PROVIDENTIAL AID RECEIVED.
After accepting a call to fulfill a mission, Elders sometimes find
they are without the necessary funds at hand to carry them to their
destination. But the assurance that prompts them to respond to the call
also gives them confidence that this difficulty can be met and overcome
in some way. The feeling that "where there's a will there's a way"
seems to actuate their whole being, and very seldom if ever are they
disappointed in their expectations.
A few years ago a young man was called to fulfill a mission and had
reported himself as being willing to go. He hastily prepared to start
by paying what debts he was owing and providing some things that his
family were in need of, after which he found that he had no means
left for paying his way to his destination, which was in a foreign
country, and the time set for his departure was near at hand. A few
days previous to the time of leaving, an acquaintance met him, and
during the conversation that ensued the missionary informed his friend
of his call to take a mission, but said nothing about his financial
circumstances. Before parting the young friend handed the missionary a
silver coin with this remark: "Here, I want to give you this to help
you along; and you will find that others will help you, as I found in
my experience when about to go on a mission a few years ago."
This was the first piece of money he had received to aid him on his
way, but, true to his friend's words, others helped him, and money
came from several sources where he did not expect anything, and had no
reason to expect it. The result was that on the day of his departure
he not only had enough to pay his way but sufficient to meet necessary
expenses while absent during the first year of his mission.
Another such instance occurred in the experience of an Elder called
to go to England several years ago. After receiving and accepting of
his call he made what preparations he could to comply with it. He
was however disappointed somewhat in getting some means due him. The
result was that on the day previous to that on which he expected to
start he did not have sufficient means to take him to New York. He knew
not from what source he could get money, but still hoped to be able
to go on the day appointed. That night he dreamed that he received
one hundred dollars, but awoke in the morning and found himself in
the same financial condition as on the day before. But his hopes were
not blighted. He concluded that if the dream meant anything it was an
indication that he would still succeed. During the day and before the
time set for his departure he received just one hundred dollars from
an entirely unexpected source, and was thereby enabled to start on his
journey at the time appointed.
In the "Life of John Taylor" is related an interesting episode which
shows how he was helped when in need of funds to pay his way across the
ocean. It was in the year 1839, just after the Saints had been driven
in a body from their homes in Missouri. Apostle Taylor, with others
of his quorum, had been called as a missionary to England. With much
difficulty, owing to sickness, he made his way to New York, but without
means to proceed any farther. His experience in New York is here given
as recorded in his biography:
"When Elder Taylor arrived in New York, Elder Woodruff had been there
some time, and was all impatience to embark for England, but as yet the
former had no means with which to pay for his ocean passage. Although
supplied with all the means necessary on his journey thus far, after
paying his cab-fare to the house of Brother Pratt he had but one
cent left. Still he was the last man on earth to plead poverty, and
in answer to inquiries of some of the brethren as to his financial
circumstances, he replied that he had plenty of money.
"This was reported to Brother Pratt, who the next day approached Elder
Taylor on the subject:
"Elder Pratt: 'Well, I am about to publish my 'Voice of Warning' and
'Millennial Poems,' I am very much in need of money, and if you could
furnish me with two or three hundred dollars I should be very much
obliged.'
"Elder Taylor: 'Well Brother Parley, you are welcome to anything I
have, if it will be of service to you.'
"Elder Pratt: 'I never saw the time when means would be more
acceptable.'
"And putting his hand into his pocket Elder Taylor gave him his copper
cent. A laugh followed.
"'But I thought you gave it out that you had plenty of money,' said
Parley.
"'Yes, so I have,' replied Elder Taylor. 'I am well clothed, you
furnish me plenty to eat and drink and good lodging; with all these
things and a penny over, as I owe nothing, is not that plenty?'
"That evening at a council meeting Elder Pratt, proposed that the
brethren assist Elder Taylor with means to pay his passage to England,
as Brother Woodruff was prepared and desired to go. To this Elder
Taylor objected, and told the brethren if they had anything to give to
let Parley have it, as he had a family to support and needed means for
publishing. At the close of the meeting Elder Woodruff expressed his
regret at the course taken by Elder Taylor, as he had been waiting for
him, and at last had engaged his passage.
"Elder Taylor: 'Well Brother Woodruff, if you think it best for me to
go, I will accompany you.'
"Elder Taylor: 'Oh, there will be no difficulty about that. Go and take
a passage for me on your vessel, and I will furnish you the means.'
"A Brother Theodore Turley, hearing the above conversation, and
thinking that Elder Taylor had resources unknown to himself or Brother
Woodruff, said: 'I wish I could go with you, I would do your cooking
and wait on you.'
"The passage to be secured was in the steerage--these missionaries were
not going on flowery beds of ease--hence the necessity of such service
as Brother Turley proposed rendering. In answer to this appeal, Elder
Taylor told Brother Woodruff to take a passage for Brother Turley also.
"At the time of making these arrangements Elder Taylor had no money,
but the Spirit had whispered to him that means would be forthcoming,
and when had that still, small voice failed him! In that he trusted,
and he did not trust in vain. Although he did not ask for a penny of
anyone, from various persons in voluntary donations he received money
enough to meet his engagements for the passage of himself and Brother
Turley, but no more."