295 Edge Lane, Liverpool.

Some cold.

I fasted until after S. School and meeting. I spoke at all three meetings. The evening meeting was special memorial services for Pres. Jos. F. Smith. Elder J. M. Sjodahl occupied 40 minutes & I followed occupying 50 minutes. Special musical features.

I wrote to my daughter Ruby after the evening meeting.

Liverpool.

I worked at my desk all day and until 11 P.M.

Liverpool.

I am better of my cold. This day I received from Pres. Jos. F. Smith a personal letter dictated on his 80th birthday anniversary as he lay in bed and signed by himself. He died on the 19th [page break] six days later. I also received a personal letter by Pres. Heber J. Grant written Nov. 12th. One paragraph reads as follows:

“I hope that it may not be long now before your wife will have the pleasure of joining you. … I see no reason why she should could not go at the earliest date convenient for to her. I can well appreciate how much real joy and happiness it will be to you after the long separation from your wife, to have her with you in the missionary field.”

I worked at my desk as usual during the day and in the evening I attended a lecture with lantern views in Picton Hall, of Belgium during four years of war.

Liverpool.

All are well here. at Durham House.

A letter received from Mother today & written Nov. 15th says that 5 in the home of Bro Hugh J. Cannon have had the influenza. Sarah was ill with it at the time. Mercedese had been having jundice but was better.

My son and I walked down town on business. I worked at my desk and attended the regular evening meeting.

Liverpool,

All are usually well.

I spent the day at my desk as usual and in the evening I attended a lecture in Picton Hall. Subject. America. Mormons [page break] and polygamy were mentioned and a view of the Temple block was shown. The statement was made that polygamy is done away in Utah the U S. being as dead against it as are the people of this country. A choice Subject and an excellent lecturer.

295 Edge Lane.

All well here.

I spent the day at my desk as usual. Spent the evening in answering correspondence.

Liverpool

I still have some cold.

I worked at my desk all day and in the evening I attended an organ recital at St. George’s Hall with my son George, Elder Leroy S. Dickson and Elder Lester F Hewlett.

Liverpool.

I still have some cold but otherwise am well. I attended the S. School and evening meeting and took part therein. Elders Hewlett and Dickson were the speakers in both meetings. After the evening meeting, I visited with the saints and assisted by my son George & Pres. Ravenscroft administered to Sister Winnie Andrews. [page break]

295 Edge Lane, Liverpool

All usually well.

I worked at my desk all day and in the evening, I spoke in the Reliefsociety meeting.

Liverpool.

All well except colds.

I made a trip down to the docks to see Elders Hewlett, Dickson and Browning off on their way home. The remainder of the day was spent at my desk as usual.

I sent letters to twelve elders signifying my intention to release them next month. I also received a letter from Brother Frank Alexander from Norwich Conference signifying his willingness to fill a mission. I answered it expressing my appreciation &c.

In the evening I attended a lecture in the Picton Hall, “Verdi.”

Liverpool.

I think I am some better of my cold. It has not interfered in the least with the performance of my duties.

This morning I received a letter from Lieut. B. H Roberts, Chaplain, 145th F.A. 1st. Utah, from Genicart, Near Bordeaux, France, Nov. 28th in answer to a letter I wrote him Nov. 15th. He said his regiment had had no hand in the fighting and its units were expected soon to sail for America. Referring to the influenza ravages, he said [page break] that out of about 600 who were afflicted, 14 died. His own health continued good.

I worked at my desk all day and addressed the evening meeting.

Wrote home after meeting.

Liverpool

All well. Weather moderated.

I made a trip down town shopping. Bought opera glasses for my wife a xmas present 50/0 = $12.00 I saw a small woman in a store where I was shopping and from a lady I learned that she was 37 yrs old and but 36 inches in height and that she is married.

I spent the remainder of the day at my desk and in the evening I attended a lecture in Picton Hall, “Invirons of Liverpool, by lantern views.”

Liverpool.

All fairly well. Josephine has cold.

This is the day Pres. Woodrow Wilson of the U.S. is due to arrive at Brest, France.

My son George, Edith and I went down to the canning dock and saw a german U. boat 280 feet in length. We paid 6d each and went on to it, and looked down into the interior &c.

I spent the rest of the day in my office as usual.

Liverpool.

I am well.

Milder weather.

I spent the day in my office [page break] as usual and in the evening my son Geo. & I went to the “Playhouse” and saw played, “The Call of The World”. A good play in which my finer feelings were touched so as to cause the tears to flow copiously. This is the first show of any kind I have seen since I came to England except one, an opera in London. We walked home from choice.

295 Edge Lane, Liverpool.

All well.

I spent the day in Liverpool and attended School and meeting. None of the Branch Presidency being present, I presided at meeting.

James Hood Jr. of Glasgow, a “tar” called and spent a part of the day and evening with us.

Lpl.

All well.

I spent the day in the office as usual.

Same as above.

Liverpool.

All usually well.

I worked in the office all day and attended the meeting in the evening.

I did not go out side the house all day but worked at my desk as usual. [page break] Retired at 11 P.M. Am well.

Liverpool.

All usually well.

I spent the forenoon at my desk and in the afternoon my son Geo. and I walked down town and back. We did considerable walking about, but did not accomplish much.

Cleaned out the faunt and run some water in for a baptismal to be held tomorrow.

My son and I administered to our maid, Maud May Smith. She later went to bed suffering from cold.

We held a baptismal in the afternoon, Pres. Stanley Ravenscroft officiating. One candidate was baptized [blank] Whitmore. I confirmed him.

I worked at my desk as usual.

295 Edge Lane, Liverpool

Stormy & cold. Am well.

Attended and took part in prayr meeting and Sunday School. At the evening meeting Elder John E. Cottam spoke 30 min on the life of Christ, and I occupied 40 min on the life and mission of Jos. Smith. After meeting by request I administered a blessing to Sister Ella Airmetage as she is approaching time of confinement. Visited for an hour with the Saints after meeting and bid them the season’s compliments. [page break]

Liverpool.

I am well. The weather is quite cold.

By this day’s mail we received letters from Mother, Joel, Nina, and others.

I received a letter from Senator Reed Smoot dated at Washington, D.C. Dec 6th. In this letter he said had obtained permission from the State Department for passports to issue to my wife, two children and Sister James G. McKay. He said that he had wired to Wm C. Spence to forward to him the passports and he would have them approved at once.

My daughter Nina in her letter of the 5th said that she had just seen Mother, the children, LeGrand & Bro Spence going somewhere to see about getting passport applications prepared. Mother and the children had already had their passport photos taken.

It looks as if the way was cleared for their coming and I have no doubt but that they will leave home soon after Christmas.

I wrote to Pres. McKay informing him of what I had learned of his wife’s coming to England. My son George and I went down town after supper and walked back. We went to do some shopping but did none. [page break]

Liverpool.

All usually well.

My son and I walked down town and did some shopping. We separated at Lewis’s Store and I bought a steamer rug for Geo. & Edith, £2-9-6 Preparations were made for Xmas as usual and as this may be my last Xmas in England, I am giving more presents than for the past two or three years. Retired at 12 o’clock

Christmas. 295 Edge Lane, Liverpool.

All well. Bright day. I awoke at 5:30, arose at 5:40 and was shaved and fully groomed and dressed before the children were ready to go to the front room, where the tree stands.

May useful presents were handed out. I received gifts as follows: from

George, a pair of knitted gloves.

Geo. & Edith, 2 silk handkerchiefs Josephine & Franklin 2 [handkerchiefs] & can of powder

Santa, box of sweets.

Maud, book mark,

Maud & Annie photograph.

Winnie Andrew, painted calandar.

Cards &c from sund: persons.

I gave the following, to,

Geo & Edith, Steamer rug. & £5.

Edith, box of fancy stationery.

Josephine & Franklin, a game board

Josephine, large ornamented ball

Franklin, Foot ball.

Maud, best bound bible & reference.

Annie, Leather bound “Articles of Faith.”

Elder Sjodahl, muffler,

Elder Cottam muffler.

Sister Andrew, Box stationery. [page break]

We spent a couple of hours in the sitting room in social enjoyment. Then my son George and I went out for a walk. The morning was bright and crisp and the recent rains have washed clean the streets and walks. They were pretty well cleared of people and presented a most unusual appearance. In the afternoon Geo. the two children and I took a walk through the park. The grass and shrubbery is green.

I spent part of the day playing with the children and writing letters home &c.

We had an excellent turkey Christmas dinner.

Liverpool.

Edith is poorly All others well.

Weather cold. Boxing day.

I attended to correspondence during the forenoon and in the afternoon attended the social given the children of the branch. A Christmas tree and presents were among the pleasing features. A nice program was rendered and eatables were served, games were played and a general social time was had.

Assisted by Elders Sjodahl and S. Ravenscroft, I administered to Flora Hayhurst, 9 yrs old.

I spent the day in my office as usual. [page break] A Canadian soldier named Walter Scott called at our headquarters thinking that we were the Reorganites. I had a conversation with him and gave him some of our literature to read. He claimed membership in that Church. He was almost thunderstruck when he learned from me that the Reorganite leader Evans had left the church and is setting up a church of his own. He said he would thoroughly investigate the matter on his return home and if he finds that what Evans says of the Reorganization is true, he will become an infidel.

Liverpool.

Geo. has cold. Others well.

I worked in my office all day and sent out releases to ten elders dated Jan 21st with letters of instructions. A busy day.

L’p’l.

All fairly well.

A letter from Mother received yesterday, written Dec. 8th says she had made application for passports for herself and four of the children to England. It was not known whether passports would be granted to the extra children, Edna and Oliver, or whether Pres. Grant, who was in California at the time would approve of her bringing four children. Nor was [page break] it certain when she would leave home. Sister Caswell from Bristol called and stayed during the day and overnight.

I attended S. School and the evening and took part. I also administered to Geo. Beddow. Elder Cottam anointed him. I wrote to my son LeGrand between meetings.

295 Edge Lane, Liverpool.

All well.

I spent the day in my office as usual. In the evening I wrote home to Ruby and to Mamie.

I had at least three impressive dreams during the past night. I dreamed that I held my wife in a loving embrace and when I awoke I was hugging myself. I also dreamed of being tipped off some bridge, boat of stack of hay as the scene changed and went down into the sea. It seemed to be deep and rough but I did not fear it much and catching hold on a floating piece of wood or something that would float I went about in the water with rapidity and ease altogether beyond my natural powers. The prophet Joseph Smith says to dream of being swimming in deep water signifies success among many people CH. v. 5, p. 255 I also dreamed that I saw a young peach tree with just two beautiful red ripe peaches on it. There is an old saying that to [page break] dream of fruit out of season is a sign of grief beyond reason. I hope there is no significance in that dream, of the kind named.

Liverpool.

All at Durham House are well.

I accompanied Elder Oliver G. Ellis of Ogden and Elder Hugh S. Latimer of S.L. City down town to the money exchange, to the Alien’s office, and to the Princes Landing where they embarked on the “Scandinavian” for St. John, N. B. I spent the remainder of the day in my office attending to local correspondence &c.

In the evening I attended a Branch Social or New Year’s Watch Party. We had the meeting room nicely decorated and furnished with rugs, sofas, large chairs, tables &c. artistically arranged. I announced the items on the program. A number of the folks remained until after mid night to see the old year out and the new year in. I was among the number.

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