A Miracle and Its Denial

A MIRACLE AND ITS DENIAL. BY GEORGE L. FARRELL. When I read of certain men who are now fighting the servants of the Lord, and reflect that some years ago they were full of faith, battling for the cause of truth, many circumstances that have transpired in my experience since I joined the Church, away back in 1849, come to my mind. When I think of the change that comes over those who were formerly friends, but who can now say nothing too harsh about our leaders who labor beyond their strength, often, for the furtherance of the Church of God, and for the establishment of peace and righteousness among men, my heart grieves for those who oppose the servants of the Lord. I am reminded of a circumstance that happened in the town of Newport, Monmouthshire, South Wales, which has been a warning to me to be exceedingly careful to honor the Priesthood conferred upon me, and to act justly towards others who hold the Holy Priesthood. And this, that I may always walk in the path of rectitude and virtue, and never grieve the Holy Spirit, or cause him to cease to strive with me. In the early part of 1849, Henry Naish, a basket-maker, joined the Church, with his wife, and some of the workmen of his shop. One Saturday, while Brother Naish was engaged at his stand, in the market, selling baskets, a young man came along asking for alms. The young man could not speak, but he communicated by writing, and stated that he had been struck dumb by lightning. He said, also, that he had been accused of being an impostor, but that he had been examined by several doctors, one of whom had split his tongue in trying to give him speech, but all to no avail, for he could not utter a word.

A MIRACLE AND ITS DENIAL. 511 Brother Naish, who was a sensitive man, had compassion on the young fellow, whose name was Reuben Brinkworth, and employed him in carrying baskets to people's houses, writing upon his slate the address of the places where the purchased articles were to be delivered. In the meantime, he and the workmen of his shop preached the gospel to the young man, until he believed. An evening was set apart for his baptism, and the Saints were notified to be present at a certain place on a canal, many of them coming to view the ceremony. I forget the name of the elder who performed the ceremony, but believe it was Pickton. As soon as the young man came forth out of the water, he spoke, praising God all through that memorable night. He was so overjoyed that two of the men sat up with him all night, praising the Lord for his great goodness in restoring to him his speech. After a time he was ordained to the Priesthood, and was sent out to preach the gospel. He bore a faithful testimony to its truths, and of his miraculous healing in the waters of baptism, whither he was led by an authorized servant of God. He proved faithful in his labors, as testified to by Elder John Frost, who was his companion. In course of time Elder Frost was called to labor in the Irish Mission, remaining in Ireland a long time, during which he heard nothing from Reuben Brinkworth. In the year 1859, I was called by President George Q. Cannon to assist in bringing a company of six hundred and fifty Saints from Florence to Utah, and Elder John Frost happened to be in my company. In conversation with him, one day, I told him that I embraced the gospel in Newport, Wales. He then asked me if I knew Reuben Brinkworth, to which I replied that I knew him well, at the same time rehearsing the incident of his baptism, and how he received his speech. He then told me of his labors with Brinkworth in England, and how he himself had been called to labor in Ireland. He then continued: "When I was released to return home, and while walking through a street in Manchester, I met a man on crutches whose face seemed familiar to me. After passing, I turned and followed him a little distance. I observed that one of his legs was drag-

ging as though it were hung to his body by a single string. Passing him, I walked a little distance, and again turned, walking slowly toward him to see if I knew him. I halted, and he spoke, saying: " 'John, you know me, don't you?' 1 " 'Why!' said I, 'is this Reuben?' " 'Yes,' he answered, 'yes, John, it is Reuben.' " 'What is the matter with you?' "And, as we walked slowly along together, he said; 'The judgments of God are resting heavily upon me!' "Asking him for a reason, he answered: 'Some of the ministers of the gospel offered me money if I would travel and preach for them. I took their money, and went out to preach for them. Then they gave me more money, if I would testify that I had lied formerly to the people, and that I had never been dumb. Soon I lost the use of my leg, and my spine is fearfully deformed, leaving me in this sad plight.' "Then I pleaded with him to repent of his sins, and to ask God to forgive him; but he answered, as the tears rolled down his cheeks: 'John, I have sinned against the Holy Ghost, and I never can be forgiven, in time nor in eternity!' Then I left him with feelings of extreme sorrow." This, in substance, was what John Frost related to me of Reuben Brinkworth, as we stood guard together, on the banks of the Sweetwater, in the month of August, 1859. Now, whether Reuben's sin constituted sin against the Holy Ghost or not, it had this sad ending. Elder Frost made his home in Ogden city, where I afterwards met him many times; but I have not seen him for several years past. But if he lives I am confident he will bear testimony to the truth of the foregoing, and will likewise join with me in warning the brethren to be cautious how they deny the truth, or speak evil of the servants of God. Smitbfiekl, Utah.