| 451 your friend and brother in the Bonds of the Covenant.
William Hyde.
For the Times and Season.
Pray Without Ceasing.-St. Paul.
Dear brother in the Lord, and of the house of Israel,
Having learned from our worthy brother Hyrum Smith, that the Lord has revealed something relative to the fulness [fullness] of the priesthood, or in other words, new things relating to that sacred order, I have thought it best to omit my second No. on "Despise not prophesyings," for a little season, until I became more perfectly acquainted with the subject, it being one of such great interest to mankind: and as I have had some knowledge of the ways of the Saints, in my intercourse with them, and in as much as we have "the more sure word of prophecy" drop a few hints in the "Times and Seasons," on that all important, and often neglected service of the saints called prayer. There is a manifest lack of this solemn duty among the saints abroad, and it is not impossible, but some may forget their prayers in the season thereof, at the stakes.-
Prayer is the sacred coin of the heart which buys blessings, and should be offered freely to God twice, if not thrice, a day in public and private; at home and abroad; on the land and the sea; in sickness and in health.
If God is the same yesterday, to day and forever, what excuse can a saint offer for neglecting this everlasting duty? None: in the days of Alma, we learn from the book of Mormon, page 320' (first edition) they were to humble themselves and continue in prayer both morning, midday and evening, and cry unto the Lord for every thing; and shall the saints, now, of the last days, do less and be blessed? No! pray and live: God hears prayer.-When Daniel wished to show the world, that he worshipped a God more powerful than Nebuchadnezzar, his windows being open in his chamber towards Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees, three times a day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God; as he did aforetime: yes, as he did aforetime-and as all saints have always done to be blessed.
In the third century after Christ had perfected the salvation of man by his death and sufferings, Mosheim informs us, that "the Christians offered up their ordinary prayers at three stated times of the day, viz: at the third, the sixth, and the ninth hour, according to the custom of the Jews;" which answers to 9, 12 and 3 o'clock, as we divide time; and further, it shows the fact, that the gospel of Jesus Christ recognizes prayer as a duty in all ages.-
First among Jews and then among Gentiles; second, first among Gentiles and then among Jews. If God is God let us worship him according to his pattern. For the sake of virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, Godliness, brotherly kindness, charity, and eternal life, from henceforth, let us thank the Lord for what we enjoy, and ask him for what we need: if it is life, pray for it. If wisdom, pray for it; yea whatever thing is needed, pray for it, remembering the promise of the revelation, that, "all victory and glory is brought to pass unto you, through your diligence, faithfulness, and prayers of faith." Once for all, brethren, let us say, that there is no perfume on earth more delightful, nor no essence in heaven more precious, than the golden vials full of odours [odors], which are the prayers of the saints.
W. W. Phelps.
Copiah County, Mississippi,}
April 6, 1841.}
Dear Brethren:-
I sit down this morning to give you a brief outline of my labours [labors] for the past twelve months, which, if you should think worthy to come before the public through your Periodical, might possibly prove to be of some benefit to the cause by sending some Elders into this part of the Vineyard.
I commenced preaching in Scott co., Ill., the fore part of March 1840. My health being greatly injured by exposure in Missouri, was only able to preach a part of the time; in Scott, Morgan and Green counties, I preached until December, and baptised [baptized] 23; then, in company with Brothers R. D. Shelden and Charles Crismon, I came to this State by water. After our arrival
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