The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-01-24
intelligent acquaintance by whom he was much re.

intelligent acquaintance by whom he was much re-
spected. He was sincerely religious man. but a.
he frequently says "nevcr so pous as to wish himself
damned for his brethrens sake, as some one reports
of the ancient apostle to the jews. Johns earnest
ness in all he engaged made all around him feel
that he was destined to be somebody In the world
he would walk in nObodys leading strings; tradition
was nothing to him. He saw nothing resembling
primitive Christianity and was sick e Of empty Pro-
himself, or whether circumstances had brought to-
gether minds of the same stamp, we know not; but
before he became acquainted with Mormonism ne
associated with "few sincere and well educated
gentlemen" for the purpose of searching the Scrip
lures in hopes of obtaining the light they found not
among the sects of the day. They were in earnest
tasted and prayed. He says that they had faith
that if God had a church upon the earth he would
send his messenger to them. Under such circum-
stances and with such impressions, F. p. Pratt one
of the earliest Mormon missionaries, had an intro
ductOn to them. They had heard much against
Momonism, and they put Farley in every fix they
could; but he answered their queries and made some
of them converts. Brother John was baptized, soon
afterwards was ordained an elder, and appointed to
Joseph Smith and the leading men of the movement
visited Toronto, and during their sojourn ordained
Brother Taylor high priest. Shortly after he
visited Kirkland Ohio the residence OF the Prophet,
and was his guest while there. In 1888, during the
troubles, when so many apostatized, he was ode
signated by revelation for the aposteship." by re-
quest Of the Prophet he moved his family from
Toronto to Kirkland, and thence to Missouri. On
his way from Ohio to Missouri he preached where he
had opportunity In this meandering life he organized
branch of the church near Indianapolis, Ind. On
his arrival in Missouri, he and party were early con-
ronted with antiMormons, and very soon indicted
into the favors of their enemies On the 10Th of
December 1888, his appointment to the apostleshp
was ratified by the church, and he was ordained
under the hands of Brigham Young and Heber c.
Kmball.
While in Missouri he had large share of troubles
and prosecutions passed through the mobbings in
Caldwell and Davies counties, at Adam-on-di-A Amman
and Far West and, in Utah phraseoogy, "came
out at the big end of the horn.' He never showed
"the white feather" and has high reputation as
bold and fearless man. Before quitting Missouri for
Illinois he was appointed by the Saints in Caldwell
to draft and sign memorial to the Legislature of
that State setting forth the most prominent features
of the persecution and praying for redress. He
likewise appointed by the High Council of Zion"
to draft petition to the general government on the
same subject.
Soon after his arrival in Illinois he returned to Far
West, in company with other prominent Mormons,
to fulfil a revelation, which their opponents said
should never be fulfilled. 1t not unfrequently hap
pens in Mormonism that this and that is doneIthat
the prophecy might be fulfilled which saith" &c.
Whatever outsiders may think Of modern prophets
and their inspiration it is very clear from an &C
quaintance with Mormon history, that the disciples
will not suffer the words of their leader to fall to the
ground unfu!flled, if their accomplishment depend
on human energy which they can contribute or
sacrifices which they can make. Joseph had pro-
phesied that the Twelve would meet in Far West at
certain time and receive missions to England, &C.,
&c. The Twelve were determined to meet, and
did so-of that number was John Taylor. This
return to hostile neighborhood from which
they had so shortly before been driven, has
ever been regarded as an act Of holy holiness which
few men could muster courage to attempt. The
prophecy accomplished and the missions given,
Brother Taylor started from Illinois for England, on
the sth of August 1889, leaving his family in a SOL
dier's barracks at Montrose, Iowa.
On the 18th of January, 1910, he landed in Liver
pool, and Immediately began to preach and baptze
in that town. John Taylor never would creep. His
first effort to introduce Mormonism in Liverpool was
right in the midst of congregation of Christians
after the minister had preached his hour the vir
tues of the aDcients. He asked permission TO speak,
refused in the church, but invited into the YES.
try. There he made some of them groan and sigh,
others sing out glory" and the minister shook in
his shoes. His first effort effective he had friends
at once, who shortly became brethren, and Mormon
ism grew and prospered till John Taylor found him.
self the occupant of the largest music hall in Liver
pool, where he set forth every Sunday Nor
monism.
Mrs. Taylor being the daughter of a captain, of
the Isle of Man, he repaired thither and had regu-
lar shindy with the little parsons. They attacked
Johns doctrine from the pulpit, and he replied in
the public halls. They took to the press to warn
their flock far and wide against the impostor:" but
John could write as well as preach: so while they
roared beware Of false prophets, the apostle kept
publishing pamphlets in reply to their charges and
every ism by whose representative he was attacked.
This more than counted on and the parsons
caved in leaving John the last in the field During
this time he furnished the young elders a stock of
weapons for their opponents which have been ex.
tensivey used everywhere they have travelled He
was the first TO plant Mormonsm in Ireland; accom-
plishing that mission, his labors extended to Scot
land While ON his first mission TO Britain he cor
rected the proof sheets of the first European edition
Of the Book of Mormon and with Brigham Young
and p. =. Pratt made selection OF hymns for the
use Of the Saints He returned to Nauvoo In July,
ls4l.
At the October conference Of the same year he
was appoined one of committee TO petition Con-
gress for redress OF wrongs and injuries sustained in
Missouri. On him devolved the dusty of presenting
the petition. When he returned TO Nauvoo he was
appointed by Joseph Smith TO edit the Times and
Seasons, a religious periodical which he continued
to do until the expulsion of the Saints from that
city. He edited and published likewise the Nauvoo
Nghbor, in the political interest of the Saints. His
career up to this time earned for him the title Of
Champion of Rights" by which he il frequently
called by his brethren. He was a member of the
City Council was one OF the regents Of the Univer
sity and Judge Advocate Of the Legion. During the
troubles in Illinois he was firmly attached to the
Prophet, and attended him in many scenes of perse-
ton aud trial. When. for the safety Of the Prophet
he was counselled TO leave Nauvoo John Taylor ac-
companied hm and when IL was determined that
the Prophet should return and claim a trial. the
apostle returned with him. When the Prophet aud
his brother were killed in Carthage Jail, IN June.
With another apostle he was visiting the prisoners.
and had just finished singing that old favorite
hymn
poor wAyfaring man OF grief &c,
when the balls few thick and fast into the room
where they were sitting. The two brothers were
killed. and -four balls pierced the apostles body:
the fifth would have probably released him from all
mundane cares, but his watch stopped the progress
of the lead, and he lived TO show his wounds and
tell his version Of the deed.
His wounds were dangerous. but with early and
good attention and kind nursing he got round again
to perfect health and ready 60 leave Nauvoo for
the Rocky Mountains in the spring of lS46. At
winter quarters he assisted in fitting out the Mormon
battalion for the Mexican war. In the fall of the
same year he received a mission to England, in COM
pany with Orson Hyde aud p. y. Pratt. The three
apostles had a mission Of few months only, and
returned in the spring. Brother Taylor continued
his Journey with his family on 20 great Salt Lake