Autobiography 1865 Millennial Star
was another trying day to my
life; the poison had so thoroughly
penetrated my whole system, that my
strength left me; I could not stand, I
was led to my bed, my bowels and
stomach ceased to act, my speech was
like that of a drunken man. President
Young called, in company with Dr.
Sprague, and laid hands upon me, and
rebuked the disease and the power of
the destroyer which had seized my
body, and promised me in the name of
the Lord, that I should not die but live
to finish my work which was appointed
me upon the earth. I soon began to re-
cover. The poison and mortification left
my system and centered in my arm, and
was drawn from my arm through the aid
of charcoal poultices, moistened with
a strong decoction of wormwood,
ragweed and wild sage; the dead flesh
was removed from my arm with
instruments and lunar caustic, and in
a few days I was well again.
I have occupied considerable space
in referring to those peculiar circum-
stances which have attended me
during life, and to sum the matter up
it stands thus:—I have broken both
legs—one in two places—both arms,
my breast bone and three ribs, and
had both ankles dislocated. I have
been drowned, frozen, scalded and bit
by a mad dog—have been in two water
wheels under full head of water—have
passed through several severe fits of
sickness, and encountered poison in its
worst forms—have landed in a pile of
railroad ruins—have barely been
missed by the passing bullets, and
have passed through a score of other
hair-breadth escapes.
It has appeared miraculous to me,
that with all the injuries and broken
bones which I have had, I have not a
lame limb, but have been enabled to
endure the hardest labor, exposures
and journeys—have often walked forty,
fifty, and on one occasion, sixty miles
in a day. The protection and mercy
of God has been over me, and my life
thus far has been preserved; for which
blessings I feel to render the gratitude
of my heart to my Heavenly Father,
praying that the remainder of my days
may be spent in His service and in the
building up of his kingdom.
(To be continued.)
