To the Editor of the Times and Seasons

Sir,-Twelve months have now passed away since my arrival here, and many changes have taken place during that short period by death or otherwise, I feel desirous of addressing a few lines to you, expressive of my faith in the latter day work. I may say, with one of old-truly I have seen affliction, and tasted her bitter dregs, having been brought down to the gates of death, through sickness, and thrice, within the short period of one year, has my peace been slain, and I called to attend the remains of those that were dearer than life to the house appointed for all the human family. The charm that knit me to the earth has been dissolved, but yet I will not sorrow as one having no hope, for it is but a short time-a night of mourning, and I shall again be united to the

wife of my youth, and the children of my bosom. Though death's shafts fly thick, and our friends drop off like leaves in autumn, yet the time is at hand when they shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and their slumbering dust, animated at the call, again wake up to life and immortality, clothed with eternal youth, no more to drink of sorrows cup or heave the parting sigh, but forever basking in the rays of everlasting joy.

We may be called to pass through much tribulation; and in our gathering together from all climes and nations to this place, we may reasonably expect to meet with difficulties and privations, and in all probability we may have our patience tried to the utmost, yet will we sing with the excellent Wesley-

Let sickness blast, let death devour,

If heaven but recompence [recompense] our pains,

Perish the grass, and fade the flower,

If firm the word of God remains!

Indeed we do not often read of any people living godly in Christ Jesus, but they had a good share of suffering, both from the world and the powers of darkness, but they were enabled to rejoice in prospect of the glory to be revealed, and we have not been called to suffer more than the saints of former days, when they wandered about in sheep-skins and goat-skins, in caves and dens of the earth, being afflicted and tormented.

We will joyfully suffer tribulation and death for the excellency of knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord. For in Nauvoo we receive line upon line, precept upon precept, and the great things of the kingdom are unfolded to our understandings from time to time, so that we can grow in grace and in knowledge; and those things which have been hid for generations are revealed in these last days. The dark mantle of error, that covered the earth, and the superstition that reigned in the hearts of the children of men, so they were led captive by the devil at his will, is fast vanishing before the rays of truth and righteousness. Zion is beginning to rise in beauty and majesty, and her light has already reached the nations afar of, [off] and her children are coming in great ships from distant lands, to learn the ways of God more perfectly. The kingdom is set up which will never be destroyed, but break in pieces all other kingdoms, and finally sway the sceptre [scepter] over all the earth. Babylon has been weighed in the balance and found wanting, therefore her time is fixed, and all her days are numbered. Tis true her merchants are strenuous, and cry mightily, Great is the lady sitting on a scarlet coloured [colored] beast; but the axe [ax] is laid to the root of the tree, and down she must come, and great will be the fall thereof, for no man will buy her merchandize [merchandise].

The more we investigate the principles of truth the more lovely they appear. The more we understand the greater our thirst for knowledge. My prayer shall still ascend for Zion's prosperity I remain as ever, your affectionate brother in the new covenant,

JOHN GREENHOW.