| 12 them; however, as it is not generally known, that this paper is to be published, we shall forward this number to such as we are confident feel an interest in the gathering of Israel, and the accomplishment of that glorious work which the Lord has commenced in these last days, with the expectation that they will, upon the receipt of this, forward us their names with the money, free of postage, as it will not be in our power, (notwithstanding, it would be pleasing to us, to do otherwise,) to forward any more, until remittances are made; and we earnestly hope that the saints will not think hard of us for being thus partiular [particular], as it is the only principle upon which we can sustain this publication.
-> In our next, we shall commence publishing the history of the disturbances in Missouri, in regular series.
To the elders of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, to the churches scattered abroad, and to all the saints.
We, the undersigned, feeling deeply interrested [interested] in the welfare of Zion, the up-building of the church of Christ, and the welfare of the saints in general, send unto you GREETING:-and pray, that "grace, mercy, and peace may rest upon you, from God our Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ."
But brethren, the situation of things, as they have of late existed, have been to us of a peculiar trying nature. Many of you have been driven from you homes, robbed of your possessions, and deprived of the liberty of conscience; you have been stripped of your clothing, plundering of your furniture, robbed of your horses, your cattle, your sheep, your hogs, and refused the protection of law; you have been subject to insult and abuse, from a set of lawless miscreants; you have had to endure cold, nakedness, peril, and sword; your wives and your children, have been deprived of the comforts of life; you have been subject to bonds, to imprisonment, to banishment, and many to death, "for the testimony of Jesus, and for the word of God." Many of your brethren, with those whose souls are now beneath the alter, are crying for the vengence [vengeance] of heaven to rest upon the heads of their devoted murderers, and saying, "how long O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth;" but is was said to them, "that they should rest, yet for a little season, until their fellow servants also; and their brethren, that should be killed as THEY WERE should be fulfilled." Dear brethren, we should remind you of this thing, and although you have had indignities, insults and injuries heaped upon you, till further suffering would seem to be no longer a virtue we would say, be patient, dear brethren, for as saith the apostle, "ye have need of patience, that after being tried have been tried you may inherit the promise." You have been tried in the furnace of affliction, the time to exercise patience is now come; and "we shall reap, brethren, in due time if we faint not." Do not breathe vengeance upon your oppressors, but leave the case in the hands of God, "for vengeance is mine, saith the Lord, and I will repay."
We would say to the widow, and to the orphan, to the destitute, and to the diseased, who have been made so through persecution be patient, you are not forgotten, the God of Jacob has his eye upon you, the heavens have been witness to your sufferings, and they are registered on high; angels have gazed upon the scene, and your tears, your groans, your sorrows, and anguish of heart, are had in remembrance before God; they have entered into the sympathies of that bosom, who is "touched with the feeling of our infirmities," who was "tempted in all points, like unto you;" they have entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth; be patient then, until the words of God be fulfilled, and his designs accomplished and then shall he pour out his vengeance upon the devoted heads of your murderers, and then shall they know that he is God, and that you are his people.
And we would say to all the saints who have made a covenant with the Lord by sacrifice, that inasmuch as you are faithful, you shall not lose your reward, although not numbered among those who were in the late difficulties in the west.
We swish to stimulate all the brethren to faithfulness; you have been tried,
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