FIRST CONFERENCE IN ENGLAND--WORD OF WISDOM FIRST TAUGHT THERE--ENEMIES
ACTIVE--URGENT INVITATION FROM A BAPTIST CHURCH--THE EFFECT OF OUR
PREACHING.
It being near Christmas, we agreed to hold a general conference in
Preston on Christmas day, there being business of importance to the
churches to be attended to; and likewise several to be ordained to the
ministry.
On Christmas day, the Saints assembled in the Cock Pit, and we then
opened the conference, which was the first that was held by the Church
of Christ in that country. There were about three hundred Saints
present on the occasion, all of whom with the exception of three had
been baptized within a very short time. Elders Hyde, Fielding and
myself were present.
The brethren were instructed in the principles of the gospel, and their
several duties enjoined upon them, as Saints of the Most High. We then
proceeded to ordain several of the brethren to the Lesser Priesthood,
to take charge of the different branches where they resided. We
confirmed fourteen who had previously been baptized, and blessed about
one hundred children.
At this conference, the Word of Wisdom was first publicly taught in
that country; having previously taught it more by example than precept;
and, from my own observation afterwards, I am happy to state that it
was almost universally attended to by the brethren.
The Spirit of the Lord was with us during our interview, and truly the
hearts of the Elders were rejoiced beyond measure when we contemplated
the glorious work which had begun. We had to exclaim, "It is the Lord's
doings, and it is marvelous in our eyes! Blessed be the name of the
Lord!"
I felt greatly humbled before the Lord, who had crowned our labors with
such signal success, and had prospered us far beyond my most sanguine
expectations.
Immediately after this conference, Elder Hyde and I went to a village
called Longton, situated near the sea-shore, where we raised the
standard of truth, and published to the listening crowds, the glad
tidings of salvation. After delivering two discourses, several came to
us and requested baptism. It being very cold weather, insomuch that
the streams were all frozen up, we had to repair to the sea-shore to
administer that ordinance, and immersed fifteen in the waters of the
ocean.
It would probably be too tedious, to enumerate all the particulars
which occurred during the time we sojourned in that country; I shall
therefore pass over many events which, though pleasing to us at that
time, and which showed the kind dealings of our Heavenly Father, would
not be sufficiently interesting to others. I shall therefore content
myself by giving an outline of the principal circumstances attending
our mission, which I have no doubt will be pleasing to the brethren,
and to all who love the prosperity of Zion.
From this time, until about five weeks previous to our departure from
that land, we were continually engaged in the work of the ministry,
proclaiming the everlasting gospel in all the region round about,
and baptizing all such as believed the gospel and repented of their
sins. And truly, "the Lord of Hosts was with us, the God of Jacob was
our refuge." The Holy Ghost the Comforter was given to us and abode
with us in a remarkable manner, while the people thronged to hear
our addresses, and "numbers were added to the church daily, such as
should be saved." We would baptize as many as fifty in Preston in a
week, exclusive of those in the country. During one short mission
which Brother Hyde and I took into the country, after preaching five
discourses on the principles of our holy religion, we had the pleasure
of immersing one hundred and thirty in the waters of baptism.
Thus mightily ran the word of God and prospered to the joy and comfort
of His servants, and to the salvation of precious and immortal souls;
while the world was struck with amazement and surprise at the things
which they saw and heard. During this state of things, our enemies were
not idle, but heaped abuse upon us with an unsparing hand, and issued
torrents of lies after us, which, however, I am thankful to say, did
not sweep us away.
Among those most active in publishing falsehoods against us and the
truth, were many of the reverend clergy, who were afraid to meet us
face to face in honorable debate, although particularly requested so
to do, but sought every opportunity to destroy our characters, and
propagate their lies concerning us, thus giving testimony that "they
loved darkness rather than light."
Although we frequently called upon the ministers of the different
denominations, who had taken a stand against us, to come forward
and investigate the subject of our religion before the world in an
honorable manner, and bring forth their strong reasons to disprove
the things we taught, and convince the people by sound argument and
the word of God, if they could, that we did not preach the gospel of
Christ, they altogether declined.
This course we felt moved upon by the Spirit to adopt; but they kept
at a respectful distance, and only came out when we were absent, with
misrepresentations and abuse. It is true we suffered some from the
statements which they thought proper to make, when we could get no
opportunity to contradict them; but generally their reports were of
such a character that they carried along with them their own refutation.
The time when we expected to return to our native land, having now
nearly arrived, it was thought necessary to spend the short time we
had to remain in that country in visiting and organizing the churches;
placing such officers over them, and giving such instructions as would
be beneficial to them during our absence. Accordingly, Brothers Hyde,
Fielding and I entered upon this duty, and we visited a Church nearly
every day, and imparted such instructions as the Spirit directed.
We first visited the Churches south of Preston, and after spending
some time in that direction we journeyed to the north, accompanied by
Brother Richards, who had just returned from the city of Bedford.
While we were attending to our duties in that section, we received a
very pressing invitation from a Baptist church, through the medium
of their deacon, to pay them a visit, stating that the society was
exceedingly anxious to hear from our own lips, the wonderful things we
had proclaimed in the regions round about.
We endeavored to excuse ourselves from going, as our engagements
already were such that it would require the short time we had to stay
to attend to them. But they seemed determined to take no denial, and
plead with us with such earnestness that we could not resist their
entreaties, and finally we consented to go and preach once.
Having arrived at the place, we found a large congregation already
assembled in the Baptist chapel, anxiously awaiting our arrival. The
minister gave out the hymns for us, and Elder Hyde spoke on the subject
of the resurrection with great effect; after which the minister gave
out another hymn which was sung by the assembly, and then he requested
me to address them. I arose and spoke briefly on the first principles
of the gospel.
During the services the congregation were overjoyed, the tears ran
down their cheeks, and the minister could not refrain from frequently
clapping his hands together for joy while in the meeting. After
the service was over he took us to his house, where we were very
kindly entertained. After partaking of his hospitality he with some
more friends, accompanied us to our lodgings, where we remained in
conversation until a very late hour.
The next morning while we were preparing to depart we were waited upon
by several of the citizens, who requested us to preach again that day,
stating that great interest was felt by the inhabitants, many of whom
were in tears, fearing they should hear us no more; and that a number
of influential men, had suspended operations in their factories, to
allow their workmen the privilege of hearing us preach. But we were
obliged to deny them, as it was necessary to attend to the appointments
we had previously made. We could scarcely tear ourselves away from
them, and when we did so they wept like little children. Such a desire
to hear the gospel, I never saw equalled before.
After commending them to the grace and mercy of God, we went to
Downham, where we preached in the afternoon, after which forty came
forward and were baptized. In the evening we called the churches of
Chatburn and Downham together, and after confirming forty-five who had
previously been baptized, we appointed priests, teachers and deacons to
preside over them.