Letter from J. Blakeslee

For the Times and Seasons.

Utica, N. Y. Jan. 10th 1842.

Dear Br. Robinson:-Feeling very anxious to hear of the welfare of Zion in this place, and also of the prosperity of her noble sons, who have been especially commissioned in these last days, to proclaim her law, the everlasting gospel, to every nation under heaven. And as we have no other means of hearing from Zion, and her stakes, at present, save through the medium of your semi-monthly paper, the "Times and Seasons" and as we have received none of them, since the 2d no. of the 3d vol., I sit down at this time to communicate with you through the medium of the mail.

Br. John H. Blanchard of Delta, Oneida co. N. Y., has never received any of his papers as yet, and those directed to this city have stopped likewise; and also Mr. Atwell's of Schuyler has stopped. We should be very glad indeed to have the papers continued if consistent.

I have been preaching in this city, and region round about ever since the forepart of August last, with some success. I have baptized 26, in this city, and region, and have organized a branch of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in this place of 38 members, in good fellowship, and strong in the faith of the New Covenant, we have had no particular excitement in this city as yet, my congregation has not been large as a general thing but very attentive indeed; and considering the pride, and popularity of this city, and the numerous sects of Christians, &c., I have no cause of complaint, for many are enquiring [inquiring] in this city, and region, and I think I can say with a good degree of propriety that Mormonism (so called) is gaining friends daily; not only in the city, but in the region round about. Since I commenced preaching in this city, I have spent much time in other places, I have visited the Little Falls twice, a place 22 miles distant, by request of the people of that place, and preached several times, the people heard with attention,

and solicited more preaching. I also visited Salsbury, a place about 7 miles from the Little Falls, and preached twice, the people wished me to visit them again if possible. I have also visited, and preached twice, the people wished me to visit them again if possible. I have also visited, and preached in the towns of Litchfield, Kirkland, Madison, New Hartford, and many others. The calls for preaching in every direction, are so numerous and pressing, that I am not able to fill the tenth part of them, but I have some help at present. Elders John Mackley and -- Potter are laboring in Salsbury, and region about; and Elder C. Marsh, from Cayuga co. N. Y., is with me in this region, and the young priests of the Utica branch of the church, are some of them beginning to magnify their calling, a young man, (the only son of a lady in this city, who with her whole household, consisting of seven members of the family have embraced the New and Everlasting Covenant,) and the young man has been ordained a priest, and is preaching more or less every week, in my absence, besides teaching a high school in this city; he is a grest [great] help to me (or in other words) to the cause in this place I assure you. We have taken the City Hall, in this place, for one year where we shall continue to meet for public worship, and also at 7 o'clock in the evening of every Thursday, we have a council meeting once a week, generally, and a prayer meeting once a week also.

The saints here are in perfect unity, and are enjoying the gifts of the spirit of the Lord, such as, the gift of tongues, and the interpretation, and visions and also, the gift of faith, to be healed, and the gift of healing, and also the gift of fervent charity, one for another; in short dear brother, we have a little heaven already begun in this city, and my soul feels to magnify the Lord while I write, and no tongue can describe the feelings of my heart; yea the gratitude of my heart to my Heavenly Father, for his blessings upon my labors.

There are many in this city now on the eve of obedience. The church where my family resides, (near the village of Rome,) is also in good fellowship and standing, and there has been one baptized in that branch of late, and more are believing.

The church at Hamilton Madison co. are in a good situation also, and the branch at Edmiston Otsego co. are in a good situation likewise, and the Boonville branch Oneida co. have had a number added to it of late and they are in a prosperous condition. There are several other branches which I have not heard from of late, but as far as I am acquainted with the situation of the churches, and of the work of the Lord in this region of country, the prospects are flattering. We wish the saints in that place, and in all other places, all the good things that the nature of their situations demand, and of our well beloved brother, Joseph Smith, we wish concerning him and will pray, that he may be preserved a prophet and seer, and revelator, unto the church of God for many years to come. We know him to be a true prophet of the most High, and as such he has the fellowship of this church of Latter-Day Saints at Utica. We desire an interest in the prayers of the saints in that place. Yours in the bonds and unity of the New Covenant.

JAMES BLAKESLEE.