The Brigham Young Center

Mr. Heber young,
Silhalle, Aussersahl,
Zurich, Switzerland.

My dear Son:-

Yours of the 9th. Feb. has been received. I did not see your letter, however, till very lately as I have just returned from a trip to the South after an absence of 52 days; during that time we travelled over 1140 miles & held upwards of 60 meetings. I drove my own team all the way & am thankful to say that my health has been extremely good the entire time. I did not miss a single meal. The company from this city was very small, being composed mainly of Prest. G.A. Smith -- B. Young Jr. John W. Young, and 1 or 2 others. The journey was, naturally, a fatigueing one, still it was a change, & the warm hearted reception extended to us by the Saints, on every hand, relieved, in a great degree the sense of fatigue, while the pleasure afforded us by beholding the faces of the Saints & giving them such instructions as were suggested to our minds, more than compensated for the labor of the journey.

You have doubtless heard of the continued hue and cry on the subject of the "Cullom Bill," as it attracts a vast amount of attention everywhere, yet, strange as it seems to those who do not understand, this is the place where the subject attracts, comparatively, the least attention. The reason for this, is simply, that the Saints are willing to trust the issue with the Almighty, realizing, that though Man proposes, God disposes. & He is not to be reckoned out of this question. One thing is very apparent:-- The "Cullom Bill" has been the means of bringing our Holy Religion very generally before the literary world & what is commonly considered the higher classes of society, & so far will have a salutary effect in removing prejudice from thinking minds who have investigated the subject.

The April Conference as you have no doubt heard, met and adjourned until the 5th May, in consequence of the gallery in the New Tabernacle not being finished, as well as on account of our absence south. It is estimated that 11 or 12000 persons may be comfortably seated in the New Tabernacle this conference. Special trains will run from within 1-1/2 miles of Brigham City. over the C.P.R.R. to Ogden & the U.C.R.R. to this City. The C.P.R.R. intend to build a permanent switches & Stations at Brigham & Willard Cities for the convenience of our people which will facilitate communication with our northern settlements in a manner quite desirable.

When Conference meets it is probable we shall call some Missionaries to relieve some of the Elders now labouring in Europe, I intend writing to Bro. Carrington to request him to release & bring you home with him when he returns. Bro. H.S. Eldredge will start about the 9th or 10th of May for England, to relieve Bro. Carrington & as soon as Bro Eldredge is properly installed so as to manage affairs Bro. Carrington will return home. I will also instruct Bro. Carrington to furnish you the money you ask for, & I would suggest that you purchase a good, stout, silver, hunting cased watch that will do you good service both in strength & accuracy as a time piece.

I regret to say Uncle John Young is very sick & not likely to live a great while without a sudden change in his favor.

Strangers begin to drop in upon us & we anticipate a very large amount of travel across the Continent this season.

I am thankful to say that the general health is good, the Saints, notwithstanding the howling of the adversary continues to enjoy peace & are trying to live their religion.

May God help us to do so, & bless all the faithful & enable you to return in safety. Remember me kindly to Bro Maeser. & all the brethren of the Mission, whom we continually remember in our prayers, as well as for the welfare of all Israel.

Your Affectionate Father
Brigham Young