Eli H. Peirce.--Called on a mission.--Thoughtless of religion.--Taken
by surprise.--Throws aside pipe and novel.--What his associates
said.--What Moses Thatcher did.--Eli starts forthwith.--In New
York.--To the coal regions, Pennsylvania.--Great success.--A
testimonial.--Baptizes and administers to sick.--The power of God
attends.--Organizes branches.--Heavenly messenger appears.--Release.--A
second mission.--On the frontier.--Baptized a Sioux.--From _Deseret
News_.--A third mission.--With B. Morris Young.--Meets with
success.--Opposition.--Close of mission.--Happy expression.
On the fifth day of October, 1875, at the Semi-annual Conference of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I was called to perform a
mission to the United States.
Just why my name was suggested as a candidate for this mission, and
presented at conference for approval or rejection by the people, I
cannot say. My mind prior to that time had been entirely given up to
temporalities. I had never read to exceed a dozen chapters of the Bible
in my life, and little more than that from either the Book of Mormon
or Doctrine and Covenants, and concerning Church history was entirely
ignorant. Had never made but one attempt to address a public audience,
large or small, and that effort was no credit to me. Had been engaged
in the railroad business for a number of years, and this occupation
would have deprived me of meetings and religious services even had
my inclinations led in that direction, which I frankly confess they
did not. I had become almost an inveterate smoker, and bought cigars
by the wholesale, a thousand at a time. Was addicted to the use of
language which, if not profane, was at least vulgar and reprehensible.
Frequently visited saloons, but was not an habitual drinker. Was not
proficient at billiards, but squandered considerable money in acquiring
what little knowledge I possessed of the game; and pool frequently
cost me more for drinks than my board bill came to. Though these
indiscretions were common and frequent, thanks to a mother's sagacious
training, they never led to grosser or more alluring ones.
Nature never endowed me with a superabundance of religious sentiment
or veneration; my region of spirituality is not high, but below the
average. A phrenologist once said to me: "You are too level-headed
to ever make a sanctimonious church member." With this list of
disqualifications, which serious reflection helped to magnify, is it
surprising that I marveled and wondered if the Church were not running
short of missionary material?
One of my fellow employees was at the conference; I was not, because I
did not care to be. He heard my name called, abruptly left the meeting
and ran over to the telegraph office to call and tell me the startling
news. This was the first intimation I had received that such a thing
was contemplated. At the very moment this intelligence was being
flashed over the wires, I was sitting lazily thrown back in an office
rocking chair, my feet on the desk, reading a novel and simultaneously
sucking an old Dutch pipe, of massive proportions, just to vary the
monotony of cigar smoking.
As soon as I had been informed of what had taken place, I threw the
novel in the waste basket, the pipe in a corner and started up town to
buy a catechism. Have never read a novel nor smoked a pipe from that
hour. Sent in my resignation the same day, to take effect at once, in
order that I might have time for study and preparation.
Remarkable as it may seem, and has since appeared to me, a thought of
disregarding the call, or of refusing to comply with the requirement,
never once entered my mind. The question I asked myself a thousand
times, and which seemed so all-important, was: "How can I accomplish
this mission? How can I, who am so shamefully ignorant and untaught in
doctrine, do honor to God and justice to the souls of men, and merit
the trust reposed in me by the Priesthood?"
Some of my companions ridiculed me for entertaining sentimental
thoughts; some mocked and derided, whilst others predicted that I would
tire of working for glory before I had been out six months, and seek my
level by uniting with some comedy troupe or minstrel show; but no word
of encouragement from any of my associates.
The first man to congratulate me and offer words of comfort and cheer,
was President Moses Thatcher; he not only strengthened me with kind
words and fatherly advice, but handed me a fifty-dollar note with his
blessing, wished me every success, and expressed a fervent desire for
my welfare.
I was rebaptized, confirmed, set apart, ordained a Seventy and started
on my mission, all within a month from the time I was called. Went
direct to New York City, where I remained several days visiting places
of interest. Saw the great tragedian, Edwin Booth, in his favorite
character of Hamlet. Met with the Saints at Williamsburg, New York, but
contrived to get out of preaching. My traveling companion arrived and
we went up to the coal regions of Pennsylvania. At a meeting of the
Bellevue branch, I made my maiden effort as a preacher of the Gospel. I
stammeringly told the Saints that I had never received a testimony that
would justify me in declaring to them a knowledge of the work of the
latter days.
Elder McKean was unexpectedly called into New Jersey, and I was left
alone. In December was joined by Elder David Evans, Jr., of Lehi,
Utah, who became my missionary companion. Our labors were confined
exclusively to the State of Pennsylvania, mostly in the counties of
Luzerne, Tioga and Bradford, and our circuit extended over two hundred
miles.
Through prayerfulness, humility and a persevering faith we soon
obtained the coveted testimony; were greatly blessed of the Lord in
freedom of speech and delivery, and we became known in that locality as
"the boy evangelists."
The following from the pen of a well-to-do farmer, residing near
Towanda, will convey a fair impression and serve to illustrate the
liberality of feeling with which we were generally received:
Towanda, PA., Sept. 12, 1876.
_Friend Eli_:
I feel that your presence in our midst has been a God-given thing, an
oasis in the desert of our lives, and while I sincerely regret your
departure from among us, I know there are broader fields for your
missionary labor. I believe you to be a true messenger of God, endowed
with power which, when fully developed, will seldom have been equalled
in the pulpit.
Hoping that you may live long to reap a reward,
I am, your friend,
G. D. Mace.
Aunt Sally Mace was a venerable name, widely known and universally
esteemed and respected. She had heard that we were in the neighborhood,
and sent her son, the writer of the above, several miles, on a cold
December night, to attend our meeting and bring the boy preachers home
with him. We found Aunt Sally very low and suffering greatly from
nervous prostration; said she could not live another night and endure
the excruciating pains that had racked her body the past few days. We
told her of the restoration of the primitive Gospel, with all attending
gifts, blessings, etc. She believed our testimony and requested us to
administer to her before retiring. We complied with her wishes, the
Lord heard our prayers, and she was greatly and lastingly blessed.
This called forth the following from her daughter, Mrs. S. J. Cole, an
influential lady of the city of Towanda:
To Elder E. H. Peirce.
Dear Elder, your mission of love is fulfilled,
The Gospel of truth as of old we've received,
Supported by God's holy word.
You show to us miracles now in our day,
And that the believers have only to pray--
The prayers of the righteous are heard.
We thank thee, dear friend, for thy labor of love;
A savior of life to our mother you've proved,
Through gifts God our Father has given.
May the Lord whom you serve keep you ever from sin;
May I, through His mercy, be, too, gathered in,
And meet you, a brother, in heaven.
Throughout our entire mission we were greatly blessed, comforted
and strengthened by "signs following." Anointings and healings were
of frequent occurrence, many of which appeared miraculous even unto
ourselves. Evil spirits were likewise submissive to the will of the
Priesthood, when rebuked in the name of Jesus. In one locality these
manifestations were so common that the faith of the people amounted
almost to a superstition.
The departure of the old year chronicled our first baptism--that of
three persons at Kingston, on December 31st, 1875, and the centennial
year was ushered in with bright prospects soon to be realized.
At Plains, on January 1st, we baptized eight souls; five on the
fifteenth, and on the sixteenth organized a branch, baptized and
confirmed three additional members into the branch the same date.
This baptism took place at night, and I think the coldest I ever
experienced; we chose a secluded spot, under the trestle work of a
railroad bridge, in a tributary of the Susquehanna. The stream was
frozen over, and we were obliged to take an axe and chop the ice
before we could get to the water. While we were baptizing, a party of
Irishmen passed over the bridge, and, seeing us in the water, one of
them called out, "Is it in schwimmin ye are? Be gorry, it's purty cold
onneway." There being no reply, they passed on. We learned next day
that this same party belonged to that secret organization known as the
Molly Maguires, the terror of the coal fields, and were then on their
way home from an Irish wake they had been attending. They subsequently
boasted of what they would have done had they suspected our motive or
mission.
Baptized one at Providence, three at Plymouth, five at Miners, and,
April 6th, organized another branch. This is the anniversary of our
birth as a Church and the ushering in of the dispensation of the
fulness of times.
Up to this date we had blessed six children and held meetings regularly
in Luzerne and Bradford counties, with but little molestation. Two
schoolhouses had been closed against us, but in both instances friends
threw open private houses, so that those who came to hear were not
disappointed. A few times our services were interrupted by the unruly
element, but they never succeeded in breaking up a meeting. Some
mischievous boys attended one of our gatherings, bringing their pockets
full of peas, which they continued to flip at us until the supply was
exhausted, making targets of our noses. Some of them were pretty good
marksmen, and, as a consequence, we tired of the sport long before
they did, but took it all in good part throughout. We never had a more
attentive audience than assembled at the same place the following night.
In April we started north for Tioga county, preaching by the way.
Visited Nauvoo, a small town founded by a few old-time Saints, and
named after the beautiful city on the banks of the Mississippi.
Baptized one and blessed three at Covington.
Returned to Bradford county, baptized six at Monroeton, six at
Greenwood, three at Creighton and one at Franklin; blessed five
children and organized the Bradford branch. Some of those baptized were
confirmed at the meeting, and strangers present were moved to tears by
testimonies of the newly initiated, so full were they of earnestness
and the power of God.
I returned to Luzerne county; Elder Evans remained in Bradford.
Baptized three at Plymouth, three at Kingston and two at Plains. Was
called in to administer to the youngest child of one of the branch
presidents. The mother, an apostate, seriously objected to anything
of the kind in her presence, and she refused to leave the bedside of
the dying child. Not wishing to intrude, we retired to an upper room
to pray, and she, designing our motives, sent her little girl to spy
upon us. In a secluded chamber we knelt down and prayed earnestly and
fervently, until we felt that the child would live and knew that our
prayers had been heard and answered. Turning round, we saw the little
girl standing in the half open door gazing intently into the room,
but not heeding our movements. She stood as if entranced for some
seconds, her eyes fixed immovably upon a certain spot, and did not stir
until her father spoke. She then said, "Papa, who was that other man
in there?" He answered, "Brother Peirce." She said, "No, I mean that
_other_ man." He replied, "There was no other, darling, except Brother
Peirce and myself; we were praying for baby." She shook her head, and,
with perfect composure, said, "Oh, yes, there was; I saw him standing
between you and Mr. Peirce, and _he was all dressed in white_." This
was repeated to the mother, who tried every means in her power to
persuade the child that it was a mere delusion, but all to no purpose.
Entreaties, bribes, threats and expostulations were alike unavailing.
She knew what she had seen and nothing could shake that conviction.
The baby was speedily restored to perfect health. Made it a point
to meet a second time with the Saints at Bellevue and let them know
that "hope was at length merged into sweet fruition." The long sought
testimony had been received and repeatedly confirmed.
Baptized three at Plains in September, and on the twenty-seventh of
this month I received an honorable release from my mission for a
birthday present. Did not come directly home, as I perhaps should.
Went down to Philadelphia to do the centennial, where I remained two
weeks. Stopped at Chicago and other places, loitering on the way,
and the consequence was, when I reached Council Bluffs, Iowa, I met
a re-appointment to labor, in connection with Elder James A. Little,
until other Elders were sent down in the Spring.
This was a disappointment felt keenly at first, but a feeling of
perfect contentment soon followed, and it was not long before I was
forced to acknowledge the advantages it possessed over my former
mission. In Pennsylvania I had used little else than the New Testament
Scriptures, but here on the frontier, amongst apostates and in the very
hotbed of Josephism, it became an absolute necessity for me to study up
our Church history, modern revelation and points in doctrine.
Rode thirty-six miles one day, on horseback, to purchase several
numbers of the _Millennial Star_ and the _Times and Seasons_. We held
public discussions with two of the Josephite apostles, so-called.
Baptized fifteen at Council Bluffs, three at Boomer and two in Lewis
township; blessed six children and organized a flourishing branch at
the Bluffs. These baptisms had all to be performed under an old mill,
the streams on the outside being solidly frozen over.
One of our Pottawottamie converts was a Sioux Indian woman, the first,
I think, of that warlike tribe that had ever received the Gospel. Never
felt the power of the adversary so strongly as at this baptism. A horse
we had borrowed, perfectly kind and gentle on ordinary occasions, broke
from secure fastenings and ran away three times before we succeeded
in getting her into the water. She was well acquainted with Sitting
Bull and other noted war chiefs of the Sioux nation; had a moderate
education, self acquired, and was deeply interested in the Book of
Mormon. Made her a present of mine, and she returned to her people,
rejoicing in the truth and impatient to tell them something of their
fore-fathers from the record which she bore.
In April, baptized several, blessed one, and received my second
release. This time I did not stand upon the "order of going," but went
at once.
The following extract is from the _Deseret Evening News_ of April 21:
Returned Missionary.--This afternoon we were pleased to meet with Elder
Eli H. Peirce, of Brigham City who returned on the seventh instant,
from a mission to the Eastern States. He left Utah November 1st,
1875, and proceeded to Pennsylvania, where he labored for about ten
months, in conjunction with Elder David Evans, Jr., and where these
two Elders baptized fifty-six persons, about twelve of whom had been
previously connected with the Church, and organized three branches.
Being released, Elder Peirce proceeded toward home in September, 1876,
and had arrived at Council Bluffs, when he received another appointment
to labor in conjunction with Elder James A. Little, in Iowa, where
he remained until he came home. In the last named field, the labors
of Elders Little and Peirce resulted in twenty-seven persons being
baptized, and they organized one branch.
"Elder Peirce states that in his labors the word was confirmed by
'signs following,' the power of God being manifested in causing the
blind to see, the deaf to hear, the lame to walk and evil spirits to be
cast out. The gifts were also, in some instances, bestowed upon persons
previous to baptism, and even upon one who has not yet been baptized.
"In the labors of Elder Peirce, twenty-four children were blessed, and
he attended over one hundred and seventy-five meetings, at all of which
he preached. He enjoyed himself greatly in his labors, and returns in
good health. He is thankful for the experience he has thus obtained
in his youth, and he now knows for himself that there is power and
efficacy in the Gospel."
Three days after reaching home, I was called upon a second mission, or
more properly, a third; it came about in this way: At the regular April
Conference, held at St. George, cousin B. Morris Young had been called
on a mission to Great Britain. President B. Young, hearing of my return
and the success which had attended us, changed his son's mission to the
United States and appointed me to accompany him.
Morris was not prepared to start at once, so I resumed my labors on the
railroad, but was not so wild and volatile as before.
In August, 1877, we bid a tearful adieu to kindred and friends at home,
and once more went forth to declare the words of life everlasting unto
the inhabitants of our own land.
Remained two weeks at Council Bluffs, Iowa, and vicinity, and baptized
two. We next went to Ashland, thence to Platte Bottom, Nebraska, where
we held protracted meetings, baptized six, organized a branch and
blessed four children. The first man baptized into this branch had
never heard the sound of the Gospel until an inscrutable Providence
directed our footsteps thither. He is now counselor to the Bishop of
the Preston Ward, Cache Valley Stake of Zion.
No sooner had we commenced to baptize than priestcraft and the powers
of darkness began to join forces against us. Three ministers, all of
different persuasions, and two apostates, were imported to oppose
us; all at variance to religious tenets, but united in their efforts
to crush out and obliterate an unpopular faith. They advertised us
thoroughly. The people turned out in such force to hear us and refute
their arguments, that on two different occasions the floor sank beneath
us; fortunately, however, we were near the ground and no one was hurt.
Failing to accomplish their purpose by fair means, they next resorted
to foul. An appointment was out for October 17; upon going to the
schoolhouse we found the following anonymous communication lying on the
preacher's stand:
"Gentlemen: You are requested not to preach any more in this
neighborhood; the people are opposed to it. By leaving immediately you
will save trouble, as we may resort to means we do not wish to. We are
strong and you are weak, so govern yourselves accordingly.
(Signed) District No. 4."
We treated this with the silent contempt it deserved, proceeded with
our meetings as though nothing unusual had taken place, and gave out
another appointment. That night the author of the foregoing, who was
a local preacher of the Christian or Campbellite faith, with some of
his truly good and pious followers, tore the windows all out of the
building and destroyed them. The day school had to be discontinued
indefinitely in consequence. We returned to Council Bluffs and baptized
one.
President Brigham Young died while we were in Iowa, and we suffered
much persecution because of bitter feelings engendered through the
publication of scurrilous articles in the local papers.
One evening, after prayers, Brother Mahood said to us: "How is it you
have not prayed for President Young the last two days; I never knew you
to fail before." This incident was brought vividly to our minds the
following morning, when the melancholy tidings came that our beloved
President had passed away.
Four Elders arrived from the October Conference, and we prepared to
go East. Stopped at Nauvoo and preached there; put up at the Mansion
House and slept in the same room the Prophet Joseph once occupied. We
interviewed Mrs. Emma Smith Bideman and sought to draw her out. She
was not at all communicative, but enough was elicited to know that she
felt keenly the one false and fatal step of her life--that of leaving
the Church and uniting herself, heart and hand, with an infidel, after
having raised a family to one of the greatest and noblest of the
creations of God.
Visited the site of the Temple. Like the Temple at Jerusalem, "not
one stone is left upon another." We found them in store and dwelling
foundations, and on street crossings; in walking up the principal
sidewalk, we trod upon what were once corner stones in the Temple of
God. Preached some through Iowa and Illinois.
Went to Carthage and through the jail wherein the martyrs died for the
testimony of Jesus, and where President John Taylor so nearly lost his
life. The property is now owned by Mr. Browning, a relative of the
Brownings of Ogden, Utah. The building is used as a dwelling; what was
then the prison room is now the parlor. A fine Brussels carpet covers
the indelible stain upon the floor made by the life's blood of the
Patriarch.
In the corner where once stood the humble cot, now stands a handsome
piece of furniture, and the window, through which the Prophet sprang to
his death, is heavily hung with rich lace curtains. The well has been
filled up and the curbing removed.
Morris went direct to Philadelphia, I to Washington, where I remained
two days the guest of Hon. George Q. Cannon. Visited the White House
and was introduced to President Hayes. Was shown through the Capitol,
the treasury building and other places of national note, and was
admitted to a seat on the floor of the congressional chamber, all
through the courtesy of President Cannon, Delegate to Congress.
Went to Philadelphia, where we remained a month doing much fireside
preaching, but no chance for public demonstration in the "city of
brotherly love." However, we anticipate a harvest from the seed thus
humbly sown.
Early in January we took up our line of march for Luzerne county.
Re-organized the Plains branch, thence to Bradford county, where we
held circuit meetings regularly alternate nights. We had great joy in
visiting the sick and comforting the afflicted; the Lord heard our
prayers and healed many.
On March 22d we were called in to the bedside of a dying friend, and
requested to pray for her; not for her recovery, that she had no desire
for, but that her sufferings might be alleviated, her pains removed
and she be permitted to die in peace. In the midst of this petition,
while all were kneeling at the deathbed, we were led to pray that the
daughter, who was present, might be inspired to go forth and perform
the labor necessary for her own and her mother's salvation. Agreeable
to the mother's expressed desire and our humble prayer, Mrs. W. passed
tranquilly away the same night; a few moments before dissolution she
audibly spoke our names.
The funeral services were conducted by Minister B., Methodist; his
sermonizing amounted to simply this--that as the deceased had died
outside the pale of any church, notably his own, she could never be
redeemed from her fallen condition; she would be banished from the
society and denied the affiliation of her Christian friends for ever
and ever, worlds without end. Amen. This was a little unexpected to the
mourners, and they refused to be consoled and comforted. The daughter
came to us and asked for an interpretation of our strange prayer. After
it had been explained, she requested that we call another meeting and
preach upon the subject, announcing it as another funeral sermon. We
did so, dwelling upon repentance after death, the Savior's mission to
the spirits in prison, and baptism for the dead, showing how broad and
expansive is the Gospel of Christ when contrasted with the narrow and
contracted theories of man-made religion. The house was full, and a
spirit of sympathy prevailed. The daughter believed, was baptized, and
is to-day in the faith.
Baptized four in the Susquehanna River at Wysauking. Went to
Philadelphia, Morris expecting a release. Baptized four Philadelphians,
but had to cross the Delaware River to the New Jersey shore and wait
for the tide to come in. Received a letter releasing Morris, but
instructing me to remain in the field until relieved by other Elders
from home.
June 19th, attended the centennial celebration at Valley Forge,
the decisive battle ground of the Revolution. Saw Washington's
headquarters, his breastworks and entrenchments still remaining and can
be traced for miles.
Tried to hire the little church in which the Prophet Joseph used to
preach, in Philadelphia, but was unsuccessful; the deacon declared it
should never again be so polluted and defiled. Baptized two, one a
relative; blessed two and started north. Baptized six and blessed two
in Bradford county.
At my valedictory I was annoyed several times by a man who sat near the
stand, but did not heed his interruptions. Finally he stood upon his
feet and said he wanted it distinctly understood by all that he was a
Bible believer, and knew more about the Scriptures in a minute than
this young preacher did in a month. He said I had mentioned something
about a devil; he defied me, or any living man, to point out one
solitary instance wherein the Bible taught a personal devil.
I replied that Jesus chose twelve Apostles, "_and one of them was a
devil_;" if he could convince other Bible believers in the congregation
that Judas was not a person, I would admit that he knew a little
something about the Bible. He abruptly took his seat, and from that
time was an attentive listener.
Received my release in July, and in August was succeeded by Elders
Siddoway and VanTassel. Stopped at the Bluffs long enough to baptize
one, bless one, and solemnize one marriage; reached home in September.
Though my missions cost me more than a thousand dollars, besides more
than double that in wages had I remained at home, I have never, for
one moment, regretted the sacrifice; the experience gained more than
compensated for time, labor and means; while the knowledge acquired, of
the things of God and the testimony of Jesus, I hold as invaluable. And
now, after years have passed, I repeat, in words of soberness, and in
all sincerity, that the happiest period of my life, as well as the most
profitable, was spent in the Master's service.
Recapitulation: Baptisms, 108; ordinations, 11; children blessed, 37;
branches organized, 5; branches re-organized, 1; marriages, 1; meetings
held, 249; miles traveled, 9870; total cost, $1320. Eli H. Peirce.