| 27 possibly attend; prejudice is giving away on all sides, I have just began to baptize here, I have baptized five, among whom is Doctor Knights and Lady, an eminent physician, who has practiced in this country for 13 years. The prospect is that many of the first class of people in the county will be baptized, I have been in this church eight years, in which you know I have travelled [traveled] much, and I can say, that never has a greater field opened than I am in now, and I want help immediately; I want an elder of experience sent here as soon as you receive this, why I say an elder of experience, is because here is the seat of literature for this State, here are 80 collegians, and professors and priests without number. I have had 3 attacks from them, but have found that they could do nothing against the truth, but for it.
Yours in the bond of the everlasting covenant. ALMON BABBIT.
Wilmington, Del. Sept. 8th, 1839.
Elder D. C. SMITH:
Highly esteemed brother in Christ, and fellow laborer in the Kingdom of our God set up for the last time, and to all saints, GREETING:
Though mobs may rise and Satan may rage and stir up his emissaries against the work of God in the Last Days; yet they cannot overthrow it. As well might they try to stop the sun in its course through the heavens, or prevent its shining upon the earth beneath, as to try to stop the spread of truth. The honest in heart will hear and will understand, and obey.-And I am thoroughly convinced, there never has been a better time for the elders of the Church of Latter Day Saints, to preach the fullness of the gospel to the world than at the present time. After elder Sagers and myself had visited the saints in Virginia and Ohio, (and accomplished our business with as far as circumstances would permit,) E. D. Woolly, and Elisha H. Davis, started for the eastern countries, crossed the Alleghany mountains in the cold month of January, proclaiming the everlasting gospel whenever an opportunity was presented; visited the saints in Bedford co. and after a journey of four weeks, arrived in Chester co. Pa. Here we planted the standard of truth among Elder Woolly's friends and acquaintances; doors were open on the right and left, and in a very short time whole neighborhoods were in an uproar, on account of the strange doctrine as they called it, which had come to their ears. Mormonism, as it was termed, was the principle subject of discussion. The dust was brushed from many a bible which I presume had lain useless for years, and a general search of the scriptures was made, so that it was said, and I think in truth, the bible was read more by the people in a few weeks after we arrived in the place, than it had been before for many years. Indeed, a certain doctor acknowledged in public that he had read the bible more within 3 days than he had in 15 years before-Soon after arriving in the co. Elder Woolly and myself visited West Chester, the county seat, a town containing about 2,000 inhabitants, and held several meetings in the old fellows' hall. The Methodist became very much alarmed, supposing, no doubt, that their craft was in danger, (for the people were very attentive to hear,) and sent off immediately to the City of Philadelphia for a champion of theirs, by the name of Mattack, to come and put down the truth. But lo! when he came and got up to speak the people hissed at him . I tried to get him to appoint some time and we would meet and have a public discussion, but he refused, saying he must go to Philadelphia the next day. But instead of that, he went into the Methodist Chapel in the evening and read LeRoy Sundehladn's pamphlet. I attended, and when he was through I arose and read Parley P. Pratt's reply, but when I came to Methodism unveiled, the stationed preacher in the town arose and objected to my reading it, he however was overruled by the congregation, and I proceeded and read it off to the whole assembly, and sat down. Their champion Mr. Mattack made no reply; but the stationed preacher arose and said, (in a very sarcastic manner,) well if you wish to be Mormons, you may I have nothing to say, you are soon dismissed.
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