| 131 to contradict them; but generally their reports were of such a character that they carried along with them their own refutation.
"The time when we expected to return to our native land having now nearly arrived, it was thought necessary to spend the short time we had to remain in the country in visiting and organizing the churches; placing such officers over them, and giving such instructions as would be beneficial to them during our absence. Accordingly Brothers Hyde, Fielding, and I entered upon this duty, and we visited a church nearly every day, and imparted such instructions as the Spirit directed. We first visited the churches south of Preston, and after spending some time in that direction we journeyed to the north, accompanied by Brother Richards, who had just returned from the city of Bedford.
"While we were attending to our duties in that section we received a very pressing invitation from a Baptist church, through the medium of their deacon, to pay them a visit, stating that the society was exceedingly anxious to hear from our own lips the wonderful things we had proclaimed in the regions round about.
"We endeavored to excuse ourselves from going, as our engagements already were such that it would require the short time we had to stay to attend to them. But they seemed determined to take no denial, and plead with us with such earnestness that we could not resist their entreaties, and finally we consented to go and preach once.
"Having arrived at the place we found a large congregation already assembled in the Baptist chapel, anxiously awaiting our arrival. The minister gave out the hymns for us, and Elder Hyde spoke on the subject of the resurrection with great effect; after which the minister gave out another hymn, which was sung by the assembly, and he then requested me to address them. I arose and spoke briefly on the first principles of the gospel.
"During the services the congregation were overjoyed, the tears ran down their cheeks, and the minister could not refrain from frequently clapping his hands together for joy while in the meeting. After the service was over he took us
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