Show THE SOUTH ho spread of the gospel of truth in tennessee EDITOR JUNCTION As tome additions and changes leavo been made in tho tennessee conference since last writing which may prove interesting to the many readers of the JUNCTION I again t ie the liberty of penning you a few lines daring the month of may elder IL Belnap and myself visited lien derson co where wo met bros scott and reed who had been recently baptized and after holding meetings which were well ah tended seventeen of the honest in heart camo forward and requested us to baptize them after doing so some members of the modern per suasion became much alarmed and sent us a note elating that if we did not leave shortly they would expel us by violence as they considered it their duty to do so threats were made wo were unmolested and by the assistance of our heavenly father we organized a branch of nineteen members have been two others baptized in the conference and prospects are encouraging in some local itie while in others the spirit of prejudice and hatred caused by false teachings reigns supreme in the hearts of the people preg spencer and elder murdock have taken a tour in the eastern part of the state to open new fields of labor and as they increase other elders will be called to assist elders II 11 belnap and L ker are energetically laboring in the middle and western portion of the state removing a vast amount of prejudice and superstition and sowing tho seeds of truth instead and doubtless ere long their unceasing labors will be crowned with sheaves on the dinst in company with sarah A church who was on a visit to see her relatives whom she had not seen for 35 years I visited the northern part of aitala county and the news was soon in circulation that a mormon elder was in the neighborhood bo so the patrons and builders of the shiloh school house invited me to preach for them but no sooner had I done so than a modern divine became very asich alarmed and prescribed the mild treatment of a black jacking whipping for me some of his followers however enjoying more of the spirit of humanity and toleration deemed it unwise to do so but had mo arraigned before squire taylor to answer the charge of wilfully taking possession the school house without permission notwithstanding I had been invited by one of alio trustees to preach and occupy the room whenever I desired to do no but the efforts of the op posers of truth in this instance as in dl others only proved to forward the work of god as many of tho loading citizens expressed a desire to hear more of our teachings offering to take care of the elders and furnish bouses to preach in at any time being unwilling to be governed by two or three men who were so prejudiced as to resort to malicious means to hinder the toleration of religious liberty on the 27 dinst I arrived at this place and met elders II 11 bartholomew and J W gibson whom I had not seen for some time and such meeting can only be appreciated by the participants during the past three months they have been laboring energetically in this and other counties promulgating the truths of the gospel and have lad the pleasure oi initiating into the covenant of peace and notwithstanding they meet with much opposition caused by prejudice and hatred the prospects are favor able for others in the near future the elders aro enjoying excellent health with the it of their mission likewise tho saints generally vrho anticipate as toon as will permit I anticipate returning to tonnes doe in a few days As ever praying far he spread of truth your brother OEO H J ioco co miss |