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Source: Church History Vol. 3 Chapter 39 Page: 770

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770 months more schooling, after which I obtained a place on the farm with my mother, and was under her care until I was nearly thirteen, when I wickedly rebelled and ran away, and thus ungratefully caused her much sorrow. This was the only time, since I was ten weeks old, that I had been under her care. I was afterwards apprenticed to learn the blacksmithing trade, mother paying my employer a bonus of ten pounds sterling, and agreeing to clothe me while my employer furnished me board, lodging, and shoes until I was twenty-one years old. Here I remained during eight years, which time I felt the oppressor's rod very severely, which did not improve my nature at all; yet all this time there was a constant feeling in my soul that I ought to serve the Lord; and I tried to do so, but my daily surroundings were of such a nature that I had to fight against tremendous odds. At the age of seventeen I joined the "Freewill Baptist Church," determined to serve the Lord. I chose that church because I thought they came nearer the scriptural order than any other.

About this time the Reverend Samuel Jackson, minister of the Independent Church, formed a theological class to study "divinity," and as it was open for all, I joined it. In a short time the minister offered to send me to college, to fit me for the ministry; but my employers had claim upon my labor until I was twenty-one, hence I could not accept his kind offer.

At nineteen I heard of the Latter Day Saints. I went to hear them, not expecting to hear any good; but to my surprise I found they believed and taught the word as found in the Bible. There was one utterance made that conflicted with my Baptist proclivities; the preacher said, "The Baptists have no authority to baptize." This was too much; I left.

After I was of age and free from the bonds of my apprenticeship, I went to the town where mother lived. She was then married again. I obtained employment at my trade, and boarded with mother. Here I heard a discussion between a Methodist preacher and a Latter Day Saint. I became convinced of the truth after prayerful and diligent

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