certain members of the committee, the reason therefore, being better known to Burrows and Dubois than to any one else; in fact they are the only members of that body who seemed really to have anything to do with the matter. And what more, they both figured as prosecutors, and interested thenselves in but that side of the question. However, there were enough honorable, level-headed American statesmen in the Senate to protect Senator Smoot from the hands of conspirators and to shield the Constitution from being torn to pieces by prejudiced and bigoted minsters and politicians. The fate of that sacred instrument, as was predicted by the Prophet Joseph Smith, hung suspended as by a single thread, and the Elders of Israel, as he further prophesied, through their faith and their diligent work to counteract the mighty force brought to bear against it, prevailed with the Lord and saved it from destruction.

The press throughout the South concurs with the Senate in its just decision and applauds the verdict rendered. In fact we have not seen nor has our attention been called to one paper of any prominence, holding a contrary view. We mention especially the three dailies of this city, TIE TIMES, the NEWS and the STAR; also the TIMES DISPATCH of Richmond, the ATLANTA GEORGIAN and NEWS, the MONTGOMERY TIMES and the CouRIER and NEWS of Charleston.

We desire to say one word of praise in behalf of the noble hearted, brave and patriotic Senators who dared to uphold the cause of justice. Certainly they were men of the hour. Upon their hearts prejudice had no hold. Their minds were broad, clear and deep, and their manhood and their courage equal to the task before them. They viewed the question from all sides, and after due deliberation formed themselves in line upon the safest ground, and with one mighty and decisive charge they won the victory of the day, carried to higher heights and planted upon a more solid foundation than ever, that sacred palladium of American liberty-the Constitution of the United States!

In closing these few reflections no sentiment could be more fitting than a patriotic expression made by letter to the editor from the vindicated Serator from Utah a few days after the vote was taken. He said:

"Though over a century old, the Constitution still looks young and vigorous. May there never be a hatchet manufactured in this broad land with edge keen enough to make the slightest indenture upon its tender bark."

The Second Coming of Our Lord.

Our attention has been called to a controversy or something akin to it which exists in a certain part of the Mission, involving the question whether or not Jesus, after His resurrection, went unto His Father. One faction to the disagreement, argues that He did not do so; for, it is contended, if such be true, His subsequent visits to the earth constituted His "second"

coming and hence this event, so frequently spoken of in the Bible, is aready past.

This question to us seems very simple, but it has come up in such a way as to make us feel that a few words on the subject are necessary for the benefit of the Saints and Elders, or any one else, who may be intereste1. Immediately after Jesus came forth from the tomb He forbade Mary to touch Him because He had not, up to that time, ascended into heaven. Ev.dently it was His wish that He report to His Father in His resurrected body before mingling again with men in the flesh. In fact the following words spoken by the Savior at this particular time proves plainly enough that His first duty was to go unto His Father:

"Touch me not, for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father and your Father, to my God and to your God."

It is a notable fact that this incident happened in the morning, whereas His first visit to His disciples occurred in the evening of the same day, so that during the interval evidently, He was upon His proposed visit to His Father. Subsequently to the time that this restriction was placed upon Mary, the person of Jesus did come in actual contact with men. Thomas was invited by the Lord to feel the wounds in His body made at the crucifixion, and he thus removed his doubts as to the identity of the resurrected Redeemer. Peter leaned upon his Master's arm in his attempt to walk with Him upon the water. These two circumstances clearly show that the barrier which prohibited Mary from touching the Lord, was removed in the case of Thomas and Peter; and, taken in connection with the words of Jesus to Mary, there is but one conclusion to reach and that is that He must have ascended unto His Father. At all events Stephen at his martyrdom, beheld the Lord sitting on the right hand of God, so that at that time we know positively He was with His Father. Paul at this time was a persecutor of the Saints. He held the coats of some of the men who put Stephen to death. Subsequently, however, he was converted and not only heard the Savior's voice, but declared that he had also seen Him, showing that after Christ had been with His Father, as testified to by Stephen, He again visited the earth.

From these citations two things are deducible: First, that after the resurrection, Jesus did go unto His Father; and second, He afterward visited the earth. It should be noted also, that in this dispensation, He in company with His Father, visited the Prophet Joseph Smith. But these visits to the earth do not constitute that "second" coming which the Saints have been taugh to look forward to. Christ's first coming was when He came to dwell upon the earth in mortality; His second coming will be when He comes to dwell here in immortality.

When this event takes place, the Lord will appear in clouds of glory with thousands of His Saints, and He will come to reign personally upon the earth as Lord of lords and King of kings; however, in the meantime He

may, and will, make many visits to the earth, especially to His temples; for He is in no way restricted from exercising this high privilege and right as often as He desires.

In conclusion let us caution the Saints and Elders to avoid deep water. The Gospel embraces all truth, and man with his finite mind can comprehend but a small degree at a time. He must gradually, step by step, ascend the scale of knowledge, just the same as the child must do in the school room. Sufficient already has been given for our present salvation, and when additional light is needed God will reveal it through His servants, the Prophets. Keep close to the advice of these men, for God doeth nothing save that He revealeth His secrets unto them. Do the will of the Father and you shall then know of the doctrine; and if you are faithful the mysteries of the kingdom will be revealed to you through the Lord's appointed ones, as rapidly as it is necessary and expedient for you to receive them. You have a right to the companionship of the Spirit of God. Live worthy of its influence. Obey its whisperings, for it will lead you aright in all things.

Time and time again we have published the words of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the Patriarch Hyrum, given to the Elders sent into the world to preach the Gospel, counseling them to preach the fundamental principles and warning them against the mysteries of godliness. The brethren have been counseled to preserve these words in their reference books and now is a good time for them to commit them to memory for future use.

The Canadian Saints Defended by Minister of the Interior.

(The Deseret News received the following newspaper clipping from a correspondent at Cardston, Alberta, Can., and published the same under date of February 28. Besides being of present interest it is worthy of preservation :)

Ottawa, Feb. 4.-Hon. Frank Oliver, Canadian minister of the interior, takes direct issue with Rev. Professor Kilpatrick, Knox College, Toronto, and with Rev. Somerville, general agent of the Presbyterian church in Canada, in their attitude towards the Mormon immigration into Alberta. At a meeting in Bloor street Presbyterian church, Toronto, Mr. Kilpatrick said: "The greatest grief in Alberta was the Mormon settlement. These people were Mormons first and Canadians afterwards. It was not enough to say they grew good beets, but do they grow good Canadian citizens?" Dr. Somerville said: "The Mormon invasion was a sign to be laid at the government's door. They formed a dangerous element in Canadian life, and nowhere did the mission board meet with such discourgement."

MR. OLIVER'S REPLY.

These remarks having been drawn to his attention, Mr. Oliver said: "It does not seem to me that the remarks quoted do credit to the un

derstanding of the reverend gentlemen who made them, and I hope they are not a fair measure of the Christian spirit of the church in which they are to some extent leaders.

"Dr. Kilpatrick is reported to have said 'the greatest grief in Alberta was the Mormon settlement.' I have lived many years in Alberta, and this is the first time I have heard that the Mormon settlements were a cause of grief. The region now occupied by the Mormons was unoccupied until they came, and so far as we can see it would have remained unoccupied for an unterminable period had it not been for their knowledge of like conditions in the United States; and of means by which these conditions could be overcome or their disadvantages overcome. They have given an object lesson in agriculture in the southwestern corner of prairie Canada, which has increased the value of the whole semi-arid region of southern Alberta of from 20,000,000 to 30,000,000 acres.

"Nor can anything be said against their citizenship. They are sober, orderly, law-abiding, intelligent, and progressive. With the citizenship of the Mormons, the government has all to do; with their religion it has nothing. to do. The churches which exist for the purpose of dealing with matters of conscience are quite within their rights in discussing the merits and demerits of religious views of members of adherents of their own or other churches, but they have no right, because they dissent from the religious views of a certain body of people, to try by misrepresentation to discredit them as citizens, or by some misrepresentation arouse religious prejudice to be turned to account in party politics."

A Penalty for Sending Obscene Postal Cards Through the Mails.

(From the Chattanooga Star.)

The Chattanooga postoffice authorities have confiscated a number of obscene postal cards, and the sender of the same stands liable to a fine of $5,000 or five years in the penitentiary for each card sent through the United States mails. If the federal courts see fit, the offender can be assessed with the fine and also given the penitentiary sentence.

These cards were mailed recently in a Florida postoffice and the addressee resides in Chattanooga. The sender even went so far as to sign his name to the cards under improper and suggestive writing. The matter is to be investigated and arrests and prosecution are liable to follow. The laws against obscene literature or pictures being sent through the United States mail are quite stringent.

All good principles and laws have emanated have come to man by inspiration from Him.

from the Almighty, and For instance, the gov

ernment of the United States, or the Constitution, came from Him; it was given, we believe, by inspiration.-Orson Pratt.

Address.

(OVER.)

Box 417, Chattanooga, Tenn.