| Show IN OLD SUMMIT Spott sylvania county virginia october ath 1896 at the last virginia conference which was held at haran roanoke county july eleventh and twelfth elder joseph B kendall of oxford idaho and myself were appointed to laborin labor jn Spott sylvania county as mate meteoric oric elders this necessitated a journey f of nearly two hundred and efty fifty miles on foot as the direction was given to travel without purse or scrip we were already fatigued as was the cast case with many of the elders some having walked two hundred miles to the place of meeting the joy of meeting with the servants of god which none can appreciate more than the ambassadors of truth in a strange land the exchange of ideas regarding the mode of labor the spiritual feast which the conference afforded to all presen tand above all the valuable instructions given in our priesthood meeting by our worthy president E S kimball enthused ofir souls with a desire to go forth depending upon the promises of the most high the promises ot of the lord are sure but the flesh of man is weak these truths were refreshed in our minds at conference and this with our souls filled with compassion toward all men and our hearts lull full of a desire to keep the commandments of god we started on july xyth for our new field of labor to preach the power of god unto salvation and to prove the people among whom we were called to travel the way we had to go was unknown to us neither did we know any friends to call on for food or shelter but every day brought its special blessings and we did not lack for anything always in the time of need was a friend raised up to provide the comforts of life paper and stamps were furnished us whenever wanted when our shoes were rent they were mended and when money was necessary it was given to us before conference we expected to pay for our washing and sometimes had difficulty in finding someone to do it but since both can testify that we have had no trouble in getting it done freely we acknowledge the hand band of the lord in all these things and by experience we do know that god will provide for those who will go forth to preach his word without purse and scrip and depend upon him for the labors is worthy of its hire the following incident occurred july we were nearing the james river and were depending upon the lord to provide a way tor for us to cross on reaching the river we found the ferryman much opposed he would not allow us to cross without the money of which we had none to turn back meant a trip ot several miles either up or down the river to another ferry not knowing the disposition of the owners of either ferry we decided to wait and sep see if the way would be opened for us to proceed our faith in the lord never faltered for he had aided us in past times when necessity required on the river bank were two sycamore trees between which was a plank for a seat while here contenting ourselves a heavy thunder storm arose the cloud rested upon us with such density that midday become almost almost as dark as night and the rain min fell in in torrents while the thunder was deafening fortunately a half capsized boat afforded us protection the rain ceased and soon a number of men seated themselves in a small boat at the op opposite osite side of the river they soon reached the landing and we learned that they had come to launch the boat that bad protected us from the warring elements one ot the men recognized us as mormon preachers and come to us saying ive met some of your men before bedfor PP after a short conversation we explained our situation meanwhile the boat had been launched and they were ready to all took seats in the boat t abut but ourselves and the ferrymen ferryman ferry men pushed out from the shore at this ibis juncture lun ciure our new acquaintance acquaint ence remarked arnt you going to let these gentle men cross yes said the ferrymen ferryman ferry men if they pay me for it our friend handed him the money and invited us in our request was granted and our faith strengthened and we desired to bear testimony that god lives and does hear the supplications ions ot of his obedient children we reached the saints in hanover county july idly soth aoth we were somewhat fatigued lati gued and the heat was very intense sometimes reaching as high as 1120 in the ahe shade the saints desired us to tarry and preach to them and give them the conference news hence we decided to spend a lew few days in inai vicinity and ana accordingly made several appointments we filled them with success the spirit of the lord being manifest in the congregations gregat ions on the morning of the i iila i th of august in fasting and solemn prayer we dedicated the county of Spott Spottsyl sylvania vama to the lord as our field ol of labor asking his blessings upon the people and their lands and his guidance to us in preaching the gospel to the inhabitants As a general rule we have found the people very hospitable which is a characteristic of the people of the south no one needs to suffer tor lor lifes necessities while in in their midst our first efforts were to interview the leading men of the county all were favorably impressed with our move and said they would not place a straw in our way and wished us success in our good work we have obtained permission to use all the school houses in the burkley Burkle yand and courtland districts also of the roadside chapel in which which we have held several meetings on receiving leave to preach in the school houses we contented ourselves with the idea that we were ready to preach to the people but we were mistaken for we afterwards found that there was a great work to be done to prepare the people to come and hear us at any tate rate several appointments were made the people were notified throughout the neighborhood and all preparations made for the congregation the time came to begin the services but no one was present except ourselves never before were we disappointed by not having hearers the same discouragement was encountered at the next school house and the third we were making appointments but holding no meetings hence our efforts were in vain and our number of meetings few there is a saying that the people will attend the mormon meetings for curiosity if for nothing else and while their curiosity is being satisfied we are able to portray to their understanding the principles of truth but we came to the conclusion that this people had no curiosity regarding us as they had seen the elders many times previous much less a desire to hear the message of life we had to bear to them believing there was a work to be done and not desiring to ao fail as elders should know no such thing as fail we resorted to private houses where we could get the attention of the family at least we held sei several family prayer meetings the hosts inviting athe in n their friends few at first accept ed the invitation thus our con grega tion was increased from few to many where at first we were unable to get a public congregation we can now preach to a school house bullof full of eager listeners this has been the case at a small village in the eastern bartot part ot this county where we have held as many as a dozen meetings in this way we have increased our number ot of meetings to as many as nine per week the people wonder and say the mormons cormons are gaining ground the work ot of the lord is advancing there is room for many other fishers and hunters so prepare young men of zion tor for upon your shoulders will rest a portion ot of this mighty work of the lord he who has talents and uses them shall be blessed for the lord requires this work at our hands rufus DAY 1 I B KENDALL |
