VISITS BIRMINGHAM CONFERENCE—DYING GIRL HEALED WHEN ADMINISTERED TO—PREDICTION THAT SHE SHOULD BE BAPTISED FULFILLED—GOES TO UTAH, GETS MARRIED, HAS A CHILD AND DIES—OTHER CONVERSIONS IN THE CHALLIS FAMILY.
IN the year 1875 Elder Geo. L. Farrell, now a Patriarch of Cache County, was a missionary in England, and presiding over the Nottingham conference. He had not been thus engaged very long when he received a letter from Elder Richard V. Morris, president of the Birmingham conference, proposing to exchange visits with him, and enjoy the novelty of traveling through one another's conference. He concluded by inviting Elder Farrell to meet him at Northampton, thence to proceed through other parts of the Birmingham conference.
They accordingly met at the place named, and the host took the visitor to have lunch at the home of a member of the church by the name of Challis.
As they entered the house, they noticed a young couple, man and wife, seated at a table, who, on hearing Elder Farrell introduced to Brother and Sister Challis, hastily arose and left the house.
While the meal was being prepared, Elder Morris informed the guest that the young couple who had so suddenly departed were the daughter and son-in-law of their entertainers, and were members of the Church of England.
While the meal was being partaken of, Elder Farrell noticed that Sister Challis had an anxious look on her face, and that she left the table several times and made brief visits to a bed room. The last time she did so she appeared dejected, which aroused the curiosity of the guest, who with solitude inquired if she had some one sick in the other room. She replied, "Yes, sir. I have a daughter in that room who has been ill and bedfast for more than two years. We have had five doctors attending her, who have all given her up. The last one just left, declaring that she is bound to die soon, and that he could do no more for her.
"Don't you believe what the doctors say," responded Elder Farrell assuringly. "They don't know it all. The Lord still lives, and is ready and willing to heal your daughter, if she has faith in His promises. I would like to see your daughter."
The mother shook her head doubtfully and replied: "I don't think she would be willing for you to see her, as she is a member of the Church of England, and the minister and his family and the ladies and gentlemen of the church have paid all the doctors, been extremely kind to her and have done all in their power to make her happy and comfortable. They have so embittered her against the 'Mormons' that I think it would be useless for me to tell her that you wish to see her."
"Notwithstanding all that," said the Elder, "I still feel that I would like to see her. Please do me the favor to go and tell her who I am, and that I must see her."
The mother went into the room and was absent several minutes. Elder Morris in the meantime said: "I think you will not get to see her, for I have tried and have failed. Therefore I will go down the street a block and a half to No. 120, and if you don't get to see her come there, and you will find me."
After awhile Mother Challis reappeared looking more cheerful, and exclaimed, "Brother Farrell, she is willing for you to come in and see her!"
Entering the bedroom, he saw the most emaciated girl he thought he had ever beheld, bolstered up in bed, with a chair in front of her, upon which, and also behind her, pillows were piled to keep her from falling over. A coverlet was drawn up over the pillows in front of her, and upon it her bony and colorless hands were outstretched.
The Elder approached, and, taking her gently by the right hand expressed his sympathy for her suffering. She simply bowed her head in response, for she was too weak to speak above a whisper.
There was a small table with a large Bible on it near the bed. Seating himself and taking the bible upon his lap, Elder Farrell opened it mechanically, and before his eyes were the words of the Savior, commanding His apostles to go into all the world and preach the Gospel, which he read aloud. When he came to that part in which the Lord promised that certain signs should follow those who believed—that the sick should be healed, that devils should be cast out; that if they drank any deadly thing it would not hurt them, etc., he read that aloud also, and then quoted from James the declaration that the prayer of faith should save the sick, and that the Lord would raise him up.
He then called the girl's attention to the fact that he had not specially selected these passages, but that the Bible had fallen open as he placed it in his lap, and he had read the first passage his eye caught sight of. He then declared to her that he and the other Latter-day Saint missionaries held the same priest-hood that the early-day apostles held; that they were sent out to preach the same Gospel that they were, and that they were preaching it in the same manner—without money and without price; that they had authority to anoint the sick with oil and pray for them just as the first apostles had, and that the Lord was just as ready and willing to raise them up as He ever was. He testified to her that he had known hundreds of sick people to be healed, and assured her that if she had faith she could be healed.
On concluding he noticed the sick girl crook her finger as a means of beckoning to her mother, who immediately approached and put her ear close to her daughter's mouth, and listened for awhile. When she arose she said, "Brother Farrell, she wants to know if you will anoint her with oil and bless her."
"Certainly, I will be glad to do so, replied the Elder. Have you any oil?"
The mother replied that she had no oil, but said she would go out and buy some.
"All right, said the Elder, you please buy a bottle of olive oil, and while you are out call at No. 120 and ask Elder Morris to come up, and we will anoint and bless her."
While the mother was absent Elder Farrell talked encouragingly to the girl, and when the oil arrived the missionaries proceeded to bless and consecrate it, Elder Morris offering the prayer.
The mother was then asked to inquire of her daughter who she would like to anoint her and the girl pointed to Elder Farrell to signify that he was her choice.
He anointed her head and the bare part of her neck and arms and the palms of her hands, which seemed very feverish, after which the mother asked the girl who she would like to lead in the prayer of confirmation. Again she indicated that she preferred Elder Farrell to do so.
In offering the prayer Elder Farrell afterwards declared that he had never before experienced such a feeling. The Spirit seemed to take complete possession of his mind, and while he felt a positive assurance that she was going to recover, he could scarcely recall all that he said.
The Elders soon afterwards bade the family good by and left. While walking down the street towards their lodgings Elder Morris exclaimed "Brother Farrell, you frightened me! You promised that girl that if she had faith she would walk to the water and be baptized within three months. She hasn't been out of that bed for two years, to my certain knowledge."
"I can't help it, Brother Morris. It wasn't I who did it. It was the Lord. I never was so led by the Spirit in administering to a person in my life. The Lord is able to fulfill it. You watch and see if He doesn't do it." He promised to do so, but in about one month he was released to return home. Before starting home, however, he told sister Challis that Elder Farrell would be in Northampton on a certain day, and would probably call and see the family. When he arrived at the house he found the sick girl sitting up, knitting a woolen shawl with large wooden needles. On seeing him entering the house she exclaimed enthusiastically, "Oh here is Mr. Farrell! I have never taken a particle of medicine since you left. I told the minister that you had anointed me with oil and promised me that I would get well, and I know that the Lord is going to heal me. You see that I can already talk above a whisper. Now I want you to administer to me again."
He accordingly anointed her head with oil and prayed earnestly for her complete recovery. She declared immediately afterward that she felt better already, and expressed confidence that all the promises made as to her recovery would be fulfilled, as some of them already had been. She also informed her visitor that the Church of England minister and all the members of his congregation who had been so attentive to her had ceased to take any interest in her case, and never more called to see her. She seemed gratified rather than otherwise, however, that they had evidently given her up as hopelessly lost to them.
Some time later Elder Farrell received a letter from the sick girl, announcing that her father was going to take her in a carriage on the following Sunday for a twelve mile trip in the country, to old Sister Underwood's, near Stanwick, and wanted him to call there and baptize her.
Brother Platte D. Lyman was at that time associated with Brother Farrell as a traveling Elder, and he was allowed to read the letter. He expressed a desire to accompany him, and Brother Farrell consented.
The day following the two Elders went to a town called Offord, where an old farmer had opened his barn and seated it for them to hold a meeting in. A stand had also been built for the speakers and singers to occupy, and the singers had come from Stanwick, fifteen miles away. A good sized congregation assembled in the barn, and an interesting, spirited meeting was held. While Elder Farrell was speaking he noticed a lady sitting about twenty feet in front of him, wearing a red shawl. He was impressed with the conviction that she was going to be baptized, and afterwards while the choir was singing he pointed her out to Elder Lyman, and told him she would soon be baptized. Elder Lyman inquired who she was. "I don't know her name," replied his companion, "and never saw her before, but something tells me that she is going to be baptized." Elder Lyman remarked that he would bear that prediction in mind, and see if it was ever fulfilled.
After reading the letter from the sick girl, Elder Lyman had expressed a desire to meet her, and he was accordingly invited to be present on the occasion of her baptism. When the missionaries reached Mrs. Underwood's house they found she lived next door to a hotel, around which a number of guests were seen loitering. Sister Underwood cautioned the Elders not to attempt to baptize while it was light or let the guests at the hotel know what they were going to do, lest they might raise a row. So they decided to remain in the house and wait until after ten o'clock. Just before that hour a loud rap on the door was heard, and Sister Underwood jumped up and blew the lamp out, at the same time exclaiming to those near her that their plans had been discovered, and a riot was about to be started. Elder Farrell said he would answer the door, and the rest of the folks went into another room.
On opening the door a voice outside was heard to inquire. "Is Mr. Farrell here?" The voice was recognized as that of a man named Baker whose wife Elder Farrell had baptized some time before. On being invited in, he said, "Here is a lady and a young man who learned that you were going to baptize here tonight. She told her husband that she had to be baptized—that she could not rest any more until she was baptized. He gave his consent, and went to bed to sleep while she came here."
A light having been procured so that those present could see one another, Elder Lyman whispered to Elder Farrell, "I believe that is the woman who had the red shawl on, and who was in the barn last Sunday while you were preaching." He replied that he would soon find out, and, accosting the lady, he asked when she had heard the Gospel preached. The reply was: "I have heard you preach at Offord several times." He then inquired: "When did you make up your mind to be baptized?" The reply was, "Right while you were preaching in that barn at Offord. I made up my mind that the first time I heard that you were going to baptize I would come, and here I am!"
It was soon arranged that Elder Farrell would proceed to the water about fifty yards distant with the new arrivals, and while he was baptizing them Elder Lyman and Mr. Baker could be carrying the sick girl to the water in a chair, while Sister Underwood could walk behind and hold the chair, to keep it from tipping.
The latter party not having arrived at the water by the time the man and woman were baptized, Elder Farrell started towards the house and met them coming very slowly, and, to his surprise, found the sick girl not being carried in a chair, but walking. He exclaimed on seeing her, "Why Nellie, you are walking!" "Yes," she said, "I told Brother Lyman and Mr. Baker if they would let me take their arms I felt that I could walk. If you remember, when you first blessed me you promised me that I should be able, if I had faith, to walk to the water within three months, and the three months will be up to-morrow."
"The Lord bless you for your faith!" said the Elder, and, leading her into the water until it came up to her waist, he added, "Now you may take your two hands and throw water over your body as much as you like, to get used to the temperature, for I am going to bury you in the water eight times—once for the remission of your sins, and seven times for the restoration of your health. Do you think you can stand it?" [A]
[Footnote A: This is not a doctrinal treatise nor a portrayal of the approved methods of performing ordinances, but a simple narrative of what actually occurred. Baptism by immersion is an ordinance by which repentant believers are initiated into the Church, and is also for the remission of sins. There is no warrant in revelation ancient or modern for the immersion of a person for the restoration of his health, anointing with oil and the prayer of faith being the ordinance for that purpose. However, baptism (a single immersion) as a means of restoring health has been practised in the Church from a very early period, originating probably with cures that were apparently traceable to baptism. Instances of persons affected with serious ailments being miraculously healed on accepting the Gospel have been somewhat numerous, and have occurred all through the history of the Church, due doubtless to the faith exhibited, and it is not surprising that persons should associate in their minds the cure with the rite of baptism. Possibly Elder Farrell had the case of Naaman the leper in his mind, who was healed on obeying the requirement of the Prophet Elisha, to wash seven times in the river Jordan. It was a sublime test of faith that he subjected the invalid girl to. He might have added in her case, in the words of the Savior: "Thy faith hath made thee whole," for it was her faith, and not any magic in the number seven, that brought her the blessing.]
She replied "Oh, yes; if you take hold of me, I have full faith."
Calling out to Elder Lyman who stood upon the bank, Elder Farrell said:
"Now count upon your fingers as I baptize her, and when she has been buried under the water eight times please tell me." He did so, and at the conclusion of the ceremony the girl, who had stood the ordeal remarkably well, was seated upon a chair and thus carried into the house.
After dry daiment had been resumed, the newly baptized persons were confirmed, and when Elder Farrell was confirming the girl, being prompted by the Spirit, he promised her that if she would continue to have faith she would live to go to Zion and become a mother in Israel. When supper had been partaken of and the dishes cleared away, a brief time was spent in chatting, and a general time of rejoicing indulged in. The girl was full of vivacity and enthusiasm, and declared that she was completely healed, and praised the Lord therefor.
Soon afterwards Elder Farrell was released to return from his mission, arriving at his home July 10, 1876. He came down to Salt Lake City to attend conference as usual in the following October, and having had a request from Sister Clark, of Stanwick, while he was still in England to call upon her sister in Salt Lake as soon as he could after his arrival, and, as she lived near the depot, he made his way there when he alighted from the train. To his great surprise and pleasure, he found Brother Challis and his daughter Nellie there. After greeting them he inquired: "Nellie, where is your Mother?" She replied: "Brother Farrell, mother took sick, and I sat up with her and waited on her nine days and nights without removing my clothing to obtain sleep, and my poor mother died, and I have not been sick one minute. And here I am in Zion, thank the Lord. Every word that you promised has been fulfilled thus far. And now we want to go to your part of the country to live, so that we may see you often. Do you think you could find father a place to work near your home at shoe-making?"
The next day Elder Farrell attended conference and sat by Brother Samuel Parkinson, of Franklin, who was a merchant, and conducted a large store. Having the request in mind, he inquired of Brother Parkinson if there was a shoe maker in Franklin. He said "No sir, but I wish we had one." Elder Farrell then told him of Brother Challis having arrived from England and wanting to locate in Cache Valley. He inquired if he was a poor man, and being told that he was, said: "Tell him to come to Franklin. I will furnish him a shop to work in free of charge. He can bring what shoes he makes into the store, and I will dispose of the same and pay him."
The father and daughter went to Franklin to live, and Brother Parkinson did as he promised to. Elder Farrell presided over the U. O. Store, tannery and shoe shop in Smithfield, and Brother Challis used to come from Franklin every week to buy his leather from the tannery; and used to frequently tell him how nicely they were getting along.
As soon as winter started Elder Farrell was appointed to preside over the Y. M. M. I. A. of the whole stake, and went around and organized the associations or set in order those that had been organized. On one occasion he went to Franklin, and held a very interesting meeting. After the meeting closed a lady accosted him and shook hands very heartily. Brother Farrell said, "You seem to know me, but I do not recognize you. What is your name, please?" She replied, "My name is Nellie Challis, and I want you to go home and stay all night with us." He expressed great surprise at the improvement in her appearance, rallied her about her double chin and accepted her invitation with thanks.
When they reached the Challis home and were quietly seated around the fire, Nellie said confidentially, "Brother Farrell, I am going to be married." In surprise her visitor inquired to whom. "To the presiding teacher of this ward, Brother Lowe."
"The Lord bless you, Sister Nellie; you are going to get as good a man as there is in this town," said Elder Farrell, shaking her hand in congratulation.
Brother Challis continued to call at the tannery to purchase supplies of leather, and he and Elder Farrell frequently met, and never without his daughter being inquired about. First it was learned that she was married and very happy. Then about a year later news came that a child had been born.
Soon afterwards Elder Farrell received a letter from Franklin with a black border around it. On opening it he saw at once it was from Father Challis. It contained sad news: Nellie had never fully rallied after her babe was born. Anxious neighbors and friends surrounded her, and all that they and medical skill could do to save her life was done, but all in vain. As the end approached she sat up in bed, and bore a fervent testimony to the houseful of friends who surrounded her. She told them not to mourn for her, but to thank the Lord for his merciful kindness to her in prolonging her life, enabling her to understand and accept the Gospel, to come to Zion, obtain a good husband and become a mother in Israel—all as predicted by Elder Farrell in England when there seemed so little hope of her living. She requested that word be sent to Elder Farrell that she had lived to see his words fulfilled, and that now she was ready to die, as she felt that it was the Lord's will.
After talking thus for two hours, she bade all present an affectionate good by, lay back in bed and was dead in two minutes.
Since that time several of the women who had heard Nellie tell of the marvelous blessings that had come to her in response to the prayers and promises of Elder Farrell, have themselves when ill journeyed to Smithfield to get him to administer to them, and their faith has generally been rewarded.
Another sequel to that first visit of Elder Farrell to Northampton may be mentioned. The daughter and son-in-law of Brother Challis who left the house in such haste when he first entered it; because they did not want to speak to a "Mormon," have both since investigated "Mormonism" and embraced the Gospel. They also have come to Zion and located at Franklin, and the young man has filled a faithful mission to England and returned home, and is now numbered among the enterprising and prosperous business men of Franklin.
MR. CLARK'S INTOLERANCE—ELDER FARRELL'S INFLUENCE OVER HIM—BAPTISMS IN STANWICK—CLARK FAMILY MIGRATE.
ON LEAVING the town of Northampton, Elders Morris and Farrell proceeded to the town of Stanwick, and held an out-door meeting the same evening they arrived there. At the close of the meeting a Mrs. Baker accosted Elder Farrell and said she would like to be baptized. He asked her if she ever heard the Gospel preached before. She said she had heard it a great many times, but that his talk that evening had convinced her that she should no longer hesitate about embracing it. He inquired if her husband was willing, and she replied that if she wanted to, he would not object. They went out about half a mile from the town and baptized her in a beautiful pond, and then walked back to town. She invited the Elders to go home with her, where they engaged her husband in conversation while she changed her wet for dry clothing. Elder Morris soon excused himself, leaving his companion to talk with Mr. Baker while he called upon the Clark family, close neighbors. Mrs. Clark and one of her daughters were members of the Church, but her husband was not. After awhile Mr. and Mrs. Baker and Elder Farrell also went over to the Clark residence. When they arrived there Elder Morris and Mr. Clark were engaged in a heated dispute, which threatened to develop into a quarrel. Elder Farrell exclaimed as he entered the house, "What in the world is the matter!" Mr. Clark declared he had only asked Mr. Morris a few questions about his religion, which, being answered, he said he didn't believe a word of it. Elder Morris had responded that if he didn't believe he would be damned, and quoted the words of the Savior to prove it. Mr. Clark thought he deserved more consideration, inasmuch as he had entertained the Elders, and offered them the use of a room to occupy whenever they wished.
While Elder Farrell was trying to pacify him and reason with him on religion in general, Sister Baker persuaded Elder Morris to return with her to her home.
Mr. Clark asked a great many questions, all of which were promptly answered, and generally to his satisfaction. He still insisted, however, that he did not believe in "Mormonism."
"Do you believe there is a God?" the Elder asked. "I believe," he replied, "there is some one ahead of us, who knows more than we do. You men call him God. He knew when I was born whether I would be damned or saved. If I was born to be damned, what is the use of me praying? It would not help me."
He went on to tell how he had abused his wife for being a "Mormon." He said if she went to meeting at night he would lock the door, and keep her out all night; but it made no difference; she kept on going to the meetings, and he kept on locking her out. His wife had a sister who was a "Mormon," and who had already emigrated to Utah. He said he went home one evening and found his wife writing a letter. He inquired who she was writing to, she replied that she was writing to Lizzie, her sister, in Salt Lake. He declared that he did not believe it, and accused her of writing to "Mormon" Elders. He demanded that she show him the letter, and she indignantly refused to do so, saying if he wouldn't take her word for it, she would not gratify him by showing him the letter. At that he seized her hands and tried to wrench the letter therefrom. She struggled to retain it, and he threw her to the floor. The letter stuck out between her fingers as he held her on the floor near the fireplace, and he pushed her bands up to the fire to burn the letter. She screamed, and her little boy nine years old, who was playing outside the house, came running in, and, seizing a stick of wood, struck his father across the face with it. When he arose the next morning his eyes were black and swollen, and his hands were burned. His wife bandaged his hands and put them in a sling; for a day or two he was about the worst used up man he had ever seen, with both eyes discolored and both hands burned, swollen and in a sling. He made up his mind then, he said, never to say another word to his wife about "Mormonism," but allow her to believe what she liked.
"And do you really believe," Elder Farrell asked, "that every man and woman is born to be damned or saved?"
"I certainly do with all my heart," Mr. Clark replied.
"Well," was the response, "I want you to excuse me, but I must say that you are about the most unreasonable man I have ever met in this country."
Springing to his feet, as though his anger was getting beyond control, he demanded that Elder Farrell prove it.
The reply was: "Your wife, according to your own words, was born a 'Mormon,' and cannot help herself. Don't you see how unreasonable you have been in locking her out of the house night after night, trying to burn her and indulging in other cruelty?"
Mr. Clark retorted: "I will never say a word to her again about religion. She can go to Utah with you if she wants to, and I'll not say a word to her."
"I don't want her," said Elder Farrell, "I have plenty of wives of my own."
"Do you have more than one?" inquired Mr. Clark.
"Yes," was the response. "I have two wives and sixteen children."
"Well," said Mr. Clark, "I think more of you than any other 'Mormon' I have met for your honesty. Others won't tell it, but you have honestly confessed it."
"Now," added the Elder, "I want to tell you that God lives and I am sent here to preach the Gospel of His Son Jesus Christ. If you repent of your sins and are baptized for their remission, and live your religion like a good, faithful Latter-day Saint you shall enjoy life to a good old age, and your last days shall be the best and happiest days of your life. You will enjoy the society of your family and your wife and children will enjoy your company. You will grow fond of attending the meetings of the Latter-day Saints, and in time be glad to repent of your sins and be baptized for the remission of them."
Just then the clock struck one, and Mr. Clark remarked, "Well, it is an hour past midnight. I am sorry I have kept you up so long. I will take you up to bed, and you remain there until I call you in the morning. I will call you in time for you to arise and get your breakfast, and from this time forth, whenever you come to Stanwick, come direct to my house, and make it your home; and if you advise when you are coming I will have one of my daughters go out and notify the people when you will be here. We will be most happy to receive you, and we will come and sing for you at your meetings."
From that time Elder Farrell always went to the Clark home on visiting Stanwick, and the family furnished music for the meetings, Mr. Clark playing the violin and singing tenor, and in other ways proving a good and true friend.
When Bishop Morris was released to return home he was succeeded as president of the Birmingham conference by Bishop William H. Maughan. Elder Farrell accompanied him on his first round and introduced him to the Clark family, as being among his best friends. After Elder Maughan had been there about nine months, and had become well acquainted with the Clark family, two of the daughters who had not yet joined the Church induced Bishop Maughan to ask their father's consent for him to baptize them. Mr. Clark impatiently blurted out: "If they talk baptism to me they cannot live in my home."
This was on Sunday evening. On Monday Bishop Maughan, finding it useless to try to reconcile Mr. Clark, left for Birmingham, and on Tuesday Elder Farrell called at Stanwick, in making the round of his conference. On leaving Nottingham, his headquarters, he had left word for any letters that might come for him during his absence to be forwarded to Stanwick, care of Jonah Clark. Sister Clark had told him on his arrival about Bishop Maughan asking her husband's consent to baptize her two daughters, and of his refusal. She begged of him to try, saying that Mr. Clark thought more of him than any other Elder he had met. He told her he would do so.
The next morning when the mail came it brought some letters for Elder Farrell, one of which was from Liverpool. On opening it he learned that President Brigham Young had sent word to the President of the mission to release him to return home, as the person who had succeeded him as tithing clerk for Cache valley was unable to attend to the work, and they wanted Elder Farrell home to resume his position in that respect.
Mr Clark was about to leave home for his work, and when he approached Elder Farrell to bid him good bye, the latter said, "Wait a moment; I want to read this letter to you," meaning the letter he had received concerning his release.
When he had heard it he said, "Well, Elder Farrell, I think more of you than any 'Mormon' Elder I ever met in my life, and if there is anything in my house that you want, all you have to do is to name it, and it shall be yours."
The Elder replied, "Thank you, that is all I want you to say; I don't want your property but here are your two daughters, Annie and Lilla; they want me to baptize them before I leave, and I would not do so without your permission. All I want you to say is 'Yes.'"
He dropped his head into his hands for about one half minute, then said: "Mr. Farrell, if they believe 'Mormonism' with all their hearts, and they want you to baptize them, I say Yes."
The girls and their mother who had been in the next room, listening, rushed in crying for joy, and thanked him for his kindness, and then he cried too, and Elder Farrell couldn't help shedding tears of joy also.
Controlling his feelings, he said, "Mr. Clark, you remember the last five persons I baptized down in the pond of water. Some of the people announced in the newspaper that if I ever baptized any more there they would duck me as long as I had breath. These people know that you don't like the 'Mormons,' and I want you to go out in another direction and find a good place to baptize the girls, and when evening comes you and I can go down and the girls may follow us, and be baptized without the people knowing anything about it."
He replied, "All right, Mr. Farrell. I'll not work to-day, but will go and find a suitable place."
He returned some time later saying he had found a place about a mile and a half east. He spent the rest of the day mostly in conversation with Elder Farrell. In the meantime a thunder storm occurred and a heavy shower followed.
A bed of water cress about six feet wide grew at the bottom of the Clark garden, and Elder Farrell walked down there to gather some water cress for supper. While doing so he heard the sound of running water the opposite side of the garden wall, where there was an orchard. He stepped across the water cress bed and looked over the wall and there saw a stream of water about four feet wide (doubtless swollen by the recent shower,) and just about twenty feet down stream two posts stood—one in either bank. He called Mr. Clark to come down and notice the stream, and asked him if he could find three boards, a foot wide, to drop in the stream above the posts, to form a dam, thus making the stream deep enough to baptize in, and so secluded that no one would notice them or suspect what was going on.
It was also suggested that Mr. Clark arrange a safe bridge across the water cress bed, which he immediately complied with, by taking the kitchen door off its hinges and laying it down there to be walked over, and also made steps to descend into the water.
Along towards evening Elder Farrell set out to walk to Mr. Baker's, who was always on hand to lend him a pair of pants and high topped rubber boots to wear when he was baptizing. He had not proceeded far when someone approached him behind, and clutched him by the arm. Turning around he faced Mr. Baker, who inquired if he was going to his house. Elder Farrell replied that he was, for the purpose of getting his uniform to wear in baptizing. Surprised, he next inquired who was to be baptized, and was told that it was Annie and Lilla Clark.
"Well, bless me," Mr. Baker exclaimed, "it was only on Sunday last that Bishop Maughan asked if he could baptize the girls, and was told by the father that if they talked baptism to him they could not live in his house."
Elder Farrell explained that Mr. Clark had not only given his consent, but had prepared a place in which to baptize them.
"Well," said Mr. Baker, "that is wonderful! I can't stand it any longer. Mr. Farrell, will you baptize me too?"
Elder Farrell replied that he would be pleased to do so.
On reaching the Baker home Mrs. Baker was asked to get the "uniform," as Elder Farrell was going to do some baptizing.
She inquired who was going to be baptized and her husband replied: "The Clark girls and Charlie Baker."
The good woman raised her hands in ecstacy, and exclaimed: "Well, the Lord be praised!"
Just then Mr. Baker's apprentice, a young man about seventeen years of age, came running in from the next room, and eagerly asked: "Elder Farrell, will you please baptize me?"
Elder Farrell inquired if his parents were willing, and he replied that he dare not tell them anything about it. He was advised to go straightway to them and tell them frankly that he wanted to be baptized: that Elder Farrell was going to do some baptizing that evening, and that he thought it would make a better boy of him if they would only consent.
He walked towards his home very slowly, and with apparent reluctance, but he was soon seen coming back on the run, and bubbling over with happiness, for his parents were willing that he should be baptized.
When Elder Farrell was about to descend into the water he gave Mr. Clark a pocket handkerchief, and told him to stand on the bank and help each one down into the water, and, after he was baptized, to help him out again, and when he was safely on the bank to wipe the water out of his eyes.
He did so, and his wife told Elder Farrell the next morning that he had never felt happier in his life than when assisting the people in and out of the water. She begged him to go and wake Elder Farrell up and be baptized by him, but he said "No."
The next morning after breakfast Mr. Clark said: "Now Mr. Farrell, I am going to walk with you to the station, and carry your valise. I may never see you again."
When they got out of town he stopped Elder Farrell, and, standing in front of him, said: "I want to tell you that you have made a 'Mormon' of me from the ground up, and I cannot help myself; but I will never be baptized until I pay for every bill or account that I owe; then if anyone says anything to me about being baptized I will tell him it is none of his business; that I am not beholden to him, but if you are in this country and one hundred miles away I shall want you to come and baptize me."
When they reached the train Mr. Clark bade the Elder good bye, while tears ran down his cheeks. He also thanked him for his good advice and teachings, and the good example he had set before him and the world, and said he hoped to see him again.
Three months after Elder Farrell arrived home he received a letter from Mr. Clark stating that he had been baptized, and had stood in the meeting of the Saints and borne his testimony to the truth of the Gospel, in the house which he and a few other residents of Stanwick had generously leased and paid the rent on for one year in advance, so that Elder Farrell would not be under the necessity of preaching out in the open air. He knew the Gospel was true, and that it would save and exalt mankind inas-much as they were true and faithful to its principles.
In two years from that time Mr. Clark and his family arrived in Salt Lake City, and in course of time removed to Smithfield, where he worked at his trade as shoemaker.
He did well and entered all work that he did in a book, and at the close of every year took that book to the Bishop and had a careful computation made of his earnings and paid one-tenth for tithing.
The whole Clark family joined the choir, and the father continued to take his part in the choir until he was past 87 years of age and had grown so weak that other members used to be under the necessity of helping him up the stairway.
He died just before he was 88 years of age, a firm and consistent Latter-day Saint, and up to the last manifested the utmost respect for Elder Farrell, and also taught his family to respect him and seek his counsel.
His family are all faithful members of the Church, and are now residing in Cache County, Utah, and doing well.
JOHN ANDERSON'S SEARCH FOR THE TRUTH—PROVIDENTIAL WAY IN WHICH HE WAS FIRST LED TO ATTEND A MEETING OF THE SAINTS—EMBRACED THE GOSPEL—FIRM ADHERENCE THERETO.
IT IS probably a fact, though it may not be possible at this late date to prove it, that a very large proportion of the early converts to the Gospel were, at the time its message reached them, and for years before, dissatisfied with the creeds of the day, and were searching for the Truth as portrayed in the Bible.
One of the early converts to the Gospel in Scotland was John Anderson, a native of Leith, who is a typical example of the class mentioned.
His daughter, Mrs. David Smellie, who died in the year 1909, has left a sketch of his life written by her own hand, substantially as follows:
My parents had a family of twelve children, six sons and six daughters. I was their seventh child, and the first one born after my father joined the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
This step he took in the year 1840, and I will here relate how he became acquainted with the peculiar people called "Mormons." He was an intelligent, studious man, of a very fixed purpose when once resolved. My dear mother was like him in that respect. In the early years of their married life they were members of the United Presbyterian church, but became dissatisfied with that sect, my parents not being able to see the need of a man having to go to college so many years to learn to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They then became associated with a body of religious worshippers called Separatists, who did not believe in clergymen or infant sprinkling. This suited them better, as being more scriptural.
In the year 1839 my father's mind was directed to the necessity of baptism for the remission of sins, and the laying on of hands for the conferring of the Holy Ghost, by one having authority. These the Bible told him were among the first principles of the Gospel. But where was he to find one who claimed such authority? He knew none, and yet the Bible indicated that these ordinances were to be performed by one who was called of God as was Aaron—by revelation. My father put those views before the Separatist brethren, who, after due consideration, requested him either to give up his ideas or leave the sect. He therefore left, but my mother remained with them.
The year 1840 found my father in this frame of mind. In the meantime he studied the New Testament scriptures, and his previous convictions were increased. But what was he to do? The Lord had ceased to speak from the heavens—had not done so since the days of the early Christians. The world said: "It was not necessary, as the Bible contained all that was needful."
I will here insert a short story which will help to illustrate the point in view:
John Wesley, wishing other lands to hear the message he held forth, assumed to ordain Coke and others to be bishops, to carry Methodism, and on this point he and his brother Charles became divided, after being so firmly united in the cause. This was the wedge that split them. Charles did not believe that either had the power to ordain others, and he opposed the scheme. John went ahead, assumed the authority, and laid his hands on the head of Mr. Coke and ordained him a bishop, a position Wesley himself never held.
Charles grew angry at this, and remarked:
"How easily are bishops madeBy man's or woman's whim;Wesley his hands has laid on CokeBut who laid hands on him?"
"How easily are bishops madeBy man's or woman's whim;Wesley his hands has laid on CokeBut who laid hands on him?"
On Sunday afternoon in October, 1840, my parents were visited by my mother's sister's husband—Uncle John Grieve, who resided in Edinburgh. In the course of conversation he informed them that a celebrated clergyman was to preach in Edinburgh that same evening, and invited my father to accompany him to hear this man speak.
He consented, and together they set out to walk from Leith to Edinburgh, a distance of two miles. They had reached a place called "Dickson's Nursery," which was about half way, when suddenly my father felt that he could not proceed any farther. Uncle John walked on a few steps, thinking my father would follow, then turned and inquired if he was not coming. Father replied, "John, I can go no farther with you to-night."
Uncle John insisted upon his going, but all in vain. Father declared that he could not lift his feet-they seemed sealed to the ground, and he felt that he must go back.
Just as soon as he had said "Good evening" my father's feet were loosed from the ground. He walked towards Leith until he reached the street which led to his home, called Kirkgate. Then something prompted him to take the street to the right, called Constitution. Down the street he walked until he came to an entrance leading to the "Mason's Lodge," which entrance was called a "pind." This was an arched alley-way, leading to buildings in the rear, where the Mason's hall was situated. At this "pind" stood an old, fresh-complexioned man, dressed in home-spun clothes. He bade my father "Good evening," and inquired if he was aware that the new sect called Latter-day Saints were to hold meeting in the Mason's hall that evening.
Father replied that he was not, whereupon the old man invited him to attend, and led the way into the hall, where he put father into a good seat.
My father turned around to thank him for his courtesy, but he was gone, and he never saw him again; but to the last he maintained that the old man was one of "the Three Nephites."
The speakers were Orson Pratt and George D. Watt. They preached the first principles of the Gospel, and claimed that the Lord had again spoken from the heavens and restored the everlasting Gospel in its fullness, with the gifts and blessings belonging to the same. They declared too that the Lord had promised that the Gospel would never again be taken from the earth until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness.
My father sat listening and amazed at the good news—just what he had been waiting for, and it seemed to fit into his heart. The precious seed did indeed fall into fertile soil, and it bore "a hundred fold."
To hear was to investigate; to investigate was to embrace the new and everlasting Gospel which the Lord had again restored to the earth, and which He in His loving kindness had gradually prepared my father to receive.
My father rejoiced greatly, for he realized he had indeed found the "pearl of great price." This jewel he wore and prized for forty-five years. He died December 19, 1885, in the 81st year of his age; and so valiant a soldier was he in the cause of truth that it was said of him "he did not owe his country one testimony."
One day while sitting by his bedside shortly before he passed away (I don't like to say "died", for father did not die, he only fell asleep and O, so gently; just like a tired child,) I inquired if there was any message he would like to leave for those of his family who were out of the reach of his voice. He replied, "Yes, tell them from their father if they have gone outside of the fold, to get in again just as soon as ever they can."
I feel prompted to record a few facts in the life of my father which may be of interest to those who may read this, although my father never desired me to do so. They will show that the Lord was with him to uphold, defend and bless him. As I stated previously, he was ever ready to expound and maintain the principles of the Gospel, and many of his former friends and acquaintances turned very bitter against him because of his fidelity to his convictions.
One of these was a sea captain named Robert Storm. Father had made boots for him and his crew for a long time, but, because of the change in his religious opinions, he became very bitter and withdrew his custom.
My father was in the habit of taking a daily constitutional walk down Leith pier. One day as he was coming up the pier he saw the vessel Robert Storm was master of being towed down the river on her way to France. Father took off his hat and waved a parting adieu. To this act of courtesy Robert Storm responded with a look of scorn. Father was impressed to say, "Robert Storm, you will never have the opportunity to do that again to me."
Some eight or ten days afterwards a severe storm swept the English Channel. One afternoon just at this time father heard the postman call out his name in the stairway. This was the custom in tenement houses, and the person so called was expected to go out and get his letters. Father received from the postman a letter addressed to him in a clear, bold hand, sealed with wax, as was the custom, envelopes not then having come into fashion. (Letters were written on a large double sheet of paper folded neatly and sealed with wax.) It bore the London postmark, and contained a statement that Robert Storm was drowned at sea on a certain day and where it occurred, indicating that it was in the English Channel, but bore no signature. Father had gone direct to his workroom when he received the letter, and as soon as he had read it he laid it down on his work seat, and crossed through the lobby into the kitchen to get my mother to come and read it also. She immediately followed him into his workroom, when to his surprise he discovered the letter was gone, and yet no living person had been there during his absence.
The Lord had sent that letter, it had performed its mission, and was taken away.
By and by an account of the wreck was read in the newspaper, which stated that it had taken place in the English Channel. Thus was my father's prediction fulfilled.
In illustration of the character of my father I have heard it related that a certain Elder W...... (his name is suppressed for the sake of his relatives) presided over the Edinburgh branch at a period in the early history of the Church there. One evening after the regular Sunday evening service was over he called upon the members holding the priesthood to remain and hold a kind of council meeting. At this meeting Elder W...... proposed that certain funds belonging to the conference, collected for a certain purpose, be used for an entirely different purpose, in which he was personally interested. My father being a very conscientious man, protested against this proceeding, and said, seeing the Edinburgh conference had given this money for a special purpose, they as custodians had no authority to use it in any other direction without the consent of the donors.
Elder W......, indignant at my father's presuming to oppose him or his wishes, arose and proposed that, seeing that John Anderson had been guilty of dictating to him, a superior officer, he be cut off the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A show of hands was called for, and in less time than it takes to tell it the vote carried.
My father remained quiet until the matter was settled, then he arose and requested permission to speak. The request being granted, he said: "Brethren, all I desire to say is that ...... ...... W......, (mentioning his name in full) will be out of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when I am in it."
My father renewed his covenants the following week, and continued an honorable member during his life. He died holding the office of a High Priest, while Elder W.... died a poor outcast and apostate.
My father remained in Scotland, laboring in the Gospel cause, both at home and elsewhere, paying his tithing, and trusting in the Lord for his promised blessing until the year 1863. Previous to this period he had at various times requested my mother to accompany him to Utah. This she refused to do, not being able to see the Gospel light. Then father decided to gather with the Saints, taking his youngest son with him, and leaving four daughters, two married and two single, with their mother.
Shortly before leaving Scotland my father, in conversation with one of the brethren, expressed his regret at leaving his wife and daughters behind him. The brother told him to be of good courage, for his wife and family would follow him, and that he would live to see the promise fulfilled.
Father could scarcely believe this prediction, it appeared so very unlikely to ever come to pass. However, he trusted in the Lord, knowing that He "moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform," and surely in the case of my father's family this was exemplified to a wonderful degree. The prophecy concerning the gathering of my father's family was fulfilled to the letter, for he had the satisfaction of receiving us all in Salt Lake City. He located at 54 East First South Street, where he built a good comfortable house, in which he lived until called to his final rest.