to his destination, which was in a foreign country, and the time set for his departure was near at hand. A few days previous to the time of leaving, an acquaintance met him, and during the conversation that ensued the missionary informed his friend of his call to take a mission, but said nothing about his financial circumstances. Before parting the young friend handed the missionary a silver coin with this remark: "Here, I want to give you this to help you along; and you will find that others will help you, as I found in my experience when about to go on a mission a few years ago."

This was the first piece of money he had received to aid him on his way, but, true to his friend's words, others helped him, and money came from several sources where he did not expect anything, and had no reason to expect it. The result was that on the day of his departure he not only had enough to pay his way but sufficient to meet necessary expenses while absent during the first year of his mission.

Another such instance occurred in the experience of an Elder called to go to England several years ago. After receiving and accepting of his call he made what preparations he could to comply with it. He was however disappointed somewhat in getting some means due him. The result was that on the day previous to that on which he expected to start he did not have sufficient means to take him to New York. He knew not from what source he could get money, but still hoped to be able to go on the day appointed. That night he dreamed that he received one hundred dollars, but awoke in the morning and found himself in the same financial condition as on the day before. But his hopes were not blighted. He concluded that if the dream meant anything it was an indication that he would still succeed. During the day and before the time set for his departure he received just one hundred dollars from an entirely unexpected source, and was thereby enabled to start on his journey at the time appointed.

In the "Life of John Taylor" is related an interesting episode which shows how he was helped when in need of funds to pay his way across the ocean. It was in the year 1839, just after the Saints had been driven in a body from their homes in Missouri. Apostle Taylor, with others of his quorum, had been called as a missionary to England. With much difficulty, owing to sickness, he made his way to New York, but without means to proceed any farther. His experience in New York is here given as recorded in his biography:

"When Elder Taylor arrived in New York, Elder Woodruff had been there some time, and was all impatience to embark for England, but as yet the former had no means with which to pay for his ocean passage. Although supplied with all the means necessary on his journey thus far, after paying his cab-fare to the house of Brother Pratt he had but one cent left. Still he was the last man on earth to plead poverty, and in answer to inquiries of some of the brethren as to his financial circumstances, he replied that he had plenty of money.

"This was reported to Brother Pratt, who the next day approached Elder Taylor on the subject:

"Elder Pratt: 'Brother Taylor, I hear you have plenty of money?'

"Elder Taylor: 'Yes, Brother Pratt, that's true.'

"Elder Pratt: 'Well, I am about to publish my 'Voice of Warning' and 'Millennial Poems,' I am very much in need of money, and if you could furnish me with two or three hundred dollars I should be very much obliged.'

"Elder Taylor: 'Well Brother Parley, you are welcome to anything I have, if it will be of service to you.'

"Elder Pratt: 'I never saw the time when means would be more acceptable.'

"Elder Taylor: 'Then you are welcome to all I have.'

"And putting his hand into his pocket Elder Taylor gave him his copper cent. A laugh followed.

"'But I thought you gave it out that you had plenty of money,' said Parley.

"'Yes, so I have,' replied Elder Taylor. 'I am well clothed, you furnish me plenty to eat and drink and good lodging; with all these things and a penny over, as I owe nothing, is not that plenty?'

"That evening at a council meeting Elder Pratt, proposed that the brethren assist Elder Taylor with means to pay his passage to England, as Brother Woodruff was prepared and desired to go. To this Elder Taylor objected, and told the brethren if they had anything to give to let Parley have it, as he had a family to support and needed means for publishing. At the close of the meeting Elder Woodruff expressed his regret at the course taken by Elder Taylor, as he had been waiting for him, and at last had engaged his passage.

"Elder Taylor: 'Well Brother Woodruff, if you think it best for me to go, I will accompany you.'

"Elder Woodruff: 'But where will you get the money?'

"Elder Taylor: 'Oh, there will be no difficulty about that. Go and take a passage for me on your vessel, and I will furnish you the means.'

"A Brother Theodore Turley, hearing the above conversation, and thinking that Elder Taylor had resources unknown to himself or Brother Woodruff, said: 'I wish I could go with you, I would do your cooking and wait on you.'

"The passage to be secured was in the steerage—these missionaries were not going on flowery beds of ease—hence the necessity of such service as Brother Turley proposed rendering. In answer to this appeal, Elder Taylor told Brother Woodruff to take a passage for Brother Turley also.

"At the time of making these arrangements Elder Taylor had no money, but the Spirit had whispered to him that means would be forthcoming, and when had that still, small voice failed him! In that he trusted, and he did not trust in vain. Although he did not ask for a penny of anyone, from various persons in voluntary donations he received money enough to meet his engagements for the passage of himself and Brother Turley, but no more."

CHAPTER IV.

LEAVING HOME THE JOURNEY.

One of the first trying experiences a missionary has to endure is that of tearing himself away from his family. The expression "tearing himself away" is not describing too strongly the painful feelings of such an ordeal, for to many this is no trifling experience: it is like tearing one's heartstrings to undergo it, and he feels almost as though he were purposelessly inflicting most cruel torture upon his loved ones regardless of their appeals for mercy. But feeling that it is a call from the Lord that prompts him to do this, he is strengthened to endure the severe but fortunately short trial. One can perhaps imagine to some extent how painful was such a parting as the one described by the late President Heber C. Kimball. It occurred about the same time as the incident related in the previous chapter in the experience of President John Taylor when called to fill a mission to England. Apostle Kimball was called to the same mission. It was but a short time after the Saints first settled in Nauvoo, Illinois, and they were poor and destitute, and owing to exposure and an unhealthy place of refuge these missionaries and their families were in poor health. Elder Kimball depicts his leave-taking as follows:

"During the night of August 23rd, 1839, 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 14th, 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 assistance. 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