| 182 to Commerce, from thence to Savena by water, landed the 21st, preached the same evening; from thence to Napoleon, held several meetings: we also preached several times in Elisabethtown, and in a place called the Townson settlement, on the head of Rush creek; from here we traveled to Big Grove, where we unexpectedly met with brother Ezra Strong; himself and family have been much afflicted; from thence we traveled to Wames Grove, held several meetings, from thence into the settlements of the Pecatolika river. June 20th, brother Cleveland left me for the east: I traveled up and down this river preaching whenever I could get an opportunity.
I have baptized 12 and organized a church of 20 members: br. Strong is appointed to preside over them. In all the above places there are believers, and great calls for preaching, also on Rock river, but the situation of my family will not permit me to stay.-This branch of the church is 40 miles east of Galena in Stephenson co. Ill.-This is an excellent country the soil is equal to that of Missouri, the land is not yet in market. There is plenty of heavy timber on the Pecatolika river, and good mill privileges; there is a saw and flouring mill within 5 miles of this branch. Yours &c. E. H. GROVES.
Elders James Carrole and Alva L. Tippets writes as follows: Oct. 8th, 1840.
Dear Brothers, ROBINSON & SMITH.
With pleasure we write to you, concerning our labors in the vineyard, brother Carrole and Southworth, with four other elders went into the Iowa Territory, about 50 miles from Nauvoo, into Henry county, near Jefferson, on the 13th of June last; and we entered upon our ministerial labors and labored about three weeks, and baptized ten; during that time we came home on the fourth of July, and after staying at home until the 27th of July, brother Tippets and myself left home and visited the same place, and during the time we stayed, which was till the first of October, we traveled about two hundred and fifty miles, baptized four, held one debate with a Campbellite preacher, and held twenty eight meetings, we felt that the Lord was with us and we prospered insomuch [inasmuch] that there were many that came out to hear us, and the signs truly did fellow [follow ?] them that believe, and it appeared that desolating sickness followed them that railed out against us; but still there are yet many honest hearted people, and we expect to visit that place again shortly and we ask the prayers of the church that our labors may be blest and many more be brought into the kingdom through our instrumentality: and we shall ascribe the praise to God alone.
We remain your servants in the gospel, JAMES CARROLE. ALVA L. TIPPETS
Philadelphia Pa. July 8th 1840. MESSRS. ROBINSON, & SMITH:
I am happy to state to you once more, that the work of the Lord is still prospering in these eastern lands.-Many of the honest in heart are coming to a knowledge of the truth, and are flocking into the kingdom of God.
The branch of the church in Chester co. where I have been laboring considerably, now numbers upwards of 100 members. The branch of the church in Lancaster co. where elder's Davis and Dean have been laboring, numbers upwards of 50; and the branch of the in this city, numbers upwards of 200 members; elder B. Winchester is about to leave this place for England. elder Erastus Snow is here, and will probably remain in this section of country some length of time and proclaim the gospel. There are many calls for preaching and a wide field for labor throughout this whole region of country, and many are believing who have not as yet been baptized, but whom I trust will, ere long obey the everlasting gospel. Pray for us dear brethren that we may ever be found faithful.
Yours &c. LORENZO BARNES.
The following is a report of a Committee appointed to examine the country in the South west corner of Iowa Territory.-ED.
Nauvoo, Illinois, July, 28th, 1840.
We a committee appointed to examine
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