ing of the , and staid at a pub- lic house kept by Mr. Josiah Jackson. I was suspected of being an impostor. Mr. Jackson believed I was one of Murrill's clan, who were then murdering and stealing negroes, and to test me, he gathered together a large house full of the most wicked and corrupt people in the city, and set me to preaching, to see whether I could preach or not. I do not think that Mr. Jackson or the same company of men and women will ever meet together again for the same purpose, for they would not like again to have their sins and abominations revealed to each other as point- edly as I told them that night, through the in- spiration of the Holy Ghost; they were glad to get rid of me upon almost any terms. I traveled from Memphis to Middle Tennes- see.

On the , I arrived at Memphis, weary and hungry. I went to the best tavern in the place, kept by Mr. Josiah Jackson. I told him I was a stranger, and had no money. I asked him if he would keep me over night. He inquired of me what my business was. I told him I was a preacher of the gospel. He laughed, and said that I did not look much like a preacher.

evening of the of March, and stayed at a public house kept by Mr. Josiah Jackson. I was suspected of being an impostor. Mr. Jackson believed I was one of Murril's clan, who were then murdering and steal- ing negroes; and to test me, he gathered together a large house full of the most wicked and corrupt peo- ple in the city, and set me to preach- ing, to see whether I could preach or not. I do not think that Mr. Jackson, or the same company of men and women, will ever meet together again for the same purpose, for they would not like again to have their sins and abomina- tions revealed to each other as point- edly as I told them that night, through the inspiration of the Holy Ghost; they were glad to get rid of me upon almost any terms. I travelled from Memphis to Middle Tennessee.

evening of the . I ^&^ staid at a public house kept by Mr. Josiah Jackson, I was suspected of being an imposter. Mr. Jackson believed I was one of Murrill's clan, who were then murdering and stealing N^n^egros; and to test me, he gathered together a large house full of the ^most^ wickedest, and most corrupt Gentlemen ^people^ in the city, and set me to preaching to them, to see whether I could preach or not. I do not think that Mr. Jackson or the same company of men and women will ever meet together again for the same purpose; or to test for they would not like again to have their sins and abominations revealed to each other, as plainly and pointedly as I told them that night, through the inspiration of the Holy Ghost: they were glad to get rid of me upon almost any terms. I travelled from Memphis to middle Tennessee.

I walked 14 miles to the Missippi River crossed the ferry and walked into the city of Memsis a stranger and alone, weary and hungry, without money, clothing rough, dirty, & nearly ragged having walked through so much swamp, mud, water and brush, but in this situation I called at one of the most respectiable taverns in the city kept By Mr Jackson when the following Dialogue took place W. Sir I am a servant of God a preacher of the gospel and without purse or scrip will you Entertain me for the night and trust to God for your Pay. J. How do I know sir but what you are an imposture, you dont look much like a preacher what Denomination are you of. W. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, it is true that you do not know but that I am an imposter. (And no doubt but he believed it) I can show you my licens and recommends to Preach the gospel J. How do I know but what you forged them W. It is true you do not know, but if you are not willing to take my word for it nor willing to keep me for the night I will go my way and try Els whare J. No sir you cannot go, give me your valise I will keep you over night and get you a congregation and you must preach to us in order to prove to us whether you are a preacher or not. By this time I was satisfied that Mr Jackson believed me an impostor I was alone yet I will confess that I did feel somewhat mischieveious I appeared as though

I was frightened and did not wished to be put to the test of preaching in order to prove me a preacher this was the view of Mr Jackson untill he became highly Excited and was in for having some fun. I was pleased to see it take this turn for I desired to preach to the people they set a table and gave me a good supper in a large hall. Mr Jackson went out into the city immediately and gave Notice to a certain class of men and women to come to his hall to hear an imposture preach, and before I got through eating the room began to be crouded with a class of men and women who were dressed in their silks, satins, and Broad cloth and as soon as I finished my supper the table wdeparted over the heads of the people and Mr Jackson gave me a chair in the cornor of the room placed a stand before me with a Bible & Hymn Book upon it about a dozen men formed a half circle in front of me and I saw by the countenances of the people that they expected some sport. I commenced my meeting by reading a Hymn I asked the assembly to sing but no one sung I then knelt down and prayed the men in front of me all droped upon their knees. When I arose I read and read the 11 chapter of Romans and preached from the 21 vers "For if God spared not the natural Branches take heed lest he also spareed not thee." I spent but few moments in talking about the Jews But I turned to the assembly before me and as the spirit of God rested upon me and revealed unto me the wickedness of their hearts I poured it out upon them and told them of their wickedness whoredoms and abominations in vary plain terms I do not suppose they ever had their sins as plainly pointed out to them as on this occasion the men who sat in front of me droped their heads in the early part of my discourse and I could not cketch their Eye afterwards, when I had thooroughly answered my mind and had spoaken about an hour and a half I closed my meeting and not a word was spoken by any person the room was instantly cleared and in two minutes I was left alone. The Land Lady came in and and let me to my bed. I had not been in bed but a few moments untill a croud of the men who had attended collected in the room Joining me and dicused the subject of my being an impostor and my sermon and they decided that I was not an impostor and it puzzled them much to understand how I should know so much about their crimes being a stranger to them for I had told them much which they were guilty off. They discussed this subject till near midnight when some Negroes came and broke open their turkey roost and they all put out after the Negroes and this enabled me to go to sleep. I arose in the morning and took breakfast. I then called upon Mr Jackson who was in his store and I thanked him for his kindness and Entertainedment for the night He said I was entirely welcome and if I ever came that way to called upon him and I should be welcome to any thing his house afforded. I went my way and walked

I travelled fourteen miles to the Mississippi River crossed the ferry and walked into the city of Memphis a stranger and alone—weary hungry and without money—my clothing rough dirty and nearly ragged, having walked through so much swamp water and brush. But in this situation I called at one of the most respestable taverns in the city kept by a Mr Jackson between whom and myself the following dialogue took place: Myself: Sir I am a servant of God—a preacher of the ^Gospel^ and without purse or scrip—Will you entertain me for the night? Jackson: How do I know sir but what you are an impostor? You don't look much like a preacher. What denomination are you of? Myself: I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is true you do not know but that I am an impostor; but I can show you my licence and recomendation. Jackson: How do I know but you forged them? Myself: You do not and if you are not willing to take my word for it I will go my way and try elsewhere. Jackson: No sir y[ou] cannot go. Give me your valise. I will keep you for the night and get you a congregation and you must preach to us in order to prove whether you are an impostor or not." By this time I found that Mr Jackson really beleived that I was an impostor. I was alone yet must confess that I felt somewhat mischevious. I feigned to appear as though I was frightened and not wish to be put to the test: at which Mr J. grew excited and I saw that he was in for fun. It

of the ,

On the , I arrived at Memphis, weary and hungry. I went to the best tavern in the place, kept by Mr. Josiah Jackson. I told him I was a stranger and had no money. I asked him if he would keep me over night. He inquired of me what my business was. I told him I was a preacher of the gospel. He laughed and said that I did not look much like a preacher. I did not blame him, as all the preachers he had ever been acquainted with rode on fine horses or in fine car-

Left Mr Fields travled to and crossed the Mississippi River into Memphis distance 14 miles ^State of Tennessee^ got one signer to the petition preached at the house of Josighah Jackson to a company of [blank] And overcame them

& crossed it in the evening of the [FIGURE 1] (*^after^ that night that ^after^ Brother Brown left me in trying to travel in the night to me he lost his ^way^ got into a thicket of brambles & tore nearly all of his cloths off from him He stoped at a cabin & took him nearly all night to mend up his clothes) [FIGURE 1] I stoped for the night at a publick house kept by Mr Josiah Jackson I was rote up for ^of being^ an imposture Mr Jackson believed I was one of Murrells clan ^instead of a Mormon preacher^ who was then murdering & stealing Negroes through the country & to test the thing he gathered to gether a large house full of the the wickedest & most corrupt J Gentry in the city & set me to preaching, to them, to test whether I could preach or not. I do not think that Mr Jackson or the same company of men & women will ever meet to gether again for the same purpose to test whether a Mormon Elder could preach or not for they would not like again to have their sins & abominations revealed to each other as plainly & pointedly as I told them that night through the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, they seemed glad to get rid of me upon almost any terms,