Evening and Morning Star 23

VOL. II, NO. 23, KIRTLAND, OHIO, AUGUST, 1834.

COMMUNICATIONS.

<"Millenium">
Sidney Rigdon "Millenium," E&MS 2 (Aug 1834)

MILLENIUM. NO. VIII. {beliefs-lds}

[Continued from our last.]

Having seen from the clearest possible evidence, that the world at the time of the Savior's second advent will be in a state of apostasy, if we can credit the testimony of the Savior, of the prophets and apostles, let us compare the people of the apostasy, with the pure saints of God, and the societies of the last days, with the societies which were built by the immediate direction of the inspired men whom God sent into the world for the purpose of building up his kingdom; and in order to get the subject fairly before us, let us take a view of the kingdom of God or of heaven, as established among men. In the 21st chapt. of Matthew and 43rd verse, the Savior says to the Jews, "Therefore say I unto you, the kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof." From this declaration of the Savior, we learn two things. First, that the Jews had the kingdom of heaven among them. Second, that they did not at that time bring forth the fruits of that kingdom. God by the mouth of Moses had promised to the Jews that if they would obey his voice and keep his covenant that they should be unto him a kingdom of priests, a peculiar treasure above all people; (see Ex. 19 chapter, 5 and 6 verses;) but notwithstanding this promise, the Jews broke the covenant, and did not obey the voice of the Lord; but corrupted and defiled the kingdom of heaven so exceedingly, that in the days of the Savior, he said it should be taken from them and be given to another people, that the fruits thereof might be brought forth.--We are told by the Psalmist David, that so completely did the Jews corrupt the kingdom of God which was among them, that there was none of them doing good, no, not so much as one: they had all gone out of the way and become unprofitable together. See the 14 ps. 2 and 3 verses: also Rom. 3 chapter, from the 10 to the 18 verse. Thus the Jews had corrupted themselves so exceedingly as that all of them had got out of the way, and were considered transgressors before God, and at last became ripe for destruction, and the wrath of God came on them to the very uttermost; the kingdom of God was taken from them, and given to another people, and for the best of all reasons, because they did not bring forth the fruits thereof, and were unworthy to enjoy it.

In order therefore to see from whence the Jews had fallen, let us inquire a little, what are the fruits of the kingdom of heaven, and what was the former condition of the Jews before they had rendered themselves unworthy of the divine favor?

Paul says that the kingdom of God is not meet and drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Rom. 14 chapt. 17 verse.--As the kingdom of heaven is a distinct empire of its own, the subjects of it have privileges which belong to none other: this was the case with the Jews before their great apostasy: they were distinguished from all other people. When the Jews were first organized, they were all under the same order of things; their worship the same; the same priest or teacher taught them all; the same prophet prophesied to them all; they worshiped at the same temple; offered sacrifices on the same altar; the same Law-giver directed them all; they all prayed for the same things, with every man's face toward the same temple. At the times for their great feasts, they all met at the same place and enjoyed their festivities together; among them there was one prophet, one priest, one temple, one altar, one Law-giver, one hope of their calling, one God and Father of them all, who was through them all, and over them all, and in them all, and round about them all; whose glory shone in their temple; whose grace enlightened their minds; whose power guarded their persons, and defended their lands, and whose wisdom guided them by night and by day. The order of things which God established among that people, when attended to, would silence every cavil, allay every contention, put an end to all strife, and bring them to be of one heart and of one mind, seeing eye to eye, having but one desire: in a word, it would have made them one. Such was the real tendency of the kingdom of heaven established among the Jews, and as long as they continued in this order, the fruits of the kingdom were manifest--it brought forth prophets and prophetesses, and a host of inspired men and women; they received revelation upon revelation, instruction after instruction--the angels of heaven ministered unto them, and the power of God was exerted in their behalf. Their prophets could tell what their enemies were doing in their bed chambers--all things were revealed unto them that they were willing to receive, and there was nothing withheld from them that they would receive. Such were the fruits of the kingdom, as established among the Jews; and may we not ask where is the kingdom of heaven and take these fruits away? or were not these the fruits of the kingdom of heaven? Surely every person in the least degree acquainted with the kingdom of heaven as revealed in the scriptures, knows that these fruits are found no where else but in the kingdom of heaven? And who does not know, that if these fruits had continued with the Jews, that they would have continued until this day as the people of God? for who could have overthrown them? for if God was for them, who could be against them? Every thinking man must see, that if the Jews had continued to bring forth the fruits of the kingdom of heaven, that it never would (nay could) have been taken from them; for God could not fight against himself; his power was pledged to them while they obeyed his voice and kept his covenant; it was only therefore their ceasing to bring forth the fruits of the kingdom, that could overthrow them; for where the power, the wisdom, and the presence of God is, there is safety, there is salvation, & there is deliverance--the kings of the earth may set themselves, and the rulers take counsel, the heathen may rage and the people imagine a vain thing, but it is all unavailing, for where the fruits of the kingdom of heaven are, there no power, nor combination of powers can prevail, for God is there. Had the Jews therefore continued to brought forth the fruits of the kingdom of heaven, it never would have been said to them. "The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof." But when they ceased to bring forth the fruits of the kingdom, God said it should be taken from them.

The apostle Peter in his 2nd epistle, 2nd chapter and 1st verse, traces this apostasy of the Jews to its proper ultamatum, that is, "to deny the Lord that bought them." Let us inquire a little what a people must do, in order to deny the Lord that bought them? No people could deny the Lord that bought them, who continued to receive the messengers that he sent unto them; for if they received them, they received him who sent them, this was the Savior's maxim. See Mat. 10th chapter 40th verse. But whenever they rejected the messengers God sent unto them, they rejected him; when they denied them, they denied him. Hence came the Savior's complaint against the Jews, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickings under her wings, and ye would not. Behold your house is left unto you desolate:" see Matthew, 23rd chapter, 37th and 38th verses. Let the reader notice particularly, that the Savior says, if they had not killed the prophets and stoned them that he sent unto them, he would have gathered them as a hen gathereth her chickings under her wings; but in consequence of their having rejected them, they could not be gathered, consequently, "their house was left unto them desolate." In the 34th and 35th verses of this same chapter, the Savior says, "Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, wise men, and scribes; and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel, to the blood of Azcharias, son of Barachias whom ye slew between the temple and the altar." Who can read and not see, that in rejecting the messengers whom God sends unto a people, they reject him, and bring upon their own heads the wrath of heaven? for in so doing they refuse the teachings of heaven, and reject his counsel, and thereby deny the Lord that bought them, and bring upon their own heads swift destruction. Second Peter, second chapter, and second verse.

This was the situation of the Jews when the Savior said unto them: "The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof." Instead of their being of one heart, and of one mind, receiving and rejoicing in the messengers whom God sent unto them for their edification and benefit, they killed some, and stoned others, and refused--utterly refused, to have an inspired man among them! And instead of their being united in one society, they were broken up into parties and sects, or heresies, which is the same thing. They were Pharisees, Saddusees, & Herodians, with a multitude of other parties & sects, or heresies. Instead of prophets and prophetesses, they had lawyers, doctors, and rabbies; & instead of the pure word of God, they had got the traditions of the elders, and of the fathers, tracts, homilies, &c. &c. And in consequence of these things, the power of God had withdrawn from them, and they were left in darkness to grope their way to destruction; fulfilling the declarations of the Psalmist, that there was none doing good no not one: for though they had much religion, and many, yea, very many societies, still there was not one of them organized according to the order of things established among their fathers by the inspiration of heaven: they had many teachers, but they were all of their own making; for a messenger that God sent, they would not have: them they would stone and kill.

If any rational being will only take the pains to compare the state of the Jews, in the days of the Savior, with their state and condition as organized by Moses through the inspiration of heaven, he cannot but see the force of the Savior's declaration, that the kingdom of God should be taken from them, and be given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. Behold them with their prophets, their prophetesses, their judges, their counsellors, their seers, their revelators, with their one temple, and their one altar; the harmony of their worship, the regular order of their priests, their lips keeping knowledge, & the people receiving the law at their mouth, & to crown the whole glory, the ministering of angels, and the power of God with them and round about them, with miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit, I say, let any man contemplate these natural fruits of the kingdom of heaven, and behold what the kingdom of heaven is, when it is not corrupted and defiled, and then compare it with the state of the Jews in the days of the Savior, with their Pharisees, their Saddusees, their Herodians, their lawyers their doctors, their rabbies, their strifes, their contentions, their traditions & their heresies; the power of God having fled from them, his glory ceased to over shadow them, and his angels to minister to them! I say, let any rational being but for a moment view it, and he would exclaim with the Psalmist "There are none of them doing good, no, not one."

Having taken a brief view of the kingdom of heaven among the Jews, both in its pure, as well as corrupt state, let us look at it in the hands of the Gentiles, to whom it was given after it was taken from the Jews.

We have previously seen that it was to be given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof, after it was taken from the Jews. The query is this, did the Gentiles, after they had received the kingdom, bring forth the fruits of that kingdom? and if so, what were the fruits which they brought forth? We have seen that the Jews, before they corrupted the kingdom, brought forth a fruit that was among no other people, even that of inspiration, revelation, miracles, &c. and when that kind of fruit was not found among them, the kingdom was taken from them, and they were condemned to destruction, and this reason assigned, that they did not bring forth the fruit of that kingdom.

Let us follow the apostles, and see the fruit that the Gentiles brought forth, when the kingdom was transferred from among the Jews to them, and we shall see that they brought forth the same kind of fruit the Jews did, before the kingdom was corrupted in their hands, even a host of inspired men and women--prophets & prophetesses, healings, miracles, and the gifts of the Holy Ghost, not only in one church, but in all the churches. The apostle Paul thanked God that the church of Corinth came behind in no gift. 1st Corinthians, 1st chapter, from 4th to 8th verse. "I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; that in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: so that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." Now, if the church at Corinth came behind in no gift, they must have had all the spiritual gifts ever given to any people, or else they would have come behind in some gift. The same apostle says to the Ephesians, 1st chapter, and 3rd verse, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ." Notice here, that the apostle says that they were blessed with ALL spiritual blessings, if so, they also came behind in no gift. Peter, in his 2nd epistle, 1st chapter, 2nd and 3rd verses, says, "Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of him who hath called us to glory and virtue." Mark, that the apostle says here, that ALL things were given unto them that pertain to life and godliness, and if ALL things that pertain to life and godliness were given unto them, they were behind in no gift; for spiritual gifts are among the "ALL things which pertain to life and godliness." But in the 12th chapter, of the 1st epistle to the Corinthians, these spiritual gifts are enumerated and described. The chapter is too lengthy for insertion here, but let the reader peruse it, and he will there see what the apostle meant by the "ALL things which pertain to life and godliness;" the "ALL spiritual blessings" with which the Ephesians were blessed; and the gifts in which the Corinthians had come "behind in none."

If we can credit these testimonies of the apostles, the case is a very clear one, that the Gentiles, when they received the kingdom of heaven, brought forth the fruits thereof; and that the Jews, previous to the time the kingdom was taken from them, had ceased to bring forth the fruits of the kingdom.--We have seen that the Jews, when the kingdom was given to them, at the first, brought forth a fruit which in latter times they did not bring forth, and that the Gentiles, when they received the kingdom, brought forth the same fruit that the Jews did at first, before they transgressed the laws, changed the ordinances, and broke the everlasting covenant: that is, a host of inspired men--apostles, prophets and prophetesses, evangelists, pastors, teachers, healings, gifts, miracles, &c. &c. So it was with the Jews at the first--there were prophets, prophetesses, revelators, seers, healings, gifts, miracles, &c. Who that will look at this subject with any candor, but must see and understand what the fruit of the kingdom of heaven is? for this is fruit which is peculiar to the kingdom of heaven, and to be found no where else but there. Who then will say, that we hazard much in saying, that where these fruits are not found, whether among Jews, or Gentiles, that people are not in favor with God? Let them have what else they may, if they lack these, it is proof direct, that they are in a state of apostasy; for if God (as the Savior testifies) took the kingdom from the Jews because they did not bring forth these fruits, and devoted them to destruction, can he save, redeem and acknowledge another people who are as destitute of these fruits as the Jews were when the kingdom was taken from them? I answer no; unless he is both partial, and a respecter of persons.

We have seen from the most incontrovertible evidence, what the fruits of the kingdom of heaven were, both among the Jews and Gentiles, and what a people must bring forth in order to bring forth the fruits of that kingdom; and as well might a people try to be saved by another gospel, as to palm any thing else upon God for the fruits of his kingdom. In the 11th chapter to the Romans, Paul gives the reason why the Jews did not bring forth these fruits. He says it was because of unbelief, see the 19th and 20th verses "Thou wilt say then, [notice reader that he is speaking to the Gentiles, to whom the kingdom had been given, after it was taken from the Jews] the branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in. Well, because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded but fear." Notice that the apostle says, that the Jews were cut off because of unbelief. The Savior says that the kingdom was taken from them because they did not bring forth the fruits of it. Now put them both together, and the matter stands thus: If the Jews had not fallen into unbelief but had continued in faith, they would continued to brought forth the fruits of the kingdom; and if they had continued to bring forth the fruits of the kingdom, they would not have been cut off; but when they fell into unbelief, and lost their faith, they ceased to bring forth the fruits of the kingdom, and were in consequence thereof cut off. This must put the subject forever at rest, in every candid mind, and we plainly see that without faith, the Jews could not bring forth the fruits of the kingdom of heaven, that if there were prophesyings, healings, and miracles among them, it was done by their faith, and that whenever they lost their faith these things ceased among them, and they were cut off, and the kingdom of heaven taken from them.

TO BE CONTINUED.

<"Faith of Church">
Sidney Rigdon "Faith of the Church," E&MS 2 (Jul 1834)

FAITH OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST IN THESE LAST DAYS. NO. VI. {beliefs-lds}

[Continued from our last.]

An honest man, who has one correct view of the divine character, must believe, that there will be a consistency in all the proceedings of God in relation to his creatures, that his dealings will be in righteousness, without partiality, or hypocrisy, that when he comes to judge the world, his righteousness will shine as the heavens, and his glory as the noon day, so that every mouth will be stopped, every tongue stilled, and all creation acknowledge in the equity of the divine proceedings. But no sooner does a man admit these facts, than he sees the folly and weakness of the sectarians of this generation, yea, of all of them, for there is no exception, neither is there a difference; for they come short of the glory of God; nor has one of their societies ever reached the point of perfection, which entitles them to the promises of God. If the bible is to be our guide in matters of religion, and if the world is in any way to be judged by it, or if it has any thing to do with the future destinies of men; the question is forever settled, that this generation of sectarians is in a state of apostasy, every one of them, of all sects and parties, in all the world, and are ripening for destruction, both here and hereafter; for there is no rule of judging laid down in the bible which will not condemn them: neither is there any thing said in the bible which does not go to show plainly, that God never approved of them: all the admonitions and instructions given to the saints in all the revelations of God, extant, proves to a demonstration, that the sectarians of the nineteenth century, and the saints of God are so little like each other, that the same system of teaching is in no respect suited to them both: indeed nearly all the use the bible is to the sectarians of this generation is, that they claim to themselves the promises which were in former days given to the saints, entirely regardless of the way the saints obtained them, and also of the principle on which they were given to them. For instance, they (the sectarians) read what is said to the Romans, 8th chapter, 35th verse, and onward, where the apostle says in writing to that church: "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? (As it is written; for thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter?) Nay, in all things we are more than conquerers, through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angles, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord," and when they read, they exult greatly that they cannot be separated from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord, as though the apostle had spoken, or written these things to them; or, as though they had a right to claim them and call them their own. They never seem to consider the great difference there is between them and the saints at Rome; for a small degree of attention must convince the most blind, that there is nothing in the situation of the sectarians of the nineteenth century to entitle them to the promises made, and the assurances given by the apostle to the saints at Rome, in the first century, particularly, if sufferings for Christ's sake have any thing to do with the salvation of men; for if it is through sufferings that the saints approve themselves to God, surely the sufferings of the saints at Rome, in the first century, and that of the sectarians of the nineteenth century are very different: the former had to suffer all things for Christ's sake, the other suffer nothing for his sake, but are themselves persecutors, like those who made the saints of the first century to suffer for Christ's sake. Where is the man that can, in truth, say to any sectarian society of the nineteenth century as Paul said to the saints at Rome? [Rom. 8:35] "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ: shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword. Nay for I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." I say, where is the man who can in truth apply these sayings to any society of sectarians in the nineteenth century? Have they been put to the test, to know whether these things would separate them from the love of Christ? No! Well, how does he know that they would endure sufferings as the saints at Rome, for Christ's sake? There are but two ways by which he could know it, either by seeing them tried, or else by getting a revelation from God, testifying that they would suffer these things for Christ's sake.--But he has no such testimony; for their are none of the sects that have been tried. And all their leaders; yea, and the led too, declare that there are no revelations to be had in these days! And yet, marvelous to relate, they pass decision on men's heads as though they were all apostles and prophets! Let us ask, does any man living know that he can, himself, endure nakedness, famine, peril, sword, persecutions, the opposition of principalities, and of powers, and of angels, and yet remain steadfast and immovable in the love of Christ? I say no man can know that he himself can endure all these things, until he is tried, or else receives a revelation from God, testifying to him that he can and will do it. What Paul here said to the saints at Rome, were founded on the clearest possible evidence, not only their being tried, but his having power to get revelations: he had the testimony of both God and man, and could not be mistaken! what a vast difference between Paul's saying this to the saints at Rome, and a sectarian saying it to the sects of the present day: the former having the testimony of both God and man, but the latter being without testimony, having neither the testimony of God or man! For man is not in a situation to give testimony, being untried; and they all say that God does not, nor will not give any, and yet they act and decide as those who had the testimony of both; yea, as apostles themselves; for no being is able to tell what any man will endure for Christ's sake, but him who knows the thoughts, searches the hearts, and tries the reins of all living: he knows what men will endure for his sake, and what they will not endure; and those know to whom he reveals it, and none others. And because Paul said this to the Romans, it does not follow of course that this would be the case with all who had called themselves after the name of Jesus Christ, or that took upon them the name of saints. And because the saints at Rome had offered themselves unto God, in the before mentioned trials, and afflictions, persecutions, and tribulations, it is no proof that all men, to the end of time, who make profession of the faith of the saints, will approve themselves in like manner to God.--So that the application of these assurances to any sectarian society is, without authority: there being no principle in the divine proceedings which would authorize it--God has given no such license, nor has he authorized any being to make any such application.

Strange as it may appear, yet it is no more so than true, that the sectarians of the nineteenth century, flatter themselves, that they will be accepted of God without their approving themselves to him in any thing, and on this principle they claim to themselves the promises made to a people who commended themselves to God in all things, both in life and in death.--Hear Paul declare to the Corinthians, 2nd epistle, 6th chapter, from the 4th to the 11th verse, how the saints of his day approved themselves to God: "But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings; by pureness, by knowledge, by long suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers and yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things." So says the apostle we approved ourselves to God, and having done so became heirs of promise.--But when and where have the sectarians thus approved themselves to God? the answer is at no time, and in no place. There is not a sectarian in the world who has approved himself to God. And on what principle then, does he claim the promises made to a people who had approved themselves in all things? more particularly, as these promises were made to them, because they had approved themselves to God in the manner set forth in the scriptures? and had they not thus approved themselves to God, they would not have been the heirs of promise; for instead of receiving promises, they would have received cursings, if they had not approved themselves to God in the manner set forth in the scriptures. So that there is no principle in the economy of God, with men, that entitles the sectarians of this generation to claim to themselves the promises made in the scriptures to the saints; for surely the saints of the new testament, and the sectarians of this generation are very diverse from one another: the closest observer will not be able to trace the least resemblance between them, but a great disparity in every thing--one was persecuted, the other is persecutors; one was reviled, the other reviles; one was evil spoken of, the other evil speakers; one was full of faith, the other without faith; one suffered the loss of all things for Christ's sake, the other suffered the loss of nothing; one took joyfully the spoiling of their goods; the other's goods were never spoiled; one was in necessities, stripes, imprisonments, poverty and want, for Christ's sake; the other have riches, honor, wealth and affluence for their own sake; one received in this world evil things, the other their good things; but notwithstanding all this, they are both to be rewarded alike in the eternal world! and yet, God is to reward every man according to the deeds done in the body, whether they be good or evil. So says the sectarian world; but who in the exercise of his reason and common sense can believe it?

In examining the scriptures carefully, it will be found, that those churches which were far superior to any of the modern churches, were called upon to repent, or else to suffer the displeasure of God, instead of their being flattered with the promises of heaven; and they, though far in advance of any of the sectarian churches, were in danger of the wrath of heaven, and would surely feel it unless they repented. There is surely something in the management of the professors of these last ages which is strange beyond comprehension. We are frequently saluted with the voice of a reformer, professing to reform the world, to correct their errors, and to bring them back to pure principles. For instance, the Methodists, profess to be reformers, they feel a great anxiety to reform the errors of Calvinism, calling it a false doctrine, and they even go so far as to say that it came form hell; but notwithstanding they say that Calvinism is a doctrine of devils, still the believers in this doctrine, if they are honest, will be saved, that is, they believe there is purity enough in that system to save men: but we ask, if there is purity enough in the system of Calvinism to save men, why do Armenians feel so much zeal to reform them? can they more than save them? if they cannot, the Calvinist is as well off as the Armenian. But says the Armenian, "it hinders a great many from being saved, and therefore we try to put it down." This is marvelously strange, the Calvinist is teaching a doctrine which will send thousands to hell, but will save himself. When any man, or set of men, present themselves before the world in the attitude of reformers, and yet declare to the world, that the people can be saved, without his, or their, reformation, they virtually say to the world, that their pretended mission is a fable; for who does not know, that they cannot do more than save men! The God of heaven never so insulted the common senses of men as to send a reformer into the world, unless the world would have been damned without him; nor would he insult the man by sending him on any less important errand. There never was a messenger sent of the God of heaven to the world, who was not received, without God rejected them. It is worse than folly for a man to pretend to be sent of God to reform the world, when the world can be saved without him; and it is equally nonsense for Methodists to try to reform Prresbyterians, & Baptists, when they are equally heirs of eternal life with them, without their assistance.

TO BE CONTINUED.

<Editorial>
Oliver Cowdery ed E&MS 2 (Aug 1834)

Conference notice.--Our brethren, (the elders,) of the church of the Latter Day Saints, residing in this section, are hereby notified, that a conference will be held in Norton, Medina Co. Ohio, on Monday the 8th of September, next. On Sunday the 7th, public preaching may be expected at such place as the brethren may appoint. It is expected that some of the elders from the church at Kirtland will attend, if providence permit. It is hoped that such of the elders abroad as can arrange their business so as to attend, will. We have expressed our opinion upon the great utility of conferences, heretofore, and would again recommend to all the elders, the propriety of embracing every opportunity to obtain instruction in the great and glorious principles of the religion we profess.

Certainly, there can be nothing more appropriate and requisite for the servants of the Lord Jesus, than to make such disposition of their time as to enlarge upon their information and intelligence, that they may be able to instruct others also; and though a conference is short, yet we may learn of the prosperity of the cause in different parts of the country, from the lips of those whose testimony we can cheerfully receive, and become more familiar with each other, and be preparing our hearts for the great day approaching, when every servant will be called to give an account of his stewardship, and the faithful receive an everlasting crown. The church at New Portage [Norton] is large, and have always manifested a cheerfulness in entertaining their brethren from a distance. We cannot but feel greatful to our Father, on every remembrance of these personal kindnesses received, and are with joy reminded of these precious words of our Lord: [Matt. 25:40] "Inasmuch as you have done it unto the least you have done it unto me!"--[Ed. Star.]

THE EVENING AND THE MORNING STAR.

KIRTLAND, OHIO, AUGUST, 1834.

<"Progress of Gospel">
Oliver Cowdery "Progress of the Gospel," E&MS 2 (Aug 1834)

THE PROGRESS OF THE GOSPEL. {beliefs-lds}

For a length of time, and some of our friends may say too long, other important matter has prevented our saying but little relative to the spread of the truth, and the prosperity of the elders of the church of the Latter Day Saints. But circumstances having prevented, in consequence of the situation of the church, and necessity calling forth much to inform those whose cars were continually saluted with misrepresentations, calculated to create an unfavorable opinion upon a subject which deeply interested every lover of his country and freedom, it has been our duty to record, (and we confess, painful,) scenes which have not disgraced the annals of our history since this government was organized. And yet, at this time, it may be thought to be superfluous in us to speak particularly of the Jackson outrage--of the atrocious deeds committed upon unoffending citizens, and of the distress inflicted upon innocent women and children: we therefore forbear, in this article.

From scenes of distress in the far west, we turn our eyes to that portion of the American society claimed to be the most refined and hospitable, and the heart sickens at the sound of falsehood and calumny, heaped upon the Saints. Ten thousand times ten thousand foolish reports are hatched up by designing individuals, and pamed upon their credulous followers, and swallowed by these greedy dupes and cherished in their bosoms as truths!--The sound, "False prophets" echoes and re-echoes from the mouths of babel's priests to the meanest worshiper of baal, and creation is convulsed to its center by blasphemies from the ignorant multitude who never knew the reality of the religion of heaven, and yet vainly suppose themselves to be the children of the Most High!

Amid this day of strife we are often reminded of the words of Peter, in his 1st epistle, 4th chapter and 12th verse: "Beloved think not strange concerning the firey trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing had happened unto you;" for if, in the days of this apostle, the saints were compelled to suffer, (which will not be doubted,) it is to be expected in the last days, though most people boast of this wise, virtuous, and righteous age. In the days of this apostle the truth found advocates, and the gospel of Christ converts, after all the opposition of the powers of darkness. Any man making himself acquainted with the history of those days, will find that no scurulous report, no foolish lie, nor idle tale, could be permitted to sleep; but with the utmost diligence were circulated with an intention to hedge up the way of salvation, and overthrow the work of the Lord! and yet it spread--still it prevailed: and had those professing it, remained faithful, that church would have risen in majesty and covered the earth, while darkness would have disappeared forever.

Another era has rolled on, and God has began to display his marvelous works in the eyes of many, that testimony may be given to this perverse generation, that desolation awaits them; and that with his own voice he is about to call Israel from the four winds. While the way is opening and the great supper preparing, it is to be expected that satan will martial his forces and call his whole power into action. Every heart in which he has place is ready to be barred against the truth, and every uncircumcised ear is closed against the precious sound, which otherwise would be received as tidings from above, and would cause nations to clap their hands, and the universe to join in one glad song of praise. At first thought, the upright in heart might be ready to conclude, that a nation of Gentiles would be born to God in a day, and that a people professing such high attainments in the favor of heaven, would be ready to embrace the truth with a zeal becoming their pretentions. But to view the contrast causes the heart to sorrow!--Is it possible, the question might be asked, that this generation are sunk so low? Alas! they are fallen! are fallen!!

Let the impartial once look; let the honest once search, and his mind will admit--indeed, he cannot but acknowledge, that this is a people in whom is no godliness, and a generation who have corrupted their way before the Lord. They condemn the Jews for persecuting the Savior, and say, "Had we lived in the days of the apostles, those chosen men would have been protected by us;" but wherever the same gospel is now preached, the same opposition is manifested, and the same unhallowed causes resorted to for the purpose of destroying those who embrace it. Surely, then, they are witnesses unto themselves that they are worse than the Jews; for the Jews never pretended to follow the Messiah nor obey his teachings; but from his first appearance among them they sought his destruction, and never rested till it was effected, as they supposed. Here is a people professing that quiet religion, the influence of which softens the vain ambitious thoughts of the heart, and be gets a love for all, and teaches so to regard the well-being of men that even good should be rewarded for evil. One question, and one only will we now ask on this point, are these precious maxims observed?

From the east the sound is heard that numbers are turning to the Lord--and this is no marvel, for there intelligence has stepped in advance of the superstition of other places. With anticipations which are pleasing, we look forward to the time, (& we hope it not long) when thousands shall come from the east, rejoicing in the assurances of the everlasting gospel.

From the south we frequently learn of the progress of truth, though bigotry and fanaticism present a formidable front. We verily believe, that the Lord will yet bring a people from that section, sanctified and meet for his use; and earnestly hope, that he will raise up and send faithful laborers to call his elect from those regions.

From the north we hear glad news, and our cars are frequently saluted with the sound of REFORMATION, and the triumph of the gospel, notwithstanding the adversary has sent his emissaries with loads of printed lies to destroy the good seed; and our prayer to the Father of mercies is, that, like the aurora borealis, it may rise in splendor until this spreading glory shall illuminate the horizon!

We often request our brethren, (the elders,) to communicate the account of their labors; and we cannot close this peace without urging this request once more. We want (for the satisfaction and benefit of the whole church,) them to give, in short, the public feeling as manifest toward the gospel with a general, but brief sketch of the country, &c. which to many, and especially our distant subscribers, will be a source of information worth their attention, and credit. We simply ask for facts. Other publications are made up, principaly of communications from their distant or travelling brethren, and no doubt, serve to render them interesting to their readers. We have said, we wished for facts, and we repeat again that this is all we ask. It cannot be doubted, (by the careful searcher of the scriptures,) but that the time is fast approaching when the Lord will arise in his might and come forth out of his PLACE and vex the nations, and as the time draws near, duty calls for the warning voice to be raised by all who are assured of this fact; and from whom could we expect more than from the elders of this church?

It is yet our privilege to receive frequent intelligence concerning the spread of the work, and often from persons whose names we have not before heard. When this is the case it seemingly calls forth renewed gratitude from our hearts, and reminds us of the hand which is set for the redemption of Israel, the second time, and of the glorious day approaching, when this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a testimony unto all people, that the Son of man is coming on the earth.

The following is an extract of a letter dated, "Wendell, Mss. July 17, 1834." Our strange brother has made a reasonable request, in our opinion, and we would hope for his, and the brethren's sake, in that place, that when any of the elders are passing near, they would call. It is certainly our duty to lift up the hands that hang down, and strengthen the feeble; but when looking over the vast extent of territory, and the great field of labor to be occupied by the elders of this church, and the frequent doors, (and effectual ones too,) which are opening, we can only say to them, as brethren in the Lord, go according to the counsel and direction of the Holy Spirit, and you will please our Master, and step into those places where you will effect the greatest good. The urgent requests are, Do come and visit us, or do send some faithful, humble brother, to communicate to us the word of truth, the gospel of salvation; and, If you were here, great good would undoubtedly result from the same; or, cannot, or will not some of our brethren come soon? The fact is, we are all men, and cannot be in but one place at a time; and then we are not like Philip (as yet) in faith--we cannot mount up as on eagles' wings, and flit across a desert, a mountain, a country, or prairy--we are compelled to walk as other men.

In truth, it can be said, that the harvest is plentious, but the laborers are few. The unlearned fishermen from the sea of Galilee were called to preach the gospel to all the world, and soon after their endowment at Jerusalem, numbers flocked to the standard of truth, and many were commissioned to bear the glad tidings to men: So we trust in these last days that thousands of faithful and able ministers of the New Testament will be raised up, and to the nations lift a standard, and proclaim to the ends of the world, the Lord cometh!--[Editor of the Star.]

<Jonathan Crosby>
Jonathan Crosby ltr in E&MS 2 (Aug 1834)

DEAR BROTHER IN THE LORD,-
Although a stranger, yet professing as I do, to be a member of the church of the Latter Day Saints, I take the liberty of addressing a few lines, to let you know of the prosperity of a branch of the church in this place, of its wants and necessities. It is now about one year since I first commenced seeking for an interest in Church, and being then in the wilderness, and not knowing whither I go, I was led along by the precepts of men and their cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive, until, (as I was about to receive the mark of that beast, whose number is the number of a man,) last November, when the Lord, who is rich in mercy, beholding my perulous condition, sent his servants to release me, and to declare unto us the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ, which has been revealed unto you in these last days.

Brethren, E. [Evan] M. Greene, and H. [Horace] Cowan, came here last November, and held many meetings in this place and vicinity, and baptized 6 persons in this town. Althouh the beast was enraged against them, the seed was sown and has taken root, though rather a baren soil; and the beast is still enraged against it with all the powers of darkness, yet I hope and trust that it will yet become fruitful. We held our meetings in a school house until we were shut out! There has not been any of our brethren along this season, and I cannot account for it. There are some standing at the door and calling for admitance, but there is no one to open the door to these poor wanderers, or to brake unto us the bread of life.

Three of our number have left town--Brother D. Nelson was ordained a priest by brother Greene; but in consequence of coming under this new covenant, he was thrown out of business and employment, and consequently was under the necessity of leaving town to seek employment. Thus, we are without a preacher, and many say that if this was the work of the Lord, he would not suffer this delay; but this does not weaken my faith--I firmly believe the work to be of the Lord, though I am yet a child. The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few. I pray, therefore, the Lord of the vineyard that he would send forth laborers that these proud scoffers may be cut down, and made to know the truth of what the Lord is doing in these last days, and that those who are knocking may receive admittance. Perhaps the reason why the brethren do not come here is, that they do not know that there is need of them, or that there is a branch of the church in this place. I would request that you notify, through the medium of the Star, our brethren who are travelling through the country, that we have need of their assistance; for we are like sheep among wolves who are howling on every side; and the same spirit is manifest here that was shown toward our brethren in the west; and they have even ventured so far as to trample on the laws of the land. But this is nothing more than we may expect--our sufferings are nothing compared with the sufferings of the saints of old, or our brethren in Zion. And if we are scoffed at, and the finger of scorn pointed at us, it is nothing; for if we be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are we. And we would, like Paul, [Rom. 5:3-4] "rather glory in tribulation; for tribulation worketh patience, and patience experience, and experience hope."

O that the Lord would rend the heavens and come down, and remove the darkness that covers the earth, and the gross darkness of the people. I can truly say, I rejoice that the day of the Lord is near at hand; and I have a secret longing for the day when we can unite our voices with all the heavenly hosts in singing praises to God and the Lamb forever; Amen.

Yours respectfully,

JOHNATHAN [Jonathan] CROSBY JR.

TO OLIVER COWDERY.

<Editorial>
Oliver Cowdery ed E&MS 2 (Aug 1834)

THE MINUTES OF THE CONFERENCE IN MAINE. {beliefs-lds}

In the last number of the Star, the minutes of the conference held in Maine by the elders of the church of the Latter Day Saints, were omitted. They were regularly forwarded, but intelligence from the west occupied so large a space that it was impossible to insert them. No doubt they will be interesting to those who are anxiously enquiring, as they give information of a number of churches, which, perhaps, are unknown abroad. We hope, hereafter, that when our brethren transmit accounts of churches, they will, (if they have the information,) send the number of each, as well as the places where they are located. We would suggest, for the consideration of the churches aborad, the propriety of furnishing their elders with their correct numbers, when going to represent them in conference, and let such representations be noticed on the minutes.

It is said by many, that there are but few who have embraced the gospel, and that those will soon be convinced of the "imposition!" and forsake it. Others say that our numbers are great and daily increasing; and not unfrequently we see complaints in the public prints, that "Mormonism," as the gospel we believe is reproachfully called, has succeeded in drawing in its train many, and some of the most respectable and intelligent. That our numbers are small, (compared to many sects,) we confess, but, that they are ever to forsake a cause so just and heavenly, we cannot believe: some may turn from the truth; (for even Paul said at a certain time, that at his first answer all men forsook him;) but while the saints are humble the Lord will be merciful, and truth so precious as it is in these last days, will not fail of finding adherents; and while a famine for the word of God ensues, so that nations wander from sea to sea to find it, a few, at least, will be found, who will hold forth the word of life and bring forth the fruits of the Redeemer's kingdom.--[Ed. Star.]

<Editorial>
Oliver Cowdery ed E&MS 2 (Aug 1834)

Saco, Jun, 15, 1834.

BROTHER O. [Oliver] COWDERY,-
I take this opportunity to forward to you the minutes of the conference held in this place on the 13th day of the present month: it was an interesting scene, and no doubt will prove beneficial, and much good proceed from it. The public meeting commenced at half past 10 o'clock: those that stood in defense of the cause of God, were blessed with the Spirit, and the people gave good attention. At four o'clock, P. M. the elders' conference commenced--the conference came to order, and Jared Carter was chosen Moderator. After prayer the conference made choice of Sylvester B. Stoddard, for Clerk. It was then moved that the elders present proceed to give an account of themselves, and the several churches to which they belonged--They then proceeded, and seventeen branches of the church were represented, and said to be in good standing--two of the branches represented are located in Pennsylvania; three in the State of N. York, and the remaining twelve, east of the State of N. York. We have also heard from twenty three branches in York State, and other places east of Ohio, which are not represented in this conference.

There were many interesting narratives of the travels of the brethren related, which were edifying. Bro. John F. Boynton, then addressed the conference--much instruction was given, and his address very appropriate. The conference then adjourned to 7 o'clock A. M. on the next day, when we again met and after prayer bro. Jared Carter made known his mission concerning the building the [Kirtland Temple] house of the Lord in Kirtland. By the voice of the conference it was agreed that there should be a contribution--the conference then adjourned till five o'clock P. M. in order to attend public meeting. After the meeting the conference again met, and after prayer proceeded to business. It was then motioned and seconded that the elders, priests, teachers, and deacons in this conference, abide by the [D&C 89] word of wisdom and passed by a unanimous vote. The subject of ordination then came before the conference, and six were ordained--three to the lesser priesthood--one to the office of a teacher, and two to the office of deacon, which was done in the name of the Lord. The conference then voted to appoint a conference in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, on the 28th day of the present month, and then closed by prayer. On the following day, being the first day of the week, we again repaired to the meeting house, where a numerous concourse had assembled to hear the word of the Lord, and God manifested himself to his servants and they were enabled to lay before them the great work of the Lord, and the glory of his kingdom which has been revealed in these last days. The people listened in a very becoming manner, and many were heard to say, "we have heard the truth to day;" and according to the appearance much good may proceed from the interview that we have had with the people in this section. There have been several baptized since the commencement of this conference, and some from a distance, who came to investigate the work, have united themselves with the people of God, and have returned with an olive leaf. The Lord has been pleased to manifest himself by accompanying the administration of laying on hands for reception of the Holy Ghost, in a manner convincing to all around, even to those that were not disciples! And as there were many from different parts, it will be likely to make room for the spread of the glorious gospel of Christ, and the upbuilding of his kingdom that he has established in these last days; which may God grant for the Redeemer's sake.

I remain yours, &c.

SYLVESTER B. STODDARD.

Clerk of conference.

DEATHS.

Died in New Rowley, Mss. on the 4th of May last, sister LOUSIA ANN STICKNEY, aged 22 years. Sister L. was baptized into this church in September, 1832, by brother O. [Orson] Hyde, and has since been a worthy member of the same. During her last illness, which was long and severe, she expressed great confidence in relation to her acceptance in the sight of heaven, and left this world rejoicing in the assurance of a crown of glory. May peace be multiplied upon her bereaved friends, and may God prepare them, with us, to meet our sister in the presence of the Redeemer, in peace.

Since our last we have learned of the death of two or three others of our friends in the west, of cholera, viz: S. [Sylvester] B. WILKINSON of Westfield, N. Y. or vicinity, brother BENCRAFT, a resident of Clay co. Mo. and a little child of bro. J. [John] Murdock's. Our late communications also bring the intelligence of the decease (not of cholera) of ISAAC BEEBE. We believe that father BEEBE was a soldier of the Revolution. He has resided in Missouri since 1831, and was driven from Jackson county last fall by the mob, and shared in common with others notwithstanding his age, infirmities, and former worth and patriotism. We never rejoice when any of our fellow men are called from us, but we do rejoice for the assurance, that our aged and worthy brother has gone where the wicked cannot dwell, nor a vile mob overcome! There is a virtue in even dropping a tear over the ashes of the aged who have departed to be with God.--[Ed. Star.]

In Danville, Vt. of consumption, May 17, sister Joanna, wife of brother Rufus Roberts, aged 45. She had been a worthy member of the church of the Latter Day Saints. During the last five weeks of her illness she manifested a perfect resignation to the will of God, and when her spirit was about to take its exit to the mansions of the blessed, she called her family around her, and after taking each by the hand, exhorting them to be faithful in securing their soul's salvation in the kingdom of God, fell asleep in the full assurance of a glorious immortality. [Ps. 112:6] "The righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance."

Comm.

In Pontiac, Me. T. On the eleventh of March, Mrs. BATHIA FORDHAM, wife of Elijah Fordham, late of the city of New York. Sister Fordham was a worthy member in the church of the Latter Day Saints. After a lingering illness of about four months, she, expressing great composure of mind, and a firm reliance on the attributes of Deity, fell asleep in the glorious hope of a happy immortality. As a companion she was dutiful; as a friend, faithful; as a sister worthy, and as a saint, devoted. she has gone home!

Comm.

CONFERENCE MINUTES

Of the elders of the church of the Latter Day Saints, assembled in Kirtland, August 23, 1834. After the usual form the conference came to order, and was opened by prayer when the following preamble and resolutions were read, and ordered to be printed in The Evening and the Morning Star, and sent as a circular to the churches abroad.

Whereas a report having come to the knowledge of the church in this place censuring the conduct of brother JOSEPH SMITH jr. relative to his proceedings during his late journey to and from Missouri; and whereas said report was calculated to create an unfavorable influence as regards the moral character and honesty of our brother, it becomes necessary for us to investigate the matter and report the same to our brethren abroad: Therefore,

Resolved, that after hearing from the mouths of some, that a suspicion rested upon their minds relative to the conduct of our brother, as regards his honesty and godly walk, we have investigated his whole proceedings by calling upon those who accompanied him to and from Missouri, and are happy to have it in our power to say to our brethren abroad, one and all, that we are satisfied with his conduct, having learned from the clearest evidence, that he has acted in every respect worthy his high and responsible station in this church, and has prudently and cautiously preserved the good of this society at large, and is still worthy our esteem and fellowship; and that those reports could have originated in the minds of none except such as, either from a misunderstanding or natural jealousy, are easily led to conceive of evils where none exist.

Resolved, that we say to our brethren, that while we are surrounded by thousands, eager to grasp at a shadow, if they have a hope of turning it into the semblance of a falsehood for the injury of the gospel, we exhort them to be steadfast and immovable in the truth, resting assured, that while they continue to walk in the holy covenant they have professed to embrace, that nothing can, in the end, operate against their good; and that while wickedness abounds, as in days of old,the characters of those seeking the greatest good for their fellow men will be shamefully traduced, and ever act of their lies misrepresented, and a false shade thrown over their worthy deeds, calculated to create an evil prejudice in the minds of community, to prevent, if possible, the increase of light, the better to effect their own purposes and keep men in error.--We say, dear brethren, may peace and the blessings of our Lord Jesus be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of the truth forever.

Resolved, that these minutes be signed by the Moderator and Clerk, and published to the churches in The Evening and the Morning Star.

REYNOLDS CAHOON, MODERATOR.

OLIVER COWDERY, Clerk.

We, the undersigned, members of the above named conference, for the satisfaction of our brethren abroad, feel it to be our duty to say to those with whom we have a personal acquaintance, that we were present during the foregoing investigation and cheerfully concur in the spirit of the above minutes, and join in saying, that we are perfectly satisfied that, whatever impressions may have gone abroad, or whatever may yet remain with any in this vicinity relative to the conduct of our brother JOSEPH SMITH Jr. we are certain, (from evidence,) that he conducted himself in all respects as set forth in the Resolutions of this conference. We are induced to make these statements that the innocent may not suffer wrongfully, and that the minds of our brethren and friends may be satisfied that every appearance of evil is, in this place, searched out, and that nothing unbecoming a society of people professing godliness, suffered to exist among them.

J. [Joseph] B. BOZWORTH, Benson Vt. From Norton, Ohio. ASA LYMAN, JOHN SMITH, Parishville, N.Y. Do. Pottsdam, N. Y. JOHN RUDD, ORSON JOHNSON, Springfield, Pa. Do. Bath, N. H. ISAAC STORY, ROSWELL EVANS, Warsaw, N. Y. Do. Waterford, Vt. OLIVER HIGLEY, WILLIAM BURGEES, Jamestown, N. Y. Bolton, N. Y. JACOB BUMP, ALMAN SHERMAN, Silver Creek, N. Y. Pomfeet, N. Y. ISAAC HILL, JONAS PUTNAM, East Liverpool, Ohio Bolton, N. Y. LORENZO YOUNG, Do. IRA AMES,

We, the undersigned, members of this conference, being personally acquainted with brother J. [Joseph] SMITH Jr. and having accompanied him to Missouri, certify that the foregoing is correct.

LYMAN JOHNSON, HEBER C. KIMBALL.

Parley's Magazine, by Lilly, Wait, and company, Boston, Ms. has been regularly received for some time--It is a neat clean half sheet, Super Royal, half monthly, at $1, per an. in advance, and is embellished with cuts of beasts, birds, &c. We think it a well conducted juvenile periodical. Our friends may see it by calling at this office.

The People's Magazine, by Lilly, Wait, & co. Boston, Ms. is also received, with Coleman's Literary Gazette. They are neatly printed, and worth reading.--[Ed. Star.]

The "St. Thomas (Upper Canada) Journal" of the 17th has copied some two or three paragraphs of GOV. DUNKLIN'S letter to Col. J. Thornton of Clay co. Mo. on the subject of the Jackson county outrage. In the Editor's comments we notice the following: "In consequence of a treaty of peace being in agitation between these spirited people the inhabitants of Jackson county, and their no less undaunted of, the `Mormons,' who are returning to the place from whence they were driven, bearing Arms on their way and threats of vengeance on their tongues, to take possession of their lands and property, or fall the victim of the field."

We presume that the Editor of the "Journal" copied the few paragraphs from the July number of the Star; but where he learned that the `Mormons' were going or did go "armed," with "threats of vengeance on their tongues," we are not able to say. In fact, had he given credit to the accounts published in the Star, (which by the by he could not disprove,) he would never have made those groundless and unprincipled assertions; and we have no doubt, if he would carefully re-examine his former piece, the sentiments therein contained, would find no response in his heart, at least, if he has the feelings of a man of just principles.

After calling the framers of our constitution, "Rebels, Robbers, and murderous Assassins," he goes on to boast of the "proud flag" of England--"at whose wave Monarchs bow and petty republics tremble in due subordination, and reverentially knowledge the greatness of that nation, whose strong hold is the `church of Christ' on which its Government and Constitution have their base--demagogues and those who would make pack-asses of the ignorant cannot prevail where the very `gates of hell' have to submit." This is another specimen of his weakness. He speaks as though England ruled the world, and her priests held the keys of the kingdom of God! It would be superfluous to copy his whole article here: we give a few sentences as a specimen of the fellow's puffings, as the principles of our constitution produce a violent fervor upon his shallow brain. It will be remembered, that GOV. DUNKLIN, in his late lettor to Col. Thornton, quotes a few words from the constitution of that State, and the "Journal," while commenting upon it, says:

"By it we learn the Beauties of the constitution of the United States of America, and in fact, that it is just such a one as might have been expected were the characters of its framers taken into consideration! men, whose demon-like principles induced them to haunt their friends and neighbors from their houses and homes, and gloried in imbruing their hands in the blood of the innocent! because they adhered to their king, their country and their God! Yes! these are the men that gave a constitution to a government called a `Republic' which declares `that all men are born free and equal."

Now, we ask, where, in the oracles of God is it to be found, that the Parliament of Great Britain, some two centuries since, received authority to create a church, and call it the "church of Christ," and then claim that their constitution and government were "based" upon the same? It is to be remembered, that there are different religious societies existing under the protection of that government, and good loyal subjects they are, it is presumed--Methodists, Baptists, and others: and still, that church on which the government and constitution are "based" was created by an Act of Parliament! By what authority does the "Journal" call it the "church of Christ?"

But what troubles the "Journal" is, that our constitution allows the liberty of conscience; and yet his own permits the same, or why are other sects permitted to live under its protection? There are many belonging to the communion of the church of England in the United States (we say church of England, because England made it,) and valuable citizens they are too; not "Rebels, Robbers, and Assassinators;" but were they to possess the principles of the Editor of the "Journal" they would raise an immediate rebellion, and distract this government at once! because he denounces it, (on the principles on which it is founded, as well as the framers of those principles,) as being unworthy the support of every honorable man!

We do not make these remarks out of disrespect to the English government, by no means, as we know, that no such principles as advanced by the "Journal" are known in its Archives, of which he makes so great boast. We know that that government allows every man to worship God as he pleases, or let it alone if he pleases; but were it such an one as the ignorant Editor of the "Journal" would be glad to make people believe, the halter and block would be the portion of all who departed from its communion!

We have a number of brethren in Canada, and a great many in the States, and were they of the principles of the Editor of the "Journal," instead of being brethren they would be ENEMIES! One would ridicule the other or its unprincipled Government, and the others, in turn, would reproach them for living under a Government professing to be "based" upon the Rock Christ Jesus, and yet were under the necessity of creating it themselves by an act of their Parliament. But we will not insult the good sense of our brethren in Canada and elsewhere by making any further comparison of the "Journal," but only remind them of the beautiful instructions of Paul to Timothy and Titus: "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, suplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men: for kings, and for ALL that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty." First Timothy, 2nd chap. 1st and 2nd verses. "Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates to be ready to every good work." Titus, 3rd chap. 1st verse. With these few words from the holy scriptures, we close, leaving our friends to judge, whether the Editor of the "Journal," with ALL his professed sanctity and wonderful zeal for the "church of Christ" has maintained the least principle here advanced by this inspired man!--[Editor of the Star.]

From the west we have received nothing new since our last, except the deaths mentioned, and an account of the abuse inflicted upon another of our friends, who went into Jackson Co. to transact some business. When the conduct of this vile mob shall be laid before the public, it cannot fail to excite sympathy in the bosom of every honest feeling man. The mob have already committed the most cruel and unfeeling acts, ever yet committed by any set of men; and when the world, as well as the authorities of our nation, know that they still continue, it cannot be possible that justice will not be rendered against them.--[Ed. Star.]

The appeal:--When an individual or a society fail of obtaining redress for abuses, at the hand of the civil law, circumstances often render it necessary for them to appeal directly to the people--This is perfectly right. However laudable, however just, and however pure may be the intentions, and however lawful the persuits of men, (the better the more enemies,) it never has failed to incur the dissatisfaction of some, and often the disaprobation of the majority. Whenever this is the case JUSTICE, the great rewarder of all men, whispers in the heart of every man of truth, that, before judgment is rendered against let them speak for themselves. If communities would defer their decision until this, often, no doubt, the innocent would escape censure, and the man of upright conduct, the foul calumny of the unprincipled and ungenerous.

We recommend the following APPEAL to the careful perusal of our patrons, and hope, that the actual truths therein attested will be considered in the light a cause involving the welfare of so many thousands merits. It is only necessary for us to add, here, that with each signer we have a personal acquaintance, and can also attest to the most of their statements from actual knowledge, having witnessed the same with our own eyes. To many, and indeed, to many thousands, the calamity and distress of this afflicted and persecuted society is partially known; but to the many millions, who, through the insinuations of men of corrupt hearts and vile principles, have their prejudices excited against an unoffending people, we join our friends in asking them to "hear and then judge."

With the most of individuals and societies who have been traduced, and their characters and designs misrepresented, their last appeal has been made to the world or nation at large; here they rested their claim, and here the matter, with them, was brought to a final close. If community approved their course, they triumphed; if not, they sunk forever; but this is not the last resort of a people whose interest is in heaven, and whose hope is built upon the everlasting word of Omnipotence!--when earthly courts and tribunals fail, and when the voice of the PEOPLE is not given in their favor, and a place on earth denied them and their helpless innocent posterity, their last GREAT REFUGE is JEHOVAH; and if, like the ancients, they are driven from the face of society, that even a lodging place among men is forbidden them, they can wander in obscurity, not [Heb. 11:35] "accepting deliverance," till their change come, and they [Heb. 11:35] "obtain a better resurrection!"--[Editor of the Star.]

<"An Appeal">
William Phelps "An Appeal," E&MS 2 (Aug 1834)

AN APPEAL.

WHEREAS the church of Christ, recently styled the church of the Latter Day Saints, contumeliously called "Mormons," or "Mormonites," has suffered many privations, afflictions, persecutions and losses on account of the religious belief and faith of its members, which belief and faith are founded in the revealed word of God, as recorded in the holy bible, or the book of Mormon--the revelations and commandments of our Savior, Jesus Christ; and whereas the said church, by revelation, commenced removing to the western boundaries of the State of Missouri, where lands were purchased of the Government, and where it was calculated to purchase of those who were unwilling to reside with the church as a society, all lands that could be bought, for the purpose of building up a holy city unto God, a New Jerusalem, a place which we were desirous to call ZION, as we believe, a place of refuge from the scourges and plagues, which are so often mentioned in the bible, by the prophets and apostles, that should be poured out upon the earth in the last days; and whereas the inhabitants of Jackson county, Missouri, have leagued and combined against the said church, and have driven the saints from their lands, and took their arms from them, and burned down many of their houses, without any provocation; and whereas we have petitioned the Governor of this State, and the President of the United States, for redress of wrongs, (the law being put to defiance in Jackson county,) and for redemption of rights, that we might be legally re-possessed of our lands and property; and whereas the said inhabitants of Jackson county, have not only bound themselves to keep us out of that county, but have armed themselves, "cap a pie," and even with cannon, for war; and whereas our people, residing in the Upper Missouri, have recently armed themselves for military duty and self defence, seeing their arms taken from them by the inhabitants of Jackson county, were purposly kept from them; and whereas a number of the members of the church in the east, have emigrated to this region of country, to settle and join their brethren, with arms to answer the military law; which has created some excitement among the inhabitants of the upper counties of this State: whereupon, to show that our object was only the peaceable possession of our rights and property, and to purchase more land in the regions round about, we met a committee from Jackson county for a compromise; and our emigrating brethren met some gentlemen from Clay and other counties to satisfy them that their motives were good, and their object peace, which they did; and whereas the propositions of the Jackson committee could not be accepted on our part, because they proposed to "buy or sell," and to sell our land would amount to a denial of our faith, as that land is the place where the Zion of God shall stand, according to our faith and belief in the revelations of God, and upon which Israel shall be gathered according to the prophets:--and secondly the propositions were unfair, notwithstanding they offered double price for our lands, in thirty days, or sell theirs at the same rate, for this plain reason, that the whole large county of Jackson would be as thirty to one, or nearly so, in comparison with the matter in question, and, in supposition, for one thousand dollars, two thousand dollars to our people, was asking for three hundred thousand dollars, the exorbitant sum of six hundred thousand dollars, taking the land rich and poor, in thirty days! with the reproachable, vicious, unamerican, and unconstitutional proviso, that the committee, on our part, would bind themselves, "that no Mormon should ever settle in Jackson county:" and whereas our committee proposed to the said Jackson committee, (if they would not grant us our rights otherwise,) that our people would buy the land of those that were unwilling to live among our people, in that county, and pay them in one year, they allowing the amount of damage we have sustained, in the loss of a printing office, apparatus, and book work, houses, property, &c. to come out of the purchase money, but no answer returned; and whereas, to show our honest intentions, and awaken the sympathy of the friends of virtue, humanity, and equal rights, it becomes our duty to lay our case before the world, to be weighed in the balances of public opinion:-
Now, THEREFORE, as citizens of the United States, and leading elders in the church of the Latter Day Saints, residing in the State of Missouri, in behalf of the church, we, the undersigned, do make this solemn APPEAL to the people and constituted authorities of this nation, and to the ends of the earth, FOR PEACE: that we may have the privilege of enjoying our religious rights and immunities and worship God according to the dictates of our own consciences, as guaranteed to every citizen by the constitutions of the National and State governments. That, although the laws have been broken, and are defied in Jackson county, we may be enabled to regain and enjoy our rights and property, agreeable to law in this boasted land of liberty.

Since the disgraceful combination of the inhabitants of Jackson county, has set the law at defiance, and put all hopes of criminal prossecution, against them, in that vicinage, beyond the reach of Judge and Jury, and left us but a distant expectation of civil remuneration, for the great amount of damage we have sustained, necessity compels us to complain to the world. And if our case and calamity are not sufficient to excite the commiseration of the humane, and open the hearts of the generous, and fire the spirits of the patriotic, then has sympathy lost herself in the wilderness, and justice fled from power; then has the dignity of the ermine shrunk at the gigantic front of a mob, and the sacred mantle of freedom been caught up to heaven where the weary are at rest, and the wicked cannot come.

To be obedient to the commandments of our Lord and Savior, some of the heads of the church commenced purchasing lands in the western boundaries of the State of Missouri, according to the revelation of God, for the city of Zion. In doing which no law was evaded; no rights infringed, nor no principle of religion neglected, but the laudable foundation of a glorious work begun, for the salvation of mankind, in the last days, agreeable to our faith, and according to the promises in the sacred scriptures of God.

We verily believed, knowing that the National and State constitutions, and the statute laws of the land, and the commandments of the Lord, allowed all men to worship as they pleased--that we should be protected, not only by all the law of a free republic, but by every republican throughout the realms of freedom.

The holy prophets had declared, [Isa. 2:2-3; 2 Ne. 2:2-3] "that it should come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house should be established in the top of the mountains, and should be exalted above the hills, and ALL nations should flow unto it. And many people should go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem." And again it was said by Joel, seemingly to strengthen the faith of the Latter Day Saints in the above, [Joel 2:32] "That whosoever should call on the name of the Lord should be delivered: for in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call." The book of Mormon, which we hold equally sacred with the bible, says, [Ether 13:6] "that a New Jerusalem should be built up on this land, unto the remnant of the seed of Joseph, for the which things there has been a type." In fact all the prophets from Moses to John the revelator, have spoken concerning these things, and in all good faith, by direct revelation from the Lord, as in days of old, we commenced the glorious work, that a holy city, a New Jerusalem, even Zion, might be built up and a temple reared in this generation, whereunto, as saith the Lord, all nations should be invited. Firstly the rich and the learned, the wise and noble; and after that cometh the day of his power: but the inhabitants of Jackson county arrayed themselves against us, because of our faith and belief, and destroyed our printing establishment to prevent the spread of the work, and drove men, women, and children from their lands, houses and homes, to perish in the approaching winter; while every blast carried the wailing of women and the shrieks of children, across the wide spread prairies, sufficiently horrible to draw tears from the savage, or melt a heart of stone!

Now, that the world may know, that our faith in the work and word of the Lord, is firm and unshaken, and to show all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, that our object is good, for the good of all, we come before the great family of mankind, for peace, and ask their hospitality and assistance for our comfort, and the preservation of our persons and property, and solicit their charity for the great cause of God. We are well aware, that many slanderous reports, and ridiculous stories, are in circulation, against our religion and society, but as wise men will hear both sides and then judge, we sincerely hope and trust, that the still small voice of truth, will be heard, and our great revelations read and candidly compared with the prophecies of the bible, that the great cause of our Redeemer, may be supported by a liberal share of public opinion, as well as the unseen power of God.

It will be seen by a reference to the book of commandments, page 135, that the Lord has said to the church, and we mean to live by his words, [D&C 58:21] "Let no man break the laws of the land, for he that keepeth the laws of God hath no need to break the laws of the land;" therefore, as the people of God, we come before the world and claim protection, by law, from the common officers of justice, in every neighborhood where our people may be: we claim the same at the hands of the governors of the several States, and of the President of the United States, and of the friends of humanity and justice, in every clime and country on the globe.

By the desperate acts of the inhabitants of Jackson county, many hundreds of American citizens are deprived of their lands and rights; and it is reported that we mean to regain our possessions, and even Jackson county, [D&C 58:3 "by the shedding of blood." But if any man will take the pains to read the 153rd page of the book of commandments, he will find it there said, [D&C 63:29] "Wherefore the land of Zion shall not be obtained but by purchase, or by blood, otherwise there is none inheritance for you. And if by purchase, behold you are blessed: and if by blood, as YOU ARE FORBIDDEN TO SHED BLOOD, lo, your enemies are upon you, and you shall be scourged from city to city and from synagogue to synagogue, and but few shall stand to receive an inheritance:" so we declare, that we have ever meant, and now mean, to purchase the land of our inheritance, like all other honest men, of the government, and of those who would rather sell their farms than live in our society. And, as thousands have done before us, we solicit the aid of the children of men, and of government, to help us obtain our rights in Jackson county, and the land whereon the Zion of God, according to our faith, shall stand, in the last days, for the salvation and gathering of Israel.

Let no man be alarmed because our society has commenced gathering to build a city and a house for the Lord, as a refuge from present evils and coming calamities. Our forefathers came to the goodly land of America, to shun pursecution and enjoy their religious opinions and rights, as they thought proper; and the Lord, after much tribulation, blessed them, and has said, that we should continue to importune for redress and redemption, by the hands of those who are placed as rulers, and are in authority over us, according to the laws and constitution of the people, which he has suffered to be established, and should be maintained for the rights and protection of all flesh, according to just and holy principles; that every man may act in doctrine and in principle, pertaining to futurity, according to the moral agency which he has given unto them; that every man may be accountable for his own sins in the day of judgment. And for this purpose he has established the constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom he raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood.

Now we seek peace, and ask our rights, even "redress and redemption," at the hands of the rulers of this nation; not only our lands and property in Jackson county, but for free trade with all men, and unmolested immigration to any part of the Union, and for our inherent right to worship God as we please. We ask the restoration of these rights because they have been taken from us, or abridged, by the violence and usurpation of the inhabitants of Jackson county. As a people we hold ourselves amenable to the laws of the land, and while the government remains as it is, the right to emigrate from State to State; from territory to territory; from county to county, and from vicinity to vicinity, is open to all men of whatever trade or creed, without hindrance or molestation; and as long as we are justifiable & honest in the eyes of the law, we claim it, whether we remove by single families, or in bodies of hundreds, with that of carrying the necessary arms and accouterments for military duty. And we believe that all honest men, who love their country and their country's glory, and have a wish to see the law magnified and made honorable, will not only help perpetuate the great legacy of freedom, which came unimpaired from the hands of our venerable fathers, to us, but they will also protect us from insult and injury, and aid the work of God, that they may reap a reward in the regions of bliss, when all men receive according to their works.

In relation to our distress, from the want of our lands in Jackson county, and for the want of the property destroyed by fire and water, rather than do any act contrary to law, we solemnly appeal to the people with whom we tarry, for protection from insult and harm, and for the comforts of life by labor or otherwise, while we seek peace and satisfaction of our enemies through every possible and honorable means which humanity can dictate, or philanthropy urge, or religion require. We are citizens of this republic, and we ask our rights as republicans, not merely in our restoration to our lands and property in Jackson county, Missouri, but in being considered honest in our faith, honest in our deal, and honest before God, till, by due course of law we may be proved otherwise reserving the right of every man's being held amenable to the proper authority for his own crimes and sins.

"Crowns won by blood, by blood must be maintained," and to avoid blood and strife, and more fully satisfy the world, that our object is peace and good will to all mankind, we hereby APPEAL for peace to the ends of the earth, and ask the protection of all people, while we use every fair means in our power to obtain our rights and immunities without force: setting an example for all true believers, that we will not yield our faith and principles for any earthly consideration, whereby a precedent might be established, that a majority may crush any religious sect with impunity; knowing, that if we give up our rights in Jackson county, farewell to society! farewell to region! farewell to right! farewell to property! farewell to life! The fate of our church now might become the fate of the Methodists next week, the Catholics next month, and the overthrow of all societies next year; leaving nation after nation a wide waste where reason and friendship once were!

Another and the great object which we mean to help accomplish, is the salvation of the souls of men. And to bring to pass such a glorious work, like many other religious denominations, in all ages, we shall license elders to preach the everlasting gospel to all nations, according to the great commandment of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, as recorded in St. Matthew: [Matt. 28:19-20] "Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world."

Thus we shall send laborers into the Lord's vineyard to gather the wheat, and prepare the earth against the day when desolations shall be poured out without measure; and as it now is, and ever has been considered one of the most honorable and glorious employments of men, to carry good tidings to the nations, so we shall expect the clemency of all men, while we go forth, for the last time, to gather Israel for the glory of God, that he may suddenly come to his temple; that all nations may come and worship in his presence, when there shall be none to molest or make afraid, but the earth shall be filled with his knowledge and glory.

We live in an age of fearful imagination. With all the sincerity that common men are endowed with, the saints have labored, without pay, to instruct the people of the United States, that the GATHERING had commenced in the western boundaries of Missouri, to build a holy city, where, as may be seen, in the 18th chapter of Isaiah, [Isa. 18:7] "the present should be brought unto the Lord of hosts, of a people scattered and peeled, and from a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden under foot, whose land the rivers have spoiled, to the place of the name of the Lord of hosts the mount Zion;" and how few have come forth rejoicing that the hour of redemption was near! and some that came have turned away, which may cause thousands to exclaim: amid the general confusion and fright of the times, "Remember Lots wife!"

It would be a matter of supererogation to labor to show the truth of the gathering of the children of Israel in these last days: For the prophet told us long ago, [Jer. 16:14-15] "That it should no more be said, The Lord liveth that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt: but The Lord liveth that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the lands whither he had driven them," and so it must be for the honor and glory of God.

The faith and religion of the Latter Day Saints, are founded upon the old scriptures, the book of Mormon, and direct revelation from God, and while every event that transpires around us, is evidence of the truth of them, and an index that the great and terrible day of the Lord is near, we intreat the philanthropist, the moralest, and the honorable men of all creeds, and sects, to read our publications, to examine the bible, the book of Mormon, and the commandments, and listen to the fulness of the gospel, and judge whether we are entitled to the credit of the world, for honest motives, and pure principles.

A cloud of bad omen seems to hang over this generation. Men start up at the impulse of the moment and defy and outstrip all law, while the destroyer is also abroad in the earth wasting flesh without measure, and one can stay his course: In the midst of such portentous times, we feel an anxious desire to prepare, and help others prepare, for coming events; and we candidly believe that no honest man, will put forth his hand to stop the work of the Lord, or persecute the saints. In the name of Jesus we intreat the people of this nation to pause before they reject the words of the Lord, or his servants: These, like all flesh may be imperfect, but God is pure hear ye him!-
While we ask peace and protection for the saints, wherever they may be, we also solicit the charity and benevolence of all the worthy on earth, to purchase the righteous a holy home, a place of rest, and a land of peace, believing that no man who knows he has a soul, will keep back his mite, but cast it in for the benefit of Zion; thus, when time is no longer, he, with all the ransomed of the Lord, may stand, in the fullness of joy, and view the grand pillar of heaven, which was built by the faith and charity of the saints, beginning at Adam, with this motto in the base: "Repent and live;" surrounded with a beautiful circle sign, supported by a cross, about midway up its lofty column, staring the world in letters of blood: "The kingdom of heaven is at hand," and finished with a plain top, towering up in the midst of the celestial world, around which is written, by the finger of Jehovah: "Eternal life is the greatest gift of God."

Although we may fail to show all men the truth of the fulness of the gospel, yet we hope to be able to convince some, that we are neither deluded, nor fanatics, but, like other men, have a claim on the world for land, and for a living, as good and as great as our venerable fathers had for Independence and liberty: That though the world has been made to believe, by false reports and vague stories, that the saints, (called Mormons,) were meaner than the savages, still God has been our help in time of trouble, and has provided for us in due season; and to use the language of Pope, he has let the work "Spread undivided," and "operate unspent."

For the honor of our beloved country, and the continuation of its free Government, we APPEAL for peace; for an example of forbearance, and the diffusion of the everlasting gospel, we appeal to the humanity of all nations; and for the glory of God, before whom we must all answer for the deeds done in life, and for the hope of holiness hereafter, we mean to remain faithful to the end, continuing to pray to the Lord to spare us, and the people, from whatever is evil, and not calculated to humble us, and prepare us for his presence and glory: at the same time beseeching him, in the name of Jesus, to extend his blessings to whom he will, and his mercy to all, till, by righteousness the kingdoms of this world become fair as the sun and clear as the moon.

W. [William] W. PHELPS, PARLEY P. PRATT, DAVID WHITMER, LYMAN WIGHT, JOHN WHITMER, NEWEL KNIGHT, EDWARD PARTRIDGE, THOMAS B. MARSH, JOHN CORRILL, SIMEON CARTER, ISAAC MORLEY, CALVIN BEEBE. Missouri, (United States.) July, 1834.

The Evening and the Morning Star IS PUBLISHED EVERY MONTH AT KIRTLAND, GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO. BY F. G. WILLIAMS & CO.

O. [Oliver] COWDERY, Editor.

THE PRICE IS ONE DOLLAR FOR A YEAR IN ADVANCE, EXCEPT SPECIAL CONTRACTS WITH THE CHURCH. EVERY PERSON THAT SENDS US $10, CURRENT MONEY, SHALL BE ENTITLED TO A PAPER FOR A YEAR, GRATIS. ALL LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, OR PUBLISHERS, MUST BE POST PAID.

PRINTING, OF MOST KINDS, DONE TO ORDER, AND IN STYLE AT THIS OFFICE.

VOL. II, NO. 24, KIRTLAND, OHIO, SEPTEMBER, 1834.

<"Patrons">
Oliver Cowdery "Address to Patrons," E&MS 2 (Sep 1834)

ADDRESS TO THE PATRONS OF THE EVENING AND THE MORNING STAR. {beliefs-lds}

As this number closes the second Volume of the Star, the publishers have thought proper to issue another paper entitled THE LATTER DAY SAINTS' MESSENGER AND ADVOCATE, upon the same size sheet, in octavo form, for the more easy and convenient purpose of binding. Those who have subscribed for the Star will receive the Messenger and Advocate until their subscriptions are filled. It may be proper to say, here, that the whole numbers of the Star, from its commencement in Missouri, will be reprinted in the same form of the Messenger and Advocate, as will be seen from a Prospectus on the last page of this paper, and those wishing for the whole numbers can be accommodated with a file, as they are published, of both Star and Messenger and Advocate by sending their names immediately. Our friends will be pleased with this arrangement, no doubt, as the present form of the Star is more liable to wear, from constant refolding than a paper folded one size smaller, and will also be more easily read as the columns will be narrower.

As The Evening and the Morning Star was designed to be published at Missouri, it was considered that another name would be more appropriate for a paper in this place; consequently, as the name of this church has lately been entitled the church of the Latter Day Saints, and since it is destined, at least for a season, to bear the reproach and stigma of this world, it is no more than just, that a paper disseminating the doctrines believed by the same, and advocating its character and rights, should be entitled "MESSENGER AND ADVOCATE."

It is proper that all correspondents of the Messenger and Advocate should now be informed, that no communication, whatever, will be inserted except the name of the author is given, that it may follow his respective piece. It is just that every man should receive all the praise and credit his tallents and accomplishments deserve, and by thus giving his name, places him on a fair level with others to show his wisdom, and gain applause, (if for such he is seeking.) according to the full merit of his ability. With our present arrangements, owing to the increase of members to the church of the Latter Day Saints, and the frequent communications from the faithful laborers in the Lord's vineyard, we hope to render the Messenger and Advocate more interesting and important than the Star has ever been; and for the accomplishment of this glorious and laudable object, we not only solicit the aid and ability of the wise, but a deep interest in the prayers of all the saints.

We cannot close this address without offering a few reflections which have suggested themselves to the mind; and with those reflections take an apportunity to say to our liberal patrons, that, for their kindness we hope they have been richly rewarded with a vindication of those pure principles which emanate from the Father of life, and for every truth, they have given HIM the honor of being its Author.

While looking at this church as it was four years since, or a few months previous to that time, the mind starts with astonishment, and the reflection arises in an instant, What will be its end? If, in the short space of four years its numbers have increased to thousands; if, in the midst of unparalleled persecution and opposition (considering the form of government under which it exists) it has spread from one side of the continent to the other; if, where bigotry has walked undisturbed, and superstition held an unmolested sway; if, in an age when iniquity abounds, and the love of men waxes cold, it has pursued its steady course, and found way to the hearts of multitudes, what will be its standing when half a century shall have passed away? If, amid every slander imaginable, and every calumny possible, it has gained its hundreds and thousands, what will be its influence, and what its numbers when the world shall know the purity of its doctrines, the perfection of its principles, and the honesty of its followers? If, amid false representations, and wicked insinuations of men of corrupt hearts, accusing this innocent body of usurpation, disloyalty, and treason, it has still progressed, and among the honest, found advocates, what will be the sound of the flocking to its communion of men of all nations, when a little time shall pass over, and the beauty and excellence of its religion shine in the face of all people, and the framers of these reports be exposed to the just reproach of an abused public, and the hail shall have swept away the refuge of lies?

In the commencement of this church, and we perfectly recollect the assertions, it was prophesied that one year would terminate its existence! One year, and all would see the "delusion," and be convinced of the "deception!" But one, yes, four have passed, and yet it stands! When persecution raged in one place; when the regions of darkness emitted its whole band of infernals, and when wrath poured from the lips of men upon the heads of the Saints that they could not endure, they have fled where they could be protected, while the influence of truth was still operating upon hundreds elsewhere; the servants of the Lord heard with attention; God manifesting himself in mercy, and the Holy Spirit bearing record of HIS "marvelous work," the church of Christ has received into its bosom the pure in heart, and angels have borne the joyful tidings to the regions of glory!

Many have strove to prevent the true knowledge of the principles of our religion from being introduced into the ranks of men to be investigated with candor, by slandering the characters of those who were advocating them, endeavoring thereby to rivit the fetters of superstition and ignorance upon their followers with a firmness which defies all power to unlock them, thus preparing them to be consumed when the great day of burning comes, because their own systems could not stand the strict scrutiny of truth contained in those sacred records which teach men to forsake the corruptions of the world, for the wiser course and richer reward promised therein! But if such have not become convinced of their weakness yet, after pursuing in a path which brings no joy, a season longer, perhaps they may abandon it. Whether they do or do not the purposes of God will be accomplished. While one man has cried "delusion," another "false prophets," and a third has reported a long catalogue of falsehoods of his own making, to blast the characters of men whom he never saw nor had a spark of evidence against, the fourth has seen the iniquity of the whole, and the first opportunity, with a thankful heart, embraced the gospel and rejoiced in the assurance manifested by the Spirit of the Lord?

On occasions like the present the mind naturally goes back to the starting point, or period when the world first heard the sound of the fulness of the everlasting gospel in these days; when a few only were to be found on earth who had stepped forward into the new covenant, and proved by an experimental knowledge the word of an apostle to be true, [2 Tim. 3:12] "He that lives godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." However various may be the opinions of men, no one thing is more certain than this: In a corrupt generation, when the Lord spake to man, those hearing and obeying that voice, always have suffered reproach and abuse. It may be said that false systems as well as true ones have suffered their share of persecution, and that this is not a correct way to judge what is right and what is not. The Savior was persecuted, the apostles were persecuted, the church in the days of Nero and his successors, for a season, was persecuted, the Waldenses and others were persecuted, the Baptists and Quakers in New-England were persecuted, the followers of Anna Lee, Jemima Wilkinson, and others were also persecuted, and were we to say that all who have been persecuted for their religion's sake were equally correct, would be to rank them in one general mass and seat them down in the same kingdom, partakers of the same joys and blessings: for, if the word of the Lord is true, all are blessed who are persecuted for his sake. How then shall we determine who are correct, since so many have been persecuted? The Savior was true, or we are yet in our sins, our faith is vain, and our bodies destined to be prisoners to the grave forever! But did he persecute? did his saints after him? if he nor they did not, unless it can now be proven from his word that the principle is correct, this fact is established, that those who persecute are the children of "that wicked one." From these items, without saying that this one is correct or incorrect, who have been persecuted for their religion, if ever a fact did exist, or a truth sound from heaven in the ears of man, those who have persecuted this church to which we have a privilege of being a member, reproachfully and slanderously called "Mormonite," are, as has just been said, of their father the devil, and if they ever had communion or fellowship with the Lord they have forsaken his house, left his fold, and like wandering stars, filthy dreamers, or beasts of corruption, abandoned to be taken and destroyed in their own wickedness!

Since June, 1832, various changes have been noticed by the observing mind, and particularly by the man who is looking for the fulfillment of the words of the ancient prophets, as well as the declarations of the Lord Jesus. Abroad he has witnessed one calamity follow another, and one desolation march in quick succession in the train of a former, until nations have felt their weight, and kingdoms, contries, and wide spread empires, withered at the touch of the judgments of the Lord. War, with its horrors and distresses, has summoned its thousands to appear before the great tribunal; the same spirit of ambition and thirst for power has been previlent among the great; the weak have been destined to relinquish their claims of authority by combinations of different kingdoms; the yoke of oppression has alternately passed into the hands of different masters; the low and oppressed have struggled in vain for freedom, while time, in its same rapid and mighty course, has been bringing near and more near the august period when the sun is to become as sackcloth of hair, the moon turn to blood, the stars fall from heaven, and the powers of heaven be shaken!

No man, in his sober senses, with the word of God in his hand, can reflect one moment upon these scenes without being filled with awe! In distant lands, now abandoned to darkness, where human beings bow down and worship the work of their own hands, and call for assistance upon a block of wood of their own carving, have also felt the sting of pestilence, the angel of death, and the calamity of war! Whose heart, then, when gazing upon the finger of Omnipotence, as it moves creations round, and orders all things for the accomplishment of his own purposes, will not be touched with reverence as he thus sees the glorious era hastening on when the redeemed, yes, the ransomed of the Lord shall be assembled, his elect gathered home, wickedness and corruption destined to dwell in their own place, while peace and joys everlasting crown the blessed?

Said the Lord: [JS-M 1:23] "You shall hear of wars and rumors of wars." But our friends often say, that since Noah the same has been heard, and the end is not yet. Said the Lord: [Mark 13:8] "There shall be earthquakes in diverse places." But say the world, earthquakes have desolated countries and kingdoms centuries previous, and the end is not yet. If there is not a particular meaning attached to each of these assertions, why were they ever spoken? Unless the Savior had his mind upon the future period, which should roll on in its course, and bring these sayings to the fullest degree of plainness to be understood, why did he speak them? Did HE not know that the inhabitants of the earth had experienced the calamity occasioned by the march of war? Did HE not know that his followers were acquainted with the fact, that others before them had felt the hand of justice and judgment in the desolations of earthquakes? Eighteen hundred years have passed since these words were spoken; war has succeeded war; blood has flowed after blood; the cry of the widow and orphan has saluted the skies; man has invariably followed the same course, and the world exists, the elements remain, and the end is not yet! Century has slept after century; wickedness has borne its accustomed sway; the great deceiver has blinded and led captive his millions; truth has fled, virtue ceased, righteousness failed from off the earth, and the boaster against God has raised his head in blasphemies, from age to age, and the end is not yet! Truly spake an ancient apostle, when he said they would say, [2 Pet. 3:4] "Where is the promise of his coming?" The earth has rolled round; the different worlds have continued to move in their regular order; the sun is still brilliant; the moon shines upon earth, and the end is not yet!

Thus passes the world along--unwilling to acknowledge the hand of God in his providences, while pestilence stalks at their doors, and the waster consumes at mid-night; the plague devouring its thousands, & the destroyer performing his desolating march in the sight of all; the voice of the Most High heard from his holy habitation, and the angels flying in the midst of heaven; the earth just on the eve of rocking to and fro like the waves of the great ocean, and eternity filled with pain for the corruption of man; the holy messengers from above holding the four winds while he that holds the keys seals the servants of God in their foreheads; the warning voice going forth for all to be READY, and the light of truth illuminating the hearts of the poor, lest when HE comes faith shall not be found; the signs of his near approach beginning to be manifested, by tokens which are not to be misinterpreted, and the hearts of many ready to receive the admonition--Prepare! the church, the bride, the Lamb's wife adorning herself with her beautiful attire, and decking herself with the wedding garments, making all things ready for the word--He comes! and anxiously waiting the glorious period when the everlasting doors, even the gates of the celestial city shall again be lifted up, that the King of glory may descend to be crowned Lord and KING OF ALL!

But the scenes abroad are not all which have transpired since 1832 to awaken the studious mind to reflection. At home he has found a field for meditation, calculated to arouse the intellect and call up the words of the ancient prophets, to see whether they, in the midst of their heavenly visitations, touched upon a period when perplexity and strife should rack the systems and inventions of the wise, as at this day. We have seen this liberal government tossed to and fro by the ambition of men; the great principles of union and social compact severed at a touch, and war, civil war, with all its horrors, threaten us with desolation! [JK-M 1:23] "Rumors of wars" have surely come upon us! We have seen men professing the religion of heaven rise up against their neighbors "to put them to death!" We have seen a community composing a part of this government defy law, despise justice, and tread upon the innocent because they were weak! We have witnessed mob after mob rise up in our most populous cities, and towns, and trample upon good order with the reclessness of the savage! Yes, we have seen more! The Destroyer has set foot upon our shores, and summoned thousands to their "long homes!" His march has been rapid, and his path has proven his commission! Amid calamities like these we can only say to all, while these scenes are transpiring, and new ones are bursting upon us, let us be ready, for HIS coming is near!

O. [Oliver] COWDERY

Kirtland, Ohio, September, 1834.

<"Faith of Church">
Sidney Rigdon "Faith of the Church," E&MS (Sep 1834)

FAITH OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST IN THESE LAST DAYS. NO. VII. {beliefs-lds}

[Continued from our last.]

But notwithstanding all these pretended reformations, there are none of them who ever pretend to restore to the world that which it has lost, namely, the religion of heaven: they all with one consent, admit that that has disappeared, and that forever, never to return again, reformation or no reformation, millenium or no millenium, it matters not, for the religion of Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Paul, has disappeared to exist no more. I say their religion, because, take away their faith by which they wrought their mighty works, and what is left? nothing but a form, an empty sound, mere idle pretentions, without virtue or efficacy: no better than that of any other people; no better than the worship of dumb idols. But what rendors this peculiarly strange is, that the sects, though they confess that the religion of the ancients has ceased, and that the gift of the Holy Spirit is no more, yet, they claim to themselves the promises made to the people who enjoyed the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and who had power sufficient with God to obtain all gifts, and revelations sufficient for both this world, and that which is to come; but by what authority they claim them, we have yet to learn, not the authority of God we are sure, for he has given no such authority: neither from any of his dealings with the people of former ages can any person draw such a conclusion--but the very reverse. The history of the divine proceedings in relation to his creatures, both saints and sinners, clearly proves, that the promises of God were never public plunder, to be applied according to the whims or caprices of men, nor according to the prejudices, nor prepossessions of any age; but were founded upon definite and fixed principles, suited precisely to the people to whom they were given, and rarely applicable to any other people, but those to whom they were immediately given. For instance, the promises made to the Ephesians, in the epistle to that church, were suited to their peculiar situation, and I think it strongly probable that there were no other people existing in that day to whom they were applicable but that church only; nor have any existed since to whom they could be applied with safety.

In all the promises which were made to the saints in former ages, there was respect had to their peculiar circumstances and situation, and all the promises made to them were in view of these; and it was because of their peculiar circumstances that they obtained all promises they did obtain. In order that the reader may clearly understand us, take the following example, 2nd Corinthians, 8th chapt. 1st and 2nd verses: "Moreover brethren we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed upon the churches of Macedona; how that, in a great trial of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty, abounded to the riches of their liberality!"

Four things contributed to entitle the saints of Macedona to the approbation of heaven: first, their deep poverty: second, their great affliction: third, the abundance of their joy in the midst of their afflictions: fourth, their liberality, notwithstanding their deep poverty. Now, no people who did not labor in great affliction for Christ's sake, and yet rejoice abundantly in that affliction, and who were not deeply poor, and yet abundantly liberal in the midst of that poverty, whether they lived in the days when this epistle was written, or not; since, or before, they were not entitled, nor are they entitled to the promises made to that people. For had the Macedonian saints never been in a great trial of affliction, for Christ's sake, they never could have approved themselves unto God. And had they not rejoiced abundantly in that affliction, God would not have accepted them: if they had not been deeply poor, they never could have been richly liberal; and had this not been the case with them, they would not have obtained the promises which were made to them; so that it was in consequence of these things that promises were made to them. And may we not carry it further, and say, that if this had not been the case with them, they would not have been saved? and verify the Savior's saying, that it is as impossible for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven, as for a Camel to go through the eye of a needle.

If the epistles to the different churches were examined with care and attention, it would be found that the people there addressed, were very different from any of the sects of the present day; and the promises made to them were given in consequence of things which are not known among the sects. Indeed, it would be found that the whole character, circumstances, and behavior of the saints, were in every respect different from the sects of the present day, and were in consequence thereof entitled to promises which the best of the sects, (if there is any best among them,) can, on no principle of righteousness claim; nor can they on any principle of equity inherit. The ground on which the saints obtained all the promises that were made to them was, first, because of their faith; and second, because of their obedience, which grew out of their faith: and they became heirs of promise in proportion as their faith increased; for as they increased in faith, so, in proportion, they obtained promises by their faith, until, like Abraham, they were enabled to offer up their all to God, not keeping even Isaac back--but endured the trial of faith until they had proved themselves to God as he did, and then obtained the blessing of being called his children, and had secured unto them the blessings of Abraham as well as the sure mercies of David.--But it was because they had faith like Abraham that they were called the children of Abraham, and because their faith was as great as David's that they obtained his sure mercies; for the principles of heaven are fixed and unchangable, that without faith it is impossible to please God, and the greater a man's faith is, the more acceptable are his services to God: and when his faith is perfect, his services also, which are offered up in faith, are perfect. And no service is acceptable unto God but an offering made in faith: it matters not how ceremonious the worshiper is, how grave, how sober, how formal: if his services lack the redeeming quality of faith, they will not be acceptable to God; for without faith it is impossible to please God.--Hebrews, 11th Chapt. 5th and 6th verses. No fact is plainer than this, that the saints not only obtained their promises by faith, but that it was by faith that they enjoyed them: and all spiritual blessings which were received or enjoyed by any of the human family since the world began, were by reason of the faith of the persons who obtained them; and their degree of spiritual enjoyment depended on the degree of their faith: if their faith grew exceedingly, so did their spiritual enjoyments: if their faith languished, their enjoyments languished also. And every person stood on their own faith--obtained and enjoyed spiritual blessings for themselves. No one man could enjoy the Spirit of God for another, but every one for himself. And it is impossible for any two persons to enjoy an equal degree of spiritual blessings without an equal degree of faith; for in proportion to their faith they will enjoy as long as the Lord is God: and if one man's faith is greater than another's so will his spiritual blessings be greater: and all creation cannot prevent it. Neither will the other ever get his degree of sptritual blessings until he gets the same degree of faith with him; but no sooner will he get the same degree of faith, than he will get the same degree of spiritual blessings, and vice versa.

This generation of sectarians never displayed greater weakness in any thing, than in the vain supposition that they can obtain the blessings of Abraham without first obtaining his faith; for it was through faith that Abraham obtained all his promises and blessings: and without faith he would have gotten none of them; neither will any man ever obtain the blessings of Abraham until he obtains a like degree of faith--then, and not till then will he obtain the blessings of Abraham; for with Abraham's faith he can obtain his blessings; but without it he cannot!

Paul says thus, concerning Abraham and his faith, in the 3rd chapt. to the Galatians, 6 7 8 and 9th verses: "Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye, therefore that they which are of faith the same are the children of Abraham. And the scriptures foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then, they which be of faith, are blessed with faithful Abraham." Here the apostle declares in the clearest terms, that they who are of faith are the children of Abraham, and that it is because men have faith, that they are blessed with faithful Abraham; but no persons were ever blessed with the blessings of Abraham, unless they had his faith, and were thereby able to get them; for it was by faith that Abraham got them, and had it not been for his faith he never would have gotten them. Abraham might have read of the faith of righteous Abel, by which he was enabled to offer acceptable sacrifice to God; but unless he himself had as much faith as Abel he could never have offered as acceptable a sacrifice as Abel's, for this could only be done by the same degree of faith which Abel had when he offered his sacrifice. For though Abraham might have offered a hecatomb of sacrifice, still, if his faith, when he offered them, had not been as strong as Abel's when he offered his sacrifice, they would not have been as acceptable to God as were Abel's, though they were the same kind of animals and in every respect like Abel's, and no difference only what existed in the faith of the worshipers. For it was by faith (and that only) by which Abel's sacrifice was more acceptable than Cain's; for says the author of the epistle to the Hebrews, [Heb. 11:4] "By faith Abel offered unto God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts that he was righteous, and by it he being dead yet speaketh." So it was just as necessary that Abraham should have faith to be acceptable unto God as it was for Abel; neither could Abraham ever have known that his faith was accounted unto him for righteousness, if God had not testified unto him that he was righteous as well as he did unto Abel: for he might have read of the faith of righteous Abel, or of the faith of Enoch by which he was translated, or of the faith of Peleg, by which the earth was divided, or of the faith of Noah, by which he saved himself and family when the world was drowned, and might have believed with all his heart that these things were true; but unless he had obtained the same degree of faith that these men had it would have been of no avail to him to have known of their faith. Reading and hearing of their faith would have done him no good, unless he had set about obtaining the same faith; and not only the same faith, but the same degree of it; for men are acceptable to God in proportion to the degree of their faith, whether it is strong or whether it is weak. So we see that unless Abraham had obtained the same degree of faith that the saints before had obtained, he never could have been blessed with the same blessings: he might have read of their faith, and how they obtained, by it, a good report; but here it must have ended, as long as the blessings of life and salvation are to be obtained by faith, and by faith only; for Abraham must have had faith for himself, as well as the ancients had for themselves, or else their blessings would not have been the same, neither in this world, nor yet in the world to come. Nor could Abraham ever have been blessed with faithful Abel, Enoch, Peleg, and Noah, had he not have been a man of like precious faith with them, and not only the like precious faith; but the same degree of the like precious faith: neither can any person be blessed with faithful Abraham unless he has the like precious faith with him, and the same degree of the like precious faith; for no man ever had too much faith for his salvation, nor too high a degree of faith.--Abel had not too much, neither had Enoch, nor Peleg, nor Noah, nor Abraham, nor Moses, nor Samuel, nor the prophets; nor had Peter, or Paul, or any of the apostles, or any other creature; neither had they any more than was necessary. This is a something that all the ancient inspired men well understood, and noticed in all their writings and teachings, and have left it on record for the benefit of this as well as succeeding generations, that they all might know on what principle the ancients were blessed of the God of heaven, and how it was that men were made partakers of eternal life.--Thus Paul, in the 3rd chapter to the Galatians, and 9th verse, as before quoted, says, "So then, they which be of faith, are blessed with faithful Abraham." It is just as necessary that a man should have the faith of Abraham in order to be blessed with him, as it was for Abraham to have faith, in order to be blessed; for Abraham could not have been blessed, without this faith. Query: can another man be blessed with faithful Abraham, when he has not the same degree of the same faith which Abraham had? for if he can, there is neither order, nor uniformity in the divine proceedings, and the scheme of life is an indescribable vagary.

All the ancient men of God on this subject had one general view, they well knew that without faith it was impossible to please God, and that the faith of God's elect was the same: that in order that men might have the same degree of spiritual blessings, it was necessary that they should have the same degree of the same faith; and that in this respect, every man had to stand for himself or fall for himself. Thus Paul, in writing to the Romans, 4th chapt. from the 10th verse, to the end, says of Abraham, "And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had, yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe though they be not circumcised, that righteousness might be imputed unto them also; and the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised. For the promise that he should be the heir of the world was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect. Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. Therefore it is of faith that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed: not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, (as it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not, as though they were. Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, so shall thy seed be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about a hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb. He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded, that what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Now, it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; but for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification."

This is quite a comment on the promise made to Abraham, setting forth not only the principles on which the promise was made, but also a very particular description of the seed that was promised to Abraham, that he should have by virtue of the promise made to him, and also what kind of characters they were who were to be blessed with faithful Abraham, that is, they were to be of faith: they were to walk in the steps of that faith which Abraham had, and righteousness was to be imputed unto them if they like Abraham believed. We learn in short from the whole of this comment of the apostle's on the promise made to Abraham, that Abraham's seed was to be a people of faith like himself, walking in the steps of the same faith, having the same confidence in God, and in every respect like himself, that these were to be blessed with faithful Abraham, and none others.

TO BE CONTINUED.

<"The Gospel">
Sidney Rigdon "The Gospel," E&MS 2 (Sep 1834)

THE GOSPEL, No. 1. {beliefs-lds}

What ever difference may exist in the world about the scheme of eternal life, and the duties enjoined upon the human family to prepare them for its enjoyment, all, we believe, who acknowledges the truth of the bible, agree in this, that the ancient apostles, commissioned by the Savior, were fully authorized to proclaim the gospel, and to make known the will of God to man; and that the things which were taught by them were correct; and the gospel which they preached was God's only scheme of life; and that adding to it, or taking from it, deprived mankind of the benefits resulting therefrom, and tended to disarm the plan of eternal life of all its powers.

We believe that it is universally admitted by all believers in revelation, that no person could receive into their hearts, the things taught by these men, and practice the duties they required, without obtaining the promises made by them; for if this were not the case, it would be worse than folly to hold them up to view as messengers sent of God to bless the nations.

The point of light in which these apostles are held up to view the scriptures is, that the gospel which they preached was the only gospel acknowledged of God, and the proclamation which they proclaimed, the only one that men were authorized to receive, and the promises which they made, were to be as certainly enjoyed, as ever men put themselves in a situation to receive them, by obeying the instructions which they gave them. For though religion in some form was prevailing in every part of the civilized world in the days of the Savior and his apostles, still they presented themselves to the world as the only persons who were capable of enlightening the minds of men, and of bringing them into an acquaintance with the true faith, and of introducing them into the family of the Most High, having (as they said) authority from God to do this work, and that a dispensation of the gospel was committed to them for this purpose.

The professed object of their apostolic mission was, that men might be saved: this their commission clearly sets forth. "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned!" From this it is plain, that whatever might have been the amount of religion in their day, there was not a sufficiency of righteousness on earth to save one man, only as it was restored to the world through the Savior and his apostles, nor was it possible for one single creature in all the world to be saved unless they put themselves under their guidance; for they were to go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature; so that every creature in all the world, had to be taught by them, and receive the gospel which they preached, or else they must be damned; for they who believed not should be damned. This was certainly placing their commission, in an important point of light: and their own teachings were in perfect consistency, with their commission.

Paul says, when writing to the Galations, first chapter, 8 and 9 verses. "But though we, or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed." In all their teachings they held themselves up to view as the only teachers of righteousness which were approved of God in the world, and that their mission was not necessary only for the salvation of a part of the world, but all of it; yea, every creature in it. It mattered not what progress the world had made in the knowledge of other things; in the knowledge of the science of salvation, they had retrogaded, until there were none doing good, no not one. And unless God had sent the apostles, or others authorized as they were, the world must have perished: every creature in it must have been damned; for they were to go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature, he (that is, every creature) that believed and was baptized, should be saved; but he (that is, every creature) that believed not, should be damned. Had there been one creature in all the world who was in a state of salvation, or could have attained that state without the apostles, this commission would not have been correct, that is, that every creature in all the world who did not believe them and be baptized by their direction should be damned.

Nothing can make the apostles' commission true, but the fact, that no creature in all the world could be saved without their being brought into favor with God through their ministry.

The Savior, through the whole course of his ministry in the flesh, made it one of the principal items of his teaching to make it clearly manifest to the religious Jews, that they had departed from the principles delivered unto them through the messengers whom God had inspired to make known his will to men. He did not reprove the Jews for adhering to the law, but because they had corrupted it and made it void by their traditions. For neither the law nor the prophets, made hypocrits, blind guides, a generation of vipers; but a curruption of one, and a pervertion of the other did--they made both. Neither was the law nor the prophets against the promises of God, nor yet a hindrance to any person coming into the kingdom of God; but a pervertion and a corruption of them were against the promises of God; and a barrier to men entering into the kingdom of heaven.

The Jews were not to blame for adhering to both the law and the prophets, but for corrupting one and perverting the other, through which corruption and pervertion, they ceased to believe either Moses or the prophets; for had they believed them they would have believed the Savior also; for they wrote of him. Had the leaders of the Jews never corrupted the law nor perverted the prophets, they would never have been overthrown; for they would have received their Messiah when he came, and have escaped "the wrath to come." But in consequence of their having corrupted the law, and perverted the prophets, they would neither enter the kingdom of God themselves, nor let those who were entering go in; for which the Savior upbraids them. Not that they worshiped God according to the law, but according to their own traditions, by which they had made void the law, and rendered it of none effect: teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Mark 7th chapter, from the 5th to the 15th verse: Matthew, 15th chapter, from the 2nd, to the 10th verse.

Every person in any degree acquainted with the Jewish history, as written in the scriptures, knows, that God, previous to the days of the Savior's coming in the flesh, was withdrawing from that people, and that he continued to do so until they were abandoned to destruction. But God never withdraws from a people for adhering to the order of things he established among them; for while they all adhere to him he cleaves to them. Had the Jews, in truth and verity, continued to observe the law as God delivered it unto them, and to have believed the prophets who were sent unto them, God would have continued with them, and they would have known their Messiah when he came, and have entered into his kingdom and have found rest, and continued the people of God, even the favorites of heaven, until this day.--But instead of their doing so, they changed their temple from being a house of prayer, to be a house of merchandise, and a den of thieves. Matthew, 21st chapter 12th and 13th verses. Mark, 11th chapter, 15th, 16th, and 17th verses: Luke 19th chapter, 45th, and 46th verses. They made void the law by their traditions, and stoned the prophets that were sent unto them. Matthew, 23rd chapter, 37th verse. Whatever was saving in their institutions they rejected, and defiled, until destruction came on them to the very uttermost. This was their situation when the Savior came among them, and such their condition when he commissioned the apostles to go and preach the gospel to them; and not to them only, but to every creature in all the world also.

The apostle Paul in the epistle to the Romans, gives us a minute description of both the Gentiles and the Jews in his day in the 1st chapter commencing with the 20th verse he thus describes the state of the Gentiles. "Because when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four footed beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, through the lust of their own hearts to dishonor their own bodies between themselves: who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen." The apostle continues his description of the Gentiles to the close of the chapter, which the reader may examine at his leisure, and he will see that the picture is one of no very pleasing character.

From the description here given of the Gentiles, we learn this fact, that the Gentiles had previously known God: For when they knew God says the apostle, they worshiped him not as God &c. This is evidence positive, that the Gentiles had turned away from the knowledge of God, and were apostates from the truth.

In the 3rd chapter of this same epistle, he gives a description of the Jews, also commencing with the 9th verse to the close of the 18th we have the following description. "What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; as it is written. There is none righteous, no, not one. There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable: there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood. Destruction and misery are in their ways: and the way of peace have they not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes." In the nineteenth verse he says, "Now we know, that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God." In so saying the apostle gives his readers to understand that the preceeding quotations, taken from the Psalms, were applicable to the Jews and to the Jews only; for they were the persons to whom the law was given, and they, and they only were under the law. "Now what things soever the law saith, it saith to them that are under the law:" So the apostle makes a direct application of what he here said to the Jews, as they were the people, and the only people, who were under the law.

Such is the light in which God viewed the world, both Jew and Gentile, when he sent the apostles among them to bring them back to the principles of righteousness, from whence they had strayed; for God considered them all, not only under sin, but in a state of apostasy also.

Let the world have made what advances it might in literature, science, or philosophy, in relation to eternal life--their case was deplorable; for instead of their being in a situation to be saved, they were in a situation to be destroyed; instead of being redeemed, they were in a situation to be condemned; for so far had the whole world, both Jew and Gentile, apostatized from the living God, that there was not a sufficiency of righteousness to save one creature in all the world.

Whatever improvement, therefore, the Jews or the Gentiles might have made in worldly matters, they were in a situation in which they could make no advances towards eternal life, only by receiving the apostles, and submitting themselves to their guidance and direction, however humiliating this might have been to them. But so it was, that to the fishermen of Galilee they must come, and to them they must submit, or else they must be damned.

So closely does the God of heaven adhere to his plan of saving men, that nothing will be admitted as a substitute, for his ordinances, and institutions, no services but those of his own appointment will tend in the least degree to save men. The Jews might lay heavy burdens on each other's shoulders, subject themselves to many privations, make many prayers, and pay tithes of all they possessed, but when done, it would leave them short of eternal life!--to the fishermen of Galilee they must go, or be saved they could not. The Gentiles might lacerate their bodies, offer their children in sacrifice, or subject themselves to the severest scourgings, buffetings, or burnings: they might form books of morals, codes of laws, systems of government, or modes of worship, but all in vain, it would not give unto them eternal life, nor could they by any means obtain the salvation of God, only through and by the fishermen of Galilee; for their commission was to every creature in all the world, and he who did not believe them, should be damned; for there was no other gospel; no other scheme of things, nor no other forms of worship, that had eternal life as their reward, but the gospel proclaimed by the apostles, and the forms of worship taught by them.

These apostles, however, did not pretend that God never had at any former period of the world, any messengers who had been authorized to bring men into a state of salvation, and to proclaim the gospel to the world; but on the contrary, Paul says in the 3rd chapter of the epistle to the Galatians, and 8th verse, that the gospel had been preached unto Abraham.--He says thus: "And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed;" Observe that he says that the gospel was preached unto Abraham. But in the 1st chapter of the epistle to the Ephesians, the apostle shows that the gospel was of a much earlier date than the days of Abraham; that it was before time, being devised in eternity, before the foundation of the world. See the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th verses. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the Beloved."

In the 11th verse he says: "In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will."

We learn the following things from the above saying of the apostle:--That the scheme of things by which he and the saints at Ephesus were saved was devised in eternity before the foundation of the world. [Eph. 1:4] "According as he hath chosen us in him [Christ] before the foundation of the world."

2nd. That they were to be the children of God, through adoption by Jesus Christ. [Eph. 1:5] "Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself."

3rd. And all this according to his own purpose or scheme of things, (for what is a man's purpose but his scheme of things,) by which he works all things after the counsel of his own will? That is the same as to say, that the plan of life and salvation which is called in the scriptures the gospel, was heaven's own scheme or purpose, and that scheme was before the world was; and that before God created man he purposed in himself that mankind should become his sons through adoption, by Jesus Christ, and in no other way.

If the apostle, in the foregoing sayings, teaches any thing, it is, that the gospel, or scheme of life and salvation which is the same, was from before the beginning, and that from the creation of the world God had but the one way of saving men; and that all that were saved, were to be saved in the same way; and this God had decreed, purposed, and predestinated, and by this eternal scheme of things all things were accomplished according to the will of God, and this decree, will, and purpose, was before the foundation of the world.

Now let the truth of what the apostle here says be admitted and the result is, that that same scheme of things by which the Ephesians were saved, was the same by which all others that are to be redeemed, were saved.--And if the same scheme of things, then the same ordinances were obeyed by all; for if Paul administered ordinances, that were not administered to all who are to be redeemed, then they were not saved by the same plan of salvation; for where there is a difference it matters not how small the difference is, the things thus differing are not the same, and it follows of necessity that if Paul baptized for the remission of sins, all others who are saved must have been baptized also for the same purpose, or else, they were not all saved by the same gospel or plan of salvation: and if the plan of salvation taught by Paul required men to be born of the water, and the Spirit in order that they might enter into the kingdom of heaven, so the same must have been required of all since the foundation of the world or else the plan of salvation has not always been the same, and if so Paul's testimony is not true.

TO BE CONTINUED.

<Editorial>
Oliver Cowdery E&MS 2 (Sep 1834)

THE EVENING AND THE MORNING STAR.

KIRTLAND, OHIO, SEPTEMBER, 1834.

As this number closes the Star, we hope our patrons will remember, that the Terms are IN ADVANCE, except special contracts. We certainly are greatful for the liberal patronage heretofore received for the Star, and humbly trust, by the grace of God, to render the Messenger and Advocate worthy a double share: whether or not, we shall exert our ability, and devote our time, and leave the event with the Lord. If we advance incorrect principles, and call upon our fellow men to embrace them, we are responsible: if truth, though it may not be believed, our garments will be spotless, in this respect, and when the great day of trial comes, our reward will be with the just--with the just we shall rejoice; with the just we shall triumph; with the just we shall glory, and with the just we shall reign!--[Ed. Star.]

<Warren Cowdery>
Warren Cowdery ltr 1 Sep 1834 in E&MS 2 (Sep 1834)

Freedom, Sept. 1, 1834.

DEAR BROTHER [Oliver Cowdery],-
I have now been home more than one week and I have written you once since my return, but yet I hear nothing from you. I indulge a hope, however, that I shall receive a line from you this week, and also the Star. I do not write you at this time from a conviction that I can enlighten your mind, correct your judgment, or inform your understanding, but merely because I am pleased to do so, and am pleased to receive letters from you. I also receive spiritual strength from all communications from you. And when I reflect that a system of religion purports to be a system of salvation, and that we have both embraced one that is almost every where spoken against, you are aware that a man reads with delight, any thing and every thing that corroborates his faith. I need not say to you, that thousands of respectable people say, we are deluded, and deceived: and if I supposed they had one half the evidence of its falsity that you have of its truth; (providing they were equally honest,) perhaps, at times, I might be induced to give heed to what they say. I have a thousand times wished I could have that evidence that you have had, and many others.

Our brethren and sisters in this place appear still to feel confident, and unshaken in their belief, and to manifest a desire to obey the word of wisdom and the commandments. There is another prepared for baptism this week. We have no regular understanding preacher among us, but we generally have tolerable good meetings, and we humbly trust, some manifestations of divine approbation. We strive to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace, that our prayers may not be hindred.

I still feel to reiterate the same sentiment that I urged in my last, respecting a preacher of our order, such as I then, and at other times have described to you; in short, brother, such an one as would be likely to do us good, by strengthening and building us up in the most holy faith. We are few in number compared with the multitudes that surround us, and we are a by-word and the butt of ridicule for all the vulgar, and all the hypocrites. But may God give us grace and humility to stand in the evil day; yea, and having done all to stand.

Yours in the bonds of the gospel.

W. [Warren] A. COWDERY.

TO OLIVER COWDERY.

<"Answer">
Oliver Cowdery "Answer," E&MS 2 (Sep 1834)

ANSWER.

DEAR BROTHER,

I have received several communications from you, and of late I can say, that there is an increase of joy on every reflection that the Lord, whose mercies are abundant, has, by his grace, given us the unspeakable consolation of rejoicing in the same faith, the same gospel, the same covenant, and the same hope of eternal life! Paul said to Timothy, that [2 Tim. 3:2-3] in the last days perilous times should come; for men should be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, and without natural affection. If this prophecy ever was, or ever will, more evidently be illustrated by the acts of one generation, it must be by a race of men more wicked than the antediluvians, and more currupt than the people of Sodom, or else we have had an existance on earth among a people who were presented before the eyes of this man, by the inspiration of heaven, and declared to be the people of the Lord's curse, on whom his sword should fall in judgment.

I find many who are willing to acknowledge that God is pouring out judgment upon the earth, in our day; but few will admit that he has revealed it to man. This I conclude, is because they deny the possibility of prophets in these last days; for Amos said (3:7) that, "Surely the lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret to his servants the prophets." So, admitting that the cholera is a judgment sent by the Lord to chasten or rebuke the world, which thousands do, they must admit one of two things: Either God has prophets in these last days unto whom he reveals "his secrets," or Amos was no true prophet; but spake lies in the name of the Lord. Because, if this sickness is a judgment, it certainly was once a secret, to men, not yet unfolded for either their instruction or correction.--Now, we cannot find, in all the prophets who were living before the coming of Christ, that any one of them said, that in the year 1834, or previous, a desolating scourge should pass over the earth; neither did the apostles leave us such information. Then here was a secret; and how could the Lord perform this act without revealing it to "his prophets?" and how could he reveal it to his prophets, when he had none.

We are aware that there are various complaints and diseases common to various countries and climates, these, though never considered by the world at large to be special judgments, sent by the hand of the Lord, it may strictly be said are his rod to humble men. But, I will look at this subject as other men: Were I living in some parts of the northern States, and were consumptive, I would locate myself else where, for the recovery of health. Were I residing in the low parts of the State of New York, Ohio, or Michigan, and were aflicted with agues, I would, of course seek a location where water was more pure, and the air less impregnated with the filth which arises from sluggish streams and putrid swamps. When this was effected, according to the common course of things, I might look for a recovery, and as men would say, except these complaints had fastened upon me, I should be certain of health.

Go to the high lands of Vermont aud New Hampshire, and you breathe an air which brings no ague:--you drink of the crystal fountain, and the lucid rill, where the hand of our Creator has marked before the eye, health, and without judgments, long life, where the speckled trout plays beneath its surface unmolested, and unconcerned; and where a man is not under the necessity to wrap himself in a cloak, after sun-set, for fear he will,the next day, be seized with a complaint which will either rack his constitution, till he is ever after diseased, or take him from this world.

Go to the other places of which I have mentioned, and you find this to be the case. Visit the far south, and the yellow fever, with other disorders, come periodically, and take from the earth their thousands; but no agues, nor consumptions. Such has been the course pursued by a Maker with his creatures, during our day, and for generations gone-by; but no mention of the cholera. Why not? men were the same, formed of the same materials, and residing in the same climates.

It is said, that this disease first made its appearance at Jessore, about 100 miles south of Calcutta, (India,) in August, 1817. To mark its rapid progress, as it laid desolate villages and cities, would cause one's bosom to be pained for the afflictions of men! We can scarce form an estimate of its ravages in that remote country for 12 or 13 years. Towns were depopulated, and countries laid waste as the angel of death marched forth to execute his commission! till it spread from the gulf of Tartary to the Mediteranian sea! A once favored land, where light and knowledge beamed from the regions of glory to illuminate the path of men, though long since sunk in darkness, once more felt the chastening hand of God.

In 1830 the Destroyer began to execute his work in Europe, and the first, it is said, who were doomed to suffer by him, were the inhabitants resident at the mouth of the Volga on the Caspian sea. Soon, you know, desolation marked his course over Europe, and by his hand many, very many, were removed from time. In May, or June, 1832 he set foot upon our shores.--The people of Quebec felt the scourge, and soon a great part of the continent were groaning under the affliction. I have marked its progress these two years with some minuteness. In 1832 it spread from the North to the South; in 1833 it carried thousands to their long homes in the South and West, far West, and in 1834 it comes, like a "strong man armed!" and extends in rapid strides from South to North! What can stay this mighty Destroyer in his course? can the skill of men who have, for their whole life, studied the secrets of disease to render usefulness to their fellow-men? No! the wisdom of the wise falls useless, while the ocean, the fortress, "the high tower," the lofty mountains, streaked with pearling streams, with mighty rivers rolling to seek their equalibrium, are also rendered no place of security!--he flies o'er oceans, he walks o'er countries, he spreads terror and dismay in all ranks and conditions of men, and scatters the "seeds of death" in all climates, to execute his great commission, till, in fact, it is, as the prophet said should be, a vexation only to hear the report!

I have, myself, passed through towns, cities, and villages, as well as sections of our country, where hundreds were, by him, snatched from time to eternity, in an hour. I have seen the effects of his desolating march and witnessed the pale countenances of men who were just touched with his finger, and left as monuments of his power, with fallen cheeks and sunken eyes! I have seen the bereaved husband, the fatherless child, and the disconsolate widow, and others whose faces wore a settled gloom, and when met in the streets, would start as from a revery of death, or a converse with departed friends! Nor do I presume that my eyes have witnessed a beginning of what others have experienced. But I will assure you, that a thinking man's mind will be occupied with no ordinary reflections, to walk in the house of death, and to be surrounded by a power sent from God to chasten the world! In truth, it will awaken every faculty of the soul, and call forth the strictest scrutiny of one's religion, to know whether he is prepared to meet the judgment, if he has not faith to stand. Amid this mighty contagion, or, not properly contagion, but desolation, one will stand with feelings of reverence when he knows that it is a scourge of the Almighty; and as he reflects upon the system on which his hope is based, he will stand with fearless contemplation, and say, This is no less than the power of God to prepare the way for his advent in glory!

But lest I am too lengthy on this item, I will dismiss it, after making a few remarks further. The first season after the Destroyer visited our land, you will recollect to have seen almost all denominations of people professing the religion of heaven, assembling for prayer and fasting to turn away the scourge. The several Governors in whose respective States the afflicting angel came, were very careful to make mention of the same in their messages to the Legislatures; and what is still more interesting here to be observed is, that they acknowledged that it was a judgment, a special judgment.

All, then agree, that it is a providence to chasten men--the great, the small, the religious, as well as those who profess none--from the Governor to the private citizen, and as the scripture would represent, "From the king that sits upon the throne to the maid behind the mill," bow the head with one general assent and confess "it is a scourge!" If this is the case, I ask, Where has been the fulfillment of the word of Amos, that the Lord reveals his secrets to his prophets? Has this affliction, which has taken its millions, been sent, and the Lord ceased to do by us as he always did by other people? Mark its progress. Since it has commenced it has taken off more than the number living on the continent of America excepting the aborigines! A continent desolated, a vast territory depopulated with one breath from the lips of the Most High, or a touch with the finger of the angel of death! and no one informed of the design, nor warned to prepare, that they might escape! Alas, O foolish generation! a people void of understanding! Acknowledge the scourge came by a special providence of God, and then deny the possibility of his informing people of it that they might escape!--Indeed, this must be ranked among the great "discoveries" of the age; for a "discovery" it must be: the ancients knew nothing of such providences--they believed that God had as much love in their lives and happiness as he had in their afflictions and deaths; consequently, would "reveal his secrets to his prophets." Let them wait, then, a few years longer, and see cities and provinces left without an inhabitant, and perhaps some may be "affrighted and give glory to God."

Before the Lord destroyed Nineveh he sent Jonah to warn them to repent. Were the Ninevites the people of God? Certainly they were not Israel, and yet mercy was shown them to that degree that they were warned of approaching destruction. Are we as righteous as were the people of Nineveh? if so, will not God deal as mercifully with us as he did with them? If he will not, when we are as righteous, will he not be a respecter of persons? Will he not cease to deal with that same unchangeable hand which has characterized all his ways since the days of Adam? It may be said, that we are not as righteous as they were. If so, certainly, we have the greater need of mercy, and of prophets to warn us of the anger of the Lord. But I will now leave this subject for the present.

I am informed by some of your previous communications, that the church in your place and vicinity numbered over sixty. This is pleasing intelligence to us: we are not, as Paul said some would be in the last days, [2 Tim. 3:2] "unthankful;" but on every remembrance of his mercy, (and we desire not to be unmindful,) we give thanks. And when we experience unbounded opposition in endeavoring to set light and truth before the world, we are led to glorify God that many are embracing it in various parts of our country.--Truth, you know, has a power, and when it once finds a place in an honest heart, like the good seed, grows up and brings forth fruit.

Some length of time since I received the "Baptist Register," published at Utica, N.Y. containing certain affidavits over the signatures of several persons residing in Susquehanna Co., Pa. From letters accompanying the same, written by yourself, I learned that you forwarded the paper for my information, requesting, at the same time something from me relative to, not only the characters of those individuals, but a statement, according to my own knowledge, of their assertions. I have previously wirtten you short on the subject, which, as yet, I have not found a space. After some reflection, I have concluded, that any information which might benefit one might also benefit many, and at a future period, if providence permit, I shall give the subject a review, and make it as public, no doubt, as the authors of those affidavits will wish. However, some persons, you know, have an itching "to see their names in print." This may be the case with them, and I may render them a kindness, perhaps, which they little expected at the time they gave their assent, or properly speaking, prevailed upon the "little man" of the "Sasquehanna Register" to place them in the hands of his mountain readers!

About the same time, or soon after, I received a number of the same paper, ("Baptist Register,") which had previously been mailed, according to the direction on the margin, to Ellery N. Y. Who had the kindness to forward me this paper from Ellery, N. Y. the Lord knows--I know not. But so it was, and I received it as a kindness; for the grave Editor, Beebee, in the greatness of his liberality, sent no "exchange," after noticing the Star, which, among all ranks of professed gentlemen Editors, is called a crime little inferior to that of sacrilege! Why I have said "liberality," is because, if a man may calculate that there is any meaning in language, when I read the motto of his paper, I conclude Mr. Beebee to be a man of the greatest liberality! Not only is he to declare the wonders of God among the people of N. Y. but among all people, even the heathen. Hear him!--"Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people."--Ps. 96:3. But, it is to be remembered, that these are the words of a man, said to be after God's own heart, who lived more then 2,800 years since, who "spake, moved by the Holy Ghost"--whose soul was illuminated with the light of truth, and whose heart was a rich treasury of wisdom and understanding: who saw the great offering of God for a guilty world, extended to satisfy the demands of justice, that men might live, and who also saw the time when the righteous are gathered and the Mighty One comes to judge the world with righteousness! Of course he believed in revelations. Mr. Beebee does also, but not in this day, and for this reason is under the necessity of garbling something from the writings of a man, who would have looked down upon him with as little respect as any other heathen who denied the living and the true God by saying that he had ceased to speak to his creatures! Mr. Beebee has no doubt but David is saved, and also "hopes he has a hope" that he shall be saved with him by-and-by. I suppose, in his heaven, the description of which he has hatched up in his brain, which exists some where beyond the regions of space, as far from the fixed stars as the fixed stars are from this earth--a place he never saw, neither does he expect to have a view of it till he has flitted as many millions beyond the stars as he is now from them! There "he hopes he has a hope" that he will find admittance into a glorious city where this man (David) now dwells. But query: Will he be delighted with his company? David was a prophet: he believed in revelations, for he received them; but this man neither receives revelations, nor does he believe it to be possible for any man to receive them in his day. Can the prophet David and Mr. Beebee be one? if they are not, can they both inhabit the same place?

Mr. Beebee tells us the secret however, in few words, and informs the world where the great trouble lies. Hear him:--"Had we not fallen in with one of the followers of Smith, within eighty miles of Utica, and found their papers cerculating even in Oneida co." [The Star,] "we should hardly have given so much space in our paper to the following statement." Poor man! what trouble and perplexity surround him! Astonishing! within eighty miles of Utica one of the servants of God! (Not of Joseph Smith Jr. as this man would gladly represent to excite contempt and ridicule.) The people are in danger, and ought to be warned, so he gives a large space in his paper to put them on the watch. How dare a man go so near? within eighty miles! Truly, then, it was because they did not know that Mr. Beebee lived there, and edited a large sheet printed on a Napier press! But there is a further trouble: He found the Star circulating even in Oneida county! This, he says, is "jumbled up with the scriptures to obtain attention, and the misaplication of them, though glaring to the eye of most readers, may not at all times be discovered by those but partially acquainted with their bibles. Here is the danger." A "danger" indeed, and Mr.--Beebee can inform the public of it; but for fear the publishers of the Star would call on him to do something he could not,--show the contradiction, if any, or where it was "jumbled" by "misaplications," he was very careful to forward no exchange. I received it however, but from whom I cannot say: I shall forward this No. to the P.M. at Ellery, and hope, if he is acquainted with the individual who forwarded me the "Register," he will present him this No. as I take this opportunity to present him my compliments and warmest wishes for his welfare, for his kindness.

There is no danger of deception if persons are acquainted with their bibles, it would appear from Mr. Beebee's remarks. What a pitty that other people are not as wise! A man capable of penetrating into the depths of that wisdom which moved the Psalmest David to unlock the treasures of heaven, and unfold to his people the divine mind concerning future generations, and all this without inspiration in this day! No fear of deception here!--The people of N. Y. must think they have a wise man to watch over their spiritual condition: One who can seize the words of an ancient prophet, and without the least authority from God, make it a common plunder and send it forth to the world as a harbinger before HE comes in flaming fire!--Indeed, he is the very man from whom we could expect to be accused of "jumbling and misrepresenting" truth--panic struck to see one Super Royal sheet circulating within his knowledge. It must be that he is apprehensive that his craft is in danger, and that some may compare his principles with those contained in the paper which has given him this fright! Because, every man professing to believe the bible, and at the same time denying the possibility of more revelations in the last days, that moment shows that his foundation is sand, and that his heart is void of all understanding or he himself is an imposture.

I must return to your letter, as I have already occupied a large space, for the present, in noticing Mr. Beebee and his paper, but I trust I shall escape censure on your part, and also on the part of the subscribers of the Star, as every man is entitled to notice according to his greatness; not to say any thing of the worth of a man professing the share of liberality with which this man is endowed.

Some items in yours, if space and opportunity were granted, might call forth some lengthy essays; but on these, for the present, I must be very concise, as my letter is already more prolix than I had designed it to be when I commenced.

There are certain reflections on all systems of religion which should be taken into consideration. Every people professing religion, (and when closely examined, few can be found without some kind,) are, more or less sanguine that they are right. The Israelites were called out of Egypt, and but few were willing to acknowledge that they had a more perfect system than they, (the Egyptians,) because of the peculiar prejudice of their former education. But did this prove that they were correct? When the Jews, as a nation, had departed from the true way, they were as zealous as their fathers ever were--they could enlarge the borders of their garments; they could tythe mint, and rue, and annis, and cummin; they could reject the preaching of John, and slay the Lord Jesus; they could persecute the saints, and put to death the innocent; they could make long prayers, and were long faces, and say they were right, the people of God, and a chosen generation, and yet they were in darkness, the children of the devil, and fast ripening for the damnation of hell! They did not disbelieve in more revelations being given; but they believed that when they were given they would be given to themselves, and also precisely according to their former whims and prejudices. I leave you to judge, which principle is least exceptionable in the sight of heaven, one that denies the possibility of more revelations, or admits it to be possible, though that people admitting the last are as corrupt as were the Jews.

You say that, "thousands say we are deluded and deceived." Bare assertions, on this point, avail nothing, because men are always bound to believe that system supported by the highest degree of evidence. Christ said, "I am the Son of God:" the Jews said, "you are not the Son of God."--From what evidence, or by what authority did they say this? They said it because they disbelieved it. But were they justified in their unbelief?--by no means. Why? Because they were a people professing to hold the keys of the kingdom of God, which, if they did, and judged before they unlocked its archives and obtained HIS voice, they were condemned: they judged without evidence; they passed decision without authority! If they did not hold this power with God, (to obtain revelations,)neither profess to, by what authority did they condemn the Lord, and say that he was an imposture? To say that they were in possession of this power, and then judge a matter coming immediately under its jurisdiction, (it being a matter of religion,) without first obtaining evidence from a source where darkness and uncertainty have no power to deceive or swerve the mind from truth, showed a wicked, hypocritical, and corrupt heart! To make this pretence possessing no such power, nor professing to, shows a heart equally as wicked, hypocritical, and corrupt, and an additional folly which will cause a man of common sense to blush, and turn aside with feelings of contempt!

I will, however, defer further remarks till a future period, meanwhile wishing you favor and peace, with the church in your place, forever.

Yours truly.

OLIVER COWDERY.

To W. [Warren] A. COWDERY

<William Phelps>
William Phelps ltr 24 Aug 1834 in E&MS 2 (Sep 1834)

Liberty, Mo. Aug. 24, 1834.

DEAR BRETHREN:-
Because I feel a great interest in the cause of our Redeemer, I take a little more time and paper than usual, and write. You are, in general, so well informed of all that is going on in this region of the Lord's vineyard, that I cannot give any news. When I say all that is going on, I mean between us and the Jackson mob, for there are many other things, I presume, that you and the Saints abroad are ignorant of for months.

From petitions sent to Congres by the inhabitants of Clay and other counties, a bill was got up in the house of Representatives, to annex all the land between this county and the Missouri river, to this State, together with a considerable quantity on the north, but it has all fell through, and I have understood that the Wyandots have selected that on the west, for their spot of gathering. A party of pottowottomies passed through Liberty, not long since, on their way to the Kickapoos, whom they will join for the sake of their religion. Their prophet preached in Liberty just before the brethren came up last June, on the subject of their religion, and if he had had a true interpreter, would have given great light.

We have had several High Councils for the benefit of the scattered brethren; at one, the following letter was issued to four brethren, viz: John Corrill, Simeon Carter, Orson Pratt, and Parley Pratt.

"To the Latter Day Saints who have been driven from the land of their inheritance, and also those who are gathering in the regions round about, in the western boundaries of Missouri,--the High Council, established according to the pattern given by our blessed Savior Jesus Christ, send greeting:

DEAR BRETHREN, We have appointed our beloved brother and companion in tribulation, John Corrill, to meat you in the name of the Lord Jesus. He, in connexion with others duly appointed also, will visit you alternately, for the purpose of instructing you in the necessary qualifications of the Latter Day Saints; that they may be perfected, that the officers and members of the body of Christ, may become very prayerful and very faithful, strictly keeping all the commandments, and walking in holiness before the Lord, continually. That all that mean to have [D&C 89:21] "the Destroyer pass over them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them," may live according to the "word of wisdom;" that the Saints by industry, diligence, faithfulness, and the prayer of faith, may become purified, and enter upon their inheritance, to build up Zion according to the word of the Lord.

We are sure, If the Saints are very humble, very watchful and very prayerful, that few will be deceived by those who have not authority to teach, or who have not the Spirit to teach according to the power of the Holy Ghost, in the scriptures. Lest any man's blood should be required at your hands, we beseech you, as you value the salvation of souls, and are within, to set an example which is worthy to be followed by those without the kngdom of our God and his Christ, that peace by grace, and blessings by righteousness may attend you till you are sanctified and redeemed."

(Signed)

"Clay Co. Aug. 1, 1834."

Since this document was issued, meetings have been held alternately at twelve different places, to the joy of the scattered brethren, and so far as I learn to the satisfaction of those who are "without" the kingdom. And they will be continued. It is very sickly now. There has been no rain of note since the first of July; every thing looks sorry for the want of it; and, what is here called "the chill fever" is attacking hundreds. Brother Drollinger, a worthy elder died on Saturday. There is a great deal to humble the Saints and make them possess their souls in patience. The great drought is an index of famine, and so much sickness denotes chastisement, and the Saints have only to say: "Though he slay us, yet will we trust in him."

We are looked upon as slaves, and in many instances, treated so. In fact, we are treated just as the Saints of God ever have been: despised, belied, slandered, whipped, mocked, buffeted, reproached, and considered, by other professors among the sects, as "the jest and riddle of the world," to be laughed at, and "rendered any thing by every body:" and so be it, for Christ's sake. The truth is in common meter, (as I have thought in poetry,) as follows:-
There is a land the Lord will bless, Where all the Saints shall come; There is a day for righteousness When Israel gathers home.

Before the word goes forth--Destroy! And all the wicked burn, With songs of everlasting joy, The pure-in-heart return.

Their fields beyond Missouri's flood, Are in perspective seen, As unto Israel "Canaan stood While Jordan flow'd between."

Though wicked men and Satan strive, To keep us from that land, And from their homes the Saints they drive To try the Lord's command:-
There all the springs of God will be; And there an end of strife; And there the righteous rising free Shall have eternal life.

There shall the will of God be done, And Saints and Angels greet; And there, when all in Christ is one, The best from worlds shall meet.

There, in the resurrection morn', The living live again, And all their children will be born Without the sting of sin.

How long our Father, O how long Shall that pure time delay? Come on, come on, ye holy throng, And bring the glorious day.

As ever, W. [William] W. PHELPS.

TO OLIVER COWDERY.

<John Boynton>
John Boynton ltr 31 Aug 1834 in E&MS 2 (Sep 1834)

Bolton, N. Y. Aug. 31, 1834.

BROTHER O. [Oliver] COWDERY,-
By request of brother J. [Jared] Carter, I proceed to forward you some information respecting our prosperity on the subject of our mission.

Previous to the conference at Saco, I had been laboring in the east, and had built up a small church of ten members in Farmington. When I returned to attend the conference I received your letter from the council, by the hand of brother Jared, requesting me to engage in the mission with him in laying before the churches the subject of building the house of the Lord in Kirtland, with which I readily complied, realising that it was a subject of the greatest importance. Accordingly on the 19th we separated at Saco, agreeing that I should pass through the churches at the north, while he visited those at the south, and meet again at Andover, Vt. to attend the conference in that place on the 19th. I then visited the church at Erol, found them strong in the Lord. From thence I came to the church at Dalton; then to St. Johnsbury, where a conference was held on the 28th.--There were present at this conference three high priests, and seven elders, and seven churches represented which were all found to be in good standing. Much instruction was given. Three were ordained teachers. Great union prevailed, and the conference unanimously voted to keep the word of wisdom.

I next visited the church at Charleston, baptized one; from thence to Jay, and baptized another; then to Danville, where I held two meetings, and baptized seven. I then returned to St. Johnsbary; held a meeting on the Sabbath, had a large and attentive audience, and baptizeed in that place, thirteen. The minds of many more seemed to be called up to inquire into the great work which the prophets have declared should come forth in the last days. I then came on to Andover, where I again met brother Jared, who had passed through the church at Boston, from thence to Killingworth, Ct. where he baptized three, and one in Madison. He then visited the church at Norfolk, and baptized one; from thence to Shaftsbury, where his labors were blessed in regulating the affairs of the church and bringing them to the order of the Latter Day Saints. Also, he baptized four, and others were convinced of the truth, and there was a general move on the minds of the people in that place. He had been greatly blessed with the Spirit in laying before the churches the object of his mission: also in breaking down prejudice, and in laying before the people the truth of the fulness of the everlasting gospel, contained in the new covenant.

The conference in Andover was crowned with the blessing of God! We think much good will result from this meeting. From thence we came to Benson, attended the conference in that place, and the preaching was attended with the power of the Spirit. One was added to the church, and many more were inquiring into the truth. We next attended the conference in Bolton where were a large collection of official members of the church. Considerable business was transacted--two were ordained to the high priesthood--many questions were discussed--the meeting crowned with the Spirit, and much intelligence was given concerning the work of the Lord, which will undoubtedly prove a lasting benefit to the servants of God! Our meeting following the conference was greatly blessed of the Lord: two were baptized, and many others had their minds called up to inquire into the truth of the fulness of the gospel of the kingdom of the Latter Day Saints. It is evident that much good will be the result of the conferences, and meetings, which we have held through our mission: for much prejudice, occasioned by the false reports which have gone forth, by those who withstand the truth, has been removed, and tradition, superstition, and error, seems to give way before the mild rays of the glorious gospel, while the cause of truth is taking a general triumph!

O that the cause might spread far and wide, until Zion's borders shall be extended from the rivers to the ends of the earth; when the will of God shall be done on earth as it is in heaven, and Christ be crowned King of nations, as he now is King of Saints!

Yours in the bonds of the everlasting covenant.

JOHN F. BOYNTON.

<John Gregg>
John Gregg ltr 12 Aug 1834 in E&MS 2 (Sep 1834)

Sugar Creek, Indiana, August 12, 1834.

DEAR BROTHER,

I take the liberty to send you a few lines to inform you of our condition, as a church: There are a few of us in this region who have embraced the everlasting gospel, as we trust, through the ministering brethren S. [Simeon] Carter, and J. [James] Emmet; and finding ourselves at a distance from our brethren, and strangers to the most of them, as also to yourself--desiring and praying, that the cause may prosper, and the work of the Lord go on, we wish to inform you that we subscribed for The Evening and the Morning Star while the press was at Zion, and since it was destroyed have received a few papers from Kirtland, but not regularly. We wish you to send one to myself and another to Robert Snodgrass, Sugar Creek, Hancock co. Indiana, and I will be accountable to you for the same.

As we learned from your paper that brother J. [Jared] Carter was visiting the churches we wish him to call on us, and by him we will send you your dues. If he cannot visit us, strive to get some one of the faithful elders to come and labor with us in this region. And although we are few, and surrounded with opposition by the different sects who persecute and misrepresent us, yet, as far as they have met us on bible ground they have lost influence; and though we have had no additions of late, the cause is gaining ground, and prejudice giving way before the force of truth!

We still hear of the persecution and opposition against the brethren who went up to Zion: we hope they will endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ, and be restored to their lands. O may that blessed hope of the glorious appearing of our Lord and Savior, the literal gathering of the saints to enjoy his personal presence on earth in perfect peace, inspire all the persecuted Saints of the Latter Day, to love each other, and to love their Lord, to walk in the spirit, to gather to gether, gird up their loins, and be waiting for HIM!

Dear brother pray for us, that we may adorn the cause which we have espoused; and send us help if possible: we do believe there could be good done here if this were to be the case.

The cause here has been wounded by one or two who were ordained a mong the Latter Day Saints, and afterward proved immoral: this has injured us much formerly; therefore we need help.

I conclude by wishing you mercy, grace,and peace, subscribing myself your friend and brother in the Lord.

JOHN GREGG.

TO OLIVER COWDERY.

<Joseph Smith>
Joseph Smith ltr 24 Sep 1834 in E&MS 2 (Sep 1834)

Kirtland, Ohio, September 24, 1834.

DEAR BROTHER,-
I have, of late, been perusing Mr. A. [Alexander] Campbell's "Millennial Harbinger." I never have rejoiced to see men of corrupt hearts step forward and assume the authority and pretend to teach the ways of God--this is, and always has been a matter of grief; therefore I cannot but be thankful, that I have been instrumental in the providence of our heavenly Father in drawing forth, before the eyes of the world, the spirits by which certain ones, who profess to be "Reformers, and Restorers of ancient principles," are actuated! I have always had the satisfaction of seeing the truth triumph over error, and darkness give way before light, when such men were provoked to expose the corruption of their own hearts, by crying delusion, deception, and false prophets, accusing the innocent, and condemning the guiltless, and exalting themselves to the stations of gods, to lead blind-fold, men to perdition!

I have never been blessed, (if it may be called such,) with a personal acquaintance with Mr. Campbell, neither a personal interview; but the GREAT MAN, not unfrequently condescends to notice an individual of as obscure birth as myself, if I am at liberty to interpret the language of his "Harbinger," where he says, "Joe Smith! Joe Smith! imposture! imposture!" I have noticed a strange thing! I will inform you of my meaning, though I presume you have seen the same ere this. Mr. Campbell was very lavish of his expositions of the falsity and incorrectness of the book of Mormon, some time since, but of late, since the publication of the Evening and the Morning Star, has said little or nothing, except some of his back-handed cants. He did, to be sure, about the time the church of Christ was established in Ohio, come out with a lengthy article, in which he undertook to prove that it was incorrect and contrary to the former revelations of the Lord. Perhaps, he is of opinion that he so completely overthrew the foundation on which it was based, that all that is now wanting to effect an utter downfall of those who have embraced its principles is, to continue to bark and howl, and cry, Joe Smith! false prophet! and ridicule every man who may be disposed to examine the evidences which God has given to the world of its truth!

I have never written Mr. [Alexander] Campbell, nor received a communication from him but a public notice in his paper:--If you will give this short note a place in the Star you will do me a kindness, as I take this course to inform the gentleman, that while he is breathing out scurrility he is effectually showing the honest, the motives and principles by which he is governed, and often causes men to investigate and embrace the book of Mormon, who might otherwise never have perused it. I am satisfied, therefore he should continue his scurrility; indeed, I am more than gratified, because his cry of Joe Smith! Joe Smith! false prophet! false prophet! must manifest to all men the spirit be is of, and serves to open the eyes of the people.

I wish to inform him further, that as he has, for a length of time, smitten me upon one cheek, and I have offered no resistance, I have turned the other also, to obey the commandment of our Savior; and am content to sit awhile longer in silence and see the great work of God roll on, amid the opposition of this world in the face of every scandal and falsehood which may be invented and put in circulation.

I am your brother in the testamony of the book of Mormon, and shall ever remain. JOSEPH SMITH jr.

TO OLIVER COWDERY.

<"Prospectus">
Oliver Cowdery "Prospectus," E&MS 2 (Sep 1834)

PROSPECTUS

FOR RE-PRINTING THE FIRST AND SECOND VOLUMES OF THE EVENING AND THE MORNING STAR.

F. G. WILLIAMS and Company will reprint the first and second volumes of the Star, in octavo form, commencing in the month of November, next, at two dollars for the two volumes, payable in advance. They pledge themselves to furnish their subscribers with, at least, two numbers per month, until the whole are completed, and with their present arrangements they calculate more.

The whole 24 numbers, when finished, will be in beautiful form for binding, and will be a book worth the attention of every man, whether candid or not--If candid, it cannot fail of drawing his mind into a train of reflection, which, if pursued, will produce a fruit which will increase in perfection, until it exalts the mind to THAT source of intelligence where truth dwells triumphant, and virtue never loses her sacred charm--If not candid, the spirit which attends it, by which it was indited, though like the wind, unseen, blowing where it lists, may find a place in the heart, and in after years, in some warning providence, spring up, and lead the individual to embrace the path to eternal life!

The first volume, and two numbers of the second, were printed at Indipendence, Missouri, commencing, June, 1832. Those who were subscribers and readers of that volume will recollect, that it was enriched with some of the most important, instructing, and sublime Revelations which have been given in the last days--full of wisdom, intelligence and beauty--enlightening the mind and increasing the understanding of the saint; and warning all to be on their watch for the great events which are to rush upon the inhabitants of this generation like an overflowing stream--and awaken the slumbering world to look and live!

The editorial and selected matter will be interesting to subscribers, as they will find many sketches and items relative to the settling and building up of the church of the Latter Day Saints, in that place--letters from elders and brethren abroad, showing the progress of the work, which, it is presumed, are not now extant else where.

The remaining part of the second volume has been published at this place, and contains a large mass of original matter--in fact, the columns are few in the whole ten numbers, and it is doubtful whether there can be a sufficient found to fill one of selected matter; and a large proportion, as it will be remembered, is directly informing the reader of the disgraceful scenes which have been acted by a portion of the citizens of our country, in persecuting, afflicting, and driving from their homes and dwellings, innocent women and helpless infants to drag out a miserable existance by starvation or grief, while the ruthless hand of worse than savage monsters were raised against, and imbrued in the blood of worthy husbands and fathers!

We talk of the deeds and the sufferings of heroes, for liberty, and of martyrs, for religion, and perpetuate the memory of such as have suffered reproach and abuse for the same; but if ever the calamity of a people ought to be remembered, and if ever their vile opprobrious treatment deserved to be immortalized, that the perpetrators might be had in contempt, and made a by-word to the latest generations of men, it is where scenes like these, in an enlightened and free Government, have transpired to blast the fame of descendants whose progenitors bought their liberty with their blood! On reflection, then, we have no hesitancy in urging the second volume, or its ten last numbers, upon the community. Articles, or pieces upon the principles of religion were designed to be written according to the spirit of truth, and we have no fear of refutation when we send them out a second time to the criticism of a public.

[D&C] There are many typographical errors in both volumes, and especially in the last, which we shall endeavor carefully to correct, as well as principle, if we discover any.--It is also proper for us to say, that in the first 14 numbers, in the Revelations, are many errors, typographical, and others, occasioned by transcribing manuscript; but as we shall have access to originals, we shall endeavor to make proper corrections.

With these few remarks we submit this PROSPECTUS, repeating the request for all who are disposed to make themselves acquainted with important facts, connected with the history of a people striving to be prepared for the great advent of the Son of Man, to obtain it while it is offered; and to our brethren, one and all, we would farther urge as our duty thus require, to subscribe liberally for their own benefit now, and hereafter and for the information and lasting good of their children. Thus "laying up in store" a knowledge on which they can safely rely, as being correct, and principles, which if observed, will lead them in the "way everlasting!"

Subscribers must remember, that all letters or orders for the Star, must be free of postage, or they will not receive notice. In short, we will here say, that every individual wishing for this paper, failing to pay his own postage, will not be considered responsible for that amount! Every person from a distance sending us 10 subscribers, and paying for the same, (current money) shall be entitled to a file, gratis. To avoid failures, we recommend to subscribers to furnish their names in a fair, plain hand, with the name of the Post office, county, and State, as papers not unfrequently never arrive to the place of destination when the county is not named on the wrapper.

Letters free of postage addressed to O. [Oliver] COWDERY, or F. G. WILLIAMS, & Co. Kirtland, Ohio, will receive prompt attention.

Kirtland, Ohio, September 26, 1834.

The Latter Day Saints' Messenger and Advocate WILL BE PUBLISHED EVERY MONTH AT KIRTLAND, GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO. BY F. G. WILLIAMS & CO.

O. [Oliver] COWDERY, Editor.

THE PRICE IS ONE DOLLAR FOR A YEAR IN ADVANCE, EXCEPT SPECIAL CONTRACTS ARE MADE. EVERY PERSON THAT SENDS US $10, CURRENT MONEY, SHALL BE ENTITLED TO A PAPER FOR A YEAR, GRATIS. ALL LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, OR PUBLISHERS, MUST BE POST PAID.