OUR ANXIETY TO MEET A SAINT--JOURNEY TO AKEMAN'S--A DREAM--FIND MR.
AKEMAN A RANK APOSTATE--HE RAISES A MOB--THREATENED WITH TAR, FEATHERS,
ETC.--I WARN MR. AKEMAN TO REPENT--HE FALLS DEAD AT MY FEET--I PREACH
HIS FUNERAL SERMON.
In the early days of the Church, it was a great treat to an Elder in
his travels through the country to find a "Mormon;" it was so with us.
We were hardly in Arkansas when we heard of a family named Akeman. They
were in Jackson County in the persecutions. Some of the sons had been
tied up there and whipped on their bare backs with hickory switches by
the mob. We heard of their living on Petit Jean River, in the Arkansas
Territory, and we went a long way to visit them.
There had recently been heavy rains, and a creek that we had to cross
was swollen to a rapid stream of eight rods in width. There was no
person living nearer than two miles from the crossing, and no boat. The
people living at the last house on the road, some three miles from the
crossing, said we would have to tarry till the water fell before we
could cross. We did not stop, feeling to trust in God.
Just as we arrived at the rolling flood a negro, on a powerful horse,
entered the stream on the opposite side and rode through it. On our
making our wants known to him, he took us, one at a time, behind him
and carried us safely over, and we went on our way rejoicing.
We arrived that night within five miles of Mr. Akeman's, and were
kindly entertained by a stranger. During the night I had the following
dream:
I thought an angel came to us, and told us we were commanded of the
Lord to follow a certain straight path, which was pointed out to us,
let it lead us wherever it might. After we had walked in it awhile
we came to the door of a house, which was in the line of a high wall
running north and south, so that we could not go around. I opened the
door and saw the room was filled with large serpents, and I shuddered
at the sight. My companion said he would not go into the room for fear
of the serpents. I told him I should try to go through the room though
they killed me, for the Lord had commanded it. As I stepped into the
room the serpents coiled themselves up, and raised their heads some two
feet from the floor, to spring at me. There was one much larger than
the rest in the center of the room, which raised its head nearly as
high as mine and made a spring at me. At that instant I felt as though
nothing but the power of God could save me, and I stood still. Just
before the serpent reached me he dropped dead at my feet; all the rest
dropped dead, swelled up, turned black, burst open, took fire and were
consumed before my eyes, and we went through the room unharmed, and
thanked God for our deliverance.
I awoke in the morning and pondered upon the dream. We took breakfast,
and started on our journey on Sunday morning, to visit Mr. Akeman. I
related to my companion my dream, and told him we should see something
strange. We had great anticipations of meeting Mr. Akeman, supposing
him to be a member of the Church. When we arrived at his house he
received us very coldly, and we soon found that he had apostatized.
He brought railing accusations against the Book of Mormon and the
authorities of the Church.
Word was sent through all the settlements on the river for twenty miles
that two "Mormon" preachers were in the place. A mob was soon raised,
and warning sent to us to leave immediately or we would be tarred and
feathered, ridden on a rail and hanged. I soon saw where the serpents
were. My companion wanted to leave; I told him no, I would stay and see
my dream fulfilled.
There was an old gentleman and lady, named Hubbel, who had read the
Book of Mormon and believed. Father Hubbel came to see us, and invited
us to make our home with him while we stayed in the place. We did so,
and labored for him some three weeks with our axes, clearing land,
while we were waiting to see the salvation of God.
I was commanded of the Lord by the Holy Ghost to go and warn Mr. Akeman
to repent of his wickedness. I did so, and each time he railed against
me, and the last time he ordered me out of his house. When I went out
he followed me and was very angry. When he came up to me, about eight
rods from the house, he fell dead at my feet, turned black and swelled
up, as I saw the serpents do in my dream.
His family, as well as ourselves, felt it was the judgment of God upon
him. I preached his funeral sermon. Many of the mob died suddenly. We
stayed about two weeks after Akeman's death and preached, baptized Mr.
Hubbel and his wife, and then continued on our journey.