ADVENTURE IN BLOODY RIVER.

I told him we did not really consider them essential to salva-
tion.

He said he did, and therefore should not join our
Church.

On the 4th of April, 1835, I had the happy privilege of
meeting Elder Warren Parrish at the house of Brother Frys.
He had been preaching in that part of Tennessee, in company
with David W. Patten, and had baptized a number and organ-
ized several small branches.

Brother Patten had returned home, and Brother Parrish
was laboring alone. I joined him in the ministry, and we
labored together three months and nineteen days, when he
was called to Kirtland.

During the time we were together we traveled through
several Counties in Tennessee for the distance of seven hun-
dred and sixty miles, and preached the gospel daily, as we had
opportunity. We baptized some twenty persons.

By the counsel of the Prophet Joseph Smith and Oliver
Cowdery, Elder Parrish ordained me an Elder, and left me to
take charge of the branches that had been raised up in that
neighborhood.

As soon as I was left alone I extended my circuit and labors.
For a season I had large congregations; many seemed to
believe, and I baptized a number.

On the 15th of August I had an appointment at the house
of Brother Taylor, the step-father of Abraham O. Smoot.

I had to cross Bloody River, which I had to swim in con-
sequence of heavy rains. While crossing, my horse became
entangled in a tree top, and almost drowned; but I succeeded
in getting him loose.

We swam to the shore separately. He reached the shore
first, and waited till I came out. I got into the saddle, and
went on my way in good spirits, and had a good meeting.

On the 20th of October I baptized three Campbellites, one
of whom was a deacon. I then rode twelve miles to Mr.
Greenwood's, who was eighty years old, and had been a soldier
under General Washington. His wife, who was ninety-three
years old, I found quite smart, and busy carding wool. I
preached at their house and baptized both of them.