gather up all jewels among the Jews besides. Who is sufficient for these things? "As agents for the church abroad, and as coworkers with yourself, in spreading this kingdom to the remotest corners of the earth, are we at liberty to translate and publish any works that we may think necessary, or that the circumstances in which we are placed seem to require, whether original or works published by the church? If we are not at liberty to take this wide range, please tell us how far we may go. "We are setting this great work before the people as an inducement to them to help us. If we are setting our standari too high, a word from you will bring it down. We have held a two-days' meeting in this place; but in consequence of continual rains, which swelled the creeks so high, the people could not get to us. The meeting was four miles from Columbus; one only baptized. "We have now an opportunity to ride as far east as Indiana, beyond the metropolis, and have the privilege to stop and preach by the way. Will you write to us at Cincinnati, and much oblige, South Your brethren in the kingdom of God, "ORSON HYDE. -Millennial Star, vol. 17, pp. 744, 745. Sometime previous to this date a young man by the name of William Barrett was ordained an elder in England and sent to South Australia. On July 15, 1840, he wrote as follows from Deptford, England: Australia. "Dear Brother in Christ:-I write to inform you of my arrival in the metropolis this morning, after a tedious journey in the midst of much profaneness and swearing, such as I never heard in my life before. I feel, as the apostle expresses it, like a lamb among wolves, going into a land of strangers to preach the gospel; therefore I desire your prayers in my behalf. I have witnessed much of the Spirit of revelation since Sunday; in fact I only thought it a mere thought when the elders testified that they were called by revelation; but now I know the truth of the assertion, which proves to me who ought to preach, and that none ought without they are called by revelation. "Give my love to all the saints, and tell them that as many as remain faithful I will meet them at Zion, bringing my sheaves with me. Tell them my faith is fixed, and my resolution is strong to meet you all there, whom I love in the Lord. Pray that a door may be opened, and a gift of utterance may be given unto me in a foreign land to preach the gospel. Brethren, sorrow not for me, as those that have no hope, for we have a hope of living and eating together in the kingdom of our God."- Millennial Star, vol. 18, p. 84. CHAPTER 23. 1841. FAIR PROSPECTS - GENERAL PROCLAMATION-REVELATION-TRUSTEE IN TRUST-THREATS OF VIOLENCE-ELECTION-MILITARY ORGANIZATION-HYDE SAILS-NAUVOO HOUSE-TOLERATION— AGRICULTURE AND MANUFACTURING ASSOCIATION—AARONIC PRIESTHOOD ORGANIZED TEMPLE CORNER STONE LAID ANNUAL CONFERENCE ENGLISH CONFERENCE POLITICAL GREAT SUCCESS KIRTLAND CONFERENCE TWELVE ARRIVE THE year 1841 opened with fair prospects at home and abroad. Nauvoo had just been favored with a charter granting extraordinary privileges. Every where Fair prospects. throughout the States and Canada the ministry were finding willing ears to hear the message, and multitudes were becoming obedient. Nauvoo was growing as if by magic, numbering already some three thousand inhabitants. England, Wales, and Scotland had heard the sound and were responding with unexampled enthusiasm and zeal; especially was this true of England. Under these circumstances, having just emerged from the dark cloud of Missouri's oppression, it was but natural that they should feel glad, and thankfully rejoice. Yes, it may be that some of them had then to an extent become arrogant, proud, and boastful, neglecting to be as humble and devoted as they were under more adverse circumstances; and it may be, too, that this proud spirit increased as their prosperity increased. If so, it was but the outcropping of nature and what might reasonably be expected of any community similarly situated; but that they will compare favorably with any other people in similar conditions of which history speaks, must be conceded. This will be apparent to a close and fair investigator. On January 15, 1841, the First Presidency made a gen General eral proclamation to the saints. In this proclamation is found the avowed purpose of the church upon proclamation. some points of special interest, among them the object in obtaining the charters above-mentioned.1 1 We would likewise make mention of the legislature of this State, who, without respect of parties, without reluctance, freely, openly, boldly, and nobly have come forth to our assistance, owned us as citizens and friends, and took us by the hand and extended to us all the blessings of civil, political, and religious liberty, by granting us, under date of December 16, 1840, one of the most liberal charters, with the most plenary powers, ever conferred by a legislative assembly on free citizens, for the "City of Nauvoo," the "Nauvoo Legion," and the "University of the City of Nauvoo." The first of these charters (that for the "City of Nauvoo') secures to us in all time to come, irrevocably, all those great blessings of civil liberty which of right appertain to all the free citizens of a great civilized republic-'tis all we ever claimed. What a contrast does the proceedings of the legislature of this State present when compared with those of Missouri, whose bigotry, jealousy, and superstition prevailed to such an extent as to deny us our liberty and our sacred rights. Illinois has set a glorious example to the whole United States and to the world at large, and has nobly carried out the principles of her Constitution and the Constitution of these United States, and while she requires of us implicit obedience to the laws, (which we hope ever to see observed,) she affords us the protection of law-the security of life, liberty, and the peaceable pursuit of happiness. The name of our city (Nauvoo) is of Hebrew origin, and signifies a beautiful situation or place, carrying with it also the idea of rest; and is truly descriptive of this most delightful situation. It is situated on the eastern bank of the Mississippi River, at the head of the Des Moines Rapids, in Hancock County; bounded on the east by an extensive prairie of surpassing beauty, and on the north, west, and south, by the Mississippi. This place has been objected to by some on account of the sickness which has prevailed in the summer months, but it is the opinion of Dr. Bennett, a physician of great experience and medical knowledge, that Hancock County and all the eastern and southern portions of the City of Nauvoo are as healthy as any other portions of the western country (or the world, to acclimated citizens), whilst the northwestern portion of the city has experienced much affliction from ague and fever, which, however, he thinks can easily be remedied by draining the sloughs on the adjacent islands in the Mississippi. The population of our city is increasing with unparalleled rapidity, numbering more than three thousand inhabitants. Every facility is afforded in the city and adjacent country, in Hancock County, for the successful prosecution of the mechanical arts and the pleasing pursuits of agriculture. The waters of the Mississippi can be successfully used for manufacturing purposes to an almost unlimited extent. Having been instrumental in the hands of our heavenly Father in laying a foundation for the gathering of Zion, we would say, Let all those who appreciate the blessings of the gospel and realize the importance of obeying the commandments of heaven, who have been blessed of heaven with the possession of this world's goods, first prepare for the general gathering. Let them dispose of their effects as fast as circumstances will possibly admit, without making too great sacrifices, and remove to our city and county-establish and build up manufactories in the city, purchase and cultivate farms in the county. This will secure our perma nent inheritance, and prepare the way for the gathering of the poor. This is agreeable to the order of heaven, and the only principle on which the gathering can be effected. Let the rich, then, and all who can assist in establishing this place, make every preparation to come on without delay, and strengthen our hands, and assist in promoting the happiness of the saints. This cannot be too forcibly impressed on the minds of all; and the elders are hereby instructed to proclaim this word in all places where the saints reside, in their public administrations, for this is according to the instructions we have received from the Lord. The temple of the Lord is in progress of erection here, where the saints will come to worship the God of their fathers, according to the order of his house and the powers of the holy priesthood, and will be so constructed as to enable all the functions of the priesthood to be duly exercised, and where instructions from the Most High will be received, and from this place go forth to distant lands. Let us then concentrate all our powers, under the provisions of our magna charta granted by the Illinois legislature, at the "City of Nauvoo," and surrounding country, and strive to emulate the actions of the ancient covenant fathers and patriarchs, in those things, which are of such vast importance to this and every succeeding generation. The "Nauvoo Legion" embraces all our military power, and will enable us to perform our military duty by ourselves, and thus afford us the power and privilege of avoiding one of the most fruitful sources of strife, oppression, and collision with the world. It will enable us to show our attachment to the State and nation as a people, whenever the public service requires our aid, thus proving ourselves obedient to the paramount laws of the land, and ready at all times to sustain and execute them. The "University of the City of Nauvoo" will enable us to teach our children wisdom-to instruct them in all knowledge and learning, in the arts, sciences, and learned professions. We hope to make this institution one of the great lights of the world, and by and through it to diffuse that kind of knowledge which will be of practical utility and for the public good, and also for private and individual happiness. The regents of the university will take the general supervision of all matters appertaining to education, from common schools up to the highest branches of a most liberal collegiate course. They will establish a regular system of education, and hand over the pupil from teacher to professor, until the regular gradation is consummated and the education finished. This corporation contains all the powers and prerogatives of any other college or university in this State. The charters for the university and legion are addenda to the city charter, making the whole perfect and complete. ... Dr. Isaac Galland, also, who is one of our benefactors, having under his control a large quantity of land in the immediate vicinity of our city, and a considerable portion of the city plot,opened both his heart and his hands, and when we were strangers took us in," and bade us welcome to share with him in his abundance; leaving his dwelling house, the most splendid edifice in the vicinity, for our accommodation, and betook himself to a small, uncomfortable dwelling. He sold us his large estates on very reasonable terms and on long credit, so that we might have an opportunity of paying for them without being distressed, and has since taken our lands in Missouri in payment for the whole amount, and has given us a clear and indisputable title for the same. And in addition to the first purchase, we have exchanged lands with him in Missouri to the amount of eighty thousand dollars. He is the honored instrument the Lord used to prepare a home for us, when we were driven from our inheritances, having given him control of vast |