G. S. L. City, Aug 6. 1862
Brigham Young Jr.
42 Islington, Liverpool, England.
My Dear Son Brigham:
Supposing, but not knowing, that you have gone to England with br. George Q. Cannon, I write you a few lines at a venture, knowing that if you are there you will be glad to receive them, and if you are not, there will be no harm done. If you accompanied br. George Q. to Liverpool, I am glad of it. And now if I can learn that you are doing good in the vineyard, I shall feel very well satisfied; but spending time and means without any particular benefit to one's self or others,
causes me regret.
If you are in England I trust that you will faithfully humbly and prayerfully do all the good you can. I wish you to live and fare as the poor Elders do, grub your way along as they do, and thoroughly learn how poor folks live, for you are young and hearty and can endure it, and it will prove of great future benefit to you; and while doing this you have the advantage of having your family all comfortably situated and provided for, relieving you from anxiety to their account.
Make up your mind to stay contentedly for a reasonable length of time, or until you receive advice from me to return home. And while doing all the good you can, strive also to learn and improve yourself all you can at every opportunity and through every laudable available channel, shunning not only [?] but every appearance of evil. Upon all these points br. George Q. will cheerfully give you the aid of his cool judgement and experience, as I have requested him in a letter sent by the same mail which takes this, and which aid I have [?] doubt you will cheerfully accept and profit by.
Whenever you are in need, you are at liberty to call on br. George Q. Cannon for means.
It will improve your mind much more to travel and preach, and be humble and faithful, and so live as to enjoy the Spirit of the Lord, than it will for you to stay in the office, for which reason I trust br. George will keep you in the field as much as possible.
Your name and personal acquaintance in England will answer in liew of an elder's Certificate, though should you wish it, or any other papers, br. George has authority to furnish you.
Should there be any interruption between England and America, you and the Elders from here had probably better make your way home.
In going to England you have not had to deprive your children as I did you and Joseph and your sisters when I went, for I had to take a part of their scant bedding and also leave them barefoot and poorly provided for. Catherine, Jane, and your children will all be well provided for, so that your mind may be free from anxiety on their account. I see nothing to hinder your going ahead in doing all the good you can, which I hope and really believe you will not fail to do, and I glory in your grit. I do not mention my going to England in the way I had to with any design to in the least disturb your feelings, but because I cannot help contrasting the way in which I went with the way in which the Elders have gone since that date.
Since writing the foregoing your cousin Joseph W. has telegraphed me that you have gone to England, with which, as before stated, I am well pleased.
The Church trains are all on their way home, and the last train expects to leave Florence in a day or two, which close our this year's operations in Florence in time for all to arrive here in good season.
We are all well, and home affairs are in a flourishing condition.
God bless you
Your Father.
Brigham Young