GEMS
FOR THE YOUNG FOLKS.

FOURTH BOOK OF THE
FAITH-PROMOTING SERIES.

PREFACE.

Already one of the results which the Editor and Publisher of the FAITH-PROMOTING SERIES anticipated when the first volume was issued, is apparent—namely, a growing desire on the part of men of experience to write for publication such passages from their lives as will be of interest and benefit to the rising generation. The publication of these in this form has not been commenced any too soon. The lives of the early Elders of the Church were crowded with incidents of fascinating interest, and it is due to posterity, as well as to the Elders themselves, that a record of these should be preserved. But the veterans are fast passing away. It will be but a few years hence until men will seek with avidity to obtain information concerning many events which, if not preserved in writing or in print, will be lost to the new generations who are crowding into the field.

We give these "GEMS FOR THE YOUNG FOLKS" with the hope that they will prove profitable to every reader. Some of them are brief; but they embody important principles and lessons.

The "Testimonies for the Truth" were published in pamphlet form by the author, the late Bishop Benjamin Brown, while on a mission to Great Britain. This little work has been rare, and for a number of years it has been difficult to see, much less obtain, a copy. It contains so much that is encouraging and stimulating to faith that we think it should be preserved in this Series.

Within two months we hope to be able to issue the next volume. It will be a narrative of the personal experience of Elder Jacob Hamblin, as a frontiersman, missionary to the Indians and explorer, disclosing interpositions of Providence, severe privations, perilous situations and remarkable escapes.

THE PUBLISHER.

CONTENTS.

FINDING A FATHER.

CHAPTER I.

Part from my Father in infancy—His blessing and promise—Death of my Mother—My Grandfather apostatizes and sets up a Church of his own—Bound to be an Uncle—Ill-treatment and ridicule—Prejudiced against the "Mormons"—Fear of them—Released from my Uncle's power—Inducements to go to California—Decide to start.

CHAPTER II.

My Outfit—Dissipation—Start to California—Upbraidings from my Uncle—Uncle and Aunt disagree—A startling revelation, I learn that I am being taken to Utah—Leave my Uncle and join Spicer, to avoid going to Utah.

CHAPTER III.

Arrival at Parley's Park—Prepare for the worst, and visit Wm. H. Kimball—Favorably impressed with my newly-found relatives—Arrival in Salt Lake City—Dread at thoughts of falling into the hands of the "Mormons"—Decide to go and see my Father and surrender, expecting to be captured if I attempted to escape—Odd appearance going up East Temple Street—Meeting with my Father—Invited to change my clothes.

CHAPTER IV.

Ashamed of my appearance—Introduced to my numerous relatives—Allowed to sleep with the boys—Homesick—Set to work and made contented—Baptized and set apart for a mission—Return to Iowa—Meet my relatives—My Grandfather's confession and testimony—His exhortation and request—Return home with my brother Isaac, thus fulfilling my Father's prediction—The lessons I learned by my experience.

SAVED BY PROVIDENCE.

Appointed to take charge of a company of emigrants—Leave London for America—Surrounded by a thick fog—The Captain unable to take observations—The fog lifts—Saved from being dashed upon the rocks—Thank God for our deliverance.

WARNINGS OF THE SPIRIT.

Impressed by the Spirit not to go on a steamer, after arranging for my passage—Rush ashore before the boat starts—Boat snagged and sunk in the Mississippi—Warned by the Spirit not to meet an appointment—Urged by my friends, I start—Aversion to going so strong, I gallop back—Friends unable to account for my fears—Robbery at the house where I was to have gone—Saved from suspicion by obeying the voice of the Spirit.

ROBERT HAMILTON.

Challenged to debate by Dr. Waltholl—His discomfiture and defeat—Dr. Scott attempts to retrieve the Campbellite cause, and offers another challenge—Resorts to the whiskey bottle—Elder Hamilton scores him for it.

HOW SUCCESS IS GAINED.

Elders to go out two and two—Young missionaries inclined to shirk—Elder Moses Thatcher—His diffidence—The way he was broken in—His success—Elder McAllister—His backwardness in speaking—Forced into it—His testimony—Elder Coray's experience—Promises of the Lord proved true.

HELP IN TIME OF NEED.

CHAPTER I.

Start upon a mission, penniless—Aid from the Captain and passengers on the steamboat—Arrive at New Orleans—Fail in trying to find free passage to England—Discouragement—Prayer—Rebuke and answer—Apply for passage on the Berlin—Kind reception from Captain Baker—Bargain for passage—One-half to be paid in discussing religion with an Episcopalian Minister.

CHAPTER II.

The voyage—Discussion—Minister's discomfiture—Arrive in Liverpool—Kindness of Captain Baker—Learn of his death and my duty—My shabby appearance—First sermon—Money put into my hand—Visit home—More help from strangers.

OVERCOMING DIFFIDENCE.

Difference in persons about speaking in public—The Lord willing to help His servants to overcome timidity—Early experience in preaching—A feeling of fear and the Spirit of God not congenial—Timidity conquered.