Tuesday, August 31, 1875

Aug. 31st. The blue sea is almost smooth. We are visiting and forming acquaintances.

Monday, August 30, 1875

Aug. 30th. We are passing through the noted Bay of Biscay where it is said there is always a rolling sea. Today Welling, Steed and I ate the last of a cake my wife had prepared, I having kept a part of it until now. We partake to remember this Bay of Biscay. An awning is spread over the deck so we can be in the shade.

Sunday, August 29, 1875

Sunday Aug. 29th. Church of England services in the saloon at 10:30 A.M. and 7:00 P.M. This evening I am some better and hope with God's Blessing to be preserved from heavy seasickness, which may He grant and His name be praised.

Saturday, August 28, 1875

Aug. 28th. Heavy ground swells from the northwest, as we steamed southwest, took the vessel on the beam and she rolled heavily. I was seasick and vomiting! I kept on deck but was lying down most of the time.

Friday, August 27, 1875

Aug. 27th. We passed a good night with a smooth sea, with the coast in sight and at 3:00 P.M. we were less than a mile from shore. I read the Deseret News as we passed numerous vessels. At 10:30 P.M. we passed the Lizard on Land's End and were at sea.

Thursday, August 26, 1875

ON STEAMER FOR AUSTRALIA

Thursday, Aug. 26th. We boarded the steamer "Great Britain", for Melbourne, Australia. We started from London at 4:00 A.M. and reached the mouth of the Thames River about eight. At nine we passed Ramsgate, a noted watering place. We were meeting and passing numbers of vessels of all sizes, from the little sloop to the great steamers. At eleven I wrote home so that my folks would have the latest news. At 1:00 P.M. we discharged the pilot boat.

President Joseph F. Smith of the European Mission and President F.M. Lyman of the London Conference came to see us under way and returned with the pilot boat, taking our mail with them. We steamed southwest along the coast in the English Channel, and passed within a quarter mile of the shore at Dover. It is a shipping port for France. The strait here is only a twenty-one miles wide. We turned in at 9:00 P.M. There was a heavy dew.

Sunday, August 22, 1875

Sunday, Aug. 22nd. We made calls and attended day and evening meetings. I spoke at all four and had some discussion and controversy over the last.

Saturday, August 21, 1875

Aug. 21st. On one such trip, we went to White Chapel Branch, attended Relief Society and Teacher's meetings and with Brother Binder, made some calls and stayed over night.

Monday, August 16, 1875

Aug. 16th. I was shown about the port, the shipping, shipbuilding, etc., and after visiting among the Saints and others I went back to London. I spent two days in and around Crystal Palace. Each day I saw Blondon walk a tight wire across the transcept, over 100 feet long and 40 feet high, I think; slowly at first as if feeling his way, then faster, then stopped by the way, sat on the wire, lay on his back, stood on his head. Then he came out with a stove on his back, placed it on wires, prepared and kindled a fire, cooked eggs and pancakes, ate and sent a sample down to the audience. Then he crossed blindfolded and then with a man on his back. I saw a trapeze and gymnastic performances and heard a grand orchestra. I had a grand view of the park and surrounding country from the tower.

I saw a large collection of busts, statues, fine arts and stuffed animals from all parts of the world. I was especially impressed with the "Jeptha and his Daughther." The artist took the point in the poem where, looking up, he breathed the name of God in agony and she knew then that he was stricken. It was so life like. I was also impressed with the Savior being carried from the cross to the sepulchre. Two men carried Him in His shroud, His feet and hands showing the wounds. One women held His head with a look that seemed to say, "Oh, How I would like to avenge this." Four others followed, one supported the mother whose upturned face showed the extreme expression of anguish.

It was so perfect and grand. From the hundreds of efforts of the grand old Masters that I have viewed, these two and the Infant Jesus in the arms of one of the Wise Men of the East who came to worship Him - the mother in the manger, a halo of light from the infant head casting a light and shadow to and from the other Wise Men and the others present. This and a later Briband Scene in Melbourne , Australia, reported Nov. 15, 1875, have impressed me the most.

I spend one day in the Alexandria Palace and Park. These were grand views. One day in Madam Tussaud's Wax Works was very impressive and her Chambers of Horrors was indeed horrible. In the former, were life size features of the leading men of the world dressed in the costumes of the age and country in which they lived. Our own leading men from Washington to Lincoln and Grant were next in prominence to England's. The Chamber of Horrors showed all the barbaric methods of torture and execution, including the guillotine, the substitute for the headsman's axe. Then I was shown through the Houses of Parliament.

I was surprised to see the uncushioned benches in the House of Lords and the low throne of the Queen, only raised one step and a seat each side for her maids of Honor on the level floor. We were also shown the jewel crown, valued at 5,000,000 pounds, that is placed on her head when she graces the throne. At Westminister we stood upon the slab in the stone floor that covers the remains of Livingstone. The Houses of Parliament, Westminister and St. Paul's are grand structures to visit. We were shown through St. Paul's Cathedral from basement to tower. Their whispering gallery, (circular), from which our large Salt Lake Tabernacle is modeled, except for the straight center between the two circular ends, is grand. We tested its whispering capacity.

We were shown through the Zoological Gardens. Spent a day by special permit in the Woolwitch Arsenal, and, as the "Eastern Question" was on, a very large force was manufacturing various instruments and implements of war from an eighty-one ton cannon - the largest now in construction - down, and all sized of balls and shells for mortars and guns.

We traveled through the different parts of London on railroads that ran over the tops of the houses, giving elevated views. We also crossed under the Thames River through a tunnel -- a novelty -- and rode to different parts on the underground railroad which ran for several miles through various parts of London.

Sunday, August 15, 1875

Sunday, Aug. 15th. I went to Portsmouth with Bro. Welling who has a brother there. I was shown about the place some.

Friday, August 13, 1875

Aug. 13th. Visited Victoria Park again and other attractive places. Next day I visited the Tower of London, Westminister Abby and had a further view of London.

Thursday, August 12, 1875

Aug. 12th. I wrote home. Then I took a walk through Victoria Park and in the evening held another meeting and spoke.

Wednesday, August 11, 1875

VISITS AND WORK IN LONDON

Aug. 11th. We engage tickets for Australia on the "Great Britain," a heavy full rigged steamer, 350 x 52 feet. Then we took cab rides through London and from the streets, saw London Bank, Royal Exchange, Houses of Parliament, Westminister , Buckingham Palace, Duke of Wellington Monument, St. Paul's and others of the leading places. I attended Relief Society and other meetings and spoke at each.

Tuesday, August 10, 1875

Aug. 10th, 1875. I took the train the Worchester with Brother Steed and his niece and was shown around for two and a half hours. We visited a very nice cathedral. Then I took the train for London via Birmingham, where I waited seventy-five minutes, and wrote up my journal. The train started at 2:30 P.M. and had a breakdown, was detained a half hour and arrived at St. Pancres Station, London at 7:00 P.M. A lady cautioned me to beware, said several sharpers had me spotted as a stranger, said I should take a bus or cab and not accept service of our porter. I took a cab to Angel, then to my address - 20 Bishop's Grove, L.D.S. Conference House. President F. M. Lyman is away. I met Brother Binder, a native of London, who will show us around but we are to pay his fare.

Monday, August 9, 1875

Aug. 9th, 1875. I took a walk through Malvern with Steed, Morris, and Ballister after another look over Malvern Hill, then over the hill to West Malvern with Brother Steed to visit Mrs. Steed, sister of Henry Turner. After four other calls I stayed over night with Brother Steed at his sister's, Mrs. Chamberlain.

Sunday, August 8, 1875

Aug. 8th. In the morning, we had a treat of large English gooseberries in the garden. The Chamberlain place is on the opposite slope of Malvern Height from Malvern, from the crest of which we have the view described on Aug. 4th. and which view we repeat with time and detail today. There are many cities and villages in sight in all directions. Spire after spire rises from among the trees that are in every direction. Fields of grain and meadow ready for harvest, in gentle undulations break and scenery into nice variety and make it the grandest that I have ever placed my eyes on.

At 2:00 P.M. we held meeting on Malvern Common with about 200 Saints and others present. Morris, Ballister and Steed occupied most of the time with able addresses and strong testimonies. I occupied about twenty-five minutes on the many blessings God designs for his children in all the products of the soil and in the ability of their bodies, that evil and sin are only the results of the abuse of those blessings. If we use our physical strength to abuse and injure, we pervert that ability. If we use our speech to defame or persuade evil, we pervert that blessing. If we turn the life giving saccharin from the grain and cereals into alcholic poison and become drunkards therewith, we injure ourselves, destroy our health, shorten our lives and bring misery and disgrace upon family and relations.

Meeting at 6:30 P.M. on Malvern Common. While Ballister was speaking, a Minister passed tracts to the audience.. I accepted one. The reading was: "Believe on Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved." I followed. I took it for my text, quoted John 14:1: "He that believeth on Me the works that I do shall he do also." I showed that the first work of the Savior's ministry was to seek baptism of John, followed by the bestowal of the Holy Ghost; that He said to Nicodemus: "Except ye are born of the water and spirit, ye cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven." The fact that He and most of His Apostles were crucified and many of His followers massacred, did not disprove the divinity of His Gospell.

Though the founder of the Latter-day Saint Gospel, Joseph Smith, after much persecution and imprisonment, was martyred in Carthage Jail; though other noble defenders had been killed, despoiled, mobbed, and driven; and though the wicked hand of persecution still follows them, it does not disprove the divine authenticity of this work. I quoted: "Blessed are when men persecute you, etc." I bore testimony, asked my hearers to search the scriptures and see if the Latter-day Saints religion does not agree therewith. I was followed by Brothers Steed and Morris.

Saturday, August 7, 1875

Aug. 7th. Took the train to Malvern. On arrival, had a visit with Sister Williams, and dinner. Then I was shown through Malvern College. It is able in architecture and durable. Much room is taken up in corridors; gymnasium, books, a room for fencing, one for museum, a large one for reviews, and a chapel. There were several classrooms with teachers and from twenty to thirty students. After supper, I had an interesting conversation with Fredd Prosser. Then I went to Henry Steed's and then to Sister Chamberlain's, T. Steed's sister for over night.

Friday, August 6, 1875

Aug. 6th. Stayed over night with Brother Johnson, President of this Branch and manager of a tannery. Took a walk up the River Wye and saw nice rural scenery.

Our announcement by crier was as follows: "Three missionaries from America will preach in the hall at Bridge Street tonight at 7:30. Public is respectfully invited. Seats free." At meeting, singing, prayer by Brother Morris who then spoke; said he had received the same Gospel taught by the Savior; quoted Ephesians about Apostles and prophets, and bore his testimony. I followed, bore testimony to the truth, set forth as the Gospel was in the days of the Savior - that, as God is unchangeable, His Gospel must be the same now. I asked the people to search the scriptures and see if our teachings do not compare and agree with them, and called upon them to be baptized. Thomas Steed bore a strong testimony. After the meeting two young Church of England gentlemen asked if we used the protestant Bible and if there is a chance for a sinner to redeem himself beyond this life, and how they were to know which was the truth We conversed with them nearly an hour. Stayed over night at Brother Johnson's.

Thursday, August 5, 1875

Aug. 5th. I walked with Brothers Morris and Steed through Coleville to Leadboro, eight miles, where we took the train to Hereford, fifteen miles. Dined with Brother R. Johnson, then engaged a hall for meeting tomorrow night and a street crier to announce it. Visited Castle Green which was destroyed by Cromwell about 300 years ago. It was once enclosed with a moat and wall, as was the city, anciently. Also visited St. John's Cathedral, erected in the seventeenth century. It has similar picture windows to those in the Abbey at Malvern - reproducing windows is said to have cost $300,000. It is very substantial. In the evening we had a meeting with the Saints at the home of Mr. Wade. We each spoke, I, on the first principles, suiting my remarks to the family.

Wednesday, August 4, 1875

Aug. 4th, 1875. I took the train to Great Malvern. Here I met Thomas Steed and R.V. Morris at the home of T. Steed's brother in Worcester. After dinner we took a walk on Malvern Hill and had a very nice view of the country, north, south and west. It is a delightful country where fifteen counties and shires can be seen from this hill. When a boy, Brother Steed used to take people up and show the attractions.

Malvern is a watering place for the better class of society. It is a nice, clean, well-ornamented place population 4,500. We visited the place, were shown through the Abbey, nine hundred years old, now used as a chapel. It is a very substantial building with high ceilings and figured glass in the windows - a process not now used, perhaps not known. In one window we see a representation of the first of the creation, with the sun, moon, and stars formed. In other windows, the growth of trees, grass, shrubbery, etc; then animal, bird and insect life; then a man asleep while his rib is being taken out; then partaking of the forbidden fruit; then the hiding in the garden; then the driving out; then the work with the infant Cain in Eve's lap; the first murder and the angel appearing. The residents here must be mostly wealthy.

Tuesday, August 3, 1875

Aug. 3rd. A.M. At the library reading about Australia, I wrote two letters to shipping agents. Then I went to council meeting and talked a short time.

Monday, August 2, 1875

Aug 2nd. I received letters from my son, J.F. and from Arthur Staynor. All are well. I walked two miles to Aston Hall with Brother Haliday. It is now used as a museum with some good specimens of the animal kingdom, statues and other things of interest. There is a dining hall about 150 feet long with solid carving on the walls and ceiling. Here the Queen and her husband ate over 17 years ago. In the surrounding pleasure garden we witnessed a game of cricket. This is the English national game as baseball is in the U.S.A. After a visit and tea at Sister Gould's and listening to good singing accompanied on the piano, I returned to No. 26, where I had an interesting discussion on science and religion with a Mr. Hadley.

Sunday, August 1, 1875

CONTINUES MISSIONARY WORK IN ENGLAND

Sunday, August 1st. Meeting: The Saints have a chapel of their own. I talked about twenty minutes. Priesthood meeting followed, in which I encouraged the priesthood in their duties and administered to the sick. A baptism was performed. A font is prepared under the Chapel floor and trap doors open to it. A Miss Jones, a consumptive and given up by the doctors, was baptized. I confirmed her and blessed her and promised recovery through obedience and faith. At the evening meeting, I talked thirty minutes on the Kingdon of God to be set up in the last days, encouraged the Saints to be faithful in aiding in building it up, and receiving its blessings. I had a visit and supper with Brother Spook.