| 402 them, and finally challenged any of them to meet me before the public and prove the Book of Mormon, and my doctrine false if they could, but this they were afraid to do and gave up the contest. I see sir, more clearly every day the impossibility of overturning the principles of truth by any of the foolish dogmas or lame reasoning of this present generation, and how should they? for God has revealed it, and his arm supports it. I went to a country place on the Island and sat down in the chimney corner, and talked to a few neighbors, who came in, and baptized 8 and confirmed them the same night before I left them, nor would they wait until the morning. I sent you several papers which no doubt you will have received, I staid [stayed] between two and three months in the Island, Elder Blakesly has been laboring there since I left, now he is gone to New York, and one of our Liverpool brethren is there. There is about 70 baptized and the work is still progressing there is another place in the neighborhood of Liverpool, a branch of this place, where there is 30 members. The numbers in this neighborhood that I have had a hand in, are as follows:
Liverpool 160. Isle of Man 70.
Ireland about 25 Howarden 30.
I mention this to show that I have not labored in vain, but that God has in some measure blessed my feeble labors.
The work in this country is beginning to attract more general notice, and to assume a more formidable and respectable appearance in Manchester, Liverpool, and also in the Isle of Man, we have the largest Hall in this place, and men of respectability and influence begin to look at it: it has for some time been almost exclusively confined to the lowest grade of society, particularly in the manifactory [manufacturing] districts, but I think the time is not far distant when the trumpet will sound loudly through all parts of this land and all classes will hear it.
You will probably be made acquainted with our attentions of visiting America this next Spring we propose holding a general conference and setting in order the affairs of the church, and then taking our departure some time in the middle of April. Elder P. P. Pratt however purposes staying. We have no intelligence yet of Elders Hyde and Page, nor any of the Seventies arrived but three, two of which have returned. (Elders Winchester and Blakesley) Elder Burnham will stay for some time. It would be well if more of them were here, if they were good men, and men of intelligence. Elder Snow is in London, from whence elders Kimball, and Woodruff have started, Elder Levi Richards continues, he is I think in, or near Birmingham. Elder Hadlock will return with us. About 330 saints started from here about 3 weeks ago, upwards of 200, by Elder Clark, Ship "Sheffield." Captain Porter, via New Orleans, the remainder on Ship "Echo." Captain Wood, also for New Orleans. A small company, expect to start the same route, perhaps 50, to sail on the 12th, of this month on the "Ulesto," perhaps you may get this before any of them arrive, as it goes to-morrow per Steam Packet. I nave not room for politics, in fact there is nothing particular at present. The Egyptian affair is settled, France is coming to her reason again, and I do not think that America and England will go to war about McLeod, the sitting of the Syrian question has of course opened a way for the Jews. How the affairs of China will terminate is yet, I believe a little uncertain.
As ever your in the
bonds of the
Everlasting Covenant,
John Taylor.
To President Joseph Smith.
Times and Seasons.
City of Nauvoo.
Saturday, May 1, 1842.
New Arrangement-It is with much pleasure that I have to announce to the patrons of the "Times and Seasons," the very desirable consociation of Bro. R. B. Thompson with myself in the editorial department. A multiplicity of cares together with some bodily affliction, has rendered some such arrangement necessary on my part, in order that our paper may continue to merit the respectable standing which it has in some measure hitherto sustained. In selecting Bro. Thompson as an associate, regard was had to his talents as a scholar, to his wisdom as a man of extensive acquaintance with business, to his candor, prudence, and skill in composing, selecting, and compiling, as also his connexion [connection] with the first Presidency of the church; he being the clerk of the church, and consequently having a better acquaintance with the subjects, doctrines, &c., which comes before them, than any other person. To those acquainted with him, commendation is unnecessary; and I have no doubt he will meet with a favorable reception in coming before the patrons of our paper.
We shall spare no pains to make our paper a true mirror of the times, and a correct index of the seasons; introducing from time to time such improvements in its typographical execution and collation of matter, as may be suggested by our united judgments; that in all things we may not be, in this matter, behind the age in which we are called to act.
We confidently expect that this arrangement will meet the best wishes of our patrons, and we earnestly hope our agents will use their influence to forward
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