29 I also visited Sheffield in my rambles, where there are six faithful sisters all alone, without meetings. Some are believing there, and I am not without hope that there will yet be a branch there. I also visited Tyldsley, in Lancashire, where I found several old Saints who have refused to follow those that have gone into by and forbidden paths. They received me kindly, listened to our claims, and are favorable; they desire me to return. I think a branch could be organized there. Brn. Taylor, Crump, and Kirkland are also preaching in this neighborhood, and the appearances are that they will convert some soon. They expect an old brother and sister here next Sunday that were baptized in the days of the first Joseph.
Advices from Wales show that things move slowly since Bro. Davies left them. Our semiannual conference comes off at Aberaman, on October 4. I expect to be present with them. Bro. Taylor will accompany me. We expect to visit some of the branches, and if God be with us, strengthen them, ere we return. I think it would be a good thing for the work in Wales if Bro. Davies could retum to them. He seems to suit the mission so well, and is beloved by all. One of the principal wants of the mission is the printed word; but the Saints do the best they can in that direction, putting what money they can spare together, and having bills and epitomes printed for distribution; all seem to have a strong hope of the ultimate success of the mission. The Brighamites are on the wane. We have made many requests to get the privilege of speaking to them, and have challenged the elders to meet us in every place we have found them; but all to no purpose. They are determined to keep on the back ground, or as they have frequently told me, they are not allowed to discuss. The work is not dead in England, but the brethren think that the slow and steady, yet constant movements, will prove best in the end.-The Saints' Herald, vol. 20, pp. 680, 681.
October 1, 1873, President Smith published the following dissertation, including the position of the Reorganization, which will be of value to the reader:
Men very often misjudge Christ and his gospel in a very curious manner. There are multitudes of teachers, and advocates, who claim the name and sanction of Christ, who are very capable of originating ideas, doctrines, theories, and precepts of their own manufacture. And very often in teaching, and preaching, they forget to properly distinguish between the doctrines that are really Christ's, and those which are their own. Sometimes this is done carelessly; sometimes blindly; the teacher presuming himself (of course) a Christian, and as a matter of consequence his thoughts and doctrines must be Christ's.
Sometimes, however, it is done purposely; Christ having a good credence in the world, and the name of Christ widely revered, it becomes a recommendation to that unto which it is affixed. Naturally, then, wishing a doctrine to become acceptable, and knowing that with many it
(page 29) |