THE WORD OF THE LORD FULFILLED.

traveled forty-eight miles by coach and on foot during the
day, but after receiving refreshments we sat down together,
and conversed until two o'clock in the morning.

Mr. Benbow and his wife rejoiced greatly at the glad tidings
which I brought unto them of the fullness of the everlasting
gospel, which God had revealed through the mouth of His Prophet, Joseph Smith, in these last days.

1 rejoiced greatly at the news that Mr. Benbow gave me,
that there was a company of men and women over six hun-
dred in number who had broken off from the Wesleyan
Methodists, and taken the name of United Brethren. They
had forty-five preachers among them, and had chapels and many
houses that were licensed according to the law of the land for
preaching in.

This body of United Brethren were searching for light and
truth, but had gone as far as they could, and were continually
calling upon the Lord to open the way before them, and send
them light and knowledge that they might know the true way
to be saved.

When I heard these things I could clearly see why the Lord
had commanded me, while in the town of Hanley, to leave
that place of labor and go to the south, for in Herefordshire
there was a great harvest-field for gathering many Saints into
the kingdom of God.

I retired to my bed with joy after offering my prayers and
thanksgiving to God, and slept sweetly until the rising of the
sun.

I arose on the morning of the 5th, took breakfast, and told
Mr. Benbow I would like to commence my Master's business,
by preaching the gospel to the people.

He had a large hall in his mansion which was licensed for
preaching, and he sent word through the neighborhood that
an American missionary would preach at his house that
evening.

As the time drew nigh many of the neighbors came in, and
I preached my first gospel sermon in the house. I also
preached on the following evening at the same place, and
baptized six persons, including Mr. John Benbow and his
wife, and four preachers of the United Brethren.