| 766 and 17th, which was an interesting time; I then took leave of our brethren for Nauvoo.
I have found many good friends, this year and formed an acquaintance with many people and also many enemies, who were mockers and scoffers, as spoken of by the apostles; and many of them are ministers or teachers of the people, who say all is well, crying peace, and safety when the deistical, or many of them, are viewing the world on the verge of ruin, and dreading those things that are coming on the world, because of increasing violence, mobs and a disregard to the good laws framed by our honorable fathers of the revolution. O that blind guides and false teachers would repent and obey the everlasting gospel that God may turn away judgment and save the people is my prayer.
Not having any more room I shall be obliged to close by subscribing myself your affectionate brother in the bonds of the new and everlasting covenant.
DAVID PETTEGREW.
Nauvoo, Dec. 27th, 1844.
Dear Brother:
In honor to the cause of God, a just sense of duty, and for the benefit of the saints (by request) I proceed to give a short narration, or sketch, of my mission to the east. According to counsel and direction of the twelve, in company with Elder Jesse W. Crosby, on the 30th of July, 1843, I left Nauvoo without purse or scrip, even to the value of one cent, determined to trust in the promises of the living God who has said by this you shall know my disciples; "they will feed you and clothe you and give you money; for I send you out to prove the world." In this he has verified his promise for in all our journey of seven thousand miles, and in the space of one year, four months and ten days, we have lacked nothing.
But before I left home I called my family together and by the prayer of faith and the laying on of hands for a blessing I committed them all into the hands of God for safety, until my return, which he has faithfully performed; and thanks and praise be to his most holy name.
We then proceeded to Chicago, preached a few times in Cook county; then to Jefferson county New York, where we commenced our labors, the Lord working with us in mighty power. Our labors increased and the work spread iu [in] various parts; for eight months the word being successful where it was sent, until we had raised up several new branches; ordained seven elders, and a number of priests, teachers, and deacons, and baptised [baptized] rising of one hundred and fifty. Many of the signs followed, confirming the word we had preached. During the time we held two conferences.
We now proceeded down the St. Lawrence; preached a few times in Montreal and Quebec; thence down the river St. Lawrence ninety five miles; then crossed over to St. John's river, two or three hundred miles within. Here we commenced preaching where the gospel trump had never been sounded. But the Lord had gone before us and shown some in visions that we were coming from the far west country; so that they knew us and the clothing we had on, and were ready to receive the word.
But the devil with all his forces, both priests and rulers arrayed all their artillery against us; and, to carry their diabolical purposes into effect, dispatched messengers to the Governor, with all manner of lies; such as that of breaking up all meetings of other denominations; and persuading people to leave the Province, which caused the Governor to give orders for three Justices of the Peace, to hold a court of inquiry. They collected all their forces: the devil's poor, and poor devils; both black and white, and out of all their testimony got one negro to swear that we preached contrary to the Bible, we not being permitted to make our defence [defense]. But being determined not to quit the field, we prepared ourselves with documents from Esquire Shelton and Judge Bazley, who had heard us preach. With these, and faith in God, we repaired to the capitol, before his Excellency the Governor to make our defence [defense]; where we were permitted to answer for ourselves after one or two hours deliberation; and also many questions from the Governor's wife, concerning our doctrine. Nothing being found against us worthy of death, bonds, or imprisonment, we again pursued our calling.
But the wicked were now more enraged than ever, and threatened, if we did not leave the country, we would be mobbed, which they soon carried into effect. In this I received a most liberal share, being left nearly dead on the ground; but yet, trusting in the Lord, I called on Brother Crosby to lay hands on me, and the next day traveled seventeen miles and preached according to appointment, and the word grew and prospered mightily.
(page 766) |
