THE JOURNAL OF
FRANCIS DAVID HUGHES
Book 5 – Beginning August, 1862
[original spelling maintained, but punctuation has been added for ease of
readability]
Thursday 21st
This morning I went to bro John Hughes’s house to breakfast. After breakfast was over I read a verry
interesting Letter from Elder Wm Ajax from Florence
America
of which I copy the following Extracts…
Thursday June 5, 1862
This was a rather remarkable day and the recellections of it
will undoubtedly be the theme of many a happy conversation to all of us. A little before 12 last night we were nearly
all aroused by the shouts of the Sailors who were all buisly engaged in reefing
the sails and placed things in order. A
storm had come on rather unexpectedly
[p. 2]
and had begun to toss us about more than we wished. I remained in bed until after 2 when daylight
had made its apearence. Imediatley –
almost after a grand scene was produced which gave us no small degree of
pleasure, those boxes and casks that had not been sufficiently secured gave way
and comenced knocking against each other with a considerable degree of
fury. These were soon joined by tins,
bags, hampey, etc. so that our little place was all in an uproar. And some of our Sisters were in a rather
frightened condition. To add to these
seemingly
[p. 3]
troubles, a large wave burst over our heads and a great part
of it came into our apartment.
Simultaneously with the front plank of Berth 14 gave way so that its
inmate was thrust out of his berth and all, until he was under the hatchway
when the said wave burst over. The sea
had become verry rough by this time and it continued so untill late in the
afternoon. The boxes etc. kept playing
their game untill about 2 p.m.
when we secured them and thus peace was restored to our Little City. The waves continued to burst over the deck
most part of the day and the sides of the vessel frequently touching the water.
[p. 4]
Severall acknowledged that it was a considerable gale, but
from what I could glean it could not be classified among the most remarkable
ones. I was not at all terrified but to
the contrary. The Rocking of the vessel
and the Rattling of the Boxes gave me a very great degree of amusement, and I
shall certainly rank this day among the most plesant days of my life. In order to encourage the terrified Sisters,
I and bro Moody and Gregory etc turned our semingly troubles into Laughter, and
we did enjoy ourselves to our hearts content.
We did not feel to pray for we had prayed in the prayer time and we
[p. 5]
had sufficient Confidence in the God whom we served.
On the afternoon of the ___ instant.
This would be sufficient there, To make you think that something
remarkable was about to take place. The
storm was preceeded by a kind of a hurricane which owing to to much dust being
on the ground, Soon enveloped us in a cloud of dust. I think that we could not see more than 10
yards in a distance. I never saw
anything of the Kind before and it lasted about 8 minutes. Then came on the rain in torrents and such
vivid and fierce Lightnings as ever I saw, and more so than ever I saw. Its Continuation was about 2 hours, During
which time Brother Whittall from the Liverpool
office was struck Dead on the street.
Another bro named Swift (?) struck so that he died yesterday
Morning. Besides two other brothers and
a
[p. 6]
Sister whom recovered, the four oxen also that were attached
to the waggon were struck down but they Recovered. A Mother and a child died the same day and
one brother fell over a bridge and broke his neck. Said Bridge is near a Mill that is built on
the site of a Mill that was built by the Church (the first building they ever
built in this place) when they came here.
Many have been buried here as I am told, which curcumstance may cause
some to return. But all right if they will, for there is a good deal of Rubbish
among us as yet. On the whole the Saints
are verry good.
William Ajax
After I had copyed the foregoing I went and had a bathe in the sea. I was at bro Wm Dyers house to tea this
evening. Afterwards I went to
[p. 7]
Morriston and attended a Saints meeting there. After opening this through singing and
prayer, I called upon Elder Richard Thomas to adress the meeting. While he was speaking I felt an evil
influence. After he (Richd Thomas) had
got through, I stood up and rebuked it.
Afterwards we had a good meeting.
After the meeting was over Sister Jones testified that when I rebuked
the aforesaid evil influence, that she felt something leaving her.
Friday 22.
In company with bros Thomas Richard and Henry John I went to Swansea.
In the evening we
[p. 8]
came back to Morriston.
Saturday 23
I went to Pyle.
Sunday 24
This morning I in company with bros. Jenkins Davies and James Davies went to
St. Brides and held a Sacrament Meeting there about three o’clock in the
evening. I and bro *Davies Instructed
the Saints to pay their tithing (those that could), to be humble and to listen
to the voice of the priesthood. I
prophesied that if they would do this, the Lord would bless them with more of
his Spirit and that they should prosper in all things. *Jenkin Davies
[p. 9]
After we got through with our Meeting I and Jenkin Davies
had some food at bro Jam[es] Jones house.
Afterwards we went to Bridge End and took the train for Pyle.
Monday 25
At Pyle I attended a prayer meeting tonight at bro. David Thomas’s house.
Tuesday 26
This Morning I and bro. David Morgans went to the sea shore and spent most of
the day picking penny winkles, limpets, crabs or anything else that we could
get.
Wednesday 27
At Pyle I attended a Saints Meeting this Evening at
[p. 10]
bro. Bowden’s house.
Thursday 28
This morning I went with bro. Bowden to a field to dig some potatoes. In the evening I helped him to build a
pigstile.
Friday 29
After breakfast this morning I and bro. David Morgans went a couple of miles on
the Aberavon road, where we sat down for a short time to have a chat. Bro Morgans gave me a sixpence. After shaking hands, I proceeded to Aberavon
where I was kindly received at Sister Lewis’s house.
[p. 11]
Saturday 30th
This morning I went with Wm Lewis and Thomas James to the sea shore to see them
fishing with a net. They caught a few
flat fish and soles. It rained so heavy
in the afternoon that I was oblidged to stay at Aberavon for the night.
Sunday 31
This morning after breakfast I went to Neath by the 7..10 am train.
After arriving at Neath I got out and walked to Alltwen, distance about
5 or 6 miles. It rained a little on the
way. By the time I reached bro. David Morgans
house, a few of the brethren
[p. 12]
had come together.
After having a little chat together we held a counsil. I attended a Sacrament meeting about 3 o’clock at bro James Davies’s
house. Afterwards I went by train to
Llansamlet and walked from there to Morriston in time to attend a Sacrament
meeting there at 6 ½ p.m. and it was a verry good meeting. The Spirit of the Lord rested upon me in its
gifts and blessings. I prophesied two or
three times. I stayed at Morriston the
remainder of this night at bro Hopkin Jones’s house as usual.
[p. 13]
Monday September 1st 1862
Spent this morning in entering my months accounts on the Conference books and
making ballance sheets etc. In the
evening I went to Swansea
and attended a prayer meeting there at half past Seven p.m. After the meeting was over I went with bro.
Jeremy to his house and stayed there for the night.
Tuesday 2
I returned to Morriston this evening.
Wednesday 3
Today I and bro. Richard Thomas went to Swansea
and bathed in the sea, from the efect of which I caught a severe cold.
[p. 14]
In the evening I went to bro. Wm Dyers’s house to tea. This evening I attended a Saints meeting at
our hall. President Jeremy and D.M.
Davies gave some verry good instructing.
After the meeting got through, I went with bro. Wm Richards home for the
night.
Thursday 4
Stayed at bro. Richards house today.
Friday 5
This morning I in company with Sister Richards (bro Richards’s wife) went to Swansea in the
afternoon. I went to Esquire Vivian’s
park to witness a grand review the Rifle Corps held
[p. 15]
there. Elder Hopkins
Jones of Morriston belonged to Vivians’s rifle corps because he worked for
him. After the review was over, I
returned to Morriston. I will here pass
a remark or two upon the rifle corps, for I know their history from the
beginning. They are called Rifle
Volunteers, though many of them are far from being volunteers. It was in the year 1858 or 59 they first
comensed in Wales. After the Russian War between Turkey and Russia,
which England
has a hand in ceased. England saw
the[y] was weak and
[p. 16]
fearing lest another Nation might attack her, she began
strengthening herself by calling to existence a militia in every county, and
afterwards began to establish a rifle corps in every town throughout the
country of all who felt inclined to join.
And by this time almost all propriators of works were raising a corps
composed of the men under their employ.
And in many places men are discharged and thrown out of work if they
refuse to join, and many men who has a family to
[p. 17]
maintain chose to join rather than be out of employ and
although they are forced to join with them in that way, their unjust opressors
has got the boldness to call them volunteers.
Learning war exersise is all the go in this country now. They don’t know what is awaiting them. They do not understand the signs of the
times, neither will they harken to God’s Servants who labors among them. But the day is nigh when they will see their
folly, for the honest in heart will be gathered from among them and they will
be left to experience the
[p. 18]
judgements that are coming upon babylon.
Saturday 6
At Morriston. I spent most of this
morning in digging papatoes [sic] in bro. Jones’s garden.
Sunday 7
I and bros. Hopkin Jones and Henry John went to Neath this morning and attended
a district counsil at bro. Benjamin Jones’s house. President T.E. Jeremy was there. Three were
called to the priesthood, bro John Jones Aberavon to the office of an Elder and
bro Lewis Davies Morriston to the office of an Elder, also bro. Thomas Davis
[p. 19]
Swansea
to the office of a Priest. A Sacrament
meeting was held in the afternoon. A lot
of brethren and Sisters had come together from other branches. Bro. Jeremy gave many good counsels. We enjoyed ourselves very well all day. In the evening meeting I was struck in the
jaw by some invisible power which caused extreme pain for a few seconds, and a
lump rose on the left side of the chin.
It swells much by eating, and it will undoubtedly be a week or two
before it gets well, at the rate it heals from Thursday
[p. 20]
till now (Wednesday).
After the evening meeting was over I went back to Morriston for some
Stars [reference to the Millennial Star],
etc.
Monday 8
This evening I went to Aberavon, attended a meeting there tonight at David
Lewis’s house. I slept at the Ivorites hall as usual.
Tuesday 9
I stayed at Aberavon.
Wednesday 10
I stayed at Aberavon.
Thursday 11
I stayed also at Aberavon.
Friday 12
This morning I in company with Sister Elizabeth Lewis went to
[p. 21]
Neath. A large fair
was held there that day. Sister Lewis
presented me with a new shirt. It cost
her five shillings and sixpence. I met
bro. Benjamin Phillips in the Market house.
He gave me a sixpence. I slept
that night at bro Benjamin Jones house.
Saturday 13
This evening I went to Morriston.
Sunday 14
I stayed here. We held a Sacrament meeting at 6 p.m. at bro. Hopkin Jones’s house. Bro. Lewis Davies was ordained an Elder under
my hands and bro. Jones’s, I being mouth.
Monday 15
I went to Swansea
and attended [there appear to be pages missing at this point]
[p. 22]
Thursday
23 Oct 1862
I went to Neath and attended a Saints meeting at bro. Benjamin Jones’s housie.
Friday 24
I went to Morriston.
Saturday 25
A verry wet day. To day I stayed at
Morriston.
Sunday 26
I went to Alltwen and attended a Sacrament meeting at 2 p.m. at bro James’s
house. I preached also at Kilbebill Factory in the evening. I slept tonight at
David Morgans house.
Monday 27
I got up before day light had made its appearance this morning and felt myself
very poorly. After trying to eat some food that Sister Morgan had
[p. 23]
prepared for me. I went to Neath and called at bro Pages’s
house and administered the ordinances of laying on of hands to a sick
child. Afterwards I went to bro.
Benjamin Jones’s house and had some dinner ____. After dinner I went to Britton Ferry Station
and went __ the train to Portalbot. In
the evening I went to Cardiff
on the 6 o’clock
train. At Cardiff Station I was met by
bros. James Thomas and Oratio Hancock ____ another young man ____ Machyalleth
by the name of Hugh Edwards. I went up
__ Samuel Jones’s house and had some tea.
Afterwards I went to bro John Thomas’s _____ Homfron (?) Street
[p. 24]
and had some supper there.
Sister Eliza Pugh verry kindly gave up her bed that I might sleep with
her Husband Wm Pugh.
Tuesday 28
I employed my time this morning by vissiting the Saints In company with Elder
Joseph W. Morgans, President of the Cardiff Conference. ½ past 7
p.m. I attended a concert at our Hall Millicent Street. A little before the concert begun, Bro.
Packmans(?) came into the Hall for some of the Elders to administer the
Ordinance to his child which was verry sick.
By President T.E. Jeremy’s request, I and bro
[p. 25]
Joseph Morgan went.
When we arrived at the house we found the child, which was a little
girl, laying in bed verry sick. We
anointed her with concicrated oil in the name of the Lord and layed our hands
upon her head and rebuked the desease and asked our Heavenly Father to bless
her. And our prayers were answered
insomuch as the child was healed. And I
received a blessing myself, for I felt much of the Spirit of the Lord. When we came back to the Hall, the concert
had just begun. I enjoyed my self much
in the concert, for it was a verry good one.
I sung one song
[p. 26]
there called the Scolding wife, then concluded through
prayer by bro. Jeremy.
Wednesday 29
After haveing some breakfast at bro. John Thomas’s house, I went up to bro
Samuel Evans’s house to meet bros Jeremy and Bywater, Richd Palmer and J.W.
Morgan. Then we all took a walk together
as far as the docks. We was on board bro
Stephens’s ship. Bro Morgan stayed there
to dinner. I and bro Palmer, President
of the Monmouthshire Conference went to dinner to that young named Hugh
Edwards, whom I mentioned in page 2. In
the evening we met at our Hall in the capasity of a Saints Meeting. After
[p. 27]
opening the meeting by singing and prayer, I was called to
the stand to speak to the Saints, which I did for a short time and I felt
well. Bros Palmer, Bywater and Jeremy
also spoke some verry good things by way of exhortation. I stayed at Cardiff till Saturday evening and enjoyed
myself well while I stayed there.
Saturday evening between six and seven
o’clock, I went by the South Wales Railway train to Neath, distance
about 37 miles. When we arrived at Neath
I got out and walked to Morriston, about 5 miles. By the time I reached Morriston, bro. and
Sister had gone to bed,
[p. 28]
so bro Richard Thomas came downstairs and let me in.
Sunday, November 2
At Morriston. A good number of local
Priesthood assembled this morning at bro Hopkin Jones’s house where we held a
general counsil. Two were cut off the
church, John Evans for continued drunkness and denying the Faith and Wm Brooks
for negligence and other things. The
Priesthood* was also took from bro Benjamin Phillips. We also held a Sacrament meeting at 2 p.m. Afterwards I went to Swansea and attended a preaching meeting at
our hall. Bro. Wm Evans and myself
preached. * the office of an Elder
[p. 29]
After the meeting was over, I went home with bro. Wm
Richards and slept at his house that night.
Monday 3
After breakfast I went to Swansea
and back again and had some dinner at bro Jeremy’s house with Sister Catherine
Jenkins. I went back to bro Wm Richards
house in Company with Sisters Catherine Jenkins and Robins. We had some food there. After staying there for a few houers, I went
with them back to Swansea. I stayed tonight at bro Jeremy’s house.
Tuesday 4
I went to Morriston this evening.
[p. 30]
Wednesday 5
I stayed at Bro Hopkin Jones house.
Thursday 6
At Morriston
Friday 7
At Morriston
Saturday 8
This evening I went to Swansea
after tea. I and bro Jeremy went out for
a walk. I slept tonight with bro.
Jeremy.
Sunday 9
At Swansea. I attended a Sacrament meeting at our hall at
2 p.m. Bro Robert Wilson was ordained an Elder under
my hands and bro Jeremy’s, bro Jeremy being mouth. Bro R. Wilson was appointed to labour in the
ministry as travelling Elder. I also
attended a preaching meeting at 6 pm.. I and bro Jeremy preached. After the meeting
was over I
[p. 31]
went with bro. Wm Richards home and stayed there for the
night.
Monday 10
I went to Swansea.
Sunday 16
At Pyle. After breakfast I in company
with bros Jenkin Davies, James Davies went to Aberkenfig and attended a counsel
meeting at bro John Graves house. We
also held a Sacrament meeting at 2 pm. Afterwards we came back to Pyle. I stayed at bro Wm Bowden’s house for the
night as usual.
Sunday 23
At Cyfyng. I attended
[p. 32]
a meeting this morning at Bro Thos Evans’s house. Bro Thomas E. Jeremy was present.
Sunday 30
At Cwmavon. I attended a Sacrament
meeting at 2 p.m. and other
preaching meeting at 6 p.m.
Sunday December 7
At Neath. I attended a meeting this morning at bro Benjamin Jones’s
house, and I felt that the Lord blessed me with wisdom to counsel and instruct
the Brethren. I attended a Sacrament meeting
also at 2 p.m. and a good
[p. 33]
company of the Brethren and Sisters had come together. The house was quite full, and we did enjoy
ourselves verry much.
Monday 8
This morning I went to Portalbot or Cwmavon when I reached Sister Lewis’s
house. I heard that Bro Thomas Richards (Taibach) was burying a child. I went up to his house but the funeral had
been gone more than an houer.
Tuesday 9
I stayed to day at Cwmavon. I spent a
good part of the day with bro James Hodson,
[p. 34]
a man that had recently been baptized into the church.
Wednesday 10
This morning I went by the nine o’clock
train to Britton Ferry. I met bro. David
M. Davis at bro. Jenkin William’s house after administering the ordinance of
laying on of hands to Sister Williams. I
and bro D. M. Davies crossed the river in a boat and walked across the burrows
to Swansea. We had some dinner at bro John Hughes, the
Tailor’s house. In the evening bro D. M.
Davies went to Llanelly by the South
[p. 35]
Wales
Railway. I stayed at Swansea and attended a Saints meeting at our
hall. After the meeting I went home with
bro Wm Richards.
Thursday 11
I went to Morriston and attended a Saints meeting there tonight.
Friday 12
At Morriston I occupied all this day in auditing the Monthly financial reports
from the Branches and the Conference Books.
Saturday 13
I spent most of this morning auditing the books.
[p. 36]
In the evening I went to Landore Railway Station and met
Elders Jacob G Bigler and Thomas E Jeremy on the platform. They had come by the train from Swansea. When the down train arrived we went with it
to Llanelly. We were met at the Llanelly
Station by bro D. M. Davies and took to bro John Thomas the Tailor’s house to
have some food. I slept tonight at the
Vale of Neath.
Sunday 14
About 11 o’clock This morning I attended a council meeting held at bro John
Thomas’s full of
[p. 37]
Brethren from different places had come together. Bishop Jacob G. Bigler called upon me to open
the council through prayer. He whispered
in my ear to ask the Lord to remove every evil influence from the room. After I had prayed, President Bigler rose and
said that it was wisdom for us to meet together in the capacity of a council
meeting to instruct each other in the things of the Lord. He said that he had received a letter Signed
by Thomas Thomas, John Thomas.
[p. 38]
President of Llanelly Conf, accusing Elder David M. Davies
of dishonesty and other things.
President Bigler called upon Thomas Thomas to explains in what way he
found brother Davies dishonest etc. Thos
Thos said that Davies had lived in one of his houses and that he owed him for
rent and would not pay him. He further
said the Daveis had got some money in the bank, and when he (Thos Thos) asked
him for the rent due him, that Davies laughed at him and that his wife pushed
him out of the house. David M. Davies
said that he did laugh when Thos Thos
[p. 39]
came to my house. My
wife did have some words with him. I
acknowledge that I owe him the rent. But
owing to my low circumstances, I have been unable to pay him. But I will pay him when I can. President Bigler rose up and said, “All those
that know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and that Brigham Young is his
legal successor, let them specify the same by the uplifting of hands.” All present lifted up their hands.
Bro D. M. Davies’s accusers said that the Latter day Saint’s Chapel at Llanelly
was built by the Llanelly branch and that no money had been gathered anywhere
else for its erection and that it was branch property. They further said that D. M. Davies
[p. 40]
had let out of portion of the ground belonging to said
Chapel to build an house upon without their consent and that he had
appropriated the money which he had for it to his own private use. It appears that the chapel is leasehold
property and that they had to pay some ground rent yearly. D. M. Davies said that he had not disposed of
the ground without consulting Elder Thomas E. Jeremy, President of the Welsh
Mission, and that the money for the ground had been appropriated, some towards
paying the ground rent of the chapel and the rest he had put into the mission
fund. President T. E. Jeremy said that
Davies had asked him to rent
[p. 41]
a piece of land that lay idle belonging to the chapel to
build an house upon to help to pay the ground rent of the chapel. Davies’s accusers said that Davies had tryed
to sell the chapel. (When I say Davies’s
accusers, I mean the names that were signed under document, which was given to
bro Bigler.) President T. E. Jeremy said
that Davies asked him to sell the chapel, owing to it being so damp. He further said that he told Davies that he
would write to George Q. Cannon, President of the European Mission about it. David Williams and Thomas Thomas said that
Davies had been trying to sell the chapel and that he had no business to do so,
[p. 42]
as the chapel belonged to the Branch. They again said the chapel was built by the
Branch independent of any body else, and that it was branch property, and that
Davies nor nobody else had any right to sell it without the Branches consent.
Thomas Morgans, President of Gwaenbaglam branch and Thomas Williams, President
of Pontyberem branch, said that they remembered some years ago that some money
was gathered in their Branches towards building the Llanelly chapel. Thomas Williams recolected giving seven
shillings and six pence himself towards it.
President T. E. Jeremy said that he allmost thought he remembered that
some money was collected
[p. 43]
for that purpose at Llanybyddar Branch 14 years ago, before
he went to the Salt Lake Vallies, but he was not sure.
The Document also accused President Jeremy of Knowing Davies’s doings and as he
did not stop Davies in his proceedings, it accused him of being one with Davies
and of being his prompter. Bro Jeremy
said that he told Davies to find out how much he could get for the chapel as it
was so damp, but did not tell him to sell it untill he had wrote to George Q.
Cannon, President of the European Mission about it. He also said as the chapel was so damp, and
so many of the Saints complained
[p. 44]
about it, he thought by selling it to benefit the Saints,
and appropriating the money to pay the rent of a comfortable room to meet
in. President Bigler said that as the
time was far advanced, the council must be adjourned untill after the six o’clock p.m. meeting, then he
closed through prayer.
At about ½ past 2 p.m. we
assembled at our chapel on Water
Street. In
the capacity of a Conference meeting, there were present in the Stand Elders
Jacob G. Bigler, Thomas E. Jeremy, David M. Davies, and myself. Meeting commensed by
[p. 45]
singing prayer by Elder David M. Davies. Afterwards, President Jeremy called upon D.
M. Davies to read the financial reports of the Conference which being
done. President Jeremy rose and moved
that the Conference accept of bro Davies’s reports. It was seconded, and carried
unanimously. President Jeremy then duly
presented the authorities of the church, who were unanimously sustained. He also moved that we all sustain ourselves
and be faithful to serve the Lord all the days of our lives. That was also seconded and carried
unanimously. Elder Jacob G. Bigler rose
[p. 46]
and said that he was happy to meet the saints, though in
akward curcumstances, “as all of you do not understand English, but I trust
that I will have a part in your faith and prayers, that I may have a portion of
the Holy Ghost to enable me to speak to your understanding.”
He said that since we have obeyed the gospel of Jesus Christ, we are entitled
to enjoy a portion of his Spirit – so long as we continue in well doing. He also said that we should watch ourselves
every day and see that we live in accordance with the principles which we
intend to be exalted by. And that it
would do
[p. 47]
him no good to hear talk of the good things that the Lord
had in store for the faithfull unless he had the consoleation that he was right
on the way to enjoy them. President
Thomas E. Jeremy rose and said, “verry likely you don’t all understand what has
been said and my memory don’t serve me to translate all of it. But it was something verry much like what I
have been telling you many times myself.”
He further said that he was glad to talk about the gospel of Jesus
Christ for he felt that he was sent for that purpose. He said that it would do us
[p. 48]
no good to hear talk about the millennium or of the glory of
the celestial world of Jesus Christ of Abraham of Isaac and of Jacob – unless
we continually tread the road that leads to them. We should strive to serve the Lord that we may
enjoy his spirit and when we offer to him our supplications, we will approach
him as a kind friend, etc. etc. He also
spoke about tithing, etc, then the 110 hymn was sung. Afterwards a collection was made to defray
the expences of the Conference. Meeting
closed through prayer by myself.
[p. 49]
About six o’clock p.m. we again met at our chapel. Commensed the meeting by singing the 144th
hymn. Prayer by myself. Sang 151 hymn. President Jeremy rose and said if any of you
feels your heads cold, you are at liberty to wear your hats. Elder David M. Davies rose and said, “I hope
that nobody will stumble about that, but I have got plenty of hair upon my
head, conciquently I can do without my hat.
I have not studied any sermon, but I have authority to preach to
gospel. It was not my Father and Mother
that gave me that authority, but I have
[p. 50]
had it from God and when a man that has authority from God
speaks by the inspireation, of the Holy Ghost, it is as much scripture as the
Bible is.” He then went on preaching for
a length of time. When he got through,
Elder Jacob G Bigler said although he did not understand the remarks that Bro
Davies made in Welsh, that he could partly understand the spirit of it. He felt satisfied that Bro Davies had told
them to do something towards rolling on the work that they were engaged
in. He said that he had examined the
Conference account Books, and found that verry few Individual
[p. 51]
Emigration Deposits were made. He exhorted the Saints to make deposits in
the Church funds that the way might be opened for them to go to Zion before the time comes
when the door will be shut. In
conclusion, he said that he knew this to be the work of the Lord and he
prophesied that every power that attempted to withstand or impede its progress
would crumble to ruins.
President Jeremy rose and moved that this Conference be adjourned untill such
time that it will again be required.
Carried unanimously. Sung 292
[p. 52]
hymn. Conference
closed through prayer by President Jeremy.
I would here remark that I acted as scribe through the day.
At ½ past eight p.m. We again met I council at bro John Thomas’s house. Counsil opened through prayer by Elder David
Williams, President of Llanelly branch.
Thomas Thomas complained that David M. Davies had damaged the house door
and windows and would not properly repair them.
D. M. Davies said that he had paid John Jones 3 shillings for repairing
the windows. Jones denyed it. Bro Bigler asked Davies if he
[p. 53]
could say for a certainty that he gave John Jones 3
shillings for repairing the windows.
Davies said that he could. Bro
Bigler then asked John Jones if he could say that he never had 3 shillings of
Bro Davies. John Jones firmly denyed
having any money of Davies.
Bro Bigler rose up and said that it was evident that one of these men
lied. And he said that from that houer
forth, darkness should come over the mind of the man that lied and that the
spirit of the Lord should leave him and that he should apostatize from the
Church and the
[p. 54]
indignation of the Almighty should be upon him. And he said, “All of you that feel the same
say amen.” Then a loud amen was uttered
by most of us. Bro Jeremy proved not
guilty of the charge against him and Thomas Thomas was oblidged to ask his
forgiveness for wrongfuly accuseing him.
Another charge was brought against D. M. Davies. Thomas Thomas and David Williams said that
Davies could not rule his own house and that if a man could not rule his own
family, that he was not fit to preside over a Conference. They further said that
[p. 55]
the conduct of Davies’s family was a disgrace to the Church
and that there were rows and quarels always between Davies’s wife and the
neighbours and that the police had to interfere sometimes. D. M. Davies said that there had been some
row in his house when he was from home and that the police had to
interfere. He also said that he could
not be accountable for the conduct of his wife and stepson, as neither of them
were in the church. He said that there
were many men besides him that could not govern their own familys.
[p. 56]
President Jeremy said that Davies could not be accused for the bad conduct of
his wife and stepson. He also said that
Davies’s wife was not sane. David Hughes
said that he did not know much about Davies and his family, only what he had
heard. Benjamin Thomas said he did not
feel that a man who could not rule his own family was unfit for the ministry
under very curcumstances.
Many other things were brought against bro Davies, but none of them were
proven. Several of the brethren whose
names were signed to
[p. 57]
the document that was written against Davies said that they
never knew that their names was attached to it untill they heard them read
out. They said that they never put their
names to it, nor even consented for anybody else to do it. (It appears that the
document was dictated by David Williams the tin works, and that most of the
names were forged.) He said David
Williams acted in the council and out of it as judge, Lawyer, Prophet and
dictator to all who would be to blind as to be led by him.
[p. 58]
He would have been cut off the Church right away if it had
not been wiser to let him alone for a while, for if he had been cut off then
the Devil might tempt him to use the law of the land and get bro D. M. Davies
into trouble for renting a portion of the ground belonging to the Chapel to
build an house upon. But that all
depended upon how the lease of the Chapel was worded, which was at Merthyr at
the time.
At the close of the council, bro Bigler rose up and said, “I move that the
brethren of this Branch and of this Council forgive each other for all past
[p. 59]
and suposed offences and that if difficulties or bad
feelings should occur it the future, that they be settled acording to gospel
principles.” It was seconded by D. M.
Davies and carried unanimously. Bro
Jeremy rose up and moved that the brethren of the council should help bro D. M.
Davies to pay the damages that his family had made in the house. Then 4s..8p was collected and nine pence more
was promised, making an all £..5..5. The
council then closed through prayer. I
and bro D. M. Davies slept tonight at a house in
[p. 60]
Cul heol.
Monday 15
I stayed at Llanelly. In the evening I
attended a prayer meeting at David Thomas the weaver’s house.
Tuesday 16
I in company with bros Jeremy and Bigler returned to Swansea.
In the evening I went to Morriston and stayed at bro Hopkin Jones’s
house.
Wednesday 17
This morning I took my Conference account books to Swansea that bros Jeremy and Bigler might
look over them, and they seemed quite satisfied.
[p. 61]
Thursday 25
Christmas Day. This morning I went to Swansea to prepare our
hall in Orange Sheet for a concert that we intended holding in the
evening. Bro Wm Richards helped me. About 5
o’clock we met at the hall.
Lots of the Saints had come from nearly all of the branches and we had
an excellent concert. Everybody seemed
satisfied. I spent the
[p. 62]
rest of the month in visiting the branches.
Thursday, January 1, 1863
This morning I was at Morriston.
Sunday 18
At Swansea. I attended a meeting at our hall at 2 o’clock p.. There were present on the stand President
Thomas E. Jeremy, Elders Brigham Young junr, Chauncey W. West and myself. I attended another meeting there at 6 o’clock p.m. We had verry good teachings from the above
mentioned brethren throughout the day.
Monday 19
I spent this day in walking about with Bros Jeremy, Young and West and I
enjoyed
[p. 63]
myself verry well in their company. In the evening I went to bro William Richards
house at Fereslfach and stayed there for the night.
Tuesday 20
I went back to Swansea
this morning. In the evening bro Brigham
Young junr went by train to Newport and Bros
Jeremy and West went by train to Carmarthen,
and I went to Morriston.
Sunday 25
I attended a district council at Cyfyng branch.
Sunday February 1
I was at Neath.
Sunday 8
I attended a district council this
[p. 64]
morning at bro Hopkins Jones’s house Morriston. Elder David Deer was tryed before this
council for opposeing the Priesthood. I
had previously suspended his wife Catherine Deer for abuseing the Priesthood in
the person of Benjamin Jones the President of Neath Branch. She had said that he was a wicked man etc.
Severall heard her abuse him besides myself.
And inasmuch as I knew him (bro Jones) to be a good man and that Catherine
Deer passed an evil influence, I suspended her and her husband. David Deer maintained that we did deal
unjustly with
[p. 65]
her. I asked the
brethren of this council if they thought that Catherine Deer had been delt
unjustly by. And the voice of the
council was that she was not worthy of a standing in the church. I then asked brother Deer what foundation had
he got to stand upon by opposeing us when we had delt out nothing but justice
to his wife. We could not get no reason
from him. I tryed my best to convince
him of his folly, but he still remained in his stubornness. And when I saw that he would not humble
himself, I acted to him as I had been instructed
[p. 66]
by President T. E. Jeremy.
I moved that he be suspended from acting in the Priesthood and from
enjoying the privillages of the branch.
It was seconded and carried unanimously.
At the close of the council, bro Deer rushed out of the house without
bidding me good bye. I can say that I
felt verry sorry for him, poor fellow for takeing such a foolish course. About half past two pm. We held a Sacrament meeting. After singing, I offered up the opening
prayer and I prayed to the Lord to bless bro Deer that he might see his error
[p. 67]
and repent, and my prayer was answered upon his head, for
the next time that I saw him, he felt verry humble and sorry for his
foolishness. According to his testimony,
we went home from the council after he had been suspended and when the night
came, he felt verry misserable and went to bed, but slept had left him. He lyed in bed for a long time, but could get
no sleep. While he was museing upon what
he had done, he saw a light cloud passing through the room, and after the cloud
had
[p. 68]
passed, a bright light suddenly appeared in one corner of
the room and it gradually increased untill it nearly filled the room, and he
saw me standing in the middle of it with my hand stretched out towards
him. There was something grand under my
feet resembling a carpet. I did not say
anything to him. He could not look upon
me long, but turned his head and when he turned his head the other way, he saw
brother Benjamin Jones standing, looking upon him. Sometimes after this, he slept. But in the morning
[p. 69]
as he was geting up, he felt a voice wispering to him that
he had done wrong, and he was thus convinced.
When I felt satisfyed that he had repented, I gave him the privillage of
standing up in the Neath branch meeting to acknowledge that we had suspended
his wife justly, and to ask the Lord’s foregiveness and ours for his
transgression, which I am glad to say he verry humbly did.
Sunday 15
I was at St. Brides. In the morning, I
in company with Bro John Jones, President of that
[p. 70]
Branch, went to town for a walk, a small place situate near
the sea shore. We also walked along the
Beach under the great clifts that are purpendicular. We also went around Dunraven Castle
and vissited the flower gardens and several other places of note near the
castle. At 2 o’clock p.m., I attended a Sacrament meeting at bro John
Jones’s house. Bros Jenkin Davies (?)
and James Davies had come there from Pyle Branch. After the meeting was over I in company with
Bros Jenkin and James Davies walked to Bridgend and took train
[p. 71]
to Pyle Stations. I
slept tonight at Bro Wm Bowden’s house.
Sunday 22
I was at Alltwen Branch and attended a Sacrament meeting at Bro James J.
Davies’s house.
Sunday March 1st I was at Neath.
Morriston
Books
Lewis
Davies 6 [pence]
M
J 2 [shillings]
Withdrawn & Morgans
7 March [£] 5 12 [shillings] 6 [pence]
Sunday 8. I was at Swansea
and attended a Sacrament meeting there at 2 p.m. I also attended a preaching
[p. 72]
meeting at 6 p.m.
and I preached in the Welsh language.
Monday 9
I stayed at Swansea. In the evening at half past seven, I attended a prayer meeting at
our hall.
Tuesday 10
At Swansea. This was a rather remarkable day. It was the wedding day of the Prince of
Wales. All the Town was alive, cannons
were fired, the riffle corps and artillery and all the various friendly
societys or clubs, and the children of the various shools were parading about
with flags and banners. A great
[p. 73]
many bands were playing.
In the evening a grand display of Fireworks was exploted and the town
was illuminated with stars and plumes of feathers etc. I had for my companions witnessing these
things, Bro John Hughes the tailor and his wife. After we got tired of looking at all the
wonders, we went to Bro John Hughes’s house where I stayed for the night.
Sunday 15th I was at
Neath. This morning
[p. 74]
I attended a District council at Bro Benjamin Jones’s
house. I also attended a Sacrament
meeting there at 2 p.m. At 6
p.m. I attended a preaching meeting at Bro Samuel Hornsby’s
house. We had verry good times
throughout the day.
[The last half of the page has numbers on it that appear to be some sort of
code. The final two pages appear to be
some sort of accounting.]
