Excerpts From the Diary of James Palmer
(Beginning with page 8 from the journal)
[At first he preached in Cheltenham and Gloucester and then]
my labours were called for in another section of country I was accordingly ordained to the office of an Elder under the hands of Elder Glover and Daniel Browett, and honourably released there and sent to Labour in the Garway Conference under the direction of President Kington of Bristol. I was soon in my new field of labours where I succeeded Elder David Wilding and went to work at once. I preached at Garway and Euisharrald, and the villidge (sic) of Longtown where I was opposed by a Ladey (sic) Preacher of Primative Methodist persuasion and again at Euisharrald by another of the same class. He was verry (sic) abuseful. I preached at Skenfrith, was opposed by a Roman Catholic. He wished to pruve (sic) the Catholic Church to be the only true Church of God upon the earth. On this point he made a signal (sic) failure, he might have pruven (sic) her to be the mother of Harlots and abominations of the earth as revealed to John the Evangelist on the Isle of Patmos. However, he went away rather dissatisfied.
I preached at Butts Green and returned to the house of Thomas Aurthers and slept. At this time Elder Martin Littlewood arived (sic) to asist (sic) me in my ministeariel (sic) labours for wich (sic) I felt thankful. We visited Skenfrith again together. We both adressed (sic) the audience, we ware (sic) opposed again by the same roman catholic sho brought others with him and a news paper and read therein a tissue of falsehood against our prinsables (sic) the Latter day Saints or Mormonites as they bulgerly (sic) stiled (sic) us. At last the house become disorded (sic) and we dismissed the asembly (sic) meeting to convene on the following thurday. Returned to Sister Morgans and slept.
Next day when journeying I met a man whoes (sic) name was Thomas Evans. He spoke kindly to me and invited me to his house. He bade me welcome to his (h)ospitality and manifested a disposition but seldom met with. I promised to visit himself and family at an earley (sic) day if God permit one. The morrow evening I was solisited (sic) by a Mr. Preece to visit a friend of his and convince him if possible that baptism for remishon (sic) of sins was escential (sic) unto salvation. I spent about two hours with him and bore him a faithful testimony and departed. He was a Methodis(t) local preacher.
Next day being the sabboth day I met with the church asembled (sic) at brother Hills house at 11 o clock forenoon and Brother Arthers at 3 oclock afternoon where two members where (sic) confirmed into the Church. Atended (sic) meeting again at 7. Elder Littlewood adressed (sic) the congregation for nearly two hours. Ab(o)ut this time heavey storms of rain ware (sic) causing the brooks to overflow their banks and traveling on foot was hard.
Following is a list of names of Persons that I have baptized into the church at different times and different places and I much regret to day that I did not record their names in full. They are as follows vis Brother and Sister Boulter, Br. Castney, Elizabeth S. Hood, x Lodge, x (S) Steward, x bro steward, x br Steward, Sister Crook near Gloucester, Sister Liley, brother Houlder, brother Burton, brother Lewis, brother Pitt, Sister Pitt, Joseph Funkins and his wife Elizabeth ba(p)tized in Herefordshire, Brother Jones, brother Tranter, brother Parry and Sister Nelms ware (sic) babtized (sic) at Killcut branch, Gloucestershire and ware (sic) members of that branch, Peter Powel and Mary Morris babtized (sic) Nov 8h 1840. Ann Austin Nov 18th, and Elizabeth Evans, Lucy Medmur (?) Nov 19th, Thomas Evans Nov 26, 1840. It was now reported that two other mishonaries (sic) had arived (sic) from the upper country vis John Needham and William Snailam. On being introduced to them I loved their apearance (sic) and was much gratified to think of the help we ware (sic) getting (sic). We now visited Skenfrith again with our reinforcement of young troops.
(date not clear) on the Monday following, I baptized John Preece and William Williams in the river munna, and delivered a public discourse the same evening at Brother Reeds.
next day a number of Elders arived (sic) preparatory to atend (sic) conference on the morrow of being the 8th day of decemeber 1840. We filled our apointments (sic) that evening. Elder Gailey and Phillips preached at Brother Reeds house. At the apointed (sic) time conference convened and much good instruction given and much buisness (sic) done. One Elder, ceveriel (sic) Priests, and deacons ware (sic) ordained, under the hands of Elder Gailey, and Barnes. Elders Kington, Gailey, Barnes, & Littlewood ware (sic) the speakers who adressed (sic) the conference. The house was crowded to excess. Two methodist preachers came (and) desired to see a sign (p. 14). Thay ware (sic) told that Jesus saide (sic) it was an evil and adulterous Jeneration (sic) that saught (sic) after a sign. The apointment (sic) at the seven stars Inn was now due and Elder James Morgann and myself was apointed (sic) to fill it at a late hour. However we struck out, and on our arival (sic) found Elder Authorn preaching and so the apointment (sic) was filled satisfactoraly (sic). He was a strainger (sic) to us in pearson (sic) but not in prinsable (sic).
Wed. 9 Dec 1840 - Next day I visited Monmouth and Skenfrith where the grandsires of the Morgan family resided. In company with Miss Margaret Morgan was kindly received and treated with respect. The Elders now began to turn their attention to the fare town of Monmouth situated on the River Why, and near the mouth of the Monna. Elder Morgan and myself visited this place and soon obtained a house for public worship. It was now a convenient time for me to visit the home of my dear father and mother. I visited Elder Kington and reported Progress. I was introduced to Elder Levi Richards late from America.
Mary Ann Preece received this gift (of tongues)
I visited an old friend brother Jones of Malvern wells of United Brothern (sic).
Council met that evening and it was decided by them that myself acompanied (sic) by Elder James Barnes go direct to the city of Monmouth and preach the gospel to them, and on the morrow we started, it being 27th 1840. We preached there that evening to a large congregation. We also visited a methodist Chappel (sic) and asked them the privelidge (sic) to preach in this ther (sic) house of noise or worship but failed to get it.
After this some of them atended (sic) our meetings. They ware (sic) a noisey (sic) set. Some of them cried out and saide (sic) thay (sice) had a light in their souls and had no need of ducking (sic). However, we succeeded in being heard and told them in plainness that we had come with a message of the gospel of Peece (sic) as gods ministers without purse and scrip to teach them the plan of salvation and we wished to be heard. Elder Barnes addressed them on the organisation (sic) of Christs Church in the days of the apostles and a good spirit was manifested. We ware (sic) then invited to a mans house whoes (sic) name was Constance and quite a few followed us where we continued in conversation until one oclock in the morning. However, we slept but little and if we went to bed at all I don't remember it. However, next day was spent in conversation with the people visiting from house to house. (at length) we entered a turners shop where we found a very peculiar people. They apeared (sic) to be a people of thought and styled themselves investigators having seperated (sic) themselves from all sects and denominations of christians so called. They told us thay (sic) freqeuently sat up nearly whole nights in studying the scriptures &c we soon learned however by converse with them, and a close application to their condition that thay (sic) ware (sic) groveling in the dark, and the hold (sic) ghost was needed to instruct them correctly in the knowledge of gods devine laws and so we made an effort to instruct them, and reasoned with them, to the best of our ability giving scripture evidence but all to no avail. They questioned us closely and finaly (sic) concluded that our sistem (sic) of doctrine was unworthy of their acceptance and so we testified to the truth of our mishon (sic) and departed from them knowing that Jesus hath saide (sic) my sheep (h)ear my voice and follow me, but a strainger (sic) will thay (sic) not follow for that know not the voice of straingers (sic). We now returned home to the House of Thomas Mastons and wrote letters to our friends informing them of our condition, for it was aparant (sic) to us that we should need some asistance (sic) to be able to stand against the presure (sic), but God that doeth all things well and marks the fall of the sparrow from the house top had his eye on us also, as you will soon discover.
That evening we held forth in swifts buildings. I was the first speaker. The congregation was small and the spirit of contention was there and I felt its influence. After I had spoken, a methodist minister arose and spoke in oppasion (sic) to my remarks. This caused some confusion which however was soon appeased, for we prevailed on them and thay (sic) concluded to give us audience. Elder Barnes then arose and made a short address and meeting was dismist (sic) and this methodist minister that arose in opposition made me a present of two pence which we used to sustain us while there. We now retiered (sic) to the house of a friend and quite a few followed us where we continued our conversation until midnight, and then pertook (sic) of some refreshments and slept. The morrow was devoted in conversation about the City, the few pence given us we paide it out for bread which we ate with singleness of heart as we paced those streets. That same evening we preached again in Swifts building. Was apposed (sic) again by another Methodist Minster by the name of Thomas James. He was very abusive (and) wished to see a sign, we told him he was on of a wicked and an adulterious (sic) jeneration (sic) seeking after signs and wonders instead of that knowledge that cometh from above. The congregation went away aparantly (sic) disgusted at the treatment we had received that night. We made our evening meal on a few potatoes and had no bed for rest or repose. This condition brought forceably (sic) to our minds the sayings of the son of God while engaged in his ministeariel (sic) labours here. He ways (sic) the servant is (n)ot above his master, nor the deciple above his Lord, and the foxes had holes and the birds of the air had nests, but the sun (sic) of man had not where to lay his head, and so in our condition we ware (sic) happy and rejoiced exceedingly knowing most ashuredly (sic) that for all our labours and sufferings, in the great day of accounts we shall receive a just recompense of reward. So on the comeing (sic) evening we held forth at the house of Thomas Mason, it being the last day in the year 1840.
We slept in a bed that night, but we ware (sic) in need of food. On the morrow we returned again to the Garway conference ware (sic) our Church numbered about 100 members and many more ancious (sic) to (h)ear of our success. We ware (sic) much fatigued after our journey for lack of nessary (sic) food. We felt a little faint, and so I was invited to take dinner with good sister Morgan and my mishonary (sic) friend Elder Barnes received the (h)ospitality of good sister Jones. However, from the ruff (sic) treatment we had undergone, Elder Barnes es nerves gave way and he felt quite unwell. At length, the sabboth day arived (sic). I preached at Orcup hill at 11 oclock forenoon and half past 2 afternoon and at the Kitchen at halfpast six that evening, Elders Littlewood, Needham, and other officers being present. And next day went again direct to Monmouth acompanied (sic) by Elder Needham and Preached that evening. Our congregation was a mixed multitude consisting of baptist, weslyans, and ranters and some ware (sic) nonreligionist (sic) as I understood. The Revd. Mr. James was there and arose to appose (sic. He saide that babtism (sic) was nonescentail (sic) to salvation. The babtist minister replyed that he could prove that John Wesley did babtize, so a contention encued (sic) betwene (sic) them and thay ware commanded to leave the house by the mistress thereof and that went forth and entered a house near by and continued their eavil (sic) until midnight. Whiles (sic) we ware ploding (sic) over the roade on our way back to Garway distance 10 miles where we arrived at the house of Brother Thomas Evans at two oclock next morning pretty well beat out.
Next evening preached at the house of Sister Powel to a comfortable congregation and on the morrow evening at the house of Brother Ames. Elder Needham bore a testimony. He spoke short. My next apointment (sic) was at Plum Pudding at the house of one Mr. Watkins that was supposed to be an expearienced (sic) wizard. His company was by no means desireable (sic) to me. About this time I was kindly received by Mr. Daniel Price of the Pigeon Hole Estate and allso (sic) by his excelent (sic) house keeper, Mrs. Elizabeth Knight. I preached at brother Castreys house the following evening acompanied (sic) by Brother James Williams and atended the council meeting of the Elders at Orcup hill. And on Sunday administered the sacrament at the kitchen to the Church asembled and gut (sic) off Philip Castery from the church for transgression. Himself being present, he manifested a disorderly disposition. I preached again at halfpast six. Castery showed more tokens of disorder.
Next day visited Monmouth again in company with Elder Needham. Our congregation was well made up of Sectarians, Mr. James the Weslyian minister among them. He did not put in an apearence (sic) until I had about wound up my remarks. He then arose and saide that I had misapplied the scriptures and all my statements was an eror (sic). I asked him to show it up and point our my eror as I was ancious (sic) to learn thrue prinsable (sic). He saide he wished to see a sign and some others clammered (sic) for the same thing. Show us a sign was reechoed again and again. At length, one Ranter Preacher more develis (sic) than the rest crowded forward of the rest and dared me to put what sign upon him I could wish.
I asked him to choose es sign to make his own choise (sic). He answered me no. I then urged him again to make his own choice and tell me plainly what he wanted as a testimony of the truth of the gospel which I had taught and I would ask god to give it to him, but he finaly (sic) backed down when I informed him that he was one of an evil and an adulterious (sic) jeneration seeking after signs and wonders. At this time the house was in an uproar and Mr. James and his crowd of methodists was ordered to leave the house by the propriator (sic). Thereof, thay went into the street in shape of a mob. I had soon heard enough. I discovered that my preaching had mightily arosed the powers of darkness and I could now apreciate (sic) the words of the Savior to his desiples (sic) when he saide to them be ye wise as serpants but harmless as doves, and so I sprang to the sidewalk and lifting up my voice in the name of God saide unto them, except you all repent and be babtized (sic) for the remishon (sic) of your sins you never can be saved in the kingdom of God and I hastily slipped away.
We traveled back to Garway that night 10 miles. The snow had fallen full one foot in depth. We arived at our place of destination at 3 oclock next morning and retiered to bed at 4. Had a little sleep, arose and visited Mr. Price and family at Pigeon house at this time. Elders Glover and Morgan had arived on a friendly visit (good account of persecution on his way to his father's house .. not in Wales).
Jan. 25th, 1841 - I went to Monmouth and in the street I found Brother Castrey in waiting. He saide he had been praying to the Lord for help for saide he I am unable to preach to the people. On (h)earing this I was soon prepared and waiting for the onset. Our place of preaching was soon filled. I spoke on the first prinsables (sic) of the (g)ospel. Allso that a book should come forth that should bring to pas(s) a marvelious (sic) wonderous work and a wonder causeing (sic) the wisdom of the wise to perish &c. Rvd. Mr. James spoke up and saide do you mean to say that is the book of Mormon. I replied that such a book had been brought forth by the power of God in these last days. At this juncture the congregation put Mr. James down, and would not agree to (h)ear him until I had concluded my discourse. Then he arose again and the people hooted him down. He tried again. They did the same and again, and I discovered thay ware determined not to give him audience and to my supprize (sic) thay carried him out into the street by force and some of them saide to me not to fear but to set down and feel comfortable which I did do.
Mr. James must (h)ave been very much discomfited for he saide to me that he would appose (sic) me go where I would. I told him to do so if he wished until he was satisfied. It was then a young man and a stranger came to me and took me to the angel inn public house and stayed with me over night and paide my bill next morning. He then disapeared (sic) and I never knew who he was but my prayer is that god my heavenly father will reward him for his kindness to me. This was on the 26th of January 1841.
(names mentioned: Brother and Sister Prichard an aged couple; Brother Philip Lewis and his little wife.)
Feby 1st I went to Monmouth and preached to a large and atentive (sic) audience and a good spirit was manifested at this time. I told the congregation that I was a minister sent forth to preach the gospel to mankind without purs(e) or scrip and I was without funds and if some person would favour me with a bed that night I should be thankful. I readily discovered that I had a people there and alltho (sic) poor was not devoide (sic) of Christian feeling, and they would not leave the house until thay knew I was provided for. One kind friend invited me home to supper and I accepted his kind offer, and another gave me a shilling, and one good old lady gave me two apples, and may the blessings of God allmighty rest upon them for their kindness to me. And now I know that God has an honest people here that will serve him as soon as their eyes are open to the truth. And it apears (sic) to me that the Rev. Mr. James has played himself out.
Feb 18th - I made my way across a mountain to a settlement called Olcon. Called at Mr. Gilberts, had some refreshments thence to the place of Preaching being the house of one Mr. Jones, where I preached to a large congregation. Some few gave in their names babtism (sic). Slept at Mr. Joneses that night.
Feb. 19th I crossed the black mountain to Llantony with the view of preaching the gospel but all doors ware closed against me. I felt that thereafter if that people wanted my ministeariel (sic) labours thay would have to come and invite me after such cold treatment. Thay are what might be rightly called mongril (sic) Welch (sic) as but few of them can speak the English or Welch langwige (sic) correct.
(At Longtown) I preached that evening to a large congregation at the place apointed (sic) and a good spirit was manifested. And when we supposed the people all gone, in came a Welch man and desired to stay over night. His object was to have a talk with me. Sister Davis soon arainged (sic) this matter to the satisfaction of this Junteelman (sic) whoes (sic) name I found to be Jacob Gwatkin direct from Llantony Abbey. He had come on a visit to make my acquaintance, and if possible to get a correct knowledge of our prinsables (sic). When I learned this, I gave him all attention and answered all his questions as fare (sic) as I was able. He spoke good English and was well read in the holy scriptures. He kept me awake until 3 oclock next morning answering questions and was readey (sic) again at daylight with more. However, at length he manifested a good disposition being ancious (sic) to learn correct prinsables (sic) and if posible (sic) to obey them. He was evidently a man of much thought. He proposed to me to have a house in readeyness (sic) and the people notified in that neighborhood, and I should have a (h)Earing and so with great pleasure I made my apointment (sic) on the next Monday following. Acordingly I filled my apointments at Llanvaino and forest gate and atended (sic) a public discourse delivered by the Rev. Charles Probert of Longtown against the doctrine and prinsables (sic) of the Latterday Saints.
On the morrow being March 1st, I honored my apointment (sic) at Llantony Habtey acompanied (sic) by some of the Saints. As I drew near the meeting house, I discovered a vast crowd of people much rezembling (sic) a flock of sheep when bunched up, anciously (sic) waiting my comeing (sic). The house was cramed (sic) full and many more outside and to make them all (h)ear, I stood in the dorway (sic). My subject was the first prinsables (sic) of the gospel, tulching (touching?) somewhat upon the second advent of Messiah. This people gave me good attention and manifested much good feeling by kindly inviting me home with them to partake of ther (sic) (h)ospitality. On this ocation (sic) the Lord blessed me with great liberty of speech and his holy spirit thrilled threw (sic) my sistem (sic), from head to foot. Acompanying (sic) his word, manifesting to my understanding most ashuredly (sic) that there ware those present befor (sic) me that would respond to the call as soon as thay ware properly instructed in gods devine law. The people here speak the Welch (sic) as well as the English Langwige (sic) at this time. I pertood (sic) of refreshments at the Residence of on Mr. Gwilliams and my God bless this people for the good feeling thay have manifested to me on this ocation (sic).
(mentioned name of James Morgan) (Thomas Evans Priest represented the Garway Conference) (Philip Lewis Priest rep. Euisharrold branch) (Garway had 100 and 4 members: 3 Elders, 7 Priests, 2 teachers, 1 deacon; Orcup had 12 members: 2 P and 1 T; Euisharrold had 8 M: 1P; Longtown had 10 M: 1 E, 1 P at Conference on 8 Mar 1841)
Wilford Woodruff was present along with Levi Richards
On the 15th of March I visited Monmouth and was gladly received. Preached that evening to a small congregation.
29th March - Journeyied (sic) again to Monmouth threw (sic) a tremenios (sic) storm of rain. This was the time for March Asizes which seemed to call the attention of the people generaly (sic) with considerable excitement. That evening but few came together to hear the word, and those that did attend ware very orderly. Next morning, I returned to Garway (and) met Elder Barnes and preached at the house of Brother Eames. Was well entertained at the Pigeon house. On the morrow I babtized (sic) John Lewellien.
[next day] I now visited Monmouth again. Preached to a small congregation. A few gave their names for babtism (sic). Was kindly received by Brother Evans and family.
Next day, went away to Monmouth in company with Robert Clift at 7 oclock. (H)e had a large congregation and truly the spirit of God was upon me. (argument about who baptized John the B.)
from tence (sic) to Monmouth where my labours are beginning to be crowned with success as will be seen from the following:
April 20th - I babtised (sic) Miss Emma Evans and her sister Martha in the River Why at Monmouth, that are the daughters of John Evans. He is a babtist (sic) minister in resident of that place and much respected as a man of honest Integraty (sic), and these are the fruits of my labours in the gospel in that town, and may gods blessings forever atend (sic) them. (also Mary Webb a few days later)
On the 10th of May, I preached there acompanied (sic) by my Brother Henry. He allso (sic) bore a good testimony to this people. That evening there was an amount of catepilars (sic) let loose in the house designing to put out the lights if posible (sic) and all this is the work of Christian people so called in fare famed Christian England. When meeting was over, we entered the dwelling of Thomas Maston and continued a while and betwene (sic) the hours of 12 and 1 oclock at night, I babtised (sic) John Evans, and his wife Mary Evans, and Mrs. Maston. The reader will understand the above John and Mary Evans are the Parents of Emma and Martha babtised (sic) prior to this date 10th of May 1841. (also Elizabeth Davis the next night at 12:30 a.m.) Preached in conjunction with William Price of the lee (is this the "sea" which is mentioned by John Needham?)
May 23rd - at Monmouth, and betweene (sic) the hours of 12 and 1 oclock I babtised Mary Webb. At this time I was informed that Mr. Powls of Little Park was caculating to kill me if I ever dared to visit his house again (went back anyway and was accompanied by Mrs. Powell the next day [24 May?] to Abersychan for the first time but he doesn't make much comment about the visit.)
Next morning (25th May?) - We helped Mr. Powls to plant potatoes until noon and then traveled 16 miles to Monmouth and that same evening I babtised (sic) Mariaha Jane and Robert Davis at half past 12 oclock.
On Friday, we returned again to Garway and visited among the bretheren. Saturday, went to Hereford and procured a license from the Bishops Register Officers to secure the meeting house at Monmouth from further disturbance.
(Monday) On the morrow, I filled my apointment (sic) there (Monmouth) and read the licence (sic) I had procured from the Bishops Registers office. One of the towns blaggards being present asked me to reade it over a second time. He was quite saucey. I told him to take a seat and be at peece (sic) or I would have him arested (sic) for disturbing the peece (sic) and acordingly took down his name and so he took his seat in quiet with his hat on his head like an ignorant fellow would do.
[after Dec. 10, 1841] Next day I went to Llantony Habbey, and on my was visited Sister Prichard and ofered (sic) up prayer in their behalf. They are old and well stricken in years. I climed (sic) the black mountain threw (sic) frost and cold december wind. The saints there were glad to see me, and I adressed (sic) them that evening and the spirit of God rested upon me in a powerful manner. I was telling them what they must do to be saved, and to fall short of doing so they would risk their salvation, when a young man burst out in a flood of tears, and fell down upon his knees. He was a welch (sic) man and understood the welch tongue and well headucated (sic) and would (h)ave been useful in the ministry of the gospel among his country men if he could (h)ave been steadfast in the church. This is the same man that found me at Longtown and caused me to come to this place and preach the gospel. He held the office of a teacher and had not magnified this calling and the lord manifested to me his mind and will concearning (sic) that man. I told him plainly the time had come for the saints to sacrafice (sic) and that it was the will of the god of heaven and hearth (sic) that he should go forth among his fellows the Welch people without purse or scrip as I had done and preach the gospel to them in their own lanwige (sic) for this injunction is laide upon us all. Let him that is warned warn his neighbour (sic) and to go takeing (sic) though(t) what he should eat or what he should drink or wherewithall he should be clothed and god would bless him and preserve him if he would be faithful. At this time, he continued weaping (sic) so may god the eturnal (sic) father bless this young man, and preserve him from evil and leade him in the path of duty is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.
Went to America March of 1842 after marrying Mary Ann Price.
He returns to mission area in 1857.
