-Au SIKIETOS:
TRAVELS AND MINISTRY
OF
ELDER ORS0>r HYDE,
MiSSIOXAKV or THE CHUttCH OB JeSU.S CHUIST of LAITKK-DAy fi.VIXTS
«;erilv]^y, cosstaktinople asd .ieru.salem,
OONTAININO
A DESCRIPTION OP MOUNT ZION, THE POOL OF SILOA^^I, AND OTHER ANCIENT PLACES,
AI>B SOME ACCOCNT OF TIIK
AIvD OTHER COUNTKIE.S, WITH IIEGAIID TO
COMING EVENTS AND THE RESTORATION OF ISRAEL.
COMPILED FEOM HIS LATE LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS,
T/iC lasl fif uhlch btars dale at Bavaria, on, the Danube Jan. 18 1842
PRtXTRT) AT THE
IJESKllKT NEWd OFFICE, SALT LAKK ClTr
1869.
>
Historian's Office Library
The Church of Jesus Christ ^ ^<^ of Latter-day Saints
P
P157h 1869
u
INTEODUOTION.
The circumstances which gave rise to this mission of Elder Hyde are quite peculiar and extraordinary; and in an American publication are thus described by himself: — "Something near eight years ago, Joseph Smith, a prophet and servant of the Most High God, did j)redict upon my head, that I should yet go to the city of Jerusalem, and be a watchman unto the house of Israel, and perform a work there which would greatly facilitate the gathering together of that people: the particulars of which it is not necessary to mention here.
"Year after year has passed away since that period, and my labors in the ministry have been contined to the Gentiles on both sides of the Atlantic.
"In the early part of March last (1840), I retired to my bed one evening as usual, and while contemplating and enquiring out, in my own mind, the field of my ministerial labors for the then coming season, the vision of the Lord, like clouds of light, burst upon my view. The cities of London, Amsterdam, Constantinople, and Jerusalem all appeared in succession be- fore me; and the Spirit said unto me, 'Here are many of the children of Abraham whom I will gather to the land that I gave to their fathers, and here also is the field of your labors.'
"A strict observance of the movements of the Jews, and a careful examination of their faith relative to their expected Messiah — the setting up of his kingdom among them, and the overthrow of the present king- doms and governments of the Gentiles, will serve to open the eyes of many of the uncircumcised, when faitlifuUy laid before them, that the great day of the Lord comes not upon them unawares as a thief.
"Take, therefore, jiroper credentials from my people, your brethren, and also from the Governor of your State, with the seal of authority thereon, and go ye forth to the cities Avhich have been shown unto you, and declare these words unto Judah, and say:— 'Blow ye the trumpet in the land: cry, gather together; and say, assemble yourselves, and let us go into the defenced cities. Let the standard be reared towards Zion. Retire! stay not; for I will bring evil from the north and a great destruction. The lion is come up from his tliiclcet, and the destroyer of the Gentiles is on his way, he is gone forth from his place to make thy land desolate, and tby cities sliall be laid waste without inhabitant. Spealc ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her that her warfare is accomplished — that her iniquity is pardoned, for she has received at the Lord's hand double for all her sins. Let your warning voice be heard among the Gentiles as you pass, and call ye upon tliem in my name for aid and for assistance. With
iv
yoii it mjittereth not whether it he little or much; but to me it bclongeth to sliow lavor unto them wlio sliow favor unto you. Murmur not, there- lore, neither he ye sorrowful that the jieople are slow to hear your petition; liut do as has heen told you. All things shall work togetlier for your good it you are humble and keep my commandments; for it must needs be that .ill men be li'ft without excuse, tliat a righteous retribution may bo awarded to all.'
"'^lany other things were siiowu and told me in the vision which
■ •ontinued open for a numl>er of hours, that I did not close my eyes in >lcep."
In obedience to the foregoing, Elder Hyde proceeded to lay the cir- ciunstances before the authorities of the Cliurch, and before the (jovernor of till' State of Illinois, who gave their hearty sanction to the mission, .-iud from whom he oljtained the following documents: —
l.i-tlevof coinmrtidaUon from the Cov/erence at Nauvoo, to Elders Orson Hyde <iud John K. Pope, (iiipoiiithii/ and confirming their appointment to the uork If hereunto they have betn called.
•'To all people unto whom tlicse jiresents shall ronic, (iREKXiNO.
l?e it known that we, tlie eonstitiited ruthorities of the Church of Jesus <'hrist of Litter-' ay Saints, a-seinbled in Conference, at Nauvoo, Ihmeoek • oiintv, ami State of Illinois, on this sixth dav of .Vpril, in the year of our l,or(l,"one thousand eiudit humired and forty, eonsi{h'r :ui iniporant event at liaiui — an event involving the interest and fate of the (ientiie nations throuj^h- <iut the world. From tlie signs of the times, and from dei-larations eontained in llie or.icles of God we are lor ed to eome to tiie this > onehision. Tlie .Ievvl>h nation have been scattered abroad among the Genliles for a long period; and, in. our estimation, the time of the commencement of their return to the 'holv land' has ahx-aity arrivi^l.
As this scattered and persecuted people are set among the Gentiles as a sign unto them ol the secjoiul comin;; ol the Messiah, and also, of the overthrow of tin- present kin doms and g 'vernments of the earth by tlie potency of his AhiMj:hiy arm, in scattering famine and pestilence like the frosts and snows of winter, and in scndiiii,' tlie sword, with nation against nation to hallu? it in oich other- blood; it is lii-hly imjxirlaiit, in our o|)inion, that the present views and movciiicMts of the .Jewish [icople b' souLjIit alter, and laid bclor- the .Vmeriein people for their consideration, their prolit ami their learning; feeling it to be our duty to em|)loy the mos elHcient means in our power to save the liiildren of men from tlur'ab')mination th it makeili desol <te' we hive, by the
■ ou selofthell ly Si)iril, a|moinic(l Elders ()r>()n Hyde and .John \\. I'age, the bearer- of these iiresents, raitiilul aiul woithy ministers of .Jesus Christ, to be our ;);;ents and representatives in foreign lands, to visit the cities of Lon- don, Amsterdam, Constantinople and Jernsak^m, and also other phutes whicii they may deem expedient; to converse with the priests, rulers, and elders of the .Ji^ws, and obtain from them all the inrorm Uion possible; and eoiunui- nieale tiie same to some prmcipal papers Ibr iiublicatiou, that it niay havc a ^'eneral circulation throUL,diout the Uniteil Sates.
As .Messrs. ll.vile and I'a^^o have willingly and cheerfully accepted tho appointment to become our servants and tiie servants of the public in distant aiul foieign countries lor Ciirist's sake, we do conlideiitly recommend tiiem to all re.i^iious and chri>tian peoi)le and to ladies and gentlemen m;ikiny; no jtrolession, as worth v mcmlieis of society, possessin;^ much zeal to prcmote ilie hap|>ini's of inanUind; fully lielieviiig that they will be forward to render lliem all the pecruniarv aid they need, to ac(V'm|>lish this laborious and hazarti- oiis mission, fortius >:eneral jjood ol' the human family. .Ministers of every .'.(nomination upon wIp :i tiicse Lreiitlemen >hall call, are requested t > hold np their hands, and ai I them bv their inlluence. with an assurance tli;it such a^ do llii.i shall have the prayers and blessings of a 'poor and an alUieted
people,' who have tested the depths of their sincerity, and love for their re- ligion, by the sacriti -e of their blood upi>n a land, shadowed by the stripes and stars of political and religious liberty. Given under our hands at the time and place before mentioned."
(Signed) JOSEPH SMITH, Jr., Chaikman,
Robert B. Thompson, Clerk.
From the Governor of Illinois.
QuiNCY, Illinois, April 30th, 1840. Having been informed that the Revd's Orson Hyde and .John E. Pago, elders in the church denominated Latter-' ay Saints, are about to depai-i on their mission to Europe and having heard the former gentleman preach — and having been made acquainteil to some extent with the characters of both, it atfords me pleasure to say, that I was much pleased with the sermon delivered by JMr. Hyde; and the reputation of both gentlemen for talents and christian like deportment, so lar as I have bi.'cn made acquainted, an- unexceptionable; and as such, believe them to be entitled to the respect and kind treatment of all.
(Signed) THOMAS CARLTN.
Governor of Illinois.
UNITED STATES OF NORTH AMERICA, ]
State of Illinois, J ' * I, Alexander P. Field, Secretary of State, of the State of Illinois, one of the United States of North America, and keeper of the great seal of said Stute, do hereby certify that Thomas Carlin, who took and signed the fore- going certificate, is now, and was at the time of signing the same, Governor of the State aioresaid, duly elected tind qualilied to oHice, with full power by the laws of this State to issue certificates as aforesaid; that said certificate is in (due form of Liw, and that full faith and credit are due his official attestations. In testimi'uy whereo , I have hereunto set my hand, and the * — >—,'■■: greiit seal of State, at the city of Springfield, this tnenty-
] li.s. [ second day of M;iy, in the year of our Lord, one thousand
,!..•— ,~^ e ght hundred and forty, and of the independence of the United
States, the sixty -fourth.
(Signed.) A, P FIELD,
Secretary of State."
A SKETCH
OF THE
TllAAELS AND MINISTRY
OF
ELDER ORSOM HYDE.
LETTER I.
Trieste, January 1, 1842. Dear Brethren of the Twelve,
As the blushing orb of light from his eastern temple sends forth, thii- morning, over Alj)ine heights, his streaming columns of golden bright- ness to greet the eartli with a happy new year, welcome its arrival, and crown it with celestial radiance, I might be justly ehargetl with ingratitude towards a gracious and merciful Providence, and a want of generosity and reciprocal kiiidiiess towards my brethren, did I neglect to acknowledge the kind aid aiul protection which Heaven lias granted me in answer to your faith and ])rayer9. Permit me, therefore, to commence jny letter by wishing you all "a hnp}> , n<w year;''' and through you. allow me to extend the same wish to all the saints, both in Eoglanil anil America; and jjarticnldrli) to ni)/ ivft^ (ind drar little cfii'dren.
I am liap])y to improve the opportunity, which this hour affords, of writing to you, and tliat )ya|)piness is increased by a lirui couA'iction. that a letter from your unworiliy brother, in the Lord, Mill be receivetl ))y you with a frieiulship and cordiality corres^wnding to those which now animate my bosom.
."^ince it has pleased tlie Lord to grant unto me health and prosperity — to protect me from the dangers of the elements — from the i)lague and j)estilence that have carried death and mourning on their wing, and re- turn me again in safety to a land of civilized life, denumd my lugliest gratitude, as well as demonstrations of praise and thanksgiving to lli.< exalted name.
As a meml>er, tlierefore, of your honorable (piorum, bearing, in common with you, the resi»oiisibility under which Heaven has lai(l us, to s]»read the word of life auioiig the perishing nations of the earth, I will say, that, tm the lilst of October last, "niy natural eyes, for tlie lirst time, helu'ld" Jerusalem; and as I gazed upon it and its environs, tlu- moun- tains and hills bv which it is surrounded, and considered, that this is the stage upon whicli s<j nuiny scenes of wonilers have been enacted, where l)rophet8 were stoned, and the Saviour of sinnere slain, a storm t»f
TRAVKLS AND MINISTRY OF ELDER ORSON HYDE. 7
commingled emotions suddenly arose in my breast, tlie force of which was only spent in a profuse flow of tears.
I entered the city at the west gate, and called on Mr. Whiting, one of the American missionaries at that place, to whom I had a letter of intro- duction from Monsieur Murrat, our consular agent at Jaffa. Mr. W. said, that in consequence of the unsettled state of his family, (having just removed to the house which he then occupied,) he was sorry to say it would not be convenient for him to invite me to share his hospitality; but very kindly went with me to the Latin Convent, which is a sort of hotel or home for strangei's, and there engaged tor me my board and lodging at a reasonable compensation, and said that he would keep a little Avateh to see that I was well taken care of. This exj^ression of kindness <lid not escape my notice.
After I had been there an hour or two, Mr. Sherman, another American missionary, accompanied by a Mr. Gager, from America, who, I think, was a licentiate from the Presbyterian or Congregational Church, called on me, and after some considerable conversation ujwn the state of affairs in general, in America, I introduced to them the subject of my mission to that place, and observed, that I iiad undertaken to do a good work in the name of the Lord, and had come there for a righteous purpose, and wished their co-operation and friendly aid. They ajssured me that they should be bappy to render me any assistance in their ix)wer to do good. I thanked them for their kindness, and observed, that as I had had little or no rest since I left Beyrout, I felt worn down with fatigue and a want ■of sleep, as well as being almost overcome by the excessive heat, and that I also wished to arrange some documents which I had, and then I should be happy to enjoy the privilege of an interview with them, and with Mr- Whiting at the same time. They said they would iudulge me in my request at almost any time.
I had sent a lengthy communication to the Jews in Constantinople, in the French language, but had reser\-ed a copy of it in the German. As this document set forth, clearly and plainly, the object of my mission there, I translated it into English in order that I miglit lay the facts be- fore them in as clear a i^oint of light as possible.
Accordingly, after wearied nature had sufficiently reposed under sleep's balmy and refreshing shade, I called on Mr*. Whiting, according to previous arrangements and Messrs. Sherman and Gager soon came in. After the usual salutations were passed, and. all quietly seated, I expressed to them mj' gratitude for that opportunity of bearing testimony to the glorious reraiity, that the Lord was about to visit his people, and also my gratitude to Him whose hand had been stretched out for my safety and protection, and also to bear me onward to the place where mercy, with all her celestial charms, was embodied in the person of His own Son.
I then t( ok the liberty of reading the document containing the object of my mission there, and were it not for its length I would here hisert it. After it was read, all sat in private meditation until Mr. Gager interrupted the silence by asking wherein the the doctrines of our cliurch differed from the doctrines of the established orthodox churclies. I replied as follows:— "There are so many different kinds of orthodox doctrines, all differing one from the otlier, that it might be difficult to determine which one to be the standard by which ours should be tried; but, said I, with your permission, I will set forth and explain to you the principles of our faith, and then you can determine for yourselves" wherein they differ from others." So, begining at the Ministiation of the Angel of the Lord, I expounded unto them many things concerning the rise of the churcli, its organization and ordinances, and form and order of its government, after which Mr. Sherman spake as follows: —
"Now, we are here trying to do all the good we can, and have been for some length of time; and what more would you liave us do, or wliatmore can we do?" I replied after the following:— "It aj pears to me, even
8 TRAVELS AND MINISTRY OF
alloAviug your o:lU^;e to l)e Just and rijrht, that your time is spent here ta little or no ]>urp<)se; not, ho\rtvi>r, that I Avoukl ho understood as chargr- injJT you \vilh idleness or inattention; t)ut the stronj; and deep rootefl j)reiudiees which reijrn in ti)e hreasts of the pe<ij)le here against you, that they will not even allow yoa to educate their children, when yoii propose to do it gratuitously, nnist render your Ud)ors extremely limited; and, further, the genius ot" yotrr p( licy docs not admit of youv nuiking that exertion Avhieh the Siiviodr of' the Morld rcipiired fiis servrnts- to make in fonner days. You receive a salary from a home institution,, and hy that institution you are directetf to remain fiere whether tlu- people will hear you or :iot; whereas the Saviour taught iiis diciples to de]>art, and shake the dust from their feet, against that house, city, or jHH)ple, that would not hear thein, and not feijcnil their labor for that which did not profit."
To this Mr. Gager replied, — "Although flic fruits of our labors do 7iot inunediatcly ajijiear, we ought not to he discou ratted. "We may labor: and other men" may enter into our labors. Tlie husl)amlman, alter he- hath sowed the scch'I, A\-aitcth patiently until it hafh rec-eived tfie former and latter rains; and, as the days of miracles are i)ast, we cannot expect men to act noA\ under the immediate direction of the. Saviour as they then did." I might have here obseived, that it would be a great tax upon the j)atieneo of the husbandman, if it did not quite exhaust it, to sow his seed yearafter year, and reaj) no fruits of his lalior. Jiut
I replitxl, thiit i/iiracles had Vruly ceased; hut, said I, why have they c-eased? Mr. (^aLier sai(/, decause they were not necei^sary. 1 made answer, that Jesus formerly sai<i to thepeople, "accorcfing to thy failh he- it done unto thee;" and said 1, I presume he is of the same mind still: but the ])eoi)lehave no faith in the power of tJod, therefore no miraculous favors are shown them; and because the reli.i^ious world have lost sight of their high ])rivile!:es, the horizon of their minds beclouded, and faith driven froin their hearts by the vain and foolis/i tiTU^Iitioni? of uninsj)ired n>en, the Lord hath sent a"ii holy Angel from the Jemple of Light, bear- ing to the earth truth's unfadcd laurels, and has boldly asserted the righti^ and privik^^es of tdl who w<»uld seek tlie face and favor of the MOST Hicai. But against this heavi'uly message, sti-eamiug from the ?)osom of a eomj)assionate (Jed, with the purest love and tir.od-v<ilI to a fallen Ts>ee, and beaming in the face of men with celestial radience, is arraign- ed the ct/ld-licnted i)iejudices of an unbelieving woihf. Well did the- Savior ask this question. — " When the son of num cometh, shall ho find faith on the earth?" With this testimony have I come t«^ Jerusakni : and in the name of my master, who liere bore our sins, in his own hfxly, on the tree, I warn all men, so far as I have opportunity, to f)eware liow they lift their hands or their voices against it, for, by the voice of the I^ord from Heaven, am I made a witness of the eternal reality of what I have declared.
Mr. AN'hiting then askerl if we acknowledged any to be christians except those whf> endirared our doctrines and joined our church? To this 1 replied in the following manner:— "Wo believe there are many in all the different churches, w it h man.^- also Avhoare externally attached to no church, who serve the Lord accoidiiig to the best liijfit and knowledge they have, and this service is unquestionably acceptable in His si-:ht ; and thoAe who Jnivedied in this condition ha\-e'no douPit g»»rie to receive tin; rt-uard of Iheirlabors in the mansions of rest. Jiut slioufd tlu-Lonl be pleased tosend more light an I truth into the uorhl, or ri'vixc those [irinciples of tvutli, whicli liave bee;i made to yield their sovereignty to the o[)ini*)ns of men, a)><l thev refns(> to r<'«vivc tluTu, or walk in them, their .service would cease to' be accejttable to the I.(»rd, and with no degree of proi)riety could we acknowledg«- thenj true christians; and we do know, and are sure, that the Lord has caused more liglit to shine, and that he will hold none ginltles.s who refuse to walk in it after the means of obtaining it artr bixiught to tlieir kuowled>,'e, and placed within their reach." These were
c/>
ELDER OBSON HYDE. 9
hard sayings. They observed, that they could not say tliat these things were not as I had said ; but to them they appeared incredibly strange.
I then requested that some of tliem wouhi do me the favor of an introduction to some of tlie principal Jews in the place ; but this request was greeted with a number of Aems, which commonly mean no more than to allay a little irritation, or tickling in the throat; but on this occasion, from the peculiarity of their tone and cadence, I judged they wished to be a little metaphorical, and so used the term figuratively to mean the following: — "We have our scruples about complying with your request, lest it might detract from our influence and popularity." They observed, that Mr. Johns, the English Consul, might l)e the most projier man to grant me the desired favor. I replied, that I knew as little of ]\Ir. .Johns as I did of any Jew in Jerusalem, but that I would not insist u])on my request being- granted. Mr. Whiting then remarked, that he should have no particular objections to do it, but that it could not be well attended to until a day or two hence. This reminded me of a circumstance in EAgUuid, where duty once led me to call upon a clergyman to do me a little favor, but he said he could not grant it, because I had not come recommended by any one with whom he was acquainted. I replied that I was very sorry to be so unfortunate on that occasion, as to be recommended by none but ray master, who was the Savior of the world. The two are not exactly similar, yet the former reminded me of the latter. I thanked Mr. W., however, for his kindness, and our interview closed. The fact is, God has one system of etiquette, and reciprocity and this sign-seeking generation has another. I he former is hospitality and kindness to the stranuer ; but the latter is — be very cautious and particular that you render him no assistance, neither show him favor unless he come recommended by our party, or by some others who are honorable and orthodox, like ourselves. But no man is justifiable in the eye of humanity, in the eye of the gospel, or in that eye that never sleeps, in rejecting the reasonable petition of a stranger, though he do not come clothed with letters from the chief priests, scribes, and elders of the people ; and it is what no irent.eman will do, unless his frankness and liberality have become blasted by the chilling winds of a sectarian atmosphere.
AVith what feelings of commingled pity and contempt does every Latter-day Saint, whose mind has thoroughly canvassed the piinciples of our faith, and in whose heart dwells that "unction from the Holy One," look upon that want of generosity and frankness, which he is often compelled to witness, when he knows that in his own bosom, independent of a boasting spirit, or any desire of vain glory, are jewels of light, truth, and knowledge, as far superior in lustre to anything which they possess, as the purest diamond is to the common pebble of the rivulet.
I concluded, however, that I would try to discharge my duty before God, without subjecting any one to the humble mortification of giving me an introduction. For myself, I feel not very jealous of my i)opularity where the cause of truth requires me to hazard it, and am not so very particular. If my name be only recorded in heaven, on the list of the sanctified, it will abundantly compensate me for the sacrifice which duty calls me to make of it among men. Let them, therefore, look upon me as they may, a deceiver or a deceived, a wise man or a fool. I feel very thankful to the Lord for what mine eyes have seen, mine ears have heard, and, more than all, for what my soul has experienced; and it is my constant prayer to an overruling Providence, that his free grace may be amply sufficient to bear me triumphantly through life's conflicting scenes, that my heart may swell the notes of praise and thanksgiving for ever and ever to Him who died to save me and wash me from my sins, in his own most precious blood.
Summoning up, therefore, what little address I had, I procured a valet d'place, or lackey, and proceeded to the house of Mr. Simons, a very respect d)le Jew, who, with some of his family, liad lately been converted and joined the English Church. I entered their dwelling. They had
10 TRAVELS AND MINISTRY OF
just sat down to enjoy a dish of coffee; but immediately arose from the table to meet me. I spake to them in German, and asked them if they spoke English; tliey immediately replied "Yes," which was a very agreeable sound to 'my ear. They asked me, in German, if I spoke English. I replied, " Ya, Mein Herr." I then introduced myself to them, and, with a little apology, it passed off as well as though I had been intr(Mluc*e(l by tlie Pacha. With tiiat glow of warmth and familiarity, which is a peculiar trait in the German character, they would have me sit down and take a dish with them ; and as T began to relate some things relative to my mission, the smiles of joy which sat upon their counten- ances, bespoke hearts not altogether indifferent. There are two ministers of the Chureh of England there. One was confined to his bed by sick- ness, and the other, a (lerman, and a Jew by birth, soon came in. After an introduction, I took the lil)erty to lay open to him some of our prin- ciples, and gave him a copy of the communication to the Jews in Constan- tinople to read. After he had read it, he said that my motives Avcre undoulitedly very good, but (nu'stioncd the pn)j)riety of my undertaking, from the fact that I claimed (Jod had sent me. If, indeed, I had gone to Jerusalem under the direction of some missionary board, or society, and left God out of the question altogether, I should have been received as a celestial messenger. How truly did our .Savior speak, when he said, "I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not; but if another were to come in his own name, him ye would receive." I replied, how- over, that so far as I coubl know my own heart, my motives were most certainly good ; yet, said 1, no better than the cause which has brought me here. But he, like all others who worship a («od "without body or parts," said that miracles, visions, and prophecy had ceased.
The course which the ]iopular clergy pursue at tliis time in relation to the Divine economy, looks to me as though they would say: "O Lord! we will worship thee witb all our hearts, serve tiiee with all our souls and be very jiious and holy. We will even gather Israel, convert the heathen, and bring in the millenium, if you will only let us alone that we may do it in our own way, and according to our own will. IJiit if you speak from lieaven to interfere with our i)lans, or cause any to see visions, or dream <lreams, or prophecy, wherel)y we are disturlted or int^rrujited in our worship, we will exert all our strength and skill to deny wliat you say. and charge it home uj^ou the devil or some wild fantastic spirit, as being its author."
That which was looked ui)()n by the ancient Paints, as among the jrreatest favors and blessings, vi/,., Revelation from (Jod and communion with Him by dreams and by visions, is now lookeil upon by the religious world as the height of presum2>tion and folly. Tlie ancient Saints considered their condition most deplorable when Jehovah would not Hpcak to them; but the most orthodox religionists of this age deem it quite heterodox to even admit the proi)ability that He ever will sj)eak again. O, my soul! language tails to paint the al)surility and abomination of sueh heaveii-oitposing, aii<l truth-excluding dogmas; ami were it pos- sible for thosi' bright seraplis tiiat surround tlie throne al)ove, and bask in the sunbeams of immortalily, to weep over the ineonsisteiiey and irra- tionality of mortals, the earth must be i)edewed with celestial tears. INIy humble advice to all such is, that they rci)ent and east far from them these wicked traditions, and be baptized into the lu-w and everlasting covenant, lest the Lord speak to them in His wrath, and vex them in His sore displeasure.
After some consideral)le eonversation ni)on the i)rit'sthood a)id the renewal of the covenant, 1 called upon bini to repent ami lie baptized for the remission of his sins, that he might receive the gift of the Holy ( !host. "What!" said he, " / he liaptized! " "Yes," said I, ".j/ou i)e baptized." "Why,"' said he, "I have been baptized already!" I n-plicd something after the following: — " Vou have, probai)ly, l)een sprinkled, Imt that has lio more to do with baptism than any other ordinance of man's device;
•^^(x)
V
ELDER ORSON HYDE. H
and even if you had been immersed, you would not have bettered your condition, for your priesthood is witliout power. If, indeed, tlie Catholic church had power to give you an ordination, and by that ordination confer the priesthood upon you, they certainly had power to nullify that act, and take the priesthood from you ; and this power they exercised when you dissented from their communion, by excluding you from their church. But if the Catholic church possessed not the priesthood, of course your claims to it are as groundless as the airy phantoms of heathen myth- ology ; so view the question on which side you may, there is no possible chance of admitting the validity of your claims to it. Be it known there- fore, that ordinances performed under the administration of sucli a piiest- hood, though tliey may even be correct in form, will be found destitute of the seal of that authority by which Heaven will recognize His own in the day when every man's work shall be tried: thougli a priesthood may be clothed with the wealth atid honors of a great and powerful nation, and command the respect and veneration of multitudes whose eyes are blinded by the thick veil of popular opinion, and whose powers of reflection and deep thought are confused and lost in the general cry of "great is Diana of the Ephesians," yet all this does not impart to it the divine sanction, or animate it with the spirit of life and power from the bosom of the living God; and there is a period in future time, when, in the smoking ruins of Babel's pride and glory, it must fall and retire to the shades of forgetfulness, to the grief and mortification of its unfortunate votaries.
In consequence of his great volubiUty, I was under the disagreeable necessity of tuning my voice to a pretty high pitch, and of spacing short between woixls; determining that neither his greatness nor learning should shield him from the shafts of a faithful testimony: but there is more hope of those Jews receiving tlie fullness of the gospel, whose minds have never been poisoned by the bane of modern sectarianism, Avhich closes the mouth of Diety, and shuts up in Heaven all the angels, visions, and prophecyings.
Mrs. Wliiting told me that there had been four Jewish people in Jeru- salem converted a-d baptized by the English minister, and four only; and that a part of the ground for an English church had been purchased there.
It was by political power and influence that the Jewish nation was broken down, and her subjects dispersed abroad; and I will here hazard the opinion; that by political power and influence, they will be gathered and built up; and, further, that England is destixed, in the wisdom and economy of fleaven, to stretch forth the arm of political power, and advance in the front ranks of this glorious enterprise. Tlie Lord once raised up a Cyrus to restore the Jews, but that was not evidence that He owned the religion of the Persians. Tliis opinion I submit, however, to your superior wisdom to correct, if you shall find it wrong.
There is an increasing anxiety in Europe for the restoration of that people ; and this anxiety is not confined to the pale of any religious com- munity, but it has found its way to the courts of kings. Special ambas- sadors have been sent.and consulsand consular agents have been appointed. The rigorous policy which has hitherto characterized the course of other nations towards them, now begins to be softened by the oil of friendship, and modified by the balm of humanity. The sufferings and privations under which they have groaned for so many centuries, have at length touched the mainsprings of Gentile power and sympathy ; and may the God of their fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, fan the flame by celestial breezes, until Israel's banner, sanctified by a Savior's blood, shall float on the walls of Old Jerusalem, and tlie mountains and valleys of Judea reverberate with their songs of praise and thanksgiving to the Lamb that was slain !
The imperial consul of Austria, at Galatz, near the mouth of the Danube, to whom I had a letter of introduction from his cousin in Vienna, told me, that, in consequence of so many of their Jewish subjects being
12 TKAVKIiS AND MINISTRY OF
int'linod of late to remove to Syria and Palestine, }iis government had ost«l»lislied a sreneral consulate at Beyront for their i>rotection. There are many JcWrt who tare notliiiiir al)oiit Jerusalem, and have no retrard for God. Money is all the jrod they Avoi-ship; yet there are many of the more i)ious and devf)nt amonir them, wlio look towards Jerusalem as the tt-ndi'r and affectionate mother looks upon the home where she left her lovely little Italic.
You will discover hy this hotter, and more particularly hy the one written from AU'X nndria, to l-'ldcr Pratt, in Manchester, England, that, throuuh the Lrocidncss of the Tiord, I have Itecn eiuihled to accomplisli that which was told me i)rophetically, several years ago, by Brother Joseph .Smith.
Though the blustering snow-storm has thrown the gorgeous folds of liis royal ermine over the mountain toj^s, which half encircle us on our north and <'ast as we lie herein (iu;ir;intine, yet tlicii'sides towards the base, beau- tifully terraced and thickly set with vines and olives, though not in their summer dress, present a M-idcly-extcnilcd scene of rural beauty and loveli- ness. All the irn'iiularitics ainl dcrormitie-^ of natui'c (if, indeed, there sire any. i aie i-omplctely lost in the dist;int view, thou^di we gaze througli the ship's pf)werful mairniliiT; so. when the eye of imaginition survej's the Saints far in the west, their faults and foibles are lost in the distance, lif, indeed, any they hnve,) and nothing but their virtues appear, which render their society very inviting and extremely desirable. The simple unrestrained language of my heart is — I want to see my brethren, for in their bosoms, I am sure, is a corresponding echo which, —
" TJkp the harp wlieii the zephvr is si'ziiinpc To tt*e hreath of tli:u z(>phyr. in iiiuxi(! replying, JViendship can treiul)Ie with feelings as true."
I have just been upon deck to witness the king of day retiring in his robes of state to the western i)ortions of his kingdoms, to proclaim there, in proj)ri f pr./:sonce, the advent of ls42, after opening ami lightiULr up the glo y of the new year in the east. As his yolden disc was sinking behind the western rim of the deej) blue waters of the Adriatic, and 'browing back, in rich jirofusion, his soft and glowing beam upon the clear blue sky. witli a radiance lunl splendor jK'Culiar to none but him, thought I, oh, that thou couldst take a thought or good wish from me and bear it ou the p ithv-ay of one of thy golden beams to my dear little family, which perhaps at this moment is pouring his noomhiy splendor obli(juely ujion the h(»nu' where they dwell. Hut another thought suecee<led— I will not be as'in-worshipper. There is a Beimr whose throne is liiuh, and whose glorious imaire shines f(»rth in the mirror of all His works to feast the jnental cvi- and soothe the anxious heart, "His ear is not heavy that He vannot bear, neither is His arm shortened that He cannot save ;'" to F-flM, therefore, will I send a thought on the breath of my eveninir devotion, and cxi»;ess the w;<h that His favor ma.v gladden and'cheer the cot where iiwell all my earthly hopes and earthi.v riches: therefore, tarry not for me thou ;:lurious orb of li^ht, but speed thy course onward in the circuit of the heavens, to liLdit the shores of other climes, and to roll in the hour when the dead, small and great, shall stand bcbre (iod.
Jerusalem at this time contains about twenty thousand inhaliitants; about seveJi thousin<l are Jews, and the remainder mostl.v TurUs ami Arabs. It is enclo>ed by a sfronir wall from live to ten feet thick. On those .>;idcs which arc most acces'il)le, ami c<iMse(|uently most exposc<l to an attack, the wall is thickot, and well mounted with cannon; it is from twelve to Ihirt.v feet in heiirht. The city is situate<l at the south-eastern extremity of an incd ne<l plain, with the valley of Kedron on the east, and tlie valle.vs of Hinnom and (iihon on the south and west, all converging to a point in the valley of Jeho.saphat, south-east of the city : from the eastern ;rati' of the city to the top of Mount Olivet, as you pass through the valley of Kedron, is ju.st about one English mile. On tlie toj) of this
/y/
ELDER ORSON HYDE. 13'
mount you have a fair view of the Dead Sea and river Jordan, which are about fifteen miles in the distance. As I stood upon this almost sacred spot and gazed upon tlie surrounding scenery, and contemphited the history of the past in connection witii tlie prophetic future, I was lost in wonder and admiration, and felt almost ready to ask myselt— Is it a reality that I am here gazing upon this scene of wonders? or, am I carried away in the fanciful reveries of a niglit vision? Is that city which I now look down upon really Jerusalem, whose sins and iniquities swelled the Savior's heart with grief, and drew so many tears from his pitying eye? Is that small enclosure in the valley of Kedron, where the l>oughH of those lonely olives are waving their green foliage so gracefully in the soft and gentle breeze, really the garden of Gethsemane, where powers infer- nal poured the flood of hell's dark gloom around the princely head of the immortal Redeemer? Oh, yes! The fact that I entered the garden and plucked a branch from an olive, and now have that branch to look upon, demoui^trates that all is real. There, there is the place where the Son of the Virgin bore our sins and carried our sorrows — there the angels gazed and shuddered at the sight, waiting for the order to fly to his rescue; but no such order was given. The decree had passed in heaven, and could not be revoked, that he must suflTer, that he must bleed, and that he must die. What bosom so cold, what feelings so languid, or what heart so unmoved that can withold the humble tribute of a tear over this forlorn condition of the Man of Sorrows ?
From this place I went to the tombs of the prophets in the valley of Jehosophat, and on my way around the city, I entered the pool of Siloani and freely washed in its soft and healing fountain. I found, plenty of water there for baptizing, besides a surplus quantity sent off in a limpid stream as airrateful tribute to the thirsty plants of the garden in the valley. The Pool of Bethsda. which had Ave porches, yet remains in the city, but in a dilapidated state, tliere being plenty of water to meet tlie demands of the city of a better quality, and more convenient — this vast reservoir is consequently neglected. This jdooI was unquestionably as free and acces- sible toall the people of Jerusalem as the Thames is to tiie Cockneys, or the Mississippi to the people of Nauvoo; and from its vast dimensions, it would certainly contain water enough to immerse all Jerusalem in in a day; so the argument against the doctrine of immersion, on the ground that there wjis not water enough in Jerusalem to immerse three thousand jiersons in in one day, is founded in an ov^er anxiety to establish the tradi- tions of men to the subversion of a gospel ordinance; and it will be borne in mind also, that the day of Penticost was in the month of May, just at the close of the rainy season, when all the pools and fountains in and about the city were flush with water.
What were ancieiitiy called Mount Zion and Mount Calvary, are both within the present walls of the city. We should not call them mountains in America, or hardly hills; but gentle elevations or rises of hind. The area of what was called INIount Zion, I should not think contained more than one acre of ground; at least as I stood upon it and contemplated what the pri)])hets had said of Zion in the last days, and what should be done in her, I could no more bring my mind to believe that the niaj; net ofti'uthin them which guided their words, pointed to this place, any more than I could believe that a camel can go through the eye o( a needle, or a rich man enter into tlie kingdom f)f God. Baton the land of Josi'pli, far in the west, where the spread eagle of America float", in the breeze and shadows the land — where tho-;e broad rivers and streams roll the watei's of the west- ern world to the fathomless abyss of the ocean — where tlu)se wide-spread- ing prairies (tields of the wood) and extensi'-e forests adorn the land with such an agreeable variety, shall Zion rear her stately temples and stretch forth the curtains of her hjd)itation. The record of Mormon chimes in so beautifully with the scriptures to establish this ])osition, that an honest and faitht'ul examination of tfto subject is all that is required to expel every dou*)t from the lieAriT.
i^
1-4 TRAVELS AND MINISTRY OF
The customs and manners of the people of the east are m similar to what they were in the days of our Savior, that almost evervthing which the traveler beholds is a standing illustration of some portion of scripture: for example, I saw two women grinding wheat at a little hand-mill, consisting of two small stones with a little rude tackling about it, the whole of which one man might take in his arms and carry almost anywhere at pleasure. One would turn the top stone until her strength was exhausted, and then the other would take her place, and so alternatelv keep the little grinder in operation. It appears tliat our Lord foresaw the perpetuity of this cus- tom, even to the time of his second coming; for he said, "Two' women shall he grinding at the mill; one shall be tiiken and the other left; and for aught I know, these two I saw were the identical ones. I also saw the people take a kind of coarse grass and mix it with some kind of earth or peat that had been wet and reduced to the consistencv of common mortar and then lay it out in flattened cakes to dry for fuel, 'l then, for the first tmie in my life, saw the propriety of our Savior's allusion, "If God so clothe the grass ot the field, which to-day is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven, etc." I might swell this letter to a volume upon these subjects, hut I forbear for the present. One may read of the customs of the East, but It IS not like seeing them. To read of a good dinner may brighten up a man's ideas about eating, especially if he be a little hungry; but to sit down at the luxurious board and eat is far more satisfoctory. The two cases are not exactly parallel, yet the latter serves to illustrato the former.
As I walked about the environs of the town, my spirit struggled within me in earnest prayer to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, that he would not only revolutionize this country, but renovate and make it glori- ous. My heart would lavish its blessings upon it in the greatest prodi- gality in view of what is to come hereafter. After returning to the city I found my feet and legs completely coated with dust; for the whole face of the country was like an ash bed in consequence of the great length of the dry season. I then thought how very convenient it must have been for the ancient disciples to fulfil one injunction of the Savior, "shake otf the dust of your feet "
Syria 'at present is in a very unsettled state. The Drewzes and Catho- lics are figliting almost constantly. They sometimes kill iuimh-eds and luindreds a day. In some sections it is not unfrequent that the traveler meets some dozen or twenty men by the wav-side without heads, in a day. In a letter from Bavaria, I stilted that hostilities had ivcomuicnced be- tween the Turks and Egyptians; I took the statement from a (Jerman liaper, but it was a mistake. Tlie hostilities were between the lesser tribes \\\ Syria. The Ameriean missionaries at Bevrout and Mount Lel)anon have received ofticial notice tiirough Commodore Porter, our minister at Constantinople, from the Grand Sultan, tiiat hereafter thev can have no ivdress by law for any violence, outrage, or crueltv, that ma'y be practiced uiion tliem by the pei)|tle: and advises them to leave the countrv. Thi.s course is approved of by Commodore Porter. I re-ad the correspondence y hetwL-en him and Mr. Ciutssan, our Consul at Bevrout; but all is going on m tlic i)rovi(liiKi' of ( ;<)(!. Syria and Palestine inust ferment and ferment, WMrk and work, iiiitii tiiey work into the hands of Al)rahnnrs eliildreii, to whom tiiey rigiitly belong; and may the God of their fathers bless llie hand that aids th(>ir cause.
1 must now begin to think of coming to a close. I have nearlv three weeks yet to remain in «iuar iitine. The times.'ems lon-r; vet I eii'di-avor not to let It run to wasti-. Wlien our ship shall have obtained lier prat- tiipie, I shall proceed, if the Lord will, din-etlv to ( Jermanv over tiie Alps, and try to light u)) a fire there. Will you give me vour piavers that (Jod may bless my exertions, and tliat I 'niav be enabled to eonduet mvself Willi tiial ditrnity and propriety in all thiiiirs which become a man of (Joil.and which the j)urity and virtue of the cause I advocate, .so justly merits; and further, that in my great weakness celestial strength may api»ear.
^T
ELDER OKSON HYDE. 15
My kind respects to the Presidency of the Church, and a happy new year to all absent and enquiring friends.
With the most kind and tender feelings towards you, and with a heart that will burst with blessings on your heads when your faces I behold, allow your unworthy brother in Christ to close by the following lines which he offers you as a farewell token until Providence shall permit us again to meet: —
Where the sun leaves his last golden ray.
Far over the sea's swelling tide, Will friends, dear and true, for me pray,
That I in the Lord may abide? Though distance and time do us part.
And scenes new and strange roll between. Your memory is dear to my heart,
And friendship's bright star gleams the same.
In the west let its ray pour a light
On the circle of Zion's true sons, To greet them with joy in the sight
Of Him who has said we are one. To share in the spoils of my love.
Her daughters, though la»t, are not least; For surely, 'twas blest from above
Which graced the end of the feast.
ORSON HYDE.
Ueab Brother Pratt,
In consequence of the great distance to Nauvoo, and the uncertainty of this letter reaching our brethren there, should I addvess it to them, I have thought proper to address it to you, with this request, that you will pub- lish it by itself in pamphlet form, as soon as possible, and send a copy to each one of the Twelve, three to the Presidency of the Church, and one to my wife. I wrote her a lengthy letter from this place, and sent it by an American ship bound directly to New York, and should have sent this along with it if it had been ready. I wish you, also, to send five copies to my brother, Abijah Hyde, Oxford, Newhaven County, and State of Con- necticut, that he may send one to each of my other brothers, and one also to each my sisters, and that I wish them and their families to consider themselves embraced within the circle of every good wish expressed in it.
The size of the edition I leave with you to determine. You know that I, like yourself and every other Latter-day Saint preacher, have no salary, except the voluntary contributions of the people where we labor; and hav- ing been absent from my family nearly two years, my arm and my purse have been too short to render them much assistance, I wish you, there- fore, to forward a sufficient number of copies to each branch of the church anywhere this side of the Atlantic, that all who wish for a copy may have one; and whatever any brother, sister, or friend, shall be disposed to give in return, for the benefit of my wife and children, will be most gratefully received by them, and no less so by me. It can be handed to the agent to whom you shall send the copies, and he can forwai'd it to you through the post, of otherwise as you shall direct, which will enable you to pay the printer; and the balance (should there be any) I will advise you in due time how to convey to my family, l^ut should you discover any impro- priety in the plan, or should it be inconsistent for you to carry it into exe- cution, you are at liberty to use the document as your better wisdom may direct you, only send it in some form to Xauvoo as soon as possible. Per- haps I feel too anxious about my family, but where the heart has only few
16 TRAVELS AND MINISTUY OF
objects to sliare it* sympathies, upon those few objects the sun of aflf'ection shines witli warmer and more brilliant ray. My family is my earthly all; and of late my feelings coiu'crning them are very peculiar. It is nearly ji year since I have heartl anythinf^ of them, and being confined here in tiuarantine, perhaps I have become childisli. My kind respects to your- self and family, to brothers tSnow ami Adams, and to all the Saints in Kiiirland; may God bless you all: pray for me. — I am your brother in Christ,
Orson Hvdk.
P.S. Injustice to the American missionaries at Jerusalem, I must say, however, ]>:irticularly of Mr AVhiting, with whom I became most ac- (juaiiited, that as men, their conduct towards me was both courteous and civil; and wliei\ I left :Mr. Ws house I could not withhold my blessing from himsL'lf and family— his interesting wife and lovely little girls, who all sptak Hutiitly the Knglisli and Arabic. A kind word or action to a .■stranger in a strange land is not soon forgotten. May the Lord bless them and tlieir families with his salvation, through the knowledge of the truth, was luy desire then, and is my prayer still.
pTote. — Expecting a letter or letters from you to be lodgttd in Bavaria for mo, I have addressed a note there requesting the'iii (it any) to be forwarded to meat this plaee; but as my iiotc^ went on shore in the btistle without the jiostagc being i)aid, and havinj to pa-s t irougli dilferent kingdom*, I do not expeet it will be forwarded. I hope, however, to get news from you and tlie eluireh when I ftet there myself. I hope also to liearSotuething from my wife. I feel that a word from her would be more preeious tlian ^old; yet I am atraid to hear lest she may be in trouble, or sonieof her friends dead -a' fallier or mother pi r- haps, or brother or sister. Yet I try to comfort myself with the thought that my long absence is the cause of all my bad feelings. The Laird knows, ami I pray that he may bind up every aching heart. Fare-thee-well; thy brother in the Lord.
O. H.
"•) 'CBi m
LETTER II.
Trieste, January 17, 1842. Dear Brethren and Sisters at Nauvoo,
I have just written a lengthy letter to the Twelve, and sent it by way of Elder Pratt, in ICngland. In that, and in a former one writtcii to liim from Alexandria in Egypt, is contained an account of my mission to .leru- .salem. 1 feel, however, as though I wished to write a few lines more on this the last day of my contiiu'inent on ship board; where I have sp: tit the last lifty-six days: six days in tiie harbor of Alexandria — twetity-t wo days on our passage— and twenty-eight here in quarantine. Tomorrow, if the liord will, the jubi'ant s()i\<r, with its thrice w<dcome melody, will greet the ears of a poor ca]»tive exile, the prison doors give way, and he be jxt- nj tt<'d once more to breathe the air of freedom in a land where he is not amoved by the si;:ht of the star ami crescent, the turban and the covered face — all of which, save the star, are an abomination in my sight.
The thoughts whifdi I record will, no doubt, be scatterinir, and like "the gleaning (dgrapes when the vintage is doiu';" or like a few indolent be- lated stragijlers goiriLr to the place of worship on a Sabbatii morning after the more conscientious and faithful have broken the silence which hov- ered around the place of their devotion, ami greeted th(> moining with their prayers and joyful acclanuitions of praise to the Lord their (Jod.
4^f
ELDER ORSON HYDE. 17
IL is HOW rapidly advancing to the close of two long years since I had tha pleasure of mingling my voice with yours in ascribing honor and thanks- giving to that iieiug whose arm alone has been my support, and whose kind angel has swept the misty vapors &i' away which despondency would feign cast over the star of hope, and nearly one year s nee I have heard ougJit direct from you. ^Vbile in Bavaria, I saw a statement in a German paper tliat Brother Joseph had been apprehended and confined in prison. 1 knew not but that it might be so; yet I was inclined to set it down among the numerous deatlis wliich he has suffered, the imprisonments which he has endured, and the various runaways of which he has been guilty, ac- cording to the tlood of nevvspaiDer slang which has been poured forth upon a deceived public; but as time allows nothing to remain stationary, you may judge of my anxiety to hear from you, particularly when the happi- ness or misery of my own dear wife and little children is identified with your own.
1 sometimes fancy myself in your midst, in my hours of silent medita- tion, gazing upon a large concourse of sain's. I see many, very many strange faces tliat 1 never saw before; while others with whom I was fami- liarly acquainted, I do not see. Being anxious to know where they are, I inquire aiter tiiem; but am told, with a sigh that contains no fiction, that time — that cruel and unfeeling destroyer of the human race, has borne them on his untiring wing to a long and sleepy mansion, to await the hour when the voice of tne Archangel and the trumpet of God shall bid their sleeping dust arise, and come forth to receive the reward of their labors. O, ye precious souls! your debt is paid, and I cannot but embalm your memory witli a tear as these lines slip from my pen.
Tnere for instance, sits a brother looking steadily upon his little daugh- ter. His melaueholy mien bespeaks a heart wading deep in soitow; he puts his handkerchief to to his face and bursts into tears. I ask the cause of that; and am told, that that brother has lately lost his wife; and as he looked upon the young and tender flower, and recognized in her the kind and attectionate features of the companion of his youth who now sleeps in tlie arms of death, he immediately c<:)ntrasted all her virtues witn every unkind word that he might have given her, and every un- generous action; and the thought that his children are bereft of a mother, and his owu bosom of its dearest friend, swells his heart to a burst of grief; and every unkind word which he mighthave given her in the warmth of the moment, now rushes upon his memory, pierces his soul, and adds an additional i^ang to the flood of grief which overwhelms him. "Hus- bands," whoever you are, 'love your wives, and be not bitter against them.(' The delicacy of their sex, the vivid perceptibility of their mind, and tlie soit and engaging virtues of their heart, which weave themselves into tlie rugged recesses of man's masculine temperament and constitute him a fit member of society, render them entitled to the warmest affec- tions of your heart, and to tlie generous protection of your arm.
In another part sits a sister clad in deep mourning, with a number of little children about her. The solemnity which sits upon the countenance antl tiie sad melanclroly which lingers in her eyes, declare that her mour- ning is not all on the outside. She looks upon the little ones and beholds in tliem tlie generous and manly features of their sire, but his place his vacant: And pray, where is he? Oil! as the sturdy oak of the forest is laid low by the shall from heaven, so has their dear father fallen by an arrow from the bow of a strong archer, and these young and tender branches which have sprung forth from his roots, only are left to i-»erpetuate his name. iS^one but God knows the anguish of that sister's heart, as she hides her face, and pours forth her grief in flowing streams of tearful eloquence. But stay, my hand, open not those wounds afresh when thou hast no balm to bind them up; but may the Lord, whose province it is to comfort all that mourn, and to bind u]) the bi-oken-hearted, soothe the sorrows of those afflicted ones, and pour Iho oil ol' consolation into tlioir grieved and wounded spirit.
18 TRAVELS AND MIXISTRY OF
When, oh! when shall liunian grief and woo come to a final end? Thank kind heaven, there is a time when these must cease. In the times of the restitution of all things, wlien the son of the virgin shall have disarmed death of his power and triumphed over every foe of man; tlien shall the tree of life spread wide its l)ranches, bloom in eternal si)ring, and exhale his rich and life-giving odors to the lu'eeze, carrying life, liealtli, and joy, a balm to everv (it'i)artment of (rod's creation. "Behold we bring you glad tidings of great jov wbicb sball be unto all iieople."
I have not lu'rlcu-med tliis long journey witbout encountering some feii> hardships, but 1 will not nu'iition them; sullice it to say, that I am well at present. The past is over and gone, and I leave the future with my master. You certainly have an interest in my prayers day and night, anil I hope you will send'up a good wish occasionally for me; yes, even for
jne. ^I need it. My heart is full, and I can write no more upon these
matters.
Let me now tell you something about a th understorm at sea. I haVe crossed the Atlanfic three times — once the German and Black seas, ami all about the Levtnte, besides sailing much on American waters; but never, no, never before did I witness nature in such a rage on the deep, as once on this last voyage otl'the Island of Candia, about tlie 7th of December. The sun sat l)eh"ind the rising bulwarks of a dark and gloomy cloud as though he would not look upon the scene that awaited us; this said to the ex])eri- enced tar, "tliere's danger on the deeji." About six o'clock in theevening the breath of the monster reached us; all hands aloft furling sails. The sky became suddenly black— the sea began to roll in upon our weather- beam and lash tlie hull of our ship, tossing her from surge to surge with as much ease as a giant would s^wrt with an infant. The scene became grand. Our vessel stood on her course — wind on her larlioard quarter, and under fore and close-reefed maintopsail only; wliile thunders loud and long uttered their voices from on high, and rolled through the vaulted canoi)y as if clothed with the official mandate from Jehovah for the sea to give up its dead. The lightnings issued from the womb of darkness in fiery streams of blazing vengeance to light up terror of the storm. A feel- ing of solemnity and awe rolled across my bosom as I gazed upon the troubled deep, raging in the wildncss and fury of a temi)est. The sj)ray of the clipped surge was frequently whirled on tlie wing of tlie eddying cur- rents like mighty cascades upon our deck, while the rain descended like torrents from the mountains. Abroad on tbe deep, the crested billows rolled high their Ileecy heads, and threw up tliin sluets of I'oam in great majesty, coruscating iii the lightning's glare; and for a few minutes it really appeared to me that the elements had engaged in a i»itc]i battk — the crown of sovereignty to be awarded to tbe victor. Tlie winds howled through our almost naked shrouds like a tliousaiul winged si)irits waiting to chaunt our re<iuiem; but under the proviileiitial care of Hot who gov- erns the wind and the waves, and wlio formed tlie ocean from his i)alm, our gallant baniue bore us safely out tlie gale. Tlien said I—
"(iod speed tlico, tjcood sliip, on thy pathway of foam, The sea is thy country, the Ijillow tliy home." When the light of next morning had dawned ujjonus T arose and went out upon deck, and found our lady of tbe deep attired in full dress, bearing us over the bosom of tiie gently rolling billow, apparently as careless and un- concerned as though notbing bail hai>pened; aiul, safely has she brought us into port, so 1 will sing- Now on Europe's shores we're landed
Far away from oooan's roar; Where howling winds and rolling surges,
Disturb our anxious hearts no more. Still is every note of tcMiipest,
Calmly sleeps the peerless wave;
An enilileni ol'our friends departed.
Whose dust reposes in the grave.
r^
ELDER ORSON HYDE. 19
Thanks to Him who holds the billow,
And rides aloft on fleecy clouds; Let heaven, earth, and seas adore him,
With all the vast, unnumbered, crowds.
Worthy! worthy is the Savior!
Wlio, for sinners, once was slain; Swell! oh, swell! the joyful a-ithem,
All ye wretched sons of men.
Come unto this bleeding fountain,
Meek and lowly you must be; Bear the cross and wash in Jordan,
Then from guilt he'll set you free.
My poetic organ is not largely deveveloped, sor the correctness of the measure and rhyme of these tew lines I will not be resposible.
When in Bavaria I wrote Brother Joseph a long letter; it was sometime in August last. I hope he received it, for I think it would do him good — at least it was written with that intention; and I sent one to my wife at about the same time; the answers I hope to receive when I get to Bavaria again.
Fare you well; I love you all, I pray for you all, and by the grace of God, I always shall. I am your brother, far away, and yet near.
Orson Hyde.
Begensburg, January 30, 1842.
To Brother Pratt alone.
Sir,— I have thought proper to send this letter to you also, for the same reasons as are assigned in the other. You will therefore publish them both together, if you shall think proper to do anything with thon. The whole was written in Trieste, except these last lines. Not having a convenient op- portunity to send them from that place, I brought them with me here to Regensburgh. I now have the pleasure of acknowledging the receipt of your two letters, and one from my wife and brother Joseph, dated the 14th of Novembe last. I was thrice glad to hear from you all; I laughed and cried altogether. I have no room here to reply, but you may hear from me again by and by.
Dear Brother,— I have not forgotten looking at you through the crevices of a prison, neither have I forgotten what my thoughts were at that time: but if I had had the strength of a Sampson, then was the time that I would have used it for your deliverance. I need not be particular to explain my own situation at that time; "but God be thanked that I am where I am." If enemies are strong and many, nail your flag to the spanker gaflt, keep close the wind, and if your metal is not heavy enough, the artillery of
heaven will play upon them by-and-by. ^
Orson Hyde.
LETTERIII.*
Alexandria, November 22, 1841.
Dear Brother Pratt,
A few minutes now offer for me to write, and I improve them in writing to you.
-This letter and the following are of much earlier date than the two preced- ing, and have either wholly or in part appeared previously in the Millcnial Star.
20 TRAVELS AND 3IINISTRY OF
I have only time to say that I have seen Jerusalem precisely according to tlie vision which I had. F saw no one with niein the vision; and althou<>h Rider Page was appointed to accompany me there, yet I found myself there alone.
The Lord knows that I have had a hard time, and suffered much, but I have great reason to thank Him that I enjoy good iieallh at])re'^ent, and have a prosj)ect before me of soon going to a civilizetl country, Avhere I shall see no more turbans or camels. The heat is most oi>pressive, and has been all through Syria.
I have not time to tcll you how many days T have been at sea, without food, or how many snails I have eaten ; but iff bad had ])lenty of them, I should have done very well. All this is contained in a former letter to you, written from .Tallh.
T have iKt-n at Cairo, on the Nile, because I could not get a passage direct. Syria is in a dreadful state — a war of extermination is going ou between the Drewzes and Catholics. At the tinac I was at Beyrout, a battle was fought in the mountains of Lebanon, near that i)lace, and about 801) killed. Robberies, thefts and murders, are daily being committed. It is no uncommon thing to find pi-rsons in the street without heads. An English ollicer in going from St. Jean d'Aercto J>eyrout; found ten per- sons miu'dered in tlie street, and was himself taken ijrlsoner, but was res- cued by the timely interference of the Tacha. The particulars of all these things'aiv contanied in a former letter.
An American traveler named Gager, a licensed minister of the Congre- gational or Presbyterian Church, left Jerusalem in company Mith me. He was very unwell with the jaundice when we left, and at Damietta we had to perfoim six days' quarantfne before we ascended the Nile. On our pas- sage up he Ava.** taken very ill with a fever, and l)ecame helpless. I waited and tended upon him as mcU as our circumstances would allow; and when we landt'd at Bulack, T got four men to take him to the American Consul's in Cairo on a litter; I also took all his baggage there, and as-<isted in jDut- ting him upon a good bed — employed a good faifhful Arai'ian nurse, and the I'^nglish doctor. After the physician Inul examined him, he told me that he was very low with a typhus fever, and that it would be doubtful whether he recovered. Under these circumstances I left him to obtain a passage to this place. After I had gone o]i board a boat, and was just about pushing off, a letter came from the doctor, stating that })oor Mv. Gager died in about two hours after I left him. He told meiv-fore wearrived at Cairo, that lie Avas 27 years of age, and his friends lived in N(jrwich, Connecticut, near New liondon, I think. There are many ])articulars concerning his death wliich would be interesting to his friends, but 1 have no time to write them now.
On Sunday morning, October 24th, a good while before day, I arose froni sleep, and M'ent out of the city as soon as the gates were opened, crossed the brook Cedron, and went upon the Mount of Olives, antl there, in solemn silence, with pen, ink, and pai)er, just as T saw in the vision, of- fere<l up the following ])rayer to him who lives forever and i-ver: —
"O Tboul who art from everlasting t(» everiasting, etei-iially and un- changeal)ly the same, even tlie (iod wbo rules in the heavens above, and controls the destinies of men on the earth, wilt 'J'hou condesciaid, through Thine inlinite goodness ;ind royal favor, to listen to the prayer of Thy >er- vant which he this day oilers ui)untoTliee in the name of Thy holy child Jesus, upon this land where the Sun of llighteousnes sat in blood, and Thine no'n'ef/ (Jnfv\\n\\H\.
" Be pleased, O Lord, to forgive all the follies, weaknesses, vanities, and sins of 'I'hy servant, and strengthen I •;! to resist all future tem))tations. Give him jiruilence and discernment that he may avoid tlu- evil, and a heart to clK'()se the good ; give him fortitude to bear up uiuler trying and adverse circumstances, and jrrace to endurt' all things for Thy Name's sake, until the end shall come, when all the Saints shall rest in jteace. "Now, O IjordI Thy servant ha.s been obedient to the heavenly vision
oT/
ELDER ORSON HYDE. 2%
which thou gtiAest hhii in liis native land; and under the shadow of Thine outstretelied arm, lie lias safely arrived in this place to dedicate and consecrate this land for ilie gathering together of Judah's scattered remnants, according to the "predictions of the holy prophets — for the building up of Jerusalem again after it has been trodden down by the Gentiles wo long, and for rearing a temple in honor of Thy name. Ever- lasting thanks be ascribed unto Thee, O Father! Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast preserved Thy servant from the dangers of the seas, and from the plague and pestilence which have caused the land to mourn. The violence of man has also been restrained, and Thy providential care by night and by day has been exercised over Thine unworthy servant. Accept, therefore, O Lord, the tribute of a grateful heart for all past favors, and be ]:)leased to continue Thy kindness and mercy towards a needj" worm of the dust.
/ "O Thou, who didst covenant with Abraham, Thy friend, and who 'didst renew that covenant with Isaac, and confirm the same unto Jacob with an oath, that thou wouldst - ot only give them this land for an ever- lasting inheritance, but that Thou wouldst also remember their seed forever. /Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, have long since closed their eyes in death, and made the grave their resting-place. Their children are scat- tered and dispersed abroad among the nations of the Gentiles like sheep that have no shepherd, and are still looking forward for the fulfilment of those promises which Thou didst make concerning them; and even this land, which once poured fourth nature's richest bounty, and flowed, as it were, with milk and honey, has, to a certain extent, been smitten with barrenness and sterility since it drank from murderous hands the blood of Him who nevei' sinned.
" Grant, therefore, O Lord, in the name of Th^^ well-beloved Son, Jesus / Christ, to remove the barrenness and sterility of this land, and let springs of living water break forth to water its thirsty soil. Let the vine and the olive produce in their strength, and the fig tree bloom and flourish. Let the land become abundantly fruitful when possessed by its rightful heirs ; let it again flow with ijlenty to feed the returning prodigals who come home with a spirit of grac^ and supplication; upon it let the clouds distil virtue and richness, and let the fields smile with plenty yLet the flocks and the herds greatly increase and multiply upon themounTO,ins and the hills ; and let Tliy great kindness conquer and subdue the unbelief of Thy people. Do Thou take from them their stony heart, and give them a heart of flesh ; and may the sun of Thy favor dispel the cold mists of darkness which have beclouded their atmosphere. Incline them to gather in upon this land according to Thy word. Let them come like clouds and like df)ves to their windows. Let the large ships of the nations bring them from the distant isles; and let kings become their nursing fathers, and queens, with motherly fondness, wipe the tear of sorrow from their eye.
" Thou, O T>ord, didst once move upon the heart of Cyrus to show favor unto Jerusalem and her children. Do Thou now also be pleased to inspire the hcctrts of kings and the powers of the earth to look with a friendly eye towards this place, anil with a desire to see Thy righteous purposes executed in relation thereto. Let them know that it is Thy good pleasure to restore the kingdom unto Israel — raise up Jerusalem as its capital, and constitute her people a distinct nation and government, with David Thy servant, even a descendant from the loins of ancient David, to be their king.
" Let that nation or that people who shall take an active part in behalf of Abraham's children, and in the raising up of Jerusalem, find favor in Thy sight. Let not their enemies prevail against them, neither let pesti- lence or famine overcome them, but let the glory of Israel overshadow them, and the power of the Highest protect tliem ; while that nation or kingdom that will not serve Thee in this glorious work must perish, according to Thy word—' Yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted.'
22 TKAVELS AXD MIXISTIIY OF
"Thouprh thy servant is now far from his home, and from the land bedewed Avith his earUest tear, yet he remembers, O Lord, his friends who are there, antl family, wlioin for Tliy sake lie has left. Though poverty and privation he our earthly lot, yet, oh! do Thou richly endow us with an inheritanee where moth and rust do not corrupt, and where thieves do not hreak throu,i:li and steal.
"The hands tiiat have fed, clothed, or shown fovor unto the family of Thy servant in his aiisenee, or that shall hereafter do so, let them not lose their reward. l)Ut let a special iilessing rest upon thein, and in Thy king- dom let them have an inheritance when Thou slialt come to be glorified in the Saints.
" JJo Thou also look with favor upon all those through whose liberality I luive been enabled to come to this island ; and in the day when Thou shalt reward all i)eople according to their works, let these also not be jia-st by or forgotten, but in time let them be in readiness to enjoy the glory of those mansions which Jesus has gone to ])repare. Particularly do TIiou bless the stranger in Philadelidiia, whom 1 never saw, but who sent me gold, with a request that I should pray for him in Jerusalem. Now, O Lord, let blessings come upon him from an unexpected quarter, and let his basket be tilled, and his storehouse abound with plenty, and let not the goo>i things of the earth lie his only i)ortion, but let him be found among those to whom it shall be said, 'Thou hast been faithful over a few things, and I will make tliee ruler over many.'
"O my father in heaven! 1 now ask Thee in the name of Jesus to remember Zion, with all her stakes, and with all her assemblies. She has been grievously attiicted and smitten; she has mourned ; she has wept: her enemies have triumi)hed, and have said, 'Ah, where is thy God?' Her priests and prophets have groaned in chaiiis and fetters Avithin the gloomy walls of ]n'isons, while many were slain, and now sleep in the arms of death. How long, O Lord, shall iniquity triumph, and sin go unpunished?
" Do Thou arise in the majesty of Thy strength, and make bare Thine arm in behalf of Thy people. Kedress their wrongs, and turn their sorrow into joy. Pour the spirit of light and knowledge, grace and wisdom, into the hearts of her prophets, and clothe her ])riests with salvation. Let light and knowledge march fortli through the empire of darkness, and may tlie honest in heart How to their standard, and join in the march to go forth to meet the Bridegroom.
" Let a peculiar blessing rest upon the Presidency of Thy Church, for at them are the arrows of the enemy directed. Be Thou to them a sun and shield, their strong tower and hiding-place ; and in the time of distress or danger, be Thou near to deliver. Also the (Quorum of the Twelve, do Thou be pleased to stand i)y, for Tliou knowest the ol)stacles which we have toencounter, the temptations to which weareexjiosed, and the priva- tions which we must sailer. Give us, therefore, strength according to our day, and help us to bear a faithful testimony of Jesus and his Gospel, and to finish with fidelity and honor the work which Thou hast given us to do, and then give us a place in Thy glorious kingdom. And let this blessing rest upon every faithful officer and nu'mber in Thy church. And all the gloiy and honor will we ascribe unto God and the Lamb for ever and ever. Amen."
On the to]) of iSIount Olives T erected a pile of btones as a witness according to the ancient custom. On what was anciently called Mount Zion, wiiere the temple stood, 1 erected another, and used the rod according to the prediction on my head.
I liave found many Jews who listened with intense interest. The idea
<f%.
ELDER ORSON HYDE. £3
of the Jews being restored to Palestine is gaining ground in Europe almost every day. Jerusalem is strongly foi'tified with many cannon upon its walls. The wall is ten feet thick on the sides that would be most exposed, and four or five feet where the descent from the wall is almost perpendicular. The number of inhabitants within the walls is about twenty thousand. About seven thousand of this number are Jews, the balance being mostly Turks and Armenians. ]Many of the Jews who are old go to this place to die, and many are coming from Europe into this Eastern world. The great wheel is uncjuestionabiy in motion, and the word of the Almighty has declared that it shall roll.
I have not time to write particulars now, but suffice it to say, that my mission has been quite as prosperous as I could expect.
I am now about to go on board a fine ship for Trieste, and from thence I intend to proceed to Itegensburgh, and there publish our faith in the German language. There are those who are ready and willing to assist me.
I send you this letter by Captain Withers, an English gentleman, who goes direct to England on lioard the Oriental steamer. He has come with me from Jerusalem. If I had money sufficient I should be almost temj^ted to take passage on board other to England, but this I cannot do.
On receipt of this, I wish you to write to me immediately, and direct to Regensburgh, on the Danube, Beyern, or Bavaria. If you know anything of my family, tell ine.
My best respects to yourself and family, to brothers Adams and Snow, and to all the Saints in England.
May grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, rest upon you all from this time, henceforth, and for ever. Amen.
Your brother in Christ,
Orson Hyde.
P.S. — Mr. Gager died on the loth instant, at four o'clock in the afternoon.
LETTER IV.
Jaffa, October 20, 1841. Dear Brothek Pratt,
Yesterday I arrived in, this place from Bey rout, and just as I -was about to start from the American Consul's in this place to Jerusalem, at a most enormous price, a company of English gentlemen rode in from Jerusalem with many servants all armed, and they were to return immediately to Jerusalem, and I can go for little or nothing, comparatively speaking.
I liavc only time to say a few words ; but through the favor of heaven I ain well and in good spirits, and expect, in a day or two, to see Jerusalem.
My journey has been long and tedious, and consequently expensive. If I get back to England with money enough to buy my dinner, I shall think myself well off.
The country is in a terrible state. While I was at Beyrout, a terrible battle was fought in Mount Lebanon, about six hours' walk from Beyrout, between the Drewzes and Catholics. It was said that about four hundred were killed on each side. An English officer, returning from St. Jean d' Acre to Beyrout, was;,taken by the I^rewzes, and would have been killed had not the Pacha come to his rescue.
124 TRAVELS AND MIXI.STKY OI>' ELDEK OKSOX HYDE.
He said that lie found ton human hodies in the street on his way without heads. Thefts, murders, and n.blxMios are takinfr i)laeo ahnost continually. The Ameriean missionaries in Bcyrout and Blount Lebanon have had notice fiom theUrand Sultan, throu<j;li our mitiisler at Constantinople, Commodore I'orter, to leave the country, and a i)rosi)ect that ail the missionaries in Syria will l)ave to leave. This is only conjecture, how- ever. But in' this, if it does take place, I can see jdainly the hand of Providence. Tlie fact is, tills land helonirs to the Jews; aiid the pivsent fermentation thereof shows to me that it is fast working back into the liands of its rightful heirs, (iod will, in due time, drive out the Canaanites, so that no more a Cauaanite shall be found in the land, or iu the House of the Lord.
I hnd that almost an universal anxiety prevails respecting the return of the Jews. The waters are troubled because the Angel has descended. My heart leaps for joy at the prospect of seeing that land, and tiiere fulfilling my mission.
\Vhen we left Smyrna for Beyrout. we only took in stores for one week, thinking that would surely be sutlicient, as tlie voyage is iP=sually made in four days; but we were nineteen days on the j)assage. A numlter of days I eat snails gathered from tlie rocks, wiiile our vessel was becalmed in the midst of several small and uiii)ilial)ited Islands, but the greatest dilliculty was. I couUl not get enom;h of them. I was so weak and exiiausted that I could not go on sliore after tlie slight exertion of drawing on my lioots. But that is ])ast; I am now strong and well, and Irwe plenty to eat. I now have nothing liut land pirates, in the shape of Arabs, to encountei'. An Englishman seems like a brother, let his religion be Avhat it may. Yet I am very partial to the fulness of the Gospel ; for in it I have great
joy-
The servants are now waiting for me, and I must gird on mj- arms and be oft". Yet one thing I will notice, which is this: — On my passage from Beyrout to this jilace, the iiiglit l)efore last, at one o'clock, as I was medi- tating on the deck of the vessel, as siie was beating down against a sultry schroke wind, a very bright glittering sword appeared in tlie heavens, about two yards in length, with a ijcautiful hilt, as jtlaln and complete as any cut you ever saw. And, what is still more remarkable, an arm, with a perfect hand, stretched itself out and took hold of the hilt of the sword. The appearance really made my hair rise, a^ d the flesh, as it were, to crawl on my liones. The Arabs made a wonderful outcry at the sight; "O, Allah, Allah, Allah ! " •■' was their exclamation all over the vessel.
I mention this because you know there is a commandment to me which says: " I'nto you it shall be given to know the signs of the times, and the sign of tlie c()nilng of the Son of Man.''
May the Lord bless you all in England and in America. And T pray that ile will i>less my wife, and my dear little ciiildren; God knows that 1 want to see theni — .yea, and all the Saints.
I have many particulars that I would like to write, but time will not allow at this time. You will hear from me again at the first o])j)()rtunity, if the Arabs don't kill me. There is no i)ost here; letters are sent by ])rlvate conveyance, through friends, etc. God bless you and the cause of Zion is my last ])rayer.
My love to brothers Snow and Adams, and all the lirothers and sisters in the communion ; jiray for me.
Yours, in great ha.=tp,
()i;s<)\ IlvDE.
* liord, Lord, Lord!
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