| 10 and ameliorate the condition of men; but then there is a very material difference between such characters and those who have the priesthood, and are ordained of God to fulfil [fulfill] his work: Cornelius was a good man-he feared God with all his house-he fasted, and prayed, and gave alms; and that not for a pretence [pretense], or hypocritically, but seriously and sincerely, so much so that his prayers and his alms were had in remembrance before God and an angel administered unto him. But notwithstanding his virtue, his zeal, his prayers, and his almsgiving, he had to send for Peter to tell him "words whereby he and his house could be saved," his prayers, his benevolence, his philanthrophy [philanthropy] could not save him; it was necessary that a man having the priesthood should be sent for, and that HE should introduce him to the blessings of the gospel, administer unto him the ordinance of baptism, and introduce him by legal authority into the kingdom of God. Hence it was that the apostle said, "to as many as believed to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to as many as believed on his name." Previous to the introduction of the gospel and Melchisedec priesthood, it was impossible for a person to become a son of God, (they might be a servant but not a son,) but when life and immortality were brought to light by the gospel, and that gospel sent to all nations, by men chosen and called of God, it became the privilege of men to become the sons of God, "the kingdom of God was preached, and all men rushed into it."
In every age of the world where God has had a gospel church, there has always been connected with that gospel a priesthood, whose duties and privilege it was to hold intercourse with heaven, receive instructions from the Lord, administer in the ordinances of the gospel, and govern the kingdom of God, or church of Jesus Christ.
(to be continued)
THE TEMPLE OF GOD IN NAUVOO.
No doubt the brethren abroad often wonder, and would be glad to be informed from time to time of the progress of the Temple of the Most High in this place; inasmuch as all who fear God and his name, and assay to keep his commandments are interested in this great and glorious undertaking, and, whilst gazing on what is now passing during the present woek [week] we feel constrained to notice a few things for the comfort of those Saints who cannot be present to witness for themselves.
Last Sabbath the committee for the building of the Temple, stated before the congregation that a large raft of pine lumber had lately arrived and was now laying in the river at this place. They requested all the brethren who had teams to turn out and with their teams, assist in hauling the lumber to the Temple. The first, second, third, fourth and fifth wards of the city were requested to be on the ground on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday; and the sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. They also stated that they requested all the carpenters to come together on the Thursday to prepare the timbers for the first floor of the Temple, and all the brethren who could, to assemble on Friday and Saturday and lay a temporary floor and prepare seats inside the walls of the Temple that the church might henceforward meet in the Temple to worship, instead of meeting in the grove. Accordingly, when Monday came we had a cheering assemblage of waggons [wagons], horses, oxen and men who began with zeal and gladness to pull the raft to pieces and haul it up to the Temple. This scenery has continued to the present date and the expectations of the committee more than realized.
On Thursday we had a large assemblage of carpenters, joiners &c. who succeeded in preparing the lumber and laying the joists preparatory to laying the temporary floor and fixing seats &c.
This day a large number of brethren were on the ground and commenced their operations and whilst we are writing they are busy at work and will soon have all things prepared for the comfort and convenience of the Saints (which the nature of the case will admit of) that they may have the gratification of meeting within the walls of that building which is being built according to the revelation and commandment of the Most High; a gratification which can only be enjoyed by those who have a knowledge of the work of God in these last days and whose desire it is to live by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Whilst watching for a few moments the zeal and cheerful labors of the brethren to accomplish this thing we could not avoid feeling grateful to the great Jehovah, and to the brethren engaged in this noble cause. We are constrained to feel thankful to the almighty for the many blessings we receive at his hands-for the prosperity of the place-for the harmony and good feeling prevailing in our midst-and for the great and glorious privileges granted unto us as a people. He has commanded us to "build a house unto his name for the Most
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