Boulogne-sur-mer,
June 20, 1850
DEAR BROTHERS W. PHILLIPS AND JOHN DAVIS,
I started from town on the 14th and arrived at London on the 15th.
On the 16th I spent the day happily with my friends in Albert Square. Present
was Bro. J. Taylor, one of the Twelve. Needless for me to describe him; you
well know that his name is blessed in the sight of God, and held dear by all
his Saints. He testified many times that the people of Wales are good
people--among the best he has ever known; and he will never forget their
kindness and their efforts on behalf of the mission on the continent. In this
letter he wishes to send fond regards to all of you, wishing for the Lord to
bless you and grant all your desires according to the wealth of his grace in
Christ Jesus.
In the same place I met for the first time Brothers Pack and Bolton. The latter
is quite well-versed in the French language; and with respect to form and
appearance, manner and attitude, so similar to dear Bro. Capt. D. Jones, that I
cannot help but perceive an entire portrait of our dear brother while Bro. C.
E. Bolton is present. In their midst also was the minister of the French
Protestant Church in havre, who first believed the gospel in France after
questioning me in detail for eleven hours.
In a beautiful hall full of dear brethren I was comforted throughout the day in
many ways; at times through hearing the wondrous descriptions of the glory,
success and strength of Zion in the regions of the north, in Euphrata; other
times through listening to the sweet sounds of the lovely music which was being
played by Bro. Bolton. There was a very lovely contest between Bro. Taylor and
one of the young sisters on the piano, but it must be admitted that the nimble
fingers of the young damsel won the day. Several times Brothers Bolton and
Taylor entertained us with the songs of Zion to the point of making our hearts
leap with joy, and the biggest sorrow was to have to leave this friendship. The
gentleman, minister of the French, went with me to the door of Bro. Bray,
Gloucester Street, where I was lodging, then he went back to his own lodging.
Sunday the 16th at 11:00 a.m., I met with Brothers Taylor, Bolton, Cutler,
etc., on the platform of the large and beautiful hall on Theobald's Road. I
preached with Bro. Bolton to a lovely congregation and hosts of officials. At
2:00 p.m. after I began the meeting with prayer, Bro. Hyde and I confirmed two
beautiful, gentle lassess members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, by administering the ordinace of the laying on of hands to receive the
gift of the Holy Ghost; then Bro. Taylor arose and spoke for nearly two hours
about some teachings which broadened our understanding and gave comfort to our
hearts. The gentleman from France was on the platform by Bro. Taylor's side
througout the day. At 7:00 in the evening Bro. Taylor preached splendidly;
there was authority in his speech and he made the unmindful to tremble and the
honest in heart to leap with joy.
Monday the 17th, the French gentleman met me in the morning and we went five
miles to Albert Square where at 11:00 o'clock Brothers Stayner and Piercy were
ordained as missionaries to France and Bro. Bowring as a missionary to Ireland.
Their wives who were present were blessed in the name of God of Abraham, Isaac,
Jacob, Joseph and Hyrum for their courage in willingly allowing their husbands
to go according the the counsel of God to labor in his vineyard in foreign
countries. No doubt Martha is blessed also.
At 7:00 a.m. Tuesday morning, Brothers Taylor, Bolton, etc., and myself started
toward Boulogne; we had a lovely voyage; we landed at this large city at 6:00
in the evening; and Bro. Taylor set foot on the land of France for the first
time. Nature was smiling while the servants of God in the name of their Master
took possession of the country, a country which contains over thirty-four
million inhabitants. Success to the godly mission, say all of God's Israel,
Amen.
In the next letter I shall give a full account of our endeavours, our labor and
our success. In the meantime, greetings to all my brothers and sisters and
fellow officers in Wales, those who have found favor with God and who will be
blessed in the midst of their brothers and sisters of other kingdoms, after all
have met happily and with beautiful countenances on the mighty mountains and
the fruitful regions of Ephraim. Let all the Saints pray for us.
Yours in Christ,
WILLIAM HOWELL.
