One might suppose, from the opposition that it met with, that Satan was aware that if once accomplished, it would result in the ultimate overthrow of his kingdom, and the enlargement of the kingdom of God--which may God grant for Christ's sake. CHAPTER XXXVII. ------------------------ General Conference at Preston, England:--Publishing Committee:--Editorial Appointment:--First Number of the "Millennial Star" Issued:--My own Ministry in Manchester and Vicinity:--New Hymn Book:--Action of Congress on the Missouri Tragedies. On the 15th of April, 1840, a general conference was convened in the "Temperance Hall," Preston, Lancashire, in which thirty-three branches of the Church were represented, including a total of near two thousand members. In this conference, Elders Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball and myself were appointed a publishing committee for the Church. I was also appointed editor and publisher of a monthly periodical, to be called the _Millennial Star_. While the residue of the committee travelled in the ministry, I repaired to Manchester and commenced preparing to fulfill my new appointments. The first number of the _Star_ was issued in May. The following hymn was written by myself expressly for the introduction of this periodical, and originally appeared on its cover: The morning breaks, the shadows flee; Lo! Zion's standard is unfurled! The dawning of a brighter day Majestic rises on the world. The clouds of error disappear Before the rays of truth divine; The glory, bursting from afar, Wide o'er the nations soon will shine. The Gentile fullness now comes in, And Israel's blessings are at hand; Lo! Judah's remnant, cleans'd from sin, Shall in their promised Canaan stand. Jehovah speaks! Let earth give ear, And Gentile nations turn and live! His mighty arm is making bare, His covenant people to receive. Angels from heaven, and truth from earth Have met, and both have record born; Thus Zion's light is bursting forth, To bring her ransomed children home. While engaged in editing and publishing the _Star_ I also preached the gospel continually to vast congregations in and about Manchester, and the spirit of joy, and faith and gladness was greatly increased, and the number of the Saints was multiplied. I also assisted my brethren in selecting, compiling and publishing a hymn book. In this work was contained nearly fifty of my original hymns and songs, composed expressly for the book, and most of them written during the press of duties which then crowded upon me. In the third number of the _Star_, page 65, is published the final action of the Congress of the United States, on the subject of the outrages committed by the State of Missouri, upon the Church of the Saints. It reads as follows: "TWENTY SIXTH CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION.