Latter Day Saints' Messenger and Advocate/Volume 1/Number 6/Letter to Oliver Cowdery from Orson Pratt (Feb. 16, 1835)
Cincinnati, O. Feb. 13, 1835.
BROTHER O. COWDERY.
I have had the opportunity of perusing, from time to time, your interesting paper, as I have been travelling from church to church, from country to country, and from State to State, holding forth the words of eternal life—the glorious light of heaven among a people who sit in darkness and in the dominion of death, and it is with great satisfaction that I read of the success of my brethren in the ministry, in spreading light and truth, notwithstanding the opposition which they have to encounter: for notwithstanding the earth has been veiled with a thick veil of darkness for centuries and error has spread much divided "and operated unspent," till nations and kingdoms have been inundated by its overwhelming influence, yet the days have come when a light has broken forth in darkness; truth again is beginning to shine, and they who are honest in heart will behold its heavenly light and rejoice; yea, many have beheld it, and not only beheld, but embraced, and are greatly rejoicing that God is unchangeable, that his Spirit is the same to day as yesterday and forever, and that the voice of inspiration is again heard in the land as in olden times. Who could have supposed five years ago that truth would have spread so rapid? for whether we look to the east, or to the west, to the north or to the south, we perceive its mighty progress, upheld by the hand of Omnipotence—it moves in majesty and power, and continues its steady course, pulling down the strong holds of Babylon, and leaving her mighty towers, exposing the creeds, systems and inventions of men, exhibiting the extreme ignorance, follies and errors of all sects, which causes their priests to rage and their mighty ones to tremble.
I left Clay co. Mo. the last of Aug. Since that time I have preached to many congregations, mostly in villages; however I have baptized but few—I was unable to travel and preach for several weeks last fall in consequence of sickness.
I baptized three at Sugar Creek Ia.—the church in that place numbers nineteen. Two in the village of Terrehaut Ia. and seven in Campbell co. Kentucky, eight miles from Cincinnati: the church in that place now numbers eighteen.
Give my respects to all enquiring brethren and especially to my aged parents, if they are living in that place.
I remain your brother in the gospel.
O. PRATT
P .S. March 4th.
Since writing the above we have preached three times in Cincinnati, three times in Fulton, and three times in the village of Commingsville, 6 miles from the city. We have had large congregations and many are astonished at the doctrine—some believe, many disbelieve, and others obey.—We have this day baptized two who reside in Cincinnati.
There are now 22 or 23 members of this church in Fulton and Cincinnati. We expect to leave this place soon for the village of Batavia about 20 miles distant.
Brother Barns and myself preached twice in the court house at Brookville, Indiana—we were kindly received by the people of that village, and were solicited to tarry longer, but we could not conveniently: it was the first time the people in that place had heard concerning the principles of our faith, and it was somewhat marvellous to them, perhaps rendered more so in consequence of a short debate which lasted about three or four hours, principally upon the second coming of Christ.
The debate of which I speak was between myself and a preacher of the Universalist order, (Mr. St. Johns,) the people were very well satisfied and were desirous to know more concerning the doctrine. We obtained one subscriber for the Advocate and left the Appeal of our brethren with the Editors of Brookville Inquirer, who said they would print it—since we have been in Cincinnati we have received the above named paper and also a short letter from its Editors, requesting me to return and give them another hearing, but as it will be out of my power or at least very inconvenient for me to visit that place for some length of time, if ever, I will insert their letter in this and you may publish it in the Advocate if you please that if it should happen that any of the elders of this church were passing through that village, they might call and preach—and no doubt they would be kindly received.
"Brookville Feb. 1, 1835.
Mr. Orson Pratt—
Sir: there is a general wish through this country, that you would call and give us another hearing when opportunity will permit—send us a letter and we will give public notice when you will attend; and we have no hesitation in saying, that you will be heard by the largest congregation ever assembled in this county. Your expenses during your stay, will be defrayed."
Yours respectfully.
(Signed) "Edit's. of BROOKVILLE INQUIRER."