The commencement of my labor in Penrith

Tuesday, April 3, 1906.  Penrith. Fine day.

This being the commencement of my labor in Penrith (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penrith,_Cumbria) it will be in order to describe the town and its surroundings. Its population is about ten thousand. The principal occupation being Marketing center for the surrounding country district. It is situated on the London and North Western R.R. It is also near England's noted Lake District. Tourists find Penrith to be a convenient place to stop while visiting the las and castles that are close to it. Rising to the east of the town is a hill which rises quite high called the Beacon Pike. It is covered with timber. Also has a monument on it which was used for the Beacon lights anciently. It is quite historic on that account. From it Cromwell spread destruction within range blowing to pieces the Brougham Castle [and] also the Penrith Castle, the ruins of which still remain to tell the tale. The Eamont River runs near Penrith which divides Cumberland from Westmorland. Pres. John Taylor spent his boyhood days in Penrith.

I left Carlisle on the 1 PM train. Arriving here I spent the afternoon arranging things at lodge. In the evening I went and called on a family by the name of Robinson. Had a chat. In the evening Elder Owen arrived from Sunderland.

Wednesday, April 4, 1906.  Penrith. Fine day.

This morning we took a walk up to the Cemetery. Returning we done some work, stamping tracts and other odd jobs. After dinner we set out to do our first tracting, commencing over the R.R. bridge west of Penrith. We met with good success. Found the people to be of a higher and more refined class then is prevalent in most towns of England. After completing our day's tracting, we returned to lodge and spent the evening writing.

Thursday, April 5, 1906.  Penrith. Fine day.

We spent the forenoon at lodge. In the afternoon we went tracting, meeting with some indifference. We also noticed many of the ministers out among their people. I don't know whether it was on our account or not, but rather think it was. When finished tracting we returned to lodge. Had tea then took a walk down to the Eamont River. Visited the Brougham Castle which was left in a ruined state by Cromwell. From there we visited the Brougham Hall which is a very elaborate structure on an eminence above the river, its occupants being Gentleman and Lady Brougham. From there we returned to lodge.

A good spirit was in our midst... This finishes my labors in Carlisle.

Friday, March 30, 1906.  Carlisle

Today I done some papering and painting for Sister Atkinson. In the evening Elder Wootton & Rich called and we three went to Newtown and called on the two Nelson families. We also went to Mrs. Carruther's and administered to her daughter Lizzie who was ill. Elder Rich and I stopped at lodge overnight.

Saturday, March 31, 1906.  Carlisle

I spent the forenoon at lodge packing my trunk. In the afternoon I went visiting friends I made while tracting. I also called on a number of Saints. In the evening we, Wootton, Rich & Neeley held two street meetings, one at the Cross and the other at the Court house. After meetings we spent the remaining part of the evening at Sister Atkinson's. Elder Wootton and I came to lodge to stop over night. Elder Rich stopped at Sister Atkinson's.

Sunday, April 1, 1906.  Carlisle

We spent the forenoon at lodge. In the afternoon we went to Sunday School. It being fast day, my class engaged in Testimony baring. A good spirit was in our midst. After S.S. we went to Sister Cook's for tea. We returned to the Hall for services. Myself, Elders Wooton and Rich were the speakers. After meeting we had a Choir Practise. After it was out we went to Sister Atkinson's where I remained over night.

Monday, April 2, 1906.  Carlisle

This morning I went to lodge and prepared my trunk to sent it by advance luggage to Penrith. About 2 P.M. Elders Wooton, Rich and I met Sister Atkinson and daughters at the bridge on Warwick road, where we all went to Warwick together to hold cottage meeting at Bro. and Sister Porter's. Sister Walker later joined us on her wheel. We played ball all the way out, arriving there about 4 P.M. Tea was prepared. After tea we jumped the rope and played call till evening. When we were gathered in the parlour we held the meeting, it being a testimony meeting. After meeting we all walked back to Carlisle. I stopped at Sister Atkinson's. This finishes my labors in Carlisle.

Finding Lodging in Penrith

Thursday, March 22, 1906.  Pelton

I stopped over night at Sister Wears. This morning after breakfast, I set out to call on my old friends. First called on Jordan's. From there went to West Pelton. Called on Sister Wailes and took dinner. From there to Sister Warren's, then to Grange villa. Visited Crowsers and took supper there. Then went to Sister Smith's where Mutual was held. The people were all glad to see me again. After Mutual Elder White and I weren't to Mr. Jordan's where we stopped over night.

Friday, March 23, 1906.  Pelton

This morning Elder White and I separated. I went to Waldrige Fell to visit Bro. & Sister Green. I returned to Grange Villa at noon. Took dinner at Sister Smith's, then Elder White and I went to Craghead and Bloomfountain. Visited Bros. and Sisters Chapman and Studham. We returned to Grange Villa. Called on Bro. Wiseman, then stopped over night at Sister Smith's.

Saturday, March 24, 1906.  Pelston and South Shields.

In the morning I called on all the Grange Cilla Saints, then went to Newfield. Alley on Wears and Jordans, then to Chester le St. Visited Sister Lindley. Went to the lodge where Elder White and I got ready and took the train to Low Fell. Took train from there to Newcastle. From there took train to South Shields. Our purport in going to Shields was to attend District Meeting there. Tonight we held some Street Meetings for the purport of distributing bills announcing the District Meetings. There were nine Elders present. We divided into two companions to hold meetings. Elders White, Mackay and I went to Jarrow with Elders Hazen and Smith to stop over night.

Sunday, March 25, 1906.  South Shields

We took a boat from Hebron Collery to South Shields. On arriving at the lodge met a number of the Elders who had come to attend District meeting. A Priesthood meeting was held where we all had a chance to report our labours. At 2:30 pm we attended the first session of District Meeting at St. Thomas off Ocean Road. The speakers were Pres. Taylor, Elders Wootton and Paul. Between 2:30 and 6:30 meetings a tea was prepared at the hall No. 8 Victoria Terrace Fowler St, where Elders, Saints, and friends went. At 6:30 the evening meeting commenced with a good attendance. The speakers were Pres. Taylor, Elders White, Neeley, Fairbanks, and Hazen. I went to Sunderland to stop with Elders Wooton, Fairbanks and Owen till Tuesday.

Monday, March 26, 1906.  Sunderland.

We remained at lodge till Noon. When Pres. Taylor came from Shield, we all went to Bro. Marshall's for dinner. He being manager of the Ferry over the Wear River. While there we seen a ship that had been wrecked and had drifted into the harbor. Leaving there we returned to lodge. Later we took Pres. Taylor and Elder Mackay to the train. They were going to Middleborough. Elder Wooton and I then went down to 2 St. Leonards St. and took tea with Mrs. Smith. Also spent the evening there, returning we retired.

Tuesday, March 27, 1906.  Sunderland and Carlisle.

Elder Wootton and I took the 10:50 train to Newcastle. Having an hour to wait for a train to Carlisle we went through the old castle. Left Newcastle for Carlisle at 1:18. Arriving in Carlisle we went to Sister Atkinson's. Had tea and spent the evening. Also went to Choir Practise. I returned there to stop over night.

Wednesday, March 28, 1906.  Carlisle

I came to lodge time enough to take dinner with the brethren. In the afternoon we went out tracting. Met with good success. In the evening we went to Mutual. I stopped over night at the lodge with Elder Rich.

Thursday, March 29, 1906.  Carlisle and Penrith

Elder Wootton and I took the 9:55 train to Penrith. Our purpose in going was to hunt lodgings for myself and Elder Owen, we being appointed to open up a field of labor there. On arriving there we began searching for a place. After looking at two or three places we finally found a place that suited us at 22 Graham St. I engage the place now, we had finished this business, we took a look around the town, bought a lunch and went up on the Beacon Pike, a high eminent overlooking Penrith. There we ate dinner. From there we followed through the woods for some distance, then out into the open country. On our way passed the ruins of Brougham Castle (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brougham_Castle) located on the banks of Emont river. It was destroyed by Cromwell's army. We continued on rill we arrived at Emont Bridge. From here we returned to Penrith and took the 4:15 train to Carlisle. In the evening called at Sis. Atkinson's where I stopped over night.

Elder Neeley Transferred from Carlisle to Penrith

Monday, February 19, 1906.

We left Carlisle at 10:30 to go to Warwick Bridge End to visit Bro. & Sister Porter and hold a cottage meeting in the evening. We arrived and had dinner at Sister Porter's then spent the remainder of the time reading and studying. In the evening when the Saints came we held our meeting. When it was out we walked back to Carlisle. It rained all the way.

Tuesday, February 20, 1906.

After spending the forenoon writing my journal and home to my mother, we prepared some tracts and went tracting Denton Home. When finished we went to Sister Cooke's, thence to Newtown to see Mrs. Nelson. Returning to Sister Cook's for tea. In the evening we went to Choir practise.

Wednesday, February 21, 1906.

Done some studying in the forenoon. After dinner we went tracting with usual cold receptions. When finished we went to Sister Atkinson's. Had tea, then went to Mutual. The meeting was given over to the class in testimony bearing. We had a fine meeting. Nearly all present bore their testimonies. After meeting we returned to lodge.

Thursday, February 22, 1906.

Spent the forenoon at lodge studying and writing. In the afternoon we went tracting Denton home way. When finished we went to Sister Wetherell's for tea. After remaining there some time called on Mrs. Sander, then went to Stanwix and spent the evening at Heath's.

Friday, February 23, 1906.

The forenoon was spent at lodge. In the afternoon we went tracting. Had good success. When finished we went to Sister Taylor's for tea. From there we called on Sister Atkinson for a few moments. Then went to Sister Walker's where we spent a pleasant evening. There were two or three young people present besides us.

Saturday, February 24, 1906.

Today we prepared to go to Penrith on bikes. Elder Rich had Bro. Porter's wheel and I had Bro. Armstrong's, but when I came to try my wheel I found it was not in a condition to make the trip, so we gave up the idea of going and spent the day visiting among the Saints.

Sunday, February 25, 1906.

Studied my Sunday School lesson in the forenoon. At 2:30 held Sunday School. Went to Sister Atkinson's for tea. Returning to the Hall at 6:30 where we held evening service. There was quite a few present and we had a nice meeting. Bro. Porter spoke first then Elder Rich. I was the last speaker. After meeting we held a choir practise.

Monday, February 26, 1906.

In the forenoon I made out the monthly report and sent it in. After dinner I took a bath. In the evening we went to Sister Atkinson's. I pressed my Prince Albert.

Tuesday, February 27, 1906.

In the forenoon we went to Sister Cook's remaining there for dinner. From there went tracting at Denton Home. I received an invitation in a home and had a talk with a lady. When we had finished tracting we went to Sister Atkinson's for tea, it being Pancake Tuesday (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrove_Tuesday). We celebrated the occasion by eating pancakes. In the evening we attended Choir Practise.

Wednesday, February 28, 1906.

It being stormy we were unable to go tracting, but done considerable studying. We also went to Thurnam's book sale and received some find histories cheap. In the evening we took tea at Sister Lightfoot's. Then went to Mutual.

Thurnam's Book Store

Thursday, March 1, 1906.

In the forenoon we went to Thurnam's Book Store (photo) to look at some second hand books. I ran on to four volumes of Mosheim [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Lorenz_von_Mosheim] Ecclesiastical History. Also a Smith's Dictionary of the Bible. I gave seven shillings for the lot. In the afternoon we went tracting. I was invited in at one place and had a nice talk with a lady. She invited me back. In the evening we visited Sister Wetherell and also Mr. Heath.

Friday, March 2, 1906.

Studied in the forenoon. In the afternoon went tracting. We had a cold reception as there had been a peace [piece] in the paper about "Mormonism exposed". All the people were up in arms about it. One man invited me in and how he did roast me, but I finally quieted him down by tell in [telling] him the opposite side of the story. When finished tracting we went to Newtown and Mr. Nelson gave it to us proper. We talked to him two hours and finally proved to him that the paper lied about us. In the evening we visited Persival's and Walker's.

Saturday, March 3, 1906.

I felt ill this morning on arising. In fact I have been under the weather for two weeks so I thought I would take a walk out in the country to Bro. Porter's for a change. Elder Rich said he would stop and do the work so I set of[f]. Arrived there at noon. The people were pleased to have me come and I was made welcome. They persuaded me to stop over night which I did.

Sunday, March 4, 1906.

It was a beautiful morning. Sister Porter and I set out at 11 o'clock to walk in to Carlisle. The walk was beautiful. We enjoyed it. I came to the lodge and got ready for Sunday School. Then Elder Rich and I went to the Hall and had things in readiness for 2:30. We had a nice school. My class engaged in testimony bearing. We took tea at Sister Atkinson's and in the evening held our meeting and Choir Practise.

Monday, March 5, 1906.

In the forenoon we done some studying & writing. In the afternoon we went tracting up at Trinity Buildings. From there we came to lodge. Had tea then went to Sister Atkinson's to spend the evening. Practised some songs that were going to be sung at a Birthday party the following Monday.

Tuesday, March 6, 1906.

In the forenoon we done some studying. After dinner we went tracting Hazal St. When finished went to Sister Sander's for tea. From there we called on Sister Lightfoot then went to Choir Practise.

Wednesday, March 7, 1906.

We spent the forenoon at lodge. In the afternoon we called on a lady friend. Had a long talk with her, then went to Trinity Buildings to so some tracting, but it was so windy and stormy we gave over tracting after putting out a few. From there we came to lodge. Had tea and in the evening went to Mutual.

Thursday, March 8, 1906.

After writing a letter we went to Sister Lightfoot's to take dinner. We took tracts with us to do some tracting but it came on very stormy. We were unable to do any tracting, but spent out time visiting at Sister Atkinson's for a short time, then went to Newtown. Visited Sister Nelson, Mrs. Reah. From there to Sister Pane's thence to Stanwix. Visited Heath's.

Friday, March 9, 1906.

In the afternoon went tracting Gloucester Rd. Had fairly good success. Older man invited me in and I had a nice talk with him. When finished tracting we went to Sister Taylor for tea. From there we called on Bro. Armstrong then to Walker's where we spent a pleasant evening.

Saturday, March 10, 1906.

After spending the forenoon writing and studying we went tracting at Gloucester Rd. After finished we called on Mrs. Sander. Leaving her place we went down to Mrs. Carruther's. Took tea then returned to lodge and prepared to hold a street meeting. We had a nice meeting. I was first speaker. Elder Rich spoke last. A belief alone [someone who believes that it is faith alone that saves us] man tackled me after the meeting and we had an argument. When finished we went to Sister Atkinson's. Spent the evening.

Sunday, March 11, 1906.

I studied my Sunday School lesson in the forenoon. At 2:30 we held our Sunday School. After it we went to Sister Atkinson's for tea. At 6:30 PM we assembled at the Hall for services. Had a nice meeting. After it was out we held Choir Practise. From there we spent the remaining part of the evening at Sister Atkinson's.

Monday, March 12, 1906.  Carlisle.

We spent most of the day at Lodge studying and writing. Toward evening we went to Sister Lightfoot's then returned to lodge. Had tea, after which we went to the Hall to attend Sister Maude Atkinson's birth day party. We had an enjoyable evening with games, program, and refreshments.

Tuesday, March 13, 1906.

In the morning called at Sister Atkinson's. From there we went to Warwick Bridge End to visit Bro. & Sister Porter. We spent the afternoon out there. Then we returned to Carlisle time enough for Choir Practise.

Wednesday, March 14, 1906.

We done some calling in the forenoon. In the afternoon we went tracting at Trinity Buildings. Took tea with Bro. & Sister Cooke then came to the Hall for Mutual. We had quite a nice meeting, although some didn't study their lesson enough.

Thursday, March 15, 1906.

The weather has been bad all day so we didn't venture out to do any tracting. Late in the afternoon we done some calling. Called on Sister Atkinson and Sister Wetherell. Then we went to Mrs. Sanders. From there we went to Stanwix to spend the evening at Heath's.

Friday, March 16, 1906.

We Elders Rich and Neeley spent the forenoon at lodge reading and writing. The forenoon was very stormy. In the afternoon we called on a Mrs. Johnson an investigator and she consented to be baptized. We also called on Sis. M.L. Jones on business. In the evening as we were going to visit a family of Saints we met Pres. Taylor and Elder Paul. We returned to lodge with them and had tea. Then went to Sister Atkinson's to spend the evening.

Saturday, March 17, 1906.

Elders Paul and Rich stopped at Sister Atkinson's over night. Pres. and I came to lodge. The main object of Pres. visit was to open up a field of labor in Penrith. I being one chosen to labor there. After spending the forenoon at Carlisle showing our visitors around to points of interest such as the Castle and Cathedral, we took an afternoon train to Penrith. Arriving there we called on some friends we knew then looked around the town. Taking in some points of interest we also tried to find a lodge for myself and companion when we went there to labor. We found one nice place and partly bargained for it. We returned to Carlisle on an evening train time enough to hold a St. meeting. After the meeting we went to Sis. Atkinson's where Pres. and I remained over night.

Sunday, March 18, 1906.  Carlisle.

This morning Pres. Taylor and I came to lodge and got ready to attend the Baptismal service that was to be held in the Corporation baths. We and Saints, also friends, witnessed the baptism of five candidates. The service was impressive. Elder Paul and Pres. Taylor spoke very encouragingly and to the occasion. Elder Rich my companion performed the ordinance. The confirmation took place at the Sunday School held in the Hall at 2:30. We took tea at Atkinson's then returned to the Hall to hold services. The Hall was crowded. Pres. Taylor & Elder Paul were the speakers. The choir rendered beautiful music. All enjoyed the service fine. After it we held a st. meeting.

Monday, March 19, 1906.  Carlisle.

Today we spent out time visiting the saints as it was Pres. Taylor's desire to call on them at their homes. We took dinner at Sister Taylor's and tea at the lodge. Spent the evening at Sister Atkinson's.

Tuesday, March 20, 1906.  Carlisle and Jarrow.

Pres. Taylor and I took the 10-8 train for Newcastle today. Elder Paul stopped with Elder Rich at Carlisle. We arrived at Newcastle and took a boat to Jarrow. Found Elders Hazen and Smith at their lodge. They had dinner prepared for us. Then Pres. Taylor and Elder Haven went to Newcastle to meet Miss Nannie Tout, but she didn't come. Elder Smith and I spent the evening visiting the Jarrow Saints. Took tea at Bro. Thor Thompson's then called on Bro. & Sister Teasdale, also Bro. & Sis. Scott. Leaving there we returned to lodge where the four of us stopped all night.

Wednesday, March 21, 1906.  Jarrow.

This morning Elder Smith and I went down to Palmer Ship yards and got permission to go through. We spent two hours there most interestingly. This company employ[s] eleven thousand men. The guide took us through all the workshops. Also through a number of large steamer that were under course of construction. One of these being the Lord Nelson (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Lord_Nelson_(1906)), one of the largest Man of War's afloat. After seeing all through we returned to lodge for dinner. After dinner Pres. Taylor and I went to Newcastle to see if Miss Nannie Tout had arrived as she was going to sing in a concert at Newcastle tonight. We went to the Town Hall and there found her rehearsing her part. After practise she spoke. Invited us to tea with her. In the evening many of the Elders came from their different fields of labor to attend the concert. We all had a good time and attended the concert. When it was out, I went to Pelton with Elder White to spend a few days.

HMS Lord Nelson