A Visit to London, Birmingham, and the Potteries

The 7th of June found me once more in the great metropolis, after an absence of nearly five years; and, while walking through the city, my mind was filled with meditations upon subjects, to me of much interest: it was carried back to the year 1840, when in company with my much esteemed and worthy brethren, Heber C. Kimball, and George A. Smith, we first introduced the fulness [fullness] of the gospel into the city of London, and walked the streets of that city faithfully for nearly thirty days before we could find a man that appeared to feel interested in the message that they had to present to this generation, or that felt disposed to welcome us beneath their roof, unless in return they were well rewarded with gold and silver: but through the goodness of God, after spending about six months of hard labor, we were enabled to establish a small branch of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the great metropolis of the world, which we left in charge of Elder Lorenzo Snow.

Not only had five years absence effected a great change upon the face of the city, but in like manner the prospects of the church had undergone a change too; for I was now walking in company with Elder E. H. Davis, who is presiding over a branch of the church there, numbering three hundred members, as well as a number of neighboring branches.

I had also the pleasing reflection of knowing that I had, upon this 7th day of June, A. D. 1845, the pleasure of securing unto the church

the copyright of the Book of Doctrine and Covenants of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, brought forth by the mouth of the prophet, seer, and revelator, Joseph Smith, president of the church, which book is one of the most important records ever presented to this or any other generation, and is now for sale at our office in Liverpool, and our agents throughout the United Kingdom, to the church and all who wish to purchase, of every sect and party under heaven. Let our enemies cease to accuse us of wishing to keep this work secret. We say unto all come and buy, and read for yourselves, digest it, learn wisdom and practice holiness. I entered the work at Stationer's Hall, London, and secured a certificate of the entry of the copyright, which secures unto us the right of printing it throughout the British dominions, notwithstanding the plots laid by some of our enemies in secret chambers in the city of Pittsburgh, to rob the church of the copyright of that book by entering it before me. I spent twenty very pleasant days in London, during which time I met three Sabbaths with the saints, and attended several other meetings, such as prayer, church, and council meetings, and one tea meeting, where about two hundred saints feasted and rejoiced together. I think the church was never in a better or more prosperous situation than at the present time, in that city. There were some few individuals that appeared a little uneasy when I first went there, one of which, being unwilling to walk according to counsel, was cut off from the church during my stay. He appeared, rather than submit to the rules and regulations of the church, to have a desire to work upon his own hook, the others, nearly all, apparently saw their error, and were united with the church when I left.

The last week I was there the city was placarded, and on Sunday evening we had a large assembly, including many strangers. I treated on the origin, rise, and progress of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the life and death of the prophets. The congregation listened with most profound attention, and a good impression seemed to be made.

Elder Davis, the president of the London branch and conference, is a wise, judicious man, and I feel thankful that the saints, and that the work will ever prosper in London under his superintendance [superintendence]. I found but few of the saints in London with whom I was formally acquainted, as most of the first had emigrated. Elder Cooper, one of the first baptised [baptized] in that branch, I found still firm the faith, as also his wife and aged mother. They all seemed to thank God with all their hearts that they had ever heard the sound of the gospel.

I formed many new and highly interesting acquaintances with the saints in London, was much edified with their testimony, and blessed while with them. Brother Crump was ordained to the office of an Elder, and I think he will make a useful man in the vineyard of the Lord, and council of his brethren in days to come.-Duty called me from London, yet I parted with the saints with regret that I was obliged to leave them so soon. I also held one meeting with the branch of the church at Woolwich, which which had increased much in number since we left it in 1840.

On the 27th of June, I kept a day of prayer and fasting in the town of Birmingham, with a flourishing branch of the church of nearly four hundred members, under the guidance and teaching of father Robert Crook. I had an interesting meeting with the saints on that evening, and while hearing the testimony from various individuals, one truth was strongly impressed upon my mind, which was, that notwithstanding one year had passed away since the prophets were martyred at Carthage, yet the work which they had established, and sealed with their own blood, was alive in the hearts of tens of thousands, and bringing forth fruit to the honor and glory of God. I attended a council meeting with the officers of the church in Birmingham, and was happy to find that perfect union prevailed among them. I spent an interesting day with them on Sunday, the 29th of June. They held their meeting in a commodious room which they have rented for a year in High Street. I preached in the morning and afternoon, communed with about four hundred saints, confirmed five, blessed several children, and administered to several that were sick: the remainder of the afternoon was occupied by the brethren and sisters in bearing their testimony of the work of God, and truly it was an interesting time. In the evening, the house was crowded to excess, and many could not find admission. A large number of strangers were present who had not before attended our meetings. Although I addressed them somewhat lengthy, good order prevailed and the best of attention was given, and I have no doubt but that many will yet be added to the church in Birmingham. The prospect for the spread of the work in that place was never better than at the present time, and I have the satisfaction of saying, that during my stay there, I saw no spirit manifest with any member of that branch of (page 1006

the church, but perfect union. Elder Crook is much blessed in his labors, and is striving to build up the kingdom of God; he has the hearts and affections of the saints.

I also attended a tea meeting on the Monday following, where about three hundred saints, with some strangers, joined together in partaking of some of the bounties of the earth with glad hearts and cheerful countenances, after which I addressed them about an hour on the subject of the gathering, building up of Zion, the bringing of our tithes and offerings into the storehouse of the Lord, that we build unto him a house, according to his commandments I was followed by father Crook, on the first principles of the gospel, all of which were received by the saints.

On Sunday the 6th July, I was blessed with the privilege of once more meeting with my old friends, and many new ones, in the Staffordshire conference, in the town of Burslem. Elder Hiram Clark, who has had the charge of that conference for some months, was present. We had an interesting meeting through the day and evening. The room was much crowded. This was my first field of labor, on visiting England in January, 1840. I was much edified in hearing the testimony of the saints in the afternoon, after the sacrament. Some few individuals confessed they had been out of the way in some things, in that conference, but repented; wished to be forgiven, and felt a determination to be faithful hereafter, and maintain the work of he Lord. My visit was short, yet interesting with my friends in that place.

On the 7th I was in Manchester, saw a few of the saints, and was informed that all was peace and prosperity with them there. The 8th found me again with my family and friends in Liverpool after one month's absence.

W. WOODRUFF.