Among the Mormons without Purse and Scrip

AMONG THE "MORMONS" WITHOUT PURSE AND SCRIP. BY ELDER JAMES E. HART, A LATELY RETURNED MISSIONARY FROM TENNESSEE.

Some two and a half years ago I was called to go on a mission to the Southern States, and responded cheerfully to that call. On arriving in Chattanooga I was assigned a field of labor in the mountainous regions of East Tennessee, on account of the delicate state of my health. There with other elders, all traveling without purse and scrip, I commenced my work of hunting for the lost sheep of the house of Israel, and warning the people of the judgments to come and that will overtake the wicked unless they repent of their sins. The Lord was with us in our labors and travels, and softened the hearts of the people to feed, clothe, and give us money, and many received our testimony. Early in the my missionary labors I became period of my kind, sympathetic friends ad- nearly blind, and some of vised me to leave my mission, go home and save my eye- sight. I was, moreover, brought to what appeared to be the very gate of death — by severe illness. I felt that I could live no longer unless God should interpose and save me; but in this extremity the Lord heard my prayer and honored the ad- ministration of his servant Elder F. M. Houston, who at that time was my traveling companion; for I was miraculously and almost instantly healed; and no trace was left of the terrible affliction that nearly took my life. Instead of weighing one hundred and sixty-five pounds, I soon weighed about two hun- dred. This was realized without purse and scrip. Sometimes

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my companions and self were refused food and shelter at several houses, but invariably there was a better place provided for us, and we were made to rejoice in the goodness of the Lord. Be it said to the credit and kind hospitality of the people of the south, I never had occasion to sleep out of doors, and very seldom lacked for food. Friends were raised up through the kind providence of God, the sick were healed, the blind received their sight, and the poor had the gospel preached to them. Nor was it the poor alone whose hearts were opened to provide for us. We had free access to the best hotels in seme of the larger cities, and were entertained by the wealthiest and most influential citizens wherever we chose to travel. I had conductors on the railroad take me free of charge and pay my hotel bill on reaching my destination. While receiving the hospitality of the southern people, in food, shelter, and money to pay our fare when we found it necessary to travel by rail, I often wondered if our own peo- ple in the land of Zion would be as generous to ministers who might travel among them as strangers, without purse or scrip, and preaching, withal, a doctrine not generally be- lieved by the people. I resolved that when I returned to

Salt Lake City on my way home that I would test them. This I did on my late return, and was much pleased with the

result; for everything I asked for was freely granted to me. The first gentleman upon whom I called was B. Y. Hampton, Esq., proprietor of the Hampton House, to whom I introduced myself as a minister of the gospel from the state of Tennessee. Being asked what church I represented, I in- formed him that I represented the Church of Jesus Christ; that in my travels in Tennessee and North Carolina I had met a number of the elders of the "Mormon Church," whom, I had been informed, preached without money and without price, and traveled as did the disciples of old, without purse or scrip. That this was my idea of the manner in which the gospel. should be preached. I had in fact adopted the same method, and the Lord had blessed me in my labors, always providing a friend in the hour of need. Hearing consider- able of the "Mormon people," had resolved to travel I among them for a time in the same humble manner, depend-

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ing upon their hospitality for my support. "Mr. Hampton," I remarked, "I should like to obtain entertainment from you for the night, you can provide for me on these terms." To if

this he readily replied that he would take care me. Finding him so willing to provide free entertainment to a supposed stranger, I frankly told him who I was, the object of my ap- plication; asked his pardon for the deception, and excused my- self from staying with him on the ground of having several in- vitations to spend the night with other friends. Previous to making myself known, however, I said: "Mr. Hampton, I suppose you are a Mormon?" To this the generous proprietor of the Hampton House looked me squarely in the eye and replied with much warmth, "bred and born." I next called at the Temple Barber shop, and intro-

duced myself to Mr. A. E. Walker, satisfied him that I was a minister from Tennessee traveling without purse and scrip, and asked him to give me the benefit of his artistic skill in the form of a shave and shingle. He readily complied, and gave me an invitation to come again. To my friends I recommend the Temple Barber shop, for it was as good a shave and shingle as I ever had in Tennessee. I next interviewed Salt Lake's well known and respected

citizen, Henry Dinwoodey, and had a private conversation with him in his office. In an interesting conversation he answered many questions regarding the object of the erection of tem- ples, explaining church discipline in relation to ward govern- ment, bishops' courts, high counsel trials, etc.; and seemed very willing to assist me in arriving at a favorable conclusion regarding "Mormonism." I informed him that I had met a number of his church leaders that day, among the number being Presidents Woodruff, Cannon and Smith, who seemed to be very agreeable gentlemen. I had also met a tall gentleman by the name of Golden

— "Kimball" said Mr. Dinwoodey, supplying the apparent forgetfulness. "Yes, " said I, "Kimball," who had kindly in- vited me to go with him the next day to Brigham City and attend a meeting which he was going to hold there in the in- terests of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations,

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to which I had readily consented, desiring to extend my ac- quaintance among the "Mormon people." I told him, how- ever, that it required money for railway fare, and as I was traveling without purse and scrip, should be pleased to re- ceive a little assistance from him. Mr. Dinwoodey handed me $2.50, for which I thanked him, assuring him that the Lord would reward him for his kindness. He asked me to write my name in a small note book he had, which I did. Learning I was going to Bear Lake, and that my name was Hart, he informed me that he had a good friend there by the name of James H. Hart, who might be related to me. In all probability he is, said I. In fact, Brother Dinwoodey, I do not deem it wise to carry on this deception any longer. James H. Hart, your good friend, is my father; and I am just from East Tennessee conference, over which I have presided for about two years. I handed him the $2. 50, but he replied,

— "keep it, keep it, it will come in handy" and it did. Needing a main spring for my watch, I called at the jewelry establishment of John Daynes and Son, and introduced myself as in the above instances. Making my wants known, Brother Daynes readily repaired the watch of the supposed minister from Tennessee free of charge. About the time I was explaining my identity a son-in-law of Brother Daynes, Charles M. Cannon, came in, and being acquainted with me he introduced me to Brother Daynes and his son. My next adventure was in Z. C. M. I., where I inter- viewed Col. T. G. Webber, superintendent and manager of that mammoth institution. Although very busy, he gave me the privilege of a private conversation in his office. His re- ception was kind and gentlemanly, and in the end he, like the others, proved himself generous. Informing him that I was badly in need of a pair of shoes he called one of his clerks, told him to fit me out with a good pair, and send him up the bill. Now, Mr. Webber, said I, before receiving the shoes, I desire to make this further explanation. I am a re-

turned elder from the Southern States Mission, where I have travelled without purse or scrip for twenty-seven months, receiving the kindest treatment at the hands of her people, and I merely desired to test some of our leading men, to see

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if they would treat a stranger as generously as the people of the Southern States have treated myself and others. Mr. Webber replied, "You must have the shoes nevertheless," and his clerk fitted me up with a fine $5.00 pair, which I shall wear on Sundays only, and be constantly reminded when I do so of the kind and generous heart of the donor. My next and last interview in this line of work was really the most difficult. I had a back tooth which needed filling.

My friend, Dr. Cannon, kindly proferred to do the work for me, but I desired to have it done by a dentist who believed me to be a stranger, and I suggested calling on Dr. Fred Clawson. Dr. Cannon said: "He will know you." "That may be," said I, "but I can talk him out of it." When I called at the dental parlors of Dr. Clawson, who is an old friend and school mate of mine, he recognized me,

and extending his hand said: "How do you do, Brother Hart, I'm glad to see you. " "There is evidently some mis- take here," said I. "No," said the Doctor, "you are James H. Hart, from Bloomington, Idaho." "You are mistaken," said I, "my name is not James H. Hart." Well, if you are not James H. Hart you are an exact counterpart of him." "That may be, I have often seen men whom I thought ex- actly alike, and we are all liable to mistakes. But I will ex- cuse you Dr., of course," said I. "My name is Hart, however, but I am a minister of the gospel from Tennessee," etc., etc. Three ladies were in his parlors, one in the dental chair awaiting repairs to her teeth, but my business being of an urgent nature, I thought they could wait while I had a private interview with the doctor. I completely captivated him with my story, and appealed to his generosity, which was not found wanting. He introduced me to Dr. Gates, who works with him, and that gentleman did a very creditable piece of work in filling the aforesaid decayed tooth; after which I warmly thanked them for their kindness, but before leaving asked for their cards and in turn gave them mine, which read Elder James E. Hart, Bloomington, Idaho. Dr. Clawson smiled, and I explained matters in full, and left him the same old friend I had known in my school-days. And so the problem was solved to my satisfaction, for I had called on some of the prominent Latter-day Saints of the city, whom I had weighed in the "without purse and scrip balance," and they were not found wanting.