Confirmations at Preston.
Elders Kimball and Hyde and Brother Fielding having continued their labors in Preston, Elder Hyde preached to a great multitude in the market place Sunday, the 6th of August, opposed by one Reverend gentleman who was quickly confounded by the spirit of truth; and in the evening they met at the house of Sister Ann Dawson and confirmed between forty and fifty who had been baptized, most of whom had been members of Mr. James Fielding's church, so mightily grew the word, this being only the third Sabbath of the brethren in Preston. Mr. Fielding persecuted and called the Elders "thieves, sheep stealers," etc., acknowledging them good judges, having "stolen all the best of his flock." Sister Dawson (a widow) kindly received the Elders into her house and lodged them, which was a great blessing to the brethren, as they were quite destitute, most of the people extremely poor, and lodgings scarce; while they went from house to house as invited, to procure their daily meals.
[Sideote: The Work in Walkerfold.]
Elder Kimball, having received a letter from Mr. John Richards, inviting him to preach in his chapel, repaired to Walkerfold, where he was most hospitably received, and the day following preached three times in Mr. Richards' pulpit.
Baptisms at Bedford.
Elders Goodson and Richards baptized five at Bedford, among whom, and the first, was Mrs. Ann Braddock, a widow, who was obliged to support her family by her industry, yet she received the Elders and lodged them.
The Failure of Mr. Matthews.
Timothy R. Matthews, having investigated the work, acknowledged the truth, and having previously borne testimony of the same to his church in public, and urged them to go forward, agreed with Elders Goodson and Richards to meet them on the bank of the river Ouse one hour before sunset and be baptized. The hour and the Elders arrived, but Mr. Matthews was not there, he had gone out into the country to preach.
Elder Kimball preached on Monday and Wednesday evenings in Mr. Richards' chapel at Walkerfold, and on Thursday baptized six individuals. Mr. Matthews baptized himself in the river, and then went to baptizing his people, denouncing the Elders as false teachers and the doctrines of the Latter-day Saints as having come from hell, while he went to preaching the same doctrine, baptizing all, even infants, and laid on hands for confirmation.