LEAVES FROM MY JOURNAL.

CHAPTER XVI.
TAKING LEAVE OF MY OLD HOME—RETURN TO MAINE—BIRTH
OF MY FIRST CHILD—APPOINTMENT TO THE APOSTLE-
SHIP AND TO A FOREIGN MISSION—PREPARATION FOR
THE JOURNEY TO ZION.

NOW, as my mission to my native land was accomplished,
which I felt impressed to take while upon the islands, I
felt it my duty to return here.

Monday, July 2nd, 1838, was the last day and night I spent
at my father's home while upon this mission. At the setting
of the sun I took the last walk with my sister I ever had with
her while in my native State. We walked by the canal and
viewed the river and fields, and conversed upon our future
destiny.

After evening prayer with the family, my father retired to
rest, and I spent a season with my step-mother who had
reared me from my infancy. In conversation we felt sensibly
the weight of the power of temptation, out of which the Lord
had delivered us.

I also spent a short time with my sister Eunice, the only
sister I was ever blessed with in my father's family. I had
baptized her into the Church and Kingdom of God, and we
mingled our sympathies, prayers and tears together before the
throne of grace.

How truly are the bonds of consanguinity and of the blood
of Christ united in binding the hearts of the Saints of God
together, and "how blessings brighten as they take their
flight!"

This being the last night I was to spend beneath my father's
roof while upon this mission, I felt the weight of it, and my
prayer was, "O, Lord, protect my father's house, and bring
him to Zion!" (which prayer was granted.)

On the morning of July 3rd, I took leave of my relatives
and my native land, and started on my return to Maine.