| [313] CHAPTER XV11. NEW FIELDS AND DUTIES. "There is never a life of perfect rest, And not every cloud has a silver crest, But there is a Power unseen and true That out of the struggle is leading you; In patience and faith to the Father cling, You are the subject and God is king." IN the foregoing chapters the reader has been led hurriedly along from my cradle to the time when the pen was lifted to commence this autobiography and but little now remains to be added. But few of the incidents that have marked my life have I taken his time to dwell upon, but those few will be sufficient to convince him that God's eye keeps track of and his hand ministers to the needs of even willful boys, and that sooner or later they will be brought face. to face with the obligation thus revealed and have opportunity to try and honorably discharge that obligation, and in so doing find occasion to be compassionate and forbearing with all the children of men. Many events dot the diary of my experience which if recited in detail, would but [314] corroborate like testimony borne by others. They would tell of sick ones instantly healed, of suffering relieved in perhaps hundreds of instances, and in a few instances of devils cast out by the power that attended the humble elder's rebuke and command in his Master's name ; but I have refrained purposely from much of this because others have made of them a specialty in writing and have had more marvelous things in that line to relate than I have experienced. I have also a wish to honor the command which forbids me to talk of faith or boast of mighty works. I prefer that my autobiography, such as it is, shall present me in my peculiar individuality before the readers. My calling, as I understand it, is to preach the gospel. I have not received the gift of healing or miracles that I am aware of, though my priesthood has been honored when administering, where those gifted in that line were not present. I have been richly blessed of God in preaching and because of this gift, which the Book of Mormon calls the "gift of preaching," have been called upon in numbers of new places, by Saints who foolishly supposed that a man so blessed in preaching must be equally blessed with every other gift. They [315] insisted I should administer to them or their sick friends, notwithstanding they have been told that their local elders, who were not considered as able preachers, would do them more good. They forget that the good book says that "to one" is given one gift and "to another" some other. I have known some to suffer longer on account of this mistake, which they refused to correct, than they otherwise would have done; but hesitation on my part when called upon to go would have been interpreted as an evidence of indifference or cruelty and I have submitted. The fact remains, however, that we have scores of elders who have but limited ability in preaching publicly, but who have gifts, designed for the healing of the Saints and for other purposes of presidency and counsel. Many of these are ignored in the idea that an apostle, or prophet, or president, or seventy who happens to be favored when in the stand with a free outpouring of the Spirit to preach, must also have more power or faith to heal than local elders have. I cannot speak for others, of course, but I know that in some cases under my own observation, they have experimented to their hurt. Leaving home in September, 1890, was the [316] hardest effort of the kind of my life. My oldest son was in his seventeenth and my oldest daughter in her fifteenth year. Then there was the nine year old girl, the six year old girl, and the three year old boy, (and such a boy!) besides the little woman who was to bear alone the care of their guardianship in addition to her own loneliness. On the Sunday evening I had stood while hundreds of Saints, who seemed about as dear to me as mortals can well be, shook my hands, and tearfully said good-bye, and had endured the parting fairly well till I got to the seclusion of home and found freer vent for my feelings; but when, after nearly four years of stay, (excepting short trips away,) I reached the point where "Good-bye" must be said to my family, and some of them hung on my neck, while others looked what they could not speak, I confess it was trial enough, without thought of any ahead in my field of labor. So, with a sadder heart than I had felt for many years, I left the weeping group of children. My wife accompanied me to Kansas City where, in company with Brn. J. A. and W. N. Robinson and their wives, Sr. Belle Robinson, Bro. F. G. Pitt, and Sr. Jennie Newton, we spent most of the day. Learning that the [317] members of the First Presidency were at the reunion at Logan, I determined to call there on my way East to learn whether the death of Bishop Blakeslee (which had occurred) would necessitate any call upon the leading quorums, and thus make delay on my part advisable. The train for Independence left before my train for the East, and took my wife and the others away. I was then alone, and what that feeling meant I can never describe. I walked the entire length of the Union Depot platform between the cars and wept like a child. It might be childish, but I could not help it. I there covenanted with God to remain in the field as long as he would give me health, and asked for grace to preserve me in righteousness. My sister and her husband (Bro. and Sr. Thomas Hattey) came to the depot in time to see me before leaving. Then Bro. J. A. Robinson returned from Independence and accompanied me as far as St. Joseph, Missouri. Next morning I reached the camp ground and for nearly two days enjoyed the association of the assembled Saints and preached once. Finding that everything had been arranged for the Bishopric work, I left for the East, [318] though it was hard to leave the reunion before its close, a thing I had never been guilty of before. But duty said go, and I had been delayed too long already, so I pushed on to Toronto, where I visited my mother and sister and several relatives and friends, also the house of my birth, and the Methodist church (now replaced by a grand structure) where I used to preach and pray. I talked the gospel to a good many people, but did not know that a number of Saints had moved in there and were holding meetings. This visit was too short ; but go I must, and, bidding farewell to my dear old mother, I started for my new field. The journey to Montreal and thence to Boston was monotonous, for I was in no condition to admire anything. Reaching Boston on the 8th of October I repaired to the home of Bro. and Sr. Frank Steffe, where I met Bro. W. H. Kelley and others, who were present to attend conference. From this point my labors in the East began and included work in Providence and Pawtucket, Rhode Island; also in Fall River, New Bedford, North Weymouth, Massachusetts; Deer Isle, Jonesport, and Lamoine, Maine; New Canaan, Connecticut; and Brooklyn, New York; as well as Cape Cod. [319] The spring conference of 1891, at Kirtland, appointed me in charge of the Rocky Mountain mission, but by request of the First Presidency I returned to the East for a few months first, making my home for several months at the residence of Bro. and Sr. William Blood in Providence, and it was such a home as any elder may well feel proud of. The gospel is the theme there and its fruits are manifest. Sr. Blood is one of the first workers in the church and Sunday school there, and around her cluster the young ladies of the branch, like ivies around the pine. My health failed me and after some months I reached that condition where it seemed I must return home. I prayed over it and finally told the Lord that I wished to take back the promise I made to stay in the field while I had health, and substitute a pledge to stay in the field, health or no health. I resolved to stay, though I should die. After this my health improved. In the Eastern mission I found the footprints of Adam and Beelzebub. Adam had been aroused by the other and had put down his foot with a vengeance in one or two places. To uproot evil and maintain the dignity of our gospel standards, Brn. E. C. Briggs, W. H. Kelley, M. H. Bond, F. M. Sheehy, A. H. [320] Parsons, and several local brethren, including Brn. John Smith and Thomas Whiting had been at work, and excepting Bro. Briggs, were still working in the district. Differences of judgment had led to different attitudes on questions under investigation and serious consequences were threatened. The missionaries had done noble work which, in time, will be vindicated fully to their credit; but where iniquity gains a foothold and Satan has clinched its rivets it requires long patience and endurance of opposition to bring about the reformation desired. I entered the field to supplement the labors of my predecessors, for I believed they were right and had done well ; but my methods of approach and dealing with the troubles before me were not in exact line with some of theirs, which may have led some of them to misinterpret me a little. The great purpose, as I conceived it, was to call the attention of all hands away from the objects which had been magnified to their hurt, and to securely fasten it and their affection upon something more worthy of their interest, leaving the other matters to develop, and when a crisis came, if ever, it would hurt the few who preferred to be hurt,. rather than the many who loved the gospel. [321] more than their own wills or selfishness. How far success was attained by this process, I am unable to state. The limits of such a writing as this will not admit of a mention of the names of scores of excellent Saints whose study day and night seemed to have particular reference to the advancement of gospel work, and who worked heart and soul with the writer to that end. A host of young ladies were banded together in Providence and other branches, and with voice and hand contributed freely and richly to the measure of success under achieve-ment. Extending my labors to Maine, I found a host of earnest toilers at Deer Isle and Jones-port and proved that the reputation in which they were held throughout the East was fully warranted. They ought to be oftener heard through the channels of church literature. While among them I grew in mental, spiri-tual, and physical stature, and breathed all the more freely because I was not called upon to do any other work than preach and live the gospel. August arrived, however, and with it the time set for me to start westward. So, part-ing from the Maine branches, I called at Providence and Boston, and from thence [322] started at noon, August 4, for Toronto, Canada. Arriving in my native city again, I found mother in better health than for a Iong time before, and intensely interested in the gospel work. A dozen or more Saints from different points had settled there and were holding meetings weekly in a hall which they had secured. A preaching meeting was advertised with my name as bait for old Methodist acquaintances. As a result of this and what visiting I done, a few of them were attracted to the meeting, and for over one hour I gave them reasons not only for leaving, but also for staying away from Methodism. I was blessed and hoped they were. All seemed to feel well pleased and satisfied. Perhaps they will remain satisfied without any more, but I hope not. I availed myself of the opportunity to visit some of my relatives and also of "posting" them as to my religious whereabouts. They gave me splendid audience and made many inquiries, and assured me of their fullest confidence. One of my aunts also expressed her faith in the doctrine so far as I had time to explain it. It was a busy time for me till the expiration of my railroad ticket time limit, but I enjoyed it hugely. [323] Monday, August 10, I parted from mother, sister, and many other dear ones and continued my journey home, where I arrived on the morning of the 13th, and found all well except my wife who showed traces of care and extreme nervousness, but who improved during the few weeks of my stay before starting for the Rocky Mountains. A few weeks later found me again battling with the evils of Brighamism. My home in Salt Lake City was with Bro. and Sr. Joseph Wilson. Considerable of my time was devoted to visiting among the people. A change had taken place. The President of the Utah church had issued a manifesto which in a way, forbade further polygamous marriages, and which he afterwards stated was intended to prevent all relations under former polygamous marriages. The public presentation of that doctrine was therefore, a thing of the past, and I only wish the evidences confronting me had been such as to convince me that the practice was abandoned. However, my labor continued till time to return to conference at Independence. There I was reappointed to the mission together with Bro. A. H. Smith and others. Hoping to improve her health by the trip my wife accompanied me to Idaho, where, for [324] a short time we enjoyed the kind and generous hospitality of Sr. Eliasson. Scarcely had I started operations there, when a telegram from Bro. A. H. Smith called me to Salt Lake City to help care for Bro. T. W. Smith, who, while stopping over there on his way to California and Australia, had been suddenly stricken with paralysis. Thither we hastened by first train and remained till his removal home, whither he was accompanied by Bro. A. H. Smith. From thence, after holding a few meetings in the city and at Pleasant Grove, I started for Idaho, and was there joined by Bro. R. J. Anthony. Together we held services at Little Blackfoot and thence proceeded to Deer Lodge, Montana, where we were hospitably entertained by Bro Andrew Cristofferson and family. Afterholding several meetings in the little chapel there, I left Bro. Anthony to pursue the work in adjoining parts and took train for Belgrade, where for a short time my labors were confined to the Reese Creek branch. Here as before I found a band of Saints with abundance of every material thing to keep things flourishing. The enemy knew also of their equipment in this respect and as he always does, directed special attention to prevent the accomplishment of the splendid work possible. In his [325] line he was faithful, and if all the Saints had been as markedly so, that region of country might easily resound with the reverberating echoes of the blessed message of life; but unfortunately the diligence of the Devil does not always provoke like diligence in us, and he gets the start of us and often holds ground that we might possess to God's honor. I was treated well by all while there and made my home with Elder J. E. Reese and wife. During my stay here I went to a small place called Bridger, high up in the canyon a few miles from Bozeman, to fill an appointment made for me by the brethren before my arrival. Here I baptized Mrs. Standridge and two of her children, whom I also confirmed, and blessed her other children, being assisted by Brn. J. E. and Gomer Reese, the latter being branch president at Reese Creek. A fact came to my knowledge that may be worth relating. Some months before this the lady above-named had been reading a sermon of mine in the Ensign, and after reading and noticing my name at the head of it was distinctly told by the Spirit that I should baptize her. At that time I was in Missouri, and was a stranger to her ; but what she had read convinced her of the truth of the work and what the Spirit told her assured her that the [326] Lord would some day permit her to meet me. Weeks passed into months until on the 14th of August the Brethren Reese announced at the close of their meeting that Elder Joseph Luff, of Missouri, would preach there the following Sunday. Immediately, upon hearing this name, Mrs. Standridge rose up before the people and exclaimed, "Glory be to God, that is the man the Lord told me would baptize me." She then told the elders she would be ready for baptism when I came. While these were not the fruit of my labor in any sense, yet the mention of the matter will serve to show that God goes before his servants and prepares the hearts of the people in ways peculiar to himself Before leaving that section I preached at Spring Hill schoolhouse to a quite large and intelligent audience. Legal matters requiring my attention necessitated a return to Missouri, hence I called at Salt Lake City where my wife and youngest child were being cared for by Bro. and Sr. Joseph Wilson, and with them started eastward, arriving home about September 1. Answering an invitation from the committee in charge, I attended the fall reunion at Logan, Iowa, and contributed my mite toward its success. From that time till the conference of 1893, at Lamoni, Iowa, my time was [327] spent in preaching in places in Missouri and Kansas within a radius of one hundred miles from home, as it was found impracticable for me to return to the Rocky Mountains. One result of the conference at Lamoni was an addition to my responsibilities, having been appointed a member of the Board of Publication, and by the Board corresponding editor of the Saints' Herald. My field of labor as a missionary includes Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, and Central and Southern Indiana, and the concluding lines of this autobiography are being written at home, from whence, in its revised form, it is sent forth to serve as best it may the heart purpose of its writer. Forty years since my first and seventeen years since my second birth have passed and with what little that has been learned by experience and observation, I am prepared to more cheerfully and contentedly commit my interests for time and eternity into the hands of the Lord than ever. He who has done so well for me in the past may surely be trusted for the future. May the influence of this lifestory be such as to impel the boys who read to consecrate their years to God and reap a benediction of peace here, and glory hereafter. May the kind hand that has preserved the writer since the days of innocence and [328] infancy, through the roguishness of boyhood, and the willfulness of following years and on till his arrival at the plane of highest spiritual possibilities, also bless the boys and girls who look through this brief autobiography as through a window at his character. May the foregoing prove a stimulus to hope and endeavor in at least some of those who have perused it and thus bring fresh cause to the writer for praise, and added glory to God. |
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