baptism. Elders V. S. Amussen, John P. Orton and C. E. Horsley officiated.

Growth of the Work in St. Helens.-Elders Edwin A. Crockett and James A. Smith send the following encouraging account of the progress of the work in their field of labor: "It gives us pleasure to report that the work of the Lord is progressing in the St. Helens branch. Our investigators have increased so in the last few weeks that it became necessary for us to secure a larger hall for our meetings. On Sunday, March 15th, we held the first meeting in our new quarters. Elder Edwin A. Crockett made a few opening remarks, welcoming the saints and friends to our new hall. President Thomas S. Gregson then spoke in a forcible manner on the plan that God has laid down for the salvation of His children, showing that it is impossible for people to set this plan aside and think they can be saved in their own way. We have eight applicants for baptism. It has been uphill work here for the last two or three years, but now we feel to rejoice and thank the Lord that things are looking bright for future work in this part of the country."

Interesting Socials.-On Tuesday evening, March 17th, a complimentary social was tendered to Elder E. H. Chambers, in the Occasional Room, Market Building, Leigh. Prior to his being appointed to labor in the Manchester branch, Elder Chambers spent eight months in Leigh, where he won the esteem of saints and friends. At the social a very pleasing program was rendered and delicious refreshments partaken of. Brother Chambers will sail for home on April 2nd.

On Wednesday evening, March 11th, 1908, a very successful social was held in the Imperial Hall, East Dulwich, South London. About one hundred and seventy-five saints and friends were present, also President Soren Peterson of the London conference. A choice program of songs, recitations and speeches was rendered in a very creditable manner. During the evening refreshments were served. All expressed themselves as having spent a very pleasant time. The success of the social was due to the faithful labors of the elders, saints and friends.

Dublin Relief Society Social.-On Tuesday, March 17th, one of the most successful socials ever held in the Dublin branch was given by the Relief Society, at the home of Brother and Sister Christian Kent, 9 Upper Baggot Street. At 5 p.m. the regular annual meeting was held, at which President Mina Baker reported the condition of the society, and also read the letter in the STAR. Elder Thomas Bennett, at the request of President Baker, read the minutes of the organization of the first Relief Society by the Prophet Joseph Smith. President Brough was present and

addressed the assembly. His remarks were very timely and instructive. At the close of the meeting the sisters were joined by the male members of the branch and a number of friends, in all about fifty adults. The company sat down and partook of a sumptuous repast. After supper, the evening was spent in the good old way, singing, reciting, music, marching, etc., which lasted till 12 o'clock, when all joined in a good "Mormon" hand-shake, and with a vote of thanks to the good sisters, repaired to their homes, pronouncing it the best "Saint Patrick's Day" in their history.

Mormon Elders Address Meeting of Young Men's Christian Asso= ciation.-A short time ago Elders Mills and Hodge, of the Radcliffe branch (Manchester conference), were invited by the officers of the Young Men's Christian Association of that place to attend one of their Sunday afternoon services and discuss the "Mormon" question with them. The elders accepted the invitation and in their address before the association explained the origin of the Book of Mormon and showed the absurdity of the Spaulding theory. Elder Percy Groom also addressed the assembly on the question, "Is 'Mormonism' a Christian religion?" He explained the faith of the saints and proved that it is identical with that of the former-day saints. He also answered many questions propounded by members of the association. At the close of the discussion the chairman said he believed the elders were sincere, honest, moral young men and were teaching Christian principles. He welcomed them to Radcliffe and admired them for their love of the work in which they were engaged, and for which they had left their homes and loved ones, and had come out into the world to preach the gospel without any financial remuneration. He added, however, that he had been led to believe, through reading Stenhouse's book, that the founders of the Church, especially Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, were daring impostors, base and immoral men. "But you gentlemen," said he, "are teaching different doctrine now, which is all right." Thinking he had wounded our feelings by speaking so disrespectfully of the presidents of the Church, he invited us to go home with him to tea, which we did, and were treated with the greatest respect. It is believed that good will result from the discussion, as many of those present expressed a desire to know more concerning the Latter-day Saints and their religion.-PERCY GROOM.

Letter from President Murdoch.-A few days ago President Penrose received a letter from Elder David L. Murdoch, late president of the Scottish conference, from which we make the following excerpts: "Our voyage home was all too short. It was so pleasant we would have liked it to have lasted three times longer. The weather at that time and since has been all that could be desired. I am pleased to report that there is an improvement in the spiritual

condition of the people here. It is the more apparent to me after an absence of two years. The saints are doing better. It is noticeable in the attendance at the meetings. The Sunday Schools are better attended and a good work is being done in them. The new movement in connection with the Seventies you are, of course, familiar with. It is working very satisfactorily. We meet every Sunday morning at ten o'clock and engage in a systematic course of study. It is very gratifying to return home and find things as I have described. There is a better feeling among the people, more of the spirit of the gospel, more love. The emigrants with whom I was acquainted and who have come here, are, for the most part, doing well, and are keeping right along in the line of their duty. They are glad that they have been delivered from the Old World. When the saints get the true spirit of the gospel, forsake their former ways and live as they should, they prosper. My mission is now like a dream. I can scarcely realize that I have been away two years. What a grand experience! Missions have no more dread for me. I am keeping in touch with Scotland, and 24 Barrington Drive. Am delighted to know they are doing so well and adding to their number. Some of the recent converts to the faith in Scotland exhibit a beautiful spirit in their letters to me. I am pleased to say that I have no disposition, now that I am home and released from missionary duties, to quit and take it easy. I assure you the lessons learned and the experience gained while on my mission I intend turning to good account. From the STAR and Deseret News we learn of the great increase in the work in the European mission, and rejoice in the same. It must be a great comfort and stimulus to you and your co-laborers in the great cause. With kindest regards from Sister Murdoch and myself, I remain, your brother, etc., DAVID L. MURDOCH."

DIED.

MARSH.-At Camberwell, South London, February 26th, 1908, Edwin Marsh, aged 76 years. A humble and faithful saint, highly respected by all who knew him.

BREWER.-At Lowestoft, Sunday, March 22, 1908, Emily Brewer, aged seventyfive years. Sister Brewer lived and died a faithful Latter-day Saint. Deseret News please copy.

1

EDITED, PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY CHARLES W. PENROSE, 295 EDGE LANE, LIVERPOOL:

FOR SALE IN ALL THE CONFERENCES OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS IN GREAT BRITAIN.

AP 14 0

THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS'

MILLENNIAL STAR

[ESTABLISHED 1840.]

"Never clothe yourself in the armor of independence, but rather cultivate the good-will of your fellowmen. It will ennoble your own nature to sacrifice on their behalf.”—LOTH.

No. 14, Vol. LXX.

Thursday, April 2, 1908.

Price One Penny.

HOW A SKEPTIC WAS CONVERTED.

On the 21st of last month I, in company with several other elders laboring in the Grimsby conference, went to the city of York to attend two district meetings which were announced to be held there the following day. I accepted a kind invitation from Brother and Sister Reynolds to stay with them while in the city. At the home of these good people I met Elder William A. Morton, associate editor of the MILLENNIAL STAR. We roomed together, and as we lay in bed exchanging missionary experiences, I told him of my conversion to "Mormonism." He appeared to be interested in it, and requested me to write out the same for publication. This is my excuse for appearing in print.

I was born on the 25th of January, 1878, in the little town of Hooper, Weber County, Utah. My parents, while honest, honorable and upright people, were not members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; in fact, they did not belong to any church. But they taught their children many good principles, and told us when we were old enough to decide for ourselves we could unite with whatever churches we desired.

I attended the Congregational Church and Sunday School, but did not become a member of that denomination. My father died when I was eight years of age, leaving my mother with the care of eight children. Being desirous of helping my mother, I went to

work when I was very young, and was in consequence denied the benefits of an education. The most of my associates were non"Mormons," but I had a number of friends who were members of the Church.

I have heard there is a period in nearly all young men's lives that has been termed "the doubting period," or "the skeptical period," when they feel disposed to question the truth of almost every statement that is made pertaining to religion. That, it seems to me, is the time when they come to the parting of the ways, and it is sad to know that so many of them choose the broad way that leads to destruction. I myself passed through that period, from sixteen years of age to twenty. During that time I read a number of infidelic works, among them the writings of Thomas Payne and Robert G. Ingersoll. These had the effect of destroying what little faith I had in a Supreme Being, and, of course, in the hereafter. While I had a desire in my heart to do right, and to lead a moral life, at the same time the works of these infidel authors had so beclouded my mind that I was led to doubt, if not to deny, the existence of God. I had also come to the conclusion that all the churches in the world were man-made institutions, in which men "preached for hire and divined for money." But all this time I was unsettled in my feelings. My heart was far from being satisfied; I longed for something, I knew not what. While the infidel books had robbed me of my faith, they had left me nothing in exchange for it.

While laboring under these conditions one night, when I was twenty years of age, I was suddenly awakened from sleep. To my great surprise the room was filled with light, which surpassed in brilliance that of any human invention. What could this mean? I rubbed my eyes to make sure I was awake. Yes, I was wide awake. I then beheld in a corner of the room a little child, about two years of age. The light seemed to emanate from the little one. I gazed for about a minute at the sweet messenger from the unseen world. The child smiled upon me, stretched out its arms and advanced toward me. That was more than my nerves could stand and I sprang from my bed, when the vision suddenly closed.

This was to me a night never to be forgotten. While the child did not speak to me, she told me this, in language stronger than that of the lips, "God lives; there is a hereafter; there is a great work for you to perform; this vision will not appear again.”

What a great change came over me! Doubt and unbelief fled from my heart as the dark shades of night disappear before the bright rays of the morning sun, and assurance and certainty took their place. But still I was left in doubt as to which of the churches I should unite myself with. I had been taught this lesson: If you want to find out what Catholicism is, go to the Catholics; if you want to know what the Presbyterians believe, go to the Presbyterians; and if you want to know anything about "Mormonism" go