| 155 Notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather the house was completely filled at an early hour, and numbers were obliged to depart for want of room. The assembly were as usual addressed by elder Kimball, who, in a solemn and impressive manner, warned the young people against the evils to which they were exposed, and the temptations to which they were peculiarly subject; not only from their youth and inexperience, but also from their sanguine and excitable temperament. He exhorted them to be guided by the voice of reason and judgment, and pay strict attention to the advice and command of their parents, who being of maturer years, and a longer experience, are much better calculated to guide the pathway of youth, than they themselves. He warned them against giving heed to their passions, which he said would lead them into many snares, and difficulties. He advised them never to be too forward in company, for "a wise head keeps a silent tongue;" to be condescending to their inferiors, kind and conciliating to their equals, and deferential but not slavish to their superiors. He warned them against frequenting balls and such places, which, he said, would generally lead to many evil practices, and would draw away the mind from more innocent amusements, and from their duty to their parents. He said "he had not now, nor never had any objections to to having young people meet together in social parties, or indulging in any rational amusement: but, he strongly opposed carrying it to extremes, as it generally was." He concluded this address by exhorting them to give heed to his advice, for it was according to the Holy Scriptures, and "to live by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. The house being still too small, the next meeting was appointed at the lodge-room over President Smith's store. At the appointed time this large room was filled to overflowing, and the great number which assembled, testified to the increasing interest, in which these meetings were held by the youth of the city. Again elder Kimball addressed them and gave them such advice as would be useful to them at the present time and also in their futures lives.
At the next meeting President Smith was present and addressed the young gentlemen and ladies for some time. He expressed his gratitude to elder Kimball in the strongest terms, for having commenced and carried on in so masterly a manner the good and glorious work he had undertaken. He said it would be the means of doing a great deal of good, and of benefitting [benefiting] his young friends more than they were aware of: that the gratitude of all good men, and of the young people whom he had so much benefitted [benefited], would follow him through life; and "when gray hairs should his temples adorn," he could look back with pleasure upon the winter of 1843, when he was engaged in promoting the cause of benevolence, and prepairing [preparing[ his young friends for the glorious career which awaited them.
He said that he stood before them with more embarrassment, than he would before kings, nobles, and great men of the earth, for he knew the crimes of which they were guilty, and knew precisely how to address them; but his young friends before whom he now stood were guilty of none of these crimes, and he hardly knew what to say. He said he had never in his life seen such a large company of young people assembled together, pay such strict attention, listen with such profound silence, and keep such good order, as the assembly now before him. He praised their good conduct, and taught them how to behave in all places, explained to them their duty, and advised them to organize themselves into a society for the relief of the poor. As a commencement to their benevolent efforts, he offered a petitition [petition] from an English brother by the name of Modesley, who was lame, and who wished them to build him a house, that he might have a home among the saints: he had gathered together a few materials for this purpose, but was unable to use them; and, now, relying upon the active benevolence of the young people of Nauvoo, he sends in the petition that you may act upon it as you deem proper. He advised them to choose a committee to collect funds for this purpose, and perform this charitable work as soon as the weather became suitable.-He gave them much good advice, to guide their conduct through life and prepare them for a glorious eternity. He said he was very much pleased with the course elder Kimball had taken, and hoped he would continue his meetings and that the young people would follow his teachings.
A meeting was appointed for the young men to take these things into consideration: but owing to the appointment not being generally circulated, many of the young gentlemen were not present. The meeting was however called to order; Wm. Cutler was chosen president, and Marcellus L. Bates clerk: Andrew Cahoon, C. V. Spencer and Stephen Perry were appointed as a committee to draft a constitution for the government of the society. After hearing several speeches the meeting adjourned till the evening of the 28th of March.
At the next public meeting we were addressed by elders Kimball and Roundy, and as usual, received much good instruction. Elder Kimball advised us to choose our wisest young men, as officers of the society, and appoint a commttee [committee] to wait upon the young ladies, as well as
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