But the minister angrily refused, whereupon Heber raised his voice and informed the people that some American preachers would preach there at 3 o'clock.
A vast congregation assembled at the appointed hour to hear them, the conduct of the Presbyterian and the excitement of the morning having helped to increase it materially.
Elder Wilford Woodruff was the first preacher. After singing and prayer, he read from the first chapter of Paul's Epistle to the Galatians, the 8th and 9th. verses:
"But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other Gospel
unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be
accursed.
"As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any
other Gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be
accursed."
A direct thrust at apostate Christendom, with its multitudinous variety of "other gospels," all differing from each other and from the great original.
Brother Woodruff did not fail that day to hold them up a glass wherein they might see the "inmost parts" of Paul's dread meaning, made applicable in words of telling force to the Christian denominations of that great city.
Then came Heber C. Kimball with his sledge-hammer blows of testimony, driving home the truth of the Apostle's words, as with a mallet of mighty power. He told them of the great apostasy that had taken place since the days of Paul, and of the restoration of the Gospel in the latter days, closing with an earnest testimony to the divine mission of Joseph Smith, the great Prophet whom God had raised up in the land of America.
The people gave good attention and seemed much interested in what they had heard.
After the meeting Mr. Corner, the person already noticed, invited the three Apostles home to his house; so, withdrawing from the crowd, they went to 52 Ironmonger Row, St Luke's Parish.