SKETCHES OF MISSIONARY LIFE BY EDWIN F. PARRY, RECENTLY OF THE PRESIDENCY OF THE EUROPEAN MISSION, CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. AUTHOR OF "A PROPHET OK LATTER DAYS," ETC. SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH: GEORGE Q. CANNON & SONS CO. PRINTERS. 1899. PREFACE. The recital of incidents in human experience is always interesting to the young, and such recitals, if of a proper character, may be listened to or read with profit as well as pleasure. Especially beneficial and interesting are stories of missionary life wherein the wonderful providences of the Lord are shown. They serve to awaken faith and strengthen confidence in God, and teach many valuable lessons. The object sought in presenting this little work to the public is to supply fresh reading matter of a wholesome character to the youth of Zion; and it is issued with the hope that its contents may stimulate faith in the heart of the reader, and assist him in his efforts to become more useful in the Kingdom of God. Most of the events and incidents herein related are of recent occurrence, and many of them were narrated to or came under the observation of the writer while engaged in missionary labors abroad. Salt Lake City, Utah, November, 1899. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. Character of Men Called as Missionaries CHAPTER II. First Temptation to Missionaries CHAPTER III. Providential Aid Received CHAPTER IV. Leaving Home--The Journey CHAPTER V First Experience in the Field CHAPTER VI Lack of Ability CHAPTER VII Miraculous Help from the Lord CHAPTER VIII. Presenting the Gospel to the People CHAPTER IX Discouraging Prospects--Pleasing Results CHAPTER X. Effect of Hearing the Gospel CHAPTER XI. Experiences in Holding Meetings CHAPTER XII. Divine Guidance and Protection CHAPTER XIII. Friends Raised up CHAPTER XIV. Signs that Follow Believers CHAPTER XV. Miscellaneous Experiences--Conclusion Sketches of Missionary Life, CHAPTER I. CHARACTER OF MEN CALLED AS MISSIONARIES. The manner of conducting missionary work by the Latter-day Saints is unique and marvelous; and the further one inquires into the details of the method the more wonderful it appears. The remarkable features of this work will be better understood when it is known how it is carried on, and what some of its results are.