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Manchester, Eng. Oct. 7th, 1840. Elders Robinson & Smith: Dear Brethren, While on my way from the city of London to Manchester, the 7th 8th and 9th Nos, of the Times and Seasons was put into my hands; these are the first and only numbers of your paper which I have had the privilege of perusing since my arrival in England, except three or four of the first numbers which the Twelve brought with them in the spring. The three above named were directed to Elder G. A. Smith, Burslem Staffordshire, and you may rest assured the perusal of those papers was a feast to me, and none con [can] more highly prize and value such a privilege and blessing, than those of us who are seperated [separated] far from our families and friends by distance, tide, and time, in such a manner that months roll around and not a word to break that deep and long silence that reigns between us. I know by experience, that as water to a thirsty man, so is good news from a far country. We rejoice exceedingly brethren, to learn that you are once more settled in a good degree of peace and quieteness [quietness] after passing through such scenes of persecution, privation, and suffering, for the word of God, and the testimony of Jesus Christ. I learn from the Times and Seasons that you have not obtained letters from us, as often as you expected, or could wish. I am well aware that any, and every word of information from the servants of God, while among the Nations of the earth, as touching their labors, ministry, mission, and a historical knowledge of kingdoms and countries, will be hailed as a welcome message by the Saints in general, and gladden the hearts of our intimate friends, our kindred, and our wives and children, the society of whom we are called to sacrifice for the great cause of Christ. It is under such a view that I freely and cheerfully give an account of my stewardship from time to time as circumstances may require. I learn that you did not obtain my letter which I sent you, under date of Feb. 27th, in which I gave all particulars concerning my mission, from the time I left Montrose until the date of the letter; but as you have not received it, it may not be amiss (though out of season) to give a short detail of my travels from Montrose to Liverpool. I do not believe that ever a company of men, from the days of Adam to A. D. 1839, ever attempted to perform a journey and mission of such extent and magnitude, under such unparalleled embarrassments and circumstances as did the quorum of the Twelve and others that started for England in 1839. Had any one judged from outward appearances, they would naturally have supposed that the bodies of some of us were more fit subjects for dissection than missionaries. It is with no ordinary feelings that I reflect back to the 8th day of August, 1839, at which time I took the parting hand with my wife, family, and friends in general at Montrose, and with a trembling step bore my feeble body (which was suffering under the power of the chills and fever,) to the banks of the Mississippi, where I was conveyed over in a canoe in company with Elder John Taylor for the purpose of taking a mission to England, and that too without purse or scrip, not even so much as one penny at my command or control. Yes Brethren it was under such circumstances that I started on my mission by the commandment of God to go a journey of more than five thousand miles, for the purpose of assisting in warning one of the greatest nations upon the face of the earth, to repent of their sins, obey the gospel, and prepare for the judgments which are to come. But notwithstanding my situation was such that I was under the necessity of walking by faith and not by sight, yet, I can say of a truth, with a thankful heart before the Lord, that I have lacked nothing as touching food, raiment, means, or (page 311)
friends in all my journey either by land or sea; for which blessings I feel to render up the gratitude of my heart unto my Heavenly Father, praying at the same time that God will reward four fold unto those who have extended the hand to assist me, or any of my brethren, or our families while we are filling this mission. As concerning the journey, I would say, after crossing the Mississippi in a canoe and taking the parting hand with our friends in Nauvoo, among whom was Elder Joseph Smith jr. who bid us God' speed, saying I should soon leave my ague behind me, which proved true. Elder Hadlock conveyed us about 20 miles in a waggon [wagon] on our road, and while passing along Elder P. P. Pratt gave me an empty purse, it being all he had, and Elder H. C. Kimball $1,00 to put into it to help me on the way: the next day another brother took us into his waggon [wagon] and carried us about 20 miles, during which time I had the chills and fever upon me, which caused me much suffering through the day while riding over a rough road, but it here left me and I had no more of it for several weeks. We spent the Sabbath with Elders Don C. and Samuel H. Smith, and held a two days meeting in the neighborhood in which they were residing, which had a good effect; we were entertained and treated kindly by them and their families, and all the friends in that region, who extended a liberal hand in assisting us on our journey: while here we were informed by Elder Zebedee Coltrin that his father was about to take a journey to the State of Ohio, and would freely give us a passage with him as he was going with a wagon, which invitation we accepted and continued our journey with father Coltrin. We called upon the Saints in Springfield and spent several days with them, and while there, Elder Taylor published a brief sketch of the persecution; during which time I visited the saints from Fox Islands who had stopped at Rochester; and though still very feeble in body, I held several meetings with them; they also manifested a liberal spirit, as did the Saints in Springfield in assisting us on our journey, Elder Taylor had enjoyed good health through the summer, and also on his journey until we arrived into the State of Indiana, when he was taken very sick with the billious [bilious] fever; the attack was so violent that in several instances he fell upon the ground like a dead man, when it seemed to be with difficulty that he could be restored either to stand or speak, and he continued his journey for several days in this situation, until he could proceed no farther, and we stopped at an inn kept by a German in Germantown, Indiana, here we spent several days together until we found he could not continue his journey. I was so low and feeble that I was scarcely able to take care of myself, much less to render him that assistance which a person in his situation so much required: he knowing my situation advised and requested me to leave him where he was and continue my journey which request I complied with, and was under the painful necessity of taking the parting hand with my brother and leave him in the midst of affliction and strangers: those with whom he was left, however manifested a great willingness to do all that lay in their power to make him comfortable and happy. Here Elder Taylor remained for several weeks and was brought nigh the gates of death, but like the rest of his brethren, through the great mercy of God was afterwards raised up and enabled to continue his journey. I proceeded on my way with Brother Coltrin, until I arrived at Cleveland, Ohio. I there took Steam Boat for Buffalo, which is generally about 20 or 24 hours sail, but we were in a storm three days. I took cold, my chills and fever returned upon me, and I was quite sick, having a chill 10 days in succession, journeying at the same time, via. lake, canal, and stage until I arrived at my fathers house in Farmington, Hartford county, Connecticut: there is a small branch of the church in Farmington of 10 members, which I baptized and organized in July, 1838, 9 of whom were my relatives, including my father Aphek Woodruff and his household. As I was very feeble in body, I tarried 15 days at my fathers house; I was not able to hold any public meetings except on one occasion while attending the funeral of Mr. Adna Hart, a friend who died in Avon: I addressed a large assembly of relatives and neighbors with whom I had been (page 312)
acquainted from my youth up; I also baptized one while in Farmington.-Having in some degree recovered my strength I took Steam boat to Hartford, and sailed to New York, where I was kindly received by the Saints in that city. I found Elders Mulliner and Wright had been in the city quite a length of time waiting for some of the Twelve to accompany them to England, but as I was the only one of the quorum who had arrived in New York, and my health being very poor, I considered it wisdom to tarry until I either saw or heard from some others of the quorum; I therefore spent several weeks in New York, and Sing Sing, laboring among the churches when I was able. Brother Hiram Clark was the next that arrived, and as it was now getting to be late in the fall, and hearing nothing from those that were on their way we concluded to sail for Liverpool, and as we were about ready to set sail, Elder P. P. Pratt arrived in the city, and expected others of the twelve in a few days, therefore I tarried for some others to come that we might hold a council before we left: but Elders Clark, Mullinner, and Wright sailed for England. My health now began to improve more than at any time since I had left home. I visited Long Island and spent a number of days preaching, and was finally joined by Elder O. Pratt who had just arrived in New York. We returned to the city and held a conference, and then Elder O. Pratt and myself accompanied Elder James to New Jersey. Br. Pratt preached several times and proceeded on to Philadelphia and also into the field in which Elder Barnes was laboring. I continued laboring with Elder James for several days, the prospect was good, congregations large and attentive: Elder James was much blessed in his labors in that region. But while here from day to day, the Spirit of God was upon me like fire shut up in my bones, urging me forward to fill my mission to England, and tarry no longer by the way, and feeling determined to be obedient to the commandments of God: I left the Saints in New Jersey and returned to New York intending to take the first boat that sailed for England, and when I arrived in the city I found Elders Taylor and Turley had just reached the city; also, both were much improving in their health: their friends assisted us in preparing for our voyage, and after bidding the Saints farewell, Elders Taylor, Turley, and myself set sail on board of the packet ship Oxford, on the 20th day of December, and after a favorable passage of 22 days, we landed in Liverpool, on the 11th of January, 1840. One thing worthy of note transpired during this voyage, that is, the packet ship Independence left New York 10 days before the Oxford, and the Steam Ship Liverpool 5 days before the Oxford, and the three above named ships reached the quay or dock at Liverpool within 30 minutes of each other; the Oxford arrived first, and we landed in the midst of thousands who stood upon the quay anxiously awaiting the arrival of the ships. Our health once more having been restored we landed in good spirits, feeling to rejoice for the privilege of once more setting our feet upon terra firma. As England was the native place of Elders Taylor, and Turley, of course it appeared natural unto them; but it being the first time that I had set my feet upon the soil of England, it appeared unto me like an old world sure enough, for all the fires, from the parlor to the largest public works of every name and nature, being fed alone from stone coal, that it causes the whole horizon, air, elements, earth, buildings, and every thing visible to be covered with gas, soot and smoke, that it makes the towns and cities appear at the first sight something similar to a coal pit, or smoke house. The buildings in England are mostly composed of stone or brick, the plain walls of which show that the majority of them were built more for durability and profit, than outward show; while others indicate great architecture, splendor, and magnificience [magnificence]. We past through Liverpool New Market, had a view of the Custom house, and Lord Nelson's monument, which is quite noted in England, all of which were quite splendid. We spent the Sabbath in Liverpool, Elder Turley and myself attended meeting at St. Paul's church and St. Thomas': it gave me rather peculiar feelings to hear one of the Rectors preach against a form (page 313)
of godliness without the power thereof, and professing religion without bringing forth the fruits of it. I felt to pray to God with all my heart, that the day might speedily come when the power of godliness should be preached to the inhabitants of that city, which has since been the case by Elder Taylor who has lifted up the standard in that city and gathered out a good number of souls, as you already know. On Monday we took the train from Liverpool to Preston, where we were permitted to meet with Elder Richards in that place. We held a council on the 17th of January, when it was resolved that Elders Taylor and Fielding go to Liverpool, Elder Clark to Manchester to join Elder Clayton, Elder Turley and myself to visit the Staffordshire Potteries: while on our way, we called at Manchester and preached to the Saints on the Sabbath. I found Manchester to contain a population of near 300,000 and a church of Latter Day Saints of 164 members. While there I was called upon to visit a woman that was possessed with the devil in such a manner that it required several persons to hold her from destroying herself, several of us laid hands upon her, and the devil was subject unto the power of God and departed out of her, and she was clothed in her right mind, and next day attended meeting and all felt to give the glory to God.-We arrived in Burslem, Staffordshire on the 21st. The Staffordshire Potteries which are so noted in England, are composed of the following market towns, viz: Tunstell, Burslem, Hanlx, Stoke upon Trent, Lancend, and several other villages, containing a population of about 75,000 persons, nearly all of whom procure their livelihood in the pottery line; here is manufactured every kind of English, earthen, stone, and China ware, said to be as good as any made in the world. We found a church of Latter Day Saints in these potteries of about 60 members, under the care of Elder Alfred Cordon a potter by trade, who labored 6 days in a week for his daily bread, and preached 5 evenings in a week, and 3 times on the Sabbath. Here we commenced our labors, we immediately procured a preaching room in Hanlx, it being about the centre [center] of the potteries, in a few days Elder Turley went to Birmingham, as it was his native place, to visit his friends and to try to open doors in that region. I continued my labors in the potteries for six weeks, the interest became general among the people, I preached every evening, or nearly so, and 3 times on the Sabbath. I had crowded congregations, and very frequent public opposition from preachers of the various orders, among whom was Mr. John Jones, who has become very famous and noted in Burslem as a warm friend and advocate of Mrs. Matilda Davidson, and Mr. Warren Parrish, by reading their letters and other foolish stories which are in circulation, to stop the work of God. But while Mr. Jones has attempted to disturb our meetings by reading these things in our midst, he has become as disgusting in the eyes of the people, as he has zealous in trying to stop the work, and in some instances, he has been under the necessity of bringing Constables, or police with him to protect him against the attack of the unbelievers or world for the people saw his conduct was not becoming a christian or a gentleman, however, his opposition has had no tendency to stop the work of God, but has rather given us friends. W. WOODRUFF. |
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