| 676 that list until the receipts are presented for record.
Now inasmuch as the "books will be opened" as evidence of our faithfulness in the day of the Lord and not "the receipts," we would advise all to bring their receipts as early as possible and have them duly recorded, that their names may be found amongst the number of the faithful in that book which will bear testimony as to our faithfulness in attending to the law of tithing and consecration.
Some have supposed that we entered all tithings on the record whether receipts were given or not, but this is a mistake, because that would virtually be giving credit twice over for the same property. Bring on your receipts brethren and sisters, and if you cannot bring them, send by some one whom you can trust, that all your consecrations may be recorded in proper order, for it is necessary that there should be order in this business as well as all others, inasmuch as the house of God is a house of order and not of confusion.
The temple is progressing finely and the brethren and sisters (for they are not the last in regard to diligence and perseverance to build the temple) use all due diligence to roll on the work. The blessing of God is with our efforts and after having suffered a little more tribulation and toil, we shall behold the "top stone" carried up and put in its place with joy and gladness, and then we will receive those blessings and endowments which are held in reserve to be put upon the faithful, when the house of God is completed.
Let us increase our efforts and live up to the law of tithing and consecration and at the same time not forget to keep all the commandments of God, lest it be said to us, "these ought ye to have done and not have left the other undone."
In haste I have the honor to be your faithful and devoted servant, and brother in the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
WM. CLAYTON,
Nauvoo, Oct. 13, 1844. Temple Recorder.
From the New York Express.
RESTORATION OF THE JEWS.
There is at this time a singular and exciting movement among the Jews of Europe in relation to their restoration. Great divisions have taken place in Frankford [Frankfort] and other cities, among congregations, on the subject of reforms, repudiating great portions of the laws of the Rabbinists and Talmudists, and conforming in a measure to the spirit of the times and march of improvement; and the same time, the severe oppressions of Russia towards this ancient people, carried out through the influence of that power in several of the German principalities, seem to precede some important advent, which at this moment keeps them in great excitement. Those who have means, and instigated by pious zeal, believe the period at hand when they are to return to Zion, are wending their way down the Danube and Dniester, towards Jerusalem and the arrivals at the Holy City are so numerous that accomodations [accommodations] are difficult to be obtained, and a large caravansera, we understand, is in the progress of erection, to accomodate [accommodate] several hundred.-Many are residing at Beyroot [Beirut], Jaffa, Hibren [Hebron?]; and the surrounding villages; the Jewish population of Jerusalem, not generally exceeding 5000, it is supposed has increased to 40,000, at the present time. The persecutions of Russia have induced the Divan to extend every protection and facility to the Jews, who number 100,000 at Constantinople, and the Sultan, by this stroke of policy, has drawn round him many of the powerful bankers of that nation. A sanhedrim [sanhedrin] of the learned men of the nation, it is said, will be held at Jerusalem, to discuss all the proposed reforms in the religion which do not reach any of the cardinal principals, but the mere ceremonials of that faith. The Jews have another great friend in Ibraham Pacha, the new Viceroy of Egypt, who was their great protector while in command of Syria. Great results in the fulfilment [fulfillment] of the prophecies, are shadowed forth in these movements, in the mean time the European Jews are becoming hard students, and striking out boldly in the paths of science, cultivating literature and the arts, and preparing themselves in many respects, to acquire a claim on the good feelings and protecting influence of the Christian powers. The Jewish periodical press is constantly receiving additions to its number, among which we notice, "The Chronica Israelita," at Gibraltar, "The first fruits of the West," at Jamaica, "The Sydney Voice of Jacob," at Australia, and upwards of twenty periodicals devoted to the literature and religion of the Jews. They are also cultivating the arts to a considerable extent. In the "Exposition de L'Industrie," at Paris, we find a long list of Jewish artisans, including several successfully productions, for which they have received medals. Among them we notice annimometers [anemometers], hydrometers, and horological tools, locks, oil cloths, bronzed quill pens, fine cloths, carpets, and hangings, fire arms, morocco leathers, cashmeres, goldsmith's work, seraphines, printing ink, sealing wax, &c., &c.
At Frankfort, accepting bills of exchange on the Sabbath was always dispensed with, but the
(page 676) |
