Kensit Preachers and Four or Five Hundred People

Interesting experiences with Kensit Preachers and their congregation.



Thursday, June 1, 1905.  Carlisle.  Fine day.

Today being the first of June, also a beautiful day, we through invitation from Sister Taylor to accompany her and company on a picnic party to the beautiful Talkin Tarn.  We were ar the depot at 1:50, teetering there the company as follows: Sister Taylor, her two daughters Mary Lydia and Eva, and a Mrs. Smith, Miss Bashford, and Mr. Fred Wetherel, my companion Elder Everett and Myself made up the company.  After a ten mile ride, arrived at Brampton Station, walking a half mile from there we arrived at the rest.  The lake is very beautiful, surrounded by trees and grass.  Also on its shores are boat houses, boating being the main attraction.  On the opposite side of the lake was the Temperance Hotel where we ate picnic after which we went boating.  Elder Everett and I rowing, it was  fine sport.  After anchoring on shore, we took out leave for the station.  Taking the 8 P.M. train for Carlisle, arriving at the station we bade the company good night.  We came to the lodge, then went from there to Upperby to call on Bro. and Sister Lightfoot.  Had supper there then returned to the lodge about 11:30 P.M.  After prayer retired to rest.

Friday, June 2, 1905.  Carlisle.  Fine day.

We spent most of the day indoors today, writing up our journals and studying.  The main events that transpired today was the visit we received from a Church of England Minister who came to call on our land lady (Mrs. Harper) but she not being in, I answered the door and gave the Rev. Carrick R. Deckin an invitation in.  He responded and a Gospel Conversation followed.  But he would not talk a great deal on the Gospel.  After he left, we went to call on a Salvation Army General who had been reading the Book of Mormon.  He said it was just a novel written by man, that it was not inspiring and so on.  Finally, he got on the Gospel.  We let him go on and till all he knew.  Then we started in on him.  Met his argument with good sound scripture and reasoning and in nearly every instance he cut his own throat when he would see he was beat.  He would let in on Brigham Young.  We told him to please leave that dead man along, and defend himself from the scriptures.  Prove to us where the scriptures teach [peniten?] forms and why they did not teach baptism, repentance, and the reception of the Holy Ghost, we told him.  Well did the prophet Isaiah say 24-6 "They will transgress the laws, change the ordinances, and break the everlasting covenants." Paul to Tim, "The time will come when they will to endure sound doctrine, but after the own lusts heap to themselves teaching having itching ears. And they shall turn away from the truth and be turned unto fables." We bore our testimonies to him and left.  We called on a lady by the name of Mrs. Walkder.  Had a chat with her and her husband after which we came to lodge.  After prayer, we retired.

Saturday, June 3, 1905.  Carlisle.  Fine day.

We were not able to go tracting today, therefore spent the forenoon and part of the afternoon in study.  About 4 o'clock in the evening went down to call on an investigator (Mrs. Glesbee).  After returning from there, we went to the barber.  I had a hair cut.  From there went to call on a Church of England Minister.  I loaned him my Book of Mormon.  Had a short conversation with them, then returned to Atkinson's.  Had tea.  Came down to hold street meeting, but the Kensit Preacher occupied the Cross [Carlisle Market Cross] and did not close till 10 P.M. which was too late for us.  We left.  Went to Atkinson's then returned to the lodge.

Sunday, June 4, 1905.  Carlisle.  Fine weather.

Arose this morning at 10 A.M.  Came down stairs.  Wrote a letter to Pres. Adams.  At 2 P.M. we went to the Hall to be ready to commence Sunday School. It being fast day day, time was occupied in testimony bearing. A good spirit prevailed.  The Saints bore strong to the Gospel.  After S.S. [Sunday School], we went to Sister Atkinson's for tea.  Returning at 6 P.M. for evening services, we had a good meeting.  I was first speaker treating the Holy Ghost.  Elder Everett occupied the remainder of the time distinguishing between Latter-day Saint  doctrine and the doctrine of the world.  After our hall meeting, we went out on the street to hold [a meeting] but found conditions unfavorable to begin a meeting.  Then, as the Kensit preachers were occupying the place, we waited a half hour till they finished.  Then we began.  The Kensit congregation came over to us.  After we sang, prayer was offered.  Elder Everett was first speaker and he spoke fine.  An excellent spirit was manifest.  All present paid strict attention.  I spoke next while Elder Everett passed tracts.  During the course of the meeting, we were opposed by the Kensit preachers, there being about ten of them.  We told them we would answer any reasonable question if they would accompany us to no. 47 Scotch Street after our meeting.  They agreed.  When we closed, we went to the Hall.  By the time we arrived, there were about four or five hundred people waiting patiently to get in to hear the discussion.  A policeman was at the door to keep order.  When we arrived, the police said "clear away and let these gentlemen in."  As we passed him, we told him not let any one in except the Kensit preachers.  About 20 crossed in and we locked the door on the remaining throng.  Entering the hall, we lit up and prepared to meet our opponents.  When all was in readiness, they presented their question.  Baptism is not essential to Salvation taking their text from 1 Corinthians 1-17.  Paul said, I came not to baptise, but to preach the Gospel.  This we met very easy.  There were other questions they asked and we answerd these without much difficulty. John 3:5 we were asked to explain which we did.  We remained with them till about 11 o'clock at which time they left and we departed to the lodge.  Retired afterwards.


Monday, June 5, 1905.  Carlisle.  Cloudy.

This forenoon we went to the photographers to see about some photos.  From there we went to the Park.  Spent the forenoon in study.  Leaving there we went up around the Castle.  Walked up the trail Mary Queen of Scots trod for recreation during her eight years of imprisonment in the Castle.  We spent part of the afternoon studying.  In the evening we called on Sister Atkinson and family.  Returning at 11 P.M. retired to rest.

Tuesday, June 6, 1905.  2 Aglionby St. Carlisle.  Cloudy.

Forenoon was spent in writing up my journal. Afternoon we studied till 7 P.M. after which we went down to the Cross to listen to the Kensit preachers.  From there we called at Bro. Armstrong's.  He not at home, we went to Bro. & Sister Sanders.  Spent an hour there.  Then went to Sister Atkinson's.  Had supper then returned home.  board 8-5.

Wednesday, June 7, 1905.  Carlisle.  Warm but windy.

Spent the forenoon in the lodge.  In the afternoon, took some tracts and went to Upperby.  Visited a few homes with tracts, then went to Sister Lightfoot'd.  I cobbled by shoes.  Also, Elder Everett's supper was prepared and we partook of it.  At 7:30 we left for Atkinson's to hold Mutual. After Mutual we remained a while.  Returning home about 11 P.M. and retired.