IMPRESSED TO VISIT DOWNHAM AND CHATBURN--BAD CHARACTER OF THOSE
PLACES--WARNED AGAINST GOING--JOY WITH WHICH THE GOSPEL WAS
RECEIVED--THE PEOPLE EAGER TO BE BAPTIZED--LOTH TO PART WITH ME--VAIN
OPPOSITION FROM A MINISTER--AFFECTING CONDUCT OF LITTLE CHILDREN.
There being something interesting in the establishing of the gospel
in Downham and Chatburn, I will relate the circumstances of my visit
to those places, and the prospect we had of success prior to our
proclaiming the truth to them.
Having been preaching in the neighborhood of these villages, I felt it
my duty to pay them a visit and tell them my mission. I mentioned my
desires to several of the brethren, but they endeavored to dissuade me
from going, informing me that there could be no prospect of success, as
several ministers of different denominations had endeavored to raise
churches in these places, and had frequently preached to them, but to
no effect. They had resisted all the efforts and withstood the attempts
of all sects and parties for thirty years, and the preachers had given
them up to the hardness of their hearts. I was also informed that they
were very wicked places and the inhabitants were hardened against the
gospel.
However, this did not discourage me in the least, believing that the
gospel of Jesus Christ could reach the heart when the gospels of men
were found abortive. I consequently told those who tried to dissuade me
from going that these were the places I wanted to go to, and that it
was my business "not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
Accordingly I went in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and I soon
procured a large barn to preach in, which was crowded to excess. Having
taken my stand in the middle of the congregation so that all might be
able to hear, I commenced my discourse, spoke with great simplicity
on the subject of the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
the conditions of pardon for a fallen world, and the privileges and
blessings of all those who embraced the truth. I likewise said a little
on the subject of the resurrection.
My remarks were accompanied by the spirit of the Lord and were received
with joy, and these people, who were represented as being so hard and
obdurate, were melted with tenderness and love, and such a feeling was
produced as I never saw before; and the effect seemed to be general.
I then told them that, being a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, I
stood ready at all times to administer the ordinances of the gospel.
After I had concluded, I felt some one pulling at my coat. I turned
around and asked the person what it was he desired. The answer was
"Please, sir, will you baptize me?" "and me!" "and me!" exclaimed more
than a dozen voices.
We accordingly went down into the water, and before I left, I baptized
twenty-five for the remission of sins--and was thus engaged until four
o'clock the next morning.
Another evening the congregation was so numerous that I had to preach
in the open air, and took my stand on a stone wall, and afterwards
baptized a number.
These towns seemed to be affected from one end to the other; parents
called their children together, spoke to them of the subjects upon
which I had preached, and warned them against swearing and all other
evil practices, and instructed them in their duty, etc. Such a scene
I presume was never witnessed in this place before; the hearts of the
people appeared to be broken, and the next morning they were all in
tears, thinking they should see my face no more. When I left them my
feelings were such as I cannot describe. As I walked down the street,
followed by numbers, the doors were crowded by the inmates of the
houses, waiting to bid us a last farewell, who could only give vent to
their grief in sobs and broken accents.
While contemplating this scene we were induced to take off our hats,
for we felt as if the place was holy ground. The Spirit of the Lord
rested down upon us, and I was constrained to bless that whole region
of country.
We were followed a considerable distance from the villages by a great
number, who could hardly separate themselves from us. My heart was like
unto theirs, and I almost thought my head was a fountain of tears, for
I wept for several miles after I bid them adieu.
Some things transpired while I was in England which may be considered
of but little importance by the world, but which will no doubt be
appreciated by the Saints, who can not only mark the providence of God
as displayed in nations and kingdoms, but can observe its workings in
private life, and in affairs of but apparent small moment.
Soon after our arrival in England a great many of the "Aikenites"
embraced the gospel, which caused considerable ill feeling and
opposition among the ministers belonging to that sect.
Having lost quite a number, and seeing that many more were on the eve
of being baptized, one of the ministers came to Preston and announced
that he was going to put down "Mormonism," expose the doctrines and
overthrow the Book of Mormon. He made a very long oration on the
subject, and was very vehement in his manner, and pounded the Book of
Mormon, which he held in his hand, on the pulpit a great many times.
He then exhorted the people to pray that the Lord would drive us from
their coasts, and if the Lord would not hear them in that petition,
that he would smite the leaders.
The next Sunday Elder Hyde and I, being in Preston, went to our meeting
and read the 13th chapter of Corinthians. We strongly urged upon the
Saints the grace of charity, which is so highly spoken of in that
chapter, and took the liberty of making some remarks on the proceedings
of Mr. Aiken, the gentleman who had abused us and the Book of Mormon so
very much a few days before. In return for his railing, we exhorted our
people to pray that the Lord would soften his heart and open his eyes,
that he might see that it was "hard to kick against the pricks."
The discourse had a very good effect, and that week we had the pleasure
of baptizing about fifty into the kingdom of Jesus Christ, a large
number of whom were members of Mr. Aiken's church.
Thus the Lord blessed us exceedingly, notwithstanding the railing and
abuse of the priests, and all things worked together for our good and
the advancement of the cause of truth.
I cannot refrain from relating a circumstance which took place, while
Brother Fielding and I were passing through the village of Chatburn;
having been observed drawing nigh to the town, the news ran from house
to house, and immediately on our arrival, the noise of their looms was
hushed, the people flocked to the doors to welcome us, and see us pass.
The youth of the place ran to meet us, and took hold of our mantles and
then of each other's hands. Several, having hold of hands, went before
us, singing the songs of Zion, while their parents gazed upon the scene
with delight, poured out their blessings upon our heads, and praised
the God of heaven for sending us to unfold the principles of truth and
the plan of salvation to them.
Such a scene, and such gratitude, I never witnessed before. "Surely,"
my heart exclaimed, "out of the mouths of babes and sucklings, thou has
perfected praise!"
What could have been more pleasing and delightful than such a
manifestation of gratitude to Almighty God from those whose hearts
were deemed too hard to be penetrated by the gospel, and who had been
considered the most wicked and hardened people in that region of
country!
In comparison to the joy I then experienced, the grandeur, pomp and
glory of the kingdoms of this world shrank into insignificance and
appeared as dross, and all the honor of man, aside from the gospel, to
be vain.