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Chapter 4.
Parting with Brethren Joseph Smith, D. H. Smith, and William Davis, Bro. A. H. Smith and I went with Brother John Jamieson to his home below Nebraska City, crossing the Missouri River in a skiff at Otoe Landing. Sunday morning, November 1, at about three o'clock, at the residence of Brother Jamieson was surrounded by a body of armed men in search of five Missouri guerillas who had raided Sidney, Iowa, not far from Fisher's Grove, and in doing so had killed a provost marshal and wounded other, causing great fear and consternation in all that region. For a few moments there was no little excitement, for we did not know but these armed men were Missouri raiders come to rob and lay waste as was their wont in many places in those times. But after an interchange of questions and answers the captain was assured by Brother Jamieson that Brother Alexander and myself were harmless
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preachers instead of Missouri guerillas. This little episode served to remind us keenly of the horrors of the Rebellion then cursing and ravaging our nation.
We remained preaching here till November 6, baptized a few, and then went to Brother John Leeka's, in Iowa, on foot, and attended district conference. After this we labored in and adjacent to the branches in Western Iowa and Eastern Nebraska during the winter, the weather very cold (at times thirty-two degrees below zero) and snow deep much of the time. Fair success attended our efforts.
December 6, Brother A. H. Smith and the writer administered to Sister Priscilla Conyers, who had been for days previous suffering great pain and blindness, from diseased eyes, and though we hesitated and doubted; when we saw her pitiable condition and the Spirit was given us in answer to fervent prayers, the Lord healed her instantly and she exclaimed to her husband at once, "Jack, thank God, I am healed! The pain has all left my eyes and my head."
On the nineteenth day of January, 1864, Brethren A. H. Smith, Thomas Revell, and the writer administered to Sister Prior Stephenson, of Council Bluffs, for cancer on the under side of socket-arch over her right eye, and by the blessing of God she was soon relieved of the affliction entirely and permanently.
Leaving Brother A. H. Smith to labor in Council Bluffs and vicinity, I proceeded on to Crescent City, North Pigeon, Boomer, Raglan, and Little Sioux, preaching by the way. On the twelfth day of Febru-
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ary Brother John Johnson went with me to Preparation, where we tarried, preaching three sermons and baptizing Orrin Butts, George M. Scott and wife, Elijah Cobb and wife, and on vote of members present we ordained Brother Butts to the office of elder.
February 20 and 21, attended and presided over a special conference in Little Sioux. Brother Rowland Cobb, who had been silenced for preaching that the soul of man passes into many mortal bodies by transmigration ere it attains celestial glory and perfection, was patiently heard for near two hours in defense and advocacy of that theory, after which scriptural and doctrinal facts were presented in opposition to it, proving that man has but one earthly probation. He promised to no longer preach or teach that theory.
Brother Jehiel Savage had been advocating Southern California as the safe, suitable, and appointed place of gathering, held that there was "the land bountiful" mentioned in the Book of Mormon, and by this had created unrest and dissension with some, and for that reason he had been silenced. He, too, was patiently heard by the conference, his position was disproved, and he, too, resolved to abandon his "private interpretation" of scripture, abide by the doctrinal teachings of the church, and await the word of the Lord on doctrine and church government when necessity called for it. Satan strove hard to effect division, but the Lord gave victory to his cause and confirmed the ministrations of the presiding officers.
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About this time we had occasion to reprove some of the ministry for unministerial antics, attitudes, gestures, and speeches in the pulpit, by which offenses came to sober, spiritually-minded persons, hindering and harming the work of the gospel.
February 29, we administered to Father John F. Roberts for bodily infirmities, and were constrained by the Spirit to tell him his life would be lengthened out and that he would overcome and attain eternal life. (He lived in health for many years afterwards.)
On reading the "History of Joseph Smith" in Times and Seasons and comparing it with the same in the Millennial Star, published by the Brighamites, found it somewhat changed in the latter.
April 6, our mission conference convened in Little Sioux. Attendance fair. Howard S. Smith, on vote; was silenced as an elder and cited to appear at next conference and answer to charges for teaching heretical doctrine.
Sister G. Washington Conyers, being administered to for chronic liver disease, received speedy relief.
April 26, 1 learned by letter from Brother A. H. Smith that conference had assigned me a mission in the East. About this date I received a copy direct from Elder J. W. Briggs of the revelation he received in Wisconsin, November 18, 1851, in respect to the latter-day apostasy and promised calling of Joseph, the son of Joseph the Seer, to the presidency of the church, and wrote it in my diary, May 1, 1864.
Elders D. B. Harrington and C. G. McIntosh had
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been appointed a mission to Utah by the fall conference of 1863, and the Saints in the branches in the Missouri Valley cheerfully aided in fitting them out. My efforts were directed to this matter, so far as needful, that they should start the last of May.
Worn down with incessant labor, traveling, and preaching, and having been exposed much to the extreme rigors of the winter and the frequent and heavy rains of spring, my bodily powers became weakened and diseased to such an extent that on the fifth day of May I was prostrated with sickness which threatened to be fatal. But on the 20th, having partially recovered, I started with my family to the special conference in North Star Branch, five miles east of Council Bluffs, to go thence to my home in Illinois. I mention this illness only to say that A resulted from persistently violating God's laws-the laws of life and health-and thus admonish others to shun like evils.
At this conference, on Monday, May 23, we witnessed an exhibition of faith towards God such as was had in ancient times, but such as, in these degenerate times, is reckoned to be rank fanaticism. Some important matters had been laid over from Saturday, the 21st, but the cold rain was falling, the wind from the east filled the grove with whistling, rustling sounds of warning, foretelling a heavy and protracted storm at hand, and outward appearances forbade any attempt to hold further services. After waiting in tents and covered wagons a short season beyond the time appointed for beginning service, Elders Wheeler Baldwin, J. A. McIntosh,
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Hugh Lytle, S. W. Condit, and others gathered into a tent and in faithful, fervent prayer and supplication laid the wants of the occasion before the Lord, humbly beseeching him to stay the winds and abate the storm that the business deferred might be disposed of in a proper manner. The winds soon abated, the rain ceased to fall, the business of conference was resumed and finished, and when there began to be disputations and wordy strife about matters foreign to conference affairs, the winds raised, the rain began falling, and the session closed while the storm was on. Such was the faith of the Saints in those times.
After this conference we passed on through the Glenwood and Plum Hollow Branches to Manti, assisting what we could in meetings, gaining in health and hope daily. At Manti eight were baptize, among them our daughter, Mary Caroline.
From this point we went on to Pleasanton, Ottumwa, String Prairie, and Montrose, to Nauvoo, where we attended an excellent district conference, meeting with Elders Joseph, A. H., and D. H. Smith, J. W. Gillen, and Ebenezer Robinson. All the exercises were spiritual and edifying. Charity and unity abounded.
We reached Amboy, Illinois, the seventeenth day of June, having been away in Western Iowa about two years and eight months.
June 25 and 26, attended a district conference near Amboy, Father Zenas H. Gurley presiding, and had a season of great joy and gladness. In the social-meeting Sunday morning, Sister Mahala Cad-
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well-Conderman, moved mightily by the Spirit, her face radiant with its power and grace, spoke in prophecy, saying, among other things: "Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith the Lord, for my coming is nigh; and if they are faithful they shall meet me and see my face."
The ninth day of July found myself and family located in the Rogers' settlement, near Fox River, five miles south of Plano. About this time I wrote Elder J. W. Briggs, in England, stating my objections to his article on "Immortality," in which he assumed that men who become the sons of perdition will never be resurrected.
Hedrickism at this time was near its zenith; predictions had been made by its leader, Granville Hedrick, that infused zeal, if not fanaticism, into the hearts of many of its small membership, and a large proportion of that few were anxiously expecting to soon gather to and possess the lands set apart and dedicated in and about Independence, Missouri, by the first elders of the church in 1831.
I formed the acquaintance of Mr. Hedrick in June, 1857, at Washburn, Illinois, and at other times and places up to 1861 and 1862. From him I learned that he was brought into the church under the labors of Elder Hervey Green, at New Diggings, near Galena, Illinois, then apostatized, and, soon after the death of Joseph the Seer, hearing Elder William 0. Clark, he reunited with the church, after that became an adherent of Gladden Bishop, then became engaged to some extent with spirit rappings, then wrote a little book against polygamy and in favor
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of the Saints voting in a president over the whole church. On invitation, in 1857, I attended a little conference over which he presided, near Mackinaw, Illinois; and in 1858 he and a Brother Owens attended a conference of the Reorganized Church at Zarahemla, Wisconsin, after which he gave me and Father Gurley a pressing invitation to attend a conference of the Hedrickites at Bloomington, Illipois, professedly to effect unity and fellowship with the Reorganized Church. Brother E. C. Briggs and I attended it; but before we started we had a season of prayer, dedicating ourselves and our mission to the Lord and seeking his favor and guidance. While at prayer the Holy Spirit fell upon Brother Briggs in power and he predicted that the people to whom we were going would yet "be brought down and be humbled in the very dust." Our astonishment at this testimony was very great, for we had supposed, from what Granville Hedrick and others had written us, that the Hedrickites were about to unite with the Reorganized Church. This we ardently desired, and we therefore interpreted the prediction in the light of our wishes, for we thought that when they learned the doctrine and history of the church they would feel self-condemned and humbled because they had not learned and understood the truth before.
And so we went on, still hoping they would soon unite with us. But in this we were doomed to bitter disappointment, for Mr. Hedrick, in his opening speech in conference, occupying between two and three hours, did little else than scandalize and berate the character and work of Joseph the Seer, a man
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he never saw, and so wretched was this tirade that I withdrew and strolled up into town till I supposed he had exhausted both himself and his subject. This ended my confidence as to the Christian fairness and wisdom of Mr. Hedrick and my hopes for a coalition of the people he presided over with the Reorganized Church. Therefore, in 1864 and 1865, though most strenuous efforts were made by its leaders, I was conscious that. Hedrickism was short lived and doomed to defeat and dissolution. But that faction caused some annoyance among "the ignorant and unlearned," chiefly, however, by its misstatements and misrepresentations in respect to Joseph the Seer and the church under his presidency and the Reorganized Church under the presidency of his son. Mr. Hedrick's predictions, especially in respect to our nation and the gathering of the Saints, proved that God never called and sent him to lead the Saints, for they failed miserably.
July 16 Elder George Rarick and 1 started for the East on mission work, going by the way of Mission Branch, Illinois, thence to Galien, Michigan, and from there to Whitestown, Franklin, and then to Brother H. N. Kent's, near Summitsville, Indiana, preaching at all these places and baptizing. I left Brother Rarick to continue his ministry in that and adjoining fields and went to Hagerstown, and thence in company with Elder Frank Reynolds to Dalton, Indiana, preaching there to large congregations, and, leaving Brother Reynolds in charge there proceeded on to Cincinnati and Syracuse, Ohio, and began a series of fruitful meetings there the twenty-eighth
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day of August, preaching daily and visiting inquirers from house to house as opportunity offered, held frequent social- and prayer-meetings, in which the gifts of the Spirit cheered and edified the Saints and those earnestly seeking the way of the Lord. Here I baptized David Griffiths and wife, and John Thomas and wife-father, mother, sister, and brother-in-law of Gomer T. Griffiths, of the Twelve. The latter then was a little boy whom, if I remember aright, I then blessed.
September 13 found me in Wheeling, West'Virginia, where I met with Arthur and Alexander Bickerton, Frederick Ebeling, and others, all of whom treated me with kindness, and on the 16th met with Elder James Brown and others, all of whom were Bickertonites. In the evening I attended their council meeting, and, on invitation, I addressed them, urging the necessity of accepting the authentic revelations of Joseph the Seer as indorsed officially by the church.
On the 17th I visited J. Gillespie, Mrs. Elizabeth Allen, and others, some of whom said they had seen me in night vision just prior to my coming. I held three meetings in Wheeling, Elder James Brown, of the Bickertonites, taking part in the services by my request. Seeking opportunities, I hunted up and visited with many who became interested in the doctrine and church I represented, many of whom afterwards united with us, and prominent among these latter was this Elder Brown. On the twenty-second day of September he went with me to Kate's Rock, a few miles below Wheeling, where we tarried five
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days, preaching, and on the 26th I organized a branch of nine members, James McDiffit presiding elder, George L. Spencer teacher, and Samuel Davenport deacon. At this meeting Elder James Brown and Mrs. Melvina Davis also gave their names for membership. He was one of William Bickerton's apostles.
October I I was at Wheeling and attended a meeting in which Elder William Bickerton and I presented our views on church government. He finally argued that all the law needful was that written in the heart of the disciple. I replied that if this were true there was no need for the written instructions given by our Lord and his apostles-"the law and the testimony"-and that it were vain to expect man to be judged according to that "written." Finding his position faulty, he at length concluded that the Doctrine and Covenants was given to the church under Joseph the Seer, but that it was not needed now, and that some of its revelations were not true. After holding a few more services and baptizing a number, I proceeded on to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, the fourth day of October, where I met Brethren Josiah Ells, A. Falconer, Joseph Parsons, Jesse Price, Matthew Smith, and others, and at once began preaching and looking up the scattered sheep throughout the city, and also in Allegheny City, where I met Brother James McDowell and family, Sister Mary Hulmes and family, and others who were interested in our efforts.
October 19 1 went by steamer to Mingo coal works and was the guest of Brother James Brown and
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family. Continued here till the 26th, preaching, visiting, and baptizing, and then returned to Pittsburg, where I continued five days.
As I write of these experiences, my heart is filled with gratitude to God for his guidance and grace, and for the Christian love and fellowship of the Saints during my labors among them. A goodly number were baptized by Brother Josiah Ells and myself, and the Spirit of the Lord comforted and confirmed the souls of the disciples.
October 31 I reached New Brighton, near Beaver, Pennsylvania, and hunted up a goodly number of old members in those two towns and their vicinities. A Sister Carter, widow of a one time presiding elder of a branch at that place, related how Brigham Young, in an evening conversation with her husband and others, in 1844, stated that he no longer needed the Bible as a guide, because he had in his breast a surer guide than that.
Returning to Pittsburg I proceeded by train to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where I found Elder William Small and family, at one time worthy and helpful members of the church, but who became bewildered by Rigdonism. They received me kindly. On the 10th I reached Hyde Park and was cordially received by Randolph Jones and others interested in our work. Here and at Providence and Hampton I hunted out a few who in due time united, with the church.
Brother James Jenkins had previously written me to know whether it was advisable for him to flee to Canada to escape being drafted (money being
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offered him by those opposed to the draft), or to enlist, get bounty, and thus enter the service of the Union. I had replied to him promptly to stand by his adopted country and its laws, enlist for its defense, arrange as well as he could for the comfort of his family, and go into the service of his country
trusting in God for guidance and preservation, and that doing so he would be blessed and prospered. I now found he had accepted my counsel and with the liberal aid he had received from the city and nation and other sources had settled his family in a comfortable way and had gone to the army. It was my privilege to meet him a year afterward and learn that he never had occasion to go into battle, enjoyed perfect health and returned home with an honorable discharge and received the blessings of his household and substantial tokens of respect from his fellow citizens.
On the 22d I visited Pittston and there found some old members of the church, and on the 28th reached St. Clair, where I remained preaching for a short time. I labored also at Shenandoah, Minersville, and Pottsville, baptizing at some of the foregoing places.
The 30th found me in the city of Philadelphia, the guest of N. H. Ditterline, a member of the church in the days of the Seer. On answering my call at the door, he exhibited amazement and surprise, but invited me in and greeted me very warmly, and a short time afterwards told me he saw me in a night vision, the night before I came, with satchel in hand, just as I came to him. Of course, the Lord went
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before me as he promises to do for his servants, and prepared the hearts of the family so that I never wanted for a home and Christian helpers in Philadelphia so long as Brother Ditterline and family were living.
I was shown before reaching the city -a vast threshing-floor where I gathered eighteen large, beautiful grains of wheat from among the straw and chaff. In due time, after patient labor, I gathered out eighteen worthy members, and after that others were added to their number.
Here I first met and was kindly received by Brother and Sister John Chisnall, now of Kewanee, Illinois. In this city I found the remains of a Rigdonite branch, Joseph Newton, the leader of one part of it, and James Logan, the leader of another part. These would not agree, except in opposing my efforts. Pilate and Herod now became friends. As I had done many times before, I took up collections at my meetings to defray contingent expenses of hall hire, advertising, car fare, etc., and was liberally sustained in this manner until I effected a branch organization. The branch ever afterwards carried out similar methods in their financial matters. While in this city I called on the officers of the Brighamite branch, sought the privilege of speaking to their people or the use of their hall at a convenient season for that purpose, but was denied and opposed.
December 21 1 returned to Pittsburg and labored there and in Allegheny City until the 26th, when I took train for my home at Sandwich.
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During all this trip abroad, among total strangers chiefly, though feeble in bodily health, I was greatly cheered and strengthened and prospered of the Lord, planting the work of Christ in many places and winning many souls to the loving service of the Lord.
January 14, 1865, found me with Brother I. L. Rogers at the home of David Dancer, near Wilton, Illinois, not far south of Chicago. A Reverend Rufus Smith, Mount Morris, had an appointment to preach in Wilton against the Latter Day Saints, and Mr. Dancer, whose wife was a member of the Reorganized Church, had procured Brother Rogers and me to be present and look after the interests of our members. We were therefore on hand promptly at the meeting hour, in the midst of a packed and overflowing congregation, to see and hear what was done to overthrow the Reorganized Church. In the pulpit and in front of it there were many sectarian preachers, and as we perceived Mr. Smith to be a shrewd, intellectual, and experienced speaker, we trembled lest, by his arts, he inflicted harm on the little flock of inexperienced members present. Moved by a common impulse of the Holy Spirit, Brother Rogers and myself, though seated some distance apart, prayed silently but fervently that God would interpose and make the occasion one to bless and strengthen the Saints.
When Mr. Smith attempted to speak derisively of Joseph the Seer and the Saints, he would stammer and stutter and seem at great loss both for ideas and words, but on the other hand when he would speak faithfully of the doctrine they advocated he was
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quite fluent. This condition continued with him until at length he apologized for his embarrassing condition, saying he never before was troubled in that manner. He then related that he met on the train, coming, "a good Latter Day Saint" who told him that God restored the gospel through Joseph Smith, by the hands of an angel (and here he turned and directed his words to the ministers about him), "because we are divided and contentious in regard to religious matters and do not follow strictly the teachings of Jesus and his disciples as written in the Bible!" He further stated that from that time forward he would seek to teach, faithfully, what was written in the Scriptures, and for financial support he would trust the Lord, and when called to leave home on preaching tours would leave his greenbacks with his wife, and even surrender his staff, if he had one. He remarked that this strange Latter Day Saint whom he met believed in the Bible and was remarkably well posted in it, and he called him "a good brother." In after times I sought diligently to find out who that good brother was. but could never learn, though I supposed I then knew every Latter Day Saint in all those regions or near them. Reverend Smith, a year afterwards, gave notice and returned and preacched there "the funeral-sermon of Protestantism," and thereafter abjured all church organizations. We held a few meetings, setting forth the doctrine of the church, and agreeable to previous arrangements returned home with Brother Rogers.
I spent the balance of the winter laboring chiefly
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in Fox River Valley and Central Illinois. April I a council of the ministry met at the schoolhouse near Brother I. L. Rogers'. President Joseph Smith was chosen to preside, and Charles Derry clerk. Here the question was raised in regard to the ordination of Africans to offices in the priesthood, and considerable discussion ensued. In a prayer-meeting, the evening of the 2d, a brother, Joseph Robinson, spoke in tongues, and President Smith gave the interpretation in which it was stated that the War of the Rebellion would be "brought speedily to a close," and that our nation would "have peace for a season;" also that the "prejudice of race, color, and caste would soon be done away among the Saints," and that "every nation and people" would soon have gospel ministers of their own."
Council continued until the 6th, when conference convened in Plano, Joseph Smith and William Marks presiding. At this conference President Joseph Smith was appointed to take charge of the publishing and editorial departments of the Herald Office, and of all the church publications. I was appointed to preside over the eastern district of the United States. This conference directed "that all appointments of missions by the conference are made with the understanding that they (the missionaries) are to labor in their ministry under the direction of the presidency of countries of pastorates in which their fields of labor lie."
The conference and councils were agitated no little on the question as to whether the Saints were justified in bearing arms in the service of the nation.
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Prominent among those who took the negative was Brother Samuel Powers, a man of great moral worth and intellectual force; but the church, through its conferences and councils hitherto, had affirmed that they were justified, and they so affirmed now by a very large majority, and ruled that the Saints should
follow the instruction previously given by committee of three appointed by conference, who prepared and published an article entitled "Loyalty." On the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth days of May, council of the First Presidency and Twelve Apostles was held at the residence of Bishop I. L. Rogers, near Sandwich, Illinois, in which it was resolved to reaffirm the article published in the Herald on the first day of May, 1863, entitled "Loyalty of the
Saints"; also that the "Choice Seer" of 2 Nephi, chapter two, is Joseph Smith the Martyr; also that in case a president of a branch refuses to act in accordance with the will of the majority of said branch, the other officers of the branch should report him to the next higher in authority over such president. It was also resolved that "the gospel makes provisions for the ordination of men of the negro race who were received into the church by
obedience to its ordinances."
This latter question was discussed, pro and con, with great warmth and persistency, and when put to a vote none would vote for it nor against it. Whereupon, Father Zenos H. Gurley said: "It is evident that we feel we lack wisdom in respect to this question, and I therefore move that we now refer it to the First President of the church, that
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he may lay it before the Lord and ask -for needed instruction." President Smith arose and said: "If it be your judgment that this motion obtain, please raise your right hands"; and all hands were raised. The hour was now late, the council therefore adjourned; and on assembling the morning of the 5th, President Joseph Smith presented and had read the revelation found in section 116, Doctrine and Covenants.
Many of the council bore testimony that the Lord witnessed by his Spirit to them that the revelation was divine; and all, on motion, accepted it as of the Lord. But though 1, with Bishop Rogers, accepted it heartily, and had previously advocated its sentiments, yet neither of us then received any special evidence of its divinity. But on the next day after, Brother Rogers called at my house and requested to hear the revelation (a copy of which I had) read again, "for" said he, "I received no testimony by the Spirit when it was read in council, nor since." I then took the revelation, sat down in the doorway, and read it aloud, Brother Rogers and my wife being near; and just as soon as I began reading, the Holy Spirit was poured out upon each of us in great assurance, witnessing the truth of the revelation and melting us to joyful tears. Some months after this, when in Pennsylvania and reading the Book of Mormon, Alma 15: 11, 12, the Lord opened my understanding and enabled me to see, in the paragraphs here cited, that his word there given taught the same sentiments as those contained in the revelation. In after times I inquired of many
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if they had ever fully understood the sentiments set forth in those paragraphs and was universally answered that they had not. This occurrence, like many others of a similar character, shows how perfectly the teachings of the Spirit of God agree, though given to different persons, in different ages, and in different parts of the world.
May 9, 1865, after prayer and committing myself and family to God, I parted from them to prosecute a mission to St. Louis, Missouri., as requested by the late conference. I proceeded on to Davenport and New Buffalo, Iowa, looking after the interests of the branches in these places, and then went to Burlington, and to Nauvoo, Illinois, the 15th. While there I had an interview with Sister Emma, the widow of Joseph the Seer, and her son Alexander. She stated that in the spring of 1844 a council, composed of a number of the leading authorities ' of the church, was held in Nauvoo, and at its close Elder G. J. Adams came and said to her, rejoicing greatly, that one matter was now settled; they now knew who Joseph's successor would be,- it was little Joseph, for he had just seen him set apart under the hands of his father and others.
Brother Alexander H. Smith then related that Elder James Whitehead, a one time secretary of Joseph the Seer, said to him not long before, that in the spring of 1844, just prior to the death of the Seer, "young Joseph" was set apart in a council by his father and others to be his successor, and that Bishop Whitney, Doctor Bernhisel, W. W. Phelps, Alpheus Cutler, Willard Richards, and, he thought,
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John Taylor were present on that occasion; also that Bishop Whitney held the horn of oil; and further, that Joseph the Seer afterward stated to the Saints from the public stand that he was no longer their prophet, and, putting his hand on young Joseph's head, he said, "This is your prophet. I am going to rest."
I reached St. Louis the 19th and soon became acquainted with many warm hearted Saints residing here. Here 1 met Brother Gillen, and we proceeded to regulate and set in order what was needed in that branch, and in the one at Gravois, a few miles away. Some of the elders residing in the St. Louis Branch assumed the right to hold branch councils and pass rules for the government of the branch. We held, in councils, regularly called, that they had no authority for such acts, for the reason that they had not been appointed to it by either the branch or the district. Thereupon the council, on motion, resolved: "1. That only those chosen by the branch in a regular way are its authorities. 2. That all branch councils must be called by the branch or its presiding authorities."
On mature reflection the ministry and the membership heartily accepted our ministration, and peace, unity, and good fellowship were restored.
May 30 we wrote a notice to Elder George Hall, president of the St. Louis Branch, silencing him as a minister and demanding his license to be given to Elder William Hazzledine, president of the St. Louis District, and requesting him to await final action on his case.
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We continued to preach in St. Louis and vicinity until the eighth day of June, when Brother Gillen parted with me, he going to Cincinnati and the East.
During the time I remained in St. Louis a Sister Robert Smith and another sister, moved by a spirit to deceive and mislead, visited me at Brother James Anderson's. On entering the room and speaking to me, I discerned at once the spirit she was actuated by, and I reproved her for her unchristian course. About these times it seemed that a great variety of spirit influences were at work to blind, mislead, and destroy the branch; but in due time all was set in order, a goodly number were baptized, and the Spirit of the Lord gave much light and edification to the members.
July 2, conference of the St. Louis District convened. Elder William Hazzledine was chosen president, and by suitable effort, aided by the counsel we gave, district affairs were placed in a very satisfactory and promising condition.
On the 4th the Saints and some of their friends celebrated the day at a point in the forest west of the city. The Declaration was read by Elder George Thorp, addresses made by myself and others, recitations by the children and young people followed, interspersed with songs and hymns, and a most enjoyable season was had. After these exercises closed, I baptized four persons.
I remained in St. Louis and vicinity up to the 5th and was much blessed by the Lord and liberally aided by the Saints and friends. From here I went to Hannibal, Missouri, remained three days, held
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three services, and then passed on to Quincy and home.
On the twenty-seventh day of July I went, in company with my family, Father Z. H. Gurley, Elijah Banta, and Mrs. M. Faulkner, to East Paw Paw, where I had, at one time, been engaged in merchandising for years, and we held services in the seminary hall in the evening, replying to an attack upon our church, made by Elder Sheldon of the Methodist Church. The hall was filled to overflowing by my old neighbors, anxious to learn the facts of our faith as assaulted by Reverend Sheldon. The Lord stood by me in power and the services resulted well, some being converted to the faith by the presentation made. We all passed on to conference the next day, which convened the 29th, and though the attendance was not large, we were greatly blessed of the Lord. On the 30th Mrs. Faulkner [now Sister M. Walker] was baptized by Father Z. H. Gurley, and at her confirmation in the afternoon it pleased God to bestow on her the baptism of his Holy Spirit, fully confirming her in the faith of the gospel of Christ.
August 8 found me at Brother George A. Blakesfee's, Galien, Michigan, and on the 15th I reached Kirtland, Ohio. Preached here till the 22d, and then went on, via Erie, Pennsylvania, to Brookfield, Ohio, where I remained preaching and baptizing as opportunity offered till August 29, when I was joined by Brethren Stephen J. Stone and C. G. Lanphear on their way west from New York. I proceeded thence to New Brighton, Pennsylvania, the 30th.
The second day of September I received a letter
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had his from my wife stating that our son Charles arm broken. That night I made his case one of special prayer, and I saw him in a night vision, looking ruddy and well, the afflicted arm swinging leisurely at his side, and I said to him, "Charley, how is your arm?"
He replied, "0, it is all right now."
I said to him further, "Does it not pain you any?"
"No," he replied, "it has pained me none since I had it administered to."
A few days after this I received a letter from my wife stating nearly if not exactly the very words used by my son in the night vision.
We mention these incidents in detail that the reader may see how the tender watchcare of the Lord through the Spirit is near them who serve him, and that, too, in some of the humbler matters of life.
I remained in New Brighton, Beaver, and vicinities till the 11th, Brother Joseph Parsons and myself, in the meantime, baptizing ten persons and confirming them.
I spent the time from September 11 to the 27th in Pittsburg, Alleghany City, Mingo Coal Works, Brighton, and Forksburg, baptized some at all of these places, and on the 24th organized a branch in New Brighton, Pennsylvania, where there were about thirty members. On the 28th I reached St. Clair, Pennsylvania, remained there a few days and baptized four persons. Also baptized some at Shenandoah City.
October 10 found me in the city of Philadelphia, the guest of John Chisnall, where I met Elder James
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W. Gillen. We labored together till the 18th, in the city, when I went to Hyde Park_and he to Fall River, Massachusetts. During the next fifteen days I labored in Hyde Park, Scranton, Pittston, Plymouth, and Danville, and in the latter place baptized four persons and confirmed them at the house of Brother William Crum.
The latter part of October and the chief part of November I devoted my time in the ministry in Pittsburg and vicinity and in New Brighton, from whence I proceeded home, reaching there November 25. The balance of the winter I spent in teaching the district school, near where I resided, and preaching when I could take leisure from school service.
March 18 found me at St. David's, near Canton, Illinois, worn down with school and pulpit labors and exposures, and suffering from bronchial affections which had afflicted me for the past two years. I reached home the 21st, accompanied by Brother Elijah Banta. Before reaching my house I told him I should be sick nigh unto death, and requested him to mention the matter to no one, for the fact had been shown to me some days before, and that I would
recover.
Under date of April 11, 1866, my diary notes read follows: "I have been sick with acute bronchitis r the past twenty-three days, but am now recovering fast and am able to ride to Plano in carriage and attend the last day of conference."
Brother Joseph Smith, at the opening of conference, April 6, in an inspirational prayer, pleaded
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with the Lord for my recovery, also that my voice be heard in the conference ere its close. That prayer was granted, though all outward indications were against it, until the evening of the 10th. From that time forth I gained in health rapidly, and on May 2 went with Brethren Marks and Rogers to Nauvoo to procure the manuscript of the Inspired Translation by Joseph the Seer. On the morning of the 3d we called on Sister Emma, the widow of the Seer, stating that we had come by direction of the church to procure the manuscript, that it might be prepared for the printer and be published at an early time. She very readily placed it in our hands, and in reply to our inquiry as to what remuneration she asked for taking care of it in the past, she replied that she would make no charge, but said if we would furnish her a copy of the book when published she would be pleased. We said to her that the church was quite willing to pay her well for the manuscript, either a stated amount or a percentage on sales, as she might choose. She replied promptly that if she had desired to sell the manuscript she could have done so long ago at a large price, for the Brighamites and others had importuned her for it and some had attempted to steal it. She said that she had entertained no fears of any one getting it in any improper way from her possession, for she was conscious that the watchcare of the Lord was over it.
Returning home on the 5th, contrary to previous arrangements and by admonition of the Holy Spirit, I speedily arranged and went to Michigan and
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labored a short season and then proceeded on to Kirtland, reaching there the fifth day of June, where I spent fifteen days, preaching there and at other points in that region with good results. Here I was joined on the 18th by President Joseph Smith and Elder Elijah Banta, on their return from a trip to Washington, Joseph having been called there by the chairman of the Committee on Territories. On the 20th Elder Banta and I went to Mineral Ridge, Ohio, where we preached a short season, baptized some, and went thence -to Brookfield, Ohio. We held a series of meetings at this place, attended district conference July 7 and 8, were greatly blessed in our administration by the Spirit of the Lord, though Elder Banta passed through a season of great trial, Satan and his emissaries seeking in a most subtle manner to destroy his confidence in his ordination to the ministry. The Lord had graciously foreshown to him these assaults of the enemy, and being thus prepared he was thereby fortified against them.
July 9 found us at Brother E. Tyler's, near Conneautville, Pennsylvania. Here we tarried until the 13th, preaching nightly, and daily visiting among the few members and friends residing there. On the 15th we reached Greenwood, New York, where we remained, preaching and reasoning with the people as we had opportunity, until the 22d. While here Brother Banta was greatly blessed of the Lord, the Holy Spirit was given him in large measure the evening of the 22d when preaching. From that time forward he probably never questioned his call to the
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organized a branch there, W. W. Jones presiding elder, and Thomas 0. Davis priest. I spent the time from the thirteenth to the twenty-ninth days of August at Danville, St. Clair, and Shenandoah City, preaching and visiting. On the 27th I baptized Jonathan D. Ellis, post-master at Shenandoah City, and ordained him to the office of elder, he to have the watchcare of the church in that city and vicinity. Here we were crowded out of both church and schoolhouse, and on invitation of the proprietor, Mr. Williams, I preached in his saloon and restaurant, having the best of order and attention. I baptized a goodly number in that region while on this trip, and we had great joy and gladness in the society of these Saints.
On the 30th I proceeded to Fall River, Massachusetts, via New York City, and on the 31st began ministerial labors there in connection with Elder William Cottam, president of the little branch planted by Elder J. W. Gillen. - I continued my labors here, holding meetings at night and visiting among the people by day, until the 11th, during which time five were baptized and the Holy Spirit confirmed the word with signs following.
The 12th found Brother and Sister Thomas Gilbert and myself in Dennisport. We remained there and at Middletown, near by, until the 17th. Brother Gilbert administered baptism to a few. On the 17th I went to Boston, where I tarried, the guest of Brother E. N. Webster, visiting Charleston, Chelsea, Somerville, Lawrence, and Salem. Hunted out a goodly number who became interested in our labors, and on
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the 25th I baptized Brother E. N. Webster and his daughter Enonora in Boston Bay. Here was my first administration of baptism in the sea.
These were days never to be forgotten, for the Lord aided us greatly and made happy the hearts of those who received the gospel in love.
On the 29th I visited Cohassett and called upon the family of Captain Cyrus Gammon. He with his wife had formerly been members of the church, had stumbled over the heretical doings of Brigham Young and others, but still retained a love for the gospel. I learned that there were about thirty former members there, but many of the male members, like Captain Gammon, were out at sea, for they were seamen by occupation.
Between the fourth and tenth days of October I made the tour of Millbury, Pawtucket, Cranston, and Providence, seeking out those who once had been members of the church, and others who were interested in the faith, reasoning with and distributing tracts among those who would receive us.
On the 13th and 14th we held the first conference of the Massachusetts District, Brother William Cottam being chosen to preside. The attendance of the
membership was not large, but the Spirit of the Lord blessed the people mightily. The gifts were bestowed abundantly in the meeting the forenoon of the 14th. Among those who were so blessed was a little daughter of Brother William Cottam. She arose in the assembly and in a meek, humble way bore her testimony, saying that God had greatly blessed her with his Spirit in answer to prayer:
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that her teachers and parents had taught her to pray, and she knew that the gospel she had received was of the Lord. At this she stopped speaking, stood and trembled, her face bathed in tears and shining like light, and then, with clasped hands and face uplifted, she broke forth praying in another tongue. The Holy Spirit rested upon the entire assembly in great power, and all were melted to tears. The president of the meeting gave the interpretation, which was a prayer to God that he would bless, preserve, and finally save her in his everlasting kingdom. Time can never efface from my Memory the experience of my first trip in gospel work to the Eastern States.
On the 16th I started for the West, calling at Hyde Park Pittsburg, and New Brighton, Dunmore, Pennsylvania, preaching and teaching as opportunity could be found. A goodly number were baptized. Then went on to Brookfield and Syracuse, Ohio, at each of which places some were baptized. From the latter place I proceeded on by the way of Cincinnati to New Albany, where I met Brother Elijah Banta, agreeable to previous appointment, and from whence we went by carriage to Scottsville on the twelfth day of December and were kindly received by Mr. David Scott. On the evening we began a series of meetings at the schoolhouse. The people seemed very shy. The evening of the 14th we preached in Mount Eden chapel, and had, for one of our hearers, Reverend Henry, of New Albany, who had been imported into Scottsville to refute us and frighten us away. The congregation was very large
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be bestowed, generally, upon the church. He also claimed that the Bible, that used by the Protestants, contained all the word of God ever given to man or that ever would be; and further, that the Latter Day Saints proved themselves heretics when they taught a church organization, similar to that of the Christians in the times of Christ and his apostles, and that the promise of the Holy Spirit should he enjoyed by the membership of Christ's church in these latter days.
We took notes, carefully, and after a ten-minute recess took up his principle points in order and replied for two hours, not a soul of the large congregation leaving their seats.
Reverend Henry then, for half an hour, tried to amend and explain and fix up his flimsy, shattered theories, and to this I replied an equal length of time. This was the beginning of a goodly work in that region of country, and we followed it up with five more discourses and then went on to Franklin, Indiana, where I again joined Brother Banta and from whence we proceeded home.
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