Times and Seasons (, Hancock Co., IL), 16 May 1842, vol. 3, no. 14, pp. 783–798; edited by JS. For more complete source information, see the source note for Letter to Isaac Galland, 22 Mar. 1839.
Historical Introduction
The 16 May 1842 issue of the Times and Seasons was the sixth issue of the newspaper JS edited. It featured a variety of items, including “A Fac-simile from the Book of Abraham. No. 3,” with an explanation of various figures depicted in the facsimile, a serial installment of the “History of Joseph Smith,” letters from British members, and reprinted articles from the Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star and Dollar Weekly Bostonian. In addition, the 16 May 1842 issue included three editorial comments, written by JS or the staff of the newspaper, which are featured here. JS’s level of involvement is unclear—he may have directed their creation or reviewed the material once written—but as editor he assumed editorial responsibility for all of the content in the issues of the paper published during his time as editor.
Note that only the editorial content created specifically for this issue of the Times and Seasons is annotated here. Articles reprinted from other papers, letters, conference minutes, and notices, are reproduced here but not annotated. Items that are stand-alone JS documents are annotated elsewhere; links are provided to these stand-alone documents.
A letter to the editor from an individual identified only by the initials “I. T.” related and refuted discussions of the church in the Baptist periodical the Cross and Journal, published in Columbus, Ohio.
“To Subscribers,” Times and Seasons, 1 Mar. 1842, 3:710. JS was identified as editor of the newspaper from 15 February to 15 October 1842. Although JS was named as the editor of the 15 February issue, he began editing the newspaper with the 1 March issue.
street and number, and time that they would wish for me to come and see them, and if possible I will attend to the call with pleasure. Have you souls worth saving? If so, do not neglect to investigate. Paul’s religion persecuted the saints, but the gospel of Christ, he was not ashamed of, for it is the power of God unto salvation to them that believe.
We believe in faith in the Lord Jesus Christ—repentance—baptism for the remission of sins—laying on of hands for the reception of the Holy Ghost—with all the prophecies and blessings which did follow the ancient saints—such as casting out devils in the name of Christ healing the sick, and so forth. which signs do follow many of those that believe, in the city of . Come and see.
P. S. Likewise the devil is cast out by the word of God, and the sick are healed by the prayer of faith, and annointed with oil, and the poor have the gospel preached to them without money; and I request the citizens and authorities of the city of , to open a house for the servant of the people, that the Lord hath sent to this to warn the people of the destruction which will take place in this generation, that is now on the earth, and teach them how they may escape, and come through and abide the day of the second coming of Christ, to reign on the earth a thousand years. Quench not the spirit, despise not prophecyings, prove all things, hold fast that which is good.
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, May 14th, 1842.
The Petition of the brethren in , to the , was handed to the . The petition is granted; and the holding of a recent conference in , and the proceeding thereof are disapproved by the Quorum.
Attest: , Clerk.
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NOTICE.
Br. is silenced from preaching until he makes satisfaction for not obeying the instruction which he received from the , when at .
By order of the .
, Pres’t.
Clerk.
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AGENTS FOR THE TIMES AND SEASONS.
, Tennessee.
Hamilton Jett, Mississippi.
D. Lee, East Tennessee.
A[braham] O. Smoot, North Carolina.
Benjamin Clapp, Tuscalusa, Alabama.
Esq. Fondering, Mississippi.
, .
[blank] Wharton, .
, Mass.
Phineas Richard, Birkshire, Mass.
John Goosbeck, North Agusta, Iowa.
John Pincick, South Agusta, Iowa.
, Ill.
TRAVELING AEGNTS.
Dwight Webster.
.
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For the Times and Seasons.
THE KITE; OR, PRIDE MUST HAVE A FALL.
Once on a time a paper kite
Was mounted to a wondrous height,
Where giddy with its elevation,
It thus expressed self-admiration:—
“See how yon crowds of gazing people
Admire my flight above the steeple;
How would they wonder if they knew
All that a kite like me could do!
Were I but free, I’d take a flight,
And pierce the clouds beyond their sight:
But, ah! like a poor pris’ner bound,
My string confines me near the ground:
I’d brave the eagle’s tow’ring wing,
Might I but fly without a string.’
It tugg’d and pull’d, while thus it spoke,
To break the string,—at last it broke,
Depriv’d at once of all its stay,
In vain it try’d to soar away;
Unable its own weight to bear,
It flutter’d downward through the air;
Unaple its own course to guide,
The winds soon plung’d it in the tide.
Ah! foolish kite, thou hadst no wing,
How couldst thou fly without a string?
My heart reply’d ‘O Lord! I see
How much this kite resembles me.
Forgetful that by thee I stand,
Impatient of thy ruling hand;
How oft I’ve wish’d to break the lines
Thy wisdom for my lot assigns!
How oft indulg’d a vain desire
For something more, or something higher.
And, but for grace and love divine,
A fall thus dreadful had been mine.
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The Times and Seasons,
is edited by
Joseph Smith.
Printed and published about the first and fifteenth of every month, on the corner of Water and Bain Streets, , Hancock County, Illinois, by
JOSEPH SMITH.
TERMS.—Two Dollars per annum, payable in all cases in advance. Any person procuring five new subscribers, and forwarding us Ten Dollars current money, shall receive one volume gratis. All letters must be addressed to Joseph Smith, publisher, post paid, or they will not receive attention. [p. 798]