| 228 That mother's voice is now hushed in death; but thank God not till her boy had received the everlasting gospel, which often would so eloquently fall from her lips. In this now desolate but once sequestered spot, is where father and mother first heard the sound of the gospel, and where my young heart was made to trust in God. But all these changes are but a sad reminder that we are all passing away; and that time with his mighty hand is making manifest his power to lead us to the grave. And were it not for the hope we have, namely, that Christ will redeem us from the power of death, through the gospel, this life would be but as a frightful dream, and the children of men would indeed be most miserable. Then let us be faithful.
But to return. Since my arrival here I have visited Gonzales County and preached twice, which aroused some inquiry. I have just concluded one of the most effective meetings here I have held in the State. A series of ten consecutive discourses, in an of which I was signally blessed, has been attended with most encouraging results. It is said the meetings were the most largely attended of any that had ever been held in the place. Five have been baptized, three other names in, and a fair prospect for as many more.
There is a large church of the Christian order at this place, and from two to four of their preachers attended the meeting. At first they concluded to let us alone for the reason, as they expressed it, that we were "tearing sectarianism all to pieces." But when they saw that the storm of God's eternal truth was sweeping their sandy foundation from under them, they began to show signs of fight, and challenged us for discussion. Of course I could not respectfully decline, and the affair is to come off on July 1, to continue about five days. We are called upon to meet their ablest man, and we delight in the task before us. Much depends upon this discussion,-if it results favorably (so say the people), there will probably be organized a good branch here. So we desire your prayers that the truth may shine forth in all of its strength, and God's name be glorified.-The Saints' Herald, vol. 25, pp. 189, 190.
On the last of May President Joseph Smith left Plano en route for Canada, there to meet Elders W. H. Kelley and G. A. Blakeslee, and with them to perform some committee work to which they had been appointed by the late annual conference. While absent he visited Coldwater, Michigan; Clear Lake, Indiana; Saint Thomas, Corinth, London, Toronto, Bothwell, Louisville, Wellington, Chatham, and Blenheim, Canada, and Galien, Michigan, arriving home at Plano, July 1. Of this trip he reported:
We tried to preach the word and to give good counsel; and returned well pleased with our reception, as a general thing.
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