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 made
By man's or woman's whim;
Wesley his hands has laid on Coke
But who laid hands on him?"