| 296 discontent; and who being dissatisfied elsewhere, had flocked to the Reorganization. In addition to this, sectarian influence fortified by the immoral record of many so-called Latter Day Saints was urged against the success of the movement. With these elements at work without and within, the reader can imagine that all was not sunshine, but that dark clouds, sufficient to appall the stoutest heart, hovered over the horizon of this movement to reorganize the church and redeem its honored name. But there was a brighter side; men of unswerving honesty, intrepid courage, and sincere devotion rallied around the banner borne by the young prophet, some of whom had carried it before he came and placed it unsullied in his hands. It required wisdom, discretion, and valor to meet the situation; but these men, with a courage born of an assurance and conviction that their cause was the cause of truth and right, and that God would aid the right, met the situation, nor faltered in the face of danger.
"Young Joseph" submitted his cause to the arbitrament of time, and right well has time vindicated the wisdom of the position occupied by the organization with which he was connected. While other factions have gone down under their own weight, or have had to change their policy to save themselves from merited retribution, the Reorganization has moved steadily onward. While progress has been slow, much slower than some had hoped or believed it would be, yet the church occupied safe ground, and can yet maintain the ground upon which it rested.
Almost every copy of the Herald during the summer brought good tidings from the elders in the field, of which the following, from the August number, are fair illustrations:-
"The news from the elders which we have received is very encouraging. In Western Iowa, Brn. W. W. Blair and E. C. Briggs have baptized a large number since the last April Conference. Bro. Charles Derry, Bro. McIntosh, and many other elders are also preaching with success in that region.
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