MEETING FOR CONFIRMATION--CONVERT AND BAPTIZE MISS RICHARDS--HER
FATHER, A MINISTER, INVITES ME TO PREACH IN HIS CHAPEL--CONGREGATION
BELIEVE MY TESTIMONY--MR. RICHARDS FRIGHTENED--CLOSES HIS CHAPEL
AGAINST ME--HIS DAUGHTER TROUBLED--I PREDICT THAT HE WILL AGAIN OPEN
HIS CHAPEL TO ME--PREDICTION FULFILLED--OTHER ELDERS ENCOURAGED BY THE
REV. MR. MATTHEWS, WHO AFTERWARDS REJECTS THEIR TESTIMONY AND COMMENCES
PREACHING THEIR DOCTRINES ON HIS OWN ACCOUNT.
Having had considerable success the short time we had labored in that
place, and having baptized a number we requested them to meet at the
house of Sister Dawson for confirmation on the evening of the second
Sabbath after our arrival in Preston.
The people having come together, we fully explained to them the nature
of that ordinance about to be performed. We then laid our hands upon
between forty and fifty for the gift of the Holy Ghost, and confirmed
them members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While
attending to this ordinance the Spirit of the Lord rested down upon us
in a powerful manner, which caused us to rejoice exceedingly. Thus the
word of the Lord spread and prevailed.
About this time, a young lady, the daughter of a minister of the
Presbyterian order, who resided about fifteen miles from Preston, being
on a visit to that place, happened to be at the house of a family with
whom I was acquainted. Calling in to see them at the time she was there
I was introduced to her, and we immediately entered into conversation
on the subject of the gospel. I found her a very intelligent person,
and she seemed very desirous to hear the things I had to teach and
understand the doctrines of the gospel.
I informed her of an appointment I had made to preach that evening, and
invited her to attend. She did so, and likewise the evening following;
and after attending these two services she was fully convinced of the
truth, and the next morning sent for me, desiring to be baptized. I
cheerfully complied with her request, and confirmed her at the water
side. The following day, she started for home, requesting me to pray
for her, and gave us some encouragement to expect that her father would
open his chapel for me to preach in.
I hastened to my brethren, told them of the circumstance and the result
of my visit with the young lady, and then called upon them to unite
in prayer that the Lord would soften the heart of her father, that he
might be induced to open his chapel for us to preach in, and that our
way might be opened in that place.
The next week I received a letter from her, and one from her father,
in which he informed me that I was expected to be at his place the
following Saturday, as he had given out an appointment for me to preach
in his chapel the next Sunday. The following is a copy of the letter:
"_Sir_:--You are expected to be here next Saturday. You are given
out to preach in the forenoon, afternoon and evening. Although we
be strangers to one another, yet I hope we are not strangers to our
blessed Redeemer, else I would not have given out for you to preach;
our chapel is but little and the congregation but few--yet if one soul
be converted, it is of more value than the whole world.
I remain in haste,
JOHN RICHARDS."
Agreeable to the kind invitation, I made preparation to visit that
place, and took coach on Saturday afternoon at Preston and arrived at
his house a little before dark.
On my entering, he arose and said, "I understand you are the minister
lately from America!"
I told him I was, whereupon he bade me welcome to his house, and seemed
to rejoice at my arrival.
After receiving refreshment at his hospitable board, we commenced a
conversation which lasted till a late hour, which appeared satisfactory
to the whole family.
The next morning I accompanied the reverend gentleman to his chapel,
and at the hour appointed commenced to preach to a crowded congregation
on the principles of salvation. I likewise preached in the afternoon
and evening, and my hearers seemed to manifest great interest in the
things which I laid before them. Nearly the whole congregation shed
tears of joy.
After I had concluded the services of the day, Mr. Richards gave
out another appointment for me to preach on Monday evening, which I
attended to. I likewise, by request of the congregation, preached on
Wednesday evening.
A number now began to believe the doctrines I advanced, and on
Thursday, six individuals, all members of Mr. Richards' church, came
forward for baptism.
Mr. Richards now, seeing the effect which my preaching produced, and
fearing lest he should lose all his members and likewise the salary
which was allowed him for preaching, told me that he must close the
doors of his chapel against me; but at the same time his behavior was
kind, and to his praise be it spoken, treated me with the greatest
hospitality.
I then began to preach in private houses, which were opened in that
neighborhood, and I ceased not to declare to all who came to hear, both
by night and by day, the glorious tidings of salvation, and that God
had again restored the ordinances as at the first, and counselors as at
the beginning.
Notwithstanding Mr. Richards closed the door of his meeting house
against me, he frequently came to hear me preach.
His daughter felt very sorrowful on account of her father not allowing
me to preach any more in his place of worship, and wept much; but I
told her not to fear, for I believed that God would soften his heart
and cause him to open his chapel for me to preach in again.
During this time I was principally entertained at his house. The next
Sunday I went along with him to his meeting, feeling a desire to hear
him preach. After he had finished his discourse, I was surprised to
hear him give out another appointment for me to preach in his chapel. I
accordingly preached in the afternoon and in the evening, and the word
seemed to be with power and the effect was great upon the people. The
next day I baptized two more, both members of Mr. Richards' church.
Mr. Richards had preached in that place upwards of thirty years, and
his members, as well as the inhabitants of the place and vicinity, were
very much attached to him. Yet, when the fullness of the gospel was
preached, although in much weakness, the people, notwithstanding their
attachment and regard for their venerable pastor, being convinced of
their duty, came forward and followed the footsteps of the Savior by
being buried in the likeness of His death.
After laboring for some time in this neighborhood, I was warned by
the Spirit to return to Preston, and there found that I was anxiously
expected by the brethren. They had received letters from Brothers
Richards and Russell, which gave an account of their proceedings
since they left Preston. Brother Goodson had also returned from
Bedfordshire, where he and Brother Richards had labored, and he gave
us a relation of their mission and success. He informed us that a
minister by the name of Matthews, brother-in-law to Elder Joseph
Fielding, received them very kindly and invited them to preach in his
church. The invitation was accepted, and they preached several times.
The result was that a number, among whom was Mr. Matthews and his
lady, believed their testimony and the things which they proclaimed.
Mr. Matthews had likewise borne testimony to his congregation of the
truth of these things and that they were the same principles as taught
by the apostles in ancient days, and beseeched his church to receive
the same. Several of his members went forward and obeyed the gospel,
and the time was appointed when he was to be baptized. However, in
the interval, something had caused him to stumble, and darkness had
pervaded his mind, insomuch so that at the time specified he did not
make his appearance, but went to a Baptist minister residing in that
place whom he prevailed upon to baptize him. From that time he began to
preach baptism for the remission of sins, and no longer walked with the
Saints. However, a great part of his members left him and obeyed the
truth, and in a letter which he wrote to his brother-in-law, the Rev.
James Fielding, he stated that his best members had left him.
It would probably be well to say a few words respecting Mr. Matthews
and Mr. Fielding, and their congregations, also their situation prior
to the time the gospel saluted their ears.
Mr. Matthews, who was a gentleman of considerable learning and talents,
had been a minister in the established church of England. Seeing a
great many things in that church contrary to truth and righteousness,
and moreover, believing that an overturn was at hand, and that the
church was destitute of the gifts of the Spirit, and was not expecting
the Savior to come to reign upon the earth, as had been spoken by the
prophets, he felt led to withdraw from that body.
He consequently gave up his prospects in that connection, and began to
preach the things which he verily believed; and was instrumental in
raising up quite a church in that place.
Mr. J. Fielding had been a minister in the Methodist church, but for
some of the causes mentioned, had withdrawn from that society, and
had collected a considerable church in Preston. Those gentlemen, with
their congregations, were, I believe, diligently contending for that
faith which was once delivered to the Saints at the time we arrived,
but afterwards rejected the truth. Yet, notwithstanding they did not
obey the gospel, the greater portion of their members received our
testimony, obeyed the ordinances we taught, and are now rejoicing in
the blessings of the new and everlasting covenant.