. . . I was notified to sail on the ship John Bright but God so ordered it that I might be able to do in the short space between this vessel sailing and the last that I was able to do more good than I could if I had stayed for years in Barnsley. . . .

. . . June 4 [1866] - Through the wonderful assistance of the Lord I am safe on board the ship St. Mark leaving all I had behind me. Nothing but divine power could have brought me away from my beloved family.

15 - I have a little work to teach a few boys since the 9th but some seem to care more for play and eating then come an hour to receive instruction. We have many things yet to learn before Zion is perfected

27 - I have been poorly for the last 4 days haven taken cold and have stomach disorders. Windy. Brought on bad circulation. The ordinance received and feel better. Lord, strengthen my heart and faith in thee.

29 - I thank my Father in Heaven I am in tolerable health this morning.

July 7 - Felt thankful for a wind to deliver us from our prison here and gratitude for my Father's care. I went to the forepart of the ship at bedtime. Felt a whisper to go back to the other side of the vessel for such is the desperate state of the sailors. They would throw any Mormons overboard if they could do it in the dark. [p. 63]

24 - Landed at New York on the 24th of July after a fun, but long, voyage. Got registered at Castle Garden. Left there, passed through Canada by New Haven to Montreal, Toronto up to Point Edward cross the river. St. Clair to Fort Huron, passed on to Quincy, crossed the Mississippi, then onward to St. Joseph. Embarked on a steamer, got to Wyoming [Nebraska] on the 3rd in the afternoon.

October 8th. Arrived at the Great Salt Lake City on the last day of the conference. Was present & gratified by the speakers. Saw the foundation of the temple. Came to the house of Mr. Anson Call. Found him all that I could wish, truly kind and in every respect a Saint. . . . [p. 64]

BIB: Gooch, William Edmund. Autobiography and diary (Ms 8168), pp. 63-64. (CHL)
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