Eliza Roxcy Snow

“ Though at present disappointed in being able to move forward, I feel that much good will result from the manner in which the Lord may direct the employment of the time now at my command, as I am surrounded by an interesting people, and in a most important field of labor, where a great work may be accomplished, extending to adjacent nations. ”

“ Our printer, who expresses much interest in the prosperity of our cause, has just made arrangements to order from England an apparatus for stereotyping, and we hope by this means and other opportunities, ere long to supply economically from this point, as a central book depot, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Bombay and Calcutta. ”

“ Two intelligent and enter- prising young men, the first fruits of our ministry upon this island, will ably assist in moving forward the cause in which we are engaged; one of them we have ordained an Elder he speaks several languages fluently. ”

“ If another Elder can be looked up for India, to aid Elder Findlay at Bombay, I believe I will then have done with my requests upon England, at least till my return from California.
It is not our expectation to convert all these Catholic nations, but we can hardly expect any better or more favorable time to furnish them an opportunity for life and salvation; and we feel that there are a few among them who will appre- ciate the sacrifices we make in their behalf ”

“ The English and Italian languages are much spoken in Gibraltar as well as the Spanish, and we are anxious to see the work of the Lord beginning to spread its truths, if possible, through the Spanish dominions; and feel to do all in our
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power to effect so desirable an object. We cannot help but believe that the Lord has some good people in that place, that will hearken to His voice, and become instruments in carrying the Gospel to their countrymen. ”

“ There is a great work preparing among the Europeans here much of earnest and polite inquiry- meetings are well attended, many coming in their carriages and palkees, and at the end of the lectures the people are very unwilling to leave the room until they have had the frieiidty shake of the hand, and the long debate after the lecture is over, frequently prolonging it till past ten at night, etc. ”

“ Our next port was Naples, one of the largest cities of Italy,
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and the seat of the Neapolitan government, containing about three hundred and sixty thousand inhabitants. Its celebrity may be judged from the old proverb, "See Naples and die." Upon entering the bay, the ever smoking brow of Mount Vesuvius is seen on the right like a demon watching for the destined hour when again he can pour forth desolation upon the surrounding country. ”

“ In the cities, both in America and in England, in which thousands ultimately received the Gospel, in several instances many months were spent in seemingly fruitless labors before a proper attention to those principles was produced; so, in reference to these Catho- lic countries, we may not only labor months, but perhaps even
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years. But we feel assured that through faith, prayer, works and the blessing of the Lord we shall ultimately overcome all difficulties, .and have the assurance that we have done our duty and cleared our garments of the blood of all men. ”

“ What will be precisely our mode of operation, as yet, we scarcely have had time to determine, but shall endeavor to do as prudence and wisdom may dictate, on becoming more acquainted with the characteristic features of our position. ”

“ By the politeness of Elder William Cook, of London, we are enabled to lay before our readers the following interesting items concerning the East India mission, being extracts from a letter from Elder William Willis, who, our readers will recol- lect, is on a mission to Calcutta: On Sunday, December 21, 1851, Elder Willis baptized nine natives, five Christian and four Pagan. He was expecting to baptize four natives and three Europeans on the 7th of January, 18.Y2. Four stations were open for preaching, and prospects were very encouraging for a good work being done. ”

“ I have sent for Elder Obray to come immediately, and bring a good supply of books and pamphlets. The organiza- tion of a branch of our Church here would loosen the spiritual fetters of many nations, as the Maltese, in their commercial relations, are spread along the shores of Europe, Asia and Africa. Nearly all speak the Italian, and at the same time, by the peculiarities of their native dialect, they make themselves easily understood by those using the Arabic and S} r riac, which are exceedingly difficult for most other Europeans. Five newspapers are published in Italian, two. ”

“ The children of the native brethren are more numerous than themselves, and, as soon as we can visit them, there are many more desirous of being baptized. But they are scattered over an immense district of plowed fields, and very bad or no regular roads , but you know what " Mormon" perseverance will accomplish. ”

“ On mature consideration, while at Genoa, it seemed wis- dom that Elder Woodard should accompany me to Malta, for which place we took passage, on the twentieth of February, on board the French steamer Telemaque. The following day we arrived at Leghorn, and proceeding thence passed the island of Elba, where Napoleon resided before his last return to France. ”

“ In the Church of the Inquisition is a magnificent picture, in which Martin Luther is represented in hell, surrounded with flames, agoniz- ing in fiery torments. Whether the artist, when taking the picture, w r as on the spot, we are not informed. ”