The Juventa's Company of Saints--Interesting Items of Voyage from Liverpool to St. Louis.May the 10th, 1855

Mr. Erastus Snow:

Dear Brother--It is deemed wisdom that I should give you a synopsis of our voyage from Liverpool to this place. On the evening of the 29th of March, President F. [Franklin] D. Richards called a council of the pastors and presidents of conferences, at 15 Wilton Street, and after some necessary and useful, instructions, appointed Elder William Glover to preside over the company; the pastors and presidents were likewise appointed as his counselors.

We weighed anchor on the 31st, and put out into the river, when President Richards came on board and addressed the Saints, and blessed us in the name of the Lord, and promised that inasmuch as we would be faithful, we should have a safe and speedy passage across the sea. He then left the vessel with the prayers and gratitude of his brethren and sisters. As he departed the Saints gave three hearty cheers.

On Sunday, April 1st, a council was called, and on motion of Elder [William] Glover, it was resolved that the company should be divided into 12 wards, and the following brethren to preside over them: Elders N. [Noah] T. Guyman, William Pitt, Charles Smith, Benjamin Brown, Daniel Cavern, W. G. McMullen, John Mayer, S. [Sylvester] H. Earl, Joseph Hall, James F. Bell, Charles A. Harper, and George Morgan [PROBABLY MAYER AS REFERENCED TO IN REMINISCENCES AND DIARY OF GEORGE MAYER, ENCLOSED WITHIN IN]. These brethrens' duties were to see that prayer meetings were held morning and evening in each ward--that the deck of the ship were cleaned each day--that the Saints in each ward get their provisions and water daily, and to attend to the wants of the Saints--there god health, &c.

On the 6th of April, a conference was held and all the authorities of the church were presented and sustained in their order. Elder E. [Elias] Gardner was appointed captain of the guard, and Patrick Lynch, clerk of the conference. There were represented twelve branches, including nine seventies, one high priest, sixty-one elders, thirty-one priests, twenty-one teachers, and fourteen deacons; a total of three hundred and seventy-five. Much instruction was given by President Glover and other elders upon all that concerned the comfort of the Saints. It was a day of rejoicing to us, in commemorating the anniversary of the organization of the kingdom of God in the last days. We held meetings twice each Sabbath, when the weather permitted, and administered the sacrament to all the Saints, who assembled for the purpose on the main deck. If any were sick it was carried to them in their births. No discord marred the peace of the elders; all were united to a man; and when counsel was given upon any subject by President Glover, each man sought to his uttermost to carry it out. The result was, that general peace good order, and good health prevailed amongst the Saints. The sickness was so little that it is scarcely worth naming. We had no deaths. We had four marriages and two births on board. The watchfulness and the paternal solicitude of Elder Glover, both by day and night for the happiness of the Saints is beyond all commendation. The provisions served out to us, were abundant and of a superior quality which calls forth our gratitude to our God, and to brother F. [Franklin] D. Richards.

One circumstance which caused a little excitement, took place on the 15th of April. There were two cooks in the passengers galley, who were appointed by the captain. One of them, without provocation, but because he was full of spite and malice, took up some boiling water and threw it around, which scalded Elder Thomas Hunt in the face severely. It also scalded the other cook. Elder Hunt was led to his berth--the doctor was prompt in his attendance--the ordinance of the Church was administered and our brother in a short time was healed. The offender received from the mate, a sound thrashing, and was then put in irons. Both he and the other cook was afterwards dismissed from the galley, and the Saints, as they should do, had it all their own way.

On the 21st and 22nd we encountered a very severe gale--all sail that could be was reefed, and the rest was cut into shreds; but while our good ship was tossing and rolling upon the mighty deep, peace reigned in the hearts of the Saints, and songs of praise and prayer ascended form them to their Heavenly Father. At this stage of our journey a child was born, and was named Juventa Tempest.

The hand of God has been over us for good, ever since we left England, in fulfillment of the promises of the servant of the Lord, and after a splendid passage of thirty-four days, we all landed safe and in good health in Philadelphia, May 6th. The Dr. who inspected, said our decks smelled as sweet as his sitting room. A vote of thanks was given to Captain Alfred Watts, the officers and surgeon for their kindness to us. On our arrival at Philadelphia, we were kindly received by Elders John Taylor and J. S. Fulmer, and provided with food and lodgings.

On May 8th we were furnished with a train of cars and started for Pittsburgh, and arrived there on the 10th. At Columbia through the carelessness of the brakeman, two trains came in collision, shattering to atoms several cars; but through the mercy of God the Saints all escaped from the danger.

On the 10th we embarked on board the steamer "Equinox," and arrived in St. Louis in good health, on the 17th instant.

We are thankful to our Father in Heaven for all mercies towards us, and solicit a continuation of his spirit to enable us to do his will, till the redemption of Zion is fully wrought out, and the way of righteousness established in the earth.

I remain your brother in the gospel.

William GloverPer Joseph Hall [p.1]

BIB: Glover, William, [Letter] IN Journal History, May 17, 1855, p. 1. (CHL)
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