| 584 matter for yourselves, and "try the spirits whether they are of God, or whether they be of man."
"DESPISE NOT PROPHESYINGS-PROVE ALL THINGS: HOLD FAST THAT WHICH IS GOOD" Paul.
Vinal Haven, South Fox Island.
Waldo County, Maine, Oct. 5th, 1841.
Mr. Editor: --
Through the changing scenes of life, and the various vicissitudes through which we have to pass, having an opportunity of writing a few lines, on the present occasion. I cheerfully embrace the same; it will therefore be at your disposal. Having a realising [realizing] sense that the Elders abroad, whether to the east or west, north or south, are anxious to hear of the progress of the work of the Lord and his dealings with children of men; I shall offer a few remarks of what He is doing in these eastern lands and on the Islands of the sea, and a synopsis of my travels through the country, since I left Nauvoo, in the spring of 1840. I proceeded on as fast as I possibly could, in different conveyances, until I arrived in the State of New Hampshire, where I found the people willing to hear for themselves, although I made but a short stay put proceeded on my journey through the State of Maine, and preached in several towns, from Rutland to Calis where I tarried a short time and preached. The people wanted to know what this new doctrine was. In almost every direction were calls for preaching, but my determination was to go into the province of New Brunswick, which I accordingly did and found a few who formerly joined the church. During my stay in that part of the country, a few more joind [joined]; after staying with them through the winter I returned to Calis; where I preached several times, and in the country adjacent. When I came to this Island, where I arrived the evening of the 12th July, where I found a branch of the church, raised up through the instrumentality of Elders J. Hewit, (who now lies under the silent clods of the valley, and his dust commingling with its mother earth,) and William Hyde, the preceding year. After preaching on the Island a short time, I found out to my satfaction [satisfaction] that there were many more willing to investigate for themselves: the news spread like wild fire, that another Mormon had made his appearance on the Island; so the spirit of enquiry [inquiry] was not confined to this Island alone, but spread on other Islands as well as the main land. I soon left the Island and went to St. George, on the main, where I stayed one week and baptised [baptized] two, who formerly belonged to the Baptist association. That raised the antipathy of the society, especially the Priests whose craft is in danger; or in other words, who teach for hire and divine for money; so they would cry wolf in sheep's clothing; while they themselves would keep behind the screne [screen] of carnal security, viz: misrepresentations in abundance, and lies without number, which are the only weapons they can get to intercept the rays of truth,-suffice it to say the cause of God is onward, with mighty strides.
Brother Pendleton and myself went on the Isle of Hant, and staid [stayed] one week, where we were received by few of the people, and few of them joined; many more have joined on South Fox Island, and some on the main; where I have been preaching in several villages, viz: East Thomaston, Camden, Hope, &c. The greatest difficulty we have to contend against, is the prejudice of the people, our means being limited in consequence of not having books and papers for the people to read for themselves, which gives our opponents great advantage to calumniate us and prejudice their hearers; but I trust that as soon as you receive tbis, [this] you will send the papers without delay, as we have a great deal to contend against; and considerable to be done in this section of the country. In consequence of calls on every hand, we have held meetings from three to six times a week, as long as my health would permit; but in consequence of exposure and fatigue, I have been obliged to keep still a few days; but I trust that God will strengthen me according to my day, for I can truly say that we wrestle, not against flesh and blood, but principalities and powers, and spiritual wickedness in high places, and I trust that God will send forth more laborers into his vineyard, that the day may soon be ushered in, when universal peace and righteousness shall cover the earth as the waters cover the sea, and the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord
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