| 447 brother Raney's friends, in McNary Co., and combated the priests there, with good success. We returned back to the Point the last of August. After a few days, brother Raney left me and started for Nauvoo. I then enlarged my borders and formed a circuit including a part of five counties in Tennessee, and preached in thirty places. After breaking down abundance of prejudice, by confounding the opposers of truth, and proving to the satisfaction of all present, (in a debate with a Campbelite preacher) that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God, and the perpetuation of the gifts, &c., the honest in heart began to obey the gospel ordinances. I had large and attentive congregations, many believing; and more calls for preaching than I could fill. I organized five branches, ordained one elder and three teachers, the whole number of members is sixty-five. I baptized but thirty-five this mission, the rest were baptized during a previous mission, in the winter of 1842. The work of the Lord is gaining in the south very fast: may it continue until the honest in heart are all gathered out of Babylon; Zion built up, and the saints endowed with the blessings of the gospel, which is the power of God unto salvation.
I remain as ever, your affectionate brother in the new covenant,
Z. D. Wilson.
POETRY.
For the Times and Seasons
FAREWELL TO NAUVOO.
Fair the city of the saints! my heart to thee Wisdom and knowledge that will not decay;
Will often turn with sadness and regret, Light and intelligence that will impart
When far away my dwelling place shall be, New glory to the beauties of creation,
For there are scenes I never can forget, Filling the mind with wondering admiration.
Connected with the memory of Nauvoo;
Scenes which my heart will often dwell upon. O! I have listened with suspended breath
And memory to her station ever true To hear words of wisdom as they fell
Will bring them back to me when I am gone, From lips inspired, and felt that life nor death,
These scenes with mournful pleasure recollected Nor all the powers combined of earth and hell
In memory's glass will often be reflected. Could never force my heart to turn aside
From principles so holy and sublime.
Though the obliterating hand of time Truth be my only creed, and God my guide,
Has from the mind a thousand things effaced, And I shall safely pass the storms of time,
Yet principles eternal and sublime, And gain at last a high and holy station,
When once imprinted cannot be erased. Among the ransomed in the new creation.
These principles have now become to me
Part of myself-A portion of my mind, Farewell, Nauvoo! I must again return
And I must lose my own identity Back to my gentile bondage as before,
Before such principles can be resigned. But oftentimes my heart will sadly yearn
When once received, in spite of all resistance, To hold communion with the saints once more
They form the essence of the soul's existence. How I shall long the prophet's voice to hear-
The words of wisdom flowing from his tongue
Fair city of the saints! I love thee well; Truths most sublime are made so plain and clear
To me thy memory will be ever dear. That oftentimes enchanted I have hung
I would to God I could forever dwell Upon his words, which forced the exclamation-
Amidst thy pleasant scenes where I could hear These surely are the words of inspiration!
The words of inspiration every day, L........S.........
And hourly treasure up within my heart
THE TIMES AND SEASONS.
Is 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.
EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR-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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