The Temple of the Lord

We are happy to say that this building is progressing in a manner which does honor to the citizens of this place. On visiting it a few days ago we were agreeably surprized [surprised] to find that the brethren, notwithstanding their poverty, had accomplished so much; and we feel assured if the saints abroad, with their wealth, would make a corresponding effort, that another year would not roll over our heads before the "top stone would be brought up, with shouts of grace, grace be unto it."

The building committee are making every preparation to erect the baptismal font in the basement story as soon as possible. The font, is intended to be supported by twelve oxen, several of which are in a state of forwardness, and are certainly good representations of that animal, and do great credit to the mechanics who are engaged in carving the same. It is intended to overlay them with gold, and when finished will have a very grand appearance indeed.-Most of the labor that is done has been accomplished by the citizens devoting every tenth day gratuitously to that purpose.

While contemplating the foundation which has been so happily begun, we were forcibly reminded of the circumstances, as recorded in holy writ, connected with the building of the ancient Temple at Jerusalem by the Israelites after they had escaped the perils of the wilderness and had obtained a possession in the land of Canaan.

When the time arrived to commence the same, the people engaged in the work with the greatest delight, and vied with each other in their zeal to accomplish a work commanded of Jehovah-so dear to their hearts-and which should tend to shed a still greater lustre [luster] on the Jewish nation. By the wisdom and enterprize [enterprise] of Solomon and his people, the work progressed rapidly; a zeal was manifested by every one who loved the statutes and judgments of the Lord, and who preferred the prosperity of Zion to their own temporal aggrandizement, which was indeed commendable, and which the saints in this age would do well to imitate, and at length was completed, one of the most elegant structures richly adorned with gold and silver and curious workmanship, which for centuries was the pride of that people, and caused thousands from distant nations, to visit it, and enquire [inquire] after that God who had commanded its erection.

The circumstances connected with its dedication were indeed glorious, and sublime. What could be more so? To see the tens of thousands congregated together-their anticipations more than realized-the order of the house-the cloud of the presence of the Omnipotent Jehovah filling the house-the fire from heaven consuming the sacrifices, so that the priests could not stand to minister-to hear the dedication prayer and the simultaneous amens and hallelujahs, which burst from ten thousand voices, were calculated to make a lasting impression on all present, who would feel themselves amply repaid for all their labor and toil in its erection, and who in after ages, would delight to portray the grandeur of the proceedings to their posterity, and ever keep up a feeling of reverence and attachment to their "holy and beautiful house where their fathers worshipped."

After the Jews had been carried away captive to Babylon, their love and attachment to their beloved city and temple; did not decrease; and when Nehemiah got permission of the King to take his brethren who were in captivity and rebuild the temple of the Lord, we observe the same zeal displayed, and laudable ambition manifested by all the descendants of the promised seed. No sooner was the sentence uttered, "We his servants will arise and build," than thousands were ready to engage in the work, the whole Jewish nation was in commotion, they crowded to their beloved city and under the most distressing and unpropitious circumstances, accomplished the object they so much desired, and again dedicated the temple for the worship of the God of their fathers, and enjoyed many great and precious blessings in consequence.

And shall the saints of the last days manifest a supineness and feel less interested for the honor of their God, the glory of the church and the good of mankind than did the Jews of old?-No! We hope they will take into consideration the glory and rich blessings which will result, when such a building is erected, and that these things with all the important circumstances connected with the same, will have their proper weight on every mind, and arouse to energy and enterprize [enterprise] every saint of God whether residing in the immediate vicinity, or in more

distant part, and we hope to see the saints, who may visit this place, bring "their gold, and their silver, their brass, and their zink [zinc], together with the pine tree and the box tree, to beautify the House of the God of Jacob."

If the saints interest themselves in this matter, there is no doubt but that the temple will be erected according to the pattern given, and they will be privileged to witness the dedication of the same, and see the glory and presence of the Lord displayed as it was anciently.

The Elders of Israel, who have not yet received their endowment, must indeed look forward to the completion of the building with feelings of no ordinary kind, and inasmuch as they anticipate great blessings, let them make such efforts to facilitate the work as are worthy of them, and which is their duty to do. Let the venerable sire whose frame is too much emaciated to labor himself, encourage his sons to lay hold with all their mights-Let the aged matron teach her daughter the necessity of contributing her labor or means in some manner to aid in forwarding the work. Let there be one glorious effort made by all those interested in the building and they will soon have the pleasure of beholding one of the most useful, and splendid edifices that has been erected on this continent-which shall stand from generation to generation as a monument of the faith, enterprize [enterprise] and perseverance of the saints, and in whose sacred aisles and courts shall continue to crowd their posterity after them, who will, with feelings of peculiar satisfaction, have to say, my aged sire assisted in erecting this building to the name of the Lord. We are personally acquainted with the building committee and feel great confidence in their integrity and ability to do the work assigned them; they have long been known to the church for their faith and attachment to the truth; and are willing to make any sacrifice to accomplish the work,

Let the saints, hold up their hands, emulate the ancient covenant fathers, and blessings, in copious effusions, will be showered down upon them; and great peace will rest upon Israel.