has been thought advisable to locate near
populous parts of the mission, where winter would least
interfere with the Elders in getting among the people.
At a late Conference of the Elders held at Scranton, they
were found to be so distributed as to anticipate succesful
labors for the wintery season, quite as well as the summer.
The removal of Mission HeadQuarters last July from 48 Lands St
to 50 Concord St was a change of considerable advantage to the
Mission, as well as much more desirable for an Office, and
place of meeting; also, for more comfortable as a residence,
with room to accomodate calling Elders with Lodgings, saving
to them Expensive Hotel Bills, &c
A few competent Elders of Experience in Missionary work would
greatly aid and encourage the many inexperienced who are
already here. The accompanying Sheets will furnish you
statistical information of additions, removals, and of
the Missions finances, &c.
By waiting to this date I had hoped I had hoped
to receive full reports of Elders up to close of the year,
but I will wait no longer, lest financial matters be wanted.
There are no wealthy members of the Church in
this mission, and when those who work by the day pay their
tithing, it seems all they can well do. Only two persons pay regular monthlydonations for the mission, and their names
do not appear on the tithing list. Other small donations
are made by parties as convenient to them.
Of Church matters, such as No. Baptized & received,
children blessed, number Emigrated &c. with Report of Elders
labors, I will forword soon, when delayed reports are received.
I feel truly thankful to Our Heavenly Father for His
blessing attending the Mission work and for the pleasing
prospects of the future which are growing brighter daily.
At a "Mission Hall" in this City, I am invited to preach
when ever I can put in an appearence. Meetings are held nightly.
I have been several time in attendance, and spoken with the
Minister's apparent appreciation—always saying—"Come again."
Praying heaven's blessings ever to attend you my dear
bretheren, and the cause to which your watchcare is given.
Very favorable report. Should be acknowl-
edged kindly and placed on file. The
Tithing reported, should be appropriated
to the uses of the mission and the donors
receive their proper credits. J. F. S.
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Tithing paid in "Eastern States Mission"
for 1896.