A Voice from Jerusalem: Or, A Sketch of the Travels and Ministry of Elder Orson HydeHyde, Orson
Religion
A Voice from Jerusalem: Or, A Sketch of the Travels and Ministry of Elder Orson Hyde
Hyde, Orson
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- Missions; Jerusalem -- Description and travel; Middle East -- Description and travel
I then requested that some of them would do me the favour of an
introduction to some of the principal Jews in the place: but this
request was greeted with a number of _hems_, 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 be the most proper man to grant me the desired favour. I replied,
that I knew as little of Mr. Johns as I did of any Jew in Jerusalem,
but that I would not insist upon 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 England, where duty once led
me to call upon a clergyman to do me a little favour, 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 my
master, who was the Saviour 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. The former is hospitality and kindness to the
stranger; but the latter is--be very cautious and particular that
you render him no assistance, neither show him favour unless he come
recommended by our party, or by some others who are honourable 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 gentleman will do, unless his
frankness and liberality have become blasted by the chilling winds of a
sectarian atmosphere.
With what feelings of commingled pity and contempt does every Latter
Day Saint, whose mind has thoroughly canvassed the principles 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 any thing which they
possess, as the purest diamond is to the common pebble of the rivulet!
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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