In compliance with a solicitation made to me by a special friend, I now with pleasure devote a few moments to communicate a sketch of my travels for the last four years, for the perusal of the readers of your highly esteemed and worthy periodical.

On the 21st of October 1852, myself, in company with some thirty-six elders, left our mountain homes for the purpose of performing missions to the different nations of the earth. Ten of us (myself included) destined to South Australia. We proceeded as soon as practicable to our field of labor, being liberally assisted by the brethren on our way; Elder John M. Horner and his brother of San Jose, taking a very active part in assisting us, as also many others, whose names I can never hear without feeling a sense of gratitude towards them.

Sailing from this port on the 2nd of Feb., 1853, we arrived in Sydney on the 9th of April, 1853, in which place we found quite a number of brethren and sisters who had received the gospel under Elders J. Murdoch and C.W. Wandell's administration. In this place I received my appointment to travel in company with Elder James Graham, in the districts of Camden and Penrith, in the colony of New South Wales, in which places and in many other parts of the colony we have endeavored to labor faithfully.

Many have received our testimony, notwithstanding the many false and evil reports, both printed and verbally asserted and circulated by those who make themselves our enemies and that without a cause; and they know not why, for if such men had one spark of feeling of honesty left that could be aroused to action, and then, with an unprejudiced mind, would investigate the principles of the doctrine of Jesus Christ, as believed in, practiced and promulgated by his properly authorized servants, called of God as was Aaron; and would Saul-like forsake their former evil ways, (the blind traditions of men) be baptized for the remission of their own sins, that they might receive the promised gift of the Holy Spirit, and by this be taught of the things pertaining to his organized kingdom set up upon the earth — the coming of which was one of the most prominent things that Christ instructed his disciples to pray for, and that for which almost all professions have been traditionated to pray in the following language: Father let thy kingdom come, and thy will be done on earth as it is done in heaven, &c. — they would obtain knowledge for themselves that would cause them to lay aside their feelings of enmity, and like Paul of old, turn around and be its most active supporters.

Reader, have we ever thought of the ideas contained in this prayer in their proper light? We have been taught by our parents and teachers or clergy, if you please, to ask our Heavenly Father to bring to pass a principle, (on earth, too, not in our hearts alone) that if it should come even in the day when we are still permitted to stand upon the earth, and we are not ready nor willing to acknowledge and receive the same, but turn from it with impunity, and not give it a hearing, that we might as the apostle says, prove all things, &c., we would be found fighting against it and rejecting it, the very thing for which we had been always taught to pray.

But pardon me, Mr. Editor, for I must acknowledge that I have digressed somewhat from my subject, and for fear of intruding upon your time and space, will return:

I continued my labors in connection with my brethren, as far as possible, baptizing in all the settlements I visited, and endeavoring to build up and instruct the Saints, and frequently attending also our quarterly conferences held in Sydney, at one of which, held in the month of July, 1855, I was appointed, in company with Elder James Graham, to return home in a company of Saints from that colony.

We embarked on the American barque Julia Ann and set sail from Sydney harbor on the 7th of Sept., with a small company of some thirty souls. Elder John Pennfold, Senior having charge of the same by appointment from President A. Farnham. We had rather rough weather for some days after, with strong winds from the east, northeast, which caused considerable seasickness, other than this we had nothing to impede our progress. But our barque rode bravely o'er the mighty deep until our fatal accident on the night of the 3rd of October, the account of which I am told you have and the incidents of which are too painful for me to unnecessarily rehearse.

We were delivered from our exiled and desolate situation by the untiring perseverance of Captain B.F. Pond, master of the barque Julia Ann connected with the charitable good feeling of Captain Latham, master of the schooner "Emma Packer," that came to our relief We were taken off the Scilly Isles, where we were wrecked, on the 3rd of December, making it two months that we were left in this lonely situation on an uninhabited island. I need not attempt to describe our feelings of gratitude and praise which we felt to give the God of Israel for his goodness and mercy in thus working a deliverance for us; for I have not language to express my own feelings, much less the feelings of those around me, suffice it to say, I am thankful to know that his mercy endureth forever, as the prophets said, to those that are willing to obey him.

We were taken first to Huahine, one of the Society Islands, thence to Tahiti, where we found as it were, an asylum for the destitute, through the kindness and charitable feeling manifested towards the distressed passengers by the citizens of Tahiti; the united board or Masonic Lodge took immediate measures to relieve our wants, by providing or finding shelter and food for all; this act of humanity and kindness was deeply felt and appreciated in our feelings, if not publicly expressed and I now feel as I have ever felt, to implore the blessings of heaven upon all such as have put forth their hand to assist those who were so unfortunate as to lost their all of this world's goods.

As the consuls of this place said they were not authorized to make any provisions whatever for passengers under such circumstances, myself and Elder Graham continued with the schooner, and returned to Huahine; and, after tarrying there one month, met with opportunities, each in different whale ships, to go to Honolulu, myself on board the "Montizuma," D. Tinker, captain, whose favor and kindness in numerous ways, will ever be remembered by me with emotion.

After remaining in Honolulu some two weeks, we were enabled, by the assistance of Elder Evans and others who reside there, to engage our passage to this place, on board the "Frances Palmer," Captain Stott. We had rather an unpleasant passage of twenty-three days, the vessel being very much crowded, and fare none the best; yet I think the vessel a good one, and the best; yet I think the vessel a good one, and with a gentleman indeed as well as word, for commander, persons might make it a pleasant passage; but I must say the treatment my friend and myself received; was not at all commendable.

I must now bring this communication to a close, praying God our Heavenly Father to continue to pour his blessings upon you, and all connected with you in this great work, also that he may inspire the hearts of the Saints and all lovers of truth, to lay hold and encourage so glorious an undertaking, as that you have engaged in, that is the publication of the noble Standard.

I remain your brother in the gospel covenant,

John S. Eldredge.[p.130]

BIB: Eldredge, John S. [Letter] IN Deseret News (July 2, 1855) vol. 6, no. 17, p. 130. (CHL)
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