South Fox Islands Vinalhaven Jan. 5^th 1838

Dear Brother

I have been sitting with my pen in my hand
answering letters most of the time for three days. & as I have just taken it
off from a sheet directed to Father Mother & Sister Eunice I thought
I would next put it on a sheet for you. I have your letter dated Nov 24
now before me, & it is with pleasure I spend a few moments in complying
with its contents. In the first place I will give you a short sketch of thing[s]
with me & then answer your qusestions. I took the steamer Bangor at
Portland in a hard snow storm in company with Phebe my wife to again
visit the Islands of the sea, we had not gone far before we saw the breakers
most high we had a putty [pretty] rough time, most on board were sea sick. we
landed at Owles Head at night. I reached fox Islands the day following
being the 2^nd of Nov. I found the Saints strong in the faith. I have visited
three Islands since I returned, & also the Maine land. I am labouring
alone in the vineyard. But the work of God is manifesting itself at this time
with great interest in our midst. The spirit of God if like fire in dry stubble
in our midst. The word of God is like a sharp two edged sword in the hearts of men.
our congregations are large & profoundly attentive. The sea store is
Throng'd when I baptize. Many are enquireing to know what they shall do to be
saved. I have Baptized 19 since I returned to the Islands 7 of the No are
sea captains. I baptized 2 sea captains & a Lady on New years Day,
there is many ^that^ will soon follow their example here. There is now a door
open for me to preach to all the neighbourning Islands, even to the Jut of
[Caneer] & the Magdalene Islands laying 800 or 1000 miles N.E. of
fox Islands I think of going there early in the spring, & spending a few weeks

I am now on South fox Islands sitting & writing at the same table in com-
pany with Mrs Woodruff with the sea spending its waves against the rocks a
few rods from my feet. The ground is bare, the weather warm & pleasent. I
walked out last eve & this morning with Phebe & viewed the sea shore, & stood
for an hour upon a rocky turret viewing the sea foam beneath us. it speaks
the power of God. Will you inform me when you write again if you receieve the
Elders Journal. I should be pleased to have you perus that paper. I gave dire-
ctions for it to be sent to ^you.^ Elders Joseph Smith jr & Sidney Rigdon spent a night
in Terre Haute a short time since perhaps you did not see them. I shall expect
to go to Missouri next fall, & shall probably pass through Terre Haute. If you

South Fox Islands Vinalhaven Jan. 5th 1838

Dear Brother

I have been sitting with my pen in my hand answering letters most of the time for three days. & as I have just taken it off from a sheet directed to Father Mother & Sister Eunice I thought I would next put it on a sheet for you. I have your letter dated Nov 24 now before me, & it is with pleasure I spend a few moments in complying with its contents. In the first place I will give you a short sketch of things with me & then answer your questions. I took the steamer Bangor at Portland in a hard snow storm in company with Phebe my wife to again visit the Islands of the sea, we had not gone far before we saw the breakers most high we had a pretty rough time, most on board were sea sick. we landed at Owles Head at night. I reached fox Islands the day following being the 2nd of Nov. I found the Saints strong in the fai◇th. I have visited three Islands since I returned, & also the Maine land. I am labouring alone in the vineyard. But the work of God is manifesting itself at this time with great interest in our midst. The spirit of God if like fire in dry stubble in our midst. The word of God is like a sharp two edged sword in the hearts of men. our congregations are large & profoundly attentive. The sea store is Throng'd when I baptize. Many are enquireing to know what they shall do to be saved. I have Baptized 19 since I returned to the Islands 7 of the No are sea captains. I baptized 2 sea captains & a Lady on New years Day, there is many that will soon follow their example here. There is now a door open for me to preach to all the neighbourning Islands, even◇ to the gut of Caneer & the Magdalene Islands laying 800 or 1000 miles N.E. of fox Islands I think of going there early in the spring, & spending a few weeks

I am now on South fox Islands sitting & writing at the same table in company with Mrs Woodruff with the sea spending its waves against the rocks a few rods from my feet. The ground is bare, the weather warm & pleasent. I walked out last eve & this morning with Phebe & viewed the sea shore, & stood for an hour upon a rocky turret viewing the sea foam beneath us. it speaks the power of God. Will you inform me when you write again if you receieve the Elders Journal. I should be pleased to have you perus that paper. I gave directions for it to be sent to you. Elders Joseph Smith jr & Sidney Rigdon spent a night in Terre Haute a short time since perhaps you did not see them. I shall expect to go to Missouri next fall, & shall probably pass through Terre Haute. If you