| 586 authorities of our country, into irretrievable ruin, while the inhabitants of the land must sink into wretchedness, bloodshed, revenge and wo?
Elder John Taylor, and Dr. Willard Richards who were in the jail at the time, innocently as friends of these men, have only to thank God that their lives were spared. Elder Taylor was wounded with four bullets, and a fifth ball, which had it not been for his watch in his left vest pocket, would have passed into his vitals and destroyed his life instantly. This memorable and very valuable watch saved his life, and will remain with its hands permanently pointing to "5 o'clock, 16 minutes and 26 seconds" as the moment when so small a machine interposed between time and eternity.-Dr. Richards was not wounded by a single ball, though one passed so near his ear as to leave a "mark." If such scenes do not awaken the best feelings of freemen for personal safety, what will? we solemnly pause for the opinion of millions, because all are interested: life is the last boon-all is blank without it, death blots the rest-and where is man?
To conclude, if the good people of our common country, and our common world, do not arise with a union of feeling and energy to help wash off the blood of these two innocent men, from Hancock county: from the plighted faith of Illinois: from the boasted and wide spreading fame of the United States, and from the dignity of our globe; then let all but the righteous be smitten with a curse:-but me-thinks I see a "union of all honest men", aside from religion, stand forth to magnify the law, who will never rest till justice and judgement [judgment] have made the offenders, abettors and accesories [accessories], whether apostates, officers, or mere men, atone for the innocent blood of Joseph and Hyrum Smith.
TO THE SAINTS ABROAD.
Dear Brethren;
On hearing of the Martyrdom of our beloved prophet and patriarch, you will doubtless need a world of advice and comfort, and look for it from our hands. We would say, therefore, first of all, be still and know that the Lord is God; and that he will fulfill all things in his own due time; and not one jot or tittle of all his purposes and promises shall fail. Remember, REMEMBER that the priesthood, and the keys of power are held in eternity as well as in time; and, therefore, the servants of God who pass the veil of death are prepared to enter and more effectuul [effectual] work, in the speedy accomplishment of the restoration of all things spoken of by his holy prophets.
Remember that all the prophets and saints who have existed since the world began, are engaged in this holy work, and are yet in the vineyard, as well as the laborers of the eleventh hour: and are all pledged to establish the kingdom of God on earth, and to give judgement [judgment] unto the saints; therefore, none can hinder the rolling on of the eternal purposes of the Great Jehovah. And we have now every reason to believe that the fulfilment [fulfillment] of his great purposes are much nearer than we had supposed, and that not many years hence, we shall see the kingdom of God, coming with power and great glory to our deliverance.
As to our country and nation, we have more reason to weep for them, than for those that they have murdered; for they are destroying themselves and their institutions and there is no remedy: and as to feelings of revenge, let them not have place for one moment in our bosoms, for God's vengeance will speedily consume to that degree that we would fain be hid away and not endure the sight.
Let us then humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, and endeavor to put away all our sins and imperfections as a people; and as individuals, and to call upon the Lord with the spirit of grace and supplication; and wait patiently on him, until he shall direct our way.
Let no vain and foolish plans, or imaginations scatter us abroad, and divide us asunder as a people, to seek to save our lives at the expense of truth and principle, but rather let us live or die together and in the enjoyment of society and union. Therefore, we say, let us haste to fulfill the commandments which God has already given us. Yea, let us haste to build the Temple of our God, and to GATHER together thereunto, our silver and our gold with us, unto the name of the Lord; and then we may expect that he will teach us of his ways and we will walk in his paths.
We would further say, that in consequence of the great rains which have deluged the western country, and also in consequence of persecution and excitement, there has been but little done here, either in farming or building this season; therefore there is but little employment, and but little means of subsistence at the command of the saints in this region-therefore, let the saints abroad, and others who feel for our calamities and wish to sustain us, come on with their money and means without delay, and purchase lots and farms, and build buildings, and employ hands, as well as to pay
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