Brother Snow writes to Elder Pratt.--Baptisms.--A hint to the
wise.--Caution and instruction.--Writes to the _Star_.--Increase
in the Church in London.--Good word for Bedford.--Baptisms.--To
Elder Pratt.--Sad news.--Sister Morgan's Death.--Her faithfulness
and benevolence.--Her triumphant departure.--Her Husband is
comforted.--Conference.--Lorenzo informs how subscriptions are
obtained.--Singing in Tongues.--L. appointed First Counselor.--P. P.
Pratt speaks.--Stanza.--Queen Victoria.--Presentation of the Book of
Mormon to Her Majesty and the Prince Consort.
Extract of a letter written from London on the third of May, 1841:
_Elder Pratt_:
I improve a few moments in communicating some few items in reference to
the prosperity of our Redeemer's kingdom in this metropolis.
I feel happy in having the privilege of stating that the prospects of
Zion's extension and enlargement in this city are far more encouraging
now than at any former time since I located in London.
Though surrounded with high-handed wickedness of every description,
Zion begins to break forth, and, I trust, ere long will become a
shining lamp in this city.
Many people in various directions are inquiring the way of salvation,
and thanks to her glorious King, Zion is beginning to array herself in
her beautiful garments, even with light and intelligence, faith and
power, and her children are pointing out in plainness the one and only
pathway that leads up into the holy, celestial mansions of eternal rest.
On Sunday, our preaching room is crowded to overflowing. Yesterday
morning I had the pleasure of baptizing eleven into the fold of our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Others, also, will soon follow the
glorious example.
Lorenzo Snow.
A HINT TO THE WISE.
London, May 13, 1841.
The Savior has commanded not to cast pearls before swine. I am
sorry to say that this instruction is not always sufficiently
regarded by those to whom our Lord has given, through the
Everlasting Covenant, His pearls of wisdom, knowledge, and precious
gifts. The consequence is, we lose blessings instead of retaining
them--a decrease of the Holy Spirit follows, instead of an
increase, and our minds become darkened.
What I allude to is this: we too frequently engage in conversation
concerning things of the kingdom of God, with persons of a wrong
spirit; and feeling over anxious to make them see, understand, and
acknowledge the light presented, we urge on, and persist in the
conversation until we partake of the spirit of those with whom we
are conversing. We ought to be particularly guarded against falling
into errors of this kind.
It is very easy to understand when conversation is attended with
profit. We then feel our minds enlightened, and the power of God
resting upon us through the Holy Spirit--ideas flow into our minds,
and we express them with ease, freedom, and calmness.
Conversation conducted in this spirit proves highly profitable,
not only to ourselves, but also to those with whom we converse;
and after its close, our hearts are drawn out in gratitude to the
Most High for the privilege of imparting the glorious truths of the
Gospel to the children of men.
L. Snow.
The following is from the _Millennial Star_ of September, 1841:
Elder Snow writes from London, under date of August 21, as follows:
Dear Brother--This morning I occupy a few moments in communicating
a general view of the present state and prosperity of the London
Conference.
Six months since, when I took charge of this conference we numbered
less than one hundred members; since then we have increased to two
hundred and twenty.
I recently had the pleasure of spending three weeks in Bedford and
vicinity. My heart truly rejoiced to witness the good order, peace
and love prevailing there. The zeal and untiring perseverance of the
officers of the Church in Bedford, in leaving their homes on Sunday
morning, after having labored with their hands all the week, and then
walking eight and ten miles to proclaim the fulness of the Gospel, is
truly worthy of commendation and of imitation by all who labor in the
name, and by the authority of Jesus Christ. During the time I was in
Bedford, twenty-three persons were baptized into Zion's fold, in that
place and vicinity.
London, October 28, 1841.
_Elder Pratt_:
Dear Brother.--In a moment our joys are turned to sorrow, our pleasures
into pain. Death has entered this part of Zion's fold, and taken one of
her best and most worthy daughters.
This morning, our beloved sister, Elizabeth Morgan, after a short
illness, bid adieu to her weeping husband, children and friends, and
took her departure to the fair climes of Immortality. She was beloved
by all the Saints, and much respected throughout the extensive circle
of her worldly acquaintance.
By her faith and knowledge, the curtains of Zion have been extended,
and through her benevolence the Saints have been made to rejoice. With
herself and husband, our Elders first found a home when they were
strangers in London, endeavoring to rear the standard of Zion. Their
house has been my home ever since my arrival.
The Church has cause to mourn her loss, especially those who
participated in her friendship when laying the foundation of this
branch, when dark clouds gathered thickly over their prospects, and
all their efforts seemed baffled. But let them not mourn as for one
who dies without hope. She died, not only in hope, but in the perfect
assurance of future glory; and in her dying moments, wished me to
express to Elder Kimball that she blessed the hour in which he baptized
her.
One remarkable circumstance connected with this melancholy event, I
wish to relate. About two o'clock this morning, we had given up all
hopes of her recovery. We saw it was the will of God to take her to
Himself. We had continued to offer our prayers in her behalf, and
done everything consistent with scripture and the mind of God. She
continually expressed a wish that no medicine should be administered
to her by a doctor, and particularly requested that "_no blame should
be attached to, and no reflections cast upon, her dear husband and
children, because no doctor had been employed; for she wanted no
physician but the Lord_."
About two o'clock, she requested me to kneel by her bedside, and, for
the last time, offer my supplications, and she said she would depart in
peace. I complied with her request, and while calling upon the Lord in
presence of her weeping husband, children and friends, the Holy Spirit
rested on me in power, and I was moved upon to ask the God of Israel
that her disconsolate husband might be comforted, even if it were by
the ministering of Sister Morgan's departed spirit, that he might have
thereby consolation and fulness of hope.
At the same hour, Sister Bates, of this city--a worthy member of the
Church, had an _open vision_, in which she saw Sister Morgan standing
in full view before her, clothed in robes beautiful and white, and
around her head were clouds of glory, surpassing in splendor and
brilliancy, the sun at noonday. Sister Bates rejoiced in the vision. It
was not a dream, but an _open vision_, continuing some length of time.
When the vision closed, she immediately related it to her husband.
When the vision was made known to Deacon Morgan, the bereaved husband,
he lifted up his head and _rejoiced in sorrow,_ receiving consolation
even in the valley of grief. He has not a shadow of doubt that the
companion of his bosom now rests in mansions of peace and glory.
Yours in the Everlasting Covenant,
L. Snow.
In the minutes of a general Conference held in Manchester, commencing
on the 5th of May, 1842, published in the _Millennial Star_, we find
the following:
"Elder Snow then addressed the meeting, and stated the method they
had adopted in London Conference of raising funds for the Temple,
which was by holding tea meetings; at which time any person wishing to
appropriate for this purpose, had the opportunity. Elder Snow concluded
his address by singing beautifully in tongues."
Just before leaving England, Elder P. P. Pratt, through the _Star_, in
a general address to the Saints in Europe, writes the following--"I
therefore recommend and appoint Elder Thomas Ward as my successor
in the office of the General Presidency of the Church in Europe, in
connection with Elders Lorenzo Snow and Hiram Clark. To these persons
I commit the care and government of the Church in this country for the
present, trusting that they will conduct and counsel in all things
according to the mind of the Spirit, and according to the counsel that
shall be given them from Nauvoo from time to time by the Quorum of the
Twelve or the First Presidency.
"I sincerely hope that the officers and members in the several
conferences will uphold and support these men in their high and holy
calling by the prayer of faith, and by a willing, submissive and
teachable spirit; and in so doing they will prosper."
STANZA ON THE PRESENTATION OF THE BOOK OF MORMON TO QUEEN VICTORIA.
BY ELIZA R. SNOW.
Before leaving London, Elder Lorenzo Snow presented to Her Majesty,
Queen Victoria, and His Royal Highness, Prince Albert, through the
politeness of Sir Henry Wheatley, two neatly bound copies of the Book
of Mormon, which had been donated by President Brigham Young, and
left in the care of Elder Snow for that purpose; which circumstance
suggested the following lines:
QUEEN VICTORIA.
Of all the monarchs of the earth,
That wear the robes of royalty,
She has inherited, by birth,
The broadest wreath of majesty.
From her wide territorial wing,
The sun does not withdraw its light;
While earth's diurnal motions bring
To other nations, day and night.
All earthly thrones are tottering things,
Where lights and shadows intervene;
And regal honor often brings
The scaffold or the guillotine.
But still her sceptre is approved;
All nations deck the wreath she wears;
Yet, like the youth whom Jesus loved,
One thing is lacking, even there.
But, lo! a prize possessing more
Of worth than gems with honor rife--
A herald of salvation bore
To her the words of endless life.
That gift, however fools deride,
Is worthy of her royal care;
She'd better lay her crown aside
Than spurn the light reflected there.
O would she now her influence bend--
The influence of royalty,
Messiah's Kingdom to extend,
And Zion's "nursing mother" be:
Thus, with the glory of her name
Inscribed on Zion's lofty spire,
She'd win a wreath of endless fame,
To last when other wreaths expire.
Though over millions called to reign--
Herself a powerful nation's boast,
'Twould be her everlasting gain
To serve the King, the Lord of Hosts.
For there are crowns and thrones on high,
And kingdoms there to be conferred--
There honors wait that never die--
There fame's immortal trump is heard.
Truth echoes--'tis Jehovah's word;
Let kings and queens and princes hear:
In distant isles the sound is heard:
Ye heavens, rejoice! O earth, give ear!
The time--the time is near at hand
To give a glorious period birth:
The Son of God will take command,
And rule the nations of the earth.