| 49 TIMES AND SEASONS
"TRUTH WILL PREVAIL"
Vol. IV. No. 4.] CITY OF NAUVOO, ILL. Jan. 2, 1843 [Whole No. 64.
CORRESPONDENCE.
Boston, Oct. 21, 1842
My Dear Sir-On the confidence of an old acquaintance, and kindly intercourse, I have long wished to address a friendly line to you; for I am sure you have not forgotten the pleasant though brief interviews which we enjoyed at Middlefield. Since I saw you there a great change has taken place, as I have been led to believe, in your religious views; and a corresponding one in your relations and circumstances.-Still I trust that you have not forgotten the claims of friendship and acquaintance. I need not tell you how much I became interested in your family, so young and so full of promise, nor of the strong confidence which I reposed in your piety and conscientious regard for the will of God. I would not allow myself to believe that you would profess what you did not sincerely believe, nor that you would believe without good reasons; still the change in your views excited in me not little surprise. I have therefore been desirous to receive from yourself an account of your views, and the reasons of your change. I am also desirous to obtain from one in whom I can confide-one who is acquainted with the facts, and one who is not prejudiced against it at the outset, some account of the faith which you have embraced; of the personal character, doctrines, claims, and influence of him who is called the leader-I mean Joseph Smith. Does he claim to be inspired? Is he a man of prayer? a man of pure life? a man of peace? Where is he now? Does he appear at the head of his troops as a military commander? What is the nature of the worship among you, and wherein does it differ from that of religious people with whom you have been acquainted elsewhere? How many inhabitants has the city of Nauvoo? What is their condition? occupations, and general character? What are the dimensions of the Temple, now in a course of erection? If so, from whom? Are the children instructed in learning and religion? It would give me pleasure to learn, also, how you are employed? whether your family are with you; and also your present views of truth and duty, and in what respects they differ from the views which you formerly entertained.
Excuse the number and minuteness of these inquires. I take an interest in all that affects the welfare of my fellow men, and especially in what is so important as their religious views and hopes. I am aware that the people, and the views which you have adopted as your own, are peculiarly liable to misrepresentation; but from you I may expect something more impartial. Now if you do not find the task too great a tax on your time, I should be much gratified in receiving as full and as speedy an answer to the queries above proposed, with any other information in your possession, as may be convenient to yourself.
It may be gratifying to you to learn that a powerful revival of religion has been enjoyed in Middlefield, within a few weeks past, an account of which Mr. Bestor, the present pastor has sent to me for publication in the Christian Watchman, a copy of which I send you. I visited the town in the summer and found your old friends well. I also attended a minister's meeting at Br. Bestor's, and enjoyed a very pleasant interview. Several of the brethren spoke of you in terms of kindness. My best wishes attend you. Present my regards to Mrs. Spencer, and believe me very truly yours, W- C-.
P. S. You will understand that I ask for information, for my private benefit and satisfaction. I do not ask for any thing to be published unless you see fit to give it for that purpose. I wish you to write as to an old friend.
LETTER OF ORSON SPENCER.
Nauvoo, November 17, 1842.
My Dear Sir:-I received yours of the 21st ultimo about a week since, but many engagements have prevented a more early reply. Your enquiries [inquiries] were very interesting and important, and I only regret that I have not more time and room to answer them as their importance and minuteness demand. I am not at all surprised that my old friends should wonder at my change of views. Even to this day, it is marvellous [marvelous] in my own eyes how I should be separated form my brethren to this (Mormon) faith. I greatly desire to see my Baptist brethren face to face, that I may tell them all things pertaining to my views and this work. But at present the care of my wife and six childreu [children] with the labors of a civil office forbids this privilege. A sheet of paper is a poor conductor of a marvellous [marvelous] and controverted system of theology. But receive this sheet as containing only some broken hints upon which I hope to amplify
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