Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1896-08-15

In compliance with your request we take
pleasure in giving an account Of our
iabors from the time we were called TO
labor in the city OF Lynchburg to the
completion Of its canvass. Well do we
remember the day when you put to the
test the faith OF each Elder, by asking
how many would travel without purse
OF scrip" and how reluctantly each
hand went to the level. Not that our
Elders doubted the virtue OF the "a.
quest, but their own ability to execute II
iully as the Lord had commanded. We
formed silent but firm resolution to
conform to Gods divine commandment:
oFrom this hour let the Elders Of Israel,
that goeth forth to the nations Of the
earth, take neither purse nor scrip" etc.
Owing to the weakness OF our flesh
we failed In our first attempt. Elder c
Wilson Nibley. IT,, aud myself entered
the city Of Petersburg with view OF
seeking entertainment at the hotels, bu,
failing in this we at once established
ourselves in private boarding house.
We have fully demonstrated the fact
that entering a city with "a purse" ex'
banded to is utmost capacity, with the
idea Of procuring board and lodging
gratis, IS sad failure. But we have
never entertained any fears as to the
possibility Of canvassing a city without
purse or scrip since the day Elder
Thomas called upon Elder Thomas {.
Romney and your humble servant TO
labor in Lynehburg. IT'S true that we
ielt weak, and our knees uembled, for
he had called upon two OF his weakest
Elders in the conference 10 perform a
work before unknown tous.
While laboring in Petersburg, this
city, which Is built like Rome, upon
seven hills, was shown to me in
dream, and upon the brow OF one OF the
hills stood a man reckoning Us with
smiling face and a gentle motion OF the
hand come up here" The many
pleasing faces that have greeted Us In
Lynchhurg aud the cordial hospitality
received often reminds me Of the snli.'
ing figure that stood upon the hill. We
wrote our loved ones at home to send
Us money no more. ior by the help OF
the Lord, we would accept His PROPOSE
ton, "Prove me now herewith, saith the
Lord Of Hosts.'
Taking leave OF our brethren in Caro-.
lima County, March I6,h, 1890, we set
out upon our Journey OF eighty miles TO
a
We soiourned two weeks, holding meet
ings and awakening the Saints to an
active performance OF their duties. We
were on our way to Lynchburg, and
with this constantly before Us We began
an investigation Of ourselves which re.
suited In lessons OF humility that viii
cling to us so long as HE lasts. as
never before we prayed and preached IN
such power that the people and SAINTS
could feel the divine influence and bask
In its heavenly sunshine.
on the Slh day OF April. we arrived at
West AppomattoX aud took UP our
abode with Brother $. y. Giles who
was baptized, as was also his son Hus'
ton. the summer before by Elder
Adams and myself. Here we found
number OF people investigating the
GOSPEL. consequently had no trouble In
holding a number Of meetings We
blessed four children and led three hon
est souls into the waters OF baptism. So
tar we can bear testimony TO the efficacy
of Gods commandment and know that
through our humble submission 20 the
same our labors were tinctufed with His
loving gfaces, although our real held OF
operation mad not yet been reached.
April 2lnd, with "snack' carefully
Prepared by Mrs. Giles aud stored away
Ia a shoe box. we turned our faces
towards the "fiill city," twcnty-seven
miles distant Previous to this We had
oorresponded with Mr.. Ernest, it,, who
wrote the office for Gospel literature,
and we made arrangements TO meet nun
at the Central House. Ere the sun had
ceased to give US light We assembled the
hill which overlooks the muddy James
and received cordial reception from
William Dixon, railroad man, VINO hau
entertained Us on former occasions, We
having formed his acquaintance ten
months ago while he was m attendance
AT one OF our meetings In the county Of
Appomattox. The Lord had been pre-
pairing the hearts OF some few TO receive
rs for a number of months; and We nov
know that the sooner each Elder makes
up his mind to obey the divine lnstruc
ton, the sooner will the Holy Ghosi
begin to operate upon the minds OF the
people, and thus prepare them Tor inc
receiving OF Gospel light.
We tasted and bowed down IN humble
prayer to our God, which was not OF
Tered In vain, Tor the heavens caught lh'
sound, aud from the abundance OF hei
resources poured down blessings tina
gladdened our souls beyond expression
We called at the Central House bu
Mr.. Ernest was not there; he lived thre'
miles In the country and would not b
In until evening. Mir Rekeli, the pro
pfieIor, eouTteously ushered MS into ~
parlor, where we conyersed with hin
quite freely upon the object OF our pres
ence aud the absolute necessity oil rem
dering Just and an intelligent ludg
ment on all subjects also impresse,
upon his mind the great want OF pHml
tive humility in preaching Christs word
which was only obtainable by compyln
with the conditions that led to ~ yeeep
ton by making plain from ths &C. "
lures that in every age Gods word ha'
been preached without hire, he AZ one
assured US that We could depend upo
him as a friend, aud from HIM coul
obtain board and lodging Tree; also
we had any baggage, bring II there an
would be cared TOT.
Late In the evening Mr. Ernest can't