Show t italian correspondence letter from elder jabez woodward I 1 baptisms ao july joiy 1852 J DEAR PRESIDENT iDENT RICHARDS elder obray ha has s probably informed you of my departure from matta malta after wo we had organized a branch of the church of jesus christ of latter atte rd day saints I 1 could no help feeling deep regret on lea leaving ving that devoted brother in ill a country with whose customs tind and climate he is yet unacquainted but lie keeps tho the word lizard of wisdom which will preserve the life of many an ail elder when exposed to lo blighting winds and burning suns you see sec by the heading of my letter that il am in in the field of my former labors and let felters tars bearing that address will be pretty sure sare of reaching 13 g me it in whatever part of this land I 1 may be wo working aking in fact I 1 ought now to be in two or three places at the same time and it is therefore with the greatest pleasure I 1 hear bear from elder snow that assistance I 1 is coming and I 1 shall ha be happy to hear from the brethren who are nominated for italy with regard to the present condition of this mission better batter than transcribe the words ofa friend friand who received the following in tho the visions of the night 1 I beheld and lo 10 lol tile the form of one that was elcee exceeding ding tall and great tile the face was smiling and lovely and while yet I 1 gazed beca meso resplendent with glory that I 1 was forced to look down towards the earth then I 1 saw dark clouds wrapped around that gigantc gigan jc body leaving only a few places here and cheri penetrated by the rays of light and the spirit slid unto me this is TRUTH IN ITALY and behold at present the liht light just shaneth in tile the midst of the darkness but th the days will come when ali al in this land shall be penetrated by tile tho power of truth either unto their eal salvation or destruction I 1 have recommenced I 1 baptizing ac and have also pruned the vineyard cutting off dead bra bravence branc nence nes but I 1 feel to commend tile the faithfulness of elder john daniel malan who held the presidency during during my absence at malta T the he saints ailts in italy salute you ITALY august 1853 1 am happy to say that th tha 3 kingdom of god pro grosses in spite cfall of all obstacles four p parsons esons having been baptized since sinca I 1 lust wrote there is also a general spirit of research among the educated gordons po rions of the worl worling working ing clas clashes cs as to the truth of those papal doctrines which hid been for ages almost unquestioned in this benighted land nor must mus it he be thought that this feeling is active in piedmont alone bior for out our 1 publications nave have lobua their incer way into buo ine sven hilled city proud apostate rome I 1 feel severely tile the w want alit of italian traces may tile day soon co come me when we have a journal in that lan gliga to chronicle the mighty events which are fast transpiring in messiahs kingdom if any man having baving means at his bis command would coils consecrate edrae them to this purpose how enduring would bebis be his mer memory pory it would rest embalmer embalmed ed in the hearts of redeemed my raids when the tha most celebrated poets th that at have adorned this thin land of music aud and song iong will be comparatively rat ively forgotten we cannot proceed here with public preaching us as in england and america I 1 have been twice summoned before tho magistrates for having given religious reli gous ous instructions to persons in in my own room As I 1 knew they could not attack me for any aay infringement of their laws against public meetings I 1 have continued to sell and circulate our works up 4 to the present moment but I 1 have no more left and as the police have refused to legalize my passport it will be necessary for me to obtain a signature on the french frontier which is only a few miles from the brethren here but to be compelled to change residence in that manner is one or of the many vexatious to which we are subjected in those countries I 1 where freedom is yet only a name but amid all circumstances I 1 can still rejoice and ancl see the day approach when a mighty number will bo be added to the church in these regious regions yours in the new and everlasting covenant JABEZ WOODWARD |