Latter Day Saints' Messenger and Advocate/Volume 1/Number 9/Letter to Oliver Cowdery from David Evans (May 24, 1835)

EXTRACT OF A LETTER, DATED

Columbiana Co. May 24, 1835.

DEAR BROTHER:—I take this opportunity of writing to you, to inform you where I am, and what I am pursuing.

I left Kirtland on the 3d of May, and came to Georgetown, Columbiana County, before I commenced to proclaim the gladsome news of the everlasting gospel. I endeavored to have a congregation convene to preach to, but could not get one in this place. I was sent by a landlord to a Methodist Preacher, who, he said, managed the preaching in that place. I desired of him to let me preach. He replied, he would not, at the same time making many objections—such as deceivers, false prophets, &c. However, he challenged me for a debate: and finding that I could not get any other way to preach to the people of that place—I thought proper to accept the challenge—feeling confident that after the debate I would get an invitation.

We met on the 11th inst. and held the debate upon the principles of religion. After the debate was over, I was invited to preach, and made an appointment the same evening and compared the Methodist Episcopal discipline with the sacred scriptures. Since then I have been informed, that all the citizens of that place decided in my favor, with the exception of two individuals.

From this place I pursued my journey; came to Hanover, and preached several times. Here I found two that I had baptized last spring, who were strong in the faith. From thence I journeyed and came to Manervy, proclaimed on Sabbath on the Sandy planes and was opposed by some of the Campbellites, and was challenged for another debated, which I again accepted: which debate lasted one day. We had our Moderators chosen. The decision was in favor of the Latter Day Saints. A few days after, I preached again in the same place; and after I was through, a Campbellite preacher stood up to oppose my sentiments. After he was through, another of his brother preachers arose and declared, that if there could be no better arguments raised against Mormonism, it would sweep the land. And spoke in favor of many points relative to the fair principles of Mr. Evans' arguments.

I then came to a three days' meeting in Hanover, held by the Campbellites, and on Sabbath the 23d inst. desired the privilege of making a reply to Campbellism, but was refused by the leaders. Notwithstanding this, some of the people requested me to go to the woods (a short distance from this place) which I accepted, and about two thirds of the assembly followed. After the discourse was ended, I gave an invitation for baptism, and one came forward—and many were affected, and the Spirit of the Lord fell upon the people, and some were convinced. We have a great range of country to preach in, and large congregations attend our meetings.

DAVID EVANS.

To O. Cowdery, Esq.