| 822 see how this can be effected if the gathering has reference only to the gathering of the elect, by the angels, at the time of Christ's coming. Again I have supposed from the eighteenth chapter of Isaiah, that the land of America (or indeed some land) had something to do in bringing to the place of the name of the Lord of Hosts, the Mount Zion, a present of a people scattered and peeled, hitherto terrible from their beginning, &c. Again the manner of the gathering spoken of in the last chapter of Isaiah: the setting a sign among them, and sending those that are escaped to the nations, the bringing them an offering to the Lord, upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules and swift-footed beasts, does not look to me much like a spiritual gathering; neither does the coming of the company described by Jeremiah, chapter 31:8 and 9 verses. Neither can I see the propriety (unless it be understood literally) of the Lord sending many fishers and many hunters to hunt Israel from the holes and the rocks and so forth.
Again we learn from Isaiah 11: and Micah 7:15, and from Esdras 13:47, that when the remnant that are left of Assyria shall return, the Lord will show unto him marvellous [marvelous] things according to the days of their coming out of the land of Egypt; a highway will be prepared like as there was for Israel, and the streams will be stayed again that they may go over on dry ground.
Again another reason for supposing the Jews will be gathered previous to the coming of the Lord is the gathering of the nations against Jerusalem to battle, spoken of in the thirty-eighth and thirty-ninth chapters of Ezekiel, the third chapter of Joel, and the fourteenth of Zechariah. Again the eighth chapter of Zechariah was not fulfilled at the time of their return from Babylon; I cannot think that any will be so infirm as to lean upon their staves in the resurrection state.
I want to write more, but have not room.-My heart is with the saints; to them I am bound by the strong ties of christian love.-And that God would roll on his work, scatter light and truth among the nations of the earth, and cause error and superstition to fall, is the prayer of your unworthy sister in Christ.
PHEBE FOSTER.
COPY OF A LETTER, TO A. W. BABBITT ESQ. AT SPRINGFIELD.
Nauvoo, Jan. 30th, 1845.
Honorable Sir:
The interest that I feel in the welfare and prosperity of God's chosen people in this place, prompts me to take my pen at this crisis, and step beyond the bounds of a female accustomed to move in the humble and domestic circles of life; and address myself to the Representative of a people laden with sorrow and acquainted with grief. I claim not to be the mouth-piece of this community, for they have not appointed me that station; and therefore, I wish no one but myself, to be responsible for this communication yet, I feel myself safe in saying, that there are many bosoms in this place, burning with the same principles that recent legislative acts have kindled in my own.
I am told that a letter has just been received here from Gen. Backenstos, in which the repeal of our city charter is confirmed. There seems to be not a single doubt entertained by your friends here concerning your diligence, ability, and faithfulness in the discharge of your duty. In fact, I do not hesitate to say, that the blessings of a grateful people rest upon you both, and also upon those other honorable gentlemen who took so able a part with you in defending our rights. May heaven bless you; and when the storms of life are past, may it be our happy lot to meet in that country where tyranny and injustice are not known, and where the oppressor's arm has no power.
Had the courage of tigers armed your breasts and eloquence more lucid and burning than that which flows from an angel's tongue, escaped your lips, mingled with the sobs and tears of broken hearted widows and orphans, whose husbands and fathers have been cruelly and treacherously murdered when under the protection of a sovereign state, you could have made no more impression upon the flinty hearts of men bent on Mormon extermination, than the thunder of a '74' upon the fortress 'Gibraltar.'
I cannot find language to express the utter contempt with which I regard the pretended liberality of Mr. Anderson. He says, "If the people of Nauvoo will respectfully ask for a new charter of limited powers, I am ready to grant it." Have the people of Nauvoo ever asked a favor disrespectfully of the legislature? If they have, I have it yet to learn. But to the point: What would Mr. Anderson think of that man, whose only right was his superior strength, that should forcibly take from his pocket a doubloon which he came honorably by, and which was all he had? Would he not consider him a high-way man? But further: Suppose the robber should afterwards turn to him and say, now if you will respectfully ask me for a new coin, I will give you a penny: Would Mr. A. accept the proffered gift, or thank the robber for his liberality? I wish you would ask him.
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