| 537 The Times and Seasons for August 1, 1841, contained quite a readable article on "The Twelve," which reflects great credit on their work done in England. 3
3 THE TWELVE.
All of the Quorum of the Twelve who were expected here this season, with the exception of Elder Woodruff, have arrived.
We have listened to the accounts which they give of their success and the prosperity of the work of the Lord in Great Britain, with great pleasure. They certainly have been the instruments in the hands of God of accomplishing much, and must have the satisfaction of knowing that they have done their duty.
Perhaps no men ever undertook such an important mission under such peculiarly distressing, forbidding, and unpropitious circumstances. Most of them when they left this place nearly two years ago were worn down with sickness and disease, or were taken sick on the road. Several of their families were also afflicted and needed their aid and support. But knowing that they had been called by the God of heaven to preach the Gospel to other nations, they conferred not with flesh and blood, but obedient to the heavenly mandate, without purse or scrip, commenced a journey of five thousand miles, entirely dependent on the providence of that God who had called them to such a holy calling.
While journeying to the seaboard, they were brought into many trying circumstances; after a short recovery from severe sickness, they would be taken with a relapse, and have to stop among strangers, without money and without friends. Their lives were several times despaired of, and they have taken each other by the hand, expecting it would be the last time they should behold one another in the flesh. However, notwithstanding their afflictions and trials, the Lord always interposed in their behalf and did not suffer them to sink in the arms of death. Some way or other was made for their escape-friends rose up when they most needed them and relieved their necessities; and thus they were enabled to pursue their journey and rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
They, truly, "went forth weeping, bearing precious seed," but have "returned with rejoicing, bearing their sheaves with them," and thousands upon the shores of Britain have to rejoice that they ever visited their land and proclaimed the sound of the everlasting gospel, which is taking such a wide spread through that empire; and causing the wisdom of the wise to perish and the understanding of the prudent to be hid, but the meek to increase their joy in the Lord, etc., etc.
It is true, they met with considerable opposition from the learned priests, who, like their pious brethren in this land, loved to retail wicked and slanderous reports, and would endeavor, behind their backs to ridicule their religion, but durst not stand the brunt of honorable investigation. But their efforts to stop the progress of truth were unavailing, the people got their ears and their hearts open, and were determined to hear and understand for themselves, and being convinced of the truth of these things, regardless of the scorn of sinners and the anathemas of the self-righteous, they boldly avowed their attachment to the doctrines of the gospel
Under the instrumentality of the Twelve and their fellow laborers large and flourishing churches have been built up in various parts of England, Scotland, Ireland, and the Isle of Man; and when they left, the work was progressing with rapid strides.
We cannot too strongly urge upon the elders of Israel to imitate the
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