When the signal was made for all to go on board, we had considerable difficulty in making our way to the vessel, through the throng of people who crowded around to shake hands. My feelings were indescribable. My dear white friends I had been associated with on terms of the closest intimacy for several years. Ties of blood could not, it seemed to me, have caused us to be more attached to each other than we were. We had endured privation and toil together; we had counseled and prayed together; we had had seasons of joy and happiness together, such as those only know who have been engaged in similar labors. My feelings were so acute at the thought of parting with these beloved companions and Saints, that, long as the years had been during which I had been absent from home, and much as I had yearned for that home and its loved associations, I could not control my emotions. How great the contrast between our landing and our departure! We had landed there friendless and unknown--so far as man was concerned. Now there were thousands who loved us, who rejoiced in the truth of the gospel and in the testimony of Jesus. On that wharf that day was an illustration of the wonderful power of the gospel in creating love in the hearts of the children of men. We had gone forth weeping and bearing precious seed. The Lord had given us souls for our hire. Many who were baptized there have gone hence, who I firmly believe will be numbered among the redeemed and sanctified. Others, doubtless, will prove faithful, and receive an inheritance in the kingdom of our Father. More than twenty-five years have elapsed since my departure from the Sandwich Islands. During that period my life has been a happy one. I have filled many missions, have seen great varieties of life, and have had exceedingly agreeable and delightful associations; but, after making allowance for growth and increased capacity to enjoy, I can truthfully say that, destitute as we were of many things which people brought up as we are think necessary to comfort, at no time or under no circumstances have I enjoyed more sweet, pure and soul-filling joy than I did on MY FIRST MISSION. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of My First Mission, by George Q. Cannon