ELDER W. WOODRUFF said we had all learned by experience that we needed the Spirit of the Lord to help us in our public duties. If ever there was a dispensation since the beginning of the world, that needed the spirit of inspiration, now was the time. We were living and were now engaged in the last dispensation, and needed the as- sistance of prophets and apostles. Where were the great nations and their history, that once stood in mighty grandeur and power like Babylon, Tyre, Sidon, etc.? Not only had those cities been swept from the earth, but many others, all of whom had been the subjects of prophecy in their turn by the humble servants and prophets of God, which prophecies had receiv- ed a literal fulfilment in the entire destruction of those cities, accord- ing to the word of the Lord. The Bible or stick of Judah contained records of many of those mighty nations, that had been preserved. So with the Jaredites, Nephites and Lamanites, and their cities and temples, people who once dwelt on this continent. The only complete record now in existence in refer- ence to them is the Book of Mor- mon, or stick of Ephraim, brought forth by the spirit of revelation. All the prophesies contained in the Bible and Book of Mormon, that had received a literal fulfil- ment, were a sure and certain guar- antee that others that pertained to this last dispensation would also be literally fulfilled in their time and season. Not one jot or title of the word of God would fail. God had decreed by prophets, in the Book of Mormon, that no nation should be permitted to continue on this continent and prosper unless they kept his commandments, but when the cup of their iniquity was full they should be utterly cut off and be destroyed. This continent was now occupied by a Gentile people, who had slain the Prophet Joseph and his brother Hyrum, cast the Saints from their midst, and been persecuting them ever since their organization; and unless they repented and humbled themselves before God and embrac- ed the Gospel, no power on the face of the earth could prevent the judgment of God being executed according to the prophecies of the servants of God. No previous dis- pensation was ever fraught with so many prophecies as this in which we lived. No man could indulge in fighting against God and his servants, without being cursed by the Almighty. There was no judge, president, or ruler that ever mea- sured arms with the Prophet Joseph Smith or Brigham Young, but what had withered under the dis- pleasure of God, and so it would continue to be. Wo be unto those who fought against Zion. He then reviewed the labors of the present Apostles and Elders who started out without purse and script, and exposed to hunger and cold, traveling thousands of miles from State to State on foot. He then exhorted the Saints to faithfulness, as this was not a time for trifling away our time, neglect- ing our prayers, and other du- ties that God required us to diligently observe. In a short time the parents of the present gen- eration among us, would be with Joseph and Hyrum, behind the veil, as a mighty work awaited them there. Then the responsibil- ities of this great work would rest upon the shoulders of our young people; hence, he said unto them, prepare yourselves for this labor. He then spoke of the value of keeping a record of the dealings of God among us a people. God had in- spired him to keep a record since he became a member of the Church, and he earnestly urged upon the young men to do the same. Baby- lon would be swept away, her li- braries would be burned up, and what records were kept by the ser- vants of God would be invaluable in the future for generations to come to read and trace the work of God as it daily transpired. He strongly recommended the Elders to cease spending their means in smoking and drinking, and other evil practices, and have it devoted in educating the child- ren and we would hear nothing said about a five cent tax to sustain free schools. Prayer by ELDER WILFORD WOODRUFF.