Heber Thomas's Faith to Fill a Mission
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George Evan Stoddard, son of George Earl Stoddard, Jr., son of Elthira Dana Thomas, daughter of Heber Harris Thomas
Heber Harris Thomas was 25 when he married Sarah Helen Dana on March 28, 1888, in the Logan Temple. Two weeks later, on April 11, he left his "wife mother, home and friends" to serve a mission to England. The following is an extract from his missionary journal.
Sunday 15th - We left [Chicago] for New York at 3:10.P.M. over the Chicago Atlantic Ry, reaching Jersey City on Sunday evening at 10:25P.M. We then crossed the East river in the Chamber Street Ferry boat, landing in New York 15 minutes later. On the other side of the river was a Bus, into which we entered and we were driven up to Smith and McNells Hotel, at which place we stopped during our brief stay in New York.
Monday 16th - After having breakfasted we went to the Guion Line Office to have our ship tickets, so that we would be in perfect readiness to take sail the following morning. Having procured our tickets we concluded to change our money to that of English. It was here that the kindness of Bro Baugh seemed to overcome me. All the Elders had changed their money and the least that any of them had was about eighty dollars, and some had over one hundred. Upon learning that my bretheren had so much money my feelings seemed to overcome me, and it was with difficulty that I handed over fifteen dollars to changed, which was all, lacking one dollar, that I had. I tried to do my changing without anyone seeing me, and I flattered myself that I had done so, when Bro. Baugh came up to me and said— "Bro Thomas I'll tell you what I am going to do with you," "what's that", I enquired, "I'm going to pay your way until we get through to our destination." "and I'll pay half of it" said Bro Burgoyne.
I objected to it and thanked them for their kind offers, but that I would prefer paying my own way. But notwithstanding my objections they insisted upon paying my way. Their kindness I shall never forget and shall ever hold them in the light of true and sincere friends. In this instance I can but acknowledge the hand of God in my behalf. For I know that ever since I first learned of my mission, that He over-ruled things for my good, in raising up friends who aided me liberally, and thus I was raised sufficiently out of my poverty and financial distresses as to enable me to leave my home and go forth in the fulfilment of the call that had been made of me. Therefore to Him do I owe thanks, honor and glory.
Source: Heber Harris Thomas. Untitled mission journal, 1888, in the possession of the Family and Church History Department, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, copy in the possession of George Evan Stoddard.
