Beloved Willford
According to your request, I seat myse
lf this eve. to pen a few lines to you after haveing just, returned from father
Luces’ (where I have been spending a few days) to brother Amese’s. I passed by
brother Stephen Luces’ where the brethren have met for meeting—thinking
I would spend the time in writing to you. Brother Ball arrived here
last eve. and brought me a billet from you to day which I was glad
to receive. The church here are strong and well engaged likewise the
opposers are engaged to. Mr. Carter has held two mock meetings here of late,
he has a written manuscript which he has been collecting through the
past winter from newspapers &c which he reads to the people with
hymns addapted to the occasion. brother Ames and Valentine attended the
first meetting and bore a noble testimony for the truth they said
they never had so much liberty in speaking before, many people saw
the contrast between the two spirits—but none of the brethren attended
the last meeting. I have received three letters for you but no papers; one letter
was from Mother Woodruff bearing date of Dec. 31st wherein in she says
that she has been quite sick but has far recovered also that Eunice and father
were well and that her faith was encreaseing in the faith of latter Day Saints
and that nothing short of it would satisfy her mind &c. &c.—another from
brother Asahel wherein he acknowledges the reception of your last
letter—his remarks are more favourable than than sometimes—says that
he heard brother Joseph preach in Terra Haut last fall &c.. The third
was from brother Milton he mentions that your much esteamed letter
came to hand and was gladly received—he had concluded almost that you
had not received his—he likewise received one from Kirtland the same day
dated Jan. 14th wherein he received information concerning matters in K. he
requests you to let no one but me know of it—he writes in confidence to you—says that
Joseph and Sidney took their families Saturday night and it is supposed they
have gone to Missourie and the word is for all to follow that possibly can to
escape the destruction that is comeing upon K. There is a great division there and
a number have left the church and raised what they call a standard of truth
and liberty and drew up a remonstration against wickedness and the pro
cedings that have been illegally, takeing for their guide the book of Mormon the
bible the and covenants for their guide. I will mention some of their names
N. Milliken and wife, John Gayland and wife, W. Parish and wife, J. F.
Boynton and wife Martin Harris and wife, Leonard Rich and wife, Joseph
Coe and wife, Sarah Lowell, and Aphia, and many others but I hope not
Willford and Phebe—there was about thirty five that signed the remon
strance, but the letter stated that there was thousands of the same opinion.
The high counsil met and cut them all of from the church. Doct Cowd
ry has withdrawn from the church, the printing office has been taken and sold
for Joseph’s and Sidney’s debts N. Millikens bid it off, therefore we shall not
have the papers at present. I am verry sorry for that for there is much eccitem
ent [excitement] here already about the delay of the papers and I suppose that they have the same
account here in the papers that you saw, some of them have already written to
the Post Masters in Cleaveland and Kirt. to learn the truth of these things although
it is kept private here now. O Willford what is this world comeing to. my heart almost
shrinks within me when I look around on the state of things. Brother Ball
has received a letter from his Mothers family in Boston requesting him to return
to them and he thinks of starting in 8 or 10 days. I rather expect that he will
baptize Mr. Ephraim Luce and Lucy Fry as they have been waiting for an oppo-
rtunity most ever since you lelft. Brother Ames has had his case tried and the cost
was trown upon him. Mr Douglass has been in a great rage about you he says
that he will spend all his property in law with you but that he will have his
character cleared up, he has applied to two Justices for an execution against you but
but they told him that it was between ministers and they did not wish to meddele
with it, but brother Crocket has come over to this district and says that he is more
calme than he was. I really hope that he will not procede with his suit for it will
only make trouble. I have almost forgotten to tell you that Milton has given up going
to Kirt. next spring and wants to come down here in the spring—wants to meet you in
Scarborough thinking that you will accompany me there in the spring he wants you
to write to him, says that he wishes he was with you here now. Brother and sister
Ames Valentine and Melana send there best respects to you and say they are trying to
do as well as they can. I think they are. Sister Brown and sister Sabra are here on
a visit and send there love to you and say that the church is doing well there.
They have just come in from meeting and say they have had a verry good
meeting, that brother Crocket was wide awake. You did not say any thing about
the time that you expected to return here, your three weeks have almost expired
and they have been long enough I think. I realy feal lonely here without my [page torn]
but I trust that the Lord will take care of him and return him to me in
his time. I dont forget to ask him to daily and trust that I am not forgotten
by him. My health is good at present but I have been quite sick with a cold
I was much pleased to hear that brother Townsend had joined your company
Give my best respects to him and tell him that I want to see him.
Milton's letter was sealed with black and there was greate enquiery concerning
the contents, but I did not let them know of the Kirtland affairs, some of them
here surmise that a mob has arisen and demolished the press in Kirtland
if but I shall keep the letter private untill you come and then you may
do as you think best with it. I think that these times will try the faith
of the saints but I think that I feael as strong as ever. C There will be
great persecution for thes things but there is a God in Israel yet thanks be
to God for it. I have not commenced your coat yet but shall soon. I recollect
that this is your birthday would be glad to congratulate you upon the same could I have
the privilege. This is from your Phebe who is waiting as patiently as she can for your return.
It is most twelve therefore I bid you good night and retire to rest
P. W. W.
Mr. Willford. Woo^d^ruff
Castine
Maine
Vinalhaven
Ansd
March 6
^10^
[upside-down text] Phebe W. Woodruff
March 1st 1838 [end of upside-down text]