History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

404
MISSIONS AND IMMIGRATION.
Taylor, but they could give him no direct encouragement;
he took tea with them, and then sought lodgings
at a public house. In the morning he visited
the clergymen of the place, none of whom would
open to him their dwellings or places of worship.
Then he applied to the sheriff for the use of the
court-house, then to the authorities for a public room
in the market-place, and with no better result. The
prospect was dark, considering the prophecies concerning
this mission. Again and again he tried with
no better success. His resources were exhausted;
he could do nothing more; he must depart.
He retired to a grove just outside the town and
prayed. His heart was very heavy. He returned
to the house of John Taylor, where he had left his
handful of baggage, and bade his friends farewell.
Mr Taylor was touched with pity, and held him for
a moment in conversation, during which a Mrs Walton
entered and began talking in an adjoining room
with Mrs Taylor, who spoke of Parley's failure, saying:
"He may be a man of God, and I am sorry to
have him depart." The visitor was at once deeply
interested. "Indeed," she said, "I feel that it is so,
and that I was directed hither by the spirit of the
Lord. I am a widow; but I have a spare room and
bed, and food in plenty. My son will come and guide
him to my house, which shall be his home; and there
are two large rooms to preach in." Parley gladly
accepted the offer. His labors were thenceforth attended
with success. Mrs Walton soon received baptism;
a friend of hers, a poor widow, was miraculously
cured of blindness, and many in consequence believed.
There was a Mr Patrick, a wealthy and influential
man, whose custom it was every sabbath to hold in
his house a meeting, wherein w r ere discussed questions
concerning salvation, without regard to doctrine or
dogma. Both John Taylor and Mrs Walton were in
the habit of attending these meetings, the former frequently
taking a part in the discussions. On one oc-