Brim and several of his brothers afterwards joined the church, and were at one time prominent tanners in Salt Lake county, Utah. Dr. Rion, an eminent physician of Springfield, who, I believe, was the leader, it was said, died instantly of apoplexy, some time after, while sitting in his chair. I never heard any more talk of mobbing in that neighborhood. Thus the Lord made use of a humble, unlearned boy to break up a spirit of mobocracy which had existed for some months, and saved His servants from cruel treatment and possible death. CHAPTER III. ORDAINED TO THE PRIESTHOOD--INVITED TO PREACH--I MAKE UP A SERMON ON MY WAY--SERMON APPARENTLY A FAILURE TO ME--MY HEARERS SATISFIED WITH IT--ABUSED BY A BAPTIST MINISTER--HE DESIRES A SIGN--A SIGN PROMISED AND FULFILLED--BLESSINGS RECEIVED IN THE KIRTLAND TEMPLE--WORDS OF THE PROPHET JOSEPH--THEIR FULFILLMENT--AN INCIDENT IN MISSOURI--LITERAL FULFILLMENT OF A PREDICTION UTTERED BY JOSEPH SMITH--HIS PATRIOTISM--STRANGE PHENOMENON--ITS EFFECT. On the 4th day of August, 1834, I was ordained to the lesser Priesthood under the hands of Lorenzo Wells, who at the time presided over the branch. Within less than a month, I was invited to bring an Elder with me and preach in Mercer Co., Pa. I sent an appointment, but, being unable to get an Elder to accompany me, I resolved to go alone. The distance was about fifty miles. On the way I preached in my mind the greatest sermon I ever had preached, and perhaps greater than I have ever been able to preach since. This sermon, of course, I intended to preach when I reached my destination. The arguments would be irresistible. When I arrived, I sang, opened the meeting by prayer, sang again, and read my text, but the sermon--alas, it was gone, and I would have given everything I possessed to have been back home. This was the first gospel sermon ever preached in the neighborhood, for although my made-up sermon was gone, I made an effort to teach the people the way of life. I read a great many passages of scripture on the first principles of the gospel, making brief comments on each as I could think of but little to say. After occupying perhaps three quarters of an hour, and, as I supposed disgusting every one, I brought the meeting to a close with a faint hope, and a very faint one, too, that I would be invited to speak again. In that case I would plead with the Lord to forgive me for making up a sermon beforehand and help my future efforts, and the people would not be so much disappointed, after all, if I could have an opportunity to redeem myself. No sooner was the meeting closed than the people gathered around me and requested me to preach at their houses, and, I believe, four out of the remaining evenings of the week were engaged in much less time than it has taken me to write it.