“ All such grovelling conceptions and vile abominations have their origin in the darkness which overspreads the human understanding, and the depraved passions which ignorance has a tendency to produce. Even in those countries where Revelation sheds its influence, and the knowledge of the true God is promulgated, how mean and contracted are the conceptions which the great bulk of the population entertain of the attributes of that incomprehensible Being whose presence pervades the immensity of space, who "metes out the heavens with a span," and superintends the affairs of ten thousand worlds! ”

“ In a despotic government, where the will of the sovereign is the only law, and men have no right to speak or act unless their speech and their acts are in accordance with the will and good wishes of the powers that be, "the more ignorance the more peace."-Knowledge expands the mind, extends the views, and in a free government, increases the usefulness of its possessor ”

“ Among the greater number of pagan nations, the most absurd and grovelling notions are entertained respecting the Supreme Intelligence, and the nature of that worship which his perfections demand.-They have formed the most foolish and degrading representations of this august Being, and have "changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to four-footed beasts and creeping things. ”

“ Even the more intelligent class of the community fall far short of the ideas they ought to form of the God of heaven, owing to the limited views they have been accustomed to take of the displays of his wisdom and benevolence, and the boundless range of his operations. ”

“ We hold this to be not only our privilege, but our unalienable right, both as regards our civil and religious rulers, and neither in a republican government have just cause of complaint. But tyrants and religious bigots will always frown upon those who are not orthodox by their standard. ”

“ Temples have been erected and filled with idols the most hideous and obscene; bulls and crocodiles, dogs and serpents, goats and lions have been exhibited to adumbrate the character of the Ruler of the universe. The most cruel and unhallowed rites have been performed to procure his favor, and human victims sacrificed to appease his indignation. ”

“ The views which many have acquired of the perfections of the Deity, do not rise much higher than those which we ought to entertain of the powers of an archangel, or of one of the seraphim; and some have been known, even in our own country, whose conceptions have been so abject and grovelling, as to represent to themselves "the King eternal, immortal, and invisible," under the idea of a "venerable old man." ”

“ The following short but comprehensive sentiments being so congenial with our feelings, and so exactly in accordance with our views of republicanism, and a good government, that notwithstanding our paper is intended to be a vehicle of religious, but not of political knowledge or instruction; yet as neither political nor religious intolerance are supportable among freemen, where freedom of thought, freedom of speech, and freedom of the press, are incorporated into the constitution of our country, and are the basis on which the fabric rests ”

“ They are enemies to all whose principles or practices come in contact with theirs, and are always unhappy when any one calls in question the sentiments they have embraced, or "the little brief authority" with which they may be clothed. Their restless mind is never at ease, until there is a tacit submission to their will, in all that surround them. ”

“ They are therefore qualifying themselves to go forth and proclaim the words of life (as we trust) with energy in demonstration of the Spirit and power. Our brethren abroad will therefore be patient, be faithful; pray much and often and "the pleasure of the Lord will prosper in their hands."-Great success has usually attended the labors of all faithful elders who went out last season. ”

“ Dear Brethren:-We are continually receiving intelligence by letter and otherwise, from the East, West, and South, of the progress of truth and correct principles concerning the religion we profess. The eastern, western and middle States have reiterated the cry, come and help us. ”

“ Doors are open, say our correspondents, in various directions, and great and pressing calls are heard for preaching on all sides.-"Send some good faithful elders among us and we think good might be done." ”