Scarborough Maine
Hon parents
I sit down this morning in company with Phebe
& Mother Carter for the purpose of addressing a few lines to you. I
have just written a letter to Brother Asahel one object I have in view
in writing at this time is to inform you of my present calculations &
intentions. A person situated as I am in life & calling Does not at
all times know what a day or a month will bring forth or where they may
be called to stand in defence of the truth. I held two conferences
the middle of April upon fox Island & organized a Church upon each of
the Islands & left them in a situation to attend to their meetings while I
am absent the two Churches number about 50 members being the fruits
of my labour during the past season & in consequence of recieving
some intelligence from Elder Parley P. Pratt now preaching in the City of
New York. I have left the Islands for the purpose of visiting that City & am
now at Father Carters house Phebe has spent the winter with me upon the
Islands she returned home by water the 20th of April at that time I expected to have
spent the Summer upon the Islands but on recieving intelliegence from NY. I
left the Islands on the 28 of April & returned to father Carters in company with Elder
Milton Holmes on the 1st of May I intend to persue my journey on Monday I am expect-
ing to visit Lynn, Boston, Holiston & the City of NY, as the work of God is pro-
gressing in those places & it is my present calculation to visit you in conn-
ectcut either going or on my return I felt last season that an opportunity would
offer for me to visit you again & I now feel as though that time is nigh. I am
expecting to lead a company of Saints from the Islands to the City far West Mo
next September I expect Phebe will accompany me to Missouri if her circumstances
will admit which I trust will be the case. She would be glad to visit you this season
but I suppose will not be able to. She sends her respects to you & Sister Eunice &
all who inquire. I was highly edifyed with the reading of your last letter should
you write to me again please direct to Scarborough Maine as Phebe will
will be here & attend to all of my letters while I am absent. You spoke of our paper
the Elder's Journal I wrote to the Editor to forward the papers to you but as you
did not recieve them I forwarded my two first numbers to you
which will be all that any of us will obtain at present for the printing Office
has been burned to the ground with all of its contents it is supposed to have ben
set on fire by whom is unknown consequently their will the no more printed
untill the press is set up in Missouri when I expect will be before long
the work of the Lord is progressing rapidly whareever it is proclaimed this
season & there never has been mor efforts made against it as the
present season some few fals brethren who have made shipwreck of faith
are joined with the world in opposing the Church & our principles but it is
all to no affect they cannot cause the scriptures to the brocken neither can
they stop the work of God. The work of God has finally taken a strong hold
in the City of NY. Elder Pratt writes that 75 have been added to the church
in the City & that the work has but just begun I am now Baptizing day
& night we have two meeting houses that we occupy & we preach every
Sunday in Tamany Hall the most noted Hall in the City we are crowded beyond
conception some people come 20 or 30 miles to hear & obey the gospel. as to opposition
the City is in a general uproar in many parts. The priests rage & foam & many
of them go to such length that every honest man is driven to the necessity of com-
ing out from them. Many newspapers & two pamphlets are filled against us I
have replyed to Mr Sunderlands peices in the Zions Watchman in a
pamphlet of 42 pages which I wish to be circulated wharever that paper
has gone. Visions, Tongues, prophesying, & healings are manifest in this City the
desiples are firm in the faith in this place & are ready to suffer death for
Christ sake & the truth, there is more calls in the City as well as con-
ntry than we can possibly attend to. These with many other good things Brother
Pratt says in this letter. So I am now on my way to visit him a short time
I shall calculate to call at Farmington in May or June if the Lord will &
pay you a visit. I think you said in your letter that Uncle Ozem &
aunt Hannah was at your house give my respects to them & to all enquiring
friends I was sorry to hear of Aunt Hannah's Ill health I am in hopes she will
again be restored in body & mind. You will notice in the papers I sent you
that the work of the Lord has commenced in England & I learn from late
letters that it is progressing with speed. I view an important day at hand
even the day of the gathering of Israel & bloody wars & other judgments
upon the gentiles The Lord is about to take peace from the earth & there
hath already a lying spirit gone forth among men to stir them up to
anger one against another The signs in the heavens & Earth all indi-
cate the near approach of the Son of God greater darkness never covered
Egypt than now covers the professed Christian world they neither believe
in nor are looking for the timr & literal fulfillment of the word of God con-
sequently it will over take them as a thief in the night. Had we the tongue of Angels
& the zeal of Apostles, possessing the intelligence of heaven, with our hearts expanding
wide as eternity, & our bosoms burning with the love of God & commissioned
to bear as glad tidings as was ever [borne] by Michael the Ark Angel. It would
be as much impossible to fill our mission & deliver our message in a manner to
be recieved & approbated by the majority of this generation, as it was for ST Paul
while at Ephesus declairing glad tidings of a Crusified & risen redeemer, while his
voice was lost amid the day of the Ephesians that great is the goddess Diana. [Acts 19:23-41] I have
a great anxiety for the spiritual well fare of my relatives & that they may be prepared
for the unparalled judgments, & august events that are rolling upon the heads
of this generation. I wished to be remembered to Sister Eunice I suppose she
is either teaching or attending school. I learn that Brother Asahel & Mr Smith
have dissolved pardonsip [partnership] & that Asahel attends to his Book business alone
I have had some interesting & satisfactory letters from Asahel during the past
winter I am in hopes his mind will yet incline to the things of God. I want
an interest in all of your prayers I remember you all before a throne of Grace
May the peace of God abide with you all & lead you into all truth for Christ Sake
Aphek & Azubath Woodruff From your Son
Willford Woodruff