Basel.
May 18th 1922.
Dear
Varwood.
It
has been better than a week since I received a letter from home, and
also since I wrote I sent "Der Stern" but that wasn't a
letter.
I
have just been out tracting a couple of hours, and have a little
spare time before I go to dinner, so I thought I would tell you of
some of the troubles.
we
are sure having hard work here in Basel. A good many of the Saints
have got the big head because they have a little office, and ever
since I and Bro. Hirschi has been here they have been plotting
against us. The local missionaries have also had a good hold on it
to. Finally Sunday in Priesthood meeting it came to a head, and these
"no nothings" took turns standing up and told even a bunch
of lies about us, about how we wanted to take his friends away from
him, and that we were trying to push him out. I was by that time so
mad I was sweating. I ask Pres. Ballif if I could say something, and
he said no, you hadn't better. I guess it was a good thing or I am
afraid I would say something that wouldn't have pleased them. Then
the President of the Branch (also a local man) got up and told more
lies. Talk about a church, this is more of a lodge here.
You
see they haven't had any American missionaries here since the war
began, and they had to put local men in to win things. They can't get
into their beans, that we should do anything only tract and that they
should tell us how the church should be organized. Because we didn't
follow their advice, that has caused the trouble. Won't I be a rich
man, when I can get back and work with Americans again. You can't
imagine difference in the class of people. Pres. Ballif has to be as
wise as a cat, because if he isn't, the whole mission would turn
upside down. He is changing the branch, and con. Pres to Americans as
fast as he can, but he has to be very careful, or a good many of the
Saints would turn against him. A good number here are not worthy to
be called saints. There are a few that are good, but that isn't many.
Some join the church here because they are poor, and they know that
the church will help them. Such is life.
Say
if you want some pretty shade trees, get some of those chestnut. They
are sure pretty. Half of the trees in Basel are chestnut and if it
isn't pretty now. They are all out in bloom now.
Last
Monday I went to another funeral. It was the Father of a Saint. The
services were Protestandish and if it was dry. The Pastor done
everything, read prayer from a book and even read the sermon. He
never mentioned resurrection. In the particular graveyard where this
man was buried, it is the second time, for people to be buried , it
is the second time, for people to be buried in the same place. The
ground had all been stirred up, and talk about stink, it was worse
than a dozen dead horses.
It
is raining again today for a change. It never goes a week here
without rain. Pres. Ballif just came back from Ger. last Saturday and
he said there they have had so much rain and snow, and it has been so
cold, that the farmers hadn't yet done anything on the farms.
May 19th 1922.
I
didn't finish yesterday so I will just add a few lines now. Bro.
Hirschi, my good old American companion goes to Liestal Schwiez
today, with Bro. Haltinner. They are going to open up a new branch. I
have got to stay here in Basel, and work with Bro. Brunner, a local
bird, that kept saying, when tracting that I was extra
from
America, until I put him on the right path. He is a fine fellow (for
local man). I am either going to have a little better order here or I
will pick up a walk out.
There
is a ten day forlough from July 1st-10th given to all missionaries
who want to go and see the Passion play in Germany. I believe I
explained it before to you. It is considered the best in the world,
and only plays every 10 years. It has been played for hundreds of
years. There is people coming from all over the world to see it. The
only trouble is for us missionaries from Schweiz to go over it would
cost us $10 for a visa to get into Germany. That would cost more
than all other expenses there together. President Ballif was pricing
field glasses in Germany last week. He can get a pair of the best
for $12 or $13. they would probably cost $60 or $75 in America.
Should i get a pair?
Well
I just received three letters from home. One from Merrill, one from
Vinna and one from Grandma. I am glad you are all well, and think
that I am learning the language so fast. Maybe if you heard me talk
you wouldn't think so. Forgive the way I have wrote but I haven't
told it all. I am sure hoping we can make it better.
you
are not the only ones that have the Spring fever. I would like to
get out on the farm myself. How happy I would be when I can get
there once more, and especially in good old U.S.A.
