Africa but learned very little indeed of our own Territory and its neighbors; so, while knowing that the Snake River country lay somewhere within the bounds of space, I could form but a vague idea of what awaited me beyond the northern boundary of Utah. The combination of mountain heights and scenery of rugged grandeur, fertile valleys, farms, orchards, cosy country farm houses, with glimpses of lake of lake and river, and the marvels of Bear River Canyon, with its aweinspiring grandeur, causing the timid to shudder as they looked down into the roaring, seething river far below, and at whose immediate side we pass over dangerous looking trussel work and the huge pile of masonry over which runs the train. The tunnel of solid stone work on one side, one side, and the famous Bear River dam, and the wonderful tunnels blasted through the solid rocks of the mountain side, had all familiar grown; but after leaving Cache Junction I looked for something new, and found it in the wide expanse of barren as well as cultivated lands, with here and there a small town and log cabins, looking so lonely on large tracts of farming land. Oh how could I endure such isolation, I thought, as we flew by them, while their occupants, no doubt, could not enjoy the narrow confines bustling city. We passed the Blackfoot Reservation and trading post, and saw a few Indian wickiups, which sent us back in

of a

memory to the days when true Indian scares were the terror of my childhood. Our journey was enlivened by the pleasant company of Apostle J. H. Smith, and President C. O. Card of Canada, and I was highly amused with a conversation with two ladies traveling to Montana. It was their first experience in the wild West, and they had just had their first view of the red men as we passed the reservation. One of the ladies asked me if I had ever seen a red man before. On learning that I came from Salt Lake, she put her hand on my arm, and looking anxiously into my eyes, asked very earnestly, "But you are not a Mormon, are you?" The reply that I was born and reared one opened up a vely conversation, and I became an object of peculiar interest. proved to be the first real live Mormon that they had ever seen, and it was difficult for me to disCover which was the greater curiosity, myself or the Indian.

I had heard of similar experiences, but this was my first. The questions so eagerly asked, after obtaining permission to interview me, betrayed a woeful ignorance of our principles and people, and gave me greater charity towards a certain class who know not what they say or do when they use their influence to suppress Mormonism. Το them, in their ignorance, it really seemed wrong. They had heard that the Mormon women were the most virtuous on earth, and when

I explained our principles and teaching they did not wonder that our reputation was so good.

From this little incident you will see that all our missionary labor is not in meetings. At sundown we reached Eagle Rock, or what is now known as Idaho Falls, 240 miles north of Salt Lake City, where President Thomas E. Ricks and Bishop Thomas were awaiting our arrival. Owing to a ride of sixteen miles between us and Lewisville, our destination that evening, we were obliged to decline stopping for supper, prepared by Sister Thomas. We reached Our journey's end about ten o'clock, travel worn and weary, but received the kindest attention from Brother and Sister Myler and daughters, who entertained us for three days. Sister Myler is President of the Y. L. Association of Lewisville.

Saturday morning. morning found us refreshed after a good night's rest, with doors and windows wide open. Primary conference convened at 10 a. m., with a good audience of well dressed, bright, intelligent children eager for the exercises. The programme rendered showed good preparation. In addition to the presiding sisters of the Primary Association, we were delighted to see the presiding authorities, both Stake and local, on the stand.

This was one very encouraging proof that the interest of the children

was

near their hearts. Apostle Smith, Sister Horne and

myself spoke a short time to the children.

At 2 p.m. the R. S. conference opened with a full house, in a large, neat brick building, certainly a credit to the place. Sister Temperance Hinckley presided. The verbal and written reports showed the society to be in a very prosperous condition. It was suggested that every member of

the R. S. donate one bushel of wheat, after harvest, which will add 500 bushels to the good amount already stored.

Immediately after this meeting the Young Ladies' Conference opened, with Sister Ellen M. Ricks presiding, and all reports showed the young ladies to be alive to their spiritual interests. The brethren who spoke, heartily commended the sisters, both old and young, for their energy and under perseverance difficulties. Sister Horne gave the girls some good, practical, motherly counsel. She is well qualified to instruct all classes--a power necessary in visitors to the outer Stakes, where all are so eager for information.

Sunday morning the general Stake Conference convened, and all day we enjoyed the Spirit of God so bountifully poured out. We were politely invited to the stand on this occasion also. These people had gathered from all the surrounding settlements, some at a distance of fifty or seventy-five miles, and the modious house was entirely too

com

or

army of

small. This was in happy contrast to some of the Stakes with much greater advantages of travel. Some of the sisters came on horseback, and one delightful feature of these conferences is the custom of genuine sociability indulged in after meetings. They appear as one great family, heartily shaking hands and kindly inquiring after each other's welfare and the absent friend neighbor. The spirit of hearty good will and unity among them was really Saint-like. We never visited any place with such an extensive "home emigration." | The country is settled mostly by young and middle-aged people. Almost every woman had a baby in arms, with a little various ages growing up around her, all looking healthy and happy. One thing noticeable for a new country is that people. coming from their distant farms. were all so well and comfortably dressed. The ladies did not look at all "countryfied," as some would imagine. The fit and style of their dresses and hats accorded with the fashions of more advanced communities. At the request of the young people, a special meeting was called for them Sunday evening, and the house was well filled with bright, young Saints of both sexes, who paid the most respectful attention to the speakers-Brother S. B. Young, Sister Horne and myself -who dwelt upon some subjects of vital importance to them as society makers and community

builders of a new and growing country. After the conference, Monday afternoon, we left for Rexburg, eighteen miles distant, crossing the Snake River on the ferry boat, where the river is three hundred feet wide and fifteen feet deep. Near this point two buttes rise almost perpendicular out of the otherwise very level country. They are the remains of volcanic eruptions in ages past, the dry craters remaining open at the top. The outside of one especially has the appearance of having been overrun with fiery heat, melting the solid rocks into huge masses that look like an immense castle. The Snake River is well named, as it winds its tortuous way diagonally through the valley from northeast to south-west. Some parts of it in the wooded districts are very picturesque, as at various curves it reveals the blue surface framed in green; but at Idaho Falls, near the rapids, the scenery is barren, the river passing at a great depth below the earth's surface at low tide through rugged black rocks. Here it must have formed a rushing, roaring torrent before the numerous and wonderfully large canals, for which the valley is noted, were taken from it. These canals alone are a mighty evidence of the energy and persistent industry of our people. On reaching Rexburg Sister Horne and I parted for the night, she remaining with President Hinckley, I with Sister Winters, ActingPresident of the P. A. of the

Stake, in order to have a better opportunity of talking over matters pertaining to our special labors. We renewed our journey to Parker, twelve miles distant, on Tuesday, a large company of the sisters ceived

following. We reevery attention from Bishop Parker and his bighearted, hospitable wife and family. They had raspberries and small fruits in abundance. We held meeting at 2 p.m. in a clean, log meeting house, which proved much too small, as many came from the surrounding towns and farms some twenty miles away. The sisters in these scattered districts have a hard struggle to keep the organizations in good. working order. That they do so well is the marvel, not that they do no better. There the Primary Association

was re-organized. We tried to encourage and instruct the sisters for the benefit of all the societies. Stayed all night in the Bishop's care, and passed on to Wilford the next morning over a beautiful, level country, and enjoyed the six mile drive. Were graciously entertained by Sister Pratt, President of the R. S., and held meeting at 2 p.m. in a comfortable log meeting house. Many came from other places, and we had a good meeting, and we hope assisted the laborers in that widely scattered, farming district to renewed diligence. From here we had a good view of the famous Teton Peaks, and longed to explore the wonders of Teton Basin and visit the

Saints there, but lack of time forbade.

Wednesday night we attended a conjoint session of the Y. L. and Y. M. Associations at Rex

burg, where all classes had turned out en masse, filling the large meeting house, then undergoing alterations prior to opening the Stake Academy in it. The exercises were very interesting, and an excellent spirit prevailed. Here, as at all meetings, the instructions were listened to with marked attention. We enjoyed the hospitality of Sister Ricks, and Thursday, at 2 p. m., the primary children had a nice little meeting. Their exercises proved that they were not behind the times, under the able presidency of Sister Barnes and counselors. After an

hour's session the children were dismissed prior to opening the meeting of the R. S.; but they all remained seated, paying strict attention till the close. Thought this was the fifth day of meetings, the interest seemed unabated, for a very large attendance gathered from all quarters, both brethren and sisters, although it was busy harvest time. On both occasions a choir was in attendance, and cheered us with its energetic, whole-souled music, adding greatly to the interest of both meetings. At Rexburg, to Our regret, we were compelled to leave part of our company, who had thus far made the tour with us, enlivening the journey with their interest and companionship. At five o'clock President Ricks

and wife, with Sister Horne and myself, started for Menan, sixteen miles distant. Reached there at eight o'clock, and enjoyed the hospitality of Bishop Stevens and family; and Friday morning made an early start for Iona, twenty-five miles south, and held meeting with the three organizations at 2 p. m. We were gratified to again meet many faces familiar grown through their attendance at former meetings. The neat cut stone house is a credit to those enterprising people, who are thriving spiritually, with all the societies doing active work. In consideration of the profitable and happy time enjoyed by the people, it was put to vote and carried unanimously that each sister in the Stake donate ten cents to pay the traveling expenses of visiting sisters next year.

Another drive of six miles brought us back to Idaho Falls, where we met with the Saints in the evening. They have a neat frame meeting house which filled, some following us from Iona, mothers with their babies coming from Basalt, fifteen miles distant, returning in the night, too. This meeting showed the sisters alive to their duties. A Primary Association was ganized and a good spirit prevailed. President Ricks spoke with satisfaction of the week past, while visiting the Saints, and predicted good results, and we felt to rejoice that our arduous labors were finished. Through

or

out the entire journey all that warm hearts could devise was done for our comfort. At every place the brethren placed easy chairs in the stand, and showed the most thoughtful consideration to the strangers within their gates. The visit and valuable instructions of Sister Horne, noted for her intimate association and interesting descriptions of the Prophet Joseph, and her fidelity and good works in the cause of truth, will be long remembered by the good people of Bannock. Stake. We took supper with Bishop and Sister Thomas, and visited with them and Bishop Steele of Iona till train time at midnight, when we left our friends for home, reaching Salt Lake City at eleven o'clock Saturday morning.

A more zealous company of presiding officers it would be hard to find. When we realize that only nine years have elapsed since the first settlers entered that valley, we are led to exclaim, "Behold what God hath wrought!" What was before that time a barren plain of sage brush is now a land of farms, orchards and happy homes. The green lucern and golden grain form a smooth piece of patchwork over the face of the The land for hundreds of miles. neat, comfortable log cabins will, we know, soon give place to brick and stone cottages and commodious modern homes. That "men build and women beautify" is demonstrated by the many pretty, old-fashioned flower gardens,