The Brigham Young Center

Elder Robert Beauchamp.
Melbourne, Australia.

Dear Brother:-Your letter to President Young of April 28th has been received, and we were very pleased to hear from you, and of your success in preaching the Gospel in Australia and New Zealand, and realize that inasmuch as you cleve to the principles of our holy religion, and live in faithfulness, and humility before the Lord, your mission will be a great blessing to yourself and to many others.

President Young is now absent from home, making a lengthened visit to the Saints in Northern Utah and Southern Idaho. From what we hear of their journeyings and preachings, we conclude that the party are having an exceedingly pleasant trip, and are pouring out upon the Saints words of rich wisdom and good counsel, which if stored in their hearts, will bring forth much good fruit in days yet to come. We expect they will reach home tomorrow, having been absent from this city, about three weeks.

There has been great damage done to grain and fruit this spring by the grasshoppers. Much land has been sowen twice, and some even three times. But the insects have now pretty much left us, and the prospects are, if we are not visited by fresh and still more hungry swarms from the surrounding country that we shall raise enough grain to provide bread for the people of the Territory. Cache Valley anticipates raising the largest crop it has ever done for five years.

For the last few months our enemies have made considerable fuss and noise, threatening to bring the power of the nation upon us. But their plans do not prosper, their schemes fall through, and many of those who are most anxious to inaugurate a crusade against the Mormons are getting out of patience at the tardiness of Congress in passing the requisite bills to enable them to carry out their iniquitous designs. While they feel thus the saints realize that God is still their protector, for he has made the wrath of man to praise Him, and their anger has but tended to spread the principles of His holy Gospel.

Money being so scarce, the theatre has been open but little of late. For the last few days weeks it has generally opened its doors for the admission of the public on Saturday evening only, and not always then. During the coming month the floor will be laid for dancing, and balls will be given on the 4th, 16th & 24th -- or 25th as 24th happens on the Sabbath -- to all who wish to participate in these social gatherings

A vast number of visitors are now passing through our city, many of whom are homeward bound from New Zealand, Australia, China and other far eastern British Colonies. Most of them call on President Young when he is in town to pay their respects and say "how d'e do". Sister Beauchamp is now residing in Ogden, She was in town a few days ago, when her health was good.

She feels rather anxious at not receiving a letter from you for some time.
May God, our Heavenly Father, continue to bless, preserve and prosper you, is the prayer of

Your Brother in the Gospel