When I rose to speak at Brother Benbow's house, a man entered the door and informed me that he was a constable, and had been sent by the rector of the parish with a warrant to arrest me.  I asked him, "For what crime?" He said, "For preaching to the people."  I told him that I, as well as the rector, had a license for preaching the gospel to the people, and that if he would take a chair I would wait on him after the meeting.  He took my chair and sat beside me. For an hour and a quarter I preached the first principles of the everlasting gospel.  The power of God rested upon me, the spirit filled the house, and the people were convinced.  At the close of the meeting I opened the door for baptism, and seven offered themselves.  Among the number were four preachers and the constable.  The latter rose and said, "Mr. Woodruff, I would like to be baptized"...
    The constable went to the rector and told him that if he wanted Mr. Woodruff taken for preaching the gospel, he must go himself and serve a writ; for he had heard him preach the only true gospel sermon he had ever listened to in his life.  The rector did not know what to make of it, so he sent two clerks of the Church of England as spies, to attend our meeting, and find out what we did preach.  They were both pricked in their hears, received the word of the Lord gladly, and were baptized and confirmed members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  The rector became alarmed and did not venture to send anyone else.