| 458 much incouraged [encouraged]. He expects to send for several numbers of the Times and Seasons in a few days. I send here enclosed, by his request, three dollars for the building of the Temple; from miss Eliza Johnson, of Madison, Connecticut."
A letter from John E. Page, states that he has been "making a great many Mormons in Boston and vicinity:" that he has collected and given into the hands of Jedediah Grant, of Philadelphia, twenty one dollars and seventy five cents, to be forwarded to the temple; he speaks of elder Grant in the highest terms, as a workman that need not to be ashamed, "rightly dividing the word of truth," as a "prudent faithful man of God." We are glad to hear so good an account of our esteemed brother, and we wish him success in his labors. Elder Page has gone to Washington, where he purposes proclaiming to the rulers of our nation, the great principles of eternal truth. We are pleased to know that he has gone there, for we think that he is the very man to "counsel our counsellors [counselors], and to teach our senators wisdom." We have various other accounts which we must omit at the present time.
We feel very much obliged to those elders which we have named, and to all others who have kindly assisted us in circulating our papers. They are subserving the cause of truth: spreading intelligence, and putting people in possession of principles that will speak when they themselves, are far away.
OATH.
The Philadelphia Sun states that a man named Zimerman, residing in Huntington, in proving an arbitration with his neighbor, when affirming in relation to his account, said: "if what I have stated be not true, I hope the Almighty will send me to hell!" The words were scarcely uttered, when he fell over and expired.
PUBLIC MEETING.
The inhabitants of the city were called together last Thursday, (the 7th inst.,) by president Joseph Smith, for the purpose of giving some general instructions relative to our temporal economy, and also to enter into some general arrangements relative to the building of the Temple. There was a very large congregation assembled on the occasion, who listened with great interest to the timely and judicious remarks of the prophet, and other speakers who addressed the assembly. Appearances would indicate that there is every prospect of the Temple being enclosed this season.
THE WEATHER-Winter has gone, and we are no longer in the ice bound, frozen regions. The ice has all floated out of the river, which is fast rising; and numbers of boats have passed up and down the majestic Mississippi. The weather is getting warm, and everything bears the aspect of approaching spring.
The High Council of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, at Nauvoo, to the Saints of this Stake: . . . . . GREETING.
BELOVED BRETHREN:-Realizing as we do, the importance of the work in which we are engaged, we deem it expedient to lay before you such matters from time to time, as in our opinion, will be beneficial to the saints, and the spirit in us may seem to require. We would remind our brethren, the elders, who have at sundry times been sent forth as flaming heralds: messengers of the everlasting gospel, who proclaim a message of salvation to their fellow men, thereby gathering and bringing up to Zion the scattered elect of God, to be taught more perfectly the principles of salvation; that whilst their messages is abroad, we have had our mission to remain at Nauvoo, and to participate with the saints in the blessings of poverty, if such it may be called, amid sickness and distress, in the vexations and turmoils of the unruly and ungodly, for which no man has paid us, for days, weeks, months and years; that our time has been spent in endeavoring to settle difficulties, set in order the things needful to salvation; in trying to reconcile and cement the feelings of our brethren to each other in the spirit of the gospel, whilst at times, circumstances of a more painful nature have been presented. Individuals have been brought before us, charged with high crimes in the violation of the laws of heaven, on whom much patient exertion in the labors of love have by us been bestowed, to reclaim them from the error and evil of their doings. We regret to have it to say, that in some instances our efforts have been fruitless, for after we have found in them an obstinate and unyielding spirit to the principles of right, we have (reluctantly) been compelled to sever them from the church as withered branches. Such persons not unfrequently [infrequently] manifest their wickedness by their trifling with, and bidding defiance to all, and every good rule, regulation and law, set forth for the guidance of all saints. One singular trait of their depravity is frequently manifested by their going to some excluded elder and getting re-baptized into the church, not having first made the least satisfaction, (as was required) to such as they have injured. We have to say that baptism in such cases is not valid,
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