Latter Day Saints' Messenger and Advocate/Volume 1/Number 4/A summary
A SUMMARY.
In the last Messenger we gave a short summary of the intelligence received from abroad, relative to the situation of the churches and the prosperity of the cause of truth. From a general mass we can only select a few items, and in so doing shall endeavor to take that part which will be the most interesting. To inform the elders of the many and pressing calls which are continually saluting us, and the church of the increase of numbers to its body, will satisfy the whole, if our conception of the matter be correct. This, then, in general, will be our object in giving summaries.
The world is full of confusion, and corruption holds unbounded sway over millions, and were we to forbear giving our patrons, at least, a small part of the facts relative to the same, we might subject ourselves to censure.
The cause is a precious one, and a union of hearts and of faith is highly important: and how can the hearts of thousands, who are unknown to each other by face, be united; and in what manner can their faith be brought to bear more directly upon the object, than to be instructed alike, and also be furnished with the same intelligence relative to the same holy cause?
The elders are travelling into many parts, as may be seen from letters published from time to time, and what adds to the reflection, and gives joy to the heart, is that wherever they go, and labor but a short season, are instruments in the economy of heaven, of convincing hundreds of the truth and propriety of the faith of the everlasting gospel. We are indebted to them for the more part of the information of this kind which we publish, and feel ourselves under obligation to tender them the unfeigned gratitude of our bosom, and hope that by a joint co-operation we may be instruments in moving on this heavenly work to perfection and glory, that the NATIONS OF THE EARTH may see the salvation of God!
From the elders we receive many subscriptions, and hope we may be favored with many thousand more opportunities to thus circulate the intelligence with which we are favored, until there shall not be a town, no, nor a neighborhood in the union, into which numbers of our publication do not circulate. But to proceed:
Brother E. Owen jr of Green co. Ia. writes the 19th of Nov. last, informing us that there are a few saints yet in that place. There was once a large church in Green co. but they have mostly removed to Mo. The few remaining should not be neglected, nor suffered to perish for want of instruction, or be devoured by the enemy.—He closes by saying: "O brother, pray for us, that we may continue in the holy calling whereunto we are called, that we may be worthy to receive an inheritance in the city of cities, which shall be called Zion: and we on our part, will humbly ask the Lord to preserve you and enable you to continue to fight valiantly in the cause of the Redeemer's kingdom!"
From elder G. Bishop's journal, written from Salisbury, Ct. Dec. 4th, we take a few extracts:
"I arrived in Norfolk, Nov. 1833, and spent the winter in this State, preaching in different towns; the result of my labor here, was the baptism of 10 persons in the spring—Norfolk is said to be one of the most populous and wealthy towns in the State. * * * In June I attended the Maine conference; stopped in Boston and baptized one.—* * * From thence to Dover, N. H. where I baptized 7. From Dover to Bradford, Ms. where I baptized one. * * After visiting 'Dighton Writing Rock' in Dighton, Bristol co. Ms. I went to Wendell where I baptized 9.* * When I arrived at this place, I learned that 6 others had been added to the church during my absence, by elders Smith and Carter. Since my arrival I have baptized 5. The church now numbers 20 in this place."
Mr. Wm. Johnson, of Lewistown, Fulton co. Ill. informs us by letter dated Dec. 8th, that there are a few believers in that place. Will the travelling elders remember them?
Elder E. H. Groves writes us an interesting letter from Gilead, Calhoon co. Ill. Dec. 16th. By which we are informed that he has lately immersed 12 in that county, and that more are anxiously enquiring. He thinks the prospect is very favorable, as there are many standing at the door just ready to enter.
Elder Charles Rich of Pleasant Grove, Ill. writes, Dec. 22, and says the church in that place is prospering in the good way.
Elders G. M. Hinkle and H. Green, write us from Washington co. Ill. Dec. 23rd, as follows: "The Lord is carrying on his work extensively in this region; we have calls to preach on the right hand and on the left, from five to twenty miles. We have baptized twenty in this section of country, and elder S. Carter and S. Brown arrived here the first inst. and baptized one—they went to the south, and we have since been informed that they are about ten miles off, preaching and baptizing."
"We shall not leave this place while there is a prospect that the work will go on. We have at this time an invitation to preach in Belleville, and another appointment at Lebanon. The prospect at present, is that there will be a great work done in this section of country."
Mr. J. Crosby jr. of Wendell, Ms. writes Dec. 23rd, informing us that the church there numbers 14; 9 having been added not long since. He says: "We few, who are engaged in this glorious work, are firm in the belief, and we hope that by the grace of God we shall be enabled to fight the good fight of faith, and to come off conquerors and more than conquerors, through him who loved us."
Elder Wm. W. Spencer writes from Tompkins, N. Y. Jan. 7th, and says that there is an enquiry among many to know whether these things are so—there is a prospect of doing good, and all that seems to be wanting, is faithful laborers, endowed with the Holy Spirit.
Our natural brother, the presiding elder of the church at Freedom, N. Y. writes us the 13th inst. and says: "Our church, I believe, prospers tolerably well: 10 have been dismissed with letters of commendation, and we have seventy three in regular standing. One of that number was added to us last Sabbath. There are many enquirers from five to ten or fifteen miles to attend our meetings; and notwithstanding we are every where spoken against, I believe there are more fears that our system is true, than there are doubts that it is not."
In addition to the foregoing we add, that elder D. W. Patten has lately returned from the south where he has been laboring a few months in company with elder W. Parish. They had, when he left, baptized about twenty in the State of Tennessee. He further informs us, that multitudes listened with attention, and manifested deep anxiety to ascertain, for themselves whether these things were of God. Of the vast population of the south, but few have ever heard the gospel in its fulness, and it is to be expected, that amid a world of calumny and reproach, heaped upon a society whose only aim is to do good, and whose only intent is salvation, that it must have fallen in the south in a greater or less degree.— But they are like the rest of mankind, when the truth is presented before them, such as are honest "gladly receive the word."— Editor.