I arose early while all nature was wraped in sleep And commenced writing in my Journal.

Cambridgeport March 1st 1849 Elder Pratt, Beloved Brother, As this is my birth day Also the first day of Spring, my mind is led this morning more than usual to reflect upon the signs of the times of the Globe upon which we dwell And while meditating upon Zion And Her messengers my mind flits across the Ocean & runs over the wall And takes A view of A large co- mpany of swift messengers who are the Horns of Joseph used to push the people together from the ends of the Earth, these meditations create A desire to convers A few moments with Br Pratt. So while all Nature is locked fast in sleep before the dawn of day is broke to start man from his slumber I seat myself to say A few words to you. I said this was my birth day, yes I am 42 years old this day. How such figures look to a man while counting up his years in this probation. The vary sight of them croud into the mind A flood of thought even more than tongue can utter or pen can write. The last sixteen years of my life has been spent in endeavouring to preach the Gospel & build up the Kingdom of God in connexion with my brethren. The past is gone, I have no desire to recal it, I would would not wish to live my life over if I could. I feel like looking forward & not backward I have a great desire that I may spend my future days doing the works of righteousness, Honoring the Priesthood & my calling, saving the souls of men, & building up the Kingdom of God that I may have a place with the faithful at the end of the race. Turn my eyes which way I will Either towards Babylon or Zion And I find the mov- ements & signs of Either of them at the present day Are fully keep- ing pace with the wheels of time. It is deeply interesting to see hear, feel, & live in this age and gaze upon the scenery of the whole Earth rushing like A Mighty cataract to finish its work while the high minded Jew in the highth of his pride was exha- usting his talents & oratory to prove to the Roman and the world their right to independance greatness & power. The Son of God was in Lamb like meekness bowing to the ordinance of Baptism And all the rites of the gospel & commandments of his Father looking forward to the day when He should make his second visit to his brethren with his reward upon his head. So at the present day while the Emperors, Kings, Princes, Lords, Nobles, Presidents Governours, Statesman with all the great men of Babylon have been making A desperate Effort to maintain their dignity And appear to a good Advantage before the whole Earth

many of the most Noble spirits that ever dwelt in flesh like Jesus and the Apostles have been meekly submitting to the ordimances of the gospel, and like little children have been subject to the Authority of the Holy Priesthood And have made evry sacrafize required and laboured day & night to build up Zion that the honest in Heart & the meek of the Earth may have A place to flee to in order to Escape the just judgment of ^that^ God whose rod is now suspendend in the Heavens and is about to Fall upon the Earth and lay great Babylon with all of Her greatness, pomp, power, and glory in the dust. My Prayer to God is that evry Elder of Israel & saint of God throughout the whole Earth may be incouraged to labour dilligently & faithfully while the day of Harvests lasts for soon night will come when No man can work, theyn ^they^ will be Just as sure of their reward As was their chief captain & Head.

I met A congregation of saints And many strangers at Brother Birds for A meeting At 2 oclok Elder Whipple from the Valley of the Salt Lake was present. Elder J P Haven from the Bluffs Also And A vary full House. I Addressed over one hour & had much of the Spirit of God resting upon me And bore A strong testimony unto the People preached the first principles of the gosple And spoke of the general Bareings of the work of God in the present Dispensation. In speaking of the body of Christ And members in particular I told them I had seen men in my travels without Arms, legs, some without eyes, &c but I had never seen A man going about without A head. And As A natu- ral body without A head would dye so the Church without ^a^ Head would die.

Br Whipple followed me & made some vary good remarks And edeyfying He said notwithstanding the Jews had Apostitized the right of the kingdom belonged to them & Jesus came & set up the kingdom among them they rejected it He took the kingdom from the Jews gave it to the Gentile all that were in the kingdom went to the gentiles with the Kingdom of God. The Gentiles in like manner have Apostitized And have not continued in the goodness of God still they have A rightt to have the kingdom of God set up among them in the last days And Joseph Smith being warned & commanded of God has recieved the gospel from the hand of an Angel, preached it to the gentiles set up the kingdom for the last time among them they have rejected it, it will now again be taken from them & given to the Jews & all in the kingdom will go to the Jews with it & many will come from E. W. N. S. & sidt down with A[b]ram &c while the ^gentiles^ children of the Kingdom will be cast out