there was intelligent discussion as to the place becom- ing a great manufacturing centre.^^
In January 1845 it was proposed that a building for the high-priests should be erected, to cost $15,000, and the work was cheerfully undertaken. There were frequent entertainments given in the way of dances and public dinners in the Nauvoo mansion and in the bowery six miles out of the city,^^ At their confer- ence in April, thousands gathered. The temple was pushed forward, as the people were counselled to re- ceive their endowments there as early as possible. On the 24th of May the walls were finished, and the event was duly celebrated. ^^ On the 5th of October their first meeting in the temple was held.^^ From mites and tithings it was estimated that a million dol- lars had been raised. Brigham, Parley, and others of the quorum administered in the temples to hun- dreds of people, the services often continuing all day and night.^*^ At the end of December one thousand of the people had received the ordinances. And all this was done midst renewed persecutions, and while the people were making preparations to evacuate the city.
The masons withdrew the dispensation previously granted to Nauvoo, and to this day they refuse to admit Mormons into their order.
^^ There was $500 or $600 already collected from the penny subscriptions, which was drawn by order of Brigham to meet a debt on land which must be immediately paid. Hist. B. Yoimg, MS., Dec. 5, 1844. John Taylor says it was intended to establish manufactures at Nauvoo on a large scale, for which the services of English emigrants were to be secured. At the head of the rapids, near Nauvoo, stood an island, to which it was proposed to build a dam, leaving spaces for water-wheels, and thus securing power for mills. Rem., MS., 19-20.
'" In Hist. B. Young, MS., July 9, 1845, is a description of a public dinner for the benefit of the church, where Young, Kimball, Taylor, and others offi- ciated at the table. •
'^ At six o'clock in the morning the people assembled. The ' Cap-stone March,' composed for the occasion, was played by Pitt's band; Brigham laid on the last stone, and pronounced the benediction, and the whole congregation shouted, ' Hosanna ! hosanna to God and the lamb ! amen, amen, and amen !' Hist. B. Young, MS., 83.
" The first stone was laid April 6, 1841.
'" ' I commenced administering the ordinances of endowment at five o'clock and continued until half -past three in the morning.' Id., MS., Dec. 10
