TO ALL THE DISTRICT AND BRANCH PRESIDENTS
DEAR BRETHREN,--In your midst here and there throughout the country I have encountered great joy; and sometimes my spirit has been saddened through hearing Hymns being sung which are not in our books, nor have they been approved by us.
Through its ministry, singing is very edifying to the Churches if things are carried out properly. I have been in meetings when the Spirit of God was very strong and have also heard improper singing, and through that the Spirit of God faded and the spirit of the world came in its place; therefore, brethren, you see that this is important; consequently, teach all the Churches.
Also it is a lovely thing to see all the Saints with Hymn Books in their hands, and all of them striving to sing praise to God. Perhaps those who cannot read have an excuse, but no excuses can free anyone from counsels. Many have come to be able to read well by becoming familiar with the hymnals and obeying the counsels. There are here many Hymn books on hand, and it would be much more appropriate for them to be in the possession of the Saints instead of being here piled on top of each other. They will be a glory to God and a benefit to the Church. Now, brethren, have faith and send for them for the Saints.
One other thing in particular: we wish for you to send the correct information as to how many families under your Presidency intend to emigrate next Spring and who have the ten pounds each; and if there are some who have more than that, give us an accurate report of the number and send a list of their names here by the 20th of next October. Take care to do this with precision.
Everything is going along well here as far as we know pertaining to the "Emigration Fund." All the Saints wish to emulate their Master, that is to make a short stay in Babylon.
Remeber that the end of the quarter for the Fund is on the 24th of this month.
Questions are frequently being asked in these days among the Saints in some places as to whether there is harm in making a habit of going to taverns to have drinks, etc., and it has reached my ears that some are saying that there is no harm, but to do it quietly. Well, let us go to the law and to the witness:
"That inasmuch as any man drinketh wine or strong drink among you, behold it is not good, neither meet in the sight of your Father, only in assembling yourselves together to offer up your sacraments before him. And behold, this should be wine, yea, pure wine of the grape of the vine, of your own make. And again, strong drinks are not for the belly, but for the washing of your bodies."--Doctrine and Covenants, Section 89.
The following is a quote from a letter which I received from Bro. Eliezer Edwards from Council Bluffs:--"Bro. Taylor addressed the congregation and related his troubles in Europe, and also exhorted the Saints to go to Utah and for all of them to be virtuous, leaving aside strong drinks and every kind of arrogant and filthy speech. Pres. Hyde arose to confirm the necessity for everyone to leave aside completely all use of swearing and intoxicating liquors, etc."
We have heard some of the Apostles counsel the Saints to abstain from the above habits; and I myself have taught this several times, and the examples I have given to this end are teaching in every place where I have been, and there is no man or woman who can say to the contrary.
I have traveled thousands of miles back and forth through the counties of Wales, and I have never wished to go to taverns except when there was no other choice; and I feel very grateful to all my brethren in every place for their kindness to me, but I wish to give one bit of counsel to all of you together now, because you are so numerous; and it would take too much time for me to tell each of you personally. I hope that no one will feel that this counsel is unkind, for I am responsible for you, and you are presently my sheep. Well, now to the point.
From now on may no one of you believe that it is a kindness to Bro. Phillips to take him to the Taverns to sleep among the drunks, etc., for he at no time feels happy in such a place; and he would three times rather sleep in the most humble place among the Saints than to go to such places.
In the homes of the Saints I can have the privilege of praying to God without being under the influence of drunks or the old stinking odors next to me; for it grieves the Holy Spirit, saith the Lord. Brethren, you must continue stronger in the things which you have read and in those which you will yet read, lest you some time allow them to become lost. I have a fatherly spirit now as I write these counsels, and I hope that I shall not hear of or see such things again, and I ask that God, the Eternal Father, bless you with his Holy Spirit to keep these counsels, and to remember them.
I am your brother and your servant in the gospel,
W. S. PHILLIPS
14, Castle St., Merthyr-Tydfil, September 13, 1852.
[In connection with the Hymns which have been composed by the Saints, we wish for everyone to send without delay as many New Hymns as they have, either to Bro. Phillips, or to us, so that we can have a look at them and approve them; and we invite the poets to compose more; the good ones will appear in print in some way or other.--Editor.]
[Translated from the Welsh original in Udgorn Seion, 1852, p. 301-3, by Ronald D. Dennis, 1529 W. 1170 North, Provo, Utah]
