wn, and went to the
public pump to get a drink. While there a woman came to the pump
and asked us if we were Mormon preachers. We told her we were,
but had never preached yet. She invited us to her house, saying
she owned the hotel; that she was a widow; that she would inform
the people of the town we were there, and as it was the Sabbath
we could preach in her house, for she wished to hear the strange
doctrine. We consented to remain, and went home with her and had
something to eat.

At 11 o'clock, a. m., I made my debut to quite an attentive
audience. I both quoted and made Scripture. I had been fasting
and praying until I had become as humble as a child. My whole
mind and soul were swallowed up in the gospel. My most earnest
desire was to impart to others the knowledge that I had of the
truths of the gospel.

When I began to speak I felt an electric thrill through my whole
system. I hardly knew what I said, but the people said I spoke
from inspiration; none of the audience noticed my mistakes in
quoting Scripture.

After dinner my companion, Stewart, proposed to travel on, and, I
agreeing with him, we left the town, although the people wished
us to stay and preach again. I had but little confidence in
myself, and concluded to preach but seldom, until I got over my
timidity or man-fearing feeling that most beginners are subject
to. But I have now been a public speaker for thirty-five years,
and I have not yet entirely gotten over that feeling.

We started for Cincinnati, and traveled two days and a half
without food. My boots hurt my feet and our progress was quite
slow. The third night we applied to a tavern keeper for lodging
and food. He said we were welcome to stay in his house free, but
he must have pay for what we eat.

We sat in the hall all night, for we were much reduced by hunger
and fatigue. That was a miserable night indeed. I reflected the
matter over and over again, scrutinized it up one side and down
the other. I could not see why a servant of God should receive
such treatment - that if I was in the right faith, doing the will
of God, He would open up the way before me, and not allow me to
perish under the sore trials then surrounding me. I had seriously
considered the propriety of walking back to where the kind
landlady gave us our last meal, but was soon comforted, for these
words came into my mind:

"He that putteth his hands to the plow, and then looketh back, is
not fit for the Kingdom o