Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- Missions; Latter Day Saints -- Missionary experiences
"When Elder Taylor arrived in New York, Elder Woodruff had been there
some time, and was all impatience to embark for England, but as yet the
former had no means with which to pay for his ocean passage. Although
supplied with all the means necessary on his journey thus far, after
paying his cab-fare to the house of Brother Pratt he had but one
cent left. Still he was the last man on earth to plead poverty, and
in answer to inquiries of some of the brethren as to his financial
circumstances, he replied that he had plenty of money.
"This was reported to Brother Pratt, who the next day approached Elder
Taylor on the subject:
"Elder Pratt: 'Well, I am about to publish my 'Voice of Warning' and
'Millennial Poems,' I am very much in need of money, and if you could
furnish me with two or three hundred dollars I should be very much
obliged.'
"Elder Taylor: 'Well Brother Parley, you are welcome to anything I
have, if it will be of service to you.'
"Elder Pratt: 'I never saw the time when means would be more
acceptable.'
"And putting his hand into his pocket Elder Taylor gave him his copper
cent. A laugh followed.
"'But I thought you gave it out that you had plenty of money,' said
Parley.
"'Yes, so I have,' replied Elder Taylor. 'I am well clothed, you
furnish me plenty to eat and drink and good lodging; with all these
things and a penny over, as I owe nothing, is not that plenty?'
"That evening at a council meeting Elder Pratt, proposed that the
brethren assist Elder Taylor with means to pay his passage to England,
as Brother Woodruff was prepared and desired to go. To this Elder
Taylor objected, and told the brethren if they had anything to give to
let Parley have it, as he had a family to support and needed means for
publishing. At the close of the meeting Elder Woodruff expressed his
regret at the course taken by Elder Taylor, as he had been waiting for
him, and at last had engaged his passage.
"Elder Taylor: 'Well Brother Woodruff, if you think it best for me to
go, I will accompany you.'
"Elder Taylor: 'Oh, there will be no difficulty about that. Go and take
a passage for me on your vessel, and I will furnish you the means.'
"A Brother Theodore Turley, hearing the above conversation, and
thinking that Elder Taylor had resources unknown to himself or Brother
Woodruff, said: 'I wish I could go with you, I would do your cooking
and wait on you.'
"The passage to be secured was in the steerage--these missionaries were
not going on flowery beds of ease--hence the necessity of such service
as Brother Turley proposed rendering. In answer to this appeal, Elder
Taylor told Brother Woodruff to take a passage for Brother Turley also.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account