| 574 thereof are asking the Saints to come in and dwell with them, thereby making practicable the fulfillment of the prophecy, which states that the "waste places of Zion shall be rebuilt."
It has made a happy and a smiling people of those cast down oppressed with care and well-nigh hopeless.
It is driving out the spirit of unrest and disquiet, so long resident in the hearts of Saints, and is filling its place with rest and quiet, causing them to begin to drive the corner stakes, plant the hearthstones, and raise the rooftrees of permanent homes in which "Zion, the pure in heart," may dwell in peace and safety; and by God's blessing they will continue to do this, until "Zion and her borders be full."
It is striving in all its parts to make the name of Saint honorable, its faith permanent, and its practices lawful; and although there are in places contention and strife, they are in contravention and disregard of rule, not in accordance with it.
It has won a standing place in the arena of the world's great strife, and has demonstrated that its advocates are worthy to "fight the good fight of the faith," unto success.
It has, by dint of the "perseverance of the Saints," gained so great coignes of vantage against the common enemy, that those not of the faith are gladly willing that the elders shall defend the Christian philosophy against the assaults of unbelief.
It has restored the only temple built by the Saints and accepted of God, after those who claimed to be true defenders of the latter-day work had left it to be desecrated by careless and indifferent hands, a place for the bats and a shelter for sheep.
It has proved by precept and example, that loyalty to the commands of God given to the church does not require men to be disloyal to the government which God caused to be instituted for the very purpose of the development of his church.
It has so far kept the commands of the Lord that they who are bearing the burden of the ministry have confidence to approach him and ask that they be further directed in their work; and they are encouraged in their work by the fact that he hears and answers their requests.
Those who are looking on and denouncing us for not doing more, may read this with profit, and be content.
The above enables the Saints to see that the "kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal;" and that its work of enlightening and converting souls is still blessed of God.
It likewise proves that the Saints, though not of the world, may yet live in the world, and be preserved, prospered, honored, and blessed, if they are just and faithful.
The church of the living God is moving. Let the Saints take courage and go forward to victory, triumphing in the Lord.-The Saints' Herald, vol. 34, p. 337.
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