To the Elders Abroad

Having a desire for the welfare of all Brethren, and more especially for those who are conducting the everlasting gospel to the nations of the earth, stimulates me at all times to importune at the feet of our heavenly father, for he [the] Holy Spirit to perpetually remain with you, and be your guide both by sea and by land, and not depart from you at any time while declaring repentence [repentance] unto the inhabitants of this generation, I am aware that in consequence of the magnitude of your calling that you have left houses, lands, wives and chrildren [children] for the sake of the everlasting gospel which has been committed to you by the revelations of our God. And I am aware also that nothing of an earthly nature can hinder you from performing that duty which you owe to the inhabitants of the nations of the earth; for my mind can already discover your footsteps making their way to the Islands of the sea, thence bending your course south to the shores of Asia, and Africa, where the inhabitants are strangers to civilization, then my mind can discover the spirit of the God of Daniel attending you, ready to deliver you from bondage or any kind of harm. My mind can also trace your footsteps into the solitary groves to importune at the feet of your heavenly father in behalf of your families, I can then discover your minds satisfied by reflecting that God is the same as yesterday so to-day and forever, that Elijah was fed by the ravens and that your families are of the household of faith as well as him and will feed and clothe them, and if they ask for bread he will not give them a stone, and if they ask for a fish he will not give them a scorpion.

Wherefore let not your hearts be troubled but as with horns of unicorns push the people together, say to the north give up and to the south keep not back; that the sound of the everlasting gospel may penetrate the ears of all living that your garments may be clear from the blood of this generation, and that you may return home to your families and sit down in the Kingdom which our God has estabished [established] by his own right hand in these last days. A. RIPLY.

Payson, Ill. Feb. 4th, 1840

MESSRS. ROBINSON & SMITH.

Believing that all information respecting the spread of the gospel will be acceptable to you I therefore improve a few moments to inform you that the work of God is gaining ground in these parts. There has been a considerable

number baptized of late in this section of country: And there are more believing, there appears to be a considerable inquiry manifested in the minds of many concerning the work.

The saints are generally strong in the faith, looking forward for the fulfilment [fulfillment] of the promises of the coming of our Lord and Savour [Savior] Jesus Christ, when he should reign on mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously. Although the cruel hand of persecution has been laid heavily [heavily] upon the church its progress is still onward "for truth is mighty and will prevail". The chastisement the church has recieved [received] is like a sieve although differing from the one of human invention for while it sifts out the bran the flour is still preserved, the honest in heart are not to be shaken by persecution, but it serves to increase their humility and strengthen their faith in God, and show them their dependence upon Him; and while they look back and see the sufferings of the saints of old and with what patience they endured scourging and imprisonments and even death itself for the sake of the gospel and the testimony of Jesus, they can rejoice that they are counted worthy to suffer with them and thus become members of that heavenly conpany [company] "that came out of great tribulation and washed their robes white in the blood of the Lamb".

On the 13th of Dec. last Lorenzo D. Webb died in this place aged 22 years 7 mo. and 11 days. He has been a member of the church about five years, he was a person of gentle and affable disposition, kind and generous hearted and his loss is severely felt by his friends and acquaintances, but while we mourn we do not mourn as though we had no hope, he died in the faith of the gospel and in hope of a glorious resurrection and immortality. His health has been poor for two or three years, but his last illness (which was short but violent [violent]) he bore with the greatest fortitude and resignation and when informed we thought he could not live he expressed a willingness to depart and be with Christ, he fell asleep without a struggle [struggle] or a groan.

I must now close by subscribing myself your friend and brother in the gospel of Christ.

EDWARD M. WEBB