| 9 the prophets, which have spoken since the world began. We shall therfore [therefore] do well to discern the signs of the times, as we pass along, that the day of the Lord may not "overtake us as a thief in the night." Affliction, persecutions, imprisonments and deaths, we must expect according to the scriptures, which tell us, that the blood of those whose souls were under the alter, could not be avenged on them that dwell on the earth, untill [until] their brethren should be slain, as they were.
If these transactions had taken place among barbarrians [barbarians], under the authority of a despot; or in a nation, where a certain religion is established according to law, and all others proscribed; then there might have been some shadow of defence offered. But can we realize that in a land which is the cradle of Liberty and equal rights, and where the voice of the conquerers [conquerors], who had vanquished our foes, had scarcely died away upon our ears, where we frequently mingled with those who had stood amidst the "battle and the breeze," and whose arms have been nerved in the defence of their country and liberty: whose institutions are the theme of philosophers and poets, and held up to the admiration of the whole civilized world. In the midst of all these scenes, with which we were surrounded a persecution, the most unwarrantable, was commenced; and a tragedy, the most dreadful, was enacted, by a large portion of the inhabitants, of one of those free and independent States, which comprise this vast republic; and a deadly blow was struck at the institutions, for which our Fathers had fought many a hard battle, and for which, many a Patriot had shed his blood; and suddenly, was heard, amidst the voice of joy and gratitude for our national liberty, the voice of mourning, lamentation and woe. Yes, in this land a mob, regardless of those laws, for which so much blood had been spilled, dead to every feeling of virtue and patriotism, which animated the bosom of freemen; fell upon a people whose religious faith was different from their own; and not only destroyed their homes, drove them away, and carried off their property, but murderd [murdered] many a free born son of America. A tragedy, which has no parrallel [parallel] in modern, and hardly in ancient times; even the face of the Red man would be ready to turn pale at the recital of it.
It would have been some consolation, if the authorities of the State had been innocent in this affair, but they are involved in the guilt thereof; and the blood of innocence, even of children, cry for vengeance upon them. I ask the citizens of this vast republic, whether such a state of things is to be suffered to pass unnoticed, and the hearts of widows, orphans and patriots, to be broken, and their wrongs left without redress? No! I invoke the genius of our constitution, I appeal to the patriotism of Americans, to stop this unlawful and unholy procedure: and pray that God may defend this nation from the dreadful effects of such outrages. Is there not virtue in the body politic? Will not the people rise up in their majesty, and with that promptitude and zeal, which is so characterestic [characteristic] of them, discountenance such proceedings, by bringing the offenders to that punishment which they so richly deserve; and save the nation from that disgrace and ultimate ruin, which otherwise must inevitably fall upon it? JOSEPH SMITH JR.
Payson, Ill., June 18th. 1839.
Messrs. Robinson and Smith:
Having learned that you intend to publish a monthly periodical, called the Times and Seasons, for the purpose of giving general information concerning the work of the Lord, at home and abroad, thinking that it might be a satisfaction to the saints, in general, to know of the prosperity of our Redeemer's kingdom in the eastern country; I have thought proper to send you a short history of my travels during the last year: if you deem it worthy of an insertion in the above named paper, it is at your disposal.
I left Ohio the last of Jan. 1838, with a view of proclaiming the fulness [fullness] of the everlasting gospel to the inhabitants of the eastern country. I spent from three to four months time, preaching in Washington Co. Md. and Franklin, Bedford and Huntington counties, Pa. during which time I preached from 80 to 100 times; held one debate; and several times defended the truth publicly, when attacked by the priests of the different denominations; baptized one, and witnessed the baptism of many others, by elders who were laboring with me.
June first I pursued my Journey eastward preaching as I went. On the 7th of July I arrived at a small town called Hornerstown, Monmouth co. N. J. I then obtained the liberty of the school house in that place, and made an appointment for the next day. At
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