Missionary Labors
Shady Grove, Hickman Co., Tenn.
August 29, 1878
Editors Deseret News:
Dear Sirs—Finding but little opening in the St. Louis district for public preaching, I took steamer on May 18, 200 miles down the Mississippi, to Cario, at which point I changed steamers and sailed up the beautiful Ohio, 50 miles, to Paducah, Kentucky, in the vicinity of which I held seven meetings, which were well attended, and made a few friends; two families promising to send for books, and still continue their investigations. At one place the pastor and most of his flock came out to hear me. From the experience I had in the above State, I believe several good efficient Elders could find a good opportunity there to sound the gospel trumpet.
As I was alone and as Elder E. Stevenson, in Tennessee, was in the same situation, I thought proper to join him. Taking steamer for 200 miles up the Cumberland river, I arrived in Nashville, the state capital of Tennessee, which contains 35,000 people. Laying over for a day, I called upon the Mayor, who received me kindly. He had many questions to ask respecting our people and doctrines, and even expressed a desire to hear me preach. He opened the federal court room to me, and according to announcement, on the evening of the 12th of June, I addressed a very respectable and attentive audience on the subject of the gospel. Passing on some 65 miles southwest, by rail and wagon, I joined Elder E. Stevenson at this place on June 16. He and I labored together in the counties of Hickman, Murry and Louis for some 35 days, holding in the meantime 27 meetings, with an average attendance of 58 strangers.
Many acknowledge that our doctrines are scriptural and true, but they are slow to embrace them. Some, however, are believing, and we anticipate a harvest of souls in due time. It takes, now in the age of infidelity and unbelief, a vast amount of preaching, both in public and private, and much by the spirit and power of God, to convince people of the truth. We have, in this district, two branches of the Church, numbering 33 members, all in good standing, six of whom have been added during the last six months, by baptism. Present prospects are that one or two families will emigrate to Zion this fall. During the last 36 days Elder Stevenson and myself have performed a journey of over 400 miles, (going and returning) on horseback, without “purse or scrip,” to Haywood Valley, Ga., where we had the pleasure of meeting Pres. J. Morgan and several of our brethren from home, in a three day’s conference. We had a good conference, and many Saints and strangers rejoice in the truth. While absent we held 24 meetings and preached the gospel to over 1500 strangers, the most of whom had never had the privilege of hearing it before. We found several families who believed our testimonies, and who are investigating still further. Distributed by the way side 200 circulars on the first principles of the gospel.
Generally speaking we find the people of the south to be warm hearted and hospitable.
In many places we find much opposition from the clergy. They are like the dog in the manger, they will not receive the word of truth, nor allow their followers to even hear, if they can prevent it. During our absence we found and made many friends and few enemies.
From what I can judge of the people of the south, I am satisfied that there are many honest hearted people who will yet receive the truth when presented to them. There are tens of thousands of people in the southern States who have never as yet heard the sound of the gospel. On one occasion in North Georgia, our animals were stolen from the stable by wicked and reckless men, who shaved their manes and tales, and otherwise disfigured them, and turned them into the woods. Some few winked at the deed, but the majority of the people looked upon it as an act of persecution.
Elder Stevenson having been released from his mission, will soon start for home.
Your brother in the gospel,
P.P. Pratt
[Journal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Aug. 29, 1878, 2-3]
[Deseret News, 27:515]
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, May 2006]
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