“I mourn for the depravity of the world, I despise the hypocrisy of christendom, I hate the imbecility of American statesmen, I detest the shrinkage of candidates for office from pledges and responsibility; I long for a day of righteousness, when ‘he whose right it is to reign shall judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth’, and I pray God who hath given our fathers a promise of a perfect government in the last days, to purify the hearts of the people and hasten the welcome day.

“With the highest consideration for virtue and unadulterated freedom,

“We take pleasure in announcing to the saints abroad that continues to flourish, and the little one has become a thousand. Quite a number of splendid houses are being erected, and the is rapidly progressing, insomuch that there is one universal expectation, that before next winter closes in upon us the top-stone will have been raised, and the building inclosed.

“The saints continue to flock together from all parts of this wide-spread continent, and from the islands of the sea. Three ships’ com[HC 6:377]panies have arrived this spring from , and are now rejoicing in the truths of the everlasting gospel. The prophet is in good health and spirits, and unwearied in his anxiety and labors to instruct the saints in the things of God, and the mysteries of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. Indeed, we may truly say that those who came to scoff remain to pray. Many have come here filled with prejudice and strange anticipations, but have been convinced that report is false with her thousand tongues, and have almost invariably left a testimony behind them. Instead of finding Mr. Smith the cunning, crafty, and illiterate character that he has been represented to be, they have found in him the gentleman and scholar; frank, open, generous, and brave. But it is his immediate connexions and associates alone that can appreciate his virtues and his talents. While his face is set as a flint against iniquity from every quarter,—— the cries of the oppressed ever reach his heart, and his hand is ever ready to alleviate the sufferings of the needy.

“A few artless villains can always be found who are watching for his downfall or death; but the Lord has generally caused them to fall into their own pit, and no weapon [p. 33]