It gives me pleasure to meet and associate with so large an assembly of the saints. I always feel at home among the brethren. I consider them the honorable of the earth; and if I can do anything to conduce to their happiness, or that will in any wise lend to their edification, I am satisfied. I therefore address this congregation with cheerfulness and pleasure; and if by unfolding any of the principles of truth that I am in possession of, or laying before you anything pertaining to the Kingdom; If my ideas will enlarge your minds or produce beneficial results to any, I shall consider myself on this, as on all other occasions amply repaid. Many things have been spoken by concerning the early history of this church. There is no individual who has searched the oracles of eternal truth, but his mind will be touched with the remarks made by our venerable friend which unfold the dispensation of Jehovah, and have a tendency to produce the most thrilling feelings in the bosoms of many who are this day present, and to promote our general edification; he traces with pleasure on the historic page the rise of Nations, Kingdoms, and empires. Historians dwell with great minuteness on the heroic deeds, the chivalrous acts, the dangers and deliverances, the tact, bravery, and heroism of their chieftains, generals and governments. We as republicans, look back to the time when this nation was under the iron rule of Great Britain, and groaned under the power, tyranny and oppression of that powerful nation. We trace with delight, the name of a [George] Washington, a [Thomas] Jefferson, a LaFayette, and an [John] Adams, in whose bosoms burnt the spark of liberty. These themes are dwelt upon with delight by our own legislators, our governors and presidents; they are subjects which fire our souls with patriotic ardor. But if these things animate them so much, how much more great, noble and exalted are the things laid before us. They were engaged in founding kingdoms and empires that were destined to dissolution and decay; and although many of them were great, formidable, and powerful, they now exist only in name. Their “cloud-capped towers, their solemn temples, are dissolved”, and nothing now remains of their former magnificence, or ancient grandeur, but a few dilapidated buildings and broken columns; a few shattered fragments remain to tell to this and to other generations, the perishable nature of earthly pomp and worldly glory.— They were engaged in founding empires and establishing Kingdoms, and power and had in them<​selves​> the seeds of destruction, and were destined to decay. We are laying the foundation of a Kingdom that shall last forever— that shall bloom in time and blossom in eternity. We are engaged in a greater work than ever occupied the attention of mortals; we live in a day that prophets and Kings desired to see, but died without the sight. When we hear the history of the rise of this Kingdom from one who has been with it from its infancy— from the lips of our venerable friend who has taken an active part in all the history of the church, can we be surprised if he should feel animated, and that his soul should burn with heavenly zeal? We see in him a man of God who can contemplate the glories of heaven— the visions of eternity, and who yet looks forward to the opening glories which the great Eloheim has manifested to him pertaining to righteousness and peace; a man who now beholds the things roll on which he has long since beheld in prophetic vision. Most men have established themselves in authority by laying desolate other Kingdoms, and the destruction of other powers. Their Kingdoms have been founded in blood, and supported by tyranny and oppression. The greatest chieftains of the earth have obtained their glory— if glory it can be called— by blood, carnage, and ruin. One nation [p. 1 [addenda]]