BRO. SMITH: I have been thinking it might be my duty to say a few words through the Review in reference to the past, as well as the future. Discouragements of different kinds have been a hindrance to the progress of the spread of the truth, as many had anticipated. Some of those hindrances seemed to be unavoidable, while others seemed to be a lack on the part of us who ought to have been in the battle to sustain it by our godly life, and of those things that we have been made stewards over. There has been a fault in this which requires a reform for two reasons: 1. to secure the favor of God, and, 2. that those that come to labor with us from other States may be sustained while with us, at least. Discouragement of course must follow where a messenger goes out on a mission and does not get sustained. We have called for help; and then not to sustain that help is a course that would look unjust among men; but how shall we bear it as those that profess to be the peculiar people that God is purifying and fitting up for translation. Think of it, brethren and sisters, and let us ask ourselves if we cannot effect a reform in this so as to secure the blessing of God and the confidence of those that are called to speak the last note of warning to the world. The General Conference at Battle Creek will undoubtedly make arrangements for the season that is before us, for those that are called to speak the word to a perishing world.
Dear brethren and sisters in the West, do we wish to secure the labors of some of the servants of God in this wide field in the West, or not? It seems as though it was our duty to say that we wish them to come and we will sustain them, or that we are poor and cannot, or that we are covetous and will not. Come brethren, let us speak. Will you do anything for such an enterprise? It seems as though I could hear some, at least, say, Yes, I will enclose five dollars to help bear the expenses of any brother, or brethren that the conference may see fit to send into the Western States. Brethren, if you wish for laborers, send the request and the means to help them along, and also something to take care of their families while they are absent.