12 Oct 1927
John to Mother / Montpellier, France
Why don't you write? Today is the tenth day since I've received a letter from home...
Today's been, I suppose, one of the most eventful days of my life. Yesterday we went to Nimes to another missionary meeting. President Rossiter is down showing his slides, etc. at all the conferences and therefore we had this meeting. Nimes is the oldest city of Europe. It was the Rome of Europe during the time of Roman Civilization. I saw the huge amphitheater or Arean that was built probably 100 years before Christ. I saw an old lookout tower that was supposed to have been built 600 years before Christ. It is still standing. There are also great sunken gardens built by the Romans, in a good state of preservation...
The streets in Nimes, except a new boulevard are all very narrow. Some are so narrow that a car can hardly pass through them, and they are paved with cobblestones. It was a very interesting visit, also a very interesting meeting. I certainly enjoy our missionary meetings. They last about 2 1/2 hours and it seems like 15 minutes. There is certainly a wonderful spirit at these meetings.
Well, that was yesterday, but today was a real thrill. We had our conference today, and also baptized the two sisters where we live. I took some pictures of the baptism and will send them if they turn out good. It certainly is a testimony to me to hear the story of these two sisters. There didn't used to be a branch here. (The branch) is only about 10 months old. All of a sudden President Rossiter had an inspiration to start a branch. he didn't particularly like the town and there were other towns that seemed to be better to start a branch in. Nevertheless he sent two Elders down to open a branch. They stayed at the Hotel for several weeks trying to find a place to say, but didn't seem to find any place that suited (them). They were just about ready to go to a Winter Hotel, when an agency told them about these people. The madam's husband had just died and they didn't know whether they wanted borders or not. They finally decided to take the missionaries. They (the missionaries) were told however that they would have to be very quiet because the people were in mourning. The people over here wear black and are in mourning sometimes for two years after a death.
After two weeks the madams started investigating and in six week they were very good friends and the Elders were treated royally. Now they're members and are just wonderful to us. So of course their baptism was very interesting. I officiated in the confirmation. After the baptism the Madames gave us the swellest French feed I've had since I've been over here. It was given in a high class hotel and in real style. First we had a meat loaf, radishes and olives. Next came lobster, and it was really good and next came brains with mushroom sauce and it was quite eatable. Then next came Gunea fowl or chicken, and then some green peas. They serve everything in courses and on a clean plate each time. We used seven plates each - I'd hate to wash dishes for them. After this we had ice cream and French pastry and after this fruit. Afterwards we went to the photo shop and had a group picture taken...
Tonight we had our Conference. We had worked hard distributing bills, but because the paper turned us down we were afraid no one was going to be there. The other conference had about 175 out to their meeting so we had a mark to reach. By 8:35 we had over 275 people and before the meeting was over we had over 300. But now the thrill. The conference went over good, and after we were all through showing pictures, President Nelson (Conference President) got up and announced that after the prayer, questions would be answered. Just as soon as he got through with the announcement, up jumped a man and started to shout. the congregation was thrown into confusion and we had no cops there to keep order, so we didn't know what to do. Some went after (the police) and the rest tried to get him to sit down and shut up. He got up on the stand and started to shout at the people... After each sentence the crowd would boo him. Some were going to through him out, but we didn't touch him. Pretty soon the crowd booed him out and they you ought to have seen us pass out tracts. Boy, they were all for us and I suppose the fellow did lots more good than harm. We later found out that he was a Communist paid by the Reds to do such things to meetings. However, he didn't get very far. I suppose we'll get a big writeup in the paper tomorrow. Anyway they all wanted to know when the next conference would be and I'm afraid we won't be able to find a hall big enough. At least it won't be so hard advertising.
We went after a policeman, but the darn nuts over here are crazy. (He) sent (us) to the police station, and when we got there we had to explain how, why, what, etc. and then they told us "Well, I guess its too late now" and to go out and leave him with the crowd. If you want a policeman you have to hire him and pay him for the night. I'd hate to have a fire over here - you'd have to explain how, why, and what to the Mayor to get the fire department out. I guess I'll go a long ways before I see a more interesting day, yet if it wasn't for such days, things would be awful dull and I'm afraid I'd get awful homesick. ...
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