Communications

City of Nauvoo, August 4th 1841.

To the Editors of the Times and Seasons:

Dear Brethren:-Notwithstanding our mission to England has been published in various forms, I feel disposed to give a sketch of our proceedings in London and the regions round about. During a journey of about 200 miles from Manchester to London which was performed in a few days, Elders Smith, Woodruff and myself baptised [baptized] and confirmed 130 souls, and arrived in that city on the 18th of August 1840. We crossed the river Thames on London Bridge, and called on a Mr. Allgood in 19 King St. Borough, to whom we had a letter of introduction; we were received with kindness, and were directed by Mrs. Algood [Allgood] to a place of lodging where we took up our abode. We then went forth in the city visiting the Ministers and endeavoring to find a place to preach. We delivered our testimony to many of them who with one consent said "we have enough and need no more revelation;" thus fulfilling a prediction of the Book of Mormon, viz: "We have a Bible and need no more Bible." We continued in this manner more than two weeks before we found one person who would receive our testimony; in this situation we cried mightily unto the Lord that he would open some heart for the reception of his word, at length we were providentially directed to one Henry Connor, a silver smith, who Cornelius like, gladly received our testimony with all his household, and the old gentleman gave glory to God that we ever came under his roof; he went with us to Tabernacle Square, where, for the first time, we lifted up our voices in that city and that in the open air.

On our arrival at that place there was a gentleman preaching; after finishing his discourse another was about to take the stand, to whom I went & asked if he would let one of us preach as we were lately from America; he readily consented and proposed that we should preach first.-Accordingly, Elder Smith went forward and delivered a short discourse which had a very good effect. After this, the above mentioned gentleman proceeded; when he had concluded, I asked him to give out an appointment for us in the evening.-He then asked, "to what people do you belong?" I said, "to the Latter Day Saints." He then began ridiculing us, and said we were a bad people going about breaking up churches &c. He then urged us to leave the place, saying we don't want you here; the people then arose and said, they have as good a right here as you or any one else. I then arose upon a chair to give out an appointment, and a certain preacher steped [stepped] forward and pulled it from under me; but this, instead of proving an injury to us caused several to embrace the things spoken by us, who soon after were baptized, thus fulfilling the words of the Saviour [Savior], "you can do nothing against the truth, but for it.' Twenty three days after our arrival in that city, Elder Woodruff left for Herefordshire; we had at that time baptized but one. Elder Smith and myself continued preaching at that place, and also in a private room at Father Connors. Soon after we baptized 10 persons; we then organized a Church of 11 members, and ordained two Priests, viz: Father Connor, and Br. Cooper; many were believing and much inquiry.

We were under the necessity of leaving there the last of September to attend a Conference in Manchester on the 6th of

October. We then met in council with our brethren and transacted such business as was brought before us.

About the middle of October, Elders Woodruff and Smith returned to London, and I remained in Manchester and Liverpool to assist in forwarding the printing of the Book of Mormon. Elder Young and myself took a short mission to Preston, Church Town, South Port, and also went into Wales to the town of Harden on the river Dee, where we preached twice and the people almost universally received our testimony. In this place the power of God was manifested in healing the sick and restoring one who was nearly blind to sight. A young man lying at the point of death was healed, and in a few days went forward and was baptized. A large Church has since been raised up in that place, and many of them are expected here this fall in company with Elder Burnam, one of the seventies.

We then returned to Manchester, Nov. 25; left that place in company with Elder Young, and visited the following places, viz: Macclesfield, Burslem, Stanley, Lain End, West Bramwich and Birmingham. Here are large Branches in each of the above named places. We traveled by Coach and Railway, and arrived in London on Monday Nov. 30, and found Elder Woodruff then in good health. Elder Smith had left there two or three weeks before our arrival on account of ill health, and gone to Saffordshire [Staffordshire ?] Potteries. Elder Woodruff, baptized 3 the day before our arrival, the only ones added in my absence. Elder Young continued with us eleven days. We preached three times on the Sabbath, and also two evenings in the week; the remainder of our time was spent in visiting the following places: St. James Park, where we had a view of Queen Victoria's Horse Guards well mounted upon black horses, also several hundred foot guard, and a band of music; the scene was the most splendid I ever beheld. From that we visited the Monument near London Bridge, erected in commemoration of the dreadful fire in that city, in the year 1666. We ascended 345 black marble steps which brought us 200 feet in the air, where we could overlook the city which to us appeared to be a little world. This monument is the largest in the world. We then went to St. Paul's Cathedral, and visited every part of it; went into the whispering gallery, then into the steple [steeple]. Elders Young, Woodruff and myself went into a brass ball which was on the top of the steeple 404 feet above the ground.-It will hold twelve men,; but from the ground appears but little larger than a man's head. We examined the Library which was very large and ancient. We also examined the bells and clockwork.-We went among the Tombs, and there saw more than fifty Monuments erected overt their most distinguished dead. We then visited the British Museum; Elder Woodruff and myself had previously spent considerable time there in examining Papyrus, Mummies, Sepulchres [Sepulchers], Marble Statutes, and many other antiquities too numerous to mention. We were highly gratified in viewing these relicks [relics] and considered our time profitably spent. We then visited the Tower of London; in a room 150 feet by 33, we saw arranged in regular and chronological order, no less that 22 Equestrian figures of the most celebrated Kings of England, accompanied by their favorite Lords, and men of rank; each one together with their horses in the armour [armor] of the respective periods in which they lived, and many in the identical suits in which they appeared while living.-There was deposited in the towers, 500,000 stand of arms, and cannon of various sizes; some of them measuring 18 or 19 feet in length; some were brass peices [pieces] very handsome and ancient. We also saw swords, spears, simetars [scimitars] and pistols, which appeard [appeared] to me to be without number. The canons were taken in their conquests of Nations. We then saw all the Crowns and Jewelry of all their eminent Kings and Queens deposited in a cell formerly used as a Prison and in which at one time were confined seven Bishops. We also saw the Block and Axe formerly used for beheading, and many other curiosities which I will not attempt to describe. We then went and viewed the Tunnel under the Thames, a description of which would be useless as it has been given on page 262 of the Times and Seasons. We visited Westminster Abbey and many other places, after which Elder Young left us. December 11. Brother Woodruff and myself continued to preach, and the work seemed to revive, and we baptized from 5 to 6 every week during our stay in that city.

On the 26th, in company with Brother Woodruff, Dr. Copeland and Lady, I went to see the Queen as she passed, going to

open the Parliament and deliver her speech to the Peers of the realm. From Buckingham Palace to the Parliament house, a distance of one mile, she passed in the State Carriage, drawn by eight cream colored horses, elegantly decorated and attended by all the State attendants, and the horse guard going before, and others bringing up the rear, accompanied by prince Albert on her left side, and Lady Southerland, the first maid of honor, opposite. We were placed in front of the line by one of her horse guards, to whom we had an introduction, by Dr. Copeland, as gentlemen from America; consequently we had a fair view. As she passed and returned she bowed to us and we returned the salutation; and I can assure you we were much gratified with our morning excursion. It was supposed that there were between three and four hundred thousand persons present, and every thing passed off in perfect order, no accidents of any kind. Queen Victoria is considered the greatest Sovreign [Sovereign] in the world, and her Dominions are more extensive than those of any other Monarch; the number of her subjects amount to two hundred million, or more. The scene was the most superb I ever beheld. The great concourse of people assembled-the magnificence of the regal cavalry, and the appearance of the young Queen, the head of so many and such vast dominions, struck upon my feelings with a degree of interest which I have seldom, if ever before, experienced, and altogether the scene will not be soon forgotten by me. Her Majesty is small in stature, and unlike the English Women in general; she is pale and delicate looking, blue eyes, fair skin and an innocent and feminine look; but there is nothing particularly striking or handsome about her; I have seen many better looking women in America.

On the 23 of January, again accompanied by Elder Woodruff, Dr. Copeland and Lady, I visited St. Catherine's Dock; from that we went to the London Dock, then into the east wine Vault, on of the greatest in the world; it covers nine English acres of land, being arched over and supported by pillars, branching off into several different roads. We traversed every part of it; each one carried a lamp in their hand: we tasted the wine, having an order granting us that liberty. In this Vault was deposited forty thousand pipes of wine, thirty thousand of port, the remainder sherry. Over this Vault a part of the city is built [built], so that it appears to be a sort of Cavern. From thence we visited the Jewish Synagogue to see their order of worship, which was all performed in Hebrew. We stayed during the whole ceremony in their worship, and at the same time some were singing the Psalms of David, in a sweet and melodious manner, some reading, some praying and others in different attitudes of worship, all of which passed off with great solemnity and order; there were no females present at that meeting, and no one permitted to enter their place of worship without a hat on. At the door we were requested to put ours on, which we accordingly did; but passing farther into their Synagogue, the beauty and splendor thereof caused us again to take them off. A second request to put them on rather embarrassed us, and perhaps to them we might have appeared a little Clownish.-During their worship, my mind was unusually solemn, and I looked upon those sons of illustrious sires, with mingled emotions of joy and sorrow for the unparallelled [unparalleled] cruelties which have been inflicted on their Nation, and joy that the day of their redemption was near. They seem to be a peculiar people, and can readily be distinguished from all other Nations. There are 200,000 now living in London mostly by themselves; we visited the part of the city in which they reside, called Peticote Lane, a noted place of business for the Jews. The streets were so crowded that it was with difficulty that we could pass. They are the most spirited, ambitious, and persevering people I ever saw. They believe the gathering of Israel, in the last days, is near, and they are waiting for their restoration to the land of Palestine. Much might be said upon this subject, but let this suffice for the present.

About the middle of December we were requested to go to Woolwich, nine miles down the river, and accordingly I went, too the rail road in the Borough, near London Bridge, passed the large town of Dedford on the left, thence to Greenwich, the end of the rail road, then took coach to Woolwich. I was permitted to preach twice on the Sabbath in a private room; the day following 4 went with me to London to be baptized, in consequence of the ice in the river, and the steepness of the banks, at the same time

I baptized an eminent physician by the name of Copeland. At that place is a large dock yard, in which 3000 men are constantly employed in building ships and preparing for war, 1,500 of them are convicts. There is a great number of soldiers constantly at this place. The barracks are very extensive and beautiful, surrounding the parade ground, which is an elevated piece of ground extending back some distance from the river; it much resembles the western prairies, it is very healthy, and a place of resort in the summer season for pleasure, and also for health. I afterwards visited the place once with Elder Woodruff, and once with Elder Snow, to give him an introduction to the Saints, and friends of that place, which visit was very interesting to them.

We held a conference in London at J. Barrett's Academy 57 Kings Square, on Sunday 14th of February, 1841. There were represented 4 churches; 1 at Woolwich, one at Ispwich, about 60 miles from London built up by Elder Pitt, one at Bedford which was raised up by Elders Goodson and Richards in 1837 consisting of 42 members; the church in London numbered 46 members. A conference was then organized consisting of one hundred and six members, over which Elder Snow was left to preside. We baptized an independent minister who was ordained an elder, and we left him preaching to, and baptizing his own congregation. This man was the only minister who would open their chapel for us in London. We preached only once in his chapel, at which time we secured the shepherd. Elder Snow spent about two weeks with us previous to our leaving the city, which time was spent in visiting the Saints, and friends with whom we had become acquainted in that place. We continued preaching to large congregations, and before we left found our places of meeting had become far too small for us, and the brethren were looking for a larger hall, for their better accommodation. I have said but little about opposition, but suffice it to say, we had enough of it.

I left that city for Bedford February 20th, a distance of 50 miles; went by coach and arrived there in the evening and found the Saints well, and about the same number and standing in which we left them three years before. I remained in that place one week, preached once every day, excepting the Sabbath, on which day we preached three times; this raised quite an excitement in that place and the regions round about. We ordained 2 priests, one teacher, and one deacon, some were baptized, others expressed feelings that they would be in a few days. I left that place for Birmingham by coach and railway; passed through Northampton, Weedle, and Covington, and arrived at Birmingham on Saturday evening, a distance of one hundred miles. Sabbath morning the Saints assembled for the purpose of organizing a conference, which was done, and Elder Cordon appointed to preside over it, the conference numbered 107 members, being one more than there was in the London conference. The work commencing at the same time, the prospect there was very favorable. Birmingham is a large place, containing about 300,000 inhabitants, is a place of much business, Iron works, Brass foundaries [foundries] , Cutlery, &c., and lies near the center of England. I left that place for Manchester, stayed at the Staffordshire Potteries two nights and preached and baptized some, who have settled up their accounts in that place and are now in the city of Nauvoo. I arrived in Manchester the first day of April, 1841. On the 6th of April, we held our general conference, at which place we had the pleasure of meeting with Elder Hyde, which causes our hearts to rejoice, the particulars of this conference have been published in the 12th number of the Millennial Star.

I will also mention that Elder Young received, on our arrival here, a letter form Elder L. Snow from London bearing date 16th of May, on which day they held a conference which was just three months after the conference held by us in that place, the church in London at that time numbered seventy four, the church in Bedford 80, the other branches had increased in proportion. That conference had, almost or quite, doubled in three months. Elder Hyde and G. P. Adams were at the conference in good health and spirits. Elder Hyde was going from there to Bedford, where he calculated to stay two weeks to complete his writings; he was then going to London to have it translated into the German language, from thence he will immediately go on his mission to Palestine.

On the 20th of April we were hauled out of Liverpool dock into the river, where we bid farewell to Elders Hyde, Fielding, and scores of brethren. Hoisted sail on the 21st, and landed in New York after a voyage of 30 days. 130 saints landed with us, seven of the traveling High Council also landed at that time, viz: B. Young, O. Pratt, J. Taylor, G. A. Smith, W. Woodruff, W. Richards, and H. C. Kimball all on good health and also, R. Hadlock a high priest.

On the first day of July, Elders Young, Taylor, and myself arrived at the city of Nauvoo, where we had the satisfaction of finding our families all well, with the exception of Sister Taylor, who has since recovered. We were met by President Smith, and many of our old tried friends, whose countenances expressed the most heartfelt satisfaction at our return. The feeling of my heart at meeting my family and friends after an absence of nearly 2 years, cannot easily be expressed, but suffice it to say, I felt truly grateful to my brethren, for the feelings manifested towards us, and that it was a day which will long be remembered by me, there are many things I could mention which would be interesting, but I must bring my letter to a close,

I remain you brother in Christ,

Heber C. Kimball.

It will be observed in the statement of Dr. Shamp and his wife, which we publish in this number, that the Lord continues to own the ministrations of his servants, who obedient to his commands, go forth to proclaim his gospel.

We have had some conversation with Elder Knight, who has just returned from a mission to the state of New York, and the accounts which he gives of the spread of truth is very pleasing. When he first went, there appeared to be much hardness, and it was with difficulty, that he could get a hearing; but nothing daunted, he continued instant in season and out of season, until prejudice gave way, and numerous calls for preaching, were made on every hand, the sick were healed, and the meek increased their joy in the Lord.

Elder Charles Thompson is yet laboring in Batavia, and the regions round about, with considerable success. We have been informed of other cases where the power of God has been present to heal and through faith in Jesus Christ, several remarkable cures have been performed-To God be all the glory. Amen.