William had served for five years as a missionary at the time of his marriage and he continued on as a missionary for two more years until about 1857. As a missionary William had to travel and be away from his new family a lot. He moved Ellen to Gloucester, Glaucestershire, England. Where he could visit her more often.
Their first baby, Harriet Adeline was born on "a cold foggy day", the 4th of February 1856. They were living in a large rooming house, of which they had one small upstairs room.
William was away doing missionary work at the time of her birth. He was anxious to see his little baby. When baby Harriet was six weeks old, Ellen took her on the train to see her father.
up to this time baby Harriet had never made any audible sound, not even crying. This was a great worry to her mother. She was afraid that Harriet was dumb (unable to speak or hear). However, on that train ride Harriet began to cry. Ellen was very much relieved.
William did not have to be away from his family all the time. Most of the time he did missionary work in the evenings after work and on the weekends.
There was much persecution against Mormonism. At street meetings enemies of the Church would pelt them with rotten vegetables, and cause every kind of disturbance they could think of.
William had much opposition from one or two men in particular. One Hepburn was very bitter (being an apostate). He bribed the hotel keeper to lock William in his room one night till after the appointed hour for his street meeting. Then Hepburn met the crowd who had gathered and told them Fowler was not a man of his word, since he hadn't even shown up as he promised. He warned the people to have nothing to do with him. Many people believed him and William had a hard time getting the people to listen to him after that.
Another time Hepburn adn a companion came with rotten vegetables and pelted them with those till their clothing was very badly soiled. Another time it was rotten eggs. They came several times. One night Hepburn came to the meeting and viciously tried to jerk William out to the crowd. William hung onto his coat the best he could, but the sleeve was torn out.
Hepburn was such a menace day after day, that finally William became righteously angered. William wasn't so much worried about how he suffered personally, but he was angered over how these persecutions hindered the progression of the work. Finally William told this Mr. Hepburn, "If you do not cease to persecute the Saints, I promise in the name of the Lord your right arm shall wither and be useless."
Later, William saw Mr. Hepburn in a large crowd. Mr Hepburn held his arm ina withered state, hanging loosely from his side. William called his wife's attention to it. He also pointed it out to his daughter, Harriet, to witness what God had done to the man who opposed his servants.
William also had blessings which he enjoyed by reason of the priesthood. One time he had an appointment for a meeting some eight miles distant. He started for the place, but consulting his watch he feared he might be late. So, he took a shortcut over the country. Passing over an old rock quarry, he inadvertently loosened a large stone, which fell against his leg and bruised it very badly. William made an attempt to go onward, but when he had gone a half a mile, it hurt so badly he went back home. He bathed it and rubbed it with olive oil. He prayed to the Lord to relieve the pain, so that he might go on and attend his meeting. The pain left immediately and he went to the meeting and returned with no difficulty. Afterwards he was laid up in bed for two weeks and couldn't go anywhere.
One evening, William was tired and stopped at a hotel . When the proprietor told him that all the rooms were full, William was very sorely disappointed, since he was so tired. He was about to turn away when the man said that he had one room, but that it was said to be haunted. "If you want to try that you are welcome," he said. William gladly accepted. He picked up his luggage and went upstairs to that room. On lying down upon his pillow he heard a dreadful noise, as if he had laid on a nest of puppies. Without giving it a thought, he put his head to the other end of the bed. Then he heard a very derisive loud laugh. He knew then that it was an evil spirit. He commanded the spirit by the power of the priesthood and in the name of the Master to depart and never return. William then laid down and slept peacefully all night. Being much refreshed in the morning, he came downstairs. When the proprietor asked him how he slept, William said, "Fine, had a very good rest."
"Well," the man said, "Mr. Fowler, you may have that room any time you pass through here.
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