Autobiography Volume 1 circa 1842-1865
On the Elder Hale and myself went to
Collensville w[h]ere uncle Ozem was assisting in building a
stone dam across the river. There I visited a grove where
I had often retired in 1830 for prayer and meditation. I
had here many interesting seasons by day and by night while
tending the mill for Collens in 1830. In this pine grove
I spent three hours in reading the Book of Mormon and
in prayer
At six o'clock p.m. I met at the city hall at
Collensville for the purpose of preaching the Gospel to the
people. Immediately after I arose and commenced speaking
drums were heard at the door and laughing and sneering were
provoked in the congregation. The Presbyterian priest was
enraged against the truth and as soon as I closed he hurried himself
to the place where I stood and I was immediately surrounded by
the congregation. The priest said I had no right to enjoy my
opinion and he became angry and said many very inconsistant
things. The priest and people with very few exceptions rejected our
testimony. Afterwards brother Hale uncle Ozem and myself repaired
to the grove for prayer where we had a good time
