| 650 For the Times and Seasons.
ESQUIRE ROBINSON:-
What think you of the "Signs of the Times?" But yesterday the heavens gathered blackness, and the charnel house of our people, in Missouri, was like the famed "valley of the son of Hinnom," to day, the noble bird of Jove perches upon the pole of liberty! Then, when they "Let loose the dogs of war," I saw the blood-stained traces of thousands weltering in their gore; now the bright celestial orb smiles upon every effort, and the God of Daniel fills the heart with gladness. A new era has commenced in the history of the world. Kingdoms and empires are crumbling into dust, and great political revolutions are effected without the effusion of blood-the arts, sciences, and learned professions, are undergoing radical and important changes-religion alone stands aback-with the sects it stands aback; but not so with Zion.! "Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined"-the little stone is becoming a mighty rock, and the Saints of Latter Days are now beginning to bask in the sun-shine of God's benignity. Look at our beautiful city, swarming with a busy, free, and enterprising population; and our magnificent temple, moving forward like the ark of the covenant in by-gone days! Truly "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." He has been to us a crown of glory, and a diadem of beauty; and for us, the residue of his people, "A spirit of judgement [judgment] to him that sitteth in judgement [judgment], and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate." By hundreds, and by thousands are the people hearing and obeying, the glad tidings of salvation. The north has given up, the south has not kept back, the sons of God are gathering from far, and his daughters from the ends of the earth. The domes of this stupendious [stupendous] city, this great gathering place for the saints, will soon be towering in the air; and soon it will be said of it as it was said of its great prototype, "Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion, on the sides of the north the city of the Great King." The word has gone forth, "Gather my people together;" and they are gathering-the air already darkens with the happ [ happy] multitude. The throng increases-the ocean heaves, bearing upon her proud bosom thousands of human beings, just loosed from tyranny and oppression, from the land of despotism, to this fair haven of repose-"The land of the free, and the home of the brave." But it stops not here. Our rivers groan with the weight of emigrants, borne upon the face of the waters, on their way to NAUVOO-the beautiful city of rest; and thousands more are on their way. Great God! who can foresee the perfection of glory that awaits the grand result-the finale-for the kingdoms of this world are soon to become the "Kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ." For "When the Lord shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory. He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer." "For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the Lord behold the earth; to hear the groaning of the prisoner, to loose those that are appointed to death; to declare the name of the Lord in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem; when the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the Lord." The vallies [valleys] shall be exalted, the hills shall be brought low, the barren and desolate places shall become fruitful fields, and all nature will be decked in her loveliest garb; the silver queen of night will shine in her beauty, and the golden king of day in his strength; and the saints, too, will be changed from poverty to affluence-abiding wealth; they will rear sanctuaries and palaces, and wear palms of victory, and diadems of glory, glittering with choicest gems. For it will be uttered with the voice of ten thousand thunders-"God hath spoken in his holiness, I will rejoice; I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth. Gilead is mine, Mannasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of mine head: Judah is my lawgiver; Moab is my wash pot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe; over Philistia will I triumph." This, too, is at hand, the day of righteous retribution is at hand, when God shall make up his jewels. Hear then, O ye people! Give ear, O ye inhabitants of the earth! both high and low, rich and poor, together; for God will gather his people to Zion. Stand still, therefore, and see the salvation of God! JOAB,
GENERAL IN ISRAEL.
(page 650) |
