On board the Manhattan,June 13, 1872.President A. [Albert] Carrington,
Dear Brother--The shores of old Europe are now out of our sight, and here we are, carried with the powerful pulsations of the steam vessel over the mighty deep. When I reflect, my heart feels to rejoice in the realization of the fact that a goodly company of the Saints of the latter days are on this vessel, homeward bound. Like Lehi of old, so are we today, although thousands of years later, on the great voyage towards the land which was given to Ephraim. We feel that we are engaged in the very same work as he was, and we realize that this gospel is not a gospel of yesterday, or of today, neither is it a gospel of one century alone, just waiting to be overturned by some reformer, but that it is an eternal one, as lasting as the fastnesses of heaven. If Abraham, Moses, Lehi and others could speak with us today, they would tell us how once they were on a somewhat similar tour for this same gospel's sake. I feel that having been on a mission, it has indeed not been a sacrifice at all, or a mere duty; no, it has been a great privilege to me, and now I feel proud that with the Lord's blessing I can return like an husband man laden with some of the sheaves, gathered from my harvest field in Switzerland.
The Saints on board have set aside all national feeling, although they are mixed together from at least five different nations, and the old ship was resounding last night with the sweet songs of Zion, in which all Saints mingled, as if they were well known friends of "auld acquaintance."
I feel to express today to President Carrington and to all the brethren in the office my most sincere thanks for all kindness shown to me personally, as also for those signs of brotherly feeling manifested toward the Swiss Mission in general. May God bless you, dear brethren, and may the pathway of your missions be strewed with flowers from the hands of true Saints, who will not fail to administer to your wants.
God give us all a speedy journey and a happy return to Zion. Kind regards from all the returning elders as well as from all the Saints.
I remain your brother in the gospel,
Edward Schoenfeld [p.395]
BIB: Schoenfeld, Edward [Letter] Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star 34:25 (June 18, 1872) p. 395. (CHL)
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