Charles Henry John West missionary experience

On friday evening the first day of December 1850, we had a good meeting. Elder Wallace from Utah or Zion being present spoke upon the subject of young men going out to preach, towards the close of his remarks he asked wether there were any young men who would offer their services, upon so glorious an undertaking. Elder John Hyde who was president of the meeting pointed out my brother John and myself as suitable, we were asked our feeling about it, said we felt weak but had no objection to go.

The same evening I was called and ordained by Brother Wallace to the office of an Elder. To leave home and go out preaching I was promised that if I kept faithful to my calling I should be of great use in my generation and should be gathered home to Zion. Elder Eli B. Kelsey who was president of the London Conference told my Brother John and myself to labor in the Bedfordshire Conference under the presidency of Elder Squires. My parents who had joined the church was quite willing to our going. They done their best to help us out. My youngwoman's parents had no objections to my going although her Father was a member of another church (the Baptist). They thought it adviseable for me to first get married as that would bind us together, accordingly on the 25th day of December 1850, we were married at St. Andrews Church Holborn by the rector Mr. I. I. Ivogood.
 
My brother John and myself started on our mission from the Euston Road Station to Bedford, we arrived the same day, the weather being very cold. We went direct to the house of Elder Squires and was well received by the Saints in Bedford. I shall never forget my feeling, when arriving here 62 miles away from home. I had never before been one night away from home. I was there to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, had never stood up before a number of people to speak. I felt determined by the assistance of God to do the best I could. On the Sunday following I spoke before the Bedford Saints a short time about 10 minutes. I bore my testimony to the truth of the latter day work, In the evening I went to the house of one of the Saints and had some singing. I found the Saints on hand to assist me. I visited Eversholt in Woburn, went through Woburn Park (the seat of the Duke of Bedford). It's a beautiful park although it was the month of December it looked like spring all along the road the trees being evergreen. When going through the park a gentleman on horse-back stopped us an offered us money. We supposed that the Lord had put it in his heart to do so. I stopped at a house in Eversholt, was well received by the Saints who lived there. They had to entertain us on the quiet as the place was Priest-ridden. If it was known that they harbored any Mormon Elders they would be discharged from the Dukes services. After stopping there two or three days we walked to Bedford a distance of 11 miles. We saw Brother Job Smith. I asked President Squires permission to labour in Stoney Stratford as my wife's brothers wife had friends there. Accordingly we went and stayed at Mr. Stephen Brown my wife's Brother's wife's Father and Mother. We were well received there by them. They had no accomodations for sleeping. So we slept in the town. We went to Densaryer Branch 3 miles from Stoney Stratford across 3 fields it being night time. I was very much startled (being dark) by a man saying good night. I had a lettter from my wife telling me that her father had sent me by Express an overcoat as a present for he thought I must be very cold. In walking I found the roads somewhat different from London, on a wet day it was all one's work to walk, the mud being ankle deep. When visiting some of the villages round about I felt myself very backward in visiting the people, not having had been so for some years. He was the only preacher in that village. After reading and talking some time he said his religion was better than mine and said that we would come with a different tale this day seven years. We went to Wolverhampton did not visit anyone their, we tryed to get into peoples houses to talk. Also went to Buckingham and Leyhtons Buzzard. At Fenny Stratford we visited the homes of three of the Saints, had a meeting in the evening and elderly Elder spoke after meeting. We went to the house of Sister James a nurse by occupation. We slept that night at her house. She was very kind, she gave up her own bed to us, and kept up herself, which we did not know of till the next day. On our journey one day being my birthday 12th of January I wrote home that I had a hot dinner that day. Some of the Saints had given us bread and lard and I found a few onions in the field. After doing the best we could under the existing circumstances, and not seeming to be doing much good, we concluded to write our President our intention of returning home after being away from home three weeks. We returned home and reported ourselves to the President of the London Conferance. Told him that I did not feel competent to the task of a Preacher and teacher. We were received well by them at Jewin Street, was invited to supper at table was present Elder Orson Pratt of the twelve apostles. I shall never forget my feelings, being there in the presence of an apostle. I felt I had not done my duty, first of all getting married before starting on my mission and secondly not relying more on the arm of God. If I could crawl in a nut shell then I would gladly done it. I was spoken to by them very kindly.
 
On account of not continueiing my mission, I with my brother John, was suspended from our office for a short time. After a while by my good conduct I regained my former position as Elder.
 
I continued doing all I could to promote and build up the Kingdom in outdoor preaching and singing. Also acting as Sunday school teacher, sometimes delivering tracts, paying tithing and other calls.  I baptized Mary Ann Eagle in the Cumberland St. Baths.