, Letter, , Erie Co., NY, to JS, , Hancock Co., IL, 18 Mar. 1843; handwriting of ; dockets in handwriting of and ; four pages; JS Collection, CHL.
Page [2]
I visit[ed] this about the middle of december— last— Stayed about one week a number of persons & organised an of fifteen <members> & then left & returned again the last of Febry but no had no hous[e] for preaching untill the first Sunday in March being no 5th.then I at that time I commence a course of lectures on the principle’s of the gospel of our Lord as believ by the Latter day as weall as the former day Saints. Come [o]ut with ha[n]dbills with a very polite invitation to any gent[l]eman or professor of divinity to come out publickley & debate these principles the Biblee being the standard— but no one has yet cam out but a unvirsilest [universalist] & we met this mornig at 9½ oclock with a very respe[c]table house choose five Judges & proceede in debate about two hours. & the Judges brought in a verdict in unanimous in ourer favour & wee hope for better times in here <for heree> are many verey respectable Cittirzens that are favorable in clined <and> are seriously inquareing [inquiring] after the truth of the Book of Mormon— I am now preaching five times in a week <in > & ownce at Black rock where thire are is also an goo[d] attention paid to the word & they say we never herd it on this wise befour, (& I have not at any time in my lifer realised the powr of any prophetic exspression more sensible than the promis you made to the that volenteared last fall to go out & preach his the word trusting in God, for the Lord has not only taugh[t] me to preach his word faithfulley & in the demonstration of the Sprrit for both comfort of to the saints and <to> the shutting of the mouths of Gainsayers the healing of the sick & the casting out of Devils! but to my owne astonishment & grater Joy he has turned my horse whither he would have me to goe, & when I would of gone a head the stormes has prevented me untill the serva[n]ts. (Cornealious) like) had time to arise arive & call for me to go & tell them wat to do or words whare by thiey [they] & there hous might be saved: & by this interpursition of the hand of the Lord I was led in to this Grater , now there a[re] ma[n]y regoicing in the <&> I know of a rruthe [truth] that god will preserve all and direct all the Elders that are faithfull to liven by all the word of the Lord! & I can can truly say that I have never felt the needes of youre counsel more [p. [2]]