For the Increase of Faith: Literal Fulfilment of Blessings Received through the Holy Priesthood

FOR THE INCREASE OF FAITH LITERAL FULFILMENT OF BLESSINGS RECEIVED THROUGH THE HOLY PRIESTHOOD. BY ALBERT E. SCHOENFELD. As there is a desire to publish in the Era some of the testimonies of elders of our Church in order to inspire our young men to the reality of the fact that men of God in our day can seal blessings here on earth, which blessings God in heaven will honor and fulfil, I gladly contribute a description of some of my experiences, which I never shall forget. Having been set apart on the 5th of August, 1892, for a mission to Germany and Switzerland. I started from the Denver & Rio Grande depot on the 6th of August, in company with Elder Wahlquist. We traveled together until we reached Liverpool, where we had to separate, I going to Switzerland and he to Scandinavia. In Leeds (England) I met on the 27th of August with my first experience, in fulfilment of some words in my blessing, which words I shall quote further on. Just like an inexperienced young boy I had changed in Liverpool all my money into French coin; not reserving enough change to serve me on the way through England, I was hungry and had no change in English money to buy a meal. All at once I noticed a friendly face at the station, it was the genial countenance of Elder Rodney Hillam, Jun., who had been sent to meet and advise elders bound for the continent. He helped me out of my dilemma in literal fulfilment of the words in my blessing. The next and more serious experience awaited me in Brussels , Belgium, on my way to Switzerland. At Antwerp the train stood ready, via Brussels, for Switzerland. Looking at the long train, a strange forefeeling [presentiment] came over me, as if something dreadful was going to happen. I tried to step into the last car,

FOR THE INCREASE OF FAITH. 419 and some small voice seemed to whisper that I was not safe there . I tried a car in the centre of the train. The same feeling, the same whispering, that I would not be safe there. So I walked along the train, — the same feeling accompanied me, until I reached the very next car behind the engine. Here I felt easy. Approaching the city of Brussels, an express train came from the rear and ran into our train, before the latter had completely gotten on to the side track. The scene of destruction was dreadful to behold. The rear car was cut to splinters, the centre cars were telescoped, and my car escaped with a general upsetting of everything. Everything was in commotion, my valice I found outside along the track ; how it got there, I do not know. My hands were stained with blood, so was my valice, but not a scratch or wound was found on me; the bloodstains came from injured passengers, sitting alongside of me. It took the balance of the day to clear the track and get us started again. There were ten persons killed and thirty-three injured! In going from the wreck to the station, I found that everybody spoke French, and I was at a loss as to the right direction, when suddenly a kind-looking lady accosted me in my own mothertongue, took me into the house, gave me water to wash my bloodstained hands, and sent her husband with me to the station, to find out for me the correct time for the starting of the next train. Now, dear reader, — mark the words in my blessing, pronounced upon my head by Apostle Heber J. Grant, on the 5th of August, 1892, the day before I started: . . . . That you may have the light and inspiration of the Spirit of God to be with you ; that it may be your constant guide and companion . . . and warn you of dangers, seen and unseen, and enable you to avoid the same; . . . that you may travel in safety .... and that no accident befall you in your journey to and fro . . . Further words in the blessing read : Friends shall be raised up in your absence, and you shall not want for the necessities of life .... Both of these promises, with many others, were literally fulfiled during my mission. Salt Lake City, Utah.