Communications

MONROE Co., Miss., }

Aug. 17th, 1844. }

RESPECTED BROTHER:-It is with pleasure that I take my pen in hand to inform you of the prosperity of our Redeemer's cause in the south country, and also to give you a brief synopsis of my labors in the vineyard since my departure from Nauvoo.

I left home on the 29th of May, 1844, in company with brother H. W. Church, on a mission to the south. We took steamboats to Padeucha [Paducah], Ky; from thence we travelled [traveled] into Tennessee, preaching by the way till we reached Middle Tennessee; we stopped and preached several times in Hickman, Williamson and Sumner counties. We introduced the gospel into several new places where it had never been preached, and remained in that region till the first of August; but not meeting with much incouragement [encouragement] we concluded to go further south; consequently we set out for Tuscaloosa county, Alabama, where we found a branch of the church, and met with brother P. Haws, who had been preaching in that place some time.-

The night after we arrived there a mob of 18 or 20 prowled through the neighborhood, threatening to drive the elders from the country, but finding that such things were not countenanced by the most prominent citizens, they desisted. After remaining a few days, brothers Haws and Church went to Mississippi, and I proceeded to Perry county, Alabama. On my way to Perry, I met brother James Brown, who informed me that he had baptized 15 in that county and organized a church. He requested me to visit them and instruct them further in the principle

of righteousness. I commenced preaching with considerable success and soon baptized three. About ten days after, brother Church returned from Mississippi and joined in with me again. We had calls on every hand, prejudice gave away; and many embraced the truth. We continued our labors there until we had baptized forty-five, and organized another church of sixteen members. The spirit was abundantly poured out, and the word was confirmed with signs following; the saints spoke in tongues, and the interpretation was given, and many that were sick were healed by the prayer of faith in the name of Jesus. We continued to preach and baptize during the winter season, both in Alabama and Mississippi. In April we held a conference in Alabama, and set the affairs of the churches in order; and ordained several elders. From this conference brother Church went to Tennessee; and brother B. L. Clapp and myself came into Mississippi. We commenced preaching in different places, and baptized several; brother Clapp then returned to Nauvoo; and I still continued in the field.-We held a conference in Knoxubee county, Mississippi on the 13 and 14th of July; thirty-nine had been baptized since last conference, and the brethren generally expressed a determination to do all they could in spreading the gospel. There are a great many calls for preaching in this country, many are investigating the subject for themselves, and we are expecting a great in-gathering into the kingdom.

The sad news of the murder of the prophet and patriarch has reached our ears. It is looked upon by the generality of the people in this country as being the grossest violation of law and liberty that they ever heard of. Many of them sympathise [sympathize] with us in the loss. When I call to mind the wholesale murders of Missouri; the occurrences in Philadelphia, and the late butchery in Illinois, I am made to fear for my beloved country; and if there is not a stop put to such vile and abominable proceedings, and such offenders brought to justice, then farewell to our free institutions; farewell to the privilege or worshipping God according to the dictates of each man's conscience, which was bought so dearly by the blood of our fathers.

Since I left Nauvoo, I have baptized sixty, and witnessed the baptism of as many more.

I send you these lines, and if you think proper, they are at your disposal for an insertion in the Times and Seasons for the satisfaction of your readers.

Yours in the bonds

of the new covenant,

JOHN BROWN.