| 59 laborers, when called upon, in such strong terms, for help.
We sincerely hope, for the sake of the elders, and the cause of truth, that this will be the last time we shall be under the painful necessity of noticing those evils of which we have spoken; but rather, that we may have the gratification of seeing every man stand in his proper place approved.
We give in this number a list of Agents, for the Times and Seasons; they are men in whom we repose the utmost confidence, as far as our acquaintance extends: The most of them are ministers of the Lord Jesus, sent forth to proclaim the ever lasting gospel to the nations of the earth; their exertions have been untiring, in endeavoring to build up and establish the kingdom of God; they with many difficulties and privations, and stood the test of persecution thus far, while the press, the powerful engine for diffusing truth to the ends of the earth, which supports the same cause with themselves, has labored, and toiled under the most trying circumstances possible, and has been thrice destroyed by the enemies of truth; but, brethren and friends, the press is again endeavoring to rear itself; and inasmuch, as it is your object to publish the glad tidings of salvation, and diffuse light and intelligence to the human family, the press is with you, your cause then, is the cause of the press, and we have only to say, we want your aid, we want your influence, and also the influence of every lover of truth and righteousness, that the press may be established on a sure bases; that while you are lifting up the warning voice according to your abilities, that the press may strengthen your hands, by sending forth light, and penetrating all parts of the earth with its testimony; which testimony, we hope will grow brighter and brighter, and never cease, until the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord; and vice shall have taken its exit to its own place, and truth and peace, shall have commenced its universal reign throughout the vast empire of God.
FROM THE ELDERS.
In order that it may be known who the laborers are that are pruning the Lord's vineyard, we feel it our duty, as well as a priviledge [privilege], to lay before our readers, either by summary or entire, as many of t he communications received from the travelling [traveling] elders as there is room or space so to do; knowing that the laborers in the North, are pleased to hear from those who are laboring in the South, and those in the East, to hear from the West, and those in the west to hear from the Islands of the Sea: for a knowledge of the spread of the gospel, is that which is calculated to gladden the heart and enliven the soul of every faithful laborer; and also, to stimulate those who have gone to their farms, and to their merchandize [merchandise], (like the appostles [apostles] of old to their netts [nets]) to gird on their armor, and go forth into the vineyard of the Lord, and labor with their mights, that no man shall take their crown.-Ed.
Jackson County, Ill. Dec. 26th 1839
Dear brethren in the Lord, having a few leisure moments I have taken my pen in hand to write a few lines to let you know what I have been doing since I saw you. I left Far West, last January the 14th and after a few days travel fell in company with Elder Jeremiah Mackley; we held three meetings in the State of Missouri, in the neighborhood of St. Charles; from thence we steered our course for this State, and after a few days travel we found ourselves in Jackson County where we commenced publishing the gospel, and very soon the honest in heart began to embrace the truth, after we had introduced eight souls into the kingdom and a number more believing. Br. Mackley was warned to leave and return to his family; then the whole burden rested on me; but the Lord was with me and confirmed my words with signs following; the sick were healed, and that not a few, and devils cast out also. I kept up a regular march until I had baptized 28, when Elder Benjamin Clapp arrived; we then with united force, pushed forth the conquest until we baptized 10 more;l we then organized them into branches and departed to travel to the south. I have just returned from the south and have found the brethren still firm in
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