Porter, Nathan T.

JOURNAL OF NATHAN TANNER PORTER

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� December 3rd (1852) we took the cars (train) by way of Cleveland (Ohio) and Dunkirk (New York) for New York City, arriving on the 4th at 12 M (midnight?). This was my first ride by rail and it seemed to me that we were flying through space with the speed of the swiftest bird, especially while on the express from Dunkirk (New York) as we were detained here until the 17th (December 1852)), waiting for a vessel direct for Liverpool (England).

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Return to New York

We arrived in New York after a passage of thirty days having been somewhat delayed in calm and head winds. Sea sickness was prevalent at the commencement of the voyage. I having taken a very active part in waiting on and administering to the sick became exhausted, so much so that I became prostrated as we arrived in New York. And thus was left in care of Brother Beasdon at his residence in Williams Burg of that city (New York), and under the cognizance of Apostle John Taylor who was there editing a paper called the Mormon. I remained here for six weeks, during which I was visited by Elder Taylor and several of the elders and saints who administered to me the ordinance of the gospel as I desired, bestowing their kind attention to my welfare. I however became so low that all seemed to despair of my recovery. I besought the Lord that he would spare my life to return home, for the sake of having my body laid with those of the saints in zion, instead of the wicked in that corrupt city (New York). While I was thus anxious in my feelings there came a whisper saying, "Are you better than your Lord and master? Was he not numbered among the transgressors?" The answer came in a moment. "Nay Lord, I am nothing in comparison." This brought a feeling of reconciliation. I was now ready and willing to have my body laid whither-so-ever the Lord saw fit, and to go or stay as seemeth him good. The Lord saw fit to make this fact manifest to me. Showing that I was indeed reconciled to his will. I saw in a dream a messenger from the spirit world who had come for me. I was within the company of the saints who had just landed with me and were now leaving the shore to take the cars (train). I began shaking hands with them and bidding them farewell, while the messenger was standing by my side in waiting. The last to bid adieu was one of the elders with a valise in his hand. As he went up from the shore I turned to see the messenger who was some six feet in height, in so doing I saw a man coming in full speed on a white horse. As he came up I recognized him to be Daniel Spencer, who gave me a returning blessing after my release to return home, in which I had the promise that I should return and again enjoy the society of my family and friends in Zion. He stopped suddenly at my side, and leaning towards me placed his hand on my shoulder saying, "Brother Porter, you will not go to the spirit world now. There are many of the saints who have become cold and lukewarm. We want you to go and stir them up and prepare them for Zion." I replied that I was willing to do anything the Lord wanted me to do. "Well," he says, "we want you to go." At this I looked the messenger in the face to see what he would say. He bowed his head in token of his consent. At this I asked him if he would be so kind as to remember me to Brother Joseph and the brethren there. He again bowed his head, and I awoke with an assurance that the time of my departure to the spirit land was changed, so far as the present call was concerned. And thus the way remained open for the promised blessing to be realized in mortality, coupled with a mission in the midst of the saints, having for its object the renewal of the diligence of those who have become careless in discharge of their duties in the observance of the laws of the gospel. For without this no one is prepared for Zion, after her redemption. Having had the above manifestations and ministrations I began to recover very fast so that I was able to join the last company of saints who arrived from Liverpool, about the 15th of April (1856). I continued to gain strength as we proceeded on by rail. �

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