I was detained in New York about four weeks, being unable to obtain passage on a packet ship, as the owners of vessels found it more profitable to carry freight than passengers. Brothers Woodruff, Taylor, Clark, Mulliner, White and Turley had already gone to England, and Brother George A. Smith, on account of sickness, had gone to Philadelphia.
We were not idle, however, while we remained. We had calls to preach on every hand. I attended a meeting almost every night and was generally kept up talking till midnight or past.
As a result of our labors, many new members were added to the Church and fresh zeal was infused into the old ones. The Saints were very kind to us, and provided liberally for our wants, and when we were ready to sail they supplied us with money to pay our passage, and many tempting delicacies as well as more substantial food to serve us on the voyage, besides clothing and bedding.
In company with Elders Brigham Young, Orson Pratt, George A. Smith, Parley P. Pratt and R. Hedlock, I took passage for England on the ship Patrick Henry, on the 7th of March, 1840. A large number of the Saints came down to the wharf to bid us farewell. When we got into the small boat to go to the ship the Saints on shore sang "The Gallant Ship is Under Way," in which song we joined until the sound of our voices was lost in the distance. I may also add that previous to starting we held a conference with the Saints in New York, at which, by unanimous vote of those present, a "letter of recommendation" was given me, signed, in behalf of the Saints, by the presiding Elder of the Branch and clerk of the conference, testifying of my "wisdom, understanding, meekness and humility," and recommending me "as an upright, honest, candid man, and a faithful minister of the gospel."
CHAPTER XVII.
INCIDENTS OF ELDER KIMBALL'S MISSION, AS GLEANED FROM HIS LETTERS—SOME OF HIS PROPHECIES FULFILLED—ELDER HYDE'S ACCOUNT OF THE CONTEST WITH EVIL SPIRITS—GREAT SUCCESS OF THE WORK THROUGHOUT ENGLAND—A TESTIMONIAL—SUMMARY OF LABORS—RETURN TO NAUVOO.
Elder Kimball's journal containing an account of his mission after leaving New York having been lost, it has been necessary to refer to letters written to his family for further particulars.
After a very stormy passage, he and his brethren arrived in Liverpool on the 6th of the April, 1840, where they met Elders Taylor and Fielding. Three days later he went by train to Preston. On reaching Penwortham, three miles from Preston he learned that the Saints had been anxiously expecting him for months. He found many friends standing by the railway watching for him. It was a happy meeting. There was great rejoicing among the Saints, and no little excitement and disgust among their enemies, who had declared that he and his associate Elders should never come to that land again. Many ministers were very much exercised over their presence and were in favor of petitioning the heads of government to interfere with their proselyting. They had cause to fear, as the labors of the Elders had already resulted in breaking up many churches.
On the 14th of April, the Elders met to organize, when Elder Willard Richards was ordained to the Apostleship and Brigham Young chosen President. The following day a general conference was held, at which one thousand seven hundred and twenty members of the Church were represented, exclusive of a large number scatted about in different parts of the land, whose standing was not known.