Sketches of Missionary Life

by Edwin F. Parry

The missionary may meet with a similar reception at a number of places, but sooner or later he is almost sure to have the door closed in his face before he can deliver his message. This kind of treatment may cause his hopes to fall somewhat and his courage to fail him for a moment, but soon his determination is renewed, and his timidity vanishes. He may consider his first visit in tracting fairly successful. By introducing himself as a Latter-day Saint, or merely leaving the tract without further introduction, on his first visit he is looked upon as nothing less than a respectable gentleman.

By the time he calls with the second tract some of those who received the first will have read it, and without doubt were deeply impressed with the truth of its teachings; but learning later that the Latter-day Saints are the same people as are commonly called "Mormons," they refuse to investigate further or to have anything to do with such a people. Not because of their doctrines do they shun them, but on account of the prejudice which exists against the Saints. It is indeed astonishing to the young missionary to discover on his second visit how some of those to whom he handed tracts show their extreme contempt for him and the literature he is circulating. On seeing him at their doors they will at once go and get the tract left the week before, carrying it by one extreme corner, as if afraid of contamination, and push it out to him at arm's length, telling him to never come again to their door. Some have been known to carry the tracts back with a pair of fire tongs, in order to express more effectively their utter abhorrence of everything connected with "Mormonism."

Such are some of the unpleasant features of tracting. There is a bright aspect to this same avocation. The satisfaction of having performed a most important duty in the service of God gives joy to the heart, no matter how little encouragement one may receive from the people in his labor of tracting from door to door. But often through diligent and prayerful searching a missionary finds those who are willing to listen to his message and testimony, and his visits result in the conversion of precious souls to the great truths that lead to eternal salvation.

A young man who recently filled a mission in Great Britain, one day while distributing tracts felt impressed to call at a certain house, and present his message to the inmates. He obeyed the prompting, and was met at the door by the lady of the house. She listened to what he had to say and accepted the tract he offered, but showed no unusual interest in his message. The next time he was in the neighborhood delivering tracts he called again at this particular house. His reception this time was similar to the first one. He called again the third time, and still three more times without meeting with any further encouragement. He received no invitation to go in and converse upon the Gospel, still he retained the impression that there was someone there who would listen to his message.He called the seventh time, and his perseverance was rewarded with a request to enter the house. The husband was at home and was in a humor to talk upon religion. He had one request, however, and that was that the missionary confine his teachings to the scriptures, and prove his assertions from the Bible. He was acquainted with the scriptures, and was also aware that many professed teachers of the Gospel did not adhere to the word of God as taught in the Bible, hence his desire to hold the Elder to the scriptures. Of course this was just what the missionary desired, and it did not take him long to convince his friend that the doctrine he advocated was strictly scriptural. The result was the man and his family soon embraced the Gospel. It was what the man had been looking for. He had become dissatisfied with the creeds that he had before heard, and at the time the missionary called at his house he was praying for guidance that he might know what church to unite with.

CHAPTER IX.

DISCOURAGING PROSPECTS—PLEASING RESULTS.

It frequently happens that a missionary works until nearly discouraged before he discovers any fruits of his labors. A young man who labored as a missionary in Great Britain some few years ago had an experience of this kind. He and his companion had spent considerable time in one field. They had labored faithfully and earnestly, but saw no favorable result. At last the Elder prayed to know whether he should remain in the district longer or report to his president the apparent conditions and get an appointment to some other field. His prayer was answered by a dream wherein he was shown that there were a few persons in the district who would soon request baptism at his hands. He was much comforted and encouraged by this dream and related it to his companion. They both remained in their field of labor, and it was not long before several of those who had listened to their testimonies applied for baptism.

The missionary who faithfully, patiently and persistently continues his labors in the field assigned him is invariably rewarded for his efforts, as many a one can testify. He may not baptize many, but frequently he may be the means of bringing the truth to some honest soul who is ready to receive it with his whole heart. Where such is the case the Elder feels fully repaid for his work if no other result of his efforts is visible.

Some few years since another young missionary in Great Britain was sent to a certain district to labor, where the prospects were not so bright as desirable. He, however, continued earnestly and humbly to perform his duty in bearing testimony to the people. He was there for months without seeing any results. But eventually he was led to a family who believed his testimony and embraced the Gospel. This family proved to be most excellent people, and their influence and energy were the means of bringing others into the fold, and the branch which was almost lifeless before soon became a most lively and prosperous one. The missionary felt more than repaid for his labors when he saw how they had been blessed of the Lord.