| 439 snch [such], as, he said was taught and known by the Apostles. He then pointed out, some of those glaring inconsistencies and contradictions; the fallacy and impiety of one party, presuming to arrogate a supremacy over the other, when both had fallen into the ditch and dirt of unbelief and apostacy [apostasy].
I then took occasion to refer him to the principles and doctrines as taught, in your church.
I endeavoured [endeavored] to shew [show] him, that you believed in the necessity of Divine Revelation, being continued, and of the Priesthood, being restored, as the legitimate channel, through which alone divine truth could flow, and thence as a matter of course the reasonableness, as well as the order and beauty of the same.
After thus expatiating upon the gifts and blessings enjoyed among you as a people, to which he paid the greatest attention; he then with equal sincerity and candour [candor] acknowledged he had previously only heard one side of the question, and that only of a prejudiced and unfavorable character, having only listened to the "worn out tales," of "delusion", &c.
But of the cruel, persecuting spirit, even unto the death,-with the despoiling of your lands, houses and goods, by a lawless multitude, headed by a monster in human shape, clothed with the garb of justice, in order to perpetrate his deeds of darkness with the greater malignity-of these he had not heard.
Neither had he been told, that in so free a country, so preeminently proud of her civil and religious Institutions; that she yet denied to them a redress of all their injuries and wrongs; notwithstanding the repeated appeals the prayerful petitions and remonstrances presented in her Legislative Courts and Halls of State.
These astounding facts so completely changed the current of his thought, and so satisfactorily drew him over to the cause of truth and justice, that, what with the scriptural and constitutional grounds on which you rested your claims, he was almost ready, then and there to exclaim with the Eunuch, "see! here is water, what hindereth." He then expressed a great desire to become more acquainted with your principles. wished to hear your preachers, as well as to read your publications, to which I had referred him.
He surprised me very considerably, by stating that he had never heard of any one being in that state, promulgating these things, and this brings me Sir, to ask a question.
How is this, that none of your Elders, have lifted up their voices and "made proclamation" of such glad tidings as these, in so vast a region of country as the state of Tennessee?
Surely it cannot be from a want of men, "zealous of good works?" It cannot be that we have "Cowards in our band!" Is it then, from a fear of arousing the same hell-malignant like spirit, that took possession of the blood-thirsty Missourian, personified through the Ex. Gov. Boggs, down to the mere child, at his father's hearth? Can it be possible, that such monstrous deeds, could be again acted in civilized America?
But fearful of trespassing too long,
I remain,
Dear sir,
Yours, very respectfully,
JOHN HUSBAND.
Nauvoo, Feb. 2nd, 1844.
We would state, for the information of Mr. Husband, that there has been preaching in different parts of the state of Tennessee, and several churches raised up, some of whom have emigrated to this place; probably they have not preached in the neighborhood of the gentleman's residence above referred to. The world is wide; the harvest is great, and the labourors [laborers] few-Ed.
TIMES AND SEASONS .
CITY OF NAUVOO
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1844.
WHO SHALL BE OUR NEXT PRESIDENT?
This is an enquiry [inquiry] which to us as a people, is a matter of the most paramount importance, and requires our most serious, calm, and dispassionate reflection. Executive power when correctly wielded, is a great blessing to the people of this great commonwealth, and forms one of the firmest pillars of our confederation. It watches the interests of the whole community with fatherly care; it wisely balances the other legislative powers, when overheated by party spirit, or sectional feeling; it watches with jealous care our interests and commerce with foreign nations, and gives tone and efficacy to legislative enactments. The President stands at the head of these United States, and is the mouth-piece of this vast republic. If he be a man of enlightened mind, and capacious soul-if he is a virtuous man, a statesman, a patriot, and a man of unflinching integrity; if he possess the same spirit that fired the souls of our venerable sires, who founded this great commonwealth, and wishes to promote the universal good of the whole republic, he may indeed be made a blessing to community. But if he prostrates his high and honorable
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