Salutatory

In consenting to come before the public in the capacity of Assistant Editor of the "Times & Seasons," I am aware that I make my debut under circumstances somewhat embarrassing. This paper, like the Church whose avowed organ it is, has risen from an obscure origin, to become a herald of religious intelligence to many of the enlightened nations of the earth. It has not obtained its enviable character, without meeting, at every step, sore and steady opposition. The pulpit and the press have teemed with scurrility and abuse, and, every possible method has been resorted to, by the learned and the vile, to obstruct and close up this avenue of truth and intelligence to the minds of reasoning men. But these means have proved ineffectual. The pens of the good and the brave, dipped in the fountain of Eternal Intelligence, have continued to mark out and unfold the records of wisdom; and a power, incomprehensible, but true and certain, has protected and nerved the press, in its effort to throw out upon the world, truths as lasting and indelible as the records of time, and as sure to scatter, dismay, and confound the forces of error, as the sun rising in his strength is sure to dissolve and dispel the mists and gloom of the night. As the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has been the protege of a wise, but inscrutable Providence, so has the "Times & Seasons," and the best of men have been raised up to be its Editors and Proprietors. Such were Gen. D. C. Smith, and Col. R. B. Thompson-men of whom the world was not worthy; and they have been removed, though to the extreme loss of the church, yet to their infinite gain. In view of this afflictive dispensation our Prophet exclaimed, overwhelmed with sorrowful regret, "Where shall we find men that will stand forth and fill their places!"-The present proprietor, with the multiplicity of cares that have been rolling upon him, in fitting up this establishment for extensive operations in stereotyping and book printing, again undertook its publication, and has thus far nobly sustained the burden.-But he can sustain it no longer; and in looking around for assistance, he has invited my feeble services. I step forth to this undertaking tremblingly, (who can do otherwise?) believing, however that an honest effort to serve them, will be complacently received by a generous public. I am aware in whose footsteps I tread; but they are footsteps consecrated, a thousand tender reflections hover around them, and I call to mind the saying, "Let me live the life of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!"-With the hope that the spirit that rested up-upon [upon] my predecessors may in part redound[rebound] to me, and that the kind mantle of charity will be thrown over my errors and weaknesses, I take up my pen, and shall use my best endeavors to make our paper, what it has heretofore been, a welcome visitor, and an acceptable and successful herald of truth, among the families and nations of the earth.

GUSTAVUS HILLS.

We are pleased to learn that the hint we gave in a late number, concerning Steam Mills &c., has been heartily responded to by our able and

enterprising citizens, Messrs. Wm. & W. Law. These gentlemen, we understand, have entered into arrangements for the immediate erection of a steam flouring mill. This is as it should be. We know of no place in the western country where milling and manufacturing establishments can be erected with so good a prospect of profitable success as in the City of Nauvoo. This city must necessarily become a manufacturing city; emigrants from all our eastern cities, and from Europe, have fixed upon this as their future home, and are continually gathering with the saints, among whom are many of the most skillful mechanics that any country can produce. Capitalists cannot make better investments than in erecting establishments and enlisting the cooperation of these choice mechanics and manufactors [manufacturers]. Here are men skilled in all the departments of cotton, wool, and silk manufacture, of cutlery, of morocco dressing, glove making, of queens ware and porcelain, of silver and gold ware, lapidaries, sculptors, engravers, &c. &c. &c. By and by, we wonder if some enterprizing [enterprising] citizen will not make an attempt to supply our city with Brittannia [Britannia] and Argentina ware. We see no good reason why our lead and tin in the gross should be borne over the rapids, off to some distant land, and back again, in shot, sheeting, pipe, paints, tea and table sets, &c. &c.

The gentlemen above named have also entered into negociations [negotiations] with Mr. Isaac Hill, a gentleman of experience and skill, for the making of bricks, ad infinitum. Emigrants need not fear of being retarded in their operations of building &C. for want of materials, these will be furuished [furnished], as ready and numurous [numerous] as the heart could wish.

To conclude, permit us to remark, that the operations hinted at above, will by no means meet the wants of this growing city. These are but the beginnings of what must and will be. On the opening of spring our hearts will be cheered with a scene as enchanting and happy, as the music of the ax, the hammar [hammer], the saw, and the sculptor's chisel, the hum of industry, and enterprise, and the whistle and song of contentment can make it.