Great Britain -- Social conditions -- 19th century; London (England) -- Description and travel
When all had ‘passed,’ and the afternoon began to wear on, a black box
became visible on deck, which box was in charge of certain personages
also in black, of whom only one had the conventional air of an itinerant
preacher. This box contained a supply of hymn-books, neatly printed and
got up, published at Liverpool, and also in London at the ‘Latter-Day
Saints’ Book Depôt, 30, Florence-street.’ Some copies were handsomely
bound; the plainer were the more in request, and many were bought. The
title ran: ‘Sacred Hymns and Spiritual Songs for the Church of Jesus
Church of Latter-Day Saints.’ The Preface, dated Manchester, 1840, ran
thus:—‘The Saints in this country have been very desirous for a Hymn Book
adapted to their faith and worship, that they might sing the truth with
an understanding heart, and express their praise, joy, and gratitude in
songs adapted to the New and Everlasting Covenant. In accordance with
their wishes, we have selected the following volume, which we hope will
prove acceptable until a greater variety can be added. With sentiments
of high consideration and esteem, we subscribe ourselves your brethren in
the New and Everlasting Covenant, BRIGHAM YOUNG, PARLEY P. PRATT, JOHN
TAYLOR.’ From this book—by no means explanatory to myself of the New and
Everlasting Covenant, and not at all making my heart an understanding one
on the subject of that mystery—a hymn was sung, which did not attract any
great amount of attention, and was supported by a rather select circle.
But the choir in the boat was very popular and pleasant; and there was to
have been a Band, only the Cornet was late in coming on board. In the
course of the afternoon, a mother appeared from shore, in search of her
daughter, ‘who had run away with the Mormons.’ She received every
assistance from the Inspector, but her daughter was not found to be on
board. The saints did not seem to me, particularly interested in finding
her.
Towards five o’clock, the galley became full of tea-kettles, and an
agreeable fragrance of tea pervaded the ship. There was no scrambling or
jostling for the hot water, no ill humour, no quarrelling. As the Amazon
was to sail with the next tide, and as it would not be high water before
two o’clock in the morning, I left her with her tea in full action, and
her idle Steam Tug lying by, deputing steam and smoke for the time being
to the Tea-kettles.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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