| 1025 prayers of faith. Let my servant Parley P. Pratt, journey with my servant Joseph Smith, jr. Let my servant Lyman Wight, journey with my servant Sidney Rigdon. Let my servant Hyrum Smith, journey with my servant Frederick G. Williams. Let my servant Orson Hyde, journey with my servant Orson Pratt;-withersoever my servant Joseph Smith, jr.,-shall counsel them in obtaining the fulfilment [fulfillment] of these commandments, which I have given unto you, and leave the residue in my hands: even so: Amen.
Wednesday, Feby. 26th, I started from home to obtain volunteers for Zion, in compliance with the foregoing revelation, and the 27th staid [stayed] at Brother Roundy's
To show the feelings of a certain portion of the public, at this period I copy the following from the February number of the "Evening and Morning Star" page 271,
"(->) We copy the following article from 'The North Star', printed in Danville, Vermont, by E. Eaton, headed 'THE MORMONS'.
'We have received the first number of the Mormon 'Morning and Evening Star' [the Evening and Morning Star] resuscitated in Kirtland, Ohio. It is the same assuming, mysterious publication of its original.'"
While the press, (and many of the public,) was breathing the spirit of bitterness against the work of God I received letters from many of our friends which gave us occasion for rejoicing, amongst them, I extract from Brother M. C. Nickerson's letter, of December 20th, 1833, "Your labors in Canada have been the beginning of a good work; there are thirty four members attached to the church at Mount Pleasant, all of whom appear to live up to their profession, five of whom have spoken in tongues, and three sing in tongues; and we live at the top of the mountains!"
Also from 'Saco, Maine,' January 20th, 1834.'
"Brethren in the Lord; I have baptised [baptized] about forty in this section, and there are more convinced of the truth, but are still lingering on the threshold of the church, and I think the Lord will gather some of them in his kingdom, Brother E. M. Green labored with me from the 16th of January, 1833, till October following, while we were together, we baptised [baptized] about one hundred and thirty. giving to every man his portion in due season: For my determination is, with the stick of Joseph in one hand, and the stick of Judah in the other, to labor diligently in the world, that my skirts may be clear from the blood of all men, and I stand acquitted before the bar of God.
I am yours in Christ,
(signed) "JOHN F. BOYNTON."
Thus while the press was mourning, the work prospering, the saints rejoicing in the east, troubles changed and multiplied in the west, as may be seen by the following letter written,
Clay County, Mo., Feb'y. 27, 1834.
Dear Brethren, the times are so big with events, and the anxiety of every body so great to watch them, that I feel somewhat impressed to write oftener than I have done, in order to give you more of the "strange acts," of this region. I have just returned from Independence , the seat of war in the west. About a dozen of our brethren among whom were Bishop Partridge, Elder Corrill and myself, were subpœnaed in behalf of the state; and on the 23rd of February, about twelve o'clock, we were on the bank opposite Everett's Ferry, where we found Captain Athchison's [Atchison's] company of "Liberty Blues" near fifty rank and file, ready to guard us into Jackson county. The soldiers were well armed with United States' muskets, bayonets fixed, &c., and to me the scene was "passing strange," and long to be remembered; the martial law in force to guard the civil.-About twenty-five men crossed over to effect a landing in safety, and when they came near the warehouse, they fired six or eight guns, though the enemy had not gathered to witness the landing.
After we were all across, and waiting for the baggage wagon, it was thought most advisable to encamp in the woods, and the witnesses with half the company, marched nearly a mile towards Independence, to build night fires, as we were without tents, and the weather cold enough to snow a little. While on the way the Quarter master, and others, that had gone on ahead to prepare quarters in town, sent an express back, which was not of the most pacific appearance. Capt. Atchison continued the express to Col. Allan for the two hundred drafted militia, and also to Liberty for more ammunition; and the night passed off in warlike style; with the sentinels marching silently at a proper distance from the watch fires.
Early in the morning, we marched strongly guarded by the troops, to the seat of war, and quartered in the block house, formerly the tavern stand of S. Flournay; after breakfast, we were visited by the District Attorney Mr. Reese, and the Attorney General Mr. Wells. From them we learned that all hopes of Criminal prosecutions, was at an end. Mr. Wells had been sent by the Governor to investigate, as
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