| 908 charge of the Bradford conference, where he labored faithfully until his death. I was informed that Elder Barnes suffered by going with poor boots and wet feet: he was too slow in making his wants known to the Saints, and some were too slow in administering to his necessities until he got sick, after which every attention was paid to him, but it was too late. During the last of September 1842, he walked one day about thirteen miles very fast in order to get to the railway in time for the cars, (some portion of the way he ran,) and got into a high state of perspiration, and only had time to step into the cars as they were about starting. He rode on the railway about twenty miles in the midst of piercing winds and became entirely chilled, which flung him into a severe cold, settled upon his lungs, and brought on the quick consumption, from which he never recovered. He attended a conference and preached several times afterwards, but was very feeble. The last time he preached was from the following words: "There remaineth therefore a rest for the people of God." After he was confined to his bed, he was asked if he would have a physician: his answer was definitely-"No: if he died he wished to die a natural death; if he lived he should live unto the Lord, if he died he should die unto the Lord." He manifested a great desire to live if it was the will of the Lord, that he might again return to Nauvoo and see his friends in America. He was deprived of his reason during some portion of his sickness; his whole conversation at such times was about going to Nauvoo, and how he should get there: he often spoke of his mother and other friends. The night before his death, he had his reason perfectly, and bore a strong and faithful testimony to the truth of the fulness [fullness] of the everlasting gospel as proclaimed by the Latter-day Saints, declared that it would not be long before the kings and great men of the earth would call for the rocks and mountains to hide them from the wrath of the Lamb of God that would soon be poured out upon the face of the earth, for soon would the nations of the earth be deluged with the judgments of God, and with many other words did he testify of those things that would shortly come to pass.
Since my visit there we have obtained his trunk and its contents; this with his travelling [traveling] bag which was in the care of Elder Hedlock, I have carefully examined, and filed all of his papers, consisting of deeds of land, corresponding letters with his friends in England and America, his compositions and journals, some of which show the strong fidelity of his heart towards his friends, which was characteristic of the man through every action of his useful life, a dozen or more pieces of ancient copper coin containing curious inscriptions, were in his trunk, which he had apparently collected for the Nauvoo Museum; these with all his clothing and sundry articles are carefully packed in his trunk, and will be forwarded to Nauvoo the first safe opportunity, for the examination of the presidency, after which they can be forwarded to his friends when an opportunity offers.
At our general conference all the American elders laboring in this country with many of the English Saints, came forward and wished to donate their mite for the purpose of erecting a stone over the grave of our departed brother, when five pounds five shillings and sixpence sterling, equal to twenty six dollars, was subscribed: much more could have been freely obtaned [obtained], had it been necessary to have accomplished the object. The sum was immediately forwarded to accomplish the purpose, and the stone is now in course of erection, bearing the following epitaph:-
In Memory of
LORENZO D. BARNES,
who died on the 20th of December, 1842, aged 30 years. He was a native of the United States, an elder in the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a member of the High Priests' Quorum and also of Zion's camp in the year 1834, and the first gospel messenger from Nauvoo who has found a grave in a foreign land.
Sleep on, Lorenzo! but ere long from this
The conquer'd tomb shall yield her captive prey:
Then with thy quorum shalt thou reign in bliss
As king and priest for an eternal day.
I remain your brother in
the kingdom of God,
W. WOODRUFF.
LETTER FROM ELDER SHEETS.
Bradford, Yorkshire, England, }
May 2, 1845. }
DEAR BROTHER KIMBALL:-This is the first time that I have ever sat down in a far distant land, (or in my own native land,) to communicate my feelings to you, in the silent language of the pen. But whether it will be the last, time alone can determine.
Since I have been in this land my thoughts have often strayed over the mighty ocean to the land of Zion, where my friends and kindred dwell; often have I thought of Zion and her inhabitants, and the trials they have had to pass through; and when I call to mind about one year ago, when Br. Stratton and I were going up the Mississippi river, in company with
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