fe would not be safe if I undertook to
preach in public. I told them to trust that to God.

They returned home and gave general notice of when and where I
would preach. At the appointed time I started for the place of
meeting, which was twenty miles from Murfreesborough. I was met
by a guard of ten men, headed by Capt. Redd, who came to meet and
protect me.

The next day I preached to a large number of people. I spoke two
hours to them, upon the subject of our free institutions and the
constitutional rights of American citizens. I told them who I was
and what I was; that I was a free American citizen; that I
claimed the right of free speech as a free man; that I held
myself open for investigation; that if the people wished me to
set forth the tenets of our faith I would do so, otherwise I
would leave; that if they did not desire to hear the truth they
could make it manifest and I would quit their country. The vote
was unanimous for me to tarry and preach to them. I preached
there twice.

My first sermon was upon the apostasy of the Churches of the day
and the necessity of a purer gospel, proving what I said by the
Scriptures. I followed with the origin and authenticity of the
Book of Mormon. I was induced to continue my sermons. I stayed
there to do my Master's will.

After the fourth sermon I commenced to baptize members. The first
one that I baptized at that place was Parson John Holt, of the
Christian faith. Then I baptized seven of the members of his
Church; then Capt. Redd and his family. This unexpected success
of the gospel created great excitement in that section of
country.

About ten miles from where I preached lived two men, formerly
lieutenants in the militia company of Capt. Bogardus, of Missouri
infamy and disgrace. These men had strayed into this section of
the country, and were employed by two wealthy farmers as
overseers.

They circulated fearful stories about the Mormons in Missouri,
and gathered up a mob of about twenty-five men and came with
them, determined to tar and feather me if I preached again. Word
reached the settlement of what was intended. The people flocked
to me and asked what they should do. I told them to wait and let
me manage the affair.

The next day, Sunday, while I was preaching one of the ruffians
by the name of Dickey made his appearance with ten men. He
informed me of his design, and said that I must quit preaching
and leave for other parts of the country.

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