JANUARY 1860
1 Jan Sunday. Went to Eastwood
and attended 2 meetings there.
2 Jan Spent
the morning in visiting the Saints. Returned to Nottingham. Spent the evening there.
3 Jan At home
writing. Two men by the name of Slcak
were committed for wilful murder. They killed a man at "Louton" on
the 26th ???. Attended meeting at 8 P.M.
4 Jan At home
writing in the morning. Went to
Calverton and held a meeting there in the evening. Lodged by
Brother Reuben Marriott.
5 Jan Visited the Saints there in
the morning. Returned home and met Bro. Cook and Hodson.
Visited the families of Whitaker and James Oakley.
6 Jan Bro. Hodson and wife left
for the North of England. Cook and I visited Elder James Ward and family. I
attended the Radford
School at 8 P.M.
7 Jan At home all day.
8 Jan Sunday. Wrote and read in
the morning. Attended meeting at Radford at 2:30 P.M. and at Nottingham
at 6:30 P.M. Preached from the words - "Whosoever will be ashames of me
before men".
9 Jan At home
writing and reading all day. Visited Sister Jane Roberts who was sick with the small pox.
Administered to her. Attended
council at 8 P.M.
10 Jan Visited Jane and sat 2
hours with her. Elder E.H. Blackburn arrived from Liverpool.
Attended meeting at 8 P.M. and had a very profitable time.
11 Jan Blackburn,
Cook, and I visited Jane again and administered to her. Spent
the day about home. Attended the Radford meeting at 8
P.M.
12 Jan At home
in the morning. Had Elder Blackburn's
likeness drawn. Took tea with
Sisters Burrows, Underwood, and Arnott.
13 Jan About
home all day. Took
tea with Sister "Wolf". At 10 P.M. I baptized Anni Underwood
in the Baths'. Blackburn
confirmed her. He also blessed Sister Mary Ann Arnott.
14 Jan At home. Brother Balckburn left us for London.
15 Jan Sunday. Cook went to
Calverton. I attended at Radford at 2:30 P.M. and at Nottingham
at 6:30 P.M.
16 Jan Brother Cook returned. I
spent the day in visiting the Saints. Visited the families of
Oakey, and Sisters Ann Limb and Atkin.
17 Jan Went and saw a funeral of
Mr. Morley, who dropped dead in the London Station. There were present about
4000. Cook and I went to Mansfield
and held a meeting there.
18 Jan Visited the Saints there
and at "Woodhouse". The Mansfield Saints accompanied us to Sutton. We
held a meeting there at 7:30 P.M. Released Elder John Peat from the Branch
Presidency for transgression (Adultery).
19 Jan Visited the Saints in the
morning. Went to Princeton and held a meeting
there at 7 P.M. Met Elder Josiah Holmes there.
20 Jan Returned Home. Met Brother Blackburn, having just returned from London. Heard a good report of the
conference held there on the 15th inst. At 8 P.M. attended the Radford School.
21 Jan Spent
the day at home with Blackburn and Cook.
22 Jan Sunday. Held
3 meetings at Nottingham. The Radford
Branch was with us. A Heavenly influence accompanied us all day. Attended council at 8 P.M.
24 Jan At home
in the morning. Spent
an hour and a half with Brother Butterwick. Went to Eastwood and held a
meeting there at 7 P.M.
25 Jan Went to Elder James
Robinson's and Francis Fouk; Received the monthly afes of
their Branches. Returned home and met Elder Holmes. Received
his district afes. At 8 P.M. attended the Radford School.
I received the following note
from Elder Asa Calkin.
42 Islington Jan 24 1860
Dear Brother John,
I have been putting off writing
to you concerning your marriage in hopes that I could so arrange it so as to
attend the occasion myself, but find it impossible. You are therefore at
liberty to make your own arrangements and consult your own convenience in the
matter. Only I would suggest that you do not lose any more time than is
necessary. Your labors for the next year will probably be required in
Nottingham Pastorate. You will therefore please return to that place again
taking your wife with you if agreeable to your and her wishes. Wishing yourself and the future Mrs. John all the happiness alotted
to mortals in this probation and eternal lives in the Celestial Kingdom
of our God.
I am your Brother in Christ
A. Calkin
26 Jan Spent
the day in writing my monthly afes and writing on the Conference Records.
Brother Cook arrived home in the evening. Elder Fouk visited me after being
before the Magistrates.
27 Jan I spent the day in
writing. Took tea with Sister Arnott Radford I attended School and Cook
baptized Mr. Whitaker and his daughter "Saraiah".
28 Jan About
hame all day. Took
tea with Sister Whitaker. I baptized (re) John Peat Mansfield.
29 Jan My birth day. (aged 27 years) Sunday. Cook and I
went to Mansfield
and held a council there at 10:30 A.M. and meetings there at 2:30 and 6:30 P.M.
We appointed Elder Sinterlon Butter to preside over the
Mansfield Branch and Elder Abraham Hanford to preside over the
"Sutton" Branch. The Sutton Branch joined us this day.
30 Jan Spent
the morning in the house of Mrs. Warren in singing and reciting. Returned to Nottingham. Received the following note from Elder Holmes.
Nottingham
June 29 1860
President John,
Dear Brother. I this day resign
my mission as a traveling Elder for reasons best known only to myself. I have
no monies belonging to the church in hand.
Yours truly,
Josiah Holmes
31 Jan At home all day. Wrote for a few hours. Attended meeting at 8 P.M.
1 Feb Wrote
in the morning. Left for Eastwood at 3:30 P.M. Went afterward to Heamor Attended meeting there at 7 P.M. Returned to Eastwood with Sisters
Mary Ann Morley and Sarah Drapples.
2 Feb Spent
the most part of the daythere. Went to Somercotes and held a meeting there at
7:30 P.M.
3 Feb Returned to Nottingham. Received many letters and wrote four. Attended the Radford
School at 8 P.M.
4 Feb At home
in the morning. Left
at 3 P.M. for Wales.
Arrived at the Gloucester Station at 10:30 P.M. Stayed in the
Station 4 hours.
5 Feb Sunday. Left at 2:30 A.M.
and arrived at Cardiff
at 4:30 A.M. Found Brother Miles at Canton Cardiff at 6 A.M. Spent the morning
there. Went to Whitechurch and met Sister Mary Wride. Held a
meeting there at 6 P.M.
6 Feb Spent
the morning at Canton and Cardiff. Bought a license
for us to get married. Sister Wride arrived. Spent a
few hours with her and also her brother Lewis.
7 Feb Spent
the morning in Cardiff.
Went to the Gray Farm. Spent a few
hours there. Asked Mr. and Mrs. Wride for their
daughter Mary. After a long talk they consented. Returned
to Cardiff with
her brothers Barry and Lewis. Barry and I lodged in a public house.
8 Feb Took a Cab at the Queen's
Hotel and went to the "Gray". Took Mary with us and got married in
the "Register Office" at 11:30 A.M. Brother Barry with us. Stayed there two hours. Mary and I left for Haverfordwest,
Pembrokeshire at 2 P.M. and arrived there at 7 P.M. Elders B. Evans, E.D.
Miles, and his wife, Burgoyne and many others met us at the station. Miles too,
married the same day in Haverfordwest to Sister Jane ???
We held a social party until 11:30 P.M.. We had
singing and dancing and a merry time. The following are our wedding cards.
Mr. David John
Mrs. David John
9 Feb Spent
the morning in town. Dined with Brother Griffiths.
Evans returned to Swansea.
We went to Brother Howels Temperness. Stayed a few hours
there. Held a meeting in that Branch (Sutton) at 7
P.M. Returned to Haverfordwest about 10 P.M.
10 Feb Went
in a cab to Littlenewcastle and arrived at my mother's house at 2 P.M. She
received us kindly and spent the evening comfortably there. Met
a Baptist preacher there.
11 Feb Spent
the day there. The snow covered the ground. It was very cold weather. Met many of my relations and acquaintenances.
12 Feb Sunday. Spent
the day at home. At 10:00 A.M. I listened to a Baptist preacher talking
about the miracles of Christ. Mary and I took tea with my Aunt Ann John.
13 Feb Left my mother at 9 A.M.
Went to Haverfordwest in a cab. My mother cried when we left. Left
Haverfordwest at 12 and arrived in the Cardiff Station at 4:18 P.M. Brother
Miles and Sister Ann Wride met us at the station. Elders J.D. Ross and B. Evans
rode with us from Swansea to Cardiff. We held a private party in the house
of Brother Samuel Evans.
14 Feb Visited
Sister John's friends mostly during the day. At 7 P.M. attended meeting.
15 Feb Went to
"Groing" Farm and arrived there at 1:30 P.M. A few friends visited
Sister John, her two cousins, Jane and Betsy Strawson. Spent the evening very
comfortably.
16 Feb Spent
the day there. In the evening Brother Barry, Sister Ann, and myself attended
meeting at the "Whitechurch" Branch. Returned to the "Graig".
17 Feb Left about middle day and
went to Cardiff.
Left that town at 4:20 P.M. Many friends met us at the
station. Arrived at Gloucester
at 7 P.M. and lodged there.
18 Feb Left at 6:30 A.M. and
arrived at Nottingham at 1:20 P.M. We were met
there Elders J. Cook and E.H. Blackburn. Met N.V. Jones also.
About 6:30 P.M. Bishop E.H. Blackburn married us.
19 Feb Sunday. Held
our conference at Nottingham. Had good meetings during the day. Sister John and I took tea
with Elder James Ward.
20 Feb At home. Sister John and I took tea with Sisters Jane Roberts and
Sarah Francis. I attended council at 8 P.M. Brother Cook with me. The brethren
went to Leicester.
21 Feb I spent the day at home.
At 7 P.M. we held a party in Radford. We had singing and reciting until 11 P.M.
22 Feb At home
in the morning. Went to Sutton and held
a meeting there in the evening.
23 Feb Visited the Saints until 4
P.M. Went to Somercotes and held a meeting there at 7:30 P.M. Lodged at
Swanick.
24 Feb Went to Eastwood. Elder F.
Fouk and I settled the afes of the Branches with their Presidents. Went to
Atkinson Station and thence to Nottingham.
My wife accompanied me to the Radford
School at 8 P.M.
25 Feb At home. Wrote out my monthly Balance Sheets.
Walked out with Mary in the evening.
26 Feb At
Radford meeting at 2 P.M. and at Nottingham at
6:30 P.M. Sisters John and Cook and I took tea with Brother Butterwick. I had
an hours talk with a chemist after the meeting. I bore my testimony to the
truth.
27 Feb At home. Took tea with Sisters Roberts and
Francis. Attended council at 8 P.M. Wrote the
following to the Liverpool Office:
Nottingham
February 27, 1860
President Calkin
Dear Brother,
William Falconbridge aged 52
(Shoemaker) and Mary Matthews, Spinster, aged 22, desire to Emigrate with your first company. Please
secure them berths. Mary Matthews intends to cross the plains with the
"Hand Cart" company. Please apply ??????? one pound for her deposit over the sea, and ??????? four pounds for her "Hand Cart" out of the
accompanying check for ??????.
William Falconbridge doesn't
intend going farther than the States. Please apply ????
one pound for his deposit over the sea out of the
accompanying order for ?????, to his name. Please apply ?????
for the emigration of Mary Matthews in afe with the
Individual Emigration afe of the Nottingham Conference.
Yours Truly,
Signed David John
John Cook
28 Feb At home all day. At 7 P.M.
I rebaptized Lucy Chablam. Attended meeting at 8 P.M. Elder Frederick Richards
confirmed her.
29 Feb Brother Cook and I went to
Holmore Attended meeting there at 7 P.M. Went to Eastwood
after. Sisters Drapples and Morley with us.
1 Mar From there went to Elder
Farnsworth's. I attended the Princeton meeting
and Cook the Somercotes in the evening. Returned to
Farnsworth to lodge.
2 Mar Returned to Nottingham in the middle of the day. Occupied
the afternoon in writing. Attended school at 8 P.M.
3 Mar Occupied
the day mostly in writing. Took a walk with my wife in the
evening.
4 Mar Sunday. At
Nottingham. Attended
prayer meeting at 1 P.M. being a fast day. Administered the Sacrament at
2:30 P.M. and preached at 6 P.M.
5 Mar At home. wrote
in the morning. Sister John and I took tea with Sister Oaky. I attended council
in Radford at 8 P.M. Received the following note from Elder Stanfield:
Durham Conference
March 3rd 1860
Elder D. John
Dear Brother,
Elder R.R. Hodson has been with
me inquiring about his "Certificate" from your Conference. He said
that he sent you a word about it and you did not send it. He says "I will
not send for it again". Please inform me as to his standing and his
conduct while with you.
With kind love,
I am Yours Truly
Joseph Stanfield
This Hodson travelled with me 6
months. I replied as follows:
Nottingham
March 5 1860 Elder J. Stanfield
Dear Brother,
Yours is come to hand and in
reply I say that Brother Hodson did write to me for his "Certificate"
when he was going about from place to place looking for work. I told him that I
would send him his certificate when he would settle down in some particular
Branch. If I had he authority to give him a Travelling Certificate I would have
done so. But the President of the Mission
holds this authority in his own hand. I hope that this mistake came from his
head and not from his heart. My love to him and his family and please accept
the same yourself.
I am Yours truly in the truth,
David John
I wrote the following to Elder
E.H. Blackburn:
11 Promenade Robin Hood Street Nottingham
March 5 1860 Bishop Blackburn
Dear Brother,
Your kind note of the 3rd inst.
was received yesterday. I was glad to hear from you and to understand that you
enjoy yourself among the good Saints in Birmingham.
I remember you to the Saints yesterday in the meeting. All seemed pleased to
hear your name mentioned. You have the faith and prayers of this people and
they would dearly like, if you could, come among them oftener. I will try to be
in Leicester meeting next Sunday because I
know the Spirit of God will be present and the power of the Priesthood. But you
know that I am quite busy now, having none as yet to assist me in this
conference. My kind love to you, in which my dear wife joins me. Please also
remember me to Brother N.V. Jones and all the brethren. Brother Cook is not
home today. I know wherever he is he joins me in love to you, always praying
for your prosperity in the Lord. I close, praying the good spirit to be with
you in all your undertakings and administrations among the Saints. And let me
remain your humble servant in the cause of truth.
David John
Birmingham
6 Mar At home until 1 P.M. Left
for Arnoed Branch. Preached there
for 70 minutes at 7 P.M. Returned to Nottingham.
I received my appointment to succeed Brother Cook in the Pastoral charge of
Nottingham, Leicester, and Derby Conferences.
Brother Cook received his appointment to go to the London Pastorate to succeed
Elder James D. Ross.
7 Mar At home. Walked
out with my wife in the evening. Brother Cook returned from Leicester.
8 Mar At home. At 4 P.M. Brother
Blackburn arrived from Birmingham
and we spent the evening together.
9 Mar Brother Blackburn
and I visited a few families of Saints. Attended the Radford School in the evening. Brother Blackburn and Sister John with me. Brother Cook
returned from Derby.
10 Mar At home. Took tea with Sister Arnott Radford. Brothers
Cook and Blackburn and Sister John with me.
Wrote the following note to the Liverpool Office:
Nottingham
March 10 1860 President Calkin
Dear Brother,
Please apply
???? ten pounds, ten shillings, for the
emigration of Maria Holmes in afe with the individual Emigration afe of the
Nottingham Conference.
Yours
David John
11 Mar Sunday. Went
to Leicester in company with Elders Blackburn and Cook and Sisters
"Underwood" and "Mary Ann Arnott". Met Elders N.V. Jones, Jacob Gates, and Milo Andrus there. Had good meetings all day.
12 Mar Left at 3 P.M. Brother
Andrus accompanied me to Nottingham, also
Sisters Arnott and Underwood. We had singing, reciting, and dancing until
mid-night.
13 Mar Spent
the morning with Andrus. In the afternoon Brother Jacob Gates arrived from Leicester. Attended meeting at Nottingham
at 8 P.M. About 7 P.M. Elders Milo Andrus and Jacob Gates laid their hands upon
my head and Andrus prayed and blessed as follows:
Dear Brother David John, We the
servants of the living God, lay our hands upon your head, to bless you
according to your desire, by the power of the Holy annointing that we have
received in the Temple of God: and inasmuch as you will comply with our words,
the blessings that we shall predict upon your head shall be yours. O God bless us with the light of eternity that we may bless this
thy servant. Inasmuch as you are called to take the charge of this Pastorate,
we say unto you, that the power of the Holy Priesthood shall be upon you more
than ever. You shall have power from God to gather in souls, to the Church of Christ, from this time forth, to your
own astonishment. Your prosperity in the Church, shall be great and numerous,
and they shall rise up and call you blessed. Your own posterity shall be great
and numerous. Prosperity shall follow you in your labors in the Church and in
your family. Every power that will rise up against you shall not prosper. Power
will be given you to overcome and control them. The power of Deity shall
increase within you and light and truth shall spring forth from you. The crown
of Glory and immortality shall be given you, if you will continue faithful and
humble before God, and you shall come forth in the first resurrection, clothed
with the power and glory of God, and shall stand among the Sanctified. O God seal these blessings in the Heavens as we do it here on the
Earth. These blessings we seal upon your head, and they shall be yours,
inasmuch as you will in the integrity of your heart work righteousness before
God. We seal them upon your head in the name of the Father, and the Son, and
the Holy Ghost, Amen.
14 Mar Spent the day in
Nottingham until 6 P.M. Left for Derby
and met Elders Cook, Nelson, and Burrows there. Attended meeting there at 7:30
P.M. and had a very profitable time.
15 Mar Spent
the day with Andrus and Gates until 5 P.M. Cook and I returned to Nottingham and attended meeting at Radford at 8 P.M.
16 Mar Spent
the day with Cook about home. At 8 P.M. attended the Radford School.
17 Mar At
9 A.M. Cook left for London.
I occupied the day in writing.
18 Mar Sunday. Went to Portland
Branch and held a meeting there at 2:30 P.M. Clark
accompanied me to Somercotes in the evening. At 8 P.M. left for Mansfield. Elders Hanford, Butler,
and Bennett met me at the Station. Received the monthly
accounts of five Branches.
19 Mar Went to "Loseve"
at 7:45 A.M. and met Elder Parkin. I then went to Eastwood and received the
afes of that Branch and Basford from Elder Fouk. Returned to Nottingham.
20 Mar At
Nottingham. Received afes
from Elders James Oaky, William North, and Charles Whitaker. Attended
meeting at 8 P.M.
21 Mar At home
writing all day. Elder Nelson arrived
at 4 P.M. with the afes of the Derby
and Leicester Conferences. He returned to Derby.
I wrote until 11 P.M.
22 Mar Wrote
my monthly and quarterly afes of the Conference and the Pastorate. Walked and
tried to change monies for bills in the warehouses. The Bank being closed but
did not prosper. I wrote my quarterly balance sheets - the monies were as
follows:
|
The
Nottingham Conference
|
|
Tithing
|
111
4 5 1/2
|
|
Book
Money
|
15
10 0
|
|
Emigration
afe
|
41
0 7
|
|
Poor
Offering
|
5 1
7
|
|
Fast
|
2
14 9 1/4
|
---------------
175 11 4 3/4
|
The
Leicester Conference
|
|
Tithing
|
32
3 4
|
|
Book
Money
|
7
11 0 1/2
|
|
Emigration
afe
|
6
16 3
|
|
Poor
Offering
|
1
17 8 1/2
|
---------------
48 8 4
|
The
Derby
Conference
|
|
Tithing
|
28
19 9
|
|
Book
Money
|
6
10 10
|
|
Emigration
afe
|
7
16 6
|
|
Poor
Offering
|
1
19 7
|
-------------
45 6 8
|
Totals
|
|
Nottingham
|
175
11 4 3/4
|
|
Leicester
|
48
8 4
|
|
Derby
|
45
6 8
|
---------------
269 6 4 3/4
I wrote the following to the
Liverpool Office:
Nottingham March 22 1860
President Calkin
Dear Brother,
I enclose with this note the sum of ??? 53 14 11 1/2 in note 50 0 0, and a Post OfficeOrder for ?? 3 14 11 1/2. Please apply to
this Pastorate as follows"
Nottingham Conference
Tithing 17 16
Book Money 5 10
Emigration afe 15 17
Leicester Conference
Tithing 1
Book Money ??????? 3 18
Emigration afe 15 17
Derby Conference
Tithing 8
Book Money per A. Nelson 2 15
Emigration afe 4 19
--------
53 14
The copies of my notes to the
Office for January and February are the following:
Nottingham
January 26 1860
President Calkin
Dear Brother,
Herewith I enclose the sum of ?? 25 9 3 1/2 in notes and Postage Stamps, please credit
this Pastorate as below:
Nottingham Conference
Tithing 4 6 7
Book Money 4 0 0
Emigration afe 8 14 10 1/2
Leicester Conference
Tithing 1 9 4
Book Money ??? A. Orme 2 0 0
Emigration afe 1 0 0
Derby Conference
Tithing 1 4 0 1/2
Book Money ??? A. Nelson 1 17 0
Emigration afe 0 17 5 1/2
--------------
25 9 3 1/2
Nottingham
February 25 1860
President Caulkin
Dear Brother,
I enclose with this note the sum
of "L" 35 0 0, thirty-five pounds in notes. Please credit the
Pastorate as follows:
Nottingham
Conference
Tithing 3 5 3 1/2
Book Money 6 0 0
Emigration afe 16 8 0 1/2
Leicester Conference
Tithing 0 7 8 1/2
Book Money ??? A. Orme 1 12 9 1/2
Emigration afe 3 8 1
Derby Conference
Tithing 0 0 0
Book Money ??? A. Nelson 1 18 1
Emigration afe 2 0 0
--------------
35 0 0
I remitted to the office for all
purposes during the quarter "L" 114 4 3. I also wrote the following
check.
Nottingham
March 22 1860
President Caulkin
Dear Brother,
Please apply the sum of
"L" 12 0 0 for te emigration of Levi Naylor
in afe. with the Individual Emigration afe. of the Nottingham
Conference.
Yours truly,
David John
22 Mar I also wrote the
following:
Nottingham
March 22 1860
President Caulkin
Dear Brother,
Please transfer a further sum of
"L" 1 10 0, one pound 10 shillings, to the credit of Mariah Holmes'
Emigration, in afe. with the Individual Emigration
afe. of the Nottingham
Conference.
Yours truly, David John
23 Mar Left Nottingham at 9 A.M.
and arrived in Liverpool with 9 Emmigrants. At
4 P.M. met many of the Elders and Saints. Transacted business
with Elder A. Caulkin.
24 Mar Spent
the day busily in assisting the Emmigrants for the Sea voyage.
25 Mar Sunday. Attended
Conference in Liverpool. Had a good time all day with hundreds of the Elders present.
Elder Milo Andrus preached powerfully in the evening.
26 Mar The
Emmigrants went to the ship "The Underwriter". Spent
the day in assisting the Saints. Elder J. Cook arrived from London with 100
Emmigrants. Elder B. Evans (from Wales) and I returned to the town
and lodged together.
27 Mar Spent
the morning in assisting the Saints on Ship Board. A few Saints landed from South Wales. Evans and I returned to town and spent the
evening together. The ship went out to the river.
28 Mar Went
out to the river in a tug. Stayed 5 hours with the Saints.
Spent the evening about the town.
29 Mar Brother B. Evans left for Wales at 9 A.M.
I spent the day with Elders J. Cook and Joseph Silver. Tokk a boat and visited
the Emmigrants. Stayed with them 30 minutes. Attended
meeting at 7:30 P.M.
30 Mar Cook, Silver, and I left
Liverpool at 9 A.M. Arrived in Derby at 3 P.M. Stayed there 3 hours and arrived in Nottingham
at 7 P.M. Many of the Saints visited us.
31 Mar At home. In the evening
went to the Theatre.
1 Apr Sunday. Attended 3 meetings
at Nottingham and many of the Branches were
together. We had present Elders Cook, Silver, and Nelson. Those 3 brethren
visited Eastwood and returned in the evening. I spent the day at home.
I wrote the following note.
Nottingham
April 2 1860
President Caulkin
Dear Brother,
Please apply the sum of
"L" 2 0 0, two pounds, to the credit of sidney Orton's sea
voyage in afe. with this Conference. This added to the :Drafts: to his credit in your office, will make up the
required "L" 8 0 0 for himself and wife.
Please also apply "L" 4
10 0 to the credit of John Adey and apply the same as his deposits for his sea
voyage, the last sums to be in afe. with the
"Individual Emmigration" afe. of the Derby Conference. Please
also apply the sum of "L" 21 0 0, twenty-one pounds, to the credit of
James Higgison and family, and apply the same as deposits for their sea voyage.
This is to be in afe with the Individual Emmigration afe of the Leicester
Conference.
I am Yours truly,
David John
3 Apr Spent
the day about home. At 8 P.M. attended meeting. Elders Silver and Nelson were
present.
4 Apr At
9 A.M. Nelson left for Derby.
At 10 A.M. Brother Cook and family left for London. I spent the day at home. Walked out with Mary in the evening.
5 Apr At home. Began to write upon this book.
6 Apr Wrote my journal all day. Sent Elder Whitaker to occupy my place in the Radford School.
7 Apr About home, writing the
most part of it. Walked out with Mary in the evening through
town.
8 Apr Sunday. Mary accompanied me
to "Calverton". Called to see a few of the "Arnold" Saints by
going. Held 2 meetings during the day. Lodged with Elder D. Cammet.
9 Apr Left for Nottingham
at 9 A.M. Rode in the wagon with Mrs. Cammet and arrived home at 11 A.M. Left
again for Basford at 4 P.M. Held a social party there until 11 P.M. Returned
home in company with Mary and many of the Saints.
10 Apr At
10 A.M. Elder Edward Reid and family arrived from Herefordshire Conference. He
came to preside over the Nottingham Conference. At 4 P.M. he and I left for Mansfield. Held a social party there until 10 P.M. Lodged at Mrs. Warren's.
11 Apr Left for Sutton at 9 A.M. Spent a few hours there among the Saints. Arrived at Nottingham at 6 P.M. Spent the evening at home.
12 Apr Brother Reid and family
left my house and went to their own. I assisted them in fixing their new house
for a few hours. At 8 P.M. held a meeting at Radford. The Nottingham Saints
joined us.
13 Apr Wrote
in the morning. Walked out with Reid in the afternoon.
Took tea with him. Attended School
at 8 P.M. and my wife with me.
14 Apr At home. We bought some furniture in the evening.
15 Apr At 11 A.M. left for Leicester. Brother Orme met me at the station. Attended
meetings there twice during the day and had a very profitable time.
16 Apr Spent
the morning in examining the Conference Records. Elder Nelson arrived from Derby. Visited the Saints
and attended School at 8 P.M.
17 Apr Wrote
in the morning. Went to the Baths and bathed ourselves. Nelson went to
"Burton on Trent". Orme and I went to Whitwick Branch and met Elder
Israel Bail, a travelling Elder from the "Worcester" Conference. We held a meeting
in the evening.
18 Apr Walked 8 miles to
"Loughborough" and visited the Saints. Held a
meeting there at 8 P.M.
19 Apr Spent
the morning there among the Saints. At 3 P.M. left for home. Spent
the evening with Mary and in writing.
20 Apr Wrote all day at home. Attended School at 8 P.M. at Radford.
21 Apr At home. In the evening visited Elder Reid's.
22 Apr Sunday. Mary accompanied
me to Derby and
attended 2 meetings there. Lodged with Elder Nelson.
23 Apr Spent
the day there. At 6:20 P.M. left for Nottingham.
24 Apr At home
writing. Attended meeting at 8 P.M.
25 Apr Went to Loughborough. Met Elders Nelson and Orme. Received their
afes. and returned in the evening. Received the Nottingham afes from
Brother Reid.
26 Apr Spent
the day in writing. Sent the following to Liverpool.
Nottingham
January 26 1860
President Calkin
Dear Brother,
I enclose you with this note, the
sum of "L" 80 0 0, eighty pounds in notes. Please credit this
Pastorate as follows:
Nottingham Conference
Tithing 20 10 6
Book Money 5 17 0
Emigration afe 18 19 3 1/2
Leicester Conference
Tithing 3 14 5
Book Money ??? A. Orme 3 8 9 1/2
Emigration afe 20 0 0
Derby Conference
Tithing 0 0 0
Book Money ??? A. Nelson 2 10 0
Emigration afe 5 10 0
--------------
80 10 0
27 Apr At home
writing.
28 Apr At home
writing on the Conference Records.
29 Apr Sunday. Attended
2 meetings at Nottingham.
30 Apr At home
in the morning. Went
to Bruston and from there to Derby
with Brother Nelson.
1 May Spent
the morning in Derby.
Went to "Belper" and held a meeting there at 7 P.M. Had a talk with a Methodist.
2 May Went to "Bole
Hill" through "Master Baths". Lodged with
Elder west.
3 May Went to "Derby" and left there at 6:20 P.M. for Nottingham. Met Elders Edward Reid and
James Payne.
4 May At home. Attended
School in the evening.
5 May At home writing.
6 May Sunday. Went
to Somercotes. 7 Branches joined us. Attended two meetings there and
returned to Nottingham. Attended
meeting there at 7 P.M.
7 May At 9 A.M. left for Liverpool. Arrived there at 3 P.M. with
28 Emigrants. Met many of the Elders and spent a few hours in the
office. I wrote the following:
Nottingham
May 7 1860
President Caulkin
Dear Brother,
Please transfer from the
Individual Emigration afe. of the Nottingham
Conference "L" 10 6 0, to the credit of James Astle to John Bestwick
"L" 3 6 0, and to Sidney Orton 12. Also from the
Leicester Conference the sum of "L" 2 6 0, to the credit of James
Higginson, to be applied as deposits on their passages to the States.
Yours Truly,
David John
8 May At Liverpool.
Spent the day in assisting the Emigrants. Spent the evening with Brother B. Evans from Wales.
9 May Occupied
the day in assisting the Saints. Met Brother Miles and went to the Theatre at 7
P.M.
10 May Walked through the town in
the morning and spent the afternoon on the Ship.
11 May At 9 A.M. left for Nottingham, Brother Cook with me. Stayed 5 hours in Derby and arrived in Nottingham
at 7:10 P.M. Attended School at 8 P.M.
12 May Brother Cook left for London. I spent the day
at home.
13 May Sunday. My wife and Elder
Job Pingree accompanied me to "Loughborough". Attended
two meetings there.
14 May Went from Loughborough to Leicester and spent a few hours there. Took
a Hall there to hold our meeting. Returned for my wife
and from thence to Nottingham.
15 May At home. Attended meeting
at 8 P.M.
16 May At home writing. Attended the Radford meeting at 8 P.M.
17 May At home writing all day.
18 May Also this day. Attended School at 8 P.M. at Radford.
19 May Left for Derby at 3 P.M. and met Brother Gates there. Baptized one in the evening.
20 May Sunday. Attended
Conference at Derby.
Held 3 meetings and confirmed two in the afternoon.
21 May At Derby. Writing the
discourse of Elder Gates for the "Star".
22 May Also this day. Attended
meeting in the evening.
23 May Went to Loughborough. Met
Elder Orme and received his monthly accounts. Went to
"Bruston" and met Edler Gates and Nelson there. Held a meeting at 7 P.M.
24 May Gates and I went to
Nottingham and arrived there at 10 A.M. Elder Andrus arrived from Birmingham at 1 P.M.
Spent the afternoon in my house. At 8 P.M. attended the Radford meeting. I
wrote the following to Elder N.V. Jones.
Nottingham
24 May 1860
President Calkin
Dear Brother,
I enclose you notes for
"L" 46 6 8. Please credit this Pastorate as follows:
Nottingham Conference
Tithing 3 16 2 1/2
Book Money per E. Reid 5 2 9
Emigration afe 15 8 3
Leicester Conference
Tithing 1 8 2
Book Money per A. Orme 3 3 5
Emigration afe 12 19 11
Derby Conference
Tithing " 9 3 1/2
Book Money per A. Nelson 1 18 8
Emigration afe 2 " "
--------------
46 6 8
25 May Spent
the day at home.
26 May Also this day in writing.
27 May Sunday. Held
our Conference at Nottingham. Attended three meetings. Elders Gates and Andrus were
present.
28 May Spent
the morning in writing. At 3 P.M. went to the "Arboretum". Many of
the Saints met there. Took tea together and spent the afternoon in amusements. Baptized 2 Sisters "Steels" in the evening.
29 May Wrote all day. Brother Gates with me. Attended a social
party in "Radford" in the evening. Brothers Andrus and Reid
went to Mansfield.
30 May Brother N.V. Jones arrived
at 6:30 A.M. He lodged in the town the previous night. When he arrived we were
in Radford, so he could not find us out. We spent the day together and took tea
in Radford with Sister Arnott. Attended meeting at 8 P.M. Elder N.V. Jones, Jacob
Gates, Milo Andrus, and E. Reid were present.
31 May Jones left for Liverpool
and Brother Gates and Andrus for Sheffield. I
spent the day mostly in writing.
1 Jun Wrote
an article to the "Star".
2 Jun Spent
the day in writing.
3 Jun Sunday. Attended
two meetings at Nottingham.
4 Jun Brother Reid and I went to
"Lincoln"
and went through the Cathedral. Returned in the evening.
5 Jun Went to Eastwood and met
Elder James Payne there. Visited the Saints there for a few
hours. Preached outdoors at 7:30 P.M. Lodges at Sister
Mary Rowlands.
6 Jun Went to Derby. Spent the day among the Saints and
held a meeting at 8 P.M. Brother Nelson with me.
7 Jun Spent
the day among the Saints. Left for Nottingham
at 6:20 P.M.
8 Jun Spent
the day in writing at home.
9 Jun Also this day.
10 Jun Sunday. Went to Leicester and held two meetings in our chapel. Preached outdoors at 5 P.M.
11 Jun Spent
the day there. Baptized one at 10 A.M. Attended School at 8
P.M.
12 Jun I married Elder A. Orme to
Sister Gee. Left for Branston at 5
P.M. Preached outdoors there at 7:30 P.M. Lodged in Burton.
13 Jun Nelson and I walked to
Wooden-Box. visited the Saints there and in Burton. Preached outdoors in the evening.
14 Jun Travelled 7 miles to
Wellington Station. Took the train from there to Derby. Stayed
there 1 1/2 hours and then returned home. Held a private
party in my house until 12 P.M.
15 Jun At home
writing. Attended the
Radford School at 8 P.M.
16 Jun At home
all day writing.
17 Jun Sunday. Attended
two meetings in our Hall. Preached outdoors at 4 P.M.
in the open Market place Nottingham.
Had a large assembly and good attention was paid.
18 Jun At home
writing.
19 Jun At home
writing. Attended meeting at 8 P.M.
20 Jun At home. Attended the Radford meeting at 8 P.M.
21 Jun At home
writing on my journal.
22 Jun Also this day.
23 Jun Also this day.
24 Jun Sunday. Attended
two meetings in our Hall at Nottingham.
Preached outdoors at 4 P.M. in the new Market place
25 Jun Sister John accompanied me
to Derby. Went
to the F??? in the Arboretum. Returned
home in the evening.
26 Jun Went to Leicester and met
Brother Gates. Attended meeting at 8 P.M. Went out and saw the Floral Show.
27 Jun Went to Loughborough and
met Brother Orme. Received the monthly afes. Returned to Nottingham. Met
Brother Nelson and received the Derby
accounts from him. He lodged with me. Brother Reid gave up his afes. of the Nottingham
Conference.
28 Jun At home
writing my monthly, quarterly, and half-yearly afes. Wrote the following to the Liverpool
Office. 24 Prominade
Robin Hood Street
Nottingham
June 28 1860
President Calkin
Dear Brother,
I enclose you notes for
"L" 65 0 0. Please credit this Pastorate as follows:
Nottingham Conference
Tithing 6 16 3 1/2
Book Money per E. Reid 5 3 5
Emigration afe 5 10 10 1/2
Leicester Conference
Tithing " 7 11 1/2
Book Money per A. Orme 4 3 11 1/2
Emigration afe 36 12 7 1/2
Derby Conference
Tithing " 8 10 1/2
Book Money per A. Nelson 3 4 4
Emigration afe 2 11 7
--------------
"L" 64 19 11
I also wrote the Quarterly
Balance Sheet, the totals of which are as follows. Nottingham
Conference
Tithing 104 7 7
Book Money 16 3 2
Donation 16 15 4
Individual Emigration afe 39 18 5
Poor Offering 5 14 " 1/4
Fast 1 13 11
----------------
"L" 184 12 5 1/4
Leicester Conference
Tithing 34 3 6
Book Money 10 16 2 1/2
Donation for Pastoral
Household Furniture 6 18 2
Emigration afe 69 12 6 1/2
Poor Offering " 19 1
-----------------
"L" 122 9 6
Derby Conference
Tithing 25 6 11
Book Money 7 13 "
Donation for Furniture 2 11 6
Emigration afe 9 11 7
Poor Offering 1 10 2
--------------
"L" 46 13 2
Summary of Totals
Nottingham 184 12 5 1/4
Leicester 122 9 6
Derby 46 13 2
----------------
353 15 1 1/4
The Half Yearly as follows.
Nottingham Conference
Tithing 215 12 " 1/2
Book Money 31 13 2
Donation 16 15 4
Emigration afe. 80 19 "
Poor Offering 10 15 4
Fast 4 8 8 1/2
----------------
"L" 360 3 10
Leicester Conference
Tithing 66 6 10
Books 18 7 3
Donation 6 18 2
Emigration afe 76 8 9 1/2
Poor Offering 2 16 9 1/2
-----------------
"L" 170 17 10
Derby Conference
Tithing 54 6 8
Book Money 14 3 10
Donation 2 11 6
Emigration afe 17 8 1
Poor Offering 3 9 9
--------------
"L" 91 19 10
Summary of Totals
Nottingham 360 3 10
Leicester 170 17 10
Derby 91 19 10
----------------
"L" 623 1 6
29 Jun At home
writing all day. Attended
the Radford School in the evening.
30 Jun At home
writing.
1 Jul Sunday. Brother Reid and I
went to Mansfield.
Held 3 meetings outdoors there. ???? preacher listened to us in the afternoon. Had
a good time during the day.
2 Jul Returned
home and spent the day in writing.
3 Jul At home. Attended meeting in the Durham ??? Room at 8 P.M.
4 Jul Brother Reid and I went to Arnold and from there to
Calverton. Attended meeting there at 8 P.M.
5 Jul Visited the Saints in the morning.
Returned home and wrote a few hours in the evening.
6 Jul At home
writing. Attended the
Radford School at 8 P.M.
7 Jul At home all day.
8 Jul Sunday. Went
to Derby.
Met Edlers Aaron Nelson, and Henry Shaw. Held two meetings outdoors and two in our room.
9 Jul Returned to Nottingham. Wrote the Half Yearly Statistical Report for
the Pastorate and sent it to the Office which was as follows.
Statistical Report of the
Nottingham Conference for the Half Year ending June 23 1860
|
No.
of Branches
|
Seventies
|
High
Priests
|
Elders
|
Priests
|
|
|
|
13
|
"
|
"
|
59
|
34
|
|
|
|
Teachers
|
Deacons
|
Members
|
Total
|
Baptized
|
Received
|
Removed
|
|
22
|
19
|
479
|
613
|
30
|
11
|
19
|
|
Cut
Off
|
Emigrated
|
Dead
|
|
|
|
|
|
7
|
11
|
9
|
|
|
|
|
|
Edward
Reid President
|
Statistical Report of the
Leicester Conference for the Half Year ending June 23 1860
|
No.
of Branches
|
Seventies
|
High
Priests
|
Elders
|
Priests
|
|
|
|
8
|
1
|
"
|
32
|
18
|
|
|
|
Teachers
|
Deacons
|
Members
|
Total
|
Baptized
|
Received
|
Removed
|
|
6
|
3
|
202
|
262
|
17
|
1
|
6
|
|
Cut
Off
|
Emigrated
|
Dead
|
|
|
|
|
|
6
|
13
|
2
|
|
|
|
|
|
Abraham
Orme President
|
Statistical Report of the Derby
Conference for the Half Year ending June 23 1860
|
No.
of Branches
|
Seventies
|
High
Priests
|
Elders
|
Priests
|
|
|
|
8
|
"
|
"
|
41
|
21
|
|
|
|
Teachers
|
Deacons
|
Members
|
Total
|
Baptized
|
Received
|
Removed
|
|
2
|
11
|
172
|
247
|
5
|
"
|
2
|
|
Cut
Off
|
Emigrated
|
Dead
|
|
|
|
|
|
"
|
2
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aaron
Nelson President
|
|
David
John Pastor
|
10 Jul Went to Mansfield. Met Elders
William Moss and James Payne there. Held a meeting in
the evening.
11 Jul Being a fair day, many of the Saints went to a forest. Held a party there for a few hours. At 5:30 P.M. I returned
home and spent the evening with Sister John.
12 Jul At home
all day writing.
13 Jul Wrote
in the morning. At 3 P.M. Sister John, Brother Reid, and a few of the Sisters
accompanied me to Buston. We spent a few hours there in visiting the families
of Brothers Calkin and Cox. At 9:35 P.M. I returned to Nottingham.
14 Jul Spent
the day about home.
15 Jul Sunday. At
home in the morning. Attended meeting at Radford at 2:30 P.M. Preached
out in the open air at 4 P.M. Many tried to stop us from preaching and among
them one Ranter Preacher. I talked with him by his
own house about 15 minutes and bore my testimony to him. He contended earnestly
against living Prophets, Apostles, etc. When I was preaching
one Publican threatended to pull me down from the Chair because I was
disturbing the drinkers in his house. Some of the drinkers left their
drink and came ans listened to us. The Publican raged and was helped by the
Preacher. At 6:30 P.M. I attended meeting at Nottingham.
16 Jul At home. At 9 A.M. I received a letter from Elder Francis Astle,
dated at "Germantown Philadelphia June 30th 1860". He left Liverpool May 11th in the Ship "William
Tapscott" Captain Bell. During the voyage there were four births, five
marriages, and ten deaths. The deaths all occurred among the Scandinavian
emigrants with one exception, namely Brother Keller's child from Switzerland.
The small pox broke out among the Scandinavian Saints June 3rd. The passengers
were landed at Castle
Gardens June 16th. They
were to start West the following day but Brother Astle
had to remain in the United
States to procure means for the Plains. He
had found some in "Germantown"
and felt thankful to God, for the privelege of crossing the "big
waters". I occupied the day mostly in writing.
17 Jul At
9 A.M. I received the following note from Brother Blackburn.
82 Crookston Street
Kingston Glasgow Scotland
Pastor David John
Dear Brother,
Having a moment of leisure time I
embrace the same in writing you. I am well and hope that you and your wife are
the same. I am yet in Scotland,
a ????, and holding meetings every day. I have pretty
good meetings and have good freedom and feel the power of God. Although I must
say the saints are far behind, the good good Saints in your Pastorate. A cool
feeling characterizes the saints up here, but that you must make allowances for
as we are afar off in the "North" and of course a little cooler. I
held a good conference here yesterday and there were over 300 Saints present.
All seemed to fell well and I feel that a good impression is left. I shall
perhaps stay here a month. In time I hope to be able to wake up the Saints to
have the living faith within them.
How are all down south at Nottingham. All well and right side up with care I
believe. God bless you Brother John and nerve you up for your duties. Give my
very kind love to Sister John and all the good Saints in Nottingham.
May God bless you and nerve you up for your duties, is the prayer of your
brother in Christ.
E.H. Blackburn
At 1 P.M. went and saw the Nottingham races. Stayed there until 4 P.M. and from
there went to the "Arboretum". Held a social party
with the saints there until 9:15 P.M.
18 Jul At home
in the morning. Elders Aaron Nelson and
Henry Shaw arrived from the Derby Conference. At 1 P.M. Sister John and them
accompanied me to the Loughborough F???. We saw a
Floral Show there and a balloon ascended. We met Elders Job Pingree, Abraham
Orme, and many of the Saints there. We returned home at 9 P.M.
19 Jul At home. Walked through the town with Elders
Nelson and Shaw. They returned to the Derby Conference at 2:40 P.M. I
wrote the following note to Brother Blackburn.
24 Promenade Robin Hood Street Nottingham
July 19 1860
Bishop Blackburn
Dear Brother,
Your kind note is in hand and I
was very glad to hear from you and to learn that you enjoy yourself among the
Saints in Scotland.
Things move along here very well at the present time. The Elders are engaged in
preaching the Gospel every opportunity they have. We preach outdoors in this
town every Sunday and all throughout the Branches in the three Conferences. A
better attention is paid by the people than in years gone by.
During the last six months we
have baptized 30 in this Conference, 17 in Leicester, and 5 in Derby. I saw Brothers Orme and Pingree from Leicester yesterday. They feel well in spirits, but
Brother Pingree does not enjoy good health of late weeks. I hope that he will
soon recover. He had a letter from his wife last week stating that she confined
last March, but the child is dead. She sincerely hoped that "he would soon
return to the Valley to make her another". They baptized 5 in the
Leicester Conference last week. They are not included in the 17 before
mentioned.
Elder Henry Shaw that was
presiding over the Cheltenham Conference came to derby to travel two weeks ago.
I saw him and Brother Nelson this morning. They feel well and do the best they
know how to save the people and build up the Saints.
Brother Reid that presides over
this Conference is a good man and labours faithfully among this people. We have
one Travelling Elder here by the name of James Payne. I believe that he is
pretty certain of his mark, but he fires very slow, he
does not sweat much over it. The Saints generally send their very kind love to
you and a great wish to see you soon. Sister A. is well and sens her kind love to you. I should dearly like if you would write
her a few lines. Excuse me for writing thus, nevertheless I know it would do
her much good.
Sister John is well and joins me
in kind love to you. I hope that we shall have a visit from you soon when your
time will be up there. Please give me a kind remembrance to the good brethren
there that know me. I pray that the Power of God will continue to accompany you
and let me remain worthy of the same and of your faith and prayers. Yours
Truly,
David John
Took a walk out
in the evening with my wife.
20 Jul Went to the County Hall in
the morning but could not go in as the Hall was crowded. Visited Brother J.
Holmes and Sister burrows. In the afternoon wrote letters
to Elders B. Evans and Edward Burgoyne. Wrote one to Sister
Ann Wride. I wrote the following to the Students of the Baptist College,
Haverfordwest, South Wales.
They were about 18 or 20 in number.
24 Promenade Nottingham July 20
1860 Gentlemen, According to a promise to one of your good members, I send you
a short account of our creed, printed in the "Mormon" some years ago.
I send you the "Mormon" because it contains a good portion of our
faith and it will be less trouble to me than to write it. I can bear testimony
to its truth, knowing it to be the acknowleged
Church of Christ in the
Last days. I also testify that the Holy Ghost and all the manifestations of the
Spirit of Truth will accompany those that believe in our days as in the days of
old. There is but one true faith and it must be the same now as it was when
anciently delivered to the Saints. The Lord will never acknowledge any other
faith, worlds without end, and I know it. You also can know the same by obeying
the same principles, by being baptized with one having authority, and clothed
upon with the Holy Priesthood, and not without. You may spend your days in
Studying, preaching, and praying, but it will benefit you nothing if you reject
the greater light, which is offered unto you. "Without being born of the
water and of the spirit, you can not enter into the Kingdom of God".
I post you a few periodicals hoping that you will read them and investigate the
principles contained therein. Please show them to your Tutors. If at any time
you should desire to see our Books, by writing to me I will be on hand to
supply you with the same. After having been myself some two years in that
College, I fell it my duty to bear testimony from time to time to its present
organization, of the truth of Heaven as I understand it. I have been among the
Latterday Saints going on for 5 years and I know by experience among them that
they are the best people I ever met with and as to the Church it is the Church of God, with living Prophets, Apostles, and
inspired men at ist head, who administer life and salvation to the honest in
heart. This work is progressing and gathering strength and power from the
Heavens, and the Earth. The time will come when it will fill the American
nation and every other nation under Heaven. Yea the time will come when all the
Kingdoms and dominions will be given to the Saints of the most
high God. Yea the time comes when every power will be subject to this
Kingdom. Then every tongue shall confess and every knee bow
to that most Holy institution which the world now vulgarly terms Mormonism. My
kind respects to you. Pray the Eternal Father to grant you his spirit that will
lead you into a full possession of truth as it is in Jesus Christ. I should be
most happy to hear from you and am on hand to answer any question that may
arise in your minds.
Yours Truly,
David John
21 Jul Wrote
in the morning. Worked a few hours in the afternoon.
22 Jul Sunday. Left Nottingham at
7 A.M. Arrived at Leicester at 7:45 A.M. At
8:30 A.M. went to "Blaby" Branch. Preached in the
open air at 10 A.M. In the afternoon to the
"Deniton" Branch. Attended Sacrament
at 2:30 P.M. and preached outdoors at 5. The congregation listened very
attentively. Returned to Leicester
in the evening in company with Elder A. Orme.
23 Jul Spent
the morning in Leicester. Left at 3 P.M. for
"Whitwick" and held a tea party there at 5 P.M. Spent
the evening in singing, reciting, and dancing.
24 Jul In the morning visited a
monastary of the roman Catholics and wnet through all
of the buildings. There were present between 60 and 70 Monks, and 6 Priests.
There were also transpolts under their care, nearly
all between 8 and 20 years of age. Returned to Whitwick and held a social party
in the evening. Brother Job Pingree was present.
25 Jul Left at 8:30 A.M. and
arrived at Leicester in 40 minutes, the
distance of 16 miles. Left again at 3 P.M. for Derby. Met Elders Jacob Gates and Aaron Nelson. Held
a meeting at 8 P.M.
26 Jul Spent the day there until
4 P.M. and then left for "Bruston". Brother Gates preached outdoors
at 7:30 P.M. I returned to Nottingham.
27 Jul At home all day. Brother
Reid and I made a few pairs of garments for Brother Gates. I wrote out my
monthly accounts and wrote the following note to the Liverpool Office.
24 Promenade Nottingham
July 27 1860
President Jones (N.V.)
Dear Brother,
I enclose you notes for
"L" 25 0 0, twenty five pounds. Please credit this Pastorate as
follows:
Nottingham Conference
Tithing 5 10 7
Book Money 5 3 "
Emigration afe 7 6 1
Leicester Conference
Book Money 2 5 9
Emigration afe 2 " 7
Derby Conference
Book Money 2 " "
Emigration afe " 14 "
--------------
25 " "
P.S.
Dear Brother,
The trade is very bad at present
in the Wharehouses and Factories in these counties. Our income of tithing is
"L" 15 0 0 a month less than usual in this conference. The expenses
in the other Conferences during the last month were more than the income of
tithing. I sincerely hope that the trade will soon survive for the benefit of
the Church as well as for the domestic comforts of the Saints at large.
I am Yours Truly,
David John
Attended the Radford School at 8 P.M. in company with my wife.
28 Jul At home. At 10 A.M. Elder Jacob Gates arrived from the Derby
Conference. Brother Edward Reid and I spent a few hours in making garments for
Brother Gates. Took tea at home and dined at Brother Reid's. Brother Gates
received a note from the Liverpool Office informing him of the arrival of
Elders Amasa Lyman and Charles C. Rich, two of the Twelve with 8 to 10 more. He
(Gates) left in the evening for Liverpool. I
took a walk with my wife through the town. The following note appeared in the
"Millenial Star".
CORRESPONDENCE
ENGLAND - NOTTINGHAM
PASTORATE
Nottingham July 3, 1860
President Jones,
Dear Brother, I now embrace the
opportunity of reporting to you the present condition and future prospects of
the work of the Lord in these conferences.
The Nottingham Conference
consists of 13 Branches and numbers 613 members. 30 souls have been added to it
by baptism during the last six months.
The Leicester Conference consists
of eight Branches and numbers 262 members. 17 souls have been added to it by
baptism during the last half-year. The Derby Conference consists of eight
Branches and numbers 247 members. Five have been baptized during the last six
months.
The Saints generally feel well
and enjoy the Good Spirit more abundantly than ever which produces works in
quality and quantity of the same nature.
The Elders that preside over the
Conferences are men of God and their whole interest is to build up his kingdom.
Elder Gates and Blackburn and yourself have visited us
and the Elders and Saints can join me in testimony that the spirit of Zion accompanied those
men whom God has sent to bless us.
The testimony of the great modern
Prophet is being borne to the people. The cry of repentance salutes their ears,
the Holy Ghost is promised and order and silence are kept throughout our
congregations. This is because the Elders do as they are told: they go out and
preach the Gospel - "to teach and not to be taught," to bless and not
curse, to build up the people in the knowledge of God, and not to "pull
down their tenements about their ears." They go out in meekness, and the
people listen under the influence of the same Spirit.
There has been a dark cloud
hanging over some parts of the Derby Conference for a long time, but I am
convinced that it is dispersed. The very few Travelling Elders that we have are
good and faithful men; but we want more. The field is large and the inhabitants
of these counties are very numerous.
I close with Praying God to bless
you and the Elders labouring in connection with you.
Yours affectionately in the
kingdom, David John
29 Jul Sunday. At
home in the morning. Elder James Oakey spent a few hours with me.
Attended meeting at 2 P.M. and one Sister was confirmed. Elders Reid and
Whitaker preached outdoors at 4 P.M. and I preached 50 minutes in the Hall at
6:30 P.M. Three Branches met in Nottingham. In
my discourse I mentioned first that the Church of God
in all dispensations has been subject to the laws and institutions of the
natural governments of the earth. It was so with the children of Israel while in
bondage. Daniel found it so when he was cast into the Lion's den. Also the three worthies in Babylon. Nevertheless the
power of God made void their purposes by delivering his servants
miraculously.... Jesus Christ was subject to the laws in Palestine. He had to pay "tribute"
like others... We find it the same today in Great Britain and other parts. Can
the servants of God follow the footsteps of Abraham and the ancients in the
land No, the law of the country prohibits it and the Lord's comandment is for
us to abide the law and honour the powers that be. Their we
learn that the Church is subject to a great extent to the laws of the Kings and
Rulers of the land. 2ly. It will not be so forever,
God has designed not only for the Church to be free from the tyrannical powers
that oppress it, but he has designed for every power, both civil, politically,
and ecclesiastically, to be subject to the Church and the living priesthood.
King David was subject to the councils of the Prophet Samuel.... So it will be
in the last days.......3rdly. By what means will this great change be brought
about? By the gathering together of the remnant of the house
of Israel to the land of Zion. The Lord has preserved his
peculiar people. He has remembered the promises he has made to their
forefathers. For the purpose of fulfilling his covenant, he has hid the very
existance of his people as if it were from the understanding of the gentile
nations. Though they have been reared up with their neighbours, have laboured
and toiled with them in the fields, and social life for years, yet they were
not known. The purposes of God in their lives and in the object of their
existence were hid from the world. He has scattered them that they might push
the nations together in one in the last days.
When the voice of the good shepard came, they knew it and followed it. They bid adieu
to the world, the ties of blood and nationality were broken. Why? Because they were the righteous seed which the Lord has hid.
When the light of truth came, and the spring of the great and glorious work of
the last days, they budded forth, and by their fruits were they known to be the
chosen seed. Their voices are heard in the streets, the inspiration of God once
more inspires his people. An invitation to the nations is given to go up to
"Mount Zion". There an independent kingdom
will be built up to the Lord of Hosts, in it Kings, Judges, Prophets, Apostles,
will be reared up; as a preparatory work for the millenium. Then the Kingdom of God shall be fully established. The all
the Kingdoms of the world will become the kingdoms of our God and his Christ.
Then the Church will govern the nations and the Priesthood alone will be the
legitimate Officers to officiate in the law. The Mount Zion
will be a terror to evil doers and the righteousness of the Lord will cover the
earth. The Lord has given many revelations through the great modern Prophet
Joseph Smith, but the world receive them not. The Book
of "Mormon" and other valuable books and revelations which are given
by the inspiration of God are offered to the people and they refuse them with
scorn, but out of which they will be judged at the last day. Make yourselves
acquainted with the modern revelations that God has given, they will prove life
or death to every man that receives them. The Lord hath promised an inheritance
upon this earth to his people. Jesus said "Blessed are the meek for they
shall inherit the earth". John while on the Isle of Patmos heard a new
song and those that sang said "Thou hast made us Kings and Priests unto
our God and his Christ and we shall reign upon the earth". Jesus when he
prayed said "Thy kingdon come, thy will be done, on earthas it is in
Heaven". This happy time will come, when the reign of government will be
given to the Saints of the most HIgh.... Pray and fast
for more of a portion of the Holy Ghost, then live pure and holy that it may
abide within you and be as a lamp that burneth in your bosoms until you
overcome all evil and stand upon Mount Zion with the sanctified ones and the
redeemed from all nations, is my prayer in the name of Jesus Amen.
30 Jul At home
in the morning. Received
a letter from my Mother informing me that one of my old friends was dead.
(David Thomas aged about 24 years). In the month of February 1856, I bore my
testimony of the Gospel to him. He promised to be baptized, but he did not obey
it until the year 1858. Elder Thomas Rees baptized him in Cumaroon,
Glamorganshire, South Wales.
He was cut off about the end of the same year, for neglecting his duties and
following bad company. So he died out of the Church. In the afternoon Sister
John took a walk with me to "Clifton Grove". We walked 5 miles there
and 5 back. We returned home at 9:30 P.M.
31 Jul At home
writing. I wrote the following poetry
that I composed in the Welsh language, August 19th 1854, when I was in the Baptist College.
[32 lines of Welsh Poetry follows
-- entitled Gweddi (Prayer)].
I also wrote a few verse of
poetry composed on the "Crimea wa"
March 29/55 as follows.
[4 verses of Welsh poetry]
===================================
Also the following welsh poetry on the "sufferings and death of
Christ"; composed in the same year.
[4 verses Welsh poetry] [1 verse
of Welsh Poetry]
Also the following poetry which I
composed in the fall of 1855, while I was in North Wales,
on my "Father's mansion", I sent it him in a letter, he was very
glad, and thankful for it , and very often he was
reciting it.
[6 verses of Welsh poetry]
================================
I also wrote the following hymn
composed in the same year 2.-8.7. Double, and
1.-8.7.4. me 8.7.D.
[3 verses welsh
hymn]
[8.7.D Welsh paragraph]
[8.7.4. Welsh paragraph]
The Welsh poetry that I have
written on the last four pages of this book, was
composed before I was in the Church; (re) rather when I was in the baptist. The
following poetry I composed in the month of December 1856 and read it on the
20th of the same month in a "Sayree" in Swansea South Wales. Two
books were presented me for it, by Elder Thomas Rees Harries Swansea, past for
the best on the subject,"a dialogue between, Atheist Sectarian and a
Latter-day Saint."
2 verses welsh poetry
3 - 10 verses welsh poetry
11 -19 verses welsh poetry
20 verse welsh poetry
In the evening
at 8 P.M. I attended meeting at the
Durham Ox Room Nottingham.
Aug 1 At 7:40 A.M. a man named
John Finton aged 27 years was hung, for murdering Charles Spencer March 6th
1860, at "Nottingham" on the boarders of the counties of York, and
Lincoln. I was on the crowd before he entered the scaffold, but did not see him
dropping, I saw him hanging before he expired.
At 2 P.M. went to the funeral of
Orson, son of Bro. Burcumeshaw, aged 3 months. At 8 P.M. attended meeting at
Radford branch.
Aug 2 At home all day, making
garments to Bro Jacob Gates.
Aug 3 At home, occupied about
half the day in finishing the "garments". Wrote the
following letter to a young Bro. in Cardiff, South Wales.
Nottingham Aug 3/60 Dear Bro. Morgan,
Having lately heard, that you
were prospering in the Lord, and been ordained to the Priesthood, it made my
heart to rejoice in seeing my brethren, taking a strong hold in the principles
of life. _ I would have written you before, had I not lost your address. _ I
received yours duly, and was glad to hear from you. My Dear Bro. seek earnestly
the inspiration of God;"dig deep" for a solid, and true foundation,
rest not 'till your mind will be satisfied with the divinity of the work. Get
the knowledge of God within yourself; rely not on the testimony of others; that
can not save you; neither can you stand the day of trial. Everything that can
be shaken, "will be shaken": but the
testimony of Jesus, and the Gospel, and of the re-establishment of the kingdom of God, in the last days, can not be shaken
from the man, who has received it; neither can he be shaken himself, if he
continues humble and faithful before the Lord.
In my short experience in the
Church, I have found, that by denying myself, and
relying on God for his spirit, I have prospered the best.
I have also found out, that of
all Books that are written; that the books written in our day, are the best for
us; such as the "Book of Mormon", "Doctrine and Covenants",
and other valuable books.
They contain the revelations of
god, which is knowledge, which is power; yea which is life, light, and
salvation, by applying their contents to our lives.
There is no salvation, outside
this Church; there is no legitimate authority in the universe, but in
connection with the Holy Priesthood. That priesthood is conferred upon man; and
it will bring about the purposes of God, in the last days. I hope your mind is
satisfied with the work, being of God. I know it, as well as my own existence
and all can obtain the same satisfaction, by asking the Lord for His spirit, in
faith, and humility.
Where is your brother now, that is a Baptist Preacher?
Can you not save him? I close
praying the Lord preserve you in the truth; and clothe you with the spirit of
meekness, wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. I should be glad to hear from
you when convenient.
I am yours Truly
in the kingdom
David John.
I wrote letters to Elders,
A.Orme, Leicester, E. Burgoyme, Monmouthshire, and W. Coslett, Pembrokeshire, Wales. Attended school at 8 P.M.
4th At home,
writing and reading, walked with my wife in the evening.
6th Sunday. At 9 A.M. left for Derby
arrived there at 10 A.M. Attended two meetings during the day in the town. Bro.
Nelson arrived from Burton-on-Trent [sic] {Burton-upon- Trent},
8:30 P.M.
6th At 9:30 left for London, with an excursion
trip. Arrived there 2:30 P.M. Met Elders John Cook, F.M.Lyman, John Brown,
Scott, Linsey and others. Took a walk through the City and at 8 P.M. attended a
Priesthood meeting, about 150 Officers present. We had a very profitable time
together.
7th In the morning went and saw
the "Crystal
Palace", the most
beautiful building I ever saw. We saw the monument in
"commemoration", of the great fire in 1666, which broke out on the
2nd september, and was not extinguished "till the
6th most of the Churches and coporation hall and 13,200 houses, were consumed.
The value of property destroyed was computed to be little short of ten million.
The dimension: at the base of
the tower is fifteen feet; and the height of the shaft
one hundred and twenty feet, the at the top, with
it's blazing of guilt brass, measures 42 feet and
the height of the pedestal is 4 feet. Within the column is a flight of 340
steps of black marble, by which access can be had, to the iron balcony, from
which noble prospects of the vast metropolis and the surrounding scenery is
obtained. I was on the top of it, and through a telescope, I saw the buildings
very clear. We went from there and viewed St.
Paul's Cathedral. "The ancient Gothic cathedral,
which originally stood in majestic pomp on the sane spot ,
was destroyed in the great fire in London A.D. 1666; and the erection of the
present building was intrusted to Sir Christopher Wren, under whose direction the
first stone was laid in 1675, and the last stone on the top of the lantern, was
laid by his son, the year 1710, it was began and completed in the space of 35
years. The dimensions of St. Paul
feet
from East to West, within the walls.....................510
From North to South, within the doors of the porticos...282
The Height within from the centre [sic] of the floor to the
cross...............................340
Ditto, from the vaults below............................404
The circumference of the dome within is.................300
The diameter of the ball................................ 6
From the ball to the top of the cross................... 30
The breadth of the west
entrance........................100
The diameter of the column of the porticos.............. 4
The height to the top of the west pediments under the figure of St. Paul..................120
The height of the tower of the west
front.............. 287
The circumference of the clock dial...................... 57
The length of the minute hand...........................
8
The length of the hour figures ..............2 ft. 2 1\2 in.
The bell weighs 11,470 lbs.; and
the ball and cross. It's interior diameter is six
feet, and 8 persons may within it". St.
Paul is the most conspicuous building in the City, and
is a noble fabric. Next to which is "Westminster Abbey", which I
afterwards went through. Here lies the ashes of kings and heroes, of sayes and
legislators, philosophers,and poets; and where the sculptured marble
perpetuates, their memory, on a mass of ornamental grandeur, not to be equaled
(as represented) in any metropolis in the world. In it lies
the ashes of the kings, queens, and princes of England from
Edward the Confessor, to George 2nd. This gothic architecture was originally
formed in the 7th century by Sebert, King of the east
saxons, in the year 610, but it was subsequently destroyed by the
"danes", and long continued a mass of ruins. Edward the Confessor
rebuilt the abbey and the cathedral on a more extended scale, in 1066, when
Pope Nicholas II constituted it the place of inauguration of the kings of
England, and gave it the form of a cross, which thence forward became the
pattern for cathedral building in England. Henry III,
greatly enlarged the abbey in 1245. In the general plunder of monasteries and
church property, which distinguished the reign of Henry VIII., the Abbey
suffered severely; but it was still worse treated by the Puritans in the great
civil war, and left in a most dilapidated condition. It was again repaired and
improved, by Sir Christopher Wren. The length of this Church frons east to
west, is 370 feet, from North to South the breadth is 200 feet: the width of
the nave and sideaisles is 75 feet: the height from the pavement of the nave to
the inner roof is 101 feet: from the choir pavement to the roof of the lantern
is about 140 feet high". From there we went and saw the Houses of
Parliament. Some idea of the magnitude of this national edifice may be formed
when it is stated that the Palace to the Eastward presents a frontage of nearly
1,000 feet. When complete, it will cover an area of 9 statute acres: the great
tower, at the south-western extremity which has already been raised to the
height of 90 feet, will ultimately reach the elevation of 346 feet. The cubic
contents exceed fifteen millions of feet; being one-half greater than St. Paul's: and it
contains not less than between 5 and 600 distinct apartments".
Then we saw Birmingham Palace
in St. James' Park or the royal Palace of the queen. There are 23 windows in each
of the two supper stories. We also saw St. James' Palace, the old palace of the
Royal family. Here her Majesty holds her levees and drawing rooms, and is used
upon birth-day fetes.?? We also went through Hyde Park. We then returned to Bro. Cook's
8th At 9:30
P.M. At 10 A.M. Elders John Cook, F.M.
Lyman, Aaron Nelson and I went to see the Royal
Hospitals, and the white Tower of London. The tower was not always used as
a dungeon; until the era of Elizabeth
it was a royal palace. It has been used during many years since as a State
Prison. Since times it is called the "Bloody Tower",s this named was derived, from its having been the place
where Edward V and his brother the Duke of York were murdered. The building was
commenced by the Conquesor, about 1078. It was repaired in the reign of Henry
VIII.(1552), and again during the reign of George II.
At is foot, runs the long building used as the Horse Armory. The ceiling is
characteristically ornamented with devices and decorations, composed of spears,
Pistols, and other military weapons. - On the right of this armory is a room
containing specimens of the different kinds of firearms in use at various times
since the first invention of gunnery; also 3 swords, a helmet, and girdle,
which belonged to Tippoo Saib; and some Chinese military dresses, taken in the
conflicts between the British and Chinese.
In the same
building in Queen Elizabeth's Armory; with a figure of herself seated on a
cream-colored house, held by a page. It
contains a great variety of specimens of all the weapons in use in Europe
during the period proceeding the introduction of fire-arms- the bill, the
glaive, the gisarme [sic] {guisarm}, the ranseur, the septum, the spontoon, the
boar-spear, the Partizan [sic] {partisan}, pike, halbert [sic] {halberd}
The Waterloo Barracks are also
erected there. The train of Artillery was on the ground floor of that building
and contained some extraordinary engines of war, immense numbers of cannon of
the most curious shapes, taken from different parts of the world, and many
pieces of singular manufacture, cast in this country. Some of those articles,
preserved from the fire, are now deposited in the White Tower
and the House Armory. I went from there to the Jewel Office. Here are preserved
all the coronation regalia, including the new imperial crown, and other emblems
of royalty, used by the sovereigns of England at their coronation, the
cost of which has been upwards of three millions of money. The crown worn by queen Victoria cost one million Sterling. Here I saw the crown of Charles I,
and his walking rod, the last was of pure gold and worth L4000, four thousand
pounds. Here also I saw the crown of Queen Ann and her walking rod. Also the
crown of Queen Elizabeth, and the crown of the Prince of Wales in readiness.?? I saw many other very interesting things, that time will not permit to mention here..... In
the afternoon I returned to Nottingham, accompanied with Eliza Cook and Bro. A.
Nelson 'till Derby.
I met Elders James Brown 3rd and Joseph C. Rich, having arrived this day from
Liverpool (Birmingham)
I received the following note.
Birmingham
August 7/60.
Elder D. John
Dear Bro.
Elders James Brown 3rd and Joseph
c. Rich, are appointed to labor in the Nottingham
Pastorate to preach to the Saints, and spread the gospel. - You will please to
see that they are provided for with lodgings and travelling Expenses.??
They will arrive at Nottingham
to-morrow.??......
Yours very
Truly
Charles C. Rich.
Jacob gates.
9th I spent the day about home,
in company with Bros. Brown and Rich.
10th All this
day, visited Bro. Wm. Butterwick in the evening. 11th At home in morning, at 2:30 P.M. Elders Amasa Lyman
and N. V. Jones arrived from Liverpool. At 7
P.M. Bro Lyman and I left for Mansfield Branch 16 miles from Nottingham.
He having heard that a sister lived there by the name of Mary Ann Lyman, thought that she might have been of the same family
as himself. We lodged in the house of Mrs. Warren.
12th Sunday. I attended meeting at 10:30 P.M. Lyman attended meeting
with us at 2:30 P.M. and preached over an hour to us, we had a joyous time
together. Bro. Lyman and I left for Nottingham
and arrived there 6:30 P.M. we went to our meeting. Hall which was crowded,
Lyman preached over an hour, and all were blest under
his instruction.
13th Elders Lyman, and N.V. Jones
left for Liverpool at 9 A.M. and I spent the
day at home.
14th AT 11:55 A.M. Sister John
and I left for Derby, she left there for Wales 2;30 p.m. with an excursion, _ I had a severe pain in my
right side, so I went to Bro. Nelson's and laid in bed nearly 4 hours. Then I
got up but was no better, Elders Aaron Nelson, and John Stephenson administered
to me, after which I came better, I spent the evening and night there.
15th I spent the day there, I was
rather unwell. Received letters from Elder John Cook, London, and Abraham Orme, Leicester.
Attended meeting in the evening
and talked 40 minutes to the Saints.
16th Bro. Nelson and I went to
the "Belper" Branch. Bro. Amasa Lyman desired me to go there and try
to find out some of the families of Lyman's, we tried but found none living, we
went to the burying places, examined all the Tomb stones, but found not the
name of "Lyman", we then went to the Parish Parson, and asked him to
search, the records of the dead; he tried but could not find the name; he said
that he had not any spare time this day to search then through but that he
would write me. We spent the evening in visiting the Saints.
17th We spent the morning in
visiting the Saints, in the afternoon we returned to Derby, and spent the evening and night there.
18th I left for Nottingham,
arrived home at 10:30 A.M. I received the following from the "Parson"
Belper Aug 16th 1860
Sir,
I have searched the Belper
register carefully for the name of Lyman, But have not
found it.
I found the names of Lincham and
Lynam, but not that of Lyman. _ I must charge you 2/6 for the search which you
can send in Postage Stamps.
I am yours Truly
Robert Hey.
I received the following from
Elder E.L. Sloan.
Liverpool Aug. 14/60
Dear Bro John
How are you? And
the family? How many of a family have you?
I hear good news of the
Nottingham Pastorate, and rejoice in your prosperity. God bless you and prosper
you continually.
I can tell you but little that
you do not know, that would be of interest. We are striving here to roll on the
great work, and the Lord is giving us some success - we feel like praying and
working for more.......
Give my love to your good lady
and all "engurers" if there are any. _ A
line from you sometime would gratify me much. _ Believe me yours ever truly. E.
L. Sloan.
I received the following from my
wife, from South Wales.
Graig Farm
Whitechurch
August 16/60.
My Dear Husband,
I feel uneasy about you, because
I left you so unwell, but I sincerely hope, you are well by this time, I am
well in health, but I feel tired after my long journey. I have had the
toothache badly both nights. - After leaving you at Derby,
I travelled with the same company as you saw 'till Gloucester. They, were singing a great part
of the way. We fell into conversation upon religion,
they were all religious folks. - We arrived at Gloucester 7:10 P.M. We stayed there 'till
8:20 P.M., then I left for Cardiff,
and arrived there at 10:15 P.M. - I had a good reception, there were to meet me
at the Station about a Dozen, Barry, Lewis, Ann, ??.....I
and Ann, stayed at Strawson the same night, my Bro.
William brought the pony to town the next morning, to take me to the Graig; it
came to rain about middle day, it rained all the evening I went home, but got a
good wetting. Ann stayed in town till this morning. -I found them all well
here, they asked me, how you were they
were sorry to hear that you were unwell, They thought I looked very well.
My Dear David, I wish you were
here with me, they ask me if you are coming to fetch me home, they should like
to see you. Bros Rich, and Gates arrived at Cardiff last night by a packet from Bristol, Ann saw them......Gates told her
that he saw me recently, so she told him, that I was here now. This
neighborhood seems quite natural.
I will now conclude, hoping you
are quite well, all here join in love to you; and accept of mine from my heart
Yours
affectionately
Mary.
Took a walk through the town,
with Bros. Jones',Brown 3rd, Joseph C. Rich, Frederick
Richards, and J.Payne.
[Read this - Interesting]
19th Sunday J. Brown, J.C. Rich,
James Payne, and myself, left Nottingham
for Liecester, at 10 A.M. when we arrived there, Elder Abraham Orme, met us at
the Station. We attended meetings at 6:30 and 2:30 P.M. had a good time among
the Saints.
20th We spent the day in
Liecester, in reading, writing, and walking we visited the Museum. Attended
meeting at 8 P.M.
21st Received a letter from my
wife, (from Wales)
informing me that she was well, and enjoying her visit?? I wrote an answer. I
wrote a letter to Elder Amasa Lyman, an extract of which, as follows.
Leicester
August 24/60.
Pres. Lyman
Dear Bro.
According to your desire, I
visited "Belfer" in Derbyshire last week. I enquired of many aged
persons, if they knew any, by the name of Lyman, many told me, that they knew
individuals by the sconce of Lynam, but not Lyman.
One old lady told me, that she
knew a woman by the name of Lyman, some 50 years ago, but that she died,
leaving no sons, nor daughters.
I examined all the tomb stones in
the burring places carefully, but did not find the name there. I then went to
the Parish Church Parson, and desired him search the records of the dead. He
has since informed me, that he has found the names of Lineham, and Lynam, but
not that of Lyman.....Providing you could furnish me, with some of the names
(Christian name) of your forefathers, that you think, might have been born, in
this country, I will make a further search, for such name, or names, in the
records of births, that are kept in the old Churches; that peradventure you
[Persecuted in Leicester On account of James Brown.] may find the connecting
link, between your family on this side the atlantic, and the other.
Bro. Brown and Rick join me in
kind love to you and N.V. Jones.
Yours Truly
D. John.
We went to "Whitewick"
Branch, 17 miles distant, and held a meeting there at 7:30 P.M. and had a very
interesting time together. I lodged in the house of elder Thomas Ball.
22nd We spent the morning in
visiting the Saints; then we walked 8 miles through the rain, to
"Loughborough". We sent a crier through the town, to make known out
meeting to the people. We commenced our meeting at 8 P.M. when our Hall was
nearly crowded, Elder James Brown 2nd rose up to address the people, after he
spoke for the space of 15 minutes, some of the people began to laugh, groan,
and talk. Bro Brown bore testimony that Brigham Young, was a Prophet of God, when one from the congregation
asked, how many Wives has he? Brown told him, that he had no more than David,solomon, and others had. he
continued asking the same thing, 'till a stone was cast in through the window,
aimed as we believed at the head of Brown, but it did not touch any person.
This time nearly all rose up, and some went out, but soon they seated again,
but they did not keep any order, and soon after Brown sat down, I then rose and
said, "I am very sorry so many in the present congregation, have
manifested such uncultivated mind, and morals; and debased themselves so low,
in the presence of so many men and women, possessed with wisdom, intelligence,
and common sense. The word has gone abroad among the nations of the earth, that
England
is moralized, and civilized, and by many it is called, the garden of the
Lord", "the modern paradise" but I am sorry, yea it grieves my
soul, that some present have developed such cruel and unruly spirits this
evening, yea this is an evidence to my brother that has been spoken to you,
that England does not answer the title given it, if he will judge it, as a nation;
from the acts of few of her subjects this evening.
My brother has come here from the
land of America, to spread the Gospel unto the inhabitants of this land, he
endeavored so to do this night; but many of you laughed at him, asked him
questions, and frustrated him in telling you many things if you would only
govern yourselves and listen to him. - He told you to repent of your sins, you
laughed at him. What occasion had you? You have sinned against God, and you
need to repent of your sins, if you will not the Lord will destroy you, do you
believe it? I know you do. do you know that you have
sinned against God, and need to repent of your sins? Yes you also know this.
Why then you laugh at him? He told you that you need to be baptized for the
forgiveness of your sins. You laughed at this. Was not this the doctrine of
Peter on the day of Pentecost, and the doctrine of John the Baptist, when he
was preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and the same eternal principle we
advocate, it is so durable as eternity, and so unchangeable as God himself. You
profess to worship the very names of Peter, and John for Proclaiming this
principle, but to cast our names out as evil, deludes, and fanatics; because we
preach the same doctrine. Where is your consistency! What is your foundation?
We promise you the gift of the Holy Ghost, by the laying on of hands. Will it
hurt you? Will it disgrace your names, or character? Nay, I say it will not. -
The prophet Joel promised this spirit, John the Baptist testified of it; Peter
promised it, "unto all that were afar off," and Jesus said, that no man could enter the kingdom of God,
without being born of it; Do you believe this? You profess to. Why then do you
interrupt our meeting? and someone has thrown a stone
in and broke the window, and aimed at our lives. We have a right to speak, and
believe as we please; we have licensed this room, and the law of England will
defend our rights, freedom, and liberty, and prosecute those who disturb us,
break up our meetings, and windows, (a voice from the people punish them you
shall be more respected) and one man said "I will give five shillings
towards the summon". and another said,(I will also come as a witness
against them") We do not desire to injure any person, nor to imprison any,
we want the liberty of the Gospel, and of this land, we want to preach the
Gospel, to those that desire to hear us, and those that do not; we desire them
to stay at home and leave us alone, and we will do unto others, as we desire
them to do unto us.(Shouts of here here,) My friends I thank you and my God,
for this perfect order and calmness manifested at present through this
congregation; and while it remains thus; I am happy to bear my testimony after
my brother, and repeat his words, namely that God has living Prophets, and
Apostles, upon the face of the earth, and many other inspired officers in his
Church, as he had in days of Old.- When Christ left captivity captive, he gave
gifts to men; he gave some Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, What for?
to edify the Church; to perfect his people in the work
of the ministry; has he taken them from the Church; if
so when? where? and where is
the record of it? The wise men of the earth can not produce the record; the
evidence can not be got. Who the had the authority:
did the Lord speak to them? no, did any angel appear
commune with them? no, they did not say any such
thing.
The "Gospel of Christ in the
days of Paul, was the power of God, unto them that believe". It was the
power of God, unto then that believe:. It was the
power of God to Elijah to shut up the heavens as brass, and to open them again,
it was the power of God to Abraham, to converse with the Lord face to face; it
was the power of salvation to Noah, to be saved from the flood; it was the
power of God to Enoch, to be translated "that he was not ", it had
power to inspire Moses, to see the glory of the Lord, and to sever the children
of Israel from bondage; and it gave the inspiration of heaven to all the
ancient men of God. When Christ appeared in the flesh ,
we find that the same power accompanied him; and he gave the same power to his
Apostles, which accompanied them, "'till the last account we have of them,
even John while he was on the Isle of Patmos, the visions of eternity were made
known unto him, the angels communed with him, and he saw the winding up scene
of all things, pertaining to the earth. Why did he gain this power? because he believed the gospel, for the "Gospel is the
power of God unto them that believe". Can we find the same power among
these that profess to preach the Gospel in this land, among the different sects
of Christendom? no, why because it is not the Gospel;
they have denied it's power, changed its ordinances, and broken the everlasting
Covenant. The people of God were destroyed from the face of the earth, and the
priesthood was taken up to the throne of God; and darkness covered the minds of
the inhabitants of the earth, during the time the reformers, and other men,
instituted religions according to their own desires, and denied its almighty
influence which inspired her sons, and daughters, in every Gospel dispensation.
Best the Lord has again re-opened door of his sanctuary and sent forth his Holy
Angels with authority to confer the Priesthood upon man, they ordained Joseph
Smith to the Holy Apostleship, and commanded him to preach the same Gospel unto
others, which he faithfully did 'till his martyrdom, Thus the Church was
re-organized with Apostles, Prophets, and inspired men to preach the Gospel
among the inhabitants of the earth. It has reached us in this land, we have
embraced its power and Divine influences, and it has saved us so far, as we
have applied its principles to our lives.
I have received the testimony of
the Gospel, I know it to be the power of God unto those that live it; I have
this testimony, from God, and not from man, hence the fear of God has full sway
in my heart; and I feel at present, that i would rather for my blood to be
shed, then to deny it. Hence I call upon you, to repent of your sins, forsake
your evil ways, call upon God in mighty prayer and you shall receive the gift
of the Holy Ghost, for the promise is unto all. Do not believe your Priests
that Mormonism is a delusion, they may think so, because they do not know
better, but I testify that it is the kingdom of God, and it will spread its
banners and fill the whole earth. I pray God to give you his spirit that you
may understand it, obey it, and live it, is my prayer in the name of Jesus
Christ. Amen.
During the time I spoke the
congregation maintained perfect order. We lodged in the house of Bro. Thos.
Henderson.
23rd We spent the morning there,
in the afternoon went to "Breaston" Branch in the Derby Conference,
met there with Elders Aaron nelson, and Henry Shaw. Attended meeting at 8 P.M.
24th At 9:20 A.M. left for Nottingham; received a few letters. The
following in an extract from Pres. Amasa Lyman, in answer to mine of the 21st
inst.
42 Islington Liverpool
Aug 22th 1860.
Bro. John
Dear Sir,-
Yours of yesterday is before me.
I was glad to hear from you, and of good "inquires at "Belper".
The information you asked me for, I an not able to
give you at present, as I have no knowledge of the "Christian name of my
great grand father. Of this I may be able to learn, until then we shall hardly
be able to prosecute the search, unless something unsought turn
up, to shed some light on the matter. My kind regards to yourself and sister John. Bro. James sends his love to you and the people
of your charge.
Yours truly in
the Gospel
Amasa Lyman.
I received letters from Elders
George Stringfellow, and Thomas Thorpe, of the Sutton Branch, informing me that
their Branch President (Abraham Hanford) was tyrannizing over them?? which I did not believe. I wrote a letter to my wife in Wales. extracted as follows.
My Dear dear Mary,
I am well by this time for which
I fell very thankful to my Heavenly Father. Bro. Rich, Brown and myself intend going to Derby
next Sunday. I will stay there abouts 'till your arrival on Tuesday. I see the
time long since you have departed, and long for to see you returning. I see the
house like a dungeon, of prison, without you. Your absence has caused a dark
cloud of sorrow to hang over every room in the house, which influences me often
to sigh patiently for your return; neverless I firmly believe that your return
will penetrate the dark cloud that hangs here, and that home sweet home",
will result from it.
Give me a kind remembrance to all
the family, and accept freely of the same yourself.
I hope that you enjoy your visit.
God bless you and preserve you in the truth forever. I am dear wife your
affectionate husband David.
I wrote the following note to
Elder Amasa Lyman.
Nottingham
August 24/60.
Pres. Lyman
Dear Bro.
Herewith I enclose you the sum of
L 17"0"0, seventeen pounds in Bank of England notes, and Post Office
Order. Please credit this Pastorate as follows.
|
Nottingham
Conference
|
L
|
S
|
D
|
|
Tithing
|
"
|
7
|
2
|
|
Book
Money
|
5
|
"
|
"
|
|
Emigration
afe.
|
1
|
10
|
11
|
|
Leicester
Conference
|
|
Tithing
|
"
|
"
|
4
|
|
Book
Money
|
2
|
"
|
"
|
|
Emigration
afe.
|
1
|
18
|
1
|
|
Derby Conference
|
|
Tithing
|
"
|
3
|
9
|
|
Book
Money
|
2
|
15
|
"
|
|
Emigration
ape.
|
3
|
4
|
9
|
|
|
17
|
"
|
"
|
I spent the evening in writing
this journal and reading; till 11:30 P.M.
25th I spent the most part of the
day in writing this journal. Took a walk in the evening.
I also read a few hours. Sister Carrington and Mathews, and others visited me
in the evening. We had a few food songs sung.
26th Sunday. I got up at 5:30 A.M. made breakfast, and left for Derby at 9 A.M. I
received a note from Bro. Blackburn; extracted as follows.
11 Cheyne St. Stockbridge
Edinburgh.
Aug. 25/60.
Pastor David John
Your very welcome letter, came safely to hand. I was glad to hear that you and
your dear wife were well, and that you enjoyed the
good spirit of God; and that all things are moving on so well with you; and
that you have some of the brethren from the blest, land with you, the Zion of our God. We hear
good reports from all parts of the country, which causes our hearts to rejoice,
that God again is brooding over the hearts of the Saints as well as the world.
Since I last wrote you, I have been round the "Bush". as the saying is.
I paid a visit to Ireland on
Sunday the 19th inst. We held a conference at "Belfast". Our numbers were few, but I
had a good time. In the evening 2 persons were baptized. ....... I left them on
monday, they felt thankful to God, and to me, that I
had paid them a visit.
We intend holding a Conference
here to-morrow when Bros. "Stewart," and "
Toblin", from the Walley will join us.... You say that sister
"M" is down cast at times?? I hope and pray that she may be faithful.
Give her a good word of advice, so that she may continue faithful. this I know you will do, and all the Saints, under your
watchcare, and wise guardian. I have a warm feeling towards the good Saints in
Nottingham, and pray that they may continue faithful, - My health of late has
not been good, owing I suppose to the change of climate.?? I would be glad to
see you, and have a fine turn with you, which I intend to have soon.
Give my kind love to your dear
wife, and all enquiring friends. May God bless you for ever, is the prayer of
your Bro. in Christ.
E.H. Blackburn.
I received letters from my wife
and her Bro barry.
We held meetings at Derby at 2:30 and 6:30
P.M. We had a good time in the evening.
27th I wrote letters, to Elders B
Evans, and B. Wride Wales. I spent the most part in reading the Book of
"Mormon"' Took tea with sister Crowthers'; Sister mary
Whitaker was there, she left for Nottingham
9:20 P.M. She was attacked by a gentile on her way home; but was escaped from
his evil designs.
Spent the morning in reading,
wrote a letter to Elder Blackburn. My wife arrived from Wales in good health 3:20 P.M. we stayed in Derby 3 hours, then we left for Nottingham. It was a very wet evening, rode to our house
from the Station in the cab.
Spent the day at home, Elder
Whitaker, and I visited Sisters Joseph Borrows, and Jane Roberts. Attended
meeting at 8 P.M. talked about an hour there at home, read 74 pages in the Book
Mormon, and rejoiced exceedingly in its contents. Wrote a letter to sister Ann Wride in Wales, and another to Elder Joseph
Borrows, "Bradford Yorkshire". Extracted as
follows.
Nottingham
Aug. 30/60.
Dear Bro. Borrows
You know that I have paid L
1"0"0, one pound, for your watch, and had it from the fineshop. Your
wife came here yesterday and offered me the pound for the watch. You know that
I have given my word for L 5"0"0, to you which you promised to pay in
two months, which promise you failed to fulfil as I believe. But the least thing
you could do, would be to come for to me, and have a
talk about it before you left. Now if you can not pay this due, I must, because
I am responsible for the money. Hence I have to inform you that you can't have
the watch, before you send me L 4" or L 5". towards
this debt.
I sincerely hope that the way
will open before you to pay your debts, and provide for your family.
Your Truly
D. John.
31st At home, read about 5 or 6
hours in the Book of Mormon; wrote some. In the evening attended the Radford School in company, with Elders 3rd Reid,
and Thomas Thrope (Sutton).
September
1st About home, at 10 A.M. Elders
James Brown 3rd and Joseph C. Rich, arrived from Derby, they spent the day with us. I read a
few hours in the Book Mormon; and spent the day very profitably.
2nd Sunday. Bros Brown, Rich, and myself
left. Nottingham for Somercoates, at 9:15 A.M. arrived there at 10:30, by rail,
3 of the Branches met, Princeton, Swanick, and
Somercoates.
We Held 4 meetings during the
day, and the Lord blest us with his spirit to spread freely to the people.
I went in the evening to Swanick,
and lodged with Elder John Strawson.
3rd Monday. Bros Brown 3rd an J. C. Rich
arrived from Somercoates at 7 A.M. We walked 3 miles to the Ripley Station, and
rode 10 miles from there to Derby,
we arrived there at 9:45 A.M. met Elders Aaron Nelson, and Henry Shaw. At 1:15
P.M. Elder C.C. Rich of the quorum of the twelve arrived; his presence cheered
us, this was the first tine I saw him; he spent the day with us, we visited the
"shot Tower", 150 feet high, we went to the top of it, and saw the
country very far off, being a clear day, and all the surrounding land was flat
and level, the harvest too, being nigh, the scene was beautifully [sic], we saw
them making shots in the tower. We then returned to Bro Nelson's and had a very
interesting talk 'till 11 P.M. Bro. C.C. Rich is the 5th of the twelve that I
have seen. I saw F.S. Richards in the spring of 1856, Ezra Benson, and Orson
Pratt in 1857 and 8, and A Lyman and C.C. Rich this year,(1860).
4th Elder C.C. Rich, left Derby for Liverpool 10:30 A.M. and I left for Nottingham 5 minutes after. I left Brown, and J.D.Rich in
Derby. I
arrived home at 11:30 A.M. and found my wife well. I received the following
note from Bro. J. Borrows, in reply to mine of the 30.
Adolphus St.
Wakefield Road
Bradford. Yorkshire.
Sep. 2nd 1860.
Elder D. John
Dear Bro.
I received your letter on Friday.
- In answer I wish to say that we are well, and in work, and feeling inclined
to stand to Mormonism. _I certainly promised to pay the L 5 _ and still intend,
but in consequence of disappointments I have failed
yet not willingly.
With all my powers I am trying to
raise myself to be of benefit in the world. _ Any time
I shall be glad to hear from you, and at times when it lies in our power; we
will wend you money to liquidate the debt due to you.
You may send our Certificates so
that at any time we amy join the Branch, into which I
was baptized over 13 years since.
Yours Truly
Joseph Borrows.
I spent a few hours in reading.
Elders George Stringfellow and Thomas Thrope Sutton,
took tea with us. At 8 P.M. I and my wife attended meeting, I preached 50
minutes there, and all of us were blest. Sister ann
Limb, fainted after the meeting was over, we administered unto her. _ Sister
Cook from, London,
and Sister Whitaker, took supper with us.
5th Spent the day mostly in
reading the Old Testament, even the history of Elija, and Elisha, David,
solomon, Ahab, and all the kings of Israel; and was that all the ancient kings
were subjects to the Prophets, and in no instance, any king ever prophesied,
but when dictated by God through his Prophets?? Hence the
necessity of an inspired Priesthood to govern the human family. At 8
P.M. attended meeting at Radford, and preached there 50 minutes.
6th Spent the morning in reading
Mary accompanied me in the afternoon to Bro. Butterwick's took tea there,
returned home at 8 P.M. and read for about 2 hours.
7th At 10 A.M. Bro James Brown
3rd and Joseph C. Rich, arrived from Derby, 2:30 P.M. Elder E.H. Blackburn,
arrived from Liverpool, we spent the day very happy together. At 8 P.M. we
visited Radford school, we also visited Sister Mary
Ann Smoot's family, returned home at 11:40 P.M.
8th We spent the morning at home,
visited the families of Reid, Oakey, Smoot, and Sister Borrows in the
afternoon, took tea with Sister Anne Underwood, and Borrows. Sister Cook London, arrived from Eastwood in the evening, all of them
lodged with us.
9th Sunday, we occupied the
morning in conversing, reading, and writing, attended meetings at 2:30 and 6:30
P.M. three of the branches met, we had a joyous time together, in the evening
the Hall was crowded, Blackburn, Brown, and myself preached, and a good
attention was paid. After the meetings were over, many of the Saints came to
our house, and we talked and sang 'till 11 P.M.
I received the following note
from Bro Rich.
42 Islington Liverpool
Sep 8th 1860.
Dear Bro David John
I have sent a letter to Joseph,{my son) if he is gone please forward. Bro. Lyman, and N.V. Jones started to day for Scotland, they will return by the way of London. Bro Gates and myself will remain here 'till they return. _ We will visit you as soon as we can.
The States Mail arrived this
morning our families, and friends were all well the 1st of August.
I remain as ever
Your Bro. in the Gospel of Christ.
Charles C. Rich.
10th Received a letter from mu
brother in law, Barry Wride. _ Wrote the following to
Bro Rich.
Pres. Rich
Dear Bro.
your note came to hand yesterday. Your son will not leave here
till the 12th; then he will leave for London.
We had good times yesterday, the
influence of heaven brooded over our meeting, and the spirit of our God, caused
the hearts of the Saints to rejoice; our hearts were comforted by the power of
the Spirit from on high.
I hope that you and Bro. Lyman,
will be able to attend a Conference here on the 30th.
by that time Bro. Lyman, will have returned from Scotland.
The Brethren join me in kind love
to you, and all with you in the Office. Yours Truly
D. John
About 1 P.M. my cousin in law
(George Strawson) visited us, he spent the afternoon and evening with us, 'till
10:15 P.M. then he returned to "Grantham, Lincolnshire".
11th At home in the morning, took
tea with Sister Smoot, Radford in company with about 12 more.
at 8 P.M. attended meeting at Nottingham.
Bros Blackburn, James Brown 3rd and Joseph C. Rich, spoke, our Hall was well
attended.
12th At 8:50 A.M. Elders
Blackburn, Brown, Rich, and Sister Cook and daughter Eliza, left for London. I spent the
morning in writing, and the afternoon in reading. Elder Charles Whitaker and I
visited Bro. James Ward, and family.
13th Spent the
morning in reading the Book of Mormon. Occupied the afternoon in making some under garments for myself.
Received the
following note from my mother. _ Littlenewcastle.
Sep 11th 1860 My Dear Son/.
In answer to your kind and
welcome letter, which I received this fortnight ago, I am happy to say that I
was glad to hear from you; and that you and your beloved wife, were in the
enjoyment of good health that time. I hope that Mary has arrived home safe by
this time, hoping that she enjoyed herself well, on her visit to Wales, with her
own dear relations.
I hope that you will excuse me
for not answering your kind letter sooner; I an sorry
that something, or other has presented me. _ I have been very busy making my
little store of hay; and the weather has been so wet, which kept me longer from
cutting it down, but I had it in, in very good order, hence it is likely that
the prayer of the righteous is answered these days.
How Divine Providence smiles on
man and beast. It is full harvest here now.
Dearest Son, and daughter, I have
no news that will be interesting to you, every thing goes on here as usual.
Drop me a line so soon as conveint. I dare say that
there is a prospect of increasing the family with you, let me know next
time..............
Ann Thomas,
and family desire to be kindly remembered to you. I remain in kind love to you,
Dear son and daughter, wishing you every temporal blessing is the sincere wish
of your ever faithful and affectionate mother.
Mary John. Aduir.
14th Occupied
the morning in making some under garments to myself. I wrote the following to my mother.
24 Rominade
Robin Hood St
Nottingham
Sep 14/60.
My Dear Mother,
Your very kind note came to hand
yesterday, we were glad to hear from you, and feel very thankful to our Father
in Heaven, for preserving you in health, and strength; as well as that, of our
own peace, and happiness. Mary returned in good health, and spirits on the 28th. After having a very pleasant visit
in Wales;
among her friends. We enjoy health, and strength, peace and joy; and all
necessary blessings in our little family, in which we acknowledge the hand of
the Lord, who is ever kind to them whom observe His laws and keeps his
commandments. You asked, "have we any prospect of
an increase in the family. I am happy to say, yes, we have all the prospects
that nature can bestow upon us; there is no "if", of "
perhaps", about it, it is a master of fact, that really exists, and by the
blessing or through the kind hand of God, in two more months, I will be a
father, my wife, a mother, and yourself a grandmother, what a pleasing idea,
and a blessing in reality.
As some individuals in gone by
days, named their posterity, before they were born, so have I, the srome will be Thomas Danson,
(if a son) and I believe it will be a son. Mary joins me in kind love to you,
praying the Lord to bless you continually.
Your ever
faithful Son
and daughter
David and Mary.
Attended the Radford school at 8. P.M.
15th Spent the day about home,
Mary and I visited the family of the Conference Pres. in the evening. Elder Edward Reid.
16th Sunday. Left for Mansfield 9.30. P.M. rode by rail 16
miles. Visited the families of the Saints in the morning, attended 2 meetings
during the day. Wrote a letter to New York for Sister Emma Jones, desiring
Elder Slack her Brother in law, to send her means by the spring to gather with
the Saints. After the evening meeting I walked 4 miles to Sutton, in
company with 7 or 8 Saints.
17th I spent the day in Sutton,
among the Saints, being a very wet day.
18th Left at
10. A.M. rode by rail to Easton 9 miles, visited
the Saints there 'till 6. P.M. Took the bus, and rode 9 miles to Nottingham, found my wife well. Received a letter from
Bro. Joseph C. Rich, from London,
stating that he was enjoying his visit there......................
19th at 8.45. My wife accompanied me to leicester, we rode by rail 28 miles, we spent
the day in company with Bro. Abraham Orme, and his wife, Bro. James Payne ei. we spent to the races in the afternoon, and saw thousands
gathered together, and we attended the Theatre in the evening.
20th We spent the morning in
Orme's my wife left for home at 3.10.P.M. I went and saw two races, in the race
course, the last 5 horses, ran 3 miles for 100 guineas. Took
tea with Sister Lovelidge.
21th Bro. Orme and I left for
Rutlandshire at 11.15.A.M. We rode by rail 30 miles to Monton. We passed
through the following towns and villages, Syston, Rearsby, Brooksby, Frmisley,Asfordby, Saxby, Whmisidine, Ashwell, and Oakham. We then
walked 6 miles to Empingham; we passed through Edethweston, and Normemton Park, 3 miles romd. Lord Havely lived in
the Park. We also passed through Amlinton, and Exton. We lodged with Bro. Wm.
Atkins; his daughter Sister Laxton lived with him, her husband was not in the
church, but favorable.
22nd We left Bro. Atkins at 2.30.
P.M. we walked 6 miles through North Luffenham, and South
Luffenham. We lodged in the house of Bro. Wm. Watkin; we met Elder
Edward Cliff there, lately arrived from the Valley on a mission, we spent 3 or
4 hours happy together.
23rd Sunday. At 9. A.M. Bro Cliff and Watkins
accompanied us to Duddington, held a meeting in the house of Elder Bates at 11.
A.M. Bates was blind, and 82 years of age, he has been in the Church 10 or 12
years, previously he preached for 40 years with the Methodist connection. We
left for Stanion in Northamptonshire at 1.30. P.M. 11 miles on foot to meet us,
then they walked back 10 1/2 miles with us, thus having travelled 21 miles for
the express purpose of enjoying our society, thus they manifested their love,
and faith, by their works. We passed on our way the Palace of lord Cardigan,
and the towns of Deene, Deene thorp, Waldron and some other villages. We
arrived at Stanion about 4 P.M. intending to preach in the open air at
5'o'clock. But it happened that a Sectarian minister was delivering a lecture
against the Mormons at that time, and the majority of the people had gone to
listen to him, so that we could have no congregation. So Bro. Orme and I went
there also. The chief thing that he tried to prove was, that "Joseph Smith
was an imposter", among other things he said that the "Mormon Books, inform
us that Joseph, is higher, and has more power than Jesus", he told this to
a crowded Hall of people, I then interrupted him, by asking, "can you
please inform me sir, the name of that Book? who wrote
it? where and when? No said he I can't inform you,
friends said I , it can't be found, and do not believe it, it is not true, the
people smiled, and the preacher turned pale, and trembled as a leaf, and closed
his lecture in about 2 minutes afterwards. He then distributed some tracts
written against us among the people.
When this was over I asked him
for permission to preach to the people present, he refused. Then I published
that we should preach out doors in a few minutes, and invited the preacher and
the people to attend. We then proceeded to the open air, and nearly all the
people followed us. After I talked for a short time, the preacher departed, but
the paid good attention, with little exception, Elder Orme followed me in
talking to the people for a short time. After we closed another minister asked
me, would I answer him one question, I said "yes", said he "do
you believe that Joseph Smith was a Prophet, and that angels have actually
appeared from Heaven" ie. It is fact said I, it has passed a mere belief,
I know it. Thus from one question to another I conversed with him 2 hours in
the presence of the people, 'till it was 9 P.M. and I trust that much good was
done.
We then proceeded to our lodging,
to the house of Elder John Spencer, and many of the people followed us, and we
talked with them about the Gospel 'till 12 o'clock at night.
24th Monday. We left 6.30. A.M. we walked 6 miles to the Rockingham
Station, we passed through Corby and Caldercott; we lost the intended train,
and had to walk after 8 miles, to Welford Station. We passed the towns and
villages of Gt. Easton, Drayton, Medborne, Marketharborough, Thedingworth, and
reached Welford, by the London
and North Western Railway, we then walked 6 miles to lutterworth, after having
travelled 20 miles on foot, and 15 by rail. I wrote a letter to my wife. at 8.30. P.M. we held a meeting and had a good time, with
the few Saints present. One Sister Williams, and her daughter 12 years of age,
walked 9 miles for the sake of attending our meeting, thus they manifested
their faith by their works. The few Saints that were present sang the songs of Zion, and conversed on
the principles of salvation till about 1. o'clock at
night, and then they had 2 miles to walk home.
25th We left at 8 A.M. walked
about 4 miles to meet the train, and rode 12 miles to Leicester.
We meet Elder Charles Welch, and
James payne, the first having arrived a few days ago
on a mission from "Utah",
we spent the day in their company.
I received a letter from my wife
informing me she was well. I received a letter from Borl A Nelson Derby,
informing me he should meet me at home on the 26th of 27th; I received the
following from Elder Jacob Gates.
42 Islington. Liverpool
Sep 20/60.
Bro John. Dear Sir,
I take my pen to inform you, that
I will be at Nottingham the 30th of this month
to attend your "Goose" fair Conference.....
Bro. C.C.Rich will be there too,
if he can, and I have no doubt but what he can. -We probably shall come on
Saturday if all is well. _Some 12 or 14 of the brethren, (missionaries)_ have landed this week, and have been appointed to their
fields of labor.
Bro. Henry Duce,
and Charles Welch are to labor in the Leicstershire Conference, for the
present, after visiting their friends for a short time.
All things go on well here, and I
believe throughout the mission, so far as I can learn.
My health is about as usual, as
also Bro. Rich's, he joins in love to you, and family including all
saints.......
Give my love to Bro. Reid, and
family. As ever yours in the kingdom of God.
Jacob Gates
I replied in the evening. I also
received a note from Elder John Cook London.
26th I left Leicester for Nottingham 11.115 A.M. rode 28 miles by rail. found my wife well. Spent the afternoon and evening with her
home, received the quarterly Bal. Sheet from Bro. Reid the pres. of this Conference.
(Nottingham)
27th At 11 A.M. Elder nelson
arrived with his. I spent the day in writing our my
accounts. I wrote the following to the Liverpool Office.
Nottingham
Sep 27/60.
Pres. Lyman
Dear Bro.
I enclosed you notes for the sum
of L 22"14"0 1/2" twenty two pounds, fourteen shillings, and
half a penny. to be credited as follows.
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Conference
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Class
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Amts.
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Nottingham
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Tithing
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"
3 10 1/2
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"
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Book
Money
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5 8
10
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"
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Emigration.
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3
18 5 1/2
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Leicester
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Tithing
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"
3 6
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"
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Book
Money
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5 3
8
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"
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Emigration.
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"
14 7
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Derby
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Tithing
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"
9 6
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"
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Book
Money
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3
11 7
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"
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Emigration.
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3
" "
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L
22 14 "1/2
|
____________
Yours ie. D. John.
At 8 P.M. Elders Edwards Reid,
Aaron Nelson and I , attended the Radford practice
School. the Saints there were exercising songs and
recitations for the social party to be held on Oct 1st.
I wrote my Pastoral Bal. sheet
for the quarter ending Sep. 22nd [Persecuted in Leicester On account of James
Brown.] may find the connecting link, between your family on this side the
atlantic, and the other.
Bro. Brown and Rick join me in
kind love to you and N.V. Jones. Yours Truly D. John.
We went to "Whitewick"
Branch, 17 miles distant, and held a meeting there at 7:30 P.M. and had a very
interesting time together. I lodged in the house of elder Thomas Ball.
22nd We spent the morning in
visiting the Saints; then we walked 8 miles through the rain, to
"Loughborough". We sent a crier through the town, to make known out
meeting to the people. We commenced our meeting at 8 P.M. when our Hall was
nearly crowded, Elder James Brown 2nd rose up to address the people, after he
spoke for the space of 15 minutes, some of the people began to laugh, groan,
and talk. Bro Brown bore testimony that Brigham Young, was a Prophet of God, when one from the congregation asked,
how many Wives has he? Brown told him, that he had no more than David,solomon, and others had. he
continued asking the same thing, 'till a stone was cast in through the window,
aimed as we believed at the head of Brown, but it did not touch any person.
This time nearly all rose up, and some went out, but soon they seated again,
but they did not keep any order, and soon after Brown sat down, I then rose and
said, "I am very sorry so many in the present congregation, have
manifested such uncultivated mind, and morals; and debased themselves so low,
in the presence of so many men and women, possessed with wisdom, intelligence,
and common sense. The word has gone abroad among the nations of the earth, that
England
is moralized, and civilized, and by many it is called, the garden of the
Lord", "the modern paradise" but I am sorry, yea it grieves my
soul, that some present have developed such cruel and unruly spirits this
evening, yea this is an evidence to my brother that has been spoken to you,
that England does not answer the title given it, if he will judge it, as a
nation; from the acts of few of her subjects this evening.
My brother has come here from the
land of America, to spread the Gospel unto the inhabitants of this land, he
endeavored so to do this night; but many of you laughed at him, asked him
questions, and frustrated him in telling you many things if you would only
govern yourselves and listen to him. - He told you to repent of your sins, you
laughed at him. What occasion had you? You have sinned against God, and you
need
to repent of your sins, if you will not the Lord will destroy
you, do you believe it? I know you do. do you know
that you have sinned against God, and need to repent of your sins? Yes you also
know this. Why then you laugh at him? He told you that you need to be baptized
for the forgiveness of your sins. You laughed at this. Was not this the
doctrine of Peter on the day of Pentecost, and the doctrine of John the
Baptist, when he was preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and the same eternal
principle we advocate, it is so durable as eternity, and so unchangeable as God
himself. You profess to worship the very names of Peter, and John for
Proclaiming this principle, but to cast our names out as evil, deludes, and
fanatics; because we preach the same doctrine. Where is your consistency! What
is your foundation? We promise you the gift of the Holy Ghost, by the laying on
of hands. Will it hurt you? Will it disgrace your names, or character? Nay, I
say it will not. - The prophet Joel promised this spirit, John the Baptist
testified of it; Peter promised it, "unto all that were afar off,"
and Jesus said, that no man could enter the kingdom of God, without being born of it; Do you
believe this? You profess to. Why then do you interrupt our meeting? and someone has thrown a stone in and broke the window, and
aimed at our lives. We have a right to speak, and believe as we please; we have
licensed this room, and the law of England will defend our rights, freedom, and
liberty, and prosecute those who disturb us, break up our meetings, and
windows, (a voice from the people punish them you shall be more respected) and
one man said "I will give five shillings towards the summon". and
another said,(I will also come as a witness against them") We do not
desire to injure any person, nor to imprison any, we want the liberty of the
Gospel, and of this land, we want to preach the Gospel, to those that desire to
hear us, and those that do not; we desire them to stay at home and leave us
alone, and we will do unto others, as we desire them to do unto us.(Shouts of
here here,) My friends I thank you and my God, for this perfect order and
calmness manifested at present through this congregation; and while it remains
thus; I am happy to bear my testimony after my brother, and repeat his words,
namely that God has living Prophets, and Apostles, upon the face of the earth,
and many other inspired officers in his Church, as he had in days of Old.- When
Christ left captivity captive, he gave gifts to men; he gave some Apostles,
Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors. What for? to edify
the Church; to perfect his people in the work of the ministry; has he taken
them from the Church? if so when? where?
and where is the record of it? The wise men of the
earth can not produce the record; the evidence can not be got. Who the had the authority: did the Lord speak to them? no, did any angel appear commune with them? no, they did not say any such thing.
The "Gospel of Christ in the
days of Paul, was the power of God, unto them that believe". It was the
power of God, unto then that believe:. It was the
power of God to Elijah to shut up the heavens as brass, and to open them again,
it was the power of God to Abraham, to converse with the Lord face to face; it
was the power of salvation to Noah, to be saved from the flood; it was the
power of God to Enoch, to be translated "that he was not ", it had
power to inspire Moses, to see the glory of the Lord, and to sever the children
of Israel from bondage; and it gave the inspiration of heaven to all the
ancient men of God. When Christ appeared in the flesh ,
we find that the same power accompanied him; and he gave the same power to his
Apostles, which accompanied them, "'till the last account we have of them,
even John while he was on the Isle of Patmos, the visions of eternity were made
known unto him, the angels communed with him, and he saw the winding up scene
of all things, pertaining to the earth. Why did he gain this power? because he believed the gospel, for the "Gospel is the
power of God unto them that believe". Can we find the same power among
these that profess to preach the Gospel in this land, among the different sects
of Christendom? no, why because it is not the Gospel;
they have denied it's power, changed its ordinances, and broken the everlasting
Covenant. The people of God were destroyed from the face of the earth, and the
priesthood was taken up to the throne of God; and darkness covered the minds of
the inhabitants of the earth, during the time the reformers, and other men,
instituted religions according to their own desires, and denied its almighty
influence which inspired her sons, and daughters, in every Gospel dispensation.
Best the Lord has again re-opened door of his sanctuary and sent forth his Holy
Angels with authority to confer the Priesthood upon man, they ordained Joseph
Smith to the Holy Apostleship, and commanded him to preach the same Gospel unto
others, which he faithfully did 'till his martyrdom, Thus the Church was
re-organized with Apostles, Prophets, and inspired men to preach the Gospel
among the inhabitants of the earth. It has reached us in this land, we have
embraced its power and Divine influences, and it has saved us so far, as we
have applied its principles to our lives.
I have received the testimony of
the Gospel, I know it to be the power of God unto those that live it; I have
this testimony, from God, and not from man, hence the fear of God has full sway
in my heart; and I feel at present, that i would rather for my blood to be
shed, then to deny it. Hence I call upon you, to repent of your sins, forsake
your evil ways, call upon God in mighty prayer and you shall receive the gift
of the Holy Ghost, for the promise is unto all. Do not believe your Priests
that Mormonism is a delusion, they may think so, because they do not know
better, but I testify that it is the kingdom of God, and it will spread its
banners and fill the whole earth. I pray God to give you his spirit that you
may understand it, obey it, and live it, is my prayer in the name of Jesus
Christ. Amen.
During the time I spoke the
congregation maintained perfect order. We lodged in the house of Bro. Thos.
Henderson.
23rd We spent the morning there,
in the afternoon went to "Breaston" Branch in the Derby Conference,
met there with Elders Aaron nelson, and Henry Shaw. Attended meeting at 8 P.M.
24th At 9:20 A.M. left for Nottingham; received a few letters. The
following in an extract from Pres. Amasa Lyman, in answer to mine of the 21st
inst.
42 Islington Liverpool
Aug 22th 1860.
Bro. John
Dear Sir,-
Yours of yesterday is before me.
I was glad to hear from you, and of good "inquires at "Belper".
The information you asked me for, I an not able to
give you at present, as I have no knowledge of the "Christian name of my
great grand father. Of this I may be able to learn, until then we shall hardly
be able to prosecute the search, unless something unsought turn
up, to shed some light on the matter. My kind regards to yourself and sister John. Bro. James sends his love to you and the people
of your charge.
Yours truly in
the Gospel
Amasa Lyman.
I received letters from Elders
George Stringfellow, and Thomas Thorpe, of the Sutton Branch, informing me that
their Branch President (Abraham Hanford) was tyrannizing over them?? which I did not believe. I wrote a letter to my wife in Wales. extracted as follows.
My Dear dear Mary,
I am well by this time for which
I fell very thankful to my Heavenly Father. Bro. Rich, Brown and myself intend going to Derby
next Sunday. I will stay there abouts 'till your arrival on Tuesday. I see the
time long since you have departed, and long for to see you returning. I see the
house like a dungeon, of prison, without you. Your absence has caused a dark
cloud of sorrow to hang over every room in the house, which influences me often
to sigh patiently for your return; neverless I firmly believe that your return
will penetrate the dark cloud that hangs here, and that home sweet home",
will result from it.
Give me a kind remembrance to all
the family, and accept freely of the same yourself.
I hope that you enjoy your visit.
God bless you and preserve you in the truth forever. I am dear wife your
affectionate husband David.
I wrote the following note to
Elder Amasa Lyman.
Nottingham
August 24/60.
Pres. Lyman
Dear Bro.
Herewith I enclose you the sum of
L 17"0"0, seventeen pounds in Bank of England notes, and Post Office
Order. Please credit this Pastorate as follows.
|
Nottingham
Conference
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L
|
S
|
D
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Tithing
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"
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7
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2
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Book
Money
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5
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"
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"
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Emigration
afe.
|
1
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10
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11
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Leicester
Conference
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Tithing
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"
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"
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4
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Book
Money
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2
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"
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"
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Emigration
afe.
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1
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18
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1
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Derby Conference
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Tithing
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"
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3
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9
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Book
Money
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2
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15
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"
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Emigration
ape.
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3
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4
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9
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17
" "
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I spent the evening in writing
this journal and reading; till 11:30 P.M.
25th I spent the most part of the
day in writing this journal. Took a walk in the evening.
I also read a few hours. Sister Carrington and Mathews, and others visited me
in the evening. We had a few food songs sung.
26th Sunday. I got up at 5:30 A.M. made breakfast, and left for Derby at 9 A.M. I
received a note from Bro. Blackburn; extracted as follows.
11 Cheyne St. Stockbridge
Edinburgh.
Aug. 25/60.
Pastor David John
Your very welcome letter, came safely to hand. I was glad to hear that you and
your dear wife were well, and that you enjoyed the
good spirit of God; and that all things are moving on so well with you; and
that you have some of the brethren from the blest, land with you, the Zion of our God. We hear
good reports from all parts of the country, which causes our hearts to rejoice,
that God again is brooding over the hearts of the Saints as well as the world.
Since I last wrote you, I have been round the "Bush". as the saying is.
I paid a visit to Ireland on
Sunday the 19th inst. We held a conference at "Belfast". Our numbers were few, but I
had a good time. In the evening 2 persons were baptized. ....... I left them on
monday, they felt thankful to God, and to me, that I
had paid them a visit.
We intend holding a Conference
here to-morrow when Bros. "Stewart," and "
Toblin", from the Walley will join us.... You say that sister
"M" is down cast at times?? I hope and pray that she may be faithful.
Give her a good word of advice, so that she may continue faithful. this I know you will do, and all the Saints, under your
watchcare, and wise guardian. I have a warm feeling towards the good Saints in
Nottingham, and pray that they may continue faithful, - My health of late has
not been good, owing I suppose to the change of climate.?? I would be glad to
see you, and have a fine turn with you, which I intend to have soon.
Give my kind love to your dear
wife, and all enquiring friends. May God bless you for ever, is the prayer of
your Bro. in Christ.
E.H. Blackburn.
I received letters from my wife
and her Bro barry.
We held meetings at Derby at 2:30 and 6:30
P.M. We had a good time in the evening.
27th I wrote letters, to Elders B
Evans, and B. Wride Wales. I spent the most part in reading the Book of
"Mormon"' Took tea with sister Crowthers'; Sister mary
Whitaker was there, she left for Nottingham
9:20 P.M. She was attacked by a gentile on her way home; but was escaped from
his evil designs.
Spent the morning in reading,
wrote a letter to Elder Blackburn. My wife arrived from Wales in good health 3:20 P.M. we stayed in Derby 3 hours, then we left for Nottingham. It was a very wet evening, rode to our house
from the Station in the cab.
Spent the day at home, Elder
Whitaker, and I visited Sisters Joseph Borrows, and Jane Roberts. Attended
meeting at 8 P.M. talked about an hour there at home, read 74 pages in the Book
Mormon, and rejoiced exceedingly in its contents. Wrote a letter to sister Ann Wride in Wales, and another to Elder Joseph
Borrows, "Bradford Yorkshire". Extracted as
follows.
Nottingham
Aug. 30/60.
Dear Bro. Borrows
You know that I have paid L
1"0"0, one pound, for your watch, and had it from the fineshop. Your
wife came here yesterday and offered me the pound for the watch. You know that
I have given my word for L 5"0"0, to you which you promised to pay in
two months, which promise you failed to fulfil as I believe. But the least
thing you could do, would be to come for to me, and
have a talk about it before you left. Now if you can not pay this due, I must,
because I am responsible for the money. Hence I have to inform you that you
can't have the watch, before you send me L 4" or L 5". towards this debt.
I sincerely hope that the way
will open before you to pay your debts, and provide for your family.
Your Truly
D. John.
31st At home, read about 5 or 6
hours in the Book of Mormon; wrote some. In the evening attended the Radford School in company, with Elders 3rd Reid,
and Thomas Thrope (Sutton).
September
1st About home, at 10 A.M. Elders
James Brown 3rd and Joseph C. Rich, arrived from Derby, they spent the day with us. I read a
few hours in the Book Mormon; and spent the day very profitably.
2nd Sunday. Bros Brown, Rich, and myself
left. Nottingham for Somercoates, at 9:15 A.M. arrived there at 10:30, by rail,
3 of the Branches met, Princeton, Swanick, and
Somercoates.
We Held 4 meetings during the
day, and the Lord blest us with his spirit to spread freely to the people.
I went in the evening to Swanick,
and lodged with Elder John Strawson.
3rd Monday. Bros Brown 3rd an J. C. Rich
arrived from Somercoates at 7 A.M. We walked 3 miles to the Ripley Station, and
rode 10 miles from there to Derby,
we arrived there at 9:45 A.M. met Elders Aaron Nelson, and Henry Shaw. At 1:15
P.M. Elder C.C. Rich of the quorum of the twelve arrived; his presence cheered
us, this was the first tine I saw him; he spent the day with us, we visited the
"shot Tower", 150 feet high, we went to the top of it, and saw the
country very far off, being a clear day, and all the surrounding land was flat
and level, the harvest too, being nigh, the scene was beautifully [sic], we saw
them making shots in the tower. We then returned to Bro Nelson's and had a very
interesting talk 'till 11 P.M. Bro. C.C. Rich is the 5th of the twelve that I
have seen. I saw F.S. Richards in the spring of 1856, Ezra Benson, and Orson
Pratt in 1857 and 8, and A Lyman and C.C. Rich this year,(1860).
4th Elder C.C. Rich, left Derby for Liverpool 10:30 A.M. and I left for Nottingham 5 minutes after. I left Brown, and J.D.Rich in
Derby. I
arrived home at 11:30 A.M. and found my wife well. I received the following
note from Bro. J. Borrows, in reply to mine of the 30.
Adolphus St.
Wakefield Road
Bradford. Yorkshire.
Sep. 2nd 1860.
Elder D. John
Dear Bro.
I received your letter on Friday.
- In answer I wish to say that we are well, and in work, and feeling inclined
to stand to Mormonism. _I certainly promised to pay the L 5 _ and still intend,
but in consequence of disappointments I have failed
yet not willingly.
With all my powers I am trying to
raise myself to be of benefit in the world. _ Any time
I shall be glad to hear from you, and at times when it lies in our power; we
will wend you money to liquidate the debt due to you.
You may send our Certificates so
that at any time we amy join the Branch, into which I
was baptized over 13 years since.
Yours Truly
Joseph Borrows.
I spent a few hours in reading.
Elders George Stringfellow and Thomas Thrope Sutton,
took tea with us. At 8 P.M. I and my wife attended meeting, I preached 50
minutes there, and all of us were blest. Sister ann
Limb, fainted after the meeting was over, we administered unto her. _ Sister
Cook from, London,
and Sister Whitaker, took supper with us.
5th Spent the day mostly in
reading the Old Testament, even the history of Elija, and Elisha, David, solomon,
Ahab, and all the kings of Israel; and was that all the ancient kings were
subjects to the Prophets, and in no instance, any king ever prophesied, but
when dictated by God through his Prophets?? Hence the
necessity of an inspired Priesthood to govern the human family. At 8
P.M. attended meeting at Radford, and preached there 50 minutes.
6th Spent the morning in reading
Mary accompanied me in the afternoon to Bro. Butterwick's took tea there,
returned home at 8 P.M. and read for about 2 hours.
7th At 10 A.M. Bro James Brown
3rd and Joseph C. Rich, arrived from Derby, 2:30 P.M. Elder E.H. Blackburn,
arrived from Liverpool, we spent the day very happy together. At 8 P.M. we
visited Radford school, we also visited Sister Mary
Ann Smoot's family, returned home at 11:40 P.M.
8th We spent the morning at home,
visited the families of Reid, Oakey, Smoot, and Sister Borrows in the
afternoon, took tea with Sister Anne Underwood, and Borrows. Sister Cook London, arrived from Eastwood in the evening, all of them lodged
with us.
9th Sunday, we occupied the
morning in conversing, reading, and writing, attended meetings at 2:30 and 6:30
P.M. three of the branches met, we had a joyous time together, in the evening
the Hall was crowded, Blackburn, Brown, and myself preached, and a good
attention was paid. After the meetings were over, many of the Saints came to
our house, and we talked and sang 'till 11 P.M.
I received the following note
from Bro Rich.
42 Islington Liverpool
Sep 8th 1860.
Dear Bro David John
I have sent a letter to Joseph,{my son) if he is gone please forward. Bro. Lyman, and N.V. Jones started to day for Scotland, they will return by the way of London. Bro Gates and myself will remain here 'till they return. _ We will visit you as soon as we can.
The States Mail arrived this
morning our families, and friends were all well the 1st of August.
I remain as ever
Your Bro. in the Gospel of Christ.
Charles C. Rich.
10th Received a letter from mu
brother in law, Barry Wride. _ Wrote the following to
Bro Rich.
Pres. Rich
Dear Bro.
your note came to hand yesterday. Your son will not leave here
till the 12th, then he will leave for London.
We had good times yesterday, the
influence of heaven brooded over our meeting, and the spirit of our God, caused
the hearts of the Saints to rejoice; our hearts were comforted by the power of
the Spirit from on high.
I hope that you and Bro. Lyman,
will be able to attend a Conference here on the 30th.
by that time Bro. Lyman, will have returned from Scotland.
The Brethren join me in kind love
to you, and all with you in the Office. Yours Truly
D. John
About 1 P.M. my cousin in law
(George Strawson) visited us, he spent the afternoon and evening with us, 'till
10:15 P.M. then he returned to "Grantham, Lincolnshire".
11th At home in the morning, took
tea with Sister Smoot, Radford in company with about 12 more.
at 8 P.M. attended meeting at Nottingham.
Bros Blackburn, James Brown 3rd and Joseph C. Rich, spoke, our Hall was well
attended.
12th At 8:50 A.M. Elders Blackburn,
Brown, Rich, and Sister Cook and daughter Eliza, left for London. I spent the morning in writing, and
the afternoon in reading. Elder Charles Whitaker and I visited Bro. James Ward,
and family.
13th Spent the
morning in reading the Book of Mormon. Occupied the afternoon in making some under garments for myself.
Received the
following note from my mother. _ Littlenewcastle.
Sep 11th 1860 My Dear Son/.
In answer to your kind and
welcome letter, which I received this fortnight ago, I am happy to say that I
was glad to hear from you; and that you and your beloved wife, were in the
enjoyment of good health that time. I hope that Mary has arrived home safe by
this time, hoping that she enjoyed herself well, on her visit to Wales, with her
own dear relations.
I hope that you will excuse me
for not answering your kind letter sooner; I an sorry
that something, or other has presented me. _ I have been very busy making my
little store of hay; and the weather has been so wet, which kept me longer from
cutting it down, but I had it in, in very good order, hence it is likely that
the prayer of the righteous is answered these days.
How Divine Providence smiles on
man and beast. It is full harvest here now.
Dearest Son, and daughter, I have
no news that will be interesting to you, every thing goes on here as usual.
Drop me a line so soon as conveint. I dare say that
there is a prospect of increasing the family with you, let me know next
time..............
Ann Thomas,
and family desire to be kindly remembered to you. I remain in kind love to you,
Dear son and daughter, wishing you every temporal blessing is the sincere wish
of your ever faithful and affectionate mother.
Mary John. Aduir.
14th Occupied
the morning in making some under garments to myself. I wrote the following to my mother.
24 Rominade
Robin Hood St
Nottingham
Sep 14/60.
My Dear Mother,
Your very kind note came to hand
yesterday, we were glad to hear from you, and feel very thankful to our Father
in Heaven, for preserving you in health, and strength; as well as that, of our
own peace, and happiness. Mary returned in good health, and spirits on the 28th. After having a very pleasant visit
in Wales;
among her friends. We enjoy health, and strength, peace and joy; and all
necessary blessings in our little family, in which we acknowledge the hand of
the Lord, who is ever kind to them whom observe His laws and keeps his
commandments. You asked, "have we any prospect of
an increase in the family. I am happy to say, yes, we have all the prospects
that nature can bestow upon us; there is no "if", of "
perhaps", about it, it is a master of fact, that really exists, and by the
blessing or through the kind hand of God, in two more months, I will be a
father, my wife, a mother, and yourself a grandmother, what a pleasing idea,
and a blessing in reality.
As some individuals in gone by
days, named their posterity, before they were born, so have I, the srome will be Thomas Danson,
(if a son) and I believe it will be a son. Mary joins me in kind love to you,
praying the Lord to bless you continually.
Your ever
faithful Son
and daughter
David and Mary.
Attended the Radford school at 8. P.M.
15th Spent the day about home,
Mary and I visited the family of the Conference Pres. in the evening. Elder Edward Reid.
16th Sunday. Left for Mansfield 9.30. P.M. rode by rail 16
miles. Visited the families of the Saints in the morning, attended 2 meetings
during the day. Wrote a letter to New York for Sister Emma Jones, desiring
Elder Slack her Brother in law, to send her means by the spring to gather with
the Saints. After the evening meeting I walked 4 miles to Sutton, in
company with 7 or 8 Saints.
17th I spent the day in Sutton,
among the Saints, being a very wet day.
18th Left at
10. A.M. rode by rail to Easton 9 miles, visited
the Saints there 'till 6. P.M. Took the bus, and rode 9 miles to Nottingham, found my wife well. Received a letter from
Bro. Joseph C. Rich, from London,
stating that he was enjoying his visit there......................
19th at 8.45. My wife accompanied me to leicester, we rode by rail 28 miles, we spent
the day in company with Bro. Abraham Orme, and his wife, Bro. James Payne ei. we spent to the races in the afternoon, and saw thousands
gathered together, and we attended the Theatre in the evening.
20th We spent the morning in
Orme's my wife left for home at 3.10.P.M. I went and saw two races, in the race
course, the last 5 horses, ran 3 miles for 100 guineas. Took
tea with Sister Lovelidge.
21th Bro. Orme and I left for
Rutlandshire at 11.15.A.M. We rode by rail 30 miles to Monton. We passed
through the following towns and villages, Syston, Rearsby, Brooksby, Frmisley,Asfordby, Saxby, Whmisidine, Ashwell, and Oakham. We then
walked 6 miles to Empingham; we passed through Edethweston, and Normemton Park, 3 miles romd. Lord Havely lived in
the Park. We also passed through Amlinton, and Exton. We lodged with Bro. Wm.
Atkins; his daughter Sister Laxton lived with him, her husband was not in the
church, but favorable.
22nd We left Bro. Atkins at 2.30.
P.M. we walked 6 miles through North Luffenham, and South
Luffenham. We lodged in the house of Bro. Wm. Watkin; we met Elder
Edward Cliff there, lately arrived from the Valley on a mission, we spent 3 or
4 hours happy together.
23rd Sunday. At 9. A.M. Bro Cliff and Watkins
accompanied us to Duddington, held a meeting in the house of Elder Bates at 11.
A.M. Bates was blind, and 82 years of age, he has been in the Church 10 or 12
years, previously he preached for 40 years with the Methodist connection. We left
for Stanion in Northamptonshire at 1.30. P.M. 11 miles on foot to meet us, then
they walked back 10 1/2 miles with us, thus having travelled 21 miles for the
express purpose of enjoying our society, thus they manifested their love, and
faith, by their works. We passed on our way the Palace of lord Cardigan, and
the towns of Deene, Deene thorp, Waldron and some other villages. We arrived at
Stanion about 4 P.M. intending to preach in the open air at 5'o'clock. But it
happened that a Sectarian minister was delivering a lecture against the Mormons
at that time, and the majority of the people had gone to listen to him, so that
we could have no congregation. So Bro. Orme and I went there also. The chief
thing that he tried to prove was, that "Joseph Smith was an
imposter", among other things he said that the "Mormon Books, inform
us that Joseph, is higher, and has more power than Jesus", he told this to
a crowded Hall of people, I then interrupted him, by asking, "can you
please inform me sir, the name of that Book? who wrote
it? where and when? No said he I can't inform you,
friends said I , it can't be found, and do not believe it, it is not true, the
people smiled, and the preacher turned pale, and trembled as a leaf, and closed
his lecture in about 2 minutes afterwards. He then distributed some tracts
written against us among the people.
When this was over I asked him
for permission to preach to the people present, he refused. Then I published
that we should preach out doors in a few minutes, and invited the preacher and
the people to attend. We then proceeded to the open air, and nearly all the
people followed us. After I talked for a short time, the preacher departed, but
the paid good attention, with little exception, Elder Orme followed me in
talking to the people for a short time. After we closed another minister asked
me, would I answer him one question, I said "yes", said he "do
you believe that Joseph Smith was a Prophet, and that angels have actually
appeared from Heaven" ie. It is fact said I, it has passed a mere belief,
I know it. Thus from one question to another I conversed with him 2 hours in
the presence of the people, 'till it was 9 P.M. and I trust that much good was
done.
We then proceeded to our lodging,
to the house of Elder John Spencer, and many of the people followed us, and we
talked with them about the Gospel 'till 12 o'clock at night.
24th Monday. We left 6.30. A.M. we walked 6 miles to the Rockingham
Station, we passed through Corby and Caldercott; we lost the intended train,
and had to walk after 8 miles, to Welford Station. We passed the towns and
villages of Gt. Easton, Drayton, Medborne, Marketharborough, Thedingworth, and
reached Welford, by the London
and North Western Railway, we then walked 6 miles to lutterworth, after having
travelled 20 miles on foot, and 15 by rail. I wrote a letter to my wife. at 8.30. P.M. we held a meeting and had a good time, with
the few Saints present. One Sister Williams, and her daughter 12 years of age,
walked 9 miles for the sake of attending our meeting, thus they manifested
their faith by their works. The few Saints that were present sang the songs of Zion, and conversed on
the principles of salvation till about 1. o'clock at
night, and then they had 2 miles to walk home.
25th We left at 8 A.M. walked
about 4 miles to meet the train, and rode 12 miles to Leicester.
We meet Elder Charles Welch, and
James payne, the first having arrived a few days ago
on a mission from "Utah",
we spent the day in their company.
I received a letter from my wife
informing me she was well. I received a letter from Borl A Nelson Derby,
informing me he should meet me at home on the 26th of 27th? I received the
following from Elder Jacob Gates.
42 Islington. Liverpool
Sep 20/60.
Bro John. Dear Sir,
I take my pen to inform you, that
I will be at Nottingham the 30th of this month
to attend your "Goose" fair Conference.....
Bro. C.C.Rich will be there too,
if he can, and I have no doubt but what he can. -We probably shall come on
Saturday if all is well. _Some 12 or 14 of the brethren, (missionaries)_ have landed this week, and have been appointed to their
fields of labor.
Bro. Henry Duce,
and Charles Welch are to labor in the Leicstershire Conference, for the
present, after visiting their friends for a short time.
All things go on well here, and I
believe throughout the mission, so far as I can learn.
My health is about as usual, as
also Bro. Rich's, he joins in love to you, and family including all
saints.......
Give my love to Bro. Reid, and
family. As ever yours in the kingdom of God.
Jacob Gates
I replied in the evening. I also
received a note from Elder John Cook London.
26th I left Leicester for Nottingham 11.115 A.M. rode 28 miles by rail. found my wife well. Spent the afternoon and evening with her
home, received the quarterly Bal. Sheet from Bro. Reid the pres. of this
Conference. (Nottingham)
27th At 11 A.M. Elder nelson
arrived with his. I spent the day in writing our my
accounts. I wrote the following to the Liverpool Office.
Nottingham
Sep 27/60.
Pres. Lyman
Dear Bro.
I enclosed you notes for the sum
of L 22"14"0 1/2" twenty two pounds, fourteen shillings, and
half a penny. to be credited as follows.
|
Conference
|
Class
|
Amts.
|
|
Nottingham
|
Tithing
|
"
3 10 1/2
|
|
"
|
Book
Money
|
5 8
10
|
|
"
|
Emigration.
|
3
18 5 1/2
|
|
Leicester
|
Tithing
|
"
3 6
|
|
"
|
Book
Money
|
5 3
8
|
|
"
|
Emigration.
|
"
14 7
|
|
Derby
|
Tithing
|
"
9 6
|
|
"
|
Book
Money
|
3
11 7
|
|
"
|
Emigration.
|
3
" "
|
|
L
22 14 "1/2
|
____________
Yours ie. D. John.
At 8 P.M. Elders Edwards Reid,
Aaron Nelson and I , attended the Radford practice
School. the Saints there were exercising songs and
recitations for the social party to be held on Oct 1st.
I wrote my Pastoral Bal. sheet
for the quarter ending Sep. 22nd and sent them to the office, the [200] incomes
were as follows.
|
Conference
|
Class
|
amts.
|
|
Nottingham
|
Tithing
|
75
11 9 1/2 L S D
|
|
"
|
Book
Money
|
15
11 10
|
|
"
|
Emigration
afe.
|
12
15 5 1/2
|
|
"
|
Poor
Offering
|
6 8
6
|
|
|
|
L
110 7 7
|
|
_____________
|
|
Leicester
|
Tithing
|
28
4 6
|
|
"
|
Book
Money
|
9 9
5
|
|
"
|
Emigration
afe.
|
4
13 3
|
|
|
|
L
42 7 2
|
|
|
|
____________
|
|
Derby
|
Tithing
|
27
8 8 1/2
|
|
"
|
Book
Money
|
8 6
7
|
|
"
|
Emigration
afe.
|
6
18 9
|
|
|
|
42
14 0 1/2
|
|
|
|
_____________
|
|
Summary
|
Nottingham
|
110
7 7
|
|
of
|
Leicester
|
42
7 2
|
|
Totals
|
Derby
|
42
14 0 1/2
|
|
|
|
_____________
|
|
L
195 8 9 1/2
|
|
|
|
|
|
_____________
|
28th I spent the day mostly in
company with Elders Reid, and Nelson. I took a walk with my wife in the
evening. We visited the family of Elder Fredrick Richards, a son of his died
this day aged about 30 months,
29th I spent the day about home,
at 8 P.M. Elders Jacob Gates and Duce arrived from Derby, and stayed with us over night.
30th Sunday. At 9.30 A.M. we met in our Hall, and held a Conference, we
attended 3 meetings during the day, and had a good time.
October
1st We spent the day about home,
took diner with Bro. Reid at 7.30. P.M. we met in our Hall, and held a social
party 'till 11 P.M.
2nd At home,being
a fair day, called "Goose fair: my wife took a walk with me through it in
the evening.
3rd At home, at
7.30. P.M. we met in Demnan St. Chapel Radford, Bro. Gates talked about 30 minutes, after which the
evening was spent 'till 11. P.M. in singing, and reciting.
4th At 9. A.M. Bro. Gates, Duce, and Aaron Nelson left for Derby, I spent the day
mostly with Bro. Edward Reid, took tea with Bro. .Whitaker.
At 7.30 P.M. Bro. James Brown 3rd and Joseph C. Rich, arrived from London, afterward we took
a walk through the fair, my wife was with me. In a show we saw one lamb stuffed
with 4 legs, 2 tails, and 1 head; and another with the _expression of a man's.
I received the following note.
42 Islington. Liverpool
October 3rd 1860.
Elder David John
Dear Bro.
We wish you to notify Henry A.
Shaw, who is now travelling Elder in the Derby Conference,
that he is for the present released from any future duties in the
ministry.
Wishing you
every blessing in your labors and ministry.
Yours
Respectfully
Amasa Lyman
Charles C. Rich.
5th I spent the day at home, at
8. P.M. attended a social party at Radford, received the following note.
Liverpool Oct 4/60
Bro. David John
Sir, in the note sent you
yesterday, conserning Elder Shaw, it reads "future duties", it should
read further duties, you will please explain it if necessary; as we do not wish
to shut up the door against the return of the unfortunate and penitent, to the
paths of purity and truth.
Yours in the
Gospel
Amasa Lyman
Charles C. Rich.
6th at home, wrote a few letters.
7th Sunday. Left Nottingham
at 9. A.M. held a Conference there, Elders Jacob Gates, and Duce were
with us we had a good time all day this Conference happened to be on the same
day as the one held in "Salt Lake
City".
Received the
following from Elder John Cook. London.
London. Oct 6/60.
Elder John. Dear Bro.
I received your kind letter duly,
and as I read it over and over, it puts me in mind of old times. I certainly
should have liked to been with you last week to go through the fair..... but I
have had so much fussing at home of late, taking from Paul, because Peter, has
popped in; and must have attention, and not only attention but cash down,
whether we had it of not, until I am so poor as "Job's turkey" Well
all right, I feel it good to be poor sometimes, it makes me look round the
corners.
I hope you have had good time, of
late, and that it may continue while you are at Derby, and through life, wherever you may go.....
So you get any hint about emigration, I have had a pretty one to stay another
year, but I can't half understand it.... It appears to me that a man in our
days must get himself into a fix of some kind before he can have the
opportunity to go home....... I suppose you expect enigration at home very
soon, I hope it will be a prosperous one.......give my love to all the Saints,
Sister Cook and family are well, and join me in love to you and yours.
Yours as ever
John Cook
8th I stayed at Derby 'till 6:30. P.M. the
I left for home; and found my wife well. I wrote the following to
L'pool.
Derby. Oct 8th 1860.
Pres. Lyman ana Rich
Dear Bros.
According to instructions Bro.
Henry A. Shaw, was notified of his release yesterday in Conference, and I am
happy to say that he was released with the good will and blessings of the
Saints, and Priesthood among whom he labored while here; and I sincerely, hope
that he may be privledged to emigrate in the spring as he is desirous to do
right in future.
Yours Truly.
David John.
9th About home all day wrote a
letter to Bro. John Davies Merthyr South Wales. extracted
as follows.
Dear Bro. Davies
After a long silence I take up my
pen to write you a few words, hoping that you and yours are well, as I and mine
feel at the present time.....
When we reflect, and compare, the
present organization of the European mission to what it was a year ago, we find
that the changes are many, and the contrast great. Many that the stood in pomp
and splendor in the ministry, have been cast over board, and that because they
did not maintain their identity in the Church.
I saw the dark cloud gathering in
November 1859, and since then we have had some terrible storms, lightening,
thunders, and earthquakes, and many souls have been lost, from among us in the
mission. But thanks be to your God, for preserving us
from evil, and the power of darkness. We have a standing in the Church of God which makes my heart to rejoice
exceedingly, I also hope to gain power to overcome, and gain the victory over
every evil, and receive eventually a complete Salvation. I have been busily
engaged in making strongholds, and fortifications around this Pastorate during
the lat year. I have seen many attacks made, but I have fired every time, and
have prospered in preserving in the flock in the fold.... We have had some fine
times here too, the spirit of the Lord, has been poured forth abundantly upon
the Saints, 'till every pure heart was burning with the quickening influences
of the Holy Ghost.....Bro. Amasa Lyman, and C.C. Rich have been here, they
carried with them the influences of heaven, and blest the Saints whom they
visited my prayer is all the time, may the Lord bless them.
I have married since I saw you,
and it is a happy change to me. My Wife is well, and joins me in love to you
and yours.....Give my love to all the Saints. God bless you for ever.
Yours in Christ
Jesus. David John
Attended meeting at 8.P.M. Elder
Edward Reid the Conference President spoke, and I spoke after him for about an
hour. I spoke principally on the principle of obedience, argued that the power
of the Gospel, can not be realized only by those who obey it, and apply it's
principles to their lives.
"Truth is eternal, eternity
is full of it, it surrounds on the right, and the left. The physical world is
full of it, as well as the moral, or spiritual, through it may surround us for
years, yet we can not discover it, only in accordance with our experience, in
the practical part of it; hence the necessity to rise in the scale of intelligence
by our own exertions to advance in the science of truth..... Man is capacitated
to receive the fullest and the most complete salvation, that
any being this day enjoy, because he is endowed with attributes to gain the
fullness of truth. In one sense he is an independent being; that is to honor
the law of his existence; and again he is dependant on the Spirit of God to
enable him, to magnify his being and to answer the object of his existence
here, and hereafter.
Man after having obeyed the Gospel, is pure, in proportion to his honesty, integrity of
heart, and his advancement is truth, while he stands thus, he sees every thing
pure, that is pure, and every thing corrupt, that is corrupt. God is pure, hence he is enabled to see that the Heaven is pure,
while Hell, is corrupt. We by applying the same law, can understand, and
comprehend the difference between truth, and error, as well as their effects,
on Individuals, families, nations, and worlds universally. When man obeys every
known law, he enjoys liberty of mind and body. He does not know by experience
the penalty of the law, because he lives above it, he can not suffer while he
lives the original law inplanted within him; that law qualifies him to enjoy,
not to suffer, and the Lord has granted this privledge, by his own will to all
the sons of adam. the primciple of obedience brings
the blessing. The Lord commanded Moses, to strike the waters; he obeyed, the
waters divided, what brought it to pass, was it the rod mo;
Moses did as commanded, and the Lord divided the waters; it was so, when the
rock..... He was told to hold up his arms towards the Heaven, and Israel should prevail, against their enemies he
obeyed and Israel
prospered, it was not the arms of Moses stretched forth, that destroyed the
enemies, but Moses obeyed, and the Lord did the work.....
This is an eternal law, and is
qualified to benefit mankind now living, as well as ages gone by , if the same esperiment is tried, namely obedience to
the voice of God, or his Priesthood. The Priesthood has power to save those
that hold it lone, will not save, it must be used, and that in the very way
that the Lord wants it. Moses although he held the rod by the red sea, if he
had rejected to use it, the waters would not have been divided, but he as were
as his hosts, should have been destroyed. How many have we known during the
last few years, have fallen from the Church, and at the same time, they held
the name of the Priesthood, but the perished in their sins, and the rod in
their hand, because they did not use the glory of God. Many of the backsliders
want to find fault with their brethren, because of their apostasy; where was
the blame in themselves, they did not keep sacred their identity, but polluted
themselves before the Lord and their brethren.......
I thank no man for my standing in
the Church, I thank no man for not cutting me off from
the fold, why? because I did not give them any cause, but I thank the Lord for
aiding me by His Holy spirit to do right, and deep his commandments. The Lord
is merciful unto those that are merciful to themselves, but the lovers of
iniquity he hates, mercy must have its true object, hence govern yourselves in
the purity of the Gospel, trust in your own good works for salvation.
God bless you with power so to
live is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
10th About home
all day, spent a few hours in the house of Elder James Ward in the evening.
11th At home writing 'till 4 P.M.
them in company with Elder Edward Teid, went to Womercoates by rail, the
distance of about 20 miles. Held a meeting there at 8 P.M.
Lodged in the house of Bro. Wm. Singleton. Received
the following note.
42 Islington Liverpool
Oct 10th 1860.
Elder David John
I forward you a statement of the
individual Emigration afe of the Nottingham Pastorate, for the quarter ending
Sept. 30/60, as per my books.
|
Nottingham Conference Cr.
|
|
1860.
July 1st By
|
L.
s d
|
|
|
balance
of afe rendered
|
198"
15" 0 1/2
|
|
|
July
3rd Cash per D. John
|
7"
6" 1
|
|
|
Aug
28" " " "
|
1"
10" 11
|
|
|
Sep
28" " " "
|
3"
18" 5 1/2
|
|
|
|
L
211" 10" 6
|
|
|
|
____________________
|
|
|
Amount
due the Conference, Quarter, ending September 30th 1860.
|
|
|
Lieceistershire Conference Cr.
|
|
|
1860
July 1st By Balance.
|
L
92" 4" 11 1/2
|
|
|
" 30th
Cash by D. John.
|
2"
0" 7
|
|
|
Aug
28th " " " "
|
1"
18" 1
|
|
|
Sep
28th " " " "
|
0"
14" 7
|
|
|
|
L
96" 18" 2 1/2
|
|
|
|
_____________________
|
|
|
Amount
due the Conference, Quarter ending Sep. 30/60.
|
|
|
Derbyshire Conference Cr.
|
|
|
1860
July 1st By Balance.
|
L
64" 18" 6 1/2
|
|
|
"
30th Cash per. D. John
|
0"
14" 0
|
|
|
Aug
28th " " " "
|
3"
4" 9
|
|
|
Sep
28th " " " "
|
3"
0" 0
|
|
|
|
L
71" 17" 3 1/2
|
|
|
|
_______________________
|
|
|
Amount
due the Conference Quarter ending Sep. 30/60.
|
|
|
Summary.
|
|
|
Nottingham
|
L
211" 10" 6
|
|
|
Leicestershire
|
96"
18" 2 1/2
|
|
|
Derbyshire
|
71"
17" 3 1/2
|
|
|
|
L
380" 6" 0
|
|
|
|
______________________
|
|
Your Respectfully
Amasa Lyman
per Ephraim Mantle.
12th Spent the day in visiting
the Saints at Somercotes and Swanick, returned to Nottingham
in the evening. Elders James Ward and Charles Whitaker stayed at my house 3
hours.
13th At home wrote a few letters.
14th Sunday. Left home for Liecester 7.5 A.M. rode 28 miles by rail,
attended 3 meetings during the day. (being our
conference) Elders Jacob Gates, Henry Duce, and Charles Shaw from the Valley
were present. Our Hall was well attended, and many strangers paid good
attention.
15th Gates, and Duce, left for Derby. I spent the day
there with Elders Welsh, Abraham Orme, and James Payne, (being a fair day)
16th Spent the day there 'till
3.10 P.M. then left for "Longhborough, and spent the evening in the house
of Elder Thomas Henderson, the distance from Liecester to this place is 12 1/2
miles.
17th Left for Nottingham 11.51
A.M. rode 15 miles by rail, found my wife well, spent the remainder of the day
at home, received letters from N.V.Jones and A. Nelson. took
a walk with Bro. Whitaker wrote the following note to Elder Aaron Nelson, the
President of the Derby Conference.
Elder Aaron
Nelson
Dear Bro.
I would to providence,
that you give more heed to your business, and do it as you should. I
wrote you twice last week to send me the "auditors" names of the
Individual Emigration Afe. to meet me to Leicester, "but you did not do it.
You could send there to Bro.
Gates to invite him to "Breston party on monday", "duty before
pleasure" should be your motto. Why did you not send me as I desired? was it because you did not heed your business.
Again I sent you the form as they
want it in the Office in Liverpool, but you have sent it quite different
to-day, thus it seens to me that you do not care what I say, and thus bringing
disgrace upon yourself and me in the Office.
I again sent you the form, and do
it in that order, sign the accompanying paper, no other form will do. You may
think that I feel cross with you, if you will, you will think right, never the
less I will pass it by, if you will do better in future..._ I fear that you
have mistaken the key of life of late, always this you should understand; and
cling to the words of those next you in the Lord, otherwise you can not
prosper. My wife is well, and joins me in love to you and yours.
Yours in the
kingdom
David John.
18th At home wrote a few letters.
19th At home. My wife desired to be rebaptized, at 6. P.M. accompanied
by sister Oakey, we proceeded to the bath; I re- baptized, and reconfirmed my
wife, and our hearts rejoiced together.
20th At home. Bro. N.V. Jones arrived from Liverpool 7.30 P.M. Wrote a
few letters.
21th Sunday. Spent the morning at home in conversation with Bro. N.V.
Jones spoke in the evening, and a good attention was paid._Received a letter
from Bro. Cook Lindon.
22nd Bro. Jones left for Liverpool 9.5 A.M. I wrote a letter to Bro. Cook London,
and Orme Leicester, wrote the following to my brother in-law, Mr. Lewis Wride
Cardiff. South Wales.
Nottingham Oct 23/60.
Dear Bro.
Yours came to hand on the 21st, we were glad to hear from you, and should be very
happy to see the fulfillment of your long promised visit.....We expect a friend
of ours, from a far distant region, to visit you, and us in a few weeks, the
stranger will be welcomed with shouts of joy, and gladness, and we are certain
that you should like to see the particular, individual, friend, and relation of
yours. You can guess what I mean. I am tempted to write a few words to you
concerning the Gospel, but I do not know what to write to benefit your
mind._The mind passes through a variety of circumstances, and it differs
oftenly in its condition; according to the influences of circumstances, that
surround it, and operate upon it and in as much as I do not know your feelings in
regard to the Gospel, of course I an destitute of the necessary knowledge to
write you to the point I presume you have read, and heard, many principles
taught by us, if so, it is necessary to weigh down your mind, with the same
things, but I would to God, that conviction would be wrought in your soul, as
to the necessity of obeying them, and applying to your life the principles of
salvation, that you may answer the object of your probation and existence on
the earth.
"Mormonism", so called
is a Divine insitiution, it is the kingdom of God, organised by inspired
beings, authorized by the administrations of Angels, and the voice of God
himself; and the Holy Ghost beareth record of its Divinity to all that embraces
it, with an honest and pure motives.- God has no other Church; he has one code
of laws, and ordinances, as matterable as his own attributes, they are eternal
in their duration, and the phiney arms of the priests and the hireling Clergy
of the day, may as well try to overthrow the pillars of Heaven, as to change
the Gospel, and its Holy and sacred ordinances.
Why do you not obey it? tell me, and if I can do you any good I will do it
thankfully.
As to our character with the
word, I can do without it; I do not want it; but let us as men of God, valiant
in principle, burst the fetters of bondage, tradition, and many false traditon,
and the many false traditions and doctrines that we have been craddled in, and
assist to build up the Latter-day-kingdom that will eventually fill the whole
earth, yea let us go up to the mountain of the house of the Lord, according to
his commandment, and prepare for the second coming of his son Jesus Christ,
that is not a far off._Please write when convinent. Love to you and all
friends.
Yours
Affectionately
David and Mary.
23rd At home,
attended meeting at Nottingham at 8 P.M.,
attended council at Radford last night.
24th At home writing in the morning,left for derby at
3.10 P.M. met Elders Henry Duce, and Aaron Nelson, attended meeting at 8 P.M.
Received the Conference afes. from Nelson. 25th Left
Derby for Nottingham at 9 A.M. arrived home
10.30 A.M. Received a letter, and the Conference afes. from
Elder A. Orme Leicester. In the afternoon received the Nottingham Conference
afes. from Elder Ed Reid, Elder Whitaker visited me in
the evening.
26th At home,
making out the Pastoral afe. Wrote a
letter to Elder Jacob Gates, wrote the following to Pres. Amasa Lyman. Liverpool.
Nottingham Oct 26/60.
Pres Lyman
Dear Bro.
I enclose you a Bank of England
note, and Post Office Order, for the sum of L11"10"7. Please credit
as follows.
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Conference
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Class
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Amts.
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Nottingham
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Book
Money
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5
" "
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Leicester
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Book
Money
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2
" "
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"
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T.
Emigration Afe.
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1
19 "
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Derby
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Book
Money
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1
10 "
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"
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T.E.
Afe.
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1 1
7
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L
11 10 7
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___________
Yours Truly. D. John.
Elder James Brown 3rd and Joseph
C. Rich, arrived from Leicester 4.30.P.M.
Spent the evening together in my house.
I wrote the following note to
Bro. Jacob Gates.
Nottingham Oct 26/60.
Elder Jacob Gates.
Dear Bro.
When you were here about a month
ago, I lent you L 4"0"0, which you promised to draw from the
Liverpool Office, and replace it in a few days. The low circumstances of trade
in this Pastorate, has caused us to contract debt, to the amount of L
30"0"0, I should dearly like if possible to clear the Pastorate of
all debts by the year's end, and if you can convicently draw the L
4"0"0 from the Office, or somewhere else, I shall feel very thankful
My wife joins me in love to you.
Yours Truly
David John.
27th At home
all day.
28th Sunday. At home in the morning in the afternoon Joseph C. Rich
accompanied me to Bradford Branch, 4 miles distance, held a meeting there at
2.30 P.M. I returned to Radford in the evening and preached about an hour
there. Joseph returned to Nottingham. I went
home in the evening, or rather after the evening meeting, my wife came and met
me on the way, with one Mrs. Whiteman with her, that wanted to talk with me
about the Gospel, she stayed about an hour in our house, during the time she
promised to be baptized.
29th At home, went to the Theatre
in the evening, and myu wife and Bro. Reid with me.
30th At home,
attended meeting at 8 P.M. in the Durham Ox. Room.
31st At 9 A.M. went to Derby met
Bro. Nelson, and Elder Duce, stayed there 3 hours, then rode by rail 7 miles to
"BElpar", visited two families of Saints, walked through the town,
(being a fair day there) I went to a show, where a girl 11 years of age was
exhibited, with a very large head, which measured 48 inches round, her teeth
were rotten, and many of her senses lost. The water on the brain caused her
head to swell thus. Returned to Derby at 9 P.M.
November
1st At Derby all day.
2nd Left Derby for Nottingham at 9
A.M. When I arrived home I received the
following note from Elder Jacob Gates, in answer to mine of the 26 ???.
New-Castle-On-Tyne
Nov 2nd 1860 Bro. John.
Dear Sir your letter has followed
me as faithfully as a Policeman, would follow a rouge,
and finally it has over taken me. If I had known that you were going to suffer
for the want of it, before I could get to Liverpool,
I would have done without it; but as it is, I will say for your consolation
that I will try and replace it, before the end of the year, so that your
sufferings will end with the year. I intend to be in Liverpool,
within 10 or 12 days. Give my love to all the saints, and acept the same
yourself. Yours as ever in the kingdom of peace.
Jacob Gates.
Took a walk
with Bro. Whitaker to Radford in the evening.
3rd At home, Elder Duce arrived
from Derby in the evening, spent a few hours in Bro. Butterwick's in the
eveningl About 12 of the Saints met there, in order to learn the
"Drama" called the "Stranger".
4th Sunday. In the morning walked 7 miles to Calverston, accompanied
by Elders Edwards Reid, and Wm. North, attended meeting there at 2.30 P.M. Took
tea with Bro. David Camt, went to Arnold
in the evening preacher there at 7 P.M. returned home at night. 5th At home, in company with Elders Henry Duce, and E. Reid.
6th At home, Bros. Duce and Reid,
went to Calverton, I attended meeting in the town at 8 P.M.
7th At home, in the evening
attended meeting at Radford, Elders James Brown 3rd and Joseph C.Rich was
present. 8th At home, in the baths at 7 P.M. I
baptized Mrs. Whiteman, Mary Wilson, and re-baptized Jane Roberts. I confirmed
Whiteman, Elder Reid confirmed Mary Wison, and Elder
Whitaker, re-confirmed Jane Roberts; we confirmed the three in my house.
9th At home, at 1 P.M. Sister
Metilda Watkin arrived in our house, from Northaptonshire, at 7.30 P.M. my
mother in law, and her son Lewis arrived from Cardiff Wales, on a visit. Spent the evening with them.
10th At home,
walked about with Lewis all day.
11th Sunday. Attended 2 meetings at Nottingham
durring the day. Our Hall was crowded at 6 P.M.
12th Lewis Wride left for Wales, at 9
A.M. I spent the day about home. Attended the exercise of a
"Drama" in the house of Butterwick at 8 P.M.
13th Spent the most part of the
day, in company with Elder Reid attended the funeral of Sister "LOve"
at 3 P.M the wife of Bro. Thomas Love, she was buried in the new Semitary
Nottingham. Attended meeting at 8 P.M.
14th Received the following
notes.
Liverpool 13/60.
Elder David John
Sir, we have placed to the credit
of the Nottingham Pastorate for Bro. Jacob Gates L 3"0"0, four
pounds, which amount you will please deduct, from your nest month's remittances
to this Ofice
Yours ie.
Amasa Lyman.
42 Islington
Liverpool
November 13/60.
Elder David John
Dear Bro.
I have charged sister Lyman,
(Mary Ann) the sum of 10/. furnished her by you, for
travelling expenses, which you can deduct from the amount of your next months
remittance to this office.
Yours Truly
Amasa Lyman
??W.H. Perkes.
Left Nottingham
at 10.15 A.M. and travelled by rail 15 miles to Loughborogh, met Elder A. Orme,
from Leicrster, spent the day with him in the house of Bro. Thomas Henderson. (being a fair day) called the Statudes.
15th Left for Nottingham
at 11.51 A.M. spent the remainder of the day at home.
16th Sent a letter to Elder John
Cook London, wrote a few hours in this journal, copied a few verses in poetry
as an address written to Elder Hugh Evans Newmarket after his wife who died
Novenber 23"1858. in North
Wales. The following poetry is inserted in "??????"
NO.50. December 18th 1858. ????????????????Hugh Evans, Newmarket, ??????????????
(6 verses of welsh poetry)
[newspaper or typed]
LLWYDDIANT TEYRNAS CRIST.
_______
Efengyl deyrnas sy'n llwyddo,
Trwy allu anfeidrol ein Ior;
Yn fuan hi leinw'r holl ddaear,
Fel toa y dyfroedd y mor.
Gwna, gwna fel toa y dufroedd y mor.
Dadwreiddir yr hen draddoliandau,
A'r gwag seremoniau o'r bron;
Tywyllwch caddugawi altudir,
Goleuni cyflawnder yw hon.
Clywch, clywch, goleuni cyflawnder yw hou.
Teyrnasoedd a'u mawredd ysgydwir.
Drwg ddeddfau ddifodir i gyd;
Ac yna deddf Ysbryd y bywyd
Fydd safon rheoliad ein byd,
Bydd, bydi, fudd safon rheoliad ein byd.
Y'gareg' yn gadarm orchfuga-
Maluria deyrnasoedd y byd;
Dosrhahau'r eyn ddelw ganfyddwyd,
Chwilfrywir-hwy gwympir i gyd.
Yn mlaen megis maen adamentaidd,
A chyflym fel melten a hon;
Bremimoedd a mawrion gwladyddol
Lewygant mewn braw ger ei bron,
Clywch, clywch, llewygant mewn braw ger ei bron.
EDGORN SEION.
Mor fechan yr oedd pan ei thorwyd,
Ond diolch, cynnydda bob awr,
Yn fuan fe'i gelwin hi'n fyndd,
Heb fesur na phwysau-un mawr,
Clod, clod, heb fewur ma phwysau-un mawr.
Breiniaeth ein Tad gynfodololdd,
Yn ebrwydd a welir is nen;
Ei deddfau nefolaidd adferir
Er dwyn ei fwriadau i ben.
Nefolaidd fydd Brenin adeddfau,
A swyddwyr y deyrnas fawr hon;
Mawrhant eu holl gylchoedd godidawg,
Yn rhwysgfawr, ar lwch Babilon,
Clywch, clywch, yn rhwysgfawr ar lwch Babilon.
Cawn fedi ein maesydd mewn heddwch,
'Rhai hauwyd trwy'r cleddyf a gwaed;
Cawn weied ein Hiesn'n bersonawl,
Ar ddelw glan bersonei Dad.
Gwir, gwir, ar ddelw glan berson ei Dad.
Melldithion anwnaidd ddiflanant,
O flain grym santeiddrwydd ein Duw;
Gwir brifnod yr oesoedd a ddeuant,
Fydd heddwch a chariad, gwir yw,
Hoff, hoff, hyn fydd i'r brodorion yn fraint.
Draw, draw, gwelaf hi yn rhy gyfyng,
I gnynnwys ei deillaid ei hun;
Adleisia rhyw floedd newyddion,
Gwnewch fyd newydd eto, a dyn,
Clywch, clywch, gwnewch fyd newydd, eto a dyn.
Creawdwyr a greuant o'r newydd
Iachawdwyr newyddion a ddaw;
A bodau a leawir a'r Duwdod,
Dysgwylaif wel'd hyn heb un braw.
Gwnaf, gwnaf, dysgwylaif wel'd hyn heb un braw.
Y Duwiau goruchel ymwelant
A'n daear heb soriant rhyw bryd;
A'i hol breswylyddion nefolwych,
A ddawnsiant mewn moliant ynghyd.
Clywch,clywch, hwy ddawnsiant mewn moliant yughyd.
Glan todau fyrddiynau'n drag'wyddol.
Genhediant ysbrydion mal duw;
Y cyltyw mewn cyfnod dyfodol,
Cant oll dabernaclau i fyw,
Am derfyn ar gynnydd y deyrnas,
Yu efer ddysgwylid dros fyth,
Un hynod o'i milwyr a frwydrodd,
Nid ofer, yw'n Prophwyd hoff Smith.
Clywch,clywch, nid ofer, yw'n Prophwyd hoff Smith.
Fflint Medi 20,
1857
DAVID JOHN
Visited the
family of Elder James Ward, in the evening, also the family of Elder Charles
Whitaker.
15th Wrote the following note to
Elder N. V. Jones, addressed to Liverpool. Nottingham.
Nov 17th 1860.
Elder N.V. Jones
Dear bro. your note of last week,
was duly received, and in reply have to say, that your "donation", in
no wise, is forced upon the people, but on the contary it is well understood,
that all Saints are at liberty to consult thier own feelings in the matter. I
have not seen the time in the Church yet, that all the Saints felt a like, it
would be "donation", "tithing", or any thing else. While we
found the majority of the Saints, united in the accomplishment of anything laid
before them; yet we have had, some among us who grumbled, and and felt
disatisfied all the time, as it was among ancient Israel. But all such, are
plainly told, that we do not desire them, to do anything towards your "donation",
unless they prefer do it as though they would do it to the Lord. _ Many Saints
seem to me desirable to give you a memorial of this kind, and from such we
recieve, and none others. However, the circumstances of the Saints are such at present, that they can not raise as much as their hearts
desire. _ I am convinced if this people could control circumstances they would
give a far more superior "token of repects to you, and not only to you,
but to many more of the faithfyl servants of God. _ the
words that I have written, are true, as I understand the case; neither would I
write anything but the truth, to please, or displease any man living. _ I close
praying God to bless you, and all the faithful of his people.
Yours in the kingdom of peace
David John
Received the Milenial
"star" with orders from president young to do away with the money
getting system, and cause the Elders "to go out to preach, without purse,
or scrip, as anciently". Wrote th following note
to Elder amasa Lyman, of the quorm of the twelve.
Nottingham Nov. 17/60.
Pres. Lyman.
Dear Bro. Your advices of the
13th [?] are to hand, and shall be attended to. I also received the
"star" this morning, with the orders of President Young, and
yourself, and Pres. Rich.
I have been expecting it this
long time; I felt certain within myself it would come
to that. Now it has come, and thank God for it, and his servants; and if I
understand it, it should be so from the beginning, but that is none of my
business. I prefer to labour in the ministry without "allowance". It
is the best, I know it by experience. I have travelled a few years,
"without purse, or scrip", I have begged my bread by day, from door,
to door, and preached every night. I have done it once and I can do it again,
if the Lord wants it done. He blessed me then, and I know He will do it again.
_ I feel with all my heart to do the will of the Lord, and to assist to build
up His kingdom.
I did not come to the Church for
"speculation" but for truth, and salvation; and I have the same feeling
today, and to hope to ever posses the same desires, and manifest them by my
works. I intend to give up my house, and take appartments, as soon as possible,
if agreeable with you. Please let me know !
The Saints feel well, in the
work, the spirit of God, seems to increase in their hearts.
We continue to baptize few, here,
and there, and hope to see many more soon obeying the truth. I hope that
yourself, or Bro. Rich, or both of you, will be able to visit us before long. I
close praying God to bless you, and Bro. Rich, and all your associates in the
ministry.
Yours
faithfully in the Gospel.
David John
I received letters from Elders
E.H. Blackburn, and Aaron Nelson.
18th Sunday. Atl 10.30. A.M.
I went and listened to Wm. Baxter a Methodist Minister. _I preached myself at 2.30. and 6.30. P.M.
preached in the evening from the 2nd Epistle of John 9.verse.
19th At home wrote to my mother,
Elder Nelson, and the following to the Rev. A.J. Baxter
Nottingham Nov. 19/60.
Reverend Sir,_
You must please pardon me, in
writing to you, being quite strangers, but I hope it will not be the last time.
I had the great pleasure to
baptize two of your members on the 8th [?] namely Mrs. Whiteman, and Miss
Wilson. _ I have been informed since, by the first Mrs. Whiteman, that you have
been talking to her,and expressed yourself bitterly
opposed to the principles that we advance.
She spoke in high terms of you,
as a minister of the Gospel, and a gentleman, which I was very glad to hear;
and thus convince me, that if you really understood the true character of
"Joseph Smith", and the "Book of Mormon", that you would
not have spoken of them, as you did to her._ "The true character of Jesus
Christ, was very imperfectly known, to those who opposed him in his own
time". The same with propiety may be said of "Joseph Smith", his
real conduct, and character, are "misunderstood by the various
religionists of modern Christianity".
We must not ask the antideluvians
for the character of "Noah", we must not ask the jews for the character
of our blessed Saviour; we must not rely on the testimony of the Roman
Catholics, given of "John Calvin", "wickliffe",
"Crammer", and many of the reformers, neither must we judge
"Joseph Smith", by his enemies that destroyed his life, and by the
testimony they gave of him. _ Those that well
understood the true character of "Joseph Smith", testified that he
was a servant of the most High God, and a minister of Jesus Christ. I firmly
testify in the presence of God, Angels, and goodmen, that he was a goodman, a man of prayer, a lover of truth, and purity, and
a hater of iniquity, sin, and pollution, and one of the most intelligent of his
age.
Sir,_ I
mourn, because many bad men, and many good men, fight against the faith he
taught, and practised, "which was once delivered to the Saints".
He testified that Angels
communioned with him, and that he was authorized to preach repentance to the
people, and to officiate in the ordinances of the Holy Gospel, and his friends
are his witnesses, as it was with Jesus Christ. Is there anything strange in
this? Can we not prove from the Bible, that all the doctrines he taught, were
also thaught,by the inspired men of God, since the
world began? Can you point our, wherein we differ from the ancient apostles and
prophets? _ If you can my dear Sir, _ do, because I
assure you we love truth, and hope to become more and more, acquainted with it.
We do not profess prefection, god
forbid, but we claim to be as moral a people as any sect, that can be found.
We are willing for our characters
to be examined and compared, with any other class of people," Our worship
differs from that of other religious people, inasmuch as we have the knowledge
of god, and the true order of his kingdom, beyond all the [p?] doubt and
diversity of opnion". _We believe that Jesus Christ is God, co-eternal
with God the Father, and that all must be saved through him, by believing in
him, and being baptized for the remission of their sins; and such as believe
not will be doomed.
We believe the Old and new Testaments
to be the word of God. We also believe that the Book of Mormon,
was written by inspiration and contains as pure doctrines as the Bible. _We
also believe that every person would be born not only of water, but also of the
Spirit, in order to enter into the kingdom
of God. _Time will not
permit, but I am on hand to correspond with you through letters on any subject
of the Gospel and taking the Holy Bible for our test. I am willing to furnish
you with the Book of Mormon, or any of our books, if you feel so disposed; that
you may read our doctrines for yourself, and not rely on the testimony of our
enemies. I bear my testimony to you in the name of Jesus Christ, that this is
his Church, and the kingdom of god, and your obedience to its principles, I promise
you the gift of the Holy Ghost, and a manifestation from God for yourself of
your acceptance with him, as on the day of "Pentecost". _ I close
praying God to bless you with his Holy spirit, that it
may lead you into all truth; and for an early reply, I shall feel very
thankful.
Your friend and
servant.
D. John
Several of the Saints met in
Brother Butterwidk in the evening.
20th At home,
attended meeting in the Durham Ox. Hall in the evening.
21th At home
all day.
22nd Received an answer to my
letter to Mr. Baxter of the 19th which was very insulting, and not worth
entered on this journal. See Nov 26th. Received a kind note
from Elder C.C. Rich of the quorm of the twelve, promising to spend the Sabbath
with us Wrote letters to all the presiding Elders of Branches inviting them to
come to Nottingham on Sunday.
23rd left home for Derby at 9 A.M. Spent the
day there. Elders James Brown 3rd and Joseph C. Rich, from Sheffield. Attended a Branch councel in the
evening, and Received good instructions from Elder
C.C.Rich.
24th Elders E.E. Rich, Brown 3rd
J.C. Rich, and myself left Derby
for Nottingham at 9 A.M. and spent the day in
my house, and Elder Reid's house.
25th Sunday. At Nottingham,
attended three meetings. Elder C.C. Rich and I occupied the morning and
evening, Brown 3rd J.C. Rich, and father C.C. Rich spoke in the afternoon. My
mother in law (Wride) attended meeting with us At home. I wrote the following
note to Mr. A.J. Baxter, Methodist minster. See Page 219.
Sir/ In reply to your note of
last week, I have breifly to state, that if you feel disposed to be sattisfied
with your religion; I do with mine.
You said, "for the sake of
those two poor owmen", you would [m?] me re. I wish to say, that I have
done my duty towards them, I have told the truth to them, and nothing but the
truth, hence "for their sake" I do not wish to meet you.
Again, you said, that you were
well conversant,"with our principles, hence you do not stand in need of
being taught the principles, you proffess to understand; and as to your
assertion, that you should prove our principles to be false; so far as I an
concerned, I put you free of the trouble knowing for a surety that I am a
memeber in the Church of Christ, and the only true Church on the earth, with
prophets, and apostles to teach its members, as in days of old. My knowledge of
this is as strong, and powerful, as your belief and zeal, is to the contary,
hence it is not wisdom to meet you, because a contentious spirit is not of the
Lord, and I do not wish to pursue such a course. _ Think not that I fear you,
God is my witness I do not, but I prefer the spirit of the Gospel, than that of
strife and contention._ I understand that you intend to deliver a lecture
against us; you can just please yourself, and try to convert all you can, it
may indeed please you, but still the truth is unchangeable, and it will
triumph, and the time will come when you will understand it, and feel sorry
like Saul, of old that you haved rebelled against the truth. _ I would to my
Father in Heaven that you might understand the Gospel, as taught by the Savior,
and practiced the same. But you have your agency, and of course can do as you
feel disposed. _If you want the Book of Mormon, please let one know and I will
send for a copy.
Yours re. David John
27th At homme, spent the morning
with Elders C.C. Rich, ahd James Brown 3rd they left for Manisfield at 4 P.M. I
attended meeting in Nottingham at 8 P.M.
28th Left at 10.15 A.M. for
Longborough, the distance of 15 miles, met Elders Abraham Orme,
and James Payne there, left again for home at 4 P.M. Attended meeting at
Radford at 8 P.M.
29th At home,
sent the following to Elder Amasa Lyman Liverpool.
Nottingham NOv. 29/60.
President Lyman
Dear Bro/.
I enclose you a bank of England note
and P.O. Order for the sum of L 14"2"0, to be credited as follows.
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Conference
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Class
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Amts.
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Nottingham
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Book
money
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5 2
8
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"
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Emigration
account "
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10
7 1/2
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Leicester
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Tithing
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"
6 7
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"
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Book
money
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3
" "
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"
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Emigration
Afe.
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2 2
1 1/2
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Derby
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Book
money
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3
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_______________
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L 14
2 "
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______________________
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______________________
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Yours
re. D. John.
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30th At home, wrote letters to
Elders Barry Wride Wales, and Aaron Nelson Derby.
December
1st At home all
day.
2nd Sunday. Left for "Sutton" at 9.30.
A.M. arrived there by rail at 11 A.M. visited the Saints for 2 hours, and a
half. Attended a Branch counsel at 1.30. P.M.
contention had risen among the Saints, after the difficulty was settled, the
sacrament was administered, I instructed the saints
for 40 minutes; met again at 6 P.M. I preached 1 hour, and 20 minutes, many
strangers attended the meeting. There was one Elder in the Branch,
that was accused of being the cause of strife, and discontention in the
Branch; so I wrote him the following appointment.
Nottingham Conference
December 2nd 1860.
Elder George Stringfellow
Dear Bro./
Herewith I appoint you, to visit
the Branches of Manisfield, Princeton, Somercoates, Swanick, and Sutton, on
Sundays, and Sutton, in the week, in your visits, and duties, you will be
subject to the Branch President, sustain, and uphold them in their callin, and
they in return will bless you, be himble, obedient, and faithful, and the Lord
will give you poweer to preach the Gospel, and build up the Saints. Seek the
influence of his Spirit, and he will crown your labours with sucess.
Your Bro. in the Kingdom
of God.
David John.
Went 4 miles at
9.30.P.M. to Manisfield, lodged at Mrs. Warren's with Elder James Brown 3rd.
3rd Visited the Saints at
Manisfield in the morning with Brown Brown 3rd Left for Nottingham
at 1.30.P.M. Spent the afternoon at home, visited the family of Bro. Wm.
Butterwick in the evening.
4th At home, attended meeting at
8 P.M. Wrote letters to Elder A Nelson, and others.
5th At home, read a few hours,
visited the family of Elder E. and James Ward, and E. Reid, wrote a letter to
Elder C.C. Rich, addressed to Birmingham.
6th At home, read 3 or 4 hours in
the morning, my wife and I visited the family of Elder James Oakey, stayed
there 4 hours, after returning home I wrote a letter to Bro. Cook London,
abstracted as follows.
Nottingham December 6th 1860.
Elder John Cook. Dear Bro./
Your communication cane to hand
duly. I feel thankful for its contents. President C.C. Rich was in Liecester
last Sunday, and here last Sunday week, we had good times during his visit... I
for myself I feel well never better, but my desire for emigrating
to Zion seems
to increase, I never felt such a desire for going home before, nevertheless, I
am on hand to stay, or to go as the Preisthood directs... There is a spirit
abroad in the mission, and even among the Preisthood that is not of God; even
the Spirit of jealously, of fault finding, of backbitting, of Judas, of
destruction, of death, and the devil. Where I consider the source from whence
it springs, it causing my heart to mourn, because it comes from such as ought
to know better, and act with more sense; even those that are ordained, and sent
to save, and build up and not to destroy and pull down.......Jealously,
conceit, and selfishness, have frustrated the advancement of the kingdom of
God, in all yes, and have been some of the chief causes to overthrow the work;
certainly the kingdom can not be destroyed in the last days, but I know the
fire of the Holy Ghost would burn more among the people, and the work would
prosper more, if all would act with sense in their heads, and brotherly love
and kindness in their hearts. -Every good man has his Judas, whether he knows
it or not, and sometimes many of them.
It is often the case that a Judas
is the next door neighbor, whether in a family or Church capacity, and makes a
face as smiling, and as long as the devil, while at the same time the weapons
of death, are in hand, pointed at the very influence character and salvation of
the innocent, and the faithful. If all would act as President Brigham Young,
points out, we should soon have a band of men, as mighty as the band of Enoch,
and as faithful as Abraham, then we should see the kingdoms of this world
meeting under the influence of the kingdom of God, and Zion would shine forth
in glory, and all her citizens united as the heart of one. May the Lord grant
us power to live our religion, and to do right, whatever others may do.......
My wife is well, and joins me in
kind love to yourself and family. Let me hear soon from you. I close praying
God to bless you and your family, and all your interest in the kingdom of God now and forever.
Yours
faithfully
David John.
7th At home, wrote during the
afternoon attended school at Radford at 8 P.M.[?] Bro. James Brown 3rd.
8th At home, received the
following note from President C.C. Rich.
Birmingham Dec. 7th 1860.
D. John,
Dear Brother the parcel you sent
to Joseph came safe . . . . . Since I left your place, I had thought you had
best write to Br. Lyman about Bro. Jones' "Donation" (N. V. J.) ask
him if he has authorized Bro. Jones to take up a donation and tell him plainly
that Bro. Jones represented it so to you and that I advised you to ask his
council. If he advises you to take up a collection do it, but if Lyman does
not, do not do it. Still if any choose to make him presents, they are at
liberty to do so. I feel anxious that you should write Bro. Lyman as soon as
this comes to hand. You may say that I advised you to do so. With
love to yourself, wife, and mother. I remain your Brother in the Gospel.
Charles C. Rich P.S. Give my love to Brothers Brown, Reid, and all that enquire
after me.
I wrote the following to
President Amasa Lyman of Liverpool
Nottingham December 8/1860
President Lyman
Dear Brother, I want to know your
mind concerning the donation that we make for Elder N. V. Jones. I have heard
so many different things about it, that I do not know
how to act. Now, I will lay the matter before you in so
short a manner as I can. First of all Bro. E. H. Blackburn told me about it
"that there was a donation on hand for Bro. Jones" and that he would
like if we would join in it in this Pastorate. Do not force
it said he, "but let the Saints feel free about it and do just as they
please". I expected yourself or Pres. Rich here just at the time so
I left it until I should see you to know how to act. However at the time you
went to the Continent and I was left in the dark as to your feelings about it
and I knew not how to address a letter after you to the Continent. Bro. J.
Gates paid us a visit just at the time and he inquired about the
"Donation". I told him the circumstances and also that I had not laid
it before the Saints as yet. That is right said he "don't
lay it before them, if the Presidency will not tell you to [sic] it. I [sic] a
week or two afterwards Bro. Jones paid us a visit while you were yet on the
Continent, we had a talk about the "Donation". I told him that we had
not done anything towards it as yet, and in the course of conversation I told
him that Bro. Gates told me not to do it. Do you think said Jones "that I
have been in the Church so long and not knowing what am
I doing". Bro. Lyman knows all about it and says he and you can tell Bro.
Gates to mind his own business, you are not responsible to him but to the
Presidency. "Go on with the donation" said he, but do not force it
upon the Saints. "Let such give as feel to do it from their hearts and I
don't want to receive a cent from anybody else". Well of course I then
laid it before the Saints, just in the way he marked out; and I don't know of a
single soul that has given a farthing because he was forced to do it. However I
have heard since that you did not know about it and because of this I write
unto you. We have collected about £7"0"0 (seven pounds) for Bro.
Jones. Now how [sic] am I going to do? Must I send it to Jones or give it back
to the individuals that gave it or is it to be used as directed otherwise by
you? If the question may arise in your mind "was it the desire of the
Saints to give it, so far as I can learn it was, but certainly I never heard a
single soul saying a word about it, before it was laid before them by the
Elders. I was the first that laid it before them. Pardon me for writing to you
on the subject, I do it because President Rich told me
to do so. I close with my love to you, praying God to bless you continually,
and for an early reply, you will greatly oblige. Yours Respectfully, David John
9th Sunday. Left for Darby at 9 A.M. Attended
two meetings during the day, Elder Henry Duce was with me, I preached an hour
in the evening and good attention was paid.
10th Returned home at 10 A.M. Received the following in answer to mine of the 8th inst.
Liverpool December 9th 1860 Dear Brother John,
Yours of the 8th is to hand, in
reply I will say as to the donation alluded to, that I heard a donation spoken
of in London by Bro. Jones, as a matter that had been agitated among the
Priesthood there. I did not at the time think of it as going beyond that
Pastorate, "as it was to procure him a
watch". To this I did not object if the Saints were not oppressed in the
matter. Bro. Jones probably understood the matter differently. If the Saints
have acted freely in the matter and have not been oppressed, nor oppressed
themselves in the donation, there has no evil been done (beyond what has arisen
from the jealousies of parties, who may have had feelings in regards to it). As Bro. Jones has and will pay the money
directly or indirectly to serve the interest of the donors, hoping this will be
satisfactory. I subscribe myself your Brother in the Gospel. Amasa Lyman
P.S. We are all well hear and hope that this may find yourself and family the
same. We expect Bro. Cannon in this week. A. L.
Spent the
remainder of the day at home.
11th Spent the
day in writing at home. Attended
meeting at 8 p.m.
12th At home in the morning
writing, visited the family of Bro. Ward, in the afternoon attended the Radford
meeting at 8 P.M. My wife was sickly all night.
13th At home
writing an article on the past and present cruelties of the British Government. My wife was sickly all day and night.
14th She was worse this morning,
we sent for a mid-wife (Mrs. Goodman) she arrived at 11 A.M. Mary was very sick
all day and night.
15th At one thirty 1:30 A.M. or
midnight, my wife gave birth to a daughter, our first born, whom we named Anne
Jane. I spent the most part of the day in writing, at 7:30 P.M. my brother in
law and sister in law, Barry and Jane Wride, arrived from Cardiff South Wales.
Barry Wride and I took a walk to Radford and afterwards through the town.
16th Sunday. At home in the morning, attended 2 meetings at Nottingham, preached in the afternoon and evening.
17th At home, visited the
families of Bros. James Oakey and James Ward.
18th Spent the day with Barry in
walking about the town, attended meeting at Nottingham
at 8 P.M.
19th About home
with Barry.
20th At 6:30 A.M. my brother
Barry and his mother left for Wales.
Jane remained with us. I spent the day in writing.
21st At home all day, wrote a few
letters.
22nd At home.
23rd Sunday. At home in the morning, attended the Radford meeting at
2:30 P.M. took tea with Bro. Joseph Morley attended the Nottingham Meeting at
6:30 P.M. Elder James Brown 3rd was also there. Many strangers attended with
us.
24th At home, at 8 P.M. many of
the Saints met in our Hall, many also came in from the country, and the Drama
called the "Stranger" was acted; afterwards we had some singing and
reciting, the evening was spent very profitable to expand the mind.
25th Christmas
Day. At home many friends visited us
this day from the town and the country, at 8 P.M. we met at Radford and held a
social party there.
26th at 10:15
A.M. I left for Leicester.
I arrived there at 12 P.M. met Elders Abraham Orme and Charles Welch, spent the
day with them, we spent the afternoon in the house of Elder John Parker, we also visited a few Saints.
27th Spent the day with the
Brethren till 3:10 P.M. the left for Breaston, in the Derby Conference, met
Elder Aaron Nelson there, held a meeting at 7:30 P.M., had a good time with the
Saints, received the Conference afe from Nelson and at 9:30 P.M. left by rail
for Nottingham, arrived home at 10:30 P.M.
28th At home, wrote out my
monthly and quarterly afes. The trade being slow, the finances are less than a
year ago. The income for the quarter were as follows.
December 1860
|
Conference
|
Class
|
Amounts
|
|
Nottingham
|
Tithing
|
62
|
11
|
5 ½
|
|
|
Nottingham
|
Book
Money
|
41
|
11
|
11
|
|
|
Nottingham
|
Individual
Emigration afe
|
2
|
15
|
9 ½
|
|
|
|
|
79
|
19
|
2
|
|
|
|
|
Leicester
|
Tithing
|
27
|
13
|
2
|
|
|
Leicester
|
Book
Money
|
9
|
2
|
3 ½
|
|
|
Leicester
|
Individual
Emigration afe
|
4
|
18
|
9 ½
|
|
|
|
|
41
|
14
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
Derby
|
Tithing
|
22
|
13
|
5 ½
|
|
|
Derby
|
Book
Money
|
7
|
6
|
7 ½
|
|
|
Derby
|
Individual
Emigration afe
|
2
|
1
|
7
|
|
|
|
|
32
|
1
|
8
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nottingham
|
79
|
19
|
2
|
29
|
|
|
Leicester
|
41
|
14
|
3
|
30
|
|
|
Derby
|
32
|
1
|
8
|
|
|
|
|
153
|
15
|
1
|
|
I wrote the following to
President Amasa Lyman Liverpool
Nottingham December 28, 1860
President Lyman. Dear Bro. Our
remittances this month is as follows:
|
Conference
|
Class
|
Amounts
|
|
Nottingham
|
Book
Money
|
4
|
9
|
3
|
|
Nottingham
|
Individual
Emigration afe
|
2
|
5
|
2
|
|
Leicester
|
Tithing
|
2
|
"
|
"
|
|
Leicester
|
Book
Money
|
4
|
2
|
3 ½
|
|
Leicester
|
Individual
Emigration afe
|
"
|
17
|
8
|
|
Derby
|
Book
Money
|
2
|
16
|
7
|
½
|
|
Derby
|
Individual
Emigration afe
|
1
|
"
|
"
|
|
|
Derby
|
From
Elder C. Welch
|
1
|
10
|
"
|
|
|
|
|
19
|
1
|
"
|
|
|
|
|
8
|
"
|
"
|
|
|
|
£
|
11
|
1
|
"
|
|
Yours Truly, David John
29th At home, went with Elder
James Brown 3rd to Radford in the evening, returned home at night.
30th Sunday. Attended Council at Radford at 10:30
A.M. Some contention arose between the Branch and their President (Elder
James Oakey) and also against the Conference President (Elder Edward Reid). We
sat in council 'till 1 o'clock and then adjourned till 4:30 P.M. when we again
met and settled all difficulties, we closed it at 6
P.M. Held meeting there at 2:30 P.M. and at Nottingham
at 6:30 P.M. Many strangers attended in the evening.
31st Received the following
letter from the Presidency of the Mission
releasing me from my mission of traveling.
42 Islington Liverpool
December 28, 1860
Beloved Brother John, After serious deliberation we have deemed it wisdom to
release you from your present position as Pastor of the Nottingham Pastorate.
You have been many years in the ministry in these lands and we feel that it is
now time for you to have the privilege of gathering to Zion and we can assure you that we are
desirous of doing all in our power to assist you in so doing. You will please
transfer all the business pertaining to your Pastorate to Elder James Brown
3rd, whom we have appointed to the charge thereof. If consistent with your
circumstances we expect you to continue in your labors ('till the emigration
time) under the direction of Elder Brown to whom you will impart any
information and render any assistance that will be of service to him in
assuming the responsibilities from which you are now released. That the
blessings of the Lord may rest richly upon you is the prayer of your Brethren
in the Lord.
Amasa Lyman, Charles C. Rich,
George Q. Cannon
I also received the following:
Liverpool
December 29, 1860
David John, Dearest Brother, This
leaves me in common health, I trust that you and your
family are well. . . Bro. Lyman and myself will be
with you holding a conference on the 6th of January, one week from tomorrow. We
expect you will emigrate to Zion this year, also Bro. Barry Wride, if he
wishes. Bro. Cannon and wife are here all well. All of the Brethren have
arrived except Bro. Mills. We are busy in making some changes for the year.
Bro. James Brown will fill your place. I am glad there there is an appointment
for you to go to Zion.
As I shall be there, I do not feel to write much. You will accept my kind love,
also to your wife, and mother, it still with you. Brothers Lyman and Cannon
send their love. Your Brother in the Gospel, Charles
C. Rich
I sent a note to my mother extracted
as follows: Nottingham December 31/1860
My Dear Mother, I am glad to
inform you that I and my family are well and I truly hope that you enjoy every
needful blessing. We intend to leave this country and gather to the land of Zion in the spring. We do not leave
because we hate our native country, neither our relations and friends, but
because the Lord calls upon us to gather together, to the gathering place of
his people; we do not gather for the sake of gold and silver, but that we may
be taught in his ways and understand the principles of the Gospel more fully.
It would grieve my soul to leave you I this land, hence, I beseech you to
prepare yourself and come with us. I will be kind to you as heretofore and do
anything that is right to make you happy. Think not to leave us to go without
you to Zion,
but rise, go with us, and we will do you good. My wife
and Annie are well, we join in love to you, praying
God to bless you. Let me hear soon from Zion.
Your only son, David.
I wrote a note to Elder Barry
Wride. I spent the day in company with Elders James Brown 3rd, Joseph C. Rich,
and Edward Reid. The Statistical Report for the year of the Pastorate under my
charge is as follows:
December 1860
Statistical Report of the
Nottingham Conference for the year ending December 31, 1860
|
No. of Branches
|
High Priests
|
Seventies
|
Elders
|
Priests
|
Teachers
|
Deacons
|
Members
|
Total
|
|
13
|
"
|
1
|
61
|
37
|
24
|
21
|
463
|
607
|
|
Baptized
|
Received
|
Removed
|
Cut Off
|
Emigrated
|
Dead
|
|
|
|
|
47
|
14
|
36
|
9
|
13
|
14
|
|
|
|
|
Edward
Reid President
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Statistical
Report of the Leicester Conference for the year ending December 31, 1860
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No. of Branches
|
High Priests
|
Seventies
|
Elders
|
Priests
|
Teachers
|
Deacons
|
Members
|
Total
|
|
8
|
"
|
1
|
39
|
22
|
2
|
3
|
211
|
278
|
|
Baptized
|
Received
|
Removed
|
Cut Off
|
Emigrated
|
Dead
|
|
|
|
|
36
|
7
|
13
|
7
|
13
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
Abraham
Orme President
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Statistical
Report of the Derby Conference for the year ending December 31, 1860
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No. of Branches
|
High Priests
|
Seventies
|
Elders
|
Priests
|
Teachers
|
Deacons
|
Members
|
Total
|
|
8
|
1
|
"
|
41
|
21
|
2
|
12
|
177
|
254
|
|
Baptized
|
Received
|
Removed
|
Cut Off
|
Emigrated
|
Dead
|
|
|
|
|
17
|
"
|
4
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
|
|
|
|
Aaron
Nelson President
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Statistical
Report of the Three Conferences in one for the year ending December 31, 1860
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No. of Branches
|
High Priests
|
Seventies
|
Elders
|
Priests
|
Teachers
|
Deacons
|
Members
|
Total
|
|
29
|
1
|
2
|
141
|
80
|
28
|
36
|
851
|
1139
|
|
Baptized
|
Received
|
Removed
|
Cut Off
|
Emigrated
|
Dead
|
|
|
|
|
100
|
21
|
53
|
18
|
28
|
19
|
|
|
|
|
David
John President of the Pastorate
|
Traveled during the year about
3500 miles, baptized 9, but in my field of labor 100 were baptized as seen
above. I arrived in February, my daughter was also
born in December (Annie). I preached in the open air in several places, in
Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Rutlandshire, Northamptonshire, I
visited Wales in February, Liverpool twice in the spring, and London in the
summer - or rather fall.
