For the Times and Seasons

Nauvoo, Nov. 20, 1843.

Elder Taylor, Dear Sir:-

With pleasure I spend a few moments in giving a short sketch of the mission I took this summer and fall. At the April conference I was called upon to take a mission to Lawrence county, New York; consequently I made arrangement to leave as soon as possible, and on the last day of July, left Nauvoo, in company with Gen. Wilson Law, for the east, via. Chicago and the lakes. We had a very pleasant time, many very anxiously inquiring after the principles of our holy religion, but none opposed.

While upon Lake Huron, Gen. Law composed the following beautiful lines, which I cheerfully submit for publication.

Lake Huron, August 8, 1843.

Farewell Illinois, I must leave thee awhile,

Tho' thy fields of the woods, do so charmingly smile,

Deck'd with sweet blooming, herbage so fair to the view;

Like a wild flower garden, from the lake to Nauvoo.

Dear city of Zion, when I mention thy name,

How my heart does exult in thy glory and fame;

For thy glory shall shine, and thy fame spread too,

'Till the Queen of the West, will be lovely Nauvoo.

For Jehovah has said that his people should come,

And gather together and make there a home,

And build him a Temple and worship him too,

In spirit and power in the city of Nauvoo.

And when 'tis erected, so lovely to see,

And 'God of our fathers,' dedicated to thee;

Great power thou'lt bestow on the saints that are true,

And the glory shine forth in thy house at Nauvoo.

But farewell dear friends, that I now leave behind,

I'm going to see those who're still loving and kind;

And I'll tell them the tidings, so joyful and true,

And perhaps they'll believe me and come to Nauvoo.

For my prayers are unceasing to Israel's God,

Since I sailed on the warm waters of Michigan broad,

And now on Lake Huron, so lovely to view,

They ascend that my kindred may come to Nauvoo.

For there is the place where the living may learn,

How the hearts of the children to their fathers shall turn,

And do that work for them, which they could not do,

Even save them by baptism at the city of Nauvoo.

Brother Law is a very pleasant and agreeable fellow traveler, and an able defender of the truth. At Cleveland, Ohio, I parted with him, and stopped a few days in that vicinity, visiting with my friends; after which I proceeded on my journey, and soon found myself in St. Lawrence county, where I commenced my labors. I found several warm hearted brethren, and many friends in that region; preached some four or five weeks, and baptized three, in Depeyster; when I went to Jefferson county, where I tarried about a week, and baptized three more.

In Clayton, Jefferson county, I met with elders Benjamin Brown and Jesse Crosby, who were on their way to Nova Scotia. They had labored some weeks in Adams, and baptized seven; and there was a prospect of more obeying soon. They are faithful brethren, and the spirit of the Lord attended their labors.

There are several faithful elders also, living in that country, who are doing their utmost for the furtherance of the cause; among whom I will mention elder Ira S. Patton, who spent about a week with me, in St. Lawrence; he is a worthy man, and is an honor to the cause in which he is engaged. Also, elders Childs, Nichols and Silsby, all of whom spend all the time they can obtain, aside from the support of their families, in promulging [promulgating] the gospel with good success.

There is an extensive field open in that part of the country, where several elders could find labor. Prejudice has greatly subsided, and calls for preaching are very numerous.

I left New York on the 4th of October; spent a few weeks in Ohio, and arrived home on the 18th of November, after a very pleasant mission of near four months.

On my arrival at this place, I was not a little surprised at the improvements that had been made during my absence; splendid brick houses now occupy places which were vacant when I left; the temple is progressing rapidly, and finally Nauvoo bids fair to soon rival any city in the west.

Yours, Respectfully.

E. ROBINSON.