SUCCESS
OF THE GOSPEL IN THE STATES,—ESTABLISHMENT OF A WELSH CONFERENCE, AND PROMISING
SIGNS
Minersville, Ohio, Nov. 20, 1854.
DEAR BROTHER JONES,—Once again I avail
myself of the opportunity of greeting you through a few lines from America.
I feel a thirst to hear from you frequently to learn something of your trials,
and to receive an account of the truth and its consequences from among my
fellow nation in my mother country. We received a kind and loving letter from
you, dated September 13, and I was glad to hear its contents, and I feel very
grateful to you for your counsels, and your caring
attention for us as a Branch in this place. We hope that you do not mind our
troubling you with our letters so often. The aforementioned feelings are what
prompt me to seek to enjoy more of your wonderful counsels and teachings. My
constant prayer is that all the Saints and I will have strength to live
according to them.
We
have sent a letter to the President there to learn where the President closest
to us is located, and also to receive some
[p. 7]
counsel. If we come to understand
that it is Orson Spencer in Cincinnati,
we have decided, if possible, to convince him to pay us a visit here. We
believe that he will be a great blessing to us here, even though there are here
already better prospects for success in this good work than I have ever before
seen. Presently there are two Branches
here, and thus there is a Conference here, which is under my care, and Joseph Joseph, earlier from Pendarren,
is presiding over the Branch in my place, and Elias Thomas is presiding over
the other, and we intend to establish another Branch before long. We are still
increasing in number here, even though brothers and sisters are leaving us [to
go to Zion],
but we have baptized some by now, but [and] we believe we will baptize hosts of
our fellow nation before long. Large numbers of our fellow nation appear to be believing the Gospel. Now we have established a circuit
here, for our officers to follow after each other to preach in every place
where they are welcomed with open doors for that purpose, and all the officers
are yearning and thirsting to have a turn in the circuit. I am happy to say
there are so many able servants so desirous and determined to labor in God’s work. The author of this work will bless our
labor by making all the honest of heart subjects of
his kingdom; unity and love are increasing among us,
and our earnest wish is that it many continue thus.
We
wish for you to continue to be aware of us, although we send our requests to
the presidency closest to us, for our confidence in you continues the same.
The
coal works here have been at stop for
two months, with no sign of starting, the reason being the lack of water in the
Ohio River; it has resulted in a very dry summer this year, the driest seen for
16 years, and it still continues very dry. Thus, the seasonal circumstances are
getting still darker and darker, for there is nothing here to carry the coal
away except in boats on the river. Goods are much more expensive than they
would be if the river were high.
Joseph
Joseph wishes greatly to be remembered to his brother
Dafydd and his family, and to all the Saints. Daniel Llywellyn, earlier from Pendarren,
together with John Llywellyn his cousin
[p. 8]
send their regards to you, and to
all the Saints in Pendarren. Also, Wm. Evans sends
his regards to you.
I
shall close for now by sending you my warmest love and affection.
I
am, your brother in Christ,
THOMAS
M. RICHARDS.
________
[Our readers will be pleased to
understand that the gospel’s enthusiastic zeal is driving our brethren in
America; and that there are such great hopes before them; may He who holds the
keys of every heart bless their labor to convince the
thousands of Welsh who surround them, and blow the sparks of the gospel’s fire
to enlighten thousands of the Welsh of Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, New York, and
every Welshman scattered throughout the continent. Especially, may this create
a great interest for those who intend to migrate there.
We are also glad to hear that Brother John James, earlier a minister for the
Baptists in Cefn Coed y Cymmer, is in the above place, firm in the faith, and eager
to save others from the bonds of false tradition.—ED.]
