Baptism of David Rees and D. L. Jones in Treaman

“On Sunday, the 27th of April, it is said that about 2000 inhabitants gathered at the river’s edge to see the ordinance of baptism performed. The meeting was begun with singing and prayer; then President Wm. Phillips called on David Rees (who was until lately a preacher with the Baptists) to address the congregation, which he did as follows:—“Dear listeners, a numerous crowd of you has gathered, but I do not know your purpose; but my purpose is to obey Jesus Christ today. I have been religious for years with the respected denomination of Baptists, and a preacher. I have honestly strived, and prayed to God to obtain the promises seen in the holy scriptures; until now I have failed to receive any of them, and I testify in the presence of Heaven that no one of the religionists of this age has received them, for they all deny them; but, as I have said many times before, I have received pleasures with religion, but I have not received a fulfillment of the promises. I am now determined to join with the Saints (for they promise them), with full belief that I will receive them. I will close now, by receiving my baptism for the remission of my sins, and that Almighty God may bless you all, so that you will come after me, is my prayer. Amen.” ... Then D. L. Jones (who was for years a respected minister with the Baptists) was called on to address the crowd, who said the following:—“I love you all from my heart. It is day after date for anyone to discourage me by mocking me; I have been a respected minister with the Baptists for many years. And I professed to have authority, but now I see my error; for after searching through history back to the ninth generation, I found that the link was broken; then I perceived that it was impossible for the authority to come from the earth, and that it had to come from heaven again; and who was more qualified than an angel to restore it? I am determined to become a little child again by joining with the Saints. And I testify in the presence of Heaven that I believe that authority is in the possession of the Latter-day Saints. I now give myself completely to God, and come with me; do not worry that you are wearing your best clothes, come, and put Christ on you, by receiving your baptism with me, so that we can say Abba, Father, for I wish to know God so that I can say “my Father” to him; and may hundreds who are seeking true religion come after me soon. May God bless you all.” — Udgorn Seion (Zion's Trumpet), No. 9 (May 3, 2015) (English translation by Ronald D. Dennis)”