Part 10 (2/2)
would supply the wants of his wife and little ones in his absence. He then, like the patriarchs, and by virtue of his office, laid his hands upon their heads individually, leaving a father's blessing upon them, and commending them to the care and protection of G.o.d, while he should be engaged preaching the Gospel in a foreign land. While thus engaged his voice was almost lost in the sobs of those around, who tried in vain to suppress them. The idea of being separated from their protector and father for so long a time was indeed painful. He proceeded, but his heart was too much affected to do so regularly. His emotions were great, and he was obliged to stop at intervals, while the big tears rolled down his cheeks, an index to the feelings which reigned in his bosom. My heart was not stout enough to refrain; in spite of myself I wept, and mingled my tears with theirs. At the same time I felt thankful that I had the privilege of contemplating such a scene. I realized that nothing could induce that man to tear himself from so affectionate a family group, from his partner and children who were so dear to him,--nothing but a sense of duty and love to G.o.d and attachment to His cause.”
In order to realize the situation so touchingly described, it must be remembered that in those early days, ere the age of steams.h.i.+ps and railways had fairly arrived, a mission to Europe, comparatively easy now, seemed almost like a voyage to another world.
Heber continues:
”At 9 a. m., I bade adieu to my family and friends, and in company with Elders Orson Hyde, Willard Richards, and Priest Joseph Fielding, started without purse or scrip on my mission, this being the first foreign mission of the Church of Christ in the last days. We arrived at Fairport on Lake Erie that afternoon, and about an hour after took pa.s.sage on a steamboat for Buffalo.
”We were accompanied by Brothers Brigham Young, John P. Greene, Levi Richards, and Sisters Vilate Kimball, Rhoda Green, Mary Fielding, and others, to Fairport. Sister Mary Fielding gave me five dollars, with which I paid my pa.s.sage and Brother Hyde's to Buffalo; we were also accompanied to Buffalo by R. B. Thompson and wife, who were on their way to Canada, where he intended to labor in the ministry. After a pleasant voyage we reached Buffalo the next day, where we expected to receive some funds from Canada to a.s.sist us on our journey, but were disappointed, as Brothers Goodson, Russell and Snyder did not meet us there according to promise.
”From Buffalo we went down by the ca.n.a.l towards Lyonstown. While walking on its bank I found an iron ring about one and one-fourth inches in diameter, which I presented to Elder Richards, saying, 'I will make you a present of this; keep it in remembrance of me; for our friends.h.i.+p shall be as endless as this ring.' We had but very little means, but determined to prosecute our journey, believing that the Lord would open our way. We accordingly took pa.s.sage in a line boat on the Erie Ca.n.a.l to Utica, a distance of 250 miles; from thence on the railroad to Albany, where our party divided.
”From Albany I went with Brother Richards about 30 miles, to his father's, in Richmond, Berks.h.i.+re County, Ma.s.sachusetts, where we arrived on the 20th, and obtained forty dollars from his brother William which he was owing to him. This enabled us to prosecute our journey. We bade them a last farewell, as Willard's father and mother and sister died a short time afterwards. The next day we returned to Albany and took pa.s.sage in a steamboat to New York, where we arrived on the evening of June 22nd, and again met Orson Hyde and Joseph Fielding. We also met with Brothers John Goodson, Isaac Russell and John Snyder, who had come by the way of Canada to join the mission.
”We found a vessel ready to sail, but not having sufficient means, we were obliged to wait until we could obtain funds to pay our pa.s.sage, and procure an outfit for the voyage. We found Elder Elijah Fordham, the only member of the Church in that city, who having no house of his own, we lodged at Mrs. Fordham's, Elijah's sister-in-law. Being short of funds, we hired a small room in an unfinished store-house of Brother Fordham's father, who was very wealthy, as he owned many storehouses and buildings, but never invited us into his house to sleep or eat, though he did invite us to a.s.sist him two days in raising a building, as a compensation for lying on his store-house floor.
”Brother Fordham seemed to be mute in relation to Mormonism. I told him if he was faithful and remained in New York, there would be a branch of the Church raised up before we returned.
”Sunday, 25th, we fasted, prayed, administered the sacrament, held council for the success of the mission, and had a joyful time. In the afternoon two sectarian priests came in, to find fault, but they were soon confounded, and left.
”On the 28th we deposited 180 of Orson Hyde's ”Timely Warnings,” in the New York post office, addressed to the priests and ministers of different denominations in the city. We also distributed many to the citizens, and at the same time conversed with them on the subject of the Gospel. Our sojourn in the city opened the door for Brothers Parley and Orson Pratt to introduce the Gospel there. Many persons who subsequently came into the Church have referred to the ”Timely Warnings” which they had read. We spent considerable time in prayer to our Heavenly Father for His guidance and protection; to make our way plain before us; to bless us with a prosperous voyage across the mighty ocean; make us a blessing to each other, and the captain and crew with whom we should sail.
”In New York we were subject to many inconveniences; had to lay amid straw and blankets upon the ground; to buy our victuals; yet we did not feel discouraged; believing that the Lord would open up our way and guide us to our destination.
”Brother Fordham made me a present of ten dollars, and concluded to accompany us on our mission, but upon mature consideration, we thought it best for him to stay there; believing that the Lord had a people in that city, and that there would be a church built up there before our return.
”Having obtained sufficient money to pay our pa.s.sage across the Atlantic, eighteen dollars each, we laid in a stock of provisions, and went on board the new packet s.h.i.+p _Garrick_, of 900 tons, bound for Liverpool.”
CHAPTER XV.
FAREWELL TO NATIVE LAND--”UPON THE WIDE, WIDE SEA”--HEBER'S DREAM OF JOSEPH--A s.h.i.+P OUT OF HER RECKONING--A DYING CHILD HEALED--APOSTLE HYDE PREACHES ON BOARD--ARRIVAL AT LIVERPOOL--THE ELDERS LEAP ASh.o.r.e.
”Adieu, adieu, my native sh.o.r.e Fades o'er the waters blue; The night-winds sigh, the breakers roar, And shrieks the wild sea-mew.
Yon sun that sets upon the sea We follow in his flight; Farewell, awhile, to him and thee, My native land--Good night!”
At ten o'clock on the morning of July 1st, 1837, the _Garrick_ weighed anchor, and, being towed down the river by a steamer as far as Sandy Hook, set sail oceanward. A few hours later Heber lost sight of his native land. Say he:
”I had feelings which I cannot describe, when I could no longer behold its sh.o.r.es, and when I bade adieu to the land of my birth, I felt to exclaim:
'Yes, my native land, I love thee: All thy scenes I love them well: Friends, connections, happy country, Can I bid you all farewell?
Can I leave you, Far in distant lands to dwell?'
”However, when I reflected on the causes which had induced me to leave it for awhile, and the work which depended upon me, I could likewise say:
”I go, but not to plough the main, To ease a restless mind.”
”I was actuated by a different motive than either to please myself, or gain the riches and applause of the world; it was a higher consideration than these that induced me to leave my home. It was because a dispensation of the Gospel had been committed to me; and I felt an ardent desire that my fellow creatures in other lands might hear the sound of the everlasting Gospel, obey its requisitions, rejoice in the fullness and blessings thereof, and escape the judgments which will come upon the unG.o.dly.”
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