Letter from William Rowley

20, Upper Pitt Street, Liverpool, }

June, 1842. }

My Dear Father, Brother, and Friend,-It is with no small degree of pleasure that I take up my pen to scribble a few lines in reply to your very kind, affectionate, welcome and intelligent letter; and I feel truly, that I am writing as unto a father, because through your instrumentality I was begotten again to a lively hope through the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ-and I ever wish to cherish a grateful remembrance of this, in thus being rescued from the vain traditions of men, in which I had been so long entrameled and bound up. I can, I think, enter in some degree into those high and holy emotions which have pervaded in your bosom, in the contemplation and retrospection of the time when you were thus diffusing the light and truth of heaven, which had been for so long a period lost in the midst of an overwise and priest ridden people; and I know and am certain that had you not been sent of God-called of him, as was Aaron, to that Apostolic office, you would not, you could not have endured what you and your dear brethren did for the truth's sake. But thus sent-thus qualified-thus sustained-you endured all things as good soldiers; and I do pray that our Heavenly Father will still bless you-yea, doubly bless you, so that when he may again send you forth you may sow and reap an overabundant harvest, in bringing many souls into the new and everlasting covenant.

As you will have by the same conveyance, a letter from brother Harrison containing, I suppose, more information relative to the progress and welfare of the church than I can give, since you left, I shall not go into particulars, but just state that the cause of truth has progressed wonderfully, notwithstanding this sect is every where spoken against; but how true is that remark of yours: "the gospel must be received in its native simplicity--its humble, unassuming garb-we must be little children-divest ourselves of preconceived opinions, and enter in by the gate." Yes, dear sir, here is the grand turning point. Every day convinces me more and more, it is these humiliating principles that causes the heart of man to rebel and reject them, notwithstanding they were so clearly set down and practically illustrated by the Saviour [Savior] himself. You say "it would do your heart good to be in our midst in Nauvoo." The daily contemplation and idea of one day being in you midst, always does my heart good. I seem to take fresh courage and look up and onward to that time when I shall indeed be with you, surrounded by the brethren-by those, and by him, that were thus the gifted men sent to gather us out of mystery and tradition, even Babylon. I do thank you for thus giving me that personal assurance of the prosperity of the cause-as I relied fully upon your testimony when here, so can I now place the same implicit confidence in what you have now stated; and from that I do wish myself "in your midst." In reply to your kind enquiries [inquiries] after the health of myself, my dear children, mother and sister, I am thankful to say that hitherto the God of heaven hath been very gracious unto us in giving us health, with every other needful blessing. It would have given me great pleasure had I had to have communicated that any of my friends were any nearer in embracing the everlasting gospel-but there seems to be a more determined resistence [resistance] of the truth-closing their eyes and ears by prejudice from every argument that can be brought and refusing to listen to those principles which when received in simplicity and sincerity bring life, joy and peace to the soul. How long they will thus shut their eyes I know not, but I fear until it is too late-or until they are awakened from their priest ridden sleep by those judgments that shall come upon all those that reject this gospel. You may now have heard before this, from our brother Edwin Mitchell, and his partner, that just as they were leaving I was on the point of taking to myself another helpmate in a neighbor of theirs, in whom I found those excellencies and characteristics for making a good and affectionate wife, together with a heart already prepared, in some degree, through your instrumentality, for an obedience to the gospel. That has been consnmmated [ consummated], and though at present she seems terrified at the

idea of leaving her native land-and having also an aged mother, and she too somewhat dependant [dependent] upon her, being sightless, are powerful drawbacks, I find, but I doubt not the way will be made clear and open for us, and we shall ere long be "in your midst." If I have had any fear in coming myself, it has arisen from these considerations: that being so physically unfitted for an agricultural life, that I should not be able to sustain myself and others with me-and to begin in a commercial line, my means at the present are so very limited that I have feared to venture on that account; but still I think when I am there, something or other will be open for me, according to my means, and wish myself again and again in your midst. I am exceedingly obliged for the trouble you took in writing to Cockson for me; he wrote to me soon after and said I should have it soon, but it is not come yet. I will write to him again and request him to transmit the same to you, and should he do so you can place that in the Temple fund, as you think best. I wish it were double the sum. I was exceedingly interested in the perusal of the extracts from the Book of Abraham. The discovery and translation are arguments sufficient to convince any that are candid, that the God of heaven must be in our midst; and yet, strange to say, they even reject this with every other evidence.-Many thanks for the number of the Times and Seasons.

Every thing around and about us in the commercial and political world is looking dark and portentious [portentous], as if something was about to transpire that would astonish and affright the nation. Men's hearts are beginning to quake and to fear. There is nothing but distress, perplexity, wretchedness, crime, and poverty stalking throughout the length and breadth of the land: and it seems quite impossible for matters to go on much longer in the way they are. Please present my very best remembrances to elders Richards, Young and Kimball-the former especially, having been more in his company-also, to brethren Mitchels, Melling, and others, whom you think I might know. I shall be exceedingly obliged if you will write to me again at your earliest convenience, as a letter from you will at all times be most cheering and instructive; and as I have made known to you some of my feelings and circumstances your counsel will be valuable. I think I told you that at the death of my mother I should then come into a share of property, but as this event is quite uncertain, I seem to think it is useless waiting for dead men's shoes, but to come at once; but then, having so little without, would it not be better to wait a few years longer; and possible by coming I might lose that, and more from another quarter, altogether. If I studied my own inclinations I should come at once, but when I look at those around me, it behooves me to consider which is the best path to pursue and adopt.

A great many of the Saints intend coming in the fall; Harrison, Greehow, Boyd, Hall, Dumville, and others, and especially your own friends, brother Cannon will come, I expect, the very first ship that sails in September. I think there seems to be a liberal spirit prevailing throughout the church in reference to the Temple, but all feel the pressure of the times. I am sure they will do what they can. I find my paper drawing rapidly to a close-need I say in conclusion accept my warmest heartfelt thanks for all you have done-still pray for me, that I may be kept faithful-and may the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ bless you abundantly in all things. My best remembrances to you and yours, and to all the brethren and sisters, and believe me to remain yours, very sincerely in the new and everlasting covenant.

WILLIAM ROWLEY.

TO JOHN TAYLOR.