Explanatory note.--Lorenzo writes to Elder Hyde.--Brightness of natural
scenery.--Spiritual darkness.--A courageous minister.--Inscription
attached to his portrait.--Hymn.--Drudgery.--Expression of
gratitude.--A dream.--First Native ordained to preach.--Ordains Elders
Woodard and Stenhouse to the High Priesthood.--The former to preside in
Italy, the latter in Switzerland.--A Magnificent view.--Reflections.
It will be understood by the following letter that Brother Lorenzo
was on his way to England. He had left Elder Woodard in charge of the
mission in Italy. This he was under the necessity of doing, in order to
superintend the translation and publication of the Book of Mormon in
the Italian language. During the progress of this very important work,
whenever opportunities presented in which he could, with propriety,
absent himself from the translating room and the press, he traveled
among the churches, attending Conferences and visiting the Saints
in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. This explains the reason
why communications were subsequently addressed to him from Italy and
Switzerland.
Turin, Italy, 25TH January, 1851.
_Dear President Hyde_:
After a residence of seven months in Italy, I am about to bid it
farewell for a season. If the attractions of physical nature could
command all of my attention, I might long linger to gaze upon these
realms of loveliness. One might travel far over the earth before he
finds a fairer clime. Here man dwells beneath an almost cloudless
sky. The sun rarely hides his face in summer or winter; and when, at
eventide, his golden glories fade behind the western hills, the silver
stars shed a serene lustre over the blue vault of immensity. But the
remembrance of the moral scenery amid which I have been moving will
be more imperishably engraven on my spirit than all the brightness of
the firmament, or the verdure of prairies enameled with ten thousand
flowers. Amid the loveliness of nature, I found the soul of man like
a wilderness. From the palace of the king to the lone cottage on the
mountains, all was shrouded in spiritual darkness. Protestant and
Papist looked upon each other as outcasts from the hopes of eternity,
but regarded themselves as the favorites of heaven. And thus they had
done from time immemorial.
The changing, ephemeral sectarianism of England and America, is in
many respects unlike the sturdy superstition of this country. Here,
Protestantism is not the offspring of boasted modern reformation; but
may fairly dispute with Rome as to which is the oldest in apostasy.
Every man holds a creed which has been transmitted from sire to son
for a thousand years, whether he be Protestant or Catholic; and often
he will lay his hand on his heart, and swear by the faith of his
forefathers, that he will live and die as they have lived and died.
The Protestants from a very small minority. They have been harrassed
for centuries by fierce attacks from powerful armies of Catholics. But
after sanguinary persecutions, they have revived as the corn, and grown
as the vine. Once, their last remnant was driven to Switzerland; but
a courageous minister, assuming a military character, led them back,
victoriously to their native valleys. The portrait of this hero bears
the following inscription:
I preach and fight--I have a double commission, and these two
contests occupy my soul. Zion is now to be rebuilt, and the sword
is needed as well as the trowel.
The English government has several times interfered in their behalf,
and large donations have been sent to them from various Protestant
countries. Many a tribute of admiration has been paid them by men of
ability from the leading sects of Protestantism, till their church has
been flattered into immeasurable self-importance.
The following hymn expresses the feelings engendered by their romantic
situation:
For the strength of the hills we bless Thee,
Our God, our fathers' God:
Thou hast made Thy children mighty
By the touch of the mountain sod.
Thou hast fixed our ark of refuge,
Where the spoiler's foot ne'er trod;
For the strength of the hills we bless Thee,
Our God, our fathers' God.
We are watchers of a beacon,
Whose light must never die:
We are guardians of an altar,
'Midst the silence of the sky.
The rocks yield founts of courage,
Struck forth as by Thy rod;
For the strength of the hills we bless Thee,
Our God, our fathers' God.
For the dark, resounding caverns,
Where Thy still, small voice is heard--
For the strong, tall pine of the forests,
That by Thy breath is stirred;
For the storm, on whose free pinions
Thy Spirit walks abroad;
For the strength of the hills we bless Thee,
Our God, our fathers' God.
* * * * *
For the shadow of Thy presence
'Round our camp of rock outspread;
For the stern defiles of battle,
Bearing record of our dead:
For the snows and for the torrents,
For the free heart's burial sod:
For the strength of the hills we bless Thee,
Our God, our fathers' God.
Their self-esteem, combined with deep ignorance, present a formidable
barrier to the progress of the Gospel. They have had so little
intercourse with other parts of the earth--so little knowledge of
anything beyond their own scenes of pastoral life, that it is difficult
for them to contemplate the great principles of temporal and eternal
salvation.
One long round of almost unremitting toil is the portion of both sexes.
The woman who is venerable with gray hairs is seen laden with wood,
or heavy baskets of manure, while traveling the rugged paths of the
mountains. No drudgery here but must be shared by the delicate female
frame. I have traveled far over the earth, from the confines of the
torrid zone to the regions of eternal snow, but never before beheld a
people with so many physical and mental derangements. But the hour of
their deliverance draws nigh.
The constitution of this kingdom affords no guarantee that we shall
ever enjoy the same religious privileges as our brethren in England and
other countries.
A merciful Providence has hitherto preserved us from being entangled in
the meshes of the law. A bookseller told me, the other day, that he was
not allowed to sell a Bible. No work is permitted to be published that
attacks the principles of Catholicism. I look with wonder upon the road
in which the Lord has led me since I came to this land. From the first
day I trod the Italian soil, there has been a chain of circumstances,
which has not sprung by chance, but from the wise arrangements of Him
who ruleth in the kingdoms of men. I thank my Heavenly Father that I
was restrained from any attempt to hurry the great work with which I
was entrusted. All the jealous policy of Italy has been hushed into
repose by the comparative silence of our operations; and at the same
time, no principle has been compromised--no concession has been made,
but, from day to day, we have been constantly engaged, forming some new
acquaintances, or breaking down some ancient barrier of prejudice.
Such moderation was not agreeable to me as a man, but I look forward
to the day when the stability and grandeur of our building will be an
ample reward for those months of labor which may not have been attended
with anything extraordinary in the eyes of those who judge merely by
the external appearance of the moment.
Here I may relate a dream, which, though simple in itself, presented a
theme for meditation under our peculiar circumstances. I thought I was
in company with some friends, descending a gentle slope of beautiful
green, till we came to the bank of a large body of water. Here were two
skiffs; and as I embarked in one, my friends followed in the other. We
moved slowly over this widespreading bay, without wind or any exertion
on our part. As we were on a fishing excursion, we were delighted
with seeing large and beautiful fish on the surface of the water, all
around, to a great distance. We saw many persons spreading their nets
and lines, but they all seemed to be stationary, whereas we were in
continual motion. While passing one of them, I discovered that a fish
had got upon my hook, and I thought that it might perhaps disturb
this man's feelings to have it caught, as it were, out of his hands,
nevertheless, we moved along, and came to the shore. I then drew in my
line, and was not a little surprised and mortified at the smallness of
my prize. I thought it very strange, that among such a multitude of
noble, superior looking fish, I should have made so small a haul. But
all my disappointment vanished when I discovered that its qualities
were of a very extraordinary character.
While encircled by many persons of noble bearing and considerable
intelligence, a prospect seemed opening for the employment of some
among them, in the work of the ministry. But the Lord judgeth not as
man judgeth. The first native in these valleys that I ordained to
preach the Gospel, was one who swayed no extensive influence, and
boasted no great natural abilities; but he sought the Lord with fasting
and prayer; and the Spirit rested upon him mightily, showing him in the
dreams of night, the glorious reality of the work with which he had
become associated.
Feeling it wisdom to send Elder Stenhouse to Switzerland, and to
leave Elder Woodard in Italy, and knowing the formidable character of
the difficulties with which they must struggle, I resolved to bestow
upon them such blessings as they required in the discharge of their
important duties; and as there is power, knowledge and wisdom in the
High Priesthood of God, I felt it to be in accordance with the mind of
the Spirit that they should be called to that office.
We have here no Temple--no building made by human hands, but the
mountains tower around us--far above all the edifices which Protestants
and Papists use in this country.
On Sunday, the twenty-fourth of November, we ascended one of these
eminences which seem to occupy a position between earth and sky, and
which, on a former occasion, we had named "Mount Brigham." During our
tedious ascent, the sun shone forth in all its brightness; but in such
parts as were shaded, we found snow on the ground, and many a craggy
peak and rocky summit on every side, were white with the snowy fleeces
of winter.
Having reached the place we sought, we gazed with rapture on the
enchanting scenes of surrounding nature. Before us was a plain so vast
that it seemed as if immensity had become visible. All was level in
this ocean of space, and yet no sameness appeared on its fertile bosom.
Here towns and cities were environed by the resources from which their
inhabitants had been fed for ages. Ancient and far-famed Italy, the
scene of our mission, was spread out like a vision before our enchanted
eyes. Light and shade produced their effect in that magnificent
picture, in a surprising degree; for while the clouds flung their
shadows on one part, another was illuminated with the most brilliant
sunlight as far as the eye could reach.
But there was one hallowed reflection which threw all around a brighter
lustre than the noontide firmament: it was in that place, two months
before, that we organized the Church of Jesus Christ in Italy. If we
had stood upon a pavement of gold and diamonds, it would not have
produced an impression like the imperishable remembrance of that sacred
scene.
Amid the sublime display of the Creator's works, we sung the praises
of His eternal name, and implored those gifts which our circumstances
required.
I then ordained Elder Woodard a High Priest, and asked our Heavenly
Father to give him wisdom and strength to watch over the Church in
Italy, whatever might be the scenes through which it should have to
pass; and that he might be enabled to extend the work which I had
commenced.
I also ordained Elder Stenhouse a High Priest, and prayed that his way
might be opened in Switzerland for carrying forth the work of the Lord
in that interesting country. In a few days afterwards, Elder Stenhouse
proceeded on his mission.
O Italy! Thou birthplace and burial ground of the proud Caesars--thou
that swayed the sceptre of this mundane creation--land of literature
and arts, and once the centre of the world's civilization. Who shall
tell all the greatness which breathes in the story of thy past? And
who, O who shall tell all the corruption which broods on thy bosom
_now_?
Land of flowers and fruitfulness of the vine--the olive and orange--all
that blushes in beauty and charms with delicacy, is spread o'er thy
green fields, or grows in thy empire garden; but thy children are deep
in pollution, and spring like thorns and thistles amid thy floral
scenes of endless enchantment. From the wave-swept shores of the
Mediterranean to the base of the bleak Alpine region, thy sunny plains
lie spread like a fairy realm.
Here reposes the dust of millions that were mighty in ages gone by, and
flooded the earth with the fame of their deeds. Here are the fields
that have been crimsoned with the blood of royalty, and have become the
grave of dynasties. Poets who sung the praise of nations, and princes
that wielded the sceptre of power during many a crisis of the world's
history, are laid low beneath the dust of thy fields and vineyards!
But is there nought here save the tomb of the past? O, Italy! Hath
an eternal winter followed the summer of thy fame, and frosted the
flowers of thy genius, and clouded the sunbeams of thy glory? No: the
future of thy story shall outshine the past, and thy children shall
yet be more renowned than in the ages of old. Though the triple crown
of earth's proudest apostate shed a tinsel splendor over thy boundless
superstition, Truth shall yet be victorious amid thy Babylonish
regions. Where triumphant warriors were stained with gore, and princes
reigned in the pomp of tyranny, the sure, though tardy working of the
Gospel, now weaves a fairer wreath, and will wear a brighter crown.
I see around me many an eye which will one day glisten with delight
at the tidings of eternal Truth--many a countenance which will adorn
the assemblies of the living God. There is yet the blood of heaven's
nobility within the hearts of many amid thy sons and daughters; and
sooner will that blood stain the scaffold of martyrdom than dishonor
the manly spirits with which it is connected.
Geneva, 6th of February. I have reserved the closing of my letter till
my arrival in Geneva. As I took my departure from Piedmont, much kindly
feeling was manifested towards me. I beheld, with no small degree of
satisfaction, the work of the Lord extending, and the lively efforts in
operation for the spread of the principles of truth. You may form some
idea of the difficulties which have beset my efforts to publish, when
I tell you that "The Voice of Joseph" is now circulating in Italy with
a woodcut of a Catholic nun, anchor, lamp and cross on the first page,
and on the last Noah's ark, the dove and the olive.
With this work, and "The Ancient Gospel Restored," in my trunk, pockets
and hat, I crossed the Alps in the midst of a snow storm, scarcely
knowing whether I was dead or alive. It is one thing to read of
traveling over the backbone of Europe in the depth of winter, but doing
it is quite different.
Since my arrival in the far-famed city of Calvin, I have had several
interviews with intelligent Swiss gentlemen, who have, through the
efforts of Elder Stenhouse and the circulation of my works, become much
interested, and promise fair to give a good investigation.
In consequence of so much difficulty and vexation in getting out
publications in Italy, I feel unwilling to draw many books from that
quarter; therefore, I feel it my duty to make arrangements to get a
second edition of both work published here. I am pleased with the
prospect of establishing the Gospel in Geneva. I feel free and in a
free atmosphere, and to prophesy good of Switzerland.
Yours affectionately,
Lorenzo Snow.
To President Orson Hyde,
Kanesville, Iowa Territory, North America.