Show THE DEPARTING YEAR tim THE hand of time js Is now uplifted ready to strike the bell which will signal the departure of another year it Is but one pulse beat of the great heart of the universe one tick of the eternal clock one step in the end endless less procession of the ages to us it is au an important portion of a life to deity it counts as less than the minutest fraction of a second betit but it has cut its fi figure gurein in the designs of the almighty and performed its part in the drama of human progress and it marks one more step towards the goal of this mortal probation it brings the world a trifle nearer to the grand consummation eighteen hundred and eighty five has been an eventful year to the people of these mountains the hand of death has been busy among the aged and the youth and tender little ones have not all been spared the soil of our dreary cemetery covers the form of many a loved one and but for the ho hope lope ll 11 and assurance of a future bringing iri iti i ti life ilfe ife and reunion the loys joys of many a beating heart would be buried with the forms of the departed far more sorrowful than the temporal death which Is but a necessary change and a brief separation Is that spiritual death which has come upon some whose names are now erased from the records of the faithful far better that the clods of the me earth had covered their bodies tian that the blight of sin and shame should have w withered t ered up their souls I 1 the birth of the now dying year was the signal for tor the opening ef anew a new campaign against the latter day saints for living in accordance with sacred covenants revealed by the almighty many of 0 them have been hunted and bounded from their homes or thrust into prison in company with felons peaceful domiciles domiciled domi ciles clies have been raided under color of law spies have lurked around pleasant homes wives and little children have been forced before inquisitions aud and browbeaten by brutal attorneys women have been incarcerated with vindictive severity because they would not betray their husbands or the fat fathers tiers liers of their offspring judges have poured out their spleen in flagrant insults upon defenseless victims the law has received special interpretations to inflict penalties on peaceful citizens As good and honorable men as ever lived have had to forsake their home s or submit to unjust imprisonment and spoliation A fair trial before an impartial ital ulal jury was not to be expected virtuous men and women have been the objects of vexatious persecutions while the vilest of proven offenders against law and chastity have been set free flee without rebuke falsehood and misrepresentation have run riot and the pulpit the telegraph and the press have combined to malign the saints ana and prejudice the public wholesale robbery and confiscation of their property and violation of their natural and political rights has been advocated and attempted their pleas for a fair hearing and impartial investigation have been scoffed scuffed at and denied but ilese these trials are only such as the saints have been taught to expect they aie but incidents in their momentous career they should stimulate them to good works and render them strong to endure and tile the passing year has brought far more blessings than difficulties it has been a prosperous time to the farmer and agricultural success is the basis of general prosperity ro crops of all kinds have been geen abundant T there h ere is plenty of food for man and beast the cattle and shee sheep multiply upon the hills and plains eade vade trade has been somewhat injured by the pressure of the crusade I 1 but blit bilt commercial interests are at least as forward and promising in utah as elsewhere the manufactures of the territory are increasing the mountains continue to yield up their thein mineral treasure and the smelters shelters sm elters to put forth their precious bullion the seasons have been pleasant the air balmy and the skies serene healthy and vigorous immigrants immier ants from the upper world gladden the families of the saints which increase dikea like ilke a flock in spite of sin and satan lawyers and the courts co religionists from abroad have flocked into these peaceful vales and the population grows with great rapidity with each succeed ing year the temples of our god gre ire filled tilled with his spirit and the ordinances dinane finances din ances gs are performed for the living and the dead the sacred edifices not finished are going on towards completion the settlements are extending and the sons and daughters of tee atre faithful are pairing and strengthening the outposts of zion the tabernacles and houses are filled with zealous throngs and god is glorified in the congregations of israel while union and closer brotherhood are the consequences of persecution faith Is increased in the lord and brustlin trust lin ills his promises is magnified the base motives of ouren our enemies emles have been demonstrated before heaven and the world the endurance and integrity of the saints have been exemplified abroad the gospel has been preached in a many nations hundreds of believing ng souls have cast in their lot with the p people eople of god the missionary field b has as been occupied by able laborers whom shorn circumstances have pressed into the bervice our leaders have been wonderfully preserved and their guiding uld minds direct the church affairs without hindrance although their presence is not seen confidence in the ultimate triumph of right inspires the bosoms of the people of god and there Is neither faltering nor fear cheerfulness Is felt in every circle and recreations are plentiful the wants of the po poor or are cupi supplied lied and pauperism is unknown in our midst Pat rat patience lence lente good will helpfulness and sympathy are exhibited in a marked degree and the blessing and power of god are felt in public and in private giving joy pleasure and peace beyond expression we are one year farther on the journey of life our experience has been enlarged our out knowledge has been increased we are better prepared for the future the lessons of the year have been valuable the hand of the lord has been many times visible in its interposition in our behalf the years history Is an encouragement its trials are stepping stones to the victories of the future its blessings are io lo numerous that its troubles are almost covered out of sight let us profit by its lessons let us gather wisdom from its outgrowth let the follies of the past be ie buried with its departing form and as the new year dawns upon the world may light liberty and joy come to utah and its people the best and purest on the thie earth to them and all who desire the welfare of the race may eighteen hundred and eighty six prove a lappy happy new year |