December
11, 1850
Brecknockshire, one of the twelve counties of
Wales, contains about 512,000 acres of land; little more than the half only
being cultivated, in consequence of the barren nature of its mountainous soil. Population about 50,000. Copper, lead, iron, coal, limestone, in abundance, are the most important
natural products of this county. The agricultural produce consists of oats,
wheat, rye, barley, &c., and there is also a
considerable exportation of wool, timber, butter, cheese, and cattle of various
kinds to the markets in the neighbouring English
counties. This county is supposed to derive its name from Brychan,
a native prince of the 5th century, the Welsh name for the county being Brychering. Frew towns surpass Brecknock in picturesque
beauty, the different mills and bridges on the rivers Usk
and Honddu, the ivy mantled walls and towers of the
old castle, the massive embattled turret and gateway of the priory with its
luxuriant groves added to the magnificent range of mountain scenery, form in
many points of view the most beautiful, rich, and varied outline imaginable.
The various denominations of the day divide among themselves
(with few exceptions) the inhabitants of the town; who to their credit are very
religious, having their churches, chapels, colleges, alms-houses, &c.,
besprinkled through the length and breadth of the place, so that one of the
officials of the town remarked, there was no place for "Mormonism"
neither should it set its foot within its boundaries.
The officers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,
have had to contend with many trials in their laudable exertions in
establishing gospel principles of truth and intelligence in the towns and
villages of this county, like other places in Wales.
Occasionally they have to travel some twenty to fourty
miles per diem, from one place to another, over craggy and boisterous
mountains, through wet and cold, and at the end, three or four persons only may
think proper to attend to their warning voice the others being
bound by prejudice and superstition. But there
are exceptions, sometimes they have multitudes flocking together from all
parts. Some few weeks past two of the brothers, after a harb
day's work, preached the "Word if Life" to some two or three hundred
hearers, but not having a friend amongst them, they had to retire after the meeeting was over, supperless, to
lay down their heads and wearied bodies on a bed of straw in a barn. But there are exceptions also to such ungrateful conduct. In
many places in Wales
they are received by the wealthy farmers, and entertained with great kindness,
they are not sent away pennyless, nor on foot, having
servants and horses to guide and carry them from one place to another. After
such conduct it is a general rule for us to hear of our benefactors becoming
subjects of the kingdom themselves, and that God called them
also to go and preach the gospel. Others who have been in the church for
some time, are gathering up their wealth and are going forth with songs of
gladness to the fruitful valley of the beautiful land of Zion, unknowingly, yet
truly described by Wordswowrth, the Poet, as--
"A lowly vale,
and yet uplifted high,
Among the mountains."
From whence those who are already gone send their bewitching letters,
containing interesting accounts of their prosperity, preparing for their Welsh
brethren that should follow from the mountains of Wales,
flocks of Welsh Mutton on the rich luxuriant mountains of Ephraim.
Their testimony of the goodness of God, both spiritually and
temporally, in causing all things to work together for their good, is sent
forth to their Welsh farming friends and relations through the medium of the
"Welsh Trumpet" of Zion, by our excellent trumpeter John Davies, in
charming notes, that leave an influence behind, through the length and breadth
of this country, that causeth the Prince of
darkness with his imps to look confoundedly serious.
Some of the great folks at Brecknock thought their
citadel too strong for the poor "Mormons" to scale, and take
possession of the place. But to the terror of some of
the inhabitants the report was circulated that the Latter-day Saints were
coming, to establish Emmanuel's Kingdom in the heart of their city, in the
name of the Lord God of Israel.
The mayor of the town took the lead in defending their rights
of conscience against the intruding party; on the right he was well supported
by the great folks, and also the Protestant parties, with their clergymen,
learned tutors, students, and a host of local preachers; and for the left in
such emergency, the alliance and help of the Roman Catholic church, "the
old Mother," was not to be despised; besides they had barracks filled with
soldiers, and noble officers in reserve in case of necessity; so the mayor with
great confidence informed the two little Mormon officers, that they should not
preach within the confines of the town! doubtless
the brethren would have retreated immediately, had it not been for the higher
power that authorized and commanded them to preach. The battle commenced, the
enemy thought success certain; but here, like all other places, the few that
fought under the banner of truth and righteousness gained the victory; and
established their head quarters for the present, in a fine hall at the "Bull"
Inn. So they have the Old
City Bull to protect and cover the Saints, regardless of the Protestant and
Roman Catholic Bulls.
On the 8th instant the victorious party held their conference
in the town of Brecknock, and as a leading article
they baptized in the city, the evening previous, a wealthy farmer, after a
serious conversation he had with President Phillips, and one of the first steps
taken at the commencement of the conference was the organization of a brach of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in
the heart of the city. The addresses delivered in English and Welsh by
brother W. Sims and President Phillips were interesting and to the purpose. I had also to throw in my mite. Nathan Ddu,
one of the endowed Welsh bards, and one of the officers connected with the conference,
poured forth poetic intelligence in melodious strains
of Welsh Englinion, that would have caused Milton's
heart to leap for joy, if such an instrument were to be found in the English languge. The present mayor of the town of Brecon, and many wealthy gentlemen, the superintendent of police and the force are
acting with Christian kindness and benevolence to the brethren. May the Lord
our Master bless them now, and favor them in the day, when the actions
of all shall receive their due reward.
For this cordiality and sympathy from the great in Brecon
and other towns, the thousands of Saints in Wales,
return their sincere thanks: praying continually for their welfare. Neither do
we wish anything but prosperity and happiness to follow the former mayor, with
whom we had to contend for liberty to preach the Gospel of Christ.
Praying the Lord to grant that "the little one" at Brecon may soon become a thousand,
I remain, your brother in the Lord,
WM. HOWELL.
P.S.--I have just received an interesting letter from our beloved brother
Mr. Taylor, from Paris, all is well, with good prospects
