Evan Call Family - 19340420

Historical Context

This letter, dated April 20, 1934, was likely written by Hester "Esther" Blanch Kinser, a member acquainted with Evan from his service in Altoona, Pennsylvania, providing updates on the missionary area and the branch in which she lived.

The description of the "annual relief society play" featuring a tableau vivant (a "living picture" where actors remain silent and motionless) reflects popular early 20th-century entertainment.

Mrs. Kinser mentions missing "cottage meetings." These were small, informal worship services or proselyting meetings held in private homes, a common practice in areas where the church did not yet have a dedicated chapel.

918 Millville Road
Altoona, Pennsylvania
April 20, 1934.

Dear Elder Call,

As it has been so long since we received your letter I thought it about time to answer it. So many things have taken place since you left Altoona but I don't know if I can remember it all.

Elder Peterson, Sister Coleman, and Sister Peterson, who had labored here when you were still here, with Sister Ruby Yorgason and Sister Hazel Asgard, who had been transferred here to Altoona to take Sister Peterson and Sister Coleman's place, will journey home-ward. They will all meet at New York as Sister Peterson had some genealogy which she wanted to look up. I think they expect to leave New York about Thursday some time. Elder Peterson and Sister Coleman left Altoona last Wednesday. We just dreaded to see them go and sure will miss Elder Peterson as he has been with the Altoona Branch for more than two years. He surely has been a faithful boy and elder and surely his parents will be very glad to see him safe back home. Elder Peterson has a car and the five of them expect to take a sight seeing trip on the way back home. I wish them the best of luck and that they may return to their homes in safety.

The missionaries who have labored here so faithfully are all gone now and we have four new ones; Sister Waldrom, Sister Simmons, Elder Bauer, who is President of the Blue Ridge District, and Elder Roberts. Elder Roberts delivered a wonderful sermon last Sunday night.

We held a nice social for Elder Peterson and it came at a time when some of our other missionaries were to be released or transferred,

so we had a social for all four of the missionaries.

We, the ladies of the Relief Society of the Altoona Branch held the annual relief society play on March 22. We were just a little late on account of the social which was held for Elder Peterson and the rest of the missionaries. We had quite a time getting things ready for the Relief Society play was held in the form of a social. We had an attendance of thirty-three at the Relief Society Play. The program consisted of a talk, music, recitations, dances, and a tableau vivant. The tableau vivant portrayed the fourth to the eleventh beatitudes. There was one hundred percent cooperation from the Relief Society members. The talk was on the history and purpose of the Relief Society. We held the play in the Detwiler home.

Sunday School is coming along fine. Last Sunday we were all very happy of welcoming Mr. and Mrs. Ramsey and their daughter Mary as members of the church. Elder Peterson officiated the ordinance of baptism for the three. They seem to be very much pleased in having taken the first step and I feel sure if they prove faithful to all the teachings of the church that they shall always be happy and to bear a testimony to its truthfulness. We have many other investigators, some which have quit there Sunday School and are coming out to ours. Our missionaries are just fine and they are working hard trying to win souls for Christ.

I feel I have been handicapped very much through sickness for the last two month or more. Doctors have advised me to go to bed for about two months. I was in the hospital for a while and had two xrays taken. It feels like it is going to be a long stay in bed and I miss the church and cottage meetings so much.

I received a very nice card today from the five missionaries, who left for home, each having their name signed on the card.

I hope you are getting along good in your work, how do you like

it. I hope you are well and happy. The rest of our family is real well.

Don’t wait so long to write because we sure enjoy hearing from you. I will close hoping God will Bless you according to your desires and I wish you the best of success in life. I hope you will have the opportunity of coming on another mission. We sure welcome you back.

From your sister in the Gospel,

Mrs. Esther Kinser [handwritten signature]

Mrs. Esther Kinser

P.S.
Oh yes, did you receive a letter or a card from Nora Gates, the lady who use to come to church with me sometimes. She told me she had written to you and I am sure she would be pleased to hear from you some time.

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse