Latter Day Saints' Messenger and Advocate/Volume 1/Number 8/Address
KIRTLAND, OHIO, MAY, 1835.
ADDRESS
To the Patrons of the Latter Day Saints'
Messenger & Advocate.
It is proper for me to inform you, that in consequence of other business and other duties, in which my services are requisite, my editorial labors on this paper will close with the present number; and as this is the case, I hope to be indulged in a few remarks, as I take leave of this responsibility. And I will take the occasion to add, here, that for a liberal patronage, so gratuitously bestowed upon unmerited talents, you have my heart felt gratitude, and still hope, that though the Advocate is to be transferred into other hands, that it may continue to receive its present support, and as rapid an increase to its subscription list as has been its good fortune to receive, since its commencement.
The Evening and the Morning Star was commenced at Independence, Jackson County, Missouri, June, 1832, by W. W. PHELPS, who edited fourteen numbers of that paper. It is known that in July, 1833, that office was demolished by a mob, and that the Star was resuscitated in this place in December of the same year. After closing the two first volumes it was deemed advisable to discontinue it and issue the present paper. For eight numbers I have to acknowledge a rapid increase of subscriptions, which has shown, in some degree, the estimation others made of its worth. It will be conducted hereafter by Elder JOHN WHITMER, late from the State of Missouri. It is proper for me to say, that wherever Elder Whitmer is personally known, a commendation from me would be uncalled for and superfluous; and I hardly need to add, that those to whom he is unknown will find him to be a man of piety, uprightness and virtue, such as adorns the walk of the professor of the religion of the Lord Jesus, and one bearing testimony to the truth of the great work of God.
It is with no ordinary feeling that I take leave of the editorial department of this paper. There is such a complicated mass of reflection crowding itself upon the mind that no common phraseology can express. To realize that one year and eight months' labor is now before the public; that whether truth or untruth has been disseminated in the same, it must remain, calls for the serious consideration of a candid heart, full with the expectation and assurance, that before the Judge of all, and an assembled universe I must answer for the same. Some may say that these reflections ought to have been pondered previously—before stepping forward to give my views to the public—to which I conscientiously reply, that they were; and were I now sensible that I had erred from the strict principles of righteousness, in the main, it should be my first object, and business, to retract.
Men, at times, depend upon the say of others, and are influenced by their persuasions to embrace different systems; and though weak may have been my arguments and feeble my exertions to persuade others to believe as myself, some may have been disposed to listen; and I will now repeat the reflections which from the beginning have occupied my heart, and which I have endeavored to have before my mind continually.—How can I meet a fellow-being before the throne of that God who has framed the heavens and the earth, and there, if not till then, learn, that through my influence or persuasion he had been led into error and was doomed to suffer the wrath of the same? It is no trifling matter to sport with the souls of men!—they must exist eternally, and where is the being who can save them from suffering? On certain principles, and certain ones only can they escape, whatever others may suppose, or conjecture, to the contrary notwithstanding. Agreeably to those principles, I may say in conscience, I have endeavored to have my work correspond, and if there is a lack it is a want of that perfect meekness which adorned the walk of the Savior and is left as a pattern for those who profess his gospel; and wherein I may have erred in this respect, I look for forgiveness through the merits of him who knows the integrity of my heart.
I have given extracts of letters, from time to time, showing the increase and spread of this gospel, and it is unnecessary to re-insert them, or say that the work is still progressing. The numerous obstacles which have opposed the truth have hitherto been unable to overthrow it; the mighty machinery, so artfully managed, has endeavored in vain to prevent men from obeying the gospel, and the contaminating influence of vice and folly have failed, in their attempts, to darken the minds of the honest, and turn them aside from the path of salvation; and on closing my editorial labors, it is with an increased joy as the satisfaction is redoubled, that that which was as a "grain of mustard seed" a few years since, is now beginning to enlarge its branches that the "fowls of heaven are lodging in its boughs;" and with a proportionable increase the mild rays of peace and love will soon enlighten the dark corners of the globe, and Israel's sons will be seen wending their way to their promised home. With these prospects before me, I take this, and perhaps my last leave of my friends, as an editor of any paper whatever. In this, however, I give no pledge, as I know not what circumstances time may bring forth.
As my principles are fully known, it is unnecessary to repeat them here: I shall only add a few reflections and then close.
There is an eternity, and you, with myself, reader, are fast approaching it. There is no stay with time—it flies—it hastens—it will soon close. The sound of that trump which will awake the sleeping millions, will ere long be heard, and all nations, kindreds and tongues be brought to stand before the judgment seat of Christ—The wise and the foolish, the righteous and the wicked—no excuse can be offered to prolong the summons, or a show of righteousness, clothed with deception, escape the scrutinizing eye of "him with whom we have to do." These are realities without the least shadow of fiction.
To those who have contributed to the columns of the Advocate, I tender my thanks, and hope, that, at least, a consciousness that they have done their Master's will, and set truth before the world, will continue to cheer their hearts as they advance down the stream of time to the day of the reward of the just.
To the elders of this church who have distinguished themselves in circulating this paper, by obtaining subscribers, I also owe a thankful acknowledgement, and the reflection of their kindness shall ever occupy a conspicuous portion of my gratitude. Their labors, I know, are many and fatiguing, but while they are, in many instances considered the "off-scorings" of the earth, they may know that their reward is sure, and that he whom they have served will yet give them a place in his kingdom where the glory and the power is eternal.
And that holiness may prevail until the knowledge of the Lord covers the earth as the waters cover the sea, and that we may have an inheritance among the sanctified in that day, is the prayer of your unworthy servant and friend.
OLIVER COWDERY.