Then God and angels talked with men,
And woman, too, was free,
For both were pure and sinless then,
In perfect liberty.
The curse pursued transgression's track,
And man from God was driven,
Until the Priesthood brought him back,
To do the will of heaven.
We'll shout hosanna to the Lord,
For what is yet to be,
When earth and man will be restored
To God and liberty.
We see the lighthouse brightly blaze
Far o'er the boisterous wave;
With cheering prospects thus we gaze
On hopes beyond the grave;
For woman, if submissive here
To God's divine decree,
Restored, will fill a noble sphere
In glorious liberty.
The Lord has set His gracious hand,
And by His mighty power,
He led His people to this land—
Preparing for the hour;
For Earth and Time are growing old,
And soon Eternity
Will to the Saints of God unfold
Celestial Liberty.
The singing by the young ladies performed, Elder Phineas Richards came forward in behalf of the twenty-four aged sires, and read their loyal and patriotic address, as follows:
To our honorable President and this respectable Audience:
Respected Fellow Citizens:—Permit us, the aged Fathers in Israel, to mingle our voices with yours on this interesting occasion—an occasion which is calculated to call into exercise the most acute feelings of the human heart.
