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Show FILLING VACANCIES. Last Wednesday the following amendment was passed by the Senate and late on Saturday night the House of Representatives, at Washington, gave their concurrence to it. "The Governor of the Territory of Utah is hereby authorized to appoint officers in said Territory to fill vacancies which may be caused by a failure to elect on the first Monday in August, 1882, in consequence of the provisions of an act entitled ‘an act to amend section 5,320 of the Revised Statutes of the United States in reference to bigamy and for other purposes,' approved March 23, 1882, to hold their offices until their successors are elected and qualified under the provisions of said act; Provided, that the term of office of any of the said officers shall not exceed six months." While we are in no manner elated at having extraordinary powers placed in the hands of those opposed to us, yet we are not in the position ascribed to us by the Salt Lake Tribune, nor are we in any way paralyzed at the efforts used by our foes, to upset territorial affairs. We have an abiding faith in God's mercy and justice, and we fully believe that all things are working for our eternal good. Christ's sermon on the mount has an heavenly bearing on our position at the present time. We will quote from it: "Blessed are ye that weep now; for ye shall laugh. Blessed are ye when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man's sake. Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for in the same manner did their fathers unto the prophets. But woe unto you that are rich, for ye have received your consolation. Woe unto you, ye that are full now, for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you, ye that laugh now, for ye shall mourn and weep. Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you, for in the same manner did their fathers to the false prophets." We are in the position herein ascribed,-are thoroughly hated and despised by the world, and are separated from them. Nearly every newspaper published contains a slurring reproach upon our religion. But what of that? We are commanded to place ourselves in daily communion with the Giver of all good and holy gifts, and He will guide us aright. He will instill into our minds the necessity of restraining our wrath for his sake; and we shall, in due time, be permitted to "leap for joy,"-"when God shall make His enemies His footstool." The more we think over the proceedings of our law-givers, the deeper the conviction that all things are working for the fulfillment of the prophecies given in ancient days. There is no absolute necessity for any law-abiding citizen to show fear when he learns the commands given of men, even if they are one-sided and oppressive upon a particular class of people,-for in by-gone ages men were made martyrs for the Gospel's sake. Our trouble in this world is designed to make us wise unto salvation, through faith in our Savior. Troubles will build us up in faith and holiness, and qualify us for communion with God upon the earth and perfect us for our inheritance hereafter. We are told in the 7th chapter of John: "If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God." From other portions of the Scriptures we learn that God, sometimes for His own glory and for their personal benefit, tries the faith and love of His servants by great afflictions. When we view the signs of the times during the past half century, and compare it with the infallible word of God, we experience the sure indication of the approaching accomplishment of His merciful word and purposes towards mankind. The more we contemplate affairs, the more we are imbued with the perfection of heavenly wisdom, and of the incomparable superiority of the faith we have in us. Our holy men,-prophets and martyrs,-have, by their truthful statements, prophecies and dying words, proclaimed the perfection necessary, and the duty demanded of every good-living person, to have and hold a place in God's Church. All who desire to belong to His people must exercise a humble and lowly spirit. The devil, who has had great power from the creation of the world, will blindly lead many who believe themselves Christians, to act as becomes their master, in the name of the Gospel. In past ages many were made martyrs for professing Christ, for which they no doubt received a goodly reward from their Lord. The same promises and gifts are as good to-day as ever-God never changes-his laws are immutable. With these assurances imbued in our minds, we shall fight the good fight against Satan and his hosts, knowing that the victory will be the Lord's. |