From Richard T. Haag, instructor in German at the Latter-day Saints College in Salt Lake City, Utah

March 6, 1895 

Elder Ezra T. Clark 

Farmington 

Dear Brother.

Permit me to address a few words to you on the subject of your son's departure from this life, while in far off Haifa on the battlefield for truth proclaiming the glorious gospel of salvation. It is indeed a day of sorrow for you and your family and I assure you of my deepest sympathy in this sad bereavement. You may also be sure that all the saints upon hearing these sad news will offer a prayer of consolation in behalf of his parents and relatives. But I realize that spite all this and the comfort that the gospel brings us on such occasions, you are downcast and feel deeply the sudden departure of your son, for it is a double parting (to first go on one and then still another mission) and it is therefore double keenly felt. Yet you may with equal faith say with Job: The Lord has given it, the Lord has taken it, blessed be the name of the Lord," and experience also that blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted." 

Two years and a half ago I was called upon to undergo a similar trial, a cablegram reached this city announcing the death of my brother Adolf Haag at Haifa. We had not received the least warning, his last letters being to the effect that he was enjoying his missionary work and good health. You may understand what a task it was to break
the news to his young wife and her two little boys. Yet we have all had occasion to prove the words of the Savior, which I have quoted above.

As you are perhaps aware, it will be impossible to have the remains of your son brought here. At least it was for several reasons that we could not have those of my brother brought. First, he died of a contagious fever; second, the authorities of Haifa of the country and of the ships would absolutely not allow it; Third, the embalming of the