| 156 The Saints came together at two o'clock on Saturday the 9th, and had a season of testimony and prayer. Bro. D. S. Mills spoke in the evening to an interested audience. Here the Saints came together from Long Valley, Bitter Water, Peach Tree, Salinas, Hollister, and Watsonville. On Sunday we spoke twice, morning and evening, attending sacramental service in the afternoon. We had been scolding some of the brethren for preaching long sermons; but on the occasion of our Sunday evening service we fairly earned our own scolding, as they will doubtless bear witness; however, we begged pardon, and they ought to forgive us.
Notwithstanding the burning of the "bowery" at the Swamp, we lost only two meetings, for the brethren rallied and at three o'clock in the afternoon of Saturday, the 16th, and in the evening, Bro. Mills and self were permitted to address quite a fair audience.
We here met Brn. Russell Huntley, John Brush, John Garner, Joseph Burton, and quite a number of "old-timers," as those who were with the church in Nauvoo are called.
The Saints held three meetings on Sunday, September 17. We spoke in the morning at eleven, and in the evening at seven; Bro. Mills occupying the afternoon service. The weather was fair, the audiences large and attentive and good liberty was had. The Saints seemed to enjoy the services, and the occasion of our assembling together was made peaceful and pleasant by the presence of the Spirit. . . .
The branch at the "Swamp" called the Newport Branch, is about seventy-six in number, three being added during our stay. A good feeling prevails, and the Saints are winning golden opinions from their neighbors, as a rule; except a few, possibly a very few, who are too bigoted to enjoy their own religion and allow others the same privilege.
From Newport to San Bernardino, by the Santa Ana River, is a long day's ride; but with the company of Bro. John Garner, with whom we rode, Brn. Mills and Joseph Burton, the way was enlivened; and at dinner, under a sycamore-tree which would have afforded shelter and seats for many a Zaccheus in its wide spreading branches, with the addition to our company of Bro. and Sr. Richard Allen, Sr., Sr. Worley, Daniel Garner, R. R. Dana, and - Damron, we had a pleasant hour. We arrived at San Bernardino after night-fall, ready for a night's rest and sleep.
Here, amid the vines, fig-tree, and balmy breezes of an oasis hidden from the arid plains, in a sweep of the grand old hills, the everlasting hills, lies one of the beautiful places of the earth. . . .
We arrived at San Bernardino on the evening of the 20th, and our spiritual labors began the next evening. Bro. Mills delivering the opening sermon, while we remained at Bro. Garner's nursing a cold contracted during the long ride on the cars from "Frisco" to Anaheim, and at the Swamp. However, on the evening of Friday, the 22d, we addressed the citizens at the Saints' chapel; and on Sunday morning in the grove of Mr. Clark Faburn, kindly offered for the purpose. A large congregation
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