Summary

In our last we promised to give a summary of the news from the elders, and believing it to be due our patrons to know from time to time concerning the spread of truth, as well as encouraging to all those who are interested in the great cause, we most cheerfully fulfil [fulfill] our promise.

We are informed by elder Norvel M. Head that he took a mission in the South, in company with elder Sanders, the past season, in which much good was done. They held a conference in McNary co., Ten. and baptized 8, organized and strengthened up the little branch consisting of 28 in all.

They visited a small branch of the church in Tishawingo co., Miss., containing 6 members in good standing: after adding 7 to their number, they commended them to God and separated. elder Head then went to Shelby co. Ten. and commenced laboring in company with elder Paden. By the assistance of God they were enabled to induct several into the kingdom, and organise [organize] a branch in that region.

From elder John Riggs we learn that a small branch of the church has recently been organized in Warren co. Ill. through his instrumentality, called the Greenfield branch, and Solon Powers ordained an elder.

By a letter from E. Ludington and E. G. Terrill to J. Smith, dated, New Orleans, Jan. 4th, we get the cheering intelligence that there is a branch of the church in that great city, and they are exceedingly anxious to have some faithful elder come to their assistance; the following is the language of the invitation: "For God's sake send help to this city before the people perish, for it is a time of great excitement here, send us a Peter, or an apostle to preach unto us Jesus," &c. Brother Terrill also sent $10,00 to assist some elder to come to that city. Ye ministers of God notice this.

By a letter from Nathaniel Holmes, it appears that the church at Georgetown, Mass. are strong in the faith, and "are trying to overcome through the testimony of Jesus, that their robes may be washed and made white thro' the blood of the Lamb, that they may be prepared for a better and more glorious world than this."

Brother Zadok Parker writes from Lisbon, Vt. the following is a short extract.

There is a few brethren in this place who are strong in the Lord and are trying to keep his commandments.-We meet together as often as is convenient to worship God, and the gifts and blessings of heaven are enjoyed by us, so that we are led to praise the name of the Lord, that he has been pleased to reveal the secrets of his will unto his servants the prophets in these last days; and some who have been opposed to the work are beginning to believe, and there is a prospect of others obeying the gospel; and our request is that some of the elders traveling east, would call here.

Elder Samuel Bent writes from Wendell, Mass., dated, Dec. 17, 1840. That the prejudices which once kept the people from investigating the truth, are now all swept away. He has been traveling through the eastern states visiting the churches, and says that he has calls to preach on every hand, more than he can fill: he also says that the Saints in every branch of the church where he has visited, appear to be strengthed [strengthened], and are rejoicing to hear of the rapid spread of the work of the Lord throughout the world, &c.

Elder A. J. Lumeraux writes from Dearfield, Warren co. Ohio, Dec. 17, 1840: It is an excellent communication, giving an account of his ministry and success from July, 1838, up to the above date; had we space we should give it entire, but shall only give a short synopsis.

After sketching his journey from place to place, he says he arrived at Dayton, O. and commenced holding meetings in the court house, but a mob rose up and broke up his meeting; he then felt encouraged, and contined [continued] preaching until he baptized 12 in that place: since that, additions have been made, and the church now numbers about 40. He says, "on the 5th of August I went to a small town called West Charleston, 12 miles from Dayton and commenced preaching: in one

week I baptized 8 and organized them into a church, the number has since increased to 15 all in good standing.-I have been preaching in this neighborhood for a few weeks, and have baptized 3, and the prospect is good for a large branch here. I have calls on every hand for preaching, and I can truly say the Lord is confirming the word with signs following."

"When I look around me and behold the fields already for harvest, my prayer to my heavenly Father is, that he may send forth more laborers into the harvest: and let me say to the Elders abroad, go on dear brethren, let nothing hinder you, be faithful and the kingdom is ours. And to those who are at home, remember that while you are at ease at home, thousands of the inhabitants of the earth are groping in darkness; and take care brethren, that their blood is hot [not] required at your hands. While I, for a moment, consider that God has set his hand again to gather his people from the east and from the west, that they may sit down in the kingdom with father Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and the children of the kingdom be cast out-O, that we may be mindful of the words spoken afore by the holy prophets and the commandments of the apostles of our Lord and Savior."

Elder P. Brown writes from Sparta, N. Y. Nov. 24th, 1840, as follows:

To the Editor of the Times and Seasons:-

Dear Sir, I now sit down to communicate to you how it has gone with me for a few months back in the ministry. I left Sparta, Livingston co. N. Y., June 9th, in company with brother E. Chase, for Vt. We made a stop in Lincoln, Addison co., Vt. where we commenced preaching the everlasting gospel, the Lord was with us, our labors were blessed the powers of darkness gave way, and we formed a church of 33 members.

Brother Miles Wheaton, writes from Chester, Randolph co. Ill. Feb. 1st, expressing a great desire for some elder to call and lift the standard in that place: he is energetic in his request as can be seen by the following: "For my sake, for my neighbor's sake, and for God sake, do call and preach in this place, and bring books of different kinds," &c.