Liverpool.

All well.

Good weather.

I worked at my desk and after supper my son George & I walked down to the home of Sister Martha R [blank] and administered to her.

I wrote letters to my wife, to Sarah, Ruby, Estella & Ray.

Fine day.

I worked at my desk all day and attended meeting at night. My son George was the speaker.

Liverpool.

I am well & happy.

Nice weather.

Trees beginning to put forth their [p. 89] leaves. I worked at my desk all day and evening as usual.

Liverpool.

All well.

Beautiful day.

I worked at my desk as usual

Retired about 11:30 P.M.

Liverpool

All well.

Weather turned cold

I spent the day at my desk as usual.

All usually well.

With Elders Sjodahl, Cottam and my son George and I left home at 6:25 A.M. and walked two miles to the Exchange station where we took 7:20 A.M. train and arrived in Blackburn at 9:20 A.M. We were met by Pres. Mason & Elder Danielson and went to the meeting house, where the first meeting was held at 10:30 I was the last speaker and occupied 20 min with good liberty. I spoke of the difficulty attending the effort of the churches of the world to make their creeds to conform to the scriptures 1st because of the <wrong> education of the people in religious matters and 2nd because the ministers were obli[p. 90]ged to preach what the people want and they want an easy religion.

The individual has to face grave obstacles in giving up his religion for an unpopular religion. He should count well the cost and must be courageous and determined for the right.

At the close of the morning we, the elders, went to the lodge, 39 Mill Lane, where we held an informal meeting, thence to the hall for the 2:30 meeting. After this meeting we elders broke our fast, taking a lunch with the saints in the meeting house. After the 6:00 P.M. meeting we returned to Liverpool and walked to Durham House. The weather was clear & cold. A successful conference was held & I offered the benediction. Several people were administered to and two sisters were set apart as missionaries. This day nine months ago I left my home and loved ones in Zion and left with my son George and his wife and two children Josephine and Franklin D. for England where I had been called to preside over the European mission. Until this date I have been greatly blessed & sustained in my missionary work. Praise the Lord. [p. 91]

Liverpool.

All well.

Cold day

I worked all day at my desk as usual.

We were a few days without a fire in the furnace but this morning the temperature was below 58° so we had the furnace started again.

I worked at my desk all day. I wrote a three paged letter to the First Presidency, reporting the work in brief in each of the six missions constituting the European Mission. I wrote to my daughter Nerva and to Pres. S. B. Young acknowledging receipt of an invitation to call at his home on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of his marriage.

Liverpool.

All well.

Sunshine.

I worked at my desk all day I occupied 55 min at the evening meeting, subject genealogy and temple work. I studied after meeting until 11:45 P.M.

Liverpool.

All well.

Rain falls. [p. 92]

I spent the day at my desk as usual.

Liverpool.

All well.

This is the warmest day of the season I think. My son George and I walked down town. I got booked out for morning to Glasgo, Scotland. I think this is the first time I have been down town without an overcoat. I hope it will be no warmer this summer.

I wrote letters to my children Ray & Estella. Worked at my desk as usual.

I left Liverpool on 9:42 train and arrived at Central Station Glasgow at 4:50 P.M. I was met at the R.R. Station by Pres. Geo A. Simpkins and Elder Lester A. Harper . We went direct to the Alien’s office and I registered in. We went to the Elder’s lodge and had dinner and from there to the meeting place where at 7:30 a meeting was held of the Local Priesthood & officers. I was one of the speakers and occupied about 40 minutes with good liberty on the general duties of saints and the necessity for doing our full duty every day. Just one day at a time and we will be found im[p. 93]movable in the faith and always prepared for life or death. I slept at the home of James Hood at 12 Colebrook St. This family are converts of my Nephew Willard Richards. Here I met an army officer Tommy Martin and exchanged photos with him. He is sparking a daughter of brother Hood’s.

Glasgow.

Cold & damp.

I am well.

At 10:30 A.M. meeting the attendance was 87. The children recited the testimony of the eight witnesses of the Book of Mormon. I recited the testimony of the three witnesses and showed how that these witnesses become a testimony to the divine calling of Joseph Smith hence to the truth of his statements as to his vision of the Father and the Son and their answer to his questions, also of the truth of the visitation of Moroni, John the Baptist, Peter, James & John and all the revelations received up to that time at least. 45 min.

At the 2 P.M. meeting there were present according to count 97 people. Some non members. I was one of the speakers and [p. 94] occupied about 50 min. Subject, First Principles of the Gospel. What certain Commentaries on the Bible say of Heb. 6:1 & 2. Six foundation principles recognized as necessary to the Christian faith. So say the L.D. Saints

At the evening session there were present 93, of whom about 20 were non-members. I occupied about 70 min. with good freedom, Subject: First Principles of the Gospel, the consistency of the Gospel, as a law it must be taught to all men, vicarious work &c

I feel that the Lord blessed us and that the conference was a grand success. At the close of the evening meeting the four elders went with me to Bro. Hoods and we had an informal meeting.

Glasgow, Scotland

I am well.

This is the 53rd Anniversary of my wife’s birthday.

I took Midland R.R. train to Carlisle and thence by L.&Y. Ry to Liverpool. Left Glasgow at 9:15 and arrived in Liverpool at 5:05 P.M. The street cars were so crowded I could not get a ride so walked home from Exchange station.

Found Franklin ill with swol[p. 95]len tonsils. We administered to him.

Received three letters from my wife the first received since the 3rd I read my letters, sent wire and dictated letter to Pres. Christiansen of the Scandinavian Mission in answer to his wire in regards to releasing missionaries. Took a bath and retired at 11 P.M. Dreamed of my wife, fond embraces.

Liverpool.

Franklin seemingly well.

I prosecuted my labors at my desk as usual. Wrote up my journal for the past three days from notes and memory.

I wrote to my wife and worked at my desk until 10 P.M.

I worked all day in my office and in the evening attended meeting. Elders Mason & Harley from Blackburn were the speakers.

All well.

I worked at my desk all day and evening. Received a letter from Sister Richards saying all are well at home. [p. 96]

Liverpool.

All usually well.

I went to the Alien’s office and registered for Sheffield for morning. The remainder of the day was spent at my desk as usual. I wrote to Sister Richards S.L. City.

I left Liverpool on G.C. 10:30 train for Sheffield arriving there at 12:38 P.M. I was met at the R.R. Station by Pres. Jno. Holmes who accompanied me to the Alien’s office and thence to the Elder’s lodge at 120 Burngreave Road where I had dinner with the elders five in number, Elder Wilford F. Burton of Manchester being present.

At 2 P.M. I had an informal meeting with the Elders and at 4 P.M. we held a formal meeting at the meeting house. At 6:30 we met with the Conference and branch officers and had an excellent meeting nine of us spoke. At 8:30 we had a concert, local talent. Retired to bed at mid night.

Sheffield.

All well.

I attended three public conference meetings and one baptismal and spoke at each. I confirmed [p. 97] one member and administered to two or more people.

At morning meeting I occupied about 20 min. Commended teachers and pupils on good reciting & referred to C. W. Penrose’s career and that of a good English girl who became the wife of two Apostles and the mother of an Apostle and the grandmother of another. These are examples of what the English boys and girls may attain to. Aim high. There is always a demand for good men and women. Always room at the top.

At 2 P.M. meeting I occupied about 40 minutes with good liberty on the First Principles of the Gospel.

At 6:30 P.M. I occupied 60 min. I read Matt 22:38, 39 and commented on same. How can the world have understanding of the fatherhood of God and the brother hood of man and love God with all his heart when he does not recognize him as a personage having parts & passions I showed the pre existance of man and the relation ship we sustain to God & to man. Now we can love our Father & our brothers & sisters & loving them we will not quarrel with them. The wars of many [p. 98] nations but shows how far men are from the requirements the Lord has made of us. This is all sin. Most of our evils & sorrows are the result of sin and violation of law. When the Nations repent as did the people of Ninevah they will get peace.

This day’s labors have been very satisfactory. May the Lord be praised.

Sheffield Manchester

I left Sheffield <10:54 A.M.> coming by way of Manchester and arrived in Liverpool at 1:15 P.M.

I spent the day remaining, at my usual work.

I spent the day as usual at my desk. Wrote a letter home in the evening.

Worked at my desk all day and attended meeting in the evening. None of the Branch presidency being present I presided and made a few remarks in conclusion. I remained in the meeting room until 10 o’clock visiting with the Saints. I heard Sister Ravenscroft relate her experience in the church known as “the Church of God” [p. 99] The leader of that church a Mr. Sanford, an American claimed to be a prophet, a David and another personality or two. He has been serving a term in prison in the U.S. for about eight years; a ten year’s sentence for having been responsible for the death of seven people in a yacht refusing to let them go in to shore until they perished.

I did office work all day and evening retiring at 10:30

All well here and a letter received from home this morning says all were well there May 7th.

Later. A letter from my son Joel dated May 9th and finished on the 10th says my daughter Mamie Silver gave birth to a fine baby boy on the 8th inst: All seemed to be doing well. This makes three boys, grandsons, born to me since I left home and it is nine months to-day since I arrived in Liverpool. Joel says they are going to name his baby, Melvin. [p. 100]

The day was spent at home in the usual way.

My son George and I took the 10:40 A.M. train for Manchester. We were met by two of the elders and accompanied to the Alien’s office and from there to the Elder’s lodge at 10 Fernleaf St. After dinner we held a meeting of the elders, and at 4:30 met with the Local Priesthood. At 7:30 held a baptismal at the Corporation baths where three souls were added to the fold.

All of us elders went to Oldham on train reaching there in time for 10:30 A.M. meeting. Three meetings were held during the day. The evening services were in the nature of a memorial service for the only son of Bro. Benj. Birchall who had recently been wounded in battle and had died in the hospital in France. Bro. Birchall and I were the speakers. He said that there were about 30 non members present of his friends in cluding two ministers. I enjoyed perfect freedom and discoursd for about 50 minutes on the Eternal progression of man. May the Lord be praised [p. 101]

My son, his wife & child (F. D.) and I returned to Liverpool after meeting. Edith went over with Ada Cross in her own account.

This finishes the Spring conferences. Letters from home.

Liverpool.

All well.

This is a holliday in England so I went with other saints for a ramble. We went to Birkenhead and Bidston Hill and Birkenhead Cemetery. Both are beautiful and from the former a good view is had of surrounding country. We left home at 3 P.M. and returned at 10:00 P.M. A good trip.

All day at my desk.

All day until 5:40 at my desk. After supper, my son and the two children walked out for an hour. I attended our evening service and was one of the speakers occupying 25 min. on the sins of the world & sorrows resulting there from. The Saints escape through coming out of her, Babyland. I retired at 11:45 P.M. [p. 102]

Liverpool.

All well.

Cold day.

I worked at my desk all day & evening except for about an hr. while my son Geo. & I walked out. I wrote to Elder J. E. Talmage and one to Pres. H. J. Grant and the Council of Twelve for their next quarterly meeting.