ARRIVAL IN THE "CITY OF THE SAINTS"--KEEPING "BACH"--MY PARENTS JOIN
THE CHURCH--THEY EMIGRATE TO UTAH.
After a long, weary and tedious journey of about seven thousand
miles, Salt Lake City was at length reached on September 30, 1866--a
little over three months' travel from Liverpool to Salt Lake City. It
was Sunday when we arrived. That morning I arose early, and getting
something to eat, left the camp (a few miles up Parley's Canyon), and
wended my way to the "City of the Saints," to find the residence of
Brother T. B. H. Stenhouse. It was a fine, sunny morning; everything
around me looked charming and lovely.
Onward to the heart of the city I went. After many inquiries the
residence of Brother Stenhouse was at length reached. He was pleased to
see me and invited me to take dinner with himself and family. In the
afternoon his son, Lorenzo, took me to his father's printing office,
which was my sleeping place that night.
Next morning I went to the Tithing Office yard, where our train was
camped (it having arrived there that morning). President Young came
into the yard to see us. He shook hands with many of the brethren and
sisters, and they felt quite honored. I was informed that a number of
the Saints who sailed on the _American Congress_ had only arrived in
the city a day or two previous. Although it was over five weeks after
the departure of the _American Congress_ before my leaving England. I
did not lose much time after all.
I removed what little luggage I had to the _Daily Telegraph_ office,
thinking it best to "keep bach" for the present, as I had no relatives
or any particular friend to board me. This I did for nearly eleven
weeks, when, December 19, 1866, James McKnight, an employe in the
_Daily Telegraph_ office, told me that if it suited me I could live
with him. His offer was gladly accepted and I stayed with him for
several months.
During this time letters regularly reached me from my parents and I was
prompt in answering them; giving full particulars about Salt Lake City
and our religion, and often bore my testimony to them. I was here in
Utah without a relative and was very desirous they should receive the
gospel, although the prospects were not encouraging at that time.
In August, 1868, Wm. H. Scott arrived from New York (the Scott family
having emigrated to New York in 1867). I was greatly pleased to meet my
friend. He was the first intimate acquaintance from Middlesbrough I had
seen since coming to Utah.
It is painful, however, to relate that he apostatized in the Summer of
1869. It was about the time when the "Godbeite" movement took place.
From the time Brother Scott embraced the gospel he was one of the most
zealous workers in the cause of truth ever seen by me. He labored
faithfully to assist in establishing the latter-day kingdom; but his
expectations in regard to Utah and her people were not realized. I had
been very fond of him--had loved him as a brother. He had been a friend
and counselor to me in past days, and when I saw that he was as much in
opposition to the kingdom of God as he had been formerly in favor of
building it up, it grieved me very much. I talked and reasoned with him
and tried to show him the error of his way, but it was all in vain. He
became more and more bitterly opposed to the gospel and in the Summer
of 1870 went back to the States.
Correspondence with my parents and also my relatives was regularly kept
up from the time of my arrival in Utah. I was very anxious to induce
them to join the Church, and did all in my power to induce them to do
so.
In the Spring of 1879, I procured the address of the president of the
Middlesbrough Branch--William Garbett--and wrote to him, requesting
that he should see my parents and use his best endeavors to induce them
to embrace the gospel. Brother Garbett and other Saints visited with
that object in view.
On the 20th of September, 1879, I was happily surprised and astonished
to receive a letter from my mother with the following glad tidings:
"I, your mother, was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter day Saints, on the 23rd of August, and your father on the 30th
of the same month."
This was very gratifying news, both to myself and wife. After waiting
patiently and anxiously for over thirteen years, my prayers, which were
so often offered up, were answered.
My reply to this letter from my parents informed them how my heart
rejoiced to hear the good news, and stated that we would assist them to
emigrate to Utah the following year.
The time drew nigh for my parents to arrive in Zion. After such a
lengthy absence from them, and knowing how opposed to the work they had
been, but now their eyes were opened and they could see as I saw, I
looked forward with pleasure to the day of their arrival.
They took passage with the first company, April 10th, 1880. I almost
counted the days for their arrival. At last it was announced by
telegram that the company would arrive at 6:30, p.m., April 30, 1880.
Every preparation was made by us for their comfort.