JOHN ANDERSON'S SEARCH FOR THE TRUTH—PROVIDENTIAL WAY IN WHICH HE WAS FIRST LED TO ATTEND A MEETING OF THE SAINTS—EMBRACED THE GOSPEL—FIRM ADHERENCE THERETO.

IT IS probably a fact, though it may not be possible at this late date to prove it, that a very large proportion of the early converts to the Gospel were, at the time its message reached them, and for years before, dissatisfied with the creeds of the day, and were searching for the Truth as portrayed in the Bible.

One of the early converts to the Gospel in Scotland was John Anderson, a native of Leith, who is a typical example of the class mentioned.

His daughter, Mrs. David Smellie, who died in the year 1909, has left a sketch of his life written by her own hand, substantially as follows:

My parents had a family of twelve children, six sons and six daughters. I was their seventh child, and the first one born after my father joined the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

This step he took in the year 1840, and I will here relate how he became acquainted with the peculiar people called "Mormons." He was an intelligent, studious man, of a very fixed purpose when once resolved. My dear mother was like him in that respect. In the early years of their married life they were members of the United Presbyterian church, but became dissatisfied with that sect, my parents not being able to see the need of a man having to go to college so many years to learn to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They then became associated with a body of religious worshippers called Separatists, who did not believe in clergymen or infant sprinkling. This suited them better, as being more scriptural.

In the year 1839 my father's mind was directed to the necessity of baptism for the remission of sins, and the laying on of hands for the conferring of the Holy Ghost, by one having authority. These the Bible told him were among the first principles of the Gospel. But where was he to find one who claimed such authority? He knew none, and yet the Bible indicated that these ordinances were to be performed by one who was called of God as was Aaron—by revelation. My father put those views before the Separatist brethren, who, after due consideration, requested him either to give up his ideas or leave the sect. He therefore left, but my mother remained with them.

The year 1840 found my father in this frame of mind. In the meantime he studied the New Testament scriptures, and his previous convictions were increased. But what was he to do? The Lord had ceased to speak from the heavens—had not done so since the days of the early Christians. The world said: "It was not necessary, as the Bible contained all that was needful."

I will here insert a short story which will help to illustrate the point in view:

John Wesley, wishing other lands to hear the message he held forth, assumed to ordain Coke and others to be bishops, to carry Methodism, and on this point he and his brother Charles became divided, after being so firmly united in the cause. This was the wedge that split them. Charles did not believe that either had the power to ordain others, and he opposed the scheme. John went ahead, assumed the authority, and laid his hands on the head of Mr. Coke and ordained him a bishop, a position Wesley himself never held.

Charles grew angry at this, and remarked:

"How easily are bishops made
By man's or woman's whim;
Wesley his hands has laid on Coke
But who laid hands on him?"

On Sunday afternoon in October, 1840, my parents were visited by my mother's sister's husband—Uncle John Grieve, who resided in Edinburgh. In the course of conversation he informed them that a celebrated clergyman was to preach in Edinburgh that same evening, and invited my father to accompany him to hear this man speak.

He consented, and together they set out to walk from Leith to Edinburgh, a distance of two miles. They had reached a place called "Dickson's Nursery," which was about half way, when suddenly my father felt that he could not proceed any farther. Uncle John walked on a few steps, thinking my father would follow, then turned and inquired if he was not coming. Father replied, "John, I can go no farther with you to-night."

Uncle John insisted upon his going, but all in vain. Father declared that he could not lift his feet-they seemed sealed to the ground, and he felt that he must go back.

Just as soon as he had said "Good evening" my father's feet were loosed from the ground. He walked towards Leith until he reached the street which led to his home, called Kirkgate. Then something prompted him to take the street to the right, called Constitution. Down the street he walked until he came to an entrance leading to the "Mason's Lodge," which entrance was called a "pind." This was an arched alley-way, leading to buildings in the rear, where the Mason's hall was situated. At this "pind" stood an old, fresh-complexioned man, dressed in home-spun clothes. He bade my father "Good evening," and inquired if he was aware that the new sect called Latter-day Saints were to hold meeting in the Mason's hall that evening.

Father replied that he was not, whereupon the old man invited him to attend, and led the way into the hall, where he put father into a good seat.

My father turned around to thank him for his courtesy, but he was gone, and he never saw him again; but to the last he maintained that the old man was one of "the Three Nephites."

The speakers were Orson Pratt and George D. Watt. They preached the first principles of the Gospel, and claimed that the Lord had again spoken from the heavens and restored the everlasting Gospel in its fullness, with the gifts and blessings belonging to the same. They declared too that the Lord had promised that the Gospel would never again be taken from the earth until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness.

My father sat listening and amazed at the good news—just what he had been waiting for, and it seemed to fit into his heart. The precious seed did indeed fall into fertile soil, and it bore "a hundred fold."

To hear was to investigate; to investigate was to embrace the new and everlasting Gospel which the Lord had again restored to the earth, and which He in His loving kindness had gradually prepared my father to receive.

My father rejoiced greatly, for he realized he had indeed found the "pearl of great price." This jewel he wore and prized for forty-five years. He died December 19, 1885, in the 81st year of his age; and so valiant a soldier was he in the cause of truth that it was said of him "he did not owe his country one testimony."

One day while sitting by his bedside shortly before he passed away (I don't like to say "died", for father did not die, he only fell asleep and O, so gently; just like a tired child,) I inquired if there was any message he would like to leave for those of his family who were out of the reach of his voice. He replied, "Yes, tell them from their father if they have gone outside of the fold, to get in again just as soon as ever they can."

I feel prompted to record a few facts in the life of my father which may be of interest to those who may read this, although my father never desired me to do so. They will show that the Lord was with him to uphold, defend and bless him. As I stated previously, he was ever ready to expound and maintain the principles of the Gospel, and many of his former friends and acquaintances turned very bitter against him because of his fidelity to his convictions.

One of these was a sea captain named Robert Storm. Father had made boots for him and his crew for a long time, but, because of the change in his religious opinions, he became very bitter and withdrew his custom.

My father was in the habit of taking a daily constitutional walk down Leith pier. One day as he was coming up the pier he saw the vessel Robert Storm was master of being towed down the river on her way to France. Father took off his hat and waved a parting adieu. To this act of courtesy Robert Storm responded with a look of scorn. Father was impressed to say, "Robert Storm, you will never have the opportunity to do that again to me."

Some eight or ten days afterwards a severe storm swept the English Channel. One afternoon just at this time father heard the postman call out his name in the stairway. This was the custom in tenement houses, and the person so called was expected to go out and get his letters. Father received from the postman a letter addressed to him in a clear, bold hand, sealed with wax, as was the custom, envelopes not then having come into fashion. (Letters were written on a large double sheet of paper folded neatly and sealed with wax.) It bore the London postmark, and contained a statement that Robert Storm was drowned at sea on a certain day and where it occurred, indicating that it was in the English Channel, but bore no signature. Father had gone direct to his workroom when he received the letter, and as soon as he had read it he laid it down on his work seat, and crossed through the lobby into the kitchen to get my mother to come and read it also. She immediately followed him into his workroom, when to his surprise he discovered the letter was gone, and yet no living person had been there during his absence.

The Lord had sent that letter, it had performed its mission, and was taken away.

By and by an account of the wreck was read in the newspaper, which stated that it had taken place in the English Channel. Thus was my father's prediction fulfilled.

In illustration of the character of my father I have heard it related that a certain Elder W...... (his name is suppressed for the sake of his relatives) presided over the Edinburgh branch at a period in the early history of the Church there. One evening after the regular Sunday evening service was over he called upon the members holding the priesthood to remain and hold a kind of council meeting. At this meeting Elder W...... proposed that certain funds belonging to the conference, collected for a certain purpose, be used for an entirely different purpose, in which he was personally interested. My father being a very conscientious man, protested against this proceeding, and said, seeing the Edinburgh conference had given this money for a special purpose, they as custodians had no authority to use it in any other direction without the consent of the donors.

Elder W......, indignant at my father's presuming to oppose him or his wishes, arose and proposed that, seeing that John Anderson had been guilty of dictating to him, a superior officer, he be cut off the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A show of hands was called for, and in less time than it takes to tell it the vote carried.

My father remained quiet until the matter was settled, then he arose and requested permission to speak. The request being granted, he said: "Brethren, all I desire to say is that ...... ...... W......, (mentioning his name in full) will be out of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when I am in it."

My father renewed his covenants the following week, and continued an honorable member during his life. He died holding the office of a High Priest, while Elder W.... died a poor outcast and apostate.

My father remained in Scotland, laboring in the Gospel cause, both at home and elsewhere, paying his tithing, and trusting in the Lord for his promised blessing until the year 1863. Previous to this period he had at various times requested my mother to accompany him to Utah. This she refused to do, not being able to see the Gospel light. Then father decided to gather with the Saints, taking his youngest son with him, and leaving four daughters, two married and two single, with their mother.

Shortly before leaving Scotland my father, in conversation with one of the brethren, expressed his regret at leaving his wife and daughters behind him. The brother told him to be of good courage, for his wife and family would follow him, and that he would live to see the promise fulfilled.

Father could scarcely believe this prediction, it appeared so very unlikely to ever come to pass. However, he trusted in the Lord, knowing that He "moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform," and surely in the case of my father's family this was exemplified to a wonderful degree. The prophecy concerning the gathering of my father's family was fulfilled to the letter, for he had the satisfaction of receiving us all in Salt Lake City. He located at 54 East First South Street, where he built a good comfortable house, in which he lived until called to his final rest.