| 351 they may learn his will, receive blessings at his hands, and escape the consequences of the fury that shall be poured out upon the nations.
And while we bear this testimony, how many who may read these reflections will find the spirit within them bearing witness to the truth of these things, and feel its prompting influence bidding them arise and flee while the path is open, and hasten to assist in the building up of Zion, and in the establishment of that kingdom which shall never come to an end; but which, arising on earth, shall continue under the blessing of God to increase in glory and power, until clothed upon by the radiance of heaven, its citizens shall be fitted to blend in harmony with the sons of light, in that glorious gathering of all things both in heaven and on earth, that shall be realized in the dispensation of the fulness [fullness] of times.
Then away to the west, the glorious west,
The land which the Lord hath greatly blest;
Where the soil hath rested for ages past,
To make a rich home for the Saints at last.
Milford, Iroquois County, Indiana,}
September 22, 1843.}
BROTHER TAYLOR:-
Dear Sir-We started on our mission to the State of New York, according to appointment, on the 30th day of May. We arrived in this place on the 15th day of June, and preached once.
The people wishing to hear farther, we stopped and commenced laboring here and in the vicinity, until the Lord, through our instrumentality, caused a few individuals to see the error of their ways, and embrace the truth.
Thus we succeeded, with the assistance of brothers Tate and Monroe, for a short time, in organizing a small branch of the church, in this place, called the Milford Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, consisting of twelve members, one elder, and one priest.
Travelling [traveling] elders are requested to call and instruct them farther in the things of the kingdom.
Yours, in the bonds of the new and everlasting covenant,
NORMAN B. SHEARER.
MARCELLUS L. BATES.
THE JEWS IN THE UNITED STATES.-The Saint Louis Organ says: 'As the number of Jews is greatly increasing in our midst, it may not be altogether uninteresting to learn something concerning their number. The greatest concentration of Jews exists in the Russian dominions, where, according to the latest estimate, they amount to 1,700,000, about one fourth of the Jewish population of the whole world; in France there are 115,000; in Great Britain 30,000, two thirds of which are found in London. The number of Jews in the Holy Land amounts to 40,000. The Jews in this country are estimated at 50,000, the great mass of which may be found in the Atlantic cities. There are six synagogues in New York, three in Philadelphia, and others in Charlestown, Baltimore and Savannah. In Cincinnati the Jewish population is very numerous, so also in Cleveland, where there are two synagogues. Germany and Poland are the countries which exercise the influence over the development of the religious views of the Jews of the present day.
THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES.
(FROM THE WARDER.)
The days of old were days of might, A blight hath pass'd upon the church,
In forms of greatness moulded; Her summer hath departed;
And flowers of heaven grew on the earth, The chill of age is on her sons,
Within the church unfolded. The cold and fearful-hearted.
For grace fell fast as summer's dew, And sad amid neglect and scorn,
And Saints to giant's stature grew. Our mother sits and weeps forlorn.
But one by one the gifts are gone, Narrow and narrower still, each year
That in the church resided; The holy circle groweth;
And gone the spirits living light, And what the end of all shall be,
That on her walls abided: Nor man nor angel knoweth.
When by our shrines he came to dwell And so we wait and watch in fear,
In power and presence visible. It may be that the Lord is near.
The Times and Seasons, is edited by JOHN TAYLOR. Printed and published about the first and fifteenth of every month, on the corner of Water and Bain Streets, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, by JOHN TAYLOR AND WILFORD WOODRUFF.
TERMS.-TWO DOLLARS per annum, payable in all cases in advance. Any person procuring five new subscribers, and forwarding us Ten Dollars current money, shall receive one volume gratis. All letters must be addressed to John Taylor, editor, POST PAID, or they will not receive attention.
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