| 508 Bro. Luff and myself reached Milford the evening of November 6, where we found Bro. W. W. Hutchings from Beaver, and Bro. W. H. McGary of Milford, waiting for us. We stayed at Bro. McGary's that night, and the next day traversed the desert and canyon roads under the comfortable guidance and care of Bro. Hutchings. The road from Milford to Beaver is a pleasant and picturesque one; partly over the level plain, partly along the Beaver River through Minersville Canyon, and partly through Beaver Valley. The way through the canyon is especially attractive, the mountain sides being colored and tinted with the brown and green of summer's foliage, and the rooks painted in Nature's own wonder workshop.
At Beaver we found Bro. W. Thompson, Sr., who had arranged for the use of the Methodist church for services on Sunday the 8th, morning and evening. We therefore began our efforts in the city at ten o'clock, on the 8th, with a fair attendance. In the afternoon, at two o'clock, Bro. Hutchings and myself attended the regular service of the Utah people in their meeting-house. We were shown a good seat to hear from, and after their sacramental service was over, we listened to a sermon by Counselor Fotheringham,-he who has served a term in the Utah prison for his religion he says, but for breaking the laws of the land the court says. His sermon was not particularly objectionable, except that he drew comparisons between the United States and the people of Utah that were not warrantable from the facts, and rather severely denounced the Government, predicting woe upon the inhabitants thereof. His text was from the Book of Mormon: "That nation on this land that will not serve God shall be destroyed," etc. Bishop J. R. Murdock presided.
In the evening the M. E. church was crowded with curious and apparently interested hearers.
Bishop Murdock called on us at Bro. Hutchings' house after the afternoon service, and was very kind and pleasant, inviting Bro. Luff and myself to call on him at his home.
We held eleven meetings at Beaver, omitting Monday and Saturday evenings, from the 8th to the 18th inclusive. The attendance was good and the interest maintained to the close of the meetings. The attention was most excellent and respectful. The pastor of the M. E. church, Reverend Copeland, gave us the use of the church building cheerfully, and was present at several services-illness prevented his attending the others. . . .
Elder John R. Murdock was liberal and kind. We visited him at his home, chatted with him and his wife, and ate at his table,-being treated kindly and courteously. We were respectfully met and treated by all, and neither saw a disrespectful act, nor personally heard a disrespectful word during our stay.
December 2, the condition of the work in Wales was reported by George Cope, as follows:
(page 508) |
