Wednesday, June 30, 1875

June 30th. Shortest distance from New York to Liverpool is given as 3,023 miles. Our captain, steering farther south to keep clear of fog and ice, will take 100 to 200 miles farther. I had a Gospel conversation with Mr. Russell. Since improving, I have had considerable conversation on various subjects; religious, scientific, philosophic, geographic, and progressive.

Tuesday, June 29, 1875

June 29th. I am very much better in health, but my pale face is calling for sympathy and anxiety. The captain and several others have given encouraging talk, and a lady kindly brought me an orange which did me good. God bless her! I had an interesting conversation with Heifner on science and religion. He believes the progressive theory.

We are six degrees from the Azores. Today, when I complimented the captain on his quiet, orderly crew, he replied, "They know they have to obey orders, or I will be down their throats instantly."

Monday, June 28, 1875

Sunday, June 28th. Stormy, Northwest wind. Seasick and ate no breakfast. Feel weak. I pray God for more strength and His protection and spirit that my health may not be impaired by the seasickness. While thus praying, laying upon the deck, I had a very pleasant dream of home and friends, of an angelic visitation and was blessed of the Lord in answer to my prayer and awoke feeling much better. We are passing vessels daily.

Sunday, June 27, 1875

Anniversary of the Martyrdom, thirty one years ago. Living so close by - three miles - it was so impressive I think it will never be forgotten. There is a cold north wind. I continue seasick. Services in saloon.

Thursday, June 24, 1875

June 24th. No breakfast. A little dinner. Have eaten but little for ten days.

Wednesday, June 23, 1875

June 23rd. A.M. The decks are wet with dew or mist. I am still seasick. I tried a little dinner and lost it, also supper. We quite a school of whales, perhaps twenty five.

June 22th

At 7:00 A.M. we take street cars to Hotel near Castle Gardens. At 10:00 A.M. we call on Gibson, shipping agent for Guzon line, get intermediate passage to Liverpool, England, at $35.00 exchange balance of our money for English money at Liverpool.

At 2:00 P.M. we board the Manhattan and at 3:00 P.M. are under way. We pass Sandy Hook and discharge the pilot boat between 5:00 and 6:00 P.M. in a heavy northwest wind. We have a nice view of ships going and coming in - both sailors and steamers. At 8:00 P.M. I am seasick; no supper! Our berth is in the extreme stern and has the heaviest rocking and pitching of any part of the vessel.

Tuesday June 22, 1875

At Rochester, N.Y. , are large splended buildings, over twenty railroad tracks at the station. Beyond is undulating country, much timber, some rocks. At 7:00 P.M. we pass through Syracuse. Here and in the vicinity are said to be the most noted salt works in America. As we pass on, the country is more undulating as we reach New York City.

Saturday June 19, 1875

Crossing the mighty Mississippi, we are in Illinois, a country growing in beauty and improvement. Arriving in Chicago we take the Central to Detroit, Michigan, where we are to take the Grand Trunk to pass through Canada, but as it does not run on Sunday (the 20th), we spent the time viewing Detroit. We saw the nicest cemetery I ever saw, rode on the ferry several times across the Detroit River and note the difference between free U.S. and stable old Canada. Here Sunday is a holiday - excursions via river and railroad, on the Canada side all is quiet with respect for the Lord's day. We passed north of Lake Erie through Canada - poor country.

Friday June 18, 1875

A.M. Plains continue. Some land is under cultivation, but no fences. Farm houses and small settlements appear as we near Omaha, where we arrive, P.M., and buy through tickets to New York for $38 each. I saw our old location and farm of 28 years ago, now cut up into city lots. At the Kanesville Railroad Depot, I got off and walked over the ground where I once drove the team to plow and plant, cultivate and gather the corn in 1846 and 1847. The surrounding country and hills yet look quite natural, with play ground, skating pond, hillside where I coasted in winter and rode our truck wagons in summer. I saw the Indian graves and the "Miller Hollow", east, where we cut wood and rails. We here took the Chicago and Northwestern up the Missouri a few miles, then east across a beautiful rolling country of farms and timber.

Thurday June 17, 1875

A.M. Mountain views continue. P.M. Broken table land; then broad prairie.

Wednesday June 16, 1875

Departure for New York

All matters arranged and we were off with quite a demonstration at the depot.

While at President Young's office on the 14th, a company of eastern tourists, returning from California, called and had an interview. today at the depot, seeing the demonstration and recollecting me, one of the men asked the cause. I explained, and on his asking, told him I was one of the trio.

Bishop Hess, Brother Stayner and others accompanied us to Odgen and saw us under way from there. Soon after my inquiring tourist sought me out, and we had quite a Gospel talk. So, as I am in my field, my labor begins. Among other things, my inquiring friend asked me if I expected to preserve my virtue while gone. I replied, "If I did not, I would not leave home on such a call." He said it was commendable, that he had kept himself so far, and might get home safe, but they did not expect it of their missionaries while abroad.

Today I am viewing the country we passed through in 1848 and 1852 and later in freighting on the stage line. We had dinner at Laramie, supper in Cheyenne - lots of grasshoppers. What grand mountain views we see, near and far. Some are yet covered with snow.

Tuesday June 15, 1875

Only today and tonight left to get ready and consider the items named previously and others that confront me. A number asked me to take addresses of their relatives and friends in England and Australia, as we would go via England. I furnished a memorandum book and told them to write them down but I would have no time to even look at them until we are under way.

Note: Brother Horton D. Haight and I kept our joint outfit for Arizona together until last fall, ready for another move in that direction, if desired. Then we so divided that I took the mule team, which I now left with Father to sell to replace money that he will advance me for the mission.

Monday June 14, 1875

I went with Brothers Thomas Steed and Job Welling, both of Farmington, (who had been called at the April Conference and had had ever since to prepare), to be set apart, recorded, received instructions, get supplies, etc. President Young who was disappointed at our failure in Arizona, said: "Now, Brother Miller, you are going to Australia under the Presidency of Brother Job Welling, and when you get there, I don't think he will say, "There is no water and we will go back!" He then had my certificate made out to read, "To the Inhabitants of the Earth," and said that he wanted Brother Miller to understand that he was in his field of labor from the time he took his foot off the threshold of his door until he placed it back again.

I had repeatedly spoken with Pres. Young in defense of our effort in Arizona and had told him that I and other men in that company would have gone anywhere at the risk of our lives, had he told us where to go or what to do. And I now told him that while I acknowledged his right to reprove me, having done my best under the situation confronting us, to support the effort in Arizona, my feelings were very tender on that subject. He then said: "Well, well, Brother Miller, you will go and fill this mission and will return in safety, and God will bless you, and it will be all right." This gave me some comfort.

Sunday June 13, 1875

I then took a morning sleep after which I was off to Ogden for my folks. They were surprised to see me and asked the cause. I briefly said, "I am called to start a mission to Australia next Wednesday morning, and need you to get my wardrobe ready."

We reached home in time for me to make a few farewell remarks before Sacrament Meeting closed, in which I stated that while I would be pleased to visit with my friends, I would have no time to do so. I wished all who had open accounts with me to call and settle and make or receive payments as balance would demand.

Mission Call

Saturday, June 12th, was a day long to be remembered. My family, except my oldest son, had gone to visit relatives in Ogden. At 9:00 P.M. Brother Thomas Steed called and presented me with the following letter:

SALT LAKE CITY, JUNE 12, 1875

Elder Jacob Miller:

Dear Brother:

I am instructed by President Brigham Young to hereby inform you that you are selected to go on a mission to Australia to start on Wednesday next, 16 inst., and to call at your earliest convenience, at the Historian's Office, to be recorded and set apart for your mission. Trusting you can handily be ready to start at the above named time and the foregoing will prove very acceptable to you, I am your brother in the Gospel,

(signed) Albert Carrington.

At the time of this call my father was on the sheep island in charge of shearing sheep. Bishop J. W. Hess was in Weber Valley and my folks in Ogden. Brother Steed informed that I was to state at once whether I could go or not. After a few questions and conversation I told him to say that I would be ready.

PREPARATION FOR MISSION

I had so many things, private and public, in hand, that I could hardly see my way, and, after visiting with the Bishop's Counselor, Arthur Staynor, and reporting and retiring late, I could not sleep. So I arose and made the following notes of matters that must be arranged before I go:

1. Settle with Parley P. Pratt as I was agent for his father's history.

2. Settle with the Temple Fund as I was collecting and accounting for it.

3. Settle with the F.C.M.I., public and private, where I was Secretary and Treasurer and had an account.

4. Settle with Farmington C0-operative Company for which I was also Secretary and Treasurer.

5. Settle with Davis County Schools. I was Co-Superintendent and had funds in hand and reports to make.

6. Settle with Timothy B. Clark for coal and other accounts.

7. Settle with Wm. K. Rice for school accounts due.

8. Collect balance for school teaching and some other items.

Spring 1875

This spring 1875, I felt an impression to try to get every item of business, both public and private, as nearly up to date as possible. I had donated to the aid of missionaries, notably Mads Christensen, who went to Denmark and Job Welling, who went to Australia.