Extract of a Letter from Benjamin F. Grouard, Dated-

Tahiti, December 6, 1844.

MY EVER DEAR AND RESPECTED WIFE:-

I joyfully embrace another opportunity of writing you a few lines, knowing you are ever anxious to hear from me; especially when we are so remote from each other. I hardly know what to write about first, I have so many things to say, and in fact a sheet of paper is a poor medium, to my notion, to communicate one's thoughts; still, as there is no other resource, while so widely separated, we must gladly accept of it. Still you must not expect that all I can say in this, is hardly an index to what I want to say. I sometimes think it quite strange that I have never received any communication from you since I left; still, I cannot attribute it to your neglect, for I fondly hope there are some on the way, and will soon reach me.-It is a long time though, that I have had to wait, and sometimes I get quite out of patience. It is now fourteen months since I have heard a syllable from you or the church, except some newspaper stories, or the like. One of those was, that Brothers Joseph and Hyrum had been assassinated. Such things, though we do not believe them, give us great uneasiness, and make our situation very unpleasant.

Nothing but the privilege of seeing you, would give me more pleasure at the present time, than to know your situation and circumstances; whether you are in Philadelphia or Nauvoo, and how you prosper? whether those who volunteered to befriend you, are friends indeed and how you are contented in my absence? whether you hold out faithful yet? I hope and trust you do.

Should they kill Brother Joseph, and half the church, we know it is the truth; and God's purposes will roll on, and be fulfilled in spite of all things. If he is killed, what has befallen him more than the rest of the prophets? Nothing. But I hope and trust it is not so.

My ignorance of your whereabouts troubles

me a great deal, and had I known that it was going to give me so much uneasiness I never should have consented for you to leave Nauvoo, but I fondly hope you are in Nauvoo, and boarding with Brother Schwartze. If I knew that was the case, I should rest quite contented. I suppose, dear, you still think your lot is a hard one at the best, and so it is, taking an abstract view of it, that is, unconnected with the reward of your privations. But we must learn to look ahead and live in anticipation, or as the phrenologists say, we must cultivate the bump of hope, and get a large share of that, and then we shall be able to comfort ourselves now, with the anticipations of the future.-For my own part, the thoughts of our meeting again, and having the privilege of communing together, is truly a great pleasure, and keeps my spirits up under all circumstances. Only think for one moment-my heart leaps for joy while I write it-when we shall meet together. Then we can sit down and talk over all our trials and difficulties, and look back with pleasure upon the past, knowing we have done our duty and stand approved in the sight of Heaven.

When I do return, if the Lord will, I intend securing what you have ever desired,-a comfortable dwelling; and if the Lord should see fit to call me to go forth again to preach the gospel, I intend to see it well stocked with provisions for your use while I am gone, except I should have to come on such another mission as this. If I should have to come on such a mission again, I tell you what, I think you would have to come with me; for I don't think I should be willing to be separated from you so long again. However, I guess I will get home again before I talk of going away.

Dear, I must begin to draw my letter to a close, as my space is getting small, and you will please excuse all blunders, as I have written in a hurry. I am just on the point of going to pay Bro. Pratt a visit on the island of Tooboui, and I anticipate a pleasant time.-He has built up quite a branch of the church there. We have altogether, according to the last accounts received from the brethren, baptized forty-three or forty-five.-About one third are English and Americans, and the rest are natives. Rather slow work, but the Lord's will be done; and if we do the best we can, of course it is all that is required of us, whether much or little is done.

I ofttimes, dear, imagine myself returning home, and just landing up by the old stone house, or just entering the threshold of the door, and of clasping my own dear wife to my bosom, and greeting all of my dear friends.-Methinks I can now see you all gathering around me, and with eager visage, making a thousand enquiries [inquiries], while I shall be so over joyed that I shall not be able to give an answer to any of them, but making equally as many of you. O, that will be joyful,-joyful, joyful, joyful, and the bare anticipation of it, repays us for all we have to endure in consequence of our separation.

I suppose you would like to know how I get along as regards my temporal affairs. To that I would say, I lack for nothing that I stand in need of. The Lord has been true to his promise-I have ever found those who were ready to administer to my wants, and I have never been destitute of money since I left America, which is more than I could say while I was travelling [traveling] there. I have lived with Bro. Lincoln ever since I have been here. Both he and Sister Lincoln treat me as one of their own family. They want me to stay with them as long as I am here. So you see the Lord has provided abundantly for me.

Now, I suppose you would like to know when I intend to start for home. Well, I'll tell you. I have engaged my passage already. Ah! that makes your eyes shine. But stop: I did not tell you when the vessel was going to sail. It is a whale ship, and she has gone out to fill up, and will return here in ten months, and if the Lord will I shall go home in her. At any rate I have engaged to. I must now close. Please excuse all mistakes. I am, as ever, your affectionate husband,

BENJ. F. GROUARD.

From the Millennial Star.