| 606 time the institution will prosper abundantly.
Now as to the morality of the people here:-there are some that may be some what unruly, as may be expected; but you know that if you should throw cold water into melted iron the scene would be terrific, because the contrast would be so great: so it is with the saints; if a small portion of wickedness happens among them, the contrast between the spirit of Christ and that of Darkness is so great, that it makes a great upstir and tremendous excitement: this is the case here; but in other communities the same amount of crimes would hardly be noticed. As for mobs: there is not one hundredth part as much said about here, as there is at a distance. If the state of Ill. should suffer a mob to drive us from this place, it would be like a man cutting off his nose to spite his face; for it must be admitted that the taxes collected from this people make a great addition to the state revenue and will still increase. There are no signs of a mob here, after all the noise about it in the east. In short the saints here are prospering in every thing beyond my expectations, and Nauvoo is the most beautiful place for a city that I ever saw.
I think you will change your mind after reading this, and request me to write you a short letter next time. May the Lord prosper you. Yours &c.,
B. WINCHESTER.
POETRY.
[For the Times and Seasons]
THE TRANSFORMATION;
or
THE TOOL AND THE GEM.
Dedicated to the Students of the Nauvoo University; under the tuition of
Elder O. Pratt.
BY MISS E. R. SNOW,
I saw a thing of rudest form, Its lustre [luster] kindled to a blaze-
From mountains' base brought forth- 'Twas Wisdom's lamp begun,
A useless gem-devoid of charm, And soon the spleudor [splendor] of its rays
And wrap'd in cumbrous earth. Eclips'd the noon-day sun.
Its rough exterior met the eye That gem was chain'd in crudeness, till
With a repulsive show; The Scalptor [Sculptor], lent his aid;
For every charm, was forc'd to lie I wonder'd at the ready skill,
In buried debths [depths], below. His potent hand display'd
The Sculptor came,-I wonder'd, when But 'twas the virtue of his tool
His pliant tool was brought; Of fine, transforming edge;
He pass'd it o'er the gem, and then Which serv'd for pencil, mould [mold] and rule-
I mark'd the change it wrought. For polisher and sledge.
Each cumbrance from its surface, clear'd- That tool requires a skilful [skillful] hand-
The gem, expose'd to view- That gem, no charm should bind;
Its nature and its worth appear'd- That tool is Education, and
Its form expansive grew. That gem, the Human Mind.
By gentle strokes, it was set free-
By softer touch, refin'd;
Till beauty, grace and majesty,
Were with its nature join'd.
HYMENEAL.
MARRIED-In Farmington, Hartford co. Ct. Aug. 4, by Elder W. Woodruff, Mr. Dwight Webster of Woolcotville, to Miss Eunice Woodruff of Farmington Ct.
In Zarahemla, Aug. 29, by Pres't. John Smith, Mr Harmon Cutler to Miss Lucy Ann Pettigrew.
OBITUARY.
Died-In Monmouth co. N. J. July 16, Elder Alfred Wilson, aged 34 years.
In this city, Oct. 22, Triphena consort of Albert Pease, aged 35 years.
At Springfield, Oct. 8, Sally Merriam, consort of the late Elijah Merriam, aged 61 years. She desired to depart and be with Christ.
THE TIMES and SEASONS,
Is printed and published semi-monthly, by
E. ROBINSON,
Editor and Proprietor.
TERMS.-TWO DOLLARS per annum, payable in all cases in advance. Any person procuring five new subscribers, and forwarding us 10 dollars current money, shall receive one volume gratis. Letters on business must be addressed to the publisher post paid.
(page 606) |
