A String of Pearls

The people, knowing probably of McGaffey's conduct, were very uneasy and restless, and kept going out and coming in, so much so that Elder Taylor told them that he did not feel like talking to them. He had plenty of appointments to fill, and abundant opportunities of speaking to people who would be glad to listen to him, he said, and as they seemed so indifferent about paying attention, he would not speak at that time. He added, however, that if there were any there who wished to ask questions, or to converse with him, they would find him at a certain place, mentioning to them the number of the house and the name of the street where he stopped.

After this, they went out into the country, and held meeting in a large barn.

This was well attended by the people and good order prevailed.

Among others who were present, were a number of young men who were being educated at a college in that vicinity, who had many inquiries to make about the principles of the gospel.

In taking the route back to where they could get a conveyance to carry them into Lisburn, they had some little distance to walk, and Elder Taylor had his valise with him, which he had to carry.

On the road they passed near the farm of the Mr. Tait, whom Elder Taylor had met at McGaffey's in Liverpool. Brother McGaffey thereupon proposed to Elder Taylor that they call upon him.

They found him at home, and when they arose to pursue their journey, he accompanied them, and insisted upon carrying the valise.

The conversation, we may naturally suppose, was upon the gospel and its principles.

They had not gone very far when they came to a "loch," the name which is given to a lake in that country. Upon nearing this, Mr. Tait spoke out to Elder Taylor, in the language of the eunuch to Philip ( Acts viii., 36): "See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?"

Elder Taylor replied: "If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest."

Mr. Tait answered: "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and I believe also the principles which you teach."

And right there, Elder Taylor baptized him, and confirmed him a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and ordained him a Priest.

Thus did the Lord bring about the fulfillment of the prediction which he had inspired His servant to make, and Mr. Tait was the first man baptized in Ireland, in this dispensation, by the authority of the holy Priesthood.

GUIDED BY PROVIDENCE

By JOHN MORGAN

ELDER LISONBEE'S MISSION – URGED BY THE SPIRIT TO TRAVEL ON – FINDS A LISTENER – INVITED TO PREACH – A PROTEST AGAINST IT – SUCCESS – HIS GREAT WORK – HIS DEATH.

Among the Elders selected to go upon missions in the fall of 1875, was James T. Lisonbee. He was assigned to the Southern States, and went to the State of Mississippi. There he met a few relatives, whom he visited, and sought an opportunity to preach the gospel to the people, but found no opening.

After a brief visit, he packed his books and clothing into a valise and started afoot across the country northward, intending to go to Tennessee and join Brother D. P. Rainey, whom he found, after a long and weary journey, almost bedfast with chills and fever.

After spending only a day and night with him, Elder Lisonbee started for the mountains of Northern Alabama, seemingly urged on by a spirit that would not let him rest.

He had no idea where he was going, or what he would find. Day by day he walked on, footsore and weary, without money and in a land of strangers. He often had to travel till a late hour in the night, before obtaining a place to sleep or a little supper.

He met rebuffs and then kindness; was sometimes well-cared for, and again hungry; and was often refused food and shelter.

He did not feel to stop by the wayside to preach, but pushed steadily ahead. He crossed the Tennessee River, climbed Sand Mountain, and one night found shelter with a man who sat up and talked till a late hour with him on the principles of the gospel.

When morning came Elder Lisonbee was putting his books back into his valise, preparatory to another start, when his host suggested that he stop and preach to them, which was readily assented to, on condition that a place could be obtained and anyone would provide for him during his stay.

Both of these things the man said he would attend to, and for the first time in several weeks he lay by for a rest.

A log church was secured, the people notified, and on Sunday a goodly crowd gathered to hear the new, strange doctrine that was to be preached.

Close attention was paid, and after the meeting, when he was again packing his books, preparatory to continuing his journey, one of his audience asked him to dinner, and suggested that some of the people might want to talk with him on the Bible.

Accompanying his newly-found friend home, which, by the way, took him in the direction he wanted to go, he found quite a few gathered together to hear something new. A lengthy and interesting fireside talk was held during the afternoon, and he was urged to hold another meeting.

An appointment was made for Tuesday night, at a private residence, where the room was filled, and still another appointment was made.

A general desire began to be evinced to learn what the Latter-day Saints taught.

The ministers became alarmed, and besought the people not to hear him, and a mass meeting of the law-abiding (?) citizens was called to protest against the Elder being allowed to teach any longer.

He continued, however, to hold his meetings. Friends sprang up on every side. He soon found some who desired baptism, and eventually succeeded in baptizing about thirty people, who immediately made preparations to emigrate. They disposed of their property, combined their means together and thereby helped the poor, and the Elder had the privilege of leading out, by the same road he traveled coming up the mountain, a goodly company, numbering some sixty or seventy souls.

These people eventually located in San Luis Valley, Colorado, and are becoming good and prosperous Latter-day Saints. They will doubtless recognize, in this little sketch, a history of the manner in which the gospel came to them.

It will also serve to call to mind many incidents connected with the wise, prudent and unselfish labors of Elder Lisonbee, who was called upon to pass beyond the vail while on his return from his mission.

While upon that mission he performed a work that will add to his glory while eternities shall endure, and set an example to young Elders every way worthy of imitation.

FULFILLMENT OF PROMISE

By M. F. COWLEY

THE LORD'S PROMISES SURE – AN ELDER IN WANT OF A PAIR OF SHOES – HE PRAYS FOR THEM – THE PRAYER ANSWERED – CASE OF HEALING.

The people of the world generally have no faith in the promises made to the Saints, on condition of their obedience to God's commandments, and when they witness the fulfillment of those promises they prefer to attribute it to some other than the real cause. The Latter-day Saints, however, like saints of former days, have been placed in positions to test the truth of these promises, and know that they are indebted to the Almighty, and to no one else, for their fulfillment. Especially is this the case with the Elders who go upon missions to the nations of the earth and faithfully discharge their duties.

Those who have learned the ways of the sectarian churches know that their ministers are supported by salaries, given them for preaching; that is, they "preach for hire and divine for money," in fulfillment of Micah's prediction. But the Lord has, in our time, agreeable to the ancient pattern, called men to "go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature," "without money and without price."

"Freely ye have received; freely give!" is the injunction, with a promise that if they respond to the call and put their trust in God, He will provide for their wants by raising up friends unto them, who will aid them in their travels and give them food and shelter.

Hundreds of Elders could testify that they have realized the fulfillment of these promises while traveling among the nations of the earth without "purse and scrip."

When in want they have petitioned the Lord by the humble prayer of faith to aid them in the hour of need, and He has never forsaken them.

A young Elder in one of the Southern States, not long since, when his boots were the worse for wear and his toes in danger of protruding, asked the Lord, in a very plain and simple style, to provide him with a pair of shoes.

A day or two later, at the close of a meeting, a gentleman came to the Elder and asked him to accept of some money which would aid him in obtaining a pair of shoes.

The following day a shoemaker, who had made the acquaintance of the Elder, happened by where he was stopping, and having discovered that the Elder needed some shoes, told him that he had just made a pair for himself, but through some mistake they would not fit him, as they were too small, and asked the Elder if he would not accept them as a present. He did so with gratitude, and found them to be as good a fit as if they had been made for himself.

Thus he received a literal answer to his prayer and more too. Yet neither of these people had he asked for money or for shoes.

This is one example among numberless instances of a similar nature that have occurred in the experience of scores of Elders.

By such means, also, the Elders learn who are their friends, and will give a favorable account of such people before the Lord, and they will receive at His hands a just reward.

The people, also, who befriend the servants of God, have been remarkably blessed, not only temporally, but in many instances have been raised from beds of sickness by the power of God.

An instance may be cited which occurred not long since in one of the Southern States.