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[Apr.] 9 For a week past Elder Rigby and I have been visiting in Pesega preaching and talking Gospel to all who would listen.

Yesterday Pres. McBride returned from Tutuila bringing with him Bro. Adams, Ida and some of the school kids. Bro. Adams, Bro Brown and Ida are released from their missions and will return to Zion in June.

[Apr.] 19 Within the last ten days some changes have taken place in Pesega. Elder Edwin Moody has left on a special trip to New Zealand to purchase donkeys and Elder W.J. Siddoway (( Wm Joseph Siddoway, b. 1891, served Apr 9, 1911—1914 (exact date illegible). )) who has just arrived from America is staying with me.

Last Saturday night 15 Apr. we were invited to Ah Mus we noticed that there were two large puddings, a cake // several chickens, several pigeons a pig and a great amount of other Samoan food.

I asked the meaning of the feast and was told that it was in accordance with a Samoan custom That when some member of the family died they had a feast of mourning and were supposed to be in mourning for six months, then have another feast and break the mourning. This feast was to end the mourning. As one old woman left the table she said, “Thanks for such a good meal, now we’re all happy and there is nothing more to feel bad about.”

[Apr.] 16 Today we were presented by a portion of a family feast from the village. They considered it a term of highest respect to give the missionary a ‘tuuga’ basket of food when they have a feast.

[Apr.] 17 On Monday stores were all closed and it was public Holiday. The sports co of Paia had arranged races and horses were trained so that the races were quite interesting to the class of people who attend them. // This afternoon when our bread man came with the bread he presented us with two fine puddings or fruit cakes. He asked him to please take the bread back as we would eat cake instead.

[Apr.] 18 Early this morning we were visited by one of our Saints and I could see at first shot she had blood in her eyes. She said she had some particular business with Pres. Taua. It was over the Ah My Estate and ended in a big family quarrel which I took upon me to stop.

I went over in their house about half of them recognized me as is the Samoan custom but the other half continued to quarrel or even turn their back to me. I thot at first of going back with out saying anything then I thot that would do little good. I pressed myself in to the ring and asked all to please keep still, then I gave them all a talking to explained the condition of the Estate and we were soon reconciled and peacable again.

After being there about half an hour I hurried home to hold singing practice. We had a large turn out and decided to // meet again on the following night.

[Apr.] 20 Prepared to journey to Sauniatu for Conference in our village boat.

[Apr.] 21 About midnight last night one of the Saints came and woke me us and said they were ready to go as soon as the moon arose which would be in about 15or 20 minutes. Elder Blake who was with me tht night in Pesega and I got ready and followed our native guide down thru the bush to the coast. The place where we took boat was back in the bush away inside the reef We all reached there about the same time just as the moon came up big and full.

We began immediately on our journey, rowing in and out around the bushes of the swamp we soon came to the open sea, the water was smooth as glass and we shot across a small bay as if in a train. Our boat crew were eight strong young men and kept up a steady rowing to the time of their merry songs. For about five hours we were on the sea during which time the rowing and singing was kept // up almost unceasingly.

Landing at Fui about 5 A.M. we began our over land as well as our over hill march of three miles to Sauniatu where we arrived just as the Brethren were preparing to have morning devotion.

Our packs did not arrive until late at night so we were compelled to visit, eat, and even attend meetings in our journey clothes which were rather muddy when we arrived in Sauniatu.

Our Conference meetings were considered a huge success. There were about 300 people gathered and the meetings were all well attended.

On Sunday nine baptisms were performed. I baptized four and Bro. Bennett five. I enjoyed the Conference better than any previous one because I could better understand it and could visit and associate more with the Saints.

On Tuesday morning I started back for Pesega as I had been reappointed as Secretary and leader of Pesega Branch. I left Sauniatu on French about // nine A.M. and arrived in Pesega at 2 P.M. I was met in the street before I reached home, telling me of a death in our branch of Johnny Ah Mu’s baby Cloe and was asked to hurry up and hold funeral services.

Arriving home at 2 I was tired and worn out but I shaved, cleaned up and was up about 1 ½ preaching at 3. I had to do nearly all of the singing, all praying and preaching and to over see the burial etc. I had scarcely attended a funeral from start to finish so I found out I had my hands full. However after the baby was buried, we returned to the house and a big feast was prepared and all seemed as happy as could be accept Johnie and In.

I returned home about 5 P.M. and found we had nothing to eat in the house. That meant another walk of 2 miles to town and back.

Apr. 30 Most of the Elders have been here doing some business and preparing for their fields of labor. //

May 7. After the elders left Pesega, elders Siddoway and I began to straighten our home. I found that I had plenty of work in copying up records, making reports, balancing and entering acct. I was several day the book.

[May] 23 After the reports were finished I again turned to the Pesega branch which always proves a rest from the books. I had made considerable plans and arrangement for mutual so on Tuesday 23 we held our first meeting. There were not many in attendance but we had a good meeting.

[May] 31. In as much as Elder JQ Adams had presided in Pesega for a long time I asked the Saints to prepare a farewell party for him. Many of the Saints were present and a splendid time was had.

June 2. We bid farewell to Elders Brown, Adams and native Sister Ida Thorne (( Ida May Thorne, (1885-1967) served from April 12, 1908—Jan 1, 1911. While Burton referred to her as a native sister, she was born and died in Utah. )) who left Apia for U.S.A. having honorably finished their missions.

[June] 7 We were again made pleased by meeting with another party of missionaries from Zion. On June 7 the Tofua arrived bringing 3 married Elders // their wives and children. Elder Wilcox, wife and three daughters (( David E. Wilcox, b. 1872, his wife Elizabeth Layne, b. 1878, and daughters Lavera, b. 1895, Myrtle, b. 1897, and Ruth, b. 1901 served from June 7, 1911 until some time in 1914 (date not legible.) One daughter, Lulu, b. 1899 was left behind with an aunt. Their home was in SLC, UT. David Wilcox is said to have attended Aurelia Roger’s first Primary. He and his family managed the church plantation at Sauniatu. )) went to Sauniatu. Elder Louis Jensen & wife Nellie ((Louis John Jensen b. 1888 and Nellie Bodell. Jensen, b. 1891, served from June 7, 1911—Sep 8, 1914, leaving for Samoa a couple of months after their marriage.)) were appointed to labor with me, again giving me a change, sending Elder Siddoway to Toga Tabu. Elder Henry Gibb and wife ((Henry Simmons. Gibb (1881-1959) and Elizabeth McLean Gibb (1885-1930), served from June 7, 1911-1913 (exact date illegible.) )) were appointed to Masudoga.

[June] 25 A baptismal service was held at Pesega at which time two young men were joined to the church. Both boys have hopes of going to Zion some future day.

[July] 2 Our Fast Day service ws held at Pesega with unusual success. The time was well taken up. Sister Nellie also gave a short exortation faaSamoa.

[July] 4th To Day the Glorious Fourth.

Elder Tangreen and I who were at Pesega decided to show our respects to U.S.A. so we called at the consulate. We were very cordially treated. People all seemed to respect us on that day as if we were Americans. Leaving the consulate we enjoyed a lovely ride visiting Saints and arousing them to singing practice.

[July] 16 At our Sunday Services I occupied most of the time speaking upon the importance of cleanliness of Spirit and good works. There was a good crowd in attendance.

[July] 20. Today we organized our Relief Society. The native Sisters of Pesega branch met with we elders and organized our meeting appointed Thursday as the day. What a very interesting meeting.

[July] 23 Our Sunday School was also more completely organized.

Bro. and Sister Jensen left Pesega today for Sauniatu, but owning to my bad leg I was advised by the Dr. as well as by Elders to remain at Pesega.

[July] 27. My companions have returned and together we are making some improvements in our mission house. Since our Sisters have arrived in the field, considerable improvements have been made and the end is not yet. Our place will soon look like a white man lived in it. We lined our kitchen with taupulene, (( Tarpaulin—heavy-duty waterproof cloth, originally of tarred canvas. )) put casings on the windows and doors, made a sink and now it is quite up todate. We have also got a milk cow from Nir Helesec //

Aug 25 I attended Elders meeting at Pesega.

[Aug] 31 Mail came today and I rec’d a box of sage tea and $15.00 beside my letters and papers. After reading our papers and holding Relief Society meeting Sister Nellie and I went to Apia to the International Hotel where Bro Ima and Sister Wilcox were practicing on the piano. It seemed really nice to go in a well furnished house again and listen to the music.

After practicing awhile and playing many interesting old song we returned to Pesega and held singing practice.

Sept 1 I spent today reading papers and preparing my work so that I could leave for a few days to the west end.

(To be continued)