Dear Brother in responce to the call I Rec'd
July 31st for a call ^mission^ to the Southeran States I will say that
under my present financial circumstances I do not think
that I could go and do Justice to my mission or the
Church of Jesus Christ with my mind on a mortgaged
Home and the indebtedness which I have become
some considerably involved in. I do not think that Pres-
ident Stokes fully understood my position when he
sent my name in to headquarters
now while do not wish ^to be^ forgotten in ^the^ missionary
labor my feelings are that ^I^ shoud leave to my wife and little one a Home free from mortage at least
therefore I ask for an extension of time. I have
neglected writing thinking I might be able to fix
my buisness up but the time is drawing nigh when
I should start
I remain as ever your Brother in
the Gospel, Orlando Merrill
Give him what time he needs to fix
his affairs, and when ready he
can report. J. F. S.