Communications

May 8th 1841.

Dear Brother:-

I have the pleasure to inform you that I have arrived at Armstrong County, Pa. where I have held several meetings among the brethren. The course of truth is this part of the vineyard is moving with a slow but steady pace. The brethren are in good spirits and strong in the faith and appear liberal towards our public works, and have received and treated me very kindly since I have been here. I have held several meetings, and baptized three. I find plenty to do; there are calls for preaching on every hand-the people say they "never heard it after this sort." Next Saturday, I have to attend a conference among the brethren; it is expected there will be a great assembly on the occasion. I have preached so much since I have been here that I am quite hoarse. I have frequently desired to have you here to help me to proclaim the everlasting gospel, the obedience to which will make mankind heirs of the kingdom of heaven. You know "the pure testimony put forth by the spirit" will cut its way through-but it must be put forth by the spirit, or else it will do no good. How long I shall stay in these parts I do not know, but when I leave here I intend to visit the saints in Lancaster County Pa.

May 13th I resume my pen this morning to continue my letter. I had a good meeting yesterday, the congregation was composed of Methodists, Presbyterians and Latter Day Saint. I preached from Paul's epistle to the Hebrews 2nd chap. 1, 2, 3, 4 verses. Therefore we ought to give more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.-For if the word spoken by Angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; how shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord and was confirmed unto us by them that heard; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?-The above passages of scriptures offered me an extensive field of argument upon the subject of the gospel, and, also, an opportunity of portraying the downfall of nations and kingdoms, who had not had a respect to the recompence [recompense] of reward, but had been disobedient to the commands of Heaven and had, consequently plunged themselves into irretrievable woe.

I am happy to say, that the religion of Christ is continuing to gain ground in this vicinity; there is a church of about 40 or 50 members in this place, and are some of the most respectable and intelligent part of the community. It is the baser sort, and the false teachers in sheep's clothing that reject the gospel of Christ-the drunkard reviles the religion of the saints because it takes away his cup-the priests who teach for hire, and divine for money will not come to the light because their crafts will be in danger. "The heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things," and the cry of "these men that have turned the world upside down have come hither also, and "great is gooddess [goddess] Diana" is invariably set up by the learned theologians of the day and by their flocks, who are blinded by their teachings. When I consider

the condition of mankind, even, what are termed enlightened nations, and through the glass of scripture see manifest all their blindness, depravity, and hypocrisy, my heart sickens at the sight, and I turn away from the contemplation and I am ready to exclaim, O Lord!

How long shall such wickedness,

Be suffered in the land?

How long before thou makest bare

Thine own almighty hand?

May 14th. I have just returned to my stopping place, from where I have been preaching. I spoke to the congregation on the subject of the gospel, and the second coming of Christ, and also the judgments of Almighty God which would be poured out upon the ungodly. I shewed [showed] from the prophet Joel, what the fulness [fullness] of the gospel was, and that the spirit of God, should be poured out upon all flesh, and then the people should prophesy, dream dreams, see visions &C. I then refered [referred] to the thousand years reign of the saints, proving the same from the book of Rev., and other parts of scripture, and likewise that the general judgment would not take place until the thousand years were expired. While testifying to the truth of the gospel and proclaiming the important message of salvation, the power of the Most High rested upon me, the spirit of the Lord was manifest, believers rejoiced in the Lord and others who had stood aloof were constrained to acknowledge the truth of the message, and it is expected that some will be baptized next Sunday.-Thus spreads the work of the Lord, and numbers are added to the church daily, such as shall be saved.

15th. Saturday morning. Preparations are making for the conference. In consequence of my incessant labors, I do not feel very well, my lungs are affected through much speaking; I feel as if I could not forbear, the Macedonian cry of "come over and help us" is so frequently sounding in my ears, that I could not forbear, and have been influenced to labor beyond my strength.

I have not told you much of my journey since I left home, but will give you the particulars in my next; suffice it to say that I have been able to prosecute my journey remarkably well,-When I left Nauvoo, I had little or no money, and had it not been for the kindness of a gentleman of the name of Mr. Silas Haight who resides in Farmington, Iowa. I do not know how I should have got along. He being on his way to St. Louis on board the same steamer, and seeing me among the deck passengers, took me into the cabin, and paid my fare to St. Louis, and then loaned me money to help me on my journey. I hope the Lord will reward him for his kindness, even a hundred fold.

May 7th. Our conference being over I am now preparing to leave for the east and pursue my journey.

I am, yours in the bonds of the gospel.

William Smith.

Elder D. C. Smith.