My Brother started on Mission.--Without Purse or Scrip.--Hard
work to Beg.--Affectionate Aunt.--First Meeting in Medina County,
Ohio.--Baptisms.--Preaches in Court House.--Ludicrous Anecdote.--Visits
Relatives.--Preaches to Schoolmates.--Baptizes some of them.
A short time after my ordination and reception into the Elders' quorum,
_i. e_., early in the spring of 1837, I shouldered my valise and
started out like the ancient missionaries, "without purse or scrip,"
on foot and alone, to proclaim the restoration of the fulness of the
Gospel of the Son of God, and to bear witness of what I had seen and
heard, and of the knowledge I had received by the inspiration of the
Holy Ghost.
It was, however, a severe trial to my natural feelings of independence
to go without purse or scrip--especially the purse; for, from the
time I was old enough to work, the feeling that I "paid my way"
always seemed a necessary adjunct to self respect, and nothing but a
positive knowledge that God required it now, as He did anciently of His
servants, the Disciples of Jesus, could induce me to go forth dependent
on my fellow creatures for the common necessaries of life. But my duty
in this respect was clearly made known to me, and I determined to do it.
I walked upwards of twenty miles the first day, and stayed over night
with Mrs. Granger, my father's sister. She was a devoted Presbyterian,
and a noble hearted woman; she thought very highly of my father's
family, and that there must be something valuable in "Mormonism" or
they would not have embraced it. She held me in so great esteem that
she could not believe that I would suffer the same abuse, be maltreated
and refused accommodation as other "Mormon" Elders. I differed in
opinion, and told her I thought I need not expect to travel a smoother
path than my brethren. The following morning I left my aunt and her
hospitable roof, and traveled about thirty miles, and just as the sun
was setting I made my first call for a night's lodging, as a "Mormon"
Elder, and was refused; then another, and so on, until the eighth call,
when I was admitted to a night's lodging--going to bed supperless, and
leaving in the morning, minus a breakfast.
The first meeting I held was in the neighborhood of my uncle, by the
name of Goddard, near the county seat of Medina County, Ohio. The
people were notified and a respectable congregation assembled. It was
a sore trial to face that audience in the capacity of a preacher, but
I believed and felt an assurance that a Spirit of inspiration would
prompt and give me utterance. I had sought by prayer and fasting--I
had humbled myself before the Lord, calling on Him in mighty prayer to
impart the power and inspiration of the holy Priesthood; and when I
stood before that congregation, although I knew not one word I could
say, as soon as I opened my mouth to speak, the Holy Ghost rested
mightily upon me, filling my mind with light and communicating ideas
and proper language by which to impart them. The people were astonished
and requested another meeting.
After the second meeting the court house was offered me, which I
accepted, and had a very interesting time, and was treated very
courteously by several of the officials. I baptized and confirmed into
the Church my uncle, aunt and several of my cousins, of whom Adaline
was one, who afterwards became my wife.
I traveled and preached during the following summer and autumn, in
different parts of Ohio, baptizing quite a number--always traveling
on foot, "without purse or scrip," and often meeting with trying and
sometimes amusing circumstances.
When at the house of Brother Smith, in Stark County, Ohio, I
dreamed one night that arrangements were in progress to mob me. The
following evening after I had the dream, as I sat conversing with
friends who had called on me, a loud rap at the door preceded the
entrance of two well dressed young men, who politely invited me to
accompany them to a school house about one mile distant, and address an
audience already assembled. After a little hesitation on my part, they
began to urgently request my acceptance of their invitation, when the
dream of the preceding night instantaneously flashed across my mind,
and I told them that I could not comply with their wishes. They still
persisted to urge and insist on my accompanying them. When they were
convinced that I was immovable in my determination of non-compliance,
they not only manifested disappointment, but were exceedingly angry.
The next day I learned that they told the truth so far as a congregated
audience waiting my appearance at the school house was concerned, but
the object was entirely different from that reported by the young
men--it corresponded precisely with my dream.
On one occasion (having been joined by Brother A. Butterfield) I called
at a hotel for our night's lodging, I think, in Stark County, Ohio.
As we approached the house, we saw the landlord standing upon the
porch. Accosting him, I told him we were Mormon preachers, traveling
as the Elders in former times, and asked him if he would be so kind as
to accommodate us with supper and a night's lodging. He very gruffly
refused, saying he kept travelers for their money--not for Gospel pay;
and advised us to go home, get employment, earn money, then give him a
call, and he would be happy to entertain us. I replied that inasmuch as
he had met our request with a decided refusal, we would bid him a good
evening. But as I was turning to go, it forcibly occurred to me to say
something further. Therefore, I said to him, My friend, it is not
our wish to crowd ourselves upon you, but we think it might be well for
you to know the fact that two servants of God have called upon you for
a supper and night's lodging, which you have thought proper to refuse.
The future results of what you have done you do not _now_ know; but we
know, and a time will come when you also will know. When that Scripture
is fulfilled which says, "When the Son of Man shall come in His glory,
and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of
His glory: and before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall
separate them as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats." "Then
shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of my
Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of
the world, for I was hungry, and ye fed me; I was thirsty, and ye gave
me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in: naked, and ye clothed
me." "Then shall the righteous say, Lord, when saw we Thee hungry and
fed Thee? Or when saw we Thee a stranger and took Thee in? Then shall
the King say to them, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the
least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." When this event
takes place, you will be there with us, and you will then know that we
were the servants of God, commissioned to preach His Gospel, and when
engaged in this work, we asked you to administer to our necessities,
and you turned us away. This is all I wished to say: we will now go.
Good night.
The gentleman seemed struck with amazement, and at a loss what to say
or do. We had not proceeded far, however, before our ears were saluted
with "Stop, gentlemen, hold on--you need not go off _mad_--your talk is
all stuff and nonsense: but you have plenty of money, I'll be bound.
Turn back, gentlemen, walk in--walk in." Of course, we turned back
and walked in, and were invited to sit down to a good supper, after
which the neighbors were called in, who, with the landlord and family,
listened attentively and with apparent interest to our preaching.
We had excellent lodging and a good breakfast in the morning, and left
without a question whether we had money or not.
The journal continues: I had a strong desire to make known the way
of life as God had revealed in plainness, to my relatives, friends
and associates. For that purpose I visited my native town and had
the privilege of preaching in the school houses, and was offered the
town house, in which I met a large audience, and had the pleasure
of addressing many of my school fellows and the neighbors of my
parents, among whom I had been associated from childhood. How
muchsoever I craved the privilege, and hailed with gratitude to God
this opportunity, it was a trying position. I was well aware that the
principles of the everlasting Gospel, which I estimated dearer than my
mortal life, were in contrast to the creeds of the day, to which many
of my friends adhered with unyielding tenacity. I was listened to with
respectful attention, and although many of my audience acknowledged
their belief in my sincerity; with few exceptions, my testimony was
unheeded. I had the satisfaction, however, of baptizing some of my
schoolmates, who bore testimony that they received a knowledge of the
truth of the work by revelation, through the reception of the Holy
Ghost.
I addressed a large congregation in the meeting house, in the town of
Aurora, adjoining my native town; also in Auburn, Geauga County, in a
school house, mostly filled by my relatives--my grandfather, uncles,
aunts, and cousins.
While on this mission, I traveled in various parts of the State of
Ohio, and during the time baptized many persons who have remained
faithful to the truth. The Lord was with me, and I was greatly blessed
in performing my arduous labors.