VOL. XII.

No. 4.

I.

I was born on the 26th of September, 1818, at Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire, England. Soon after my parents moved to Beddenham, near Bedford, about forty miles from London. Here I went to school, but did not learn or study as I should, until my parents became discouraged about my ever being a good scholar, in consequence of my indifference to learn. At the age of thirteen years, I fell upon the ice while playing, and injured my spine, which caused my deformity and from which I suffered more or less pain for twenty years. My father regretted very much that I had no desire to learn and improve my mind. But weak as I was, I would rather work with our men in the garden than go to school any day. He told me I would be sorry for it, and I can truly say that I have been sorry ever since; for, had I taken his advice I might have been an educated

man.

On the 26th of September, 1841, I first heard of Mormonism by hearing George J. Adams preach. I was convinced it was the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. I heard several of the Saints speak in tongues and prophesy. Soon after this I joined the Church, and when confirmed was promised the gifts and blessings of

tongues, interpretation, healing and prophecy. These I asked for, thinking I could not be a Latter-day Saint without these gifts. I continued to pray without receiving them, when I concluded I would fast as well as pray. I commenced that evening and continued two days and three nights. The third morning while I was pruning raspberry canes and alone in the garden, I commenced to experience a very happy feeling, and the spirit of prophecy rested upon me. I prophesied about the Church in that place, and also of the troubles that the Saints in Zion would encounter by mobs and so forth. No sooner had this spirit left me than I was visited by a very different one, informing me that I had been deceived and had not joined the true church; saying, if I had I should not have been led to speak and prophesy to a lot of raspberry canes, but should have waited until I had met with the Saints, that all might be edified. The spirit darkened my mind considerably for a time, when I concluded I would go into my tool house and pray. I did so, asking the Lord to rebuke this spirit, which he did. I nevertheless felt troubled more or less about the doubts which continued to be in my mind.

A few days after, I was invited to take tea at a friend's house. Apostle Lorenzo Snow was invited, and while there and alone with Brother Snow, I asked him whether a person belonging to the Church could have the spirit of prophecy, in the centre of a forty-acre field, where no one could hear him." He informed me that John had it while on the Isle of Patmos. He then asked me why I asked this question. I told him what had occurred. He said as a proof of its being

from the Lord, some time when in meeting the same spirit would come upon me, and I would repeat the very words I had spoken when in the garden. This I did two Sundays after. This strengthened my faith so much that I have never doubted the truth of the Latter-day work since.

Just before leaving England I visited some friends in Sheffield, and met with Brother R. Rushton, who was on a mission from Nauvoo. He had been asked to visit a brother in the Church who was possessed of a devil. This was the first case of the kind I had heard of being in the Church, and I felt quite anxious to see the party so afflicted. While reflecting about it, Brother Rushton asked me to accompany him, which I cheerfully did, and what transpired I never shall forget. When we entered the room where he was

sitting, he looked around and saw Brother Rushton whom he had met before, and with a coarse voice said: "So you have come again in the name of Jesus have you? Well you may come if you have a mind to. I know you came from Nauvoo where you are building a temple to get your endowments and more power. Well, get your power; and the more power you get the more power we'll get." Just as soon as he was through speaking Brother Rushton laid hands on him and rebuked the evil spirits that had possession of him, when the brother called out in a loud voice: "How did you know there was more than one?" Brother Rushton remarked calmly: "You said we." The brother then said, "We will go but we will come again." Two days after they did come again, and his wife sent for the President of the branch who was a very good quiet A young traveling Elder who had a good deal of confidence in himself, was in at the time the message came and asked the President to let him accompany him and administer to the brother, who at this time was breaking things in his house. When they reached the house they found him very much excited. He quieted a little when they entered, but soon became boisterous again, and they laid hands upon him, this young man

man.

being mouth. No sooner had he rebuked the spirits, commanding them to depart, than he became quiet and wished to lay down. But soon after, and when he appeared asleep, the young Elder said to the parties present, "There, I believed, I could quiet him." He at this time was sitting upon the side of the bed where the afflicted man was lying. The brother no sooner heard this remark than he raised himself up quietly and as soon as he got up, struck this young man such a blow that he was knocked to the other side of the room. This convinced me that the brother had better give the Lord the credit for such manifestations.

I will mention another case of laying on of hands which I think will be interesting to my young brethren. I had often asked the question in my mind why it was that Elders were to be called to lay hands on the sick. Why would not one answer? While in St. Louis I called upon an acquaintance, who was in the Church, and found him quaking with the ague, which he had had for three weeks. He requested me to administer to him, which I did, rebuking the disease in the name of the Lord. I afterwards sat down and asked him how he felt. He informed me that he was healed, that the chill had left him. He had no sooner said this than I commenced to quake with a chill. I told him I had got his complaint and wished him to lay hands on me. He refused saying he had had it for three weeks. This convinced me of the necessity of having two or more to perform the ceremony.

I arrived in Nauvoo, April 12th, 1843. The next day the Prophet Joseph preached to us and blessed us. I had seen him in a vision while crossing the sea; and when I saw him that day he had on the same hat and coat that I saw him in when at sea. I heard him preach a number of times, and saw him in and around the city, giving counsel, and I always believed in him from my first seeing him until his death; that he was the leader of this dispensation and God Almighty's Prophet. I worked in the Temple while it was being plastered, having charge of the fires; received my endowments in January,

1846, and left Nauvoo on the fifth of February, 1846, with the first company that crossed the river, driving a team in Charles Shumway's company.

I was six months with the Ponca Indians in the winter of 1846, and eighteen weeks without bread or vegetables of any kind. During this time I suffered with the scurvy, having all my right side covered with boils from the size of a pea to a hazel nut, and so close that they touched each other. While these were gathering I suffered much pain, and when they had broken and the scabs got hard, I suffered with the most terrible itching, and when sufficiently healed I would go into some ravine on a sunny day, strip off my clothes, and with a flat stick scrape off the scabs, at times in sufficient quantities to fill a quart measure or more. This to me was a great pleasure, and I often thought that if Job felt as well as I did while performing a like operation, there was no need of sympathy, he having the advantage over me in having a potsherd, which was much better for the pupose than my stick. My stay with these Indians was a very interesting and instructive one, for it taught me many lessons. I found the Lord was there to hear my prayers, and notwithstanding my afflictions, I had sufficient strength to my day. I reached this Salt Lake Valley September 15th, 1847, and was appointed to take charge of the endowment rooms in the Council House in January, 1851. I commenced giving endowments February 28th, 1851, and continued in charge until I was called to go on a mission to England in December, 1860, where I stayed until 1863.

While upon this mission I received a testimony of the Book of Mormon. I was speaking to a large congregation, bearing my testimony to the truth of the Gospel, when I lifted up the Book of Mormon saying: "I know that this book I hold in my hand-the Book of Mormon-was translated by the power of God through Joseph Smith, and will go to every naton, kindred, tongue and people, as a testimony of the truth of the Gospel." This was the first testimony I had ever had of its truth.

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On the Tuesday morning following, about six o'clock, while I was reading the third chapter of the Second Book of Nephi, I felt a remarkably happy feeling come over me, such as no one can explain but those who experience it. Immediately the following was given to me: "Thus saith the Lord unto you, my servant. I was well pleased with your testimony concerning the book you now hold in your hand called the Book of Mormon, for it was given unto you by the gift of faith. Now will I give it unto you by the power of my Spirit. Thus saith the Lord unto you my servant: That book you hold in your hand called the Book of Mormon was translated from plates by the power of my Spirit through Joseph Smith, and shall be a testimony to every nation, kingdom, tongue and people upon the earth, and cursed be those who obey not the same; thus says your Lord and your Redeemer! Amen."

While these words were passing through my mind I fancied I saw the plates, and as soon as I said amen, (for I was speaking these words aloud) everything passed from my mind as though I had never spoken, but this heavenly feeling continued. I should think I remained in this state about a minute, when I commenced to speak again saying the same words as before. This I never forgot. I had often wondered how it could be possible for the Prophet Joseph to need the visitation of an angel three times telling him the same thing every time. I had thought that if an angel was to visit me and tell me as much once, I never would forget it. Here I was convinced of my

error.

THE "ALEXANDRIA." IN ancient days there seems to have been built a great war vessel by Archimedes for Hieron, the King of Syracuse, which must have been unsafe as it was ambitious and extravagant. It was not only a fighting ship, but it possessed even more splendor than the most sumptuous American steam-boat. Being the work of Archimedes, it was, of course, replete with curious and ingenious mechanical contrivances. Its interior

arrangements, with which we are now chiefly concerned have been thus described: "The middle deck had on each side of it fifteen apartments for dining, each furnished with four couches, such as they used to lie on at their meals; and on the same deck was also the place for the accommodation of the mariners, whereon were fifteen couches, and three large chambers for men and their wives, each having three beds, next which was the kitchen for the poop, the floors of all which were paved with mosaic-work, wherein was represented the whole story of the Iliad, and suitable to so rich a floor was the workmanship of the ceiling and door to each apartment. On the upper deck was a place for exercise, and a fine walk, wherein were several garden plots furnished with plants of all kinds, which were watered by leaden pipes laid to them from a great receptacle of fresh water; where there were also several arbors of ivy and vines set in hogsheads of earth, whose roots were watered in like manner as the plants." Were ever mariners so well housed and circumstanced as these? This brief extract from the description of the ship

gives but a faint idea of its glories. There were cabins for the marine soldiers (they had marines in those far-distant days), and "twenty stables for horses" (horsemarines also were apparently not unknown), and in the forecastle (what a glorious forecastle it must have been!) "was a receptacle for fresh water, made of planks, well lined with cloth and pitch, which held two hundred and fifty-three hogsheads; and near that was a well, lined with sheet lead, which, being kept full of sea water nourished great numbers of fish."

This ship was too big for the shallow harbor of Syracuse, so Hieron sent her as a present to Ptolemy surnamed Philopator, King of the Egyptians, and her name was changed from Syracuse to Alexandria.

The luxury of marine life is illustrated in this palace, with its bath, its sleepingrooms, its couches, its banquet halls with all the devices that could be invented by the pleasure loving, sensuous Greeks. It was all in keeping with the soft airs and smooth waters that kissed the purple hills of the Mediterranean and Ionian seas. Harpers Weekly

THE TREASURES OF THE red and gold of autumn had painted the maple and the birch, and colored the undergrowth on the low hills near Patricktown. October was well advanced, and the farmers in this sparsely settled district of Maine had garnered their grain, and were preparing for the stormy winter that invariably followed a sunshiny October. The month had wasted nearly twenty days, and the even ing shades foretold the closing of one more, as along the lonely country road a burden-laden traveler, dust-stained and weary, plodded towards the town. He was a middle-aged man, sandy haired and blue eyed, clean shaven and round featured. There was a merry look on his face and a twinkle in his deep set eyes. He was low of stature and broad shouldered, and his frame was strong and

JEREMIAH STOKER. well knit. Tramping in the fresh pineperfumed air had quickened his life blood. On his back he carried a well filled pack, and in one hand a small carpet-bag.

There was much speculation among the country folk about this same carpetbag. Jeremiah Stoker had been a peddler for the last fifteen years, and had been very successful. He always had a plentiful supply of money with him; and many people avowed that in the little carpet-bag there were greenbacks galore, enough to satisfy any modest man. Others said that he always left his money with a sister, his only relative, who lived in the southern part of the state, and that she, very judiciously, loaned it at a heavy rate of interest to the impecunious farmers.

There were many speculations regarding the little bag, but no one could

positively say what the contents were. The little peddler was communicative enough on everything else, but on that subject he was silent. Many of the inquisitive New England matrons asked him outright, but he either parried the question or refused to answer. One, however, remembered that the moisture. gathered in his merry eyes, and his voice was a little husky as he said: "Memories of the past."

How anxiously the children waited for the visits of Jerry Stoker! What marvelous stories he told them of fairies, pigmies and giants! What a wealth of toys and goodies were always to be found in his capacious pockets! And the older people too, how they marveled at his wonderful tales of adventures; his thrilling and hair-breadth escapes, and his humorous anecdotes! Jerry's heart was as big as himself. No unfortunate asked of him in vain. Many times he watched, night after night, by the bed of the dying, and smoothed their pathway to the realm of eternal light. The widow and the fatherless blessed him; and one poor paralytic, crawling between heaven and earth, waited and watched more eagerly for his coming than for a summons to a happier land.

Jerry watched the coming of the night shadows and accelerated his pace. Not far distant he could see the outlines of a farm house. He knew the place well. It was about a mile from Patricktown aud was owned by two brothers-Dick and Harry Watts. They were unmarried and employed an old deaf woman to keep house for them. They entertained travelers, and it was said, sold illicit whiskey. The house was a rambling old frame structure. The back part was used for a wagon shed. The loft above the wagon shed communicated with the house and was empty. Jerry knocked at the back door and after a summons of "Come in," from a gruff voice inside, entered. He found the two brothers eating supper and the old woman frying pan cakes on the cook stove.

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the two, whose face was disfigured by a long scar on the side of the face, running from forehead to jaw. He arose from the table and led the way into a small bedroom.

"Leave your traps here and come out and eat, "he said and returned to the table.

Jerry carefully deposited his pack near the bed, washed the dust stains off and went to supper. The brothers were more sociable than Jerry thought they could be. They seemed especially interested in Jerry's business and were pleased that his trip so far had been successful.

About nine o'clock Jerry retired, leaving the brothers sitting by the kitchen fire. Jerry slept soundly until shortly after midnight when he awoke with a feeling akin to terror. Was someone in the room? He listened with all his senses keenly alert. The hum of voices reached his ear. He got out of bed crept to the door and listened.

"I tell you he has got it with him, and now is our only chance." It was the scarred one that spoke.

"Well, all right I'll help get it, but I don't want murder on my soul," was the

answer.

Jerry waited to hear no more, but noiselessly got into his clothes, gathered his pack, opened the window and crawled out into the night. He fled from the place as if a legion of fiends were after him. Just as he reached the gate he heard footsteps in pursuit; they gained upon him. His pack prevented his flight. He endeavored to slip the strap over his head, stumbled on the broken ground and fell. As he arose a crushing blow on the head felled him again to earth, and for him all was blank.

"You've killed him."

"Shut up you fool; we will carry him into the house. If he doesn't come to, we'll stick him in the loft. Never mind his pack, bring the carpet bag."