George A. Smith

“ We can hear occasionally from our brethren in England; many of them who have been long years in the Church, saying to their children, "I will give you a little bit to eat, but when you get to Zion you can have as much as you want, but now you must make this little do." In the cotton-spinning districts of Great Britain there are thousands of such cases among persons belonging to this Church; they are reduced to the last extremity of want in consequence of the great revolution in America. ”

“ Again, the places of our missionary labor are a long distance away, and it is important, when an Elder leaves here, that he should commence the exercise of his calling at the place he is destined to labor at the earliest practical moment. A few dollars contributed to this purpose will pass the Elders directly to the fields of labor to which they are appointed. ”

“ In relation to the families of the Elders at home, there is plenty in the land. If we have listened readily to the call made upon us to-day to donate to the support of the missionary interest, there will be no difficulty whatever. ”

“ Some of the Elders have had cause to rejoice at receiving from the hands of the poor and needy a small pittance of this kind; and, perhaps, when the cold weather comes, these poor persons may be found crawling among the sheep to keep from freezing. We do not want to take any donations at the hands of such people, and where men are working for ten cents per day and paying eight dollars per cord for wood, we do not expect them to contribute much to the Elders. ”