Elder J W Thornley writing from Preston Oct 2 1884 says:
On the morning of Sept 5th, I left the town of Preston and walked to Lancaster, 21 miles, where I met Brother L. J. Nuttall, Jun., who had preceded me on business. We directly took our stand in them the market place and raised our warning voices to the people for the space of half an hour when we were compelled to desist by a minstrel troupe taking their stand close by and robbing us of our listeners. The following day we started for the northern towns viz Carnforth, Bowness, Dalton-in-Furness, Barrow-in-Furness, and intermediate places, holding meetings when opportunity was afforded. In Dalton, after speaking to a large congregation for an hour and a half, we were very bitterly opposed; but praise be unto the Lord, he gave us wisdom to put naught all objections and logically defeat all railing accusations. Our hearers were finally honest enough to acknowledge we had the better of the argument, and gave up, saying we they had heard a great deal of Brigham Young and the Mormons, etc., but to their knowledge had never seen one before. I asked if they wanted to see the ‘horns’, but I presume they had enough of the tongue, and didn’t wish to have anything to do with the horns, so we bade them good night. The following evening we held forth at Barrow-in-Furness, and addressed a concourse of four or five hundred people, who listened very attentively until I announced the divine mission of Joseph Smith, when they railed and cursed like mad men. I showed them that they were encouraging the same spirit, which the Pharisees and lawyers did in the days of our Lord and Savior – the same spirit that the Romans were actuated by when they persecuted the Saints of old, mobbed, tortured and martyred the Apostles of Christ and destroyed the Priesthood from the earth. Today the same cause was producing the same effect. God had again spoken from the heavens and broken the long silence; Joseph Smith was His chosen instrument in re-organising His Church, receiving the same Priesthood as held by Peter, James and John, etc. The adversary was again aroused, infusing the same spirit of rebellion in the hearts of wicked and evil designing men, to persecute, blaspheme and defame the name of Joseph Smith and his followers, etc. I concluded, and announced that we would hold meeting the following night if the boat did not sail to Blackpool. Several replied they hoped it would, and wished with an oath the boat would sink with us. However, the following day we had a pleasant sail of 22 miles. On Saturday, Sept. 13th, according to appointment, we baptized two (a man and his wife) in the sea, and the next morning took train for Preston, where we held meeting with the Saints. Wednesday, Sept. 17th, according to appointment, we met Brothers Pratt and Steed in the town of Chorley, and quite unexpectedly, President J. A Smith made his appearance among us also. We five ‘Mormon’ Elders took the town by surprise as we stood in the light of a large lamp and in turn addressed the assembly, which had gathered. I presume we paralyzed the Papists who had heretofore figured quite prominently in disturbing our meetings. Atfer our meeting we were invited by a Catholic to go to his house, while he proved to us that his was the only true Church having the Apostolic succession complete. President J. A. Smith took up the argument against whom our Catholic friend had selected, and in the course of an hour Brother Smith gave him such a scoring that I am safe in saying he will never more seek for an interview with a ‘Mormon’ Elder. The next morning we separated, having enjoyed ourselves only as Utonians can when meeting together in a foreign land. Sept. 27th, we re-baptized one member, and the following day being Sunday, brother Nuttall went to the Darwen Branch, and I remained in Blackburn. We held two meetings each, and one more gave in his name for baptism. I received an invitation from the members of a Temperance Association in Blackburn to give them a lecture whenever convenient, which I heartily accepted. During the month we have just made our circuit through the District, holding 18 meetings, 7indoors and 11 in the open-air; have walked 256 miles, travelled by rail 27 and by boat 30. Our district is in a moderate condition, some parts more favourable, while others are very indifferent; but we trust the good seed we have sown this summer will take root in the hearts of the honest seekers after truth.
The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star Vol. 46 (1884)
available at: The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star Vol. 46 (Letter of Correspondance)
We do know as well that Elder J. W Thornley would soon finish his mission and returned back to Utah, whilst serving as President of an immigrant party from Europe.
Route: Liverpool to New York
Ship: Wisconsin
Arrival: 29 Aug 1885
9 Sep 1885
Church Leader: John W. Thornley
Number of LDS Passengers:330
View here for more information about Elder J. W. Thornley and his migratory party.
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