| 394 He then went to Almondsbury and Bristol, thence into South Wales. He labored but a short time in Wales, when he returned to England, and labored in Bristol and Lidney until near the close of the year, when he again visited Wales.
Elder Briggs after recovering his health resumed his labors in Birmingham and other places, and held another discussion of two nights with Owen at Wednesbury.
At the Fall Conference of 1863, held at North Star branch, Iowa, Elder Joseph F. Speight was appointed to go to England. This he did, President Joseph Smith taking him to Colchester, Illinois, December 31, to take train over the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railway for Sandwich. That night it turned extremely cold, and on the next day, January 1, began the noted storm of 1864. President Smith and Speight reached Sandwich, after a stop of three days at Colchester, and twelve hours at Galesburg. On Wednesday, January 4, Bishop Rogers fitted Elder Speight out and sent him on his way. He joined his family in England, but paid no attention to the church afterward.
As related in the last chapter Elder Jeremiah proceeded to Wales shortly after his arrival in England, and soon had such an interest that he solicited aid from the elders in England, in response to which Elder J. W. Briggs visited him in July, 1863. They soon organized a branch composed of about eighteen members at Merthyr-Tydfil, Glamorganshire, South Wales. They revised and translated into the Welsh language, and published the "Word of Consolation." Labor was done with some success by Elders Briggs and Jeremiah in several places, including Monmouthshire, Aberdare, Aberaman, Cymbach, Llirwin, Dowlais, Rhymney, and New Tredegar.
In September Wales, was visited by Elder Derry, who in company with Elder Jeremiah labored in Pennydaren, New Tredegar, Hargood, and Ponty Pengham.
On November 18, 1863, there was a special conference held at Pennydaren, over which Elder Jeremiah presided.
In November Elder Briggs wrote from Birmingham,
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