FOUNDING THE LONDON CONFERENCE--APOSTLES KIMBALL, WOODRUFF AND SMITH
CHOSEN FOR THE WORK--SEEKING FOR A MAN WITH THE SPIRIT OF GOD--THE
FIRST CONVERT--THE ELDERS HOLD OPEN-AIR MEETINGS IN TABERNACLE SQUARE.
The next notable movement determined on by the Apostles was the
founding of the London Conference. The men chosen for this work were
Heber C. Kimball, Wilford Woodruff and George A. Smith. Leaving
Manchester on the 4th of August, Heber joined his companions in
Herefordshire, whence the three proceeded on to London, preaching and
baptizing by the way.
They reached their destination about four o'clock in the afternoon of
the 18th, and were kindly received by a Mrs. Allgood, of No. 19, King
Street, Borough, who gave them needed refreshments and directed them
to lodgings in the neighborhood. Two days later they reported to the
_Millennial Star_ as follows:
"We are well and in good spirits, and are going to see the people in
different parts, and see what we can do in this small world; for
London looks like a small world. Give us your prayers and direct your
letters as above."
It was well ordered that three such characters as these, with their
indomitable will power and perseverance, added to child-like faith and
humility, were sent to break Gospel ground in the British Metropolis.
The task was no easy one. London, with all its churches and
cathedrals, its high-priced ministers and princely churchmen, its
Bibles, missions, schools, and evangelical agencies of every
description, was the devil's stronghold, nevertheless; and the
prospect might have dismayed, with its hardships, spirits less
valiant, souls less faithful, than those selected for the ordeal.
For days the Apostles wandered through the streets of the great city,
viewing its wonderful sights, visiting its places of interest and
historic note, and all the while looking for an opportunity to deliver
their message, and for souls to receive their testimony. Among other
places they went to "Zion's Chapel" and heard the Reverend Robert
Aitken, the same great preacher from whom Heber, on his former
mission, had won so many disciples in Preston. They were profoundly
impressed with his eloquence and the sublime truths he uttered, but to
them his efforts were those of one who was "building without the
foundation." They had previously heard an Aitkenite preacher at Union
Chapel, Waterloo Road, and had also called on the Reverend J. E.
Smith, of Lincoln's-Inn-Fields, their object being to find an opening
for their ministry.
Still following very much the example of Heber's first mission to
England, the three Elders next attended a meeting of the Temperance
Society in Temperance Hall, St. George's Row, near the Elephant
Castle. Here Elder George A. Smith was given the privilege of making a
short speech. It was the first public effort of a Mormon Elder in
London, though it was more in the nature of a temperance testimony
than the introduction of Mormonism to the metropolis. Subsequently the
brethren addressed another meeting at the same place on the subject of
temperance, and succeeded in engaging the hall for preaching purposes,
though they were not permitted to occupy it immediately. They gave out
an appointment to preach the Gospel there on the 7th of September.
One day, as they were strolling through the streets, "to see if they
could find a man with the Spirit of God," Heber accosted an amiable
looking stranger and asked him if he was a preacher. He replied that
he was, and informed the brethren that he had been in America, and had
come to London for the purpose of going to South Australia; but had
suffered much from sickness in his family, having just buried one
child, while another was then lying at the point of death.
"Your child shall live," said Heber C. Kimball.
The stranger then gave them some information in regard to places for
preaching, and they parted from him. On the same day they called at
his house; he was not at home, but his child was better.
The next day the servants of the Lord went again over the city. This
time they found the object of their search; "a man in whom was the
Spirit." His name was Corner. He lived at No. 52 Ironmonger Row, St.
Luke's Parish, near the Church. He and his household received the
testimony of the Elders and opened their doors for the preaching of
the Gospel.
This, however, was not enough; though the brethren praised God for
this manifestation of His favor. They longed to reach the ears of the
multitude, and declare to them the message that "burned like fire in
their bones." At the expiration of twelve days, finding no immediate
prospect for an indoor opening of the kind they were in quest of, they
determined to go into the streets and lift up their voices.
It was Sunday morning, August 30th, 1840. Wending their way through
the crowded streets and winding thoroughfares, in search of some
public place where they knew the common people were wont to assemble
on the Sabbath, to hear all sorts of harangues from all sorts of
speakers, the three Apostles, after walking three miles, stopped in
Tabernacle Square, "Old Street." A promiscuous assembly had gathered
there--men of all creeds and opinions--and an "open-air" meeting was
in progress. It was an Aitkenite preacher who was addressing them.
Mixing with the multitude, the Elders listened respectfully to what he
was saying, and gradually edged their way towards the spot where he
was standing.
When the Aitkenite minister had concluded his discourse a Presbyterian
preacher took his place and was about to begin.
"Sir!" exclaimed a voice in the crowd, addressing the preacher. All
eyes were turned in the direction of the sound. A man stepped forward.
It was Heber C. Kimball. "Sir," he said, "There is a preacher from
America present, who would like to speak to the assembly when you have
got through your service."
The Presbyterian, not to be outdone in courtesy, and perhaps proud of
the honor of introducing an American preacher to a British public,
addressing the people, said:
"I am informed that there is a minister from America present. I
propose that he shall speak first."
The proposition was readily accepted, and the people drew near, alive
with curiosity at the novelty of hearing a preacher from America.
Apostle George A Smith was the one selected for the occasion. He
mounted the chair resigned by the Presbyterian, and addressed the
audience for about twenty minutes.
Next came the Presbyterian, and at the close of his remarks Heber C.
Kimball again advanced.
"Will there be any objection to our preaching here at 3 o'clock?" he
inquired.
"No; not at all," answered the Presbyterian. "What denomination do you
belong to?"
"To the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints," Heber replied.
"Oh, I have heard of them," exclaimed the Presbyterian quickly, his
countenance and whole manner changing. "They are a bad people; they
have done much hurt; they divide churches; we don't want to hear you."
He then mounted the chair again and said to the people:
"I have just heard that the last man who spoke belongs to the
Latter-day Saints." And then he began to rail against the Apostles and
their faith.
After he had thus vented himself, Elder Kimball mildly inquired:
"Will you let me step into the chair to give out an appointment for a
3 o'clock meeting?"
But the minister angrily refused, whereupon Heber raised his voice and
informed the people that some American preachers would preach there at
3 o'clock.
A vast congregation assembled at the appointed hour to hear them, the
conduct of the Presbyterian and the excitement of the morning having
helped to increase it materially.
Elder Wilford Woodruff was the first preacher. After singing and
prayer, he read from the first chapter of Paul's Epistle to the
Galatians, the 8th and 9th. verses:
"But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other Gospel
unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be
accursed.
"As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any
other Gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be
accursed."
A direct thrust at apostate Christendom, with its multitudinous
variety of "other gospels," all differing from each other and from the
great original.
Brother Woodruff did not fail that day to hold them up a glass wherein
they might see the "inmost parts" of Paul's dread meaning, made
applicable in words of telling force to the Christian denominations of
that great city.
Then came Heber C. Kimball with his sledge-hammer blows of testimony,
driving home the truth of the Apostle's words, as with a mallet of
mighty power. He told them of the great apostasy that had taken place
since the days of Paul, and of the restoration of the Gospel in the
latter days, closing with an earnest testimony to the divine mission
of Joseph Smith, the great Prophet whom God had raised up in the land
of America.
The people gave good attention and seemed much interested in what they
had heard.
After the meeting Mr. Corner, the person already noticed, invited the
three Apostles home to his house; so, withdrawing from the crowd, they
went to 52 Ironmonger Row, St Luke's Parish.
But Heber was not yet satisfied. The inward monitor which he knew
never erred told him that his day's labor was not accomplished. Scarce
knowing why, but surrendering himself to the dictates of the Spirit,
he retraced his steps and wended his way alone back to Tabernacle
Square, leaving Elders Woodruff and Smith at "Father Corner's,"
conversing on the things of the Kingdom.
The crowd had not yet dispersed from the Square, but stood in groups
here and there, discussing eagerly the events of the day, and the
strange things told them by the American preachers. As Heber
approached he was immediately recognized--and, indeed, his was a
presence, once seen, not easily to be forgotten--and the surprised and
pleased multitude, thronging round him, besought him to speak to them
again.
He willingly complied and addressed them long and earnestly. More
powerful than ever was his testimony. He was alone, but the Spirit was
with him, and with the Spirit Heber C. Kimball was a host.
Breathlessly they listened, and at the close several men whom he had
never seen until that afternoon, came forward and invited him home to
their houses.
The ice was broken. His testimony had prevailed. The good seed sown by
the wayside had taken root, as it were, in the very crevices of the
stony pavements of the world's metropolis.