| 361 rules the armies of heaven, and holds the destinies of the nations of the earth, until their blood is avenged, and what the nation will not do, God himself will perfect. The time has now come when the travelling [traveling] elders and presidents of all the churches abroad in the vineyard, and also private members, can do much good, not only in circulating our papers among the saints, but all good and honorable men.-Things are about to transpire, appeals are about to be made through the channel of the press, that we want all to hear and to feel; and let not the sound thereof enter the ear and die away like the sound in the distance, but let it be written as with an iron pen upon the tablets of your hearts, and a record of the same be carefully preserved in your houses for your children and your children's children, unto the latest generation, that they may learn the history of the persecution of the saints, the rise and progress of the church, and the deeds of their fathers. I would to God that not only every family of saints in Nauvoo, but throughout the world, would carefully peruse and preserve a copy of each volume of the Times and Seasons, as they are issued form the press, not only for their present benefit, but as a future history, and I hope and trust, from this time forth, all the elders abroad will be awake to this subject, and sustain, support, and uphold that organ that will maintain your rights, and the rights of all the persecuted and oppressed.-While on my mission in the east, in company with the quorum of the Twelve, I devoted a portion of my time for the cause of the press, and was sorry to find any indifference manifested among the saints about taking or circulating the periodicals published in Nauvoo, while other papers were liberally supported; for I deem it to be of great importance to the churches abroad to have the privilege of receiving instruction from the Presidency of the church while separate from them, or before they have an opportunity of assembling here.-An account of the travels of the quorum of the Twelve during the past season, or minutes of the conferences which they held have not as yet been published, but probably something upon this subject will appear soon, in future numbers of the Times and Seasons. The present volume will soon close, and many things of interest to the saints will no doubt follow in the next volume, and it is desired that those who wish to contribute their papers will forward their subscriptions as early as possible, that they may commence at the beginning of the volume.
May the Lord inspire the hearts of all the saints to labor while the day lasts, and do good while they have an opportunity, lest night come when no man can work.
W. WOODRUFF.
COMMUNICATIONS.
[For the Times and Seasons.]
BAPTISM-THE MODE OF ITS ADMINISTRATION-ITS EFFICACY-DR. MOSHIEM-STATE OF THE RELIGIOUS WORLD-THE APOSTACY [APOSTASY], &c., &c.
(Concluded.)
BROTHER TAYLOR:-
But these things were clearly predicted by the prophets, and their downfall foretold Isaiah, XLII: 17; 'They shall be turned back, they shall be greatly ashamed, that trust in graven images, that say to the molten images, ye are our gods.' When we see the graven statues of Virgin Mary, and even that of the Savior, St. Paul, &c., adorning the churches of all who are able to procure them, we think of this passage of scripture. When we enter into these churches, and behold these images, golden vaces [vases], &c., it brings to our mind the time that 'Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money-changers, and the seats of them that sold doves; and would not suffer that any man should carry any vessels through the temple.' St. Mark, XI: 15, 16. He could do the same things at the present day, with great propriety. Speaking of the fall of this worldly pride the prophet says: Isaiah, III: 16-26; 'Moreover, the Lord saith, because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet; therefore the Lord will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and the Lord will discover their secret parts. In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of their tinkling ornaments about their feet, and their calls, and their round tires like the moon, the chains, and the bracelets, and the mufflers; the bonnets and the ornaments of the legs, and the head-bands, and the tablets, and the ear-rings; the rings, and nose jewels; the changeable suits of apparel, and the mantles, and the wimples, and the crisping-pins; the glasses, and the fine linen, and the hoods, and the vails [veils]; and it shall come to pass that instead of a sweet smell there shall be stink; and instead of a girdle, a rent; and instead of well set hair, baldness; and instead of a stomacher, a girding of sackcloth; and burning instead of beauty. Thy men shall fall by the sword, and thy mighty in the war. And her gates shall lament and mourn; and she being desolate, shall sit upon the ground.' How correctly
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