Letter from William Orme Lee, 12 August 1891 [LE-41119]

[sideways text] W. O Lee Rec^d 7 Sept. [1891] [end sideways text]

Fagalii Upolu Samoa Aug. 12^th 1891.

To the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Dear Brethren,

Your favor together with one from Bro. Reynolds and both dated July 15^th came to hand on the 10^th inst. and were read with much interest and satisfaction.

It fills our hearts ^with^ pleasure and gratitude to read your expressions of satisfaction with and confidence in our efforts to spread the truth among this dark and berighted people. We firmly believe that a little encouragement often goes a long way towards lightening the servants burden. So you can imagine with what joy and pleasure we read ^of^ your of encouragement from time to time.

Our last months report contained an answer in Bro. Baileys case and we received a letter from Tutuila to day telling of the great change for the better in him and how thankful they all are.

In regard to Bro. Beesley and Wood I would recommend that the former be honarably released to return by the October steamer but that the latter remain here till spring. My reasons for making a distinction between the two are these. In the first place I agree with you that seeing Bro Woods desires to visit Eur-

ope it would much better, for the reasons you mentioned, that he travel over the spring. Secondly, it would be a sad blow to the work if both should leave this fall as we have very few speakers now but will have a least six more preachers by April conference [18]92. Bro. Wood is presiding Elder on the island of Savaii and Bro. Carpenter will be much better prepared to take his place next spring than now. For these are other reasons such as differencet in their finances, bod[i]ly health etc, in my opionion the above suggestions will be for the best good of ^all^ concerened.

I have nothing but good words of praise for Bro. Beesley and Wood, they have been wise counselors and faithful in all their works both spiritual and temporal. And now you want me to write to you "freely and frankly" concerning my own release. I will endeavor to comply with your wishes and will commence by saying that my greatest desire is to know the will of the Lord concerning me and then to do it. If you will tell me ^the^ former I will endeavor to do the latter, with all the might, mind and strength that I have. Whether to remain permanantly here, or to go all over the world, or any part thereof. My wife and I are of one heart and one mind. But as regards the near future I have one great desire and that is to see the work of the

Lord fairly started on the Friendly, Society and Fiji groups before taking taking a rest. These are the principle groups, and I do not know of any others at the present time that I would recommend sending white missionaries to, as I think the better plan will be to vigorously prosecute the ^work^ on these groups and as soon as circumstances will permit and we have intelligent native assistance and them out to all the scattered islands untill the chain is complete from the Sandwich Islands to New Zealand. Of course this only includes all those islands with Lamanite inhabitants. Fiki will be an interesting mission as the dividing line is there drawn between the "reds" and "blacks", and they have intermixed there probably more than on any other group of islands. There are supposed to be about 130,000 native inhabitants besides many foreigners and laborers. I am anxious to find out what effect the Gospel will have on these little black fellows who inhabit so many isles of the sea. They are the laborers on the plantations here and are far ahead of the Polynesians as faithful servants and energetic laborers, but inferior in statue and intellect. Any information that you can give us concerning them and their relation to our labors in the future will be thankfully received.

In consideration of the above and the present stage of the work here and as you have asked me to freely state my opinion with an espressed desire also that if convenient I remain here for some time will say that I believe it will be best for all concerned to let our release stand until next April or any time that you see fit to reconsider the matter.

No doubt you will want to know how our financial circumstances are, so I will briefly state them, and Bro. Andrew Kimball, who kindly looks after our affairs, can give you any additional information that you may desire.

When we left home our possessions consisted of one building spot in Ashley and 1/3 of a city lot with house in the 19^th now 22^nd Wd. S. L. City with mortgage on the latter equal to purchase price on the former amounting to one hundred and fifty dollars ($150 00/100). By this mail we increase the mortgage to four hu-ndred dollars ($400 00/100) in order to pay present indebtedness and supply present wants.

My wife's folks, (I am an orphan) and all our friends at home have been most wonderfully kind in sending us money in the past, so much so, that I cannot in justice expect any more. Our house has been renting for $8 00/100 per month less taxes and repairs, but the "U. G." lady who has been living

there ever since we left, says the house ^is^ not fit to live in another winter and I think it is too old and would cost too much for repairs so that supply will be cut off in the future. However we are willing to make any sacrifice for the furtherence of the work here and will therefore cheerfully endeavor to carry out what ever advice you feel impressed to give us concerning these matters. Hoping that all things may be done for the good of the cause in which we are all engaged.

I will now report my field or rather fields of labor; beginning with Tonga this time. I enclose latter from Bro. Smoot; the other letter he mentions which went via Auckland will not arrive here until next Tues. three days after this leaves, so do not know the contents. I do not expect that the brethren will make many converts among the officials in Tonga, but their friendship and sympathies are an armour against petty persecution, on the principle that it is often convenient to have a "friend at court." We all rejoice here at the good news in Bro. Smoot's letter and have no doubts concerning the future growth of the Friendly mission. We acknowledge the hand of the Lord in all things.

I will now offer a few suggestions concerning the various items mentioned by Bro. Smoot.

First in regard to more Elders for Tonga, would