HIS REPORT, DELIVERED IN THE TABERNACLE, GREAT SALT LAKECITY, AUGUST 22, 1852.
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Brethren and Sisters-I feel happy in having the privilege of meetingyou once more in the Valley of the mountains. It is now about three yearssince I left this place. Since then I have travelled a great distance, enough,if in a straight line, to have gone round the world. Had I only had thatto do, I should have been back some time ago. Before I enter upon anythingelse, I will tell you some of my feelings, and speak of other things afterwards.
I feel glad to see you, brethren, sisters, and friends, and permit meto say that I feel just at home, for Zion is my home; wherever the peopleof God are, I feel perfectly at home, and can rejoice with them. It seemsas though I want to look at you. I have been gazing around at this, that,and the other one, while brother Wallace was preaching; I have been tryingto think where I had seen them, and the various scenes we have passed throughtogether, in different places-in journeying, in perils, in mobbing, in difficultiesand dangers of various kinds. But out of all we have been delivered, thehand of God has been manifested towards us in a remarkable manner. And thenI see people here from different nations, with whom I have associated-fromEngland, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and from other nations of the earth;from the Eastern, Western, Northern, and Southern States; from Canada, andfrom almost all parts of the world. I think of the various changes, annoyances,and tribulations that we have passed through, the deliverances we have obtained,and the hand of God which has been manifested to us in all these things;and I rejoice, and praise God my Saviour. I feel perfectly at home, in factI feel at home wherever I meet with the Saints of God-in this country, orin other countries, but this is the grand home, this is the home for thegathering of the Saints of the Most High God, the place where the oraclesof God dwell, and where the Spirit of God is pre-eminently poured out, wherewe have come to learn, of the great Jehovah, the sacred things pertainingto, and associated with His kingdom.
I am not going to preach, I wish to tell my feelings, and look at you,and think about what we have done, and what we are going to do, for it isnot all done yet-we have only commenced the great work of the Lord, andare laying the foundation of that kingdom which is destined to stand forever;what we shall do, is yet in the future; we have commenced at the littleend of the horn, and by and bye we will come out at the big end.
I was talking about troubles, but I don't know that we need talk or careabout them. We have had some little amusements and frolics among the Gentiles,some few difficulties, but we have struggled through them all, and we areall here safe and sound. True, some of our friends have dropped by the way,they have fallen asleep, but what of that? and who cares? It is as wellto live as to die, or to die as to live, to sleep as to be awake, or tobe awake as to sleep-it is all one, they have only gone a little beforeus. For example, we have left other parts and come here, and we think wehave got to Zion; they have gone to the world of spirits, and they thinkthey have got to heaven; it is all right. We have left some of our friendsbehind in various places; when they arrive here, they will shake hands withus, and be glad they have got to Zion; and when we go to where our departedfriends are gone, we shall strike hands with them, and be glad we have gotto heaven; so it is all one. Although our friends were sorry when we leftthem, yet they rejoiced as well as we, that we were going to Zion; and sowe shall rejoice with those who have died in the Lord, for they rest fromtheir labors.
We have the principles of eternal life in us, we have begun to live,and we shall continue to live, as the Methodists very properly express it,"while life, and thought, and being last, or immortality endures;"and this is the beginning of it, consequently other little circumstancesin this world, or even life or death; have very little to do with it. Somepeople have said to me, sometimes, Are you not afraid to cross over theseas, and deserts, where there are wolves and bears, and other ferociousanimals, as well as the savage Indians? Are you not afraid that you willdrop by the way, and leave your body on the desert track, or beneath theocean's wave? No. Who cares anything about it? What of it, if we shouldhappen to drop by the way? We expect the Lord and His angels can do as muchas brother Benson has done in gathering up the people-he has brought a greathost from Pottawatomie-and the Lord can surely as easily "send Hisangels, and gather together His elect from the four quarters of the earth,"and, as old Daniel says, we shall all come up and stand in our "lotin the end of the days." These things don't trouble me, but I havefelt to rejoice all the day long, that God has revealed the principle ofeternal life, that I am put in possession of that truth, and that I am countedworthy to engage in the work of the Lord, and be a messenger to the nationsof the earth. I rejoice in proclaiming this glorious Gospel, because ittakes root in the hearts of the children of men, and they rejoice with meto be connected with, and participate in, the blessings of the kingdom ofGod. I rejoice in afflictions, for they are necessary to humble and proveus, that we may comprehend ourselves, become acquainted with our weaknessand infirmities; and I rejoice when I triumph over them, because God answersmy prayers, therefore I feel to rejoice all the day long.
I feel as though I am among the honorable of the earth when I am here;and when I get mixed up with the people abroad, and mingle with the greatpeople in the world, I feel otherwise. I have seen and deplored the weaknessof men-their folly, selfishness, and corruption. I do not know how theyfeel, but I have witnessed a great deal of ignorance and folly, I thinkthere is a great deal of great littleness about them. There is very littlepower among them, their institutions are shattered, cracked, and laid opento the foundation. It is no matter what principle you refer to-if to theirreligion, it is a pack of nonsense; if to their philosophy and politics,they are a mass of dark confusion; their governments, churches, philosophy,and religion, are all darkness, misery, corruption, and folly. I see nothingbut Babylon wherever I go-but darkness and confusion, with not a ray oflight to cheer the sinking spirits of the nations of the earth, nor anyhope that they will be delivered in this world, or in the world to come.
I have been with my brethren here who went with me some years ago toforeign nations-brother Erastus Snow, who is here; brother Lorenzo Snow,who has not got back yet; brother F. D. Richards, who has been over in England;and brother Pratt. There has been a great work done in all of these places,but I will leave these brethren to relate their own affairs themselves.I rejoice to associate with them, I rejoice to hear of their prosperity,and to see the wisdom, intelligence, and prudence that have been manifestedin all their deportment and transactions. I could not have bettered it,and I do not know that anybody else could. Everything has been going onwell, and prospering, the hand of God has been with us, and His angels havebeen on our path, and we are led to rejoice exceedingly before Him as theGod of our salvation.
It gave me great joy, on my way home, to find the Saints leaving Kanesville.It seemed as though they were swept out with a besom almost. When I wasthere, I rode out in my carriage one day to a place called Council Point.I thought I would go and visit some of the folks there, but, when I gotthere, behold, there were no folks to see. I hunted round, and finally founda place with something like "grocery" written upon it. I alighted,and went into the house, and asked a person who presented himself at thedoor, if he was a stranger there. Yes, says he, I have only just come. Andthe people have all left, have they? Yes, was the answer. I next saw a fewgoods standing at the side of a house, but the house was empty, these werewaiting to be taken away. I went into another house, and there were twoor three waiting for a boat to take them down the river, and these wereall the inhabitants I saw there!
When I first reflected upon this removal, my heart felt pained. I wellknew the disposition of many of the men on those frontier countries, andI thought that some miserable wretches might come upon them after the mainbody of the Saints had removed, and abuse, rob, and plunder the widow, theorphan, the lame, halt, blind, and destitute, who might be left, as theydid in Nauvoo; and thus the old, decrepit, and infirm would be abused, insulted,and preyed upon by wretches in human shape, who never have courage to meetmen, but are cruel and relentless with the old, infirm, the widow, orphan,and destitute. But, thank God, they are coming, nearly all, old and young,rich and poor.
When I see my brethren and sisters here, I cannot help but to rejoicewith them, and especially with those who have been engaged in these variouslabours.
The reports that have reached me from time to time, of your prosperity-accountsof the great work of the Lord that was going on here, have caused me muchjoy. I have heard of your progress in the city, and out of it; of your varioussettlements and explorations; and of the many organizations made by thePresidency, This has been joyful to me while abroad in foreign nations.
Some people think that preaching is the greatest part of the businessin building up the kingdom of God. This is a mistake. You may pick out ourmost inferior Elders, in point of talent and ability, and send them to Englandto preach and preside, and they think they are great men there. Their religionteaches them so much more than the Gentiles know, that they are receivedas the great men of the earth. Anybody can preach, he is a poor simpletonthat cannot, it is the easiest thing in the world. But, as President Youngsays, it take a man to practise. A great many preach first-rate when theyget abroad; you there meet with most eloquent men, they will almost makethe stones under your feet tremble, and the walls of the building to quake;but the moment they get into a little difficulty, they immediately dwindledown into nothing, and they have not got as much force as would draw a musquitooff its nest.
But the things that are going on here, require talent, force, energy,a knowledge of human nature and of the laws of God. The sacrifices thatare being made, in leaving home, and travelling from place to place, combatingand overcoming the many difficulties; that we have had to cope with, andstanding in a distinguished position in the eyes of the nations of the earth,are no small affair. They gaze with astonishment at the stand that thispeople take at the present time in their territorial capacity; to that allthe nations and courts of Europe are looking. Talk about preaching; thisis a matter of another importance entirely. I do not care how eloquent menare-these are all good in their place-but it is the organization in thisplace; the wise policy of the Governor who presides here, in the extensionof this infant state, by building up new colonies, &c.; making suchextensive improvements that preach louder among the courts of Europe, atthe present time.
It is one of the most remarkable things that has ever taken place inany age; and kings, and philosophers are obliged to acknowledge it. I remembernoticing an article in the London Times, not long ago, (and it is one ofthe leading papers of the day). In speaking about the "Mormons,"giving an account of some affairs associated with the Church, and with theestablishment of a Territorial Government here, the editor remarks nearlyas follows-"We have let this people alone for some time, and said nothingabout them; we have been led to believe that they were a society of fanaticsand fools &c.; but let this be as it may, their position in the world,in a national capacity, demands at our hands, as public journalists, toreport their progress, improvements, and position." I sent the Epistleof the First Presidency to the Journal Des Debats, which in one of the principalpapers in Paris. They published the Epistle, and the chief editor made someexcellent remarks upon it, and signed his name to them. It was taken fromthat paper, and translated and published in Switzerland, Italy, Denmark,and Germany, and thus, in their various languages, it was spread beforethe nations of Europe. Our place and people are becoming well known abroad.While in the city of Paris, I had to do with some of the leading governmentmen. In seeking to obtain authority to preach, all I had to do, generally,was to send my card,-John Taylor, du (from) Deseret.
We are becoming notorious in the eyes of the nations; and the time isnot far distant when the kings of the earth will be glad to come to ourElders to ask counsel to help them out of their difficulties for their troublesare coming upon then like a flood, and they do not know how to extricatethemselves.
I will here give a short history of some of my proceedings. I was appointedto go to France some years ago, in company with some of the Twelve, whowere appointed to go to other places. The First Presidency asked us if wewould go. Yes, was the reply we can go anywhere, for if we cannot do littlethings like these, I don't know what else we can do. Some people talk aboutdoing great things; but it is not a great thing to travel a little, or topreach a little. I hear some of the Elders saying, sometimes, that theyare going to do great things-to be rulers in the kingdom of God, Kings andPriests to the Most High, and are again to exalt thousands of others tothrones, principalities, and powers, in the eternal worlds; but we cannotget them out of their nests, to travel a few miles here. If they cannotdo this, how will they ever learn to go from world to world?
We went, and were blessed in our journeying, We had a pretty hard timein crossing the plains, and I should not recommend people to go so latein the season as we did. We should have lost all our horses, but the handof God was over us for our good; He delivered us out of all our dangers,and took us through safely. When we got to the Missouri river, the ice wasrunning very strong, so that it was impossible to ferry; but in one nightthe river froze over, and we passed over as on a bridge, in perfect safety;but as soon as the last team was over, the ice again removed. Thus the Lordfavoured us in our extremities.
You may inquire, how did you get along preaching? The best way that wecould, the same as we always do. We went to work (at least I did) to tryto learn the language a little. I went into the city of Boulogne, and Iobtained permission there from the mayor to preach; this I was under thenecessity of doing. At that time, I had not been very particular in seekingrecommends as I went along; but I had a recommend from Governor Young: hetold the folks I was an honorable man, and signed his name to it as theGovernor of the Territory of Utah, and Willard Richards as Secretary. Itold the mayor, in relation to these matters, I had not many papers withme, but I had one that I obtained from the Governor of the state I camefrom. O, says he, "Mr. Taylor, this is very good indeed, won't youleave it with me, and if anybody finds any fault, I shall have it to referto."
Several Protestant priests from England commenced to annoy us, and wantedto create a disturbance in the meeting, but I would not allow it, besidesI was in a strange city, and was received courteously by the mayor, andwished my meeting to be orderly. These insolent men came to create disturbancein our meetings, but seeing they could not get a chance of speaking insidethe doors, they followed me in the streets, asking me questions as I walkedalong. Among the questions, they said something about "Joe Smith."Says I, Who are you talking about? I was well acquainted with Mr. JosephSmith; he was a gentleman, and would not treat a stranger as you do me.They still, however, dogged after me, asking me more questions. I told them,I did not wish to talk with men of their caste. They finally sent me a challenge,and we had a discussion; the result of it you may have read as published.The Methodist preacher denied his calling, and was to be removed from hisplace, in consequence; and the others sunk into forgetfulness-I could obtainno information of them when last there. I decreed, then, I would let theEnglish alone, and turn to the French.
I went from there right into the city of Paris, and commenced translatingthe Book of Mormon, with brother Bolton to assist me. We baptized a few;some of them men of intelligence and education, and capable of assistingus in the work. Brother Pack went to Calais, and raised a small Church there.We afterwards united some English Branches, Boulogne en France, to it, calledthe Jersey Islands. There the people speak half English, half French; andbrother Pack went to preside over them. Brother Bolton and I remained principallyin Paris, and in that neighborhood; we there organized a Church. BeforeI came away, we held a Conference, at which four hundred members were represented,including those Branches that were added to the Branch in Calais.
We have got a translation of the Book of Mormon, as good a one as itis possible for anybody to make. I fear no contradiction to this statementfrom any man, learned or illiterate. I had it examined and tested by someof the best educated men in France. I have got a specimen with me. (TheBook was produced, which was beautifully bound.) This is the Book of Mormon,translated into the French language, and it is got up in as good a styleas any book that was ever published, whether in the Church or out of it.The translation is good, the printing is good, and the paper is good. Ihave made some little alterations, that is, I have marked the paragraphs,and numbered them, so as to tell where to refer to, when you wish to doso; and in some instances where the paragraphs are very long, I have dividedthem. The original simplicity of the book is retained, and it is as literalas the genius and idiom of the French language would admit of.
This book is stereotyped, and I have arranged it so that when copiesof this work are sold, a certain amount of money is put away, that whenanother edition is called for, the money is there; and thus it can be continuedfrom time to time, as necessity shall require, until 200,000 copies areprinted without any additional expense. We also publish there a paper called"L 'Etoile du Deseret," (The Star of Deseret.) It is got up ingood style, and printed in new type. It is also stereotyped, and most ofit is new matter. I have given an account of the organization of the Church,and a brief history of it; of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, andthe evidences of it; of the doctrines of the Church, and the position ofthings in this country, &c. &c. These are some of the leading itemsof this publication. Instead of filling it with the news of the day, wehave filled it with all that is good for the people to read, that it maybe a standing work for years to come. It contains articles written on baptism,the Gift of the Holy Ghost, the necessity of gathering together, and allthe leading points associated with the religion we believe in, that theremay be evidence forthcoming at any time and place, in the hands of the inquirer.If men should be there, not acquainted with the language, and individualsshould make inquiries of them relating to the doctrines of their religion,they have nothing to do but hand them this Number or that Number of the"Star of Deseret," containing the information they wish. Thiswill save them a great deal of trouble in talking.
We found many difficulties to combat, for it is not an easy thing togo into France and learn to talk French well; but at the same time, if aman sets to work in good earnest, he can do it. I have scratched the word"can't" out of my vocabulary long since, and I have not got itin my French one.
The Spirit of the Lord was with us, and with the people, and He prosperedus in our undertakings, and we were enabled to accomplish the thing we setabout. We had difficulties to cope with in regard to the government. Ifit had not been for the position of things there in relation to the laterevolution, that was then brewing, I believe we should have obtained theprivilege from the government to preach throughout all France, and alsoprotection for the Elders.
I petitioned the Cabinet for that privilege. While talking to some ofthem, they told me there would be no difficulty in obtaining permission.But we were unable to obtain the liberty we wished. And I believe it originatedfrom the position of things just before the revolution broke out; it wasthrough that, or through difficulties in Denmark, wherein a mob was raisedagainst the Saints. They were then banishing strangers out of Paris, andwould not allow them a place there unless they were wealthy persons, andhad money in the bank, as security for their conduct.
"Liberty, Equality, Fraternity, and Brotherhood," was writtenalmost upon every door. You had liberty to speak, but might be put in prisonfor doing so. You had liberty to print, but they might burn what you hadprinted, and put you into confinement for it. The nations of Europe knownothing about liberty, except England; and there it is much the same ashere, that is, liberty to do right.
When you get into France, Germany, or any of the foreign nations, wherethe language is different from ours, the spirit of the people is different,and it appears to me that a different spirit is carried along with theselanguages, which is peculiar to them.
I might tell you about their political state, but I will preserve thatfor some political speech or other; we will let that go for the present.At the same time, there are thousands of as good spirited, honest heartedmen as I ever met with in any part of the world; they are quiet, calm, peaceable,and desirous to know the truth, and be governed by it; and if we only hadliberty to preach to them the principles of truth, thousands would flockto the standards of truth.
Infidelity prevails there to a great extent, and at the same time a greatdeal of a certain kind of religion, a sort of Catholicism; not the Catholicismthat was, but which is. Men have got sick of it, and look upon it as moonshineand folly. You may divide the people into three classes-the most religiousclass are the women; from observation you would judge that they attend tothe affairs of the souls of their husbands, as well as their own. The factis, the men care little about it themselves. You will find nothing but womenin the places of worship there, while on the other hand, if you go out tothe public promenades, and theatres, and public amusements on Sunday, youwill see men by thousands; and if you judge of their religion by their actions,you would consider that the theatre and public amusements are their placesof worship; at the same time, that the Church is the place to do penance,and that the women do it.
I am not surprised that infidelity should prevail in such countries.I declare, personally, if I could see nothing better than what is calledChristianity there, I would be an infidel too; and I say the same also inregard to Protestantism. The Protestants talk a great deal about Catholicpriests, but I believe they are much more honest in the sight of man, andwill do more for their pay, than any Protestant minister you can find. Youwill find them up at five o'clock in the morning, saying mass, and attendingto what they consider are their religious duties-visiting the sick, andgoing among fevers and plagues, where Protestant ministers dare not go.This is my notion of that. (A voice in the stand-The children are alwayslazier than their daddy.) The idea of taking Protestantism among the Frenchpeople is nonsense, for one Catholic priest could prevail over fifty Protestants,The Catholic priests are more intelligent, they know the basis upon whichtheir church is founded, and they can reason upon principles the Protestantscan cannot enter into. Protestants can do very well when they have got amass of their own people around them.
When I was in Boulogne, some Protestant ministers were afraid lest Ishould make a division among them; they were fearful lest I should showup some of their follies, and the Catholics should laugh at them. One ofthese Jesuit priests came to me; he was a well educated man. In speakingon those discussions, says he, when they ask about the character of yourfounders, just examine into theirs, and I will furnish you all the testimonyyou want. I told him I was much obliged to him, but I could attend to myown business. I thought if I could not get along, and defend "Mormonism"without the help of a Jesuit priest, it was a poor case.
I was speaking, a while ago, about the people there being divided intothree classes. One of them you may call infidel, under the head of Socialism,Fourierism, and several other isms. Communism is a specimen of the samething, and they call it religion! These are generally known under the headof what is called Rouges, or Red Republicans. There is one class that thinkit is necessary to sustain religions as a national policy, to subdue theminds of the people, and make them easier to govern. The third class isin the minority a long way; it is those who are actually sincere in theirreligion.
I will give you a specimen of Protestantism as I witnessed it in a grandanniversary Bible Society meeting in Paris. There were some of the mostnotable men in Paris going to preach there, and that attracted the attentionof the public. The meeting was held in one of the principal Protestant churches.The late Prime Minister of Louis Philippe, Monsieur Guizot, presided, andmany other eminent men were present. M. Guizot is a man of great ability,and quite an orator, so that all parties respected him on account of histalent. As he was going to be there, and deliver a speech, it attractedquite an audience. I went to hear them, in company with a French ministerthat was baptized there. The place was pretty well crowded, not so fullas this hall is this morning; but in that country it was considered a firstrate congregation. When M. Guizot finished his discourse, about one-thirdof the congregation left. I thought this a curious proceeding; they don'tact so in Protestant countries. Another got up to speak, and when he hadmade a speech, another third of what was left, left the house and went away;and when four or five of them had made speeches, there were about as manyleft in the house as you would see at a Catholic chapel at mass. I was reallysurprised at the indifference and carelessness manifested.
This was at the anniversary of a Bible Society in the city of Paris,where some of the most notable men gathered together. I speak of this torepresent to you the position of things there, and the spirit of the peoplein relation to these matters. In a theatre, or in any public spectacle,all would have stayed till the last.
It is among this people we have got to introduce the Gospel. When theycome to see it, they rejoice in it, but we do not preach religion much tothem, for a great many of them are philosophers, and, of course, we mustbe philosophers too, and make it appear that our philosophy is better thantheirs, and then show them that religion is at the bottom of it. It wouldbe nonsense to talk about justification by faith: they would say it wasmoonshine, or something else. You have got to talk common sense, you havegot to affect their bodies as well as their souls, for they believe theyare possessed of both. When they once get interested in the work of God,and get the Spirit of God, they rejoice exceedingly in the blessings ofthe Gospel. I have seen Saints in that country who rejoiced and thankedGod, for the blessings of the new and everlasting covenant, as much as everI saw Saints in any country. I had thought, after having completed the translationof the Book of Mormon into the French language, in which I was assistedby brother Bolton, of returning home last year, but I met with the Epistleof the First Presidency, from which I could learn their desire that we shouldstay another year. I, therefore, thought I would alter my course immediately,and follow the directions of the Spirit of God-for I wished all the time,as Paul says, to be obedient to the heavenly calling; I wished at all timesto pursue the course the Spirit of the Lord should dictate. I knew it woulddictate them right, though I did not see at that time that it would be ofmuch benefit for me to stay long there, as it was no place for preachingin. The government, after studying about these things some time, deniedus the privilege of preaching; and all the place we had to meet in was aprivate room; and, according to a law of the government, if more than twentypersons were known to meet together they were in danger of being put inprison. The officers were continually on the alert, and when we would meet,lest there should be more than twenty people, they would be counting howmany there were in the room, and thus the Saints were continually underthe spirit of fear of the authorities. It is under these circumstances wehave had to labour.
As it stated in the Epistle, that it was better for the brethren to extendtheir labours to other nations, it immediately occurred to my mind to goto Germany, so I made a plan before I got up in the morning, for thoughtflows quickly, you know. The plan was-to publish the Book of Mormon there.I wrote to brother Hyde to send me out some brother that was acquaintedwith the German language, and my letter got there about the time he leftfor the Valley, and he did not get it. I said to brother Bolton, and brotherDe La Mere, who was from the island of Jersey, that there was one man inthe Valley I wished was here, and that was brother Carn. There was one brotherin France, who was a German, and was well acquainted with the languages,both German and French: I engaged him to go with me to Germany, that is,to translate. However, I went over to England, and thought we would huntin England to find some person qualified to go and preach in Germany. Ifound many Germans. but none with sufficient experience in the Church. Finally,I thought I would start by myself. When I got to London, I met with brotherDykes; he had said something about going to Germany, but he concluded hehad better be with brother Snow, as he was acquainted with the Danish language;he had got his discharge from that engagement, and was on his way home whenI met him. This placed things in another position. He said he would liketo go if his family could be provided for, but I could not say anythingparticular about his family.
I finally had him go for a month or two, for I did not wish to put athing upon him I would not do myself. He felt a desire to go, and said hewould do as I said, so I told him to go for two months. I made an appointmentto meet him in Germany, as I had to go through France.
When we arrived there, we started the translation of the Book of Mormon,and it was half completed before I came away. We also started to publisha paper in Germany, called Zions Danier, (Zion's Banner.) I wished to beperfectly satisfied that the translation was right; brother Richards andI heard some of it read in Boulogne, and we thought it was very good, butstill it had to be altered. I, therefore, got some of the best professorsin the city of Hamburg to look over it: some few alterations were necessary,but not many. Also, with regard to the paper, one of the professors saidhe would not have known it was written in English and translated; he should,if not told to the contrary, have supposed it written originally in German.
I have often heard men in this country splutter a great deal about themeaning of odd words in the Bible, but this only exhibits their folly: itis the spirit and intention of the language that are to be looked at, andif the translator does not know this it is impossible for him to translatecorrectly, and this is the reason why there are so many blunders in theBible. I believe the English Bible is translated as well as any book couldbe by uninspired men. The German translation of the Bible, I believe, istolerably correct, but some of the French editions are miserable.
A Protestant minister in Germany refused to discuss the doctrine of Baptism,because their Bible is so plain upon that subject that the doctrine of sprinklingcould not be maintained. Among the German people, we find a great deal ofinfidelity, but at the same time we find very much sterling integrity, andthere will be thousands and tens of thousands of people in that countrywho will embrace the faith, and rejoice in the blessings of the Gospel.We have sent our French papers to Switzerland, Denmark, and to Lower Canada,and some of our German papers to France, and vice versa.
The languages in these countries are mixed up: it is a profession moregeneral than it is in this country; they think a man is very ignorant ifhe professes to be a teacher and does not know two or three languages, butwith all their knowledge of languages, there is a great amount of ignorance.There are men there acquainted with two or three languages, and that isall they do know; if you except that, there is not an ounce of common senseremains. What if you can read French, or German, or Hebrew, or anythingelse-what good would it do you unless you read to understand the works writtenin those languages? Simply none at all. A man is a fool if he boast aboutanything of that kind.
The Book of Mormon by this time is printed and stereotyped in the Germanlanguage. I left brother Carn there, to attend to this business: everythingwas going on smoothly, so I thought I could leave it as well as not. WhenI got to Liverpool, and was about coming away, the very man I wanted tocome from the Valley arrived there. I was glad to meet him in Liverpool.
I shall want to get some folks to go to France, and to Germany. I wouldnot ask anybody to do that which I would not do myself.
There are books, thousands of them, if you cannot talk to the people,you can give them the books to read. But you can learn the language, oryou are poor concerns. Any sane person can.
I do not know that it is necessary for me to say anything more. O yes,I organized a society to make sugar, and a woollen manufactory. The sugarfactory will be here soon. If you will only provide us with beets and wood,we will make you sugar enough to preserve yourselves in. We can have asgood sugar in this country as anywhere else; we have as good machinery asis in the world. I have seen the best specimens of it in the World's Fair,but there was none better than this; there is not any better on the earth,nor better men to make sugar than those who are coming. I found this affairas difficult to arrange as anything I have had to do. We could not bringthe other machinery on this year, for we had as much on hand with the sugarmachinery as we could get along with, so we had to leave it, that is, thewoollen and worsted machinery, to another year. I can say also of this,that it is as good machinery as there is in the world. It is the same kindof machinery that is made use of in the west of England to make the bestkind of broad cloth; also a worsted manufactory to manufacture cloth forladies' wear, such is merinoes, and alpaccas, and other sorts of paccas,I don't know the names of them all; and various kinds of shawls, blankets,carpets, &c., &c., if we can only command the wool.
After having gone through these things, I will say again, I am glad thatI have got back to this place. Some people have asked me if I was not prettynear being taken up and put in prison by the authorities of France. I mighthave been, but I did not know it.
A gentleman in Paris would make me promise to call on him when I cameback to Paris, and make his house my home. I agreed to return, and staya few days in that city, and hold a Conference there. This was a few daysafter the revolution. I saw the place where the houses had been battereddown, and the people killed by wholesale; where were shot down promiscuously,both big and little, old and young, men, women, and children. I was theresoon after this occurrence; and at the very time the people were votingin their President, we were holding a Conference on the same day, for Ithought they would have something else to do than to attend to us. Someof the Elders, however, were afraid to come to Paris, lest there shouldbe difficulty.
There were about 400 represented at this Conference; Elders, Priests,and Teachers were ordained; and a Conference was regularly organized. TheSpirit of the Lord was with us, and many were ordained to the Priesthood,with a Presidency over the nation.
After I had left Paris, on my arrival in England, I found a letter frombrother Bolton, who is president in France; he informed me that the haut(high) police had been inquiring for me at my lodgings, but that the gentlemanof the house had kept him talking for two hours, defending my character,&c. They came to the house ten minutes after I had left in a cab forthe railroad, but I had then finished my work, and when they would haveput their fingers on me, I was not there. But at the very time they werevoting for their president, we were voting for our president, and buildingup the Kingdom of God; and I prophesied then, and prophesy now, that ourcause will stand when their's is crushed to pieces; and the kingdom of Godwill roll on and spread from nation to nation, and from kingdom to kingdom.And from these nations we have been preaching the Gospel of Christ to, youwill see thousands and tens of thousands yet flocking to Zion, and singingHallelujahs to the God of Israel.
Did we not talk about England in the same way when the Gospel was firstintroduced into that country? Brother Kimball prophesied the same thingsof that country, and they have all come to pass, and this will come to passby and bye, for there is "a good time coming, Saints, wait a littlelonger;" and we will rise up like servants of the living God, and accomplishthe work He has given us to do; and when we have done our work here, wewill then join our friends in the eternal worlds, and engage in acts morevast, more mighty, and that will require more energy than the works we arenow engaged in.
I rejoice that I am happy to meet with you and my family: you are myfriends, and you are the friends of God, and we are building up the kingdomof God, and by and bye the kings and princes of the earth will come, andgaze upon the glory of Zion.
I used to think there was a good deal of intelligence among the world,but I have sought for it so long I have given up all hopes of ever findingit there. Some philosophers came to visit me in France, and while conversing,I had to laugh a little at them, for the word philosophy is about everytenth word they speak. One of them, a Jesuit priest, who had come in theChurch, a well educated man, was a little annoyed in his feelings at someof my remarks, on their philosophy. I asked them if any of them had everasked me one question that I could not answer. They answered in the negative.But, said I, I can ask you fifty that you cannot answer.
Speaking of philosophy, I must tell another little story, for I was almostburied up in it while I was in Paris. I was walking about one day in theJardin des Plantes-a splendid garden. There they had a sort of exceedinglylight cake; it was so thin and light that you could blow it away, and youcould eat all day of it, and never be satisfied. Somebody asked me whatthe name of that was. I said, I don't know the proper name, but in the absenceof one, I can give it a name-I will call it philosophy, or fried froth,which you like. It is so light you can blow it away, eat it all day, andat night be as far from being satisfied as when you began.
There are a great many false principles in the world, and as I said before,whether you examine their religion, their philosophy, their politics, ortheir national policy, you will find it a mess of complete baby work, thereis nothing substantial about it, nothing to take hold of. There is no placethat I have found under the whole heavens where there is true intelligence,but in the land of Zion.
I will risk our Elders among the world, if they will only brush up theirideas a little. I will take any of you rough looking fellows, put you ina tailor's shop a little, and start you out like gentlemen, as large aslife. I tell you there is a great difference between our people and others.Many others have a nice little finish on them; they may be compared to scrimpedup dandies; but everything is on the outside, and nothing in the inside.
Our folks who are operating round here in the kanyons, and on the land,are listening to the servants of God, and studying principles of eternaltruth; they are like young rough colts, with plenty of bone, sinew, andnerve in them; all they want is rubbing down a little, and they will comeout first rate. I believe in the polish, and a little of every thing else,you know I am a Frenchman now.
I have found that all intelligence is good, and there is a good dealin the world, mixed up with all their follies, It is good for the Eldersto become acquainted with the languages, for they may have to go abroad,and should be able to talk to the people, and not look like fools. I carenot how much intelligence you have got, if you cannot exhibit it you looklike an ignoramus. Suppose a Frenchman should come upon this stand to delivera lecture upon Botany, Astronomy, or any other science, and could not speaka word of English, how much wiser would you be? You may say, I thought theLord would give us the gift of tongues. He won't if we are too indolentto study them. I never ask the Lord to do a thing I could do for myself.We should be acquainted with all things, should obtain intelligence bothby faith and by study. We are instructed to gather it out of the best books,and become acquainted with governments, nations, and laws. The Elders ofthis Church have need to study these things, that when they go to the nations,they may not wish to return home before they have accomplished a good work.
When I was in Hamburg, there were 30,000 soldiers quartered in the city,and that is called a free city. If you ask any of the inhabitants what theyare doing there, they will answer-Ich weise nicht, (I don't know,) but wehave to keep them. They are there because the Emperor of Austria placedthem there, and he had power to have them there.
In Paris, you would suppose you were in an armed city, for you couldnot step anywhere without meeting soldiers at every step.
When I was in Hamburg, I had to go and get a permit to authorize me tostay one month, and when that was done, I had to get another to authorizeme to stay another month. The only thing we can do in that country at presentis to baptize some of the citizens, and set them to preaching, as they havemore rights and privileges than a stranger. No man has a right to receivehis own son into his own house, if not a citizen, without a card; or a permitfrom the Government; and that is a free city, so called. We cannot knowanything about the blessings and privileges we have as Americans, withoutbecoming acquainted with the condition of other nations, this is one ofthe greatest countries in the world, but they (the Americans) do not appreciatetheir privileges.
I am glad to see things moving on so well here; I observe great improvementsand changes: you have done a great work, and God will bless you for it.I am glad to see and hear that you are more diligent in paying tithing,and attending to your duties than before I left. It is not hard to do thewill of God, and if some of you would go out into the world for two or threeyears, you would not find it hard to pay tithing when you came back again.I am glad to hear of these things-of the building up of the kingdom of God;and union is strength, and to fulfil the will of God brings down blessingsupon our heads. I now expect to rest a little, and visit a little, and wewill talk and preach, and do all the good we can in this world, and thengo into the next to do more good.
I feel obliged to the brethren here for putting me up a house; and brotherBrigham, I am much obliged to you for it; God bless you for it. And I praythat the blessings of God may rest down upon all the Saints, worlds withoutend. Amen.