Latter Day Saints' Messenger and Advocate/Volume 1/Number 3/A SUMMARY
A SUMMARY edit
From the communications of the elders, and others.
Agreeably to a notice in our last we give in this number a summary of the intelligence received at this office for a length of time, not inserted heretofore.
Brethren E. Barns and O. Kilborn, of Troy, Bradford Co. Pa. write under date of Oct. 27, of the situation of the church in that place. There were 28 members formerly in that church, but they now number only 20, some previously having gone to the West.—They inform us that there are enemies to the cause of truth in that country, who seek to oppose its mighty influence; but this is difficult: though they may so far succeed as to hinder some from coming into the Messiah's kingdom, yet the time will roll on when falsehoods will be chased away, and the pure rays of righteousness enlighten the hearts of the meek. The saints have only to walk agreeably to their own profession, and the chain of the adversary will be severed. There has been one of late received by baptism into that branch of the church. If any of the travelling elders are passing that way they would do well to call. They close by saying: "Brethren, pray for us, that we may come in full possession of that faith once delivered to the saints, and enjoy, in perfection, the fulness of the gospel.
We have been expecting some of the elders from the West, and do desire the Lord to send some here to instruct us in this region in the way of God more perfectly."
We acknowledge the receipt of money sent by these brethren for papers, with one new subscriber.
Elders D. W. Patten and W. Parish, write from Paris, Ten. under the same date, (Oct. 27th,) giving the vary [very] joyful and welcome tidings that seven have been immersed, and that the prospect for the spread and increase of the work is brightening. They inform us that they have large and attentive congregations, many of whom are anxious searching for truth.
But the usual information accompanies the above, that unceasing exertions are made by men of craft to induce people to turn a deaf ear to the gospel, and that many, in consequence, are hindered from investigating those sacred principles so necessary and all important to the salvation of the soul.
They send us several subscribers for the Messenger and Advocate, which gives an opportunity to our brethren in that place of becoming acquainted with the increase and rapid spread of those items of truth which they have embraced.
We believe those are the first who have proclaimed this gospel in Ten. and we look upon this opening providence as a peculiar manifestation of divine wisdom, to bring from the South his sons and daughters, that when the word of the prophet is fulfilled "To the South: Keep not back!" they may also come with the same song of everlasting joy. May heaven's choice blessings abide with them, and the Israel of God, in these regions!
Elder James Blakslee writes us from Woodville, N. Y. Nov. 12th that, tho' the church in that place is surrounded by unbelievers and wicked men, some are to be found who are willing to hear. He says that there has been, of late a church organized in the village of Sackett's harbor, and that the reformation is still increasing. Also, on Pillow point, a short distance from the above place, there is a church which now numbers between 20 and 30 members; and also, a few miles from the last, himself and another brother have been laboring and baptizing, and find the people, many of them, enquiring what they must do to be saved.
If it was a source of joy to Peter and the other apostles, on the day of pentecost, to be favored with a correct knowledge concerning the plan of salvation, that is, the Lord's only scheme of saving men, it must be equally so now, with those who preach the same "good tidings," when they take into consideration not only the length of time men have been deprived of this knowledge, but the corruption and darkness which cover the minds of men!
He further adds, that they greatly need faithful laborers in that region, there being only two elders beside himself, excepting one recently ordained: and closes, to us, by saying, in substance as follows:
"There are, in this county six churches, and but four laborers for the Lord's vineyard, in these regions. I hope you will use your influence to send faithful laborers, as soon as possible. The Star has been a means of doing much good."
May the Lord send by whom he will, and save some of this generation who are perishing for lack of vision!—The cause is his own.
A communication from D. Nelson & M. Wilber, dated Providence, R. I. Nov. 13th informs us, not of a great increase of members to the church, but an anxious request for the elders to call, should they be passing. They say some are looking on to see the accomplishment of God's work, while others mock and despise. So it was in ancient time, and we have nothing less to expect now.
Mr. Benj. F Bird, of Southport, Tioga Co. N. Y. writes under date of Nov. 14, and says: "I have received your papers almost one year: and because I held the book of Mormon as sacred as I do the bible, the Methodist, (though I had been a regular member almost 37 years,) turned me out; but I bless God for it; for though they cast me out Jesus took me in."
He further adds, that he does not know as he shall ever have a privilege of uniting with this church, as he never saw but one elder, whom he solicited to preach twice; that it caused a great stir and noise among the people, &c.
If any of the elders are passing near, would they not do well to call?—We circulate some few papers in that place, the most of which is through the agency of our aged friend of whom we have been speaking, and from whom we acknowledge the receipt of money for the same.
Elder John Lawson writes from Kortright, N. Y. Nov. 17th, and informs us that the good work is progressing in that place. There is a small church, and more are convinced of the importance of the everlasting gospel. Elder J. Murdock, previously baptized some 6 or more some time since, and elder L. informs us of others. We circulate a few papers in that place, and have no doubt but the travelling elders would be joyfully received.
From our natural brother, W. A. Cowdery, the presiding elder of the church at Freedom, N. Y. we are informed by letter, dated the 22nd of Nov. that the church continues to progress in the way that leads to eternal life.
He also informs us that an addition of about 20 members has recently been made to a small church of 13, raised up in Grove, Allegany Co. by elder J. Gould; and that the prospects are flattering.
From another dated at Freedom the 15th inst. we learn that another has been added to the church by baptism, of late. We are not able to give the number of members attached to that church; but from our knowledge heretofore, and learning of the addition of others since, presume it is quite large.
Elder Z. Snow writes from Mount Pleasant, Upper Canada, Nov. 28th, and informs us that the church in that place are prospering in the way of the Lord. He informs us of no addition, but says that the door for preachings is opening in many places more than he can fill. He has preached to many attentive congregations; but is necessarily hindered from the work of the ministry, in consequence of being obliged to labor during the week for the maintenance of himself and family.
We do not remember the number of members in that church, but there are many, and we have no doubt but thousands in that country would come into the kingdom of Messiah, could faithful men proclaim in those regions.
Another of the same date from Elder Z. Coltrin and N. West, written at Liberty, Ia. brings intelligence that a church has commenced being established in that place. They say that a great door is open for preaching in that region; that they have been laboring about two weeks; immersed two, while many others are more and more anxious to hear, and others have manifested full faith in the everlasting gospel.
Elder Seymour Brunson writes us from Bloomfield, Ohio, under date of Nov. 29th and says that during the past summer, the church in Lawrence Co. in the south part of this State, have received some persecution, such as attempts to injure persons, and destroy some property; but as appears, the saints are not to be frightened out of their belief, nor scared out of their privileges. The mob in Jackson Co. Mo. has taught every saint, who wishes protection from injury, that he must step forward himself and attend to that part of the matter, or he may lose that which he cannot gain, for years.—There is no defect in the law if it could be justly administered; but certain communities are held by an influence unhallowed and unsanctified, and the great fundamental principles of our Government, are overlooked, in a blind zeal to please a craft—ridden, or craft—making, set of men.
We exhort our brethren to be harmless, not being the aggressors; but if lawless men throw down fences, destroy crops, or attempt to insult or injure their persons, the sooner they bring such characters to justice, and teach them to attend to their own occupations, by causing them to feel the consequences following a broken law, the better.
Brother Abel Allton, of Jay, Orleans Co. Vt. writes the same date, and desires to be remembered, himself and little church in that place, by the elders, when passing. There are eleven in that church, who, he says, are hungering for the word to be preached to them. He thinks they have been the most neglected of any branch of the church, no elder having called on them since last Feb. excepting Elder Boynton, in July, last. "We want," says he, "some faithful preacher to labor with us, and stir up our minds by way of remembrance."
Elders J. Hichcock and S. Chase write us from Franklin Co. Mo. the 3rd inst. and give the intelligence of an opening in that country for the spread of pure principles.
We are aware that the conduct of the Jackson Co. mob has served to prejudice the minds of many against the people of the State; but we assure them that there are men of principle and proper feeling, and not a few neither, who look upon that shameful outrage with as great a degree of abhorrence and regret, as any portion of our Republic; and we venture to say, that no part of our land furnishes individuals, and those in great numbers, who would extend the hand of benevolence to the needy, or exert themselves more freely, than those. It is a new country, and as is common to all new States, or Territories, infested with more or less outlaws, who have escaped the hand of Justice at home, and fled for safety to a wilderness.— Editor.