Latter Day Saints' Messenger and Advocate/Volume 3/Number 4/Letter to Oliver Cowdery from Erastus Snow (Dec. 30, 1836)
Kirtland, Dec. 30, 1836.
Pres. O. COWDERY:
Sir,—I left Kirtland on the 16th day of April last, and returned again last evening, (Dec. 29) having been absent a period of eight months and fourteen days. During this time I have been laboring entirely alone, in the western part of Pennsylvania.—But my heavenly Father has been with me, and given me power over much and heavy opposition; for I have often met with it, especially among the priests, that wear long faces. I have travelled about 1600 miles, back and forth; preached 220 sermons; obtained 20 subscribers for your interesting paper, and baptized 50 persons. I, thro' the grace of God, started one branch in Brush Valley township, Indiana county; one in Plumb Creek township, Armstrong county, and a third on the corners of Venango, Mercer and Butler counties. The work seems to be gaining ground fast wherever I have travelled; and I have often had calls for preaching 20 and 30 miles off, in every direction; and had about six to where I could fill one. I wish the Elders travelling east, would call and visit my brethren, and spread the word of life still more thoroughly through that country.
Yours in the bonds of the everlasting covenant.
ERASTUS SNOW.