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Show TABERNACLE SERVICES. At the services held in the Tabernacle, Logan, Sunday afternoon, July 16th, 1882, Elder O. C. Ormsby gave a very interesting account of his missionary work. He said it was with peculiar feelings that he arose on this occasion to endeavor to explain his experience while away on his mission. It was fifteen months since he left, but the faces he saw before him were quite familiar. He had often, in imagination, returned to Logan and stood before this people. But his lot had been cast in a different sphere, and his bosom swelled with gratitude to his Heavenly Father for the blessings and kindness showered upon him during his absence, and the privilege granted him to return here to see the smiling faces of the Latter-day Saints. The past fifteen months had seemed the shortest period of his life. Not because he had not the interests of his family at heart, or desired to be absent from the Saints of Utah. The Elders were called upon to declare the truths of the Gospel in far distant lands, and when away they put their whole trust in God, who was mighty to save. But while they did His will and kept His commandments, they knew that in due time they should reap the rewards promised to the faithful. He recounted his travels through the counties of Berks. and Wilts., in England, oftimes weary in body, but never in spirit; the icy coldness of the outside world with reference to religious matters, of the good feelings of those Saints, though existing in poverty and distress. He traveled burdened with a little knapsack, containing his testament, other books and tracts. He spoke of his spirit being good, but his body being weak, -that in a journey of nineteen miles he gave out three times. His lodging accomodations [accommodations] sometimes had been the soft side of a plank, with a piece of brown paper for a comforter. He felt that although a missionary's life was not a bed of roses, he had at all times God's spirit to bless and comfort him, which enabled him to withstand all things. He spoke of his labors in Kent, (the garden of England,) for four months, with Elder F. Snow, of Brigham City. The congregations they got together to listen to them were generally small-oftimes only three or four persons. They would consider they had a full house and were greatly blessed when ten or twelve could be got together to listen to them. They endeavored to strengthen the faith of those that were believers and disabused the minds of those in error. He dwelt vividly upon the poverty of the class of people who could be got to listen to them. The greatest work man could be called upon to perform, was to go out among the poor to preach the Gospel of Christ; to comfort them in their trials and fit them for a hereafter. the Elders had to put up with very frugal fare and poor accomodations [accommodations], but no harm came to them in health. The few that could be got together to listen to the Word, at the corner of the streets, generally let the matter in at one ear and out of the other, while many did not have sufficient moral courage, or daring, to embrace the truths revealed in this the nineteenth century, fearing the opposition that would be sure to be raised against them. He had never experienced any serious disturbance at any of his meetings, nor did he feel it as difficult to speak before strangers as before his brethren. Religion in England is a seeming secondary matter to the people, their disposition being solely to get wealth, power and influence; religion with them is simply a matter of form. They attend services because it has become second nature, their ancestors having attended a certain place of worship for generations. This customary religion makes at hard labor for the Elders to change the views of the wealthy,-from so-called Christian religions, to the truths of this latter-day Gospel. But there are many who are willing to listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd, which stimulates us to persevere in our work and labor in bringing home the honest in heart. The converts gained suffer great opposition from their employers and others. Many are now praying for help and delivery from their bondage, and he received into the bosom of the Church. Many, whose relatives are here in Logan and Cache Valley, are steeped in the depths of poverty, while you are enjoying God's smiles and blessings, surrounded by luxurious wealth. It is your bounden duty to assist in delivering your brethren and sisters from their bondage. Other Elders have on former occasions, come back to Zion and made similar statements. In the eight months previous to leaving the Birmingham district, he had baptized forty-three souls, and seventy persons had emigrated here. The work was in a healthy state there and many would yet be gathered thence. The name of Apostle Moses Thatcher was still fresh in the people's memory, although so long a time had elapsed, for he had sowed seed which had since brought forth fruit; the Apostle's name was held in the highest esteem. His (O. C. O's) mission had been a double one, preaching the Gospel and studying surgery. He found in the French hospitals that the surgeons turn the cold shoulder to foreigners, and their well known proverbial politeness in fast fading away. He saw a few fair operations performed there by some of the ablest of the physicians. He described his visit to Berlin, but the disadvantage under which he labored-in not understanding the language-was a great barrier to him, and shortly afterwards he took a tour through France, Italy and part of Switzerland. He vividly depicted the places of interest visited at Rome, Venice, Milan, Mount Vesuvius and other places. He then returned to London and found English professional men more polite and attentive, taking great interest in showing foreigners whatever was attractive. He found that American physicians were more proficient in their profession than those of the older countries. He noticed that in Scotland he had found whole-souled men, and had gained much instruction. He was not prejudiced, but truly thought no person need leave America to gain knowledge in the medical profession, for in New York City he had obtained the greatest information. In Glasgow he found some fifteen souls belonging to the Church-in fact, they were old members, and had been baptized many years. He bore testimony to the truth of the Gospel of the Saints, of his hope and assurance of the heaven beyond the grave; that Joseph Smith was truly a prophet of the Son of God, and fully knew that the Gospel delivered to the Saints was the only one by which man can be saved. The people of all nations marvel at the doctrines which we reveal, especially that of the Gospel being preached to the dead, and that by those down trodden people call Latter-day Saints. We are the nucleus of that power spoken of by Daniel, which shall cover the whole earth. He trusted he might still be found a worthy and humble instrument in this work, and would praise the Lord the whole day long. He wished that the confidence formerly bestowed upon him by this people would be shown in the future. He hoped that all would be enabled to live their religion, and when all had accomplished the work provided, he gathered to God's kingdom. |