For the Times and Seasons

PEKIN, ILL, May 24th, 1843,

DEAR BROTHER:

Agreeable to council, I now proceed to give you a short account of my journey from Nauvoo to this place. On my way to Fort Wayne, Indiana.

I gave the people an opportunity to hear preaching in every neighborhood through which I passed; but no desire was manifested for the word, with two exceptions, until I arrived at this place. Some wished to hear in Cuba, ten miles west of Canton; but Mr. John Rigdon, a Campbellite preacher, would not let us have the use of their meeting house, it being the only suitable house in that place, unless I would give him testimonials of my good moral character, and suffer him to say what he chose in reply. I informed him he should have full liberty to reply to any thing I should advance, and correct me if [I] should take any position contrary to the Bible. But I had no letters of recommendation from the popular sects of the day, and wanted none, being sent by the authority of Jesus Christ. He replied, "Well sir, with this recommendation you cannot be admitted. A recommendation from your church," continued he, "will not do, for the world has condemned it already.' * This reminds me of the case of elder Hyde's applying to a clergyman in England for a similar favor, and was treated in like manner. Also of the words of our Savior, "I am come in my father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him will ye receive." I replied: "Sir, if you have a

[ * He might have also added, "If ye were of the world, the world would love its own; but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you." It would seem that Mr. Rigdon places the Latter Day Saints in the same situation that a notorious character of old was placed by similar people to himself, of whom it is said, "Whom the world CANNOT receive!!" and assigns that as a sufficient reason for not allowing him to preach in his meeting house. The prophets, apostles, our Savior, and all good men that ever lived, were condemned by the world; and if Mr. Rigdon will shew [show] us a man of that stamp who is not, or refer us to one that ever did exist, who was not, we think that we shall discover something "new under the sun." Perhaps we ought to have made an honorable exception of himself.-EDITOR TIMES AND SEASONS]

system of religion which will not bear investigation, your case is a hard one. You had better change it for one that courts investigation, and which will shine brighter and brighter the more it is tried.

And as it regards my moral character, or that of the church to which I have the honor of being a member, we challenge any man, or set of men to establish anything against us; only that we are persecuted and have been mobbed for our faith, because we take the liberty to differ from the popular opinions of the day; not that we have violated either the laws of God or man. "That which is highly esteemed among men, is an abomination in the sight of God."-How different is the conduct of many of this generation, from the advice given by the great apostle of the Gentiles: "Be careful to entertain strangers," &c.

I should have thought this ungentlemanly demand for a recommendation, an insult to common sense, had it not have come from one of the blind priests. But truly, as our Savior said, "they now not what they do." I only notice it, because these apostles of reform cry continually, "investigate! investigate!!"

I accepted an invitation to hold a meeting three miles south of Pekin, on the Mackanaw. I asked my Heavenly Father for the mind that was in Christ, that I might feel for the people, and in the spirit of love and humility, show them the better way. I have labored here twelve days, in which time many have been convinced. Six came forward for baptism, who are now rejoicing in the truth. Many more are favorable, and much prejudice is removed. Truly, the Lord is on our side. The elders would do well to call on the brethren. Yours in the bonds of the gospel

H. TATE.