|
William S. Brighton's Missionary Journal THIS IS THE LATEST COPY OF WILLIAM'S MISSIONARY JOURNAL THAT PAT RUST TRANSCRIBED AND BRIGHTON RELATIVES IN NIBLEY, UTAH CONVERTED.
Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
1 Apr 1881 Friday Wrote a letter to my son Thomas and wife. Feeling very well. A very fine day. Still at the Quarter.
2 Apr 1881 Saturday Still at the Quarter. Getting better. Received a letter from my sons, Will and Daniel.
3 April 1881 Sunday Still at the Quarter. Around some during the day. Still getting better. Stayed all night with Brother and Sister Brown.
4 April 1881 Monday I started from the Quarter in the forenoon. Passed through Hamilton on my way to Motherwell where around about 1 o'clock P.M. I walked. It was about six miles. I stayed a little while in Motherwell. Then I took a train to the Law to visit at Brother Weir's. I stayed with them all night.
5 April 1881 Tuesday I left the Law about 4 o'clock P.M. for Motherwell. Brother Weir bought me a ticket. I was very poorly all day. In the evening I was very bad. I stayed all night with the Bell family.
6 April 1881 Wednesday Around Motherwell all day. Had a pleasant interview with William Brighton and wife about Mormonism. Then I had a long talk with a Mr. Kirkland on a great many facts on the scriptures which he wanted to tell me the meaning of the scriptures. I wrote a letter to my two sons, William and Daniel. In the evening Brothers Dunbar and Fulsom came to Motherwell. We had a meeting. We had a number of strangers at one meeting. I stayed all night with the Bell family. Feeling still a little better.
7 April 1881 Thursday In the morning I started in company with Brother Bell to walk a little to see his Brother but when we arrived he was not at home so we walked on to a place called Uddingston where I took the train for Glasgow. When I arrived at the Conference House I received a letter from home with a two pound one shilling check in it. All my family was well when they wrote to me. I stayed all night with my uncle. Before going to bed, we had a great time talking about the doctrine of Christ. There was another man there called James Gardner. They were both against me. They both said that the ordinances of the gospel were unessential. We sat till one o'clock in the morning talking on the mission of Christ.
8 April 1881 Friday In the morning I went to the post office and drew two pounds and one shilling that my family had sent to me. I then went out to my sister's to see about how she was getting ready to leave Glasgow for to go to Utah. Then I went out to Bishopbriggs to the wedding of Martin McFer and Sarah Cain, daughter of an old acquaintance. Brothers Dunbar and Finlayson were out also. Brother Dunbar was the one that married them. I stayed with them all night.
9 April 1881 Saturday In the morning I took a walk around some of the old places where I used to visit and preach thirty years ago and then came back to Colston to be about 3 o'clock. I started for Glasgow where the Saints had a concert. I did not feel well. Stayed all night with my uncle. The concert was in honor of Brother Dunbar going away.
10 April 1881 Sunday In the morning we held a Council meeting in Glasgow. Then at 2 o'clock P.M. we held meeting. I was called to open with prayer. After singing there was Brother Finlayson and Dunbar spoke to the people. Then at 5 P.M. then we had a meeting at George's Square where Brother Dunbar spoke to the people another was held at the foot of Walson where Brother Finlayson and Alex Burt spoke. There were hardly any people around us. Again at 6:30 o'clock we had another meeting in the hall where brother McGregor, Alexa Burt and I all spoke to the Saints. After meeting Brother Dunbar and I paid a visit to my Uncle George where we spent a very pleasant time till after 10 o'clock at night when Brother Dunbar left. I stayed all night at my uncle's.
11 April 1881 Monday We had a meeting in the Conference House about 11 o'clock after which I went out to visit a family by the name Wallace. Then I went to my sister's. Then I paid a short visit to a Sister Crawford. Then I stayed all night with the Bell family.
12 April 1881 Tuesday In Motherswell all day. Wrote a letter to my wife and my son Thomas. In the evening I spent with the Saints. Stayed all night with the Bell family.
13 April 1881 Wednesday Left Motherwell for Glasgow to attend to getting my sister ready for to start for Utah. I was in Glasgow all day. In the evening I went to the railway to see Brother Dunbar off for Utah. I received two pounds from my niece, Elisebeth Burnside, for to help to fit out her Mother. I also received 10 shillings from my Uncle George to help to fit out my sister. I paid him back two pounds out of four that I had borrowed from him. Stayed at the Conference House all night.
14 April 1881 Thursday During the forenoon I was in Glasgow. In the afternoon I took my sister and her three children to the train for to go to Motherwell. I spent some time in Motherwell. Then I returned to Glasgow to see all the Saints that were to start from Glasgow to Liverpool. I spent a little time in the Conference House. I went to the railroad station soon after 8 o'clock. When I arrived there was a great crowd of the Saints gathered around to see the Saints start. There was some crying, some laughing and some saying, "O, I wish you could put me in your box or coat pocket or just anyway so as to take us away from this country. What a love manifested to each other I cannot describe. We left Glasgow soon after 9 o'clock P.M. I came to Motherwell with them. I then saw my sister and her three children put on board of the train all right. Afterwards I spent the evening showing the few Saints views of Salt Lake City and country. I stayed all night with the Bell family. Before I left Motherwell to go to Glasgow, I took my sister to see an aunt who received her with the greatest of kindness and gave her little child one shilling.
15 April 1881 Friday In Motherwell in the forenoon I wrote two letters, one to my sister in Liverpool and one to my brother-in-law, Robert Thornley, in Utah. I showed the views to some strangers who expressed delight at seeing them. In the afternoon I went to Glasgow. In the evening I went to Partick in company with Brother James Finlayson. I called at Brother John Gray's on the way. We then went to Brother Chesnut's where there was a house full of people waiting to see the views of Salt Lake and other views. I showed them for about two hours. Then I returned to the Conference House where I stayed all night.
16 Apr 1881 Saturday I was in the Conference House all forenoon reading and talking with Brother Finlayson. Then in the afternoon I went to Motherwell where I was a few hours. Then I started for Lanark. When I arrived, I was received with the greatest of kindness. I stayed all night with a Sister Campbell and family.
17 Apr 1881 Sunday In the morning I took a walk down to Kirkfieldbank. Then I came back to Lanark where we had meeting at 1:30 o'clock. I talked to the Saints. There were two in attendance that did not belong to the Church. After meeting I went out to take a walk in company with Sister Emiline Campbell and Lullie Carru around by the Cartland Crags where Sir William Wallace had figured conspicuously in his day. They took me right to his cave, which is called Wallace's Cave till the present time. Then they took me to an old bridge that was built by the Romans, which is called the old Roman bridge till this day. I then went down to Sister Anderson's and spent a short time. Then returned to Lanark where I stayed all night again with Sister Ellen Campbell and family.
18 Apr 1881 Monday In the morning I in company with Sister Emaline Campbell started down the Clyde to see Brother and Sister Crosbie, where I spent some time very agreeably. In the evening I went down to see the Old Man Crosbie, where I spent the time very pleasantly for a short time. I stayed all night with Brother and Sister James Crosbie.
19 April 1881 Tuesday I spent all day with the Crosbies talking about old times in the Church and about the principles of the gospel and Utah or what we call Zion. In the evening I started for Kirkfieldbank. Old Brother Crosbie came along with me for a short distance. He showed me a tree, an old oak where it is or was said that Sir William Wallace once hanged 13 Englishmen all at one time. (It is a great steady old tree with a great many branches. It stands in the center of a field on the banks of the Clyde about two miles from Lanark.) I stayed a little time in Kirkfieldbank. While I was there, Brother Miller came in. I then went to Lanark where I stayed all night at Sister Campbell's, also Brother Miller. Very cold still.
20 April 1881 Wednesday Cold morning. I started out to the poor house to see an old man by the name of David Cannon, who belongs to the Church. I spent a little time with him. I gave him one shilling. I then took a walk out and around a lake or loch where the people of Lanark get their water from. I then came back to Lanark where I called upon a family by the name of Nelson, that is in the Church. I spent a long time with the man. I left Lanark with the 4:40 P.M. train for Haywood to visit the Saints there. When I arrived, there was Brother Miller there before me. We had a meeting in the evening, but it was very small. Brother Miller and I spoke to them who were present. The meeting was at Sister Symes. I stayed all night with Mr. and Mrs. Farley.
21 April 1881 Thursday I was around Haywood all day among a few of the people. Quite a number saw the views that I had of Salt Lake City and surroundings. Spent a very pleasant time both during the day and in the evening. Stayed all night with Mr. and Mrs. Farley. Ate all our meals at Sister Symes.
22 April 1881 Friday A very fine morning and feeling very well. I started out from Haywood to visit two families of Saints. Brother Miller was with me. We found one by the name of Johnstone at a place called Cocknalane. They received us with great kindness. After getting fed, we went out to see a family by the name of McFiggan where we were received with the greatest of kindness. We had a long talk about the principles of good feelings or reconciliation — altogether we spent a pleasant time with them. We stayed all night with Brother and Sister Johnston at Cocknalane. We are now in the moors and mosses of old Scotland in looking around you can see nothing but moor and moss.
23 April 1881 Saturday. Morning looks like rain. I feel very well after a good night's rest. I was out looking around how pleasant tis to see the sheep and little lambs all around on the moor, feeding on the young grass and tender heather. I went to Crofthead to see some of my father's relatives. I only saw just one of them who received me with such coldness that I was glad to get out of the house. I then called upon one family of Saints by the name of Hood, who were pleased to see me. I then called upon an old man by the name of Johnston, who spoke hard things about our people, also his wife. They would not listen to anything I would say to them, either about our country or people. I then returned to Corknalane where I stayed all night with Brother and Sister Johnstone. He was with me all day in my visiting around the place.
24 April 1881 Sunday Morning very fine morning. Feeling well. Soon after breakfast I went to Greenwald Big House to see Brother and Sister McFiggan, where I stayed for a while talking to them about Utah. Brother Johnstone was with me. I left about 4 o'clock P.M. to go to Haywood where I spent a very pleasant evening but had no meeting because there is a little bad feeling among some of the Saints, and I wanted to talk to them separately so as to get them reconciled to each other. I administered the ordinance to Sister Jean Brown who had been sick with a fever for the last five weeks but is now beginning to get better. I stayed all night with Mr. and Mrs. James Farley at Haywood.
25 April 1881 Monday A very cold morning. I left Haywood with the 9:40 A.M. train for Lanark. Soon after I came to Lanark I wrote a post card to Brother Finlayson in Glasgow, one to Sister Stevenson in Motherwell, one to Miss Mary Malcolm at Fence Rows about coming to hold a meeting in their house on Thursday the 28th inst. I also wrote a letter home to my wife and sons. Then I spent the evening reading, singing and talking to the few of the Saints that were present. I stayed all night at Sister Campbell's.
26 Apr 1881 Tuesday A very fine morning. Filling up my journal. Then I started out for a place called Poniel for to see and find out a family called Wallace. I walked over six miles when I arrived. I found out that they had moved away from the place, so I did not see or find them. I had a very pleasant walk down the south bank of the Clyde for a short distance. The road was splendid. The scenery was beautiful. A little to my left was the mountain called Tinto. I had to wait at the Poniel station for three hours on a train to take me to Douglas, for I was too tired to walk, it being over six miles more. The wind blew hard all day, but it was dry. After enqiring about the distance, I found that I would not save much, so I started and walked to Douglas. When I arrived, I was very kindly received by three half cousins and their families, whose names were Ramage and Shankys. They were daughters of my father's uncles. I stayed all night with James and Bell Ramage.
27 Apr 1881 Wednesday A beautiful morning but cold, wind blowing. After breakfast, Mrs. Ramage commenced on me about the marriage system of the Mormons. I had a great deal to say. I of course defended the principle of celestial marriage, but she had it as a thing of the past. She would not listen to reason. I and Robert Shankey went out to have a walk around. We first went to the old kirk, which is over 800 years old. We then went down to the Douglas Castle and all around it and through the gardens and hot houses while I had a long talk with one of the gardeners about America in general and the country where I hailed from, Utah, and last of all he commenced about Mormonism. He was very reasonable and seemed honest. He parted from me saying he might yet meet me in that country. I had then a long walk through the grounds, which are very grand, with many grand old trees and two nice lakes. They were making a skating pond for what they called the young Lord, whose name is Home or Lord Douglas. After returning back to Douglas, I showed my views of Salt Lake and some of southern Utah to all of my relations who were all delighted with them. At 5 o'clock I had to go to tea with William Shankey and his wife, they having no children. I spent a very pleasant time during the evening. I stayed all night with James and Bell Ramage.
28 April 1881 Thursday I left Douglas before 7 o'clock to go to Hillend. I rode to Douglas station with the omnibus. Then I started and walked to Lesmahagow station where I took a train for Tillietudlem where I arrived just at 9 o'clock A.M. I then walked to Hillend to Brother James Crosbie's where I stayed till the afternoon. When I started to the Fence Rows to visit Mr. Malcolm and family, where I expect to hold a meeting. After arriving I found out that I could not get holding any meeting on account of a sick daughter and other reasons. I was taken by Sister James Crosbie to a man's house by the name of Ervin, where she thought I might get holding a meeting, but could not because he was a saved man and would not allow an unsaved man to hold a meeting in his house. After eating supper with Malcolms, I then went back to Ervins to have a friendly chat about the gospel of Christ where I was for over two and a half hours with him and others about the gospel as taught by Jesus and Peter and Paul. They would not have it that the gospel was as Peter taught on the day of Pentecost, but that it was as it was laid down in the tenth chapter of Acts and last verses. I tried to reason with them, but no reason was in them. When I was coming away, then they wanted me to work a miracle for them. But this I would not do if they would not believe me. So I took off my hat and bore my testimony to them and told them that I knew that God had restored his gospel to the earth again. Then I left them. After coming back to Malcolms, he and I commenced upon the organization of the Church of God and we kept it up for a long time. I might say I had a great night of it in the Fence Rows. I stayed all night with the Malcolms. They were very kind to me and invited me to call back again and see them. They cried when I left them on the morning, yet they are saved.
29 April 1881 Friday A very fine morning. After breakfast I started out to Lesmahagow to see Brother Crosbie and family where I arrived about 1:30 P.M. When I arrived they were in the house at dinner. As soon as they knew that I had come, one of the sons came out for me. When I entered, the father and two sons received me with the greatest of kindness, but I never saw a woman act so unreasonable as Mrs. Crosbie did, for she acted as if she had lost her senses because she is a saved being and wants to have nothing to do with the world. I had a walk with Brother John Crosbie and he told me how he had to put up with the advice of his wife ever since she had been converted to those saved people. I stayed all night with his sister and brother-in-law, John Baxter, who were very kind to me. There is an old church in Lesmahagow that was built by King David the first in the year 1140 and rebuilt in the year 1803.
30 April 1881 Saturday I was around Lesmahagow till after 3 o'clock P.M. when I started for Hazelbank, where I stayed all night with Brother and Sister Crosbie.
|