Transcript

Transcript for Missionary reports, 1831-1900, MS 6104, Church History Library

21 June, 1880 Report of Missionary labors in Canada by Elder Wm H Seegmiller July 29, 1880 Richfield 21 June 1880 Presdt. A. K. Thurben Sever Stake of Zion Dear Bro By request of Apostle E. Snow, during his recent visit to the stake, I will endeavour to present to you, the condition and prospects of my Canadian field of missionary labor from where I returned on December last. In company with Bro Andrew. J. Carry we arrived in Canada on 15 of May 1879. Bro Carry becoming unwell he had to return to Utah before engaging in any public ministerial labor. For some time after his departure I visited my relatives (who number hundreds) and friends in the counties of Perth, Huron, Bruce and Waterloo and held public meetings where I had opportunity. My chief labor was devoted to dispelling prejudice which was very strong in the minds of the people. After labouring without any appar ent results untill August I babtised Wm Richens at Whitby Ontaroo co. A Branch of the church had existed here under the Presidency of Bro James Richens, but at the time of my visiting it was all broken up through Apostasy, but few remaing faithful. Leaving Whitby I journ eyed to Kingston, where after laboring 3 weeks, I rebabtised 1 Bro and 2 Sisters and Babtised into the church 3 Sisters and 2 Bros Appointed Jas Scott Presiding Elder. Bro Scott emigrated to Utah last winter leaving the branch in a demoralized state and the infant saints without a leader or teacher. From Kingston I returned to Park co at Stratford & Rebabtised 3 Brothers and Babtised John Sharwan Jr and wife, appointed Bro C. Davies presiding Elder. In company with Bro Sharman we visited his friends in Oxford Co, making a favorable impression on a Mr Bucher. I also visited New Hamburg Waterloo Co, at which place I found a circle of gentlemen, with How Samuel Merner one of the party who treated me and my religious views with great consideration, provided me with a hall to preach in free of chargse. Mr. Merner is a man of influence, who is thoroughly disgusted with the religions that obtain in that country. My Brotherinlaw – Andrew Heppler now a missionary too Switzerland was for years a foreman in the Merners Foundry and is much esteemed and inquired after by his many friends. I promised that I would use my influence to have Bro Heppler call on his returing from his Mission He has 3 Bros about Hamburg who are very anxious to have him visit them. I trust that the quorum of 12 apostles will direct Bro Heppler to call on his Canadian frends on his returning trip and thus enable me to keep faith with his friends and do the good which I think is prospec tive among his relatives and frends. I felt while leaving Hamburg that faithful labor would be rewarded in raising up a branch of the church and gospel seed could be sown which would yeild a harvest of Souls in that section of country. Prospects where so good that I felt sorry to be called to return home, so soon, the Spirit of my mission continued upon me untill last conference Since which time I have been so busy with farming and other labors that it has left me to some extent. My thoughts by day and dreams at night where about spreading the gospel in that country. My prayers are constantly for the few Saints there and the honest hearted who have not yet heard nor learned the glorious truths restored to man that gleaners may continue to labor there untill the honest are gathered home. I am respectfully your Bro in the gospel covenant Wm H Seegmiller