Letters - Darling Girl, yesterday I preached my first sermon

                                                                                                       Hastings, Victoria
                                                                                                            Australia
                                                                                                        April 14, 1902
Darling Girl,--
I thought surely I should find time to write some yesterday, but you see “the best laid plans of mice and men oft going aglee.” You see mamma, I did something yesterday that I never did before in my life. Of course you couldn’t guess, Dear, and I shall have to tell you about it,-- when I get home, or shall I tell you now? There isn’t much to tell so I think I will tell you now. Yesterday I preached my first sermon. Saterday a conference convened here, and at the close of the business meeting the other services were announced and I heard that I was to assist that evening, and preach the next morning at 10:30. Can you imagine how I felt, Dear? I just trembled all the afternoon and all night, and wondered what I could do to get out of it. I couldn’t see anything to do but jump in the ocean; and I wanted to see you, first, dear, and have a kiss. 

   Well the next morning I took my books and started with all the grit I could scrape together and that wasn’t very much, for my hands shook so I couldn’t scrape much, you see. Of course, I went out into the bush and told the Lord what a mess I was in, and that it wasn’t of my choosing, (for I had objected to it,) and that I knew as well as he did that I couldn’t preach unless he helped me; and I wasn’t joking with him either, my Pet, Well it is customary here to read a bible lesson, after the first song. That gives a weak kneed lad a chance to recover himself somewhat. The song was sung, then I read Is. 29;-10 to 19. When prayer had been offered, then a song sung, I got up and forged ahead. I talked twenty minutes, the longest speech I ever made in my life anywhere, before, and that was so much better than I expected to do, so far as time is concerned, that I feel fully satisfied. The Lord did not let me down, anyway, I am thankful for that, and am perfectly willing to give Him my all the honor for everything that was good in it, if there was anything good in it. I never head a sermon like it before, that followed the same line of thought, but I believe I have heard some that were no better. I can hardly believe yet that such a thing has really happened. Uncle Alex told me I did well for the first effort. After I quit the Prisedent of the District who was in the stand with me, went on with it and made a pretty good sermon out of it.

     Oh I love you, my precuious mamma wife, I love you dearly. In less than a month we will be starting home, my beautiful bright-eyed little wife; not really small, Pet, but little you know, a little the best girl in the world, much the best mamma. I love you, Darling Wife. I smile with pleasure and a heart full of joy, and peace, and love when I think of seeing my wife and baby again. We got to Melbourne, Thursday noon, came to Hastings Saterday morning. Uncle Alex is feeling better. A Sr. spoke in prophecy to him at the Sacrement meeting yesterday and told him that he would be given strength sufficient and be permitted to return again to his home and loved ones. 

    Two of the brothers were telling out fortunes and dispositions by our hands and heads yesterday, or saterday evening, it was, come to think twice. They told me I was capable of making money and would hang on to it when I got it, that I was arguementative and would argue a question all day, being a little inclined to be stubborn over it, said that I was orderly and not cross, yet I could say some very harsh things, if I chose , when angry., or displeased, that I would be somewhat jealous of my wife, but would have a
happy married life and a nice little family. I was fond of home, but lacked self esteem. I would take a back seat and let people go to the front that had not so much ability as I did have. I was fond of language, a good hand with tools and machinery, could understand it, and invent. That I would not take advice, and was firm in opinions. I had much power of thought, and was logical, though not fluent in speech, was a deep thinker, and would reason on every side of a thing, and that I thought too much, did too much thinking for my own good. I have a due amount of reverence for aged people, but not much spirituality.

April 17, We came up to Bro. Butterworth’s last night, he came from the U.S. 14 years ago, and married a young woman out here. He looks lots like Orison N. and his wife looks like Rosa Fletcher. I didn’t expect to find Orison and Rosa out here. I am afraid that I shall not get a letter from you in time to answer it in this mail. Its discouraging a little, but I shall be patient if I can in Australia is wearing away, and every day is bringing the time nearer. I suppose Bertha and Nett will go to Reunion again and try to get another beau on the string. I would if that’s all they go for. I love you my Darling. God bless you and baby. I love you.

                                                                              Your own Husband
                                                                                Leon A. Gould
(transcribed by Samii S. Gould)