A STRING OF PEARLS,
SECOND BOOK OF THE
FAITH-PROMOTING SERIES.
Designed for the Instruction and Encouragement of Young Latter-day
Saints.
SECOND EDITION.
JUVENILE INSTRUCTOR OFFICE,
Salt Lake City,
1882.
PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION.
The first book of this, the "FAITH-PROMOTING SERIES"--_My First
Mission_--which was published some months since, has been so well
received by the public that we are encouraged to continue the
publication of works of a similar character.
We herewith give "A STRING OF PEARLS" to our readers, feeling assured
that they will find the contents of this little work of inestimable
value.
Probably no people in the world possess so rich and varied an
experience as do the Latter-day Saints, and especially the Elders who
have labored in the ministry in various lands. Contributions from them,
giving a relation of their personal experience, are most profitable to
young people to peruse.
The present age is one of doubt and unbelief. Faith in God, in His
willingness to hear and answer prayer, and in the gifts of the gospel,
has almost vanished from the earth. As a people we have this to contend
with. Our children, not having had experience themselves, have to be
carefully watched, lest they, too, should partake of the leaven of
unbelief. We feel that it is a duty that we owe to them to place within
their reach the evidences that their fathers and their mothers have
received of the existence of God, of His willingness to hear and answer
prayer, and to bestow His gifts upon those who seek for them in the
right way.
God has wrought as marvelously in behalf of the Latter-day Saints as He
did in former days in behalf of His people.
We hope that this little volume will prove of great value to those who
read it, by inspiring them with faith, and furnishing them a foundation
upon which to build and obtain knowledge from the Lord.
We also indulge in the hope that its publication may stir up others--of
whom there are so many hundreds, and perhaps thousands, in our Church
who have had valuable experience--to take the time and trouble
necessary to commit incidents of this character to paper, that they
may not die with themselves, but that they may live to speak hope and
consolation unto, and to inspire confidence in, those who shall come
after them.
With an earnest hope, therefore, that the contents of this little
volume may prove a help to those who may read it, by inspiring them
with faith in the Almighty and His promises, we modestly publish it,
and give it the expressive title which it bears. G. Q. C.
October, 1880.
PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION.
In publishing this, the second edition of the STRING OF PEARLS, it
is only necessary to add that the first edition of 5,000 copies is
exhausted, and we are induced by the continued demand for the book to
re-issue it. It is very gratifying to notice the taste which has been
developed during the past few years, among the youth of our community,
for such reading matter as the FAITH-PROMOTING SERIES contains. We hope
to see a continued growth in this direction, and that our brethren and
sisters of experience will be prompted by it to write for publication
such sketches from their lives as will point a moral and convey a
lesson to the minds of future generations who may peruse the same.
We see no reason why the six volumes of the FAITH-PROMOTING SERIES
already published, as well as those which may follow, should not be
regarded in the future as standard works of the Church, and used for
home reading or Sunday school class books when their authors and those
of whose history they treat shall have passed to another sphere of
action.
June, 1882. THE PUBLISHER.
CONTENTS.
AMONG THE PONCAS.
CHAPTER I.
Start for the Mountains--Experience as a Cobbler--Indian Mission
Abandoned--Caching Property--Ponca Indians--A Prophecy and its
Fulfillment.
CHAPTER II.
Going with the Poncas--Buffalo Meat--Camped for the Winter--Council
with the Indians--A War Dance--Selected to go with the Poncas on a
Winter's Hunt.
CHAPTER III.
Grand "Peace" Smoke--Table Etiquette--No Dish Washing--White Friends
Discouraged.
CHAPTER IV.
Last two Brethren leave me--Home-sick--Tonsorial
Experience--"Whadee-Shipper," a New Name for me--Kindness of the
Indians.
CHAPTER V.
A Buffalo Hunt--A Thrilling Sight--Conversation with the
Indians--Scurvy--Answer to Prayer.
CHAPTER VI.
Strength in Time of Need--Afflicted like Job, with Boils--Scraping with
a Potsherd Pleasant--My Prayer Room--Dressing Buffalo Robes--Dining on
Cottonwood Bark--Indian Self-Denial.
CHAPTER VII.
Police Regulations--A Moral People--Marriage Customs--Invitation to a
Feast--Skunk Meat at Midnight--Indians Cheated by White Traders.
CHAPTER VIII.
Symptoms of Death--No Hopes of Living--Ponca Manner of Burying the
Dead--Dread of Having my Body Mangled by the Wolves--Decide to Bargain
with the Indians to Cut up my Body and Take it to my Friends--Happy
Assurance that I should Live, etc.
CHAPTER IX.
Visit from the Brules--Feast on Dog Meat--Seat of Honor on the
Pillow--Return Journey--Opening Caches--Shooting Fish--Curious Manner
of Cooking Fish.
CHAPTER X.
Chosen to go as an Envoy to the Camp of the Saints--A Solitary
Journey--Surrounded by Thousands of Wolves--Providential
Deliverance--Happy Sight, a Yoke of Oxen--Tears of Joy--Meet two of my
Friends--Safe Return to the Camp of the Saints.
ANECDOTES OF ELDER GRANT.
CHAPTER I.
Reputation as a Ready Speaker--Putting him to the Test--Sermon from a
Blank Text--Enthusiasm at the Close of it--A Collection Proposed--The
Minister Objects to Passing the Hat--They Compel him to--Handsome
Collection--Discussion with a Great Baptist Preacher--Preacher
Nonplussed by Elder Grant's Repartee.
CHAPTER II.
Curious Coincidence--Impression upon Miss Floyd--Her
Acknowledgment--Challenged by Mr. Ruby--Meeting by Chance--Elder
Grant's Estimate of Mr. Ruby--The Preacher Cowed.
WAR HILL.
Elder J. M. Grant Challenged to Debate--Boone's Hill Chosen as the
Place--His Antagonist gets Six Ministers to Help him--Demoralized
Ministers send for Another to Assist them--Inglorious Defeat of the
Eight--One of them Absent-Minded--Change of Name to "War Hill."
SIGN-SEEKING.
Persecuting the Missionaries--A Discussion--Not Content with Bible
Proof-;--A Sign Demanded--No Signs Promised the Unbelievers--Warned to
Repent, or Endure the Curse of God--The Result.
MISSIONARY INCIDENTS.
CHAPTER I.
A Busy Mission--A Rich Harvest of Souls--Judgments upon our Opponents.
CHAPTER II.
Visit to a Baptist Meeting--Abuse of the Various Churches, Especially
the "Mormons"--Boasted Bible-name and Religion--Return to the
Text--"Hard-Shell" Wail--Reply to False Assertions--Their "Bible-name"
Disproved--The True Scripture Name Pointed out.
CHAPTER III.
Ministers Appoint a Meeting to Expose "Mormonism"--We Appoint one for
the Same Purpose, and the Same Day--Ministers Fail to Appear--Others
Preach Instead--We Follow--A Baptist Attempts to Reply--His
Contradictory Statement--Fellow-Preacher's Chagrin--The Preacher's
Concession.
CHAPTER IV.
My First Sermon--Remarkable Instance of Help from the Almighty.
CHAPTER V.
My Second Sermon, which was not a Sermon--Confidence in
Commencing--Subsequent Chagrin--The Lesson I Learned.
JOURNEY ACROSS THE PLAINS.
Surrounded by Indians--Prepare for an Attack--Sign of Peace--A
Letter--Pipe of Peace--Three of us Accompany the Indians to their
Camp--Chagrin at the Repulse--Road Swept Clear of Snow--Missouri River
Frozen over--We Cross on the Ice, which Breaks as the Last Wagon Leaves
it.
STORY OF A HAT.
Elder Phillips in Need of a Hat--Brother Hobbs told in a Dream to
Provide one for him--His Trouble at not being able to do so--The Hat
Provided in an Unexpected Manner.
A PROPHECY AND ITS FULFILLMENT.
Elder Taylor's labors in Liverpool--Visit to McGaffey's House--A
Prophecy Concerning Mr. Tait--Visit to Ireland--McGaffey gets
Drunk--The Prophecy Fulfilled.
GUIDED BY PROVIDENCE.
Elder Lisonbee's Mission--Urged by the Spirit to Travel on--Finds a
Listener--Invited to Preach--A Protest against it--Success--His Great
Work--His Death.
FULFILLMENT OF PROMISE.
The Lord's Promises Sure--An Elder in want of a Pair of Shoes--He Prays
for them--The Prayer Answered--Case of Healing.
"YOU SHALL NOT BE CONFOUNDED."
Sent out to Preach when a Boy--First Experience in
Preaching--Questioned by an Infidel--Answer given by the Lord.
AN EFFECTIVE PLEA.
Arrested on a Novel Charge--Elder Parrish's Defense--Elder Patten's
Indignation--Consternation Produced by his Speech.
A LIFE SKETCH.
Lack of Education--Early Marriage--Resisting Temptation--Grain
Increased by the Power of God--Answers to Prayer--Large Family--Result
of Early Marriage.
CASES OF MIRACULOUS HEALING.
Great Assembly of Indians--Baptizing them--The Sick Instantly
Healed--Curious Actions of Indians Affected with Evil Spirits--The Old
Chief's Faith--Child Cured of Fever--The Dead Revived.
ANSWER TO PRAYER.
Early Experience in Calling upon the Lord--Prayers Answered--Faith
Developed--A Pocket-Book Lost--Found in answer to Prayer.
JOSEPH SMITH'S FIRST PRAYER.
AMONG THE PONCAS.
By W. C. S.
CHAPTER I.
START FOR THE MOUNTAINS--EXPERIENCE AS A COBBLER--INDIAN MISSION
ABANDONED--CACHING PROPERTY--PONCA INDIANS--A PROPHECY AND ITS
FULFILLMENT.
A few days after the organization of the "Mormon" Battalion, and
when it had left Council Bluffs for Fort Leavenworth, it was decided
in the council of the authorities of the Church that Brother George
Miller (Bishop) should raise a company and endeavor to cross the Rocky
Mountains that fall.
At this time I was traveling and living with the family of Bishop
Miller. I had been suffering with fever and ague for two months
previous, but a few days before we arrived at Council Bluffs the fever
left me, when my legs commenced to swell and finally broke out into
sores, some of which were over an inch deep. I had five on my right and
four on my left leg. These caused me much pain; but the Lord blessed me
with His Spirit, and I did not feel in the least discouraged.
I had brought some shoemaker's tools along, so that I could mend my
shoes when they needed it. I had them in use every time we stopped,
mending shoes for the camp. I soon learned to be a pretty good cobbler,
especially in patching up the sisters' shoes.
Some four of Bishop Miller's teamsters left to join the Battalion.
Brother Henry G. Boyle was the one who drove the team I traveled in,
but now I had to be teamster. We left with sufficient breadstuff
to last a year, consisting of flour, corn meal, etc., but no meat,
as we hoped to find plenty of game on our journey. In this we were
disappointed, as we were without meat for several weeks, with the
exception of fish when we could catch them.
When about twenty miles east of the Pawnee village and mission we met
several white men, who had been in charge of the mission, under the
superintendence of an Indian agent appointed by the government. These
men had been employed at building houses, fencing in land, sowing
grain, etc., and endeavoring to teach the Indians to do likewise; but
the Indians for some cause had become exasperated and had killed two of
the white men, one of whom was a blacksmith.
As soon as this party learned of our numbers and intentions they wished
to return to the mission and cache some government property, such, as
iron, steel, blacksmith tools, farming implements, etc., which they
left in a hurry when fleeing from the Indians. On arriving at the
mission and village, we found that all the Indians had left, fearing,
I presume, that they would be punished if they were caught by the
government troops.
The brethren helped these men to cache all the property, which they
did by digging a large hole in the ground, in a dry place, putting the
goods into it, covering them with the soil taken out of the hole, and
building a large fire over the place, that the ashes might cover up all
traces of the digging.
One of the men of this party joined the Church, and emigrated to the
valley with us.
We found several fields of grain ready for harvesting, with potatoes,
turnips and sweet corn, as well as a large quantity of wheat, barley
and oats already threshed and housed. This was all handed over to our
camp.
We remained here a couple of days, when we received a letter from
President B. Young's camp, advising us to winter on Grand Island, which
was well timbered, and where there was good feed also This island was a
few miles west of us, on the Platte River.
The letter also stated that a company had left President Young's camp,
who would winter with us and give us sufficient strength to guard
against an attack from Indians.
The day following eight Ponca chiefs came to our camp, stating that
they had come from their nation to make peace with the Pawnees,
and appeared much disappointed when they learned they had left, in
consequence of their trouble with the men who had charge of the mission.
These Ponca Indians who came to our camp were large, fine-looking men.
Bishop Miller asked them to stay with us a few days, which they did,
and appeared much pleased. They soon learned where we expected to
winter, and were very anxious to have us all go to their village and
stay. They represented that they had a good country, well timbered, and
plenty of good pasture and shelter for our cattle.
The next day the company sent to join us, consisting of thirty men with
their families, arrived. As soon as they had rested, a meeting was
called, to know what should be done--winter on Grand Island, without
the consent of the Pawnee Indians, who owned the land and timber there,
or go with the Ponca chiefs, where we would be welcomed by the whole
nation.
The council decided to go with the Poncas, and the next day we fitted
up our wagons for the journey.
The next thing was to load up with as much grain and potatoes as we
could get into our wagons, for these were the first we had been able to
obtain since leaving Nauvoo in the spring.
After we got every corner in our wagons filled with eatables we left
a great many bushels of grain and vegetables upon the land to waste,
literally fulfilling a prophecy uttered by Bishop Miller, a few days
before we started. When speaking to the camp, he said he hoped all who
were going in that company were "true Latter-day Saints, full of faith
and good works," and added:
"All of you who have been with us have seen the power of God manifested
in behalf of the traveling camps of Israel, in protecting our leaders
from our enemies, and providing food for the Saints, who number
thousands. Some may say, 'We were then traveling through a country
where we found an occasional farm, from the owner of which we could
purchase what we required; but to-day we have left all these, and have
nothing but a wilderness before us, without farms, houses or grain.'
"Let me say, as I have before said, you shall be blessed in the future
as you have been in the past.
"What, with food? Yes; I tell you yes! I promise you all, this day,
in the name of the Lord, that you shall see the time while upon this
journey, that you shall have more grain than you can load in your
wagons, and leave many bushels behind you to waste upon the ground."
This, my readers, was fulfilling prophecy to the very letter. How often
I have seen the sayings of our leaders fulfilled in like manner since I
started upon this journey!