Letter to Orson Hyde, editor of Millennial Star, dated Dec. 2. 1846, at Merthyr Tydfil. (Vol 8:176,177)
LETTER FROM ELDER DAN JONES.
The following letter gives cheering accounts of the success of the gospel. Similar accounts come from all parts:--
Mertyr, Dec. 2nd, 1846.
Dear Brother Hyde,--Having a few minutes time, at length I write you again, hoping you have received my previous letters. As to business I have just seen brother Henshaw, and he has promised to remit me some money in a few days--on account. He complains of having STARS out unpaid for, and several of the books on hand. I have set some of the Elders to work getting subscribers for the STAR, especially in those districts where people understand English, but have not had their reports as yet--hence I cannot say how many can be sold. I have appointed brother Henshaw to preside over the Garaway Conference, there he will be able to sell more in proportion to the members.
Please inform brother Cain (if convenient), that if he sends about twenty or thirty of the PLATES, "Joseph and the Indians," I will do all I can to sell them and refund him the money as soon as sold, but I have not a dollar by me now, having remitted the last to pay for the publishing of the "Welsh Star." That does not now (the first year) sustain itself, nor anything like it; besides I have been enabled so to do, and that the great God has abundantly crowned our labours with success.
Great and glorious reports continue to greet my ears daily, of the success of the gospel through all parts of Wales. I have three letters before me now, welcome heralds, showing that thirty have been baptized last week in four branches only, besides a host at the door. Hardly a letter arrives but brings intelligence of some one in some place or other having been born again; and not only do they come in, but almost universally they stay in; and more cheering still, they go on rejoicing in the glorious hopes of "life and immortality," and of that "crown which fadeth not away." You will believe me when I assert that they are blessed, a good, yes, the best people I ever saw,--such love, union, and ambitoin to go on towards perfection. May the great God bless them, I say, and keep them onward, for I do love them, and I know that brother Hyde will love them and bless them in their simplicity and innocence when he sees them. Pray when will that time come? They are continually asking me when will the Apostles visit Wales? In reply, I have assured them that they shall have a hearty shake of the hand with one or two, if not the three of the Apostles, at our next annual conference, which will commence at Merthyr, on Sunday the 27th instant, being the first Sunday after Christmas-day. There is a general expectation among all ranks for you here, and woe be to poor me if some of you don't come; you know I have allowed much times--had a promise,
and afterwards--"a long silence gives consent." Excuse me therefore for stirring up your pure minds by way of remembrance, and I desire you to jog the minds of brothers Pratt and Taylor.
But were I to write more I could only say that the great car of Mormonism is traversing over the Cambrian hills with astonishing rapidity--crushing all who oppose its mighty impetus into powder beneath its huge diamond wheels, and onward it goes again, as though it was destined to pick up thousands of the "Ancient Briton" race in its golden carriages, and land them on the everlasting hills of heaven. May angels help to drag or push it onward, till it lands us all at home, is my prayer. What say you, dear brother?
Please to give my best wishes to our beloved brothers Pratt and Taylor, as well as yourself; also to brothers Cain, Brown, Carter, &c.
I remain you obedient servant and brother in the kingdom of God,
D. JONES.
