that does not conduce to happiness, temperance and virtue. If any lack strength to form and carry out such a resolution as that we have adverted to, let them seek more diligently for the Spirit of the Lord to assist them, to guide them and to strengthen them. When they are tired and feel weak for the task before them, let them at once fly to the Lord in prayer, and continue struggling until they can rise from their knees strengthened and fortified against their besetment. By so doing they may soon acquire a sufficiency of wisdom and moral courage to secure them even from the temptation. Some argue that it is necessary, sometimes, to have recourse to strong-drinks to stimulate them and enable them to endure the toil and fatigue of arduous labour; and not unfrequently they will spend money to procure these stimulants, which, if not thus expended, would purchase for them nourishing food, and enable them to take intervals of rest sufficient to make labour easy and life comparatively comfortable. They would, besides, by so doing, have time to associate more with their families, and to store their minds with useful knowledge, as well as enjoy immunity from the evil consequences of a habit that has led so many to shame, misery and

eternal ruin.

To be a Saint, one must be virtuous and pure; and the way to purity and virtue is not only to shun the appearance, cause and possibility of evil, but to subdue our passions, correct our errors and rise above the follies and ignorance of sinful man by the adoption of the truth as revealed in the Gospel of Jesus. That which has been the means of bringing others to ruin, though we may even think ourselves stronger than they have been, ought to be shunned by us, lest we should fall as they have done.

Men are sometimes heard to complain of poverty and "hard times," who will bow down to ask the Lord to open up their way, and bless them with means to gather, and will rise from their knees and send for a "quart of ale" for dinner, or go to a public-house and "call for a pint," or send to the tobacconist's for an ounce or two of tobacco, which is only to gratify a de

and unwholsome habit which must be got rid of by all who seek to "inherit the kingdom of Heaven." Where such things are followed up, they are, to say the least, glaring inconsistences, reprobated of God, and should be forsaken. A man who contracts a habit of drinking ale at his meals, does so at great expense; it is like money thrown away, or even worse, for it sets a bad example before his family, and creates an appetite for stimulants that is unnatural and dangerous in the extreme. When such a man goes home to Zion, he will take the appetite with him; and if he cannot get ale or beer to gratify it, he will readily seek for something stronger, which may be, perhaps, easier obtained. Thus from step to step he goes on, until the Spirit of the Lord, being grieved, leaves him entirely, when he abandons himself to his ruling propensity which leads him to apostacy and utter ruin.

As Saints, we must leave off these evils, if we are addicted to them; and if we are not, we must avoid the very possibility of becoming subject to them. As we live the Gospel in England, so shall we be most likely to live it in Zion, only as we increase in faithfulness from day to day. One who cannot refrain from evil here, cannot do so there; and such are not wanted there. But, let me ask, Who could not refrain from doing wrong if they would but exercise the abilities and powers with which they are endowed? It requires the will. Let those who wish to be Saints throw down the pipe, dash the alluring draught to the earth, close the mouth against strong (and hot) drinks and evil speaking, be moderate in temper and diet, and honest, virtuous and fearless in action. Let us shake off the iniquities of the world as we would a decayed garment, and put them under our feet, concentrating our minds and affections on the truth and our faith on God, seeking diligently and prayerfully for the Holy Spirit, and, when we emigrate, leave them in Babylon, where they belong, till the day of cleansing. Thus the pure-in-heart will be gathered, Zion will be built up, and the glory of God descend upon her to the salvation of his Saints and the confusion of the wicked.

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Among the Saints there appears to be an increasing desire to emigrate; and, perhaps, it would be well for many, if not all, to ask themselves the question, Why do I desire to emigrate? There are many reasons given by them in answer to the above question, among which are, that when they look upon the state of society which surrounds them, they see nothing desirable to associate with, outside of those who profess to be Saints. At every corner of the streets in our towns and cities, they see announcements of poisons for sale under the names of " Foreign and British spirits," "ale," "porter," &c., &c.; and they see thousands revelling in bacchanalian glee, drinking deep the intoxicating draught and wallowing in the depths of destitution and debauchery. When I see these things and witness the degradation and prostitution that walk abroad unblushing in the light of day, or perpetrate their crimes under the cover of the night, I am led to exclaim, O! modesty, where are thou fled to? O! virtue, where hast thou taken up thy abode? Again, if I consider and reason on the condition of society around me, I must admit that there are nineteen chances to one, against those who even seek to serve God here raising up a virtuous offspring in the midst of the contaminating influences they are continually exposed to.

There is another and perhaps a stronger reason why they desire to emigrate. The Lord has revealed through his servant Joseph that the nations are waxing strong in iniquity," and their cup is filled nearly to overflowing." He has also said, "After the testimonies of the Elders I will send the testimonies of wars, famine, pestilence, earthquakes, &c.;" and when they see the rapid fulfilment of the Lord's purposes upon the earth, and realize that the "nation that will not serve God shall be destroyed," they feel anxious to escape the calamities that are coming. These and many other reasons are readily given by the Saints when you ask them why they

desire to emigrate. They are true; but there are others which, perhaps, they have not properly considered. Do they desire to emancipate themselves from these lands that they may be more fully taught in the ways of the Lord? Are they willing to be used solely for the upbuilding of the kingdom of God? If these are their desires, then their motives are pure, and the God of Israel will own and bless them; but if they wish to emigrate for self-aggrandizement, or merely because they may more easily accumulate this world's goods, then they are unworthy of the name of Saints; and when they are weighed in the "balance" they will be found wanting. One who will not forsake sin and strive for a supremacy over every faculty here, will find that when he gets to Zion he will have the same things to encounter there. They who will not live their religion here, will not live it when they get to Utah simply because they have made the journey; and, if they have any other motive in view but to serve God in sincerity, they had better save their money and remain in the land of their nativity; for, when "the day cometh that burneth as an oven," they will realize that none but the "the pure-in-heart shall inherit the earth." They may rest assured of this one fact, that the greater the blessings bestowed upon them, and the more opportunities they have, if these blessings and opportunities are not appreciated and acted upon, the greater will be their condemnation. If they receive great knowledge, light and intelligence, and then turn from the truth, so much greater will be their downfall. The time has now arrived when all should see, reflect and act for themselves; and, by living up to their professions, prepare themselves for the coming of Christ, being sure to have "oil in their lamps and have them trimmed and burning," so that when the ory is heard, Lo the Bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him," they may be prepared and ready.

M. F. F.

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HISTORY OF

Leaving religion out of the case, where is the lover of his country, and his posterity, that does not condemn such an outrageous murder, and will not lend all his powers, energies and influence to bring the offenders to justice and judgment?

Every good man will do it when he remembers that these two innocent men were confined in jail for a supposed crime, deprived of any weapons to defend themselves, had the pledged faith of the State of Illinois, by Governor Ford, for their protection, and were then shot to death, while with uplifted hands they gave such signs of distress as would have con.manded the interposition and benevolence of savages or Pagans.

They were both Masons in good standing.

Ye brethren of the mystic tie,' what think ye! Where is our good Master Joseph and Hyrum? Is there a pagan, heathen or savage nation on the globe that would not be moved on this great occasion, as the trees of the forest are moved by a mighty wind? Joseph's last exclamation was, O Lord, my God.'

If one of these murderers, their abettors or accessories before or after the fact, are suffered to cumber the earth without being dealt with according to law, what is life worth, and what is the benefit of laws? and more than all, what is the use of institutions which savages would honour, where civilized beings murder without cause or provocation?

Will the Americans look over the vast concerns that must, sooner or later, touch their welfare at home and abroad, and exalt or disgrace them among the king doms of the great family of man, and learn whether anarchy, mobbery and butchery are not swiftly hurrying the constituted authorities of our country into irretrievable ruin, while the inhabitants of the land must sink into wretcheduess, bloodshed, revenge and woe?

Elder John Taylor and Dr. Willard Richards, who were in the jail at the time, innocently, as friends of these men, have only to thank God that their lives were spared.

Elder Taylor was wounded with four bullets, and a fifth ball, which, had it not been for his watch in his left vest pocket, would have passed into his vitals and destroyed his life instantly.

This memorable and very valuable

SMITH.

watch saved his life, and will remain with its hands permanently pointing to '5 o'clock, 16 minutes and 26 seconds,' as the moment when so small a machine interposed between time and eternity.

Dr. Richards was not wounded by a single ball, though one passed so near his ear as to leave a mark.

If such scenes do not awaken the best feelings of freemen for personal safety, what will? We pause! solemnly pause for the opinion of millions, because all are interested; life is the last boon, all is blank without it, death blots the rest, and where is man?

To conclude, if the good people of our common country, and our common world, do not arise with a union of feeling and energy to help to wash off the blood of these two innocent men from Hancock county, from the plighted faith of Illinois, from the boasted and wide-spreading fame of the United States, and from the dignity of our globe, then let all but the righteous be smitten with a curse; but, methinks I see a union of all honest men,' aside from religion, stand forth to magnify the law, who will never rest till justice and judgment have made the offenders, abettors and accessories, whether apostates, officers or mere men, atone for the innocent blood of Joseph and Hyrum Smith."

The following was written by the undersigned members of the Council:

"TO THE SAINTS ABROAD. Dear Brethren, - On hearing of the martyrdom of our beloved Prophet and Patriarch, you will doubtless need a word of advice and comfort, and look for it from our hands.

We would say therefore, first of all, be still and know that the Lord is God, and that he will fulfil all things in his own due time, and not one jot or tittle of all his purposes and promises shall fail.

Remember, REMEMBER that the Priesthood and the keys of power are held in eternity as well as in time, and, therefore, the servants of God who pass the veil of death are prepared to enter upon a greater and more effectual work, in the speedy accomplishment of the restoration of all things spoken of by his Holy Prophets.

Remember that all the Prophets and Saints who have existed since the world began, are engaged in this holy work, and are yet in the vineyard, as well as the

labourers of the eleventh hour, and are all pledged to establish the kingdom of God on the earth, and to give judgment unto the Saints: therefore, none can hinder the rolling on of the eternal purposes of the great Jehovah.

And we have now every reason to believe that the fulfilment of His great purposes are much nearer than we had supposed, and that not many years hence we shall see the kingdom of God coming with power and great glory to our deliver

ance.

As to our country and nation, we have more reason to weep for them than for those they have murdered, for they are destroying themselves and their institutions, and there is no remedy; and as to feelings of revenge, let them not have place for one moment in our bosoms, for God's vengeance will speedily consume to that degree that we would fain be hid away and not endure the sight.

Let us then humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, and endeavour to put away all our sins and imperfections as a people and as individuals, and to call upon the Lord with the spirit of grace and supplication, and wait patiently on him until he shall direct our way.

Let no vein and foolish plans or imaginations scatter us abroad and divide us asunder as a people, to seek to save our lives at the expense of truth and principle, but rather let us live or die together and in the enjoyment of society and union.

Therefore, we say, let us haste to fulfil the commandments which God has already given us. Yea, let us haste to build the Temple of our God, and to gather together thereunto, our silver and our gold with us, unto the name of the Lord, and then we may expect that he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths.

We would further say, that in consequence of the great rains which have deluged the western country, and, also, in consequence of persecution and excitement, there has been but little done here, either in farming or building, this season; therefore, there is but little employment and but little means of subsistence at the command of the Saints in this region; therefore, let the Saints abroad and others who feel for our calamities and wish to sustain us, come on with their money and means without delay, and purchase lots and farms, and build buildings, and employ hands, as well as to pay their Tithings into the Temple and their donations to the poor.

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ance of every lover of humanity, whether members of the Church or otherwise, both in influence and in contributions for our aid, succour and support.

Therefore, if they feel for us, now is the time to show their liberality and patriotism towards a poor and persecuted, but honest and industrious people.

Let the Elders who remain abroad continue to preach the Gospel in its purity and fulness, and to bear testimony of the truth of these things which have been revealed for the salvation of this generation.

P. P. PRATT.
WILLARD RICHARDS,
JOHN TAYLOR,
W. W. PHELPS.

Nauvoo, July 15, 1844."

Elder J. M. Grant returned to Phila

delphia. Two weeks since he left Nauvoo, and reported that all was quiet and peace in the city since the burial of the martyrs.

"A Lamentation of a Jew (Alexander Neibaur) among the afflicted and mourning sons and daughters of Zion, at the assassination of the two chieftains in Israel, Joseph and Hyrum Smith," was published in the Times and Seasons.

finished measuring the last raft of Tuesday, 16. William Clayton lumber for the Temple, from the Pineries, amounting to 87,732 feet.

The following was received by Dr. Willard Richards ::

"De Kalb, Hancock Co., Ills.,
July 1, 1844.
[In confidence.]

Dr. Richards.

Dear Sir, I hope the subject upon which this communication is written will be a sufficient apology for the privilege I have taken in addressing you, with whom I have not had the pleasure of an acquaintance.

I wish to apprize you that reports are in circulation, which no doubt are true, that the Warsaw and Green Plains mobocrats are making strong exertions to raise forces sufficient to mob and drive the people of your city from their present residences.

I think you should keep a steady lookout, for it seems that the cold-hearted murder of Generals Joseph and Hyrum Smith in Carthage Jail has not satisfied the blood-thirsty dispositions of those demons, but they desire to prosecute their wretched purposes still further.