FURTHER INCIDENTS OF THE JOURNEY--MONEY INCREASED BY THE POWER
OF GOD--ARRIVE AT KIRTLAND AHEAD OF BRETHREN, IN FULFILLMENT OF
MY PREDICTION--SERVICES IN THE TEMPLE--VISIT MY OLD HOME AND MY
RELATIVES--KIND TREATMENT--ARRIVE IN NEW YORK--JOYFUL MEETING WITH
BRETHREN.
On the 22nd of October, Elder Almon W. Babbitt and Dr. Knight, an
eminent physician, came from Pleasant Garden to see me, and the next
day Brother James Modisett took us in his father's carriage twenty
miles, to the house of Brother Addison Pratt. From there we were
conveyed by Dr. Knight to Pleasant Garden, and put up with Brother
Jonathan Crosby. We found a few brethren there, who were well and in
good spirits. We remained three days, preaching to the few brethren and
those who wished to hear. * * *
Before leaving, Dr. Knight and some others gave us some money to
assist us on our mission. While there I also received a letter from my
wife, giving an account of her sickness since I left, also that of our
children, William and Helen. I wrote her a comforting letter in reply,
praying the Lord to bless her and the little ones.
On the 26th, Brother Babbitt took us in his buggy twelve miles, to the
house of Brother Scott, whose family was very glad to see us, and we
tarried with them through the night, after which Brother Scott sent his
little son, John, to convey us to Bellville, fifteen miles, several
miles of the journey in a rain storm, which obliged us to put up at
an inn for the remainder of the day and night. Brother Brigham was
very sick, and had to go to bed. I sat up to wait upon him, and spent
the evening with the landlord and his lady, preaching to them. They
received our testimony, and were very kind to us.
The following morning the landlord arose very early, and talked to
the citizens about the travelers who had stayed with him the night
previous, and what he had heard us say concerning the gospel. The
neighbors flocked in; made many enquiries and were very anxious that we
should tarry and preach in the place.
Our host said several times he hoped the stage would not come, that we
might stay and preach, as the people were very much excited on account
of a great discussion which had recently occurred between two popular
preachers.
The stage, however, came along about ten o'clock, and we started on our
way towards Kirtland, leaving the landlord in tears.
The money given to us in Pleasant Garden added to the five dollars we
had left when the brethren parted from us on the 18th, amounted to
thirteen dollars and fifty cents. When we got into the stage we did not
expect to ride many miles. We rode, however, as far as Indianapolis,
paid our passage, and found we had sufficient means to carry us to
Richmond, Indiana. When we arrived in Richmond, we found we had means
to take us to Dayton, to which place we proceeded and tarried over
night, waiting for another line of stages. We expected to stop here
and preach until we got means to pursue our journey. Brother Brigham,
however, went to his trunk to get money to pay the bill and found we
had sufficient to pay our passage to Columbus, to which place we took
passage in the stage and tarried over night. When he paid the next
bill, he found he had sufficient means to pay our passage to Worcester,
and accordingly we took passage for that place. When we arrived there,
Brother Brigham went to his trunk again to get money to pay, and found
sufficient to pay our passage to Cleveland.
While on our way to Cleveland, and within about twenty miles of that
place we passed a little town called Strongsville. Brother Brigham had
a strong impression to stop at a tavern when we first came into that
town; but as the stage did not stop there we went on.
We arrived at Cleveland about eleven o'clock at night, took lodgings
and remained till next morning.
On the morning of November 3rd, it being Sunday, we went to the
Episcopalian church, and while returning to the hotel, we met my
father-in-law, and learned that Elders Smith, Turley and Hedlock had
just arrived in Cleveland. Father Murray was as much astonished to see
me alive as though he had seen one risen from the dead. I don't think I
ever saw a man feel better than he did when I met him in the street.
We walked with him a short distance and met the brethren, whose
health was good compared with what it had been, and who were in fine
spirits. We learned that they had stayed over night at the tavern
in Strongsville, where Brother Brigham had such a strong impression
to stop the night previous. They had picked up Elder John Taylor at
Dayton, where he was left at a tavern very sick with the ague a few
days before, by Father Coltrin, who proceeded to Kirtland.
Brothers Taylor and Hedlock got into the stage with us, which left
early in the afternoon, and rode as far as Willoughby. We proceeded
to Kirtland and arrived the same evening, where we found a good many
brethren and friends, who were glad to see us. Thus was the prediction
fulfilled which I made on my sick bed, in regard to reaching Kirtland
before my brethren.
Brother Brigham had one York shilling left, and on looking over our
expenses, we found we had paid out over eighty-seven dollars out of
the thirteen dollars and fifty cents we had at Pleasant Garden, which
was all the money we had to pay our passage with. We had traveled over
four hundred miles by stage, for which we paid from eight to ten cents
a mile, and had taken three meals a day, for each of which we were
charged fifty cents, also fifty cents for our lodgings. Brother Brigham
often suspected that I put the money in his trunk or clothes, thinking
that I had a purse of money which I had not acquainted him with; but
this was not so; the money could only have been put in his trunk by
some heavenly messenger, who thus administered to our necessities daily
as he knew we needed.
There was a division of sentiment among the brethren in Kirtland, many
of whom lacked the energy to move to Missouri, and some lacked the
disposition.
On Sunday, the 10th of November, Elder John Taylor preached in the
temple in the forenoon, and I preached in the afternoon. I had great
freedom in speaking, and compared my hearers to a parcel of old earthen
pots that were cracked in burning, for they were mostly apostates who
were living there.
Immediately after I returned to the house of Ira Bond, Martin Harris,
Cyrus Smalling and others came in and attacked me on what I had been
saying, asking me who I referred to in my comparisons. I answered, "To
no one in particular, but to anyone that the coat fits." I was so sick
that I referred them to Brother Hedlock, who came in at that moment,
to talk with, as I was lying on a bed, having a chill, and not able
to talk. John Moreton and others declared I should never preach in
the house again. Some of the people tried to make me angry, so as to
quarrel with me, but they failed.
I made my home at Dean Gould's, in the house of Ira Bond. They were all
very kind to me. I staid with them most of the time I was in Kirtland,
during which the weather was very stormy.
I was thankful to get rid of the chills that time without the aid of
medicine, but I continued afflicted with a cough which I caught by
riding in the stage at night.
On Sunday, the 17th, Brother Brigham preached in the forenoon, and
Brother John Taylor in the afternoon. In the evening Brother Brigham
anointed Brother John Taylor in the house of the Lord, he having
previously washed himself in pure water; then we all went to the
temple. I was called upon and opened the meeting by prayer, when
Brigham anointed him with pure sweet oil and pronounced such blessings
upon him as the Spirit gave utterance to, and Brother Taylor then arose
and prayed.
Brother Theodore Turley, one of the Seventies, was then anointed by
Daniel S. Miles one of the presidents of the Seventies; both of which
anointings were sealed by loud shouts of hosannah. Then their feet were
washed and the meeting closed.
A council was held with Brothers Kellog, Moreton and others, who took
the lead in Kirtland. We proposed that some of the Elders should remain
there and preach for a few weeks, but John Moreton replied that they
had had many talented preachers, and he considered that men of such
ordinary ability as the missionaries of our party possessed could do no
good in Kirtland; he thought possibly that Brother John Taylor _might_
do, but he was not sure.
Kirtland at that time was a desolate looking place, about one-half of
the houses being empty and going to ruin.
We had but little means to prosecute our journey, but, God being our
helper, we felt to press our way onward.
I left there with my brethren on the 22nd of November, and went
to Fairport. There we were detained till the 26th on account of a
tremendous snow storm. Our board cost us fifteen dollars while there.
We boarded a boat and landed at Buffalo on the 27th, in the morning,
and proceeded by stage to Batavia, where we arrived in the evening. The
next afternoon, we took the cars for Rochester.
When we got to Byron, I got out and left the brethren, supposing Harvy
Hall, my brother-in-law, was living there. I had scarcely left the cars
when I was informed that he had gone to Rochester. I think I never felt
worse in my life, my anticipations were so great to see him, and I
could not get away till the next night. Just at evening, I got aboard
the cars and arrived at Hall's at eight the next evening, where I was
joyfully received. I staid there one week, and was confined to my bed
some of the time. I had to take deck passage on the steamboat for the
want of means, and took cold and it settled in my right side. I was so
bad that I could hardly draw my breath.
A letter from my wife reached Mendon, my old home about three weeks
before I did. Sister Hall was at my brother Solomon's, and advised him
to take it out. He did so, and opened it, but could not tell where I
was. Supposing that I was dead, my relatives were feeling very badly
when I arrived there. I was taken to my brother Solomon's, and he and
his family were all rejoiced to see me once more in the land of the
living.
Nathaniel Campbell, my wife's brother-in-law, came and took me home
with him to Victor. I received great kindness from them and from all my
old friends. Several of the neighbors came in while I was there, and
my wife's sister introduced me as her "Mormon" brother. They seemed
to take a great interest in our sufferings, and this seemed to be the
feeling of all candid people.
I was urged by my friends to return and bring my family, and remain
with them, or at least to stop there till warm weather, on account of
my poor health, as a little fatigue would bring me down again. However,
I knew it would not do, as "no man, having put his hand to the plow,
and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."
I preached in Mendon school house Sunday, December 21st, at one
o'clock. The house was full. Then in the evening again there was an
appointment for their Methodist preacher, but as he did not come,
nothing would do but I must preach. I also preached at Miller's Corner.
There seemed to be a great desire to hear, but my health would not
permit me to speak much.
On the 29th, Brother William E. Murray came through the snow up to
his horses' sides, determined to have me go home with him. It was as
much as we could do to get to his house. It was a pleasure to me to
see them. William said to me, "When you want to pray, Heber, use your
liberty." He and his family seemed to take much pleasure in the things
of God; and on the first day of the year 1840, I went into the water
and baptized him and his wife. He gave me a little money, a pair of
pantaloons and a pair of drawers, and would have given me fifty dollars
if he had had it. My sister, Mrs. Wheeler, gave me another pair of
drawers and two fine shirts, and a shawl to wear around my neck. An old
friend, John E. Tomlinson, gave me a dollar and said if I would come
again he'd give me more. These, with Brother Wheeler, were the only
ones who would help me upon my mission. Others were willing to assist
me if I would only forsake my "Mormonism" and come back and live with
them; but I felt that I would rather live in a cave, or be driven with
the Saints every other year while I lived, and be one with them, than
to apostatize and have all the good things of the earth, for I would
feel myself disgraced in the sight of God and man.
On the 6th of January, I preached in Mendon for the fourth time. I also
had calls to preach in other parts of the town, as well as other towns
in that region. The Baptist church that I had formerly been a member
of, had about died out.
While in Victor, I had several calls to go to Pike. After being much
wrought upon, I consented to go. William Murray and wife accompanied
me. We got to the house of my old friend, Adolphus Huit, the first day
of February. I never saw a person more pleased than his wife was to see
me; she said that she had been calling on the Lord that He would send
me there.
On Sunday morning we went to the Christian chapel. After the meeting
was through, an appointment was given out for me to preach on Monday
evening. The church leaders said they were willing that I should
preach, because the people were in such a cold state that I could not
have any effect upon them.
When the time came, I went and found the house crowded. My text was
from the 2nd Epistle of John, 9th, 10th and 11th verses. When I was
almost through, two of the ministers came into the pulpit. I gave them
permission to speak, when one Baptist arose and found fault with me
because I had preached from the Bible.
When he had sat down, I answered him, and then three others followed
his example, and I answered each in turn. They were confounded, and the
discussion tended to open the eyes of the people.
I afterwards baptized Mrs. Huit, and many others believed. I only
preached once and then returned to Victor.
On the 10th, I started for New York, and reached Albany on the 12th.
Mr. Wheeler, my brother-in-law, stayed with me all night at the hotel
and paid my bill. He thought me unwise to go any farther, but the next
day I took coach for New York.
I went up on the east side of the river, crossed the Catskill
Mountains, and took three days to get to Jersey City, traveling part of
the way by sleigh. When I arrived at Jersey City, I had not one penny
left, and could not cross the river without paying twenty-five cents. I
informed the person in charge of the boat that I was out of money, and
a gentleman who overheard me gave me twenty-five cents. I crossed the
river into New York at nine o'clock at night, went to the Western Hotel
and pawned my trunk to pay for lodging. I had only eaten one meal a day
while traveling to New York, for want of money to buy more, but I did
not suffer from hunger.
The next morning, I went in search of some of the Saints, and soon
found Brothers Parley P. and Orson Pratt and Brigham Young, who were
glad to see me. I went to meeting with them and found one hundred and
fifty Saints assembled. It was a great pleasure to meet with them. They
were very kind to me, and soon provided me with money to redeem my
trunk.
I found a letter in New York from my wife, which had lain in the office
for a long time, and I was thankful to hear that she and our children
were better.
Soon after I arrived in New York, Orson Pratt and I were called upon
to visit a sick woman, who was unable to turn herself in bed without
assistance. We anointed her with oil in the name of the Lord, and she
was made whole. She did not belong to the Church, nor did her husband,
but in two days afterwards she and her husband were baptized, and
fourteen others.
I was detained in New York about four weeks, being unable to obtain
passage on a packet ship, as the owners of vessels found it more
profitable to carry freight than passengers. Brothers Woodruff,
Taylor, Clark, Mulliner, White and Turley had already gone to England,
and Brother George A. Smith, on account of sickness, had gone to
Philadelphia.
We were not idle, however, while we remained. We had calls to preach on
every hand. I attended a meeting almost every night and was generally
kept up talking till midnight or past.
As a result of our labors, many new members were added to the Church
and fresh zeal was infused into the old ones. The Saints were very kind
to us, and provided liberally for our wants, and when we were ready to
sail they supplied us with money to pay our passage, and many tempting
delicacies as well as more substantial food to serve us on the voyage,
besides clothing and bedding.
In company with Elders Brigham Young, Orson Pratt, George A. Smith,
Parley P. Pratt and R. Hedlock, I took passage for England on the ship
_Patrick Henry_, on the 7th of March, 1840. A large number of the
Saints came down to the wharf to bid us farewell. When we got into the
small boat to go to the ship the Saints on shore sang "The Gallant Ship
is Under Way," in which song we joined until the sound of our voices
was lost in the distance. I may also add that previous to starting we
held a conference with the Saints in New York, at which, by unanimous
vote of those present, a "letter of recommendation" was given me,
signed, in behalf of the Saints, by the presiding Elder of the Branch
and clerk of the conference, testifying of my "wisdom, understanding,
meekness and humility," and recommending me "as an upright, honest,
candid man, and a faithful minister of the gospel."