On board the S. S. Nevada, July 10, 1878.Elder H. W. Naisbitt.

Dear Brother,--We are now in sight of "Columbia," and at about 2 p.m. we expect to place our feet on terra firma. Our voyage has been very prosperous and fortunate; we have had no storms to contend with, for several days the weather was beautifully calm and clear, and the people were dancing all around the deck.

Two deaths have occurred, a half-year old infant, and Elder Joseph E. Hyde, [p.475] who, on the 5th instant, departed this life to go to a better land.

The captain, officers and crew have been very kind; two testimonials were presented, one to the captain, Mr. Thomas Owens, the other to the chief steward, Mr. McLean, as acknowledgments of their endeavors to comfort and accommodate our people.

We do therefore feel thankful to God for his kind protecting care and blessings, and trust that we may always be worthy of the same on our journey Zionward, and homeward to our Heavenly Father.

The elders from Zion and the Saints unite in sending their kind regards to the brethren at "42" [THE ADDRESS OF THE LDS LIVERPOOL MISSION OFFICE WAS, 42 Islington] and all the Saints left behind.

Yours truly in the Gospel,

John Cook, N. M. Petersen,O. Olsen, V. Rhode, secretary [p.476]

BIB: Cook, John, et. al. [Letter] Latter-day Saints Millennial Star 40:30 (July 29, 1878) pp. 475-76. (CHL)
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