Returned Missionaries
Elders Milson R. Pratt, and W.C. Mellor Reach Home After a Prolonged Stay Abroad
Elder Milson R. Pratt, son of Apostle Orson Pratt, and Elder W. C. Mellor, of Fayette, Sanpete County, arrived in this city on the evening of Friday the 25th, and were very cordially received at the home of Elder Pratt by a company of about fifty of their relatives and friends who had assembled for the purpose of giving them a hearty welcome.
Elder Pratt reports that he left this city on the 10th day of June, 1884, for India in company with Elders Wm. Willes, H.F. McCune and Dr. Booth. They went via San Francisco, Japan, China and the Strait Settlements, (British possessions, near the Straits of Mallaca), and labored on year in India and Burmah with some success, at the expiration of which time, Elder Willes returned, and Elders Pratt and McCune, on the 10th day of June, 1885, having received instructions to that effect, started for their new field of labor in New Zealand, where, after an uneventful voyage, they arrived on the 19th day of July following. There Elder Pratt was appointed to labor with Elder W.C. Meller, and they continued their exertions in that field until Feb. 1, 1887, when, having been released from duty, they sailed for home, arriving in San Francisco on Sunday morning the 20th inst., having been just twenty-one days on the voyage (one day being gained in crossing the line). They tarried a few days in San Francisco visiting friends, etc., and then taking the Central Pacific train, arrived in this city at the time specified.
The brethren labored chiefly in the central island, or what is popularly known as the South Island of the New Zealand group, and confined their efforts mainly to the conversion of the white people of that island. They report considerable opposition in their meetings, yet no personal violence was sustained by either, and they were instrumental in assisting seventeen persons to emigrate who are now in the Territory. Among the Maories they were eminently successful, and additions to the Church from that class continue. About forty of the Rakaiwhakairi tribe were added to the Church while they labored there, and others were investigating with a fair prospect of soon being baptized. Elder Mellor purposes starting for his home in Sanpete today. The brethren have honorably filled a rather long and successful mission and are glad to get back among their friends and relatives, but express their willingness to go forth again whenever they may be called upon to do so.
[Journal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Feb. 28, 1885, 2-3]
[Deseret News, Mar. 2, 1887]
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, Apr. 2006]
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