Life of Heber C. Kimball, an Apostle Part 25

But this unhappy condition of affairs--rendered doubly disheartening from following so closely upon the Missouri troubles--was not without its recompense. It was the occasion of a marvelous and miraculous display of divine power in behalf of the Lord's afflicted people.

Heber thus describes the event:

"July 22nd, the Prophet Joseph arose from his bed of sickness, when the power of G.o.d rested upon him, and he went forth administering to the sick. He commenced with the sick in his own house, then visited those who were camping in tents in his own dooryard, commanding the sick in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to arise from their beds and be whole; when they were healed according to his words. He then went from house to house, and from tent to tent, upon the bank of the river, healing the sick by the power of Israel's G.o.d, as he went among them. He did not miss a single house, wagon or tent, and continued this work up to 'the upper stone house,' where he crossed the river in a boat, accompanied by Parley P. Pratt, Orson Pratt, John E. Page, John Taylor and myself, and landed at Montrose. He then walked into the cabin of Brother Brigham Young, who was lying very sick, and commanded him in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to arise and be made whole. He arose, healed of his sickness, and then accompanied Joseph and his brethren of the Twelve, and went into the house of Brother Elijah Fordham, who was insensible, and considered by his family and friends to be in the hands of death. Joseph stepped to his bedside, looked him in the eye for a minute without speaking, then took him by the hand and commanded him in the name of Jesus Christ to arise from his bed and walk. Brother Fordham immediately leaped out of his bed, threw off all his poultices and bandages, dressed himself, called for a bowl of bread and milk, which he ate, and then followed us into the street. We then went into the house of Joseph B. n.o.ble, who was also very sick, and he was healed in the same manner.

"Joseph spoke with the voice and power of G.o.d.

"When he had healed all the sick by the power given unto him he went down to the ferry boat, when a stranger rode up almost breathless, and said that he had heard that Joseph Smith was raising the dead, and healing all of the sick, and his wife begged him to ride up and get Mr. Smith to go down and heal her twin children, about three months old. Joseph replied, 'I cannot go, but will send some one.' In a few minutes he said to Elder Woodruff, 'You go and heal those children, and take this pocket handkerchief, and when you administer to them, wipe their faces with it, and they shall recover.' Brother Woodruff did as he was commanded, and the children were healed.

"The mob spirits, when they saw men whom they thought were dying, arise from their beds, and pray for others, stood paralyzed with fear; yet those same men would have killed Joseph and his brethren if they had had an opportunity. Joseph recrossed the river to his own home and I returned to mine, rejoicing in the mercies and goodness of G.o.d. This was a day never to be forgotten by the Saints; nor by the wicked; for they saw the power of G.o.d manifest in the flesh."

"August 4th, being Sunday, the Saints met to partake of the sacrament, and received an exhortation from the Prophet Joseph, impressing upon them the necessity of being righteous and clean of heart before the Lord. He also commanded the Twelve to go forth without purse or scrip, according to the revelations of Jesus Christ.

"During the night of August 23rd, my son, David Patten, was born in Commerce, in the log cabin I had put up at the end of the Bozier house. We had a heavy thunderstorm that night, but the hand of the Lord was over us. As soon as my wife was able I moved my family into the new log house that I had built."

September came, and the Apostles prepared to take leave of their families and friends and depart on their mission to Europe. Again the evil one laid his plans to circ.u.mvent them. As he once afflicted righteous Job, striving to overthrow his trust in G.o.d, he now sought by similar means to undermine the faith and integrity of these latter-day servants of the Lord. But his efforts were unavailing; he had the same cla.s.s of spirits to contend with as in days of old; men who could say with the patient man of Uz, though bowed in sorrow and humiliation: "I know that my Redeemer liveth," and "though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him."

"September 14th," says Heber, "President Brigham Young left his home at Montrose to start on the mission to England. He was so sick that he was unable to go to the Mississippi, a distance of thirty rods, without a.s.sistance. After he had crossed the river he rode behind Israel Barlow on his horse to my house, where he continued sick until the 18th. He left his wife sick with a babe only three weeks old, and all his other children were sick and unable to wait upon each other.

Not one soul of them was able to go to the well for a pail of water, and they were without a second suit to their backs, for the mob in Missouri had taken nearly all he had. On the 17th Sister Mary Ann Young got a boy to carry her up in his wagon to my house, that she might nurse and comfort Brother Brigham to the hour of starting.

"September 18th, Charles Hubbard sent his boy with a wagon and span of horses to my house; our trunks were put into the wagon by some brethren; I went to my bed and shook hands with my wife who was then shaking with a chill, having two children lying sick by her side; I embraced her and my children, and bade them farewell. My only well child was little Heber P., and it was with difficulty he could carry a couple of quarts of water at a time, to a.s.sist in quenching their thirst.

"It was with difficulty we got into the wagon, and started down the hill about ten rods; it appeared to me as though my very inmost parts would melt within me at leaving my family in such a condition, as it were almost in the arms of death. I felt as though I could not endure it. I asked the teamster to stop, and said to Brother Brigham, 'This is pretty tough, isn't it; let's rise up and give them a cheer.' We arose, and swinging our hats three times over our heads, shouted: 'Hurrah, hurrah for Israel.' Vilate, hearing the noise, arose from her bed and came to the door. She had a smile on her face. Vilate and Mary Ann Young cried out to us: 'Good bye, G.o.d bless you.' We returned the compliment, and then told the driver to go ahead. After this I felt a spirit of joy and grat.i.tude, having had the satisfaction of seeing my wife standing upon her feet, instead of leaving her in bed, knowing well that I should not see them again for two or three years.

"We were without purse or scrip, and were carried across the prairie, about fourteen miles, to a shanty near the railway, where Brother O.

M. Duel lived. We were unable to carry our small trunks into the house; Sister Duel seeing our feeble condition, a.s.sisted the boy to carry them in.

"Sep. 19th, Brother Duel took us in his wagon to Lima, about twelve miles. When he left us he gave each of us a dollar. Brother Bidwell then carried us in his wagon to John A. Mickesell's, near Quincy, about twenty miles. The fatigue of this day's journey was too much for our feeble health; we were prostrated, and obliged to tarry a few days in Quincy.

"Sep. 25th, we left Quincy about 11 a. m., as we felt considerably better. My sorrow was great, to see so many of our brethren sick and dying, in consequence of being driven, and exposed to hunger and cold.

Brother Lyman Wight took us in a one horse wagon and carried us to Brother C. C. Rich's at Burton, where we slept through the night.

Brother Wight predicted many things, and left his blessings with us when he bade us farewell.

"Sep. 26th, Brother Rich carried us to Brother Wilber's; while on the road the chills came on me again, and I suffered much pain and fatigue.

"Sep. 27th, Brother Wilber took us in a buggy about twenty-five miles to the house of James Allred, in Pittsfield.

"Sep. 28th, Father Allred carried us to the place where Brother Harlow Redfield lived. There we preached to a small branch of the Church, on Sunday, 29th.

"Sep. 30th, Brother Rodgers carried Brother Brigham to Brother Decker's, and myself to Mr. Roswell Murray's; they were living within a few rods of each other, near Winchester in Scott County.

"Here we also found a few brethren in the Church, who had been smitten and robbed of their property in Missouri; who were once more in comfortable circ.u.mstances, rejoicing in the Lord.

"Oct. 1st, we were carried to Lorenzo D. Young's, a brother of Brigham Young, where we stayed and recruited our strength until the 4th, when he carried us to Jacksonville, where we stayed the night.

"Oct. 5th, a sister in the Church hired a horse and buggy to carry us to Springfield, and Brother Babc.o.c.k drove us there, a distance of thirty-five miles, where we were gladly received by the brethren and nursed. Brother Brigham was confined to his bed by sickness. Brother Libius T. c.o.o.n, who was practicing medicine, attended upon him. Here we found Brothers G. A. Smith, Turley, and R. Hedlock.

"I went from house to house, strengthening the brethren and teaching them the things of the kingdom. I was so far recovered that I preached on the Sabbath. They got a two horse wagon and harness, for which they paid fifty-five dollars, and collected thirty-five dollars in money, for the company.

"Judge Adams, one of the judges of the Supreme Court, took me to his house; I stayed with him three nights and the most part of three days.

He gave me five dollars when I left. My father-in-law, Roswell Murray, went with us on a visit to his friends in the East.

"Oct. 11th, resumed my journey in company with Brothers Young, Turley, Smith, Hedlock and Murray. The brethren exchanged horses in Springfield, and with the a.s.sistance we received from the brethren living there, we succeeded in obtaining one horse and a two-horse wagon, in which the sisters fitted up a bed for Brother Brigham to ride on, as he was unable to sit up. We traveled eight miles with the three-horse team, and put up at the house of Father Baker. When we went into the house, Brother George A. Smith, while stooping down to warm him at the fire, dropped a small flask bottle, containing tonic bitters, out of his pocket, on the hearth, and broke it; at this occurrence Father Baker was very much astonished, and said, 'You're a pretty set of Apostles, to be carrying a bottle of whisky with you.'

We explained to him that the bottle contained some bitters which the brethren at Springfield had prepared for George A. because of his sickness; this appeased his righteous soul, so that he consented to allow us to stay through the night.

"Oct. 12th, we pursued our journey towards Terre Haute; traveled all day; most of the brethren being very sick I walked most of the way; at night I slept in the wagon with my father-in-law and Brother Hedlock, and caught cold; the next morning I had to go until twelve o'clock before I had anything to eat, and then it was transparent pork and corn dodger. My health again began to fail; the wagon broke down twice, and the chills came on me about two in the afternoon, and held me till night; then the fever held me all night. I had the chills and fever three days, and lost my appet.i.te. The third chill was so severe that it seemed as though I could not live till night. We arrived at Terre Haute about dusk on the 17th; Brother Young and I put up at Dr.

Modisett's. In the evening I became very ill. The doctor said he could give me something that would do me good, that would relieve me of my distress, and I would probably get a nap; but the old man was so drunk that he did not know what he did, and he gave me a tablespoonful of morphine; his wife saw him pour it out, but dared not say a word, although she believed it would kill me. In a few minutes after I took it, I straightened up in my chair, complaining of feeling very strange, and felt as though I wanted to lie down. On my attempting to go to the bed, I reeled and fell to the floor. There was hardly a breath of life in my body. Brother Brigham rolled me over on my back, put a pillow under my head, and inquired of the doctor what he had given me, and then learned that he had given me morphine. I lay there for a long time; when I came to, Brother Brigham was attending to me with a fatherly care, and manifesting much anxiety in my behalf. I told him, 'Don't be scared, for I sha'n't die.' In a short time after he had got me on the bed, I commenced vomiting, and continued doing so most of the night. It was through the closest attention of Brother Young and the family that my life was preserved through the night. In the morning Brothers Smith, Turley, Hedlock and Murray came to see us.

They laid their hands on me and prayed for me. When they left they wept. Father Murray felt very sorrowful; said he, 'we shall never see Heber again; he will die.' I looked up at them and said, 'Never mind, brethren, go ahead, for Brother Brigham and I will reach Kirtland before you will.' Brother Brigham gave them all the money we had except five dollars, and told them to take good care of the team, and make all possible speed to Kirtland. They started the same day. In about an hour after they departed I arose from my bed."

CHAPTER x.x.xVIII.

ON TO KIRTLAND--MIRACULOUSLY SUPPLIED WITH MONEY--CONDITION OF AFFAIRS AT THE OLD CHURCH HEADQUARTERS.

Having partly recovered from the effects of this narrow escape from death, Heber and his fellow Apostle resumed their journey to Kirtland.

The record continues:

"October 23rd, Brother James Modisett took us in his father's carriage twenty miles, to the house of Brother Addison Pratt. From thence we were carried by Dr. Knight to Pleasant Garden, and put up with Brother Jonathan Crosby. We found a few brethren who were well and in good spirits. We remained there three days, preaching to the few brethren, and those who wished to hear. Dr. Knight and some others gave us some money to a.s.sist us on our mission.

"Oct. 25th, I received a letter from my wife, giving an account of her sickness since I left; also of our children William and Helen.

"Oct. 26th, Brother Babbitt took us in his buggy twelve miles, to the house of Brother Scott; they were very glad to see us, and we tarried with them through the night.

"Oct. 27th, Brother Scott sent his little son John, who carried us to Belleville, fifteen miles--several miles of the journey in a rain storm, which obliged us to put up at an inn for the remainder of the day and night. Brother Brigham was very sick and obliged to go to bed.

I sat up and waited upon him, and spent the evening with the landlord and his lady, preaching to them; they received our testimony and were very kind to us.

"The next morning we took stage, and started on our way towards Kirtland. While in Pleasant Garden we obtained some money, so that with the five dollars we had left when the brethren left us on the 18th it amounted to $13.50. When we got into the stage we did not expect to ride many miles. We rode as far as Indianapolis, paid our pa.s.sage, and found we had sufficient means to carry us to Richmond, Indiana.

"When we arrived at Richmond we found we had means to take us to Dayton, to which place we proceeded and tarried over night, waiting for another line of stages. We expected to stop here and preach until we got means to pursue our journey. Brother Brigham went to his trunk to get money to pay the bill, and found we had sufficient to pay our pa.s.sages to Columbus, to which place we took pa.s.sage in the stage and tarried over night. When he paid the bill he found he had sufficient means to pay our pa.s.sage to Worcester. We tarried till the after part of the day and then took pa.s.sage to Worcester. When we arrived there, Brother Brigham went to his trunk again to get money to pay our bill, and found sufficient to pay our pa.s.sages to Cleveland. When we reached a little town called Strongsville, about twenty miles from Cleveland, towards evening, Brother Brigham had a strong impression to stop at a tavern when we first came into the town; but the stage did not stop there, so we went on. We arrived at Cleveland about 11 o'clock at night, took lodgings, and remained till next morning.

"Nov. 3rd, being Sunday, in the morning we went to the Episcopalian church. While returning to the hotel we met my father-in-law, and learned that Elders Turley, Smith and Hedlock had just arrived in Cleveland. Father Murray was as much astonished to see me alive as though he had seen one risen from the dead. I don't think I ever saw a man feel better than he did when I met him in the street. We walked with him a short distance, and met the brethren who were in good health, compared with what they had been, and in fine spirits. We learned that they stopped at the tavern in Strongsville, where Brother Brigham had such strong impressions to stop the night previous. They had picked up Elder John Taylor, at Dayton, where he was left at a tavern very sick with the ague and fever a few days before, by Father Coltrin, who proceeded to Kirtland.

"Brothers Taylor and Hedlock got into the stage with us, which left early in the afternoon; they rode as far as Willoughby. We proceeded to Kirtland and arrived the same evening, thus fulfilling the prediction made on my sick bed.

"Brother Brigham had one York s.h.i.+lling left, and on looking over our expenses we found we had paid out over $87.00 out of the $13.50 we had at Pleasant Garden, which is all the money we had to pay our pa.s.sages with. We had traveled over 400 miles by stage, for which we paid from 8 to 10 cents a mile, and had eaten three meals a day, for each of which we were charged fifty cents, also fifty cents for our lodgings.

Brother Brigham often suspected that I put the money in his trunk, or clothes; thinking that I had a purse of money which I had not acquainted him with; but this was not so; the money could only have been put in his trunk by some heavenly messenger, who thus administered to our necessities daily as he knew we needed.

"I made my home at Dean Gould's at the house of Ira Bond. The family were all very kind to me, and made me as comfortable as they could. I remained with them most of the time I was in Kirtland, two days of which I was sick with chills and fever.

"There was a division of sentiment among the brethren in Kirtland, many of whom had lacked the energy to move to Missouri, while some lacked the inclination. On Sunday, Elder Taylor preached in the Temple in the forenoon and I preached in the afternoon. I compared the people there to a parcel of old earthen pots that were cracked in burning, for they were mostly apostates who were living there. Martin Harris, Cyrus Smalling and others were much offended at what I said, and asked me whom I referred to in my comparisons. 'No one in particular,' said I, 'but to anyone whom the coat fits.' John Moreton and others declared I should never preach in the house again. On the Sunday following, Brother Brigham and Brother Taylor were the speakers.

"While we tarried, a council was held with Brothers Kellogg, Moreton and others who took the lead in Kirtland. We proposed that some of the Elders should remain there and preach for a few weeks. John Moreton replied that they had had many talented preachers, and he considered that men of such ordinary talents as were on this mission could do no good in Kirtland. He thought probably Brother John Taylor _might_ do, but he was not sure."

CHAPTER x.x.xIX.