| 729 have accomplished their objects, and then they become "missing." It is not our wish to see the brethren cheated so barefacedly after all the persecutions we have suffered, and we once more repeat the caution, be wise and careful.
There are instances where the saints rarely see an authorized agent, in consequence of the distance from Nauvoo, or, in consequence of their residing some distance from a regularly organized branch. In such cases, when they want to send up their donations, let them do it by some man with whom they are well acquainted, and who they are well satisfied will do right, and carry their donations safe to its destination. And it would be well in all cases, where the brethren abroad send donations by authorized agents, to send a letter by mail (post paid,) to the trustees in trust, informing them of the facts, and by whom their donations were sent, &c., and a good man will not blame you for being thus careful, for the same law that guards your rights will guard his rights, and the rights of every man.
It is our intention for the future to publish the names of our agents in the "Nauvoo Neighbor" and "Times and Seasons," which we consider to be safer and better than written authority, inasmuch as the latter can be "forged," but the former can not, and the agents can carry a copy of the paper, having their authority with them wherever they go.
There is also another subject which we would touch upon in this notice. There have been instances wherein men have gone amongst the branches of the church, collecting money and agreeing to pay the same amount in labor on the Temple, which they represent will answer as good a purpose as the money. We have to say on this subject that all such transactions are regarded as fraud, and is only a more crafty way of cheating the brethren. It would be folly for us to tell a man that ten days labor on the Temple would answer the law of tithing as well as ten dollars in money, when he was possessed of one hundred dollars in money. We know better, and every faithful brother and sister in the church will know better when they understand the principles of salvation as well as old Abraham Isaac and Jacob did. For Jacob said of all thou givest me, one tenth I will give unto thee, and whoever will read the history of the ancients with care will find that the law was, that they must pay one tenth of all in its kind, whether cattle, horses, sheep, or the fruits of the field. Tis true there were laws of redemption, whereby a man might redeem "ought of his tithing" but it was so strict, that it is far easier to pay the tithing in kind rather than redeem it.
Jesus said, all who do the works of Abraham are the children of Abraham, and he (Abraham) paid tithes of all. The Savior also said to the Pharisees, "ye pay tithes of mint and annis and Cummin, but neglect the weightier matters of the law, judgement [judgment], mercy and faith These ought ye to have done, and not have left the others undone.
We make reference to these subjects that the brethren may take the hint, and think for themselves for just so sure as there are laws established from before the foundation of the world for the government of the Church of Christ just so sure will we fail of obtaining a fulness [fullness] of salvation if we do not abide by those laws. No man can obtain a celestial glory if he will not abide a celestial law, and the law of tithing is a celestial law, and always was in force where the Melchizedek Priesthood was inherited.
Why did the Savior say 'how hardly shall they that have riches enter the kingdom of heaven?' Just converse with a rich man upon the subject of tithing, and you will soon see a reason why the rich can hardly enter the kingdom of heaven. When you converse with a man who has got ten thousand dollars in money in his hands, and tell him that his tithing will be one thousand dollars in money you generally will see the force of the words of Jesus. That man would consider himself almost ruined if he should donate his one thousand dollars, whereas a man who has only ten dollars in money in the world, will come forward with cheerfulness and donate his tenth with joy. Remember the widow with her two mites.
No man or woman who really desires to see a fulness [fullness] of salvation will wish to be kept ignorant of those principles, and laws and ordinances on which his salvation depends, and consequently we are free to give a hint on the subject of tithing, not because we take it upon us to instruct the people, but because we realize in some measure the importance of it ourselves to set the saints to 'thinking for themselves' on the subject.
When the saints ask for instructions, the Twelve are the proper authorities to refer to, and they will deal it out as fast as the saints are willing to obey.
We are happy to have to say that the temple has progressed more rapidly than our most sanguine expectations could have imagined. All the capitols are on the walls, except one, which if the weather permit, will be up in a few days. The weather has been remarkably favorable and
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