History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

406
MISSIONS AND IMMIGRATION.
The work prospered, and within a few months about
1,500 converts were made, 13 not only at Preston, but
also at Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, and as we
shall see later, in Glasgow and in the south of Wales.
In April 1840, when was held, at Preston, the first
council of the twelve in a foreign land, Brigham
Young, who arrived in England during this year, 14 being
elected their president, the church claimed in the
British Islands nearly 2,000 proselytes, 15 in April 1841
more than 6,000, 16 and at the close of 1852 more than
32,000. According to a statistical report of the church
throughout the United Kingdom for the half-year
ending December 31, 1852, there were at that date 742
branches, 17 ofthe quorum of seventies, 10 high- priests,
1,913 priests, 2,752 elders, 1,446 teachers, and 856
13 Smith, Rise, Progress, and Travels, 30-1. In Tullidge's Women, 246, it
is stated that 2,000 were baptized within eight months. This is probably exaggerated.
The first converts, nine in number, were baptized in the Ribble,
July 30, 1837. Names given in Id., 241.
14 On board the Patrick Henry, together with Parley and Orson Pratt, Geo.
A. .Smith, Heber 0. Kimball, and Reuben Hedlock. Brigham left his home
in Montrose on Sept. 14, 1839. Being in feeble health, he was carried to the
house of Heber C. Kimball, where he remained until the 18th, when they set
forth together. Mrs Mary Ann Young was left with an infant only ten days
old, and the youngest child of Mrs Kimball, who was then sick with chills
and fever, was only three weeks old. Heber, who was also suffering from
ague, relates that when he took leave of his family, it seemed as if his very
heart would melt within him. ' This is pretty tough, is it not?' he remarked
to Brigham. ' Let us rise up and give them a cheer.' They arose, and swinging
their hats, cried, 'Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah for Israel!' Neither were in
condition to travel, and both were almost penniless. Arriving at Kirtland,
which place they visited on their way, Brigham had one New York shilling
left, and Heber claims that meanwhile the necessary funds had been supplied
by some heavenly messenger. The vessel sailed on the 19th of March,
and reached Liverpool on the 6th of April, the tenth anniversary of the organization
of the church. Brigham left the ship in company with Heber and
Parley, and when he landed shouted with a loud voice, ' Hosanna! ' On the
next day they went to Preston by rail. Hist. B. Young, MS. ; Young's Jour., in
Millennial Star, xxv. 711-12; Times and Seasons, ii. 223; Whitney's Woman's
Exper., MS. A parting hymn, composed by Parley a few days before the
vessel sailed, will be found in Pratt's Autobiog., 332, and Times and Seasons,
i. 111. On Dec. 8, 1S39, elders Hiram Clark, Alex. Wright, and Sam. Mulliner
had arrived at Preston, and on Jan. 13, 1S40, elders Wilford Woodruff, John
Taylor, and Theodore Turley. Id., iii. 8S4.
15 In the Millennial Star, i. 20, is a list of most of the towns in which
branches were established, with the number of members in each.
16 In Id., i. 302, the number is given at 5,814, besides 800 who had emigrated
to America during that season. These figures include the Welsh, Irish,
Scotch, and Manx converts.