We have a bill before the Legislature, for the incorporation of the city of , and for the establishing of a Seminary of learning and other purposes, which I expect will pass in a short time.

You will also have received intelligence of the death of my , which event although painful to the family and to the church generally, yet the sealing testimony of the truth of the work of the Lord was indeed satisfactory. succeeds him as of the church, according to his last directions and benedictions.

Several persons of eminence and distinction in society, have joined the church and become obedient to the faith, and I am happy to inform you that the work is spreading very fast upon this continent; some of the brethren are now in , and we expect a large gathering from the South.

I have had the pleasure of welcoming about one hundred brethren who came with , the remainder I am informed stopped in , not having means to get any further. I think those that came here this fall, did not take the best possible route, or the least expensive. Most of the brethren have obtained employment of one kind or another, and appear tolerably well contented, and seem disposed to hearken to council.

Brother’s & lately had a letter from Elders , and , in , which gave us information of the commencement of the work of the Lord in the city of , which I was glad to hear I am likewise informed that Elders have gone to Australia and to the East Indias. I feel desirous that every providential opening of the kind should be filled, and that you should prior to your leaving , send the gospel into as many parts as you possibly can.

Beloved Brethren, you must be aware in some measure, of my feelings, when I contemplate the great work which is now rolling on, and the relationship which I sustain to it, while it is extending to distant lands and islands, and thousands are embracing it—I realize in some measure my responsibility and the need I have of support from above, and wisdom from on high, that I may be able to teach this people, which have now become a great people, the principles of righteousness, and lead them agreeably to the will of heaven; so, that they may be perfected, and prepared to meet the Lord Jesus Christ when he shall appear in great glory: can I rely on your prayers to our heavenly Father on my behalf, and on the prayers of all my brethren and sisters in , (whom having not seen yet I love,) that I may be enabled to escape every stratagem of satan, surmount every difficulty, and bring this people to the enjoyment of those blessings which are reserved for the righteous? I ask this at your hands in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Let the remember, that great things depend on their individual exertion, and that they are called to be coworkers with us and the holy spirit, in accomplishing the great work of the last days, and in consideration of the extent, the blessing and the glories of the same, let every selfish feeling, be not only buried, but annihilated; and let love to God and man, predominate and reign triumphant in every mind, that their hearts may become like unto Enoch’s of old, and comprehend all things, present, past and future, and come behind in no gift waiting for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The work in which we are unitedly engaged is one of no ordinary kind the enemies we have to contend against are subtle and well skilled in maneuvering it behooves us to be on the alert to concentrate our energies, and that the best feelings should exist in our midst, and then by the help of the Almighty, we shall go on from victory to victory, and from conquest to conquest, our evil passions will be subdued, our prejudices depart, we shall find no room in our bosoms for hatred, vice will hide its deformed head, and we shall stand approved in the sight of heaven and be acknowledged the sons of God. Let us realize that we are not to live to ourselves but to God, by [p. 260]