S. S. Wyoming, Sept. 24, 1878.President William Budge.

Dear Brother,--As we are now reaching the borders of Zion, I feel it a pleasure to drop you a line, by way of reporting progress, regretting only that in my hurry I forgot paper, and that ink is a very rare thing among the [p.653] Saints; and I am using my bunk for a writing place. To be sure the sea is smooth, scarce a ripple breaks its surface, and Long Island reaches away in the distance, prophesying the harbor not far off. But we have had stormy times; head winds and much rain, early on the way. It caught us just out of port, and continued until the Saints were exhausted, and many thought, "There's no place like home." However, now there are light hearts and pleasant voices, and the prospect of release is inspiring everyone.

A sister fell down the hatch and broke a rib, but she is laughing and will not need to be left behind. This morning an aged Danish brother died from debility; and, with our own service, we committed him to the deep. Some thought we should have taken him to New York, but the great cemetery around us is more sacred than those round Gotham, and when the sea gives up its dead, our faithful brother will be there.

In a moral sense we have been healthy; one "lewd fellow of the baser sort," made suggestions to a sister which made me declare myself in our first public meeting, and since then it has been understood that we have no compromise with "either knave or fool."

I hear of some of the Welsh Saints who have not a sixpence with which to purchase provisions on the way from here to Utah. They are going out by the Fund. [PERPETUAL EMIGRATION FUND]

The officers have given us good attention, but I have been on hand for inspection every time, and have really run early and late seeing to the Saints.

Your blessing has been upon us, and God has been with us by his spirit. We have after all, had a good time; that is, a time of peace. And I hope this spirit may continue, not only in the trip, but after we reach our home in the mountains. It is now near six. We shall anchor about midnight; and bright and early we hope to have everything packed ready for a move.

When you receive this we shall be enjoying home and friends; and you, along with Brothers Nibley and Nicholson, will be prosecuting the labors of your mission.

I shall think of you "many a time and oft," and wonder how the office is getting along, how the mission is doing, and how the STAR [MILLENNIAL STAR] is going on, for I loved its appearance, and always longed to freight it with precious and interesting things for the Saints. We have not a case of sickness aboard at present.

May God bless you in your labors, endow you with wisdom continually, and so lead all like faithful men to "that rest which remaineth for the people of God."

The 25th; arrived today all well. God bless you all, and give you peace and wisdom and success in all your labors.

Yours truly,

H. [Henry] W. Naisbitt. [p.654]

BIB: Naisbitt, H.[Henry] W., et. al., [Letter] Latter-day Saints
' Millennial Star 40:41, (Oct. 14, 1878) pp. 653-54. (CHL)
(source abbreviations)