Latter Day Saints' Messenger and Advocate/Volume 3/Number 2/Letters and notices

BROTHER O. COWDERY—Since I have the privilege of being numbered with the saints in these last days, I feel willing to mourn with those that mourn and delight to rejoice with those that rejoice. The teachings of the Savior on the mount, "All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you do ye even so to them." Therefore I take up my pen that others may know that the cause of our great Redeemer is rolling forth amid this crooked and perverse generation. I do feel to rejoice and thank the Lord for his goodness and the blessings that he has bestowed upon me, the fulness of which I shall not be able to give you in this brief sketch of my labors this season. In the opening of the spring I started from Kirtland, on a mission East; went by water as far as St. Lawrence county, N. Y. and in the town of Decalb I commenced lifting a warning voice; bending my course East to Chittenden co. Vt. In the town of Underhill, seven obeyed the Everlasting Gospel by going down in the waters of baptism—many more were convinced of the truth of the work, for elder Butterfield in a few days came along and baptized eighteen. From Underhill I went into the province of Lower Canada: took me up a circuit in the towns of Stanstead, Hatley, Compton, and Bamston, where I spent the most of my time for three months. School-houses were opened in almost every district, and I improved the time as the Lord gave me strength. I baptized eleven, and many more were searching the scriptures to see if the things preached were so. I left them in the care of elder Winslow Farr to carry on the work—for I believe that it has but just begun. I am now bending my course west. The saints here are very anxious that I should tarry with them a little.

I remain your brother in testimony of the word of God.

HAZEN ALDRICH.

Ogdensburg, N. Y. Oct. 10, 1836.

A conference was held in Perry church, Richland Co. O. Sept. 3 & 4, 1833. In organizing to transact business elder H. G. Sherwood was duly called to the chair, and George C. Wilson was chosen clerk. Meeting opened by prayer and remarks from the chair on the nature and design of the meeting. The business was then called for, when Daniel Cam, a priest, represented Perry church as having 37 members, nearly all in good standing. Lewis Wilson represented Perrysville church with 29 members all in good standing. Jacob Myers, presiding elder in Worthington branch, represented that with 24 members nearly all in good standing. Cephus Mc'Vay presiding elder of Wayne church, Knox Co. represented that church with 24 members in good standing. Elder Sherwood represented 7 members in Licking Co. near Granville, all in good standing; making 121 in all. Several persons were presented for ordination. After being addressed from the chair upon the subject of being ordained to the holy priesthood of God, the following persons came forward, and Daniel Cam, William Rood, Lewis D. Wilson, and George C. Wilson were ordained to the office of elders. It was voted that James Huntsman, a priest in Perry church, then off on a mission, be ordained an elder. William Werick, John Mc'Vay, and John Jenkins were ordained priests. Nathan Packer, a teacher, and Jacob Werick a deacon. After much instruction to priest and people present, the meeting of the first day closed with much love to God and man.

Sabbath at ten o'clock the meeting opened by elder Myers who addressed us on the sugject [subject] of the depravity of man, and followed by elder George A. Smith, on the gospel; and closed by elder Sherwood with an address appropriate to the situation of the members, their privileges duties &c. after which two came forward for baptism. After the administration, we convened for a sacramental and confirmation meeting, when two others came forward for baptism, who after the administration were confirmed at the water edge and the meeting closed, when many were greatly encouraged to strive for the crown.

H. G. SHERWOOD, Ch'n.

GEORGE C. WILSON, Cl’k.

BROTHER O. COWDERY:—

I left Kirtland July 21st, travelled as far east as Aurelius, Cayuga co. N. Y. tarried there a short time and held forth to the inhabitants the principles of salvation: proceeded from thence to Galeda and labored principally in the towns of Boonville and Vienna, baptized 3 in the former, and one in the latter place. Had large and very attentive congregations; found many enquiring after truth, together with others who were ready and willing to oppose the principles of the everlasting gospel, by openly declaring against it, before they made themselves acquainted with its tenets, and slandering the character of those they knew not; thereby plainly demonstrating to the world that they are the false prophets and false teachers, spoken of by Peter in his second epistle to the ancient saints who "speak evil of the things that they understand not." The brethren and friends in the above places, are desirous to have the Elders call on them when convenient.

E. ROBINSON.

Kirtland, Oct. 9, 1836.

DIED in Tompkins, Delaware Co. N. Y. on the 22nd of May last, Thomas L. Willes, aged twenty six years and ten months. Brother Willes embraced and obeyed the fulness of the gospel Nov. 11, 1832; he was a young man of an unimpeachable character, his heart ever rejoiced in the prosperity of the cause of truth, and the spread of the fulness of the everlasting gospel; and while his friends and brethren mourn his loss, how consoling is the thought that he kept the faith and died in hopes of a glorious resurrection.

OF the same family on the 14th of August last, Polly W. Willes, aged 22 years and 4 months. Sister Willes obeyed the fulness of the gospel Sept. 23, 1832; she was a worthy member of society, and adorned her profession by a well ordered life, truly becoming a saint of God.

IN Perry, Richland Co. O. on the 26th day of Sept. last, Elder Jesse Huntsman, after an illness of eighteen days. He had been a member of the church about three years; went to Zion with the saints in 1834, and was ordained at Kirtland one of the first sev-enty, in the spring of 1835. Although he has not been abroad much preaching, yet, his example as a member of the church has been such that his loss is deplored by all who were acquainted with him, and more especially by the church over which he presided.—[Communicated.]

IN Bradford, Mass. on the 28th of Sept. last, Marinda Johnson, daughter of Thomas and Hannah Burbank, aged thirteen months and seventeen days.

IN this town, Oct. 1, Moroni, son of Otis & Sally Shumway, aged one year three months and eight days.

IN Lebanon, St. Clair Co. Ill. on the 15th of Sept. last, Thomas H. Pea, son of John and Elizabeth Pea, aged 20 years seven months and ten days.

In this town, on the 26th ult. Eliza, daughter of br. Benjamin K. Hall; aged seven years.

SELECTED.

In forming estimates of human greatness, it is natural for men to consult their senses, not their reason.—With the idea of royal majesty we connect those of a chair of state, a numerous retinue, an ermine robe, a scepter and a crown. But wisdom and goodness are the qualities which confer real dignity and command just homage and respect. Our preconceptions of earthly magnificence much exceed the truth, and knowledge speedily levels the fabric which imagination had raised. But the wonders of nature, the mighty works of God grow upon us as we contemplate them. No intimacy of acquaintance reduces their magnitude or tarnishes their lustre.—And if the very frame of nature, the vastness, the variety, the harmony and the splendor of the visible creation, is so calculated to fill us with astonishment and delight, how must the plan of providence, the work of redemption, the great mystery of godliness excel in glory!

In the discoveries which it has pleased God, at sundry times and in diverse manners to make of himself to mankind, he has at one time addressed himself directly to the understanding at another made his way to the heart and conscience through the channel of the sense. The law was given in every circumstance of external pomp; it was accompanied with every thing that could dazzle the eye, fill the ear, and rouse the imagination. The kingdom of God, in the gospel of his Son, "came not with observation." The great Author of the dispensation of grace, according as it was predicted concerning him, "did not strive nor cry, nor cause his voice to be heard in the streets." He had in the eyes of an world, "no form nor comeliness, no beauty why he should be desired." And therefore "he was despised and rejected of men." But we are taught to think very differently of his second appearance. "He shall come in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory;—In his Father's glory, and all his holy angels;—With the voice of the arch angel and the trump of God."

SHORT SENTENCES.

—————> Love the Lord and keep his commandments without being reminded of it every day.

Love your neighbor as yourself, and make his welfare your welfare, and the Lord will reward you for it.

Love labor, and whatever you do, remember the poor and needy.

Thank the Lord for the blessings you daily enjoy from his holy hand.

Thank the Lord for all things for his goodness is endless.