Autobiography Volume 1 circa 1842-1865
The Sunday following was which
was an important day in my history. In company of
two of the Twelve and about one hundred Saints I and
Mrs Woodruff crossed in the ferry boat from Montrose to
Commerce to attend meeting that the Twelve might deliver their
farewell address before they left for England
When we arrived at the place of meeting
Elder John E. Page was speaking. He occupied the stand
in the fore-part of the day and spoke much of the proof of
the Book of Mormon.
In the afternoon brother John Taylor spoke
I followed and afterwards Orson Hyde and Brigham Young
President Rigdon then addressed us with remarks peculiarly
adapted to the circumstances of the Twelve taking their
departure from all they held dear on earth to go to other
nations to bear the testimony of God's work and revelation of
the last days. His appeal to our affections was so powerful
touching our parting from our wives and children the
trying circumstances that surrounded our families the perils
that we might meet and the blessings we should receive &c.
Tears were brought from many an eye while he addressed us
Joseph then spoke to us a few words
and said, "Remember brethren, if you are imprisoned brother
Joseph has been imprisoned before you; if you are
placed where you can only see your brethren only through
the grates of a window while in irons because of the Gospel
of Jesus Christ, remember brother Joseph has been in like
circumstances."
After this manner were his remarks
and then the meeting closed and three were baptised.
The third day after this I spent with
Joseph and some of the Twelve in arranging a selection of
hymns for the Church and two days later I assissted John
Taylor in looking over the proof shee[t] of the first Number of
the "Times and Seasons"
We afterwards had interview with
the Presidency and also Elder Kimball. We also administered
to the sick and Joseph called upon the Twelve to visit and
lay hands upon Father Smith that he might be healed
