BIOGRAPHY OF
ANN HOWELL BURT
By SophyValentine.
_______
I.
Manyyears ago, when the gospel was first introduced to the world, there lived infar off beautiful
Thislittle girl was a pretty, vivacious little thing, full of life, and quiteimpressed with the fact that she was Mr. Howell's daughter, as children broughtup in comparative luxury are apt to feel.
Whenshe was ten years old Ann was sent to a boarding school at
One day, while she and her brother were roaming in the field, theyattempted to cross a stream on a plank some workmen had left. There was abridge a little higher up stream, which would have been a great deal moreconvenient, but, on the lookout, as children generally are, for somethingwhereby they might get hurt, they spied this place with delight and attemptedto walk across it, wiggling and giggling so as to make it all the moreexciting, and of course they both fell in; first the boy and next Ann, who veryheroically tried to save her brother. [EndPage 7]
Someworkmen had been watching the performance at a distance and came to thechildren's rescue, but when they had been fished out they were apparently deadand their parents were sent for and informed that their children had beendrowned. You can imagine their grief, but everybody turned in and worked withthe children till they were finally brought to life.
Thisincident had the effect of sobering the little wilfulgirl. Being brought so near to death frightened herand she began to think more seriously.
Oneday she was sitting with her mama sewing (for little girls in those days weremade to sew by hand very beautifully, and knit and crochet and do fancy work,hours at the time, and did not have so very much time to play); well, as Isaid, as she was busy with some needlework, there came to their house somestrange men from America. One of them was the late apostle John Taylor.
Annwondered considerable at these men, for they were not like the ordinarybusiness men who used to come and visit her father, and of whom she took littlenotice. These men were so different. They talked about God, about a new prophetlike unto those that used to live in olden days, thatAnn had often read and heard about. And they spoke about the gospel of peace,which had again been brought to earth, and Ann listened and wondered. And Mr.and Mrs. Howell listened and wondered, too, and their hearts were touched. Theywere religious people and wanted to serve the Lord; but this was new andstrange to them, and they realized how they must, indeed, take up their crossif they would follow the Master; for in those days it was even more difficultfor people in better circ*mstances to embrace the truth than at this day, whenthe way has been made somewhat smoother by those who have traversed it.
Mr.and Mrs. Howell took up the cross and the little girl stood by and looked on,but soon she was made to feel that she too must take up the cross, if she wouldfollow, for persecutions began at once, and the once happy, peaceful home, wasnow no longer the same. [End Page 8]
Theyhad been so happy in their ease and enjoyment of this world's good things,slumbering securely, as it were, without any serious thought of what God reallyintended this life should be to His children. But now it was all so different. Theybegan to understand that we were sent here to work out our salvation and theysoon found that those who would live godly in Christ must suffer persecution,—and it began at once.
AnnHowell was no longer the well-to-do merchant's daughter; she was only a “Mormon”girl, one of those despised, misled and foolish people, at whom all the worldwas pointing the finger of scorn.
Oneday, Brother John Taylor took her aside with her parents andgave her a wonderful blessing, and though nowa vigorous old lady of some seventy years, the thatblessing is still with her and has been a com many times on life's stormy sea.
Annwas baptized when she was twelve years old, and soon after her father wascalled to go on a mission to
Afteropening the Gospel there, he returned to visit his family in
Itwas no small trial for Ann to leave her dear mother and brothers and hergrandfather, who was a wealthy old gentleman man and lived at
Beforeshe left, little Ann was requested to go on the stand, one Sunday at meetingand sing “Home, Sweet Home.” She sang it in her sweet childish voice, madetremulous at the thought of soon having to leave her home. Brother Taylor wasso delighted with her singing, that he had the song printed on pink silk andgave it to her as a keep-sake.
Life,for a “Mormon” girl, young as she was, among strangers, in a strange city,was not all pleasure. They were of course persecuted there as they had been intheir home and the language was quite an obstacle to be surmounted; however,Ann soon learned to speak French fairly well, and she [End Page 9] helped distribute tracts from house to house. Afterthree days or more, they would generally call for the tracts and if the peoplehad read them, Ann would give them some more and invite them to their meetings.
Manytimes the little girl was driven away with threats and she had to run as fastas she could to escape trouble.
Theywere located at a place called St. Mallow. It was among the poor, where theSaints have generally had to locate. The feeling of opposition was strongagainst them and at one time had it not been for the intervention of friends,Brother Howell would have been thrown into a pond of water.
BrotherHowell decided that it was best to leave the place and they immediatelyembarked for St. Servin to begin work there.
Attheir arrival, it being late in the day, they were unable to find lodgings andwere obliged to spend the night in the suburbs of the city, outdoors andwithout shelter.
II.
Afterfinding lodgings and beginning work again, Brother Howell and his daughter soonfound that persecution followed them wherever they went, and it was not longuntil mob violence forced them out in the grove where they had spent their firstnight at St. Servin. The mob followed them, however,but Brother Howell succeeded in eluding them until towards morning, when heleft his little daughter in the grove while he went into the city to ascertainhow matters stood at their lodgings. He told Ann to stay where she was and hewould soon return with some breakfast. But soon after his departure some of themob returned and finding the girl alone, took her with them. Ann had no ideawhat they were going to do with her, and was of course badly frightened. Shewept at the thought of her father's disappointment when he should come back andfind her gone. Near the entrance to the grove, they met a kindly-disposedwoman, who succeeded in inducing the mob to let her take the little girl incharge. The men were probably not sorry to get rid of the girl, since she wouldnot and could not tell anything about her father, and he was the one theywanted. [End Page 10]
Thekind lady, who lived near the entrance to the grove, took Ann to her home andgave her something to eat, for the child was nearly famished and worn out withfatigue and excitement.
Annkept a sharp look out from the window for her father, and when she saw thebottle green penwiper coat, the tall hat and her kindfather's anxious face beneath it, she ran as fast as she could to get to him. Sheovertook him as he reached the place where he had left her, and where he stoodmuch distressed at not finding her. Their joy at finding each other was greatand they thankfully returned to their lodgings.
MeanwhileSister Howell, who was an energetic woman, staunch in the faith and anxious todo all she could for the gospel’s sake, had been left to manage and carry on thebusiness at home in
Herfather was also much displeased with Sister Howell because she was contributinglargely of her means to help the cause along in
One day Sister Howell's brother came as a messenger from theirfather to persuade his sister to leave the Mormon Church. Their father had senthim with the express command for her to sever her connections with those peopleand to leave off sending money to
Thiswas an awful blow to Sister. Howell, who could not see how the cause in Francecould go on without the money she received from her father; yet she knew thatGod did not have to depend upon any one person; but she was so anxious to doand help this work along.
Shetold her brother that she was unable to comply with her father's wishes, as sheknew that it was safer for her to do the will of her Heavenly Father, than thatof her earthly father and that she was sorry, as she sadly needed her father'shelp.
Findingthat all his pleadings were vain, her brother returned to their father withthis message, and when the old gentleman heard it he became so enraged that he struckthe table with his cane and swore that on the next day he would send for hislawyer and she would be cut off without a penny. Her brotherplead for her to no purpose.
MeanwhileSister Howell went before the Lord and laid the matter in His hands. She askedHim to clear the way for her, that she might be able to carry out her heart'sdesire if it so pleased Him. She felt comforted after this and that evening shewent to prayer meeting.
Shehad not spoken to anyone about this trouble of hers, being a very reservedwoman, who always kept her own counsel.
TheSaints used to have spiritual feasts at their prayer meetings. They were allfull of this new and wonderful gospel and they were spiritually minded, seekingthe
SisterHowell went home supremely happy, knowing that the HeavelyFather would provide a way for her. She went to bed that night with thanksgivingin her heart.
Aboutmidnight she was awakened by a loud ringing of the door-bell and springing upin alarm she ran to the[End Page 12] door and there found her brother once more. He was in greathaste and told her to hurry, put something on, he had a carriage waiting totake her back to their father who was dying, but he wanted to see her beforehis death.
Howanxious was the daughter to see her father once more and say a few words ofcomfort to him before they should part for all time! But when they arrived ather father’s house he had gone beyond the pale of understanding the things ofthis world.
Theold gentleman had been taken severely ill soon after supper and he died beforemorning, without having recognized his daughter, but also without having hadtime to alter his will.
SisterHowell then was left in possession of her monthly allowance and also receivedher share of interest from a coal mine in which her father had been a partowner.
Shewas also able to help carry on the good work in
III.
WhenAnn Howell had been in
Asthe Church at Aberdare grew, the persecution increased;but the Saints did not grow faint-hearted or weary, for though the road wasnarrow and thorny it was often lighted up by glimpses of heaven. Many were themanifestations of spiritual gifts; and many miracles were performed tostrengthen the faith and testimonies of the Saints.
One day Ann saw a multitude of people surrounding the house of acollier,' who had just been carried home on a stretcher, apparently dying. Agreat lump of coal had fallen on his back and broken his spine. Ann went insidethe house with the crowd to learn something of the poor man's condition. He hadlately joined the Church but his wife had not. Great sympathy was felt for theman, and several doctors were sent for by various people. They held aconsultation and came to the conclusion that the man would only be able to livea couple of hours at the most. But the injured man whispered to his wife tosend for the “Mormon” elders. Brother Howell, who was President of the branch,came [End Page 13] with hiscounselors and they administered to the sick man and Brother Howell commandedhim in the name of Jesus Christ to arise from his bed. And those who stoodaround the bed heard the bones of the sick man's body crack as they slid backinto their places and the man arose from his bed and gave thanks to God for hismercy. Then the unbelievers could see that there had been a great miracleperformed, but they said that it had been done by the power of the evil one.
Oneafternoon, at a Sunday meeting, two girls, who had partaken of the sacramentunworthily, showed unmistakable signs of being possesedof evil spirits, and it frightened the people. The President of the conference,Brother Phillips, was present, and with some of the other brethernwent to the girls and rebuked the evil spirits. But the spirits spoke throughthe girls and said they could only be cast out by Brigham Young in
SisterHowell had a young girl working for her, whom she later adopted. This girl hadbeen brought up among the poorest of the poor and had never had an opportunityof learning anything, but she was gifted with wonderful musical ability. Shehad joined the Church and was a good, true girl.
Abouta week after her confirmation into the Church, she went to meeting and the giftof speaking in tongues was given to her in a most wonderful degree. When shearose to her feet she began to sing a most beautiful song. The words and musicwere blended harmoniously, and although it was in an unknown tongue and no onepresent understood it, everybody was delighted, and the sipritthat went with it was sweet and heavenly. The gift of interpretation was alsogiven her, and [EndPage 14] she interpreted it herself in song. Noone knew before then that the girl could sing; but after that she oftendelighted the people.
Oneday a gentleman named John McMamout, from
Aboutthe year 1850 Brother Howell was advised by the brethernto emigrate; so, accordingly, he sold out, and with his family started for thenew
A journey across the
IV.
In1852 Sister Howell, now the sole caretaker of the little family, prepared tobegin the journey westward. Brother Howell had brought with him quite acollection of books, which he had intended to add to a proposed public libraryin
Thisaccident saddened the whole company, of course, and Ann and her brothers wereheavy at heart, particularly Ann, who was her mother's comfort and mainstay. Butthe journey ended at last and it was a happy day, when they arrived in thevalley.
Theymet many friends and kind-hearted people, who were willing and anxious to helpthe newcomers along, but each one had enough in his own load.
Atthe time the Howells left their home Sister Howell's relatives had her part ofher father's property put in chancery, and if you have ever read Dicken's novels you have perhaps some idea of how verytedious were the proceedings of chancery. There the property remained forabout ten years and meanwhile the widow and her children often suffered for thenecessities of life.
Annwas now fourteen years old, a well-grown, tall and handsomelass, with the longings and aspirations of youth. She was obliged to goabout from place to place and sell shawls and other dry goods that her motherhad brought away from her store at
After a year and a half of struggling Sister Howell removed to
Shortlyafter Ann's marriage her husband found it necessary to go away from
Whileshe was rejoicing in the possession of this wonderful treasure, her poormother passed through another great sorrow; the youngest child, while playingaround the fireplace outdoors where the family cooking was done, fell into thefire and was so badly burned that he died a few days later.
Thefamily lived in a log house with the ground for a floor and had but few andcrude conveniences to help make cooking and the housework easy. Many a nightdid Ann weep herself to sleep worrying over the future, wondering where shewas to get the necessaries for herself and her child. Theyhad sold the small place her husband had, that he might get means for hisjourney to
Backin
Sothey wrote to the brother and told him that they were satisfied to live as theywere and would trust in the Lord and abide his time. He would help them out oftheir poverty.
Shortlyafter this Ann's husband returned, but without the golden fleece he hadexpected to obtain, and they took up the battle of life in a dugout some fewmiles from where her mother lived, and life went on with many trials andtribulations, [End Page 18] interspersedwith glimpses of sunshine, but always with the feeling of security and trust inthe Heavenly Father.
Theyshared the ups and downs of the people in general, mourned or rejoiced withtheir neighbors and they were all like one big family.
Whenthey had lived in
AccordinglySister Howell soon found herself in the dear old home once more and she waskindly received by her relatives. Her sister, who was married to a retiredAmerican consul, did all in her power to induce her to stay in
Beautiful mountain home
Where love is found
And joys abound.
What Saints from these would roam.
The world may despise
But dearly we prize
Our beautiful mountain home.
Itwas, of course, impossible for the rich lady to understand such love for awild, strange land, for she comprehended not the love for the Gospel and itsstrength, which had enabled her sister to bear with fortitude the many andfiery trials beneath which she would otherwise have sunk.
Sister Howell stayed in
V.
Leaves from Ann's Journal.
October,1854. My husband has gone to
March18th, '55.
Ihave been going to the home of a well-to-do widow— well-to-do as compared with the general poverty that prevails. Ihave been going there once a week, for the purpose of helping her with herwork, for which I have received my dinner and a loaf of bread as wages. Nomuch, to be sure; but it is better than nothing.
Yesterday,as I was going to my work, carrying my baby in my arms, and feeling weak andfaint from want of food, I dragged my limbs, for they felt like lead. As Ipassed the corner of a certain street, a woman came out of her door and offeredme a piece of bacon to take home with me. It was the first time I had beenoffered alms like that in the street and my eyes fell tothe ground; but they also filled with tears ofgratitude for I surely needed the bacon, and while mylips framed a reluctant refusal, my hands trembled with eagerness for it. Thesister saw my predicament and simply laid the gift in my hands and I thankedher and hurried back home to fry some of it. That, with some stale bread, didgive me more strength, and I went to my workfeeling very grateful.
We are very, very poor! We makecoffee out of bran,and we have neither milk nor butter; if we want sugarwe must make it ourselves and out of beets. We seelour good clothes, that we have brought from
BrotherG. tried to mix sawdust with his bread stuff; but it did not work very; it madethem all ill: still they had to eat what he had mixed up for it was tooprecious to waste.
Ohfor a few of the good things we had at home!
Wewere given a piece of meat by Brother V. He had been up in the mountains andcarried home a couple of dead animals that had died of starvation during thecold winter. Well, there was not much meat to it, and when it was boiled it wasblack; still it satisfied our hunger.
Theother day I tried to sing “Home Sweet Home;” I took out the pretty pink silk onwhich it is printed and which Brother John Taylor gave me back in dear oldWales, when he used to make his home with us, dear good man. But my voicefailed and I broke down and cried. But mother started up in her rich, cheerfulvoice:
“Oh
We bid thee farewell;
We're going to the mountains
Of Ephraim to dwell.”
ThenI dried my eyes and had to smile at mother's anxiety to set me right.
April18th, '58—Anarmy is coming to destroy us, so they say.
Johnson'sarmy, they call it.
Theyhave winterquartered out at Ham's Fork. It may betheir intention to destroy us: but
PresidentYoung has counseled the people to move south and we are all going. We have beenpacking up our few belongings; we haven't much, which is a consolation at thistime.
Ifthe soldiers prove as hostile as is feared, our men are going to set fire toour houses and cabins so that nothing but desolation will greet Johnston andhis men.
July—Weare at Provo Bottoms and just having a fine time. Mother andthe children and everybody here. And we are just enjoying ourselves,having happy sociable times in [End Page21] spite of the camp-life and the primitive conditions with which weare surrounded.
Wehave obeyed the counsel of our leaders and all will work out for our good. Inever thought we could have such a fine time in exile. We go visiting eachother and we women go in clusters down to the lake and bathe with the children.
Johnstonand his men seem very nice people in a way; they have come in peaceably and arescattering their abundance among the people—“All things worketh together for goodto them that love and serve the Lord.”
Andnow we must go back to our homes. It is almost with a feeling of regret that weleave, for we have found so many nice, congenial people, and we have certainlyenjoyed this bit of hardship.
August—At home in Brighamonce more. Oh, but it seems desolate! The Indians have burned up what littlefurniture we had left and taken out of our houses what they could use.
Thereis no grain for none has been stored, and there is nothing to harvest, fornothing was planted. What will we do for food for the little ones? But we musttrust in Him who never forsook us.
September—We have found a largepatch of segoes below the town, which seem to havebeen planted especially for us. They are fine, large and good tasting—not likethe small variety we children used to find, above town. Mother and I take oursacks and go down to the patch and dig quantities, along with our neighbors. Thefirst day mother heaved a deep sigh as she shouldered her sack and as I came upbehind her, tears came to my eyes at the sight. It doesn't matter about me, butmy poor hard-tried mother, who might now have been a lady at her ease back indear old Aberdare! But what benefiteth it a man if he gains the whole world, etc.
Now,we do not sigh any more, nor do I shed tears— only of gratitude for the food we have found. There are abouttwenty or thirty acres of the segoes I should judge;so I hope they will not give out soon.
November—I had occasion to go and see Sister B., thismorning and such a treat as I had; warm biscuits and honey. I never tastedanything so delicious. [End Page 22]
WhenSister B. returned from her exile she and the children found a patch ofmilk-weed flowers all covered with honey. They picked the flowers, rinsed themin a tub of water and afterwards boiled the fluid down. They obtained about agallon of honey. My, but it is good!
May18—Weare living on a farm at Three Mile Creek. I have had to ride the plough horse. Ithas nearly ruined my complexion, but that is not the worst annoyance, nor thegreatest danger that has threatened us on the farm. The Indians seem to be onthe warpath and we live in constant fear of an attack from them.
Ourneighbor, Sister Peters, was left alone one night. After going to bed, sheheard someone trying to open the door, and just as she threw herself againstit, she felt the weight of somebody from the other side. In spite of herefforts Sister Peters was forced back slightly and a bronzed arm shot throughthe aperture. Someway she got hold of the table and pulled it up in front ofthe door, and catching up the butcher knife, which lay on it, she ran the backof the knife along the arm, which was quickly withdrawn. Then she began toscream for her husband, who was nowhere near, but it had the effect of hustlingthe savages away.
November, 1860—Backagain to Brigham. Living in a small housethat leaks very badly; we sleep in the cellar close by the house, yet we arenot safe from the rain there; we have to sleep with umbrellas over our heads.
Manyof our men have to work at
Howmuch good cheer they have brought to our homes: for they furnished our men withwork and paid well for it.
We have been able to sell our products, such as we can raise at a good price, and they have scattered wagons, oxen,wagon-covers, clothes and many needed things among us. Who but an allwise Father could have sent the enemy with' the succorwe needed so badly. [End Page 23]
May,'63—Weare living in a dugout up here on the North Spring. The neighbors call it the
Forseveral mornings I was puzzled to find my milk-pan skimmed: could notunderstand what could have done it. So the other evening I sat down behind thedoor, with my knitting, to watch proceedings, and what was my surprise to see ahuge bull-snake come crawling out from the head of our bed and swayinggracefully toward my crude cupboard, began to skim my cream.
NowI cover my milk tightly.
Thisis a hidious place. Some days ago, I killed a rattlesnakewith my rolling pin, as he came crawling down the steps. I was just cookingsupper and the baby was on the floor or rather the ground, for we have no otherfloor. I was badly frightened.)
November,1863 The Indians have been troublesome for a long time, pilfering here andthere, scaring the women half to death. They stole a horse of ours and onenight they killed a man a few miles from here. So most of the men up here onthe spring formed a company, and went out to make an attack on them.
Myneighbor, Sister Jerusha Pierce—she is the daughter of the martyred Hyrum Smithand sister to the patriarch John Smith and also to Joseph F. Smith—well, shecame over to spend the day with me while our husbands were away. I had preparedlunch and we sat down comfortably to gossip a bit, thinking very little of theIndians or any other danger.
Allof a sudden we were nearly petrified with fright to see two of the bronzedterrors in full war paint and regalia standing in the doorway.
Inan imperative manner, they demanded bread, which I gave.
Thenthey apparently consulted together; after which one started toward Sister Jerusha pointing his gun at her. She fainted promptly and Ifelt like doing the same, but in this moment of pressing need, I rememberedhaving heard that an Indian has some little respect for a courageous woman, [End Page 24] so snatching the ax, whichwe kept behind the door, I raised it above my head and made for the nearestredskin. Much to my surprise, he lowered the rifle and dodging the swing I madeat him, laughed, and he and his companion quickly departed saying somethingabout a brave squaw.
Thenit was my turn to faint and meanwhile, Jerusha cameto, and two such bewildered looking objects as we must have presented I guessare seldom seen.
That'san experience I shall never forget, nor I think any ofus, for I never was so frightened in my life.
VI.
Leaves from Ann's Journal
October, 1864. We are going to move away fromhere. I am weary of fighting all these reptiles. A few days ago, while keepingthe flies off the baby's face as he slept on an improvised bed on the floor, Idiscovered, to my horror, a large tarantula crawling toward the child. I seizedthe broomstick, thrust the end of it at the tarantula and when it took hold ofthe thing which was provoking it I hurriedly put it into the fire.
July, 1865. Last week we Brigham dames andlassies gave a dinner in honor of President Brigham Young. It was quite anaffair for our small town. The tables were nicely decorated and we had a lotof good things. President Young seemed to hesitate before beginning to eat andlooked about the table apparently for something. At last he smilingly asked oneof the waitresses if she could procure him a bowl of buttermilk. We got it in ahurry and when he received it he was much pleased and seemed to relish thatmore than anything else on the table. While watching him at the table I couldnot help thinking, “He eats to live, and does not live to eat.”
May, 1866. Good tidings have come to us from
Wehave no money to travel with, but mother went to
1878. Mydear, faithful mother has passed away in full faith of the Gospel, for whichshe has suffered so much. When I think of the many harrowing trials she haspassed through since we joined the Church in old Wales, I can not help thinkingthat straight is the gate and narrow the way and few there are that find it;and if it wasn't, as Paul says, for the hope within us, we would of all peoplebe the most miserable. Cut often when she has been near to sinking under herheavy burden, some unseen hand held her up and helped her climb on. Peace be to her soul; she is gathered with my dear father and theynow no doubt understand the many whys and wherefores we are still ponderingover.
July,1883. Both my eldest sons and my husband are on missions. It is a great joy toknow and to feel that they are doing something for the great cause; and thatGod has blessed us with means so that we are able to help roll the work along.
December,1884. A great sorrow came to me some months ago. My next eldest son WilliamHowell Jones, who was laboring in the Southern States mission, came near losinghis life in a terrible mob violence in
Wereceived a telegram from
Hewas unhurt, but was coming home with the bodies of the other two brethren. Butoh! while my soul was rejoicing, the hearts of otherswere breaking in sorrow.
April,1889. The days of my youth have long since departed and I'm growing old; stillam I grateful for the comparative good health and strength with which I amblessed: neither do I feel old in my spirit; and I also have great need ofkeeping up a show of youthfulness, for I still have young children in my care: twoof my dear daughter's who died a few years ago, and one of my son's, who losthis wife.
Ah!the many heartaches and trials that make up life'sbitter school. And how many times we ask “Why, oh, Father,why must I drink this bitter draught?” Yet can I say,that He fits the back to the burden; so why complain! But life is just onething after another, and by the time you think that now perhaps you may relax alittle, something else turns up to tax your powers of endurance.
Ihave had a call to accept a five-years mission to the Sandwich Islands, wheremy husband is laboring, and he is ill at this time and as some of the familyought to go and it seems that I am best prepared to do so, why I guess I'll goand take the children with me.
October, 1891. After two years of missionary life in the
Whilethere I used to teach a Sunday School class of boysand girls, and how eager those boys and girls were to learn. I had taken withme a book, the story of the Bible, and I would read and explain to them fromthat, and they were so anxious to hear, that sometimes when they did not seethe book they would come up to me and say excitedly: “You forget you book Anni?” And when I would hold it up and show them theyseemed greatly pleased. We taught them in English.
Whileon the
Thequeen, a dark, lady-like woman, was splendidly dressed. She conversed well inEnglish and was very pleased. Her appearance was refined and she spoke in lowtones. I had the honor of entertaining her while the other sisters got thedinner ready and on the table.
Wespoke about the Book of Mormon and the ancestors of her people and she was muchpleased to have me tell of the Book of Mormon incidents. She expressed a greatdesire to possess that book and I afterwards bought the best copy of the Bookof Mormon that I could procure there and presented her with it, for which sheseemed much pleased.
Shetold me that she did not doubt that what she had heard was true, but it wouldbe impossible for her to embrace it, as she feared that that would cost her her throne. Poor thing, how uncertain are the things ofthis world! Her throne she may lose anyway; how much better to possess thefavor of the Lord. But I shall always remember her with pleasure.
Itwas with a feeling of sadness that I left many dear friends in the Hawaiiancountry, and I was much troubled in my heart about my prospective returnjourney, as I suffered much with seasickness going over. But my dear husbandgave [End Page 28] me a blessing andpromised me that I should not be ill a day nor anhour; that the sea should be calm and unruffled. Well, that promise wasverified, for I never felt better in my life than while crossing the great ocean, and the children reminded me of it the day we landed.
October,1893. I have been back east in
Myuncle, the merchant, and his wife, are orthodox Episcopalians and could nottolerate the “Mormons.” We had many a battle over our respective beliefs, andoften when they would speak disrespectfully about our leaders I could scarcelyhold my temper, but I bit my tongue and said, “God forgive you, for you don'tknow what you are fighting against.” That mollified them and they would excusetheir extravagant language.
Myuncle was ill for a while during my visit with them and communion was broughtto him from the church and after the ceremony my aunt offered the priestcigars, which he helped himself to.
Therewas great lamentation in my uncle's family because the priest was going away. TheLord had called him to
WhenI left my uncle's house I was sad at heart, knowing and feeling that the oneessential had been lacking in our intercourse [End Page 29] —truesympathy. They could not see the beauty of my religion, or would not, for theyclosed their eyes tight, that no ray of light might enter. But some day theveil will be lifted from their eyes, dear souls, then how surprised they willbe!
Whileeast I visited the World's Exposition at
Whilevisting (sic) my Uncle Esdras Howell at
Andnow I shall write no more in my journal. I know not whether my days be many or few, but while Ilive my soul rejoices in His goodness, Who led me over the rough places andnever forsook me.
Ido not regret any of my afflictions; I realize that they are part of life'sgreat training school. Out of my experience I have winnowed a few grains that Iwould like to give to the young and rising generation: Be honest always, andfirm; take your stand for what you know to be right and then stay by it;practice economy and work; be kind and just in your dealings and be not hasty. Andabove all remember that a fervent trust in the Almighty coupled with honesteffort will in time bring you anything you wish. Be cheerful. Under all mytrials and experiences I have tried to be cheerful and grateful.
“It is easy enough to be cheerful
When life goes by like a song,
But the man worth while (sic) is theman who can smile
Wheneverything goes dead wrong.” [End Page 30]
LEAVES FROM MY JOURNAL, 1851.
Myfather, William Howell, was a wonderful good man, born at St. Donnets,
Myfather was the first missionary to introduce the Gospel in
Wethen came to
Shortly after this I was married to my husband, Ricy Jones, and wemoved down to
BrotherSnow organized a, theatre and I was one of the first women to take part in it,being the very first one chosen. Later on they divided
Soonafter we came from
