PRIESTHOOD. Prophet, the Urim and Thummin, or | dreams and visions-we should conclude that such a family would be selected by the Lord to fulfil his purposes. There are very few biographies recorded in Holy Writ which are more admired than that of Joseph, who was sold into Egypt: a tear has filled the eye of many when reading the pages of his interesting history. When a boy he was the favorite of his father, because the Patriarch saw in him those germs of faith which were sure to gain him favor with the Lord. His dreams that the sun, moon, and stars made obeisance to him, and also that the wheat-sheaves of his brethren bowed to his wheat-sheaf, were all typical of his future greatness. We read that his brethren, the patriarchs, were jealous of him; no doubt they had dreams also, but we do not read of this amiable boy being jealous of them. If we follow him to Egypt, there we find his virtue unyielding to the wife of Potiphar; the law of the Lord was written on his heart-his chief reflection was, "How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" When the revelations of the Lord showed him the import of Pharaoh's dreams, which gained him the favor of the King, his bearing is always marked with modesty and dignity. When his brethren bowed before him in the time of their distress, the nobility of his soul is seen in his answer, "Now therefore be not grieved, for God did send me before you to preserve life." We also find that Jacob gave to Joseph and his son Ephraim special blessings, and after invoking them upon the heads of his two grandchildren, he said that Ephraim should be greater than his brother Manasseh. Joseph's boys are regarded by their grandfather with affection throughout the entire history. Every act relating to the character of the tribe of Ephraim is marked with more approbation than we find awarded to any other of the family of Jacob. Ephraim is called a pleasant child. The wisdom of the Lord is seen in selecting the family of Ephraim to be his servants in the last days, and to choose from them a Royal Priesthood. Ephraim has already gone forth to the 613 vallies of the mountains, in Utah Territory, and has, like his great progenitor, commenced hoarding up grain to meet the wants of the people who, when pressed by famine, will ask bread of him. Ephraim is selected by the Lord to be the great Reformer of the remnants of the nations that will be left after the wicked are slain. He has the capacity to believe in every righteous principle ever revealed to man from the heavens, and has a heart to love the human family, and desires to exalt them to the enjoyment of the principle of righteousness which his mind is stored with. The Royal Priesthood is not conferred upon a certain race upon a principle of favoritism, but purely because they naturally possess a governing power and philanthropic disposition to bless the other portions of the human family. That particular family have always evinced skill in learning and wisdom; they were capable of understanding the sciences of the Egyptians, and also had the revelations of the Lord to show them future exigencies, and prudence and economy to prepare to meet them. Most of the Latter-day Saints are of Ephraimitish origin, and despised as they now are, it only requires the opportunities of learning and the advantages of the instruction of their inspired brethren to develop in them those superior talents, combined with wisdom and an understanding of the true character of the Lord, to make them a blessing to all nations. It seems a weakness in human nature to enviously strive to hinder the rising greatness of men who are naturally their superiors, but the providence of the Lord has wisely arranged that the good and great shall govern, and it must be brought to pass. The time will come when all men shall be filled with knowledge, and their teachers will be the sons of Ephraim. The human family have many wants that need supplying-they need architects to erect their buildings, food for their subsistence, clothing for their comfort, knowledge for their advancement, society for their happiness; and to bring them back into the presence of God they want a priesthood who are lineal descendants of Ephraim. 614 HISTORY OF BRIGHAM YOUNG. "CAN YOU DEPEND UPON HIM." will be punctually and properly attended to. There is plenty of work for such men to do; everybody wants them; no need for them to lack employment. The only difficulty will be that they will be wanted by too many persons and in too many places at once. With what earnestness the questioning the utmost confidence that they is asked. And well it may be, for it is a very important and comprehensive one. The nature of the answer given to it has decided the standing, social position, and life-long career of thousands. The young man whose character is such that his friends can unhesitatingly answer this question in the affirmative in his behalf, has already, so to speak, "made his fortune." He has laid a solid foundation for a life of usefulness and happiness, and, if he retains the same character, he is sure to prosper in any of the various walks of life he may choose, and to win for himself a continually widening circle of influence and respect. "Can you depend on him?" not only in great matters, where pride and love of approbation will prompt him to action, but in his faithful performance of those, apparently, minor and unseen, but in reality most important duties? Can you depend on him in private as well as in public; in trifling as well as in important affairs; in all the varied duties and relationships of life? If so, we want him the world wants him God wants him. He is invaluablemore precious "than the golden wedge of Ophir." The world is full of learned men, of talented men, of smart men: what it wants is reliable men-men of sterling integrity and faithfulness, to whom it can commit its interests, both individual, social, and universal, feel What a luxury it is to feel that you have one about you whom you can depend upon. If you entrust him with any business you can feel just as certain of its being attended to as though you were to do it yourself; if called away, you can leave your affairs in his hands without anxiety or uneasiness; and whether you entrust property, reputation, or family to his care, you feel that it is all right-he can be depended on. It is a glorious thing to be able to say of a man,-You can depend on him. It is the highest encomium that can be pronounced upon him, the strongest recommendation that can be given him; and the time is not far distant when all such men will be called for, sought out and trusted, loved and honored. You may not be able to become as wealthy or as learned and talented as many men, but you can become as good as any man. You can cultivate the principle of unswerving integrity, and live so that yourself, your friends, and God can depend on you. SIRIUS. HISTORY OF BRIGHAM (Continued from page 600.) YOUNG. upon your oppressors, but leave the case in the hands of God, For vengeance is mine, saith the Lord, and I will repay.' Dear brethren, we should remind you | we faint not.' Do not breathe vengeance of this thing, and although you have had indignities, insults and injuries heaped upon you, till further suffering would seem to be no longer a virtue, we would say, be patient, dear brethren, for, as saith the Apostle, Ye have need of patience, that after being tried you may inherit the promise.' You have been tried in the furnace of affliction, the time to exercise patience is now come; and 'We shall reap, brethren, in due time, if We would say to the widow, and to the orphan, to the destitute, and to the diseased, who have been made so through persecution, be patient, you are not forgotten, the God of Jacob has his eye upon you, the heavens have been witness to your sufferings, and they are registered on high; angels have gazed upon the HISTORY OF BRIGHAM YOUNG. scene, and your tears, your groans, your sorrows, and anguish of heart, are had in remembrance before God; they have entered into the sympathies of that bosom, who is Touched with the feelings of our infirmities,' who was Tempted in all points, like unto you;' they have entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth; be patient, then, until the words of God be fulfilled, and his designs accomplished, and then shall he pour out his vengeance upon the devoted heads of your murderers, and then shall they know that he is God, and that you are his people. And we would say to all Saints who have made a covenant with the Lord by sacrifice, that inasmuch as you are faithful, you shall not lose your reward, although not numbered among those who were in the late difficulties in the west. We wish to stimulate all the brethren to faithfulness; you have been tried, you are now being tried, and those trials, if you are not watchful, will corrode upon the mind, and produce unpleasant feelings; but recollect that now is the time of trial, soon the victory will be ours; now may be a day of lamentation, then will be a day of rejoicing; now may be a day of sorrow, but by and bye we shall see our Lord, our sorrow will be turned into joy; and our joy no man taketh from us. Be honest; be men of truth and integrity, let your word be your bond, be diligent, be prayerful; pray for, and with your families, train up your children in the fear of the Lord, cultivate a meek and quiet spirit, clothe the naked, feed the hungry, help the destitute, be merciful to the widow and orphan, be merciful to your brethren, and to all men; bear with one another's infirmities, considering your own weakness; bring no railing accusation against your brethren, especially take care that you do not against the authorities or elders of the Church, for the principle is of the devil; he is called the accuser of the brethren; and Michael, the archangel, dared not bring a railing accusation against the devil, but said, The Lord rebuke thee, Satan;' and any man who pursues this course of accusation and murmuring, will fall into the snare of the devil, and apostatize, except he repent. Jude, in the 8th verse, says, likewise those filthy dreamers despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities; and, says he, behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousand of his saints, to execute judgment upon the ungodly, and to convince all that are ungodly among them, of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. 615 Peter, in speaking on the same principle, says, The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: but chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, self-willed; they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities: whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.' If a man sin, let him be dealt with according to the law of God in the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and Doctrine and Covenants, and then leave him in the hands of God to rebuke, as Michael left the devil. Gird yourselves with righteousness, and let truth, eternal truth, be written indelibly on your hearts. Pray for the prosperity of Zion, for the Prophet and his Counsellors, for the Twelve, the High Council, the High Priests, the Seventies, the Elders, the Bishops, and all the Saints, that God may bless them, and preserve his people in righteousness, and grant unto them wisdom and intelligence, that his kingdom may roll forth. We would say to the Elders, that God has called you to an important office, he has laid upon you an onerous duty, he has called you to an holy calling, even to be Priests of the 'Most High God,' messengers to the nations of the earth; and upon your diligence, your perseverance and faithfulness, the soundness of the doctrines that you preach, the moral precepts that you advance and practice, and upon the sound principles that you inculcate, hang the destinies of the human family, while you hold that priesthood. You are the men that God has called to spread forth his kingdom, he has committed the care of souls to your charge, and when you received this priesthood, you became the legate of heaven, and the Great God demands it of you, that you should be faithful; and inasmuch as you are not, you will not be chosen; but it will be said unto you, stand by, and let a more honorable man than thou art take thy place, and receive thy crown; be careful that you teach not, for the Word of God, the commandments of men, nor the doctrines of men, nor the ordinances of men, inasmuch as you are God's messengers; study the Word of God and preach it, and not your opinions, for no man's opinion is worth a straw; advance no principle but what you can prove, for one Scriptural proof is worth ten thousand opinions: we would moreover say, abide by that revelation which says, Preach nothing but repentance to this generation,' and leave the further mysteries of the kingdom till God shall tell you to preach them, which is not now. The horns of the beast, the toes of the image, the frogs and the beast mentioned by John, are not going to save this generation, for if a man does not become acquainted with the first principles of the Gospel, how shall he understand those greater mysteries, which the most wise cannot understand without revelation. These things, therefore, have nothing to do with your mission. We have heard of some foolish vagaries, and wild speculations originating only in a disordered imagination, which are set forth by some, telling what occupation they had before they came into this world, and what they would be employed with after they leave this state of existence; these, and other vain imaginations, we would warn the Elders against; because, if they listen to such things, they will fall into the snare of the devil, and when the trying time comes they will be overthrown. We would also warn the Elders, according to previous counsel, not to go on to another's ground without invitation to interfere with another's privilege, for your mission is to the world, and not to the churches. We would also remark, that no man has a right to usurp authority or power over any Church, nor has any man power to preside over any Church, unless he is solicited and received by the voice of that Church to preside. Preach the first principles of the doctrine of Christ, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentance towards God, baptism in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins, laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. When you go forth to preach, and the Spirit of God rests upon you, giving you wisdom and utterance, and enlightening your understanding, be careful that you ascribe the glory to God and not to yourselves; boast not of intelligence, of wisdom, or of power; for it is only that which God has imparted unto you, but be humble, be meek, be patient, and give glory to God. (To be continued.) THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS' MILLENNIAL STAR. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1863. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE DUTY OF SELF-CULTURE. It is impossible for us to estimate too highly the importance of so improving our time, and the facilities afforded us of obtaining knowledge, as to qualify ourselves for the intelligent and faithful discharge of our duties in the various spheres in which we may be called to act; and, also, [to prepare ourselves, so far as it is in our power to do so, for positions of increased responsibility, and in which our sphere of usefulness will be greatly extended. The Kingdom of God will not always occupy the humble position which it now does, neither will it continue to be confined to its present circumscribed limits. Many years will not pass away before it will take its place among the nations of the earth, and assume a leading position in, and exert a predominating influence upon the social, religious and political affairs of the world, and when its disciples and ministers and representatives will not be treated with that contumely and contemp with which they are at present received. In order that they may be prepared for this state of things, and keep pace with the gradual but steady progress of the kingdom, the Lord has said to his servants, "Seek diligently nd teach one another words of wisdom; yea seek ye out of the best books And words of wisdom: seek learning even by study and also by faith.' again, "Study and learn, and become acquainted with all good books, and with languages, tongues and people." We can readily perceive from these brief quotations, as well as from many other instructions which we have received upon this subject, that, although the Lord has "called upon the weak things of the world-those who are unlearned and despised, to thresh the nations by the power of His Spirit," yet he does not design them to continue weak and unlearned and despised; but, on the contrary, has commanded them to seek wisdom and knowledge, and to study to make themselves acquainted with the manners, customs, languages and laws of the inhabitants of the different countries of the earth. The wisdom of pursuing such a course as this is already apparent to those Elders who have been sent abroad to proclaim the Gospel to the various nations of the earth; and it will be made still more evident, in a few years, when the Elders of Israel are called to go forth as the accredited representatives of the kingdom of God, and will necessarily have to move in what are called "the higher circles" of society. That time will certainly come; and it is easy to perceive how necessary it will be, for all who may be called upon to fill those responsible positions, to be possessed of general intelligence and cultivated minds, combined with a familiar acquaintance with the laws and customs of the people among whom they may be sojourning, in order that they may fill their appointed missions with honor to the Government they represent and with pleasure and credit to themselves. Besides, the time will also come when the servants of God, in possession of the Holy Priesthood, will be called upon to go forth and preside over the various communities, tribes and nations of the earth, and to administer the laws of Zion in their midst, in righteousness, justice and mercy. This they could not do if destitute of a knowledge of the past history, laws, customs, habits, etc., of the people; because, all these things must necessarily be taken into account in judging and governing a people righteously and wisely. It may be said, by some, that these great changes are not likely to take place in their day, and that, therefore, they need not trouble themselves to prepare for them. But, supposing they do not take place in our own day, they will during the lives of our children; and how are they to be prepared for them unless we, as their parents and guardians, seek to instruct them in that wisdom which is to be obtained from the "best books," and also by the study of men and things around them. This knowledge we certainly cannot impart unless we possess it ourselves; hence, if there were no other reason, the necessity for every member, as well as every Elder, of the Church of Christ gaining all the useful knowledge which their circumstances and opportunities will permit, whether by reading or observation. But it is equally as necessary for the Elders of Israel to store their minds with practical information now-especially with a correct knowledge of the principles of the Gospel and the revelations of the Lord-and to train themselves to correct and pleasing habits and manners, as it will be under any future circumstances. They are sent forth to be saviors of men, and they have the Truth to offer to them, by which they can be saved. But, if they would become "able ministers of the Word" and accomplish much good, they must be, as the Apostle Paul expresses it, "thoroughly furnished" with all the requisites, both in words and works, to enable them to present that truth in an acceptable and saving manner. It is not enough that they have “the |