Correspondence

To the Editor of the Times and Seasons.

WESTFIELD, HAMDEN COUNTY, MASS., }

March 22d, 1843. }

Beloved Brother:-Through the mercy of the Lord, by the power of an unseen arm, and the protection of an all wise God, I have been brought hither, and have arrived at the place of my destination, as directed by the Lord through the mouth of his Prophet. Notwithstanding the distance, and the many other obstacles that presented themselves to view at the time, as well as after the appointment of my mission to this eastern land, it has been abundantly successful; and be assured by me, that the unbounded confidence which I had at the time of my departure, in the Prophet of immortal memory, has not grown less by time or experience in his prophetic powers. I felt then, and still feel, that I shall, by the help and grace of my Divine Master, accomplish the task allotted me. I have, with pleasure, beheld the fulfilment [fulfillment] of the predictions made by him at the time that I, with a number more, were called to labor in the vineyard of the Lord. I have realized the accomplishment of that which was foretold, that no human eye could have foreseen, nor any human sagacity have penetrated.

Although it fell to my lot, and seemingly unavoidably, to travel alone, yet I have not, at any time, been without friends; nor have I at all been left to the council of my own will, but have endeavored to be governed by the wisdom from above-even by that same spirit which actuated my call. As I passed along, taking for the most part entirely new ground, (and as the Apostle Paul writes, "where Christ had not been named.") I gave strict attention to the movements of the world-both to professor and non-professor, in order to discover, if possible, the great moving cause of the present concern and excitement that appears in the world of mankind. It appears to be evident to all men, and particularly to those who have the enlightening influence of the spirit of God, that an eventful crisis is at hand, the near approach of which, with troublesome times in the world, does not seem at all to be doubted. The watchmen upon the highest towers, the shepherds of the largest flocks, and the pastors of the tallest steeples, all agree in this one position. The most learned of the day, the greatest philosopher of the age, or the most eminent Doctor of Divinity of the enlightened nineteenth century, in their hours of sober reflection and meditations, seem to be lost, and sink into despair when they look to the past, by perusing the volumes of history, both sacred and profane, as it unfolds to the mind scenes that have transpired, and gives place for deep and serious meditation. Also to trace the great events that have followed in succession through the eventful periods that have rolled into forgetfulness by many that have slept beneath its ruins, as it came upon the great mass of mankind, unnoticed and unawares. But never has there been a day when time has been so plentifully supplied, and that with so prominent events-with events so clearly illustrative of miraculous meaning, as appears to be the case in the age and generation in which we live. The land from west to east, seems to be in one general consternation, a fearful looking-for of that which is coming on the earth.

Yet the world are not able to discern the why or the wherefore, neither to tell the cause or to imagine the result. Politicians of all parties are looking for some great and marvelous overturns in the affairs of government, and seem to be aware that nations and kingdoms are upon the eve of ruin. Merchants, and the great men of the commercial cities, are beginning to weep and lament. Distress on all sides is making its appearance. Mourning and lamentation is heard. Truly there is a distress of nations-no one to buy their merchandise. The rich distress the poor, while many are crying for bread, till the lamentations of the widow and the fatherless have reached unto Heaven-yea, the Lord of Sabaoth has heard, and he will answer their prayers with vengeance. The cries of misery are wafted on every gale, while confusion, distress and mourning, pervades every class, from the king, seated upon his throne, or the nobleman, sallying forth in his coach and six, to the humble peasant that bows the knee, or the sweep that is crying in the street.

The last, yet not least, for greater and greater is the mystery of surrounding events, from the pulpit we hear the sound of alarm: one sitting upon a topless throne, as he sees the affrighted, mourning sinners begin to approach the anxious seat, in the midst of phrensied [frenzied] madness, about to sink into despair, surrounded with the groans and sighs of an agonizing multitude of pretended christians, in the most excruciating agony of both body and mind, while from the throne, or high exalted pulpit, we hear this exclamation: this year is the end of God's

grace, this is the last day of revivals! From another equally as high, and whose towering steeple seems to be lost in the azure blue, another sound is heard; a cry of peace, peace, all is well in Zion, the Lord is converting the heathen, and soon the reign of universal peace and righteousness will be brought in. It is true this is a day of wonders, and many new things make their appearance; and events strange and marvelous, are daily taking place, and we confess the cause or end thereof no one knows.-While all classes and denominations agree with this one sentiment, that great and important events are at the door; even from the priest in the pulpit to the idle lounger in the public alehouse, all are equally aroused, and as equally ignorant of the cause, or the effect. But let us inquire, what is the cause of all this ado; why the world is so aroused, and what the cause of this universal excitement? Let the wise answer. "The wicked shall do wickedly, but the wise shall understand." Daniel xii:10.-"The Lion has come up from his thicket," the Lord has spoken from Mount Zion; the God of Israel has again begun to work; a mighty kingdom is now set up in the earth, and the enemies' camp is in danger; Babylon is beginning to totter; her walls are about to crumble into ruins, and the great Goddess of this generation (priestcraft,) is in danger. The Lord God has spoken from the Heavens to a young man, saying "Jerusalem shall be inhabited," "and in wrath remembered mercy in the midst of the years made known," that the great work of the last days has already began-even the dispensation of the fullness of times, in the which God will bring to pass the greatest events ever witnessed by man, the signs of which have already appeared-therefore the wise begin to account for all the wonder and surprise in the world, and are willing to go forth and warn the wicked of the approaching events that they so greatly fear. The kingdom of God is rolling on with unparalleled rapidity through the world. The great arm of Heaven is extended again to the earth; the God of Moses has spoken, and the world stands afar off; with fear they quake exceedingly. In many places where the servants of God make their appearance and begin to raise their voices like the horns around Jerico, as messengers of truth, thousands of interested subjects flock to hear the new messengers that God has sent to an apostate world.-In every state through which I have passed in my journey from Nauvoo to this place, I have found fields white already to harvest, and room for many laborers to do much in gathering the wheat into garners; and had not my mission been appointed to this state, I should have tarried far west of this. The spread of truth is fast making its progress in all the land. I have come to this state obedient to council, and rejoice that I have been directed by the Lord, through the mouth of his Prophet, whom he has raised up in these last days to direct the affairs of his kingdom. I have now been in the vineyard on this mission about six months; have travelled [traveled] in eight states, and have preached to all that came in my way, and have allayed the prejudice of the people to a considerable extent in all places where I have had the opportunity of preaching, by correcting the errors, and setting forth the truth before them.

Since my arrival here, which is a little over two months, my labors have been principally confined to this county. I have labored in Westfield, Springfield, Cabotville and Chicapee. I have preached to large assemblies in all these places, and very good attention has been paid. I have baptised [baptized] several in Westfield and Cabotville, and many more are believing in the great work of God, both professor and non-professor. The prospect for a great work is now apparent in this region. Some of the most prominent members in the Baptist church have been baptised [baptized] in these places.

The priests are much enraged, while from the pulpit to the private circle the members are warned to beware of the delusion; and the most base calumny, falsehoods, and misrepresentations are heralded forth by them in every shape and from every quarter. The Press also is used to dissuade some, to sour the minds of others, and if possible, to retard the work of God, if not to put an entire stop to it in this section of the country.

I have been here now until a general excitement prevails amongst both priest and people, but mostly with the priests, who excite and encourage the common people, for I have not seen a people so completely priest-ridden in any place as in these eastern states. Superstition and bigotry seem to have attained their highest pinnacle, while the minds of many are bound down by the shackles and chains of modern priestcraft. Error, confusion, anarchy and misrule, are the only spirits that govern. Nothing but the power of God can in any way, beneath the heavens, break the league of the iron grasp of the Devil, that appears to be riveted upon the minds of almost all the people. Yet notwithstanding all the powers of earth and hell combined, they cannot stop the work of God in these last days, for the word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than a two-edged sword, even to the pulling down of error, and the final triumph of truth.

In these eastern lands, amid all the errors, the

wisdom, learning and affluence of the land of steady habits, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is fast gaining in numbers and influence. Branches are being raised up in various places. A number are now growing up under the preaching of the elders sent out by the general conference last summer, and thanks be to God, the truth is spreading in this country like a green bay tree; the kingdom of God will go on, and nothing can hinder, until the sound of redeemed sinners, and the songs of enraptured multitudes shall be heard from mountain top to mountain top, the valleys be glad for them, and the Saints shall rejoice together.

I have baptised [baptized] some twenty on this mission, and have organized a branch in Little River, consisting of one elder, one priest and one teacher, with fifteen members, all in good faith and standing, who are rejoicing in the kingdom of God in these last days, while many more are believing the work, and will, to all appearance, soon show their faith by their works, and much good will be done in this region.

Such is the prospect of the work here, and a brief account of my mission, and if you deem it worthy of a place in the Times and Seasons, it is at your disposal. My best wishes for you, and the Church at Nauvoo and throughout the world, with my prayer to God continually for the advancement of His cause, I subscribe myself your brother and fellow laborer in the gospel of Jesus Christ, Amen.

EDWIN D. WOOLLEY.