Chapter XXI

The Mission to Jerusalem--Progress of Orson Hyde in His Journey.

[Sidenote: Elder John E. Page--a Laggard.]

Elder George A. Smith met Elder John E. Page at Philadelphia, and advised him to take up contributions to enable him to sail within three days in the _Garrick_ for England, and overtake Elder Orson Hyde and accompany him to Jerusalem, promising to use all the influence and exertion in his power to assist him. Elder Page rejected the proposition. Elder Smith subsequently learned that Elder Page had sufficient money, without collections to have taken him through to England.

_Tuesday, 15_.

_Letter from Elder Orson Hyde to President Joseph Smith--Recounting
Incidents of his Journey en Route for Jerusalem_.

London, June 15, 1841.

_President Smith_:

Sir--With pleasure I take my pen to write you at this time, and
through you to the _Times and Seasons_, and through it to the
Saints at large, and to all whom it may concern. May grace, mercy,
and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, rest
upon you abundantly, and enable you to serve Him acceptably, secure
to yourself that honor which cometh from above, guide the counsels
of the Saints in wisdom, that peace and good will may reign
predominant in Zion, and joy and gladness swell every grateful
heart. Most gladly would I embrace an opportunity of a personal
interview with you, did one offer, but such a favor is beyond my
reach at this time. I have just seen the 12th number of the _Times
and Seasons_, containing the minutes of your conference, the report
of the Presidency, the celebration of the {373} anniversary of the
Church and the laying of the foundation of the Temple. This, to me
was a precious gem; it brought tidings from my own country, and
from the place rendered doubly endearing from the fact that there
is the home of my wife and children.

I was sorry that Elder Page had been so tardy in his movements
that objections were made to him. Most gladly would I have hailed
him as a companion to the oriental continent; but my hopes of
that are fled. I shall go alone or find some other person, in all
probability, to go with me.

I have written a book to publish in the German language, setting
forth our doctrine and principles in as clear and concise a manner
as I possibly could. After giving a history of the rise of the
Church, in something the manner that Brother Orson Pratt did, I
have written a snug little article on every point of doctrine
believed by the Saints; I began with the Priesthood and showed that
the Saints were not under the necessity of tracing back the dark
and bloody stream of papal superstition to find their authority;
neither were they compelled to seek for it among the floating and
transient notions of Protestant reformers; but God has sent His
holy angel directly from heaven with this seal and authority, and
conferred it upon men with His own hands--quoting the letter and
testimony of Oliver Cowdery; next was on the use and validity of
the holy scriptures in the Church; next on faith, set forth from
the scriptures and the Book of Covenants; then on repentance,
baptism; laying on of hands; then the different offices of the
Church; next the power and authority of each one; and, in fine,
the whole order, doctrine and government of the Church. I have
not written it as a law binding on the _German Saints_; but have
taken this course to illustrate and set forth the true principles
of our doctrine to them, fully believing that it would meet with
the cordial approbation of those whom I have the distinguished
honor to represent, could they but see it. I have written a lengthy
preface and introduction to it. I here copy an extract from the
introduction: "When in the course of divine Providence it becomes
our duty to record one of those remarkable events which gives
birth to a new era, and lays the foundation for the renovation of
the moral world, it fills the mind with wonder, astonishment and
admiration. How welcome are the rays of the morning light, after
the shades of darkness have clothed the earth in gloom! So after
a long and tedious night of moral darkness under which the earth
has rolled, and her inhabitants groaned for the last fourteen
hundred years, an angel commissioned from the Almighty, descended
and rolled back the curtains of night from the minds of some and
caused the sunbeams of truth to enlighten, cheer, and warm the
hearts of many. Welcome, welcome to our earth, thou messenger of
{374} the Most High! and thrice welcome the tidings which thou
hast borne! O Gracious Father! I ask Thee, in the name of Thy holy
child, Jesus, to bless with Thy royal favor, the weak exertions
of Thy humble servant, and make this production a blessing to all
people who may be favored with a perusal of its pages. Wherever it
shall go let it be a messenger of conviction to the wicked, and a
harbinger of peace to the righteous. Let its contents be borne upon
every breeze, and wafted to the remotest climes. Let the angel of
the covenant go before it, and prepare its way. Let its heavenly
influence be distilled upon the rich and fertile soil of humble
and honest hearts. Go forth, therefore, little volume to other
nations and tongues, and may the Almighty speed your way, and like
a sharp, two-edged sword cut the way through the prejudices of
this generation; encamp with all thy virtues in the hearts of the
people, and there let thy principles be enthroned."

One thing I was pleased with, which I noticed in the _Times and
Seasons_--the remarks made on the use of intoxicating spirits. In
my heart they found a corresponding echo. I should not be willing
to indulge the thought for a moment that the Saints in Nauvoo would
quietly stand by and see a brother gorge himself with that strong
drink which makes a hell of his home, and rolls the fiery flood of
ruin over the affections of his once happy family. No! they will
dash from his lips the cup of wretchedness, and sharply rebuke
the homicide that sells to him the wine of wrath, and measures to
him his wife's tears. * * * May the lightnings of heaven forever
blast (I had almost said) those brewers of strong drink which send
forth their corrupt and poisonous streams to sweep down in their
filthy current men of sterling talents to an untimely grave. May
the Saints of God stand as far from them as Lot stood from Sodom in
its evil day. This dizzy flood has sometimes entered the house of
worship, invaded the sacred desk, and hushed in death forever the
voice that could plead like an angel, the cause of God and man.

I have just received a note from Dr. S. Hirschell, President Rabbi
of the Hebrew community of this country, in reply to a very polite
note which I sent him, requesting the indulgence of a personal
interview with him. But in consequence of a very severe accident
which befell him he is confined to his room, and unable at this
time to grant the asked indulgence. (His leg is broken.)

I have addressed to him a communication upon the subject of
my mission, a copy of which I transmit to you. It may not be
altogether uninteresting to the Saints and friends in America.

_Elder Hyde's Letter to Rabbi Hirschell_.

Rev. Sir:--I cannot but express my sorrow and regret at the {375}
misfortune under which you labor, in consequence of the severe
accident which befell you, and by which you are confined to your
room. Please accept, sir, the sincere wishes of a stranger,
that you may speedily recover from the injury you sustained in
consequence of the accident, and resume the labors which your high
and responsible station calls you to perform.

Feeling that I may not enjoy the privilege and happiness of a
personal interview with you, I hope you will indulge the liberty
which I now presume to take, in addressing a written communication
to you, embracing some of those things which I had fondly hoped
would have been the foundation of a mutual interchange of thought
between us. But as Providence has laid an embargo upon that
distinguished privilege, I must forego, at this time, the pleasure
of a verbal relation of those things pertaining to your nation,
with which my mind is deeply affected.

Since I have arrived to years of more mature reflection, and become
religiously inclined, the writings of the Jewish Prophets have won
my affections; and the scattered and oppressed condition of that
people has enlisted the finest sympathies of my heart. Believing,
therefore, that the words of Hosea, the Prophet, ii: 23, connected
with your magnanimity, will prohibit the indulgence of any
prejudices in your feelings against the author of this production,
in consequence of his not being able by any existing document or
record, to identify himself with your nation.

"About nine years ago, a young man with whom I had had a short
acquaintance, and one, too, in whom dwelt much wisdom and
knowledge--in whose bosom the Almighty had deposited many secrets,
laid his hand upon my head and pronounced these remarkable
words--'in due time thou shalt go to Jerusalem, the land of thy
fathers, and be a watchman unto the house of Israel; and by thy
hands shall the Most High do a great work, which shall prepare the
way and greatly facilitate the gathering together of that people.'
Many other particulars were told me by him at that time, which I do
not write in this letter. But sufficient is written to show that
divine appointment is claimed as the mainspring that has sent me
forth from the embraces of an affectionate family and kind friends,
as well as from the land that gave me birth."

My labors since that period have been bestowed upon the Gentiles
in various countries, and on both sides of the Atlantic, until
in the early part of March, 1840, I retired to my bed one night
as usual; and while meditating and contemplating the field of
my future labors, the vision of the Lord, like clouds of light,
burst into my view (see Joel ii:28). {376} The cities of London,
Amsterdam, Constantinople and Jerusalem, all appeared in succession
before me, and the Spirit said unto me, "Here are many of the
children of Abraham whom I will gather to the land that I gave to
their fathers; and here also is the field of your labors. Take,
therefore, proper credentials from my people, your brethren, and
also from the Governor of your state, with the seal of authority
thereon, and go ye forth to the cities which have been shown you,
and declare these words unto Judah, and say, blow ye the trumpet
in the land; cry, gather together, and say, assemble yourselves,
and let us go into the defensed cities. Set up the standard towards
Zion--retire, stay not, for I will bring evil from the north and a
great destruction. The lion is come up from his thicket, and the
destroyer of the Gentiles is on his way--he is gone forth from
his place to make thy land desolate, and thy cities shall be laid
waste, without an inhabitant. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem,
and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished--that her
iniquity is pardoned, for she hath received of the Lord's hand
doubly for all her sins. Let your warning voice be heard among the
Gentiles as you pass; and call yet upon them in my name for aid
and for assistance. With you it mattereth not whether it be little
or much; but to me it belongeth to show favor unto them who show
favor unto you." The vision continued open about six hours, that I
did not close my eyes in sleep. In this time many things were shown
unto me which I have never written; neither shall I write them
until they are fulfilled in Jerusalem.

It appears from the Prophets, that Jerusalem has none to
guide--none to take her by the hand among all the sons whom she
hath brought forth and reared. But these two sons are come unto
thee! the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls.

Permit me now, Rev. Sir, to trouble you with the reflections of a
mind that feels completely untrammelled from every party interest,
and from every sectarian influence.

When I look at the condition of your fathers in the days of David
and Solomon, and contrast that with the present condition of their
descendants, I am led to exclaim, "How are the mighty fallen." Then
they possessed a kingdom--a land flowing with milk and honey--then
the strong arm of Jehovah taught the surrounding nations to pay
tribute and homage to them--then their standard was raised high,
their banner floated on every breeze; and under its shade the
sons and daughters of Israel reposed in perfect safety; and the
golden letters of light and knowledge were inscribed on its folds.
But now, no kingdom--no country--no tribute of gain or honor--no
standard--no security: Their sceptre has departed! and instead of
that light and knowledge which once gave them a transient elevation
above other nations, the height of {377} their ambition is now
(with some honorable exceptions) the accumulation of sordid gain,
by buying and selling the stale refuse with which their fathers
would never have defiled their hands.

Why this wonderful change? Is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob
a just God? Most certainly He is. If, then, He is a just God, of
course He will mete out and apportion the chastisement or penalty
to the magnitude of the offense or crime committed. Allowing,
then, the law of Moses to be the standard by which actions are
weighed: were not idolatry and the shedding of innocent blood
the greatest sins which your fathers committed? And was not the
penalty inflicted upon them for that transgression, captivity in
Babylon seventy years? Have they ever been guilty of idolatry at
all since their return from Babylon? No! Have they been guilty of
shedding innocent blood, to that extent since their return, that
they were before they were taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar? The
Jew says, No! Very well; there will none deny, with any claim upon
your credulity, but that the disaster and overthrow that befell
the Jewish nation in the days of Vespasian, very far exceeded in
severity, in almost every particular, the disaster and overthrow
that befell them in the days of Nebuchadnezzar.

Now, then, if God be just and mete out and apportion the
chastisement or penalty to the magnitude of the offense or crime
committed, it follows, of course, that your fathers committed some
far greater crime subsequent to their return to Babylon, than ever
they before committed. Be that crime whatever it may; know ye that
for it, or because of it, the Roman armies were permitted to crowd
their conquests to the heart of your city--burn your temple--kill
your men, women and children, and disperse your remnant to the four
quarters of the earth. The fiery storm that burst upon your nation
at that time, and the traces of blood which they have ever since
left behind them in their flight and dispersion, together with the
recent cursed cruelties inflicted upon them in Damascus and Rhodes,
but too plainly declare that the strong imprecation which they
uttered on a certain occasion has been fulfilled upon them to the
letter. "Let his blood be on us and on our children." If condemning
and crucifying Jesus of Nazareth was not the cause of this great
evil, what was the cause of it?

Aware that I have written very plainly upon these points, that have
come within my notice, you believe me, sir, when I assure you,
that my pen is pointed with friendship, and dipped in the fountain
of love and good will toward your nation. The thoughts which it
records have proceeded from a heart grateful to the Almighty, that
the time has arrived when the day-star of your freedom already
begins to dispel the dark and gloomy clouds which have separated
you from the favor of your God. Ere long it will be said to you,
"Arise, shine, for thy light has {378} come, and the glory of the
Lord has risen upon thee."

The morning breaks, the shadows flee,
Lo! Zion's standard is unfurled;
The dawning of a brighter day
Majestic rises on the world.

The Gentile fulness now comes in,
And Israel's blessings are at hand:
Lo! Judah's remnant, cleansed from sin,
Shall in their promised Canaan stand.

Now, therefore, O ye children of the covenant, repent of all your
backslidings, and begin, as in days of old, to turn to the Lord
your God. Arise! arise! and go out from among the Gentiles; for
destruction is coming from the north to lay their cities waste.
Jerusalem is thy home. There the God of Abraham will deliver thee
(Joel ii: 32.) There the bending heavens shall reveal thy long
looked-for Messiah in fleecy clouds of light and glory, to execute
vengeance upon thine enemies; and lead thee and thy brethren of the
ten tribes to sure conquest and certain victory. Then shall thrones
be cast down, and the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of
our God. Then will they come from the east, west, north, south,,
and sit down in the kingdom of God with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
But the children of the kingdom (Gentiles) shall be cast out, and
the kingdom restored to Israel.

With sentiments of distinguished consideration, I have the honor,
sir, to subscribe myself,

Your most obedient servant,

Orson Hyde.

Rev. Dr. Solomon Hirschell, President Rabbi of the Hebrew Society
in England.

_Conclusion of Elder Hyde's Letter to the Prophet_.

It is very hard times in England. Thousands have nothing to do,
and are literally starving. Trade of all sorts is at the lowest
ebb. Very cold and dry. No harvest unless rain come soon. You will
discover that the greater part of the English brethren have always
worked under masters; and they have not so much notion of planning
and shifting for themselves, particularly in a strange country, as
the Americans. They want some one to be a kind of father to them,
to give them plenty of work, and plenty to eat; and they will be
content. They are a very industrious people whenever they can get
employment: and by a little fatherly care, they will soon get
way-wised to the country, and be enabled to shift for themselves. I
trust that exertions are made to give {379} employment to as many
as possible. You know the reasons there better than I do, and you
have received a specimen of the English Saints. Now if you have
any counsel to give concerning the gathering, in addition to that
already given, I shall be happy to receive and execute it, as far
as opportunity offers.

I shall not remain here long, it is true; but Brother Pratt is
here, and I shall return here some time if the Lord will.

I must now close by saying for one and all, God bless Zion for ever
and ever.

Your brother in Christ,

Orson Hyde.

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