Times and Seasons/6/23

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Times and Seasons 6, Number 23

Source document in Mormon Publications: 19th and 20th Centuries online archive: Times and Seasons Vol. 6]

TIMES AND SEASONS
"TRUTH WILL PREVAIL"
Volume VI. No. 23.]	CITY OF NAUVOO, ILL. FEB. 15, 1846	[Whole No. 131.

HISTORY OF JOSEPH SMITH.

CONTINUED.

Since the disgraceful combination of the inhabitants of Jackson county, has set the law at defiance, and put all hopes of criminal prosecution, against them in that vicinage beyond the reach of judge or jury, and left us but a distant expectation of civil remuneration for the great amount of damage we have sustained, necessity compels us to complain to the world, and if our ease and calamity are not sufficient to excite the commiseration of the humane, and open the hearts of the generous, and fire the spirits of the Patriotic, then has sympathy lost herself in the wilderness, and justice fled from power; then has the dignity of the ermine shrunk at the gigantic front of a mob, and the sacred mantle of freedom been caught up to heaven where the weary are at rest, and the wicked cannot come.

To be obedient to the commandments of our Lord and Savior, some of the leaders of the church commenced purchasing lands in the western boundaries of the State of Missouri, according to the revelations of God, for the city of Zion: in doing which no law was evaded, no rights infringed, nor no principle of religion neglected, but the laudable foundation of a glorious work began, for the salvation of man kind in the last days, agreeable to our faith, and according to the promises in the sacred scriptures of God, we verily believe, knowing that the national and state constitutions and the statute laws of the land, and the commandments of the Lord, allowed all men to worship as they pleased-that we should be protected, not only be all the law of a free republic, but by every republican throughout the realms of freedom.

The holy prophets have declared, "that it should come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house should be established in the top of the mountains and should be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people should go and say, come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths; for out of Zion shall go forth the law and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem." And again it was said by Joel, seemingly to strengthen the faith of the Latter-day Saints in the above, "that whosoever should call on the name of the Lord should be delivered, for in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call." The Book of Mormon, which we hold equally sacred with the Bible, says "that a New Jerusalem shall be built up on this land, unto the remnant of the seed of Joseph, for the which things there has been a type."

In fact all the prophets from Moses to John the revelator, have spoken concerning these things, and in all good faith, by direct revelation from the Lord, as in days of old, we commenced the glorious work, that a holy city, a New Jerusalem, even Zion might be built up, and a temple reared in this generation, where unto, as saith the Lord, all nations should be invited: Firstly the rich and the learned, the wise and the noble; and after that cometh the day of his power; but the inhabitants of Jackson county arrayed themselves against us, because of our faith and belief, and destroyed our printing establishment, to prevent the spread of the work, and drove men, women and children from their lands, houses and homes, to perish in the approaching winter; while every blast carried the wailing of women and the shrieks of children, across the wide spread prairie, sufficiently horrible to draw tears from the savage, or melt a heart of stone!

Now, that the world may know that our faith in the work and word of the Lord is firm and unshaken, and to shew [show] all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, that our object is good, for the good of all, we come before the great family of mankind for peace, and ask their hospitality and assurance for our comfort, and the preservation of our persons and property and solicit their charity for the great cause of God. We are well aware that many slanderous reports, and ridiculous stories are in circulation against our religion and society, but as wise men will hear both sides and then judge; we sincerely hope and trust, that the still small voice of truth will be heard, and our great revelations read and candidly compared with the prophecies of the Bible, that the great cause of our Redeemer, may be supported by a liberal share of public opinion, as well as the unseen power of God.

It will be seen by a reference to the book of Commandments, page 135, that the Lord has said to the church, and we want to live by his words: "Let no man break the laws of the land, for he that keepeth the laws of God, hath

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no need to break the laws of the land," therefore, as the people of God, we come before the world and claim protection, by law, from the common officers of justice, in every neighborhood where our people may be; we claim the same at the hands of the governors of the several States, and of the President of the United States, and of the friends of humanity and justice in every clime, and country on the globe.

By the desperate acts of the inhabitants of Jackson county, many hundreds of American citizens are deprived of their lands and rights; and it is reported we mean to regain our possessions and even Jackson county, "by the shedding of blood" but if any man will take the pains to read the 153rd page of the book of Commandments, he will find it there said:

"Wherefore the land of Zion shall not be obtained but by purchase, or by blood, otherwise there is none inheritance for you. And if by purchase behold you are blessed; and if by blood, as you are forbidden to shed blood, lo, your enemies are upon you, and you shall be scourged from city to city, and from synagogue to synagogue, and but few shall stand to receive an inheritance."

So we declare, that we have ever meant, and now mean, to purchase the land of our inheritance, like all other honest men, of the government and of those who would rather sell their farms than live in our society; and, as thousands have done before us, we solicit the aid of the children of men, and of government, to help us to obtain our rights in Jackson county, and the land whereon the Zion of God, according to our faith, shall stand in the last days, for the salvation and gathering of Israel.

Let no man be alarmed because our Society has commenced gathering to build a city, and a house for the Lord, as a refuge from present evils and coming calamities; our fore-fathers came to the goodly land of America, to shun persecution and enjoy their religious opinions and rights, as they thought proper; and the Lord, after much tribulation, blessed them, and has said, that we should continue to importune for redress and redemption by the hands of those who are placed as rulers, and are in authority over us, according to the laws and constitution of the people, which he has suffered to be established, and should be maintained for the rights and protection of all flesh, according to just and holy principle; that every man may act in doctrine and in principle pertaining to futurity, according to the moral agency which he has given them; that every man may be accountable for his own sins in the day of judgment; and for this purpose he has established the constitution of this land by the hands of wise men whom he raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood.

Now we seek peace, and ask our rights, even redress and redemption, at the hands of the rulers of this nation; not only our lands and property in Jackson county, but for free trade with all men, and unmolested emigration to any part of the Union, and for our inherent right to worship God as we please. We ask the restoration of these rights because they have been taken from us, or abridged by the violence and usurpation of the inhabitants of Jackson county; as a people we hold ourselves amenable to the laws of the land, and while the government remains as it is, the right to emigrate from state to state, from territory to territory, from county to county, and from vicinity to vicinity, is open to all men of whatever trade or creed, without hinderance [hindrance] or molestation; and as long as we are justifiable and honest in the eyes of the law, we claim it, whether we remove by single families, or in bodies of hundreds, with that of carrying the necessary arms and acoutrements [accouterments] for military duty, and we believe that all honest men, who love their country and their country's glory, and have a wish to see the law magnified and made honorable, will help to perpetuate the great legacy of freedom, that came unimpaired from the hands of our venerable fathers to us, but they will also protect us from insult and injury, and aid the work of God, that they may reap a reward in the regions of bliss, when all men receive according to their works.

In relation to our distress, from the want of our lands in Jackson county, and for the want of the property destroyed by fire and waste, rather than do any act contrary to law, we solemnly appeal to the people with whom we tarry, for protection from insult and harm, and for the comforts of life by labor or otherwise, while we seek peace and satisfaction of our enemies through every possible and honorable means, which humanity can dictate, or philanthropy urge, or religion require. We are citizens of this republic, and we ask our rights as republicans, not merely in our restoration to our lands and property in Jackson county, Missouri, but being considered honest in our faith, honest in our deal, and honest before God, till by due course of law, we may be proved otherwise; reserving the right of every man's being held amenable to the proper authority for his own crimes and sins.

"Crowns won by blood, by blood must be maintained," and to avoid blood and strife, and more full satisfy the world, that our object is

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peace and good will to all mankind, we hereby APPEAL for peace to the ends of the earth, and ask the protection of all people, while we use every fair means in our power to obtain our rights and immunities without force; setting an example for all true believers that we will not yield our faith and principles for any earthly consideration, whereby a precedent might be established, that a majority may crush any religious sect with impunity; knowing that if we give up our rights in Jackson county, farewell to society! farewell to religion! farewell to rights! farewell to property! farewell to life! The fate of our church now, might become the fate of the Methodists next week, the Catholics next month, and the overthrow of all societies next year, leaving nation after nation a wide waste where reason and friendship once were!

Another, and the great object which we mean to accomplish, is the salvation of the souls of men and to bring to pass a glorious work, like many other religious denominations, in all ages, we shall license elders to preach the everlasting gospel to all nations according to the great commandments of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as recorded in St. Matthew, "Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptising [baptizing] them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world."

Thus we shall send laborers into the Lord's vineyard to gather the wheat, and prepare the earth against the day when desolations shall be poured out without measure; and as it now is and ever has been considered one of the most honorable and glorious employments of men to carry good tidings to the nations, so we shall expect the clemency of all men, while we go forth, for the last time, to gather Israel for the glory of God, that he may suddenly come to his temple; that all nations may come and worship in his presence, when there shall be none to molest or make afraid, but the earth shall be filled with his knowledge and glory.

We live in an age of fearful imagination, with all the sincerity that common men are endowed with, the Saints have labored, without pay, to instruct the United States, that the gathering had commenced in the western boundaries of Missouri, to build a holy city, where, as may be seen, in the eighteenth chapter of Isaiah, "the present should be brought unto the Lord of Hosts, of a people scattered and peeled, and from a people terrible from their beginning hitherto: a nation meted out and trodden under foot, whose land the rivers have spoiled, to the place of the name of the Lord of Hosts the mount Zion" and how few have come forth rejoicing that the hour of redemption was nigh! and some that came have turned away, which may cause thousand to exclaim amid the general confusion and fright of the times, "remember Lot's wife."

It would be a work of supererogation to labor to shew [show] the truth of the gathering of the children of Israel in these last days; for the prophet told us long ago, "That it should no more be said, the Lord liveth that brought the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt, but the Lord liveth that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the North, and from the lands whither he had driven them" and so it must be for the honor and glory of God.

The faith and religion of the Latter-day Saints, are founded upon the old Scriptures, the Book of Mormon, and direct revelation from God, and while every event that transpires around us, is an evidence of the truth of them, and an index that the great and terrible day of the Lord is near, we entreat the philanthropist, the moralist, and the honorable men of all creeds and sects, to read our publications, to examine the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and the Commandments, and listen to the fulness [fullness] of the gospel, and judge whether we are entitled to the credit of the world, for honest motives and pure principles.

A cloud of bad omen seems to hang over this generation, men start up at the impulse of the moment and defy and outstrip all law, while the destroyer is also abroad in the earth, wasting flesh without measure, and none can stay his course: in the midst of such portentious [portentous] times, we feel an anxious desire to prepare, and help others to prepare, for coming events; and we candidly believe that no honest man will put forth his hand to stop the work of the Lord, or persecute the Saints. In the name of Jesus Christ, we intreat the people of this nation to pause before they reject the words of the Lord, or his servants: these, like all flesh, may be imperfect, but God is pure hear ye him!

While we ask peace and protection for the saints, wherever they may be, we also solicit the charity and benevolence of all the worthy on earth to purchase the righteous a holy home, a place of rest, and a land of peace, believing that no man who knows he has a soul, will keep back his mite, but cast it in for the benefit of Zion; thus, when time is no longer, he with all the ransomed of the Lord, may stand, in the fulness [fullness] of joy, and view the grand pillar of heaven, which was built by the faith and charity of the Saints, beginning at Adam, with his motto in the base, "Repent and live" surrounded with a beautiful sign, supported by

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a cross about mid-way up its lofty column, staring the world in letters of blood, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand," and finished with a plain top towering up in the midst of the celestial world, around which is written by the finger of Jehovah, "Eternal life is the greatest gift of God."

Although we may fail to shew [show] all men the truth of the fulness [fullness] of the gospel, yet we hope to be able to convince some, that we are neither deluded, nor fanatics; but, like other men have a claim on the world for land and for a living, as good and as great as our venerable fathers had for independence and liberty; that though the world has been made to believe, by false reports and vague stories, that the Saints, called Mormons, were meaner than the savages, still God has been our help in time of trouble, and has provided for us in due season; and to use the language of Pope, he has let the work "spread undivided" and "operate unspent."

For the honor of our beloved country, and the continuation of its free government, we appeal for peace; for an example of forbearance, and the diffusion of the everlasting gospel, we appeal to the humanity of all nations; and for the glory of God, before whom we must all answer for the deeds done in life, and for the hope of holiness hereafter, we mean to remain faithful to the end, continuing to pray to the Lord to spare us, and the people, from whatever is evil, and not calculated to humble us, and prepare us for his presence and glory; at the same time beseeching him in the name of Jesus to extend his blessing to whom he will, and his mercy to all, till by righteousness, the kingdoms of this world become fair as the sun, and clear as the moon. Missouri, U S. July 1834.

Signed W. W. PHELPS,

EDWARD PARTRIDGE,

PARLEY P. PRATT,

THOMAS B. MARSH,

DAVID WHITMER,

JOHN CORRILL,

LYMAN WIGHT,

SIMEON CARTER,

JOHN WHITMER,

ISAAC MORLEY,

NEWEL KNIGHT,

CALVIN BEEBE.

On the 8th, I went to the eastern part of Clay county and held a meeting in the evening: and on the 9th, I started for Kirtland in company with my brother Hyrum, Frederick G. Williams, Wm. E. McLellin and others in a waggon [wagon].

July 10th: Elder Corrill wrote as follows;

"Samuel C. Owens, Esq.:

SIR-The last time I saw you in Liberty you said that an answer to our proposals, you thought would be forwarded soon, but it has not been done. We are anxiously waiting to have a compromise effected if possible. Respecting our wheat in Jackson county, can it be secured so that we can receive the avails of it or not, seeing we are at present prohibited the privilege?

JOHN CORRILL.

P. S. Please hand the following to Colonel Pitcher.

Liberty, July 10th, 1834.

Col. Thomas Pitcher:

Sir-The following is a true copy of an order from the Governor for our arms. Have the goodness to return an answer as soon as possible, that we may know whether we can have the arms upon said order or not, also when. Send where we can receive them and we will appoint an agent to receive and receipt the same. Be assured we do not wish to obtain them from any hostile intentions, but merely because the right of property is ours. If I remember right there is one gun and a sword more than the order calls for.

JOHN CORRILL."

[Here followed a copy of the Governor's order, similar to that of the Governor to Colonel Lucas of the 2nd of May.]

On the 12th, the high council of Zion assembled in Clay county, and appointed Edward Partridge, Orson Pratt, Isaac Morley and Zebidee Coltrin to visit the scattered and afflicted brethren in that region, and teach them the ways of truth and holiness, and set them in order according as the Lord should direct: but, that it was not wisdom for the elders generally to hold public meetings in that region. It was decided that Amasa Lyman assist Lyman Wight in his mission, of gathering the strength of the Lord's house, as I had appointed him.

July 31st; The High Council of Zion assembled, and heard the report of Edward Partridge, Orson Pratt, Zebidee Coltrin, and Isaac Morley, concerning the mission appointed them at the previous council. President David Whitmer gave the council some good instructions; that it was their duty to transact all business in order, and when any case is brought forward for investigation, every member should be attentive and patient to what is passing, in all cases, and avoid confusion and contention, which is offensive in the sight of the Lord.-He also addressed the elders, and said it was not pleasing in the sight of the Lord for any man to go forth to preach the gospel of peace, unless he is qualified to set forth its principles in plainness to those he endeavors to instruct; and also the rules and regulations of the church

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of Latter-day Saints; for just as a man is, and as he teaches and acts, so will his followers be, let them be ever so full of notions and whims. He also addressed the congregation, and told them that it was not wisdom for the brethren to vote at the approaching election, and the council acquiesced in the instructions of the President.

Wm. W. Phelps proposed to the council to appoint a certain number of elders to hold public meetings in that section of country, as often as should be deemed necessary, to teach the disciples how to escape the indignation of their enemies, and keep in favor with those who were friendly disposed; and Simeon Carter, John Corrill, Parley P. Pratt, and Orson Pratt, were appointed by the unanimous voice of the council and congregation to fill the mission.

Elder Nathan West preferred charges against Samuel Brown, High priest, for teaching contrary to council, namely: encouraging the brethren in practicing gifts, (speaking in tongues,) in ordaining Sylvester Hulet, high priests, (without council) in a clandestine manner; asserting that he had obtained a witness of the Lord, which was a promise of performing the same on receiving the gift of tongues, which gift he had never before received, but afterwards said that he had been in possession of the gift for the space of a year; and in seeming to undervalue the authority or righteousness of the high council by charging Elder West not to say any thing that would tend to prejudice their minds that they might not judge righteously. These charges were sustained by the testimony of Leonard Rich, Charles English, Brother Bruce, Edward Partridge, Hiram Page, Roxa Slade, Caleb Baldwin, and Sylvester Hulet; and President David Whitmer gave the following decision which was sanctioned by the council.

According to testimony and the voice of the Holy Spirit which is in us, we say unto you that God in his infinite mercy doth yet grant unto you a space for repentance, therefore if you confess all the charges alleged against you to be just, and in a spirit that we can receive it, then you can stand as a private member in this church, otherwise we have no fellowship for you; and also, that the ordination of Sylvester Hulet by Samuel Brown is illegal and not acknowledged by us to be of God; therefore it is void and of none effect.

Brother Brown confessed the charges, and gave up his license, but retained his membership. Council adjourned on the evening of the first of August, but previous to adjourning the council gave the following letter to the elders appointed to visit the churches in Clay county &c.:

"To the Latter day Saints who have been driven from the land of their inheritance, and also those who are gathering in the regions round about, in the western boundaries of Missouri-The High Council established according to the pattern given by our blessed Savior Jesus Christ, send greeting:-

Dear Brethren:

We have appointed our beloved brother and companion in tribulation, John Corrill, to meet you in the name of the Lord Jesus. He in connexion [connection] with others duly appointed also, will visit you alternately, for the purpose of instructing you, in the necessary qualifications of the Latter-day Saints; that they may be perfected, that the officers and members of the body of Christ, may become very prayerful and very faithful, strictly keeping the commandments and walking in holiness before the Lord continually; that those that mean to have the "destroyer pass over them, as the children of Israel and not slay them" may live according to the "word of wisdom," that the saints by industry, diligence, faithfulness, and the prayer of faith, may become purified, and enter upon their inheritance to build up Zion according to the word of the Lord.

We are sure, if the saints are very humble, very watchful, and very prayerful, that few will be deceived by those who have not authority to teach, or who have not the spirit to teach according to the power of the Holy Ghost, in the scriptures. Lest any man's blood be required at your hands, we beseech you, as you value the salvation of souls, and are within, to set an example worthy to be followed by those without the kingdom of our God and his Christ, that peace by grace, and blessings by righteousness, may attend you, till you are sanctified and redeemed.

Dated, Clay county, Aug. 1st 1834."

About this time, I arrived at Kirtland, after a tedious journey, from the midst of enemies, mobs, cholera, and excessively hot weather, having parted from those who I started with on the 9th ult., at different points of the journey.

Kirtland, Aug. 4th, 1834. A council of elders ordained Thomas Colburn, elder; and resolved to send Elder Zerubbabel Snow to Canada to labor in the ministry.

The High Council of Zion assembled in Clay county, Aug. 6th, and resolved that Leonard Rich act in the place of Parley P. Pratt, who was absent, and Amasa Lyman in place of W. E. McLellin, absent. The following charge was then preferred:

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"This may certify that whereas, the brethren and sisters comprising that part of the church known by the name of the Hulet branch, have imbibed certain principles concerning the gifts, that are thought not to be correct by the greater part of the remainder of the church; which principles seem to have a tendency to cause a split and disunion in the church:

I, therefore, as a well wisher in the cause of Christ, and for the peace, and love, and upholding of the great cause of God; do hereby pray that the High Council will take into consideration the above report, that we all may come to understanding and grow up as calves of the stall, until we all come unto the perfect stature of men and women in Christ Jesus.

(Signed) NATHAN WEST."

Charles English testified that the Hulet branch believed that they received the word of the Lord by the gift of tongues, and would not proceed to their temporal business without receiving the word of the Lord. Sylvester Hulet would speak and Sally Crandall [Crandal] interpret.-Said they would not receive the teaching of ordained members, even Brother Joseph Smith jr., unless it agreed with their gifts. Said they received the word of the Lord while they were in Jackson county, that they were to be persecuted by their brethren in Clay county, and now it had come. Also said that the heads of the church would have to come down and receive the gifts as they did. Said that they the branch, had come up to their privileges more than the rest of the church. They thought they were right, but if they could be convinced that they were wrong, they would retract. Sister Crandal professed to know and see men's hearts."

Philo Dibble concurred in the foregoing testimony, also that sister Crandal saw the hearts of King Follet, and Hiram Page, and they were not right. Hiram Page testified that Lyman Leonard said if it was necessary to lay aside the gifts for a season, they would receive a knowledge of it through the gifts. Nathan West concurred in the foregoing testimony, also testified that Sally Crandall [Crandal] saw his heart that it was full of eyes, also eyes in other hearts, some few, some many eyes.

Daniel Stanton testified that Sally Crandall [Crandal] said she saw his heart and saw two books in it, and that there was a Nephite standing behind him to push him into his duty: also that Sylvester Hulet, spoke in tongues in meeting and Sally Crandall [Crandal] interpreted thus; "verily thus saith the Lord unto you little band, ye must beware, for there are many who are seeking to pry into your privileges. Absalom Crichfield, testified that when he was in Jackson County, last spring the Hulet branch said in tongues that they would be safe during the night from any interruption by the mob, but before morning Lyman Leonard and Josiah Summer were whipped; they also said they saw my heart and three young women in it." Brother Batson, and Alpheus Gifford concurred in much of the foregoing testimony, and also other similar circumstances in addition.

After an adjournment of three fourths of an hour the President instructed the speakers not to seek to excel, but speak according to truth and equity: and that they ought to chase darkness from their minds, and be exercised upon the subject upon which they were to speak in order that they might teach upon points of doctrine, bring hidden things to light, and make dark things clear, &c., &c. After the counsellors [counselors] had spoken the president said, "as for the gift of tongues, in the manner they used it in the Hulet Branch, the devil deceived them, and they obtained not the word of the Lord, as they supposed but were deceived; and as for the gift of seeing, as held by the Hulet Branch, it is of the devil saith the Lord God." The council were unanimous in sanctioning the decision, and appointed Amasa Lyman and Simeon Carter, to go and labor with Brother Hulet and Sister Crandall [Crandal] and other of like faith, and set the truth in order before them. I have been thus particular in giving the history of this council, as the gift of tongues is so often made use of by satan to deceive the saints. The council adjourned to the 7th, when about twenty elders were sent forth to preach the gospel to the world, but not in Jackson or Clay Counties, or their vicinity.

President David Whitmer testified to the council that William Batson was not capable of filling his office of eldership, because he had not discretion and understanding sufficient to act wisely in that capacity, whereupon, the council voted unanimously, that his office and licence [license] be taken from him: to which he consented, and gave up his license. Elias and Isaac Higbee, and Jesse Hitchcock, were ordained to the High Priesthood, &c., and council adjourned to the 21st inst.

Minutes of a council held at "Kirtland August 11th 1834."

"This day a number of high priests and elders of the church of the Latter-Day Saints, assembled in the new school house, for the purpose of investigating a matter of difficulty growing out of certain reports or statements made by elder Sylvester Smith, one of the high councillors [councilors] of this church, accusing President Joseph Smith Junior, with criminal conduct during his journey to and from Missouri, this

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spring and summer. After coming to order President Joseph Smith, spoke at considerable length upon the circumstances of their Journey to and from Missouri, and very minutely laid open the causes out of which those jealousies of Brother Sylvester and others, had grown. He made a satisfactory statement concerning his rebukes and chastisments upon Sylvester and others, and also concerning the distribution of monies and other properties, calling on brethren present who accompanied him to attend the same, all of which was satisfactory to the brethren present, as appeared by their own remarks afterwards.

After President Joseph had closed his lengthy remarks, brother Sylvester made some observations relative to the subject of their difficulties, and began to make a partial confession for his previous conduct, asking forgiveness for accusing brother Joseph publicly, on the Saturday previous of prophecying [prophesying] lies in the name of the Lord, and for abusing (as he had said,) his (Sylvester's) character, before the brethren.

From the New York Messenger Extra.

TO OUR BRETHREN AND FRIENDS SCATTERED ABROAD,

We have thought proper to issue an Extra this morning, to inform our brethren and friends scattered abroad, of the ship Brooklyn leaving port last Wednesday, with about two hundred and thirty souls on board including men, women and children, together with three or four passengers. As it regards the getting up of this company of emigrants, we desire to give a brief and correct statement, for the benefit of all concerned. Some two months since, Elder S. Brannan was counselled [counseled] by President O. Pratt, of this city, before leaving for the west, to charter a vessel, and take out a company of the saints to Oregon or California, and as soon as an opportunity offered, others would follow, and endeavor to get beyond the reach of persecution and oppression. Accordingly he obeyed the counsel. It is now about one month since he chartered the ship Brooklyn, Capt. Richardson, for twelve hundred dollars per month, besides paying the Port Charges. In this short space of time, by untiring assiduity, has he collected together the number heretofore stated, consisting of Farmers, Mechanics, &c., the greater part young and middle aged men and women.

The ship was expected to sail on the twenty-fourth or twenty-sixth of January, but in order to have all things in readiness, and complete to make them comfortable she did not get off until last Wednesday. At two o'clock, P. M., she left her moorings and swung around the Pier into the stream. The Steamboat Sampson came along side, made fast to her, to pilot her down towards the narrows. As she left the wharf, it was a beautiful sight to behold. The noble ship with hundreds of ladies and gentlemen, lining her decks, friends, relations, &c., of the Emigrants. As she left the wharf, three hearty cheers were sent up, by the numerous crowd of gentlemen upon the Pier, which was as heartily returned, or responded to by those on board the ship. The day was propitious, the bright luminary of the heavens, had passed the zenith of his meridian glory, and was retiring in his stately robes toward the chamber of the West! Yet his oblique rays, as the noble ship passed down the bay, glistened with a propitious smile upon the bosom of the waves, which were now being parted asunder by the bow of the gallant ship. The order at length was given, for all those who did not belong to the ship's company, to get on board the steamboat preparatory to her casting off. Then there was a scene, we feel ourselves inadequate to describe. There you could behold the father bidding adieu to his only son perhaps forever. In another quarter you could see the mother embracing a daughter, and bidding each other farewell. While tears of parental and filial affection, trickled warmly down each other cheeks there, you could also behold the young man and young woman, without Father, Mother, Brother or Sister, (except those of their brothers and sisters endeared to them by the Gospel of the Son of God) willing to leave all behind, sacfrising [sacrificing] all the comforts and enjoyments of the scenes of their childhood and former associations, for the faith which they have embraced, and which they know is true, and are willing to die for the same. They have borne reproach, defamation, obloquy, and scorn, they have been persecuted (or at least the church they belong to,) mobbed, plundered, robbed, driven and murdered, and now they go as exiles, banished from the land of their nativity, the land that gave them birth, the land that is called the "asylum of the oppressed," the liberty that was obtained by the sweat, blood and tears of their fathers, and bequeathed to them as the greatest legacy they could have, has taken its flight and gone, when it comes to be exercised in their behalf. But to return from my digression after bidding a last farewell, the steamboat was disengaged, and as she rounded to return to the city, three hearty cheers were given by them on board, the steamboat consisting of ladies and gentlemen, (among whom were doctors, clergymen, merchants, ship owners, clerks, &c.,) which was immediately responded to, by three more,

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from those on board the ship; she then passed on in a beautiful and majestic style, with her topsails and jib spread to the breeze which was blowing direct from the N. N. W., amid the waving of handkerchiefs, hats, &c., until she was finally lost in the distance. Farewell our brethren and sisters in the Lord; we commit you to the care of him whose ye are, and whose name ye have confessed. You have our prayers and hearty wishes, that He who rules the destinies of Empires and Kingdoms, may send his Angel before you. Soothe the howling tempest, stay the rolling billows, vanquish the fell destroyer, and guide you safe to your destined haven. Go then noble ship, with thy noble crew, spread thy canvass to the winds of heaven, and bear them swiftly to their destined port, where no pious "christian" thirsts for gold nor seeks the blood of innocence. The prayers of the Saints of God shall be offered up, for those thou carriest, and that, ere long, thou mayest return and bear another company to the same desired spot. The ship is nearly new, of four hundred and fifty tons measurement; she is well loaded with Agricultural and Mechanical tools enough for eight hundred men, consisting of ploughs [plows], hoes, forks, shovels, spades, plough [plow] irons, scythes, sickles, nails, glass, Blacksmith's tools, Carpenters, do. Millwrights, do. three Grain mills for grinding, grain, turning lathes, saw mill irons, grindstones, one printing press and type, paper, stationary, school books consisting of spelling books, sequels, history, arithmetic, astronomy, grammar, Morse's Atlas and Geography, Hebrew Grammar and Lexicon, Slates, &c., &c. Also, dry goods, twine, &c., brass, copper, iron, tin and crockery ware, with provisions and water enough for a six or seven months voyage. They have also on board two new milch [milk] cows, forty or fifty pigs, besides fowls, &c. They have every thing on board to make them comfortable; there is thirty-two state rooms on board, with decent births, where they can spread their mattress, and repose content.-They went off joyful and in high spirits; although they have a long journey before them some fifteen thousand miles to perform, they purpose touching at the Sandwich Islands, and so on to Oregon or California.

The morning before the Ship's sailing, a gentleman of Brooklyn, J. M. Vancott, (a lawyer of great and noted celebrity I understand) presented the emigrants through Mr. Brannan, with one hundred and seventy nine volumes of Harper's Family Library: may the Lord reward him for his kindness, towards a persecuted and oppressed, yet upright and virtuous people.-And not only him, but all those of our friends who have been kind in assisting us, and was not ashamed of us although as the Apostles were "every where spoken evil against," may our Heavenly Father bless such, as much as they do it with a desire to do good, and not from selfish motives is our desire.