Sat Sep 17, 1853

Employed in shoemaking until noon, I should not shoemake if we were not in debt yet for the place. We owe Br. Dennis $50 and Mr. Hoffmeyer $50, and some of the children have been taken from the school on account of the smallpox. May the Lord help us to be free from every embarrassment by the end of the year. Received a lot of letters from the Valley for the elders; Brs. MacBride, Cannon, Snider, Lawson and the two Brs. Allred all received letters. Br. MacBride’s was from his wife and oldest son, they were very interesting. His son is only 12 years old and he writes like a little man. I was much affected while reading it, my eyes swam with tears to realize that the same spirit animated them in the Valley that did out here, I felt melted down. We received no letters this time, caused us to feel much hurt as we have many friends in the Valley that might write. Wrote a letter to Br. Cannon and to Br. Reddick. Received a letter from Br. Johnson. 400 baptised at Kauai. Books have come that we sent to Liverpool for, with 2 letters from Br. Grant Richards.