(Previous installment)

(The next three parts of David’s story are taken from a different publication than the first eight parts, so there is a little disconnect. In between the two parts, David preached as a missionary in California, and he was there when he received the personal letter through which Amy introduced David to Keepa. This series picks up during that same time in California.)

At a conference of Elders held in the Philharmonic Hall, San Francisco, California, President G. Q. Cannon presiding, Elders Silas G. Higgins, Lorenzo F. Harmon and John H. Winslow, were appointed to go with me on a mission to Oregon and Washington territories. We started on the 5th of May, 1857, from San Francisco onboard the steamship Columbia, and arrived at St. Hellens, on the Columbia river the 9th of May, 1857, after a very pleasant trip. This was the first town in Oregon from the mouth of the Columbia river and we decided to commence our labors here.

On landing we retired to the woods where we prayed the Lord to open our way and bless us on our mission. We put up at the only hotel in town kept by a Mr. Bodwell, whose wife felt very bitter towards the “Mormons.” After learning that we were “Mormon” preachers she told me that a Mr. Hughes, an Elder of our Church, had remained at her house a couple of years ago, and had left some “Mormon” books to pay his board bill; that he traveled without “purse or scrip,” that he tried to preach but the people would not hear him and threatened to mob him out of the country. I told the landlady we always paid our way wherever we put up, and did not wish to be insulted by any of her insinuations. Mr. Bodwell came to the rescue fearing a rupture, and stated that no insult was meant, and that we should be respected in his house, no matter what our profession was, so long as we paid our way. As for himself he was a free-thinker, and believed every man ought to have the privilege of worshiping God according to the dictates of his own conscience. We were treated very kindly Rafter this by all in the hotel. We had no money, however, with which to pay our board and after what had occurred we dared not tell the proprietor; we accordingly went into the woods and laid tin; matter before the Lord in prayer and implored His assistance in our extremity. We retired from the spot with an assurance that God would help us so long us we sought to do our duty.

While eating supper the landlord asked if we were going to preach in St. Hellens. I told him we were on the morrow as it was Sunday. He proposed to introduce me to the trustees of the school-house after supper, and when he had done so, I got the use of the building for our meeting. The brethren ran around and notified the people, and we had a crowded house. Marked attention was paid to our remarks and at the close of the meeting I told the congregation we traveled without purse or scrip, like the apostles of old, but being strangers in the place we had put up at the hotel and hoped that all the liberal-hearted people present would assist us in paying our hotel bill. Sufficient was donated for our wants. All felt well and we were thankful to our Father in heaven who had answered our prayer in such a striking manner.

From St. Hellens we crossed the Columbia river; the river at this point is about a mile wide and is the dividing line between Oregon and Washington territories. We found the Saints in Clark county, Washington territory, who had been baptized and organized into a branch by Elder John Hughes in 1855, all glad to see us. The president of the branch told me that they had not met for over a year on account of the opposition, Indian war, etc. We warmed them up with the words of life which inspired them to meet opposition with the truth, called upon all to renew their covenants and partake of the spirit of the reformation in Zion and be blessed. Several came forward and were rebaptized, among whom was Sister Louisa A. John, whose husband was not in the Church. We held a conference on the 20th of May, 1857, reorganized the Lewis river branch, placed Daniel W. Gardener to preside, met with the Saints every evening at their houses, and although we had much opposition, when the Spirit of the Lord was upon us the opposition seemed to melt away like clouds before the rising sun. The work now commenced in Washington territory. It was considered best for Elders Harmon and Winslow to continue their labors here, and for Elder Higgins and myself to take a mission through Oregon.

We left Lewis River Branch on the 13th of June 1857, and preached in St. Hellens on the 14th to a small congregation. We next got to preach in the court-house at Hillsborough, Washington Co. The hall was filled to overflowing. We had good attention until the close of the meeting, when the Reverend Mr. Barton arose and wished to read a letter from Judge Drummond which had been published in the papers. I happened to have Brother Feramorz Little’s letters published in the New York Herald of April 15th 1857, denying Drummond’s charges which silenced the reverend disturber of the meeting at the time, but he became angry and raised a mob, headed by the marshal, who led us out of the city limits and would not let us sleep in town. It was a very dark night and the mob left us in the woods with an injunction not to return at the peril of our lives.

As we were all alone Brother Higgins said, “Brother David where are we going now?”

I answered, “God knows and He has not told me yet, let us retire in prayer and ask Him.”

We knelt down by the road side and engaged in fervent prayer. After prayer we were about to proceed on our way through the woods when we heard footsteps behind us and a man kindly asked, “where are you going to stop for the night?”

I said, “I do not know.”

“Well,” said he, “I was with that mob that ran you out of town but I did not approve of it. I am nothing but a professed gambler. Those men were professors of religion, headed by their minister. Mean as I am I could not approve of their proceedings. You have many friends in this place who want to hear you preach, and they are determined you shall if you will do so next Sunday. Here is five dollars,” he continued, “take it, and go to Mr. Simmond’s place about a mile from here, he has gone ahead and will prepare for you to stop with him. His wife may be opposed but never mind good night!” and away he went back to Hillsborough, and left us praising God.

We plodded on to the place the Lord had provided. At a turn of the road we saw a light and presently met Mr. Simmonds who took us into his house, his wife said she had no way of providing for us, but our host took us up stairs where we had a good bed and slept soundly all night. The next morning we were invited in to breakfast. The woman would not recognize us, but Mr Simmonds asked us to bless the food. In doing so I asked God to bless Mr. Simmonds and his wife, their little ones and their home. The spirit of the Lord fell upon me in great power, and strange to say the woman broke down in tears and told us that she had been impressed by what she had heard that we were bad men and she had sat up all night fearing to go to sleep knowing we were in the house. After breakfast we went into the country and visited from house to house allaying prejudice until the next Sunday when we returned to Hillsborough and preached in the court-house according to promise. This was on the 29th of June, 1857.

Many were present at our meeting fully armed to mob while others were prepared to defend us. We held the congregation by the power of God for He was with us by His spirit knowing that we had determined to fill our mission or die in trying. Fearing, however, that we might cause trouble and perhaps bloodshed in the city, we left and went to Portland, Oregon, where we were mobbed and egged in one of the principal halls in that city. After the excitement subsided, we got to speak to the people for two hours, and 1 can say in truth that I never enjoyed more of the spirit of the Lord. After meeting we were taken to a hotel and cared for by a number of honorable, law-abiding citizens who dared to do right. We never got a public hall in Portland again, although we tried our best to do so.

(To be continued.)