| 444 as follows: "Father I ask thee, in the name of Jesus Christ, that thou wouldst release my spirit and receive it unto thyself:" and then said to those who surrounded his dying bed, "Brethren, you have held me by your faith, but do give me up and let me go I beseech you." We then committed him to God, and he soon breathed his last, and slept in Jesus without a groan.
This was the end of one who was an honor to the church and a blessing to the Saints: and whose faith and virtues and diligence in the cause of truth will be long remembered by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance, and his memory will be had in remembrance by the church of Christ from generation to generation.
It was indeed a painful circumstance to be deprived of the labors of this worthy servant of Christ, and cast a gloom upon the Saints: yet the glorious and sealing testimony which he bore of his acceptance with heaven, and the truth of the gospel, was a matter of joy and satisfaction not only to his immediate friends, but to the Saints at large.
Communications.
May 8th 1841.
Dear Brother:-
I have the pleasure to inform you that I have arrived at Armstrong County, Pa. where I have held several meetings among the brethren. The course of truth is this part of the vineyard is moving with a slow but steady pace. The brethren are in good spirits and strong in the faith and appear liberal towards our public works, and have received and treated me very kindly since I have been here. I have held several meetings, and baptized three. I find plenty to do; there are calls for preaching on every hand-the people say they "never heard it after this sort." Next Saturday, I have to attend a conference among the brethren; it is expected there will be a great assembly on the occasion. I have preached so much since I have been here that I am quite hoarse. I have frequently desired to have you here to help me to proclaim the everlasting gospel, the obedience to which will make mankind heirs of the kingdom of heaven. You know "the pure testimony put forth by the spirit" will cut its way through-but it must be put forth by the spirit, or else it will do no good. How long I shall stay in these parts I do not know, but when I leave here I intend to visit the saints in Lancaster County Pa.
May 13th I resume my pen this morning to continue my letter. I had a good meeting yesterday, the congregation was composed of Methodists, Presbyterians and Latter Day Saint. I preached from Paul's epistle to the Hebrews 2nd chap. 1, 2, 3, 4 verses. Therefore we ought to give more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.-For if the word spoken by Angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; how shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord and was confirmed unto us by them that heard; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?-The above passages of scriptures offered me an extensive field of argument upon the subject of the gospel, and, also, an opportunity of portraying the downfall of nations and kingdoms, who had not had a respect to the recompence [recompense] of reward, but had been disobedient to the commands of Heaven and had, consequently plunged themselves into irretrievable woe.
I am happy to say, that the religion of Christ is continuing to gain ground in this vicinity; there is a church of about 40 or 50 members in this place, and are some of the most respectable and intelligent part of the community. It is the baser sort, and the false teachers in sheep's clothing that reject the gospel of Christ-the drunkard reviles the religion of the saints because it takes away his cup-the priests who teach for hire, and divine for money will not come to the light because their crafts will be in danger. "The heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things," and the cry of "these men that have turned the world upside down have come hither also, and "great is gooddess [goddess] Diana" is invariably set up by the learned theologians of the day and by their flocks, who are blinded by their teachings. When I consider
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