EDITORIAL.

and children playing around them with lighted candles.

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Any moment may

bring such a conflagration as will shake the world and spread unspeakable misery and destruction.

Amongst all the complications and hostilities of the times, England has, thus far, been preserved from the terrors of war. Its threatenings have come close to her door, as in the Luxembourg affair, but an overruling hand has warded off the danger. Why has this been? Because the Saints of God are still here, and the Lord mercifully watches over them for good. They are the salt of the earth, and woe to the nation when they are taken away from her midst, for then will come trouble and strife, destruction and decay.

The records of crime show that it is yearly on the increase, and at a fearful ratio. That wholesome fear of the law, which is the great safeguard of Gentile nations, is fast leaving the hearts of the dangerous classes, and the people begin generally to feel a spirit of defiance to authority. Fenianism, which is getting to be another name for assassination and brutal violence, is working its silent way among the desperate and seditious, and threatens to bring greater trouble to England than she has ever seen. The poverty and distress, which are admitted to be greater and more widespread than ever known before in England, are adding their horrors to the general gloom. The inventive genius of the age-so marvellous and great-is prostituted to the purpose of human destruction, and the spirit of wisdom and discretion, has so little hold upon men's minds, that what would be an inestimable blessing is turned into a terrible curse.

The Times of the 19th inst. declares-"We seem to be in an explosive vein of human affairs. Nature and art, wickedness and folly, science and stupidity, vie which shall most startle and horrify us. Not only do the occasions and opportunities multiply with our boasted progress, but, still more, the varieties of destructive means and compounds. In the same page one may see the particulars of a new gunpowder plot, a submarine explosion in the West Indies, the blowing up of a war steamer in the Mersey, coalpit explosions everywhere, paraffine or petroleum accidents, and then something (nitroglycerine) that beats all the fearful powers discovered by modern science, too terrible, too subtle, too unmanageable for human hands.”

In all these things we see the fulfilment of ancient and modern prophecy, and with grief we have to add these are but the "beginnings of sorrows." Every word of the Lord shall come to pass, and nothing that he has spoken by the mouths of his Prophets shall fail. One proof of this is seen in the case of the ill-fated Maximilian. The Lord has said, "There shall be no king upon this land (North America) who shall raise up unto the Gentiles, for he that raiseth up a king against me shall perish." (Book of Mormon, page 77.) The history of the short-lived Mexican Empire shows that the Lord is true to his word.

We turn from the sad picture of the world's strife and pending decay, to look upon Zion in the vales of Utah. In spite of all the efforts of her foes, she still flourishes and grows strong. Her strength is in her righteousness, and her prosperity in the wisdom of her rulers. God is with her, therefore her children shall never be confounded. Increased union marks the progress of the people of Utah. The building of the great Tabernacle, and the work performed on the Temple, besides the numerous improvements in the various settlements during the past year, are indications of the obedience and prosperity

of the Saints. And the great effort now being made there for the emigration of the poor Saints scattered abroad, will bring upon them the increased favor of heaven, and will make them richer spiritually and temporally.

While the Saints are enjoying, we hope, a Merry Christmas, we congratulate them upon the prospects that are before them. Though the glory of this world is fading, the kingdom of God is rising in power and majesty, and Zion will soon become a refuge for the just, a terror to the wicked, and the joy of all the honest in heart. With grateful hearts for the past year's blessings, we pray God to bless all Israel in the coming time, and to make 1868 to every faithful Saint a happy and blessed New Year.

STARS AND JOURNALS.-The Saints should contiuue their subscription for the STAR and JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES as heretofore, until they are ready to emigrate, when timely notice of their discontinuance can be given to us through the Agents.

POSTAGE.-Our readers will bear in mind that with the New Year commences the new postal arrangements between England and the United States, which include also the Territories, by which all letters weighing less than half an ounce will cost only sixpence, but the postage must in all cases be PREPAID. Saints writing to Utah will remember this. The particulars of postage on books, newspapers, and parcels, were published in STAR No. 39, of present volume.

CONFERENCE REPORTS.-Presidents of Missions, Districts, and Conferences, are required to forward the half-yearly Reports, ending 31st of December, of the Conferences over which they preside, as soon thereafter as practicable. They should reach us by the 10th or 15th of January at latest.

CORRESPONDENCE.

AMERICA.

Great Salt Lake City.
Nov. 23rd, 1867.

Elder Franklin D. Richards.
Dear Brother, -Your welcome favor,
dated Oct. 26th, came to hand on the
evening of the 21st instant. I wrote
you on the 18th ult., and also on the
8th inst., and trust that you have re-
ceived those letters in due course of
mail.

Those brethren who have suffered by small-pox have had fresh opportunity to prove their faith in God, and their perfect confidence in those bless

ings which were pronounced upon their heads previous to their leaving home, by the assistance rendered them by friends even in a land of strangers. God bless those brethren and the Elders who are exposed to that loathsome disease; but where there are cases of brethren having poor health through the dampness of the climate, send them home, for there are plenty to preach with whom the climate does agree.

As much as I regret the partial closing of the Mission in Holland, I cannot advise you to incur additional

SUMMARY OF NEWS.

expense to support the cause of truth in the midst of that people, for ample time has passed, and that part of the vineyard should now sustain itself. . .

I am pleased that Brother Widerborg is advocating the principles of the Gospel in places heretofore unvisited by our Elders.

Frequent baptism proclaims the spread of the Gospel, and we like much to hear of our brethren yielding obedience to the principles of eternal life.

The weather continues fine, and the labor of hauling rock for the Temple still occupies the attention of our brethren in this and adjacent counties. Never since the first year of our inhabiting these valleys have we been favored with so fine an autumn, and although business is exceedingly dull, money being very scarce, yet everybody is cheerful, and happiness predominates among the Saints. Colds are still prevalent, but through the prayer of faith in behalf of our children the power of the destroyer has been stayed.

Your cousin Heber John accompanied Captain Hooper as far as New York, where he will reside for the present, and study surgery under the tuition of Dr. Sayre.

The call which has been made to assist the poor in Europe to emigrate

823

the coming season has been responded to, thus far, most liberally, and I want you to search for the oldest members of the Church who have been faithful, and give them the preference, as Í deem them most worthy of assistance.

The militia have been out with flying colors in Cache, Box Elder, Davis, Great Salt Lake, Tooele, and Utah Couuties. These musters were generally well attended, and the inspecting officers have expressed their astonishment at the excellent condition which many were in in regard to arms, &c. It has been the opinion of some that the military spirit was dying out, but they were mistaken, the people are becoming better Saints and soldiers every day.

Brother G. Q. Cannon is now editing the Weekly and Semi-weekly Deseret News, to which he has added a Deseret Evening News, and still edits the Juvenile Instructor. Brother A. Carrington is now laboring in my office.

Enclosed is a business sheet. With love to all in the office, in which Brothers Heber and Wells, G. Q. C., and B. Y., jun., join.

May the blessings of God attend you in all your labors, is the prayer of Your Brother in Christ, BRIGHAM YOUNG.

The number of wrecks reported for the week ending Dec. 14th, was 116, making a total for the present year of 2768.

DISTRESS IN LONDON.-The Daily News contains deplorable accounts of the severe distress which prevails at the east end of London. Four thousand per

sons are at work where 16,000 once had employment. The tradesmen, the butchers, bakers, grocers, drapers, and publicans-who are the camp followers of the great industrial army-have shut up their shops and gone. The number of persons receiving out-door relief is greatly in excess of what it was last year; and the number of cases on the books of the medical officer is more than fourfold the average of the past three years. From many houses every article of furniture has been sold.

BRITISH POPULATION.-The population of the United Kingdom exhibited an uninterrupted progress from the commencement of the century up to 1846. In 1801, says the Times, it stood at 15,902,322; in 1841, at 26,751,199; and in 1849, at 28,002,094. Then came the years of Irish famine and extended emigration; and in 1851 the population had sunk to 27,393,337. In 1856 it had recovered, however, to 28,011,034, and in 1861, to 28,974,362; in 1866, to 29,946,058; and in 1867, to 30,157,239. The figures subsequent to 1861 are, of course, the result of estimates; but the statistics of registration, &c., are now so carefully attended to, that the totals given afford a very close approximation to the actual facts.

John E. Pace, Cross Keys Field, Mill Street, Stony Stratford, Bucks.

INFORMATION WANTED.-Joseph Green, late of Birmingham, would be glad to hear from John Monk, or his son Enoch Monk, who emigrated from Birmingham in 1864. Would any friend seeing this, please inform either of them. Address to J. Green, Chemist, 207, Camp Hill, Birmingham.

DIED:

JAMES. Thomas James, late of Neyland, Pembrokeshire, in New York, Sept. 1st, very suddenly of disease of the heart. -DESERET NEWS, please copy.

PERKINS-At North Ogden, Weber county, Utah, on the 2nd inst., Ann Perkins, aged 80 years, 10 months and 28 days. Sister Perkins was a native of Swansea, South Wales. She received the Gospel in 1841, came to Utah in 1856, crossing the plains in Capt. Bunker's handl cart company, arrived in Salt Lake Valley October 4th, 1856. She died has she had lived, firm in the faith and in the hope of a glorious resurrection.

DAVIES.-At Cap Coch, Near Aberdare, Nov. 4th 1867, David, son of Rees Davies, of typhus fever, aged 16 years. He was a worthy and faithful young man.

POETRY.

A HAPPY NEW YEAR.

A happy New Year to the good and true

In every land and clime!

Though their number is but a very few,

They'll govern the world in time.

Each winter's death, and each summer's birth,

Is bringing that time more near,

Then joy will come to old Mother Earth,
And she'll have a happy New Year.

Now the wicked rule, and the people mourn
And toil from morn till night,
Enriching the men who with lofty scorn
Dole out their weekly mite.

For human muscle is plenty and cheap,

Though food be ever so dear;

So the poor may struggle and want and weep.
God send them a happy New Year!

But the grand old Prophets of ancient times
Predicted that woe should cease,

That earth should be cleansed from her children's
crimes,

And be crowned with the fruits of peace;

EDITED, PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY FRANKLIN D. RICHARDS, 42, ISLINGTON.

LONDON:

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AND BY ALL BOOK SELLERS.