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Source: Times and Seasons Vol. 4 Chapter 5 Page: 79

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79 this church to get up meetings, at a great expense, time after time, to a people that will not hear. There is a time to do it, and a time not to do it. Now, I consider that in England and Scotland, where our brethren have labored, they have done their duty, in the midst of privation and difficulty, and the public, instead of inviting the servants of God amongst them have used all their ability to obstruct the progress of the kingdom of God, and have judged it without examination. But brethren, when you are invited, when the way is opened, then with all your might thrust in your sickle and reap; but where they will not hearken to the repeated offers of the gospel, then keep the means you would expend for yourselves-for the poor-to gather yourselves and build up Zion. There is a time to sow, and a time to forbear. This generation are not going to have the gospel as a pleasant song in their ears continually, whether they become obedient to it or not; no, brethren, we owe a duty to God, to ourselves, to the Jews, to the nations. Search out the humble in spirit and labour [labor] for them.-Though the great work, and I say it unto the elders around me, is to gather together in one, in obedience to the laws of heaven, in order that we may be clothed with power to go forth to all people, and command attention to the mighty work, and I propose to the presidents of conferences and the elders aroud [around] me, the following motion,

That we feel to encourage and second the exertions of our brethren in Zion, by every means in our power, to erect the Temple of the Lord in Nauvoo; and that the elders in every conference here pledge themselves to teach it as the duty and privilege of all Saints to assist in this glorious work,

Elder G. D. Watt seconded the motion which was carried unanimously.

It was then moved by elder Pratt, seconded by elder Ward, and carried unanimously-

That this resolution be published and sent to Nauvoo, with a request that they publish it.

The meeting was then addressed on the same subject, with much power and effect, by elders Barrett, Dunn, Watt, C. Miller, J. Goodfellow, Levi Richards, James Riley, J. Galley, A. Cordon, and W. Hulme.

The meeting was then dismissed.

Monday Morning.-The meeting being opened by singing and prayer, elder Pratt proceeded to speak on the business of the day. Truly, the Lord has been mindful of us. It has been now several months since I received any communications from America, with the exception of the "Times and Seasons" Feb. 15; but since I came here I have received three numbers of the same, by which it appears that the same spirit is deeply at work on both sides the Atlantic, on the subject of our gathering together and building up Zion. The same spirit inspiring us in temporal matters, which caused him to send out Amos Fielding, to Nauvoo, on business similar to that of elder Snider to this country, as will be perceived by the epistle of the twelve which I will read. [The epistle which we publish as our first article this month, was then read.] Elder P. then continued to address the meeting on the subject of the epistle until one o'clock, when it was closed by singing and prayer.

Afternoon.-The meeting opened at three o'clock by singing the "Spirit of God." &c. After prayer, by Elder Snow, was sung, "O Zion, when I think of thee," &c.

Elder Pratt then made some further remarks on the simultaneous teachings of the spirit in England and America, in respect to emigration.

The meeting was further addressed by elders McCann, Cottam, and Miller.

Elder Pratt then proposed the following resolution:

That the presidents and elders of the several conferences of this realm in conference assembled, hereby pledge ourselves, and agree to instruct the churches, and use our utmost endeavors to fulfil [fulfill] the objects of elder Snider's mission to this land, according to the epistle of the twelve now received.

Seconded by elder Watt, and carried unanimously.

Elder Snow then addressed the meeting, and stated the method they had adopted in the London conference of raising funds for the temple, which was by holding tea meetings, at which times any one wishing to appropriate anything to this purpose had the opportunity. Elder S. concluded his address by singing beautifully in tongues.

Several of the elders then addressed the meeting; and several spoke in tongues, and interpretations were given.

Elder Pratt cautioned the Saints against extremes, and that while we had done our duty towards those amongst whom we had labored so long, but who still would not listen, yet we were not to understand that we cease to preach to the Gentiles, but be ready to proclaim the truth with all our heart to every one that will hear. He also wished them to understand, that money or goods that may be forwarded to Nauvoo, for the Nauvoo House, will not necessarily be a gift, but that it will be appropriated by trustees, and the individuals transmitting it,

(page 79)

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