---
title: Improvement Era
description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930.
authors:
  - Parry, Edwin F.
collections:
  - periodicals
tags:
  - magazine
  - improvement-era
periodical: Improvement Era
volume: 12
number: 6
published: 1909-04
publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations
publisher_place: Salt Lake City
language: en
type: magazine
reference: 'Parry, Edwin F., "Herbert Melbourne—VI," *Improvement Era* 12, no. 6 (April 1909): 435–445.'
source:
  url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1206unse
  transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers.
  identifier: improvementera1206unse
start_page: 435
end_page: 445
rights:
  status: public-domain
  basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1909-04)
  source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1206unse
  publication_year: 1909
  note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1909, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright.
---

# Herbert Melbourne—VI

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HERBERT MELBOURNE.
BY EDWIN F. PARRY.
VI.
In due time Herbert Melbourne and his fellow-missionaries
landed in Liverpool, England. Herbert received his appointment
to labor in the Sheffield conference. He at once took train for his
destination.
The day after his arrival at the headquarters of the conference, he had the opportunity of meeting all the missionaries of the
district, as they were assembled for their monthly priesthood
meeting. On hearing the verbal reports of their labors and associating with them, he discovered that there were some bright,
intelligent young men among them, especially so were some who
had been there a year or two. Having had a good deal of experience in outdoor meetings, they were fluent speakers, and were
well posted on the scriptures. Although he was a college graduate and perhaps the only one among the elders of that conference
he felt that he was among his superiors.
It was fortunate he arrived at such an opportune time,
when he could meet with so many of those with whom he
was expected to labor. They were all strangers to him, but he
felt as much at home with them as among his old associates. Their
enthusiasm was an inspiration to him, and he was seized with a longing to be able to speak as they did. But there was much for him to
learn. True, he had studied some during the past year or more,
— ever since he had begun to take interest in the subject of religion, though his studies were not very systematic. Then he was
not entirely free from his skeptical views. Questions were

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43G IMPROVEMENT ERA.
frequently springing up in his mind which he was not yet able to
answer to his own satisfaction. He had received considerable enlightenment, however, upon spiritual matters, and he had resolved
in his mind to continue the investigation, first for his own satisfaction, and then he would be enabled to testify to others.
Owing to the uncertainties which he felt were in his mind, he
suggested to the conference president that he be permitted to
stay in and study for a few weeks before entering upon active missionary work. But his president's experience taught him to
think differently, and he explained to Herbert that a better
plan would be to start at once to work. By going out "tracting,"
and by holding meetings, he would come in contact with people who
would propound questions to him that would require study to answer
satisfactorily. This experience would be an incentive to study.
Besides, in his public speaking he could tell of what he did know,
even if his testimony of the gospel was not yet so strong as that
borne by some of his companions. He knew of the good character and the sincerity of the people whom he represented. He
knew that the teachings of his parents and of the authorities of his
Church were pure and elevating, and that if followed would make
mankind better. This much he did know and could testify to
honestly; and by working as well as studying, further knowledge
would be gained.
Herbert was assigned to labor in a small town with an elder
who had been in the mission over a year, and where there was a
small branch of the Church. He was faithful and diligent in
attending to the duties of a missionary, as far as he understood
them. Each day he went out "tracting," as did his companion,
and in the evening either visited friends and investigators in company with his fellow-laborer, or helped him hold out-door meetings.
What spare time he had he devoted to the study of the
scriptures and the history of the latter-day gospel. He had with
him a history of the Prophet Joseph Smith, which he was reading
carefully, in connection with the story of the gospel as contained
in the New Testament. After continuing this course of study for
a few weeks, he remarked to his companion,
"Elder Davis, it appears to me that this history of Joseph

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HERBERT MELBOURNE. 437
Smith would be a splendid book to loan to investigators —
those who are interested sufficiently to read such a volume. I
must admit it has impressed me very deeply — especially that part
given in the language of the prophet himself. His sincerity cannot be doubted after reading his history."
"0 yes, Brother Melbourne, I fully agree with what you say.
I have loaned three copies of the History, and I believe the parties
who have them are reading them. I have not seen them for some
time, though."
"Another thing I have especially noted, in reading of the
coming forth of the gospel in the latter-day, is the similarity of its reception to that of the former-day gospel. In the
days of the Savior and his apostles, the lowly and the humble were
the ones who accepted their teachings, while the haughty and
proud ignored it, and the teachers of religion persecuted those
who accepted it. These same teachings have received the same
kind of reception in this age. I have only mentioned these few
points of similarity between the former-day and the latter-day
gospel,but I have observed that they are similar in every detail, and
this leads me to believe that if the one be true, the other must be.
I am willing to admit that I have received a good deal of enlightenment from my studies and my conversations with you during
the past few weeks. It appears to me now that my unbelief
was nothing short of stupidity. Your favorite quotation, 'He
that judgeth a matter before he heareth it is not wise,' is true,
if not exactly scriptural. I have been unwise in asserting my
disbelief in religion when I knew nothing about it, I should have
known better."
"You are not the only one who has been hasty in proclaiming
yourself an unbeliever. I believe all skeptics and so-called infidels
have so declared themselves without sufficient investigation.
They are either ill-informed, or not at all informed as to what
religion is. I do not believe an intelligent person can study our
religion thoroughly and honestly without discovering that it is the
truth. You speak of the impression made upon your mind by
reading the history of Joseph Smith. Let me ask, what is your
impression of the Book of Mormon, which the prophet was instrumental in bringing to light?"

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438 IM PRO VEMENT ERA .
"To tell the truth, Brother Davis, answered Herbert, I have
never read it."
"What! Never read the Book of Mormon?"
"No, never. I have picked it up several times, and read a
little here and there, but never completed it— never completely
read a book in it."
"And did you ever read the Bible before you were called upon
a mission?"
"I read considerable of it when a boy. And in Sunday school
we studied it some, when I was young. But I quit going to Sunday
school when I was sixteen, and never read much of it from that
time till recently."
"Well, it's easy to understand how you became skeptical.
But I want to read to you a passage from the Book of Mormon,
and then I want you to read the book from beginning to end. It
will help to qualify you for your labors as a messenger of salvation. Indeed, I do not know how you can become a good missionary
without a knowledge of the Book of Mormon. The passage I shall
read is found in the tenth chapter of Moroni, beginning at the
fourth verse:
"And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would
ask God, the eternal Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, if these things are not
true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in
Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy
Ghost;
"And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.
"If you will read this book with the desire to know of its
truth, I am satisfied the knowledge will be given you. If you receive a testimony that the book is true, you will also know that
Joseph Smith was a prophet, for no man could bring forth such a
work unless he was inspired of the Lord. You will find in it a
thousand evidences of its authenticity and divinity,"
"I certainly must read the work. I should have done so long
ago. There is no excuse for a man coming out here to preach the
gospel without knowing of its truth. ' But I am learning gradually,
and if I do no one else any good, I will be benefited myself by
my coming."
And so Herbert's faith became strengthened day by day, as

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HERBERT MELBOURNE. 439
he performed his labors. He not only gained knowledge through
study of the Church works, but also through his experience and
observation. The promises of the scripture were fulfiled in his
own experiences. He enjoyed the fruits of the Spirit, and witnessed the exercise of many of the gifts of the gospel. By the
power of the Holy Ghost, his mind was enlightened, and he was
led to see the truth and force of the scriptures, in his studies, and
when hi addressed the people, the same power brought things to
his remembrance, and he was led to utter truths that were even
new to himself.
But this was not all. He found that his words of testimony
brought conviction to his hearers. On one ocasion he was preaching on the streets to a small group who had gathered to listen to
his remarks. After the close of the meeting, and as he was leaving the place, a man and his wife stepped up to him and the man
said, "Your words have pricked my heart, and I want to know
what I shall do."
This declaration reminded him of Peter's preaching on the
day of Pentecost, when the people being "pricked in their hearts
cried out, 'Men and brethren, what shall we do?' " True, it was
only one man that appealed to him on this occasion, but there is
no telling how many others present at the meeting were similarly
impressed.
In distributing tracts from door to door he enjoyed the gifts
of the Spirit. Upon many occasions he was directed by it to go
to certain places, and by obeying the promptings, he found people
who were looking for the truth, and who were prepared to receive
his message. At one time he was impressed to call at a certain
house, and when he entered, the lady, although an entire stranger,
recognized him, stating that she had seen him in a dream
which had deeply impressed her, insomuch that she had been led to
pray to the Lord to send some one who could tell her the
true way of salvation, which she had been earnestly seeking for a
long time.
By this same Spirit he had been forewarned of attempts of
evil-disposed persons to entrap him and to harm him. Several
times he witnessed miraculous healings and other signs that follow
the believers. But what gave him more satisfaction and assur-

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440 IMPROVEMENT ERA.
ance than all these outward manifestations, was the possession of
the Holy Spirit which appealed to his inward soul and assured him
that he was in the actual service of his Maker. He recalled
a remark made by his companion, Elder Davis, when he first came
to labor with him. The statement was something like this, and
was in a testimony meeting of the Saints of the branch: "My
brethren and sisters, I am satisfied that the gospel is true, and
that, as the Apostle Paul says, it is the 'power of God unto salvation.' I know this through the testimony of the Holy Spirit.
* * I, perhaps, have never told this little congregation before that in my own experience I have witnessed one of
the most remarkable instances of the healing and preserving
power of the Lord. I once met with a very severe accident.
From all human appearances it was unquestionably fatal. Two
doctors examined me and were agreed that it was impossible for
me to live twelve hours, and none of my friends had any hope
that I would live except through divine interposition. Some of
them hal faith, and I had a strong desire to live. I was anointed
with holy oil and prayed for, and almost immediately I began to
amend, and in a remarkably short time I was entirely healed.
Now, I feel assured that this was through the blessing of
the Lord, bestowed especially upon me at this time. To me it
his always appeared a most remarkable miracle, but let me tell
you, that that miracle does not give me so much assurance that I
am engaged in the work of the Lord, as does the sweet, peaceful
innuenc3 of the Spirit which I enjoy from day to day, and which
almost constantly tells me that the gospel is true."
When Herbert first heard this testimony from the lips of
Elder Davis, he wondered if it could be possible that a man could
receive a greater testimony to the truth of the gospel than that
gained through witnessing a miracle — such a miracle as that
experienced by his companion. But now he could fully believe the
remarks of Elder Davis, for he had received that greater evidence
himself. He, too, had observed cases of remarkable healing; he
had heard prophecies uttered and noted their fulfilment; he had
heard the gift of tongues and the interpretation of tongues. But
there was one little experience in his missionary career which gave
him more satisfaction and comfort than even these gifts, and

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HERBERT MELBOURNE. 441
yet there was nothing that seemed miraculous about the experience. He could tell nothing about it that would convey to others
an idea thit there was anything remarkable in the experience,
unless it was told to those who had enjoyed similar outpourings
of the Spirit. The circumstance referred to was that of a priesthood meeting held by the elders of the conference in which he
labored. The meeting was conducted in the usual manner. It
was opened by singing and prayer, and then the elders in turn
were called upon to report their labors during the past month-
The president followed by reporting his own labors, adding words
of advice and encouragement. No extraordinary progress was
reported; no wonderful experiences were related; there was no
visible, outward manifestation — nothing that can be described as
marvelous; yet the spirit enjoyed upon that occasion was most
remarkable to those who felt it, and all seemed to feel it to a
great degree. Great love for each other was manifest and expressed; everyone was encouraged and felt like going forth with
renewed energy and faith, some even shed tears of joy, and all
were more or less softened in their feelings; confessions of neglect
of duty or weakness were freely made; and no elder left that
meeting who was not affected by the divine influence that pervaded the place.
Not only upon this occasian did Herbert enjoy this feeling,
but it was with him more or less every day. It assured him constantly that he was in the service of the Lord, and that his labors
and his life were acceptable unto him. It was with him when he
preached in the halls or on the streets. It banished from his
mind all doubts regarding the principles of the gospel; and the
fact that Joseph Smith was almighty prophet was borne in upon
his soul, and the desire he possessed to testify of the gospel was
irresistible. He felt that he could not do enough for the cause.
"Do you know, I was at one time skeptical about religion,"
remarked Elder Melbourne one day to his room mate, Elder Davis.
"I could hardly believe there was a Supreme Being. Now I
wonder how I could have been so blind. Everything I observe or
read now seems to give evidence of the truth of the gospel of
Christ as taught by the Latter day Saints. It is all wonderful to
me. You have noticed that directly opposite the front window of

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442 IMPROVEMENT ERA.
our room— on the hillsido facing us, is a coal mine, where many
men are employed?"
"Yes, I have been over there. Some of our members work
in the mine."
''Well, I was talking the other day with Brother Brown. He
works there. He told me how he became connected with the gospel. A few years ago an elder who labored in this conference
went over to the mine with one of the local brethren. He was
permitted to go into the mine, and down there he was introduced
to several of the miners and had a conversation with them. He
also handed to them some tracts which he had with him. The
result was one of them at least was led in this manner into the
fold of Christ, and that one was Brother Brown. By the way, he
expects to emigrate with his family to Utah next month."
"So I have heard. But do you know there are scores of
miners who have labored in this very place who have joined our
Church, and many are in Utah today."
"What impressed me is this: It is a striking fulfilment of
the prediction of Jeremiah concerning the gathering of Israel in
the last days. Let me read to you the passage I refer to — no
doubt you are familiar with it. It is in the sixteenth chapter:
"Behold, I will send for many fishers, saith the Lord, and they shall fish
them; and after will I send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every
mountain, and from every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks."
"It seems to me that prophecy is here literally fulfiled — 'and
they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill,
and out of the holes of the rocks,' — can any prediction be more completely fulfiled?"
"Many other predictions of the ancient prophets concerning
the gathering of Israel are also fulfiled in the preaching of this
gospel," added Elder Davis. "One of our brethren here, remarked
to me not long since that he and his sister were the only ones of
his family who had embraced the gospel, and as his sister lived
in another place the prophecy concerning the Lord taking 'one of
a city and two of a family,' and bringing them to Zion was exactly
verified in their case, for they were then ready to take their departure to the 'mountain of the house of the Lord,' that they

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HERBERT MELBOURNE. 443
might be taught in his ways and 'walk in his paths/ in fulfilment
of another prediction of scripture."
A little unpleasant experience which Elder Melbourne passed
through convinced him that the Savior's words to his former disciples were still true, "If they have persecuted me, they will also
persecute you." He could hardly believe that men in this enlightened age would persecute their fellow-men for their religious
views. But he was rudely convinced of the fact, when upon one
occasion while holding a meeting on the street he was mobbed and
driven away by violence. And this treatment was not received
from infidels or heathens, but from professed religionists, who
were incited to thus mistreat him by a preacher of religion! This
again helped to confirm him in his growing belief, for he realized,
as he had never done so fully before, the Savior's promise:
"Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute
you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my
sake. * * * For so persecuted they the prophets which were
before you."
Another incident that transpired some months later, served to
impress him with other sayings of Christ, such as the following:
"Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I come not to send peace,
but a sword.
"For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter
against her mother and the daughter-in-law against the mother-in-law.
"And a man's foes shall be they of his own household."
*****
"And ye shall be betrayed both by parents and brethren, and kinsfolks and
friends."
There was a young lady who became converted to the gospel,
and like many others, had to endure much persecution from her
father, who was not a member of the Church, but was a bitter
opponent of the work. At times he became so enraged that he
would strike his daughter, and otherwise ill-treat her, and for no
other reason than that she was a "Mormon." She waited until
she was of age before being baptized, and was a faithful and obedient daughter, regarding her parents' wishes in everything else
but this one. But life became so unpleasant to her that she was
compelled to leave home; yet her father was not satisfied. He

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1 1 1 IMPRO VEMENT ERA .
followed her to her lodging place and sought to inflict bodily
punishment upon her. Then she went to live with a family, the
head of whom was a man who forbade the young lady's parent
coming near his house. The cowardly father was afraid of this
man, and kept away from him. But his bitterness continued. A
conference of the Saints was to be held. His daughter would
likely attend, and on her way from the meeting he would seek an
opportunity to catch her alone and give her another beating. He
waited until the close of the meeting, and watched by the door of
the meetinghouse for his daughter's appearance. She was on her
guard, however, and walked away between two young lady friends.
When he discovered her he followed. It was a long distance
between the meeting hall and the place where the daughter was
staying, and part of the way was through a lonely district.
Instead of attempting to go directly home the ladies kept on the
principal streets, as much as possible, going round about in a circuitous course, hoping the enraged man would lose them in the
crowd. But he continued the chase, until Elder Melbourne, being
notified of the man's intention, overtook him and followed him, or
rather walked side by side with him. After satisfying himself that
the man was following the ladies, turning every time they turned,
Elder Melbourne asked,
"What do you mean by following those ladies?''
The man made no reply.
' 'I demand to know why you are following those ladies?" repeated Melbourne in more severe tones.
"None of your business!" was the blunt answer.
"But I shall make it my business to stay with you;" said the
elder, and he continued by his side.
Presently the two men overtook the three women, and followed at their heels. They were now in a crowded part of the
street, and of course the father made no attempt on the
daughter. The women made their way through the crowd, and
soon they were on a street where but few people were to be
seen. Now, the man thought, was his opportunity. He raised
the heavy cane, which he carried, in an attempt to strike his
daughter, who was directly in front of him, and easily within his
reach. In an instant Elder Melbourne seized the cane, and just an

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HERBERT. MELBOURNE. 445
instant later a young man, a member of the local branch, who
knew the character of the man, and who had just overtaken him
from the rear, grasped the desperate man bodily and threw him to
the ground. He held him there till a policeman came. An
explanation of what happened was made to the officer, and the
man was allowed to go. In the meantime the women were far
enough away to be safe, and this time the brutal father was
baffled in his wicked attempt to beat, and perhaps kill, his own
loving daughter.
Salt Lake City, Utah. [to be continued.]