soon as circumstances will permit, and a goodly number of strangers are investigating our principles, and I am in hopes that our course here will be the means of bringing many to a knowledge of the truth. It has already created quite a sensation throughout this section of country, in seeing so many going down into the waters of baptism. The spirit of gathering is acquiring influence in this Conference; it has been my teaching since I came here, both in public and private, and I have endeavored to implant in the bosoms of the Saints a knowledge of the necessity of making any sacrifice, if by doing so they can go to Zion; that they may not partake of the judgments of God which are even now ready to be poured out upon the inhabitants of the earth. I can say that I never felt more contented, happy and thankful, than I do at the present time, and every day I live the more I determine to obey the servants of God who are placed over me, knowing, as I do, that their teachings are for my benefit as well as for that of all who will listen to and carry out their instructions. I am well pleased with the field of labor I have been appointed to, and the only fault I have to find, if I have any, is that I receive more blessings than I am really worthy of, though I ask my heavenly Father to give me knowledge and wisdom that I may know how to appreciate them, so that He can continue them unto me deservedly. If ever there was a man upon the earth who had need to be thankful, I am one. You can imagine from this letter what my feelings are-my heart is too full to express its desires on paper." NEWS FROM HOME. The Deseret News, No. 12, Oct. 7, came to hand, and its appearance was greeted like the presence of an old home friend whose smiling face bids us God speed on our way. Improvement is still the order of the day, and on Sunday, September 27th, a fine, commodious meeting-house, which had been erected by the enterprising citizens of Kay's Ward, for school and religious purposes, was dedicated. Three of the Twelve Apostles, Wilford Woodruff, John Taylor, and George A. Smith, together with several other Elders from the city, were present on the occasion, and took part in the proceedings. On the 2nd and 3rd of October the Annual State Fair was held in the Social Hall, Great Salt Lake City, at which was represented the industrial interests of the people of Deseret. Although inferior to the Fairs of past years in respect to the number of articles exhibited, yet it gave evidences of progress superior to any of former times, and demonstrated that improvement and advancement are proportionably increasing with the enlarged facilities offered for perseverance and enterprize. Staple cotton, cotton and woollen fabrics, pottery ware, chemicals, paints, dye-stuffs and the varied articles of manufacture from the dipped, waterproof lucifer, up to the highly finished and intricate burglarproof chest-lock, were exhibited. The fruit department manifested the interest taken in its culture and in the introduction of new varieties into the State, displaying a decided advancement in those respects. Branch Fairs have like wise been held in the different settlements of the State, and from the tone of the reports a marked improvement is being made in the real substantials of CORRESPONDENCE. 749 life, and in the means of increasing comfort and happiness. Conference has been held, but the minutes have not yet come to hand. We clip the following from the News : ARRIVAL OF TRAINS.-Capt. Daniel McArthur's train, composed of fifty-six Church and nineteen independent wagons, arrived in the city on Saturday afternoon, the 3rd inst. Capt. John W. Woolley's train, and that of Ebenezer Ricks, arrived on Sunday morning, the 4th inst., and Capt. Horton Haight's train arrived the same afternoon. The emigrants seemed in good health, generally, and when met by friends and acquaintances appeared to forget the toils and fatigues of their lengthy travel. CORRESPONDENCE. WALES. EASTERN GLAMORGAN. Thomas Town, Merthyr Tydfil, President Cannon. Dear Brother, Knowing that you are desirous of learning the condition of every part of the extended Mission over which you preside, I deem it as well a duty as a pleasure to write you a brief report of the Eastern Glamorgan Conference. I can say, with regard to myself, that I feel well-never more so. My health has been, and still is, desirably good, which I attribute to the observance of the laws of health and the regulations of physical economy, coupled with the special favor of God through the Gospel which bringeth life and immortality to light, for which I feel thankful unto the Lord and his servants. With respect to this Conference, I can say that it is improving in several matters, and upon the whole is in a prosperous condition, and will, I believe, stand fair in comparison with the general prosperity of the Work in the Mission. I must, however, in justice to truth, confess that there is still room for further improvement, which I am desirous to see made. Our Priesthood meetings are well attended, and under the blessing of God are made profitable. I have endeavored to the best of my ability to instruct my brethren, as fellow-laborers in the Lord's vineyard, in the duties of our callings in the holy Priesthood; and for the better under standing of those duties, I have from time to time called their attention to the valuable instructions, doctrine and counsel contained in the editorials and other articles of the Millennial Star, and have, when necessary, explained their adaptability to our present condition of physical and mental development, and as essential to our future growth and ultimate perfection, and that for this purpose they were given unto us. That if we would become able ministers of the Gospel, skilful instructors of its precepts, rightly dividing the word of life to both Saint and sinner, we must study well all the holy Scriptures, for they have been given by the inspiration of God, and they are profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction and for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be aided and thoroughly furnished unto all good works, and, moreover, practically develop in our lives the race-regenerating and world-redeeming power of the truths which they contain. At harvest time, when the golden grain is ready for the shearers, it is not enough that they go forth into the harvest field with sickles in their hands, but they must handle them skilfully, otherwise they are liable to maim themselves and each other, and also to hurt and destroy much of the precious grain they were employed to upon the carth, but we must also possess earnestness of desire and fervency of spirit, together with a right understanding of the duties of our callings and of the sacred armor with which we are clothed, or else we, like the unskilful reapers, will not only injure ourselves and each other but we will also destroy much of the fruit of the Lord's vineyard, for which we shall be accounted unprofitable servants, and as such will be rewarded. If, on the other hand, we will prove ourselves wise stewards over the Lord's heritage, tenderly feeding the babes in Christ with the sincere milk of the Word and ministering stronger food to those who, by reason of their age and experience, have stronger minds, great will be our reward, for we will not only be saved ourselves but will also be made instruments in the hands of the Lord of saving all those who will believe on our word, and in due time will receive the welcome applaud, "Well done ye good and faithful servants, enter ye into the joys of your Lord." The law of Tithing has been freely discoursed upon as a principle which every Saint should believe, and kindly urged as a duty which every Saint ought to obey. I moreover say, that whoever believes the tenth penny, shilling or pound will do those who use it more good in a temporal point of view than they could receive through obedience to the law of Tithing certainly have but little faith in the Gospel or its divine institutions, and can expect to be benefited but little thereby. But, I am pleased to say that the Saints generally feel well | with regard to this as well as other duties of their religion, and are endeavoring in a praiseworthy manner to practice the same, and many more have promised to follow their examples. Brother John Evans and the Branch Presidents are united with me in endeavoring to forward the Work of the Lord in this Conference and we are seconded in our efforts by many faithful brethren and sisters. Yes, I can in truth say that there are many good men and women in this Conference. They have the interest of the Work at heart. They have a living faith in the Gospel, which is abundantly manifested by their good works, and it is a pleasure to labor among them. They talk of the blessings they continue to receive from the Lord and of the good times they are now having, and are cheerfully looking forward to the "good time coming" when they shall be gathered home to the land of Zion, where they expect to learn more and do better. They are, as may be expected, regular in their attendance to their prayer, sacrament and preaching meetings and warm in their devotional exercises of praise and testimony. They enjoy the gifts and blessings of the Gospel, in which they rejoice. The spirit of emigration is growing upon the people. Nearly all want to go next season; and I will here add, those who are the most faithful in paying their Tithing and are otherwise open-hearted have the most money deposited in the Individual Emigration Fund, which is certainly very encouraging to Tithe-payers and serves to warn those who are not to follow their examples. Our preaching meetings are usually well attended, and although there is no great excitement created by the preaching of the Word, still we have a pretty full attendance in almost every place where meetings are held, and the Lord has blessed our labors and crowned them with encouraging success. We have had the pleasure of adding to the Church by baptism 28 persons since the beginning of August last, and the prospects of the future are not less flattering. His President Jeremy's visits to our Councils and general meetings are ever attended with happy results. plain, timely, practical, and withal fatherly instructions are received with gladness and in the hearts of the honest bring forth fruits unto righteousness. Not wishing to intrude further upon your space and patience, I conclude, hoping that the Lord may continue to you the blessings of life and health, together with every other blessing you may need as an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, is the prayer of your brother in the bonds of the Everlasting Covenant, GEORGE G. BYWATER. IRELAND. President Cannon.' SUMMARY OF NEWS. Oct. 30, 1863. Dear Brother,-According to your letter of instructions desiring me to visit the Saints in Ireland, I left Bristol on the 7th inst., and arrived in Belfast on the 9th. I staid there thirteen days, during which time we held five meetings with the Saints of that Branch, and I visited nearly every Saint privately; and although they number but few, yet I am happy to say they are good; in fact, I know of no Branch where there is more love and union among its members and Priesthood than there is in the Belfast Branch. Their President, Elder John Reid, has the confidence of all the Saints comprising the Branch, without an exception. It is true they have felt a little lonely, and sometimes wondered if they were ever thought about by you and the Elders in England; but when they heard that you had remembered them, and had sent me to comfort and cheer them up, they shouted, "God bless brother Cannon for ever," to which I said "Amen." 751 present to spread a knowledge of the truth or the revelations of God among the people. The total number of Latter-day Saints in Ireland does not exceed forty, and they are very much scattered; but, as I have said before, some of them are very good. The Saints are pleased to have an Elder from Zion visit them, and would be glad to have one there all the time; but they all feel that their present means and prospects, from the bitterness of public feeling, would not justify you in sending one, for they feel they could not support one as they could wish. I was much pleased to hear the Saints express so warmly their good feelings towards brother Bigler, who labored among them so faithfully. It was very gratifying to me, and it must be more so to him, to know that he still lives in the affections of the Saints in Ireland. Were I to mention all their words and acts of kindness to me, it would make my letter too long; I can say I much enjoyed my visit among them, and I believe they did the same. It was my prayer to God to be made a blesOn the 21st I went to Dublin, and sing to them, and that my advice and spent a week with the few Saints counsel to them might result in stimuthere. Elder Robert Brown, the Pre-lating them to extra faithfulness and sident, is a zealous, persevering man. diligence in their duties. Both he and brother McMeekin are doing all they can to spread the Gospel in that city; but the public spirit 18 very bitter against the Saints throughout the whole country, so that there seems but poor prospects at SUMMARY Praying God to bless you and the brethren in the office, I remain your brother and fellow-laborer in the Gospel, GEORGE HALLIDAY. OF NEWS. AMERICA.-General Thomas reports that General Hooker was attacked at midnight on the 29th ult. Severe fighting ensued, lasting two hours, with less vehemence until four o'clock. At seven o'clock General Hooker reported that the troops repulsed the enemy's attack and drove them from every position they had assumed. The Confederates abandoned Lookout Mountain without resistance, and the Federals occupy the south bank of the river from Bridgeport to Chattanooga. The river and railroad communication are unobstructed, facilitating supplies reaching Thomas. The appointment of Grant to the command of all the Western forces, except those in Lousiana, has given universal satisfaction. His disposable strength will be 200,000 troops. Federal advices to the 27th ult. state that Gilmore had commenced firing upon Charleston from three heavy guns on Cumming's Point. Each gun had thrown one shell into the heart of the city. The other guns were to open soon. Four monitors were in position off Sullivan's Island prepared for an engagement. The Ironsides does not participate in the attack. The fire on Forts Johnson, Sumter and Moultrie was kept up, the Confederates replying reservedly. Philosophical happines is to want little and enjoy much; vulgar happiness is to want much and enjoy little. The Turks believe that after Adam was driven out of Paradise, he did penance by standing for nine hundred years on one leg! Our sorrows are like thunder clouds, which seem black in the distance, but grow lighter as they approach.-Jean Paul. Those who befriend genius when it is struggling for distinction befriend the world, and their names should be held in remembrance. Humility is a grace that adorns and beautifies every other grace; without it, the most splendid natural and acquired acquisitions lose half their charm. A wise man, as well as a witty, was Theodore Hook, when he told the alderman who had already surfeited him, and yet pressed him to partake of still another course,-"I thank you; but if it's the same to you, I'll take the rest in money." A man down in Lynn, Mass., it is said, made so many pairs of shoes in one day, that it took two days to count them! He was a smart one, but not equal to one up in New Hampshire, who built so many miles of stone wall in one day, that it took him all night and the next day to get home. "I find there are half a dozen partridges in the letter," said a gentleman to a servant, who replied, "Sir; I am glad you have found them in the letter, for they all flew out of the basket." POETRY. ZION'S GREATNESS. Her sons, how truly blest, repair, The Priesthood's high behest to bear, Chorus-How long, how &c. How welcome to each honest heart, Chorus-How long, how &c. HENRY GREENSIDES. EDITED, PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GEORGE Q. CANNON, 42, ISLINGTON. LONDON: FOR SALE AT THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS' BOOK DEPOT, 30, FLORENCE STREET, AND FROM ALL BOOKSELLERS. ISLINGTON: |