(As the Illinoisans call the Missouri people pukes, this circumstance caused considerable amusement to the members of the bar.) During his plea his language was so outrageous that the Judge was twice under the necessity of ordering him to be silent.

"Mr. O. H. Browning then commenced his plea, and in a short time the puking lawyer returned and requested the privilege of finishing his plea, which was allowed.

"Afterwards Mr. Browning resumed his pleadings, which were powerful; and when he gave a recitation of what he himself had seen at Quincy and on the banks of the Mississippi River, when the saints were 'exterminated from Missouri,' where he tracked the persecuted women and children by their bloody footmarks in the snow, they were so affecting that the spectators were often dissolved in tears. Judge Douglas himself and most of the officers wept, for they were under the necessity of keeping the spectators company.

"Elder Amasa Lyman during the evening preached a brilliant discourse in the courthouse, on the first principles of the gospel, which changed the feelings of the people very materially.

"The following letter is from the editor of the Times and Seasons:

"American Hotel, MONMOUTH, Warren County, "Illinois, June 5, 1811, Wednesday evening. "We have just returned from the courthouse, where we have listened to one of the most eloquent speeches ever uttered by mortal man, in favor of justice and liberty, by O. H. Browning, Esq., who has done himself immortal honor in the sight of all patriotic citizens who listened to the same. He occupied the attention of the court for more than two hours, and showed the falsity of the arguments of the opposite counsel, and laid down principles in a lucid and able manner, which ought to guide the court in admitting testimony for the defendant, Joseph Smith. We have heard Mr. Browning on former occasions, when he has frequently delighted his audience by his eloquence; but on this occasion he exceeded our most sanguine expectations. The senti

ments he advanced were just, generous, and exalted; he soared above the petty quibbles which the opposite counsel urged, and triumphantly, in a manner and eloquence peculiar to himself, avowed himself the friend of humanity, and boldly, nobly, and independently stood up for the rights of those who had waded through seas of oppression and floods of injustice and had sought a shelter in the State of Illinois. It was an effort worthy of a high-minded and honorable gentleman, such as we ever considered him to be since we have had the pleasure of his acquaintance. Soon after we came out of Missouri he sympathized with us in our afflictions, and we are indeed rejoiced to know that he yet maintains the same principles of benevolence. His was not an effort of a lawyer anxious to earn his fee, but the pure and patriotic feelings of Christian benevolence and a sense of justice and of right. While he was answering the monstrous and ridicu lous arguments urged by the opposing counsel, that Joseph Smith might go to Missouri and have his trial, he stated the circumstance of our being driven from that State, and feelingly and emphatically pointed out the impossibility of our obtaining justice there. There we were forbidden to enter in consequence of the order of the Executive, and that injustice and cruelties of the most barbarous and atrocious character had been practiced upon us until the streams of Missouri had run with blood; and that he had seen women and children, barefoot and houseless, crossing the Mississippi to seek refuge from ruthless mobs. He concluded his remarks by saying, that to tell us to go to Missouri for a trial was adding insult to injury; and then said: "Great God! Have I not seen it? Yes, my eyes have beheld the blood stained traces of innocent women and children, in the drear winter, who had traveled hundreds of miles barefoot, through frost and snow, to seek a refuge from their savage pursuers. 'Twas a scene of horror, sufficient to enlist sympathy from an adamantine heart. And shall this unfortunate man, whom their fury has seen proper to select for sacrifice, be driven into such a savage land, and none dare to enlist in the cause of justice? If there was no other voice under heaven ever to be heard in this cause, gladly would I

stand alone and proudly spend my latest breath in defense of an oppressed American citizen."'

"Thursday morning, 10th. The court was opened about eight o'clock, when Judge Douglas delivered his opinion on the case.

"He said "That the writ being once returned to the Executive by the Sheriff of Hancock County, was dead, and stood in the same relationship as any other writ which might issue from the Circuit Court; and consequently the defendant could not be held in custody on that writ. The other point, whether evidence in the case was admissible or not, he would not at that time decide, as it involved great and important considerations relative to the future conduct of the different States; there being no precedent, as far as they had access to authorities, to guide them. But he would endeavor to examine the subject, and avail himself of all the authorities which could be obtained on the subject, before he would decide that point. But on the other, the defendant must be liberated.'

"The decision was received with satisfaction by myself and the brethren, and all those whose minds were free from prejudice. It is now decided that before another writ can issue a new demand must be made by the Governor of Missouri. Thus have I once more been delivered from the fangs of my cruel persecutors, for which I thank God, my heavenly Father.

"I was discharged about eleven a. m., when I ordered din. ner for my company, now increased to about sixty men; and when I called for the tavern bill, the unconscientious fellow replied, 'Only one hundred and sixty dollars.'

"About two p. m., the company commenced their return, traveled about twenty miles, and camped by the wayside. "Friday, 11th. Started very early, arrived at La Harpe for dinner, and returned safely to Nauvoo by four p. m., where I was met by the acclamations of the saints."— Millennial Star, vol. 18. pp. 550 553.

An editorial in Times and Seasons agrees with the above.

CHAPTER 24.

1841.

THE TEMPLE-HYDE IN GERMANY-THE TWELVE-DEATH OF D. C. SMITH-MISSIONARIES SENT-PROFESSOR PRATT-INDIANS AT NAUVOO-SEMIANNUAL CONFERENCE OF 1841-EPISTLE OF THE TWELVE-KIRTLAND AFFAIRS BAPTISMAL FONT-EPISTLE OF THE TWELVE-BAPTISM FOR THE DEAD-LETTER FROM O. HYDE— THE TWELVE DISSATISFIED WITH TIMES AND SEASONS-TEMPLE BUILDING AND CHURCH REJECTION-LIST OF PUBLICATIONS.

ON July 1, 1841, Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, and John Taylor, of the Twelve, arrived in Nauvoo from their mission to England, and the Prophet states: "The accounts of their missions are highly satisfactory."

Sometime this month Orson Pratt published in New York an edition of his work which had previously been printed in Edinburgh, Scotland, called, "The History of the Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon."

The temple.

The issue of the Times and Seasons for July 1, 1841, contains an account of the temple, which shows very satisfactory progress, and speaks well for the energy and perseverance of a despoiled and afflicted people. 1

1 THE TEMPLE OF THE LORD.

We are happy to say that this building is progressing in a manner which does honor to the citizens of this place. On visiting it a few days ago we were agreeably surprised to find that the brethren, notwithstanding their poverty, had accomplished so much; and we feel assured if the saints abroad with their wealth would make a corresponding effort that another year would not roll over our heads before the "topstone would be brought up, with shouts of Grace, grace be unto it."

The building committee are making every preparation to erect the baptismal font in the basement story as soon as possible. The font is intended to be supported by twelve oxen, several of which are in a state of forwardness, and are certainly good representations of that animal, and do great credit to the mechanics who are engaged in carving the same. It is intended to overlay them with gold, and when finished will have a very grand appearance indeed. Most of the labor that is done has been accomplished by the citizens devoting every tenth day gratui tously to that purpose.

While contemplating the foundation which has been so happily begun,

July 12; William Clayton was appointed clerk of the High Council of Iowa, and John Patten recorder of baptisms for the dead in Iowa. Baptisms for the dead were authorized to be performed in the Mississippi River on the Iowa side. On July 13, 1841, George A. Smith, of the Twelve, arrived in Nauvoo from his mission to England.

A letter written by Orson Hyde on July 17, 1841, left him at Ratisbon, Germany, on the Danube. It gives quite a full and interesting account of his travels.

Hyde in
Germany.

we were forcibly reminded of the circumstances, as recorded in holy writ, connected with the building of the ancient temple at Jerusalem, by the Israelites, after they had escaped the perils of the wilderness and had obtained a possession in the land of Canaan.-Times and Seasons, vol. 2, p. 455.

2 RATISBON, on the Danube, July 17, 1841.

Dear Bro. Joseph, and all whom it may concern:—

With pleasure I take my pen to write to you at this time, hoping this communication may find you as it leaves me, in good health and enjoying a comfortable measure of the Holy Spirit.

On the 20th of June last I left London for Rotterdam, in Holland, after writing a lengthy epistle to you, and also the copy of a letter addressed to the Rev. Doctor S. Hirschell, President Rabbi of the Hebrews in London, which I hope you have received ere this. The work

of the Lord was steadily advancing in London under the efficient and zealous labors of our worthy brother, Elder L. Snow.

The fine steamer Battavier brought me safely over the billows of a tremendous rough sea in about thirty hours. Never did I suffer more from seasickness than during this short voyage; but it was soon over, and we landed safely in Rotterdam. I took my lodgings at the London Hotel at two florins per diem, about three shillings and five pence sterling, or seventy-five cents. Here I called on the Hebrew Rabbi, and proposed certain questions to him; but as he did not understand a word of English, it was hard for me to enter into particulars with him. I asked him, however, whether he expected his Messiah to come directly from heaven, or whether he expected him to be born of a woman on earth. He replied that he expected him to be born of a woman, of the seed and lineage of David. At what period do you look for this event? Answer, "We have been looking a long time, and are now living in constant expectation of his coming." "Do you believe in the restitution of your nation to the land of your fathers, called the land of promise?" "We hope it will be so," was the reply. He then added: "We believe that many Jews will return to Jerusalem and rebuild the city-rear a temple to the name of the Most High, and restore our ancient worship." "Jerusalem shall be the capital of our nation; the center of our union, and the standard and ensign of our national existence. But we do not believe that all the Jews will go there, for the place is not large enough to contain them. They are now gathering there," continued he, "almost continually. I told him that I had written an address to the Hebrews and was about procuring its publication in his own language (Dutch); and when completed I would leave him a copy. He thanked me for this