1877-04-Wisconsin
Journal of Benjamin H. Tolman
Tolman, Benjamin Hewitt, 1853-1913, Journals, 1876-1894 and 1910-1913.
�
Friday, 13th, Sun shining bright, but a cold wind from the north. Pilot came onboard about 2 P.M., bringing some of the newspapers from New York, which was almost filled with all manner of lies, base slanders etc, etc, against President Young and the Church. Altogether one would think Mormonism would immediately be rooted up and cast to the four winds. But if the United States think they are going to clean Mormonism from the land, they will find their mistake and their fighting against God will be as when a hungry man dreameth and behold he eateth, but he awaketh and his soul hath appetite, & according to Isaiah's words, if the Saints will obey council and live their religion, the victory is ours; may the Lord grant it, and help us to do His will, is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
In the evening had a long discussion talk with my Presbyterian minister; for a long time I could not get a word in edgewise for his learning and fast talking. He wanted me to leave the Mormons, that deluded sect. I gave him to understand I would not give my salvation for all the world. I knew it was the work of the Lord and I would not deny it for to any man. I was not to be bought with his sectarian traditions. His manner of believing some passages of scripture, which he quotes to me, was really vulgar, I called it. We talked on many things on which I could gain no light, for he had not the spark of life light within him. He spoke about infant baptism being an ordinance of God's house. I called for his evidence to sustain such a belief, he bought up the scripture where a certain household received baptism, and that was his evidence. I told him our faith taught that he that supposeth that infants need baptism hath neither faith, hope nor charity. He finally cooled down, and I retired.
Saturday, 14th, Talked some little with one of the passengers about our faith.
We landed in New York about half past 11 A.M. Had our baggage removed to the Mohawk Hotel. Bro. Barker and I; he, Bro. B, is immigrating to the valley. We immediately went to the office of Mr. John Dixon and if possible take train same afternoon west, but we found we had not near the amount of money it required for an emigrant passage. Bro. Carrington gave us a letter of introduction to the Mr. Dixon and thought he would reduce the price, but not so. I enquired where Bro. Staines would be here and that they could not tell, but he was in the East about Baltimore. I then went in search of Bro. Clawson at Benedict Hall & Co., but after a long and tedious hunt I found he was not in. I had already walked about 3 miles and everything seemed to be in motion, the same as the vessel, and I being very weak, I almost felt as though I could not step again without my legs giving way. So I then went by the street cars to Grand Street Ferry and ferried across to Williamsburg to see Bro. Bywater and try and learn when Bro Staines would return. After running all over the country, it seemed I learned nothing. But I found a Bro. Worthington, who gave me some dinner. I finally took the ferry and streetcars and went through New York to the Mohawk Hotel and found Bro. Barker and all the luggage all safe. Retired very early, I being tired and much fatigued.
Sunday, 15th, Bro. Barker and I walked about a mile and a half down to Castle Gardens. Eat no breakfast, for we realized that we were short of money, therefore we wished to spend as little as possible. While we were at the Battery, we saw a drowned man taken out of the water. Unknown, they throwed him into an old coffin and hurried him away. We then walked about 3 miles to the ferry and went to Williamsburg and at 3 o'clock attended meeting. Sacrament was administered and I was called to speak, but I was so wore out I made an apology, said a few words and sit down. Bro. Bywater and one of the other brethren got up and spoke to the Saints; a few strangers present.
After meeting I and Bro. Barker was invited to take supper with Bro. Held. We ate hearty, for we were very hungry. Bro. and Sister Worthington arranged for us to sleep.
Monday, 16th, Took breakfast at Bro. Held's and then walked to the ferry and went down to the river to the large and expensive footbridge from Brooklyn to New York. And then went to Castle Gardens to learn if Bro. Staines had yet arrived, and found he had not. We then concluded to remove our things to or near Castle Gardens, so as to have them handy when we got ready to go. I asked the man at the Mohawk Hotel what was our bill for one night lodging, no meals, he informed 3 dollars. I finally got him down to $2.00 and then put our things on the streetcars and went to the Reunion House, where we got our board and lodging for a dollar a day. . . .
