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http://www.archive.org/details/zionswatchmanOOunse

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VOLUME I.

<HE THAT READETH LET HIM UNDERSTAND."

EDITED AND PUBLISHED

BY

A. FARNHAM, SYDNEY,

FROM AUGUST 1853, TO APRIL 1855.

PREFACE.

In presenting the first Volume of the "Watchman," it may not
be improper for us to adopt the usual course, and address a few re-
marks to our readers.

We would assure the reader, that we did not take upon us the
duties and responsibilities of conducting the Watchman, because that
we were secularly educated, or practically qualified for the duties of
an editor, neither was it to gratify our own personal ambition, but
we were actually forced into our present position by the press in these
colonies, who were continually inserting articles against the character
and doctrines of the saints, and uniformly refused to insert a reply
except as an advertisement, for which they charged an exorbitant
fee ; but as there was no one willing to stand forth, for truth and
righteousness, we felt it to be our bounden duty, according to our office
and calling, to stand on the Lord's side against the mighty.

It was not the position of being on the Lord's side, but the duties
that now devolved upon us, in that position that were new to us7
we had for years been on the Lord's side, and our past duties were of
physical nature, tor these we had been qualified at the various bran-
ches of mechanicism. For our new sphere, we had little or no quali-
fication, save that which should be imparted unto us, through the in-
spiration of the spirit of the Almighty whose servant we are.

The above will be a sufficient apology for any errors committed
in conducting the Watchman.

We have had to struggle under pecuniary difficulties, which has
caused some irregularities in the appearance and continuation of
the Watchman, beyond the usual limits of a Vol.

Our duties calling for our frequent absence from Sydney, we felt
it necessary to call Elder J. Jones to our assistance as Sub-Editor.

We feel thankful to our Heavenly Father, for the assistance given
unto us, through His spirit in the discharge of our duties, and also
for the good that it has been instrumental in accomplishing, and pray
that His blessing may continue to attend it, and although many may
detect many errors in the " Watchman," yet considering what are
our amazement, is that there are so few. The praise is not ours but
God's, to whom be glory and honor now and forever more. Amen.

Editor.

HISTORIAN'S OFFICE LIBRARY

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Salntt

J30/ %

THE ZION'S WATCHMAN,

PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE

Cfiurclj ot SrtfuS ©firtet of 3Latter-l3ag ,#>amtg,

IN SYDNEY.

No. 1. SATURDAY, AUGUST 13, 1853. Vol. I.

PROSPECTUS OF
THE "ZION'S WATCHMAN.''

-o-

" The Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the Sou! :
The testimony of the Lord is sure,
Making wise the Simple.'' — 19 Psalm, 7 v.

To the Saints and all the friends of Truth. The "Zion's Watchman"
we intend to issue monthly. We would say to the friends of truth,
who wish to subscribe for the "Watchman," that we design to pur-
sue a course which will shew the difference between the error which
has often been published by the Periodicals of the day, and the tmtk
as it exists with the Saints of God ; — which truths have been reveal-
ed from heaven by the Angels of the Lord to the Prophet Joseph
Smith, and which truths are still being revealed to the servants of
God, who still hold the power of the Holy Melchisedic Priesthood
upon the earth at the present day, and are authorised to administer
in its ordinances according to the Law of the Holy Priesthood, which
is withouth father, without mother, without descent, having neither
beginning of days nor end of life, but made like unto the Son of God
— abideth a Priest continually. Peter like, we judge between the
truth and error, and as the Apostles and Elders, by the gift of the
Holy Spirit of truth as it is in Christ Jesus ; — behold the darkness
that rests upon the minds of the people, we as Elders being clothed
with said Priesthood, are deeply impressed with the necessity of dis-
charging the duty laid upon us by the aforesaid authority, to warn
the inhabitants of the earth to repent of their sins, to be baptized for
the remission of the same, and to have hands laid on them for the
gift of the Holy Ghost. That you with us may become the heirs of
God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ in the kingdom of God, and
be redeemed from your sins, and receive salvation thro' the princi-
ples of the everlasting gospel as preached by the Prophets and Apos-
tles ever since the world began, and ever will be by all who have
authority to preach the Gospel of Christ. Who have the authority to
preach the Gospel of Christ ? no person except they have been called
of God as was Aaron. How shall they preach except they be sent of
God? Now we have not received the spirit of the world but the

spirit which is of God, that we might know the things that are freely
given us of God, which things also we speak not in the words which
man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost tcacheth, com-
paring spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth
not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him,
neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned.

DESERET AND THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS.

Extract from Stansbury the Government Surveyor's Expedition to the

Great Salt Lake.

The provisional State Government, with all the machinery of execu-
tive, legislative, and judicial functionaries, was in regular and har-
monious action, under the constitution recently adopted. The juris-
diction of the "State of Deseret" had been extended over, and was
vigorously enforced upon, all who came within its borders, and justice
was equitably alike to " Saint" and "Gentile" — as they term all who
are not of their persuasion. Of the truth of this, as far at least as the
Gentiles were concerned, I soon had convincing proof, by finding, one
fine morning, some twenty of our mules safely secured in the public
pound, for trespass upon the cornfield of some pious Saint ; possession
was recovered only by paying the fine imposed by the magistrate and
amply remunerating the owner for damage done to his crops.
These courts were constantly appealed to by companies of passing
emigrants, who having fallen out by the way, could not agree upon
the division of their property. The decisions were remarkable for
fairness and impartiality ; and if not submitted to, were sternly en-
forced by the whole power of the community. Appeals for protection
from oppression, by those passing through their midst, were not made
in vain; and I know of at least one instance in which the marshal of
the State was despatched, with an adequate force, nearly two hundred
miles into the western desert, in pursuit of some miscreants who had
stolen off with nearly the whole outfit of a pary of emigrants. He
pursued and brought them back to the city, and the plundered proper-
ty was restored to its rightful owner.

While however, there are all the exterior evidence of a government
strictly temporal, it cannot be concealed that it is so intimately blend-
ed with the spiritual administration of the Church, that it would be
impossible to separate the one from the other.* The first civil gover-
nor under the constitution of the new State, elected by the people, was
the president of the Church, Brigham Young ; the Lieutenant Gover-
nor was his first ecclesiastical Counsellor, and the Secretary of State,

* However "intimately blended" the civil government of the State or Territory,
and the ecclesiastical government of the Church, may appear, they are in reality en-
entirely separate and distinct from each other. — En.

his second Councellor : these three individuals forming together the
"Presidency" of the Church. The Bishops of the several wards, who
by virtue of their office in the Church, had exercised not only a spiri-
tual, but temporal authority over the several districts assigned to their
charge, were appointed, under the civil organization, to be justices of
the peace, and were supported in the discharge of their duties, not
only by the civil power, but by the whole spiritual authority of the
Church also. This intimate connection of Church and State seems
to prevade every thing that is done. The supreme power in both
being lodged in the hands of the same individuals, it is difficult to
separate their two official characters, and to determine whether in
any one instance they act as spiritual or merely temporal officers.

The establishment of a civil government at all, seems to me to
have been altogether the result of a foreseen necessity, which it was
impossible to avoid. As the community grew in numbers and im-
portance, it was not to be expected, as has been before remarked,
that the whole population would always consist solely of members of
the Church looking up to the Presidency, not only as its spiritual
head, but as the divinely commissioned and inspired source of law in
temporal matters and policy also. It became, necessary, therefore, to
provide for the government of the whole, by establishing some au-
thority which could not be disputed by any, and would exercise a
control over them as citizens, whether they were members of the
Church or not ; and which, being acknowledged and recognized by
the government of the United States, would be supported by its laws,
and upheld by its authority. The civil government, therefore, was
wholly precautionary, and only for such Gentiles as might settle
among them, the power and authority of the Church over its members
being amply sufficient where they alone were concerned. In the
organization of the civil government, nothing could be more natural
than that, the whole people being of one faith, they should choose for
functionaries to carry it into execution, those to whom they had been
in the habit of defferring as their inspired guides, and by whom they
had been led from a land of persecution into this far-off wilderness,
which, under their lead, was already beginning to blossom like the
rose. Hence came the insensible blending of the two authorities, the
principal functionaries of the one holding the same relative position
under the other. Thus the Bishop in case of a dispute between two
members of the Church, would interpose his spiritual authority as
Bishop for its adjustment, while in differences between those not
subject to the spiritual jurisdiction, and who could not be made
ameanable to Church discipline, he would act in the magisterial ca-
pacity conferred upon him by the constitution and civil laws of the
State. Thus the control of the affairs of the colony remained in the
same hands, whether under Church or state organization, and these
hands were, in a double capacity, those into which the constituents
HISTORIAN'S OFFICE LIBRARY

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

had, whether as citizens or as Church members, themselves chosen to
confide it.

The revenue of the new State seemed to partake of the same
double character ; the treasures of the Church being freely devoted,
when necessary, to the promotion of the temporal prosperity of the
body politic. These are derived from a system of tithing, similar to
that of the ancient Israelites. Each person, upon profession of his
faith, and consequent reception into the bosom of the Church, is re-
quired to pay into "the treasury of the Lord" one tenth of all that he
possesses ; after which he pays a tenth of the yearly increase of his
goods, and in addition contributes one tenth of is time,* which is
devoted to labour on the public works, such as roads, bridges, irri-
gating canals, or such other objects as the authorities may direct.
The whole amount thus collected goes into the coffers of the Church,
and is exacted only from its members. A tax is also laid upon pro-
perty, as with us, which is levied upon all, both "Saint" and Gentile,
and which constitutes the revenue of the civil government. All goods
brought into the city pay as the price of a license, a duty of one per
cent., except spirituous liquors, for which one-half at which they are
sold is demanded ; the object of this last impost being avowedly to
discourage the introduction of that article among them. It has, in-
deed, operated to a great extent as a prohibition, the importer, to
save himself from loss, having to double the price at which he could
otherwise have afforded to sell. The result of this policy was, when
we were there, to bring up the price of brandy to twelve dollars per
gallon, of which the authorities took six ; and of whisky to eight
dollars, of which they collected four dollars. The circulating medium
.is principally gold of their own coinage, and such foreign gold as is
brought in by converts from Europe.

Notwithstanding this heavy, and as it would be to us, insupportable
burden upon industry and enterprise, nothing can exceed the appear-
ance of prosperity, peaceful harmony, and cheerful contentment that
prevaded the whole community. Ever since the first year of privation
provisions have been abundant, and want of the necessaries and even
comforts of life is a thing unknown. A design was at one time en-
tertained (more, I believe, as a prospective measure than anything
else,) to set apart a fund for the purpose of erecting a poor-house ;
but after strict inquiry, it was found that there were in the whole po-
pulation but two persons who could be considered as objects of pub-
lic charity, and the plan was consequently abandoned.

This happy external state, of universally diffused prosperity, is com-
mented on by themselves, as an evidence of the smiles of Heaven, and
of the special favour of the Diety : but I think it may be most clearly

* By the author's representation here, the reader will conclude that one-fifth of the
increase of the Latter-day Saints i3 annually required as tithing. This representation is
incorrect, as one-tenth only is required annually by the law of tithing, whether paid in
labour, money, property, or produce. — Ed.

accounted for in the admirable discipline,, and ready obedience to a
large body of industrious and intelligent men, and in the wise councils
of prudent and sagacious leaders, producing a oneness and concentra-
tion of action, the result of which has astonished even those by whom
it had been effected. The happy consequence of this system of
united and well-directed action, under one leading and controlling
mind, is most prominently apparent in the erection of public buildings,
opening of roads, the construction of bridges, and the preparation of
the country for the speedy occupation of a large and rapidly-growing
population, shortly to be still further augmented by an immigration
even now on their way from almost every country in Europe.

Upon the personal character of the leader of this singular people,
it may not, perhaps, be proper for me to comment in a communica-
tion like the present. I may, nevertheless, be pardoned for saying,
that to me, President Young appeared to be a man of clear, sound
sense, fully alive to the responsibilities of the station he occupies,
sincerely devoted to the good name and interests of the people over
which he presides, sensitively jealous of the least attempt to under-
value or misrepresent them, and indefatigable in divising ways and
means for their moral, mental, and physical elevation. He appeared
to possess the unlimited personal and official confidence of his people ;
while both he and his two Councellors, forming the Presidency of the
Church, seemed to have but one object in view- the prosperity and
peace of the society over which they presided.

In their dealings with crowds of emmigrants that passed through
their city, the Mormons were very fair and upright, taking no ad-
vantage of the necessitous condition of many, if not most of them.
They sold them such provisions as they could spare, at moderate
prices, and such as they themselves paid in their dealings with each
other. In the whole of our intercourse with them, which lasted
rather more than a year, I cannot refer to a single instance of fraud
or extortion to which any of the party were subjected ; and I strongly
incline to the opinion that the charges that have been preferred against
them in this respect, arose either from interested misrepresentation or
erroneous information. I certainly never experienced anything like
it in my own case, nor did I witness or hear of any instance of it in
the case of others, while I resided among them. Too many that
passed through their settlement were disposed to disregard their
claim to the land they occupied ; to ridicule the municipal regulations
ot their city, and to trespass wantonly upon their rights. Such
offenders were promptly arrested by the authorities, made to pay a
severe fine, and in some instances were imprisoned, or made to labour
on the public works ; a punishment richly merited, and which would
have been inflicted on them in any civilized community. In short,
these people presented the appearance of a quiet, orderly, industrious,
and well organized society, as much so as one would meet with in
any city of the Union, having the rights of personal property as per-
fectly defined and as religiously respected as with ourselves, nothing

being father from their faith or practice than the spirit of communism,
which has been most erroneously supposed to prevail among them.
The main peculiarity of the people consists in their religious tenets,
the form and extent of the Church government (which is a theocracy),
and in the nature especially of their domestic relations.

Upon the action of the Executive in the appointment of the officers
within the newly-created Territory, it does not become me to offer
other than a very different opinon. Yet the opportunities of informa-
tion to which allusion has already been made, may perhaps justify
me in presenting the result of my owne observations upon this subject.
With all due deference, then, I feel constrained to say that in my
opinion the appointment of the President of the Mormon Church, and
head of the Mormon community, in preference to any other person to
the high office of Governor of the Territory, independent of its political
bearings, with which I have nothing to do, was a measure dictated
alike by justice and by sound policy. Intimately connected with
them from their exodus from Illinois, this man has been their Moses,
leading them through the wilderness to a remote and unknown land,
where they have since set up their tabernacle, and where they are
now building their Temple. Resolute in danger, firm and sagacious
in council, prompt and energetic in emergency, and enthusiastically
devoted to the honor and interests of his people, he had won their
unlimited confidence, esteem, and veneration, and held an unrivalled
place in their hearts. Upon the establishment of the provisional
government, he had been unanimously chosen as their highest civil
magistrate, and even before his appointment by the President, he
combined in his own person the triple character of confidential ad-
viser, temporal ruler and Prophet of God. Intimately acquainted with
their character, capacity, wants, and weakness ; identified now with
their prosperity, as he had formerly shared to the full in their adver-
sity and sorrows ; honored, trusted, the whole wealth of the communi-
ty placed in his hands, for the advancement both of the spiritual and
temporal interests of the infant settlement, he was surely of all others
the man best fitted to preside, under the auspices of the general go-
vernment, over a colony of which he may justly be said to be the
founder. No other man could have so entirely secured the confidence
of the people ; and this selection by the Executive of the man of
their choice, besides being highly gratifying to them, is recognised
as an assurance that they shall hereafter receive, at the hands of the
general government, that justice and consideration to which they are
entitled. Their confident hope now is that, no longer fugitives and
out-laws, but dwelling beneath the broad shadow of the national
a?gis, they will be subject no more to the violence and outrage which
drove them to seek a secure habitation in this far distant wilder-
ness.

CONSISTENCY AGAINST THE S. M. HERALD.

The " Sydney Morning Herald " some time ago published an
article in reference to Mormonism, which at that time we did not
deem worthy of notice. But that the public may see the unscrupu-
lous manner in which principles are attacked, and the entire disre-
gard to truth and justice that characterize these upholders of human
institutions, we have determined to publish the following letter, sent
through the post by one of our members, addressed to the Editors of
the " Sydney Morning Herald," which their sense of justice and
truth did not dispose them to publish. Mens' characters can be
blasted, institutions condemned, not by reason or scripture, but vitu-
peration. The cause which requires such support must be rotten at
the core. We observed an article in the last number of the "Chris-
tian Herald," in reference to G. J. Adams, who has not been con-
nected with the Church since 1846. We would just remind the
public that the Doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-
day Saints are either true or false, independent of the character of
any individual. We would take the present opportunity to inform
the conductors of the " Christian Herald," and all whom it may
interest, that, that which the world calls Mormonism has a foundation
or first principle. If these are true all the bad men in the world can-
not make them false, and if false the characters of all the good men
in the world cannot make them true. These principles are, 1st —
Faith in God and in His Son Jesus Christ ; 2nd— Repentance ; 3rd
— Baptism in water for the remission of sins ; 4th — Laying
on of hands for the Baptism of the Spirit, or the Gift of the Holy
Ghost. We would once more observe that if these principles are
true whatever Mormonism may,Presbyterianism must be wrong — not
because any of its ministers do wrong, or because any bad men are
identified with it, but because it is not founded on true principle ; and
we now bear our testimony that we know these principles to be true,
and we call upon all men every where to believe the gospel, to re-
pent of their sins and to be baptised by the servants of God for the
remission of their sins, that they may receive the gift of the Holy
Ghost — for the promise is unto you and to your children, and to all
that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
To the Editors of the "Sydney Morning Herald."

Gentlemen, — In your issue of Thursday, the 22nd instant, you
published as an English extract, an article purporting to be copied
from the " Swansea Herald, " headed Mormonism in Operation.
I think had you reflected upon the article in question its inconsistency
would have been so apparent, that if anything else could have been
found to fill up it would not have found a place.

But having sent it forth to the public— if you are actuated by the
spirit expressed in your motto you will readily give place to a few
remarks showing its falsity.

The context of said article associates it with the present presidency
and location of the Saints, This being the case I would ask yon,

Gentlemen, is there a St. Louis in the Utah territory ? is there an
Illinois there ? If not, how came he among the Mormons in the State
of Illinois ? Who were they ? what were the name of the authori-
ties referred to ? The world knows that the Saints were driven from
Nauvoo, Illinois, in 1845 ; at that they settled at the Great Salt
Lake in 1848, were they still continue to build up the Kingdom of
God, and to prepare for the ingathering of the Saints who are mak-
ing a covenant with the Lord by sacrifice in the East, West, North and
South. If this man was en route for the Great Salt Lake, how came
he to go to Illinois, and having stopped there, pray how could he be
an eye witness of Mormonism in operation.

And as to the allusion to the case of the Judges, it is now noto-
rious that the Committee appointed by Congress to investigate the
case refused to make a report, and that President Filmore nominated
two of the principle office-bearers in the Church to fill the vacancies.

I am, Gentlemen, Yours, &c,

June, 29.

JOHN JONES.

SELECT POETRY.

Watchman ! tell us of the night,

What the signs of promise are ;
Traveller! o'er yon mountains height

See that glory beaming star :
Watchman ! does its beautious ray

Aught of hope or joy foretell ?
Traveller ! yes ; it brings the day,

Promis'd day of Israel.
Watchman ! tell us of the night,

Higher yet that star ascends ;
Traveller ! blessedness and light,
Peace and truth its course protonds:

Watchman ! will its beam alone

Gild the spot that gave them birth ?

Traveller ! ages are its own,
Sec, it bursts o'er all the earth.
Watchman ! tell us of the night,

Por the morning seems to dawn ;
Traveller ! darkness takes its flight,

Doubt and terror are withdrawn ;
Watchman ! let thy wanderings cease :

Hie thee to thy quiet home ?
Traveller ! lo ! the Prince of Peace

Lo ! the son of God is come.

NOTICES.

Persons desirous of becoming Subscribers for the " Zion's Watch-
man " can give in their Names and Subscriptions (Price 3d. per No.)
to

Elder Augustus Farnham, 12, Parramatta-street, Sydney.

" William Robb, George-street, Sydney.

" William Hyde, Hunter River District.

" Charles Stapely, Williams River.

" John M'Carthy, Hunter River District.

" Burr Frost, Melbourne.

" Absalam P. Dowdle, Adelaide.

" Joshiah W. Fleming, Camden.

" John S. Eldridge.

Edited and Published by A. Farnham, Sydney.

THE ZION'S WATCHMAN,

PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE

Cfiurcft of 3e£tts (Sfjrtdt of 3tattet>Bag &a&ft£,

IN SYDNEY.
Nos. 2-3. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1853. Vol. I.

A SERMON ON
PLURALITY OF WIVES,

Delivered in the Tabernacle at Great Salt Lake, August 29th, 1852, at 10
a. m., by Orson Pratt, one of the twelve Apostels of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints.
It is well known to the congregation before me, that the Latter Day
Saints have embraced the doctrine of a plurality of wives, as a part of
their religious faith. It is not, as many have supposed, a doctrine
embraced by them to gratify the carnal lusts and feelings of man j that
is not the object of the doctrine.

We shall endeavour to set forth before this enlightened assembly,
some of the causes why the Almighty has revealed such a doctrine,
and why it is considered a part and portion of our religious faith.
And I believe that they will not, under our present form of govern-
ment, ( I mean the government of the United States,) try us for
treason for believing and practising our religious notions and ideas.
I think if I am not mistaken, that the constitution gives the privilege
to all the inhabitants of this country, of the free exercise of their re-
ligious notions, and the fredom of their faith, and the practice of it.
Then it can be proven to a demonstration, that the Latter Day Saints
have actually embraced, as a part and portion of their religion, the
doctrine of a plurality of wives, it is constitutional. And should
there ever be laws enacted by this government to restrict them from
the free exercise of this part of their religion, such laws must be un-
constitutional.

But, says the objector, we cannot see how this doctrine can be em-
braced as a matter of religion and faith ; we ean hardly conceive how
it can be embraced only as a kind of domestic concern, something that
pertains to domestic pleasures, in no way connected with religion. In
reply we will show you that it is incorporated as a part of our religion,
and necessary for our exortation to the fulness of the Lord's glory in
the eternal world. Would you like to know the reasons ? Before we
get through, we will endeavour to tell you why we consider it an es-
sential doctrine to glory and exaltation, to our fulness of happiness in
the world to come.

We will first make a few preliminary remarks in regard to the ex-
istance of man, — to his first existance in his first estate ; and then
say something in relation to his present state, and the bearing which
in has upon his next or future state.

10
The Mormons have a peculiar doctrine in regard to our pre-existence,
different from the views of the christian world, so called, who do not
believe that man had a pre-existence. It is believed by the religious
world, that man, both body and spirit, begins to live about the time
that he is born into this world or a little before ; that then is the be-
ginning of life.— They believe, that the Lord, by a direct act of cre-
ation, formed, in the first place, man out of the dust of the ground;
and they believe that man is possessed of both body and spirit, by the
union of which he became a living creature. Suppose we admit this
doctrine concerning the formation of the body from the dust ; then
how was the spirit formed ? Why, says one, we suppose it was made
by a direct act of creation, by the Almighty himself, that he moulded
the spirit of man, formed and finished it in a proper likeness to in-
habit the tabernacle he had made out of the dust.

Have you any account of this in the Bible ? Do the scriptures de-
clare that the spirit was formed at the time the tabernacle was made?
No. All the tabernacles of the children of men that were ever
formed, from remote generations, from the day of Adam to this time,
have been formed out of the earth. We are of the earth, earthly.
The tabernacle has been organized according to certain principles,
and laws of organization with bones, and flesh, and sinews, and skin.
Now where do you suppose all these tabernacles got their spirits ?
Does the Lord make a new spirit every time a tabernacle is made ?
If so, the work of creation, according to the belief of Christendom, did
not cease on the seventh day. If we admit their views, the Lord
must be continually making spirits to inhabit all the tabernacles of
the children of men; he must make something like one thousand
millions of spirits every century ; he must be working at it every day
for there are many hundreds of individuals being born into the world
every day. Does the Lord create a new spirit every time a new
tabernacle comes into the world ? That does not look reasonable, or
God like.

But how is it, you enquire? Why the fact is, that being that ani-
mates this body, that gives life and energy, and power to move, to
act, and to think — that being that dwells within this tabernacle is
much older than what the tabernacle is. That spirit that dwells
within each man, and each woman, of this vast assembly of people, is
more than a thousand years old, and I wouW venture to say, that it
is more than five thousand years old.

But how was it made? When was it made? And by whom was it
made? If our spirits existed thousands of years ago, — if they began
to exist ; if there were a beginning to their organization, by what
process was this organization carried on? Through what medium,
and by what system of laws? Was it by a direct creation of the
Almighty? or were we framed according to a certain system of laws
in the same manner as our tabernacles? If we were to reason from
analogy — if we admit analogical reasoning in the question, what
would we say ? We should say, that our spirits were formed
by generation, the same as the body or tabernacle of flesh and bones.
But what says revelation upon the subject? we will see whether re-

11

We read of a certain time when the corner stones of the earth
were laid, and the foundations thereof were made sure — of a certain
time when the Lord began to erect this beautiful and glorious habita-
tion, the earth, then they had a time of joy. I do not know whether
they had instruments of music or whether they were engaged in the
dance ; but one thing is certain, they had great joy and the heavens
resounded with their shouts ; yea, the Lord told Job, that all the sons
of God shouted for joy, and the morning stars sang together, when
the foundations of this globe were laid.

The SONS of God, recollect, shouted for joy, because there was a
beautiful habitation, being built, so that they could get tabernacles
and dwell thereon : they expected the time — they looked forward to
the period ; and it was joyful to them, to reflect, that the creation
was about being formed, the corner stone of it was laid, on which
they might in their times, and in their seasons, and in their genera-
tions, go forth and receive tabernacles for their spirits to dwell in.
Do you bring it home to yourselves, brethren and sisters? Do you
realise that you and I were there? Can you bring it to your minds
that you and I were among that happy number that shouted for joy
when this creation was made? Says one, I don't recollect it. No
wonder ! for your recollection is taken from you, because you are in
a tabernacle that is earthly ; and all this is right and necessary. The
same is written of Jesus Christ himself, who had to descend below all
things. Though he had wisdom to assist in the organization of this
world ; though it was through him, as the great leader of all these
sons of God, the earth was framed, and framed too, by the assistance
of all his younger brethren, — yet we find, with all that great and
mighty power he possessed, and the great and superior wisdom that
was in his bosom, that after all, his judgement had to be taken away;
in his humiliation, his reason, his intelligence, his knowledge, and
the power that he was formerly in possession of, vanished from him
as he entered into the infant tabernacle. He was obliged to begin
down at the lowest principles of knowledge, and ascend upward by
degrees, receiving grace for grace, truth for truth, knowledge for
knowledge, until he was filled with all the fulness of the Father, and
was capable of ruling, governing, and controling all things, having
ascended above all things. Just so with us ; we that once lifted up
our united voices as sons and daughters of God, and shouted for joy
at the laying of the foundation of this earth, — have come here and
taken tabernacles, after the pattern of our elder brother; and in our
humiliation, (for it is humiliation to be deprived of knowledge we
once had, and the power we once enjoyed) in our humiliation, just
like our elder brother, our judgement is taken away. Do we not
read also in the bible, that God is the Father of our spirits?

We have ascertained that we have had a previous existance. We
find that Solomon, that wise man says that when the body returns
to the dust, the spirit returns to God who gave it. Now all of this
congregation very well know, that if we never existed there, we
could not return there. I could not return to California ; — why ?
because, I never have been there. If you never were with the Father,
the same as Jesus was before the foundation of the world, you never

12
could return there, any more than I could to the West Indies, where
I have never been. But if we have once been there, then we can see
the force of the saying of the wise man, that the spirit returns to
God who gave it ; it goes back where it once was.

Much more evidence might be derived in relation to this subject,
even from the English translation of the bible, but I do not feel dis-
posed to dwell too long upon any particular testimony ; suffice it to
say that the Prophet Joseph Smith's translation of the fore part of
the book of Geneses is in print, and is exceedingly plain upon this
matter. In this inspired translation we find the pre-existance of man
clearly laid down, and that the spirits of all men, male and female,
did have an existance, before man was formed out of the dust of the
ground. But who was their father? I have already quoted a saying
that God is the Father of our spirits.

In one sense of the word, there are more Gods than one ; and in
another sense there is but one God. The scriptures speak of more
Gods than one. Moses was called a God to Aaron in plain terms ;
and our Savior, when speaking upon this subject, says, "if the scrip-
tures called them Gods unto whom the word of God came, why is it
that you should seek to persecute me, and kill me, because I
testify that I am the Son of God?" This in substance, was the word
of our Savior ; those to whom the word of God came are called Gods
according to his testimony. All these beings of course are one, the
same as the Father and the Son are one. The Son is called God, and
so is the Father, and in some places the Holy Ghost is called God.

They are one in power, in wisdom, in knowledge, and in the inhe-
ritance of celestial glory ; they are one in their works ; they possess all
things, and all things are subject to them; they act in unison; and if
one has power to become the Father of spirits, so has another ; if one
God can propagate his species, and raise up spirits after his own image
and likeness, and call them his sons and daughters, so can all other
Gods that become like him, do the same things; consequently, there
will be many fathers, and there will be many families, and many sons
and daughters, and there will be the children of those glorified, ce-
lestial beings that are counted worthy to be Gods.

Here let me bring for the satisfaction of the saints, the testimony
of the vision, given to our prophet and revelator, John Smith, and
Sidney Ridgon, on the 16th day of February, 1832. They were en-
gaged in translating the New Testament by inspiration ; and while
engaged in this great work, they came to the 29th verse of the fifth
chapter of John, which was given to them in these words : " they
who have done good in the resurrection of the just, and they who
have done evil in the resurrection of the unjust." This being given
in different words from the English translation, caused them to marvel
and wonder ; they lifted up their hearts in prayer to God, that he
would show them why it was that this should be given to them in a dif-
ferent manner ; and behold, the visions of heaven opened before them.
They gazed upon the eternal worlds, and saw things before this world
was made. They saw the spiritual creation who were to come forth
and take upon themselves bodies; and they saw things as they are to
be in future ; they saw the celestial, terrestial, and telestial worlds, as

13
well as the sufferings of the ungodly ; all passed before them in their
great and glorious vision. And while they were yet gazing upon
things as they were before the world was made, they were command-
ed to wright saying "this is the testimony, last of all, which we give
of him, that he lives ; for we saw him, even on the right hand of God
and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten
of the Father; that by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds
are, and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons
and daughters unto God." Notice this last expression, "the inhabi-
tants thereof, are begotten sons and daughters unto God," (meaning
the different worlds that have been created and made.) Notice, this
does not say that God, whom we serve and worship, was actually
the Father himself, in his own person, of all these sons and daughters
of the different worlds ; but they "are begotten sons and daughters
unto God," that is, begotten by those who are made like him, after
his image, and in his likeness they begat sons and daughters, and
begat them unto God, to inhabit these different worlds we have been
speaking of. But more of this if we have time before we getthrouoh.

We now come to the second devision of our subject, or the entrance
of these spirits upon their second estate, or their birth and existence
in mortal tabernacles. We are told that among this great familv of
spirits, some were noble and greater than others, having more intelli-
gence.

Where do you read that, says one? Out of the book of Abraham,
translated from the Egyptian Papyrus by the Prophet Joseph Smith.
Among the great and numerous family of spirits, — (" the begotten
sons and daughters unto God,1') there are some more intelligent than
others, and the Lord showed unto Abraham, "the intelligencies that
were organized before the world was, and among all these there were
many of the noble and great ones." And God said to Abraham,
"thou art one of them, thou wast chosen before thou wast born."
Abraham was chosen before he was born. Here then is knowledge,
if we had time to notice it, upon the doctrine of election. However,
I may just remark, it does not mean unconditional election to eternal
life, of a certain class, and the rest : doomed to eternal damnation.
Suffice to say, that Abraham and many others of the great and noble
ones in the family of spirits, were chosen before they were born, for
certain purposes, to bring about certain works, to have the privilege of
coming upon the stage of action, among the host of men, in favorable
circumstances. Some came through good and holy parentages, to
fulfil certain things the Lord decreed should come to pass, from before
the foundations of the world.

rihe Lord has ordained that these spirits should come here and
take tabernacles by a certain law, through a certain channel ; and
that law is the law of marriage. There are a great many things
that I will pass by ; I perceive that if I were to touch upon all these
principles, the time allotted for this discourse would be too short,
therefore I am under the necessity of passing by many things in rela-
tion to these spirits in their first estate, and the laws that governed
them there, and come to their second estate.

The Lord ordained marriage between male and female as a law

14

through which spirits should come here and take tabernacles, and
enter into the second state of existance. The Lord himself solemnized
the first marriage pertaining to this globe, and pertaining to flesh and
bones here upon this earth. I do not say pertaining to mortality; for
when the first marriage was celebrated, no mortality was there. The
first marriage that we have any account of, was between two im-
mortal beings, old father Adam, and old mother Eve ; they were im-
mortal beings ; death had no dominion — no power over them ; they
were capable of enduring for ever and ever, in their organization.
Had they fulfilled the law, and kept within certain conditions, and
bounds, their tabernacles would never have been seized by death ;
death entered entirely by sin, and sin alone. This marriage was
celebrated between two immortal beings ; for how long ? until death ?
No. That was entirely out of the question ; there could have been
no such thing in the ceremony.

What would you consider, my hearers, if a marriage was to be
celebrated between two beings not subject to death ? Would you
consider them joined together for a certain number of years, and
that then all their covenants were to cease for ever, and the marriage
contract be dissolved ? Would it look reasonable and consistent ?
No. Every heart would say that the work of God is perfect in and
of itself, and inasmuch as sin had not brought imperfection upon the
globe, what God joined together, could not be dissolved, and destroy-
ed, and torn assunder by any power beneath the celestial world, con-
sequently it was eternal ; the ordinance of union was eternal ; the
sealing of the great Jehovah upon Adam and Eve was eternal in its
nature; and was never instituted for the purpose of being overthrown
and brought to an end. It is known that the Mormons are a pecu-
liar people about marriage ; we believe in marrying, not only for
time, but for all eternity. This is a curious idea, says one, to be mar-
ried for all eternity. It is not curious at all ; for when we come to
examine the scriptures, we find that the very first example set for
the whole human family as a pattern instituted for us to follow, was
not instituted until death, for death had no dominion at that time,
but it was an eternal blessing pronounced upon our first parents. I
have not time to explain further the marriages of Adam and Eve ; but
will pass on to their posterity.

It is true, that they became fallen but there is a redemption. But
some may consider that the redemption only redeemed us in part,
that is, merely from some of the effects of the fall. But this is not
the case ; every man and woman must see at once that a redemption
must include a complete restoration of all privileges lost by the fall.

Suppose, then, that the fall was of such a nature as to dissolve the
marriage covenent by death, — which is not necessary to admit, for
the covenent was sealed previous to the fall, and we have no account
that it was dissolved — but suppose this was the case ; would not the
redemption be equally as broad as the fall, to restore the posterity of
Adam back to that which they lost ? and if Adam and Eve were mar-
ried for all eternity, the ceremony was an everlasting ordinance, that
they twain should be one flesh for ever ; if you and I should ever be
accounted worthy to be restored back from our fallen and degraded

15
condition to the privileges enjoyed before the fall, should we not have
an everlasting marriage seal, as it was with our first progenetorsV If
we had no other reasons in all the Bible, this would be sufficient to
settle the case at once in the mind of every reflecting man and woman,
that inasmuch as the fall of man has taken away any privileges in
regard to the union of male and female, these privileges must be re-
stored in the redemption of man, or else it is not complete.

What is the object of this union? is the next question. We are told the
object of it is clearly expressed; for, says the Lord unto the male and
female, I command you to multiply and replenish the earth. And in-
asmuch as we have proved that the marriage ordinance was eternal in
its nature, previous to the fall ; if we are restored back to what was
lost by the fall, we are restored for the purpose of carrying out the
commandment given before the tall, namely, to multiply and replenish
the earth. — Does it say, continue to multiply for a few years, and
then the marriage contract must cease, and there shall be no further
opportunity of carrying out this command, but it shall have an end ?
No. there is nothing specified of this kind ; but the fall has brought
in disunion through death ; it is not a part of the original plan ; con-
sequently, when male and female are restored from the fall, by virtue
of the everlasting and eternal covenant of marriage, they will con-
tinue to increase and multiply to all ages of eternity, to rise up beings
after their own order, and in their likeness and image, germs of
intelligence, that are destined, in their times and seasons to become
only sons of God, but Gods themselves.

This accounts tor the many worlds we heard elder Grant speaking
about yesterday afternoon ; the peopling of worlds, or an endless in-
crease, even of one family, would require an endless increase of
worlds ; and if one family were to be united in the eternal covenant
of marriage, to fulfil that great commandment, to multiply his species
and propogate them; and if there be no end to the increase of his
posterity, it would call for an endless increase of new worlds ; and if
one family calls for this, what would innumerable millions of families
call for? They would call for as many worlds as have already been
discovered by the telescope ; yea the number must be multiplied to
infinity in order that there may be room for the inheritance of the
sons and daughters of the Gods. Do you begin to understand how
these worlds get their inhabitants ? Have you learned that the sons
and daughters of God before me this day are his offspring — made
after his own image ; that they are to multiply their species until they
become innumerable ?

Let us say a few words before we leave this part of the subject on
the promises made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The promises
were, lift up your eyes, and behold the stars; so thy seed shall be
as numberless as the stars. What else did he promise ? Go to the
sea shore, and look at the ocean of sand, and behold the smallness of
particles thereof, and then realize that your seed shall be as number-
less as the sand. Now let us take this into consideration. How large
a bulk of sand would it take to make as many inhabitants as there are
now upon the earth ? In about one cubic foot of sand, reckoning
the grains of a certain size, there would be a thousand million parti-

16
eles. Now that is about the estimated population of our globe. If
our earth were to continue 8,000 years, or eighty centuries, with an
average population of one thousand millions per centuary, then three
cubic yards of sand would contain a greater number of particles than
the whole population of the globe from the beginning until the mea-
sure of the inhabitants of this creation is complete. If men then
cease to multiply, where is the promise made to Abraham ? Is it
fulfilled ? — No. If that is the end of his increase behold the Lord's
promise is not fulfilled. For the amount of sand, representing his
seed, might all be drawn in a one-horse cart ; and yet the Lord said
to Abraham, thy seed shall be as numerous as the sand upon the sea
shore ; that is, to carry out the idea in full, it was to be endless ; and
therefore there must be an infinity of worlds for their residence. We
cannot comprehend infinity. But suffice it to say, if all the sands on
the sea shore were numbered, says the Prophet Enoch, then all the
particles of the earth besides, and then the particles of millions of
earths like this, it would not be a beginning to all thy creations, and
yet thou art there, and thy bosom is there, and thy curtains are
stretched out still. This gives plenty of room for the fulfilment of the
promise made to Abraham, and enough to spare for the fulfilment of
similar promises to all his seed. We read that those who do the
works of Abraham, are to be blessed with the blessing of Abraham.
Have you not, in the ordinances of this last dispensation, had the
blessings of Abraham pronounced upon your heads? 0 yes, you say,
I well recollect, since God has restored the everlasting priesthood, that
by a certain ordinance these blessings were placed upon our heads,
the blessings of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Why, says one, I never
thought of it in this light before. Why did you not think of it ? Why
not look upon Abraham's blessings as your own, for the Lord blessed
him with a promise of seed as numerous as the sands upon the sea
shore, so will you be blessed, or else you will not inherit the blessings
of Abraham. How did Abraham manage to get a foundation laid for
this mighty kingdom ? Was he to accomplish it all through one wife?
No. Sarah gave a certain woman to him whose name was Hagar,
and by her seed was to be raised up unto him. Is this all? No.
We read of his wife Keturah, and also of a plurality of wives and
concubines, — which he had, — from whom he raised up many sons.
Here, then, was a foundation laid, for the fulfilment of the great and
grand promise, concerning the multiplicity of his seed. It would
have been rather a slow process, if Abraham had been confined to
one wife like some of those narrow, contracted nations of modern
Christianity.

I think there is only about one fifth of the population of the globe,
that believe in the one-wife system ; the other four-fifths believe
in the doctrine of a plurality of wives. They have had it handed
down from time im-memorial, and are not half so narrow and con-
tracted in their minds, as some of the nations of Europe and America,
who have done away with the promises, and deprived themselves of
the blessings of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The nations do not
know anything about the blessings of Abraham ; and even those who
have only one wife, cannot get rid of their covetousness, and get their

17
little hearts large enough to share their property with a numerous
family ; they are so penurious, and so narrow contracted, in their
feelings, that they take every possible care not to have their families
large ; they do not know what is in the future, nor what blessings
they are depriving themselves of, because of the traditions of their
fathers, they do not know that a man's posterity, in the eternal
worlds, are to constitute his glory, his kingdom, and dominion.

Here, then, wTe perceive, just from this one principle reasoning from
the blessings of Abraham alone, the necessity, — if we would partake
of the blessings of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, — of doing their works:
and he that will not do the works of Abraham, and walk in his foot-
steps, will be deprived of his blessings.

Again, let us look at Sarah's peculiar position in regard to Abra-
ham. She understood the whole matter ; she new that unless seed
was raised up to Abraham, that he would come short of his glory ;
and she understood the promise of the Lord, and longed for Abraham
to have seed. And when she saw that she was old, and fearing that
she should not have the privilege of raising up seed, she gave to
Abraham, Hegar. Would Gentile Christendom do such things now-
a-days ? Oh no ; they would consider it enough to send a man to an
endless hell of fire and brimstone. Why'? Because tradition has
instilled this in their minds as a dreadful, awful thing.

It matters not to them how corrupt they are in female prostitution,
if they are not lawfully married to only one wife ; but it would be
considered an awful thing by them to raise up a posterity from more
than one wife ; this would be wrong indeed ;— but to go into a bro-
thel, and there debauch themselves in the lowest haunts of degrada-
tion all the days of their lives, they consider only a trifling thing;
nay, they can even license such institutions in christian nations, and
it all passes off very well.

That is tradition ; and their posterity have been fostered, and
brought up in the footsteps of wickedness. This is death, as it stalks
abroad among the great and popular cities of Europe and America.

Do you find such haunts of prostitution, degradation and misery
here, in the cities of the mountains? No. Were such things in our
midst, we should feel indignant enough to see such persons blotted
out of the page of exist ance. These would be the feelings of this
community.

Look upon those who committed such iniquity in Israel, in ancient
days ; every man and woman who committed adultery, were put to
death. I do not say that this people are going to do this ; but I will
tell you what we believe ; — we believe it ought to be done.

Whoredom, adultery, and fornication, have cursed the nations of (he
earth for many generations, and are increasing fearfully upon the
community; but they must be entirely done away from those who call
themselves the people of God ; if they are not, wee! woe! be unto
them also, for "thus saith the Lord God Almighty," in the Book of
Mormon, "woe unto them that commit whoredoms, for they shall be
thrust down to hell ! " There is no getting away from it. Such
things will not be allowed in this community ; and such characters will
find that the time will come that that God whose eyes are upon all the

is

children of men, and who cfiscerneth the tilings that are dune in secret,
will bring their acts to light, and they will be made an example before
the people, and shame and infamy will cleave to their posterity after
them, unto the third and fourth generation of them that repent not.

How is this to be prevented ? — for we have got a fallen nature to
grapple with. It is to be prevented in the way the Lord devised
in ancient times ; that is, by giving to his faithful servants a plurali-
ty of wives, by which a numerous and faithful posterity can be raised
up, and taught in the principles of righteousness and truth ; and then,
after they fully understand those principles that were given to the
ancient patriarchs, if they keep not the law of God, and commit
adultery, and transgressions of this kind, let their names be blotted
out from under heaven, that they may have no place among the people
of God.

But again, there is another reason why this plurality should exist
among the Latter Day Saints — I have already given you one reason,
and that is, that you might inherit the blessings and promises made
to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and receive a continuation of your pos-
terity, that they become as numerous as the sand upon the sea shore.
There is another reason, and a good one, too — What do you suppose
it is ? I will tell you ; and it will appear reasonable to every man and
woman of a reflecting mind. Do we not believe, as the scriptures, have
told us, that the wicked nations of the earth are doomed to destructi-
on"? Yes; we believe it. Do we not also believe, as the prophets
have foretold, concerning the last days, as well as what the new re-
velation have said upon the subject, that darkness prevails upon the
earth, and gross darkness upon the minds of the people; and not only
this, but that all flesh has corrupted its way upon the face of the
earth; that is, that all nations, speaking of them as nations, have cor-
rupted themselves before the Most High God, by their wickedness,
whoredoms, idolatries, abominations, adulteries, and all other kinds of
wickedness? And we furthermore believe, that according to the
Jewish prophets, as well as the Book of Mormon, and modern revela-
tions, given in the Book of doctrine and Covenants, that the sword of
the vengeance of the Almighty is already unsheathed, and streched
out, and will no more be put back into the scabbard, until it falls
upon the head of the nations, until they are destroyed, except they
repent. What else do we believe? We believe that God is gather-
ing oui from among these nations those who will harken to his voice,
and receive the proclamation of the gospel, to establish them as a
people alone by themselves, where they can be instructed in the right
way, and brought to the knowledge of the truth. Very well ; if this
be the case, that the righteous are gathering out, and are still being
gathered from among the nations, and being planted by themselves,
one thing is certain, that that people are better calculated to bring up
children in the right way than any other under the whole heavens.
0 yes, says one, if that is the case, — if you are the people the ancient
prophets have spoken of — if you are the people that are guided by the
Lord, you are under the influence, power, and guideance of the Al-
mighty, you must be the best people under heaven, to dictate the
young mind: — but what has that to do with the plurality of wives?

19
I will tell you. 1 have, already told you that tlie spirits of men and
women, all had a previous exisiance, thousands of years ago, in the
heavens, in the presence of God, and I have already told you that
among them are many spirits that are more noble, more intelligent
than others, that arc called the great and mighty ones, reserved until
the dispensation of the fullness of times, to come forth upon the face
of the earth, through a noble parentage, that shall train their young
and tender minds in the truth of eternity, thay may grow up in the
Lord and be strong in the power of his might ; be clothed upon with
his glory; be filled with exceeding great faith; that the visions of
eternity may be opened to their minds ; that they may be prophets,
priests, and kings to the Most High God. Do you believe, says one,
that they are reserved until the last dispensation, for such a noble
purpose? Yes ; and among the saints is the most likely place for
these spirits to take their tabernacles — through a just and righteous
parentage. They are to be sent to that people that are the most righteous
of any other people upon the earth ; there to be trained up properly, ac-
cording to their nobility and intelligence, and according to the laws which
the Lord ordained before they were born. This is the reason why the
Lord is sending them here, brethren and sisters ; they are appointed to
come and take their bodies here, that in their generations they may be raia«
ed up among the righteous. The Lord has not kept them in store for five
or six thousand years past, and kept them waiting for their bodies all this
time, to send them among the Hottentots, the African negroes, the Idola-
trous Hindoos, or any other of the fallen nations that dwell upon the face of
this earth They are not kept in reserve in order to come forth to receive
such a degraded parentage upon the earth ; no ; the Lord is not such a
being ; his justice, goodness, and mercy will be magnified towards
fthose who were chosen before they were born ; and they long to come, and
they will come among the saints of the living God '} this would be their
highest pleasure and joy, to know that they could have the privilege of being
born of such noble Parentage.

Then is it not reasonable and consistant, that the Lord should say unto
his faithful and chosen servants, that had proved themselves before him all
the day long — that had been ready and willing to do whatsoever his will re-
quired them to perform, — take unto yourselves more wives, like unto the
Patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob of old — like those who lived in anci-
ent times, who walked in my footsteps, and kept my commands 1 Why
should they not do this ? Suppose the Lord should answer this question
—would he not say, I have here in reserve, noble spirits, that have been
waiting for thousands of years, to come forth in the fullness of times, and
which I designed should come forth through these my faithful and chosen
servants, for I know they will do my will, and they will teach their children
after them to do it. — Would not this be the substance of the language, if the
Lord should give us an answer upon this subject ?

But then another question will arise ; how are these things to be conduct-
ed ? Are they to be left at random ? Is every servant of God at liberty to
run here, and there, seeking out the daughters of men as wives unto them-
selves, without any restriction, law, or condition? No! we find these things
were restricted in ancient times. Do you not recollect the circumstance of
the prophet Nathan's coming to David ? He came to reprove him for cer-
tain disobedience, and told him about the wives he had lost through it; that
the Lord would give them to another ; and he told him if he had been faith-

20
ful, that the Lord would have given him stil more, if he had only asked for
them. Nathan the prophet, in relation to David, was the man that held the
keys concerning this matter in ancient days, and it was governed by the
strictest laws.

So in these days ; let me announce to this congregation, and there is but one
man in all the world, at the same time, who can hold the keys of this matter;
but one man has power to turn the key to enquire of the Lord, and to say
whether I, or these my brethren, or any of the rest of this congregation, or
the saints upon the face of the whole earth, may have this blessing of Abra-
ham conferred upon them ; he holds the keys of these matters now, the same
as Nathan, in his day.

But, says one, how have you obtained this information ? By new revela-
tion. When wss it given, and to whom ? It was given to our prophet, Seer,
and revelator, Joseph Smith, on the 12th day of July, 1843; only about
eleven months before he was martyred for the testimony of Jesus.

He held the keys of these matters; he had the right to enquire of the
Lord : and the Lord his set bounds, and restrictions to these things ; he has
told us in that revelation, that only one man can hold these keys upon the
earth at the same time ; and they belong to that man who stands at the head,
to preside over all the affairs of the church and kingdom of God in the last
days. They are the sealing keys of power, or in other words, of Elijah,
having been committed and restored to the earth by Elijah, the prophet,
who held manv keys, among which were the keys of sealing, to bind the
hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, together
with all the other sealing keys and powers, pertaining to the last dispensa-
tion. They were committed by that Angel who administered in the Kirtland
Temple, and spoke unto Joseph, the prophet, at the time of the endow-
ments in that house.

Now let us enquire, what will become of those individuals who have this
law taught unto them in plainness, if they reject it ? [A voice in the stand,
they will be damned.] I will tell you, they will be damned saita the Lord
God Almighty, in the Revelation he has given. Why ? Because where
much is given much is required ; where there is grest knowledge unfolded,
for the exaltation, glory and happiness of the sons and daughters of God, if
they close up their hearts, if they reject the testimony of his word and will
not give heed to the principles he has ordained for their good, they are
worthy of damnation, and the Lord has said they shall be damned. This
was the word of the Lord to his servant Joseph the prophet himself. With
all the knowledge and light he had, he must comply with it, or says the Lord
unto him, you shall be damned ; and the same is true in regard to all those
who reject these things.

What else have we heard from our President? he has related to us that
there are some damnations that are eternal in their nature, while others are
but for a certain period, they will have an end, they will not receive a res-
toration to their former priviliges, but a deliverance from certain punish-
ments ; and instead of being restored to all the privileges pertaining to man
previous to the fall, they will be only permitted to enjoy a certain grade of
happiness, not a full restoration. Let us enquire after those who are to be
damned, admitting they will be redeemad, which they will be unless they
have sinned against the Holy Ghost. They will be redeemed, but what will
it be to ? Will it be to exaltation and to a fullness of glory ? Will it be to
become the sons of God, or Gods to reign upon thrones, and multiply their
posterity and reign over them as king>, ? JNo, they will not. '1 hey have
lost that exalted privilege for ever ; . though they may, after having

21
been punished for long periods, escape by the skin of their teeth ; but no
kingdom will be conferred upon them. What will be their condition ? I
will tell you what revalation says, not only concerning them that reject these
things, but concerning those that through their carelessness, or want of faith
or something else, have failed to have their marriages sealed for time and for
all eternity ; those who do not do these things, so as to have the same
ordinances sealed upon their heads by divine authority as was upon the
head of old Father Adam — if they fail to do it through wickedness, through
their ungodliness — behold, they also will never have the privilege of pos-
sessing that which is possessed by the Gods that hold the k--ys of power, of
coming up to the thrones of their exaltation, and receiving their kingdoms.
Why? Because, saith the Lord all oaths, all covenants and ah agreements,
&c, that have been made by man, and not by me, and by the authority I
have established, shall cease when deatli shall separate the parties ; that is
the end, that is the cessation, they go no further, and such a person cannot
come up in the morning of the resurrection, and say, behold I claim you as
my wife, you are mine, I married you in the other world before death,
therfore you are mine; he cannot say this. Why? Because lie never
married that person for eternity.

Suppose they should enter into covenant and agreement and conclude
between themselves to live together to all eternity, and never have it sealed
by the Lord's sealing power, by the holy priesthood, would they have anv
claim on each other in the morning of the resurrection ? No ; it would not
be valid or legal and the Lord would say it was not by him ; your covenants
were not sealed on the earth, and therefore they are not sealed in the
heavens ; they are not recorded in my book, they are not to be found in the
records that are in the archives of eternity ; therefore the blessings you
might have had, are not for you to enjoy. What will be their condition?
the Lord has told us. He says these are angels ; because they keep not
this law they shall be ministering servants unto those who are worthy of ob-
taining a more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, wherefore, saith the
Lord, they shall remain singly and separately in their saved condition, and
shall not have power to enlarge themselves, and thus shall they remain for
ever and ever.

Here, then, you can read their history ; they are not Gods, but they are
angels or servants to the Gods. There is a difference between the two
classes; the Gods are exalted ; they hold keys of power, are made kings and
priests, and this power is conferred upon them in time by the everlasting
priesthood to hold a kingdom in eternity that shall never be taken trom them
worlds without end, and they will propagate their species. They are not
servants: for one God is not to be a servant to another God ; they are not
angels; and this is the reason why Paul said, know ye not brethren that we
shall judge angels ?• Angels are inferior to the saints who are exalted as
kings. These angels who are to be judged and to become servants to the
Gods did not keep the law, therefore, though they are saved, they are to
be servants te those who are in a higher condition.

What does the L^rd intend to do with this people? He intends to make
them a kingdom of Kings and Priests, a kingdom unto himself, or in other
words a kingdom of Gods, if they will hearken to his law. There will be
many who will not hearken, there will be the f< olish among the wise who
will not receive the new and everlasting covenant in its fullness, and they
never will attain to their exaltation, they never will be counted worthy to
hold the sceptre of power over a numerous progeny, that shall multiply
themselves without end, like the sand upon the sea shore.

22

We can only totich here and there upon this great subject, we can only
offer but a few words with regard to this great, sublime, beautiful, and
glorious doctrine which has been revealed by the prophet, Seer, and revela-
tor, Joseph Smith, who sealed his testimony with his blood, and thus re-
vealed to the nations things that were in ancient times, as well as things
that are to come.

But while I talk, the vision of my mind is opened ; the subject spreads
forth and branches out like the branches of a thrifty tree ; and as for the
glory of God, how great it is. I feel to say hallelujah to this great and
holy name ; lor he reigns in the heavens, and he will exalt his people to
sit with him upon the thrones of power to reign for ever and ever.

EEVELATIOE" given to Joseph Smith, llauvoo, July 12th, 1813.

Verily thus saith the Lord, unto you my servant Joseph, that inasmuch as you have enquired of my
hand to know and understand wherein I the Lord justified my servants, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob ;
as also Moses, David, and Solomon, my servants, as touching the principle and doctrine of their having
many wives and concubines. Behold ! and lo, I am the Lord thy God, and will answer thee as touching
this matter : Therefore prepare thy heart to receive and obey the instructions which I am about to give
unto you; for all those who have this law revealed unto them must obey the same ; for behold ! I reveal
unto you a new and an everlasting covenant, and if ye abide not that covenant, then are ye damned ;
for no one can reject this covenant, and be permitted to enter into my glory ; for all who will have a
blessing at my hands shall abide the law which was appointed for that blessing, and the conditions the-
reof, as was instituted from before the foundations of the world ; and as pertaining to the new and ever-
lasting covenant, it was instituted for the fulness of my glory ; and he that receiveth a fulness thereof,
must, and shall abide the law, or he shall be damned, saith the Lord God.

And verily I say unto you, that the conditions of this law are these : All covenants, contracts, bonds
obligations, oaths, vows, performances, connections, associations, or expectations, that are not made and
entered into, and sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, of him who is anointed, both as well for time and
for all eternity, and that too most holy, by revelation and commandment, through the medium of mine
anointed, whom I have appointed on the earth to hold this power, (and I have appointed unto my servant
Joseph to hold this power in the last days, and there is never but one on the earth at a time, on whom
this power and the keys of t'lis priesthood are conferred,) are of no efficacy, virtue, or force, in and
after the resurrection from the dead ; for all contracts that are not made unto this end, have an end when
men are dead.

Behold ! mine house is a house of ordei , saith the Lord God, and not a house of confusion. AVill I
accept of an offering, saith the Lord, that is not made in my name ! Or, will I receive at your hands,
that which I have not appointed ! And will I appoint unto you, saith the Lord, except it be by law, even
as I and my Father ordained unto you, before the world was ! I am the Lord thy God, and I give unto
you this commandment, that no man shall come unto the Father but by me, or by my word, which is my
law saith the Lord ; and every thing that is in the world, whether it be ordained of man, by thrones, or
principalities, or powers, or things of name, whatsoever they may be, that are not by me or by my word
saith the Lord, shall be thrown down and shall not remain after men are dead, neither in nor after the
resurrection, saith the Lord your God ; for whatsoever things remaineth are by me, and whatsoever
things are not by me, shall be shaken and destroyed.

Therefore if a man marry him a wife in the world, and he marry her not by me, nor by my word ; and
lie covenant with her, so long as he is in the world, and she with him, their covenant and marriage is not
of force when they are dead, and when they are out of the world; therefore, they are not
bound by any law when they are out of the world ; therefore, when they are out of the world, they
neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are appointed angels in heaven, which angels are minister-
ing servants, to minister for those, who are worthy of a far more, and an exceeding, and an eternal
weight of glory ; for these angels did not abide by law, therefore they cannot be enlarged, but remain
separately, and singly, without exaltation, in their saved condition, to all eternity, and from henceforth
are not Gods, but are angels of God for ever and ever.

And again, verily I say unto you, if a man marry a wife, and make a covenant with her for time, and
for all eternity, if that covenant is not by me, or by my word, which is my law, and is not sealed by the
Holy Spirit of promise, through him whom I have anointed and appointed into this power, then it is not
valid neither of force, when they are out of the world, because they are not joined by me, saith the Lord
neither by my word ; when they are out of the world, it cannot be received there, because the angels and
the Gods are appointed there, by whom tbey cannot pass ; they cannot, therefore, inherit my glory, for
my house is a house of order, saith the Lord God.

And: a°-ain, verily I say unto you, if a man marry a wife by my word, which is my law, and by the new
and everlasting covenant, and it is sealed unto them by the Holy Spirit of promise, by him who is anoint-
ed unto whom I have appointed this power, and the keys of this priesthood, and it shall be said unto
them ye shall come forth in the first resurrection ; and if it be after the first resurrection, in the next
resurrection ■ and shall inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers, dominions, all heights, and
depths then shall it be written in the Lamb's Book of Life, that he shall commit no murder, whereby to
shed innocent blood ; and if ye abide in my covenant, and commit no murder whereby to shed innocent
blood it shall be done unto them in all things whatsoever my servant hath put upon them, in time, and
through all eternity; and shall be of full force when they are out of the world, and tney shall pass by the
angels and the Gods, which arc set there, to their exaltation and glory in all tilings, as hath been sealed
upon their heads, which glory shall be a fulness and a continuation of the seeds for ever and ever.

28

Then shall they l>e Clods, because they have no eml ; therefore shall they be from everlasting tn ever-
lasting, because they continue ; then shall they be above alL because all things are subject unto them.
Then shall they be Gods, because they have all power, and the angels are subject unto them.

Verily, verily I say unto you, except ye abide my law, ye cannot attain to this glory ; for strait is the
gate, and narrow the Way, that leadeth unto exaltation and continuation of the lives, and tew there be
that fiud it, because ye receive me not in the world, neither do ye know me. But if ye receive me in the
world, then shall ye know me. and shall receive your exaltation, that where I am ye shall be also. This
is eternal lives, to know the only wise and true God, and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent. I am he. Re-
ceive ye, therefore, my law. Broad is the gate and wide the way that leadeth to the death; and many there
are that go in thereat ; because they receive me not, neither do they abide in my law.

Verily verily I say unto you, if a man marry a wife according to my word, and they are sealed by the
Holy Spirit of promise, according to mine appointment, and he or she shall commit, any ein or trans-
gression of the new and everlasting covenant whatever, and all manner of blasphemies, and if they com-
mit no murder, wherein they shed innocent blood, — yet they shall come forth in the first resurrection,
and enter into their exaltation but they shall be destroyed in the flesh, and shall be delivered unto the
buffetiugs of Satan, unto the day of redemption, saith the Lord God.

The Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, which shall not be forgiven in the world, nor out of the
world, is in that ye commit murder, wherein ye shed innocent blood, and ascent unto my death, after
ye have received my new and everlasting covenant saith the Lord God, and he that abideth not this
law, can in no wise enter into my glory, but shad be damned saith the Lord.

I am the Lord thy God, and will give unto thee the law of my Holy Priesthood, as was ordained* by'me,
and my Father, before the world was. Abraham received all things, whatsoever he received by revela-
tion and commandment, by my word, saith the Lord, and hath entered into his exaltation, and sitteth
upon his throne.

Abraham received promises concerning his seed, and of the fruit of his loins, — from whose loins ye
are, viz., my servant Joseph, — which were to continue, so long as they were in the world ; and as
touching Abraham and his seed, out of the world, they should continue ; both in the world and out of the
world should they continue as innumerable as the stars ; or, if ye were to count the sand upon the sea-
shore, ye could not number them. This promise is yours, also, because ye are of Abraham, and the
promise was made unto Abraham, and by this law are the continuation of the works of my Father,
wherein he gloririeth himself. Go ye, therefore, and do the works of Abraham, — enter ye into my law,
and ye shall bi* saved. But if ye enter not into my law, ye cannot receive the promises of my Father
which he made unto Abraham.

God commanded Abraham, and Sarah gave Hagar to Abraham, to wife. And why did he do it ?
Because this was the law, and from Hagar sprang many people. This, therefore, was fulfilling, among
other things, the promises. Was Abraham, therefore, under cot'denn ation ? Verily, 1 say U' to you.
Nay ; for I the Lord commanded it. Abraham was commanded to offer his sou Isaac, nevertheless, it
was written, thou shalt not kill. Abraham however, did not refuse, and it was accou. ted ui to him for
righteousness.

Abraham received concubines, and they bare him children, and it was accounted unto biro for righteous,
ness, because they were given unto him and he abode in my laws: as Isaac also, and Jacob did none other
things than that which they weie commanded, they have entered into their exaltation, according to the
promises, and sit upon thrones ; and are not angels, but are Gods. David also received many wives and
concubines, as also Solomon, and Moses, my servant; as also many otheis of my servants, from the be-
ginning of creation until this time; and in nothing did they sin, save in those things which they received not
of me.

David"s wives and concubines were given unto him, of me, by the hand of Nathan, my servant, and
others of the prophets who had the keys of his power ; and in none of these things did he sin against
me, save in the case of Uriah and his wife ; and. therefore, he bath fallen from his exaltation, and received
his portion ; and he shall not inherit them out of the world ; for I gave them to another, saith the Lord.

I am the Lord thy God, and I give unto thee, my servant Joseph, an appointment, andrestoie all things ;
ask what ye will, and it shall be given unto you, according to my word ; and as ye have asked concerning
adultery, — verily, verily, I say unto you, if a man receive a wife in the new and everlasting covenant,
and if she be with another man, and I have not appointed unto her by the holy anointing, she^bath committed
adultery and shall be destroyed. If she be not in the new and everlasting covenant, and she be with another
man, she has committed adultry; and if her husband be with another woman, and lie was under avow, he
hath broken his vow, and hath committed adultery ; and if she hath not committed adultery, but is innocent,
and hath not broken her vow, and she knoweih it, and I reveal it unto you, my servant Joseph then shall
you have power, by the power of my H oly Priesthood , to take her, and give her unto him that hath not
committed adultery, but hath been faithiul; for he shall be made ruler over many ; for 1 have conferm!
upon you the keys and power of the priesthood, wherein I restore all things and make known unto jou, all
things, in due time.

And verily, verily, I say unto you, that whatsoever you seal on earth, shall be sealed in heaven : and
whatsoever you bind on earth, in my name, and by my word, saith the Lord, it shall be eternally bound in
the heavens; and whatsoever you shall remit on earth, shall be remitted eternally in the heavens: and
whomsoever sins yon retain on earth, shall be retained in heaven.

•>nd again, verily I say, whomsoever you bless, I will bless ; and whomsoever you curse, I will curse,
saith the Lord ; for I the Lord am thy God.

And again, verily I say unto you, my servant Joseph, that whatsoever you give ou earth, and to whomso-
ever you give any one on earth, by my word, and according to my law, it shall be visited with blessings, and
not cursings, and with my power, saith the Lord, and shall be without condemnation on eanh, and in
heaven; for I am the Lord thy God, and will be with thee even unto the end of the world, and through all
eternity; tor verily. I seal upon you your elevation, and prepare a throne (or you in the kingdom of ny
Father, with Abraham, your father. Behold, I have seen your sacrifices, and will forgive your sins, I
have seen your sacrafices in obedience to that which 1 have told you ; go, therefore, and I make a way
for your- escape,as I accepted the offering of Abraham, of his son Isaac.

Verily 1 say unto you, a oommandment I give unto mine handmaid, Emma Smith, your wife, whom I
have given unto you, that she may stay herself, and partake not of that which I comuriand you to offer unto
her; for I did it, saith the Lord, to prove you all, as I did Abraham ; and that 1 might require an offering at
your hand, by covenant and sacrifice ; and let mine handmaid, Fmma Smith, receive all those that have .
been given unto my servant Joseph, and who are virtuous and pure before me ; and those who are not pure,
and have said they were pure, shall be destroyed, saitth the Lord Gad ; for 1 am ilie Lord thy God, and .ye
shall obey my vuice; and 1 give unto my servant Joseph, that he shall be made ruler over many things, for
he hath been faithful over a few things ,■ and from henceforth I will strengthen him.

And I command mine handmaid, Emma Smith, to abide and cleave unto my servant Joseph, and to none

24

el«e. But ir. ■■be will not abide this oomnnndraent, she shall be destroyed, saith the Lord; for I am (ho
I Oi-d thv God. and will destroy her, if the abide not in my law : but if she » ill not abide this command-
tneut, then shall my servant .Joseph do a'l tnin.es for her. even as he hath said; audi will bless him, and
multiply him and give unto hm an hundred fold in this world, of fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters,
houses and hinds, »i 'es and chiidre i. and crowns of eternal lives in the etenal worlds. And again, verily
I say , let mine handin^nd forgive my servant Joseph his tresspasses, uu\l then shall she be forgiven her tres-
passes, wherein she hath trespassed against me ! aud 1 the Lord thy Gotf will b ess her, and multiply her, and
make her heart ro rejoice

And again I say, let not my servant Joseph put his property out of his hands, lest an enemy come and
destroy him, for -atan seeketh to destroy ; for I am the Lord thy God, and he is my servant; and behold!
and lo, I am with him, as I was with Abraham, thy lather, even unto his exaltation and glory.

Now as touching the law of thepiiesthood, there are many things pertaining thereunto. Verily, if a man
is called of my Fa the!, a« was Aaron, bv mine own voice ami by the voice of him that sent me, and 1 have
endowed him with the keys o!' the power of this priesthood, if he do anything in my name, and according to
my law. aud by my word he will not commit sin, aud 1 will justify him Let no one, therefore, set on mv
servant Joseph ; fori will justify him : for he shall do the sacrifice which L require at his hands, for his
transgressions, saith the Lord your God

And again, as pertaining to th^ law of the Priesthood ; — if any man espouse a virgin, and desire to espouse
another, and the first give her consent, and if he espouse ihe second, an<( they aie virgins and have vowed to
no other man, then is he justified ; he cannot commit adultery, for they are given unto him ; for he cannot
commit adultery with that tnat belongeth unto him, andtononeel.se; audit' he have ten virgins given unto
hiui.by this law", he cannot commit a.lultery ; for they belong to him ; and they are given unto him,— there-
fore is' he justified But if one. or either of the ten virgins, after she is espoused, shall be with another
man, she has com nitted adultery, and shall be destroyed: for they are given unto him to multiply and
replenish the earth . according to my commandment, and to fulfil the promise which was given by my rather
before the foundation of the world, and for their exaltation in the eternal worlds, that they may bear the
souls of men ; for herein is the work of my Father continued, that he may he glorified.

And again, verily, verily I say unto you. if any man have a wile who holds the keys of this power, and he
teaches uuto her the law ot the Priesthood , as pertaining to those things ; then shall she believe, and adminis-
ter unto him, or she shall be destroyed, saith the 1 ord your God ; tor I will destroy ber ; lor I " ill magnify
my name upon all those who receive and abide in my law. Therefore, it shall be lawful in me, if she receive
not this law, for him to rece.ve ail things, whatsoever I the Lord his God will give unto him, according to my
word, and she then becomes the transgressor, and he is exempt irorn the law of Sarah, who administered unto
Abraham according to the law, when i commanded Abraham to take H agar to wife. --^nd now, us pertaining
to this law,— verily, verily 1 say unto yon, I will reveal more unto you heieafter; therefore, let this suffice
for the preseut. — Behold, I am Alpha and Omega — Amen.

This Gospel embraces every institution, every ordinance, and every covenant
that has been enjoyed by the people of God in any former dispensation. The
first principles of it have been restored, and the ordinances connected there-
with ; faith and repentance, baptism for the remission of sins, and the gift of
the Holy Ghost by the ordinance of laying on of hands, by authorized mini-
sters, are preached in the name of Jesus, and hundreds of thousands have
proven them to be true, by their own experience.

Other principles and ordinances are as necessary to be believed and observed
as those just named, in order to a continued salvation, and to enable man
fully to become one with the Son of God, as he is one with his Father in all
things ; among which there are none more sacred and holy, or more Godlike
than the institution of matrimony, by which an eternal relationship is entered
and sealed by the direction and superintendance of the Redeemer of the world,
through his legally constituted athorities on earth, in Zion ! Through his in-
stitution did Abraham inherit the promise, and through it will his seed receive
of his father's inheritance, or of the promise made to their fathers.

Jesus plainly declared that the children of Abrahan would do the works of
Abraham ; and if they were Abraham's seed, then were they heir to the
promises.

Let now the wicked forsake their ways, and the unrighteous their thoughts,
and turn unto the Lord, that they may obtain mercy, and unto Abraham's God
who alone can pardon.

And we would say to all that have entered into covenant with God, Keep
His commandments, observe His ordinances, and walk by every Avord that
proceeds from His mouth ; let not the dust cleave to your feet, nor your hands
be stained with pollution ; let not your hearts lead you astray, for the com-
mandment of God is holy; "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife," nor
anything that is thy neighbour's.

Price Sixpence.

Edited and Published by A. Farnham, Sydney.

THE ZION'S WATCHMAN,

PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE

€imcb of $t&u$ Cljrtet of 3lattn*;23ag Jtatot*,

IN SYDNEY.

" HE THAT READETH LET HIM UNDERSTAND."

Nos. 4-5. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1853. Vol I.

A REPLY TO THE "CHRISTIAN HERALD" ON THE PLU-
RALITY OF WIVES.

"The Christian Herald," emanating as it does from a sect that stands
second to none for worldy intelligence, ability, and fame, and being
conducted by a committee whose hired duty it is, or should be, ac-
cording to their pretentions, to teach the Bible, it would naturally
be expected, by every honest person, that disingenuousuess would be
one promenant feature of its character, and that its statements would
be strictly true. But in no publication do we recollect witnessing an
exhibition of the want of the spirit and character referred to more
than has been manifested upon many instances by this journal ; and
in no instance has the want of this spirit and character been more
manifest than in the article it contained, headed " Plurality of
Wives," in its issue of the 15th instant. , .

The writer of the article in question says " it js well that they
(the Mormons) now openly avow their doctrine and practice," but
he is very careful not to give the source from whence the good infor-
mation was obtained. Had he, as a gentleman, acknowledged the
receipt of "The Zion's Watchman," (a copy of which was not only
presented to him, but also to every other Revd. Priest in the city
whose address was at hand,) he would thereby have published the
little sentinel to the colony : — but that would never do, for then the
people might enquire for and read it themselves, and this would en-
danger the safety of the honest portions of their flock ; the value of the
flece of which, the writer in question, is as well able to calculate as
any hired Revd. in the colony.

This gentleman has also neglected to give us the references to the
passages of scripture or history in support of the assertions that the
article contains. Why did he not give us the scripture chapter and
verse which states that Lantech slayed Cain through jealousy ? He
knew that it was not there. But we will tell him what the Book of
Jaser says, see Joshua 10, 13, and 2, Sam. 1, 18. It, in the 2nd
Chapter, from the 26th to 31st verse, gives an account of the way

26

and manner that Cain met with his death. According to the ac-
count therein given, it appears that Lamech's eyes were dim on ac-
count of his advanced age, and that he was led in his perambulations,
by his son Tubal Cain, and that one day whilst walking in the fields
Cain was advancing towards them, and being mistaken for an animal,
he was shot by an arrow from the bow of Lamech, and that when
they went to examine their supposed prey, they found that it was
.:. That Lamech whilst frantically clapping his hands from
grief hit his son, Tubal Cain, and caused his death. That this ac-
count agrees with that in Geneses will appear clear when we reflect
upon the expression of Lamech to his wives as it is there recorded,
Chapter 4, 23, "Fori have slain a man to my wounding and a
young man to my hurt." It is plain that there are two persons re-
fered to ; one man slain " to his wounding," and another young man
to his hurt. It could not be said of Cain that he was a young man.

It further appears that Lamech's wives, on account of this act,
hated him and separated themselves from him, and in order to recon-
cile them it is recorded in the 35th verse that he addressed them in
the following words, "Adah and Zillah hear my voice, 0 wives of
Lamech, attend to my words, for now you have imagined and said
that I slew a man with my wounds, and a child with my stripes for
their having done no voilence, but you surely know that I am old
and grey-headed, and that my eyes are heavy through age, and I
did this thing unknowingly."

This ingenious writer insinuates that the increase of crime among-
st the Antediluvians was associated with their having more wives
than one, and with an air of triumph he writes, " All who lived in
polygamy were swept away by the Deluge ; " being desirous, no
doubt of conveying the impression that such a state of society was
the general evil of the age referred to ; but he was conscious that the
suggestion had not the slightest foundation in either sacred or pro-
fane history. It is true that in Gen. 6, 2, we read "That the sons of
6 rod saw the daughters of men that they were fair ; and they took
them wives of all which they chose." This passage, it is plain, not
only does not support the false statement of this modern priest of
Baal, but assigns a reason as oposite from his as possible. It is,
that the Sons of God took unto them wives, from the daughters of
men ichich they chose. God did not give them, but had prohibited
such an unequally yoking with unbelievers. It was this degeneracy of
the sons of God, that caused the earth to be swept by deluge. We
will relate a remark, that was recently made to the writer, by a Jew
in this city, connected with this subject. He said, that "a Jew lost
his position by inter-marrying with gentiles ; they, the gentiles, being
the seed of Cain, who slew his brother ; for which, he and his poste-
rity were cursed from the priesthood; and that God in ancient days
was so angry with his people on account of this inter-marrying with
the seed of rebellious Cain, that he destroyed the world by a flood.
Josephus also states, that Cain- became the great leader of men into

27

wicked courses, and that, while Adam was alive, the posterity of
Cain became exceeding wicked ; that every generation became more
wicked than the former. Connect with these sentiments the character
of Noah as recorded in the 9th verse of 6th Chap, of Gen. " Noah was
a just man and perfect in his generation." That is he was not only
just but there was in him no mixture of the seed of Cain, for this rea-
son God spared him, that from a perfect or unmixed generation, the
world after the deluge might begin to be populated. This view ac-
cords with history sacred and profane, and with the economy of God.
But the assumption of the Christian Herald has no foundation, save in
the vagaries of the mind of which it is the effusion, for not a single
passage in the Bible can be produced to show that polygamy was
practiced by the ante-diluvians ; it does not even say that Lamech
sinned by taking two wives ; nor that any other person followed in his
steps. On these subjects the Bible is entirely silent, but it plainly
declares that they sinned by marrying contrary to the commands of
God, and without his authority. The writer further says, "in the
days of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, polygamy prevailed, and it was
the source of much domestic affliction to Abraham and Jacob. The
general ignorance, voile nee, and wickedness of mankind either pre-
vented them from reflecting on the evils of the system or indisposed
them to give up their sensual gratifications." What does this writer
mean ? Were the Patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, ignorant,
voilent and wicked men, and were their dispositions to sensual gra-
tifications so great that they were prevented from obeying the laws of
God, or from reflecting upon the evil consequences of disobedience ?
And yet these very men are set forth in the Scriptures as patterns of
fidelity : yea, Abraham is called the Father of the faithful. In re-
ference to the ignorance of the Patriarchs, or the age in which they
lived, we would remark that the testimony of unquestionable evidence
is that their knowledge in many things surpassed that of the present
day. And as to the Patriarchs' knowledge of divine things, it will
not be questioned for a moment by any honest person, but that if
was far superior to that possessed by this generation, for they, the
Patriarchs, were blessed with the ministrations of Angels, and held
personal intercourse with God himself. If Sarah sinned by giving
Hagar, and Abraham by taking her to wife, pray how was it that
when the Lord visited Abraham to establish His covenant with him0
which took place thirteen years after the birth of Ishmael, that not
one word of reproof is uttered against Abraham or his wife Sarah, but
they are peculiarly blessed. Hagar and Ishmael were living wi:h
Abraham. Hagar doubtless still occupied the place or state given
unto her by her mistress, yet there is not one word of warning — not
one expression of disapprobation, all is approval, all is blessing ; and
not only so but we find in the next chapter, that the Lord himself
certified to Abraham's character in the following words: "For I
know him, that he will command his children and his household after
him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord." Jacob also, who had

28

four wives (well that he did not live in this enlightened age,) when
returning from his servitude with Labana, fearing the power of his
brother Esau, sued God for protection and deliverance, conscious of
the integrity of his heart and the rectitude of his conduct, he pleads
before the Lord, his own promise made to him at Bethal, saying,
" and thou saiclst, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as
the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered in multitude ;" Gen.
32, 12, also 28 chap. 13 to 15. Yet, although Jacob saw angles and
received a blessing from the person who wrestled with him, there is
not one word of disapprobation or censure. If Jacob had done wrong
God would as certainly have reproved him as ever he did David
afterwards. The writer next states that " the laws of Moses were
introduced to restrain polygamy, by preventing men from dismissing
their wives without a sufficient cause." The above sentence contains
two propositions ; the first is, that in order for a man to practice
polygamy it is necessary that he put away his wife or wives. This
idea is borrowed from the corrupt practice of modern Christendom,
influenced and regulated by monogamy, and has no foundation in
the laws of God or the lives of his Saints. It is nothing more than
a mere subterfuge by which the writer hoped to hide the glaring-
falsehood contained in the next proposition. That the laws of God,
as given to Moses, were opposed to polygamy. Now in reference to
the second proposition we shall appeal to the consciences of the honest
and reflecting portion of the public, not to that of the writer, for to
us and a great portion of the public in this colony, it is quite evident
that the poor fellow is in the same predicament as a certain very
eminently learned Divine, Philosopher, and Critic, who once openly
avowed that "he could not afford to keep a conscience." How can
the above statement be consistent with the following portions of the
Law of Moses recorded in Deut. 25, 5, " If brethren dwell together,
and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not
marry v ithout unto a stranger : her husband's brother shall go in
unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an
husband's brother unto her." Let the reader turn to his Bible and
read on to the 10th verse ; see also Gen. 38, 8, and the Book of
Ruth. Again we read Ex. 21, 9, 10, " And if he have betrothed her
(a maid servant) unto his son, he shall deal with her after the man-
ner of daughters. If he (the son) take him another wife, her food,
her raiment, and her duty of marriage shall he not diminish ; again
Ex. 22, 16, 17, " If a man entice a maid, that is not betrothed, and
lie with her, he shall surely endow her to be his wife." There is no
proviso here that if the man should not be previously married he was
to endow her to be his wife, but the law is of general application, in-
cluding the two classes, married and single ; in proof of this statement
the reader is referred to Deut. 22, 10 to 17, also Numbers 31,25 to
47, we there find that the Lord commanded Moses to give to Eleazar
no less than thirty-two at one fell stroke. Had some of our modern
divines been there they might have taught the Lord the superior mo-

29

rality of one wife rather than two or more, and with their Collegate
learning and wisdom have demonstrated unto the Almighty, who is
as infinitely removed in purity, goodness, and wisdom, from man as
light is from darkness, how that a plurality of wives " led men into
all the abominations of heathenism," and that the result would be,
that they would become " completely brutalized by sensual gratifica-
tion." Yes they might have asked some such a question as the fol-
lowing : How was it that having only given one wife to man at the
first, and declared that they twain should be one flesh, he should now
dishonour his name and endeavour to degrade and enslave his people
by leading them to indulge in gross sensuality, and thus "employ his
holy name and authority to prevent the lovers of pleasure from being
restrained in the commission of iniquity." How was it that seeing
polygamy had caused " much domestic uneasiness and affliction "
to Ills servants "Abraham and Jacob," that he should profess to re-
ward his servants by giving as a blessing that which was a curse.
How was it, that having by the deluge swept away " all who lived in
polygamy" that he had not swept all desire to establish that heinous
sin from his mind. But we sicken in the contemplation of the pro-
fanely wicked, rebellious, and degenerate spirit that possesses this ge-
neration, and especially the hireling priesthood thereof— "the hireling
eareth not for the sheep ;" — and shall now make extracts from the
Hev. Dr. Mensor of Dublin's History of Marriage among the Jews.
He writes " The Mosaic law has not uprooted the foundation and the
basis upon which the history of Marriage among the Jews in the
ante-Mosaic peiiod rested. It is true that it has modified the same
in some instances, added new laws, restrained and forbidden many
marriages ; yet it has wrought no positive change in the primeval
statutes of the ante-Mosiac period ; on the contrary, it has retained
all the principle rites of the same. The reason why the Mosaic law
has not overthrown the principle statutes of the preceeding period is,
because the history of marriage among the Jews is a peculiar one,
and differs from any other history. The History of Marriage among
the Jews has not developed itself, like the history of nations, etc., by
natural and outward changes, which have carried their effects into
the bosom of a particular nation, and thus transmuted the position of
that nation into another one, and changed its political existence and
form. No, the history of marriage among the Jews has developed
itself in another way. Its origin is of God ; God himself has estab-
lished this great and moral institution of marriage. Its development
from the moment of its establishment to the period we are now ar-
rived at, was by God, and through God, the founder of that sacred
institution, and the Guardian of its moral rites. All its statutes is-
sued from the living source, God, and his Divine command. And
now, as God and his Divine will are unchaiufeable and unalterable
we cannot be surprised to find the principal statutes of the ante-
Mosaic period retained inthe revelation. The grass dries, the flowers
wither, but the ivord oj' God remain? Jor ever.

so

The writer next states that Christ " taught the spiritual import of
the divine law and abolished polygamy." We would like to know
what he means by the spiritual import of Divine law of Marriage. Is
it real or imaginary? Is it eternal or temporal? If it is a bona fide
law, forming an eternal relationship between its subjects, why do
modern priests only unite in marriage till death parts ? If it is only
intended to operate in this life, pray where is its spiritual character ?
for if spirituality has any tangible meaning with the writer, it must
be that it is eternal. But if his ideas of the spiritual nature of the
law is the same as his idea of the spiritual nature of the Divine
Being it will puzzle not only himself but all the learned schools of
Modern Christendom to define it ; and after all their labours they
would only show that like their Deity and their heaven, it was only a
phantom conjured up by their own crude imaginations founded, not
on the Bible, but on the vain philosophy of the schools. Their God is
a great immaterial being. Material means something — immaterial
is its oposite, and must therefore mean nothing. Their God is a
great nothing. No wonder at their contending that he has neither
body, parts, or passions, for it is impossible it should be otherwise.
No wonder at their declaring that their God does not sanction poly-
gamy, for that would imply action. How could nothing act ? It
could neither approve nor disapprove. Their God is not the God
of the Bible, for we find .that he walked in the garden, and with
Enoch ; that he visited Abraham's tent, had his feet washed, and
partook of food. It is not the God that wrested with Jacob, that
spoke to Moses face to face, and that was seen by the Elders of Israel
on the Mount, and of whose "person" Christ "was the express image."
He further states that Christ abolished polygamy. Oh ! what a
sweeping statement — get your Testament ready, reader, for it is
made by a very learned doctor — oh ! that's a slip of the pen — we
mean a learned divine, whose piety is above suspicion, and made for
the purpose of overthrowing Mormonism; so you may depend upon
it that there is good proof of the fact in the Testament, else he would
never have made the statement, for you know that for a learned man
to make such a statement, without having good proof, would look like
wilful wickedness, and that does not agree with piety. Well now,
open your book, we will proceed to the proof— abolished polygamy
— see, no we don't read see. Why, there is no citation from scrip-
ture ! there is not a single reference to any portion ! Perhaps he
writes by the same rule that he preaches, that is for hire, and that
the amount of pay regulates the time occupied in labouring, and that
finding time to run on quicker than the cogitations of his mind, which
on some inexplicable account were dul and heavy, he could not stop
to refer to the unalterable word of God. Well, we feel to pity the
poor man, and feel inclined to assist him a little if he will permit us,
(our fears are that he won't accept of our assistance.) Perhaps, see-
ing from the following sentence that his mind was fixed on the 5th
Chap, of Matthew; he might (not) have referred to the 17th and 18th

31

verses of the same, which read as follows, " Think not that I am
come to destroy the law, or the prophets ; I am not come to destroy
but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass,
not one jot or tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be
fulfilled." Do you think that the pious writer reflected that the laws
of marriage used by the Patriarchal age, or ante-Mosaic period, came
from God, were continued in their principal features and character in
the past Mosaic period, or the period specially governed by the reve-
lations or laws given to Moses, and that the restoration of the same
in the last days was promised by the prophets. See Iasiah 13, 12 and
4 chap, and that therefore seeing that Christ had not come " to des-
troy the law but to fulfil it," it necessarily followed that the law re-
mained the same, it being easier for the heavens or earth to fail than
that one jot or tittle of it should pass away, and that the result of
citing this passage would be that in place of favouring his unfounded
assertion it would have openly declared against it. We hope that
we may be pardoned for appearing lengthy, but we cannot avoid
suggesting one passage more which this man, and those who side with
him in their boundless (minus the less) wisdom, think to be a com-
plete antidote to polygamy. It is in the 28th verse, " But I say unto
you, that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath com-
mitted adultry with her already in his heart." Why did he not cite
this passage ? do you think that he saw that it affected Monogamy
as much as polygamy, yea that its light showed the corruption of
Christendom, who regulate their sexual intercourse by lustful feelings,
not by the pure and holy feeling of procreation. The priest per-
forms the marriage ceremony with a lust for the fee ; the man takes
a wife not to glorify God, but to gratify his lusts. His future inter-
course with his wife is not regulated by the law of increase, but
by positive lust. Yes, there are tens of thousands who, when their
intercourse results in the procreation of man, it is esteemed by them
as quite a calamity, and contrary to the custom of the ancients. The
barren womb is esteemed the most blessed. The reason that God's
people esteemed the most fruitful womb, the most blessed, was be-
cause they knew that the " fruit of the womb was the reward of the
Lord," Ps. 127, 3, upon this blessing all others depend ; so the an-
cients looked upon children as gracious gifts from the Lord. Gen. 33,
5. Their possession caused gladness and joy, their want grief and
sorrow. But at all times when the people have repudiated the Au-
thority of God, or his priesthood, in the institution of marriage with
the perpetuity of the covenants, thereof, woman has always been
looked upon merely as a convenience for gratifying man's lusts ; and
thus when the exciting cause ceased their interests in the object of
their lusts ceased also, and thus the desire to put away arises in the
mind, and if there are any difficulties in the way all its powers and
energies are called in quest to accomplish the end. Hence the laws
of divorcement in ancient and modern times. It must be evident to
every reflecting mind that divorcement itrictly speaking does not per-

32

tain to polygamy, but to monogamy. It is necessary for the mono-
gamist, but not for the polygamist, the latter can practice plurality
without being divorced, the former cannot. It is not because mo-
dern Christendom does not practice plurality that it condems it, else
why its acts of divorcement, giving man power to put away his wife
that he may have another. Its multitude of kept mistresses, with all
its dens of infamy, were u female virtue, which is the fountain of
life," is bought and sold as a marketable comodity, of which more
again. But it is because it has lost the grand idea of what woman
is, the end for which man and woman were united, and the grand
ultimatum of the pure and unalloyed intercourse between them. Had
they possessed the same ideas as the ancients on these matters their
intercourse would not have been regulated by lust. Abraham did
not take Hagar from feelings of lust, neither does it appear that
Jacob's intercourse with his four wives was regulated by any other
principle than the pro-creation of man, which was esteemed the grand
end of marriage by God's people in every age. Upon this subject
we shall again extract from the work of the Rev. Dr. Mensor of
Dublin's History of Marriage among the Jews. (There is no one
for a moment will suspect him of being a Mormon, for they, the
Mormons have no Rcvd.) The author having described the supe-
riority which the man possessed over the woman, writes, " It be-
hoves us, however, here to remark, that the superiority which the
man possessed over the woman, amongst the ancestors of the Jewish
nation, was by no means equal to that superiority which other
eastern tribes exercised, and still exercise, over their wedded wives.
Amongst the other eastern tribes the wife has been, and is still,

regarded by her husband as no more than a slave

The elevated condition of woman amongst our Jewish

ancestors, as described in the preceeding chapter, was, however, not
accidental. The Jews, who have preserved the word of God in its
purity through centuries of persecutions, have also retained the pure
idea of marriage. The husband, among our predecessors, was aware
that woman was counterpart oi himself, and that he, together with
her exhibited the total of human nature. He knew that God made
woman of a part of man on purpose to indicate to him that he should
cherish her as a part of himself. He knew that the woman was
given to him as a mate by God ; he therefore permitted to his wife
a superior condition than did the husband of the other tribes. He
knew that although God had made him superior to woman, yet it was
not the Divine will that man should abuse her who was created in a
form so majestic, gentle, and amiable, with feelings so innocent and
pure. The chief object of marriage was to regenerate children under
a moral system ; in other words, marriage was contracted for the
purpose of the procreation of a man's own self in those which come
forth from his loins. To raise children however was not only the
chief object of marriage, but it was regarded as the chief mission of
man in this world ; for to regenerate children was the first Divine

33

command given to the parents of the human race. "And God cre-
ated man in his image, Male and Female created he them. And
God blessed them and said to them be fruitful and multiply, replenish

the earth and subdue it," Gen. 1, 28 But a marriage entered

into for the sake of satisfying any carnal desire, or for the sake of
augmenting property by a dowry from the bride, such a marriage as
ever been regarded by the Jews as an immoral one, as one that rc-
ceiveth not the sanction and the blessing of the Almighty God. Thus
the Talmudical sages teach, " He that marries a woman only for the
sake of her dowry will at last divorce her." Again, every affection
that depends on some sensual worldly cause, if that cause ceaseth,

the affections ceases Where do we meet with an affection

dependant upon a sensual cause ? such was the love of Amnion to
Tamar : but then what are our laws about marriage ? That law
owns no other connection of the sexes but that which nature has ap-
pointed, of a man with his wife, and that this be used only for the
procreation of Children.

(To be Continued )

CELESTIAL MARRIAGE IN DESERET.
(Extracts from the "Seer.")

No man in Utah, who already has a wife, and who may desire to obtain another, has any
right to make any propositions of marriage to a lady, until be has cnosulted the President
over the whole Church, and through him, obtains a revelation from God, as to whether it
would be pleasing in His sight. If he is forbidden by revelation, that ends the matter; if, by
revelation the privilege is granted, he still has no right to consult the feelings of the young
lady, until he has obtained the approbation of her parents, provided they are living at Utah ;
if their consent cannot be obtained, this also ends the matter. But if their parents or guar-
dians freely give their consent, then he may make propositions of marriage to the young
lady ; if she refuse these propositions, this also ends the matter ; but if she accept, a day is
generally set apart by the parlies, for the marriage ceremony to be oelebrated. It is neces-
sary to state, that before any man takes the least step towards getting another wife, it is bis
duty to consult the feelings of the wife which he already hat, and obtain her consent, as
recorded in the 24th paragraph the of revelation published in the first number of the 'Seer.*

When the day setapart for the solemnization of the marriage ceremony has arrived, the
bridegroom, and his wife, and also the bride, together with their relatives, and such other
guests as may be invited, assemble at the place which they have appointed. The scr'be
then proceeds to take the names, ages, native towns, counties, states, and countries, of the
parties going to be married, which he carefully enters on record. The President, who is
the Prophet Seer, and Revelator over the whole Church throughout the world, and who
alone holds the keys of authority in this solemn ordinance— as recorded in the 2nd and 5h
paragraphs of the Revelation on Marriage — calls upon the bridegroom, and his wife, and
the bride, to arise, which they do fronting the President. The wife stands on the left hand
of her husband, while the bride stands on her left. The President then puts this question
to the wife :— "Are you willing to give this woman to your husband to be his lawful and
wedded wife for time and for all eternity ? If you are you will manifest it by placing her
right hand within the right hand of your husband." The right bands of the bridegroom
and bride being thus joined, the wife lakes her husband by the left arm, as if in the at-
titude of walking ; the President then proceeds to ask the following question of the man :-—
Do you brother, (calling him by name,) take sister, (calling thebride by her name,) by the
right hand, to receive her unto yourself, to he your lawful and wedded wife, and you to be
her lawful and wedded husband, for time and for all eternity, with a covenant and promisr,

84

on yonr part, that you will fulfil all the laws, rites and ordinances, pertaining (o this holy
matrimony, in the new and everlasting covenant, doing this in the presence of God, angels
and these witnesses, of your own free will and choice ? " The bridegroom answers yeB.
The President then puts the question to the bride :— " Do you sister, (calling her by name,)
take brother, (calling him by name.) by the right hand, and give yourself to him, to be
his lawful and wedded wife for time and for all eternity, with a covenant and promise, on
your part, that you will fulfil all the laws, rites, and ordinances, pertaining to this holy
matrimony, in the new and everlasting covenant, doing this in the presence of God, angels,
and these witnesses of your own free will and choice ?" The bride answers, yes. The
President then says/la the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the authority of the Holy
Priesthood. I pronounce you legally and lawfully husband and wife, for time and for all e-
ternity; and.I seal upon you the blessings of the holy resurrection with power to come forth
in the morning of the first resurrection, clothed with glory, immortality, and eternal lives ;
and I seal upon you thebleRsings of thrones, and dominions, and principalities, and pow-
ers, and exaltations, together with the blessings of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob ; and say
unto you, be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth, that you may have joy and re-
joicing in your posterity in the day of the Lord Jesus. All these blessings, together with
•II other blessings pertaining to the new and evei lasting covenant, I teal upon your heads,
through your faithfulness unto the end, by the authority of the holy priesthood, in tha
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, Amen." The Scribe then en-
ters, on the General Record, the date and place of the marriage, together with the names of
two or three witnesses who were present.

In the Revelation of Marriage, we are informed that there is never bnt one man on the
earth at the same time who holds the keys to minister the ceremony of marriage for time
and for all eternity, and to seal the same on earth with authority, so that it may be acknow-
ledged and sealed in Heaven. The keys of authority are conferred by revel&iion, and by
the holy anointing, upon the Prophet, Seer, and Revelator of the Church, who is the Pre-
sident over all the Saints throughout the world. In cases where it is inconvenient for him
to attend, he has the authority to appoint others to officiate in his stead. But in all cases
of this nature, he must be consulted by the parties, and his sanction be obtained.

When a man who has a wife, teaches her the law of God, as revealed to the ancient Pa-
triarchs, and as manifested by new revelation, and she refuses to give her consent for
him to mairy another according to that law. then, it becomes necessary for her to state, be-
fore the President, the reason why she withholds her consent ; if her reasons are sufficient
end justifiable, and the husband is found in fault, or in transgression, then, he is not per-
mitted to lake any step in regard to another. But if the wife can show no good reason why
she refuses to comply with the law which was given unto Sarah of old, then it is lawful for
her husband, if permitted by revelation through the Prophet, to be married to others without
her consent, and he will be justified, and she will be condemned, because she did not give
them unto him, as Sarah gave Hagar unto Abraham, and as Rachel and Leah gave Bilhah
and Zilhah to their husband Jacob.

It is the duty of a man who takes another wife, to look after her welfare and happiness,
and to provide for her the comforts of life, the same as for the first ; for the Scripture, in
speaking of such a man, says, " If he takes him another wife, her food, her raiment, and
her duty of marriage, shall he not diminish. " Exodus xxi. 10.

There is no particular rule, as regards the residence of the different branches of a family.
It is very frequently the case that they all reside in the same dwelling, and take hold
unitedley, and with the greatest cbeerfulnessof the different branches of household or domes-
tic business, eatiDg at the same table, and kindly looking after each other's welfare, while
the greatest peace and harmony prevail year after year. Their children play and associate
together with the greatest affection as brothers and sisters; while each mother apparently
manifests as much kindness and tender regard for the children of the others, as for her
own. And morning and evening, when the husband calls together his famaily to wot ship
the Lord and call upon Hie name, thsy all bow the knee, and with the greatest union of
feeling, offer their devotions to the Most High.

It is sometimes the case that the husband provides for his wives separate habitations, as
Jacob did for his four wives, each of whom had a separate tent. See Genesis xxxi 33.
Where all the wives are equelly faithful, the husbaud generally endeavours to treat them all
without partiality.

Jealousy is an evil with which the Saints at Utah are but seldom troubled ; it is an evil
that is not countenanced by either male or female ; and should any indulge 6Uch a passion
they would bring a disgrace and reproach upon themselves which they could not easily wipe
away. And indeed, it is very rare that there is any causes for jealousy ; for the citizens of
that Territory think more of their virtue than they do of th»ir lives. They know that if

35

they have any connexions out of Mie marriage covenant, they do not only forfeit their lives
by the law of God, but they forfeit their salvation also. With such views resting upon ihe
minds of both old and young, the people have the greatest of confidence in each other's in-
tegrity ; they can entrust their wives and daughters, without any distrust, to the protection
and care of their neighbours. Under the strict and rigid laws of virtue which prevail and
are carried into general practice, wives are not in constant fear of the inconstancy of their
husbands ; parents are not fearful of their children being seduced and their characters being
destroyed ; neither are they fearful that their children will form contracts of mar.-iage with-
out their consent ; for such a thing is not allowed in the whole tenitnry. Such a state of
things aciually existiuer, not in theory alone, but in general practice, removes every cause
for jealousy, distrust, and want of confidence, and lays a broad and permanent foundation
for peace and union. If a man ill-treats any of his wives, he is looked upon as having
violated the law of God, and it is difficult for hien to recover from the disgrace.

There are more quarreliinga and jealousies, and disunions, and evil speakings, in one
week, among two thousand families, taken at random any where in the United States, or
England, than would be seen throughout all Utah Territory in five years. And there is
more unvirtuous conduct practiced in one day in New York city, or Albany, or Buffalo,
or Cincinnati, or St, Louis, than would be practiced in Utah in a thousand generations,
unless they greatly degenerated from their present standard of morals.

A WORD WITH OUR OPPONENTS.
(Extract from the "Seer.")

We should be pleased to have some of the wise theologians of our day bring forward
even one passage from either the Old or New Testament to prove that the plurality of
wives is an evil. Let them produce some passage, if they c*n, to show that such a practice
was sinful either under the Patriarchal, Mosaic, or Christian dispensations. Let them
show that the practice was not continued under the Christian dispensations. Where and
when did our Saviour ever condemn it ? Where and when did any of his Apostles ever
condemn it? Here, then, ye ministers of Christendom, are some grave questions for you
to settle. Would you convert the "Mormons" of Utah Territory from this practice- show
them that it is sinful or uuscriptural. No sooner was it sounded abroad through the
columns of the "Seei" that the Saints in Utah believed in and practiced the plurality of
wives, than the whole army of editors and ministers throughout Christendom formed
themselves in battle array ; the thunder of their artillery is heard reverberating from
nation to nation, as though they would annihilate the poor citizens of Utah, with one
tremendous onslaught — curses, denunciations, and redicule, are poured out Ike a fljod
upOD their heads. The whole English vocabulary is exhausted to find epithets and
reproaches sufficiently expressive of their holy horror. But in this holy war where is the
editor or minister that can brandish the sword of truth against that which he condemns P
Where is the theological Goliath of modern Christendom that can stand before the sling
stones of truth as they are hurled by the power of Israel's God into the midst of the
enemy's camp ? Denunciations are not arguments — curses and vile reproaches will not
convince the judgement, nor enlighien mankind. Editors and ministers will find some
wtBe men yet left on the earth, who are not afraid of the Bible nor of Bible truths ; by that
sacred volume they will form their judgment, and not upon popular traditions nor the
denunciations of the bigoted. Wise men of Babylon wonder — editors are astonished —
ministers are amazed — priestcraft trembles to its very centre — and the Ddvil and his
angles are mad to think that after all their united exertions to put a stop to the spread of
this awful delusion as it is denounced, it still prospers with unparrelled success among
every nation to which it had been published. How is it, inquires the wise statesman, that
such a bare-faced imposition converts its tens of thousands annually among the most
civilized nations of the earth P What is the secret of this prosperity ? We will tell you,
Mr. Statesman, there are maoy tens of thousands of honest, upright men, who, in despite
of priestcraft, will investigate for themselves, and in so doing, they find that "Mormonism,"
which is called by editors and ministers a ''bare-faced imposition," has never as yet been,
proved to be such — they find that the cry of delusion is one thing, and the proof of
delusion is another —they reason among themselves, that if "Mormonism" is such a "base

36

imposition," why has not some giant theologian been able, after a score of years, to prove
it to be such ? They find the world flooded with books, pamphlets, periodicals, editors,
ministers, mobs, and murderers, all crying "Beware of Mormonism ! " "Beware of that
soul-destroying imposition !" "Beware of the wicked, beastly, licentious Mormons ! ! "
"Beware of Mormon Polygamy ! ! !" The Mormons of Utah are Polygamists ! ! ! " "O
awful!" "O horrible!" "O abominable!" "Who could have believed it!"
"Cannot Gen. Pierce do something to put a stop to this dreadful evil > " '*To avert the
calamities of civil war, the Mormons should be made to obey the laws ! " Such are the
arguments, Mr. Statesman, that wise and candid men hear against the so called delusion.
They again reflect if "Mormonism" is really such a dreadful delusion, and if a plurality of
wives is, indeed, so sinful and unscriptural, why are not some candid arguments — soma
scriptural evidencss foith-coming to convince the judgment and enlighten the mind, and
to show the nature of the delusion, and why, and wherein it is a delusion P Why, say
they, are all these denunciations heaped upon the Latter-Day Saints, without one logical
argument, or scriptural evidence to sustain them ?

If editors and ministers wish to put a stop to the rolling of the great whe Is of
"Mormonisai," we advise them to try another plan. You have tound that evil epithets
and the cry of imposture, have been tried in vain. Such empty trash is becoming stale ; it
is not received as evidence by a thinking public. They do nut greedily swallow it down ;
they want something more substantial. Theologians back up their cry of delusion by
good, sound reasoning — by evidences from the Word of God. Let editors and authors,
for once, show themselvej men of srnse ; lei them, for once, appeal to the law and
testimony, and expose "Mormonism" scripturally ; let tbem, for onoe, prove to the world
that the doctrines of (he Latter-Day Saints are false ; let them show from the Word of God
that a plurality of wives is sinful or unscriptural. If they will, for once, adopt this plan,
they will find that it will have more weight in the minds of an intelligent, thinking public,
than all the ridicule, vile reproaches, and popular denunciations, that the devil can invent.
Try it and see. If you will prove "Mormonism" to be a delusion ; if you will show by the
Word of God that a plurality of wives is not sanctioned under the Gospel as it was under
former dispensations, you will greatly enlighten the minds of the people of Utah. Think
not that the decendants of the pilgrim fathers— the intelligent sons and daughters of the
New England Stales— the citizens of this great Republic, educated under the salutary in-
fluence of American institutions, who now dwell in exile in the Mountain Territory, are so
lost in the depths of barbarism— so engulphed in the fatal vortex of delusion — so im-
penetrable to sound arguments and logical reasoning — so blind to the great truths con-
tained in the Word of God, that they are beyond all hopes of recovery. At least make the
exertion once; convince them of their errors of doctrines or errors of practice. Let
missionaries be sent among them j they shall be treated with the highest respect ; meeting
houses shall be opened to them free of all expense; the people will turn out by tens of
thousands to hear their strong reasonings, and if they are able to prove "Mormonism" a
delusion, they will convert the great majority of the Territory. Here, then, is a splendid
field for missionary enterprise. But let us notify you to send men who are not afraid of
the word of God. Let men be sent who will make no denunciation, only such as they
are able to prove ; for the inhabitants of Utah have too much sense lo be thus gulled and
duped ; they have two much experience to believe all that missionaries and editors say
without proof ; they have two much hooesty and desire for the truth, to believe a thing to
be true or untrue because long established customs and popularity sanction it. The people
of Utah hear and then judge; they think for themselves, and do not hire ministers and
editors to think for them. Come, then, you missionary societies whose bosoms yearn
over the dark and benighted heathen in foreign climes, awake to the awful condition of
the poor and outcast Latter-Day Saints in our land ; send forth your master spirits —
your Calvins — your Luthers— your Wesleys ; let the thunder of their eloquence be heard
upon the mountain tops ; let the vales of Utah be refreshed by their sublime effusions : let
the hills and mountain gorges re-echo the glad tidings, till every ear shall hear, and every
heart be penetrated. A voice is heard from Utah, saying, come over and help us ; teach
us of our errors; oonvince us of our delusions, if we nave any ; set us in the good old
paths of ancient Christianity, if we are not walking therein ; take us by the bund and lead
us mto the light, if you consider us in darkness ; prove to us that the Book of Mormon is
an imposition, that jve may be justified in rejecting it ; convince us that a plurality of wives
is contrary to the gospel; let your light s^hine upon the mountains and upon the highest
places of the earth, that Utah may, peradventure, become enlightened ; at least, that she
may be able to see some of the beauties of civilized society. The inhabitants of that dark,
and benighted land, are so far sunk in the depth of barbarism, that they will not suffer a
i>ubhc prostitute to live in the Territory .- an adulterer or seducer is not considered fit to

37

live in that barbarous land. The ornaments of civilized and Christian nations, do not yet
adorn the oities and towns of Utah. Cursing, swearings gambling, drunkenness, stealing,
brother going to law with brother, fighting, quarrelling, and such like specimens of
civilizpd society, have not yet been introduced to polish and refine the manners of that de-
luded, benighted people. Missionaries, therefb'c, will have a great work to perform to re-
claim the "Mormons" from all their barbarous and degrading customs, and polish and
adorn them with all the beauties of civilization. But let them not be discouraged ; if they
can prove that they have greater light than the Saints, they may be assured of success,
and that the people "en masse" will be converted

If enthusiasts and religious bigots are not pleased with the liberties guaranteed in
the great Constitution of this country, let them petition Congress or Parliament for a
different kind of government — one that shall combine the eclesiastical with the civil power
— one that shall incorporate the holy inquisition for the punishment of all heretics who
dare think or act, for themselves — one that shall issue a bloody edict for the extermination
of the Latter-day Saints wherever they can be found : such a government would be
much better adapted to their wants: such a government would enable them to rule over
the consciences of men by the sword, the faggot, and the fire : such a government would
enable them to effacruilly demolish all delusions and heretical opinions by physical argu-
ments, instead of mental. 0, how beautiful! how logical! how poweiful in its applica-
tions would such an order of things be ! Before such irresistible logic the poor "Mormons"
would stand no chance at all : they would be overpowered, butchered, roasted alive, as an
unequivocal testimony of their gross delusions.

SHORT HISTORY OF THE MORMONS.
("Extraots from the Sanit Louis Weekly Union, October 7.")

'•The rise and progress of the Mormons as a body of religionists are perhaps among
the most remarkable events ot the present century." Only twenty one years ago, this
seed sprung up in the state of New York, under circumstances which left those who pro-
fessed the faith liable to as much ridicule as abuse. Buth were heaped upon them above
measure, and stil they kept on increasing. Driven from one place to another — hunted for
slaughter like beasts of pray — they still endured all ; and still maintained their onward
progress, from Missouri, where they settled, after inhuman butcheries had been com-
mitted on them. They were driven like wild beasts; and when again they re-arranged in
Illinois, and built up the beautiful town of Nauvoo, they were again driven out of their
homes and resting place, by the force of outlawery, backed by local public opinion. Their
main leader Joseph Smith, the founder of their order, and his brother were shamefully
butchered, as well as seven others, when they scattered themselves for a time hither and
thither throughout the World ; and finally in a short time afterwards appeared again in an
organized form stronger than ever, since their last re-organization and their fixed pupose,
as they assert, of acting under divine command ; to settle at what is known as the Sa't
Lake Country, no parallel to their increase can be found in modern times. Not satisfied
with put'ing many Mormons to death, and driving all of them, in a body, from the
settled and civilized parts of the United States, to a wild and unsettled country of the
West. We have, as a people, with only a few exceptions stultified their names and de-
famed their religion.

We not only "stoned them and beat them with many stripes" until we drove them from
the States, but we spoke and published defamations about them of the most scandalous
kind. We charged upon them licentiousness and iasciviousness of the worst descrq lion,
axong other things than which it now is known, nothing could be further from the truii ,
and taus we went on, until public attention, and finally public sympathy, were turned
toward them and made them converts to their faith by thousands.

No body of people in the whole world, not greater in number, seems to us, to occupy a
position so peculiarly prominent and powerful, whether considered in reference to religion,
polotics, or commerce, as those people who have founded their Zion in the bosom of the
Salt Lake Country. It would be a blessing to all editors, if they would learn to tell the
truth about the "Mormons," as does the Union in the above extracts. There are many
who do, but we have not space for all the friendly and truthful sketches we see ; and much

38

less space for the fal»hood« whioti \s ignorant, wicked and desining men and editors are
disposed to originate, and propogafe, causing innocent blood to be shed on the earth ;
which, if scripture be true, they must atone for sooner or latter. My soul come not thou
into their secrets.

THE COMING CRISES— HOW TO MEET IT,

A great snd awful crisis is at hand —such a crisis was never known before since the
foundation of the world. All natious are looking through the misty future, in order to
descry, if possible, what is about to happen. Many sermons have been preached, many
speeches have been made, and soma pamphlets have been published, with the hope of
lifting up the veil of the future. Yet none but the sei vants of God who have the testimony
of Jesus, which is the spirit of prophecy, can unfold the mysteries of the future. They
can give the trump of a esrtain sound, and their council will not be guess work. God
will do nothing except He repeal His seciets to His servants the prophets, God, the Lord
God of Israel, will take the control of these great events which are shortly to come to pass.
Not a sparrow will fail to the ground without His notice. But His servants will be fully
advised of every important event that is to transpire. They will be the Heralds of
blessings and also of vengeanea. For the Lord hath a controversy with all nations, and
the hour of recompense is at hand.

But, says, the reader. I wouid like to know of what this crisis is to consist ! Who are
the contesting parties? Well, reader, if ynu will be patient and honest hearted, praying
withal, with unceasing diligence and thanksgiving to God, you shall have the keys of
such knowledge as all the sectarian priests of Christendom are by no means able to reveal,
because they are only revealed to God'a servants, the prophets,

Perhaps you will be disappointed, if 1 tell you that the time is coming, and now i9, whan
not only God, the highest of all, shall be revealed in spirit and in mighty power, but the
Devil or Satan also, will be revealed in signs and wonders, and in mighty deeds ! Tais
reader, is the great key to all the marvelous events which are to transpire shortly upon
the earth.

Now just stop right here, and pause, and mark emphatically this key. Then you and 1
will proceed to unlock the mysteries and to prepare ourselves to the battle. For there will
be no neutrals in the approaching controversy. I say again, that God the h'gbest of all
will make bare His arm in the eyes of all nations. And the heavens even will be rent,
and the lightning down of his power will be felt by all nations. But this is not all.
Satan also will be revealed. Ha has made some manifestations of hi* power in different
periods of tbe world, but never before has there been such an array of numbers on his
side, never before such a consolidation of armies and rulers, never before has there been
such an imposing and overwhelming exhibition of miracles as Satan will shortly make
manifest. Don't suppose for a moment, that I am uttering dark say ngs or speaking un-
advisedly upon speculation or the strength of mere human opinion. Don't tell me about
Popes and Prelates sitting in the temple of God as God. One far greater than any Pope
or prelate is soon to be revealed, and he will claim to be worshipped as God. Now remem.
ber, that it is no modern wicked man that is going to claim divine honours. No, it is the
old Serpent, the Devil. He it is that will head the opposition against God and His Christ.
And he, the son of perdition it is, that will be allowed a much longer chain than hererto-
fare. And such will be the greatness of his power, that it will seem to many that he is en*
tirely loose. He will be so far uashackeled and unchained that his power will deceive all
nations, even the world. And the elect will barely escape the power of his sorceries, enchant-
ments, and miracles ! And even God, Himself, the true God, will contribute to put means
and instruments in his way, and at hand for his use, so that he can have a full trial of his
strength and cunning, with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish.

It is not to be expeeted that Satan will carry on his great warfare against Christ and
his Saints, by means of any one religion exclusively. 1: is not the Papal or Protestant
religion alone that you have need to fear. But the great and abominable Church which
you should expect to encounter is Anti-Christ. Whatever exalts and opposes itself to God,
that is Anti-Christ, whether it is a civil or religious power. But the most formidable pow-
er that will be arrayed against Christ and his Saints in the last days, will consist in the
revelitions of Satan. These revelations of Satan will come in every medium and channel

39

by which the cunning and power o! Satan can be brought to bear against the power of the
Saints and their L'ird. It is a great mistake to suppose that Sitan is altogether a religi-
ons personage. No, far from this. He is a politician, a philo opher, an erudite scholar,
a linguist, a metaphysician, a military commander, a prince, a god, a necromancer, an en-
chanter, a diviner, magacian,a sorcerer, a prophet, and ( t it were not railing) a clergyman
and liar from the beginning. With these universal endowments, he has never hitherto made
a full and grand exhibition of himself, as it remains for him to do. But the Lord, who
gave him an opportunity to try his hatery upon good old Job, is fully designing to give
him sufficient apparatus to deceive all the nations that love not the truth, and have pleas-
ure in unrighteousness. His sigas and tokens are as ancient as the aposUcy of Cain, and
as varied as will suit the secret designs of all ages. Through him men learn how to be-
come" observers of times and seasons," with great skill and astonishing accuracy. He
presides over arts of astrology . clairvoyance, mesmerism, electro-bioligy, and all augerieg
and divinations. Being Prince of the power of the air, he understands aeronautic and
steam navigation, and he can compose and combine the various elements, through the co-
operation of them that believe in him. with far more than human skill. Now don't doubt
whit [ say concerning this matter, hut rather read the history of his skilful exploits and
mighty power, as they are recorded in the Old and New Testaments. Take a Bible and
Concordance, (if you have any faith in the Bible, left, in an age when the Bible is perver-
ted beyond all other books,) and read attentively for yourselves, and you will there learn
that I am telling you the truth.

Now there is a greater destruction coming upon the wicked nations of the earth, than
was even experienced by Pharaoh at the Red Sei. But before that destruction can be made
manifest, mens' hearts will be hardened, and wickedness will rise to a more overtoweiing
height tban many bye>gone generations have been allowed to witness. God through His
Prophet, will roar out Zion. His voice will be heard in spite of all the confusion and in-
dignant opposition from many nations. Alter the testimony of his servants has been pro-
claimed to all nation?, as a witness, then shall the scene of the end come. And great shall
be that scene. The Dyvil in the last stage of desperation, will take such a pre-emient lead
in literature, politics, philosophy, and religion; in wars, famines, pestilences, earthquakes
thunder! cgs, and lightenings, setting cities in con Alteration, &s. , that mighty kings and,
powerful nations will be constrained to fall down and worship him. And they will marvel
at his great power, and wonder after him with great astonishment. For his signs and
wonders will be among all nations. Men will be raised for the epxress purpose of further-
ing the designs and marvelljus works of the devil. Every description of curious and mys-
terious art* that penetrate beyond the common pale of human sagasity and wisdom, will be
studied and practised beyond what has been known by mere mortals. The great capabilities
of the elements, of fire, air, earth, and water, will be brought into requsitinn by cunning
men under the superior cunning of the prince and god or this world. And, indited with
the knowledge of these wonderful arts and powers, men will become boasters, heady, high-
minded, proud, and despisers of that which is good. But the God which is above all, and
over all, and who ruleth in the armies of heaven, and amongst the inhabitants of the earth,
and will not be a silent observer of such ipiritual wickedness in high places, and among
the rulers of the darkness of this world. For the master spirits of wickedness of all ages,
and of worlds visible and invisible, will be arrayed in (be rebellious ranks before the closing
scene shall transpire. Now just at this time. God will come out of His hiding place and
vex the nations in His hot displeasure. By the mouth of H.s Prophet H? will rebuke strong
nations afar off. notwithstanding their strong armies and great miracles, and cunning arts.
His servant, ihe Prophet, in Zon will bave marvelous boldness to rebuke them, and to lay
down before them in plainness and indexible firmness the law of the Lord.

TO BEE CONTINUES.

GENERAL INTELLIGENCE.

Late from Salt Lake, the ground was broken February 14th to commence the foundation
of the Temple.

April 6th, at the Annual Conference the comer stone was laid for the erection of a house
to the name of the Lord.

The Saints are gathering by thousands to the City of Saints ; several thousands have
gathered in this season from the d.fferent parts of Europe, the work of the Lord is rolling
fourth in England very rapidly.

40

News from Honolulu, June 9th, received by letter, from B. F. Johnson. The Mission
are all well anil in good health. The work is progressing with them ; there had been at
the above date rising four hundred baptised from February 15th. The work is going forth
upon the neighbouring Islands in a like manner. A great work is yet to be done upon the
Islands of the Pacific.

Australia — Elders A. P. Dowdleand J. W. Norton.—

Adelaide, September 13th. The Spirit of the Lord is moving among the people, and
many are being added to the kingdom of God, — many are enquiring after the truth.

The; e has been two branches organised, the third to be organised in a few days.

The Lord is gathering out the honest in heart, and will soon complete his work in these
Islands. Therefore ye inhabitants of these Islands seek the Lord while he may be found,
and escape the dessolating scourge which awaits the wicked and these that know not God.

Elders B. Frost and P. Smith, Melbourne:— They have prospered in their labours, the
Lord is with them ; the gospel is received by many ; these are being added to the number of
the S sints such as have a desire for the truth.

Elder Wm. Cooke gives us the pleasing information, in a letter of September 28, that they
have organised a branch at Bendigo, which is in a flourishing condition ; the prospects ate
good for the work of the Lord, to roll forth amongst the people with which he is labour-
ing : — many are enquiring into the principles of Mormonism.

Elder Wm. Hyde, Hunter's River District. The Saints are enjoying the spirit of the
Latter-day work, which is the spirit of God ; the numbers are being multiplied ; the spirit
of gathering is among the saints, and they have a desire to gather to Zion, the first possible
opportunity ; prayer is that the Lord will assist them to gather out from the wicket, be-
fore the wrath of an offended God, be poured out upon them who reject the Gospel of our Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ.

Elders J. VV. Fleming and J. S. Eldridge, of the South Western Section, have succeeded
in opening up the Gospel to the good people of that Section ; — the prospect is favourable.
Many are enquiring after the truth as preached by the apostles of Christ, and some are
being baptized, and many are investigating the principles, regardless ofP iestcraft ; the
truth'is most tangible.

Elder J. McCarthy has proceeded on the mission through the interior, via Goulbourn,
to the Murry River. Elder Wm. Baxter, late from England, intends soon to follow to his
assistance.

The Elders in Sydney are disseminating the truth to all who will either hear foi them-
sevels or read, that they may understand and receive the light, which will bring to them
salvation ; the rejection of which will seal their condemnation. — Ed.

RUTH.

Ruth stood alone and looked upon the sky, She ran and told Naomi : — '' You and I

And then upn her husband Malhon's " Are one for time and all eternity :

grave, — " And where you go, I go ; or dwell, I dwell;

And Gabriel whispered sweetly in her ear : — " Your friends are mine, and where you die,
" Be comforted thou daughter of the Lord, I die ;

" The royal line of Gods, for mortal Gods " And where you rest, I rest ; your God is
•* To come and bless and save the world, is mine,"

thine. And so the sacred chain of being comes

" From Lot, whose daughter's faith and love From Adam, one of those eternal sons

were blest Begotten in the first estate of love,

" In Moab's everlasting race, ye came ; And wedded to his own blood sister, Eve,

" And while Judge Judah seems to be in By God, who's perfect in perfected bliss.

fault, Thus runs the living stream of life for life,

" As Tamar shows his ' signet, bracelets, From Eve to Ruth, from Ruth to that blest

staff,' — one

" The manful will of God is manifest ; — That bore the Lord of glory here on
" The chain of kindred in the flesh comes earth. —

on ; — The Father's daughtei's best beloved son.

•• There's kin to raise up seed for him that's Hosanna to the ever-kin and kin !

dead ; Hosanna to the kin of world to world !

" And yonder Boaz awaits to be thy lord." Hosanna to the Gods* eternal lives

And so the angel left her full of hope. For ali whose seed is in itself. Amen J

w w. PHELFS.

_____ Price Sixpence. __

Edited and Published by A. Farnham, Sydney.

THE ZION'S WATCHMAN,

PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE

Cfjurri) of 3t$i\$ €l)vi$t of Matter -Qa^ Aaftita,

IN SYDNEY.

" HE THAT READETH LET HIM UNDERSTAND.

IJos. 6-7. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1353. , Vol I.

TO ALL WHO ARE WILLING TO RECEIVE THE TRUTH
IN THE LOVE OF IT.

The Epicurean God, not the God of the Mormons, and the
reader of the christian herald proved to be both a
false witness, and an hypocrite.

" For it was not an enemy that reproached me ; then I conld have
borne it : neither was it lie that hated inc. that did magnify himself
against me ; then I would have hid myself from him : but it was thou,
a man mine equal and mine acquaintance.

" We took sweet counsel together and walked to the house of God
in company." — Psalmist.

" In joivrneyings often in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in pe-
rils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in
the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren."

If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the
most miserable.— Paul. A writer, who (we suppose we must say so)
is of some little note, for he once Advocated the rights of the people,
and at another time contended for the claims of the EMPIRE: has
at last condescended to notice Mormonism, and, after having been
identified with it for upwards of a year and a half, and having borne
testimony time and again of its truth, and having endeavoured to es-
tablish the same publicly and privately, from Theological, Histori-
cal, Philosophical, and Geographical evidence. He has now turned
round to denounce Mormonism as an imposition, its theology as hea-
thenism, its philosophy as atheism, its Ethics as consisting of pillage,
murder, &c.

But surely, this man, notwithstanding the peculiarly exhalted posi-
tion amidst the literati of the world, to which he has attained through
being admitted a correspondent of the "Christian Herald," and the
peculiar authority and weight that must necessarily be possessed by
him on account of his educational and philisophibad attainments, yet

42

surely, he can never dream, that such as love the truth will ever re-
ceive his assertions as facts, his denounciations as unquestionable
evidence, nor his base and ungrateful insinuations as demonstrations.
No ! They will do no such thing, for they will see by the context of
the two letters, that he was one that knew something of Mormonism,
both theoretically and practically, and they would enquire with an
air of suspicion, who is he ? What is his name? If all he says be
strictly true why does he not make himself known that he might pub-
licly realize the honor of having exposed the delusion.

The whole stress of his two letters (it would be the height of folly
to call them arguments) is against Apostle 0. Pratt's pamphlet, en-
tiled, " The Great First Cause ;" he states, that 0. P.'s philosophy
is the same as that of the ancient Atheistical writers, and denounces
it as " startling, flagitious, blasphemous, and insulting to common
sense." Now this writer knew, or should have known, that these
words are only empty sounds, they are only like the disorderly and
unmeaning scrawls of a child compared to a geometrical demonstra-
tion.

A proposition is either true or false, independent of any man, an-
cient or modern, Christian or Jew, heathen or infidel; and it would
better have beseemed a philosopher, if in place of making extracts
from other men's writing, and then raising the cry of heathen, infidel,
atheist, &c, he had occupied the space in exhibiting the fallacy of the
axioms, reasonings, or deductions of the author that he repudiates.

The writer to the "Christian Herald," subscribing himself Reader,
we shall henceforth take the liberty to call Mr. B.

Commencement of his first letter.

B. writes, " Until modern times," says this sophist, " the eter-
nity of matter was received as a truism, or words to that effect ; but
he does not condescend to tell us who they were that received this
doctrine, nor who those are who still argue to support this atheistical
assertion."

What could be Mr. B.'s intention in marking as a quotation, the
words " the eternity," but to convey the idea, that he was making a
strictly literal quotation from the work referred to, and thus carry
awray the mind under the influence of education, and popular feeling,
from an investigation of the truth or falseity of the question, is mat-
ter eternal ? Having thus attempted to carry away the mind of the
reader, under the influence of prejudice and public feeling, he states,
that, he (0. P.) did not condescend to tell who they were that receiv-
ed such doctrine, &c.

Now had he made a strict literal quotation from the work referred
to, the falsehood of this statement would have been manifest, for it
would have been seen that, although names were not given they were
implied. The sentence reads as follows, " all the ancient schools of
philosophy conceived every substance to be eternal, and it was not
until modern times that men conjectured otherwise."

43

Now what person reading the passage just cited but that would
know, that at the very least, it implied the majority of such persons as
belonged to the ancient schools of philosophy, and that if any of the
servants or prophets of God belonged to any of the ''ancient schools,"
they must necessarily be included ; but had he been more just in his
quotations the falsity of his statement would have been more appar-
ent. Apostle 0. Pratt writes " Admitting the contingent truth, that
something now exists in space, as nothing cannot produce something,
therefore it follows as a necessary truth, that something must have
always existed in space. Each part of this eternal something must
occupy a finite space, having length, breadth, thickness, and figure.
To occupy space it must be solid, but solidity is only another name
for matter, therefore this eternal something must be matter.

That which as no extension, nor parts, nor relation to space and
duration, is called immateriality, which is the negative of all exist-
ence, or merely another name for nothing.

Having proved from the fact, that something now exists, that some-
thing must have always existed, let us next enquire, have all sub-
stances eternally existed. Upon this subject mankind are divided.
One class assumes that part of the substances in space were created
out of nothing by the other part which they are irresistibly compell-
ed to believe is eternal. The other class believe all substances to
be eternal. We shall now proceed to show that the creation of one
part of substances from nothing by another part, cannot be establish-
ed by any necessity, experience, reason, analogy, or divine revelation."

We would now ask the reader that (0. P.) having included the
testimony of revelation whether he did not include all the inspired
penmen who had written, as they were moved by the Holy Ghost ?
And must not the man that would endeavour to prove otherwise be
an adapt sophist.

Now, why did not Mr. B. take the reasonings of Orson Pratt, and
show their sophistical character ; was it because he did not possess
sophistry enough to circumvent them.

Why did he fly to extracts from Atheistical writers, instead of ap-
pealing to reason and revelation ? Was he conscious that they were
not on his side.

He must have known, that it was no evidence that matter was not
eternal, because some had contended for its eternity who denied the
influence of intelligent principles, powers, or beings, in the organiza-
tion and government of the universe, any more than the denial of
the possession of any given quality by an object would be esteemed
as an evidence of the none existence of the object referred to. We
are reminded of a modern Atheist, who once adduced as an evidence
of the none existence of diety, the fact, that he had several times
prayed the Lord to send him some sacks of flour into his kitchen,
but that not one had been sent.
We shall now proceed to make extracts from 'The Great First Cause,'

44 "-—•

that the reader may see the wickedness of the man who could class
its author with Atheists, who deny the evidence of intelligence and
design, in the organization and government of the universe.

" All the materials of the universe with which we are acquainted
exhibit actions which in all cases are produced by self-moving forces,
for no other forces do or can exist. Those particles of this self-mov-
ing substance which constitute the world, and which are generally
known under the name of ponderable substances do not act at random,
but act systematically and intelligently."

The difference between the self-moving theory and the attracting
hypothesis is to be found, not in the resulting phenomena, lor they
are and must be the same, but in the cause which produce these
phenomena.

Page 5.

All theologists who adopt the attracting hypothesis, require a great
first cause, who not only gives laws to blind unconscious, unintelli-
gent matter, but also forces it to act according to those laws.

All theolegists who shall adopt the self-moving theory Avill require
the great first cause itself to consist of conscious, intelligent, self-
moving particles, called the Holy Spirit, which prescribe laws for
their own action, as well as laws for the action of all other intelli-
gent materials. An unintelligent particle is incapable of understand-
ing or obeying a law, while an intelligent particle is capable of botii
understanding and obedience. It would be entirely useless for an in-
telligent cause to give laws to unintelligent matter, for such matter
could never become conscious of such laws, and therefore would be
totally incapable of obedience. An intelligent cause cannot force un-
intelligent matter to act in any manner without the aid of intelligent
matter in actual contact with it. As far as our observations extend
the materials of the universe exhibit a constant succession of phe-
nomena according to fixed rules. Now these materials must either
act themselves, being intelligent and possessed of a self-moving
power, or, if unintelligent, they must be acted upon by the contact of
intelligent materials ; in the latter case the intelligent materials must
be, at least, equal in quantity to the unintelligent, and must be as
extensively dispersed, uniting with and acting upon each unintelli-
gent atom, wherever order or a definite law characterizes the pheno-
mena.

The amount of intelligent matter in space must be inconceiveably
great ; it exists in vast quantities in all worlds, regulating and con-
trolling every department of nature according to fixed laws.

All these self-moving materials must be possessed of a high degree
of intelligence, in order to obey with such perfect and undeviating
exactness the innumerable laws which obtain in the universe. Page 10.

Again, referring to the organization and adaptation of nature he
writes, "How can we for a moment doubt that the selection was made
by a wise j designing, intelligent cause." Page 12.

There are laws given to govern substances that act voluntary un-
der the influence of wisdom, knowledge, and will.

This same Apostle writes in another place, " The Holy Spirit be-
ing one part of the Godhead, is also a material substance * * * *

It exists in vast immeasurable quantities in connection with all ma-
terial worlds. This is called God in the scriptures as well as the
Father and Son. * * * * God the Holy Spirit is omnipresent — it
extends through all space, intermingling with all other matter, — * * *
* * * It must exist in inexhaustable quantities, which is the only
possible way for any substance to be omnipresent. All the innumera-
ble phenomena of universal nature are produced in their origin by
the actual presence of this intelligent all-wise and all-powerful ma-
terial substance called the Holy Spirit. It is the most active matter
in the universe, producing all its operations according to fixed and
definite laws enacted by itself, in conjunction with the Father and
the Son. What are called the laws of nature are nothing more nor
less than the fixed method, by which this spiritual matter operates.
Each atom of the Holy Spirit is intelligent * * * * Its distin-
guishing characteristics from other matter are its allmighty powers
and infinite wisdom, * * Absurdities of immaterialism. — Page 29.

He, in another place, writes " He (God) could divide the waters
of the sea and hold them up by the actual presence of His Holy Spi-
rit which not only moves on the face of the waters, but is -likewise in
and through the waters, governing them and controlling all the ele-
ments according to the mind of God. It is the actual presence of
this Spirit that produced all the phenomena ascribed to the laws of
nature, as well as many of the deviations from those laws commonly
called miracles : it extends, like the golden rays of the bright lumi-
nary of heaven, through all extent ; it spreads life and happiness
through all the various species of animated beings, and gilds the
starry firmament with a magnificent splendor, celestial, immortal and
eternal. — Ibid, page 32.

How can Mr. B. make this, sentiment to be one with Atheistical
writers ; he will be able to do so when he can prove that, blind and
unconscious are synonimous with intelligence and will, order and de-
sign with fortutious and chance, voluntary and freedom with neces-
sity and fatality. When he can make a belief in the sacred scrip-
tures with all the events therein recorded called miraculous to be the
same as the most positive denial of the truthfulness of the Bible and
the most unequivocal repudiation of all miracles. When he can show
how the sentiment of the man who believes in the God who deluged the
world, destroyed Sodom and Gomorah, slayed the first-born of the
Egyptians, divided the red sea,&c. Who sent his son to redeem fallen
man, whom he raised from the dead on the third day, and who having
ascended into heaven is seated on the right hand of his Father, and
for whose sake the Father is ever ready to listen to the prayers of the
saint*, can be the same with the man's who writes " dost thou really

4G

believe that thy weak prayers will induce her to stop her eternal march,
that thy sickly desires can oblige her to change her everlasting course."
When he can do this.

He will then be able to prove that which his mind was once in-
tent upon. He will be able to demonstrate not only that there is no
over-ruling Providence, but also that there is no God. Would one
hundred pounds assist him in such an undertaking ?

What must be the state and character of the person who could thus
misrepresent the sentiments of another, and that without once conde-
scending to notice even one single argument adduced in favour of that
which he condemns, and all this misrepresentation done under an as-
sumed love of truth and integrity ; as truth proceeds from God and
falsehood from the Devil, how applicable the words of the Saviour,.
" ye are of your Father the Devil, who is a liar from the beginning."

We defy Mr. B. to extricate himself from the shame and disgrace
that will necessarily follow him on account of his pervertion and gross
misrepresentation of another's sentiments, for there is not a single sen-
tence marked by him as a quotation that is strictly and literally cor-
rect.

In his 8th paragraph he writes "Having deified part of matter he subse-
quently says that by the deified portion of matter all things were made
Of Him." What 0. Pratt actually writes is " He is in all things and
through all things, and the law by which all things are governed and
all things are not only by him and for him but of him ;" pray had he
forgot Paul's testimony who wrote " One God and Father of all who
is above all, and through all, and in you all." If he is through all
and in all must not all be of him.

In another place he said " In him we live, and move, and have a
being."

Mr. B. further writes " Our unhappy Duke lately in the neighbour-
hood of Shoreditch, London, paid dearly for his adherence to the Mor-
mon church, as in the course of a year or so they eased him of nearly
£3000. Mhat does he mean by the term eased, does he think the
money was borrowed from the duke and that afterwards it was told
his friends that he had given it. Although this duke's tale is strange
to us, we are bold to affirm that whatevor amount was obtained from
him, he gave it voluntarily ; and that every penny of it was applied
for the very express purpose for which it had been donated, except
such sums as might be given to elders for their private use; some, of
such sums, may have been applied by them for the advancement of
the kingdom of God, and for the relief of distressed brethren, as
has been done in Sydney, and that to Mr. B. himself.

He, Mr. B., further writes " There are not many in this city that
support their pernicious dogmas, but some of these have been made
wise through the medium of a drainage on their purse, and have cut
them."

Admitting this statement to be true what would any honest person

47

think of such persons, that only esteemed truth and salvation as worth
so many pounds, shillings, and pence ; but Ave are prepared to give
the most unqualified denial to the above statement, and defy him to
produce the names of any such persons.

That the public may understand something definitely in relation to
the drainage referred to, we have determined to publish the following
letter, addressed to the President, which came to hand just as he was
sitting down to breakfast on the morning of the date which it bears.

New Town, 25th July, 1853.
My Dear President Farnham,

Your address to the public has just been handed
to me, I am obliged to you for the persual of the same, I like the
mould into which you have cast the introduction far before that of
P. P. Pratt's, you and he must pardon the comparison, I say it with all
deference, notwithstanding the overwhelming popularity of that o-rea
man. I think the publication likely to do a vast deal of good to tl
cause you so zealously and faithfully preside over in this colony. I w,
favoured yesterday with an English paper of the 24th of March, coi*
taining an account of the transition in the minds of the Jews from
their " Mishna" and the " i almud" to the reading of the Old Tes-
tament.

A Society has been formed in London among them for the purpose
of making arrangments for them to go to the land of their Fathers !
When you favour us with another visit I hope to have the pleasure
of showing it to you. The periodical you purpose to issue is a bold
undertaking in this stolid community, that only supports one daily pa-
per while it leaves the other to struggle as best it can with the winds
and waves of adverse fortune.

To the shame and lamentable disgrace of this city be it said that at
various times sundry publications from a duodecimo to folio, and from
that to a magazine have all died in their infancy trom a want of that
nourishment which ought to have been administered, and had the said
been French or American the utmost care would have been bestow-
ed on the efforts of those who cater for the public taste. Out on
sueh a groveling crew as there are in this place— However there is a
specific difference between " Zion's Watchman" and any thing that
has yet been placed before the apathetic Sydneyites. Its aim and
object are diametrically opposite to either of those issues which have
heretofore been sent forth from the press. It is therefore to be pre-
sumed that our Editor will have a very different report to make to
Zion than had any of the unfortunates to their subscribers. May the
Lord grant his blessing on your praiseworthy labors. Amidst your
manifold fuctions it is quite possible that the application I made to
you on Friday, to apply to the church to assist me in paying the rent
and for some means of obtaining necessaries for my family, may have
escaped your notice, but should you have still retained us in your re-
collection I hope you will pardon me for having attempted to refresh

48

vour memory. On the result of two days subscription lor us hangs
our fate, whether we are to continue housed or to he houseless. Had
1 in any way heen instrumental to my affliction I should have been
ashamed to ask for any help, although I find even in that case, by the
book of Mormon, page 154, I should be perfectly justified, and I find
that there is an unconditional command of our Lord in his address
on the mount to the same effect, admist all my misery I feel none
greater than to appeal to the liberality of my brethren for a supply
of the means of existence. May the Lord of his infinite mercy speedily
raise me up, and open a way whereby this melancholy alternative may
be suspended, is the fervent and frequent prayer of my dear President,
your very humble and distressed Brother, in the new and everlasting
covenant. I was and so were we all grieved to hear of the bulletin
Maria brought us to day of your health. Bad as my condition is
I would not change places with one who possessed the wealth of Em-
pires out of the" church of Jesus Christ of L. D. S. I know just
enough at present to make me to see the Great Ocean of Truth
that lies before me. Please to accept our very best thanks for all
that you have done for us, and for all that you desire to do, and be-
lieve me, with the greatest respect and esteem,

Yours,
Most faithfully,

JAMES BEATTY.
We extract the following from a note addressed to the President of
the Sydney Branch upon a begging suit, dated July 14th, 1853 : —

" Brother Farnham will inform you that I have offered myself to go
on a mission, since which I feel myself recovering." What can the
public think of this man and his base and ungrateful insinuations
against the servants of the Lord. Whatever they may think of Mor-
monisin will they not look upon him with that degree of contempt
and reproach which is the just reward of every ingrate.

Just preceeding the insinuations referred to, the writer expresses
himself as follows :— " Having exposed this wicked imposture that has
been palmed upon the world, it is easy to see from whence came the
Revelation relative to the eternity of the spirit of man* and the per-
mission for a plurality of wives, as well as from whence came many
other Revelations of theirs."

What will the honestly inclined portion of the public think, when
they are informed that the " Great Ocean of Truth," referred to in his
letter is the " Eternity of the Spirit of man, and the permission for a
plurality of wives," which he had more fully become acquainted with,
by a perusal of " The Deseret Extra," and that it was after see-
ing this " Great Ocean of Truth" that he offered himself to go on a
mission ; and that, all this time, he was as well acquainted with the
« Great First Cause" as he can be now, having had it in his posses-

* H-reis another insla ice of his perversion. He ought to have written nre-txistence
(not eternity) of the spirit of man.

sion, or under his command for upwards of four months, and having
also spoken of it in the highest terms, recommending it as the most
suitable to present to the sceptic, after which might follow the " ab-
surdities immaterialism," then the "Divine authenticity of the book
of Mormon."

It is true that all the time that there wras something in the book
of Mormon and the work referred to that did not accord with his views
but this, he has not presented to the public, but we shall do it for him
before we have done with him.

In conclusion he whites " I defy them to extricate themselves from
the position in which Orson Pratt has placed them, by deifying matter,
or, from that which the founder of Mormonism, Joseph Smith, pro-
mulgated, amounting to the same, but greatly condensed, namely, that
" the meanest saint in the church, if faithful, would go on from one
degree of glory and power to another, until he would be equal to
(" the material") God himself. This is the fundamental doctrine of
the heads of the Mormons, who bait their traps and lay their snares
for the feet of the unwary !"

If we are to believe the scriptures it did not require 0. Pratt to
deify matter, for Jesus Christ was a material man, and their testimony
is that in him dwelt the " Fulness of the Godhead Bodily," and
that he was the express image of His Father's person, Christ's per-
sonage consisted of flesh and bones, (query, are thy material) for
it is recorded " the word was made flesh and dwelt among us," and
when the Saviour shewed himself to his disciples after his resurrec-
tion he said unto them " a Spirit has not flesh and bones as ye see me
have." No wonder then! that we find the Lord having his feet
washed by, conversing ai)d walking with Abraham, wrestling with
Jacob, speaking to Moses face to face, &c.

From the foregoing it will be evident that, so long as the Mor-
mons are willing to abide by the truth there will be no necessity for
an attempt to extricate themselves from the position they are in, in re-
lation to this matter as to the " fundamental doctrine of the heads
of the Mormons" it is the true doctrine of Scripture and this he knew
well, and theie is no necessity of being surprised at this for the scrip-
ture came from the heads of that which the world call Mormonism.

The heads of Mormonism are the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, for
it is the kingdom of God established in fulfilment of the words of the
prophets in these the last day, and it will prevail.

In proof of this fundamental doctrine Ave refer the reader to the
following passages of the sacred scriptures. — John 17, 20, to 23. 1st.
John 3, 2. Rev. 14, 1. and 22, 4.

It is cheering for us to know that for the welfare of the honest in
heart, and for the honour and glory of God, that the time is drawing
near when error and unrighteousness in every shape will be entirely
banished from the earth, and that truth and righteousness shall have
a transcendent victory over the host of enemies with which it has had

50

to struggle through this age of darkness, superstition, and ignorance,
when indeed " the knowledge of the Lord shall cover the earth as the
waters cover the great deep." — S. E. D.

A REPLY TO THE " CHRISTIAN HERALD," ON THE PLU-
RALITY OF WIVES.

(Continued frvm page 33)
So far from Christ abolishing polygamy, he re-established it, in its purity.
In abolishing the ceremonial law of Moses, he only abolished that which had
been added (because of the transgression of the people), to the Gospel,
which was preached to the- patriarch Abraham, (see Gal. 3), in whom all
the families of the earth were blessed. " The law of Moses did not bless
all the families of the earth." The Mosaic or ceremonial law was an inter-
mediate system, the Gospel being known and obeyed for ages previous to the
days of Moses; consequently, when Jesus came, he re-introduced the Gos-
pel, with all its blessings, so far as the people would receive them; and he
only abolished those laws and institutions of the Mosaic economy which were
added to the Gospel.

It follows, then, of necessity, that polygamy being a part of the Gospel, as
well as being observable under the Mosaic dispensation, was not abolished
when Jesus came, but continued after the law of Moses, as before, a principle
of the unchanging, everlasting Gospel of Salvation.

As " for man to write a bill of divorcement and put away his wife," being
"contrary to the original law and intention of God." This is strictly in
accordance with Mormonism, as are all the other truths of the Bible.

But this is not the case with the sectarian world, as the following extract
from the New- York Evangelist, respecting a case of polygamy in the
Presbyterian Dukotah Mission will show : —

" Extract from the Minutes of the Presbytery of Ripley, met
at Sardinie, April 13, 1843."

" Presbytery took up the reference from the church of Lacquiparle, viz :
A man, before hearing the Gospel, had taken two wives, by each of which he
has children nearly grown and smaller. They are both pleased to dwell
with him. He, having heard the word of God, and believing there is no
salvation except in Jesus Christ, desires admission to the privileges of the
church. Shall we require him to put away one of his wives 1 and if so,
were is our Scripture authority for eo doing "?

" Signed, T. S. Williamson,
S. R. Riggs."

" Reply of Presbytery.
" Dear Brethren — We have duly considered the question you referred to
us. The following was moved and carried as the answer of a majority of
one, viz. : " We dare not say, requirzhim to put her away.1' The majority
were of opinion, that there is not sufficient warrant for such a requisition.
The minority alleged, that Math, ii 14 — 16, Mark x. 2 — 9, are sufficient
warrant for requiring him to put her away, that the Saviour condemns all
departures from the original institution, and no mention is made of any

51

practising polygamy being received into the apostolical churches, and tha
of course, there can be no authority for receiving any now, who live iu tL
violation of the original institution of marriage.

"Upon the whole, we deem it the safest to adhere strictly to the origin
institution, as uo exceptions are found in the New Testament, and ll
Saviour clearly condemns all departures made in the Old.

" Signed, Jesse H. Lockhart,

Stated Clerk.''
" The applicant was not received by the church." How forceably tl
above extract depicts the deplorable condition of modern Christendom, wi'
its no revelation doctrine, and ante-apostolic institutions. Had their chun
been built upon the foundation of apostles and prophets, they might ha
enquired the mind of the Lord, as Moses did in tho case <f the defiled me
who had not partaken of the passover. See Num. ix. 6 — 12 Here is
model of Christendom, with its wane of unanimity, understanding ai
knowledge, the true cause of which is their want of authority and the Ho
Ghost. How can men, destitute of the Spirit that dictated the Scripture
understand them.

For the want of this knowledge, here are three persons refused salvatioi
The reasons assigned for this are founded upon two passages of Scriptur*
The first of which has no more relation to the subject than darkness has t
light. It informs us of Joseph taking the child Jesus and his mother dow
into Egypt; and as to the second passage, Mark x. 2 — 9, if the Svnod h?
not been surrounded with the " darkness that covers the earth," ar.
had their minds not been filled with the " gross darkness that covers tl
people," they never would have wrested this reference to the beginning of tl
creation, from the import and application given to it by Christ himself,
is plain from this passage, that the sexes were made for each other, and tb
both the single and divorced estate are not only contrary to the law of Gt
but they are unnatural states.

The reader, by reference to the passage, will see that the question, und
consideration was divorce ; for convenience, we will extract; —

" And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, is it lawful for a m
to put away his wife? tempting him. And He (Jesus) answered and sa
unto them, What did Moses command you ? And they said, Moses suffer
to write a bill of divorcement and put her away. And Jesus answered a
said unto them, For the hardness of your hearts he wrote you this prece]
But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. F
this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wi
and they twain shall be one flesh, so then they are no more twain, but o
flesh. What therefore God hath joined together let no man put asunder
Were we to go into any Bible class in any of the Sabbath Schools, a
question the children upon this passage, we should receive something li
the following answer.

Question. — What is the subject of these verses? Answer. — Divor
Ques. — By whom was it originated? Ans. — By the Pharisees. Ques
For what end did they introduce it ? Ans. — That they might tempt Chr
Ques.--To whom did Christ refer them? Ans. — To Moses. Ques. — ]
they answer, if so, how? Ans.- They answered, that Moses suffered
write a bill of divorcement and put her away. Ques. — Did Christ give

52

unqualified approval of this law ? Ans. — No. Ques. — What reason did
Christ assign for this law? Ans. — The hardness of their hearts. Qaes. —
What proof did Christ give that it was on account of tbe hardness of their
hearts that Moses permitted divorce? Ans. — That it was not so from the
beginning of creation, for God made them male and female. Ques. — What
do you understand from the expression ; God made them male and female ?
Ans. — That the one was made for the other. Ques. --Was it ever intended
that they should be separated? Ans. — No, for Christ said, what therefore
God hath joined together let no man put asunder. Ques. — How did the
Pharisees tempt Christ, by questioning him in relation to divorce ? Ans. —
They thought by so doing to lead him to condemn the laws of marriage, as
established by Moses. Ques. — Did Christ condemn these laws? Ans. —
No, but he referred to them. Ques. — Does Christ's reference to the law of
Moses, imply an unqualified approval of the same 1 Ans. — It does, with the
exception of the law of divorce, which was only permitted on account of the
hardness of their hearts. Ques. — Is there anything in these passages that
has reference to a man having more wives than one? Ans. — No, it only
speaks against a man putting away his wife. Ques. — Is there anything in
this passage that should prevent a person having more wives than one being
received into the Church of Christ? Ans. — No, for Christ refers to the law
of Moses, which permitted a man to have more wives than one ; and besides
that, many of the ancient saints had more wives than one. Ques — But was
it not sinful for the ancient saints to have more wives than one? Ans. —
No, for we read that the Lord not only gave David his own wives, but he
also gave into his heart the wives of his master, Saul ; and he further says,
that if these had not been enough, he would have given him more; and you
know that there is no unrighteousness in God. Ques. — Would it be
wrong, therefore, to require a man who had more wives than one, to put all
away except one ? Ans — It would, for Christ says, " what therefore God
hath joined together let no mau put asunder.'' Ques. — What is the condi-
tion of those who require a man to put away his wife or wives ? Ans. —
They are hard-hearted.

From the above there are two things manifest. 1st. That Christ did not
abolish the law of Moses in relation to marriage. 2nd. That the marriage-
covenant of those who are joined together by God is indissoluable. God do^s
nothing himself, but revealeth his secrets to his servants the prophets.

(To he continued?)

NINTH GENERAL EPISTLE.

Of the presidency of the church of Jesus Christ of latter-day saints, from
great salt lake valley, to the saints scattered abroad throughout the earth
greeting.

(From the Deseret News.)

Beloved Brethren — It is with peculiar emotions of gratitude to our heavenly Father,
that we address you at the present time— a period in the history of this last dispensation
when the Chief Corner Stones of the House of the Lord are laid in the tops of the moun-
tains, according to the predictions of ancient Prophets, and at the time previously suggest-
ed by us.

53

While the movements of the heavens and the earth, and all things connected therewith,
betoken the speedy fulfilment of the visions and revela'.ion9, and prophecies concerning thn
latter-days, preparatory to the second coming of the Son of Man. we rejoice that the God
of Abraham has prepared a hiding-place for His people, amid the valleys of the everlast-
ing hills, where we have been permitted, for a few years, to dwell in safely, far removed
from the fire and blood that have been poured out upon the Saints in former years, by those
who feared not God, neither regarded man.

Since our last Epistle, of October 13, 1852, we know of but few particulars that have
transpired among the Tarious nations of the earth. But we know that the revelations of
Jesus Chri3t are true, and that peace is taken from the earth, and those who will not re-
ceive and obey the Gospel of Jesus Christ, when they hear it, will grow worse and worse,
in evil passions, strife, war, and blood, until the wicked shall have overthrown the wicked,
and destrr.ypd themselves from the face of the earth, that Jesus may have the privilege to
reign unmolested in the midst of those that love him.

No mail has been received from the east sinca last November, and a part of that is still
cached in the mountains, while the remainder was drawn over the snow drifts by band.
And, as yet, we have no certain information who was last elected President of the United
States, or who is now President of the nation.

During this long silence from the eas?, we have received two mails from California, by
the south route, containing very little news. A few leters from varioui foreign missions,
show an increase to the Church, and the spread of the Gospel, except in the Society Islands,
from whence the Elders have been banished by the French authorities, and tha Saints for-
bid to pray, even in their own houses. Elder Addison Pratt, and others have returned
to tha continent. Elder Cannon is translating the liook of Mormon into tho Owyhean
language. Elder Wocdard has been banished from Italy, for teaching the truth, and pass-
ed over into Switzerland, according to the command of the Saviour to his disciples sent
forth to preach his Gospel — When they persecute you in one place, flee to another. The
brethren in Denmark have experienced bitter persecutions, but the truth is spreading
in every direction.

Our population ha3 become so numerous, and our settlements so extensive, that we can-
not give so many particular events and circumstances concerning the Saints at home, as
hitherto. All the faithful Saints, and there are many such, are filled with the spirit of
peace, joy, and rejoicing ; aod general prosperity has attended their labours in the Valley,
from the earliest arrival; and they heve no wish to exchange their location for any other
portion of the earth, or even to leave for a temporary absence, unless sent, by proper au-
thority, to preach the Gospel.

As it has been in all ages of the Church, so it is now, (and so it will continue while
the net gathers ail S9its of fish,) there are unfaithful members, they have a name to live, -
but are dead; and being destitue of faith are destitute of good works, are faultfinders,
backbiters, evil surmisets, false prophets, apostates. All such are fit subjects for the gold
mines, where probably most of them will go, and we hope all such will go this spring, and
all that we ask of them is that they will pay their debts, go in peace, and choose whatever
got! they please to worship.

The Saints have been prospered exceedingly in the Valley ; and the abundance that lias
been poured out upon them, even till they had no room to receive, has been made the occa-
sion of sloth, and wastefulness, insomuch that there will be a greater scarcity of flour be-
fore harvest, than has been for years previous. With these things the Lord is not well
pleased, and unless such repent speedily, they will find famine instead of plenty in their
habitations.

Domestic manufactures are improving, but not so fast as is desirable. Saw and grain
mills have increased rapidly in the various settlements, but they cannot keep pace with the
demand for flour, and especially for lumber. The tanneries are gradually improving, and
considerable leather has been produced. Our nail factories progress slowly. A manu-
factory of combs has commenced. The fine comb from our mountain mahogany bids fair
to supersede the necessity of ivory. Manulacturers of all kinds are wanted more extensive-
ly, and labour saving machinery, particularly for the husbandman, so that the
farmers can raise the grain, and every machanic work at his own trade.

The prospect is flattering that many of these evils will soon be remedied by a supply of
iron ware, in its various forms, from Iron County. One brief blast of ihe furnace, pro-
duced twenty-five hundred of excellent pig iron, when the blast ceased for want of coal.
The snow having been unusually deep on the mountains the past winter has prevented bring.
ing wood and coal from the kanyons. An excellent pair of hand irons was exhibited at
Conference, as the first fruits of the iron foundry.

54

The large addition fo the Lord's Store House is comj>le'ed, and s-tore bouses generally
e in the various settlements. Much valuable machinery has been added to the Temple
mp. The extensive blacksmith, and joiner, and machine shops are on the Temple block,
here all tbe labour of the Temple is 10 be perfoimed within the walls, the stone work of
hich is about one- fourth completed. The Social Hall was so far completed as to be oc-
ipied by social parties, and for dramatic entertainment the past winter. It was dedicated
iDUary 1st.

Our sugar apparatus arrived too late for use last fall, a portion of it is now attached to
le water w^iksof tbe public machine shop, and is engaged in making molasses. Expe-
ments have proved that the saccharine matter of the beet is superior in the valley, and we
ave the apparatus and means to make the various sweets from molasses to refined sugar,
id the factory will be located on Big Kanyon Creek, ready tor use, next fall.
Janutiy 21st, tbe Legislature arouse from an arduous session of fortj days, and were
leered with a social and happy entertainment by the Governor, the same evening. The
ws of the country are generally observe J, and our courts are seldom troubled with a law-
lit. Travellers occasionally quarrel wiih each other, and require a legal settlement ; otber-
ise our courts are nearly useless, there being no occasion to use them. Tbe Indians have
reserve 1 tbeir peaceful relations with each other, and the citizens generally. No serious
r lasting outoreaks hive occurred the past season, and a dipositioa for peace, and raising
>read, is increasing.

The last accounts from tbe E ders who went out last fall, were of iheir arrival at S1-.

f.ouis, in sixty dajs from their departure. Those bound for China, Hindoostan. Austra-

la, and the Western Islands, left oa the 20th Oe.oter, and at our latest dates, nearly all

jad shipped from San Francisco.

Tho first severe fro t last fall wa3 on the 4'h November, atd the first snow to cover the

round in the city was on the 10th, three inches deep ; an 1 another on tbe 23rd, from one

> two feet. The winter has been cold and stormy, with many strong winds. February

vas very mild, and March generally very pleasant, and much farming and gardening was

'one. Many young fruit trees have been transplanted this spring, and millions more

vouid be if they could be had. Let the Saints ever remember to bring with them all

choice se ds, from ail parts of tne earth.

Elders Anusa Ljman and Charles C. Rich arrived on the I9lh of December, and the
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles have spent the winter in the Valley, with the exception of
Orson Pratt, »ho is at Washington

February 14th, in thepresetcj of an immense concourse of people, assisted by the Apostles
and others, we broke the ground for the foundation of the Temple, and the day following
preparations were commenced for the erection of an Arsenal

bister Hosea Stout died on the 11th of January, and her infant a few days previous, and
sister Thomas Rhoads tin the 11th of February. We recollect no other deaths in the fami-
lies of the mission Elders. There is occasionally some sickness in the Valley, but it arises
more from the seeds of old disease brought fiom foreign countries, and imprudence, than
from any thing unhealthy in our climate or location.

The block of Stone designed by the Deseret Legislature for the Washington Monument,
has been prepared, and exhihited at this Conference, and will be forwarded to Washington
at our first convenience. The device is a Bee-bive, in full operation, in the centre, en-
circled by the convolvulus, &c, with the description, " Holiness to the Lord. Deseret."
The S.h of April dawned upon our city, in all theeffulgence of a lovely vernal morn ;
as though the bright luminaiy of d^y, was typical of the Sun of Righteousness and about
to open up a new dispensation on tbe face of our snow-covered, rock-bound Valley. A
mote lovely day never dawned on earth ; the sun, the sky. tbe atmosphere, the earth appeared
neither too cold, nor too hot, nor lukewarm; but all seemed filled with life, real lifb,
adapted in all tbeir several temperaments to each soul, to cheer, and to make happy every
individual of ihe many thousands of aged, middle aged, and youth, who had assembled from
the near and remote parts of this inhabited Valley, to attend the General Annual Confer-
ence, and witness the laying of the Comer Stones of the House of the Lord, that for ages
the Prophets have foretold should be erected to the name of the God of Jacob, in tbe " tops
of the mountains."

So immense was the assemblage of the Saints, on the opening of the Conference, at ten
o'clock A. m., that the ingress or egress oftwenty-Sve hundred at the Tabernacle was
scarcely missed, or noticed by the multitude without. After the opening of the Conference
by singing and prayer in the Tabernacle, the general authorities of the Church, surround-
ed by escorts, guards, police, martial music, instrumental bands, and choir, with the Na-
tional Flag unfurled from its topmost staff, the ensigns of the various bands and escorts
floating in the breeze, and the banner of »' Zion's Workmen" towering aloft, proceeded to

55

theT-mple ground, and after singing by the choir, ilie flf-st Presidency laid the South
East Corner Sone of the Temple, followed by an otation from Presideut Young, prayer
by President Kimball. and s'ngir.g by the choir.

The Presiding Bishop and Council, with the Presidents of the le?ser Priesthood and
Council laid the Sou'h West Corner Stone.

The President and Council of the High Priests' Quorum, with the President of this Ss&ke
of Zion, and High Council, laid the North West Corner Stone.

The Quorum of the Twelve Apostlp", with the fi'st Presidency of the Seventies arid ihe
President and Council of the Elders' Quorum, laid the North East Corner Stone

The laying < f each Corner Stone was followed by an oration, prayer, and singing, in the
same order as at the Sauth East Corner Stone. And all those orations, rrayers. and
hymns, are in print, as part of the minutes of the Conference^ and will accompany this
Epistle, in the next Number of the Deseret News.

The Corner Stones nojv rest in their several positions, about sixteen feet below the sur-
face of the eastern hank, beneath the reach of mountain floods, when the edifice shall be
completed, and so deep beneath the surface, that it will cost robbers and mobs too much
Ubour to raze it to its foundation, leaving not one stone upon another, as they did with
the Temple at Jerusalem.

The woik for the redemption and sa'vation rf Israel has commenced, as it were, anew on
the earth, wlrch makes Satan mad, and causes devils to howl. But their doleful moans
are not hfeded by the Saints in the mountains, their hearts are cheered to press forward
with all their energies, to complete the Lord's House, as speedily as possible. And all the
Saints abroad » bo want to become partakers in blessings in the House of the Lord, with the
Saints ia the Valley, and who cannot come imnikd:at=ly to work in person, car-, bv one,
process, and one only, reap the blessings they desire, and that is by bein^ humble, keep-
ing all the commandments, being dilig( nt in business. Gather up the good things of the
earth as fast as you possibly can, in uprightness, and send your gold, and silver, and pre-
cious stones, and every thing that you can, which may be useful to us, in forwarding the
work wp have commenced. And let all who can, come home without delay, and put their
o.vn hands to the work.

If the kints of the earth would become nnrs'ng fathers, and qteens would become nur--
ing mothers, to the Israel of God ; and the noble-, and the pr^at ones of the earth would
secure a hid ng-plac- from the storm, and the tempest, and the plagues, and the fire, and
the sword, that God will cause to pss3 through all lands, to depopulate the nations on ac-
count of their gnat wickedness in his sight — let them, with the Saints from every clime,
forward their rich treasurers, to beaut fy and adorn the House of the Lord, that He may
have a pleasant place to lay His head on the earth, where those kings and queens and nobles
may del ght to visit, and where they may rest in peace, and learn the will of heaven con-
cerning them, by inquiring of the servants of the most High God, concerning their king-
doms

The Perpetual Emigrating Funds are in a prosperous condition, although, from surround-
ing circumstances, but a small portioa is available for use this season- it is only about
three and a half years s:nce this method of assisting the Saids to gather was first suggest-
ed ; and the report of the recorder, at this Conference, exhibits the actual fund by valua-
tion in part, now on record, in this place, about 22 00') dollars, but a considerable portion
thereof is in cxen, and wagons, and property, which w ill take till another season to turn to
advantage ; also, in addition to the above, there is ahont 11,500 do'lars duo from indivi-
duals who hiive been assisted by the Company, making a total of about 31 000 dollars, in-
dependent of what has teen gathered in England and other places the last six months, of
which we have uo account.

With the blessings of Providence, most, or all of these funds will be brought forth to the
assistance of the emigration of the poor, one year hence Therefore let not: the Saints
stay their hands, but let books be opened, and donations be received by the Presidents of
all the various missions of the L%tter-day Siints upon the whole earth, to help the Perpe-
tual Emigrating Fund, and the Saints to come home. And let all who can, come without
delay, and not wait to be he'ped by these funds, but leave them to help those who cannot
help themselves.

Twenty five Elders have been appointed on various missions, during the Conference
just closed ; namely, two to China, two to the United States, twenty-one to England or Eu-
rope, whose names will appear in the Conference minutes. These Elders will co-operate
with the Elders already in the several countries where they are going, and be suhject to the
council of the Pres dency already established in their several locations. Those destined
for Europe, will journey by the South Pass and the United States ; and those for China,
will go by California ; and all will take their departure in a few days, or apostatize.

56

The Holy Spirit has been in our midst, and the revelations of Jesus have guided His
Apostles and Prophets, in laying the Corner Stones of tho Temple, and ministering unto
the Saints, during Conference, in an unusual degree, which iias caused much gladness of
heart, and great joy and rejoicing. And that same Spirit wilJ accompany this our Epis-
tle, and be felt, and experienced to the joy of your hearts, even by all who will receive our
testimony, and practise those precepts which we inculcate

Let all the Elders who have been sent forth on mission* to foreign lands, magnify their
high and holy calling, in word and deed, and be an example unto all men. Teach the
first principles of the Gospel ; and so far as men shail believe your testimony, adminis-
ter the first ordinances of life and salvation ; and when ihey want to know more, send them
home, tell them that Zion is the place for them to receive those teachings which you have
not time to teach, and which do not belong to your mission. Do not undertake to teach
the mysteries of the exaltations and powers of the worlds to come, and of eternal lives, un-
less you want to lose all the little claim to eternal life which you may have.

Think not, O ye Elders of Israel ! that ycur eternal heirship is won, and immutably sf-
cured, because you have attained to a portion of the Holy Priesthood, and a few of its in-
itiating ordinances, while as yet your life and tho security of all your great and glorious
blessings in hope and prospec, areas a vapour before the sun ; as yet depending wholly
on your meekness, faithfulness, and perseverance to the end in everything good. Think
not that you are legally entitled to even one wife, while you live on this earth, unless you
are sealed up to everlasting lives, by the will aad decree of the Eternal Father, and a
knowledge of the fact has been communicated to you, through the proper source, and not
direct, to you, in person. And consider that the blessings you have hitherto received,
through the mercies of Him who lovethyou, even your Father in heaven, will all be wrest-
ed from you, like David's of old, should you err like him.

To the Sisters in Israel, we siy, be patient. If your husband has died in the faith, and
you wish to he sealed to him for eternity, you must come to Zion, to receive that sealing or-
dinance And if a High Priest or an Elder, should tell you that you cannot be saved if
you are not sealed to him, either a3 proxy for time, or for tternity to the exclusion of your
dead, thrust him from your presence, as Lv.cifer was thrust from heaven : for that High
Priest or Elder, will be damned, (unless he speedily repent,) assure as Lucifer was ; and
he can neither save you, nor you him. But come to Zion, be patient till you can get here,
and the Temple is completed, and your oldest son, by the husband to whom you wish to be
sealed, may stand as his father's legal representative by your side, and by him you may he
sealed to your dead husband; for it is the legal right, in God's kingdom, for the oldest
son to minister, and obtain blessings for his father, and act for his father when he is
gone into the eternal world.

Keep yourselves pure, live spotless and undefiled, all ye who profess to be Saints. Show
your faith by your works. Let the Elders flee from any country where they are perse-
cuted beyond endurance, and open the door of salvation to the first people who are willing
to receive them. Translate the Book of Mormon into every language and dialect under
heaven, and print the same, as God shall give you the opportunity. And from this hour
the gift of tongues, and by it translations, from language to language, shall be more and
more manifest unto the Elders of Israel, until no nation, kingdom, tribe, or family, shall
be destitute of the offer of the word of God on the earth.

So far as the Spirit shall direct, let not the Elders forget to ordain native Deacons,
Teachers, Priests, and Elders, and set them to work in every nation where they are ; and
if God shall open the door to a nation that has never heard the Gospel, fill it with the best
messengers you can.

Elders Lyman and Rich will soon leave for their home at San Bernardino, California,
where all Saints from warm latitudes, may gather, the first opportunity, and when they
arrive take the counsel of these brethren., San Diego will be the best port of entry for all
such, and may be reached at any season of the year — the Saints coming hither can bear
the heat. The remainder of the Apostles have no special mission abroad at present.

Brethren, come homo as fast a3 possible, bringing your poor, your silver, your gold, and
everything that will beautify and ennoble Z,on, and establish the House of the Lord ; not
forgetting the seeds of all choice trees, and fruits, and grains, and useful productions
of the earth, and labour saving machinery, keeping yourselves unspotted from the world
by the way side.

And may our Father in heaven bless you to your hearta' content, in all good things,
even all you need, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Beigham Young,
Heber. C. Kimball,
Great Salt Like City, April 3, '853. Willard Richards.

Price Sixpence.

Edited ,and Published by A. Faiuham,, Sydney.

THE ZION'S WATCHMAN,

PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE

Cfmrtfj of 3*e$u$ Cfirtet of ILattei^BaK ^ainte,

IN SYDNEY.

a HE THAT READETH LET HIM UNDERSTAND.1'

Nos. 8-9. SATURDAY, JANUARY 28, 1854. Vol I.

Quarterly Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-Day Saints held, pursuant to notice, at the
old Assembly Rooms, King-street, Sydney, New South
Wales, January 1st, 1854.

present: —
Presidency of the Australasian Mission:
Augustus Farnham,
William Hyde, Josiah W. Fleming.

Travelling Elders —
James Graham, John Eldridge, John M'Carthy, Charles Stapley,
Junr., William Baxter.
Presidency of Sydney Branch —
John Jones,
William Robb, Robert Evans.

Elder Charles Stapley, Senr., President of Williams River Branch.
Elder John Penfold, President of the Clarence Town Branch.
Elder William Howel, President of the Newcastle Branch.
Meeting opened by singing the 21st Hymn, " Sweet is the work,
my God, my King," &c.
Prayer by Elder John S. Eldridge.

Sang 29th Hymn, " What was witnessed in the Heavens," &c.
Brother and Sister Howell sang 73rd Hymn, (Welch Collection)
" Yn iach ! i bawb yn awr."

Elder John Jones called the meeting to order, and declared the
Conference opened for business.

It was then moved, seconded, and carried, that Elder John Jones
. be the Clerk of the Conference.

President Farnham then rose and said — Brethren, we have met in
the capacity of a Conference to transact business pertaining to the
Kingdom of God. We all know the character of a Conference ; in
it we vote to sustain all the officers in the Kingdom of God. I de«

58

sire that every one should vote either for or against. Self judgment
is a righteous judgment, therefore I want everyone to know and con-
sider what they do. Let those who vote on the contrary state their
reasons for doing so, for I want no hypocrites ; • I want no one to vote
for that which they are not willing to sustain.

Elder W. Hyde rose and said that he acquiesced in the remarks
that had been made, and hoped that they would move as one man.
We understand how business is done in the Church. We transact
business different from the world — such as are to be sustained will be
presented to the Conference. He then proposed, and Elder Josiah W.
Fleming seconded, that Elder Augustus Farnham preside at this Con-
ference, and that we henceforth receive and sustain him as the Pre-
sident of the Australasian Mission.

The question being put to the meeting it was carried by a unani-
mous vote.

It was moved, seconded and carried that we receive and sustain
Elders W. Hyde and J. W. Fleming as Counsellors to President A.
Farnham.

It was moved, seconded, and carried, that we receive and sustain
Elder John Jones as the President of the Sydney Branch.

It was moved, seconded, and carried, that we receive and sustain
Elders William Robb and Robert Evans as Counsellors to President
Jones.

It was moved, seconded, and carried, that we receive and sustain the
First Presidency in Zion, Brigham Young, as President of the Church
of Jesus Christ throughout the world, and as their Prophet, Seer, and
Revelator, and their Leader in Israel, and also receive and sustain
Heber C. Kimbal and Williard Richards as his Counsellors and as
Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.

It was moved, seconded, and carried, that we receive and sustain
the Quorum of 'iwelve Apostles who have the charge of the work
of the Ministry throughout the world.

It was moved, seconded, and carried, that we receive and sustain
Father John Smith as the Patriarch of the Church in Zion.

It was moved, seconded, and carried, that we receive and sustain
all the Officers in the Church in Zion, and throughout the world.

President Farnham rose and stated that it was contemplated to
start a company for Zion about April next. The subject has been
laid before my Council ; we are one on the matter. The instructions
to the Elders of Israel as given in the Ninth General Epistle of the
First Presidency, is to push the people together from the ends of the
earth. It will be necessary that a person be appointed to lead the
company, he will stand between them and our Father in Heaven, to
receive counsel from on high for leading and directing such company
until they arrive in Zion. My desire is that the conference should
choose the person who should lead this company, and that you may
have time to consider the subject, it shall be left for a time and we
will receive the Elders' Report.

59

Elder William Hyde rose and stfii^j *'»ere are three branches organ-
ized in the Hunter River Pioirict, the Wlliams' River Branch consists
of 34 members, Elders, Priests, Teachers, Deacon ; Clarence Town 9
members, 1 Elder, 1 Priest, 1 Teacher ; Newcastle, 14 members, 2
Elders, 1 Teacher, this branch was organized with officers as they came
out from Wales, there are 16 members on the Allen River not organ-
ized, 8 members scattered in the country, total members including
officers 82, there has been added to the church since last conference
15 by baptism and 12 by ticket from Wales, there are some ready to
be baptised on our return. The gospel is onward and will always
be so.

President Farnham stated that he had received a letter from Elder
B. Frost, President of the Victoria conference, and also from Elder
Paul Smith giving an account of the work of the Lord in that colony,
the work was progressing there, there was much opposition, an under
current was working, many were enquiring into the principles. There
were in that conference 1 Seventy, 1 High Priest, 4 Elders, 2 Priests, 16
members, there has also been received by letters from Elder A. P.
Dowdle, President of the South Australian conference, and from Elder
Norton an account of the work of the Lord in that part of the vineyard.
The work is progressing, there has been three branches organized,
they contain respectively 16, 11, and 15 members. The Elders are
invited into the interior, they are continually being blessed of the Lord
even to their astonishment. The President stated that whilst on his
feet he would give an account of the work in Sydney. The work was
progressing slowly in Sydney, there had been 3 baptised since the last
conference. Many are secretly enquiring after the truth, some who
are convinced of the truth of this work, are detered from obeying
through the love of the world. The servants of the Lord here are
doing their utmost to disseminate the principles of the Gospel both by
preaching and printing, there are in Sydney 2 Seventies, 2 High
Priests, 8 Elders, 2 Priests, 1 Teacher, 2 Deacons, 42 Members.

The President then called on Elder John Eldridge for his report,
when he arose and stated, my labours have been scattered, travelling
and preaching the gospel in various places, we have preached in Cam-
den and baptised 7, they are not organized but they are full in the
faith, and would have been here to clay, had not circumstances
transpired which rendered it impossible. We have also travelled in
Windsor, but have not baptised any, there are some believing, some
enquiring, and some crying delusion.

The President then reintroduced the subject of appointing a person
to lead the company, that was about to proceed to the valley, and
called on the conference for a proposition in relation to the same.

Elder Chas. Stapley Senr. moved, and Elder J. W. Fleming second-
ed, that Elder W. Hyde be appointed to lead the company.

The President put the proposition to the meeting and it was carried. -

The President then stated that the counsel was, that there wai an

60

open door for every saint to go in this company, except such as might
h counselled to remain, some would have to stop to carry on the work,
for theie were ten labourers wanted for every one that we had, for the
way was opening for preaching the gospel in many fresh places. Let
the saints obey counsel, and they will be blest with the blessing of
heaven and earth. Mankind will be benefitted by them, and they will
prove themselves worthy of the priesthood. Nothing need be feared
from the opposition of the world, for the Lord hath decreed that truth
shall triumph over error, the righteous or honest-hearted shall be
gathered, his kingdom built up, and that the man governments with
all their abominations shall be uprooted and destroyed.

The President then called brothers Luke Syphus and Joseph
Ridges to the Priesthood, they were unanimously received by the con-
ference. President Farnham then addressed the meeting, sang the
84th Hymn, " Come sound his praise abroad." Brother and Sister
Howell sang the 12th Hymn, Welch collection " Yn gyntal Ceisiwch
dcyrnas Dduw. Benediction by Elder John Jones.

Conference met in the afternoon at 3 p. m. Meeting opened by
singing 46th Hymn, "Come, come, ye Saints, no toil nor labour
fear." Prayer by Elder James Graham ; sung the 64th Hymn,
"How are thy servants blest ! 0 Lord." Brother and Sister Howell
sung Hymn, Welch collection, " Mai gwlad dda i bawb or Saint,"
&c. Elder William Hyde addressed the meeting on the organization
of the Church of Christ, and the necessity of obedience.

Meeting addressed by President A. Farnham, after which the sac-
rament was administered by Elder John Jones. Sung the 221st
Hymn, " When shall we all meet again ? " Benediction by Elder W.
Hyde.

Conference met at 7 p. m. Sung 274th Hymn, " Come to me, will
ye come to the Saints that have died." Prayer by President A.
Farr/ham. Sung 230 Hymn, " How firm a foundation," &c. Elder
Josiah W. Fleming addressed the Meeting on the organization of the
Church and the blessings accruing therefrom, illustrating the subject
by a reference to the past history ot the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints. Elder John Jones then addressed the meeting,
feider W. Howell having received permission, said, that being a
stranger he felt it to be his duty to bear his testimony to the truth of
this work ; he knew it to be the work of the Lord. It gave him much
plea'slire to be in the company of the Saints in this Jand, for he found
that they were actuated by the same spirit as the Saints in Wales.
The spirit of the Lord was the same in all lands and amidst every
(e. Sung the Hymn called the Resurrection, "When first this
glorious light of truth burst forth in this last age."

proposed, seconded, and carried, that the conference ad-
'd Monday morning, at 10 A. m., at the Room, Parramatta
et. Benediction by the President.

Conference met pursuant to adjournment, at the Room of President

61

A. Farnham, 12, Parramatta-street, on Monday Morning, January
2nd, at 10 A. m.

Meeting opened by prayer by Elder J. W. Fleming. President A.
Farnham addressed the meeting on the necessity of cultivating faith,
in order to our continued faithfulness — faithfulness being necessary to
our unity, and unity to our keeping the spirit, without which our
minds would become barren and unfruitful in the things of the
kingdom of God, &c.

Elder W. Hyde then addressed the meeting on the authority of the
Priesthood, and the powers thereof, and the necessity of obedience to
its laws, instructions, and counsel, &c. Elder J. W. Fleming then
addressed the meeting, he followed on the same subject, dwelling
much on the necessity of obedience to counsel, showing that the
danger of falling away was much greater in such case than in any
other. He illustrated the subject by references to individual instances
of persons who had fell away, the first step to which had been their
overlooking counsel, wishing to form a head to themselves, which the
Lord had not appointed.

Elder John Jones then addressed the meeting, following on the
same subjects, showing that the continual exercise of faith increased
its strength and power, and testified that the authority of the Priest-
hood was upon the earth. He himself was a living witness of the
same, &c.

The meeting was addressed by the following Elders, J. Graham,
J. Eldridge, W. Robb, W. Howell, J. McCarthy, W. Baxter, Chas.
Stapley. Luke Syphus was then ordained to the office of an Elder,
and Joseph Ridges to that of a Priest, under the hands of the Presi-
dency of the Mission. L. Syphus and J. Ridges then addressed the
meeting.

Proposed, seconded, and carried, that conference adjourn until
evening. Benediction by Elder J. Graham.

Adjourned meeting of Conference at 7 p. m. Meeting opened by
singing. Prayer by Elder J. Jones. Singing. The President ad-
dressed the meeting on the necessity of watchfulness and prayer, that
we might be prepared for life or death, for life was uncertain — we do
not know how soon we might be called away. We have received in-
telligence per "Millennial Star," of the death of Elder Snow, who
was consigned to a watery grave whilst on his passage to Liverpool.
He was a faithful servant of the Lord, beloved and highly esteemed
by his brethren. He had been absent from his family about three
years, and was about to return home. The President continued his
address with many interesting remarks, &c.

The meeting was further addressed by Elders J. W. Fleming, John
Jones, and W. Hyde.

After which the Elders received their appointments — John S.
Eldridge to continue on the South Western section, accompanied by
W. Baxter ; John McCarthy called to assist James Graham at More-

62

ton Bay ; W. Hyde and Chas. Stapley, Junr., to continue their labors
in the Hunter River District; W. Howell, Newcastle; J. W. Fleming
called to the assistance of the President.

Sung hymn. Conference adjourned to first Sunday in April. Be-
nediction by the President.

AUGUSTUS FARNHAM, President.
JOHN JONES, Clerk.

Statistic of the Australian Mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints.

Conference . . .

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Hunter River

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69

81

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24

Adelaide . . .

1

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29

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148

193

Remarks

One Branch
not reported.

MORMONISM.

To the Editor of the Empire.

Sir — The " Sydney Morning Herald " having published, in their
issue of Saturday last, an extract headed "Approaching break up of
the Mormon Imposture," myself, in company with Mr. Robb, waited
at the office on the morning of the 27th instant, for the purpose of
having the following address and extracts published as an advertise-
ment, but such was Mr. John Fairfax's hatred to the truth, and his
love of justice, that notwithstanding his Pharasaical profession of
"Sworn to no Master, of no Sect am I," he refused to publish it,
saying " I want nothing to do with Mormonism ; " but how could it
be supposed that he would be just, when he is sworn to no master.
No, not even to truth and justice. They are not to direct him in his
proceedings, in connexion with his journal.

We would have Mr. John Fairfax know that we, with God, know

how to look upon such a proud money-hunting, popularity-seeking,
God-not-fearing, men-disregarding spirit as he possesses.

If he wants " nothing to do with Mormonism " why does he not let
it alone ? Let him cease his wickedly unjust practice of publishing
the lies of anonymous scribblers, and we promise him that the Mor-
mons will not trouble him again.

Hoping Sir, that the love of truth, justice, and mercy may induce
you to insert this, and the annexed, I subscribe myself in the love of
truth, justice, and mercy,

JOHN JONES.

P.S. — Very little more of the spirit possessed by Mr. F. would be
required to induce its possessor to pen such an article as that which
he published on Saturday last.

TO THE AUSTRALIAN PUBLIC.

On Tuesday, the 13th instant, the authorities of the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in this city, waited upon the pro-
prietor of the " Sydney Morning Herald "to" request him to publish
the following extracts of Judge L. H. Read's report, when Mr. Fair-
fax, Junior, declined publishing it, alleging that the " Sydney Morn-
ing Herald" was a commercial paper ; but no sooner does anything
appear that has a tendency to throw odium and reproach upon the
Saints than its commercial character is submerged under the influence
of a desire to put down Mormonism, and accusations and statements
are put forth to the public though they are only the production of an
anonymous scribbler.

How far such conduct can be defended upon the principle of the
love of truth and justice, we shall leave their consciences, if they have
any — to decide; but thus much we do know, that the Son of God,
who " Spoke as never man spake," stated that " What measure we
mete to others shall be meted to us again."

In conclusion, we would particularly request the public fairly and
impartially to weigh the report of the Chief Judge of Utah (who was
appointed by the American Government) as it was published by the
"Geelong Advertiser and Intelligencer," of November 22nd, with that
of the trash and abuse which appeared in the " Sydney Morning
Herald " of Saturday last.

JOHN JONES.

December 26, 1853.

UTAH— ITS GOVERNOR, SOCIETY, AND INSTITUTIONS.

(Extract of a Letter from the Hon. L. H. Kead, Grief Justice of Utah.)
(From the "Bath (U. S.) Advocate.")

Great Salt Lake City, Tuesday, June 23, 1853.
W. C Rhodes — Dear Sir — On Monday morning (6th) I waited on

64

his Excellency, Governor Young, exhibited to him my commission,
and was by him duly sworn and installed as Chief Justice of Utah.
I was received by Governor Young with marked courtesy and respect.
He has taken pains to make my residence here agreeable. The Go-
vernor, in manners and conversation, is a polished gentleman. Very
neat and tasty in dress, easy and pleasant in conversation, and I
think a man of decided talent, and strong intellectual qualities. In
person he very strongly resembles our deceased fellow citizen W. W.
McCay. I have heard him address the people once on the subject
of Man's Free Agency. He is a very excellent speaker. His ges-
ture uncommonly graceful; articulation distinct, and speech pleasant.
His voice resembles very much Judge Hiram Gray, of Elmira. I was
extremely edified by his address and manner. The Governor is a
first rate business man. As Civil Governor of the Territory, and
Superintendent of Indian Affairs, we would naturally suppose he had
as much to do as one man could well attend to ; but in addition to
those employments he is also President of the Church — a station
which is no sinecure by any means. His private business is exten-
sive ; he owns several grist and saw mills, is extensively engaged in
farming operations, all which he superintends personally. I have
made up my mind that no man has been more grossly misrepresented
than Governor Young, and that he is a man who will reciprocate
kindness and good intentions as heartily and as freely as any one —
but if abused, or crowded hard, I think he may be found exceedingly
hard to handle.

Salt Lake City is a wonder. It is not quite six years since the
first pioneers entered this valley. There was not then one civilized
inhabitant within five hundred miles, nor the least vestige of civiliza-
tion or improvement. The people had nothing in the world except
what they brought with them in their wagons, across the plains,
from the States. The soil is naturally hard and dry, and very little
is produced without irrigation. For the first year or two the settlers
suffered very severely from want of provisions and proper shelter.
They subsisted mainly upon roots, and were sometimes compelled to
eat horses and dogs- At present, however the people raise an abun-
dance of all kinds of vegetables, and a large surplus of wheat and
coarse grain, some of the finest beef I ever saw. The city is laid out
in squares, and the whole number of acres in the corporate limit is
not less than two thousand ; each lot contains about one acre. Any
person of good character and industrious habits can have a lot for a
very small sum, provided he will settle upon it and build a house.
Every lot in the city can be irrigated without much expense or trouble.
The city proper contains about 7,000 permanent inhabitants. I have
noticed a large number of very well built and comfortable dwelling
houses, and some excellent and well cultivated gardens. The public
buildings already completed are convenient, well constructed, and
present a very creditable outside appearance. The city and country

65

arc well provided with ingenious mechanics of every branch of trade.

The people appear all to be doing well. They are very industrious
and orderly, and I see no reason why they cannot enjoy themselves
as well as their fellow citizens in any other part of the Union. I
have attended church twice. The mode of worship is very like that
of other denominations. The sermons I heard, were well delivered
and creditable. The music excellent, being vocal and instrumental.
The house of worship is very commodious, and the congregation
usually numbers about one thousand.

The principal men are New Yorkers and New Englanders, but a
majority of Western New Yorkers. I have got acquainted with most
of them, and find them all courteous, kind, and gentlemanly. We
have here a few Steuben people. Governor Young and his brothers,
Phineas, John, Joseph, and Lorenzo, formerly resided in Tyrone, near
Captain Sebring's. Their father settled there about 1819, and owned a
farm there for some time. Phineas is a printer, and formerly worked
in Bath, for our esteemed fellow-citizen David Rumsey, deceased.
John Barnard, formerly of Jasper, is here and doing well. I have
also become acquainted with an aged lady, a Mrs. Cory, sister of
John R. Stephens, of Hornellsville, and daughter of Mr. Uriah Ste-
phens, late of Carnisteo. I find also a large number from right
around Steuben, Yates, Alleghany, Ontario, Tompkins, Chemung,
and Livingston. These are all New-Yorkers still, and make my
residence much more pleasant than it otherwise would be. We get
together occasionally, and talk about "the old country" and old
friends.

Nearly the whole population of Salt Lake City and Utah Territory
are Mormons. I doubt whether more than two hundred outsiders
can be found. The state of society is different from anything we
have been accustomed to. All matters, or nearly so, pertaining to
religious and domestic affairs, are regulated by the Church ; contro-
versies of every kind are settled by the Ecclesiastical Councils.

The plurality system, as is is called here, (or polygamy in fact,)
prevails extensively ; but those that suppose that licentiousness or lose-
ness of manners or morals prevails to any extent, are very much
mistaken. The women are exceedingly modest and circumspect in
their deportment. I have had the pleasure of an introduction to a
number who are very sensible and agreeable, and I think, compare
fully with the well-bred ladies of the States. They are from New
York and New England, (those I am speaking of,) and differ in
nothing from their sisters in the Eastern States. From all I can see
and learn, there is less licentiousness and vulgarity in this city and
territory than any other place of equal population in the United
States. The men are jealous of all interference in their domestic
affairs ; and seduction and adultery, if discovered, are apt to be pun-
ished by death of the offender. Some cases of this kind have hap-
pened here. Truly your friend, Laz. H. Read.

6G

A REPLY TO THE "CHRISTIAN HERALD" ON THE PLU-
RALITY OF WIVES.

(Continued from Page 52.)

That Christ did not abolish Polygamy we have already proved,
and that by reference to the very "stronghold of the advocates of
Monogamy ; but that it may be more fully established we shall refer
to two other passages, Mark 12, Luke 20. In these chapters we
have an account of the Saducees questioning him (Chrisi)in reference
to the law of Moses, which ordained that a man's family should be
built up by proxy when necessary. This law existed before Moses
as we have previously shown. We have also shown that all the
blessings promised to the children of God are dependant upon their
inheritance of their posterity, so that there would be the same ne-
cessity for the perpetuation of this law as before : — had it been
otherwise Christ would doubtless have embraced this very favourable
opportunity of correcting this law and the custom of the Jews ; but
he is entirely silent, from which we may legitimately infer that it
met with his approval.

But this fact will appear much more evident by a reference to the
19th chap, of Matthew, 29th verse, And every one that hath forsaken
houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or chil-
dren, or lands, for my name's sake shall receive an hundredfold, and
shall inherit everlasting life : here a man that loses one wife for the
Gospel is to have a hundred wives in the restitution. Why don't the
sects believe their Bible ? What will these hired Priests, who enjoy
fat livings under a pretence of teaching the Bible, say when they
meet the saviour, and find that he has literally carried out this promise,
of giveing the man who has had to sacrifice one wife for his name's
sake a hundred, that thus he might have an increased posterity to
reign over, will they then cry out polygamy, licentiousness, unfit to
live, if they will they can make up their minds for the contest, for he
is sure to accomplish his promise, though in doing it he should have
to destroy the hireling priesthood with all the hosts of hell.

In this doctrine we find the purposes, dispensations, and promises
of God harmonize ; but in the other all is left to be conjectured, the
imagination is brought to play to find a heaven and to depict its en-
joyments, to the redeemed is assigned an eternal life of monotonous
psalmsinging, an exhaltation to an imaginary kingdom without any
subjects, a nondescript priesthood without any power, but the former
doctrine leads us to understand in some small degree what is implied
in the promise made to the righteous ; not only that their names should
be perpetuated, but also that there should be a never ending increase
to their posterity, and also to appreciate the curse pronounced by the
scriptures against the wicked, that their name should be blotted out
and their posterity cut oft". Here we are reminded of the statement
previously made, that such as were married by God, were married
for eternity, or in other words that the covenant of such as were

67

joined together by the Lord was indissoluble.

That this is the case will be made quite evident, by a reference to
the only marriage ceremony performed by God that is recorded in scrip-
ture, we refer to the account given in Genesis of God giving Eve to
be an help-mate for man.

We would remind the reader that when this occured, our first
parents had not sinned, they were therefore immortal, Adam was im-
mortal and Eve an immortal help-mate to him, an eternal adaption or
relationship was established between them, this relationship was neces-
sary to their individual and united happiness. Being thus adapted to
and united with each other, and having received an unlimited com-
mand to increase and multiply and replenish the earth, no period can
be conceived when this union would cease to be or not be necessary.
And it does not appear that this union was dissolved by the fall,
for the commandment to increase &c, continued in force, after, as
before the fall, but granting, which can by no means be proved, that
this union was dissolved by the fall : it must be evident that as Christ
redeemed man from all the consequences of the fall, this consequence
was not excluded, and that therfore when man in the resurrection in
Christ, the second Adam is restored to all that he lost in the first, this
blessing will be restored to him also.

From the above it will be evident that all such as are joined toge-
ther by God are united for eternity, and having previously shown,
that, that which provoked His anger towards the Antedeluvians, was
their marrying contrary to His council and commandments. It may
legitimately be infered that all such as received from Him marked ap-
probation and peculiar blessing, must have acted strictly in accordance
with His council and instruction in relation to marrying. As Abra-
ham was preeminently blessed of the Lord, and has received the dis-
tinguished and exhalted appellation of the Father of the Faithful, it
cannot for a moment be doubted, but that in contracting marriages he
acted by the counsel and commandment of God. That this was the
case with Sarah we presume will not be denied, and the sectarian will
not dispute but that it was so in the case of Keturah whom he married
after the death of Sarah. This being the case, Abraham's marriage
covenant with Keturah was as indissoluble as the covenant with
Sarah, and the covenant with Sarah as eternal as the one with Keturah;
therefore Abraham in the resurrection would be legitimately entitled to
both, and as God is unchangeable, and in His word condems such as
break covenants, especially the everlasting one, and has positively de-
clared that he hateth putting away, he ( Abraham ) would be sure to
receive them both in the resurrection.

Startle not reader ; because this doctrine is contrary to your pre-
conceived opinions, and the custom of society. Be not surprised that
the ministers of modern Christendom are enshrouded in darkness, for
the wise man has laid it down as an axiom that " where there is no
vision the people perish."

(To ba continued.)

68

THE COMING CRISIS-HOW TO MEET IT.

(From the Millennial Star.)
[Continued from p. 39. ]

As Moses laid down the law to Pharaoh, and continued to multiply evils and judgments
until he made an utter end of Pharaoh and the Egyptians, even so will the living God
prescribe the line of conduct to be pursued, and the penalties of violation, to great aod
mighty nations, until they rally round the ensign established upon the mountains, and go
up to the house of the God of Jacob to learn His ways, or are utterly overwhelmed in keen
anguish and ruin.

The ways of the God of Jacob are easily recognized in these days of general wicked-
ness. It is true, that they are clearly revealed in the Scriptures of truth, and by a living
Priesthood of inspired men, yet they have been so long and so grossly perverted by the
precepts and opinions of a hireling ministry, that doubts and contentions have sprung up
in every land, and the plainest and simplest truths are denied, abrogated, or accounted
obsolete. God is not allowed to speak from the heavens by the mouths of Prophets as in
former days. Notwithstanding there is much preachingand praying, still there is a vir-
tual acknowledgment amongst all nations that God, as he was known unto the Patriarchs
and Prophets of old, has forsaken the earth. And men are left to discover the way to
heaven by the light of nature, or the misty nebulae of a hireling priesthood. And it is a
fact undeniable, that infidels in tbe school of nature have more true piety towards the
living God, than the hireling ministry of Christendom have. Hi'nce priests are doing so
much, often unwittingly, to blind the eyes of the people, so that they shall not see the ap-
proaching crisis in its true character until the catastrophe is completed, and Great Babylon
and all her lofty cities, great wealth, princely merchants, chief captains, and mighty
sovereigns, are laid low in one general ruin. Oh ye great and strong nations ! ye philo-
sophers and religionists ! ye spiritual mediums and ye revelators, sitting upon thrones
over great nations ! how can you fulfil the prophecies that are so clearly revealed, concern-
ing the destruction of the last days ! Ye perhaps marvel that the great men and governors
over one hundred and twenty-seven provinces in ancient Babylon, with a brave monarch
at their head, should have been such firm believers in the astrologers, magicians, and in-
terpreters of dreams5 in their days ! But marvel not, for when the greater power of the
like class of persons, under the direction of Satan, shall be brought to bear in your own
day, tbe delusion will be so much stronger, that Princes, Presidents, Governors, and chief
Captains, will be constrained to bow to it. Their credulity will be taxed beyond the power
of resistance. The workers of these mysterious and supernatural arts will bring to tlieir
aid both natural and supernatural causes that will challenge and defy disputation. The
senses and judgment of men cannot withstand such imperative facts as will arrest their ob-
servation. For it cannot be denied that facts and truths will constitute such a measure of
the ingredients of these mysterious and wonderful arts as to give them an irresistible
strength of conviction to those who are unenlightened by the Spirit of God And so far
as facts and truths are mingled, it must also be acknowledged that God, the true and living
Sovereign of heaven and earth, will contribute to produce the delusion. He said that " He
will send them strong delusions that they might believe a lie." He gives his reason and
apology for acting after this strange manner — because, knowing the truth, they <*o not
love it unadulterated. And knowing God, they do not choose to glorify Him as God.
Therefore their foolish hearts become darkened, and God suffers Satan to compound and
mix up truth and error in such proportions as to be captivating and strongly delusive. As
a snare, this composition will be ingeniously mixed and administered to all nations, by
skilful and practised hands.

And who shall be able to withstand? Do you think that your great sagacity and the
compass of your profound, philosophical turn of mind will enable you to delect the error
and delusion of these arts? Oh, man, this is a vain hope. You will not be competent
to detect the delusion. God himself will allow Satan to ply your scrutinizing eye with
powers and sophistications far beyond your capacity to detect. Do you say then, I will
stand aloof from investigation, I will shun all acquaintanoe with these mysterious work-
ings, in order that I may not be carried away with their delusive influence. Vain bone.
Oh, man, you cannot be neutral. You must choose your side and put on your armour*
Those that oome not up to the help of the Lord in the day of battle, will be sorely cursed.
The captive Hebrew, Daniel, stood up boldly against all the governors and whole realm of
Babylon with their monarch at their head. But Daniel readily acknowledged that it was
oot from any wisdom in him, above other men, that he could surpass the astrologers and

69

magicians. But holding intercourse with the God of h8aveD, he became endowed with a
supernatural comprehension that effectually shielded him against supernatural delusion.
Thereby he escaped the snare that entwined around the great statesmen and governors of
that immense empire of Babylon. Thereby those who took refuge in the name of the
Lord and in immediate revelation from heaven, will be safe, and no others. He that is not
for God and the principle of immediate revelation, will inevitably be ensnared, overcome,
and destroyed. Brcause he that is not for Him must be against Him. No man in any
age wis ever for God, or even a friend of God, that did not bold intercourse with Him
personally, and receive for himself the revelations of His will. The rock of revelation, by
which Peter knew Jesus Christ, is the only basis upon which any man can escape the
strong delusion which God will send among the nations, through Satan and his mediums
and coadjutors. Reader, if you live long you will be compelled to take a side for God or
for Satan. Satan was allowed to try a compulsory process upon as good a man as Job. The
whirlwind and tempestuous elements, with disease and death, were put into Satan's hand
that he might compel Job to abandon his integrity. Had not Job possessed the key of
revelation from God, he would have been compelled to have made peace with Satan, and
forsaken the Lord. His wife urged him to do so— says she, " Curse God and die ;" or, in.
other words, take the side of Satan against God. Now reader, if you have ships of
precious merchandise, floating at sea, the time is fast coming when Satan will destroy
those ships, unless you bow down to his power and become a oo-operator with him. And
if you do bow down to him, to work wickedness and say, no eye seeth me — then God will
destroy those ships and you too, and peradventure He will destroy your family also, and
make a clean end of you, and blot out your name under heaven. Your beautiful mansion
and flourishing family still have to be consecrated to God or to Satan, whichever you may
choose. The controversy is begun and the war will never end till the victory is complete
and universal, and there shall not be found so mueh as a dog to move his tongue against
the Lord, and the immediate revelations of His will. Your being a minister of some
Church will not serve as the least screen for you against the hot indignation of God, un-
less you have the law and the testimony of the true and living God made known to you per-
sonally. For the time has come that God will write His law upon every man's heart, that
will receive it, not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. And against him that
hath this law, the gates of hell never have prevailed and never will prevail. Heaven and
earth shall pass before a jot of this law shall be made to succumb to wicked men or devils.
The heavens have been shaken once when angels rebelled, and they are destined to another
shaking even with the earth. Do you say you dont need any more revelation from God.
Then the Devil will be allowed to give you some which you don't need. And by the time
that he has revealed himself to you, and buffetted you, and trained you under his rigorous
discipline to fight in this awful crisis against the heavens, peradventure you will not then
feel so rich and increased in goods, but that you can take a little counsel from the Lord,
and feel a little of your extreme poverty and destitution.

You cannot know God without present revelation. Did you ever think of this most
solemn and essential truth before P You may have been accustomed to pray all your life-
time, and as yet you, even you, do not know God. You may have beard many thousand
sermons, with a sincere desire both to remember and practice them, and yet you do not
know God. But it has been decided in the court of heaven, that no man can know the
Father but the Son, and he to whom the Son revealeth him. Now, has Jesus Christ ever
revealed God the Father to you, dear reader ? Be honest with yourself, and do not err in
your answer to this most important question. However much the Son may have revealed
the Father to Prophets, Patriarchs, and Apostles of old, the question still remains in full
force— has he revealed Him to you? A revelation to another man is by no means a reve-
lation to you. For instance, God revealed himself to Samuel, and called him by name to
be a Prophet. God oalled Abraham to kill Isaac, but that is no revelation to you to kill
your son. God revealed the baptism of repentance to John the Baptist, before Christ's
death, but that is not a revelation to you. He revealed authority to Paul to preach to the
Gentiles, but what was told to Paul is not told to you, nor is it required Of you. Again,
you need the righteousness of God, to go where God is, and be happy — and how will you
get it except it is revealed to you personally ? You cannot get it in any other wsy. Hence
the Lord says, " The righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith." Don't say
now, as some do, that revelation was anciently given in order to establish the truth, and
being once established it is no longer necessary to be revealed to subsequent generations
of people. Don't say this for your life, for revelation is just as necessary to establish
truth now as it was then. You need the ministry of angels now, just as much as peopla
did then. They in past ages could not know God, nor say for a certainty, from persona

70

knowledge, that Jesus Chilst was the Christ, only by the Holy Ghost. If the Holy Ghost
is confirmed upon you, by the imposition of the hands of the true Priesthood, then you can
k now God for yourself. Why P Because the Holy Ghost teaohes all things, even the deep
things of God. This generation need present revelations from heaven, as much as any
other generation ever did, because they are quite as wicked as Sodom ever was. They prac-
tice as gross sensuality and beastlioess, as glaring robbery and murder, as much treachery
and lying, and are as ardent for war and blood-guiltiness, as ever the ancient Canaan ilea
were. And among the many religions that have sprung up, calculated to confuse people's
minds, there is, now, as much jargon and schism, contention and strife, and persecuting
seal, as there ever was before. Now, reader, you need present revelation from God to your
own dear self, in order to help you out of the nasty, confused labyrinth, and set your feet
firmly upon the solid rock of revelation. Mere flesh and blood cannot help you now. It
requires an Almighty arm to effect your deliverance. Therefore, put no more trust in
man, for a curse rests upon him that will be guided by the precepts of man. 1 do not ask
ynu to be guided by what I say to you, unless the Lord from heaven shall reveal to you that
I speak the truth, even as it is in Christ. Although I know that I am declaring heaven'a
truth to you, in all sobriety, yet, my knowing it, does not suffice for you. You also must
know it for yourself, and not for another. This is yourright and your privilege. For God
has made this promise to you, and not to you, reader, only, but to all others whom He
calls to repentance. Now, go and get revelation for yourself. If you are penitently de-
sirous with all your heart to get revelation from God to your own self, go to some one
whom God has called and ordained to confer the gift of the Holy Ghost upon men, accord-
ing to His promise in the Acts of the Apostles, and I promise you in the name of Jesus
Christ, whose I am both by covenant and sacrifice, that you shall have the desire of your
heirt. Even so. Amen.

Reader, be resolute ! This is a critical and trying moment with you. And this is God's
call unto you. Don't refuse when He calls you ! And if you are honestly, without preju-
dice, meditating upon what you now read, then God's Spirit is sweetly persuading you to
believe what I say. The faint dawn of the Spirit is even now upon your mind. Now,
reader, cherish this little dawn of light until the day-light of more truth shines more
clearly upon your mind. Pray mightily for the Spirit of Revelation to rest upon you,
that you may know the things that ate freely given to you of God. And follow the Spirit
of Revelation, as fast as you receive its whisperings, down in the water where Jesus went,
for the remission of your sins, and you will very soon become a witness to the truth, and
put your own seal upon it even as I have done. And you will not barely believe, and hope,
and fear, but you will know, from present and personal revelation, that the Lord is a God
at hand, revealing Himself as freely as He ever did in Patriarchal days. Will you not,
then, be a happy man, O reader ! and you a happy woman, O reader, to come into pos-
session of the same gift of present revelation from heaven, that holy men and holy women
enjoyed in ancient times? Yes, I know you will. You will then feel deep pity and
sorrow for any one that says he don't need present revelation ! You will then discover
the pride of such an one's heart, and mourn over him as one that his blinded by the god
of this world. But your peace will be great and your joy unspeakable. Although you
can hardly believe me now, yet through your faithfulness, the Spirit of prophecy will iu
due time rest upon you, 0 man ! and also upon you, O woman ! The Spirit of prophecy
has rested upon many sons and daughters in as humble walks of life as you are, and
they, according to 4< promise," have prophesied and dreamed dreams. Now when this
promise is fulfilled in your experience, you will feel very glad and very happy. And you
will feel thankful that you ever read this with a humble, prayerful heart. And when you
see the promised signs following your faith, as thousands have done in this day, then you
will exclaim, Surely this is not merely the form, but also the power of godliness — this kind
•f Gospel is in very deed the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth !
And then if you have money, which so many worship, you will not be afraid to give a tenth
to rear up a temple like Solomon's, in which God will place the ark of His covenant, and
reveal His will, through His servants the Prophets, for the benefit of all the ends of the
earth. When you yourself have the promised gift of discerning of spirits, then you will
not have to ask your neighbour, who is an impostor and who is not— you will know from
the fountain head all about it just as well as the next person. He that is spiritual judgeth
all things. Many things are hard to be understood and reconciled, which the unstable
and unlearned stumble at, even as formerly— he that is spiritual can easily judge all
things, but he that is not spiritual can judge nothing correctly, for he is blind, and cannot
see afar oh*.

71

And further, when you tea also the gross and Least!* sexual abominations that are prac-
tised and are increasing among ail nations, without shame or fear, you will not marvel that
God is determined to raise up a righteous seed and glorious branch, by reestablishing the
Patriarchal Order, as in the dayB of Abraham, Jacob, David, Solomon and Elkanah.
Neither will you marvel, while the Spirit of God is upon you, that men and even women
should sneer at the sacred institution of marriage being an institution wholly under the
control of God, as it was in the days of Abraham. Why should you not marvel at their
sneer ? Because we have been distinctly and emphatically forewarned that in the last days
there shall arise scoffers, walking after their own hearts' lusts, who shall speak evil of dig-
nities and things that they know not, having men's person's in admiration because of
gain. You would have more cause to marvel and disbelieve the Scriptures of truth, if
sensual men and women did not speak evil of the Patriarchal Order of marriage, and of
men that conform to the pure sanction and penal restrictions of that most holy
Order.

Now there are several ways in which the pure and obedient get revelations. It will be
your privilege in due time to become acquainted with these various ways. One way is,
through the inspiration of the Spirit. The Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
All men have such a measure of the Holy Spirit as to enable them to make a profitable use
of the li.ht and opportunities that they have, and to obey the law under which they are
placed. All (he different methods of revelation are not probably given to all men now.
God dispenseth His gifts severally as He will. The inspiration of the Almighty giveth
understanding. Every various method of immediate revelation, however, always accorJa
with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. If an holy angel talk with a man, what the angel
speaks accords with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. If the Urim and Thummim ia
consulted, it accords with the teachings of the Holy Spirit. An open vision or a dream,
each accords with the inspiration of the Holy Ghost. Now one mark of a dream from
God is, that it is distinguished for the clearness and simplicity of the impress that it makes
upon the mind of him that dreams. A dream from the Lord being always true in all its
legitimate bearings, will be so disembarrassed from error and uncertainty to him that has
the Spirit of trnth in lively exercise, that he will know it perfectly in distinction from all
false hallucinations or deceptions of the mind. Reader, take your Bible and read the Bible
account of dreams. There you will see that dreams from the Lord, for any important end,
are plainly distinguishable from all deceptive influences. When Jacob went toward Haran
and lay upon his stone pillow, and dreamed of seeing a ladder reaching up to heaven, &c.
after he awoke he knew, beyond a doubt, that the dream was from God. Hence he says—
" How terrible is this place," &o. When Laban wanted to cheat Jacob out of his just
wages, the Lord appeared to Jacob in a night dream, and told him how to increase the
number of his cattle, so that he could get the advantage of the cheating employer. Jacob
understood the dream perfectly, and so managed as to have the best of the increas fall to
his share. When Joseph told the simple dream of the sheaves, his brothers all understood
it well. And when he told the dream of the sun, moon, and eleven stars bowing down to
him, his father Jacob felt the force of the meaning, although he rebuked Joseph. When
God gives a dream to a wicked man, He makes him fully to understand it, unless he wishes
to hide the meaning from him. Abimelech understood his two dreams from the Lord,
concerning Sarah, Abraham's wife. The Lord gave Solomon wisdom, and riches, and
dominion, in a dream, and yet Solomon knew the import of the dream, and that the Lord
had appeared to him, in that dream. The Lord does not suffer wicked spirits to foul and
blot and mar a dream, when He wants to communicate His mind and will in a dream. Foul
spirits are rebuked and commanded to depart when God wants to indite the truth upon any
one's mind. The angel of God guards the dreamer till a clear and distinct impression is
made. And that impression is of an unmistakable character, it cannot be misunderstood,
any more than the light of the sun can be mistaken for the darkness of midnight. An
open vision is another method of revelation. David saw an angel of the Lord with a
drawn sword, even the pestilence, standing between the heavens and the earth. The pro-
phet having prayed that the eyes of his servant might be opened, showed bim that the
armies of heaven were more numerous than the host of his enemies. Another method of
revelation is through the ministry of angels. An angel forewarned Lot to leave Sodom.
Angels gave the Law to Moses upon Mount Sinai. An angel opened a great iron gate
that liberated the Apostle Peter. Again, God reveals things by Urim and Thummim, and
by burnt-offerings, and by divers tongues, &c.

Now, reader, I entreat you to seek the aid of present revelations from God. You need
them just as much as any poor creature ever did, that has bepn born into the world. With-
out them you never oan know God, worlds without end. Don't flatter yourself that be-

72

cause others know God or have formerly known Him, you are any better off on that ac-
count, unless yon knew Him for yourself.

Are you poor and oppressed ? Then you have the greatest need to receive revelations
from God. There are very many poor people in these days and in these lands. Even in
England, rich men oppress you, and many cheat you, and defraud you, and keep back your
merited wages — and you, who do the greatest part of the work that <s done in the land, can
hardly get an honest living, while your masters roll in pomp, and fare sumptuously every
day. I have seen you and your little sons and tender daughters hurrying off early in the
morning to work for them, and returning late at night, poorly fed and poorly clothed often.
And all that time you are making others rich, they are keeping you in poverty av.d ig-
norance. And your daughters are often insulted and sometimes seduced by masters, and
you are threatened with the workhouse if you don't grind for the oppressor, and yon have
but little time to see your families, and bless them with comforts, and educate and train
them up for usefulness and salvation. Now, if you knew how to take counsel from the
God of heaven, as Jacob did, you would not have to submit always to such fraud and op-
pression. But God would help you out of your many difficulties, and your enemies could
not help themselves. God has seen your afflictions, and has sent forth His servants to all
nations, to preach deliverance, for the acceptable year of the Lord has now come.

And ye rich men, the voice is to you. Gather up the poor and bless them, and your
riches shall not waste, but increase your fold, and great shall be your reward in heaven.
But blessed are the poor who shall obtain the gifts of revelation for themselves, for they
shall rejoice greatly in the Holy One of Israel. For not many rich, not many noble, will
be humble enough to seek revelations froir. God. But beware of the counsel of any priests
or ministers who are hired and paid for preaching. God never hired any man to preach,
for wages. Therefore beware of all such, lest they deceive you. Go not after them, neither
listen to them for a moment, for they are confederate with rich men and oppressors, and
they are despisers of present revelation, and consequently they neither know God them-
selves, nor are they willing that others should know Him. And vengeance will shortly
overtake all that know not God, and obey not the Gospel.

L#

(Extracts from tha "Star.")

Notice Elder Thomas W. Treat, late from Great Salt Lake Valley, and who has

been labouring in the Manchester Conference, has been excommunicated from the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, for his whoredoms and abominations. We under-
stand that he sailed on the 29th June, for New York, on board the Jersey, on his way
to the mountains. There is a sin which is unto death, and the person who commits
that sin has no claim even upon the prayers of the Saints, or in the language of the
Apostle, " I do not say that ye shall pray for it." How awful must be the condition
of that man who has no claim upon the prayers or faith of the people of God, no claim
upon the protection of God, or of His holy angels ! Let all persons who bear the holy
Priesthood, take warning from the fate of the fallen, and never suffer themselves to
trample with impunity upon the Covenants and obligations of the Priesthood, for God
will surely be avenged of such wrong. Men who will use their influence and power in the
Priesthood, to ruin and destroy those who have reposed confidence in them, justly merit
the wrath of God, and the indignation of a virtuous people ; and if they retreat to the
abode of the Saints in Zion, that indignation will burn towards them to the uttermost.
Let none suppose for a moment that they can find succour there for sinful indulgences,
for they will find the severity of the law meted out to them as a just recompense of re-
ward. That man or woman that will work iniquity shall perish from among the people.
Oh ! why will men thus sell themselves, and their salvation, for a shameful deed they
have power to avoid ? Oh ! why will women so degrade themselves as to yield to the
persuasions of men who must welter under the torment of Hell, for the exercise of their
uncontrolled passions ! How often must it be sounded in your ears, that all such con-
nexion outside the marriage covenant, dooms the guilty to irretrievable ruin, and that
those who thus sin must die ?

Price Sixpence.

Edited and Published by A. Farnham, Sydney.

THE ZION'S WATCHMAN,

PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE

Cfjurtf of ScKtig C$rtflit of §Lattc^®aL> <#amt£,

IN SYDNEY.

" HE THAT READETH LET HIM UNDERSTAND."

Nos. 10-11. SATURDAY, MARCH 4, 1854. Vol I.

Sydney, New South Wales, February 15th, 1854.

Beloved President Farnham,

As I have been appointed to the charge of the present emi-
grating company, and as the time for our departure draws nigh, and
my voice will soon cease to be heard in this Colony bearing record to
the truth of the great work of the last days, I have concluded, in
case it meet with your approbation, to leave a few lines in the
columns of your faithful " Watchman," hoping they may be of some
little worth to the Saints who may remain upon this land, and also
to many who have not yet known the truth. To the Saints I would
say, beloved Brethren and Sisters, the gospel which you have em-
braced, and in which you are now rejoicing, is that which if rightly
understood, and your lives are ordered according to its requirements,
will save and exalt you eternally in the heavens with the prophets
and patriarchs of old, and also with those who have lived and are
still living upon the earth in your day. This you believe or you
would not have embraced it ; you have also learnt that it is necessary
for all Saints to live by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth
of God. The great work of the " dispensation of the fulness of
times " is not to be trifled with, it requires on our part an exertion of
no small moment. The poor and the meek are to hear the gospel,
and be gathered from the four quarters of the earth. Zion is to be
built up and made beautiful. Temples are to be reared, and all
things made ready for the coming of our Lord, for " when the Lord
shall build up Zion, He shall appear in His glory." We have many
ordinances to attend to which pertain to our own salvation, and also
to the salvation of our dead, which we cannot attend to in our scat-
tered condition. The God of our fathers has sought from the begin-
ning to have his people by themselves, separated from the wicked,
and by themselves He will have them, as the scriptures abundantly
testify. And as Saints of the most High, and as individuals, let us

74

search our own hearts, and see that all is right within our own
breasts. Let us consider that the gospel which we have embraced
is a living principle, and having considered this, let us ask ourselves
if we are living in strict conformity to that council which is given to
us from time to time ; or are we giving strict heed to the council of
those whom God in his wisdom has appointed to watch over and ad-
vise us. Again is all right within our own dwellings — is all peace
and quietness between husbands and wives, and between parents and
children. Have our persons, our houses and our all been dedicated
to the Lord : are we strict to remember our prayers both morning
and evening; or as Saints, as branches, or as a people upon this land,
are we strictly united among ourselves ; are there no divisions, no
strife, no evil speaking nor contentions amongst us ; do we continu-
ally uphold by obedience those placed over us whose instructions
have made our hearts to rejoice, if so, brethren, you are a blessed
people ; and by thus continuing you will be blessed when you lay
down and when you rise up, when you go out and when you come in,
yes, all things will prosper in your hands, and no good will be with-
held from you ; and altho' the wicked may wrest from you for a time
you will have restored to you again four fold ; and brethren and saints,
as you esteem me your friend, and as yon love this cause, let me ex-
hort you to^continue by your united faith, and by every reasonable
exertion, and every faculty of your souls, to sustain and uphold the
man who has the watch care over you ; I refer to our beloved Presi-
dent Faraliam ; you have beheld with me his untiring zeal for the
cause of truth, and have witnessed his ceaseless exertions to build up
and make honorable the cause of God upon this land. Brethren,
nerve yourselves up to the work, and assist all in your power to bear
the burthen, and God will bless you. In as much as you sustain that
man you sustain and honor those who have sent him, and you also
honor that God who has ordained that man being clothed upon
with the authority of the Holy Priesthood, shall labor for the salvation
of his fellow man here upon this earth. Brethren, I write not thus
because you have not been properly instructed in these things, but
rather, if possible, that I may stimulate you to a renewal of your
exertions to assist in rolling forth the great work which has com-
menced and is taking deep root upon this land. The Saints in Aus-
tralia have constantly set before them almost every inducement to
sin ; but, brethren, shun the evil as you would the fire, as you regard
the salvation of your souls touch not, taste not, handle not that which
will bring remorse or cause the spirit of God to withdraw, but be
certain that you keep His spirit in your bosoms, that you may become
mighty in the work of the Lord. To those from whem the hand of
fellowship has been withdrawn, I would say forsake your sins without
delay, and return and do your first work, renew your covenants before
the Lord, and when you have renewed them keep them.

To those who have not as yet received the gospel, into whose hands

75

this may chance to fall, allow me the privilege of saying to you that
the Elders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints are
not your common enemies as you may perchance have supposed;
we have not left our peaceful homes to travel to the remotest parts of
the earth, and face the frowns and calumny of a wicked unbelieving
world, out of any other than the purest of motives. No, kind sirs,
God has sent us to you with a message of eternal truth, and altho you,
together with all your neighbours, close your doors against us, the
message will be nevertheless true and binding upon you. That
being who once came to this earth and offered up his life to redeem
man from the effects of the fall, and opened up a way by which he
may be brought back into the presence of his Creator, has ordained
and decreed that you and I shall obey His word, in order that we may
be redeemed from our actual transgressions, and have claim to a part
in the first resurrection, or a right to the tree of life, and enter in
through the gate into the city, to dwell eternally with the Saints, or
Church of the first born. The things necessary to be complied with
on our part are, 1st., that we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, the
fruits of a correct faith being obedience : 2nd., that we repent of and
forsake our sins : 3rd., that we be baptised, that is buried in the
water by some one having authority from God, for the remission of
our sins, and 4th. receive the laying on of hands for the gift of the
Holy Ghost. See Luke 24, 47; Acts 2, 38 ; John 3, 5 ; Mark 16, 16,
20 ; see also Acts 8, 17, Do. 19, 6 ; Heb. 6, 2 ; Gal. 1, 8. And I now,
to close these few lines, bear my testimony to all into whose hands
this may come, that God the Eternal Father has set to His hand for
the last time to prune the earth, and that He has revealed a message
of His will to man, even the fulness of the everlasting Gospel, by the
administration of an Holy Angel ; which gospel is for a witness unto
all people that the end, or the hour of God's judgment is at hand, see
Rev. 14 ch. 7 v. And all men, without one exception, are called upon
to repent of all their former transgressions and dead forms, and obey
the Gospel, and flee out from the midst of the wicked, as the Prophet
has said, " come out of her my people, that ye be not partakers of her
sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues."

And I now bid you farewell, hoping that you will be wise, and
search the scriptures with a prayerful heart, and seek unto the Lord
with uprightness of soul, which if you will do, with a fixed determi-
nation to do His will when you have learned it, you shall know that
the record which I have borne is true.

With sentiments of esteem and kind regard,
Permit me to subscribe myself,

Your ever faithful Friend and Sei vant,
In the cause of truth,

WILLIAM HYDE.

76

A REPLY TO THE " CHRISTIAN HERALD " ON THE PLU-
RALITY OF WIVES,

(Continued from page 67.)

They not only receive no vissions, but actually condemn the servant
and church of the Most High, that is founded on the New Revela-
tion, not receiving revelation themselves nor giving heed to that
which is given to others, in their day, their minds are filled with
" Gross Darkness," so that they are blind leaders of the blind, and
such as depend upon them will fall into the ditch with them.

We have now shown from evidence that cannot be gainsayed by the
scriptures of divine tuith, that resurrected Abraham is a polygamist,
having his two wives Sarah andKeturah. The secterian who can admit
him to possess two, will be unable to show any reason why he should
not have Hagar and his concubines also. The same law which gives
Abraham his wives in the resurrection will give Jacob and ethers
theirs also.

From the foregoing remarks it will be quite plain that the righteous
in the resuirection will be entitled to v all the wives that have been
given to them by the Lord in this life. Now the Bible believer will
be able to see, by a reference to the case of Abraham with his two
wives, Sarah and Keturah, that it is possible for a man to have only
one wife at a time, and yet be entitled to two or more in the resur-
rection. "Will not the Judge of all the earth do right."

.We might now refer to the sentence of " the twain shall be one
flesh," and show how Abraham was as much one flesh with Keturah
as he was with Sarah : and how Jacob was as much one flesh with
Leah, Biluh and Zilpah, as he was with Rachael, but this does not
at present so much belong to our subject as the fact whether the
Bible, Old and New Testament, warrants a person to have more
wives than one, but a very favourable opportunity will occur of doing
this when we come to examine the sophistical article of the "Christian
Herald " headed " Law of Marriage." The " Christian Herald " next
says that —

From the propagation of Christianity to the present time polygamy, fornication,
and adultrv have bech discouraged by the members of the Christian Church in every
part of the' world ; and wherever the" law of Christ is obeyed, domestic peace and
happiness exist : children are to love and serve God, and society enjoys the blessing
of temperance and chastity.

The law of Christ referred to by the " Christian Herald " must
doubtless be the Law ol Marriage, for it is of this he is writing, not
only so but " domestic compact " is the first order of all social or-
ganization, and must even antecede all cival government, and con-
tribute much to the genius and character of the same. It is the basis
upon which every superstructure of society must be reared. _ If the
intercourse of the sexes is not regulated in wisdom and purity the
result will be that every consequent branch of society will be viciated

77-

thereby. If the trea is good the fruit will be also good. A pure
fountain will not send forth bitter streams. A fig tree will not bear
thistles. Our dispute with the " Christian Herald " is not as to the
fruits of the law of Christ, but whether Monogamy, (the one wife sys-
tem) or plurality under the sanction and guidance of God, is that Ian-.

If modern Christendom in any given section thereof, or in its more
general, yet much more complex, iron and clay mixed feature, be
The Church of Christ, it will possess and practice the LAW of
Christ. And its fruits will.be manifest, fornication and adultry will
be punished by nothing less than death : domestic peace and happi-
ness will exist — children will, yea they must love and serve God.
Such a society will enjoy the blessing of temperance and CHASTI-
TY.

Now we are ready to admit that wherever the above named fruits
exist there the law of Christ is practiced. If they are found in con-
nexion with the one wife system we will admit that Christendom is
right, but if we should prove it to be entirely destitute of the fruits it
will also prove that they have not the law of Christ.

A distinguished author writes, "What is more amiable and plea-
sant than those pure, innocent, endearing affection, which God has
placed in the hearts of the man and woman, who are united together
in lawful matrimony? With a love and confidence pure as the
love of God, because it springs from him and is his gift, with bodies
chaste and virtuous and an off-sp'ring, lovely, healthy, innocent and un-
contaminated ; confiding in each other, they live together in the fear
of God, enjoying nature's gifts uncorrupted and undefiled as the driven
snow, or the crystal stream.

Chasity and purity are things of the greatest importance to the
world.

• The legislators of all civilized, nations have seen the necessity of
sustaining these things, and consequently have passed, generally
very rigid laws for the protection of temale virtue, and the support of
the marriage contract. Hence Acts have been passed and enforced,
disinheriting those who were not born in wedlock. This in some in-
stances has produced a salutary effect. Ministers of the various
churches have used their influence, in a great measure, in support of
virtuous principles. These have had their effect in assisting to
stem the torrent of iniquity. But as the nations themselves have
forsaken God, how can they expect to stop this crying evil ; for the
very legislators who pass these laws are in many instances guilty
themselves ; and when kings, princes, and rulers corrupt themselves,
how can they expect the people to be pure ; for no matter how rigid
the law may be, corrupt persons will always find means to evade it.
And indeed, so far have these abominations gone, that it seems to be
an admitted fact, that these things cannot be controlled ; and although
there are laws relative to matrimonial alliances, yet there are some

.78

nations, called Christians who actually give license to prostitution,
and all the degradation and misery associated with it. Nor are
these things connected with the lower ranks of life only ; wantonness
and voluptuousness go hand in hand, and revel unchecked in courts,
among the nobles and kings of the earth. The statesman, trie poli-
tician, and the merchant, the mechanic and the laborer have all cor-
rupted themselves. The world is full of adultry, intrigues, fornica-
tion, and abominations. Let any one go to the masked ball in the
principal theatres m Paris, and he will see thousands of people of
both sexes, impudently, shamelessly, and unblushingly, manifesting
their levved dispositions. Indeed, debauch and wantonness bear full
sway, not to speak of the dens of abominations that exist elsewhere.
London abounds with unfortunate beings, led on by example, se-
duction, and misery, to their fallen, degraded condition.* The same
thing exists throughout England, France, the United States, and all
nations. Hence millions of youth corrupt themselves, engender the
most loathsome disease, and curse their posterity with their sin, who
in their turn, rise up and tread in the corrupt steps of their fathers.
Not to say anything of the thousands of lovely beings whom God de-
signed for the companion of man in time and in eternity, and for
raising a pure off-spring who are corrupted, degraded, poluted, fallen,
poor miserable wretches ; outcasts of society, insulted, oppresed, dis-
piscd and abused, dragging out a miserable existence ; led on from
one degree of degradation to another, till death, as a friend closes
their wretched career, and yet without hope. Thus, man that was
made pure, in the image of his maker, that could stand proudly erect
as the representative of God, pure and uncontaminated, is debased,
fallen, corrupted, diseased, and sunk below the brute creation, a crea-
ture of lust and passion, and a slave to unbridled appetites. —
Taylor's Government of God.

Such as are not willing to receive the testimony of the above author,
because he is an Apostle of the Lord, standing on the earth in these
days ; can refer to the statistics of the different nations, with the re-
ports of the various enquiries and commissions that have been instituted
relative to the social and moral condition of mankind : if this should
prove to ardious an undertaking, they can look in the newspaper re-
ports, from which they will learn that fornication, adultery, and in-
temperance in all their heniously degrading aspects, with a shameless,
boldness, stalk forth at the meridian of day.

This social organization is the stream which flows from the first
order, domestic compacts, or the laws regulating the intercourse of
the sexes. As the stream is corrupt, the fountain must be corrupt,
also. The fruit being bad the tree that bears it must be bad
also. So that according to the rule laid down by the " Christian
Herald," Christendom has not got the Law of Christ, for it not
only, docs not possess the fruits thereof, but actually bears fruit

* In London alone it is said, there are 80,000 of these degraded women.

79

as opposite thereto as darkness is to light. Perhaps the reader
may be ready to inquire, if monogamy be not the law of Chririst ;
how has it become incorporated with the christian system, and handed
down from age to age, until it has reached our day with all the weight
and authority that antiquity can impart.

Our answer is that in the early Christian Church, wicked and de-
signing men crept in unawares, who turned the grace of God into
lasciviousness, incorporating with the religion of Jesus, the rites
and ceremonies of heathenism, this induced the great and influential
to identify themselves with it, who again lent their influence in mould-
ing it to the social feeling and condition of the nation or empire, with
which it became more immediately identified. That nation or empire
was Rome, wherein was concentrated power and authority over the
christian world, so that if she changed the marriage laws of Christ, to
suit the social feeling and condition of that people, that changed law
would be binding on all that were subject to her authority ; process of
time would give it an apparent identification with the system, and con-
tinued from age to age, it would possess an apparent weight and au-
thority, that could not be resisted otherwise than by a direct revelation
from heaven.

That she has changed the ordinance of baptism, she tacitly admits,
and that she has changed the law regulating th£ condition of the
priests, is proclaimed by all Protestants, not to mention other innova-
tions and changes that she has made. Now if it is right to receive her
own testimony, and that of history in relation to these matters, it
is not right to reject the like testimony in relation to any change that
may have been made in the laws of marriage.

We have sufficiently proved from the scriptures, that the marriage
law of Christ recognized a plurality of wives : this itself should be es-
teemed sufficient evidence, that, that law has been changed, yet we
feel to add one testimony more from history, that Christendom and
especially the protestant portion thereof, may know from whence
sprung their one wife system with all its evils.

"Monogamy, or single marriage, (that is marriage to one wife at
once,) is an old Roman practice, adopted by the Roman church, and
thus introduced unto Christendom.

No Roman was allowed to have two wives at once, but was liable
to be punished for bigamy. Marc Anthony was the first Roman who
had two wives ; Julius Csesar attempted to have a law passed in
favour of polygamy, but could not effect it.

The early christians so naturally adopted this habitof Roman re-
spectability, that we are apt to ascribe the monogamy of the western
world to Christianity ; but this is a mistake. There is no evidence of
it either in scripture or history.

Nay, it is a well known fact that concubinage was sanctioned by
the early church. — See Binnham's Antiquities, Book xvi. c.

80

We shall now proceed to show that the fruits of the Law of Christ
are to be found among the Saints, who receive and practice a plurali-
ty of wives, under the counsel and direction of the Lord, just as the
ancient saints did.

And in the first place we would remind the reader, that the saints
are the only people who receive and practice the LaAv of the Lord;
in relation to fornication and 'adultery, which is nothing less than
death. Thus do the saints put away iniquity.

We shall now introduce witnesses to testify of the social and moral
conditions of the saints. As these witnesses are not Mormons, they
cannot be considered partial. The first evidence we shall introduce
is that of a Methodist Preacher of the name of Prior, who visited Nau-
voo, in 1843, he writes, "I sought in vain for anything that bore the
marks of immorality, but was both astonished and pleased at my ill
success. I could see no loungers about the streets, nor any drunkards
about the taverns. I did not meet with those distorted features of
ruffians, or with the ill-bred and impudent. I heard not an oath in
the place, I saw not a gloomy countenance ; all were cheerful, polite,
and industrious." — Illustrated History of the Mormons, page 120.

An Englishman thus writes, " Peace and harmony reigns in this
city. The drunkard is scarcely ever seen, as in other cities, neither
does the awful Imprecation or profane oath strike upon your ear ;
but while all is storm and tempest, and confusion abroad respecting
the Mormons all is peace and harmony within." — Ibid 123.

Colonel Cane writes, "But in the hours after hours that I watched
this sport, (the driving of the cattle across the river during a freshet,)
at the ferry side, I never heard an oath, or the language of a quarrel,
or knew it provoke the least sign of ill feeling." — Ibid 207.

A correspondent of the "New York Tribune," writing from the
Great Salt Lake City, states, "In their religion, (the Mormons,) they
seem charitable} devoted, and sincere ; in their politics, bold, daring
and determined ; in their domestic circle, quiet, affectionate and happy.

We would also request the reader to refer to Stansbury's report, as
published in the first number of the Watchman, also to Judge Reid's
report published in the last issue ; in these reports they will find the
proceeding testimony fully corroborated.

If a tree is to be judged by its fruits, the Saints must have the
Law of Christ. If the purity of the stream is an evidence that the
fountain is also pure ;. then the social and moral condition of the
Saints is an evidence that their laws, regulating the intercourse of the
sexes are pure, and being pure, they must be from God.

The "Christian Herald" states in reference to the necessity for a
plurality of wives, for the purpose of attaining unto the blessings
of Abraham, "that a plurality of wives must necessarily prevent the
increase of population. How hard it is for the learned of this world to

6*

appreciate the laws and ordinances of the Lord. Angels cannot
minister to men openly, the Apostleship cannot be perpetuated, Batpism
cannot remit sins, the Holy Ghost cannot be given by the laying on
of hands ; and although the Lord has most positively declared, that
" seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, we will eat our
own bread, and wear our own apparel : only let us be called by thy
name, to take away our reproach : and also that in the day that this
shall take place, "the brance of the Lord shall be glorious." (Isaiah 4.)
That which will make the branch of the Lord glorious, will be the ade-
quacy of the laws and ordinances, for attaining the end proposed, viz.
the populating the earth with a Godly seed. Why do these men who
are constantly crying, the Bible, the Bible, the only rule ofj'ait/i,
'reject that which the Bible as plainly declares, as it is possible to be
declared.

How evident it is, to the real bible believer, that God's ways are
not man's ways, nor his thoughts man's thoughts.

Are the learned of this world ignorant of the fact, that for man to
usurp the blessings, and privileges of the children of God, only brings
upon him the greater condemnation.

Now as children are gracious gifts from God ; women through whom
children are obtained, must also be the gift of God. This being the
case, none have a right to women save such a* are approved of by the
Lord.

We will conclude this article with the following extract from the
"Seer."

The object of marriage, as has been abundantly proved, is to multiply
the human species, and instruct them in every principle of righteousness,
that they may become like God, and be one with. Him, and inherit all the
fulness of his glory. This being the real object of marriage, a question
naturally arises, have the wicked the same right to the blessings of a nu-
merous posterity, under this divine institution, as the righteous ? We an-
swer, that they have not. And we shall now proceed to show from the
Scriptures that the Lord has made a great distinction in regard to this
thing between the wicked and the righteous.

First, We have no example of the wicked ever being married by Divine
authority. Where have we an instance of this kind ? We have abundance
of instances where the wicked have been married ; but were these mar-
riages by divine appointment ? Were they joined together of God ? Were
the ministers who officiated directed by revelation to join them together as
one flesh ? We have no instance of the kind in the Divine oracles. It is
true, the Scriptures tolerate such a practice, the same as God has tolerated
the illegal marriages during the last seventeen centuries, and the same as
He tolerated the law of divorce among the Israelites, because of the hard-
ness of their hearts. He has suffered the wicked to marry, according to
human laws and human authority, in order that mankind might not become
extinct, the same as he suffered the children of Jacob to sell their younger
brother to the Ishmaelites, in order that they might not become extinct by

82

the famine. There are many things that God permits because of the hard-
ness of the hearts of mankind, that they will be condemned for in the day
of judgment. Joseph's brethren were condemned for their acts, but God
caused good to result therefrom ; this, however, did not clear them from
their guilt. So it is in regard to those who have ventured to marry With-
out divine authority : God will cause good to result from the same in the
preservation of the human species upon the earth, but the nations of the
wicked who have thus violated that divine institution will be cast into hell,
and will lose the blessings and privileges of the righteous who have married
by divine authority. Therefore, the fact that God does not join the wicked
in marriage is an evidence that they have not the same privileges as the
righteous in this holy matrimonial ordinance.

Secondly, Why does not God approbate the marriages of the wicked
equally with the righteous ? Because by their wickedness they not only *
bring damnation upon themselves, but upon their children also. The chil-
dren, seeing the wicked practices of their parents, would be very likely to
follow their evil footsteps. We see this most abundantly exemplified, not
only in wicked families, but among wicked nations. The nations who
formerly inhabited the land of Canaan were unworthy of the ordinance of
marriage or of posterity, because their children beheld the wicked examples
of their parents, and became worse and worse, until their iniquity was full,
when the Lord, in order to put a stop to their unlawful marriages, and the
multiplication of evil doers, was compelled to destroy husbands, and wives,
and children, to the number of many millions. Hear what the Lord said
to the children of Israel concerning them — " But of the cities of these
people, which the Lord thy God doth give thee for an inheritance, thou
shalt save alive nothing that breatheth, but thou shalt utterly destroy them ;
namely, the Hittites, and the Amorites, the Canaanites, and the Perizzites,
the Hivites, and the Jebusites, as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee ;
that they teach you not to do after all their abominations which they have
done unto their gods ; so should ye sin against the Lord your God." (Deut.
xx. 16, 17, 18.) When Abram first came into that land, the Lord told
him that their/ iniquity was "not yet full." (Gen. xv.) But some four or
five centuries after this, through the evil practices of their fathers, the chil-
dren had become fully ripened in sin, and had filled up the measure of
their cup. And to prevent the earth from being overrun with this evil
race, and corrupting Israel with their abominable practices, it was necessary
to utterly destroy every soul that breathed. Instead of the Lord's consi-
dering these nations fit to marry, He did not consider them worthy to live,
or their children either. Therefore He destroyed them, and gave the land
to his people, and promised them, on condition of righteousness, that He
would greatly bless their land, and increase their flocks and herds, and their
riches and substance. Moses said unto them, " The Lord shall make thee
plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle,
and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the Lord sware unto thy
fathers to give thee." (Deut. xxviii. 11.)

Israel, then, because of righteousness, was considered worthy to be
blessed with an increase of children, to be multiplied exceedingly, and be-
come as the sands upon the sea shore innumerable ; but they were consi-
dered worthy of this blessing only on conditions of righteousness ; for, if

83

they turned away from the Lord, they would be no better qualified to save
their children than other nations. Should tbey forsake righteousness, Moses
said that they also should be visited with every kind of plague and curse;
and among other calamities he says, — " Ye shall be left few in number,
whereas ye were as the stars of heaven for multitude. . . And it shall
come to pass, that as the Lord rejoiced over you to do you good, and to
multiply you, so the Lord will rejoice over you to destroy you, and to bring
you to nought." (Deut. xxviii. 62, 63.) Here, then, we see that it is a
cause of rejoicing with the Lord to multiply the righteous, and to diminish
the wicked. Multiplication, therefore, was originally only designed for the
righteous ; but the wicked have presumed to take this blessing to them-
selves, and have thus been the instruments of bringing hundreds of millions
into the world which God is obliged from time to time to cut off and send
to hell, in order that the world may not be brought wholly under their
dominion, and the curse devour the whole earth, as in the days of Noah.

The angels who kept not their first estate are not permitted to multiply.
Why ? Because of their wickedness. If granted this privilege, they would
teach their offspring the same wicked, malicious principles by which they
themselves are governed. They would teach them to fight against God, and
against everything else that was good, and great, and glorious. This would
not only make their offspring miserable, but it would greatly enlarge the
dominions of darkness ; and to prevent all these great calamities and evils,
God has wisely ordained to withhold marriage and increase of posterity en-
tirely from them.

God is angry and displeased with wicked men and nations, as well as
with the fallen angels ; and, though he suffers them to marry and to mul-
tiply, yet He will bring them to judgment for these things, and will punish
them for bringing posterity in all their corruption and wickedness. He will
punish them with a double punishment, not only for their own evil deeds,
but because they have taught their children the same. Their children must
suffer as well as they, because their parents ventured to marry in un-
righteousness. They and their children in all their generations are pre-
paring themselves for the society of the fallen angels ; and with them they
will dwell, and, like them, they will be placed in a condition where they
can no more be permitted to multiply. Having once married in unrighteous-
ness, and brought eternal ruin and misery upon their seed, the Lord will no
longer suffer them to enlarge their dominions of wickedness, and entail un-
happiness and wretchedness upon immortal souls. They have forfeited all
right to wives or the law of increase, by their abuses of these things here in
this life.

When Noah and his sons were building the ark, all the nations of the
earth were marrying and giving in marriage ; but their marriages were all
illegal, and they only multiplied their posterity to be cut off and to perish
out of the earth. God did not sanction their marriages, neither was He
pleased with them or their children. Noah and his sons were the only
persons worthy of wives or children ; they alone had a divine right to
marry ; and they alone had any legal claim on the Lord in behalf of their
children. The most of the people in the days of the patriarchs had turned
away from the true God to the worship of idols ; consequently, the marriages
of all such were unauthorized, and their illegitimate children were multiplied

84

upon tlie earth, to curse the earth with the idolatry of their fathers. David
says that " the wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that
forget God." Can we, then, for one moment suppose that God is pleased
with the multiplication of the wicked ? Does it please God to have the
wicked marry, when, in so doing, the} must only multiply the number who
must be cast into hell ? Far be it from us to impute such wickedness to
God. That which God requires of the wicked, in the first place, is to re-
pent and become righteous, and then to marry and multiply a righteous
posterity upon the earth ; and if they will not do this, it would be far more
tolerable for them in the day of judgment if they would remain unmarried,
for then they alone would suffer ; but to be the instruments of bringing
their own children to eternal ruin will greatly add to their torments. Who
can, then, for one moment believe that the wicked have equal privileges
with the righteous in the divine institution of marriage ? Who can, with
the Word of God before them, believe the wicked ought to multipl y upon
the earth, and raise up candidates for the devil's kingdom ? No person can
believe this who believes the Bible.

Hear what the prophet Isaiah says concerning the children of the
wicked : he declares — " The seed of evildoers shall never be renowned.
Prepare slaughter for his children, for the iniquity of their fathers ; that
they do not rise, nor possess the land, nor fill the face of the world with
cities." (Isa. xiv. 20, 21.) Now, would it not be far better for them not
to marry, than to be the means of bringing both temporal and eternal judg-
ments upon their children ? God is certainly not pleased with their increase,
or else He would not prepare slaughter for their children to prevent them
from filling the world with cities ; if He were pleased with their increase,
the more cities they filled the better.

The Psalmist, in speaking of both the righteous and the wicked, says —
" Such as be blessed of Him shall inherit the earth ; and they that be
cursed of Him shall be cut off." And. again he says — " He (the righteous)
is ever merciful and lendeth, and his seed is blessed. Depart from evil
and do good, and dwell for evermore. For the Lord loveth judgment, and
forsaketh not his saints ; they are preserved for ever, but the seed of the
wicked shall be cut off. The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell
therein for ever." (Ps. xxxvii.) Thus we can see what the design of the
Lord is in regard to the seed of the wicked — they are to utterly perish out
of the earth. Not so with the righteous : God has promised that they shall
not only inherit the earth in this life, but they shall "dwell therein for
ever."

In a former part of this Treatise it was shown that adulterers forfeited
their lives in ancient times. The reason was, beca\ise they were not consi-
dered worthy of wives or children to perpetuate their names among the
righteous ; and, being unworthy of these blessings, they were unworthy of
life : hence they were commanded to be destroyed, that they might not
transfer their wicked examples to a rising generation. And God was so
displeased with adulterers, that he prohibited their posterity from the en-
joyment of the blessings of his people. Hence it is said, " A bastard
shall not enter into the congregation of the Lord : even to his tenth
generation shall he not enter into the congregation of the Lord." (Deut.
xxiii. 2.)

85

The Jews, as a nation, were adulterers when Christianity was introduced
among them. Jesus calls them an " adulterous generation." Consequently
they had forfeited all right and title to raise up seed unto Abraham. They
pretended to be Abraham's seed, but they had forfeited that title by their
wickedness and adulteries. Therefore " Jesus saith unto them, if ye were
Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. . . Ye are
of your father, the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do." (John
viii. 33, 39, 44.) Being children of the devil, they had forfeited all right
to the divine institution of marriage. Instead of its being pleasing to God
for them to pretend to be Abraham's children, and to multiply and spread
forth their posterity, Jesus said unto them, " Daughters of Jerusalem, weep
not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children. For behold,
the days are coming in the which 'they shall say, Blessed are the barren,
and the wombs that never bare, and the paps that never gave suck. Then
shall they begin to say to the mountains, fall on us ; and to the hills, cover
us." (Luke xxiii. 28, 29, 30.) They had forfeited the blessings of wives
and children, and even of life itself, because they were an " adulterous ge-
neration," and full of all manner of wickedness. God would sooner of
the very " stones raise up children unto Abraham," than have such wicked
characters undertake to marry and multiply. Who, then, cannot perceive
that God makes a very great distinction between the wicked and the
righteous in regard to marriage and the multiplication of the human species ?
Those blessings were originally intended for the righteous, and for the
righteous only ; but the wicked have stepped forward to their own con-
demnation, and claimed the privileges of the righteous, bringing temporal
and eternal judgments upon their generations. Hence, that which is a
blessing to the righteous will prove a cursing to the wicked. The ark of
God, while it remained among the righteous, brought blessings, and glory,
and honour, and great joy ; but when it was taken by the Philistines, who
had no business with it, it brought cursing, and plague, and desolation, and
death upon their numerous hosts. So will God punish the wicked for
daring to claim a divine institution, which was only intended for the
righteous. S. Ed.

GENERAL INTELLIGENCE.

The time is close at hand when another company of saints will
leave this land, in the fine new barque Julia Ann, Captain Davis.
Mr. Bond, of California, owner of the vessel, will accompany them.
They will sail from Newcastle, bound for San Pedro. The com-
pany is under the charge of Elder William Hyde, who during the
past year has laboured faithfully, diligently, and perseveringly, in
the Hunter River district. His labours have been blessed ; many
have obeyed the Gospel, and are gathering with him.

He goes hence with the full confidence and approbation of all
true saints ; and we feel to assure him that their prayers will con-
stantly ascend to our Father in Heaven for his protection and
guidance over sea and land, and that he may return safe to the bo-
som of his family and friends in Zion.

The company is from the Hunter River district. They
consists mostly of farmers and their families. They are of respect-
able connexions, possessing firm, good, and obedient spirits. They
number 63 souls.

To all the faithful saints who remain we say, Brethren, as much
as you can, prepare to follow in the next company, which will start
about twelve mouths hence.

Brethren and sisters, our first duty is to obey the Gospel ; then
to gather with the saints to the land which, by the counsels of eter-
nity and the power of the Holy Priesthood, has been dedicated
for the upbuilding of the kingdom of God in the last days, on which
Zion on ihe sides of the north is to be erected, from whence will
proceed the law of the Lord, by which law the saints will have to
regulate their lives, in order to attain unto their blessings and
privileges. On Zion the glory of the Lord shall rest. His

Spirit shall make her sons mighty. Within her precincts shall be
safety; and those who will not flee to Zion will have to take up
sword against their brother. It is expressly written that in Zion
shall be deliverance.

We are determined to the utmost of our power to push the saints
to Zion. Our counsel to one and all is to flee to the home of the saints
before the destroyer is let loose upon this land, for there is a day of
darkness, distress, and perplexity awaiting this people. Our prayer
is, that the Lord may stay his hand until the honest in heart are
gathered out.

We would particularly request the attention of the saints and the
public to Elder Wm. Hyde's farewell address. — Ed.

The Hue-and-Cry ; or, where are the False Prophitsand Ly--

ing Spirits that are Deceiving the Nations.
It is astonishing how the mass of mankind, endowed with power and
capacity to think and act for themselves, are dependant upon others
for the formation of their opinions and the direction of their actions.
They depend upon frail and erring humanity, possessing the like
powers, capacities, and passions with themselves, who make no
professions to the inspiration of the Almighty, but merely declare
their opinions as men simply claiming a superiority on account of
education or position in society.

But it is in the religious character of the world that this servileness
of the human mind to merely human dictation is pre-eminently mani-

87

fested. Does a question arise in relation to either religious doctrine,
practice, or discipline, immediately the Fathers, Councils, or Parlia-
ment are consulted, and such as do not pay respect to the aforenamed
authorities, are equally as indefatagable in their enquiries of eminent
modern Devines.

But such as do take so much trouble are few. The general dispo-
sition of men being to select their creed in the same way and for the
same reasons that they do their names, because it was their father's.
And however they might be interrogated as to their reasons for being
what they are, their answer would be equivalent to my Father was so
before me, not giving heed to the declaration of Holy Writ, " that
every man must give an account for himself; not the Fathers, Coun-
cils, Parliament, or Modern Devines for him, but himself to account for
the blessings, privileges, light and knowledge grven or offered to him
in his day and generation. It is this servileness of the human mind
to merely human authority or dictation that has in all ages caused
the excitement that has always taken place in the popular mind upon
any apparent innovation upon the opinions, laws or customs of the
Fathers.

This generation, possessing as it does a more extensive acquaint-
ance with the sciences, greater facilities for communicating knowledge,
and a more general and improved education, it would naturally be
expected that the public mind would be less biased by human in-
fluences upon any subject that might be presented before it. But
alas for fallen, frail, erring humanity, with all its boasted light, know-
ledge, and professed liberality, it is found to be as servile, degraded,
and captive-led as ever it was in the days of Noah, Moses, and the
Prophets, or Christ and his Apostles. If it be asked where is the
foundation for such an assertion in these days, we answer in the
History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Were you to ask the Priests of Christendom why they condemn the
said church, their answer, when driven close would be, do you think
the Lord would allow the world, and especially the pious portion there-
of, to remain in darkness until the illiterat Joe ( Joseph ) Smith ap-
peared, it would be a reflection upon His goodness to think so for
one moment. Ask the same question to the reading, and in some
degree reflecting portion of the lay members, and they would instantly
cite a multitude of merely human authorities, one would say, our good
ministers R. and B., who are men of education, ability and piety, de-
clared that the Holy Ghost was never given by the laying on of
hands ; another would say, that those acknowledged great minds, Y.,
E. & B., positively declared, that the power and authority of the apos-
tleship was only confered upo/i those ordained by Christ, and that it
never was intended, that, that power, or the gift of the spirit
should be perpetuated, do you think that the Lord would leave such
good men, who are so p\ous, so faithful, and so charitable, in the dark

to be instructed by such illiterate and obscure persons as the mormons
are. A third would e*laim, have not our good pastors time and
again cited to us, the passages in the New Testament, in reference to
the false christs, false prophets, and lying spirits that were to arise
again in the last days, who would by their signs and lying wonders,
deceive the nations of the earth, and if it were possible, even the very
elect also.

How seldom do these persons examine and reflect upon that which
they hear from their ministers, if they only acted upon the injunction
of the Apostle Paul, "Prove all things," how often would they find
these, in their estimation, good men, misquoting, misapplying the
scriptures, and giving the most decisive and flat contradiction, to the
most positive and unequivocal declaration of holy writ.

(To bs continued.)
A SONG,

COMPOSED BY WILLIAM HYDE,

ON THE DEATH OF JOSEPH AND HYRAM SMITH.

While far from kind domestic life,
An only child, a loving wife,
While striving, in my early youth,
To warn mankind, and teach the truth —

Sad news I heard, which brake my heart,
It seemed that all must feel the smart ;
It came while I, within a room,
Was seeking news from friends and home.

For weeks I'd pored the pages o'er,
That carried news from shore to shore ;
But all that came looked dark and drear,
Which caused me the more to fear.

At length a stranger did relate
Our loving brother Joseph's fate ;
That he, with others— strange to tell —
Had been immured in prison cell.

It seemed, for truths which they had

taught,
Their lives by demons had been sought ;
But that the world the truth might know,
They did themselves to prison go.

While here they justice did await,
How hard to tell how foul their fate !
Those hellish fiends, in hellish form,
Out from their coverts they did swarm.

The prison doors they soon were burst,
The Prophet and his brother thrust ;
The balls in showers did stop their breath,
Thn.e fell these martyrs cold in death.

I listened to this stranger's tale,
Until my strength did almost fail ;
My blood did chill within my vein,
From weeping I could not refrain.

I asked myself, Can it be so ]
Must Joseph fall, and Hyram too ?
The greatest men for deeds of worth
That ever lived, or walked the earth J

But ah ! they're gone ; they sought in

vain
On earth some justice to obtain ;
But there's a Court that will them hear,
And at this Court they will appear.

'Tis now in councils of the just,
Their causes soon will God adjust ;
For Joseph there himself will plead,
And God, I'm sure, his cause will heed.

The saints are soon to get redress
For all their wrongs and sore distress ;
The prayers of those who have been slain
Are not before the Lord in vain.

Then let us all be pure in heart,
Although we now may feel the smart :
When all the saints on earth we meet,
'Tis then we'll realise the sweet.

When Christ shall come irom Heaven

With all his saints on earth to reign,
'Tis then we'll greet our sufferings o'er,
'Tis then we'll meet to part no more !

Price Sixpence.

Edited and Published by A. Pamham, Sydney.

THE ZION'S WATCHMAN,

PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOKITY OF THE

Cfmttf) of awua Cljrtet of iLatter^aj) <#amta,

IN SYDNEY.

" HE THAT READETH LET HIM UNDERSTAND."

Nos. 12-13. SATURDAY, MAY 6, 1854. Vol I.

LETTER FROM PRESIDENT B. YOUNG.

G. S. L. City, Oct. 31st, 1853.
Dear Brother,

Your letter of June 6th. arrived duly, and I was extremely grati-
fied to learn of your welfare and success, and thank the Lord for the
blessings that have attended your labors, and the labors of your fel-
low-servants in the Gospel in that distant region.

The Missionaries to China are on their way home, not having been
able to accomplish much, so far as I have learned ; and brother Orson
Spencer, and Jacob Hontz were expelled from Berlin, in Prussia, with-
out a hearing, and are now at home. Our other missions are in as
prosperous a condition as the peculiar views, and traditions of the
people will permit, and though in France and Germany the Govern-
ments are disposed to hinder entirely the spread of the Gospel, still
the brethren are carefully and quietly winning their way.

I presume you have learned from the " News," or in letters from
your family, that Indian Walker and his band have been some trou-
blesome since last July, though quiet just at present, and may con-
tinue so. In this affair several have been killed on both sides, and
much stock has been driven off.

The weak settlements, which the Indians mostly annoy, are being
strengthened up, and forts are built or nearly, so, in all the settle-
ments, and we have began to make a wall, 12 feet high, entirely
around the City, with a sufficient ditch, and the necessary culverts
and gates, which will prevent red and white depredators from pass-
ing in and out without our knowledge.

Our this year's immigration have all arrived without encounter-
ing any snow storms, and are mostly in good spirits, and generally
located, and all soon will be. .

Our crops have been abundant, and are mostly secured, lor which
the continued fine weather has been very favorable, .

90

The wall on the north, west, and half of the south lines of the-
Temple Block is read}7 for the coping stone and iron railings; busi-
ness generally both of a public and private nature is in a very pros-
perous condition.

The generel health continues to be good, and the blessings of the
Lord are extended to us in rich abundance.

On the subject of gathering, you are aware that the spirit and
word to scattered Israel is, " come home to the vallies of the moun-
tains, as fast as circumstances will permit."

Of course the Saints in New South Wales, and countries adjacent
will wend their way here, at every feasible opportunity, endeavour-
ing, so far as possible, to land at San Diego, California, and those
who prefer it, are at liberty to stop at San Bernardinno, the remain-
der will continue their journey into the settlements of Utah.

Ever pleased to receive letters from you, and the brethren abroad
upon missions, and to give such counsel, from time to time, as the
spirit may dictate, and praying that posperity may attend you in
faithfulness.

I Remain,

Your Brother in the Gospel,

BRTGHAM YOUNG.
Augusts Farnham, Sydney, New South Wales.

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE
AUSTRALASIAN MISSION OF THE CHURCH OF
JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS, HELD IN
THE OLD ASSEMBLY ROOMS, KING-STREET, SYDNEY,
APRIL 2nd, 1854.

Present :

Presidency of the Australasian Mission,

Augustus Farnham.

Josiah W. Fleming. Burr Frost.

Travelling Elders :

James Graham. John S. Eldridge. William Baxter.

Presidency of the Sydney Branch :

JoilN Jones.

William Robb. Robert Evans.

Elder William Howell, President of the Newcastle Branch.

Meeting opened by singing the 37th Hymn :

" Let earth and heaven agree," &c.

Prayer by Elder William Robb.

A Welch Hymn was sang by the Brethren from Newcastle :

"Edrychais i addewid Dduw," &c.

Sang the 130th Hymn :

" 0, my Father, thou that dwellest," &c.

91

President J. Jones then called the Meeting to order, and declared
the Conference open for the transaction of business.

It was moved, seconded, and carried — "That Eider John Jones be
the Clerk of the Conference."

It was moved, seconded, and carried — " That President Augustus
Farnham preside at this Conference."

President Farnham rose and said, this is the Annual Conference)
and the business we have to transact is important. If we were in
the valley we should meet on the 6th, the day on which the Church
was first organized, our circumstances being different, we are obliged
to act a little different. You are aware that one of my counsel has
gone home, therefore the first Presidency here is not full, so it will
be necessary that another be chosen to fill up the vacancy. On these
matters we always get the voice of the people, the which, when it is
united, is the voice of the Lord. Elder J. W. Fleming takes the
place of Elder W. Hyde as my first Counsellor.

President Farnham moved and President Fleming seconded, and
it was carried — " That Elder Burr Frost be appointed second Coun-
sellor."

The President then remarked that he wished all who felt that this
work was right to vote with one heart and mind to sustain the
Authorities thereof, inasmuch as you do so you will be sustained by
our Father in heaven. I also repeat that which I said last Confer-
ence, namely, that I want no hypocrites. Those who may feel that
they cannot vote in favour, I wish them to show on the contrary, and
also to state their reasons.

It was proposed, seconded, and carried, that we receive and sus-
tain Elder Augustus Farnham as President of the Australasian
Mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

It was proposed, seconded, and carried, that we receive and sus-
tain Elders Josiah W. Fleming and Burr Frost as Counsellors to Pre-
sident A. Farnham.

It was proposed, seconded, and carried, that we receive and sus-
tain Elder John Jones as President of the Sydney Branch.

It was proposed, seconded, and carried, that we receive and sus-
tain Elders William Robb and Robert Evans as Counsellors to Presi-
dent J. Jones.

It was proposed, seconded, and carried, that we receive and sus-
tain the First Presidency in Zion, Brigham Young, as President of
the Church of Jesus Christ throughout the world, and as their Pro-
phet, Seer, and Revelator, and their Leader in Israel ; and also
receive and sustain Heber, C. Kimbal, and Willard Richards as his
Counsellors, and as Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.

It was proposed, seconded, and carried, that we receive and sus-
tain the Quorum of twelve Apostles, who are the Travelling High
Counsel of the Church.

92

It was moved, seconded, and carried, that we receive and sustain
Father John Smith as the Patriarch of the Church in Zion.

It was moved, seconded, and carried, that we receive and sustain
all the Officers in the Church, in Zion, and throughout the world.

President Farnham then rose and stated that he had two or three
very disagreeable cases to present, yet they are such as must he
attended to, however disagreeable they may be, otherwise every duty
will not be attended to, and without attending to every duty it is
impossible to magnify our calling. Many will say that when tliey
go astray it is not a voluntary act, but this is wrong. It is true that
at the first they are led on by a seductive spirit. We ought often to
examine ourselves. If we do so, by the spirit of our Father he will
not let us go astray. Some who were thought wise amongst us are
gone astray, trampling their covenants under their feet, abusing the
Saints of God. I name these that you may take warning thereby,
and that you be not led by that seductive spirit.

I will refer to one case that has come under observation in this
place, and it will serve to illustrate many others.

About eleven weeks ago there was a brother who stood up in this
place and bore as faithful a testimony to the truth as it was possible
for man to bear. But, alas ! he began to absent himself from the
meeting, then to lose confidence in the brethren, &c. ; thus he went
on from small things to greater, until he has run into trans-
gression.

He then presented the case of John Baxter, and his wife Maria,
and charged them with unchristianlike conduct ; also, with abuse and
contempt to the Authorities of the Church.

He also stated that they had been visited by the Elders and
Teachers, whom they had insulted and abused. I will not submit to
have my brethren or the authority of the Holy Priesthood, with which
we are clothed, abused by any brother or sister. He that speaks
against my brethren speaks against me, and against the servant of
the Lord who sent me — against the Prophet Joseph, and the Angels
that ministered unto him. Yes ! he speaks against the Lord God.

It was proposed, seconded, and carried, that the charge against
Elder John Baxter, and his wife Maria, be sustained, and that they
be cut off from the Church.

The President next presented the case of Richard Merchant, whom
he charged with unchristianlike conduct. After he had explained the
nature of the case,

It was moved, seconded, and carried, that the charge against
Richard Merchant be sustained, and that he be cut off from the
Church.

The President then presented the case of Elder William Baxter,
who desired to give up his Mission. He had gone forth and come
back again, and wished to withdraw and prepare for going to Zion.

93

It was moved, seconded, and carried, that he be allowed to
withdraw.

The President then stated that lie had received instructions, in the
Ninth General Epistle of the First Presidency, to open books for the
Perpetual Emigration Fund for gathering the poor. Books will be
opened at my office from this time for the purpose of receiving dona-
tions to said fund.

The President next called for the Elders1 Report, when Elder B.
Frost rose and reported the Victoria Conference. There were in that
Conference 34 Members, 5 Elders, 1 Seventy, 1 High Priest, and
2 of the lesser Priesthood.

In relation to Victoria, he would say that there had been preach-
ing there before he went by Elder Wandell, who was a man of God.
He was called away before he could do much good. Soon after going
down I went up to Bendigo, baptized two, and organized a Branch,
Elder Cook presiding. I have also ordained three to the Priesthood,
and have sent them to preach the Gospel in the Gold Mines. He
also presented the South Australian Conference as consisting of 47
members.

The President next called on Elder John S. Eldridge for his Re-
port, when he arose and said — My labours during the last 3 months
have been continued in the S.W. section, in company with Elder W.
Baxter part of the time. Have visited Camden, "Windsor, and Pen-
rith ; have held meetings and conversed with the people, trying to do
all the good I could. Some are believing, others investigating, and
there are those who rebel against the truth. The work is progress-
ing slowly, yet I believe there will be a good work done in these
places, but that will be when the people's grasp in the things of this
world is loosed.

The President, at the request of Eider W. Howel, presented the
Newcastle Branch, stating that it contained 13 members. One had
been cut off for slander. He referred to Ins remarks at the Counsel
Meeting on Friday night, that he would njot associate with those who
were continually abusing the priesthood, with those who manifested
feelings of friendship and kindness it was quite different, but such
as were obstinately rebellious they should be shunned.

The President further said, that Paul counselled to be subject to
the powers that be, and as the Saviour said many did err not under-
standing the Scriptures, so I may say many do err not understanding;
the will of the Lord. This will is not written : the Lord said, "1
will write my law in their hearts." Honor the counsel belonging to
the Church that has been appointed by the first Presidency. This
appointment cannot be set aside ; it has also been confirmed by a
vote of the Conference. The instructions of this counsel being sus-
tained by the voice of the Conference, is the voice of the Lord.

Last Conference Elders were sent on Missions. Some went forth
and came back again, and are back a gain; another went forth and

94

has come back again, and has taken to his old calling to get money
to go by water. I told them to commence preaching at Liverpool,
and to work, in and out in the country, preaching at every place
where there was an opening, and not to come back until called : thus
they have been travelling the ground over two or three times with-
out any necessity, injuring their bodies. It is not right that wo
should abuse or destroy our tabernacles. These last few weeks past
I have travelled much, and been weary often walking by day and
preaching at night, but I have never travelled the same ground
twice oveY without there being any necessity for it.

If you should be appointed to a field of labor, go forth and fill
that mission, trusting in the Lord, and never fail though you
should die.

The appointments of the Elders will remain as at last Conference,
excepting Elder J. S. Eldridge, whom he should take to assist in the
Hunter's River District for a short time.

It was proposed, seconded, and carried, that Elder J. S. Eldridge
be sustained in his appointment to the Hunter's River District.

The President next reported the departure of the " Julia Ann,"
barque, Commander Davis, having Mr. Pond (the owner) on board,
which sailed from Newcastle on 22nd March, with a Company of
Saints on board, bound for San Pedro. The Company numbered
63 souls.

After the brethren were assembled on board, a Special Conference
was called, when Elders Charles Stapley, sen., and Richard Allen
were appointed Counsellors to Elder Win. Hyde, who had charge of
the company.

Elder Charles Stapley, jun., was appointed officiating Elder, two
Priests and Teachers were ordained, and counsel and instruction
given suited to their circumstances.

It is expected that another company will leave here next October.
It is intended to gather up as many as are able to go, for the counsel
from the first Presidency is that the Saints are to gather home as fast
as they can, and those who are able are required to assist the poor.
Out of this last company that has gone out I have had to call for
(£240) two hundred and forty pounds, to assist the poor, and there
would be some poor to assist in the next company.

The Welch brethren sang the 459th Hymn, Welch Collection.

Sang 193rd Hymn :

" Redeemer of Israel, our only delight," &c.

Benediction, by Elder John Jones.

Conference adjourned until 3 p.m.

Conference met, pursuant to adjournment, at 3 p.m.
Sang the 253rd Hymn:

" Go, ye Messengers of Glory," &c.
Prayer, by Elder John S. Eldridge.

95

Sang the 53rd Hymn, Welsh Collection :

" Ysbiycl yr Arglywdd fel tan Sydd in Llosgi."

Sang the 29th Hymn:

" What was witnessed in the heavens," &c.

Elder J. W. Fleming addressed the Meeting.

Sacrament was administered by Elder John Jones.

Brother Rees' son and daughter sang a Welch song, composed on
the Gathering.

Sang the 96th Hymn:

" Lord, dismiss tis with thy blessing."

Benediction, by President A. Farnham.

Conference adjourned until 7 p.m.

Conference met, pursuant to adjournment, at 7 p.m
Sang the 21st Hymn :

" God moves in a mysterious way."
Prayer, by Elder John Jones.
Meeting addressed by Elder Burr Frost.
Sang the 274th Hymn:

" Come to me, will ye come to the Saints that have died "
Benediction, by Elder J. Jones.
Conference adjourned until the first Sunday in July.

Statistic of the

jast Twelve Months labors.

CONFERENCES

a
cL

CO

■~r,

o

Or liinations.
1 " 1 ™" 1 - 1 ' i s~* 1

19

3

5 2

3 J2J1 | 10

Hunter River ., ..

44

12

5 2

1 1 '
2 ! 112

J 1

1 1 1 ! 1 1 i I

Adelaide 1 47 | 4 j 3 3 j

| ! 1 1 1 I

AUGUSTUS FARNHAM, President.

JOHN JONES, Clerk.

96

The Hue-and-Cry; or, where are the False Prophets and
Lying Spirits that are Deceiving the Nations.

(Continued from page 88.)

If it was not for that thoughtless aud unaccountable serveillance
before mentioned, this state of things would not be tolerated. It
would be demanded of this hireling priesthood that they either preach
the Bible or reject it altogether. That it may not be proved that
that which we have written is a mere tissue of assertions, we
shall now proceed to examine the Bible, and compare it with the
statements of these teachers of the last days, so that such as will
behold it may see where the lying spirits are that are deceiving the
nations of the earth.

We shall commence with the statement that the Holy Ghost was
never given by the laying on of hands. Here we must request the
reader to turn to his Bible and read the following passages : — Acts 8,
17th verse; 19th chap. 6 Heb., 6, 2 ; Gal. 5, 3 ; Deut. 34, 9.

Again, there is the statements of Y. E. and B., who aver that
the power and authority of the Apostleship was only conferred upon
such as were ordained by Christ, and that that power and authority
nor the gifts of the Spirit were never intended to be perpetuated.
Upon this subject we must request the reader attentively to read the
following passages :— Eph. 4, 11, 12, 13 ; I Cor. 12 ; Acts 2, 38, 39;
Mark 16, 17, 18.

Here we must solicit permission to ask a few questions. In the
first place we would enquire : What ordinance appointed by the
God of Heaven does not possess the virtue that He hath ordained to
appertain thereunto? — And when the Scriptures of truth plainly
state that by the laying on of the hands of the Apostles the Holy
Ghost was given, what degree of learning, ability, or so-called piety
will warrant a person to assert that it was not so ? Again, when
the Lord, through His Apostle, hath declared what organization He
had set in His Church, the end for which they were appointed, viz.,
" The work of the Ministry ;" the period until which they were ap-
pointed, " Till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the
knowledge of the Son of God." What must be the presumption of
the person who, being paid to teach the Bible and to contend for its
infallibility, who would venture to affirm, in the face of this most
unequivocal declaration, that the power and authority of the Apostle-
ship was not intended to be perpetuated ? Again, we would ask,
where in the Scriptures do they find the word extraordinary that they
apply to this authority together with the gifts of the Holy Ghost ?
We do not believe that the word extraordinary is to be found be-
tween the lids of the Bible. We know it is nowhere to be found in
connexion with the authority or gifts referred to. Why and by
whom was it introduced ? It was introduced by men that they might
the better evade the plain declaration of truth. If these men's

97

statements are true, it must be evident that Christmust have been
wrong when he promised that " These signs should follow (all) them
that believe," &c. ; and Peter also, when he said " Repent and be
baptized, and you shall receive the Holy Ghost, for the promise, is
unto you and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even "as
many as the Lord our God shall call."

Saint Paul must have partaken largely of the same spirit when he
wrote : " God hath set in the church first apostles, secondly prophets,
thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healing, helps,
governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles ? are all pro-
phets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? have all the gifts
of healing ? do all interpret?" Again " now hath God set the members
every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him, and if they were
all one member where were the body ? But now are they many
members but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand I have
no need of thee, nor again the head to the foot I have no need of you."
The apostle, in this chapter, not only shows the necessity of a per-
fect organization for the formation of a body, but also shows the ab-
solute necessity of an harmonious operation of each part for the heal-
thy and efficient action thereof, which is pungently expressed in
that graphic sentence. " That there might be no schism in the body."
He then sums up the whole by a positive declaration that the church
was the body of Christ and that no one might mistake any other or-
ganization for the body or church of Christ, he sets forth the nature
of the organization thereof as cited above. Here are three testimo-
nies, Christ, Peter, and Paul, each authorized by the great God of
heaven and earth, against it we have the testimonies of thousands of
secterian priests. Who are we to believe, God or man ? We say with
the same apostles let God be true, though it even should go to prove
all men liars.

Having shown that in reference to the organization of the church
of Christ and the gifts of the Holy Ghost, the Bible is aganst the Sec-
tarian world, we shall now examine whether they have any true
foundation in the scriptures of truth lor the accusations of false pro-
phets and iying spirits, which they so vehemently cry against the
servants of God in these days.

It must be evident to all that it is of little consequence (save to
themselves) by what name they call the Saints, if they cannot prove
them worthy of such epithets, both from the Scripture and from their
conduct. Their calling them false, lying, &c, will not prove them to
be so. It cannot affect them otherwise than as the Saviour hath
promised, when he said " Blessed are ye when men persecute you
and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my name's sake'
for great is your reward in the Kingdom of Heaven ;" but it will be
woe, woe with them if they are found bearing false witness, for
their portion will be with dogs and sorcerers and whoremongers and
idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

98

The first passage we shall refer to is recorded in the 24th chapter
of Matthew, from the 21st to the 28th verses.

In the passage referred to we observe, firstly, that Christ was to
come a second time to the earth ; secondly, that before H is second
coming there should arise persons professing to be Christ, who should
dwell upon the earth, born in the usual course, and that they should
perform great signs and wonders for the purpose of enforcing their
pretensions; thirdly, that when Christ should appear he should come
not from the earth but from heaven, and that preceding and accom-
panying H is second advent there should be great tribulations and
earthquakes such as was not since the creation until ibis day, no nor
never shall be.

Now if we should satisfactorily prove that neither Joseph Smith
nor the Church deny the second coming of Christ, but contend earn-
estly for the doctrine in the strictly literal sense thereof, to be fulfilled
in the way and manner stated in the Bible, and that Joseph Smith
nowhere assumed to be Jesus Christ, neither does the Church any-
where represent him as such, and that so far from giving great signs
to enforce his authority or diffuse the principles of the Everlasting
Gospel, he positively condemns such as seek for signs, and also
that they believe that preceding and accompanying the revelation of
Jesus Christ there will be tribulations, wars, famines, pestilences,
and great and awful convulsions of the world, we shall then feel
assured that no honest person will continue to apply these passages
to the Prophet of God, Joseph Smith, or the servants of the Lord
ordained to the holy priesthood by and through the authority com-
mitted unto him.

We shall now proceed to make some quotations from the Book of
Doctrine and Covenants, and that they may appear to better advan-
tage we shall place them in juxta position with passages from the
Bible on the same subject.

Acts, 1st chap., 9 to 11 verse. — "While Doctrine and Covenants, section 10, p 2.
tbey (the disciples) beheld, he (Christ) was — " And they have done to the Son of Man
taken up, and a cloud received him out of even as they listed, and He haa taken His
their sight. Aod while they looked stead- power on the right hand of hisglory, and now
fastly toward heaven a3 he went up, behold, reignetb in the heavens, and will reign until
two men stood by them in white apparel : he descends on earth to put all enemies
which also said, Ye men of Galilee why under his feet." Sec. 108, p. 5 :-•' Behold
»tand ye gazing up into heaven P This same the Lord bath sent forth the angel crying in
Jesus, which is taken up from you into the midst of heaven, saying prepare ye the
heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye way of the Lord, make his paths straight,
have seen him go into heaven." for the hour of His coming is nigh, when

Acts 3, 19 to 21. — ' When the times of the Lamb shall stand upon Mount Zion.
refreshing shall come from the presence of * * * * Wherefore prepare ye for the
the Lord, he shall send Jesus Christ which coming of the Bridegroom. * * * *
before was preachfd unto jou, *hom the And the Lord, even the Saviour, shall stand
heavens must receive until the times of the in the midst of His people, and shall reign
restitution of all things spoken by the mouths over all flesh."

of all His holy prophets uince the world be* Doetrineand Covenants, section 10, p. 2 :
gan." ■ — "for the hour is nigh, and that which

was spoken by mine apostles must be ful-
filled ; for as they spoke so shall it come to

99

Matthew, 2Vh chap., 23, 26 ver.— ••« And
if any roan shall say unto you, Lo, here is
Christ, or there, believe it not. Wherefore
if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in
the desert ; go not forth : behold, he is in
the secret chambers ; believe it not." 27th
verse : — '.' For as the lightning cometh
out of the east, and shiueth even unto the
west, so shall the coming of the Son of Man
be."

Matthew, 24th ch., 24th v.—" For there
shall arise false Christs and false prophets,
and shall she* great signs and wonders ;
insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall
deceive the very elect."

Mark, 13th ch., 22nd v. — Says expressly,
" that they shall shew signs and wonders for
the very purpose of seducing*"

II Thes., 2nd ch., 4, 9 verses.—" Who
opposeth and exhalteth himself above all
that is called God ; or that is worshipped, so
that he as God siteth in the temple of God,
shewing himself that he is God ; whose com-
ing is after the working of Satan, with all
power and signs and lying wonders."

Matthew, 24th ch„ 21st, 22nd v. — "For
theu shall be great tribulations, such as was
not from the beginning of the world to this
time, no nor never should be. And except
those days should be shortened there should
no flesh be saved, but for the elect's sake
those days should be shortened " 29, 30 :
— " Immediately after the tribulation of
those days shall the sun be darkened, and
the moon shall not give her light, and the
stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers
of the heavens shall be shaken ; and then
shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in
the heavens : and then shall all the tribes of
the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son
of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with
power and great glory." See Mark, 13th
chapter, 19, 20, 24,25,26 verses.

pass ; for I will reveal myself from heaven
with power and great glory, with all the
hosts thereof, and dwell in righteousness
with men on the earth a thousand years, and
the wicked shall not stand "

Dec. and Cov., sec. 65, p. 4 :— " And
again, verily I say unto you, that the Son of
Man cometh not in the form of a woman,
neither of a man travelling on the earth :
wherefore be not deceived, but continue in
steadfastness, looking forth for the heavens
to be shaken, and the earth to tremble, and
to reel to and fro as a drunken man ; and
for the valleys to be exhalted ; and for the
mountains to be made low ; and for the
rough places to become smooth : and all
this when the angel shall sound his trump."
Doc. and Gov., sec. 16, p. 4 :— " Where-
fore beware lest ye are deceived, and that ye
be not deceived seek earnestly the best gifts,
always remembering for what they are
given ; for verily I eay unto you, they are
given for the benefit of those who lo*e me
and keep my commandments, and him that
seeketh to do so, that all may be benefitted
that seeketh or asketh of me, that asketh
and not for a sign that he may consume it
upon his lust." Sec. 20, p. 3 :— '< Faith
cometh not by signs, but signs follow them
that believe. Yea, signs come by faith,
unto mighty works, for without faith bo
man pleaseth God : and with whom God is
angry he is not well pleased ; wherefore,
unto such he sheweth no signs, only in wrath
unto their condemnation." P. 2:— "He
that seeketh signs, shall aee signs, but not
unto salvation."

Doc. and Gov., sec. 14, p. 5 .— " Hearken
ye, for, behold, the great day of the Lord
is at hand. For the day cometh that the
Lord shall utter His voice out of heaven ; the
heavens shall shake and the ear.h shall
tremble." See. 15, p. 6 :-■' And it shall
come to pass that he thet feareth me shall be
looking forth for the great day of the Lord
to come, even for the signs of the coming of
the Son of Man : and they shall see signs
and wonders, for they shall be shown forth
in the heavens above, and in the earth be-
neath ; and they shall behold blood and fire,
and vapours of smoke; and before the day
of the Lord shall come the sun shall be
darkened, and the moon ahall be turned
into blood, and the stars fall from heaven ;
and the remnant shall be gathered unto this
place, and then they shall look for ir.e, and,
behold, I will come ; and they shall see me
in the clouds of heayen, clothed with power
and great glory, with all the holy angels ;
and he that watcheth not for me shall be cut
off." P. 8:— "Then shall the arm of the
Lord fall upon the nations, and then shall

100

the Lord set his foot upon the mount, and it
shall cleave in twain, and the earth shall
tremble, and reel to and fro, and the heavens
also shall shake, and the Lord shall utter His
voice, and all the ends of the earth shall
hear it, and the nations of the earth shall
mourn, and they that have laughed shall see
their folly, and calamity shall cover the
mocker, and the scorner shall be consumed,
and they that have watched for iniquity shall
be hewn down and cast into the fiie." Ste
sec. 10, p. 4, 5 ; also 08, p. 1, 5.

From the above comparison of the testimonies of Christ and His
Apostles with the records of the Prophet Joseph Smith in relation to
the second advent of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, it must be
evident to every person that the several testimonies are one in their
nature and character, and that so far as the belief of the Church
noon this most important subject is concerned, it must be evident to
every candid person that when the hireling priests of these days
apply these passages to the founder (speaking after the manner of the
world) of this church, or to any or all its office-bearers, they must be
either " awfully ignorant or wilfully wicked."

But it is well for us that the Saviour has in another place given us
an infallible rule by which we may know who are the false prophets.
In the record of Matthew, ch. 7, verses 15, 20, we read—" Beware
of false prophets, which come unto you in sheep's clothing, but in-
Avardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits.
Do men gather grapes off thorns, or figs oil thistles ? Even so every
good tree bringeth forth good fruit ; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth
evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a
corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not
forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire. Wherefore, by
their fruits ye shall know them."

That we may understand distinctly what is hear meant ,by the
simile of tree and fruit, we shall refer to the 15th chapter ot John's
record, verses 2, 3, 7, to 10. We there read—" I am the true vine,
my father is the husbandman. Every branch that beareth not fruit
he taketh away, and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it
that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the
word I have spoken unto you. If ye abide in me and my words in
you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein
is my father glorified, that ye bear much fruit ; so shall ye be my
disciples. As the father hath loved me, so have I loved you : con-
tinue in my love. If ye keep (all) my commandments ye shall abide
in my love : even as I have kept (all) my father's commandments,
and abide in his love."

Matthew 7, 13, 14, 21, 24.—" Enter into the straight gate, for wide
is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and
many there be which go in thereat : because straight is the gate, and

101

narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life. Not every one that saith
unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven ; but lie
that doeth the will of my father, which is in heaven. Wherefore
whosoever hearcth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will
liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock ; and
every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not,
shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the
sand." From the above quotations it will be evident that such as
abide in the organization, ordinances, and doctrines of Christ, will
abide in him, and that whatsoever they shall ask, they shall receive :
— That is, they should receive revelation from God ; and that such as
did not receive the mind of the Lord, not being appointed by him
through the law of revelation, and not observing his ordinances and
covenants, were not his servants, and that all their assumptions to be
so were false, their ministrations a delusion, their end destruction.
We would here request the reader to turn to the 24th chapter of
Isaiah, and there behold the graphic description of this present gene-
ration with their no-revelation hireling priesthood, and the awful
destruction that awaits them. We would beseech all men every-
where— priest and people — to listen to the voice of the God of heaven
as made known to them through his servant, the Prophet Joseph,
who was called and ordained of God to bring in the Dispensation of
the fulness of times, and who has organized the Church upon the
foundation of apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ being the chief
corner-stone, — he having re-established the law, ordinances, and
covenants of the Gospel. We beseech them to repent and to be
baptised for the remission of their sins ; and to all such as do obey,
we say, ye shall receive the Holy Ghost, by the laying on of the
hands of the servants of God : for " The Lord is the same to-day,
yesterday, and for ever : with him there is no variableness nor shadow
of a turning."

We shall next proceed to take a view of the passage in 2 Peter,
2nd ch., 1 — " But there were false prophets among the people, even as
there shall be false teachers among you, who privily bring in damna-
ble heresies, even denying the Lord that brought them, and bring
upon themselves swift destruction."

It is thought quite sufficient, by the teachers of the day, merely to
cite this, and no sooner done than all the faithful of their flock swal-
low it down as a precious morsel, and esteem it an all-powerful anti-
dote to Mormonism ; and so childishly imbecile are they that they do
not for one moment think that it has any other application than that
given to it by the persons they pay to think for them ; not for one
moment do they think that instead of applying to the Mormons, that
it has not the remotest reference to them, but that it is a perspicuous
yet most forcible description of their own priestcraft and erroneous
doctrines. All the bona fide servants of God, called of Him as Aaron

.., : ,-•.'■ ry- v * " '•- OFFICE

vgk^rch of]ssu$ CI Latter'day Saiwte

17 E.Scuth Tempi* Si.

102

was, did not come in the capacity ot teachers, but as authoritative
messengers or prophets bearing the word of the Lord. Now in the
passage referred to, we hear not of persons professing to come in the
name of the Lord, but of such as should presume to no higher autho-
rity than teachers — teachers for hire — for " Through covetousness
they were to make merchandise of the people ;" their doctrines were
to be inconsistent with the word of God, even denying the second
coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Yea they should scoff
at the very idea of such a doctrine, and cry out as these last day
teachers do. Where is the promise of his coming ? a for since the
fathers fell asleep all things continue as they were from the begin-
ning of creation." But " this they willingly are ignorant of, that
by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing
out of the waters and in the water: whereby the world, that then
was being overflowed with water, perished ; but the heavens and the
earth which are now, by the same word, are kept in store, reserved
unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
But beloved be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with
the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day."
"The day of the Lord will come (upon the unbelieving and disobe-
dient) as a thief in the night: in which the heavens shall pass away
with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat; the
earth also, and the works that are thereon, shall be burned up."

From the foregoing it will be manifest that those who cry false
prophets when the passage reads false teachers, must, to say the least
of it, not be very consistent. And that this passage cannot in any
way be made to apply to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Sainls must be evident from the fact that its Ministers do not come
forth as teachers for the purpose of merely changing opinions with
mankind, but they assume to be the authoritative messengers or pro-
phets of God, bearing God's message to this generation to turn their
hearts to the fathers, that they may thus prepare for the coming
of the Son of Man when he shall be revealed a second time unto
salvation, and that so far from making merchandise of the people by
teaching for hire or divining for money, they are sent forth without
purse or scrip, and whether they are housed, fed, or not, it is their
duty to lift up the warning voice and call upon the people to repent
and obey the Gospel ; and if they should fail in so doing God will
require the blood of that people at their hands, and so consistent are
they in their organizations, laws, ordinances, and doctrines with the
word of God, that not one passage thereof can be successfully cited
against them.

Now until these man made teachers who possess all the advan-
tages that rank, education, ability, and influence can command, have
from the word of God, the Bible, shown that the doctrines of the
Saints are false, their authority a mere assumption, and that they
are the bona fide servants of God, called, as Aaron was, and that

103

their organizations, laws, ordinances, and doctrines are such as be-
long to the Church or Kingdom of God as laid down in the Bible
of divine truth ; let them then cease their cry of false prophets
against the servants of God, and humble themselves in prayer, and
thus seek wisdom of the Lord, who gives liberally to all, and up-
braideth not.

Here we would just mention that we could name some few in this
city who stand nearly at the top of the pinacle of fame who have
read the " Kingdom of God" and "The Divine Authenticity of the
Book of Mormon " more than 18 months ago, and yet the public
have not heard a word from them exposing the arguments therein
advanced. We shall allow them or the public to assign a reason lor
their silence.

(to be continued.)

THE MORMONS.- (From Chambers' Repository of Tracts, No. 53.) These people are
not to b? despised, nor too much taunted with the impositions or irregulaiities of their
founders ; for whatever may have been the moral state of Mormon society in times past, ac-
cording to all reliable testimony, great improvement has been for along while going on,
and is sufficient to justify us in the belief, that in regard to the few peculiarities of conduct
which demand our reprehension, there will eventually be a decided and permanent refor»
mation. Their successful examplification of a great social principle— the principle of con-
cert in employments, and its distribution of the products of their industry, along with the
many solid and generous virtues which are daily manifested by their daily lives and con-
versation—may fairly be considered proof of a larue preponderous of worth, sufficient to
overbalance the few admitted sins they may be guilty of ; and cons'denog there is no society
in which there is so little habitual crime aad misery, and so large an amount of general
comfort and well being,ibe Mormon policy may be said to be admirably suited to the ptople
under it, and to answer all the ends for which it has been constituted. As a plan for ob-
taining the aggregate result of single efforts, is the best social and industrial experiment
that has yet been tried on any considerable scale. Summed up in the words of one of the
Mormon writers — a man of no indifferent learning and ability — it is a policy intended to
enable and induce " each person to operete at what and where he can do best, and with all
his might ; being subject to the council of those above him." In an enterprise so nobly
philosophical and judicious, no unprejudiced or discerning mind can wish them anything
but a continued and prolonged success.

GENERAL INTELLIGENCE.

We have received another large supply of the standard works from
Liverpool, copies of which may be had at our office, No. 9, Parra-
matta-street. We particularly call the attention of our readers to a
new work, entitled " Biographical Sketches of Joseph Smith, the
Prophet, and his progenitors for many generations." We would
earnestly recommend this little work to all, and especially the Saints.
In it they will find both facts and dates connected with his own life,
and that of his progenitors, that will be a sufficient refutation to all
the lies put forth by the pulpit and press in relation to them.

We are frequently receiving intelligence from the Valley. We
have inserted a letter received from President B. Youno-, which we
have no doubt, will be interesting to our readers.

104

We have received a letter from Elder N. Tanner, dated Honolulu,
February £6th, 1854. The work of the Lord is progressing rapidly
there and in the neighbouring ls!e. Preparations are being made
for getting the press in motion, when the "Book of Mormon" will
be printed in the Hawaiian language. Steps also are being taken to
purchase a vessel for gathering the Saints to Zion this season.

We also have heard from Elders Dowdle and Norton, Adelaide.
The work is progressing, and they are being greatly blessed of the
Lord, which makes their hearts greatly to rejoice in the Latter-day
work.

We have heard from Elder Burr Frost, who has returned safe to
Melbourne. He states that the Saints are all well, and rejoicing in
the Lord.

We have just returned from a tour in the S.W. section, in com-
pany with J. S. Eldridge, who has been laboring there. We found
the people friendly, ready to open their houses to receive and feed
us, and help us on our way. Our meetings were well attended, seve-
ral were baptized, others are waiting. The people listened atten-
tively, and appeared eager to obtain our books. There will hence-
forth be a supply of them kept at Brother James Elphick's,
Camden.

We have on hand a good supply of Millenial Stars, which give
a general account of the prosperity of the work of the Lord through-
out the world.

SELECT POETRY.

THE HOME OF THE SAINTS.

Where the vcrce of friendship's heard,
Sounding like a sweel-'on'd bird ;
Where the holy notes inspire
With devotion's pure desire ;
Where fond actions speak the soul ;
Where true love finds no control ;
Where the sons of God agree —
There may all the faithful be.

Where the weary find a home,
Where the wild deer fearless roam,
Where the mellow fruit-tree grows,
Where the golden harvest flows,
Where the bee, the grape, and kine,
Yield their honey, milk and wine,
Where the rurse from earth shall flee-
There may all the faithful be.

Where the Temple-block is laid,
Where no foe shall e'er invade,
Where the priesthood's pow'r shall claim,
All that heaven and earth can name ;
Where the judge by justice rules,
Where the couns'llors are not fools,
Where (he poor shall judgment a?e —
There may the faithful be.

Where the dew-distilling hills
Drop their fatnes in thp rills.
Where the river, lake, and stream,
With their finny myriads teem,
Where the shade trees round the fold
Shield from hpat and winter's cold,
Where all nature sings wiih glee —
There may all the faithful be.

Price Sixpence.

Edited and Published by A. Famham, Sydney.

THE ZION'S WATCHMAN,

PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE

CSutcfi of Bt$u$ ©tost of £attnr*29ag &uvxb£f

IN SYDNEY.

" HE THAT READETH LET HIM UNDERSTAND."

Nos. 14-15. SATURDAY, JULY 1, 1854. Vol I.

SECOND EPISTLE OF ORSON PRATT,

TO THE SAINTS SCATTERED THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES AND

BRITISH PROVINCES GREETING :

(From the, Seer.)

Dear Brethren— With a heart full of gratitude to the Great Giver
ef every good and perfect gift, for His manifold mercies and blessings
so liberally bestowed upon His people in the last days, I again at-
tempt to communicate to you, through the medium of an Epistle,
such items of intelligence and instructions as will, no doubt, be in-
teresting to you to iearn.

Utah, the great central gathering place from the Saints throughout
the world, is in a very prosperous and flourishing condition ; her set-
tlements are rapidly extending throughout the breadth of the Terri-
tory is included between the parallels of 37° and 42° North, and be-
tween the meridians of 29p and 43° West of Washington ; or in other
words, it is about 350 miles broad from North to South, and about
650 miles long from East to West, including an area of about 225,000
square miles. The Legislature, during its first session, 1852, divided
the Territory into twelve counties, namely— Weber, Davis, Desert,
Green River, Great Salt Lake, Utah, Tooele, Juab, Millard, San Pete,
Iron, and Washington. These counties are mostly bounded by me-
ridians, and parallels of latitude, and include the whole Territory.
By far the greater portion of this Territory consists of mountains and
deserts entirely unfit for the habitation of man or animals. In the
midst of these dreary waters may be seen, here and there, beautiful
and fertile valleys, watered by crystal streams, formed by the melting
snows which are deposited, during the winter, in vast abundance
upon the surrounding mountains.

Grains and vegetables of every description that are produced in
the same latitudes in the States, grow in the most luxuriant abundance.
Young fruit trees seem to be thrifty and doing well : some peaches

106

have been produced for two or three years past. It is one of the best
grazing countries in the world ; the fine bunch grass will fatten cat-
tle and horses equal to grain : it is seldom that farmers cut much hay,
for the cattle can generally find good grazing the year round.

Timber for building purposes is not found in the valleys, but it is
procured from the mountains, and consists principally of pine and
fir. Wood for fuel is also generally obtained in the mountains, al-
though in some of the more southern parts a scrubby cedar grows in
places in the valleys : it is quite expensive and tedious to procure the
necessary timber and fuel. Coal and iron ore abound in the south-
ern counties, and probably in many other places where they are not
yet discovered. And most happily gold, silver, and other precious
metals, do not, to any great extent, trouble Utah's soil ; or at least,
the people have not been so unfortunate as to discover them during
the infancy of their settlements.

The climate in midsummer is dry and hot : thermometer, during
the middle of the day, frequently ranging, in the shade from 90 ^ to
105c Fahrenheit ; evenings and mornings generally cool, being re-
freshed by mountain breezes. The atmosphere is pure and healty, and
very bracing and invigorating to the system. That dreadful scourge
the cholera, which as found its way into almost every nook and cor-
ner of our globe, has n©t yet been permitted to scale the summit of
the " everlasting hills," and enter those healthful vales. The win-
ters are mild. Snow, seldom falling in the valleys but a few inches
in depth, soon disappears under the warming influences of the bright
rays of the sun, as they penetrate, without much obstruction, the
serene, almost cloudless, and rarified atmosphere of that elevated re-
gion. Spring and autumn are also mild ; though given to more sud-
den transitions from cold to heat, and from heat to cold, than climates
of the same latitudes on the Atlantic coast. Vines, vegetables, corn,
&c, are frequently injured by untimely frosts. Winds are exceed-
ingly variable, shifting almost every day to the four points of the
compass. H eavy showers are rare, but when they do come, they are
generally accompanied with thunder and hail, and sometimes with
strong winds.

The lowest of these vallies are elevatad more than 4000 feet above
the sea level ; while the elevation of some of the more southern ones,
where settlements are formed, is near 6000 feet. The mountains, in
many places in the immediate vicinity of the settlements, tower up
in rugged majestic grandeur from 4000 to 7000 feet in perpendicu-
lar height above the vallies. The summits of these mountains, whit-
ened with eternal snows, glisten in the sunbeams and exhibit scene-
ries, of the most dazzling splendor and picturesque beauty, as if
covered with the glories of heaven, like Sinai of old.

There are several small tribes, or rather bands of Indians inhabit-
ing different parts of the territory, who are sunk in the lowest depths

107

of darkDess, degradation, and misery. These bands wander over the
territory, often robbing and murdering one another, and stealing when-
ever they have a favorable opportunity. They live mostly on ber-
ries, roots, crickets, fish, and such small game as they may be able
to procure with the bow and arrow. They are almost entirely naked.
Sometimes, though very rarely, they have tents or wigwams formed
of the skins of animals ; but most generally they live in caves, or in
a thick cluster of bushes, without much shelter, except a few limbs
of small trees, bent down, and loosely covered with branches. Since
the settlements of the Saints in that territory, their condition is be-
ing greatly imporved : many are beginning to labour, and thus fur-
nisn themselves with food, and blankets, and in some instances
with houses which the Saints have erected for them ; although of late,
through the treacherous, restless, and warlike spirit of Walker, one
of their principal chiefs, they have been stirred up to hostilities, and
have committed some depredations; but through the wise and ener-
getic policy of Governor Young, in placing all the settlements in a
state of defence, and in giving strict counsel to the Saints to act
only on the defensive, it is to be hoped that they will soon see their
folly, and cease their hostilities, and learn that the Saints are their
friends, and not their enemies.

The population of Utah numbers from thirty to thirty-five thousand
and is annually increasing by the emigration of the Saints from the
different nations of the earth. A chain of settlements have been
formed extending north and south some 350 miles. Many small
cities have been founded and incorporated with certain powers and
privileges by the Legislature. The following are some of the prin-
cipal villages and cities of the territory, named in the order of their
succession, commencing on the north : Rrownsville, Ogden, Great
Salt Lake, Lehi, Provo, Springville, Nephi, Manti, Fillmore, Parovan,
and Cedar cities. Fillmore city being near the centre of this chain
of settlements, is appointed as the seat of government, at which place
the state house is built. Great Salt Lake city is by far the largest
and most populous in the territory ; it covers an area of several
square miles, and contains from eight to ten thousand inhabitants.
The streets are eight rods wide, crossing each other at right angles,
and running north and south, east and west ; each block contains
ten acres, and is divided into eight lots, each ten rods wide by twenty
long, affording an acre and one quarter for a building spot and garden
to each family. One of these squares was reserved for public build-
ings, on which a tabernacle has been erected and completed that will
accommodate about 3,000 persons. A temple also is to be reared
upon the same, the foundation of which was laid on the 6th of April
last. This whole block is fast being enclosed by a high wall, encir-
cling a large public joiners' shop which is to be used in the construc-
tion of the temple. With common prosperity and the blessings of

108

heaven in a few years will be seen a large and magnificent temple,
with its towers pointing towards heaven, erected upon that lovely
and consecrated spot. There are several other public buildings in
the city, among which may be mentioned the Social Hall and Council
House ; in the latter of which the Legislature have as yet held their
sessions.

Great, attention is being paid to the erection of school-houses, and
the education of youth. And it is to be fondly hoped, that the rising
generation in Utah will be generally and thoroughly educated in
every useful branch of learning and science. A foundation is being
laid, broad and deep, to accomplish this most desirable object. It is
in contemplation to erect a magnificent University, in which the
higher departments of science will be extensively taught : that Utah,
being filled with the knowledge of heaven and earth, may be as a
great light upon the mountains which shall be seen by the nations
afar off, and cause many of them to exclaim, "Come, let us arise,
and go up unto the mountains of Zion, unto the house of the God of
Jacob, that we also may be taught in His ways and instructed in
His paths ; for there are no people like the inhabitants of Zion, full
of wisdom, knowledge, and power : their laws are founded in justice,
equity, and truth ; and their officers execute righteousness in the
land • peace and salvation are within their borders ; and the Holy
One of Israel is their strength for evermore."

Many good flourishing mills are in operation, and also many saw
mills. It is the intention of the Saints to establish manufactories of
various descriptions, and as much as possible produce within them-
selves, from the raw material, all kinds of useful machinery, cloths,
domestics, prints, shawls, hats, leather, pots, kettles, stoves, all kinds
of farming utensils, hardware, earthenware, tinware, chairs, tables,
bedsteads, sugar, paper, glass, nails, mechanic tools, and every thing
else which will tend to the peace, comfort, welfare, prosperity, and
happiness of the territory. Many of these branches of business are
already in successful operation ; and by proper industry and perse-
verance, the Saints will not, after a few years, be dependant on
foreign nations, or even the States, for the necessaries and luxuries
of life.

Up to the present time, farmers have found a ready market for all
their surplus grain and other productions, through the increased
number of the Saints which annually pour into the territory, and
also through the overland California emigration which, for the most
part, pass through Utah and recruit themselves with a fresh supply
of provisions. Horses, mules, cattle, and sheep, find ready sale in
California. The great facilities presented for raising stock without
much expense, will cause that branch of business to be one of the
most profitable and lucrative of any in the eountry.

It is required of all the Saints to give one-tenth of all their pro-

109

toerty as tithing, which is given into the hands of the principal
Bishop or his agents, to be under the control of the First Presidency
of the Church, for the erection of Church buildings and other public
works ; and also to be applied to whatever object may be considered
for the benefit of the Saints. The Saints also are required to give
one-tenth of their annual income as tithing for the same purposes
as above specified.

Independent of the tithing, another fund has been raised by the
voluntary donations of the Saints throughout the world, called,
ik The Perpetual Emigrating Fund." This fund is intended to
a i list the poor among the Saints in gathering out from all nations.
Those whom the agents assist through the medium of this fund,
are required to give a written bond or obligation, that they will
refund by their labour or otherwise, after they arrive in Utah,
the amount which has been expended for their benefit. By this
policy hundreds of the poor are gathered annually, and still the
fund in the end is not diminished. It now amounts to upwards of
thirty thousand dollars, and will, no doubt, through the liberality
of the Saints, shortly be swelled to ten times that sum.

The Saints throughout the United States and British provinces
are required to forward, by letter or otherwise, their tithings to
me, according to the instructions of the First Presidency, in their
letter of appointment to me, published in the first No. of the first
volume of the " Seer." Let all the Saints remember, both rich
and poor, that the Lord requires them to give the value of one-
tenth part of all they possess. If any Saint possess ten dollars,
one dollar of the same is the Lord's ; if he possess ten millions
of dollars, one million is the Lord's. And let every Saint remem-
ber that after he has given one-tenth of all he possesses, he must
still continue to give each year one-tenth of his income : whether
such income arises from labour, business, increase of stock, or in
any other way; one-tenth thereof is the Lord's, and should be
given to him every year. How many of the Saints in our field
of labour are delinquents? How many have failed to comply
with the word of the Lord in regard to the payment of their
tithing '? Let them remember also, that those whose names are
not found on the tithing books, as having paid up the full amount
of their tithing, can in no wise be permitted to enter the holy
temple and receive their endowments ; those great and holy temple
ordinances, instituted from before the foundation of the world, as
the only means by which the Saints can be exalted to the fulness
of celestial glory, will be withheld from them, until the debt is
cancelled r it is a debt which you owe the Lord, and it is for
your good to pay it ; as for the faithful servants of God, it mat-
ters not to them whether you pay your tithing or not ; the Church
can get along without it : it is only for your own good that you

110

are exhorted to obey the Lord in this thing, knowing that if you
fail, you cannot receive the blessing.

The Book of Mormon has been translated and published in the
Danish, German, Italian, French, and Welsh languages : a transla-
tion also is nearly completed in the native tongue of the Sandwich
Islands. And instructions have been given to the Missionaries to
translate it into every language under heaven as fast as time and
circumstances will permit. The Revelations and Commandments
have also been translated into several languages, as well as numerous
other publications of the Church. A periodical, devoted to the doc-
trine of the Saints, has been published for several years in the Welsh
language. Elder Stenhouse publishes a monthly periodical in Swit-
zerland in the French language. The " Deseret News," a semi-
monthly newspaper, is published in Great Salt Lake City, at 5 dollars
per annum in advance. The " Millennial Star" was commenced in
England in 1840; it now has a weekly circulation of about eighteen
thousand. Besides all these, hundreds of thousands of pamphlets
have been widely circulated in the British Isles, in Europe, Asia,
Australia, Pacific Islands, and America, elucidating the doctrines of
the Saints.

The Statistical Report of the Church of the Saints in the British
Islands for the half year ending June 30th, 1853, gives the follow-
ing total : 53 Conferences, 737 Branches, 40 Seventies, 10 High
Priests, 2578 Elders, 1854 Priests, 1416 Teachers, 834 Deacons.
1777 Excommunicated, 274 dead, 1772 Emigrated, 1601 Baptized,
30,690 Total.

In the Society Islands in the spring of 1852, the Saints numbered
between 1500 and 2000 ; these were scattered over some 20 Islands,
and were greatly persecuted by the Roman Catholics and the French
authorities ; many were severely whipped ; large numbers of others
closely confined ; and others still, threatened with death ; their only
crime consisted of meeting together for prayer.

At a Conference, held on the 9th of last March on one of the
Sandwich Islands, there were represented 18 Missionaries from Utah
and about 1200 Saints who dwell on different Islands of the group.
From a letter, dated April 26th, 1853, the work is rapidly progress-
ing at Honolulu, as many as 39 having been baptized in one day.
A branch of about 80 newly baptized persons had just been or-
ganized.

On the 23rd of July last, the French Mission consisted of 3 Con-
ferences, 9 Branches, and a total of 337 members, including officers.

The work in Italy, Switzerland, and Germany is slowly, but
steadily progressing. In Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, persecu-
tion rages : the Saints are whipped, imprisoned, and mobbed for
preaching, praying, and baptizing ; and yet hundreds are constantly
embracing the doctrine. In Asia the work progresses but slowly ;

-Ill

but as there have been a number of Missionaries lately sent to
China, Hindoston, East Indies, and Siam, it is likely that we shall,
before many months, obtain good news from them. At Malta many
have been baptized, and the truth is spreading. Baptisms have
commenced at Gibraltar, and at the Cape of Good Hope some are
investigating the fulness of the Gospel.

A large company of Danish Saints have already emigrated to
Utah. A few German Saints left Hamburgh the 13th of^August, on
their way to Salt Lake.

A few are being baptized into the Church in several of the States,
and in the British Provinces.

A large colony of the Saints is founded in Southern California
under the Presidency of Amasa Lyman and Charles C. Rich, two of
the Twelve.

I shall not attempt, in this short epistle, to give one hundredth
part of the interesting news which begins to pour in from all nations
wherever the Latter-day Saint Missionaries are sent. Surely the
Gospel will soon be preached as a witness to all the world prepara-
tory to the coming of our Lord. What are the Saints in the United
States doing ? Are they asleep ? Have their lamps gone out ? I
marvel at the apparent drowsiness and lethargy that seem to hang
heavily over some of them. But this is not to be wondered at ; for
many that have had means, have neglected the great command of
God to gather with His people ; such can no more enjoy the spirit of
this work and the approbation of heaven, than the wicked, ungodly
sects with whom they are surrounded. God will not give them His
Spirit until they manifest a sincere and humble repentance of their
disobedience, by gathering ; let such beware, lest in an hour they
think not, the wrath of God shall fall heavily upon them, and they
perish in their sins. God is not to be mocked in this dispensation
by those who profess His name. They will go forward in obedience,
to every command, or go backward in coldness and apostacy. And,
oh ! how awful is the condition of them who apostatize from this
Church ! far better would it have been for them, if they had never
been born, for they are to be cursed with the heaviest__of all cursings,
because they sin against so great light.

For the prosperity of the work, I would suggest that each Branch
raise a subscription for the purpose of procuring quantities of the
various tracts which we have on hand, and which can be circulated
by lending them through their respective neighbourhoods, and thus
many may be brought to the knowledge of the truth. This plan has
been adopted with great success in England, and in other parts of
the world. In England tract distributors go round once a week, col-
lecting such tracts as have been formerly left, and leaving others in
their stead ; in this manner tens of thousands learn the truth, that
would otherwise remain ignorant.

112

Every Elder and Priest should diligently seek to open new doors
for preaching, and labour with all patience with the inhabitants,
endeavouring to persuade them to repentance : it may be that some
few will repenl, before God shall visit the nation, according to that
which is decreed against them in the Book of Mormon and other
revelations. At any rate, it is necessary that you should faithfully
discharge every duty in relation to them, that your garments may
be clean ill the day of visitation, and that the sins of the people
may be upon their own heads.

Brethren of the Priesthood, keep yourselves pure and unspotted
before God; and if you know of any man in the Church, who al-
ready has a wife, seeking to enter into covenant with any other
female, know assuredly that he has transgressed, and unless he re-
pent, let him be cut off from the Church.

Have nothing to do with those persons who deal with familiar
spirits, under the names of " Mesmerism," " Electro Biology,"
" Spirit Rappings," " Table Movings," " Writing Mediums," &c. ;
for they will darken your minds, and bring you to destruction ; they
are the spirits of darkness let loose on this generation because of
their wickedness ; and they will increase more and more upon the
earth until the coming of Christ, as the Scriptures predict.

The Saints should take with them every variety of choice garden
seeds ; and the seeds of all kinds of good fruits ; and also the ches-
nut, hickorynut, black walnut, butternut, and various other kinds of
nuts. Among other things, do not forget the different kinds of the
best grass and clover seed. The seeds of the various kinds of useful
herbs should be remembered. And, finally, every thing in the vege-
table department that would be useful for food or medicine, or that
would please the eye, the taste, or the smell, or adorn and beautify
your habitations, your gardens, or your fields, should be taken along
and planted in the soil of Utah.

Supply yourself plentifully with every variety of useful school
books for your children, together with historical and scientific works
of every description ; but leave novels and fictitious works behind to"
satisfy the perverted appetites of the children of darkness, whose
souls delight in lies and fiction, far above the great truths of heaven.
Let the Elders and officers preach faith, repentance, baptism, and
the first principles of the Gospel, and such doctrines as are plain and
easy to be understood ; and if the people wish to learn the deep
mysteries of the kingdom, let them embrace the Gospel and go up
unto the mountain of the Lord's house. If they wish to learn the
particulars of Celestial Marriage, baptism for the dead, and such like
doctrines, refer them to our printed works where they can read these
things at their leisure. Remember that you have not time to preach
and explain all these things to the people ; for God has sent you to
preach repentance and the first principles of salvation, and if man-

115

kind will not receive these things, the greater things will be of no
benefit to them. There may be times when you will have to defend
yourselves against the attacks of wicked men on these points ; do, at
such times, as wisdom shall direct, and be sure to connect your de-
fence with such plain principles of doctrine as shall be likely to do
the people good. Wise servants will follow good and wise counsels,
and will preach by the gift and power of the Holy Ghost ; but those
who give no heed, will preach their own folly both in precept and
example.

The attention of the Saints is called to the list of Latter-day Saint
publications, furnished in the Catalogue which has been forwarded to
them. The Saints should liberally supply themselves and their chil-
dren with copies of each of these works ; for they will be worth
more to them than gold, or silver, or the rich treasures of the earth.
The Saints frequently transgress through ignorance ; and this igno-
rance arises from a neglect to procure and read the Church publica-
tions ; such ignorance is inexcusable ; and such transgressions will,
if not repented of, be punished.

The signs of the times are portentous, and clearly indicate _ the
approaching downfal of the nations, and the overturning of king-
doms, empires, and republics, preparatory to the coming of Christy
and his personal reign on the earth. Every individual, therefore, of
the Saints should be awake to perform quickly and in righteousness
every duty required of him.

Among other things, there are many of the Saints who give no
heed, in the least, to what God has said in a revelation, entitled,
" The Word of Wisdom ;" they treat it with perfect indifference ;
yea, worse, some even boast of their disobedience to this advice, and
almost laugh at those who attempt to obey it. Poor creatures ! the
day will come when they will mourn and lament, and that too, when
it is too late to retrieve an ill-spent life : when the destroying angel
will teach them that every word of God means something, and that
none of his sayings can be neglected with impunity. There must be
a great reformation among all the Saints in regard to this thing, as
well as many others, before they can expect to enjoy many of the
great blessings of the last days.

There are others, who call themselves Saints, who neither pray in
their families nor in secret, but are as cold as the northern blast, in
regard to their duties towards God, towards their families, and to-
wards the Church. Such had far better be out of the Church than in
it ; for God will spue them out of his mouth, as corrupt fruit which
has lost its flavour.

There are others, whose names are enrolled among the Saints, who
think more of their property than they do of salvation. Such say in
their hearts, " We will wait a while before we gather up to Utah ; it
may be that the Saints will be driven again, and we shall lose our

114

property if we go. We can tell better how things will be in a few
years to come, and if we think our property will be safe, we will ven-
ture up." Woe unto such, for unless they speedily repent, they shall
perish and their property with them. Such covetous hypocrites are
not worthy of the kingdom of God, or any of its blessings, but they
will go down to hell to keep company with the rich man, instead of
being gathered into Abraham's bosom with poor Lazarus. The
Saints must learn one lesson, namely, that all who desire to enter the
kingdom of God must be willing to sacrifice all things for the sake
thereof; and he that is not willing to do this will surely fail, and his
hopes will wither away, and perish.

Finally, dear brethren, let me exhort you, with all the earnestness
of an humble servant of God, who is deeply interested for your sal-
vation, to refrain from every evil— to be examples of righteousness
before Saints and sinners. Read ^he Book of Mormon, and the reve-
lations and prophecies given through the Prophet Joseph, and obey
the same. Give the most earnest heed to the counsels of the First
Presidency — to the Twelve, and to all the faithful authorities of the
Church. Use every exertion to flee out from the corruptions of the
Gentiles, and to obtain for yourselves an everlasting inheritance
among the people of God ; for the day of the wicked is far spent —
their sun will soon go down in the midst of clouds and thick dark-
ness— a long and dreary night awaits them ; but upon such as fear
the Lord, and keep His commandments, the sun of righteousness will
arise, and their day will be glorious ; for their sun shall no more go
down ; and God will be unto them an everlasting light, which shall
shine for evermore.

With the most earnest desire for your salvation, both temporally
and spiritually, I subscribe myself your most humble servant in the
kingdom of God,

ORSON PRATT.

Washington, D. C,

October 1st, 1853.

A SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF SIDNEY RIGDON.

[FROM THE " MILLENNIAL STAE."]

Sidney S. Rigdon was born in Saint Clair township, Alleghany
county, State of Pennsylvania, on the 19th of February, A.D. 1793,
and was the youngest son of William and Nancy Rigdon. William
Rigdon, his father, was a native of Hartford county, State of Mary-
land, was born A.D. 1743, and died May 26th, A.D. 1810, in the
62nd year of his age. William Rigdon was the son of Thomas
Baker and Ann Lucy Rigdon. Thomas Baker Rigdon was a native

115

of the State of Maryland, and was the son of Thomas Baker Rig-
don, who came from Great Britain.

Nothing very remarkable took place in the youthful days of Elder
Rigdon ; suffice it to say, that he continued at home with his parents,
following the occupation of a farmer, until he was seveuteen years
of age, when his father died ; alter which event, he continued on the
same farm with his mother, until he was twenty-six years of age.
In his twenty-fifth year, he connected himself with a society, which
in that country was called " Regular Baptists." The Church he
united with was at that time under the charge of the Rev. David
Phillips, a clergyman from Wales. The year following, he left the
farm, and went to reside with the Rev. Andrew Clark, a minister of
the same order. During his continuance with him, he received a
License to preach in that society, and commenced from that time to
preach, and returned to farming occupations no more. This was in
March, 1819.

In the month of May of the same year, he left the State of Penn-
sylvania and went to Trumball county, State of Ohio, and took up
his residence at the house of Adamson Bentley, a preacher of the
same faith. This was in July of the same year. While there, he
became acquainted with Phebe Brook, to whom he was married on
the 12th of June, A.D. 1820. She was a native of the State of New
Jersey, Bridgetown, Cumberland county, and had previously removed
to Trumball county, Ohio.

After his marriage, he continued to preach in that district of coun-
try until November, 1821, when he was requested by the First Bap-
tist Church of the city of Pittsburgh, to take the pastoral charge of
said church, which invitation he accepted, and in February, A.D.
1822, he left Warren, Trumball county, and removed to that city
and entered immediately upon his pastoral duties, and continued to
preach to that church with considerable success. At the time he
commenced his labours in that church, and for some time before, the
church was in a very low state, and much confusion existed in conse-
quence of the conduct of their former pastor. However, soon after
Elder Rigdon commenced his labours, there was a pleasing change
effected ; for, by his incessant labours and his peculiar style of
preaching, the church was crowded with anxious listeners. The
number of members rapidly increased, and it soon became one of the
most respectable churches in that city.

He was now a popular minister, and was much respected in that
city, and all classes and persuasions sought his society. After he had.
been in that place some time, his mind was troubled and much per-
plexed with the idea that the doctrines maintained by that society
were not altogether in accordance with the Scripiures. This thing
continued to agitate his mind more and more, and his reflections on
these occasions were peculiarly trying ; for, according to his views of

116

the Word of God, no other church with whom he could associate, or
that he was acquainted with, was right ; consequently, if he was to
disavow the doctrine of the church with whom he was then associ-
ated, he knew of no other way of obtaining a livelihood, except by
mental labour, and at that time had a wife and three children to
support.

On the one hand was wealth, popularity, and honour, on the other
appeared nothing but poverty and hard labour.

After mature deliberation, deep reflection, and solemn prayer to his
heavenly Father, the resolve was. made, and the important step was
taken; and in the month of August, A.D. 1824, after labouring
among^ that people two years and six months, he made known his
determination to withdraw from the church, as he could no longer up-
hold the doctrines taught and maintained by it. This announcement
was like a clap of thunder — amazement seized the congregation,
which was then collected, which at last gave way in a flood of tears.

Having now retired from the ministry, and having no way by
which to sustain his family, besides his own industry, he was neces-
sitated to find other employment in order to provide for his mainte-
nance, and for this purpose he engaged in the humble capacity of a
journeyman tanner in that city, and followed his new employment,
without murmuring, for two years, during which time he both saw
and experienced, that by resigning his pastoral vocations in that city,
and engaging in the humble occupation of a tanner, he had lost many
who once professed the greatest friendship, and who manifested the
greatest love for his society — that when he was seen by them in the
garb suited to the employment of a tanner, there was no longer that
freedom, courtesy, and friendship manifested— that many of his for-
mer Mends became estranged and looked upon him with coolness
and indifference — too obvious to admit of deception.

After labouring for two years as a tanner, he removed to Bain-
bridge, Geauga county, Ohio, where it was known that he had been
a preacher, and had gained considerable distinction as a public
speaker; and the people soliciting him to preach, he complied with
their request. From this time forward, he devoted himself to the
work of the ministry, confining himself to no creed, but held up the
Bible as the rule of faith, and advocating those doctrines which had
been the subject of his and Mr. Campbell's investigations, viz., re-
pentance and baptism for the remission of sins.

He continued to labour in that vicinity one year, and during that
time his former success attended his labours. Large numbers inva-
riably attended his meetings. While he laboured in that neighbour-
hood, he was instrumental in building up a large and respectable
church in the town of Mantua, Portage county, Ohio.

Alter labouring in that neighbourhood one year, he received a very
pressing invitation to remove to the town of Mentor, in the same

117

rountv, about thirty miles from Bainbvidge, and within a few miles
from Lake Erie, which he sometime afterwards complied with. The
persons by whom he was more particularly requested to move to that
place were the remnants of a Baptist church which was nearly broken
up, the members of which had become attached to the doctrines pro-
mulgated by Elder Rigdon.

The town of Mentor was settled by wealthy and enterprising indi-
viduals, who had, by their industry and good management, made that
township one of the most delightful in that country, or probably in
the Western Reserve. In that beautiful location he took up his re-
sidence, and immediately commenced his labours, with that zeal and
assiduity which had formerly characterized him.

His fame as an orator and deep reasoner in the Scriptures conti-
nued to spread far and wide, and he soon gained a popularity and an
elevation which has fallen to the lot but of few; consequently thou-
sands flocked to hear his eloquent discourses.

When it was known where he was going to preach, there might be
seen, long before the appointed time, persons of all classes, sects, and
denominations, flocking, like doves to their windows, from a consi-
derable distance. The humble pedestrian, and the rich in their
splendid equipages, might be seen crowding the roads.

The churches in the different places where he preached, were now
no longer large enough to contain the vast assemblies which congre-
gated from time to time, so that he had to repair to the wide-spread
canopy of heaven ; and in the woods and in the groves he addressed
the multitudes which flocked to hear him, — nor was his preaching in
vain. It was not empty sound that so closely engaged the attention
of his audiences, and with which they were so deeply interested ; but
it was the truths which were imparted, the intelligence which was
conveyed, and the duties which were enforced.

He was now a welcome visitor wherever he travelled ; his society
was courted by the learned and intelligent, and the highest enco-
miums were bestowed upon him for his biblical lore, and his elo-
quence.

The work of the ministry engaged all his time and attention; he
felt deeply for the salvation of his fellow-man, and for the attainment
of which he laboured with unceasing diligence.

During this state of unexampled success, the prospect of wealth
and affluence was fairly opened before him; but he looked upon it
with indifference, and made every thing subservient to the promotion
of correct principles ; and having food and raiment, he learned there-
with to be content. Asa proof of this, his family were in no better
circumstances, and made no greater appearance in the world, than
when he laboured at the occupation of tanning. His family con-
sisted of his wife and six children, and lived in a very small, unfi-
nished frame house, hardly capable of making a family comfortable ;

118

which affords a clear proof that his affections were not set upon
things of a worldly nature or secular aggrandisement.

After he had laboured in that vicinity some time, and having re-
ceived hut little pecuniary aid, the members of the church which he
had built up, held a meeting to take his circumstances into consider-
ation, and provide for his wants, and place him in a situation suitable
to the high and important office which he sustained in the church.
They resolved upon erecting him a suitable residence, where he could
make his family comfortable, and accommodate his numerous friends
\vho visited him. A committee was appointed to make a purchase of
land, and to erect such buildings as were necessary. The committee
soon made a purchase of a farm, in a beautiful situation in that town-
ship; made contracts for erecting a suitable dwelling-house, stable,
barn, &c, and soon made a commencement on the house, and had a
quantity of the building materials on the spot. He being held in the
highest respect by that people, they entered upon the work with
pleasure, and seemed to vie with each other in their labours of love,
believing it a duty to make their beloved pastor and his family com-
fortable. His prospects with regard to temporal things were now
brighter than they ever had been, and he felt happy in the midst of a
people who had every disposition to promote his welfare.

Under these pleasing circumstances, and enjoying this full tide of
prosperity, he hardly thought that, for his attachment to truth, he
would see the prospect blasted, and himself and family reduced to a
humble situation than before.

At this time, it being at the fall of a. d. 1830, Elders Parley P»
Pratt, Ziba Peterson, Oliver Cowdery, and Peter Whitmer, called at
that town, on their way to the western boundary of the State of Mis-
souri, testifying to the truth of the "Book of Mormon," and that
the Lord had raised up a Prophet, and restored the Priesthood. Pre-
vious to this, Elder Parley P. Pratt had been a Preacher in the same
church as Elder Rigdon and resided in the town of Amherst, Lorraine
country, in that State, and had been sent into the State of New York
on a mission, where he became acquainted with circumstances of the
coming forth of the Book of Mormon, and was introduced to Joseph
Smith, jun., and others of the Church of Latter-day Saints. After
listening to the Testimony of the " witnesses," and reading the '* Book,"
he became convinced that it was of God, and that the principles which
they taught, were the principles of truth. He was then baptized, and
shortly after was ordained an Elder, and began to preach, and from
that time became a strenuous advocate of the truth.

Believing there were many in the Church with whom he had for-
merly been united, who were honest seekers after truth, induced him
while on the journey to the west, to call upon his friends, and make
known the great things which the Lord had brought to pass. The
first house at which they called was Elder Rigdon's, and after the

119

usual salutations, presented him with the Book of Mormon, stating
that it was a revelation from God. This being the first time he had
ever heard of, or seen, the Book of Mormon, he felt very much pre-
judiced at the assertion, and replied, that he had one Bible which he
believed was a revelation from God, and with which he pretended to
have some acquaintance ; but with respect to the book they had pre-
sented him, he must say that he had considerable doubt. Upon which
they expressed a desire to investigate the subject, and argue the mat-
ter; but he replied, •' no, young gentlemen, you must not argue with
me on the subject; but I will read your book, and see what claim it
has upon my faith, and will endeavour to ascertain whether it be a re-
velation from God or not." After some further conversation on the
subject, they expressed a desire to lay the subject before the people,
and requested the privilege of preaching to Elder Rigdon's church, to
which he readily consented. The appointment was accordingly pub-
lished, and a large and respectable congregation assembled. Oliver
Cowdery and Parley P. Pratt severally addressed the meeting. At
the conclusion, Elder Rigdon arose, and stated to the congregation,
that the information they had that evening received, was of an extra-
ordinary character, and certainly demanded their most serious con-
sideration ; and as the Apostle advised his brethren " to prove all
things, and hold fast that which is good," so he would exhort his bre-
thren to do likewise, and give the matter a careful investigation, and
not turn against it without being fully convinced of its being an im-
position, lest they should, possibly, resist the truth.

After the meeting broke up, the brethren returned home with Elder
Rigdon, and conversed upon the important things which they had
proclaimed. He informed them that he should read the Book of
Mormon, give it a full investigation, and then would frankly tell them
his mind and feelings on the subject — told them they were welcome
to abide at his house until he had opportunity of reading it.

About two miles from Elder Rigdon's, at the town of Kirtland,
were a number of the members of his church, who lived together
and had all things in common — from which circumstance has risen
the idea that this was the case with the church of Jesus Christ — to
which place they immediately repaired and proclaimed the Gospel to
them, with some considerable success ; for their testimony was re-
ceived by many of the people, and seventeen came forward in obedi-
ence to the Gospel.

While thus engaged, they visited Elder Rigdon occasionally, and
found him very earnestly engaged in reading the Book of Mormon,
— praying to the Lord for direction, and meditating on the things he
heard and read ; and after a fortnight from the time the book was
put in his hands, he was fully convinced of the truth of the work,
by a revelation from Jesus Christ, which was made known to him in
a remarkable manner, so that he could exclaim, " flesh and blood
hath not revealed it unto me, but my Father which is in heaven."

120

Being now fully satisfied in his own mind of the truth of the work
and the necessity of obedience thereto, he informed his wife of the
same, and was happy to find that she was not only diligently inves-
tigating the subject, but was believing with all her heart, and was
desirous of obeying the truth, which, undoubtedly, was a great satis-
faction to his mind.

The consequence of obeying the truth, and embracing a system of
religion so unpopular as that of the Church of Jesus Christ, pre-
sented itself in the strongest possible light.

At present, the honours and applause of the world were shower-
ed down upon him, his wants were abundantly supplied and antici-
pated. He was respected by the entire community, and his name
was a tower of strength. His counsel was sought for, respected,
and esteemed. But if he should unite with the Church of Christ,
his prospects of wealth and affluence would vanish; his family, de-
pendent upon him for support, must necessarily share his humiliation
and poverty. He was aware that his character and his reputation
must sutler in the estimation of the community.

Aware of all things, there must have been feelings of no ordinary-
kind agitate his bosom at that particular crisis ; but yet they did not
deter him from the path of duty. He had formerly made a sacrifice
for truth on conscience' sake, and had been sustained ; consequent-
ly, he felt great confidence in the Lord, believing that if he pursued
the path of duty, no good thing would be withheld from him."

Although he telt great confidence in the Lord, yet he felt it a trial
of some magnitude, when he avowed his determination to his be-
loved companion, who had before shared in his.poverty, and who had
cheerfully struggled through it without murmuring or repining. He
informed her what the consequences would undoubtedly be, respect-
ing their worldly circumstances, if they obey the Gospel ; and then
said — " My dear, you have once followed me into poverty, are you
again willing to the same ?" She then said — " I have weighed the
matter, I have contemplated on the circumstances in which we may
be placed, I have counted the cost, and I am perfectly satisfied to
follow you ; it is my desire to do the will of God, come life or come
death." Accordingly, they were both baptized into the Church of
Jesus Christ ; and, together with those who had been previously ad-
mitted to baptism, made a little Branch, in this section of Ohio, of
about twenty members, to whom the brethren, bound for the borders
of the Lamanites, after adding to their number one of their converts,
Dr. Frederick G. Williams, bid an affectionate farewell, and went on
their way rejoicing.

Price Sixpence.

Edited and Published by A. Famham, Sydney.

THE ZION'S WATCHMAN,

PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOEITY OF THE

CSurdi of $t#u$ Cljrtet of &atter4Bae *aaftt,

IN SYDNEY.

" HE THAT READETH LET HIM UNDERSTAND."

Nos. 16-17. SATURDAY, AUGUST, 5, 1854. Vol. I.

QUARTERLY CONFERENCE OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS

CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS, HELD IN THE OLD

ASSEMBLY ROOM, KING STREET EAST, SYDNEY, ON

SUNDAY, JULY 2nd, 1854.

The meeting having been opened by singing and prayer Elder

Augustus Famham was appointed President of the Conference, and

Elder John Jones Clerk.

PRESENT —

A. Famham, President of the Australasian Mission, and his first
Counsellor, Elder J. W. Fleming.
Travelling Elders, J. S. Eldridge, John M'Carthy.
President of the Sydney Branch, Elder John Jones, and his Coun-
sel, Elders William Robb and Robert Evans.
_ President Farnham arose and said, that after being absent for some
time, it gave him great pleasure to appear before them, more especi-
ally so, as they were met to transact important business, pertaining
to the kingdom of God; this business has reference to time and
eternity— that which we do in this life will effect us in the future—
our salvation depends upon our acts in this life.

We have a name and a place in the most important dispensation
ever committed to man, and we are met to transact the business of
this dispensation, therefore it is becoming, that we should be one on
this most important matter, for it is the business of the true and liv-
ing God. This dispensation has been revealed in these last davs, by
the ministration of angels ; I know this to be true, if it was not for
this knowledge I would not have been here.

Brethren, how shall we know that we are in the church of God,
without the spirit of God, which can only be received by the laying
on of the hands of the servants of the Lord. There being few present
is no evidence that it is not the Church of God.

We cannot suppose that all the honest in heart are present, for
they are mixed among all nations, on this account the prophet said,
that the gospel was to be preached to all nations, kindreds, tongues,
and people ; the holy spirit leads such to receive the gospel— thus it
is that the servants of the Lord are sent forth to the nations of the

122

earth, proclaiming the message of life and salvation ; these messengers
have come to this land, and some of the honest in heart have been
brought in.

Brethren, are you giving heed to the teachings you are receiving
from these servants of the Lord ; do we understand and give heed to
that which was done for us in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ ;
do we profit thereby, that we may come forth in the morning of
the first resurrection.

I am not chastising, the spirit of chastisement is not upon me, my
feelings are to bless you, for the cause has never been in so good a
condition as at present ; there never was that love and oneness among
the saints that now exists. Breathren, continue so and still go for-
ward, keeping close to your file leader, that when you go home to
Zion, you may be blessed and lead on until you get into the presence
of your Father. May you be kept faithful, so that when He shall
come to make up the number of His Jewels you may be found among
them. — Amen.

The destroyer is upon the face of the earth, the more the spirit of
God is spread abroad, the more he exerts himself to make an inroad
into the church, but if the saints keep the spirit of the Lord in their
midst they will banish him, they can only do so by cultivating feelings
of love and oneness. Amen.

» The usual votes for sustaining with confidence and faith all the
authorities of the church in this land, in Zion, and throughout the
world ; were then passed unanimously.

The work is rolling forth as fast as can be expected ; there have
been upwards of 60 added to the church during the past quarter, and
they to all appearance are faithful Saints, ready to listen to and obey
counsel.

Elder J. W. Fleming then addressed the Meeting, saying, Bre-
thren and Sisters ; I stand before you with feelings of deep interest
for the building up of the church and kingdom of God on the earth
as it has been organized in these days ; my heart has been made to
rejoice in the things that has been brought before us. The Pre-
sident said that he did not chastise, for this I am thankful. It does
my heart good, because he has been absent, during which time the
charge of this people has rested on Elder Jones and myself. He has
returned again bringing with him the spirit of God, and finds the
same in our midst ; we come together full of the spirit, united, and the
spirit of the Lord in our midst makes our hearts to rejoice.

Brethren, I know that this work is true, that God has set his hand
a second time to recover the remnant of His people. He has sent
His angel with the everlasting Gospel, and has commanded His ser-
vants to go forth and preach it to all people, and has given a com-
mandment that all his Saints are to gather out of Babylon. He has
be^an the work of restoration and will carry it forth until he accom-
plishes His purpose.

It is true, as the President remarked, that this work is not to be

123

trifled with, it would be better that a man should lose his right hand
than that it should be lifted against this kingdom. So with James
Parker, who has been cut off this day, better that this should have
happened unto him, than to have acted in the manner that he has, to
have the hands of this people raised against him. That which men
do in opposition to the Gospel is not against us, but against God.
We do not leave our homes to be trifled with, if we had not been sent
by direct revelation we should not have come, and it is now as it was
in the days of Christ, who said to the Jews in His, days fill up the
measure of your Fathers. These words were spoken to the Scribes
and Pharasees; they were not called by revelation, had no authority
to teach the people. When the servants of God came, called by re-
velation they rejected them as their fathers did the prophets, and as
their fathers slayed the prophets, so did the Jews fill up the measure
of their fathers, by rejecting the revelations of God, brought in by
Jesus Christ, and putting him and His apostles to death. So this
generation are filling up the measure of their fathers, by rejecting
the revelations of God given to the prophet Joseph Smith in this age
of the world, and by dispising and persecuting the Saints, shedding
their blood and that of the prophets also. If they will, let them go
on and fill up the measure of their fathers.

No sooner do the servants of God appear among the people, than
the hireling Priests of these days cry out as did the Scribes and Phara-
sees of old, " What sign sho west thou." Now these men pretend to
teach the people the way of salvation, I would like to know where
they get their authority from ? Is it from the Bible ? if so let them
point out chapter and verse. The Bible says no man taketh this
honor on himself but he that is called of God, as Aaron was ; Aaron
was named by the Lord unto Moses, Where are the names of these
modern priests. If they have authority, and it is not revealed in the
Bible, when and where did they get their revelation. This genera-
tion does not believe in revelation, therefore they can have no au-
thority, this is not according to the declaration of the Saviour, who
said that, " upon this Rock, — (Revelation) I will build my church.

They, like those of old, reject the servants of the Lord who have
been called by name as Aaron was, and that by the Revelations of
God given in these days, drive the saints out of their midst. This
is not doing as the Saviour instructed, Who said " As ye would that
others should do unto you, so do ye unto them," our object is to show
them their error and to lead them in the ways of truth, and righ-
teousness, I will tell you what they are doing " They are filling up
the measure of their fathers.

WThen revelation and authority from heaven comes to the earth you
will find that it always produces the same effect. We have the old
revelation which tells us they were not good men who rejected reve-
lation ; Christ said, I thank thee, O Father, that thou hast hid these
things from the wise and prudent, and revealed them unto babes.
In His prayer he prayed for them that the father had given him out of

124

the world, they refused and rejected him, and the revelations given
to him. So it was in the days of Noah, also when the angels visited
Lot, the people rose to mob them.

And what is this generation doing, they say that God gives no
more revelation. We say that God has given revelation, restoring
the everlasting Gospel. He has brought to light the Book of Mormon.
But what does this generation know about it. Isa. has truly described
their condition when he said, " And it shall be as with the people so
with the priest ; as with the servant so with his master ; as with the
maid so with her mistress ■ as with the buyer so with the seller ; as
with the lender so with the borrower, as with the taker of usury,
so with the giver of usury unto him. They are like the man in the
days of King David, who on a certain occasion said to Joab let me
run and tell the king ; Joab said run, and when he came into the
presence of the king he cried out Tidings my Lord ! tidings my
Lord ! but he knew nothing of the matter; so it is with the priests of
this day they run to the people without being sent, and cry tidings, tid<*
ings, but not a word of tidings have they got, they have not received
one word for upwards of 17 Centuries. What tidings have they in
reference to the present aspect of affairs, do they know who is right
and who is wrong, when they are to go to war, and in what way and
manner they are to act in the war, not one word of tidings have they
for this people on this or any other subject, and because they have no
tidings themselves they deny that any has been received by others,
and like their fathers they reject, the message and dispise its bearers,
thus they fill up the measure of their fathers, &c.

Conference adjourned until 3 p. m. Meeting was dismissed by sing-
ing and benediction.

Conference met pursuant to adjournment at 3 p. m. Meeting opened
by singing and prayer, when the sacrament was administered, Elder
J. Jones addressed the Meeting for a short time, the remainder be-
ing occupied by the Saints in testimony. The spirit of the Lord be-
ing in our midst, our hearts were made to rejoice in the mercies of
Israel's God. There were ordained one Elder and one Priest.

The Meeting was adjourned until 7 p. m. Meeting was dismissed
by Singing and Benediction.

Conference met at 7 p. m. Meeting opened by singing and prayer.

President Farnham addressed the Meeting on the falling away
of the Primitive Church, and the restoration of the Gospel in the
last days.

Conference adjourned to the first Sunday in October.

Meeting dismissed by singing and benediction.

A. FARNHAM, President.

Elder Fleming, Tamar, 18th June, 1854.

Dear Brother, I had intended to have testified to the truth of

125

this Gospel and to have read a small portion of my childrens' letter
but the time being occupied I could not do it. I hereby send you
a few lines copied from the letter.

When do you think of leaving Babylon and come to Zion, let the
time not be far distant, I feel that if you do not take the first oppor-
tunity that offers, you will either not come, or it will be in much sor-
row and mourning.

> I am glad, Tom and Arthur are glad, that we are in Zion, in the
city where the Prophet of God dwells, here is manifested the power
of God. I feel thankful that we have the priviledge of hearing Brig-
ham tell us the mind and will of God, we now cannot feel sorrow
that we did not live in the days when the Prophets of old revealed the
will of God, no, for we are favoured as much as they were.

Yours truly, THOS. C. STAYNER.

I hereby bear my humble testimony to the truth of the Gospel of
Jesus Christ, as propagated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-
day Saints. I say in the name of the Great God of Heaven, who is
the Great Jehovah and God of Israel, and in the name of his Son,
Jesus Christ of Nazareth, that this work is true, that many things
have been indicated to me, independent of the works published by the
Church, that any honest, candid man, Avho reads the publications
with a prayerful heart, must be convinced of the truthfulness of the
same. I have experienced many blessings since I joined the Church,
now three years and ten months, during which time I have made
seven passages between England and Sydney* never had I felt
before so happy, comfortable and safe. People who have their doubts
about the truth of this Gospel, their reading the discourse of Presi-
dent Young's, published in the "Empire" of the 17th June, 1854,
would greatly assist in eradicating those doubts.

Furthermore, in a letter from my children, dated at the Great Salt
Lake City, 28th October, 1853, wherein they certify that they have
now the knowledge for themselves that they are living in a city
where a Prophet of God dwells. I feel to say that I would not
relinquish my belief in the Church of Latter-day Saints for all the
treasures in the world, and if I remain faithful and steadfast to the
end, I feel sure of attaining to a Celestial Glory in the Kingdom of
Heaven.

My dear and beloved wife and partner in life joins me in the
above testimony with all her heart.

Thos. C. Stayner.
Sydney, June 18th, 1854.

Extract of a Letter from Elder Long to Elder Luke Syphus, dated
Utuh Territory, January bt/i, 1854.

Dear and Beloved Brother,

I received your letter of November 16, 1S53, the contents of which

126

caused me to be exceedingly glad. On the game day I left the city,
having, in connexion with ninety others, been called to go <m a
mission, to establish a settlement in the place where we now are.
It is situate about 120 miles south east of the city. We had to fit
ourselves out, every two furnishing between them one waggon, one
plough, two yoke of cattle or oxen, one miich cow, and one beef ox,
600 lbs. of flour, bedding and cooking utensils, clothing and other
provisions, sufficient for one year ; by that time, if prospered, we
shall have raised a crop, for we have seeds of wheat, oats, potatoes,
and various other kinds. Since our arrival in this place we have
built a fort ; we are; as it were, under military orders for the present,
having our guns and ammunition on hand.

We are making the necessary preparations for farming. There is
plenty of grass and meadow lands to sustain our animals ; plenty of
fire-wood and timber close by ; also, good soil for cultivation.

We are learning the Indian language, for the ultimate object of
our mission is to preach the Gospel to them.

At the April Conference, 1852, I was ordained to the office of a
seventy and joined the 23rd quorum.

I am glad that a spirit of enterprise and a love of the truth is
dwelling within you. May the Lord God bless and prosper you, and
enable you to progress in light and truth, that you may comprehend
his designs with respect to the inhabitants of the earth.

I am enjoying good health and feel all right.

I have learned by a letter from Augustus Farnham, dated Sydney,
August 14, 1853, which has been published in the " Deseret News,"
that he held a Conference in Sydney on the 3rd of the same month;
that the Saints numbered 102, there being one branch at Sydney, one
at Williams River, one at Melbourne, and it was expected that one
would be organized at Clarence River, and another at Adelaide.

I would advise you to try to find and join them if you can, if you
have not already done so.

It is Elder Farnham's intention to publish a paper, to be called
the " Zion's Watchman," half the size of the " Star." J. W.
Flemming, William Hyde, John M'Carthy, and John Jones, are
the names of some of the Elders. If you can find them you will get
such information as you need with regard to emmigrating to this
place

I am glad to hear of your brothers being in the Church, and should
be glad to hear that all my relations had embraced the Gospel.

Your affectionate brother, Edmund Long.

Copy of a Letter from Alexander Pain, formerly an Elder in the
Sydney Branch.

Dear President Faenham, Melbourne, July 5, 1854.

I am glad to inform you that the Lord has been pleased to bring
me again to see that out of his Church there is neither full happiness

127

or salvation to be found. Brother Farnham, if I could express myself
so as to tell you the power that satan has had over me since I rejected
your counsel I think you would be surprised. I feel assured if I had
acted as you told me with my wife I should not have fell, but the
Lord has been merciful (unto me) in all my trials.

Brother Farnham, I now acknowledge that I believe all that I
have ever heard from you, and I have proposed, by God's help, to
receive all that you, or aay one else in the Church of Jesus Christ
can tell me, believing that God has spoke and does speak ; therefore
I desire to be admitted into full fellowship with the Saints of God
once more.

Brother Farnham, may God guide you aright as to the manner
your humble servant is to be dealt with ; the Lord only knows of my
tears and cries unto him for forgiveness, which the Lord has been
pleased to answer to my soul by speaking peace and happiness to
me, believing that the Lord has received me into His favour and
(that) Brother Farnham and the Saints will do the same.

President Farnham, — I preach every Sunday on the wharf, the
principles of the Gospel to the great body of the people, and I have
had invitations to join the Campelites and the Plymouth Brethren,
but I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is
the only Church of God, therefore it is no go. I have preached four
Sundays and have become quite a favourite with the people ; so if I
wanted to start a fresh sect of people I could soon do that here. A
Dr. Milton, a great enemy to the Saints, has wanted me to start a
sect with him, but I trace satan at the head of all the sects, so that
it will remain a secret with the people what I am until I receive an
answer from you, and then, with the help of God, I will stand against
all the batteries of hell for the Church of Jesus Christ and his Saints.

I cannot find any Latter-day Saints here, except one or two, who
have been like myself, and you know, they would give me no
comfort.

Yours affectionately,

Alexander Pain.

DIVINE AUTHENTICITY OF THE BOOK OF MORMON.

Mr. Jabez Bunting, of Windsor, in three advertisements in the
" Sydney Morning Herald" has presented himself as the Great Cham-
pion of "Sectarianism for the suppression of Mormonism ; great as he
may appear in his own estimation, we can inform him that he is far
from being thought as much of by the public as his uncle of the
same name, who stands at the head of Methodism. He appears
as one desiring evidence, yet having closed his mind against it,
for he expressly states that he does not desire an acquaintance with
the Elders.

The question he has proposed is one of greatest importance to
mankind in general, for if the Book tof Mormon is authentic, its
rejection will bring condemnation.

128

That we may facilitate the elucidation of this question, we shall
describe what the Book of Mormon is.

It contains an History of God's dealings with a branch of Joseph's
posterity, who, by revelation from God, left Jerusalem about
100 years before the captivity of Judah, in the reign of Nebuchad-
nazer, King of Babylon. The Lord guiding them through the wil-
derness, directing them to build a vessel, in which to cross the mighty
deep. Their being safely landed on the continent of America ; their
subsequent division into two distinct people, called the Nephites and
the Lamenites, God's blessings and judgments upon them, even until
the last days, when God should again visit them in mercy, by bringing
to light their record which had been hid in the earth. It also gives
an account of the manner in which it was to be brought to light ;
the condition and character of the people at the time of its coming
forth, and the effects that should follow its appearance.

Now, the question of its authenticity is fully argued in Orson
Pratt's pamphlet on that subject, to which we refer our readers,
and shall content ourselves by briefly laying before them the
evidence of prophecy. We would request the reader's careful con-
sideration of the following passages in the Bible in reference to this
subject: — Genesis, xlviii. 8 to 22, and xlix. 22 to 26; Deuteronomy
xxxiii. 13 to 17; Isaiah, xi. and xviii. chapters; Hosea, viii. 12
Ezekiel, xxxvii. 15 to 28 ; Isaiah, xxix. chap.; Psalm, lxxxv. 10 to 13
Revelations, xiv. 6; Daniel, ii. 44,45; Isaiah, xxiv. chap.; Revela-
tions, xiv. xv. xvi. xvii. and xviii. chapters. All the prophecies in
reference to the gathering of Israel have a bearing on this subject.

Let any one read the above passages, and also read the Book of
Mormon, and the history of its coming forth, and they will see as
strict and literal fulfilment of prophecy as ever took place on the
earth.

There are also abundant of prophecies in the Book of Mormon
which have been and are still being fulfilled in these days, but this
generation, like the Jews in the days of Christ, are so blinded, that
they will not see. There is the prophecy of the witnesses who should
testify to the world of the Book of Mormon — of the blood of the
Saints crying from the earth — of the taking the Gospel out from
among the Gentiles inhabiting the continent of America — of the
location of the Saints on the mountains — that after the coming forth
of this Book, many of the house of Judah should begin to believe
in Christ* — of the progress of the, work and the gathering of the
Saints from east, west, north, and south. But there is one much
more important than any of the rest on the 26th page, viz. : —
" And blessed are they who shall seek to bring forth my Zion at
that day, for they shall have the gift and the power of the Holy

* More Jews (says Professor Pholuck,) hare been converted to Christianity during
the last twenty years than during the seventeen centuries preceeding. — "Northern
Star," March 22, 1851. See Book of Mormon page 109, which was first published in
1830.

129

Ghost. * * * * How beautiful upon the moun-
tains shall they be." Christ said, " Keep my commandment, and
ye shall know of the doctrine whether it be true." Apply this rule
to Mormonism, and we shall conclude that all who receive and obey
this revelation, will possess the power and gift of the Holy Ghost.
I now bear my humble testimony, that by obedience to the Gospel I
have received the gift of the Holy Ghost, by which I know that
Joseph Smith was a prophet of the True and Living God, and with
me there are thousands who are ready to bear the like testimony, for
we have felt and seen its power manifested in gifts of wisdom,
knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, decerning of spirits,
tongues and interpretation of tongues. This power does and will
establish the authenticity or authority of the Book of Mormon, now
and for ever more. Augustus Faenham.

FROM SALT LAKE.

The " Los Angelos Star" has the following news from Salt
Lake: —

From Salt Lake. — The Salt Lake mail arrived at San Fran-
cisco on Tuesday, bringing dates to the 30th March.

The "Deseret News" of the 16th is clothed in mourning for
the death of Elder W. Richards, who died on the 11th. At the
funeral, Elder G. A. Smith made a prayer, from which we
extract the following paragraph : —

" Bless the widows of Thy servant Willard, who are called
to part with a dear and beloved companion. Inspire them
with the power of the Holy Ghost, and wisdom to bear with
patience and resignation the trials they were called to contend
for, and to live in such a manner as to prepare them to enjoy
his society in the possession of thrones, principalities, and
powers in the celestial world."

Bishop Isaac Clark, Probate Judge of Weber county, died
on the 24th January.

FIRST EPISTLE OF ORSON PRATT,

(from "the seer.1')

To the Saints scattered throughout the United States and British Provinces, greeting ;

Ever feeling a deep interest in the welfare of the Saints,
you will permit me, through the medium of this Epistle, to impart
to you such instructions as the Holy Spirit may whisper to my
mind. I wish to ask the Saints who still remain scattered abroad,
Do you enjoy as great a measure of the Spirit of God as when you
were first baptized into this kingdom? Or, are your minds barren ?
your understanding unfruitful ? your souls in darkness ? and your
feelings cold and indifferent towards the great work which you have
embraced, and which once made you joyful and happy ? If this be
your condition, it is of the utmost importance that you know the
causes of these unhappy changes in your feelings. Is it because the

130

Lord has changed, and forgotten to^be gracious? Is it because the ful-
ness of His Gospel does not produce the same effects or happiness now
as it did in ancient times? Is it because the Book of Mormon, or any of
the Revelations given through Joseph the Seer, have failed to accom-
plish those purposes for which they were sent ? Is it because the
Saints have passed through great tribulation, and have been driven
from city to city, from State to State, and finally banished from this
great Republic to seek a home in the wild glens of the Rocky Moun-
tains ? Is it because God has forsaken His people, and will no lon-
ger show them mercy ? No, verily, no ; none of these causes have
conspired to drive away the Comforter from your hearts, or to enve-
lope you in darkness, or to make you cold, and indifferent, and un-
happy. But the principal cause of your unpleasant and unhappy
state of mind, is your own disobedience to one of the most important
commands which God has given to his people in this last diepensa-
tion, namely : to flee out of Babylon, and gather themselves toge-
ther, and stand in holy places, that they may escape the plagues and
desolating scourges which the Lord has decreed to pour out upon all
nations, because of their great sins and wickedness which continually
cry unto the heavens for vengence. Can any Saint neglect so import-
ant a command, when it is within their power to keep it, and still be
justified and retain the peaceable Spirit of the Lord ? No ; the
Spirit of the Lord is grieved with such, and will, by degrees, with-
draw from them, and they will grope in the dark, and be liable to be
overcome by temptation, and be led captive by will of the Devil :
such ones, not having the Spirit that leads into all truth, are liable to
be deceived by the doctrines of men and Devils ! for the Lord will
frequently suffer strong delusions to overpower such, that their dam-
nation may be the greater, because they profess to know the Lord,
and yet will not obey him. Remember the word of the Lord which
came by the mouth of Joseph the Seer, saying, " Hearken and hear,
0 ye my people, saith the Lord and your God, ye whom I delight to
bless with the greatest blessings, ye that hear me ; and ye that hear
me not, will I curse, that have professed my name, with the heaviest
of all cursings." Have you hearkened to the word of God ? Have
you exerted yourselves to the utmost to flee from Babylon ? If not,
no wonder that the peaceable Spirit has been grieved from your bosom.
Repent, therefore, speedily, and obey the voice of the Lord, and
gather yourselves among His people, -lest the destroyer lay hold upon
you in an hour you think not, and you perish in disobedience, and
your name be cut off from the generations ot Zion. If you will
awake from the slumber of death which has seized upon you, and
use every exertion to obey the voice of the Lord your God, His an-
ger shall be turned away from you, and He will show you mercy,
and His Spirit shall be restored unto you again, and His hand shall
be stretched out over you to shield and protect you, and to gather
you even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings to save
them from the approaching storms ; so shall the Lord your God save

131

you, and comfort your hearts, and make you to sing with joy and
gladness, and you shall be His people, and He will be the Lord your
God. Awake then, O awake ! flee to the mountains for refuge ! For
a day of trouble is at hand — a day of fierce battle and war — a day
of mourning and lamentation for widows and orphans whose husbands
and fathers shall fall in battle : it shall be the day of the Lord's con-
troversy for His people — a day of recompense for the innocent blood
of prophets and Saints, which has been shed among this nation.

The time is drawing nigh for these things to be fulfilled ; for this
nation have rejected the Book of Mormon, which the Lord brought
forth by the ministering of Angels, and sent unto them by the hands
of His servants ; they have rejected the church of Christ, which the
Lord God in mercy established in their midst ; they have suffered
His Saints to be trampled upon by mobs, to be scourged, afflicted,
and abused ; driven from their houses, deprived of the most sacred
rights of American citizenship, and finally to be banished from their
midst, and obliged to seek refuge in the solitary wilds and deserts of
the Rocky Mountains. They have closed their doors, their synago-
gues, their eyes, and their hearts against one of the most glorious
and important messages that ever saluted the ears of mortals ; they
have suffered one of the greatest, most renowned, and most celebrat-
ed prophets that ever lived upon the earth to be murdered in cold
blood, without bringing the murderers to justice; they have suffered
scores of innocent men, women, and children to be tortured, shot
down, and butchered, in open day, by beings who afterwards boasted
of their horrid deeds ; and yet, no means are instituted to bring these
guilty wretches to punishment. Does not the blood of the Saints
and of Prophets cry aloud to the heavens for vengence ? And shall
this nation escape the judgments decreed against them? And will
the Almighty forbear to execute the vengence written? Verily, no;
for in December, 1838, the word of the Lord came through Joseph
the Seer, concerning His Saints who had been driven from their
homes in Jackson County, Missouri, saying: —

" Let them importune at the feet of the judge ; and if he heed them
not, let them importune at the feet of the governor ; and if the go-
vernor heed them not, let them importune at the feet of the President
and if the President heed them not, then will the Lord arise and come
forth out of His hiding place and in His fury vex the nation, and in his
hot displeasure, and in his fierce anger, in his time, will cut off those
wicked unfaithful, and unjust stewards, and appoint them their portion
among hypocrites and unbelievers, even in outer darkness, where there
is weeping and wailing, and gnashing of teeth. Pray ye, therefore,
that their ears may be opened unto your cries, that 1 may be merci-
ful unto them, that these things may not come upon them."
(Doctrine and Covenants, page 282, English Edition.)

For nineteen years the Saints have importuned, according to this
commandment. But have they obtained redress ? No. The judges
and the Governor of the State of Missouri, instead of redressing our

132

wrongs, suffered us, under the force of arms, to be killed, immured
in dungeon, and banished from the State. The president, instead
of restoring us to our homes and lands, which we purchased of the
National Government, suffered us to be deprived of the dearest rights
of American citizenship, and to be banished by the force of arms from
this great Republic, to seek refuge among hostile savages in the bar-
ren wastes of the snowy mountains. The cries and importunites of
the Saints for redress and protection, were met with the cold reply,
" Your cause is just, but we have no power to protect you." The
Saints have long cried unto the Lord that he would open the ears
and soften the hearts ot the Rulers and Authorites of our country,
that they might execute justice and right in behalf of the suffering,
down-trodden, exiled citizens of this great Republic, who have been
by the force of arms, driven into banishment. But their ears are
closed to our cries, their eyes are shut to our suffering, and their
hearts hardened against the mourning and lamentations of widows
and orphans whose husbands and fathers have been cruelly martyred
for the testimony of Jesus, and for the word of God. The cup of
the iniquity of this nation is nearly full ; and woe unto them, when
the time shall come that they are fully ripe in their abominations, for
they shall utterly perish from off the face of this choice land, and the
land shall be left empty and desolate — yea, their cities shall be de-
stroyed, and their houses shall be desolate. " For the Lord shall
rise up as in Mount Perazim ; He shall be wroth as in the valley of
Gibeon, that he may do His work, His strange work; and bring to
pass His act, His strange act." (Isaiah xxviii. 2\.) Yea, He shall
destroy and lay was'.e, and none shall hinder.

I will again say to the Saints scattered abroad in this land, do you
wish deliverance in the day of trouble? If you do, arise and flee to
the mountains, and prepare for the day of the Lord, for it is near.
Let all the children of Zion go up into the mountains; for thus said
the Prophet Isaiah, in his prophetic exhortation to the Zion of the
last days, li tf>, Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into
the high mountain" For, " behold, the Lord God will come with
strong hand, and His arm shall rule for Him : behold, His reward
is with Him and His work before Him. He shall feed His flock
like a shepherd : He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry
them in His bosom." (Isaiah xl. 9 — 11.) Isaiah clearly saw that,
before the second coming of the Lord, to rule "with strong hand"
Zion would be required to " get up into the high mountain." Many
of the children of Zion have fulfilled this exhortation of Isaiah ; and
I now say to the balance of her children, "GET THE UP INTO
THE HIGH MOUNTAIN," and sanctify yourselves, that you
may be as an ensign upon the mountains — a standard for the people,
unto whom the meek and virtuous of all nations shall flow. For
thus said the Prophet Isaiah, " He shall set up an ensign for the
nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather toge-
ther the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth."

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(Isaiah xi. 12.) This ensign, remember, was not to be set up in
Palestine, where Isaiah lived at the time he delivered the prophecy,
but it was to be set up ''from afar," or at a great distance from that
country : hence he says again, " And he will lift up an ensign to the
natidn& from afar, and will hiss unto them from the end of the earth :
and behold, they shall come with speed swiftly." (Isaiah v. 26.)
Four things are clearly predicted in this passage : First, an ensign is
1o be lifted up to the nations by the Lord himself; secondly, this
ensign was to be lilted up, not in the country where Isaiah dwelt,
but in a lar country ; thirdly, when this ensign should be set up, the
Lord should hiss unto the nations, not from Palestine, but " from
the ends of the earth," clearly indicating a message that should hiss
forth from that distant country for the benefit of all nations; and
lastly, a people from among these nations should " come with speed
swiltly," not by the slow process of travelling to which the ancients
were accustomed, but " they shall come with speed swijtly," indi-
cating, no doubt, the powerful agency of steam, by which that peo-
ple should be gathered from among the nations speedly, swiftly, unto
the standard or ensign lifted up. This standard or ensign was not to be
raised among Judah or Israel, but among the Gentiles, for the bene-
fit of both Israel and Judah; for then, as Isaiah says in the forego-
ing quotation, both Israel and Judah will be gathered. That this
standard was to be raised among the Gentdes, instead of Israel, is
clearly predicted in another passage, as follows : — " Thus saith
the Lord God, behold, I will lift up my hand to the Gentiles, and
set up my standard to the people; and they shall bring their sons in
their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon thy shoulders."
(Isaiah xlix, 22.) That this standard or ensign was not only to be
set up by the Lord God, among the Gentiles, but that it was also to
be lifted up on the mountains, is also predicted by Isaiah as follows :
— " All ye inhabitants of the world, and dwellers on the earth, SEE
YE, WHEN HE LIFTE1H UP AN ENSIGN ON THE MOUN-
TAINS ; and when He bloweth a trumpet, hear ye. For afore the
hearvest, when the bud is perfect, and the sour grape is ripening in
the flower, He shall both cut off the sprigs with pruning hooks, and
take away and cut down the branches. They shall be lilted together
unto the fowls of the mountains, and the beasts of the earth ; and the
fowls shall summer upon them, and all the beasts of the earth shall
winter upon them. In that time shall the present be brought unto
the Lord of Hosts of a people scattered and peeled, and from a peo-
ple terrible for their beginning hitherto ; a nation meted out, and trod-
den under foot, whose land that rivers have spoiled, to the place of
the name of the Lord of Hosts, the Mount Zion." (Isaiah xviii. 3,
5, 6,7.) The place, then, lor the lifting up of the ensign, is to be
" on the mountains" and that too just before " the hearvest" or
the end of the wicked world, when the Lord is to destroy a certain
nation under the name of the sour grape, and they are to be left un-
buried for the fowls and beasts to summer and winter upon them. It

134

will be perceived also that " all the inhahitants of the woi'ld, and
the dwellers on the earth" are called upon to both see and hear,
when the Lord lifts up that ensign on the mountains.

Under a deep sense of the important events which await this gene-
ration, I beg of Zion to bear with me, while I repeat again the pro-
phetic exhortation of Isaiah : " O Zion, that bringest good tidings,
get thee up into the high mountain." Tarry not, lest you fall among
the wicked, and are deprived of the blessings which the Lord has
decreed to pour out upon Zion.

That Zion was to occupy an elevated position on the earth, is still
further evident from the word of the Lord which came through Jo-
seph the Seer, in September, 1831, saying : — •' Behold, I, the Lord,
have made my church, in these last days like unto a judge sitting on
a HILL, or in a HIGH PLACE, to judge the nations; for it shall
come to pass that the inhabitants of Zion shall judge all things per-
taining to Zion ; and liars and hypocrites shall be proved by them,
and they who are not apostles and prophets ahall be known. And
even the bishop, who is a judge, and his counsellors, if they are not
faithful in their stewardships, shall be condemned, and others shall
be planted in their stead ; for behold, I say unto you, that Zion shall
flourish, and the glory of the Lord shall be upon her, and he shall
he an Ensign unto the people, and there shall come unto her out of
every nation under heaven. And the day shall come when the nations
of the earth shall tremble because of her, and shall fear because of
her terrible ones. The Lord hath spoken it. Amen." (Doctrine
and Covenants, page 156.)

In this extract the Lord predicted that Zion should (l be an Ensign
unto the people," "sitting on a hill or in a High Place," and that
she should flourish. In another revelation, given through Joseph the
Seer, to James Covill, in January, l83l, the Lord says, " Thou art
to labour in my vineyaH, and to build my church, and to bring forth
Zion, that it may rejoice upon the HILLS and flourish" (Doc.
and Cov., page 212.) And in March, 1831, the word of the Lord
again came unto Joseph the Seer, saying, " Before the great day of
the Lord shall come, Jacob shall flourish in the wilderness, and the
Lamanites [meaning the American Indians] shall blossom as the rose.
Zion shall flourish upon the hills, and rejoice upon the mountains,
and shall be assembled together unto the place which 1 have appoint-
ed." (Page 218.) Thus we see that twenty-two years ago, it was
foretold in great plainness that Zion should flourish and rejoice upon
the hills and mountains ; when these prophecies were given, we did
not know, for many years, how nor when the Lord intended to fulfill
them : but fifteen years after the prediction, the Lord suffered our
enemies to rise against us, and we were driven by the force of arms
from these States, and where obliged to flee to the mountains for re-
fuge ; thus, in an unexpected manner, Zion is placed in her appro-
priate position, and his truly beginning to flourish and rejoice upon
the hills and mountains, according to the predictions of Joseph the

135

prophet, and according to many predictions of the ancient prophest.
Oh, how wonderful are the dealings of God with His people! And

)hest.

-<»

how marvellously does He fulfil the words of inspiration ! Though

the Heavens and Earth pass away, yet the word of the Lord spoken
through Joseph the Seer, shall not pass away, but every jot and tit-
tle that has not already come to pass, shall be fulfilled in its time and
season.

THE FAITH AND DOCTRINES OF THE LATTER DAY
SAINTS, WITH SCRIPTURAL PROOFS.

We believe in God the eternal Father, and in his Son Jesus Christ
and in the Holy Ghost.

God. — Gen i, 26, 27 ; xvii, 1. Exo xxxiii, 22, 23. Num. xii, 8. Deut. ix, 10.
Ps. xi. 4. Jesus Christ. - Heb i, 2 to 5 ; Col. i, 15, 16 ; ii, 9. Rom. i, 3, 4,
Zech. xiv, 3, 4. Acts, i, 11. Juo. vi, 46. Isa. ix, 6. Holy Spirit — 1 Cor.
ii, 10. Jno. xiv, 26 ; xv, 26 Acts, ii, 17, 38, 39. (God a Spirit Jno.iv,
24. Love — I Jno iv, 19. Anger— Ps. vii, 11. Isa. xi, 4. 2 Tbess. i, 7,
to 9.

We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not
for Adam's transgressions.

Man Punished for Actual Sin. — Acts, xvii, 31. Matt. xxv. 46. Jno. v, 28, 29.
Rev. xx, 12, 13.

We believe that through the atonement of Christ all mankind may
be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel.

Atonement of Christ— 1 Cor. xv, 20 to 23. Rom. v, 12 to 19. 1 Jno. i, 7 to 10.
Mark xvi, 15, 16. 1 Tim. ii. 6.

We believe that these ordinances are: — 1st. Faith in the Lord
Jesus Christ. 2nd. Repentance. 3rd. Baptism by immersion for
the remission of sins. 4th. Laying on of hands for the gift of the
Holy Spirit. 5th. The Lord's Supper.

Faith, Repentance, Baptism and Laying on Hands.— Jno. iii, 14 to 18. Lukexxiv,
47. Rom. i, 16, 17 ; x, 14. James ii, 1, 14 to 20. Mark xvi, 16 Jno. iii,
5. Acts ii, 38 ; viii, 12 to 17 ; ix, 18, xix 1 to 6. Matt, iii, 13 to 17. Heb.
vi, 1, 2. Gal iii, 27. Col. ii, 12. 1 Peter iii, 21.

Lord's Supper. - Matt, xxvi, 26 to 29. Acts 2, 46 ; xx, 7 ; 1 Cor. xi, 23 to 34.

We believe that men must be called of God by inspiration and by
laying on of hands by those who are duly commissioned to preach
the gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.

Called of God. — Heb. v, 4, 10; iii, 1, 2. Exo. xxviii, 1. Rom. x, 14, 15. Mark iii,
14. Jno. xv, 16 ; xvii, J8. Acts xiii, 1 to 3; xiv, 23. 1 Tim. ii, 7 ; iv, 14.
2 Tim.i, 6. Rev. i, 6; xx, 6. Mai iii, 1 to 6. Gal i, 8.

We believe in the same organization that existed in the primitive
church, viz: — apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, &c.

Organization.— I Cor. xii. Epb iv, 11 to 16; ii, 19 to 24; iii, 5; Acts xiii, 1.

We believe in the powers and gifts of the everlasting gospel, viz :
the gift of faith, discerning of spirits, prophecy, revelation, visions,

136

healing, tongues, and the interpretation of tongues, wisdom, charity,
brotherly love, &c.

Spiritual Gifts. — Mark x»i, 17 to 20 ; I Cor. xii ; xiv, 1 James v, 13 to 15. 1
Thess. v, 19, 20. Jno. xiv, 12. Acts ii, 17, 18; xxi, 4, 9, 10.

We believe the word of God recorded in the Bible ; we also be-
lieve the word of God recorded in the Book of Mormon, and in all
other good books.

Book of Mormon.— Jno xxi, 25; x, 16. Acts xvii, 26, 27. Rev. xx, 12. Hos viii,
12. Eze. xx, 33 to 38. Isa xxix, 11 to 24. Ps. lxxxv, 10, 11.

We believe all that God has revealed, all that he does now reveal,
and we believe that he will yet reveal many more great and import-
ant things pertaining to the kingdom of God and Messiah's second,
coming.

Latter Day Revelations.— Isa. xxxiii, 10 to 13; x; xi. Acts ii, 17 Mai. iii, 1 to 4,
iv. Eze. xx, 33 to 38. Matt xxiv, 30, 31. Rev. xiv, 6. Joel ii, 28 to 32.
Zech. xiv Dan. ii, 44 Eph. i, 10.

We believe in the literal Gathering of Israel, and in the restora-
tion of the ten tribes ; that Zion will be established upon the western
continent, that Christ will reign personally upon the earth a thousand
years, and that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisaical
glory.

Gathering. — Jer. xxx ; xxxi ; xxiii, 3 to 8 ; iii, 6 to 19 ; Eze. xx, 33 to 38 ; xxxvii,
19 to 22 ; xxxviii ; xxxix, Isa. xlix, 22 to 26 ; xi, 10 to 16 ; ii, 2, 3 ; xliii,
5 to 9. Zech. x, 6 to 12; xiv, Ps. I, 5, Rev. xviii, 4.

Mount Zion.— Vs. eii. 13 to 29 ; xlviii Joelii, 32 iii. Micha. iv. Isa. lxii; li, 3 11 ;
xviii; lx. 2 Peter iii, 7 to 13.

We believe in the literal resurrection of the body, and that the
dead in Christ will rise first, and that the rest of the dead live not
again until the thousand years are expired.

Christ's Second Comin?. — \ Thess. i, 10. Jude i, 14, 15. 2 Thess. i, 7 to 10. Rev
v, 9, 10; xx. Zech. xiv, 4. Actsi, II; iii, 20, 21. Mai. iii, 1 to 3 ; iv.
Matt, xxiv, 30 51.

First and Second Resurrection.— I Thess. iv, 14 to 18. 2 Thess. ii, 1. Isa. xxvi,
19 to 21. Eze. xxxvii, I to 14. Dan. xii, I to 3, Hos. xiii, 14. Matt, xxvii,
52, 53. Jno. v. '25 to 29. Acts xxiv, 14, 15. Rom. vi, 5; viii, 22, 23. I
Cor. xv. Phil, iii, 20, 21, Rev. xiv, 13; xx, 4 to 6, & 12 to 15. Job xix,
23 to 27.

We claim the privilege of worshipping Almighty God according
to the dictates of our own conscience unmolested, and allow all men
the same privilege, let them worship how or where they may.

We believe in being subject to kings, queens, presidents, rulers,
and Magistrates, in obeying, honouring, and sustaining the law.

We believe in being honest, true, chaste, temperate, benevolent,
virtuous, and upright, and in doing good to all men : indeed we may
say that we follow the admonition of Paul.

We believe all things, we " hope all things," we have endured
very many things, and we hope to be able to " endure all things."
Every thing virtuous, lovely, praiseworthy, and of good report we
seek after, looking forward to the " recompense of reward."

Price Sixpence.

Edited and Published by A. Farnham, Sydney.

THE ZION'S WATCHMAN,

PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE

Clwrc!) of 3e£ii3 Cjrrtet of Jtattt^Bag Aaint*,

IN SYDNEY.

" HE THAT READETH LET HIM UNDERSTAND."

Nos. 18-19. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER, 13, 1851 Vol. I.

ADAM, OUR FATHER AND OUR GOD.

(An Extract from President Brigham Young's Sermon, delivered on April 9th, 1852.)

FUOM THE " JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES."

One thing has remained a mystery in this kingdom up to this day.
It is in regard to the character of the well-beloved Son of God, upon
which subject the Elders of Israel have conflicting views. Our God
and Father in heaven, is a being of tabernacle, or, in other words, He
has a body, with parts the same as you and I have ; and is capable of
showing forth His works to organized beings, as, for instance, in the
world in which we live, it is the result of the knowledge and infi-
nite wisdom that dwell in His organized body. His Son Jesus Christ
has become a personage of tabernacle, and has a body like his father.
The Holy Ghost is the Spirit of the Lord, and issues forth from him-
self, and may properly be called God's minister to execute His will
in immensity ; being called to govern by His influence and power ;
but Hi is not a person of tabernacle as we are, and as our Father
in heaven and Jesus are. The question has been, and is often, asked
who it was that begat the Son of the Virgin Mary. The infidel
would have concluded that if what the Apostles wrote about his fa-
ther and mother be true, and the present marriage discipline acknow-
ledged by Christendom be correct, then Christians must beiieve that
God is the father of an illegitimate son, in the person of Jesus Christ !
The infidel fraternity teach that to their disciples. I will tell you
how it is. Our Father in Heaven begat all the spirits that ever were,
or ever will be, upon this earth ; and they were born spirits in the
eternal world. Then the Lord by His power and wisdom organized
the mortal tabernacle of man. We were made first spiritual, and
afterwards temporal.

Now hear it, <) inhabitants of the earth, Jew and Gentile, Saint
and sinner ! When our father Adam came into the garden of Eden,
he came into it with a celestial body, and brought Eve, one of' /'is
ioive<, with him. He helped to make and organize this world. He
is Michael, the Archangel, the Ancient of Days ! about whom
holy men have written and spoken — H e is our Father and our God,
and the anii/ God with whom we have to do. Every man upon the
earth, professing Christians or non-professing, must hear it, and "ill

138

know it sooner or later. They came here, organized the raw mate-
rial, and arranged in their order the herbs of the field, the trees, the
apple, the peach, the plum, the pear, and every other fruit that is
desirable and good for man ; the seed was brought from another
sphere, and planted in this earth. The thistle, the thorn, the brier,
and the obnoxious weed did not appear until after the earth was
cursed. When Adam and Eve had eaten of the forbidden fruit, their
bodies became mortal from its effects, and therefore their offspring
were mortal. When the Virgin Mary conceived the child Jesus, the
Father had begotten him in his own likeness. He was not. begotten
by the Holy Ghost. And who is the Father? He is the first of
the human family ; and when he took a tabernacle, it was begotten'
by his Father in heaven, after the same manner as the tabernacles
of Cain, Abel, and the rest of the sons and daughters of Adam and
Eve ; from the fruits of the earth, the first earthly tabernacles were
originated by the Father, and so on in succession. I could tell you
much more about this : but were I to tell you the whole truth, blas-
phemy would be nothing to it, in the estimation of the superstitious
and over-righteous of mankind. However, I have told you the truth,
as far as I have gone. I have heard men preach upon the divinity
of Christ, and exhaust all the wisdom they possessed. All Scriptu-
ralists and approved theologians who were considered exemplary for
piety and education, have undertaken to expound on this subject, in
every age of the Christian era ; and after they have done all, they are
obliged to conclude by exclaiming " great is the mystery of godli-
ness," and tell nothing.

It is true that the earth was organized by three distinct characters,
namely, Eloheim, Yahovah, and Michael, these three forming a
quorum, as in all heavenly bodies, and in organizing element, per-
fectly represented in the Deity, as Father, Son, and Holy Ghost-
Again, they will try to tell how the divinity of Jesus is joined to
his humanity, and exhaust all their mental faculties, and wind up
with this profound language, as describing the soul of man, "it is
an immaterial substance ! " What a learned idea ! Jesus, our elder
brother, was begotten in the flesh by the same character that was in
the garden of Eden, and who is our Father in Heaven. Now, let all
who may hear these doctrines, pause before they make light of them,
or treat them with indifference, for they will prove their salvation or
damnation.

I have given you a few leading items upon this subject, but a
great deal more remains to be told. Now, remember from this time
forth, and for ever, that Jesus Christ was not begotten by the Holy
Ghost. I will repeat a little anecdote. I was in conversation with
a certain learned professor on this subject, when I replied, to this
idea — "if the Son was begotten by the Holy Ghost, it would be very
dangerous to baptize and confirm females, and give the Holy Ghost
to them, lest he should beget children, to be palmed upon the Elders
by the people, bringing the Elders into great difficulties."

Treasure up these things in your hearts. In the Bible, you have
read tie things 1 have told you to night ; but you have not known

139

what you did read. I have told you no more than you are conver-
sant with ; but what do the people in Christendom, with the Bible
in their hands, know about this subject ? Comparatively nothing.

A DISCOURSE.

DELIVERED BY ELDER JOHN JONES, IN THE OLD ASSEMBLY ROOM

KING STREET, ON SUNDAY MORNING, AUGUST 20TH.

It gives me great pleasure to appear before the bretheren at this
time as upon all other occasions. I am glad that the bretheren have
so generally responded to the call of President Farnham, and hope
that they have come full of Faith. Bretheren, I know that you
always pray for me, let your faith be exercised that the spirit of the
Lord may rest upon me, for never did I need it more than I do upon
this occasion ; although I have a subject given me, I am not aware
what I shall say at this any more than at other times.

He then read a portion of the 19th Chapter of Luke, 11th to 27th
verses.

How far I shall keep to the text I have chosen I cannot tell, you
will form the best opinion of that at the close of my address.

I will ask a question,— what is Man ? It is an important question
that has been asked by the learned and unlearned in all ages ; but
with all the wisdom and learning that this world hath attained unto,
they are still unable to give a satisfactory answer to the question.
The Psalmist says, that he is fearfully and wonderfully made, that he
is a little lower than the angels. He not only possesses a different
organization, but powers and capacities of mind, distinct, and of a
far more exhalted character than the animal creation around him.
We can form some conception of his formation in the womb, the pro-
gress of his organization, and the developement of his nature, until
the time of parturition, when he emerges forth into this lower world ;
we then can witness the dawn of his mental powers from their earliest
manifestation until maturity, recognizing at each advancement in-
creased strength, vigour, and capacity; to his advancement there
appears no limits.

Had man an existence before he appeared in this world? Accor-
ding to the Bible, it appears that his spirit existed before the formation
of this earth. The Lord said of Jeremiah — " Before I formed thee
in the belly I knew thee." There can be no knowledge of an object
without its existence, therefore the spirit of Jeremiah had an existence
before the body was formed. Paul is called a chosen vessel. The
Redeemed are said to be chosen or elected, the time of its being
done is said to be before the foundation of the earth. Christ is called
the Lamb slain from before the foundation of the earth. It would
just be as impossible for God to chose them, if they had not an ex-
istence, as it would be for a person at this time to chose fruit from
this table there being none upon it. It is said, that when the foun-
dations of the earth were laid, that all the sons of God sang together,
and the morning stars shouted for joy. The reason that they were

140

filled with joy was, that they looked forward to the time when they
should be permitted to go upon it, and take a tabernacle, that they
might attain unto the like power and glory as their Father. That
it is possible for man to attain unto that power and glory is evident,
from the saying of the Saviour, that His disciples should be one with
him as he was one with the Father. From the foregoing we may
conclude, that man is a God in embro), that is, he possesses powers
and capacities of mind that are susceptable of increase, even unto a
fulness.

The Saviour promised the disciples that they should sit upon
thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel, "and that to him that
overcometh will I grant to sit on my throne." Again. — " And he that
overcometh and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give
power over the nations." Again ; — " I appoint unto you a king-
dom as my Father hath appointed unto me."

Before man can attain unto the glory and power here named, he
must attain unto a fulness of wisdom, knowledge, and power ; much
of this can only be obtained by experience. Man cannot know the
sweet without the bitter, the good without the evil. The Lord said,
"man is become like unto one of us to know good and evil." It is
said of the Saviour, " that he is able to succour those who come unto
God through him, because He had been tempted in all things like
unto them," and also, " that he was perfected through suffering."

It is God who communicates these blessings and powers. He has
laid down laws by conformity to which they can be obtained. As
He is the source from whence they are derived, it must be evident
that they cannot be obtained otherwise than by obedience to the laws
laid down. Christ had to obey and enter into these privileges by
the door ; hear what he said to John, " Suffer it to he so now, for
thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness." He received not a
fulness at first but by obedience attained unto that power, and the
saints by obedience attain unto the like power ; for John says, — " to
as many as believed on him he gave power to become Son's of God."
Knowledge is power. Man's advancement to this sphere is in pro-
portion to his application of the knowledge given, and the knowledge
given is in proportion to man's obedience, the ultimate end of which
is the possession of power and authority to rule. Now to the exercise
of these powers : there must be subjects and these subjects must have
locality wherein to dwell, for to suppose the first to exist without the
latter is absurd.

These subjects are those given to them by the Lord. Abraham
will stand at the head of his posterity, because by obedience he had
them sealed unto him as an everlasting inheritance. Moses stands
at the head of the dispensation given unto him. Joseph will stand
at the head of this dispensation. The Saviour being the first that
attained unto his exhaltation ; He is raised by the power of the
Father, and receiveth power to raise others, and thus he attains unto
the power and title given unto him by the Prophet — that He was to
be the "everlasting Father." Such as obey the laws the Lord hath
laid down are exhalted, and receive power to exhalt others. It is on

141

i

account of this power to exhalt others that the Lord is designated a
Saviour; the Lord through Isaiah, says,— "A just God and a
Saviour besides me there is none." The Son having obeyed the
Father in all things has the like power committed unto him. He
said, — "As the Father hath life in himself so hath he given the Son
to have life in himself;" in another place He saith, — " As the Father
raiseth up the dead and quiekneth, even so the Son qnickneth whom
He will ;" in Revelation he saith, — "He that overcometh I will give
to sit in my throne, even as I also overcame and am set down with
my Father in His throne." It is because it is through this power
given unto Him by the Father, that as many of the children of Adam
as are exhalted obtain thereunto, that He his called the Saviour of
men.

The Prophet calls those Saviours who shall attain unto the bles-
sings of the last days ; He says, — " Saviours shall come up on Mount
Zion. The way in which they become Saviours, is by obeying the
word, entering into the Temple and observing those ordinances for
the dead which they cannot observe themselves. The Apostles in
the Corinthians has given some little light on this subject in the pas-
sage— " Else what shall they do who are baptized for the dead."
That something can be done for the dead is evident from the fact
that Christ went to preach to them that were in prison. Those who
thus act in behalf of the dead, will stand in a like position to
them as Abraham to his posterity. This power will be given unto
them through the Phrophet Joseph, he having received the same
through Christ, with whom they shall reign as kings and priests.
He (Christ) being King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Thus they
will attain to be kings of righteousness, He being at their head ; but
they are to obtain unto a fulness, their Father's name (God) is to be
written on their foreheads ; they must then have a sphere in which
to move as Gods, otherwise their glory would be to them no glory at
all ; to possess capacities and powers to organize and govern without
spheres in which these may be exercised, in place of glory and hap-
piness, it would be ignomy and misery. But that they are to have
a sphere in which their capacities and powers can be fully excercised
is evident from the parable read ; there we find that to one was given
ten cites, to another five, to every man according to his fidelity ;
also from the words of Christ, — "And I appoint unto you a king-
dom ;" again in Revelations, — "I will give him the morning
star."

To be Gods implies the possession not only of a fulness of wisdom
and knowledge but also power, power to create or organize ; there
must also be matter to be organized, and there must be a continued
increase of systems, organized by such as attain unto this power and
glory; each stands at the head of the systems over which they are
respectively placed, and are the head or father's of those who inhabit
them, just as Father Adam is the head of the human family.

Perhaps some one is ready to cry out, what Brother Jones, do you
mean to say that Father Adam is our God ? Well I will answer by
a-king and answering another question : What i? the nature of God's

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government ? — It is Patriarchal ? To illustrate the subject, I will refer
to a family circle. — Let us suppose a father ruling his family in
wisdom and goodness, every person moving in their proper places,
the word of such a father is the law of government for that family.
lie is, as it were, a God unto them ; the family attains unto maturity,
then each son organizes a family for himself, and he in relation to
his family stands in the like position as his father did to him ; but
does he here throw oiT the restraint of the father, by no means, for
that which he saw his father do, he does ; his family are governed in
like manner, and by the same laws, and should he lack in anything,
he would apply to his own father whose word would be the rule of
action ; carry the figure out to the fourth generation, and then we
should have the great-grandson governing his family by the laws
and counsel of the great-grandfather. If we carry this back from
generation to generation, until we come to the first man, Adam, we
shall then see the relation that he stands in to the human family.
But says one, will not the world rise against such a doctrine, and
with one voice declare it blasphemy. To this I will answer : — Was
it not blasphemy to them when the Prophet declared that an angel
had ministered unto him, yea, the world said that the first principles
of the Gospel were blasphemy, not only so, but they said the same of
the Holy Priesthood received through the ministration of Peter,
James, John, of the commands to gather and to build temples. When
the Lord revealed the law, through which man is exhalted in the
eternal world, they with one consent cried blasphemy, every prin-
ciple of truth connected with salvation, will be blasphemy to the
world.

Father Adam is not the only God spoken of in Scriptures, for the
Apostles says, — "There be Gods many, and Lords many, but to us
there is but one God the Father." God is one eternal round.

I fancy I hear some say, you have now gone out of the Bible, for
this doctrine can never be substantiated therefrom.

Well I know there are many people that will not believe anything
unless it can be proved from the Bible ; yet, there are many things
that are true that cannot be proved from the Sacred Writings. Did
Abraham and the other ancients seek proof for that which was com-
municated to them by the Lord or his Servants ? but here again we
can bring the Bible to our aid. We find that our Saviour com-
manded us to commence praying with the following asseveration : —
"Our Father." Christ is also called our Elder Brother. How
could the one be our Father unless we had proceeded from him in
the relation of children? How could Christ be our brother unless
he with us had proceeded from the same Father V but it may be
asked do not the Scriptures represent God as the Father of many
other things besides man? I answer No ! they never represent him
as the Father of the animal, nor of that which Ave call the inanimate
creation.

Wre also by reference to the first chapter of Genesis find, that
when Adam was placed on the earth he had absolute power to rule
and govern. In the 26th Ar-erse it is recorded, — "And God said, let

143

us make man in our own image after our own likeness, and let them
have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air,
and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping
thing that creepeth over the earth." Here then is the testimony of
the Bible; it does not mean anything less than is here positively
stated. Bat it will be here objected that Adam fell and became a
transgressor. In reference to this I would say, that he had an un-
derstanding in this thing ; the Book of Mormon says, that Adam fell
that men might be ; and Paul in reference to the same subject says :
"Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the
transgression."

But we find by a revelation given to the Prophet Joseph, in
December, 1830, that the Lord said unto Adam, — " Behold I have
forgiven thee thy transgressions in the garden of Eden ;" by this he
would be restored to the power and glory from which he fell. This
will appear more clear from the 12th chapter of Daniel. We find
there that at the time of the end, Michael shall stand up, the great
prince which standeth for the children of thy people, and there shall
be a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation,
even to that same time ; and at that time thy people shall be
delivered every one that shall be found written in the book. In the
7th chapter he is called the "ancient of days," and the description
there given of him is the same as is given of God in other places.
One like the Son of man comes to him and receives from him
dominion, glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations and lan-
guages should serve him ; his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not
be destroyed. That Michael the prince and the ancient of days, are
the same personage is clear from that which is to accompany their
appearance.

Who can the ancient nf days be, but he that has the most ancient
relation to time on this earth '? this must be father Adam ! but we
are not left in doubt on this subject, for we are told in the revelations
given to the Church in these days, that Adam in the Valley of
Adam-ondihman blessed his posterity that were righteous, and that
the Lord appeared unto them, and that they rose up and blessed
Adam and called him Michael, the Prince, the Archangel. And the
Lord comforted Adam and said unto him, — " I have set thee to be
at the head ; a multitude of nations shall come out of thee ; and thou
art a prince over them for ever.

Here bretheren is the truth. What are you going lo do with it ?
have you come into the kingdom of God laying down boundaries for
the revelations of the Lord ! saying, — " thus far must they go and
no further." Can the Sectarians give you the same evidence for any
of their systems that you have received in favour of this work ? If
you should doubt pray to your Father in heaven, but do not rebel
against the authority of the priesthood, for I tell you, it is folly for
you to pray to the Father if you reject His word, or rebel against
His messengers. The power of God is with us now as it was in
ancient times. The Lord afflicted the peopb, of old for rebelling

144

against His authority ; in the days of Christ and his Apostles it was
the same, and it will be the same in this dispensation. The only
way to obtain the favour and blessings of the Lord is by faith and
obedience. Truths are being made known, principles revealed, that are
necessary unto salvation. The Saints know them to be truths by
the spirit of the Lord given unto them through obedience. The
world have not the spirit of the Lord, therefore they cannot know
nor understand the things of God. May the Lord bless you all.
Amen.

The Hue-anp-cky ; or, wheee are the False Prophets and
Lying Spirits that are Deceiving the Nations.

(Continued from page 103).

We now come to examine the passages in reference to the lying
spirits that are to go forth to deceive the nations of the earth ; the
first passage we shall refer to is in Rev. 16, 13, 14,— u And I saw
three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon,
and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false
prophet, for they are the spirits of devils working miracles which go
forth unto the kings of the whole earth and of the whole' world, to
gather them to the battle of the great day of God Almighty."

We call the readers serious attention to the following particulars
in reference to this passage :— First, they are spirits oi devils or
Iving spirits ; Second, that they will perform miracles for accom-
plishing the end of their mission ; Third, their mission will be to
the kings of the earth, and through them to the whole world to unite
them together, and to gather them to the battle of the great day of
God Almighty.

In the 14th chap, of Zech. we find a paralel passage to this, it is
there recorded: — "Behold the day of the Lord cometh and thy spoil
shall be divided in the midst of thee, for I will gather all nations
against Jerusalem to battle, and the city shall be taken, and the
houses rifled, and the women ravished, and half of the city shall go
forth to captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off
from the city Then shall the Lord go forth and fight against those
nations as when he fought in the day of battle. And His feet shall
stand on that day upon ih:) Mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem
on the east ; and the Mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst
thereof towards the east and towards the west, and there shall be a
great valley ; and half the mountain shall remove towards the north
and half towards the south." That these two passages refer to the
same event will be evident from the following considerations: — First,
in Zechariah we rind the Jews gathered, Jerusalem built as towns
without walls. In Revelations there is a great city. 'J he nations
are gathered to battle ; it must be against some people not included
among the nations, and against some place net implied in the term
cities of the nations. Now what people on earth that are not indu-
ced among the nations, are to obtain power in the last days (we
presume no one one will dispute that the passage has reference to

145

that period of time) to build a city against which the nations of the
earth will gather to battle, save the Jews. Jerusalem on many
accounts may be called the great city.

Second. — The Lord says through Zechariah, " I will gather all
nations against Jerusalem." That is, in the economy of His provi-
dence he will permit such influences to exist as shall accomplish
that object. How it will be brought about is plainly told in Reve-
lations. The agents are three unclean spirits like frogs; the objects
on whom they will act are the kings of the earth, and of the whole
world ;^he source of their influence over these kings is in their power
to work miracles.

Third. — That in connexion with these events the Lord (that is the
Saviour) is to appear, and that for the deliverance of His people.
Zechariah says, "And his feet shall stand upon Mount Olives."
Revelations, — " Behold I come quickly."

Fourth. — The manner in which the deliverance is to be effected.
In Revelations we are told that the great City is not to fall, but that
it is to be divided unto three parts ; by Zechariah we are plainly
told how this is to be accomplished. When the Saviour's feet touch
the Mount of Olives it shall cleave in the midst thereof, one half
moving towards the north the other towards the south, intersecting
Jerusalem, dividing it into two parts, one to the east the other to the
west, forming a valley in the centre ; that portion circumscribed
within the precincts of the city form the third part, into which the
distressed, afflicted, and almost hopeless Jews flee for deliverance. —
" And the Lord my God shall come and all His Saints with Him," —
and Jude tells us that Enoch the seventh from Adam prophesied of
the sami event saying, — "Behold the Lord cometh with ten thou-
sand of His Saints." The end for which they were to appear was to
execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly
among them, of their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly com-
mitted.

Fifth. — The nature of the victory or conquest that was to be effect-
ed ; it was to be complete and universal. Revelations, 16 chap. 18
to 21.—" And there were voices, and thunders, and lightenings ; and
there wras a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon
the earth, so mighty an earthquake and so great, *****
And the cities of the nations fell, and great Babylon came in remem-
berance before God to give unto her the cup of the wine of tbe fierce-
ness of his wrath. And the islands fled away, and the mountains
were not found. And there fell upon men great hail out of heaven,
every stone about the weight of a talent, and men blasphemed God
because of the plague of the hail, for the plague thereof was exceeding
great." In tbe 19 chap. 17 to 21 verses, we read — " And I saw
another angel in the sun ; and he cried with a loud voice, saying, to
all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, come and gather yourself
together unto the great supper of the great God ; that ye may eat
the flesh of KINGS, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty
men, and the flesh of horses, and them that sit on them, and the flesh
of all men, both free and bond, both small and great."

146

"And I saw the beast, and the Kings of the earth and their
armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat upon the
horse, and against his army. And the beast was taken and with
him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which
he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them
that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into the lake
of fire burning with brimstone. And the remnant were slain with
the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out
of his mouth : And all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

Zech. 14, chap. 12, 13, 15. — And this shall be the plague Vere-
with the Lord will smite all the people that have fought against Je-
rusalem: their flesh shall consume away while she stand upon their
feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their
tongues shall consume away in their mouth. And it shall come to
pass in that day, that a great tumult from the Lord shall be among
them, and they shall lay hold every one on the hand of his neighbour
;uid his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbour. And
so shall be the plague of the horse, of the mule, of the camel, and of
the ass, and of all the beasts that shall be in these tents.

Ezek. speaking of the same event in the 38, chap, 14 to 23 verses
saith, Thus saith the Lord God; in that day when my people of Is-
rael dwelleth safely, shalt thou (Gog) not know it; and thou shall;
come out of thy place out of the horth parts, thou and many peo-
ple with thee, all of them riding upon horses, a great company and
a mighty army : and thou shalt come up against my people Israel,
as a cloud to cover the land ; it shall he in the latter dags, and 1
will bring thee against my land, that the heathen may know me, when
I will be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes. Thus saith
the Lord God, art thou he of whom I have spoken in old time by my
servants, the prophets of Israel, which prophesied in those days many
years that I would bring thee against them? And it shall come to
pass at the same time, when Gog shall come against the land of Israel,
saith the Lord God, that my fury shall come up in my face. For
in my jealousy and in the fire of my wrath have I spoken. Surely,
in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel ; so
that the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts
of the field, and all the creeping things that creep upon the earth, and
all the men that are upon the face of the earth, shall shake at my
presence, and all the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep
places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground. And 1 will
call for the sword against, him throughout all my mountains, saith the
Lord God: every man's sword shall be against his brother. And I
will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain
upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are
tvith him, an overflowing rain, and great hail stone, fire and brim-
stone.

39, chap. 17 to 21 verses. — "And thou Son ofMan, thus saith the
Lord God, speak unto every feathered fowl, and to every beast of the
field, assemble yourselves, and come ; gather yourselves ort every
side to my sacrifice that I do sacrifice for you, even a great sacrifice

147

upon the mountains of Israel, that ye may eat flesh of the mighty, and
drink the blood of the princes of the earth, of rams, of lambs, and of
goats, of bullocks, all of them fatlings of Bashan. And ye shall eat
iat till ye be full, and drink blood till ye be drunken of my sacrifice
which 1 have sacrificed for you. Thus shall ye be filled at my table
with horses and chariots, with mighty men, and with all men of war,
saith the Lord God.

Revelation 14, chap. 19, 20 verses. — And the angel thurst in his
sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth into the great
wine press of the wrath of God. And the wine press was troden
iviihout the city, and the blood came out of the wine press even unto
the horse bridle by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.

Sixth — .From the effects that are to follow the conquest. That
Christ will be established and acknowledged sole King of the whole
earth, ami Israel permantly established in their own lands and in their
own possessions.

Revelations 20, chap. 4, 6, verses. — " And I saw thrones, and they
sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them : and I saw the
souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for
the word of God, and which had not worshiped the beast, neither his
image neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their
hands ; and they lived and?-eigned with CHRIST a thousand years.
They shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him
(Christ) a thousand years "

Zech. 14, chap. 9, 10, 1 1 verses. — " And the Lord shall be King
over all the earth ; in that day their shall be one Lord, and his name
one." See Ezek. 37, 22. All the land shall be turned as a plain from
Gebo to Uiramon south of Jerusalem: and it shall be lifted up, and
inhabited in her place, from Benjamin's gate unto the place of the
first gate, unto the corner gate, and from the tower of Hananeel unto
the king's wine-presses. And men shall dwell in it, and there shall
be no more utter destruction ; but Jesusalem shall be safely inhabited
16, verse. — " And it shall come to pass, that every one of all that is
left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up
from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of Hosts, and to
keep the feast of tabernacles, 20, and 21. — " In that day shall there be
upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD;
and the pots in the Lords house shall be like the bowls before the
alter, yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness unto
the LORD of Hosts, and all they that sacrifice shall come and take
them, and see therein : and in that day there shall be no more
the Cananite in the house of the LORD of Hosts"

Ezek. 39, 2\ , 22 verses. — " And I will set my glory among the hea-
then, and the heathen shall see my judgment that I have executed,
and my hand that I have laid upon them, so the house of Israel shall
know that I am the LORD their God, 27 verse. — "When I have
brought them again from the people, and gathered them from out of
their enemie's lands ; and am sanctified in them in the sight of
many nations 28. — " 1 hen shall they know that 1 am the LORD their
God, which I caused them to be lead into captivity among the hea-

14S

then: but I have gathered them unto their ovvn land, and have left
none of them any more there; 29. — Neither will I hide my face any
more from them : for I have poured out my spirit upon the house
of Israel saith the Lord God." See ^ 6, chap 20,10 28. Jeremiah
31, 27, to 40.

From the foregoing remarks it must appear clear that the passage
in Rev. 16, 13, and 14, has reference to the same period and events
that are foretold by Zech. in the 14, chip. The question now sug-
gests itself. Can this passage by any means be made to apply to the
Elders of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints? We
boldly answer they cannot, and defy any one by any process of torti-
ous reasoning or otherwise to apply them to those Elders or their min-
istrations, and that for the following reasons. 1st, They are not lying
spirits, such spirits have always in their mouths in reference to the
commands of God, the mysterious yet very important sentence. It
shall not be so, but the Elders of Isr el say in reference to all God's
commandments, It shall he so. He that believeth and is BAP-
TISED shall be saved. He that fleeth from Babylon, in obedience
to the commandments of God, to the place of safety that He hath
appointed, shall be delivered from the judgments with which Babylon
will be visited, and he that does not obey these commandments shall
be destroyed, with this corrupt and iniquitious power. 2nd The
Elders or Israel view the Jews as their brethren, the children of
Abraham their common father, and one of the apostles of this church
(Orson Hyde) years ago was sent on a Mission to Palestine, the ob-
ject of that Mission was to facilitate the gathering of his brethren
of the house of Judah, to the land of their inheritance, by removing
from that land the curse placed thereon by the God of their fathers.
This curse was placed upon that land by the prophets of the Lord,
who held the keys and powers to bless and curse, to bind and loose,
and it had to be removed by one or more holding the like power and
authority, for the prophet Amos, 4, chap 7 verse, says, "Surely the
Lord God will do nothing, but revealeth his secret unto his servants
the prophets."

3rd — The message of the spirits referred to is to be the kings of
the earth, to unite them upon the face of the whole world, that they
may exercise the power and authority with which they are vested, tor
gathering of their subjects against Jerusalem, to destroy it, and the
portion of the house of Israel inhabiting it. But the message borne
by the Elders of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is
to all, but especially to the afflicted and oppressed ; yet honest por-
tion of mankind, to gather them to a land of blessing and liberty,
where they are to dwell until Jesus Christ is revealed from heaven,
when they expect to accompany him, in company with the rest of his
saints for the purpose of delivering the Jews, destroying the nations,
and permanently establishing the authority of Christ over the whole
earth. The next passage we shall refer to, as cited by the hireling
priests of the day, against the servants of the Lord, is to be found in
2 Thes. 2, 9. '* Kven him whose coming is after the working
of Satan, with all power and signs, and lying wonders." That there

149

is here a reference to the same power as that described in Rev. and
in Zechariah will appear quite clear from the verse preceeding; we are
there told that the Lord shall consume that wicked one whose corriin<>-
is with all power, and signs and lying wonders; with spirit of his
mouth, and the time when this is to be fully accomplished is clearly
told in the sentence " and shall destroy with the brightness of his
coming, Christ is to appear and wickedness to be destroyed at the time
when He and a 1 his Saints with him shall appear for the deliverance
of the Jews, and to take vengence upon them that know not God and
have no1, obey d the Gospel. This passage applying to the same
time and events as the one in Rev., cannot be made to apply to the
Elders of Israel for the reasons before mentioned.

We have clearly shown that the cry of false prophets, lying spirits
that is raised against the prophet Joseph Smith, or the servants of the
Lord ordained to the authority of the Holy Priesthood through him,
has no foundation in truth or reason, that they are only the effusions'
'of minds aiike ignorant of Joseph Smith and the principles revealed
by him, or infuriated and maddened at their own inpotency to meet the
simple yet powerful truths of the Gospel ; but we must now proceed
to show where these false prophets and lying spirits are.

We fearlessly turn around upon these Sectarian Priests and charge
them with being the false teachers and the lying spirits that have
are, and will continue to deceive the nations of the earth • and the
first evidence that we shall advance in favour of this charge is the
use they make of the litt/e monosylable "not," so much appreciated
by the devil who is the father of lies. Though the Lord has plainly
said in Mark, 16 chap. 16 verse,— "He that believeth and IS BAP-
TISED shall be saved." They say if you only believe and are not
baptised you shall be saved, for baptisem is nut necessary unto sal-
vation; and also when the Saviour said, "Verily, verily, I say unto
thee, except a man be born of WATER and the Spirit he cannot enter
into the Kingdom of God." He did not mean water ; and although Ee
has said that without it man cannot enter into the Kingdom of God
they say that without it man cannot enter into that kingdom. Who
speaks the truth, Christ or these modern Teachers ? If Christ taught
truth, it must be clear that they must teach under the influence of
LYING Spirits ! Christ said, "That these signs should follow (all)
them that believe." They say they shall not, because they are not
needed.

The Apostle Paul says, that Apostles and Prophets are standing
officers in the Church of Christ until it is perfected ; they say they
are not, and the only reason that they give to confirm their statement
is, the fact that they are alike destitute of the power and authority
of those officers and of gifts of the Holy Ghost. The second evidence
that we shall adduce to substantiate this charge is, their correspon-
dence, in every particular, to the prophetic description of this wicked
power.

The Apostle Paul in the 11th of Romans, cautions the Gentiles
saying,—" Be not high minded but fear : for if God spared not the
natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. Behold
therefore the good1 ess and severity of God on them which fell

150

severity ; but tow arris thee, goodness, if thou continue in his good-
ness; otherwise thou also shalt be cut off." The same Apostle has
told us in 2 Thes , that the day of the Lord Jesus Christ cannot
come unless there be a falling away first, and that wicked one be re-
vealed, who works ''with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in
them that perish;" and 2 Tim, S, he has given a further description
of this power which is very concisely expressed in the oth verse, —
" Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof," he
calls such in another place "seducing spirit who teach doctrines of
devils, (Mark the little word not before alluded to) speaking lies
in hypocrisy," that is, pretending to believe the Bible, yet denying
its plainest statement whether they are in the form of prophesy or
commandments. rl he Apostle Peter has given us a good description
of their standing in society. See 2 Peter, 2 chap., — We are there
told that those upon whom the l}ing spirits shall act are to be
Teachers, teachers for hire ; for through covetousness they will
make merchandize of the people. They are to bring in damnable
heresies, (what more damnable heresy can there be than to say no!
when God says yes!) they are to deny the second coming of Christ
with all the power and blessings that are to accompany him, scoffing
at the very idea of such things. Micah, in the 3 chap., speaks of the
same class of persons, and says of them — that they "judge for a
reward," * teach for hire," "divine for money ;" a priestcraft of Baal,
which the Lord never established, and He will never acknowledge it,
but has plainly told us by Peter, that although their judgment has
lingered a long time, yet their damnation slumbereth not.

Great as is the power of the false teachers, mighty as their in-
fluence is, it has yet to be moie fully revealed in the last da)s, tor
uniting them as the common enemies of God and His purposes on
this subject; we refer the reader to an article published in the
" Watchman," headed '' The Coming Crisis."

We have now fully established the innocence of the Servants of (he
Lord, of charges laid against them, and the guilt of the hireling
Teachers of the Day. We now call upon them and all people to
believe in God and in His Son Jesus Christ, to repent of their sins,
and forsake their priestcraft, and be baptized in the name of Jesus
for the remission of their sins. And we promise all who will obey
the Gospel in sincerity and truth, that they shall receive the Holy
Ghost, by which they will know of the doctrine that it is of God, for
His promises are yea and Amen in Lhiist, with him there is neither
variableness nor shadow of a turning.

THE MORMONS IN SAN BERNARDINO.
(From the " Daily Alia California.")

Among the many singular features of California, one worthy of especial notice, is the San Bernar-
dino settlement of Mormons— genuine Latter-day Saints, who believe that Jo Smith (not John) had a
direct commission from Heaven to convert the earth, and to preach the only true doctrine suited to the
advanced position of our times, — and who follow his evangel as their pillar of fire by night and cloud
by day, through the wilderness of life.

The persecution of the Mormons in Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois, made them wanderers. Previous to
'45 they" had sent forth emissaries to seek a Canaan, it being nearly plain that they could not remain

151

In peace in the Mississippi Valley. Some of the emissaries came to California anil made a favourable
report. In '47 a battalion of Mormons came with Colonel Cook to the Pacific coast, and many of them
remained here. A Mormon discovered the first gold, at Sutter's Mill ; and the proximity of their set-
tlement at Utah enabled them to be among the first to reap the golden harvest. The families returned
to Salt Lake, but carried back with them the fame of the fertile soil and sunny clime of the valley on
the California coast. In 1851, they determined to make a settlement near San Diego, to which point
they have their shortest and best road to the Pacific.

Amasa Lyman, one of the Twelve, and Elder C. C. Rich, were deputed, with the approval of Brigham
Young, to choose the new home of five hundred immigrants ; and they purchased the San Bernardino
Ranch, (on the San Diego and Salt Lake road.) with cattle, horses, &e., for 70,000 Dollars. In the fall
of 1851 the immigrants arrived, fenced in a lot of 2000 acres, built a fort for protection against the In-
dians, put in their grain, and built houses. The large enclosure was not common property, but each
person had his share to sow and reap. There were some difficulties, qnari'els among the congregation,
as well as want sand trials, during the first year, but the settlement prospered, as every Mormon settle-
ment has. Roads were made : houses, grist mills and saw mills were built ; new immigrants arrived ; and
in '52, before the colony was a year old, they sent flour to the San Francisco market, and made large
purchases of San Francisco merchandise.

The present population is something more than a thousand, and it promises to increase. In no por-
tion of the State is there a more busy or thriving settlement, or one which, in proportion to number,
is working more effectively.

They promise that San Bernardino shall be the most beautiful city of California; and to judge by
their beginning, and what they have done elsewhere, their promise will be kept.

By the last Legislature, San Bernardino was constituted a separate county, and thus the Mormons
have a little government of their own. Jefferson Hunt has been elected as their representative in the
next Legislature. Their nominal spiritual leader is their Bishop, Crosby, but Rich is perhaps more in-
fluential.

Their valley is an exceedingly beautiful place, with great natural advantages. It is about thirty
miles long, by east and west, and fifteen miles wide, by north and south. On the east is the San Bar-
nardino mountain, which rises almost to the region of perpetual snow, and from the foot hills of which
numerous and beautiful springs flow. Besides a multitude of springs, the valley is watered by the
Santa Anna river. About sixty miles to the southwest is the coast — Los Angelos being sixty miles,
San Pedro seventy-five miles, and San Diego eighty miles distant.

San Diego is intended to be the principal trading point for the settlement. The distance from Salt
Lake City is about eight hundred miles in a southwest direction. The road is good, considerably bet-
ter than any other from Bear River Valley to the Pacific. The greater part of the way there is plenty
of water and grass ; and in some places there is good timber.

The Saints have already awakened to the importance of a railroad — to the construction of which the
route is favourable ; and if once the leaders declare it must be made, then it will be made ; and it is
not improbable that it will be the first finished portion of the Pacific Railroad.

The Mormons are generally looked upon as good neighbours, and are considered as upright and moral
as the. majority of the citizens of California. Little is said of the polygamic doctrines ; and for the
sake of peace they will probably not introduce the practice into the State. Our State is fortunately
free from the prejudices and hate against the Mormons, which prevailed in the Mississipi valley —
and it is to be hoped that it will continue so.

Their doctrines will command no great reverence ; but they are not to be overthrown by persecution
or ridicule.

It is worthy of notice, that the discoverer of gold, the first farmer, and the wealthiest man in Cali-
fornia, are or were all Mormons.

GENERAL INTELLIGENCE.

The work of the Lord is rolling forth throughout the Colony, and
it is exciting much opposition especially on the part of the Clergy.
In Sydney the bitterness of their feeling is peculiarly manifested in
their counsel to their flock, whose fleece they are in fear of losing.
Tracts are circulated mis-i epresenting the principles of truth ; visitors
go abroad impunging the moral standing of the Saints. Priests rise
up and lecture against the revelations of God, being inspired by the
l)ing spirits that are deceiving the nations of the earth ; they pour
forth their ebullitions with a rancour and bitterness of soul paraleled
only in the history of that corrupt and abominable power, the Church
of Rome, who is the whore of all the earth and the mother of harlots ;
that is, the mother of the Protesting and Dissenting Churches.

One of the Rev. Gentlemen, Dr. Fullerton, at the close of his
Lecture on Mormonism, counselled those present to "Have nothing
to do with Mormons, shun them as your deadliest enemies, burn
their books ;" there was another sentence added but delivered in so
low a tone that we could not distinctly hear it. We often ask our-
selves the question in reference to this sentence — What was it? —

152

And burn the Mormons to! That the like counsel to this is going
round the congregations of this Colony we are persuaded, and its
influence upon the public mind has begun to be manifested ; in one
instance a number of these slaves of the hirelings rushed in upon a
brother, and assaulted him in the most brutal manner, without the
least provocation, he has since been told that it served him right,
because he was not of the right faith, but was a Pagan. And the
President of the Sydney Branch was brutally assaulted by four ruth-
less ruffians, who on the 2nd instant, rushed upon him with all the
ferocity of fiends just let lose.

The Half-yearly Conference of the Church will be held on Sunday,
October 1st, in the Assembly Rooms, King-street, Sydney; the
Saints adjacent to this place are invited to attend.

We have received advices from the G. S. L., they come to hand
too 1 ite for our present issue, we shall give a fuller account in our
next. We will here inform our readers that Jedediah M. Grant has
succeeded President Willard Richards, diseased.

Franklin D. Richards, one of the Twelve Apostles, has again
resumed his office as President of the Mission to the British Isles,
and Editor of "The Star;" and all communications to the Office
in Liverpool, are in future to be addressed to F. D. Richards.

We have received through ''The Star," the Eleventh General
Epistle of tbe First Presidency, we shall give extracts in our next.

We have just received information of the safe arrival of the com-
pany that left here March 22nd, at San Pedro.

LINES

ON THE DEATH OF ELDER WILLARD RICHARDS, OF THE FIRST

PRECEDENCY.

We sigh for the Herald that's now gone away,
To brave Joseph and Hyrum dear ;
From Brigham and Heber, the stars of the day,
To commune with the heavenly seer.

With dazzling lustre he shone in storey,
Within the valleys of the west ;
He's gone with his robes and pass-words of glory,
To enter the joys of his rest.

Now angelic daughters of Ephraim's race,
Let Willard's laurels dry your tears
Until he does come back for your release,
That you may move in higher spheres.

He's gone to the realms of enless fame,

Where kings and queens do not sever;

When Shiloh and Joseph shall come back again,

Then Willard's exalted forever. John M'Carthy;

Price Sixpence.

Edited and Published by A. Farnham, Sydney.

THE ZION'S WATCHMAN,

PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHORITY OP THE

€bm$ ot Sr3u3 (Cfirttt of JLattet^Bajj *aittte,

IN SYDNEY.

" HE THAT READETH LET HIM UNDERSTAND."

Nos. 23-21. SATUB.D AY, OCTOBER, 14, 1851 Vol.1.

AN EPISTLE OF THE PRESIDENCY OF THE AUSTRALIAN

MISSION.

To the Saints in Australasia, Greeting:

Beloved Brethren, it is now eighteen months since we took upon us the
Presidency of the mission to Australasia, having been appointed to that power,
by the authorites in Zion.

The peculiar message that we brought, (the marriage law of the new and
everlasting covenant,) was the source of great difficulties and some decree
of opposition, but by the spirit of the Lord we have been enabled to regulate
the teaching and instructions relative to that law, and the high and holy prin-
ciples upon which it is founded, according to the capacities of the Saints,
and the degree of their faith ; and in every instance where our counsel has
been obeyed, the Saints have stood faithful, and they have received lipht
and intelligence upon those principles until their prejudices have been allayed
and they established in the truth.

For this and other kindred objects the " Zion's Watchman" was issued,
and we feel thankful to our Heavenly Father, that in no very small decree
it has accomplished that end. Its influence has been felt, not only anion I
the Saints, but also throughout every ramification of society, for being widely
and gratuitously circulated, it has thus been read by all classes in these co-
lonies, and has thus been instrumental of much good.

The gratuitous circulation of the " Watchman," and the heavy expenses
under which it is published, has caused us to struggle under great pecuniary
difficulties. We thank such of the Saints, as have rendered us assistance
in bearing its expenses, and pray that our Heavenly Father may bless and
prosper them : such as have not assisted, we exhort to greater faithfulness
and dilligence in obeying counsel ; we say to all Saints, lay aside all selfish
feelings and worldly-mindedaess, and freely contribute of your substance for
the rolling forth of the work of the Lord, aid we say unto you, in the name,
of the Lord, that inasmuch as you shall obey our counsel, you shs U be HleJssl
spiritually and temporally, and that to your own astonishment.

Our counsel to all the Elders in these colonies is, to preach the first prin-
ciples of the gospel in all simplicity, walking before the Lord witS a meek and
humble spiiit, enforcing the principles you preach, by a pure and holv hil\
Watch and pray lest you be entangled in the wiles of the adversary, and <'{">
that which will bring reproach on the work of the Lord, and disgrace you,
before him and His servants. Let all be subject to die counsel of those set

154

over them, and the Lord shall bless your labors, provide for your wants, and
cause your hearts to rejoice and be glad.

To the Saints we say, constantly bear in mind your high and holy calling,
lay aside all trifling and bickerings, let every family be set in order ; go not
out of your dwellings in the morning, nor lay yourselves down at night, with-
out commending yourselves and "families into the hands of the Lord. Sustain
by your faith and prayers the Authorities of the Church in your midst,
yeilding a ready obedience to their counsel, and the Lord will bless you with
His spirit. *"* '

To the poor Saints we say, lay aside every degree of extravagance, let
your wants be few and simple, and only such as are necessary ; let every-
thing be managed with economy and prudence, laying aside all you can fcr
gathering; if you are faithful and diligent in doing your part, the Lord will'
do His, and you will be gathered; — bear in mind that it is the faithful Saints
that the Lord will gather.

Let all the Saints in the colonies, excepting the American Elders, and
such as shall receive private counsel to act otherwise, prepare to flee to
Zion. Let all whose circumstances will permit commence to arrange their
affairs, so that they may be ready to go in the next co.npany, which will
leave about April next. Our counsel is that all who can do so, should
gather up at that time ; — let the Saints obey this counsel and they shall be
blessed. We would remind them that the time is very short when the
difficulties in the way of gathering will be much greater than at present; for
there is a day of darkness, trouble, and affliction hovering over these lands.

It makes our hearts rejoice to learn of the prosperity of the work of the
Lord throughout the land ; new fields of labor are opening calls for preaching
from different places ; it is strictly true in reference to the work in these
colonies that the harvest is great and the laborers few; and we pray that
the Lord may raise up more laborers.

We were, during the first twelve months, materially aided in rolling forth
the work, and in ruling and guiding the Church in these lands, by the wis-
dom, zeal, energy and perseverance of Elder W. Hyde, who was appointed
first counsellor by the Authorities in Zion, who in consequence of ill-health
1 returned home in April last, Elder J. W. Fleming succeeded him, Elder B.
Frost taking the place of the second counsellor.

We hope continually to possess the confidence and prayers of the Saints,
that we may with an undeviating integrity of purpose, do the will of the Lord,
and that whilst we are in the world, we may be kept from the evil thereof,
so that we may be constantly clothed upon with His spirit, and be qualified
on ail occasions to do the work that He hath given unto us. May peace, love,
and union greatly prevail, and the salvation of Israel's God attend His
Saints in these lands. Amen.

AUGUSTUS FARNHAM,
JOSEPH W. FLEMING,
BURR FROST.

'J 5 *

■2 <U O

THE HALF-YEARLY CONFERENCE OF THE CHURCH OF
JESUS CHRIST, OF LAITER-DAY SAINTS, HELD IN
THE OLD ASSEMBLY ROOMS, KING STREET, SYDNEY,
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1st, 1854.

PRESENT

Elder Augustus Farnham, President of the Australasian Mission.

155

Elder Josiah W. Fleming, his first counsellor.

Travelling Elders, James Graham, John S. Eldridge, John M'Cartby,
William Cooke.

Sydney Branch, John Jones, President, and William Robb and Robert
Evms his counsellors.

Hunters River, John Penfold.

The Services were ooened with a prelude on the Harmonian, by Professor
Nixo-, late from London. When the 1 03rd Hymn was su ig.

" Come Holy Spirit Heavenly dove ;■" Prayer by Elder J. W. Fleming.

Sung " Awake ye that slumber arise from the dust."

Elder John Jones then deckrid the Meeting opened for the transaction of
business, when it was moved, seconded and carried, that Elder Jones be the
clerk of the conference.

It was moved, seconded and carried, that Elder Augustus Farnham pre-
side at this conference.

It was then moved, seconded and carried, that Elder J. Jones be receiv-
ed and sustained as President of the Sydney Branch, and W. Robb and R.
Evans as his counsellors.

It was moved, seconded and carried, that we receive and sustain Elder A.
Farnham as President of the Australian Mission, and J. W. Fleming and
B. Frost as his counsellors.

The President then said that there had been some deaths among the au-
thorities of the church in Zion, and it was not positively known who had suc-
ceeded to the vacancies thus made, therefore the receiving and sustaining all
the authorities of the Church, will be embraced in one resolution.

It was then moved, seconded and carried, that we receive and sustain Brig-
ham Young as President of the Church of Jesus Christ throughout the
world, and as our Prophet, Seer and Revelator in Israel, also that we receive
and sustain his counsel, and all ahe authorities of the Church in Zion and
throughout the world.

The President next called for the report of the travelling Elders :

Elder J. W. Flening rose and said that he had been travelling in company
with J. S. Eldridge, immediately after last conference we proceeded up the
S. W. section, visiting Penant Hills, Windsor, Richmond, Pitt Town, calling
at Camden, were we baptized one, after which we returned to Sydney, when
after spending half a day, we proceeded to the Hnnters River. We have
since then been travelling in that section, visiting Newcastle, Maitland, Hun-
ter's River district, Clarence Town, Allen River, preaching at each of these
places.

We found in that section 42 members, all in good standing save one ; we
have also baptized 24, the total number of members are 66.

The work of the Lord in that, section is prosperous, prospects are good,
for many are believing, calls are being made for preaching, even from the
head of the Allen River. The Lord has blessed us, the way has opened up
before us, our ministrations have not failed in one instance, and we have not
lacked fcr anything.

Elder James Graham being called upon, said, Beloved brethren and friends,
I am glad of the privilege of standing before you, have been travelling ih
the district of the Five Islands, before brother M'Carthy left, we baptised
two, since then, there has been three more baptized, several others are be-
lieving. It seems that the Lord has set his hand to do a work in that plr.ee,
and I am helping him all I can.

Elder John M'Carthy being called, said, that he had been travelling in the

156

district of the Five Islands, but found that field too narrow for two men to
travel in, so I returned to Sydney, through Liverpool, Smithfield, Para-
matta, preaching at each place, but the people are very dark, not disposed
to receive the truth. Since then I have been travelling, visiting different
persons, especially the clergy, leaving with them pamphlets on the doctrines of
church, have also been visiting and preaching at North Shore, where I have
baptized tvo, they appear to be good Saints, and are present with us, there
are others there who will obey the gospel.

Elder W. Cooke being called, said, it is with peculiar feelings that I stand
before you to represent the Victoria conference.

This I do at the request of Elder Frost the President of that conference,
there has been 22 baptisms since last report. There are five Branches con-
taining 51 members, Seventy, 1 High Priest, 5 elders, 2 priests, 1 teacher. It
is 15 months since I arrived here from California, and was baptized for the
remission of my sins, and having received the Holy Ghost, by the laying on of
hands I was enabled on the following Sunday to testify to the truth of this
work, I was ordained an Elder and sent forth to preach the gospel, I proceeded
to Melbourne where I found Elder Frost who was, and is doing his utmost to
spread the work ; he has peculiar difficulties to contend with, more so perhaps
than you have here, for the reason that the love of money has greater influence
there than here, and it is also a younger colony, which causes the population to
be more scattered, so that there are greater difficulties in the way of the saints
gathering together, and of transit from one place to another, here you may jump
into a coach or steamboat and visit the different fields of labour, while if he
wants to visit any of the branches there, he must put his swag on his back and
tramp it on foot. Before I came away there was a conference held at Castle-
maine, but on account of these obstacles many could not attend ; yet the work
ol the Lord is rolling forth, President Frost sent Elder M'Knight to the new
diggings to see if any opening could be made there, he returned and Elder
Simons has been appointed on a mission to the Avoca diggings.

Elder Cooke also stated that a letter had been received from Elder Paul,
Smith, who is labouring at Geelong, which shewed that he was gaining influ-
ence amongst that people, had hired the Masonic Hall to preach in, and was
doing all he could to lay before them the principles of eternal life and sal-
vation.

The President rose and said that he had received a letter from Adelaide,
the news from that place was cheering, for the Lord was blessing his ser-
vants with much of His spirit, there had been a public discussion on the
principles of the gospel, the question being put to the vote at the close of the
meeting the decission was given in favour of the Elders. They had just
concluded a conference at which several were called to the Holy priesthood,
and new fields of labour appointed. There had been 19 baptized during the
last quarter, there was in that conference 1 seventy, 1 H. P., 2 Elders, 3
Priests, 2 Teachers, 45 members, total 54.

We see, that the work does not take very deep hold in the cities, as it is
here, so we find it to be in Melbourne and Adelaide, the increase is princi-
pally in the country districts, where the people are less priestridden, we find
that in the various fields of labour there has been 72 baptized during the
past quarter, and information has been received of several families that are
waiting to be baptized, there are also some ready in this city.

The President then called upon the clerk to read the following letters re-
ceived from Elder William Hyde. He also stated that he had received a
letter from Mr. Ponr1, owner of the Julia Ann, which would appeal* in the
columns of the Watchman.

157

igimd Corresjpptaia.

San Pedro, June 12th, 1854.
Beloved President Farnham,

I improve the first opportunity of informing you of our passage and safe
arrival in this place, on board the barque ''Julia Ann." We sailed from
Newcastle, as you are aware, on the 22nd of March ; the breeze on our set-
ting off was excellent, and for several days our speed was at the rate of ten
knots per hour ; at first there was considerable sickness among the passen-
gers, as was to be expected ; but this, as also the measles, which were with
us when we started, soon wore away. On the 29th Sister Allen gave birth
to a son, and all got along well. We had then a strong breeze which con-
tinued to increase, and by the 5th, 6th and 7th augmented to a gale, and our
way was on the mountain wave, but our gallant barque bore us proudly and
safely over it. Sister Allen, who had taken a slight cold, was by my ad-
vice taken into the cabin, where she was faithfully watched over for a week,
when she thought herself able to return to her own room, and was permitted
to do so. On the 16th of April we put into Huaniea, an Island of the
Society group, about thirty leagues westward of Otahita, our object was to
take in a fresh supply of water. The heat of the sun was intense, and had a
great effect upon Sister Allen. On the 17th, at twelve o'clock, she was
found running very low, and so sudden was her relapse, that at sunset her
■life n as despaired off, on the 1 8th, at nine o'clock, she died, or rather fell
asleep, as it appeared to those who were watching over her. She was buried
in a respectable manner, at twelve o'clock, the 19th, I delivered a short dis-
course on the occasion, the scene was truly impressive, and every possible
respect was shown by the officers and all on board, as soon as the funeral
service was over, we again hoisted sail and put to sea, all in as good spirits
as could be expected under existing circumstances. We had preaching every
sabbath, and prayers every night and morning, and felt that the Lord was
with us. On the 9th of May we came in vie>v of two or three of the Sand-
wich Islands, and on the 10th were alongside Owhyhee, and sent a boat to
the shore for a supply of fresh provisions, while there, I learned that Brothers
Cannon and Snider were on the Island, but I had no opportunity of getting
any particular news, I left a letter for them, and a few numbers of the " Zion's
Watchman," after a detention at that place of about twenty-four hours, we
again pursued our course to the best advantage the wind would permit. The
north-east trades continued up to their highest latitude, at which point we
came in contact with adverse winds, which drove us to the north and west,
to Latitude 43, Longtitude 164, our place of destination being in Latitude 33,
Longtitude 118, after reaching the above named point, the \\ ind turned in our
favour, and we again began to near our anxiously wished for port of destina-
tion. You will see by dates that the first part of our passage was performed
in excellent time, and the last half does not change my views of the sailing
qualities of the vessel, as no vessel can make a speedy passage with the winds
dead a head, as before stated, our meetings were kept up every salsbath, and
generally once or twice during the week, and what is gratifying to me, scmj
three or four who never before heard the gospel, have become fully convinced
of its truth, amongst whom is the first mate. The officers generally, lave
shown us every kindness I could reasonably look for. The saints as a general
thing have been quick to listen to my instructions, for which my soul Feels to
bless them. Sisters Staply and Bryant have lately remarked to me, they were

158

told before leaving Australia, they would not be able to endure the fatigues of
the journey, but they could not see but they enjoyed as good health, and
were just as happy on the vessel as when at home, and much more so in antici-
pation of soon bein numbered with the saints in Zion.

Relative to the return of the vessel to Sydney, Mr. Pond is still of opini-
on, he will perform the trip in seven months from the time we sailed, and
should there be a company of saints in readiness, I do not think the chances
will be very frequent for rinding a vessel on this trade, where the same num-
ber of passengers can be accommodated. I have written this on board the
vessel, and have no particular news, save such as relates to our voyage, my
health has been improving during the entire passage, and if ever a person was
truly grateful, I think I am. Mr. Pond will be either the bearer of this, or
forward it to you, from San Francisco. The saints all unite with me in love
to you, and all those they have left behind ; Sisters Lilly and, Geordge who
sailed from Sydney, are well. Don't forget my kind regard to all the brethren
of the Mission, and may the Lord whose servant you are, bless you and all
the saints, with much of his spirit, and with every desirable favour, is the
sincerest ddsire of your ever faithful friend and brother in the cause of truth,

WILLIAM HYDE.

p.S — I have just been on shore and find by a letter left for me that Elder
C. C. Rich has just left here on his way from San Francisco for San Ber-
nadino, that he had got the news in San Francisco of this company's being
on the way, and has left directions for our course of proceedings, all of which
is truly satisfactory to us. All is well in San Bernadino, heavy crops com-
ing in, sah-.ts gathering from the upper country, &c.

San Francisco, July 7, 1854.
Elder Augustus Far^ham,
Dear Sir,
I send by the "Fanny Major" a letter placed in my hands by your friend
and brother William Hyde : doubtless he has given you particulars of our
voyage, which was a protracted and tedious one. We arrived at Huainea,
one of the S ?ciety Islands, in 22\ days, the quickest trip on record ; but
barnacles and grass there gathered on the bottom of the vessel, which affect-
ed her soeed very materially. We had a succession of head winds for some
fifty days. I shal take in a cargo of timber and return at once to Sydney,
and should be glad then to make a i other passenger engagement with you,
and do hope that another trip may prove more expiditious and successful than
our last. I hope to be with you about 1st of October.

Yours, very respectfully,

B. F. POND.

The President said he was glad that, with the exception of Sister Allen,
the company ha.l arrived safe at San Pedro, you are well aware, that the pa-
pers a: e continually teeming with reports against the Saints, false and slan-
derous reports were circulated in reference to that company ; but I know
that if Mr. Pond, the owner of the "Julia Ann," and Captain Davis, and
the Pi r;er were here, they would each certify, as they did at the time
of departure, that they never saw business more correctly and expeditiously
transacted, than was the business pertaining to the shipment of that company,
and they also stated that they never saw a company that were so easy to be

159

governed, by the voice of one man as that company of Saints were, who,
they remarked, were always ready to hear and obey my counsel, and I
never transacted business with three persons, v.ho conducted themselves so
gentlemanly as did the three here alluded to, and by reference to the letter
just read it will be seen that they maintained that character throughout their
dealing with the Saints. The same order is observed every \ ; ere by the
Saints when they gather, for they act according to the order given by reve-
lation.

The Saints can read and understand that order. It is our business to do
every thing correctly according to its requirements. It rejoices me much to
hear of their safe arrival anel of the kind treatment they received from the
officers of the vessel, she is daily expected in Port, when I shall endeavour
to contract for her return in April next to take another company, and if the
company should be too numerous for the Julia Ann I shall endeavour to
arrange with the same owner for a larger vessel.

There is likely to be a great change here in reference to gathering, fcr I
have received letters from Melbourne, Adelaide, and the Cape of Gccd
Hope, seeking counsel on this subject, and if it should appear, when all -things
are duly considered, that it will be cheaper and better to sail from this port ;
then this place will become the point from which the Saints in these places
will proceed across the Pacific. This would cause the gathering to possess
a deeper and more important interest to this place.

In the Great Salt Lake movements are very peculiar at this time, more
so than at any other, 90 brethren have been called to go on missions among
the Lamanites, they are also establishing different branches as gathering places,
one near St. Louis, in Missouri, the great mobecratic state, another in Ohio a
short distance from the Kirtland Temple, another in St. Jose, California Mis-
sionaries are being sent to find an Island to which the Islanders can flee from
tyrany, which they can possess anel have their own laws to govern them.

The work is rolling forth with greater power and influence than ever.

There is something remarkable about to take place, when the servants of
the Lord are sent to those places were the gospel was first preached, and
were it was rejected, according to the scriptures there must be a binding up
of the law and a sealing up of the testimony, yes there is something remark: -
11? at hand, when the gospel is sent among the Lamanites who have a tradi-
tion of the book of Mormon, that book, that the learned look upon with so
much indifference and esteem as a novel. When that people know that it
is the good book that b: longed to them, (their fathers) and which has le.cn
so long lost, their confidence in it will be strong ; then will this work roll
forth with greater power and will continue to increase in power until truth
and righteousness are established.

It is intended to appoint a mission to New Zealand. It belongs to me to
open the gospT in that place, Elder William Cooke will accompany me. I
feel a great interest in that mission. The Lord has many chosen ones on
those Islands, the gospel must be preached to all, the world has to be warned,
otherwise it cannot be condemned. This mission has got to be sustained
and furnished vith means, my desire is to do the work of Cod not to gra-
tify my own feelings. This mission has presented itself before me with deep
interest from the first, but I have never until now, seen my way clear in re-
reference to it.

When the Lord calls I must obey.

It was moved, and secondeel and carried, that the mission to New Zea-
land, be sustained and furnished with means.

160

The President next presented the Hunters River District, and said that
the Saints there were scattered, and were not organized. It was necessary
that they should be organized and have a president to watch over them.

It was moved, seconded and carried, that Elder John Penfold be the Pre-
sident of the Hunter's River Branch, also that brother Jesse C. Penfold be
called to the office of an Elder to assist the president, and that brother G.
Hunter be the Priest of said branch.

Sang the 5th Hymn, — " Great is the Lord it is good to praise."

Benediction by Elder J. Jones.

Meeting adjourned until 3 p. m.

Conference met pursuant to adjournment.

Meeting opened by singing the 32nd Hymn, "Jesus, from whom all bles-
sings flow."

Prayer by Elder J. Graham.

The President administered the sacrment, and addressed the Saints on the
necessity of unity, charity, obedience, in all things, showing that it was the
love of the truth that sustained the Saints, and gave them power over the
devil, also that the Melchesidec Priesthood was the power of God, by it we
should be perfected through suffering, until we receive a celestial glory.

Sang the 84th Hymn, "Come sound his praise abroad."

The President then gave covnsel for all the Saints in Australia except the
American Elders to prepare themselves according to the word of the Lord,
to leave this land for the land of Zion, about April next. He then called
upon Elder J. Jones to address the meeting. Sang the 173rd Hymn, " In
ancient days men feared the Lord."

It was moved, seconded and carried, that brother Joseph Ridges be called
to the office of an Elder, and brother Enoch Gurr to that of a Priest. Be-
nediction by President Farnham, adjourned until 7 p. m.

Conference 7 p.m. met pursuant to adjournment, meeting opened by singing
21st Hymn, " God moves in a mysterious way," &c.

Prayer by Elder J. Jones, Sang 63rd Hymn, " Happy is the man who
hears instruction's warning voice." Elder J. Graham addressed the meeting.
Sang the 54th Hymn, " Praise ye the Lord 'tis good to raise," Benediction
by Elder J. W. Fleming, adjourned until Monday morning at h past 10
o'clock A. M.

Monday morning, Conference met at the office 103, Parramatta-street.

Meeting opened by prayer, by Elder J. W. Eldridge. The Saints were
addressed by several Elders, during which much instruction and counsel w as
given, and we were greatly blessed by the influence of the spirit of the Lord.

A council of male members was called for the evening, Benediction by
Elder J. W. Fleming at \ past 7 p. m.

Meeting opened by prayer, by Elder J. Graham.

The meeting was addressed by the President and Elders, Fleming and
Jones, after which brothers Joseph Ridge and Jesse C. Penfold were ordained
to the Elders office, E. Gurr to that of a Priest, and brother Peter Penfold
to the office of a Teacher, for the Hunter's River Branch, Benediction by
Elder J. Jones, Meeting adjourned until | past 7, Tuesday evening.

Minting opened by singing.

Prayer by Elder J. W. Fleming, after which a hymn was sung.

At the request of the President, the Clerk laid before the brethren, the
subject of the Perpetual Emigration Fund, the President following him on
the same subject, the meeting was also addressed by Elder J. W. Fleming.

161

It was then moved, seconded and carried, that the conference adjourn to
the first Sunday in January, 1855 ; Benediction by the President.

J. JONES, Clerk,
A. FARNHAM, President.

ELEVENTH GENERAL EPISTLE OF THE PRESIDENCY OF
THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY
SAINTS.

TO THE SAINTS IN THE VALLEYS OF THE MOUNTAINS, AND THOSE SCAT-
TERED ABROAD THROUJHOUT THE EARTH GREETING.

(From the "Deseret News," April 13. )

Beloved Brethren, — Ever feeling a deep and abiding interest in
the prosperity of Zion, and the advancement of our Redeemer's
Kingdom upon the earth,' and being also desirous of benefiting, cheer-
ing, and consoling the Saints in their warfare against the machina-
tions of Satan, and the power of the adversary, we feel to dedicate
unto you, a short time in delineating a few items of the history of the
past, our general warfare, intentions, desires, &c, for ) our edifica-
tion and instruction.

Since our last General Epistle, we have received intelligence of the
general success and spread of the Gospel of Christ, with few excep-
tions, wherever it has been preached ; which is cheering to our souls,
and causes our hearts to rejoice in the goodness of God towards our
fellow men, by inclining the honest in heart among the nations of the
earth, unto the truth as it is in Christ Jesus.

Prosperity has generally characterized all our efforts, both at home
and abroad ; and the work is making rapid progress throughout the
eai'tb. The Lord has opened the way before the Elders in foreign
countries, and upon the islands of the sea, in the most remarkable
manner. No mission has been appointed, "out the Elders appointed
to go have been able to reach their destination with little or no de-
lay ; and in ail, except Prussia and the West India Islands, been per-
mitted to remain and promulgate the Gospel in its fulness.

Brothers llosea Stout, James Lewis, and Chapman Duncan, re-
turned from the China mission, after having arrived at Hong Kong
and without effecting any impression, or establishing the standard of
truth in that mighty empire. This was owing to the disturbed state
of the country, which hindered them penetrating the interior, and ac-
quainting themselves with the manners, customs, and in some degree
the language of the people.

In the Sandwich Islands, under the superintendence of Elders Phi-
lip B. Lewis, George Q. Cannon, B. F.Johnson, and others, the work
has been eminently successful. By advices received from brothers
Lewis and Cannon, dated Honolulu, November 20th, 1853, we learn
that over three thousand had been baptized, and that native Elders

162

were engaged, heart and hand, in publishing the glad tidings which
are unto all people. The Mission, it is expected, will establish a press,
and publish in the native language, the Book of Mormon being trans-
lated and ready for publication.

In the Society group, persecution has continued to rage against the
Saints, insomuch that communication has measurably been cut
off, the American Elders having been obliged to leave ; they are, how-
ever endeavouring to again open communication with the natives,
many of whom, notwithstanding their persecution, continued, at last
advices, to teach as well as practice those principles of life and salva-
tion which they had formerly received from Elders Pratt and Grouard
and others, who had been sent among them. The brethren are ex-
ploring to find an island where they can gather together and live in
peace with each other, free from the pernicious influences that so un-
happily pervades them, in all their intercourse with foreigners, in
their present locations.

The Calcutta mission, under the superintendency of Elder N. V.
Jones, has been wonderfully preserved from the pestilence and tem-
pests peculiar to that region, while passing from place to place, in
the discharge of their various duties. The Elders have visited, from
this point, Ava, in the Burman Empire, Binapoic, Chinsurah, Madras,
and Ceylon, and it is expected that brothers Ludington and Savage
are now at Siam. Elders Eindiay, West, and Dewey are at Bom-
bay, and Elder Willis has been labouring in the Northern Provinces
of India.

Elder Jesse Haven was, at last advices, at Cape Town, where he
had made a small beginning with good prospects.

In Europe the xMissions have all been successful, with the exception
of the I'russian. In Germany, France, and Italy, the work is slowly
but surelv progressing. The Book of Mormon has been translated
and published in the "Welsh, German, French, Italian, and Dutch
languages. No death among the foreign mission has been heard of
except that of Willard Snow, who died on board of ship, sailing from
Copenhagen to Hull, on the 25th of August, 1853.

The Elders appointed to go to the West India Islands, remained
there but a short time, as their presence seemed to be regarded in
rather an unfavourable light by the authorities. They, together with
those appointed to Briiish Guiana, sailed for the United States, where
with the exception of Elijah Thomas, who returned last fall, they have
been labouring.

Elder Orson Pratt is still at the City of Washington, publishing
the '' Seer," but will return this season ; as also will Elder S. W.
Richards, now presiding in Great Britain, and II. S. ELdirdge, Pre-
sident at St. Louis.

Elders Lvman and Rich are still at San Bernardino, presiding
over that Stake, which is said to be in a flourishing condition. The
remainder of the Twelve Apostles have been laboring, since our last,
in this territory, through the various settlements, as duty seemed to
require.

163

On the 15th of November, a company raised by brother Orson
Hyde left for Green River County, and have settled'on Smith's Fork
at a place they call Fort Supply. The settlement consists of about
one hundred efficient men.

There have also been considerable accessions to the various set-
tlements south, in accordance with the instructions given at last Con-
ference.

On the 16th of October, the main company of Faints, emigrating by
the aid of the Perpetual Emigrating Fund company, arrived in good
health, having accomplished the journey across the plains without
accident, or any material loss, except cattle.

On the 25th of the same month, the Valley of the great Salt Lake
was covered with snow, but the weather continued mild thereafter,
until about the 10th of January, since when, until about the 18th of
March, we have had pretty constant cold or stormy weather — the
thermometer at times ranging nineteen degrees below Zero.

On the 8th of November, Captain Morris, with his command, and
the remainder of the lamented Captain Gunnison's Pacific Railroad
Exploring party, arrived in this city; since when they have remain-
ed here waiting for orders, and for the season to open, until the 4th
day of April, when they left to resume their explorations.

During the winter, common schools have been taught in the vari-
ous wards ; also, evening schools for lectures, and the acquisition of
various languages. Elder P. P. Pratt has taught the Spanish, D. B.
Hunth gbn the Utah and Shoshone dialects; he has also published
a form or dictionary of a collection of Indian words and phrases, in
each of those. languages, for the benefit of the young learner. There
have been regular meetings in all the Wards and Quorums, which
have b:cn very regularly attended.

The Regency have formed a new Alphabet, which it is expected
will prove highly beneficial, in acquiring the English language, to
foreigners, as well as the youth of our country. We recommend it
to the favourable consideration of the people, and desire that all of
our teachers and instruct rs will introduce it in their schools and to
their classes. The Orthography of the i nglish language needs re-
forming— a word to th- wise is sufficient.

1 )n the 5th February, the Seventies held their quarterly Conferenc?,
in the Social Hall, which, although the weather was very stormy, was
wrell attended, and continued two days. During this meeting,' three
new Quorums were organized — *he 37th, 38th, and 39th.

The Wall around the Temple Block has advanced considerably
since our last Epistle ; the stone and adobie work, except the ccping
and gates, being completed on two and a half sides.

The City Wall is also fast progressing, and it is expected will be
finished the present season. Many of the settlements have secured
themselves by foiling in ; but much remains to be done. It i.< desira-
ble, and we urge it upon all the Saints, to not cease their vigilance,
nor their exertions, until their defences are completed. Although the

164

Indians are quiet, and have been for several months, yet we have no
assurance that they will remain so ; it therefore becomes necessary
for your temporal salvation and the quiet of the territory, that you
should be prepared for any emergency that may arise.

We tell all the Saints in the valleys of the mountains, in the name
of Israel's God, if you do not better observe the counsel which is
given, and comply with the requirements of your leaders, you will
suffer loss, the natural consequence of disobedience. The Lord wi.l
have a people who will do His bidding, who will comply with Hi&
reasonable requirements. If not willingly, they may expect to be chas-
tised; for the Lord is not to be trifled with alter pouring out His
blessings of intelligence in floods of light by revelation of principles
pure and holy, of deliverance from oppression and mobocracy, and
unequalled prosperity in peace and quietness.

From henceforth let one and all go forth with one accord and build
their forts, wall in their cities and villages, herd and guard their cat-
tle and other property and keep their guns and ammunition hi good
order and convenience, ready for instant use ; and then, when thus
prepared and ready at all points to ward off danger, to defend your-
selves, and continually guarded against surprise, and you meet the
Indians, treat them civilly, friendly ; endeavour to get speech with
and treat with them in a friendly manner ; seek to gain their good
will, and induce them from their hostility, their savage and warlike
feelings, their propensities for theft, shedding of blood, and plunder,
and to follow the pursuits of peace and civilization. They, as well as
ourselves and all others, are in the hands of God. Let us do our
duty, and all will be well. Let us also exert ourselves to save Israel,
not destroy them, for the promises concerning them will be fulfilled.

On the 12th of December the Legislative assembly of Utah Ter-
ritory organized in the State House of this city ; and after holding
the usual session, passing laws upon various subjects, and adopting
various memorials to Congress, adjourned, having accomplished what
business came before them.

Among the most important of their acts will be found " An act re-
gulating herd grounds and herdsmen," and a law authorizing the
construction of a canal from Utah Lake, or the outlet thereof above
the rapids, to Great Salt Lake, a distance of about 40 miles, which,
when completed, will furnish water for irrigating many thousand acies
of ground land, which otherwise would remain comparatively useless.
The Legislature also memorialized Congress for a National Railroad
across the Continent ; and on the 31st of January there was a pub-
lic meeting held in the Tabernacle, which was very numerously at-
tended, spirited and enthusiastic in its proceedings; the Memorial
of the Legislature was adopted, as well as a series of Resolutions
expressive of their feelings in relation to that important subject.

The law concerning herding is of the more importance to us, as a
people to be observed, as the natural wealth of the country, which
consists in grazing, induces heavy investments in stock growing.

165

This fills our valleys with stock, which, too often ranging without
proper herding, is often lost, and is liable to be stolen by Indian or
white thieves: consequently not only lost to the owner, but actually fur-
nishes inducements and temptations to the natives, who are truly ig-
norant, and know no better than to commit crime. For generations
and centuries they have held and taught their children, that to be
successful in robbery, thieving, and war, was the path to glory, the
road to influence and power. How then can we expect them to re-
frain, when they have the opportunity, from taking our stock ? Let
us act wisely and take care of our stock and property, and not tempt
them to take it by giving such ample opportunity by neither guard-
ing nor herding it. It is like throwing irresistible temptations in
their way.

On the 9th of November, the Indians burned six houses at Sum-
mit Creek; and on the 23rd of November, news arrived of their hav-
ing burned a saw-mill near Manti ; and on the 6th of January the
place called Alfred's Settlement, which was evacuated last summer,
was burnt to the ground.

On the 26th day of February, eighty head of cattle were driven
from Spanish Fork and Springville settlements.

These are the last depredations that we have heard of being com-
mitted. And we now say, that every solitary instance of Indian hos-
tility and depredation has been committed through neglect, disobedi-
ence of orders, carelessness, or disregarding the counsel which has
been given from time to time. Brethren, when will you be wise, and
follow in the precepts of wisdom? Must you first be destroyed and
wasted away like unto the Nephites, or will you hearken unto coun-
sel in time to save yourselves and your families, your flocks and your
birds from destruction?

Having received advices that Indian Walker was friendly dispose d
and wished to make peace, Major Bedell, Indian Agent foi" this Ter-
ritory, and Interpreter Huntington, accordingly went to Fillmore, the
place fixed by him, and his band, to meet them, and concluded a
treaty of peace. But let no person presume thereby to fall asleep,
lulled into a false security, to be awoke only by the warwhoop of the
merciless savage.

VI e have also learned that some friendly Indians at Pe teet-nete
have finally succeeded in finding some of the cattle which were driven
from Spanish Fork on the 28th day of February, and actually re-
turned some 25 head of them — the remainder having been killed.

It is proper to state, that many of these depredations, in fact nearly
all of them, have been committed in the absence of Walker and Ar-
rowpine, and witho.»t their knowledge or consent. It is known that
he was hostile in his feelings, but many of his men were much more
so, and he found it impossible longer to restrain them.

it was not Walk r nor his band who massacred Captain Gunnison
and party, but a band of the U talis called Pahvantes, with whom they
had no communications at the time, and who had been uniformly

166

friendly previous thereto, although they were, at the time of that un-
fortunate occurrence, actually gathering to come against the settle-
ment at Fillmore, to retaliate upon them the murder of one of their
own men, by a company of California emigrants, who passed through
their country a few days previous.

During the Indian troubles of the past season, Elder George A.
Smith tus been very active; and to his influence and until ing exer-
tions may be attributed the execution of those prompt and energetic
measures which so suddenly placed the sett ements in a comparative
state of security. VV'e now most sincerely hope and trust that they
will profit by the lessons of the past season, and hereafter not depart
from the observance of those precepts which their experience has so
fully illustrated were fraught with wisdom, and were for their safety
and preservation.

The crops of grain and vegetables were generally good, and were
tolerably well preserved ; and it is presumed, notwithstanding so large
an immigration, that there will, with proper economy, be sufficient
to carry us safe through to another harvest. It is an evident truth
that more grain should be raised. The constant influx of people
from all quarters ; the demands of the Indian tribes for bread, and
the almost certain prospect of approaching thousands to our bordtrs,
bids us prepare for the future. Food for man and beast, is the cry ;
food for unnumbered millions who ere long will be pouring upon us
like doves to the windows ; food for a famishing world, spiritual and
temporal ; are the drafts we may expect to have to pay.

Then prepare; fill up your minds with knowledge and wisdom,
and your storehouses with grain ; raise and preserve your stock ; raise
your own wool and flax ; make your own leather ; and manufacture
your own clothing, soap, candles, oil, sugar, molasses, glue, combs,
brushes, glass, iron, and every olher article withiit your reach, and
save your money. In this way you will stop this great draining of
the precious metals from our midst, and be enabled to do more for the
spread of the Gospel, the gathering of Israel, the building upofZion,
and erecting a holy Temple unto the God of Jacob.

Brethren, pay your tithing ; and pay it in such a manner too, as
shall 1)3 of some benefit; as will avail something towarcs promoting
the work of the last days. To him who thinks^ if lie can only ob-
tain a credit upon the books, whether he does anything or not; who
indolently passes his time for the privilege of drawing pay, but feels
no interest in the work, or who grudgingly, penuriousiy settles and
compromise? with his own covetous soal whether to pay anything—
to all such we say, you are mistaken if you consider that such oii'er-
ings are acceptable in the sight el God ; you might as well, aye, far
better, keep away, than thus expose your lialf-hej^rted, selfish spirit.
It is too much like the hypocritical cant of tiie day, to get a great deal
of credit for doing- nothing.

Brethren, it is our counsel to you, to pay your tithing, to pay your
debts to the Perpetual Emigrating Fund Company, and make your
consecrations in a spirit of liberality, and with a willing heart.

167

Bishops, we have a word of counsel to you. You are the fathers
of the poor, and stewards in Israel. Lend your efficient aid in col-
lecting together the tithing and consecrations of the Saints; and see
that all is preserved and taken care of, and faithfully deposited in
the Storehouse of the Lord, and not diverted from its legitimate use.
True charity to a poor family or person consists in placing them in a
situation in which they can support themselves.

GENERAL INTELLIGENCE.

MORMON OPERATIONS IN CALIFORNIA.

Brigham Young, in his address to the Conference, says : — ''This leads me
to what I am now going 'to lay before the Conference ; and it will be an ex-
cellent text for the brethren to preach upon. I will lay a proposition before
this Conference for them to decide upon. That is, for us to select a man
and send him to Upper California : say, for instance, to Brother Horner's
ranch, to lay out a place for the gathering of the saints in that vicinity of the
world. Brother Amaza and Brother Rich have got a standard reared in
Southern California already. We will also send men to Oregon, from those
places, to preach the gospel, for many of those who have been chasing the
gilded butterfly, until they have run into the fire, andgotpretty well scorched
will be glad of the chance to forsake their follies and gather again unto the
Saints. We will also establish a place of gathering there. We also wish to
S3nd men to the United States to establish two or three locations there for
the gathering of the Saints. Then the English, Scotch, Welsh and German
Saints, as well as Saints from other nations of the old world, whose greatest
difficulty is to get waggons, teams, and provision, to cross the plains, when
they have saved a few shillings, can cross over the waters to one of these
gathering places, where they will be placed under the protection of a good
elder sent to take care of them. We have just as good a right to go back to
the United States to live, as any man has that lives there. This is what I
have to lay before the Conference, to be a text for a few short discourses.
We contemplate establishing a post in Ohio, and another in Missouri, as
gathering points, to gather the brethren to, who are scattered abroad in those
districts, and who may in the future come into them."
EXTENSIVE EMIGRATION OF MORMONITES FROM WALES.

The Emigration of Mormonites from the southern districts of Wales has,
during the past few weeks, been most extensive. Large bodies of these
deluded men have sold all they possessed and thrown the money into a
common fund. Their numbers embrace all classes, — one gentleman, an in-
habitant of Merthyr, in Glamorganshire, having contributed £2000, and
joined the brethren. Many wealthy members of the sect in the neighbour-
hood are selling all their property previous to departure. Upwards of 400
of the religionists, — one an old woman of eighty years, — have just left for
the Great Salt Lake City, having spent their last night in this country in
preaching, praying, singing, &c. The party left for Liverpool by the
Swansea train, having taken an aifecting xarewell of their old mountain hoiiies
and fatherland.

ARRIVAL OF MORMONITES FROM AUSTRALIA.

The Star says, fifty Mormon converts arrived by the Julia Ann, disem-
barked at San Pedro, to join the Saints at San Bernardion. They number
twenty-seven men and women, and twenty-three children — fir.it fruits of

168

Mormon missionary teaching in Australia. There must be very strong faith'
in these people ; but their conduct accords with that was related to us by
others at San Bernardino. We are told, among the fifty ara four women
who left their husbands and children, and husbands who left wives and fami-
lies, believing their salvation depends upon their joining the body of the
Church.

In that company there was one man who left his wife and all the property
he had with her, and she is preparing to follow him in the next company, and
as to the women one of them was a widow, whose husband was drowned
at Adelaide, the other was an unfortunate being, who had been tied in wedlock
to a drunken brutal husband who abused her so much that her constitution
was so much destroyed, she never had a family to leave. Why are the
world and especially Editors and persons so ready to speak evil of the Saints.

— Ed.W. general intelligence.

We have received three letters from Elder Jesse Havens, who is at the
Cape of Good Hope, dated respectively January 7th, 10th, June 23rd, 1H54..

On their arrival at Cape Town, they obtained the use of the Town Hall,
for the purpose of delivering Six Lectures, but after the first was delivered,
the doors were closed against them. They went to preach in another house,
but every time they attempted a mob assembled, and created so much
disturbance, that they were obliged to desist preaching, and see what they
cou'.d do by private conversation. Ministers of religion with one voice rose
up against them, telling their congregations not to receive them nor their
tracts, ministers threatening to dismiss their servants if they had any thing
to do with them. An opening was made about four miles from Cape Town,
and another about six.

Two branches have been organized at these places, they had forty-two bap-
tized members.

Elder Walker was labourning at Graham Town, and its vicinity. He had
baptized 7 at a place called " Fort Beaufort," Elder Smith was at Port Eli-
zabeth, he had baptized 3, and had a congregation of two or three hundred to
preach to every Sabbath. The first public meeting he had at this place, five
hundred assembled and broke it up, by throwing brickbats and potatoes, the
Magistrate of the Port interfered and informed the people publicly, that if
they interfered with Elder Smith he would punish them to the utmost ex-
tent of the law, this has given him an opportunity to lay the Gospel before
the people.

October 10th, Elder Robert Owens has just arrived here from Calcutta,
which City he left on the 25th of July, He informs us that the work is
closed there for the present, and that all the Elders were about leaving as
soon as they could get away. Being strangers to the Bengalee and Hindoo
tongues, they were not able to lay the principles of the Gospel befoie the
natives generally, and met with great opposition from the military Officers in
attempting to do so before those who understood the English language, who
are chiefly Soldiers, and others who are under military and missionary in-
fluence, and solely dependent on such influence for a living. They were
often told by the Officers, when forbid to preach, that so far as they were
conccrnec', they had no objections, but having received their orders from
those above them in authority, were they to permit it, it would be at the
cxpensj of their commissions.

Price Sixpence.
Edited and Published by A. Famham, Sydney.

THE ZION'S WATCHMAN,

PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE

Cfiurcfi of Seaug Cfirttt of Hatter^Sas <#amt£f,

IN SYDNEY.

HE THAT READETH LET HIM UNDERSTAND.

Nos. 22-23. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER, 15, 1854. Vol. I.

MO R MONISM.

{From the " Daily Atta California." )

About a hundred years since, philosophers congratulated them-
selves that they had finally " illuminated " civilized nations, and
that thereafter the success of religious imposters, pretending to
prophetic character by direct commission from heaven, would have
to be confined to the barbarous nations. And the congratulation
was not entirely unwarranted 5 one by one old superstitions, be-
ginning with the belief in ghosts, shrank back into their native
night. Year after year saw new light thrown upon science, history,
and religion.

The people of the United States were supposed to be possessed of all
the enlightment of the time, and nevertheless some twenty years
ago, Joe Smith did set up for a Prophet, in the United States, and
found such success as few of those acknowledged to have been
worthy of being considered Prophets have encountered. As has
happened to prophets in all ages, Joseph found but little favour in
his own country, and finally sealed with a martyr's blood the faith
which he taught, truly or falsely. A close investigation would
perhaps show that no founder of a religious belief has met with such
success, if all the circumstances be considered. Smith had nothing
to commence with save his talent. He had no education, no wealth,
no external aid, no propitious circumstances, not even a reputation.
He was looked upon as an idle, worthless fellow. He commenced
to teach a new doctrine, not against a weak, poetical mythology, or
a degrading idol worship, in dark ages among ignorant and credulous
people, but against a multitude of zealous Christian sects, among a
people strongly inclined to be incredulous.

And yet within twenty years Mormonism has grown to be con-
sidered one of the most important phases of existing religious belief,
numbers more than a hundred thousand believers among civilized
nations, and is spreading more rapidly, in proportion to its numbers,
than any other faith.

170

To account for this success is difficult. The best reason that can
be given is, that Smith's talent was equal to the task. The M ormon
Prophets would have lis believe* that the faith prospered because the
Lord looked upon it with favour ; but such reasoning would incline
us to believe that the Lord has favoured many different and incon-
sistent doctrines. The martyrdom of Smith, for such the execution
deserves to be called, could not have had much influence. There
was nothing in the Smith blood, or in any other human blood, which
could lend wisdom or success to plans formed long before.

Mormonism was successful before Smith died. The true religious
fervour had already taken possession of the majority of the believers
and Apostles of the new faith. How little ground for the faith it
boots us not to enquire ; the faith was sincere, and persecution could
not compel its surrender. By what magic power, by what kind of
political management, by what kind of church government Smith
gained and preserved his absolute power, it will be the duty of the
future historian to explain ; for as yet we have no book worthy of
the subject. Smith is said, by all who knew him, to have been a
man of wonderful talent. He was sociable, and even familiar with
all, even the' rudest of his followers ; plain, straightforward, and un-
ostentatious in his manners, exceedingly bold in his plans, ready in
his wit and conversation, a very able talker ; not an orator, but an
unsurpassable debater, speaking invariably to the point, and with
convincing clearness ; and sure to make himself master of the favour
of every person upon whom he exerted his powers.

Though many doubts might be entertained of Smith's talents,
upon the testimony of those who knew him personally, there is little
room for doubt, after Considering the harniony and success of his
system, when left to the care of others, long after his death. It isy
besides, clear that no ordinary man could have commanded implicit
obedience from such men as Brighaih Young, Sidney Iligdon, Orson
IT vile, and Parley Pratt.

When these men acknowledged their faith, the prospect of wordly
gain was but dim, and it was so distant that a keen eye was re-
quired to see its success; and since then, the path ol the Mormon
leaders has not been over a bed of roses. The supposition that
Smith and his apostles were concious of being impostors, is not
without its difficulties. Imposture is something which does not thrive
under dangers and difficulties. It seldom happens that aman will
seal a lie for its own sake with his blood ; and yet Smith did it. He was
in constant danger of losing his life from the time he arrived in
Missouri until he was shot in Illinois, yet he never swerved. He
might easily have modified his doctrines, and by bending a little
before' the storm, have adapted himself to t he circumstances, so that
the Mormons would have lived in peace, and himseli become, by the
natural influence of votes, a man of high political importance. He

171

might have made far more use of his povfrer, might have paraded
himself before the public, might have bowed before the political
parties; but his eye appeared too single to the government of his
followers and the success of the unadulterated Mormon doctrine.

The position of the Mormon leaders at present is one which most
imposters would shun. Brigham Young has shown no disposition
to bow before the majesty of the United States; aud we know what
will be the result if the same stiff-necked policy should continue to
prevail. Certain it is, that in no ease can the position of a leader of
the Mormons be a sinecure. Neither is the position of an Apostle a
very desirable one. There are many missonaries in these days, but
none are equal in devotion to the Mormons.

To call these men fanatics, fools, impostors, &c, is unwise, un-
consoling, unjust, and impolitic. Mormonism can be conquered, not
by force and contemptuous treatment, but only by mildness and fair
reasoning. Many doctrines quite as foolish as '• ormonism prevail.
The belief in the " Holy Coat of Ireves*," which found so many wor-
shippers in the heart of Europe a couple of vears since, wTas far more
foolish. The similarity of the treatment of the Mormons and the
early Christians is worthy of notice. The Christians, like the
Mormons, were charged with dishonesty and all abominable vices,
and the charges found general faith at a distance. It is quite
probable that some of the professed Mormons are thieves or worse;
but the falsehood of the charge as made against the sect bears the
falsehood upon its lront. Taeitus speaks of the Christians in terms
very similar to those used by a majority of the Americans in speaking
of the Mormons.

Into the future of Mormonism it is difficult to see, but it can safely
be said that, come what may, so long as the present organization is
preserved and the present leaders retain their power, Mormonism
must thrive. Utah, a territory fbur hundred and sixty miles long,
by three hundred and fifty wide, is under their control. Brigham
Young now holds his commission as Governor from the President of
the United States, and the appointment was politic and proper.
Difficulties may happen when the people apply for admission into the
Union as a State. Whether polygamy will be abandoned by the
Mormons or permitted by Congress- -will be the great question ;
for that is the great tangible objection to Mormon morality.

DEFENCE OF POLYGAMY.

BY A LADY OF UTAH, IN A LETTER TO HER SISTER IX
NEW HAMPSHIRE.

( From lite " Millennial Star." )

Great Salt Lake City, Jan. 12, 18;")-J.
Dear Sister. — Your letter of Oct. 2, was received on yesterday.
My joy on its reception was more than I can express. I had waited

172

*<> lung for your answer to our last, that I had almost concluded my
friends were offended, and would write to me no more. Judge, then,
of my joy when I read the sentiments of friendship and of sisterly
affection expressed in your letter.

We are all well here, and are prosperous and happy in our family
circle. My children, four in number, are healthy and cheerful, and
fast expanding their physical and intellectual faculties. Health,
peace, and prosperity have attended us all the day long.

It seems, my dear sister, that we are no nearer together in our
religions views than formerly. Why is this ? Are we not all bound
to leave this world, with all we possess therein, and reap the reward
of our doings here in a never ending hereafter1? If so, do we not
desire to be undeceived, and to know and to do the tru h '? Do we
not all wish in oui \ -?ry hearts to be sincere with ourselves, and to
be honest and frank with each other"?

If so, you will bear wiih me patiently, while I give a few of my
reasons for embracing, and holding sacred, that particular point in
the doctrine of the Church of the Saints, to which you, my dear
sister, together with a large majority of Christendom, so decidedly
object. 1 mean, a u plurality of wives."

I have a Bible, which 1 have been taught, from my infancy, to
hold sacred. In this Bible, I read of a holy man named Abraham,
who is represented as the friend of God, a faithful man in till things,
a man who kept the commandments of God, and who is called, in
the New Testament, the u father of the faithful." See James ii. 23.
Rom. iv. 10. Gal. iii. 8, 9, IP, 29.

I find this man had a plurality of wives, some of which were
called concubines. See Book of Genesis; and for his concubines,
see xxv. 6.

I also find his grandson Jacob possessed of four wives, twelve
sons, and a daughter. These wives are spoken very highly of, by
the sacred writers, as honourable and virtuous women. " these"
says the Scriptures, " did build the House of Israel."

Jacob himseli was also a man of God, and the Lord blessed him
and his house, and commanded him to be fruitful and multiply. See
Gfcnesis \\\. to xx\v., and particularly xxxv. 10, 11.

I find also that the twelve sons of Jacob, by these four wives,
became princes, heads of tribes. Patriarchs, whose names are had in
everlasting remembrance to all generations.

Now God talked with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob frequently ; and
His angels also visited and talked with them, and blessed them and
their wives and children. lie also reproved the sins of some of the
sons of Jacob, for hating and selling their brother, and for adultery.
But in all His communications with them, He never condemned their
family organization; but, on the contrary, always approved of it,
and blessed them in this respect. He even told Abraham, that He

173

would make him the father of many nations, and that in him and his
seed all the nations and kindreds of the earth should be blessed. See
Genesis xviii. 17 — 19; also xii. 1 — 3. In later years I tind the
plurality of wives perpetuated, sanctioned, and provided for, in the
law of Moses.

David the Psalmist not only had a plurality of wives, but the
Lord Himself spoke by the mouth of Nathan the Prophet, aud told
David, that He (the Lord) hath epven his master's wives into his
bosom ; but because he had committed adultery with the wife of
Uriah, and had caused his murder, He would take his wives and
give them to a neighbour of his, &c. See 2 Samuel, xii. 7 — 11.

Here, then, we have the word of the Lord, not only sanctioning
polygamy, but actually giving to king David the wives of his master,
(Saul,) and afterwards taking the wives of David from him, and
giving them to another man. Here we have a sample of severe
reproof and punishment for adultery and murder ; while polygamy is
authorized and approved by the word of God.

But to come to the New Testament. I find Jesus Christ speaks
very highly of Abraham and his family: he says, " Many shall
come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and
from the south, and shall sit dmvn with Abraham, isaa-, and
Jacob, in the kingdom of God." Luke, xiii. 28, 29.

Again, he said, " if ye were Abraham 's seed, ye would do the
works of Abraham.

Paul the Apostle, wrote to the Saints of his day, and informed
them as follows : " As many of you as have been baptized into
Christ have put on Christ ; and if ye are Christ's, then are ye
Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."

He also sets forth Abraham and Sarah as patterns of faith and
good works, and as the father and mother of faithful Christians, who
should, by faith and good works, aspire to be counted the sons of
Abraham, and daughters of Sarah.

Now let us look at some of the works of Sarah, for which she is
so highly commended by the Apostles, and by them held up as a
pattern for Christian ladies to imitate. " Now >arah, A brains
wife, bnre him no children ; and she had a handm/id, an Igyptian,
whose name was Hagar. And *arah said unto ' bram, behold
now, the Lord hath res' rained me froiv bearing; I prat/ thee go
in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children ly her.
And A bram hearkened unto the voice of Sarah. And >arafi,
Ab^ams ivife, took H agar her maid, the Egyptian, after Abram
had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, ant gave her to her
husband, Abram, to be his wife." See Genesis, xvi. 1 — 3.

According to Jesus Christ and the Apostles, then, the only way
to be saved is to be adopted into the great family of polygamists, by
the Gospel, and then strictly follow their examples.

e

174

Again, John the llcvclator describes the Holy City of the heavenly
Jerusalem, with the names of the twelve sons (if Jacob inscribed on
the gates. Rev. xxi. 12.

To sum up the whole, then, 1 find that polygamists were the
friends of God; that the family and lineage of a polygamist were
selected, in which all nations should be blessed ; that a polygamist is
named in the New Testament as the lather of the faithiul Christians
of alter ages, and cited as a pattern for all generations; that the wife
of a polygamist, who encouia.ed her husband in the practice of the
same, and even urged him into it, and officiated in giving him another
wife, is named as a honorable and virtuous woman, a pattern for
Chiistian ladies, and the very mother of all holy women in the
Christian Church, whose aspiration it should be, to be called her
daughters ; that Jesus Christ has declared, that the great fathers of
the polygamic family stand at the head in the kingdom of God : in
short, that all the saved of after generations should be saved by be-
coming members of a polygamic family ; that all those who do not
become members of it are strangers and aliens to the covenant of
promise, the commonwealth oi Israel, and not heirs according to the
premise made to Abraham ; that all people from the east, west, north,
or south, who enter into the kingdom, enter into the society of poly-
ganiists, and under their patriarchial rule and government ; indeed
no one can even approach the gates of heaven without beholding the
names of twelve polygamists. (the sons of four different women by
one man,) engraven in everlasting glory upon the pearly gales.

My dear sister, with the Scriptures belore me, I could never find
it in my heart to reject the heavenly vision which has restored to
man the fulness of the Gospel, or the Latter-day Prophets and
Apostles, merely because in this' restoration is included the ancient
law ot matrimony and of family organization and government, pre-
paratory to the restoration of all Israel.

But, leaving all Scripture, history, or precedent, out of the question,
let us come to nature's law. \\ hat, then, appears to be the great
object of the marriage relations? 1 answer — the multiplying of our
species, the rearing and training of children.

To accomplish this object, natural law would dictate, that a husband
should remain apart from his wile at certain seasons, which, in the
very constitution of the female, arc untimely. Or in other words,
indulgence should not be merely tor pleasure, or wanton desires, but
mainly for the purpose of procreation.

The mortality of nature would teach a mother, that, during nature's
process in the formation and growth of embryo man, her heart should
be pure, her thoughts and affections chaste, her mind calm, her
passions without excitement; while her body should be invigorated
with every exercise conducive to health and vigour ; but by no means
subjected to anything calculated to disturb, irritate, weary, or exhaust
a iy of its functions.

,

»

175

And while a kind husband should nourish, sustain, and comfort
the wife of his bosom, by every kindness and attention consistent
with her situation, and with his most tender affection ; still he should
refrain from all those untimely associations which are forbidden in
the great constitutional laws of female nature; which laws we see
carried out in almost the entire animal economy, human animals ex-
cepted.

Polygamy, then, as practised under the Patriarchal law of God,
tends directly to the chastity of women, and to sound health and
morals in the constitution of their offspring.

You can read, in the law of God, in your Bible, the times and cir-
cumstances under which a woman should remain apart from her
husband, during which times she is considered unclean ; and should
her husband come to her bed under such circumstances, he would
commit a gross sin both againtt the laws of nature, and the wise
provisions of God's law, as revealed in His word; in short, he would
commit an abomination ; he would sin both against his own body,
against the body of his wife, and against the laws of procreation,
in which the health and morals of Ins offspring are directly con-
cerned.

The polygamic law of God opens to all vigorous, healthy, and
virtuous females, a door by which they may become honourable
wives of virtuous men, and mothers of faithful, virtuous, healthy and
vigorous children.

And here let reie ask you, my dear sister, what female in all New
Hampshire would marry a drunkard, a man of hereditary disease, a
debauchee, an idler, or a spendthrift ; or what woman would become
a prostitute ; or on the other hand, live and die single ; or without
forming those inexpressibly dear relationships of wife and mother;
if the Abrahamic covenant, or Patriarchal laws of God, were extended
over your State, and held sacred and honourable by all ?

Dear sister, in your thoughtlessness, you enquire, " Why not a
plurality of husbands as well as a plurality of wives?" To which I
reply : 1st, God has never commanded or sanctioned a plurality of
hushands ; 2nd, " Man is the head of the woman" and no woman
can serve two lords; 3rd, Such an order of things would work
death and not life, or in plain language, it would multiply disease
instead of children. In fact, the experiment of a plurality of husbands,
or rather of one woman for many men, is in active operation, and has
been for centuries, in all the principal towns and cities of " Cristen-
rfow!" It is the genius of "Christian institutions" falsely so
called. It is the result of *' Mystery Babylon, the great whore of
all the earth" Or in other words, it is the result of making void
the holy ordinances of God in relation to matrimony, and introducing
the laws of Rome, in which the clergy and nuns are forbidden to
marry, and other members only permitted to have one wile This

176

law leaves females exposed to a life ot single "blessedness," with-
out husband, child, or friend to provide for or comfort them; or to a
life of poverty and loneliness, exposed to temptation, to perverted
affections, to unlawful means to gratify them, or to the necessity of
selling themselves ror lucre. While the man who has abundance of
means is tempted to spend it on a mistress in secret, and in a lawless
wav, the law of God would have given her to him as an honourable
wite These circumstances give rise to murder, infanticide, suicide,
disease, remorse, despair, wretchedness, poverty, untimely death,
with ail the attendant train of jealousies, heartrending miseries, want
ot confidence in tamilies, contaminating disease, &c. ; and finally, to
the horrible license system, in which governments, called Christian,
license their fair daughters, 1 wll not say to play tt»e beast, but to a
degradation far beneatli them ; for every species of the animal
creation, except man, retrain from such abominable excesses, and
observe in a great measure the laws ot nature in procreation.

1 again repeat, that nature has constituted the temale differently
from the male ; and for a different purpose. The strength of the
fern. de constitution is designed to flow in a stream of life, to nourish
and sustain the embryo, to bring it forth, and to nurse it on her
bosom. When nature is not in operation within her in these par-
ticulars, and for these heavenly ends, it has wisely provided relief at
regular periods, in order that hf.r system may be kept pure and
healthy, without exhausting the fountain of life on the one hand, or
drying up its river of lite on the other; till mature age, and an
approaching change ot worlds, render it necessary for her to cease to
be fruitful, and give her to rest awhile, and enjoy a tranquil life in
the midst of that family circle, endeared to her by so many ties, and
which may be supposed, at this period of her life, to be approaching
the vigour of manhood, and therefore able to comfort and sustain
her.

Not so with man. He has no such draw back upon his strength.
It is his to move in a wider sphere. If God shall count him worthy
of an hundred fold, in this life, of wives and children, and houses,
and lands, and kindreds, he may even aspire to Patriarchal sovereignty,
to empire ; to be the prince or head of a tribe, or tribes : and like
Abraham of old, be able to send forth, for the defence of his country,
hundreds and thousands of his own warriors, born in his own
house.

A noble man of God, who is full of the Spirit of the Most High,
and is counted worthy to converse with Jehovah, or with the Son of
God ; and to associate with angels, and the spirits of just men made
perfect; one who will teach his children, and bring them up in the
light of unadulterated and eternal truth ; is more worthy of a
hundred wives and children, than the ignorant slave of passion, or of
vice and folly, is to have one wife and one child. Indeed the God

177

of Abraham is so much better pleased with one than with the other,
that he would even take away the one talent, which is habitually
abused, neglected, or put to an improper use, and give it to him who
has ten talents.

In the Patriarchal order of family government, the wife is bound
to the law of her husband. She honors, "calls him lord,'1 even as
Sarah obeyed and honored Abraham. She lives tor him, and to in-
crease his glory, his greatness, his kingdom, or family. Her affec-
tions are centered in her God, her husband, and her children.

The children are also under his government, worlds without end.
" While life or thought, or being lasts, or immortality endures"
they are bound to obey him as their father and king.

He also has a head, to whom he is responsible. He must keep
the commandments cf God, and observe His laws. He must not
take a wife unless she is given to him by the law and authority of
God. He must not commit adultery, nor take liberties wiih any
women except his own, who are secured to him by the holy ordi-
nances of matrimony.

Hence a nation organized under the law of the Gospel, or in other
words, the law of Abraham and the Patriarchs, would have no insti-
tutions tending to licenciousness ; no adulteries, fornications, &c,
would be tolerated. No houses or institutions would exist for traffic
in shame, or in the life blood of our fair daughters. Wealthy men
would have no inducement to keep a mistress in secret, or unlawfully.
Females would have no grounds lor temptation in any such lawless
life. Neither money nor pleasure could tempt them, nor poverty
drive them to any such excess; because the door wrould be open for
every virtuous female to form the honorable and endearing relat.on-
ships of wife and mother, in some virtuous family, where love, and
peace, and plenty, would crown her Jays, and truth and the practice
of virtue qualify her to be transplanted with her family circle in that
eternal soil, where they might multiply their children, without pain,
or sorrow, or death ; and go on increasing in numbers, in wealth, in
greatness, in glory, might, majesty, power, and dominion, in worlds
without end.

O my dear sister ! could the dark veil of tradition be rent from
your mind/ could you gaze for a moment on the resurrection of the
just ! could you behold Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and their wives
and children, clad in the bloom, freshness, and beauty of immortal
Jiesh and bon s ; clothed in robes of fine, white linen, bedecked
with precious stones and gold ; and surrounded with an offspring of
immortals as countless as the stars of the firmament, or as the grains
of sand upon the sea shore : over which they reign as kings and
queens for ever and ever ! you would then know something of the
weight of those words of the sacred writer which are recorded in re-
lation to the four wives of Jacob, the mothers of the twelve Patriarch*,
namclv : '• these did build ihc house of Israel."

173

O that my dear kindred could but realize that they have need to
repent of the sins, ignorance, and traditions sf those perverted systems
which are misnamed " Christianity" and be baptized — buried in
the water, in the likeness of the death an I burial of Jesus Christ,
and rise to newness of life in the likeness of his resurrection ; receive
his spirit by the laying on of the hands of an Apostle, according to
promise, and forsake the world and the pride thereof. Thus they
would be adopted into the family of Abraham, become his sons and
daughters, see and enjoy for themselves the visions of the spirit of
eternal truth, which bear witness of the family order of heaven, and
the beauties and glories of eternal kindred ties ; for my pen can
never describe them.

Dear, dear kindred : reraamber, according to the New Testament,
and the testimony of an ancient Apostle, if you are ever saved in the
kingdom of God, it must be by being adopied into the family of pol-
ygamists — the family of the great Patriarch Abraham: for in his
seed, or family, and not out oi it, u shall all the nations and kindreds
of the earth be blessed "

You say you believe polygamy is " licenciousness ;" that it is
"abominable," "beastly ," &c. ; " the practice of the most barbarous
nations, or of the dark ages, or of some great or good men who were
left to commit gross sins." Yet you say you are anxious for me to
be converted to your faith ; and that we may see each other in this
life, and be associated in one great family in that life which has
no end.

Now in order to comply with your wishes, I must renounce the
Old and New Testaments; must count Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,
and their families, as licentious, wicked, beastly, abominable charac-
ters ; Moses, Nathan, David, and the Prophets, no better. I must
look upon the God of Israel as partaker in all these abominations, by
holding them in fellowship ; and even as a minister of such iniquity,
by giving king Sauls wives into king David's bosom ; and afterwards
by taking David's wives from him, and giving them to his neighbour.
I must consider Jesus Christ, and Paul, and John, as either living in
a dark age, as full of the darkness and ignorance of barbarous climes,
or else willfully abominable and wicked, in fellowshipping poly-
gamists and representing them as fathers of the faithful, and rulers in
heaven. I must doom them all to hell, with adulterers, fornicators,
&c , or else, at least, assign to them some nook or corner in heaven,
as ignorant persons, who, knowing but little, were beaten with few
stripes. While by analogy, I must learn to consider ihe Roman
Popes, clergy, and nuns, who do not marry at all, as formost in the
ranks of glory ; and those Catholics and Protestants who have but
one wife, as next in order of salvation, glory, immortality, and e-
ternal life.

Now, dear friends, much as I long to see you, and dear as you

179

are to me, 1 c;in never come to these terms. I feel as though the
Gospel had introduced me into the right family, into the right lineage*
and into good company. And besides all these considerations,
should ( ever become so beclouded with unbelief of the Scriptures
and heavenly institutions, as to agree with my kindred in New
Hampshire, in theory, still my practical circumstances are different,
and would I fear continue to separate us by a wide and almost im-
passable gulf.

For instance, I have, (as you see, in all good conscience, founded
on the word of God,) formed family and kindred ties, which are in-
expressibly dear to me, and which I can never bring my feelings to
consent to dissolve, I have a good and virtuous husband whom I
love. We have four little children which are mutually and inex-
pressibly dear to us. And besides this, my husband has seven other
living wives, and one who has departed to a better world. He has
in all upwards of twenty-five children. All these mothers and
children are endeared to me by kindred ties, by mutual affection, by
acquaintance and association ; and the mothers in particular, by
mutual and long-continued exercises of toil, patience, long suffering,
and sisterly kindness. We all have our imperfections in this life ; but
I know that these are good and worthy women, and that my busband
is a good and worthy man ; one who keeps the commandments of
Jesus Christ, and presides in bis family like an Abraham. He seeks
to provide for them with all diligence ; he loves them all, and seeks
to comfort them and make them happy. He teaches them the com-
mandments of Jesus chrUt, and gathers them about him in the familv
circle to call upon his God, both morning and evening. He and his
family nave the confidence, esteem, good-will, and fellowship of this
entire territory, and of a wide circle of acquaintances in Europe and
America. He is a practical teacher of morals and religion, a pro-
moter of general education, and at present occupies an honourable
seat in the Legislative Couocil of this territory.

Now, as to visiting my kindred in New Hampshire, I would be
pleased to do so, were it the will of God. But first, the laws of that
state must be so modified by enlightened legislation, and the customs
and consciences of its inhabitants, and of my kindred, so altered,
that my husband can accompany me with all tits wives and children,
and be as much respected and honoured in his family organization,
and in his holy calling, as he is at home; or in the same manner as
the Patriarch Jacob would have been respected, had he, with his
wives and children, paid a visit to his kindred. As my husband is
yet in his youth, as well as myself, I fondly hope we shall live to see
that day. For already the star of Jacob is in the ascendency; the
house of Israel is about to be restored: while " Mystery Babylon"
with all her institutions, awaits her own overthrow. Till this is the
case in New Hampshire, my kindred will be under the necessity of

180

coming here to see us, or on the other hand vrc will be mutu dly
compelled to forego the pleasure of each ot! er's company.

You mention, in your lette**, that Paul, the Apostle, recommended
that Bishops be the husband of one wife. Why this was the case, I
do not know, unless it was as he says, that while he was among
Romans he did as Romans did Rome, at that time, governed the
world, as it were; and although gross idolater-, they held to the one
wife system. Under these circumstances, no doubt, the Apostle
Paul, seeing a great many polygamisfs in the Church, recommended
that they had better choose for this particular temporal office, men of
small families, who would not be in disrepute with the government.
This is precisely our course in those countries wdiere Roman institu-
tions still bear their sway. Our Elders there have but one wife, in
order to conform to the laws of men.

You enquire why Elder W., when at your house, de:.ud that the
Church of this age held to the doctrine of plurality. I answer, that
he might have been ignorant of the fact, as our belief on this point
was not published till 1852. And had he known it, he had no right
to reveal the same until the full time had arrived. God kindly with-
held this doctrine for a time, because of the ignorance and prejudice
of the nations of mystic Babylon, that peradventure he might save
some of them.

Now, dear sister, I must close. I wish all my kindred and old
acquaintances to see this letter, or a copy thereof ; and that they will
consider it as if written to themselves. I love them dearly, and
greatly desire and pray for their salvation, and that we may all meet
with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of God.

Dear sister, do not let your prejudices and traditions keep you
from believing the Bible ; nor the pride, shame, or love of the world
keep you from your seat in the kingdom of heaven, among the royal
family of polvgamists. Write often and freely.

With sentiments of the deepest affection and kindred feeling, I
remain, dear sister, your affectionate sister,

Belinda Marden Peatt.
Mrs. Lydia Kimball, Nashua, N.H.

p#S. — My kind love to your husband, and all enquiring friends.

ELEVENTH GENERAL EPISTLE OF THE PRESIDENCY OF
THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS.

TO THE SAINTS IN THE VALLEYS OF THF MOUNTAINS, AND THOSF SCATTERED
ABROAD THROUGHOUT THE EARTH GREETING.

(From the " Deseret News' April 13 )

Continued from page 167.

In this country there is no person possessing an ordinary degree of
health and strength, but can earn a supporl for himself and family. But

181

many of our brethren have been raised at some particular trade or em-
ployment in the old country, and have not tact and ingenuity to turn
their hand to anything, which forms a strong feature in American
character. It therefore becomes our duty to teach them the way to
live. They are generally goud citizens, of industrious habits, and
with a little teaching will soon be able to support themselves. We
desire the bishops to give them employment which they can perform,
and exercise a little patience in instructing them ; and it will soon
be found that they will no longer prove a burden upon the public
funds. They are' frequently landed here without food or means of
any kind ; tor a short time they will necessarily need assistance ; but
if the above suggestions are complied with, they can soon not only
sustain themselves, but repay all that has been advanced.

Let not the honest poor suffer, but administer unto them in wisdom.
So shall the Lord reward you and the cries of the poor not arise un^
to the Lord our God in testimony against us.

There are many thousand of dollars now owing to the Perpetual
Emigrating Fund Company, from those who have received assistance
from the Company to emigrate to this country. When we consider
the great good annually accomplished by the agency of this Fund, we
feel that all Saints should aid, and contribute of their means to ac-
complish the emigration of the poor Saints from among the various
nations, where oppression holds her bloody sway, famine menaces,
and gross darkness and wickedness pervade the minds of the people,
holding them enchained in the bonds of bigotry and ignorance.

While the God of all the earth is pouring out His judgments up-
on a wicked world, in fulfillment of His word spoken by the mouth
of His Prophets in past and present generations, by pestilence, famine,
tempest, and devouring flame, men and nations, drunk with their own
furv, appear impatient to hasten their own consummation. In reck-
lessness and wrath they are destroying each other upon the rivers of
water, and railroads, the wide spread lakes and open sea; they
rush to their own destruction. Nation rises against nation ; civil
discord engenders strife ; and war, crimson war, with all its attendant
horrors, lends its desolating aid to depopulate the earth.

Thus, amid crime and famine, pestilence and war, the convulsions
of nations, and of the earth, and the elements around the earth, the
Gospel of salvation, by the discerning honest mind, is hailed as a bea-
con of joy, and is no sooner received than it begets an earnest desire
for deliverance from wicked Babylon, that they may pass the ordeal
and withstand, in unison with the Saints in Zion, the scourge, the
consumption which God has decreed shall make the earth empty,
when they may rest until His fury and indignation shall be overpassed.

Then haste, ye Elders, to the work which lies before you ; and let
all the Saints go to with their mights to prepare for the great day of
power and devastation which will assuredly come upon the whole

182

earth, lor the day when the Son of Man shall appear, the Ancient of
Days shall sit in judgment, and each and every one will be required
to render a faithful and true account of his stewardship.

Humble yourselves, O ye Saints of the Most High ! for the day
draweth nigh ! Let your division, discord, envying, and wickedness
cease from among you ; and dwell together in peace and unity. Give
your hearts to God, and your might, mind and strength to the accom-
plishment of His purposes in the last days. Let nothing swerve you
from the path of duty. Awake to the importance of your calling
and the work which is for you to accomplish. Shake off the lethargy
which enwraps you as a mantle ; and let your works and faith appear
like the noonday sun in brightness and glory to all around. Have
continually in your minds the work of God, the salvation of Israel,
the deliverance of the poor from the tyrant's grasp and the oppres-
sor's rod.

And to the poor we say, Be industrious and faithful ; and so soon as
you shall be able to return in some available means the advances
which have aided you in your deliverance, remember those who, in
like circumstances with yourselves, are anxiously looking to the same
source for relief.

In these secluded vales we gather the Saints that we may enjoy
the rights and privileges of the Constitution, denied to us elsewhere ;
that we may have the privilege of worshipping God according to the
dictates of our own consciences. We gather that we may enjoy not
only the rights of citizenship, but live in peace, and have the respect
and courtesy extended to ourselves and our families by our associates,
which is denied to us in the world. We gather that wre may obey
the ordinances and keep the commandments of God, and concentrate
our ability in rolling forth the great work of God i upon the earth, es-
tablishing His kingdom, building temples, and preparing the way for
the coming of the Son of Man. And when those professing to be
Saints, gather with us, we naturally expect them to be influenced by
the same motives.

We are gathered here, not to scatter around and go o#to the- mines
or any other place, but to build up the kingdom of God. And those
who gather for any other purpose, wre wish them no harm, but can-
not consider or hold them as in fellowship. We have no fellowship
for those who embrace this work for aught else than the love of the
truth and the testimony of Jesus ■ who are not willing to endure all,
leave all, sacrifice all, and everything for the sake of the Gospel of
Christ.

It is the duty of the rich to relieve the suffering poor, to adminis-
ter to their necessities, and faithful} apply their means to the gather-
ing of Israel, the spread of the Gospel, and the building up of the
Kingdom.

1*8

DEATH OF THE PATRIARCH JOHN SMITH.

(From the '• Desert N-ivs," May 25 )

The knell for the departure of one mighty spirit has hardly ceased sounding
in our ears, ere we are called upon to announce the departure of another
noble spirit, who has laid down a frail body to rest awhile, and passed
behind the vail to strike hands and rejoice with his brothers Joseph, Asahel,
and Silas ; his nephews Joseph and Hyrurn, and the faithful of all ages.

JOHN SMITH, Patriarch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, after a severe illness of one month., died at his residence in this city,
at ten minutes past eleven o'clock, p.m., on the 23rd instant.

Father Smith was born in Derryfield, (now Manchester) Rockingham
County, New Hampshire, on the 14th of July, a.d. 1781, and was baptized
into the faith, which has so long preserved his life in usefulness, on the 9th
of January, 1832, and ordained an Elder, after having been given up by the
docters to die of consumption. The weather was so cold that the ice had to
be cut, and from that time he gained health and strength.

In 1833 he moved to Kirtland, Ohio, and in 1838 to Far West, Caldwell
County, Missouri, and thence to Adam-ondi-Ahinan, in Davies County,
where he presided over that Branch of the Church until expelled by the mob
in 1839, and arrived in Illinois on the 28th of February of that year. He
located at Green Plains, six miles from Warsaw, where he put in a crop of
corn, split rails, and performed much hard labour unsuited to his health and
years, but obliged to be done for the support of his family. In June he
moved to Commerce (since Nauvoo,) and on the 4th of October was
appointed to preside over the Church in Iowa, and on the 12th moved to
Lee County to fulfil that mission.

October, 1843, he moved to Macedonia, Hancock County, Illinois,
having been appointed to preside over the Saints in that place. In January
1844, he was ordained a Patriarch, and in November of that year, was
driven by mobbers from Macedonia to Nauvoo, where he continued to ad-
minister patriarchal blessings, to the joy of thousands, until the 9th of
February, 1 846, when he was compelled by the mob violence of the free
and Sovereign State of Illinois, to again leave his home and cross the Mis-
sissippi with his family, in search of a peaceful location, far off amid savages
and deserts, in the valleys of the mountains.

After passing a dreary winter on the right bank of the Missouri, at a place
called Winter Quarters, he again took up the weary ox train march on the
9th of June, 1847, and reached this place September 23rd, where he pre-
sided over the Church in the mountains until January 1, 1849, under the
hands of Presidents Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball,

He moved out of the Fort on to his city lot last February, 1849, and this is
the only spot on which he has been privileged to cultivate a garden two
years in succession for the last twenty-three years.

In addition to a vast amount of varied and efficient aid to thousands in
the way of salvation, during his long and faithful ministry, he administered
5560 Patriarchal Blessings— which are recorded in seven large and closely
written books, and has closed the arduous duties of a well occupied pro-
bation, and passed to a position of rest, where his works will nobly follow
and honour him, and where he will continue his able counsels for the pros-
perity and welfare of Zion.

184

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

Beloved Brother Farnham, San Barnardino, July 1st, 1854.

With much pleasure I occupy a few moments to inform you of my safe
arrival in this place, together with the company which was placed under my
charge, with the exception of Sister Allen, who died on the 18th of April,
and was buried on the Island called Uana, (spelt Huaheina,) some 30
leagues of Otahita. The particulars of which I have given you in a former
letter, which letter, will also give you a faint sketch of our passage, &c, up
to the time of our reaching this coast. On Monday, the 12th of June, we
droped anchor in the harbour of San Pedro. On my arrival, I found that
the old firm of Douglass & Co. had changed hands, and is at present under
the name of Alexander and Banning, who in every respect are gentlemen,
and are now agents for our people. On the 13th, at 11 o'clock, a.m., I
found myself comfortably seated on the back of a mule, and with the wind
two points free, under full sail for San Bernardino. And on the 14th, at
5 o'clock, p.m., I again found myself in the circle of old and tried friends.
On the 16th, teams were started to the coast for the company, and on the
21st, all were safely moored in this beautiful valley. Rooms have been
furnished, so that all the bretheren are now comfortably situated, and the
most of them are now busily engaged in assisting the Saints to secure their
grain. Elder P. P. Pratt arrived here on the 9th of June, from Salt Lake,
accompanied by 20 Elders on their way to the Sandwich Islands. Elder
Pratt is expecting to establish a place of gathering for the Saints of the
Western Islands, at Homers Ranch ; he will also establish a printing estab-
lishment somewhere in the upper country. The Saints have purchased a
vessel which will commence operating from San Francisco. In reference
to Australia, I have received no particular word up to the present, but in
all probability you will receive advices before many months pass away,
until which time, you will, as a matter of course, continue to move according
to the best of your judgment.

In relation to myself, I expect to tarry here until fall, as it is now to late
in the season to cross the desert, especially in my present state of health,
which is far from being good. As to our families in the Valley, from the
best information I can get, all are well and doing well.

Brother Porter, Dowdle's sister-in-law, Elnora Holladay, is dead ;
also Sister Boyle is dead, which news you will please forward to Brother
Dowdle. Relative to the work of the Lord, suffice to say, there is no divi-
ation against Israel. Zion is bound to prosper for the God of all Saints is
her friend.

Please present my kind regards to all the Mission, and to all friends.

Yours truly,

To A. Farnham. William Hyde.

INTELLIGENCE FROM NEW ZEALAND.

We have received a letter from President A. Farnham, dated Auckland,
Oct. 30th, giving an account of his and Elder Cooke's safe arrival, and that
they had succeeded in renting a house, in which they were delivering a
course of Lectures on the " Doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints."

Price Sixpence.

Edited and Published by A. Farnham, Sydney.

THE ZION'S WATCHMAN,

PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE

C&urri) of 3f3ti3 Cfirttt of katter-Bae «#auit£,

IN SYDNEY.

HE THAT READETH LET HIM UNDERSTAND.

Nos. 24-25. THURSDAY, DECEMBER, 15, 1854. Vol. I.

ELEVENTH GENERAL EPISTLE OF THE PRESIDENCY OF
THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS.

TO THE SAINTS IN THE VALLEYS OF THE MOUNTAINS, AND THOSE SCATTERED
ABROAD THROUGHOUT THE EARTH GREETING.

{From the " Deseret News,'' April 13 ;
Continued from page 182.

On the other hand, the poor should appreciate the blessings ex-
tended unto them, and be willing to reciprocate accommodations, and
repay in faithful labour as fast as they can. It is a matter of regret
that too many who have been assisted by those having means, no
sooner get located in a country where plenty and peace smile upon
them, than they forget the hand which wrought salvation and deli-
verance for them. It is owing in a great measure to this cause, that
those who have means are reluctant to impart of their substance. In-
gratitude is a crime which rankles deeply in the hearts of those upon
whom it is practised. To do a kindness to a man and have him turn
and rend you, shuts up the bowels of compassion, and keeps others
from exercising that charity and benevolence which otherwise would
have been their joy and delight to have extended.

We therefore caution the poor Saints who have been assisted to
come from the old countries, not to fail to repay, and remember in
kindness those who assisted them, that others who yet seek deliver-
ance may not be excluded from the blessings which they enjoy, by
their acts of selfishness and ungrateful remembrance.

The Elders in the Sandwich Islands are looking for a location for the
Saints of the Pacific Isles, where they may temporarily be gathered
and preserved from those pernicious influences which appear in part
the result of their intercourse with the whites, whose precursor to
civilization to the aborigines of our country and the Indian races ge-
nerally, is gross licentiousness and intemperance, which gradually
wastes them away, and finally terminates in death and the extinc-
tion of the native tribes. To avoid as much as possible such disas-

186

trous results, it was considered wisdom to gather them upon some
island where they can be instructed in the principles of virtue and
moral practice, and have their minds prepared to receive light and in-
telligence emanating from God for their exaltation and glory. A few
might be brought to San Barnardino, and being instructed in the
arts of civilization, become of great benefit in carrying truth, salva-
tion, and its concomitant blessings to their various tribes. If the
ciimate should agree with their health, their emigration might be in-
creased, and the island location serve as a subsidiary gathering place,
like others which we contemplate establishing in various parts of the
Continent.

We also recommend the Saints in Europe to come to the United
States, under the instructions and direction of the Presidency of the
British Isles, unto such place or places as may be selected for them
to locate, where they can tarry until the way shall open for them to
come to the Valleys of the Mountains.

It is presumed that in a few years a railroad will be completed
from the Missouri to this country ; in the meantime the Saints coming
from the old country, will find their interest very much consulted by
crossing the ocean and locating at the gathering places, where labour
can readily be obtained with fair compensation ; and when the rail-
road is finished, the Saints can be gathered with much less expense
and inconvenience. It will immediately afford an opportunity for
thousands of the Saints in the old country to emigrate, and be gathered
where they can receive instructions, and enjoy the privilege of each
other's society.

The Saints in Australia, India, and all countries bordering upon
the Pacific, are instructed to gather to California, where they will be
directed in their future movements by the Presidency of the Churchin
that country.

We also desire that the Saints from the United States and Europe,
coming to the Valleys of the Mountains, should bringwiththem seeds
of every kind, especially fruit, s?ed-apple, peach, apricots, pear, plum,
cherry, quince, currant, gooseberry, strawberry, and flower seed in
all tlieir variety; also teasle seed and madder, indigo, and other seeds
the plants of which are used for dye stuffs, which are appropriate to
this latitude ; also various grasses, clover and cotton seeds for our
southern settlements.

The Elders who are sent from Zion to the various nations of the
earth, are instructed in carry out our instructions under the direction
of the Presidency over the various fields of their labours ; and we ex-
hort all the Elders to be faithful in their calling, and keep them-
selves pure and holy unto the Lord our God. A nd inasmuch as any
of them are failing in their health, they are at liberty to return
home without waiting to be called. It is the privilege and the

187

duty of the Elders while abroad, to counsel often together in their
various fields of labour, and seek to know the will of the Lord ;
with fasting and prayer before God, decide upon such plans, and
perform such duties, pertaining to the interest of the cause of truth,
as shall be manifested unto them, that inactivity and delay may
not retard the work while seeking counsel from us who are so far
distant from them.

In matters of moment, which are of importance, and the time
delayed in communication will not militate too much against the
progress of the work, we would wish to be consulted. It must
be evident to all, that as the work increases, great order should
be preserved in the transaction of business. We therefore suggest
to all of our agents to be prompt in making their Reports and
Returns to us, and also to keep us advised of all matters pertain-
ing to the interest of the cause in those countries where they are
labouring. We have given, and intend to give, instructions through
the Press from time to time, which will guide the Elders and Agents
in their duties more definitely upon particular subjects, than is
practicable in a General Epistle. From our own experience, we
know that Elders will, if they are faithful, find themselves wholly
dependent upon the Lord, not only for grace, but for means of sub-
sistence.

In union there is strength ! but how can a people become united
in spiritual matters, and see eye to eye, which they can only partly
understand, until they become united in regard to temporal things,
which they do comprehend ? It was given in a revelation unto bro-
ther Joseph Smith, in the early days of the Church, that all the Saints
should consecrate their substance unto the Ghurch, and receive their
inhertitances at the hands of Bishop Partridge, who was then officia-
ting in that office.

Some years afterwards, the Lord seeing that the people had pollu-
ted their inheritances, and that they would not comply with His for-
mer commandment, directed in another Revelation to brother Joseph,
that the people should consecrate all their surplus property ; which
seemingly was not fully understood or practised. After this was given
the Law of Tithing, which required that all should in the first instan-
ce pay one tenth of their entire proprety into the Church, and there-
after pay one tenth of all their increase ; which was for the poor, to
promote the spread of the Gospel among the nations of the earth,
support the ministry, and building of Temples unto the Most High.

This is a brief statement concerning property held by those who
become members of the Church ot Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
There were many obstacles in the way why those requirements could
not be carried out ; the Church was in its infancy, and had to meet
the ignorance, bigotry, and intolerance of a wicked and benighted

188

world. The brethern themselves had not been able to throw off their
own traditions, and in many instances, apostacv and persecution well
nigh overwhelmed the people of God, and caused them to be driven
from place to place, until they have finally found a resting place amid
the valleys of these mountains.

During the Conference, the teachings turned upon this subject, and
the doctrine of being united in the things which could be understood
by fill, and concentrating our interest in things in which we could
see eye to eye, was considered as being the first step towards effect-
ing that union so desirable to be accomplished ; which would give us
that power to put down iniquity, and drive every evil and pernicious
influence from our midst. This principle manifested itself to the un-
derstanding of the brethren in all its plainness, beauty and simpli-
city. The people seemed to feel a strong desire to comply with every
commandment and requirement which had been given ; and appeared
to feel as though now there were no obstacles to a full aud frank
compliance with the law of consecration, as first given to brother
Joseph.

The sequel thus far proves their sincerity in this thing ; for they
flock by hundreds and thousands to give in their names, devoting
and deeding all and every thing which they possess, unto the Church,
receiving their inheritances, and so much of their property as is need-
ful for them, from the hands of the Bishop.

February 14th, Mother Smith, wife of the aged Patriarch, Father
John Smith, went to her rest among the faithful Saints. She is the
mother ot brother George A. Smith, and was one among the first to
receive the fulness of the everlasting Gospel.

Our beloved brother, Willard Richards has passed the vail ; to us
he is gone ; to Joseph and Hyrum he is come. For a short period
truly, his body may rest in the grave, only to be renewed, quickened,
and prepared for an immortal career, beyond the influence of sin,
Satan, disease, and death. In the zenith of his life and usefulness
he has been taken, seemingly, only to relieve him from toil, care,
and perad venture tribulation and persecution yet to ccme, of which
he had endured his full share. Our separation will be but short,
although life should be extended to us to that degree usually allotted
to the children of men. He was taken seriously ill on the 22nd of
January, and continued through severe suffering until the 11th of
March, at half-past 9 a.m., when he fell asleep in the triumphs of
the Gospel ; in that Gospel and faith which had so long sustained
him, and afforded him strength and ability in his greatest tribula-
tions, and imparted consolation amid the keenest distress and an-
guish. His impulses only throbbed for the spread of the Gospel,
aud the salvation of his species ; his great heart only beat for truth,
the salvation of Israel, and the redemption of Zion.

189

During the last few years of liis existence, he clung to life through
much suffering, that he might have the privilege before he should
sleep with the Saints, of discharging his duties as General Church
Rocorder ani? Historian. His great desire was that he might be the
faithful chronicler of the works of the Lord in the last days. To re-
cord a plain simple truth, the scenes through which the Saints v> ere
passing ; their trials and persecutions, journeyings, anxieties, dis-
tress and death; and as often their remarkable preservation, re-
gatherings, rejoicings, and blessings, and enrol in the archives of the
Church the hand-dealing of God with his people — furnished a theme
so full of incident, so interwoven with all their every day life and
experience, so glorious, and congenial to his feelings, that no wonder
death was kept waiting at the door, while his great energy and
power, impelled by the .Spirit of Almighty God, caused him to wield
the pen of a ready writer, in pourtraying, in great beauty and exact-
ness, the hhtory ot this people, in defending the cause of truth, and
transmitting to the latest generation the noble bearing, pure motives,
and character of inspired men — men of God whom the present age
have vilified, slandered, abused, and finally treacherously betrayed
and massacred, while under the pledged faith of a so-called loyal
and civilized government.

In the circle of his family, friends, and acquaintances, his death
has caused many an aching heart, and in the many important offices
which he filled with distinguished ability, honour, and faithfulness,
his loss is severely felt.

In the consolations of our holy religion, we find that although it
is our loss, it is his gain. Although bereft, by his loss, of the most
steadfast integrity — the warmest and most undeviating friendship —
the genial warmth of sympathy, counsel, true devotion, and fidelity,
which always so nobly characterized his intercourse with us, and
with this people, yet he is not lost to us ; although separated in body,
the kindred feeling existing in our bosoms will never be eradicated,
nor will his usefulness be abated, for his works will follow him.

Adieu, dear doctor, for a season ! The tender thread of thy mortal
career is broken, and we mourn in sympathy with thy bereaved fa-
mily and friends, and for ourselves, but not for thee : for thee, who
hath gloriously won the race, and safely moored thy barque in the
harbour of eternal life.

Elders Franklin D. Richards, Joseph A.Young, Win. H. Kimball,
George D. Grant, Edmund Ellsworth, William Young, James A.
Little, left on the 29th of March, on a mission to England, together
with Frederick Kesler and George Halliday, who accompany them
to St. Louis, on business. This mission was appointed previous to
the Conference, that they might arrive at the field of their labours
in time to enable Samuel W. Richards to return home the present
season.

190 ; z

Vs will be perceived by the accompanying Minutes, the Annual
Conference, after four days session, adjourned on Sunday evening,
the 9th instant, to meet again on the 27th day of June next, although
at the commencement the weather was rather cold and stormy, yet
the large and commodious Tabernacle was not capacious enough to
contain all the congregation.

On Saturday afternoon and Sunday they became so numerous, and
the weather becoming milder, the meeting convened on the outside,
within the walls of the Temple block, immediately on the north end
of the Tabernacle. Elder G. A. Smith was appointed General Church
Recorder and Historian, and Jedediah M. Grant was chosen second
Counsellor to the First President.

The appointment of Franklin D. Richards, and the Elders who
had left for England, was sustained by vote of Conference, and bro-
thers Orson Pratt, Erastus Snow, Orson Spencer, and many others,
were appointed to missions in the United States. Brother Parley P.
Pratt was appointed to preside in California, and will dictate the
mission to the Islands and countries bordering upon the Pacfie
Ocean.

Some twenty young Elders were chosen to go to the Islands of
the Pacific, making sixty-five in all appointed to go on missions at
this Conference. We can truly say it was a season of refreshing,
mingled, it is true, with toil and labour to us, yet we came out with
our health unimpaired, our feelings strengthened, our emotions over*
flowing with gratitude and love to God, and full of blessings upon
His people. Great liberty in preaching was experienced by all who
spoke to the Conference, and the Spirit of the Lord accompanied the
words with poAver to the understanding of the silently-listening
thousands who appeared literally to' feast upon the principles per-
taining to life and exaltation, emanating from the fountain of wisdom
and intelligence. Our hearts were gladdened by the union and good
spirit which eminently prevailed during Conference, and we hope
that our brethren and sisters will retain the same spirit with them
in all their labours and associations at home and among their neigh-
bours, that peace, harmony, union, love, and charity, may universally
prevail throughout all the land ; that contentions, strifes, or discord,
may no more be heard therein.

Before closing our epistle, we cannot refrain from admonishing our
brethren again concerning the remnants of Israel, in whose midst we
are at present located. While we send Elders to the nations afar
oif, remember that Israel at home must not go neglected ; preach the
Gospel to the natives in our midst, teach them the way to live, in-
struct them in the arts of civilization, and treat them as you would
like to be treated, if you, through the transgression of your father,
had fallen into the same state of ignorance, degradation, and misery,
which is the portion they inherit. Remember the time is hastening

191

when the curse will be removed, and although a remnant, still that
remnant will be saved. If you want peace, it is the best policy not
to fight them, for the more you fight them, the more you may 5 but
as we have before counselled you, take care of yourselves and pro-
perty; do not resent their bitter taunts made in ignorance, nor level
yourselves to their condition, but hold yourselves higher, and seek to
elevate them to your standard. This will be doing them good, and
do you no harm. This is the Gospel ot salvation to them, who must
gradually but surely perish if they cannot, through the agency of
this people, be brought to an understanding of those principles of
regeneration and salvation which perpetuate existence, and which was
promised unto their father Abraham as his blessing.

Finally, brethren, give heed unto the whisperings of the Spirit of
the Lord your God. Be ye rilled with the Holy Ghost ; let your
peace flow like unto a river, without let or hindrance ; be merciful
and kind to the stranger, and forbearing to each other ; be faithful
to keep your covenants, and abide the trial of your faith. Be humble
before the Lord your God, and keep His commandments, and the
vail of the covering will be raised, and the vision of your minds will
be opened, and your hearts will be filled with joy and rejoicing from
day to day, as ye see the time approaching, and witness the step-
pings of Almighty God amid the mighty tread of earth's millions
hastening to destroy each other ; put down iniquity, wickedness, and
bring forth Zion, the peace of Jerusalem, and the universal triumph
and reign of truth and righteousness upon the whole earth.

BRIGHAM YOUNG.

HEBER C. KIMBALL.

JEDEDIAH M. GRANT.
Great Salt Lake City, April 10th, 1854.

THE GOSPEL WITNESS.

And ''this gospel of the kingdom shall he preached in all the world, for a witness unto all nations,

then shall the end come."
Reader, will you consider three things? First, What is the gospel ? Second,
What use is to be made of it ? Third, the result.

First. What is the Gospel ? You say it is good news. Very true, it is good news.
But any preacher from the highest to lowest grade would tell you this. But is
any good news the gospei ? You may hear of the return of a long absent friend
whom you supposed to be lost, or of the discovery of valuable trei-ure, and much
other news which is good and cheering ; but s'ill you are a stranger to the gospel
I will tell you what is the gospel. Do not refuse to read or listen. Although you
may have attended some place of popular worship for years, still it may not have
occurred 10 you what is, in reality, the gospel. Yea m re, you, sir, may even have
been a respectable preacher of religion, and yet be ignorant of the gospel. In snort,
the gospel is good news from heaven in your own day, Now be slow to condemn
this definition, and read on with a careful honrst mind, and you shall acknowledge
the truth of what I say. You and I are agreed in this, that the gospel is good news.
But you ask me to prove that it is also good news from heaven. This I will soon

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do. Well, to the proof The Steiiptures say that the gospel was preached to
Abraham Abraham was surrounded with idolatrous worshippers, and there was
no one to preach the go-pel to him, unless some one should he sent from the heavens.
Accordingly the Lord appeared to him a- d told him fr> leave his country and
kindred. This was the first good news that downed upon that generation worth
namin.r. Because it came from heaven. God himself from time to timea;peared
to Abraham and o d him what was good Whe:i he was about to slay his only
son, a message from the heavens relieved him from the painful nee ssity of striking
the deadly blow. God instructed him in the choice of a temporal location Abra-
ham's sons, Isaac and Jacob, although they enjoyed the devout teachings of
their father Abraham, still they could not dispense with occasional communications
from the heavens.

The gospel or a heavenly message came to Jac b when he was in awful peril
from his brother Esau. The Lord came to Inn? at this critical moment and blessed
him. And he testifies that he had seen the Lord face to face. Lot received a visit
from two an <_> els, who informed him of the necessity of removing his family and
friends immediately in order to escape destruction.

Any news or intelligence that did not come from the heavens was never
leckoned or considered to be the gospel. Who wo ul I now suppuse that the news-
papers of the day contain the gospe', although they contain much important
news ab ut the French revoluton, and the Mexican war, and the proceedings oi'
Parliament. Now, to say that t e »ospei is good news, irrespective of the somce
from whence it comes, is highly absurd. Nothing can be called gospel that does not
come from heaven.

Very well, says my attentive reader; I readily admit that, the gospel is in very
deed no more nor less than good news from the heavens. But, adds the reader,
1 am not equally satisfied that the gospel consists in good news from heaven in our
own day. Aye, indeed! Toisisavery important consideration. If the definition
of gospel is not limited to news from, heaven in our own day and generation :
then the term news may embrace news both ancient, and familiar, even things
that have been well known for manv centuries. Thereby, »ho will be able to dis-
tinguish news from thing's o'd. Who in this day would consider the discovery of
thea.t of printing to be good news after the lapse of four centuries ? It was good
news some centuries ago. But the news has ceased with its familiarity. John's
gospel was good news from heaven to the people living in John's day. But it
ce ses to become news after the familiarity of eighteen centuries. But it would he
goo I news if the -ame gospel, with the same gits, power, and blessings, accompa-
nied with the authority of apostles and prophets were now announced by an angel
from heaven. In the !atter event, we should have the gospel " euangellion" good
news ; otlie wise, we should have to be content with old news or what was the
go-pel in former days, merely in a printed copy, without living apost es and pro-
phets, without the supernatural power of the Holy Ghost. The ground on which
devout people injected Christ's advent from heaven, and the immediate ministration
of supernatural powers in the aposto'ic age, was that the gosi ei preached to Abraham
and Moses was sufficient. This theological position is still maintained by thd Jews
even in this day. The argument of Christians is precisely like that of the
Jews. The Jews ;.r? conte t with the Old Testament, and Christians are cont nt
with the addition of the New. If the argument of the Christian is good that o> the
Jew is equally good. But the scriptures express y condemn the arguments of both.
" The Letter killcth, but the S irit giveh if-."' It is the Spirit ihat quickeneth.
The Old Testament was not the grand means of converting people in Abraham's
day, or in Moses' day. Neither " ;is ihe N-w Testament the grand means of con-
verting people in Peter's day. When Abraham commenced a dispensation to the
generation in which he ived, he was not governed by the books of previous dispen-
sations. He drew his instructions fresh from the heavens Moses did the same.
Jesus Christ and the Apostles did in ike manner.

There is a vast difference between fai h in books of any description, and faith in
the living God. Tiie most sacred book that ever was written has no power in ii com-
pared wit i the power of the Living God. A mere child may throw it down and
t'.ample it unde. foot. But who can wield an arm like the Almighty? One might
read and believe the bible with all his heait duringa thousand years, and never hav«

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power to heal the sick, cast out devils, or to prophecy, or to speak with tongues, or
to forgive sins. Neither would reading and heartily believing the bible ever remit
his sins or save his soul. The bible has no power to s, eak so that any man can hear.
For how can they hear without a preacher? H >w cm they preach without they be
sent ? But when a message comes from heaven in our own day, and confers power
on men to preach and to hear preaching, this is good news. This is the gospel or
"power of God unto sa vation.'' When this communication of power ceases, tha
gospel cease*, there is no more good news. Sectarian preachers tell of t he power thnt
tvas, ;>nd not of the power that is. They laud the intelligence of visions from hea-
ven that transpired e'ghteen hundred years ago- But that is the latest news from
heave i. Eighteen hundred years ago! Not very late news su'.ely ! Rather old?
And yet theg spelrr '' euange lion'' mce^sarily menns good news.

A cert .in man had a friend or lord living in a fir country upon whom he was
dependent for many favours ; yea, his peace, prosperity and happiness, and even
lift- itself, depended wholly upon the go d will of this d stant lord. Now who
would n< t think that his lord was offended or alienated from him after refusing to
communicate with him for the long period of eighteen hu >dr«d ye-irs, in any such
manner as he had been accustomed to do in all previous ages ? What wou!d be
thought of this tenant if, at length he goes to hi* neighbour and says — neighbour,
I gave some good news to tell you Aye, indeed ; what is it, I pray y«u ? Why, I
have heard from my friend, the lord of all the land! Well, f'iend, I am heart'ly
glad you have heard becmse there have been a greitmany communications sent to
him by all the peop'e in these parts, who call th-mselves his *ei rants and tenants-at-
will, and I hoie that the intelligence which y>u have rec ived, will go to su press
many variances and d scords that have long produced much confusion, and even
bio. dshed among his servants and fond people, throughout all these chrisiian
countries. Not so fast, neighbour ; not so fist. You misapprehend me altogether,
if you think that I have heard anything quite recent from our lord. Not so. It is
netr eighteen hundred years since he has communicated to the inhabitants of
Christendom But, as our minister says it is news, I thought I would tell you.
Humph, humph ! News ! Ministers are too larned for met who never studied Greek.
News, eighteen hundrtd jears old! It it warn't for lamed ministers I verily be-
lieve we should need the supernatural gifts aga;n. The plague of it is, there are
so many of the different sects getting iarnin' in oppose one another, that it costs a
fine bit to pay a minister that is sharp enough to whip out the others!

So much has been said because many are very tenacious of the original term
" euange' 'ion" or good news. Paul, moved by the H >ly Gnost, says, "the G ospeL
is the power of God unto salvation." Heie is a plain definition, given by the Spirit of
Gd, and ought to be regarded as h gker authority th-m any lexicon or dicii mary.
The gospel then, is the power of God transferred from he ven to earth, in order to
save men, in our own day and age of the word. If the power of God were not trans-
fe rtd 10 men in. our own diy, :t would not be good news, as we have shown. Of
what benefit would it have been to Peter and Paul to know that Moses was visited
with the po ' er of God some hundreds of years befo e his day, if the like power
was not available to himse fin his own dav ? Why none at all. Is it of any be-
nefit to one peishing for want of be id, merely to kn w that bread was sent to
another man living five hundred years before him ? Such intelligence would not
c ntribtite to his present necessiiy, but i mght aggravate his perishing condition.
The distinguishing mark of the gos ei lies in t< power. This power is su ernatural
and is alwa>s such as God ,>n y could make msnifest. All creeds and sv stems
(f mere human origin miv be exe ciscd without the intervention of supernatural
agency. But the gospel never came o men without superhuman p.nver. An Al-
mighty hand always attends it. What d d the disciples lack previous to the day of
Pentecost. They had e joyed .he etching of Je us, the Son of God, but stil they
lacked something, and th t something w :s more power. Jesus himself could not
confer that power until he I ad suffered. S .ys ne, " tarry \eat Jerusalem until ye
b- endued * ith power from on higi. "After ihey receivtd this power of the Spirit,
t;en, they sp<ke in dem nstration of the Spirit and with power. And so desirous
has God a. wavs been to make the power to be conspicuously and undeniably f om
heaven, that He has ch sen weak things and foolish things t > subserve his purpose,
that the excellency of the po a er might be of God and not of man. To as m inv t*

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received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God. The body of
true believers in the apostolic age were to be attended with the signs and tokens
of Almighty power. This princip'e was recognised and distinctly announced in
the apostolic commis-ion to preach in all the world. " These sig :s shall follow
them that believe." In my name shall they cast out devils, speak with new tongues ;
if they shall take up serpents or drink any deadly p is n, it shall not hurt them ;
they shall lay their hands on the sick, and they shall recover."

Now, none of these things codd take place without power. The sick are not
recovered by laying on hands, without extraordina-y power. The natural force of
prison is not abated or nullified without the interposition of power. Neither is the
gift and power of speaking; a new toigue conferred in a moment by laying on
hands, by means of mere human power. But the true gospel was eminently and
emphatically attended with supernatural power.

No godly man ever pre ended to know God only by means of supernatural re-
velation. Pharisees and sectarian pretenders have a'ways claimed hat it was sufficient
lor them that their ancestors, living in some previous age, knew God by revelation;
but as for them, pious descendants, they had no need. Any gospel, dcstitu e
of supernatural power, is destitute of God. It is barely on a level with other human
systems. But the gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation Take
away the power of the gospel, and you take away the remission of sins, and the
healing of diseases, and the spirit of prophecy. Tike avay the power of the gos-
pel, and you take away the mini-try of angels, and the illuminations of visions and
dreams, and the doct-ines of miracles, &c. But when these things shall be taken
from the New Testament, what will there be left ? What a feeble and contempti-
ble relic of a system would the New Testament become without these things?
How insignificant would the history of Christ and his Apostles, or that of the
prophets of the Old Testament without these things ? Look at a bible without
prophets and apostles for the work of the ministry, and without a Holy Ghost to
derive intelligence and power from Christ, Without the gift of prophecy to acquaint
men with things future, or call to remembrance things past, without a healing ordi-
nance for the blind, the lame, the deaf, the palsied, the sick— without miraculous power
to cast out devils — shut the mouths of lions — quench the violence of fire — seal up the
heavens against rain — rebuke the angry elements, and feed the famishing ; without
any order of angels to communicate between the heavens and earth — without faith to
stay the progress of the sun, and put to flight the armies of the aliens, and subdue
kingdoms. Take the principle of power from the ancient scriptures and where is
the docirine of the resurrection of countless millions of the human family from the
dust of death ? From whence com°s the hope of harmonising the adverse spirits
of the animal and human race, and of establishing familiar intercourse between the
heavens and the earth, and of causing a perfect conformity to the divine will and
ce'estial order on the face of the whole earth? Without these teachings and exhi-
bi ions of power, the bib'e would become one of the silliest and most impotent books
that was ever printed. A system of religion, drawn from a powerless bible, one
would scarcely suppose could ever be imposed upon any but the weakest aid most
benighted minds. A bible bereft of all these supernatural powers would bea~ so
little resemblance to the true records of the ancient revelations, that aoy man that
should offer it as a substitute would be accounted as tlie most bare-! ac>id impostor.
As well might a fruit tree that h-id become perpetually barren be recommended
for its fruitfulness, as that the bible shouid be recommended after it is bereft of its
divine power ; and as well mignt men think to feed a family on t e fruit of a barren
tree, merely because the tree is said to have borne divine fruit in some centuries
past ! But, reader, that which the bible would be without supernatural power,
that same, modern Christianity, now is. What I have rep esentd the powerless
bible to be, is a proper picure of modern Christianity. Modern Christianity never
apeais so odious, or in such ugly features, as when it claims a parentage fiom the
Old and New Testament, A donkey might better claim parentage in the nob e
imao-e of man, than modern chistianity in the bible ! If you wanted to se ect a
striking specimen of the ridiculous you might set a modern doctor or bishop by the
side of a primitive apostle. The aposth- lays his hinds on the sick to heal him.
The bishop sends him to the physician. The aposle he ils the cripple at the temple
gate in the name of Jesus; th« later recommencd the almshou-e and hospital.

195

The former addresses strangers out of distint nations by t'ie gift of tongues; the
latter forbiJs it, and recommends a course of study in the university. The former
baptizes be ievers only for the remission of sins ; the latter snrinkles infants who
have no sins and are fit for the kingdom of heaven without baptism. The one
lays on hands to confer the Holy Ghost upon all who obey the gospel, according
to a standing divine promise of all ages : the other says the Holy Uhost has ceased
his su) ernatural work. One receives the ministry of an angel to open his prison
door; the other has servants enough to open his palace gate and has no need of
angels. One endures joyfully the spoiling of hig poods tor Christ's sake; the other
spid's rate-payers, goods greedily for his lusts sake. One preaches a living God
with b dy, parts, and passions ; the other preaches a God that once lived in former
day-; without body, part*, and passions.

What are the good tidings that modern preachers bring to the people ? Why
not ing at nlL The good tidings that saints anciently brought to the people were,
that a messase had come from the heavens — from God the Father of Spirits
Mod rn preachers bring no such tidings from God, which shows that God does not
co;nmunicate with them as he did with the saints of former ages. The God of modern
christians is not a God of wonders, signs, and mighty deeds, as he was to ancient
saints. But the true God is unchangeably the same at all times and the same faith
and obedience will be followed with the sams fruits — the same signs and wonders.
The gospel being the power of God, has a transforming influence to renew men's
minds and bring them into the perfect image of Ged. Believers are first born of
the water and then of, the spirit of God. Through the spirit of God they become
partakers of the divine nature, and though it d th not now appear what they shall
be, yet we know that they will be like Jesus Christ. Whatever attributes and
godlike powers and virtues Jesus Christ possesses, the Saints will possess similar
attributes; aud through faithfulness become perfect as their heavenly father is pei-
fect. The growth and perfection of the Saints can only be limited by the bound-
less perfections of the Spirit of which they are partakers.

As they are born of a Spirit infinitely wise and powerful, their onward progress is
towards glories unspeakably great and infinite. They are changed into the image of
God, as by the spirit from glory to glory. " Behold, what manner of love, the Father
hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the Sons of God !" It was no mar-
vellous thing even, to call them Gods to whom the word of God came. Inasmuch as
God is the father of his own sons, he is the Goo1 of gods and King of kings. Surely
men should praise Him who hath made them kings and priests unto God. When men
in any age of the world have obtained the Spirit of God by adoption, they have been
put in possession of the same principle of power and wisdom by which the Almighty
works. Hence, Jesus said, that his followers should do greater works than He (Jesus)
did.

All the attributes of divine power and wisdom are perfectly communicable to them
who cherish the Spirit of God, even to fulness. By the power of God Sampson puts to
flight whole armies — Joshua arrests the planets in their orbits — Elias holds back the
rain for the long term of three and a half years — others forsee and describe events
down to the winding up scene of this earth. Herein is a specimen of the attributes
and powers, with which mere men, in a short period of a few years have been clothed
by the gospel, which is the power of God unto salvation, to them that believe. No
one can entertain a rational doubt that, by the same principle of poorer in the ap es to
come, the glory of man will as far transcend anything that has as yet been recorded of
man, as the heart can conceive or tongue express. All this, because he is assimilating
to the glory of God, even to the likeness of His image by the eternal Spirit. Herein
is the excellency of the gospel, that it makes those who obey it like unto God. Not
barely like him in purity, but also in power and wisdom. The righteous will know
as they are known, and the manifold wisdom of God be shown forth in the church,
which is the pillar and ground of the truth. The true church is destined to exhibit the
varied perfections of the Godhead, even as the fruit exhibits the character of the tree.

The gospel is God's process of saving men ; that it will be needful to man, not only
in this world, but also in all future worlds. It is the power by which God transforms
him from one measure of divinity to another, even from glory to glory. Whatever
wisdom, power, glory, and dominion, and blessing, exist in heaven, or even in the
heaven of heavens, either in worlds that now are, or in worlds that shall be, the faith-

196

ful Saint is a lawful heir unto, in Gods own due time and order, " for all things are
yours." If men are not made partakers of the good word of God, and of the power of
the worlds to come, " they are surely poor indeed." But the true believer, who keeps
the commands of God, will continue to be a partaker of supernatural power throughout
all worlds to come. And no man ever truly received the true gospel who did not at
the same time receive a measure of the keys of supernatural power from God. For
the gospel is the power of God, and " therein is the righteousness of God reveuled from
faith to faith." When supernatural powers cease from off the earth, then the gospel
ceases. When supernatural wisdom ceases, mere human wisdom and the cunning of
the devil ensues. The world by wisdom know not God, for no man can know him
except by revelation.

Having briefly told what the gospel is ; let us next consider what use is to be made
of it. if is to be preached in all the world. Consequently preachers must be called
and appointed to do the work of preaching. These are explicitly named in the Scrip-
tures. First, apostles ; secondarily, prophets, evangelists, &c. No man can preach
except he is sent by God. He must be called of God, as was Aaron. He must also
be endued with the gift of the Holy Ghost, by laying on hands. For, without the gift
of the Holy Ghost, no man can say that Christ was sent from heaven. No man was
•ever authorised of God to preach the gospel who did not believe in immediate revela-
tion, and miracles, and the ministry of angels, iu his own day and age. It is wholly
and purely an invention of men, to commission any man or set of men to prea3h the
gospel, who do not believe in these things in their own day, and who are not them-
selves, more or less, the partakers of supernatural powers through faith. None but
men of the greatest arrogance or grossest delusion ever entered the ministry with any
other belief. An awful curse is pronounced upon any man or angel who enters the
ministry, without a full and cordial belief in immediate revelation, and miracles, and
the ministry of angels, in his own day and age. A man that has any other be.ief, has
not the doctrine of God, and is a stranger to God, and the wrath of God abideth on
him. No example can be found throughout the whole bible, where an approved
minister of God, ever had an opposite belief. Any other ministry is an organized re-
bellion against the order and government of heaven, and will speedily be overthrown
by the power of God. When men enter the true church, they form an intimate con-
nexion with the general assembly of Saints in heaven and upon earth, and also with
anp-els, and with Christ the mediator, and God the judge of all. And all the powers
■of this vast and august assembly are available through faith in their time and order.
Beino- qualified, the preachers are to go forth and proclaim the good news of immediate
revelation, miracles, and the ministry of angels, &c, as aforetime, calling on all men
as a consequence to repent and be baptised for remission of sins, in order that they
may receive the promised gift of the Holy Ghost, and partake of the word of God for
themselves, and the powers of the world to come. The burden of the last angelic
message to the nations of the last days, being "to fear God and give glory to him for
the hour of his judgement is come." THIS GOSPEL which is the power of God unto
salvation to them that believe, is also the power of God and wrath of God to the
destruction of them that believe not. It is a savour of life or of death. It is good
news to the upright, and matter of wailing and misery to the incorrigibly wicked. It
must be preached in all the world, for a witness to all nations. The world is now
put on trial, in all its parts, as fast as the gospel can be preached to it. The witnesses
are the gospel. The decision of the judge will be according to the testimony of the
cospel. The preachers are to notify the world of this truth, viz., that they will be
nidged according to this gospel of immediate revelation, miracles, and the ministry of
Angels, &c, in their own day and age. There are three things that all men are to
subscribe to, in order to obey the gospel. Without these three things in their favour,
they will be condemned to wrath and banishment frcm the presence of God. The
spirit, the water, and the blood, must witness in their favor, or there is no salvation.
The blood of Christ is the basis of the everlasting covenant, without which, neither the
water nor spirit would ever have been offered to mankind for their salvation. This is
the groundwork and platform of salvation. He that counteth the blood of the cove-
nant an unholy thing, will receive no benefit from the water or the spirit, but is a fit
subject for the burning. If any man refuse the water in baptism, he never can put on
Christ, nor wash away his sins. Neither can he be partaker of the Holy Ghost, which
is the light and power of God to the soul. Many devout persons have been damned

197

for rejecting water baptism ; because the mouth of the Lord has said, " That except a
man be born of the water, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." The Lord will not
lie. The want of a small key, often fills the minds of rogues and thieves with chagrin
and anger sufficient to break locks and doors, if it were in their power ; but all in vain.
Jesus came by water, and if men cannot come in like manner as he did, they cannot
come at all. They might as well face a phalanx of fifty-six pounders for countless
ages in succession, as to think of entering the kingdom in any other way, than by water.
See how restless pride rages in the bosoms of fools that will not submit to the righte-
ousness of God, and be born of the water ! The next thing that all men must have in
their favour, is the spirit of God — the Holy Ghost. Without this you are none of
Christ's. If the reader has got any Holy Ghost without being first born of the water,
or if he has got a Holy Ghost that is not supernatural, and that does not derive intel-
ligence from Christ in visions, dreams, and prophesyings, or in wisdom and power that.,
is more than human, or that does not teach him things to come, and even the deep'
things of God — if he hqs got any other Holy Ghost, he had better give it up forthwith ;
because it is no less than a lying spirit that will deceive him, and lead him down to
hell, even, as an ox to the slaughter. Beware of it ! Say nothing about Cornelius's
receiving the Holy Ghost so wonderfully, together with the special ministry of an
angel, unless you have received the same. If you have been born of the water and the
spirit, then the spirit of God will bear witness in such a manner, that you will have
no doubt of your adoption. The kingdom into which you are now born, and of which
you are a legal member and fellow citizen, has certain marks or " signs" that are so
palpable and easily known, that you might as well doubt the existence of the sun and
moon, as to doubt the marks of the kingdom of which you are a member. God has
said that certain signs shall follow them that believe, &c. Where these signs do not
follow, there, you may know assuredly that the kingdom of God does not exist. If
these miraculous signs are not to be found on the earth : then, the kingdom of God is
not to be found on the earth.

But these miraculous signs are now to be found on the earth. But says the reader
show them to me, and I will believe and acknowledge that the kingdom is set up. I
say then in reply ; obey the gospel, and you shall both see, and hear, and know for
yourself that the kingdom of God is in your midst, in very deed, in signs, wonders,
and mighty deeds that cannot be denied. But says the reader, I cannot get faith to
obey Smith's gospel lest I should be deceived, and become an object of pity and ridi-
cule to all respectable people.

Hearken ! incline your ear, and listen a moment ! Smith's gospel is nothing more
or less than Paul's gospel. They are both a part of that everlasting gospel, that will
be in use throughout all worlds. The common basis of both these systems, is imme-
diate revelation, which will be needed while human beings are at all destitute
of the attributes which clothe the all-wise God. Now if you cannot get faith to obey
this gospel without first seeing some palpable miracle, then, you are an unjust and
wicked person. For it is written, that the " just shall live by faith." Wicked and
adulterous men have always asked for a " sign." " Let us have sight of one miracle,' '
say they. The very demand of a miracle is the grossest insult to God. It questions
the veracity of Jehovah with a bold and impudent front. God says, that miraculous
signs " shall follow them that believe." But the vile hypocrite and shameless rebel
dispute his word, and say ; prove it ! Oh, horrible ! " He that believeth not shall be
damned." Hear it ; oh, hear it ! Faith comes by hearing, not by seeing. Here is
the struggle. On the issue of your faith, comes life or death. Faith gives you the
victory, on the banner of which is perched the sparkling crown of eternal life. But
vile unbelief is followed with shame and everlasting contempt. Now, if you resist
this plan of salvation by faith in the supernatural power of God in your own day and
age, you resist the Holy Ghost also, in so doing. Because, the Holy Ghost is the great
witness that always attends the true gospel, convincing of sin, of righteousness, and
judgment. This witness, though unobserved, is true and faithful, and makes honest
men believe ; and wicked men tremble with fear and rage. This is the standing wit-
ness on earth and recorded in heaven.

It is utterly impossible for an honest man carefully to hear this gospel preached by
a servant of God, without having good evidence that it is in very deed, the true gospel
of Christ. The Holy Ghost never negleets exerting his convincing power upon the
minds of dilligent, honest hearers.

198

All nation? must have the testimony of the gospel before the end will come. Great
changes and revolutions may be anticipated before all nations can be expected to have
a satisfactory offer of the gospel.

When thrones have been sufficiently cast down, and all other stumbling blocks
removed that have hindered the gospel from being preached in all the world, then the
gospel will speedily be preached to all nations, after which the end will come. The
end will come ! Awful period ! a time of trouble such as never was known before, or
ever shall be again upon the earth. When the righteous have been abstracted from
the nations of the earth and gathered to Zion, all impedimeEts to crime and error
will cease to exist. The sluice-ways of corruption and violence will be thrown open,
and the infuriated passions of all flesh will rage in terror and wild consternation. The
catastrophe of earth's rebellion against God and prophets will be consummated in a
manner never to be forgotten, worlds without end. The tragic scene of nation rising
against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and cities against cities, and towns
against towns, and man against his fellow ..Man, and woman against her sex, and
child against child, will be a spectacle of penal terror and discipline not equalled by
the universal deluge. The concomitants of plague, fire and famine, with the bellow-
ing roar and blaze of falling planets, so often foretold and as often forgotten, will
finish the victory of the prince of life; amidst the flourish of trumpets and the loud
shoutings of the just, and frightful wailings of the lost.

Yes, then shall the end come ! The reality shall come at last. The taunts of the
sceptic — Where is the promise of his coming ? They will never be heard any more !
But, alas ; the woful state of that generation on whom the end shall come ! Have
you ever seen a vessel at sea freighted with hopeful passengers ; a raging fire sud-
denly bursts forth in every part of that lonely ship that mocks all efforts at resistance.
There is no retreat ! The thoughts of friends, possessions, country, and life ! — The ap-
palling induction to an untried eternity all rush with tempestuous power upon their
minds ! Thus when the holy messengers of the nations return to Zion, bind up the
law, and seal up their testimony that the nations are henceforth irreclaimable. Oh !
what wild consternation and unquenchable anguish will pervade all ranks and grades
of society. All that is withdrawn ! The dark pall of death shrouds the universal
footstool. Oh ! that dark hour when the sun and moon cease their light, and falling
stars only light up the gloom that hovers over trembling nations ! The heavens shake !
The sign of the Son of Man at length dispels the darkness ! A flourish of trumpets
from angels announces the near approach of the Son of Man ! Awful momeDt to un-
believing sign-seekers ! Hush, oh earth, oh, earth ! Hush your wailings and look
up ! See in yonder heavens Him in whom you would not believe ! Every eye shall
see him ! You have often wanted truth demonstrated by miracles, in order to make
you believe, but now you shall see the Prince of Miracles ; but not as a friend : for
all the kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him ! Oh ! what wailings will
rend the air in that day ! Frowns on his countenance lower ! But a few upright
souls are still scattered here and there among the wailing nations, as apples on the
outmost boughs. To such the angels wing their way from one end of heaven to the
other before the fatal blow makes an end of earth's wickedness. Oh ! man, you and I
shall see that scene either among the victors or vanquished ! It is nigh at hand : even
at your doors ! Awake, repent, and be baptized for the remission of your sins without
delay, or your destruction will not slumber.

Self-called ministers — chosen of men, but disallowed of God ! — cease to preach for
hire and divine for money ! Cease from your eloquent harangues in order to be seen
and heard of men, while the knowledge of the true God never entered your hearts !
You have exerted the counsel of God against yourselves, not being baptised for remis-
sion of sins by one "called of God as was Aaron." Though praised by men for your
learning, eloquence, or zeal, God commands you to repent. Publicans and harlots
will enter the kingdom of God before you, because your sins are greater than theirs ;
and you handle the word of God deceitfully, and make much of his word of none
effect by your traditions ; and you teach the fear of God by the precepts of man,
denying the power of God. Repent ; cease your slanders against the true servants of
God, else your portion will be cast with hypocrites and unbelievers ; and the condition
of the worshippers ofGaudaraah will be far more tolerable than yours.

199
ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

WHERE SHALL I BUltY MY DEAD?

To the Editor of the "Sydney Morning Herald."

Sir, In presenting the above question to you and the public, T shall give a state-
ment of facts in connexion with my residence in this colony, having a reference to
the above important question.

On the 18th of January, 1841, I arrived in this harbour; on the 31st my first
born, Jacob Kichard, aged seven years, died suddenly in the immigration tents. An
order was given to bury him in the Presbyterian ground How this was done, I
cannot tell ; I had never represented myself as a Presbyterian. My declaration be-
fore the Commissioners in England and at this place was, that I belonged to the
" Welsh Calvinistic Methodists,'' except it was that the person having the charge of
the immigrants at that time gave such an order, believing Presbyterianism to be the
nearest to the denomination to which I professed to belong.

A Mr. Morgan, then residing in Parramatta.street, officiated on the above
occasion.

On the 22nd of September, 1849, my son Jacob Richard, the second, aged fourteen
months, died, and on the 24th, 1 applied to the Rev. Dr. Fullerton for an order to
open a grave for my deceased child. Dr. F. enquired whether I was a Presbyterian :
my answer was that I was brought up amongst the " Welsh Calvinistic Methodists,"
but that I had a son already buried in the Presbyterian ground. He (the Dr ) then
remarked that my having one already buried there, he could not refuse me. but that
it had been determined that no new orders should be given except to Presbyterians.
He gave me the order and officiated on that occasion.

On the 4th instant, my daughter Ellen, aged sixteen months and a half, departed
this life. In the hour of affliction a friend (Mr K. Evans) offered his services to
attend to 'he necessary arrangements for interment. Amid other requisites he had to
call on the Rev. Dr. Fullerton for an order to open the grave. H e was asked by the
Dr. was I Presbyterian? Mr. Evans answered, that I belonged to the Church of
Jesus Christ. The Dr. remarked, "the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,"
and was answered, " yes, that's it. He (the Dr.) then said, " I cannot give an order."
The Dr. was then told that my only desire for receiving such an order was, that I had
two children already buried there. He then answered, " I will not give an order."
and politely invited my friend to withdraw, by opening the door for him.

Now as I, in common with all my brethren, believe that all the sons of Adam are
mortal, and that none can escape the penalty of his transgression, and also not know-
ing what a day may bring forth, I think that it is an important question to us and the
public - Where shall we bury our dead ?

As to my own right, t will observe that having resided nearly fourteen years in
the colony, 1 have indirectly contributed my quota to the public revenue, a portion of
which is applied to denominational support, the Presbyterians receiving their share,
and my first interment having been made through the order of an agent authorised
by the Government to act in such cases ; and my second, having taken place through
the order of a duly qualified Presbyterian Minister, who also officiated on the occasion,
that, therefore, I had a positive right to bury my daughter Ellen in the Presbyterian
ground, and that an act of injustice has been done me by the refusal

I will add one remark more, and that is, that although this refusal has prevented
the dust of my children from mingling together, it is a source of consolation that it
cannot prevent their spirits from uniting, for they were all such, relative to whom the
Saviour said, " Of such is the Kingdom of Heaven."

By the insertion of the above, you will oblige an afflicted and distressed father.

JOHN JONES.

■ Chippendale, December 7, 1854.

(This letter was inserted in the "Herald" and Empire" on the 9th inst.)

200

INTELLIGENCE FROM NEW ZEALAND.

A letter has been received from President A. Farnham, dated Wellington,
Nov. 19th. He was in good health; a place for preaching had been estab-
lished at Aukland. They had visited Nelson, and obtained the promise of
a school room to preach in, but when the time came, they, (Elders Farnham
and Cooke,) found the door closed against them. They preached out of doors to
a good and attentive audience, many of whom purchased books, and expressed
a great desire that they should visit them again, they arrived in Wellington
on the evening of the 18th, and are in hopes of soon obtaining a place to
preach in. President F. may be expected in Sydney about the close of the
present month.

AN ADDRESS TO THE ABORIGINALS OF NEW ZEALAND.

Awake ye sons of Mauri —
Your day is drawing nigh,

For there is now amongst you
Servants of tbe Most High.

Bearing true light and knowledge
In simple strains of love,

Fill'd with the Holy Spirit
Received from above.

Their message is the Gospel

Restor'd again to earth,
The power of salvation

Thro' laws of second birth.

Faith, repentance, and baptism
For remission of your sins

And the Holy spirit giv'n
By laying on of hands.

Are blessings they will minister
In the name of Israel's God,

With power and authority
Received from the Lord.

Thro' the Holy Priesthood after

The order of God's Son
In these last days restored

Unto His chosen one.

Making known His covenants to

Saints in ancient days
Who sought His favoured blessings

With supplicating prayers.

That they might each inherit
The offspring of their loins,

And be united to them in
Ever enduring ties.

To Ahram, Isaac was given —
On each the promise rests,

But with a greater promise

The Patriarch Jacob's blessed.

That through Judah's favoured linage

The Shiloh King should come :
To Joseph's tribe is given
To gather Israel home.
SYDNDY

From every tongue and people
Wherever they have gone forth

Unto their lands of promise
Confirmed by an Oath.

The Islands must yield the seed

Of Abram's faithful one,
The North give up its portion —

The outcast gather home.

And each receive their blessings
From Ephraim's favoured hands.

Whose horns are as Unicorns
To push them to earth's ends.

That being redeemed in Zion

They may indeed rejoice
Possessing an inheritance

In the land that's most choice.

And Judah too shall gather,

Jerusalem build once more,
And there His laws establish

Just as they were before.

When Gentiles will assemble

His Glory to destroy,
But he will be delivered

Through Christ the Lord on high.

Who with all His Saints will come

The ungodly to dostroy.
And 'stablish peace and righteousness

And fill the earth with joy.

When Israel shall one nation be,

And that for ever more,
Christ their King shall reign o'er them

And all nations Him adore.

Then hear ye sons of Mauri
The message which they bear,

Attend unto their counsel
And Israel's blessings share.

That you may be exhalted

In high and holy spheres,
Crown' d with celestial glory

Throughout all eternities.

JOHN JONES.

Price Sixpence.

Edited and Published by A. Farnham, Sydney.

THE ZION'S WATCHMAN,

PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE

Cfntrri) of §t&x£ &%tm of &atter«29ag faints,

IN SYDNEY.

" HE THAT READETH LET HIM UNDERSTAND."

Nos. 26-27. MONDAY, JANUARY, 15, 1855. Vol. I.

QUARTERLY CONFERENCE OF THE AUSTRALASIAN
MISSION OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF
LATTER-DAY SAINTS, HELD AT THE OLD ASSEMBLY
ROOMS, KING STREET, SYDNEY, JANUARY, 7th, 1855.

PRESENT : —

Augustus Farnham, President, and Josiah W. Fleming, First
Counsellor.

TRAVELLING ELDERS : —

James Graham, John S. Eldridge, John McCarthy.

SYDNEY BRANCH : —

John Jones, President, William Robb, and Robert Evans, Coun-
sellors.

The meeting was opened by singing the 121st Hymn, "Sweet is
the work my God my King," &c.

Prayer by Elder James Graham.

Sung the 126th Hymn, " Except the Lord conduct the plan," &c.

The meeting was called to order by President Jones.

Elder Augustus Farnham was appointed President of the Con-
ference, and Elder J. Jones, Clerk.
Resolved —

1st. That we receive and sustain Elder A. Farnham as President
of the Australasian Mission, and Elders J. W. Fleming and B. Frost
as his Counsellors. *

2nd. That we receive and sustain Elder J. Jones as President of
the Sydney Branch, and W.Robb and R. I wans as his Counsellors.

3rd. That we receive and sustain Brigham Young as the Presi-
dent of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Zion, and
throughout the world, and as their Prophet, Seer, and Revelator,and
as their Leader in Israel; also Heber C. Kimbal and Jedidiah M.
Grant as his Counsellors,

4th. That we receive and sustain the Twelve Apostles and all

202

other Authorities of the Church in Zion, and throughout the world.

The President then called for the Reports— Elder J. W. Fleming
presented the report of the Adelaide Conference, received by letter
from Klder A . P. Dowdle. A Conference was held on the 3rd of
December last, from the reports of which it appears that there has
been added to the Church by baptism 13, by certificate 4 ; total num-
ber of members in that Conference 70. Prospects are cheering. It
makes the hearts of the Saints as well as the Klders to rejoice at the
progress of the work of the Lord.

He next presented the Report of the Victoria Conference, received
by letter from Klder B. Frost : there had been 3 baptised and 4 re-
ceived by certificate ; total number of members 60. The Klders are
faithful, but the excitement that has prevailed at the Diggings, and
the opening of new places, and the scarcity of labourers, has caused
that there has not been more baptised. Elders Frost and Owens are
labouring at Launceston, V. D. ; prospects of the work are good in
that place ; many are enquiring, the expectaion is that a good work
will be done there.

Klder James Graham said that since last Conference I have been
labouring a part of the time at the Illawarra District with Klder
McCarthy ; there were 5 baptised before last Conference, and there
has beer/ 7 added since. I laboured with diligence, — tried to do all
the good I could, and preached to those that would hear. Many that
seemed to be believing became darkened and turned to be as great
enemies as they couid. In consequence of this feeling, and it being
harvest time, it was thought wisdom that I should leave, so I left
Wollongong and came to Sydney, since which I have been labouring
in the neighbourhood of Camden ; have preached the Gospel to some
who have never heard it before. I have done the best I could ac-
cording to the strength God has given me.

Elder John S. Eldridge said, Brethren, I am happy to present my-
self before you — I rejoice in the work of God in which we are en-
gaged, having been called upon for a report for the last three months.
After last Conference I started out in company with Elder Fleming
on the South Western Section. We visited Windsor, Penrith, Cam-
den, where we baptised two. Having received permission I came
into Sydney. After a few days I returned and baptised two at Emu
Plains, near Richmond : my labours have been in that section, and I
returned via Kissing Point, striving to do the will of God, and teach-
ing the things of His Kingdom. In leaving I told them that I did
not know whether I should return or not ; they were very desirous
that they should not be left alone ; the work is progressing, and I
believe that there will be a good work done in that section.

Elder John M cCarthy — since last Conference I may say that I
have been labouring in two fields of labour ; the one as has been

203

alluded to was at Illawarra, where I baptised 7 ; finding the field too
small I came down to Sydney, from whence I proceeded to the North
Shore, and from thence to Brisbane Water, travelling by the sea
coast. At Gosford I called on a Roman Catholic Priest, I told him
that I was a Minister of Truth, and asked him for something- to eat,
and for lodging ; he said that he had not room to accommodate me,
but he took me to the principal hotel, where I was boarded and
lodged. I obtained a place to preach in — published a meeting — he
(the R. C. Priest) attended, after meeting he spoke a few words
saying, that he was the person that I came to for assistance, but that
he did not think that I was going to stop there among his people.
He withdrew his support from me, when the Host said that he be-
lieved that I had brought the truth, and that I should be welcome
to his parlour and my board as long as I stopped. Many are enquir-
ing— truth is flourishing.

President Farnham said, since last Conference I visited the N. W.
Section, and baptised 6 in East Maitland. I took a Mission to New
Zealand ; Elder William Cook accompanying me. It has been a
very interesting although a very laborious mission. It is the labour
that makes the work interesting. I left this place and went among
strangers, not knowing the first individual. We arrived at Auck-
land on the 27th October, 1854. We found the houses of accommo-
dation in that city full in consequence of an influx of imigrants ■ we
had therefore to hire unfurnished appartments After having visited
the respective ministers we gave notice by advertisement of our
meeting, to be held at the Venetian Cottage, (or late residence of
General Pitt) ; our meetings were very well attended ; a very good
impression was made, as much as could have been expected. There
seemed to be much inquiry — many purchasing our books. The
above place has been secured until May. After holding several
meetings in that city we proceeded to Onehunga, intending to hold
meetings, but we were not permitted in consequence of the departure
ot the steamer for Wellington, intending to call at New Plymouth,
but in consequence of the roughness of the weather we could not get
in, we proceeded on to Nelson ; being delayed there we made ar-
rangements to hold meeting, having obtained permission to use the
public School House, about 5 o'clock on the day appointed we went
to the School House tor the purpose of lighting up for the meeting,
we found the door closed, and were told that we should not have it :
the people having began to assemble, we improved the opportunity
by preaching out of doors, ihe congregation was very numerous and
very attentive ; at the close of the meeting I stated that we had a
few books if any wished for them, we had not half enough to supply
them the demand was so great.

When we applied for the above place we were told by Mr. Camp-

204

bell, ami Mr. Stanton, Trustees of the School House, that all who
preached from King James' translation of the Bible, had liberty to
preach therein, but on the day of meeting, a meeting of the Trustees
had been called, (who with the exception of Messrs. Campbell and
Stanton, who throughout the whole, behaved towards us as gentlemen,)
determined as the rtformonites " did not come within the limits of
the By-law of 1852, as a Christian Denomination, that therefore they
could not have the use of the room. This resolution was disap-
proved of by the generality of the inhabitants, and after we had left
another meeting was called in which it was carried : — that as the
Mormons were not allowed to preach in the School House, no other
denomination should.

After our out-door meeting the people were very anxious to hear
more from us, and Mr. Ross having offered us the use of a very large
Room, we gave notice of another meeting, but were obliged to leave
the appointment unfulfilled, in consequence of the departure of the
steamer for Wellington.

Having arrived at Wellington, here we applied for the use of the
Institute and were refused by a vote of the committee. We then
hired the assembly rooms by the advice of one of the said committee.
Our meetings were well attended, good order and attention ; many
purchased books. We also held meetings at Karoi, about 4 miles
from Wellington, our meetings here also were well attended, much
inquiry, many being interested in the work. There Avcre calls from
many places for preaching. I left that place leaving Elder Wm.
Cooke in charge.

On my return to Sydney I had another opportunity of giving
another Lecture, to the inhabitance of Nelson, many of whom were
much pleased and interested in the same. Several expressed a great
desire to leave that place, and go where the saints were, that they
might live as Saints, and enjoy the blessing of God.

The prospects of the work of the Lord in New Zealand is very
good, more so than I expected, and I doubt not but that through the
labours of Elder W. Cooke, who is a faithful servant of the Lord,
many will be brought to a knowledge of the truth and their hearts
made to rejoice in the New and Everlasting Covenant, and that a
good work will be done there.

Elder Jones said, you are aware that my labours have been prin-
cipally in this place, 2 have been baptised in Sydney. According to
the instructions of the President, I took a tour through the N. W.
Section, preached every day, was much blessed, had much of the
spirit ofiord, baptized 7.

President F., addressed the meeting.

Sang a Select Peice.

" Awake, ye that slumber arise from the dust."

205

Conference adjourned to 3 p.m.
Benediction bv Elder Jones.

3 p.m.— Meeting opened by Singing 195th Hymn, " Ye Ransom
of the Lord."

Prayer by Elder J. S. Eldridge.

Elder William Baxter, was called to take a mission, according to
the counsel of the Presidency, Elder Joseph Ridges, was called to
go on a mission with the President to Melbourne, Adelaide, &c.

Elders J. Graham, and J. M'Carthy, were appointed on a mission
from Hawkesbury, to Brisbane Waters.

The President addressed the Saint, on the subject of gathering.

Sacrament administered by Mder Jones.

Meeting addressed by Elders J. W. Fleming, and J. Graham.

Sang the 12th Hymn.

u Ere long the veil will rend in (wain.-''

A djourned till half-past seven, p.m.

Benediction by J. W. Fleming.

Half-past 7 p.m.

Sang the 286tb Hymn.

" All, hail the new born year."

Prayer by Elder J. M'Carthy.

Sang the 278 Hymn.

" Wake awake, the world from sleeping."

Rider J. Jones addressed the meeting on the Nature, Character,
and Responsibilites of the Priesthood.

Sang the 243rd Hymn.

Adjourned until 8 p. mc on Monday, at 103, Parramatta Street.

Benediction by President Farnham.

January 8th, Monday evening, 8 p. m.

Prayer by Elder Fleming.

The President addressed the Brethren, giving much important in-
struction and counsel to the Travelling Elders and the brethren in
general ; he was followed by Elders Fleming and Jones.

During this Conference the hearts of the Servants of the Lord and
His Saints have been made to rejoice- The prospect of future opera-
tions are cheering. Calls are made from many places for preaching,
but the labourers are so few that they cannot be supplied. Here
indeed it may be truly said the " harvest is great and the labourers"
are few.

A FARHNAM,

President.
JOHN JONES, Clerk.

20G
REMARKS ON THE STANDARD OF DIVINE TRUTH.

BY THE LATE REV. A. CARSON, L.L.D.

Before any important advances can be made in any science the foundations
of it must be ascertained and accurately discerned by those employed in
rearing the superstructure. Whatever rests on any other grounds, though it
may add to the apparent size of the building, diminishes its strength and
beauty. For more than two thousand years, the inquiries of philosophers
concerning the works of God, were carried on by hypotheses invented by
ingenious men, for explaining the phenomena of nature, and during all that
time, few real discoveries were made with respect either to matter or mind.
Lord Bacon was the first who clearly pointed out the proper method of phil-
osophising ; Sir Isaac Newton on Natural Philosophy, and Doctor Reid on
the Science of the Mind, were the first to put it in practice. In both of
these departments of knowledge, one theory succeeded another till the time
of these illustrious philosophers ; but since that period, their respective
sciences rest upon a foundation from which they can never be moved. And
what has produced this remarkable difference between their systems, and
those of all preceding philosophers ? It is solely to the standard of truth
which they ascertained, and to which in all their inquiries they appealed.
Had he invented a theory, and proceeded by conjecture, Newton, with all
his vast abilities, would have reared only a temporary fabric, to be blown
away by the next innovator. The philosophy of Aristotle reigned in the
schools without a rival, till the time of Des Cartes. That great man com-
pletely overturned the theories of the Stagyrite, but instead of building on
more stable ground, he set himself to invent a theory of his own. By the
contrivance of an immense whirlpool of subtile matter, he carried round the
heavenly bodies in their evolutions, like straws and chaff in a tub of water,
and this" wild conjecture satisfied a great part of the learned of Europe for a
considerable time, and with many, prevented the reception, even of the dis-
coveries of Newton, for half a century. Despising vain conjectures, and
being guided in his experiments and observations by those self-evident rules
of philosophising which he had laid down, Newton ascertained those laws of
nature that must for ever give satisfaction to the mind of man.

The revolution effected by Doctor Reid in the philosophy of the mind, is
not less wonderful than that effected by Sir Isaac Newton, in that of matter.
By taking for granted principles that are false, and rejecting the authority of
others that are self-evident, philosophy, till his time, had established the
most monstrous and incredible absurdities. The principles adopted by
philosophers had rejected the testimony of the senses, and left no evidence
"vi'ii that there is an external world. By the most conclusive reasoning
from these principles, Berkeley had proved that there is no matter in the
universe, and with equal validity Hume advanced a step farther, and boldly
annihilated both matter and mind. According to this great philosopher,
there is neither matter nor mind, neither God nor devil, nor angel nor spirit,
nothing in the universe but impressions and ideas. And all these monstrous
absurdities flowed regularly from the principles acknowledged by all phil-
osophers till the time of Doctor Reid. And how did Reid restore us the
world from the united grasp of all the wise men of the world ? By settling
the standard of philosophical truth, by vindicating the authority of the testi-

207

mony of our senses, and rejecting that of the figments of philosophers. In
ascertaining the powers and faculties of the human mind, he admitted no
appeal but to the mind itself by observation and experiment ; and every
fair result of such an appeal he received with avidity, however opposite to
the established sentiments of philosophers. By this process he has done
more to ascertain the principles of the human constitution, than all the phil-
osophers who preceded him ; and it is only by following in his track, that
this science can be perfected.

It would not be without interest for a Christian to read the observations
of this philosopher on hypotheses, as almost without exception they apply
to the theories of men with respect to the contents of the Scriptures. If
hypotheses have led men to misinterpret the works of God, hypotheses have
led them to misinterpret his word. The analogy is singularly striking.

And if human conjecture has ever failed with respect to the works of
creation, shall it succeed with respect to the depths of the divine counsels in
the redemption of sinners ? Vain theologians, will ye not learn from this,
that the way to discover the mind of God, is not to form hypotheses, but to
examine the Scriptures 1 What is it produces your infinite diversities ?
How is it ye deduce from Scripture your innumerable errors ? Ye form
theories, and then wrest the Scriptures to agree with these. With the arro-
gance of Satan, ye determine, by your own views, what must be the divine
conduct and plans, and with Satanic ingenuity and effrontery, ye torture his
word to speak your sentiments. While in words ye acknowledge the Scrip-
tures to be a standard, ye take the liberty of erecting a standard of para-
mount authority in your own understandings, and of interpreting the oracles
of God, by the delusions of your own fancies. Though ye call the Scrip-
tures a standard, ye do not allow them to be the sole standard of divine
truth. Some things, ye say, God has left to be planned by the wisdom of
man. How, then, can ye escape error ? How can ye agree with each
other ? Christians, have ye no errors ? have ye no differences ? Believe
it, they are mostly owing to the same cause. Strange as on first view it
may appear, Christians do not all agree in the source of religious sentiments.
Do not some, even till this moment, contend that some things are left to
human institution ? What common principle have we then to reason with
such ? With them the Scriptures are not the sole standard. Others by dis-
tinctions and difference of times, and various inventions, have considerably
abridged this standard, so that almost the half of its testimony is not heard
in evidence, but rejected as irrelevant. The testimony of the Holy Spirit is
treated like that of an old honest, but doating man, who speaks now and
then to the purpose, but is perpetually subject to mental wanderings. Even
among those who acknowledge the Scriptures as the sole standard, I find
there are few controvertists, who steadily and uniformly act up to their
avowed principles. When the interest of a favourite dogma is at stake,
every artifice is employed to make the witness prevaricate. With all their
deference for the authority of the divine word, how do they grapple with it
when it seems to enjoin any disagreeable practice ! Christians, in ascer-
taining the mind of God, let us banish all the prejudices and prepossessions
of our own minds. Let us listen to the scriptures as the rule, as the perfect
standard. Let nothing be received, because it commends itself to our
wisdom ; let nothing be rejected for want of this sanction. Let us remem-

208
ber that, in all things, the wisdom of God is not like the wisdom of man.

The above extract needs no words of ours to commend it to every honest
enquirer after truth ; it is a clear and forcible exposition of the cause of the
errors and divisions that prevail in modern Christendom. Had they attended
to the well attested facts, or the observations and experience of those whose
testimony in reference to these matters are held to be of Supreme Authority,
the world would not have been distracted, with the vain conjectures of
Divines ; in that testimony (viz., the Bible) they would have found that
the conditions of admittance into the Church or Kingdom of God, are faith,
repentance, baptism, for the remission of sins and the reception of the Holy
Ghost, or birth of the spirit by laying on of hands, also that the organization
which had been established for the rule government, and perfection of the
Saints in wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, was Apostles and Prophets
&c, from attention to these facts, they might have perceived that the source
of all correct knowledge in religion was revelation. Here they would have
discovered the axiom of the wise man, that '' were there is no vision the
people perish." This knowledge would have taught them to seek for reve-
lation, to acknowledge the organization and practice the ordinances that are
so well attested in the Scriptures. Thus they would have had a practical
religion, founded on fact, subject to observation according to given laws, and
not the chimerical phantom, founded on the vain and conflicting hypotheses
of men, that they have mis-called religion. — Ed.

THE OPINION OF THE REFORMERS ON THE LAW OF

MARRIAGE.

The whole protestant community admit that the Church apostatized,
but contend that it was restored to its pristine beauty and order by
the Fathers of the Reformation in the Sixteenth century. Deeming
it important that the pretended lovers of the fathers of the Reforma-
tion should know what their (the Fathers') opinions on the Law of
Marriage were- That if it is at all possible to bring them to a con-
sistent line of conduct they may be prevented from fighting against
and condemning those Fathers as they do Fathers Abraham, Isaac,
and Jacob, and all the ancient worthies. We therefore present our
readers with the following fact in reference to this important matter.

Phillip, Landgrave of Hesse, one of the principal Lords and Princes of
Germany, wrote to the great Reformer, Martin Luther, and to the principal
heads of the Protestant Reformation, desiring the privilege of a second wife.
Many arguments were used by Phillip, showing that the practice was in ac-
cordance with the Bible, and not prohibited under Christian dispensation.
Luther met in Council with the principal Divines to consult upon the pro-
priety of granting the request of the Landgrave. After thorough investigation
of the subject they granted his request in a lengthy letter from which I will
here give you an extract. The letter commences as follows :

"To the most Serene Prince and Lord Phillip. Landgrave of Hesse, Zen-

209

lembogon, of Diets of Ziegenhain and Nedda, our gracious Lord, we wish,
above all things the grace of God through Christ Jesus."

"1st, We have been informed by Bucer, and in the instruction your
Highness gave him, have read the trouble of mind and uneasiness of con-
science your Highness is under at this present ; and although it seemed to
us very difficult so speedily to answer the doubts proposed ; nevertheless
we should not permit the said Bucer, who was urgent for his return to your
Highness, to go away without an answer in writing.

2d. If your Highness is resolved to marry a second wife, we judge it ouo-ht
to be done secretly, that is that none but the person you shall wed, and a
few trusty persons, know the matter, and they, too, under the seal of con-
fession. Hence no contridiction nor scandal of moment need be appre-
hended ; for it is no extraordinary thing for Princes to keep Concubines •
and though the vidgar should be scandalized thereat, the more intelligent
would doubt of the truth, and prudent persons would approve of this mode-
rate kind of life, preferable to adultery and other brutal actions. There is
no need of being concerned for what men say provided all goes right with
conscience. So far do we approve of it, and in these circumstances only by
us specified, for the gospel hath neither recalled nor forbid what was per-
mitted in the law of Moses with respect to marriage.

"Your Highness hath, therefore, in this writing not only the approbation
of us all, in case of necessity, concerning what you desire, but also the
reflections we have made thereupon. We beseech you to weigh them as
becometh a wise, virtuous, and Christian Prince. We also beg of God to
direct all for his glory and your Highness' salvation. May God preserve
your Highness. We are most ready to serve your Highness.

"Given at Wittemberg, the Wednesday after the fast of Saint Nicholas
Your Highness's most humble and most obedient subjects and servants.
Martin Luther Adam

Phillip Melancthon John Levengue

Martin Bucer Justus Wartfute

Anthony Corvin Denis Melanther"

This letter was in Melancthon's own hand writing, attested to by Georo-e
Nuspicher, Notary Imperial, and has been taken from the 1st vol. of a
work entitled " History of the Variations of the Protestant Churches," by
James Benign Bossuet.

The marriage contract of Phillip with Margaret de Saal his second wife
was attested to by Balthasar Rand, of Feeld, Notary Public Imperial.

MILTON ON POLYGAMY.

(The First Book on Christian Doctrine.)

In the definition which I have given of marriage, I have not said, in com-
pliance with the common opinion, of one man with one woman, lest I should
by implication charge the holy patriarchs and pillars of our faith, Abraham,
and the others who had more than one wife at the same time, with habitual

210

fornication and adultery ; and lest I should be forced to exclude from the
sanctuary of God as spurious, the holy offspring which sprang from them,
yea, the whole of the sons of Israel, for whom the sanctuary itself was made.
For it is said, Deut. xxiii. 2, " a bastard shall not enter into the congrega-
tion of Jehovah, even to his tenth generation." Either therefore polygamy
is a true marriage, or all children born in that state are spurious ; which
would include the whole race of Jacob, the twelve holy tribes chosen by
God. But as such an assertion would be absurd in the extreme, not to say
impious ; as it is the height of injustice, as well as an example of most dan-
gerous tendency in religion, to account as sin what is not such in reality ; it
appears to me, that so far from the question respecting the lawfulness of
polygamy being trivial, it is ofthehighesl importance that it should be decided.
Those who deny its lawfulness, attempt to prove their position from Gen.
11. 24, " a man shall cleave unto his wife, and they shall be one flesh," com-
pared with Matt. xxix. 5, " they twain shall be one flesh." A man shall
cleave, they say, to his wife, not to his wives, and they twain, and no more,
shall be one flesh. This is certainly ingenious ; and I therefore subjoin the
passage in Exod. xx. 17, " thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, nor
his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass :" whence it
would follow that no one had more than a single house, a single man-servant,
a single maid-servant, a single ox or ass. It would be ridiculous to argue,
that it is not said houses, but house, nor man-servants, but man-servant, not
even neighbours, but neighbour ; as if it were not the general custom, in
laying down commandments of this kind, to use the singular number not in
a numerical sense, but as designating the species of the thing intended. With
regard to the phrase, they twain, and no more, shall be one flesh, it is to be
observed, first, that the context refers to the husband and that wife only
whom he was seeking to divorce, without intending any allusion to the num-
ber of his wives, whether one or more. Secondly, marriage is in the nature
of a relation ; and to one relation there can be no more than two parties. If
a men has many sons, his paternal relation towards them all is manifold, but
towards each individually is single and complete in itself; by purity of reason-
ing, if a man has many wives, the relation which he bears to each will not
be less perfect in itself, nor will the husband be less one flesh with each of
them, than if he had only one wife. Thus it might be properly said of Abra-
ham, with regard to Sarah and Hagar respectively, these twain were oneflesh."

ELDER JONES AND THE REV. DR. FULLERTON.

In our last issue we published a copy of a letter that Elder Jones
had addressed to the Editors of the " Herald" and " Empire" and the
public, on the refusal of Dr. Fullerton to allow him to bury his
child in the Presbyterian Cemetery, on the 16th ultimo, the Dr.
published the following reply in the above named papers : —
"WHERE SHALL I BURY MY DEAD?"

To the Editor of the Sydney Morning Herald.
Sir, — In your number of Saturday last, you published a letter, in which the
writer, Mr. John Jones, says that Mr. Evans called on the Rev. Dr.

211

Fullerton for an order to open the grave. He was asked by the Dr. was I
a Presbyterian 1 Mr. Evans answered that I belonged to the Church of
Jesus Christ. The Dr. remarked, the Church of Latter Day Saints, and
was answered "yes, that's it." The Dr. then said, "I cannot give an
order." In reference to this statement, I request the privilege of submitting
a few observations. I think it would be most convenient and proper that
there should be one burial ground for persons of all denominations. But
you are aware that in Sydney the members of each denomination have or
may have a separate burial place. Some denominations, I believe, charge
for the space of land occupied by each grave : others charge both for the
grave, and for the services of the officiating minister. In the Presbyterian
ground, however, there is no charge for either, for this reason, many desire
to have their friends buried in our ground. Of this I have painful evidence,
having officiated during the past year at one hundred and eighty seven fune-
rals. I am bound by law to register each of these in duplicate, and to for-
ward within one month the register to the Registrar-General. I stated to
Mr. Evans that our burial ground is held in trust, for the use of Presby-
terians— that to give an order to open a grave for the child of Mr. Jones,
would imply that I believed the latter to be a Presbyterian — and that as
Mr. Evans declared he was not a Presbyterian, I could not give an order.
Mr. Evans replied, " We were told you could not, but we resolved to prove
it." I have in several instances given orders to persons who said that
members of their family had been interred in our ground through inadver-
tance ; and they have almost invariably refused to allow their own grave to
be opened, and insisted on being permitted to take new ground. In reply
to Mr. Jones's question, " Where shall I bury my dead ?" I answer, in the
public cemetery. Did not the Government enclose a cemetery for the use
of all 1 Should he wish to have a place more private, he can easily buy a
suburban allotment for his own use. Mr. Evans said he was prepared to
pay for ground. Land purchased, could be used by him at any time ; but
were the Government to convey land to trustees for the use of him and his
friends, under their present designation, he might be next year unable to use
it either with consistence or propriety. He called himseif formerly a Cal-
vinistic Methodist, he now repudiates that name, and designates himself a
Latter-day-Saint ; and he may ere long discard this designation, for some-
thing more novel or attractive.

I am, Sir, yours, &c,
Pitt-street South, December 15th. JAMES FULLERTON.

On the 23rd a copy of the following was sent to each of the daily
journals. It was published in the " Herald," but not in the "Empire."
How the " Empire," with its great pretensions of sympathy with the
oppressed, and advocacy of religious toleration, refused to publish it
we cannot tell, except it was that the Dr. had a friend in court who
pitied him, and thus interfered to prevent the severe castigation that
was given him therein*

WHERE SHALL I BURY MY DEAD ?

To the Editor of the "Sydney Morning Herald."

Sir, — Under the above heading there have appeared two letters in your

212

paper — one from Mr. Jones, on the 9th ; the other from the Rev. Dr.
Fullerton, on the 16th instant — in each of which my name has transpired;
and, as the doctor has made me to appear as acting a very ludicrous part in
the affair by asking him to do that which I had reason to believe he could
not, I deem but justice to myself that the circumstance as it really did tran-
spire should be made known to the public. I have, therefore, taken the
liberty to trouble you on the subject.

On die afternoon of the 4th instant I went to the Rev. Dr. F.'sfor an
order to open a grave. Having been introduced into the parlour, I took a
slip of paper out of my pocket, containing the name and age of Mr. J's
child and said, " Sir, I have come to apply for an order to open the grave of
Mr. Jones, who has two children buired in the Presbyterian ground." The
doctor said, "|Is he Presbyterian?" I answered, "No, sir ; he belongs to'
the Church of Jesus Christ." The doctor said, " Of Latter-day Saints?"
I answered, "Yes, sir." The doctor then said, "I cannot give an order."
He now went out of the parlour, and opened the hall-door, being half behind
it, and holding the handle in his hand, and said, "Others charge a fee: some
for the ground, others for both ground and service ; but we charge no fee.
For this reason many seek to bury in our ground." I then said, "That was
not the case at all; the fee, whether £5 or £10, I was prepared to pay: but
it appeared to me to be a great absurdity to speak about a fee in any such
cases. The reason for making the application was, that Mr. Jones had two
children already buried there." The doctor now said, " You have been very
candid in openly acknowledging that Mr. Jones is not a presbyterian, which
I like very much. You may apply to the trustees ; but if they give an order
I will not officiate." I now folded my arms, and looked him right in the
face, and said, " Are you not the minister of this ward, and have you not
the power to grant an order or to refuse ?" He answered, " I have." I
added, " And you refuse ?" He answered, " I do." I then stepped on
the threshold of the door, and said, " I was told you would not (not, you
could not) ; but I have now solved the problem for myself."

I do not here accuse the Doctor of wilful misrepresention ; for the words
being uttered whilst I was passing the threshold, it is quite possible that he
might have innocently mistaken " could" for " would."

I will take the liberty to observe that to me the doctor's letter has made
the case appear more aggravated.

Mr. Jones, in his appeal to you and the public (and his statements have
not been questioned), shows that, according to the rules that have hitherto
regvdated interments in the Presbyterian ground, he had established his
right to a grave therein, because an order had been given him for such by
Dr. Fullerton himself when Mr. Jones as openly disavowed himself a Pres-
byterian as I in his behalf did on the occasion referred to. The Doctor
then acknowledged his (Mr. Jones's) right, in virtue of the order given by
an agent of the Government, from whom the ground was received, and he
further sustained that right in virtue of his involuntary contributions in sup-
port of Presbyterianism, through the means of indirect taxation.

The Doctor, notwithstanding his plea about duplicate returns, acknow-
ledges that in other instances he has looked upon such as had members of
their family interred in the Presbyterian ground as having a right thereto ;
and I myself am acquainted with a case in which he acknowledged such

213

right by the acceptation of an order from Mr. W. Robb, an elder in our
Church, to open his (Mr. Robb's) grave for the child of a brother Latter-
day Saint. He has not given any reason why he selected Mr. Jones as the
first to refuse such right to.

In reference to the application, I will further remark that it was not made
for Mr. Jones personally, but for the lifeless body of a child that had come
through his loins, into which our Father in Heaven had sent a pure spirit
from the realms of light and love, to animate it for a few short months : the
which spirit He had been pleased to recall before it had become impregnated
with the vices and corruptions of this world, so that it returned to its Father
with eternal life abiding in it, being " of the Kingdom of Heaven." So
that whether reference be had to its past state here or its present in the
spirit world, it is monstrously absurd to speak about its being a Presby-
terian or any other avian, when here it had neither capacity nor opportunity to
determine, and surely Dr. Fullerton will not contend that Heaven is torn
asunder with the sects that distract this lower world.

His sarcastical allusion to the general cemetary and suburban allotment
has been sufficiently answered in your excellent leader on the subject in the
same issue as the Doctor's communication ; and as for his railing against Mr.
Jones for changing his opinions, I mould remind him of an example given in
Jude, 9th verse, where it is said that Michael, when contending with the devil
about the body of Moses, durst not bring a railing accusation against him ;
and" also the pungent rebuke of the Saviour to the Pharisees of old, when he
said, "Let him that is without sin cast the first stone."

I am, Sir, yours obebiently,

ROBERT EVANS.
Chippendale, December 22.

This correspondence not only shows the intolerant spirit that influences
the Dr. but also his want of truthfulness but; in his conduct we are not dis-
appointed, we were quite prepared for this and worse, ever since he exhib-
ited the " John Calvin burning Servetus " feeling at the close of his Lecture
on Mormonism, when he cried at the end of the said Lecture, " Have
nothing to do with the Mormons, receive them not into your houses, burn
their books " — the last sentence was delivered in so low atone, that it could
not be heard, we ask again if it was not " burn the Mormons," pray Dr.
what was it.

He alludes to their being no fee, &c, now if his past history is any crite-
rion, if there had been a fee, his very consciencious scruples would have
been allyaed ; has he forgot the admission that he once made of having per-
formed a certain act, condemned by the word of God, assigning as a reason
for such, that he did not like to see the money pass him, and forsooth this
man, has the assurance to vilify the servants of the Lord, who were never
yet found administering any of the holy ordinances of religion for pelf.

We would ask this hireling priest what there is in him, that is so pure and
holy, that he could not officiate at the grave, over the tabernacle of a being
relative, to whom the Saviour hath said " of such are the Kingdom of
Heaven," did it arise from that abominable Calvinistic doctrine, that hell is
paved with the sculls of infants not a span long.

214

Out upon such a priesthood who preach for hire, and divine for money ;
who wrest the word of God, and thus cause the way of truth to be evil
spoken against. — Ed.

AMERICAN EXTRACTS.

INTERESTING DISCOVERY.

A NEW QUESTION FOR HISTORICAL SOCIETIES, CONCERNING THE
ANTIQUITIES OF AMERICA

We have received a letter from an able and intelligent corres-
pondent now traversing the North western part of New England, with
a surveying party, for the location of a railroad, in which he gives an
account of one of the most remarkable discoveries that ever has been
made in N ew England, or indeed, in this country. I f the enthusias-
tic, and almost visionary views of our correspondent are realised even
in a small degree, we may suppose that an entirely new and unex-
plored field is about to be opened for the investigation of the learned,
and that new and interesting light is about to be shed upon the anti-
quities of this country, a subject which is now filled with much
doubt and uncertainty.

Before introducing the communication of our correspondent, we can-
not forbear to say, that, until twenty years Columbus, by the common
consent of nations, was considered as the discoverer of America, and
the first man from the eastern hemisphere, who ever conducted a
party of civilised and Christian men to this vast continent. It isun-
boubtly true that the present settlement of America dates from the
discoveries of Columbus. But the faith of the learned world, both in
this country and Europe, has been withdrawn from him, as the first
discoverer of America.

The literature of Iceland, of which the Royal Society at Copenha-
gen is the repository, contains interesting accounts of Icelandic
voyagers to New England as early as the year 1006-7. The savans
of that Society have within a few years, brought these interesting
records to light. The information contained in their published vol-
umes at once attracted the attention of the schoolmen. In this
country Edward Everett, while editor of the Nor h American Review,
gave the public, through its pages, the first idea of the yreat work of
the Copenhagen professors. He afterwards put this information in a
a more popular shape, and delivered two or three interesting lectures
on the subject in the Masonic Temple. Not content with this, he
prepared a volume entitled the "History of the Northmen in Vinland"
(New England,) which was published in this city, and may, doubtless'
be found on the book-sellers' shelves.

2' 15

We cite this case to prove that a long-cherished historical fact has
become so entirely changed as to lose all its characteristics. With
reference to the antiquities of America, we are all in the dark, and
anything that promises to give even the slightest clue towards increas-
ing our information, becomes in the highest degree important. For
this reason, Stephen's Travels in Central America, Yucaton, &c, have
been the most popular of that celebrated author's works. For this
reason, we give a prominent place to our correspondent's letter,
hoping and believing that the result of the discovery he
sets forth will throw a ray of light upon one of the most deeply in-
teresting questions that can occupy the mind of an American citizen.
Nestor Gap, Franklin Co., March 27, 1853.

Hear B , we are in the small hamlet which bears the name of

Nestor Gap. We have been groping about, for the last two weeks,
under the most discouraging circumstances. We have had snow,
hail, sleet, ice, rain, floods, mud, and all other unbearable things to
contend with Yesterday, freezing; to-day, thawing. But I must
forego the account of my personal experience and sufferings, and
hasten to give you a sketeh of a most extraordinary discovery made
by us.

(To be Continued.)

THE IRISHMAN AND THE DEACON ; OR, THE METHODIST

MEETING.

A few months ago, as Deacon Ingalls, of Swampseot, R. I., was
travelling through the western part of the state of New York, he fell
in with an Irishman who had lately arrived in this country, and was
in quest of a brother that came on before him and settled in some of
the diggings in that vicinity.

Pat was a strong, athletic man, and a true catholic, and had never
seen the interior of a Protestant churoh. It was a pleasant sabbath
morning that brother Ingalls met Pat, who enquired for the road
nearest the church.

Ingalls was a good pious man. He told Pat he was going to
church himself, and invited his new made acquaintance to accompany
him thither, his place of destination being a methodist meeting house
near by. There was a great revival there at that time, and one of
the deacons (who by the way was very small in statue,) invited bro-
ther I. to take a seat in his pew. He accepted the invitation and
walked in, followed by Pat, who looked in vain to find the altar,
&c. After he was seated he turned to brother I., and in a whisper
which could be heard by all around, enquired, " sure and isn't this a
heretic church ? " "Hush!" said Ingalls, "If you speak a loud
word they will put you out."

216

" Devil a word will I speak at all," replied Pat.

The meeting was opened with a prayer by the pastor. Pat was
eyeing him very closely } when suddenly an old gentleman who was
standing in the pew in front of Pat, shouted "glory," " His-st, ye
clear divil" rejoined Pat with his loud whisper, which was^heard by
the minister, " be daccnt, and don't make a blackguard of yourself."

The Parson grew more fervent in his devotions. Presently the
deacon uttered an inaudible groan. " His-st, ye blackguards, have
ye no dacency at all, at all?" said Pat, at the same moment giving
the deacon a punch in the ribs, which caused him nearly to lose his
equilibrium The minister stopped, and extending his hand in a
supplicating manner, said : —

" Brethren, we cannot be disturbed in this way, will some one be
kind enough to put that man out ?"

"Yes, your reverence," shouted Pat, " I will."

And suiting the action to the word, he collared the deacon, and
to the utter horror and astonishment of the pastor, brother Ingall?,
and the whole congregation, he dragged him through the aisle, and
with a tremendous kick a posteriori, as the logicians say, he landed
him in the vestibule of the Church.

One Sunday evening when Elder Jones was replying to Bunting's
reprint, from the " Eclectic Review," a number of Methodists were
present, who immediately commenced a series of interruptions, and
notwithstanding that they were promised, that if ihey would be
peaceable, they should have the liberty of taking the stand and re-
plying, so impeteous were their feelings that they continued their dis-
turbance through the service ; at the close of the meeting, hlder
Fleming said that in all his travelling, he had never witnessed such
disgraceful proceedings, that he would be responsible for any or all
of his brethren present that they would go into any congregation and
never disturb it in the least, although the minister thereof might be
heaping the greatest abuse on our principles, and upon the servants
of the Lord — yes the brethren in this place had listened to the Rev.
Dr. Lang and the Rev. Dr. Fullerton, under such circumstances, and
that he was ashamed of such conduct; it was neither gentlemanly nor
Christian.

These men appeared quite amazed when they were told that the
peace of the meeting should be maintained, and if it could not be
done otherwise that they should be turned out. We have made the
above extract to show their readiness to protect themselves. It is
also a sarcastical reproof of the uproarious character of their own
meeting.

Price Sixpence.

Edited and Published by A. Farnham, No. 103, Parramatta-street, Sydney.

THE ZION'S WATCHMAN,

PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE

€bmcb oi Jcstig €bvtet of iLatter^ae &aintg,

IN SYDNEY.

HE THAT READETH LET HIM UNDERSTAND.

Uos. 28-29. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY, 15, 1855. Vol. I.

G. S. L. City, Aug. 19th, 1854.
President Augustus Farnham,

Sydney,
And the Elders and Saints in

Australia.
Dear Brethren,

By letter from Elder Farnham dated Dec. 24th, 1853, I was made some-
what acquainted with your position, labors, success, and faith, all which were
causes for rejoicing in the kind dealing and overruling providence of our
God. Elder Wm. Hyde, arrived here on the 1 4th inst., having travelled
from San Bernardino with the mail company. I have seen him only for a
few moments, as his health is still very poor, and he is recruiting at his home
in Big Cottonwood. The saints who accompanied Elder Hyde to Cali-
fornia, are tarrying at San Bernardino waiting further counsel as to their
movements. This I have just written to Elders Rich and Lyman ; 1 have
understood that some of the brethren in Australia, donated means to help
the poor to emigrate with Elder Hyde, with the expectation that such
donations would be credited to them on the books of the Perpetual Emigra-
tion Fund. The motives that prompted this course I presume were good ;
and were the Fund much larger than it now is, and the poor saints in the
British Isles far less numerous than they now are, and still furthr, were
not the facilities for outfitting far greater in Australia, than in any other place
where there are poor saints to be gathered, — still all who have assisted or
may assist the saints to gather from Australia, with a view to being credited
on the books of the Fund, will be so credited whenever the amount advanced
by any individuals actually paid into the Fund. You will perceive at once
that this is the only just course under the circumstances, and the only one
that will enable me to keep the necessary oversight, and control of the means
of the Fiuid Co., at least until the Fund is far wealther in available means,
and the foreign poor much fewer in number. In far off missions like yours
I wish to remind you that it is not only your privilege, but your 'duty to so
walk in the path way of all truth, and so to rejoice in the spirit of the Lord,
as to be able to know the course of your duties and not wait for counsel from
me but act in faith, believing ever as you have done, and any little mistake
that may arise will be overruled for good. The economy of the Almighty
in reference to the salvation of the human family, requires this course, and

218

the long distance between us compels it. Still I shall avail myself of every
opportunity to give you such counsel as the spirit may dictate, and now take
occasion to write that all the elders who went from Utah to Australia, on a
mission, and are there upon receipt of this letter, are at liberty to tarry or
return home, as you shall decide in your councils, as you may be moved
upon through faithfulness by the Holy Ghost, and this without any further
word from me on that subject, but act in the matter as you can unanimously
agree.

I wish to inform Elder Burr Frost, that circumstances render it wisdom
for him to return home by the first opportunity, and that he has my counsel,
and cordial consent for so doing, and it will be all right. In relation to
matters here, the Indians continue very friendly, and we continue to enjoy
peace, prosperity, and generally good health. Hail and grasshoppers have
injured our field crops and gardens in some localities, still we have flattering
indications of a plentiful harvest. The public works are progressing with
considerable speed, and the inhabitants generally are energetic in the various
grades of private improvements, calculated to make our mountain homes
comfortable and beautiful. The adobie work of the wall around the Temple
Block was finished on the 15th inst., and on the 16th I helped to raise the
first coping stone to its place on the N. W. corner. The workmen have
been for some time past, busily engaged in laying the massive stone founda-
tion of the Temple, which is composed of huge blocks of sand stone or con-
glomerated. In short the Lord is weekly blsssing his people in Zion, and
wherever they are upon the earth, and it simply remains for each of us to
stand in our several lots, magnifying our callings to the honor and glory of
his name, and all things will work together for good. So far as I know your
families are well, and I presume keep you informed on family and local
topics. Praying for your welfares in the way of all truth.
I Remain your brother in the Gospel,

Brigham Young.

EXTRACTS FROM THE DESERET.

THE TEMPLE.

To the Editor of the Deseret News.

Sir, — You request a brief description of the Temple now being built in this
city, for the information of your subscribers. I will give it as presented on
the draught now before me ; hoping it will tend to obviate so many ques-
tiop.s being asked by various individuals.

The Temple Block is 40 rods square, the lines running north and south,
east and west, and contains 1 0 acres. The centre of the Temple is 1 56 feet
6 inches due west from the centre of the east line of the Block. The length
of the said House, east and west, is 186^ feet, including towers, and the
width 99 feet. On the east end there are three towers, as also on the west.
Draw a line north and south 118| thro' the centre of the towers and you
have the north and south extent of ground plan, including pedestal.

219

We depress into the earth, at the east end, to the depth of 1(3 feet, and
enlarge all around beyond the lines of wall 3 feet for a footing,

The north and south walls are 8 feet thick, clear of pedestal ; they stand
upon a footing of 16 feet wall, on its bearing, which slopes 3 leet on each
side to the height of 7^ feet. The footing of the towers rise to the same
height of the side, and is one solid piece of masonry of rough ashlars, laid in
good lime mortar.

The basement of the main building is divided into many rooms by walls,
all having footings. — The line of the basement floor is G inches above the
top of the footing. From the tower on the east to the tower on the west,
the face of the earth slopes 6 feet, four inches above the earth on the east
line, begins a promenade walk, from 1 1 to 22 feet wide, around the entire
building, and approached by stone steps on all sides.

There are four towers on the four corners of the building, each starting
from their footing, of 26 feet square ; these continue 16^ feet high, and
come to the line of the base string course, which is 8 feet above the pro-
menade walk. At this point the towers are reduced to 25 feet square ; they
then continue to the height of 38 feet, or the height of the second string
course. At this point they are reduced to 23 feet square ; they then con-
tinue 38 feet high, to the third string course. The string course continue all
around the building, except when seperated by buttresses. These string
courses are massive mouldings from solid blocks of stone.

The two east towers then rise 25 feet to a string course, or cornice. The
two west towers rise 19 feet and come to their string course, or cornice. —
The four towers then rise 9 feet to the top of battlements. These towers
are cylindrical, having 17 feet diameter inside, within which stairs ascend
around a solid column four feet in diameter, allowing landings at the various
sections of the building. These towers have each 5 ornamental windows on
two sides, above the basement. The two centre towers occupy the centre
of the east and west ends of the building, starting from their footings 31 feet
square, and break off in sections in line with corner towers to the height of
the third string course. The east centre tower then rises 40 feet to the top
of battlements ; the west centre tower rises 34 feet to the top of battle-
ments. All the towers have spires, the details of which are not decided on.

All these towers, at their corners have octagon turrets terminated by
octagon pinnacles 5 feet diameter at base, 4 feet at first story, and 3 feet
from there up. There are also on each side of these towers two buttresses,
except when they come in contact with the body of the main building.
The top of these buttresses show 48 in number, and stand upon pedestals.
The space between the buttresses and turrets is 2 feet at first story. On
the front of two centre towers are two large windows, each 32 feet high, one
above the other, neatly prepared for that place.

On the two west corner towers, and on the west end, a few feet below the
top of battlements, may be seen in bold, (or alto relievo) the great dipper,
or Ursa Major, with the pointers ranging nearly towards the north star.
(Moral, the lost may find themselves by the Priesthood.)

I will now glance at the main body of the House. I have before stated
that the basement was divided into many rooms. The centre one is arran-
ged for a baptismal font, and is 57 feet long by 35 feet wide, separated from
the main wall by four rooms, two on each side, 19 feet long by 12 wide.

220

On the east and west side of these rooms are 4 passages 12 feet wide ; these
lead to and from by outside doors, two on the north and two on the south.
Farther east and west from these passages are 4 more rooms, two at each
end, 28 feet wide by 38| long. These and their walls occupy the basement.
All the walls start off their footings, and rise 16| feet, and there stop with
ground ceiling.

We are now up to the line of the base string course, 8 feet about the pro-
menade, or steps rising to the Temple, which terminates the cope ofpedestal,
and to the first floor of said House. — This room is joined to the outer courts,
these courts being the width between towers, 16 feet by 9 in the clear. We
ascend to the floors of these courts (they being on a line with first floor of
main house) by four flights of stone steps 9^ feet wide, arranged in the base-
ment work ; the first step ranging to the outer line of towers. From these
courts doors admit to any part of the building.

The size of the first large room is 120 feet long by 80 feet wide ; the
height reaches nearly to the second string course. The room is arched over
in the centre with an elliptical arch which drops at its flank 10 feet, and
has 38 feet span. The side ceilings have \ elliptical arches which start
from the side walls of the main building, 1 6 feet high, and terminate at the
capitals of the columns or foot of centre arch, at the height of 24 teet. — The
columns obtain their bearings direct from the footings of said house ; these
colums extend up to support the floor above.

The outside walls of this story are 7 feet thick. The space, from the ter-
mination of the foot of the centre arch to the outer wall, is divided into 16
compartments, 8 on each side, making rooms 14 feet by 14, clear of parti-
tions, and 10 feet high, leaving a passage 6 feet wide next to each flank of
centre arch, which is approached from the ends. These rooms are each
lighted by an elliptical or oval window whose major axis is vertical.

The second large room is one foot wider than the room below ; this is in
consequence of the wall being but 6 feet thick, falling off six inches on the
inner, and six on the outer side. The second string course provides for this
on the outside. — The rooms of this story are similar to those below. The
side w alls have 9 buttresses on a side, and have 8 tier of windows, 5 on each
tier.

The foot of the basement windows are 8 inches above the promenade, rise
3 feet perpendicular, and terminate with a semicircular head. The first
story windows have 12 feet length of sash, to top of semicircular head. The
oval windows have 6| feet length of sash. The windows of the second
story are the same as those below. — All these frames have 4^ feet width of
sash.

The pedestals under all the buttresses project at their base 2 feet ; above
their base, which is 15 inches by 4^ feet wide, on each front, is a figure of a
globe 3 feet 1 1 inches across, w hcse axis corresponds with the axis of the
earth.

The base string course forms a cope for those pedestals. Above this cope
the buttresses are S\ feet, and continue to the height of 100 feet. — Above
the promenade, close under the second string course, on each of the but-
tresses is the moon, represented in its different phases. Close under the
third string course, or cornice is the face of the sun. Immediately above
is Saturn with her rings. The buttresses terminate with a projected cope.

221
i

The only difference between the tower buttresses, and the one just des-
cribed, is, instead of Saturn being on them, we have clouds and ravs of light
descending downwards.

Ail of these symbols are to be chiseled in bas relief on solid stone. The
side walls continue, above the string course, or cornice, 85 feet, making the
walls 96 feet high, and are formed in battlements, interspersed with stairs.

The roof is quite flat, rising only 8 feet, and is to be covered with gal-
vanized iron, or some other metal. The building is to be otherwise orna-
mented in many places. The whole structure is designed to symbolize some
of the great architectural work above.

The basement windows recede in, from the face of outer wall to sash
frame, 18 inches, and are relieved by a large cavete. These windows above
the base recede from face of wall to sash frame, 3 feet, and are surrounded
by stone jambs formed in mouldings, and surmounted by labels over each,
which terminate at their horizon, excepting the oval windows, whose labels
terminate on columns which extend from an enriched string course, at the
foot of each window, to the centre of major axis.

My chief object in the last paragraph is to show to the judgment of any
who may be baffled, how those windows can be come at, &c. All the win-
dows in the towers are moulded, and have stone jambs ; each being crowned
with label mouldings.

For further particulars, wait till the house is done, then come and see it.

The whole house covers an area of 21,850 feet.

TRUMAN O. ANGELL, Arch't.

PROGRAMME.

GRAND JUVENILE PROCESSION.

Monday, July 24tk, 1854.

BEING THE SEVENTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PIONEERS INTO THE VALLEY
OF THE GREAT SALT LAK"E.

At sunrise firing of cannon bv Capt. Tanner's Artillery, and ringing of
bells.

At 7 o'clock, children will assemble at the School House of their re-
spective Wards, and proceed immediately to the place of general gathering,
the Tabernacle.

The Grand Procession will form at 7| o'clock, and at half-past 8 pre-
cisely, will leave the ground under the direction of the Marshal of the Day,
Col. J. C. Little, and parade a portion of the city, continuing its march to the
residence of President Young ; where, with singing and addresses, by the
youths, the President and Suite will be received under a Pioneer Salute of
7 guns, at which time the Mammoth Flag will be unfurled, and the Pro-
cession proceed to the Tabernacle.

The Procession being seated, doors will be opened to the public.

The assembly called to order by the Marshal — Prayer by the Chaplain.

Singing by the Juvenile Choir.

Followed by addresses, anecdotes, and toasts adapted to the occasion, in-
terspersed with music by the several bands, and singing by the Choir.

222

At the close of the exercises the public will retire.

The Procession will re-form and escort the President and Suit back to his
residence. From thence they will parade thro' another portion of the City,
until its arrival at the place of starting.

The Procession will then form in square, give one hearty good cheer, for
each Anniversary of the Pioneers, accompanied by the roll of drums and
firing of cannon.

The Regalia will then be collected, and the Procession dismissed ; when
they will return to their respective Ward School Houses, where it is ex-
pected a collation will be provided by the parents, to close the amusements
of the day.

ORDER OF PROCESSION.

1. Marshal of the day, and Captain L. W. Hardy, on horse. Wm. Ed-
dington and N. H. Felt, Aids.

2. Young man bearing the Marshal's Insignia of Office, mounted in gold
letters, — "Order."

R. T. Burton, Ass't Marshal.

3. American Standard, "Stars and Stripes."

4. Martial Band.

5. Pioneers' Band.

6. 24 Young Men, in full Mountain Dress.

7. Banner, Names of Pioneers.

J. W. Cummings, Ass't. Mar.

8. Boy bearing Cushion, with Bible, and Book of Mormon in six differ-
ent languages.

9. 24 Boys in white pants, shirts, and straw hats.

10. 24 Girls in white dress and pink bodies.

11. Boy with Banner, blue silk and gold. — "Wisdom."

Joseph Horn, Ass't Mar.

12. Boy with Compass.

13. Terrestial Globe, mounted in a Canopy of blue silk and gold, carried
by four Boys in white pants, shirts, cornets, and scarfs.

14. 8 Boys with Educational Instruments.

15. 3 Boys with Quadrant, Mountain Barometer, and Sextant.

16. Celestial Globe, mounted on a Canopy of white silk and gold, carried
by 4 Boys, in white pants, shirts, cornets, and scarfs.

17. Boy bearing Orrery; Inscription, — "Eternities."

Joseph Cain, Ass't. Mar.

18. University Banner.

19. 12 Boys, white pants, shirts, red sashes, Mottoes in gold.

20. Banner, in blue silk and gold,—" All Truh"

21. 12 Girls in white dresses.

D. Candland, Ass't. Mar.

22. Banner in silk, — "Zion's Bulwarks."

23. 3 Boys with silk sashes, Mottoes in gold.

24. 24 Boys in light dress, and black belts.

25. Banner, — "Virtue adorns Zion."

26. 24 Girls in white dress.

223

J. F. Hutchinson, Ass'i. Mar.

27. Banner, — "Sweet Singers of hi ael."

28. 24. Juvenile Singers ; 12 Lads in light dresses.

29. Teachers.

D. A. Wells, Ass't. M.\r.

30. Banner carried by Indian Children, — "We shall become a White and
Delightsome people."

31. 24 Indian Children in Indian costume,

Cornaby, Ass't. Mar.

32. Banner, — "Hope of Israel."

33. 50 Boys.

34. Ornamental staff, with Inscription, — "Faith, Hope, and Charity.

35. 50 Girls.

A. Hoagland, Ass't. Mar.

36. Band Banner.

37. Nauvoo Brass Band.

38. Large Terrestrial Globe, mounted in a Canopy of purple silk and
gold, carried by six Young Men in white pants, tunics, neck ties, scarfs and
cornets of silk and gold ; Inscription, — "The Saints' Inheritance."

39. Banner, Lion and Lamb.

40. President Brigham Young and Suite. — Lorenzo Snow on the right,
Wilford Woodruff on the left, on white horses. Chaplain. .

41. Banner. — "Blessed are they whose Names are Written in the Book of
Life."

42. Church Historian with Roll, supported by his 4 Clerks, in white
pants, vest, black coats, scarfs, and bearing a Canopy of silk and gold.

43. Large Celestial Globe, mounted on a Canopy of white silk and gold,
carried by 6 Young Men in white pants, tunics, neck ties, scarfs and cornets,
of silk and gold ; supported on the right by Orson Hyde, on the left by John
Taylor, on white horses Inscription, — "Come and See."

A. H. Raleigh, Ass't. Mar.

44. Large Map of the American Continent, lettered, — "Ephriam's
Portion."

45. Company of Boys.

B. H. Young, Ass't. Mar.

46. Banner in Silk, — "Mothers teach us how to be Great."

47. 24 Girls in white dress and blue bodies.

J. M. Simmons, Ass't. Mar.

48. Banner, — "Ziortt Daughters rejoice in Zion's Peace"

49. 24 Gills in white dress, blue scarfs, white wreaths for head dress.

50. Banner, in white silk and gold, " Purity."

51. 24 Misses, in white, with scarfs, coronets of white roses on their
heads, and bouqets of flowers in their hands.

B.B. Messenger, Ass't. Mar.

52. Banner, — " Union is Liberty."

53. Company of Boys.

H. B. Clawson, Ass't^ Mar,

54. Banner, white silk and gold, — " Virtue."

55. 12 Young Ladies in white, dressed precisely alike ; coronets of

224

white roses upon their heads, in their hands bouquets of '.'. and wear-

ing white silk sashes, with the following mottoes in gold : —

" Hail to the Prophet," " Holiness to the Lord," "Zion of the Lord,"
" Mountain Blossoms," " Zion's Hope," " Israel's Deliverance," " Purity
and Virtue," " Love and Purity," " Zion our Home," " Lillies of the Val-
ley," " Peace and Plenty," " Pure Love Exalteth."
John Brown, Ass't. Mar.

56. A large Map of Asia, lettered in gold, — " Judalis Portion."

57. Company of Boys.

58. Deseret Alphabet.

59. Company of Girls.

60. Band Banner.

61. Ballo's Brass Band.

62. 2 Little Boys attired in Shepherd Dresses of Tartan Plaid, bearing
Shepherd Crooks, and attended with Pet Lambs.

Capt. Heman Hyde.

63. Rear Guard full equipped.

WASHINGTON.

( Extract from the Star.)

Extensive Appropriations by Congress for Utah — Appointments for Justice

and Indian Agents for Utah.

Washington City, August 8, 1854.

President F. D. Richards.

My Dear Sir — Notwithstanding His Satanic Majesty raged and roared,
the following bills and amendments to bills, have, with the blessing of God,
passed both branches of the National Legislature, and having received the
Executive sanction, have become laws of the land —

A bill to refund to the Teritory of Utah the expenses incurred
in suppressing Indian hostilities in the years 1850 and 1851, $20, 940.65

A bill to provide for the construction of a Military Road
to Utah, 25,000.00

An amendment to the civil and diplomatic bill to increase the
Utah Library, 500.09

An amendment to the civil and diplomatic bill to pay the
Code Commissioners, 2, 428.10

For general incidental expenses of the Indian service in the
Territory ot Utah during the year ending June 30th, 1854, 10,000.00

For general incidental expenses of the Indian service of the
Territory of Utah for the year ending June 30, 1855, 20,000.00

For the expenses of negotiating treaties with, and -making
presents of goods and provisions to the Indians in the Territory
of Utah, 45,000.00

To defray the expenses of the Territorial Government of Utah
for the year ending June 30th, 1855, 30,700.00

$154, 568,75

225

Three or four new post routes have also been established in Utah.
George P. Stiles has been appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme
Court of the United States, for the Territory of Utah, vice Judge Underwood
declined.

Dr. Garland Hurt, of Kentucky, has been appointed Indian Agent for
the Territory of Utah, in the place of Major Bedell deceased.

I remain yours, ever truly.

John M. Berxiiisel.

FERRIS'S "UTAH AND THE MORMONS" WEIGHED IN
THE BALANCES.

( Extract from the Star.)

Benjamin G. Ferris, late Secretary of State for Utah, has given
to the world his views of / tali and the Mormons. Throughout his
whole work of 347 octavo pages, I cannot find a single open, manly
testimony of virtue in the "Mormons," or in their religion, excepting
an acknowledgement of "polite and kind attentions" on the part of a
few individuals, and "friendly courtesy" on the part of the people of
G. S. L. City generally, a concession which the commonest court-
esies of society could not fail to exact.

The Book of Mormon, without doubt, was founded on Solomon
Spaulding's Manuscript Fouud. A "combination of cunning and
sensuality" formed the character of Joseph Smith, "the latter cpuality
indeed," eventually becoming "the absordin;f and governing passion
of his soul, which respected neither the ties of kindred nor friendship.
Out of such a character the doctrines and practices of polygamy legit-
imately grew. Of course "Joseph Smith was no martyr" — his death
was merely a political mistake." Furthermore, " it is a misnomer to
say that the Mormons have been persecuted on account of their reli-
gion." So far from that, "religious persecution does not belong to
the American mind." The fact is, "aside from constitutional and
statuary protection, all forms and creeds are tolerated, however redi-
culous and absurd, provided their practical ultimation do not interfere
with the rights of others." But here is the grand difficulty — "Mor-
monism, unhapily, furnishes a justification to the conscience of the
fanatical believer for the commission of all the crimes which have been
charged to its account." But why were not "Mormon" criminals
brought to justice ? Ah, gentle reader, you little know the com-
plexion of a "Mormon" community, or you would not ask that simple
question. The "Viormons" were decided criminals, and ought to
have received condign punishment, but they were sharp enough to
evade justice — they were too cunning to be caught. "A community
like that of Nauvoo, possesed almost unlimited facilities for the
concealment of crime, in the first instance, and, in the end, for

226

screening the detected offender from justice." A criminal, or mis-
sing property, might be traced to the precincts of Nauvoo, but there
fairy land commenced further search was hopeless, the pursuer was
baffled and bewildered at every step, and had eventually to return
sorely disappointed — " once within its territory, and further trace
would be lost : it was then as fruitless a task as hunting Indians in
the everglades of Florida without the aid of bloodhounds." There
might have been " cases of individual wrong" in the " break-up of
Nauvoo," as such cases " will always occur in civil commotions."
But " the original causes of the trouble are to be found in the Mor-
mon system itself, — in its arrogant religious pretentions, its reeking
licentiousness, and its general licence to plunder the goods, and
trample upon the rights of all ' Gentile' communities with which it
may happen to be in contact." And the " Mormons" should not
u complain that, in making war upon the social morality, and the
civil and religious institutions of the country, they have not only lost
the battle, but come out of the contest with diminished resources."

The raising of the " Mormon Battalion," of 500 men, for the Mex-
ican war, while the Church lay in the wilderness of Iowa, must not
be considered a sacrifice, nor an exhibition of patriotism and loyalty,
but was a boon to the Saints, as it led them in a direction they wished
to go, and brought the Church a bounty of some 20,000 dollars,
which " more than counter-balanced the incovenience arising from
the absence of that number of men." The exode from Nauvoo to
Great Salt Lake Valley, though effected in an " admirable manner,"
was comparatively an easy task. The people of Utah are not
worthy of so much renown for industry and enterprise as they have
received, for they have accomplished no more than what any similar
number of Americans could do.

As may be expected the degradation of Utah is deep and abiding.
The most " frightful licentiousness" prevails, as the necessary con-
sequence of a plurity of wives. " The pollution of the Latter-day
polygamist is thorough and complete, mind and body. There is no
degree of profanity and blasphemy that he cannot compass with the
coolness of an every-day occupation. Everything sacred which he
breathes upon or touches, is profaned and polluted, from the throne
of the Eternal to the family altar, around which are usually garnered
all the hopes and joys of Christian minds. All his doctrines are base
literalism and materialism — all his joys are carnal and selfish." We
may shortly expect Utah to be destroyed by fire from heaven like
Sodom and Gomorrah, for, if Mr. Ferris's charge be true, she cer-
tainly deserves it. Only to think of common decency being all but
a stranger at Salt Lake ! " Their system of plurality has obliterated
nearly all sense of decency, and would seem to be fast leading to an
intercourse open and promiscuous as the cattle in the fields." The

227

wives in Utah are certainly objects of special commiseration — "A
apife, in Utah, cannot live out half her days." The effects of poly-
gamy are pursued to a grand climax — " In every instance where it
has been introduced, it has totally destroyed all union of affection
and interest previously existing. The wife has no further motive to
labour and economize for the family, because she finds one or more
intruders who have the right to share in the benefits of her exertions ;
and the concubine, for a similar reason, feels no interest and makes
no effort. The wife hates them for interfering with her comfort, and
estranging the affections of her husband ; they, on the other hand,
hate the wife and each other, and the children of each other. The
husband hates the wife on whose affections he has trampled, and over
whom he has tyranized, and hates each concubine, of whom he tires
when a fresh one is introduced ; and the children hate each other as
cordially as a band of half starved young wolves. It is hate, strife,
and wretchedness, through the whole family circle. H ecate herself,
in her deepest malignity, could not have devised a more effectual
scheme to destroy the happiness of mankind. The husband, under
the domestic discord and gross indulgence, loses his energy, becomes
discouraged, sinks into the bloated, vulgar debauchee, and affords a
capital illustration of the truth, that " our pleasant vices are made
the whips to scourge us." A most inviting picture, surely ! Felony
and murder are also winked at and abetted by the authorities of the
Church.

Salt Lake Valley is very unhealthy, and a " frightful degree of
sickness and mortality prevails," the children, through the " gross
sensuality and carelessness" of the parents, being the chief sufferers.
Mr. Ferris has very industriously gathered up divers stories, and
" amusing scenes," similar to the lowest of those which pass, in Chris-
tian communities, under the category of " scandal." He speaks of
the dissensions, and the decrease of population, that prevail at Salt
Lake ; and concludes by showing that the Saints have begun to
" decline and fall," are fast hasting to decay, and " must gradually
sink away and become lost in a better population."

Such are the staple contents of Utah and the Mormons. Now it
is really too bad that the world should be called upon to believe that
the people of Utah are so utterly and irreclaimably degraded as is
above repiesented. Such a one-sided report — all worse and no
better, like the negro's wife, defeats the intentions of the author, and
consequently requires no systematic and literal refutation. To under-
take to do such a thing would be wasting labour and time. He who
can believe Mr. Ferris's work must possess a very obtuse and unre-
flecting mind. Were it not that many editors are publishing extracts
from Utah and (he Mormons, and that there are hundreds and thou-
sands of honest people in this country, who have heard nothing on

228

the other side of the question, and who consequently might be led to
erroneous conclusions respecting the Latter-day Saints, the work
would, most likely, never have been noticed in the Star. But, for
the information and benefit of such persons, i have given above a
short description of Mr. Kerris's book. If they wish for a further
acquaintance with that work, they can procure it for themselves.
Meanwhile 1 will introduce Mr. Ferris's testimony into one scale of
the balances, and, without any misgivings as to the result, introduce
into the other scale, from various sources, perhaps quite as respec-
table as the Ex-Secretary of Utah, the following testimony, conclud-
ing with the sensible observations of a lady who has proven for her-
self the practical workings of that system which Mr. Ferris denomi-
nates the " crowning trait of Mormonism," and which" has proved to
be the Pandora's box from which these troublesome plagues have
gone forth on their errand of mischief —

" My dear Sir — I have just cut the enclosed slip from the Buffalo
Courier. It brings serious charges against Brigham Young, gover-
nor of Utah, and falsely charges that I knew them to be true. You
will recollect that I relied much upon you for the moral character and
standing of Mr. Young. You knew him, and had known him in
Utah. You are a Democrat, but I doubt not will truly state whether
these charges against the moral character of Governor Young are

trUe." Bis Excellency Millard Fillmore, President of the United

states, to Colonel T. L. Kane.

" My dear Sir, — I have no wish to evade the responsibility of
having vouched for the character of Mr. Brigham Young, of Utah,
and his fitness for the station he now occupies. I reiterate, without
reserve, the statement of his excellent capacity, energy, and integrity,
which I m de you prior to his appointment. I am willing to say 1
volunteered to communicate to you the facts by which I was con-
vinced of his patriotism and devotion to the interests of the union.
I made no qualification when I assured you of his irreproachable
moral character, because I was able to speak of this from my own
intimate personal knowledge. . . Meanwhile, I am ready to offer
this assurance for publication in any form you care to indicate, and
challenge contradiction from any respectable authority." — o'otiel
T. L. Kme to ins Excellency President, Mi lard Fillmore.

" Nor, whatever may be the character of the leaders, can we hesi-
tate to believe the almost unanimous testimony of travellers to the
general morality of the population ? Indeed, the laborious and suc-
cessful industry, which we have described could not characterize a
debauched and licentious people. "—Edinburgh Review.

" It certainly argued a high tone of morals, and an habitual obser-
vance of good order and decorum, to find women and children thus
securely slumbering in the midst of a large city, with no protection

229

from midnight molestation other than a wagon-cover of linen and the
a1 g is of the law." — Vapfain stansbiu )/s Expedition to Great
Satt Late.

" Upon the practical working of this system of plurality of wives,
I can hardly be expected to express more than a mere opinion. . .
So far, however, as my intercourse with the inhabitants afforded me
an opportunity of judging, its practical operation was quite different
from what I had anticipated. Peace, harmony, and cheerfulness
seemed to prevail, where my preconceived notions led me to look for
nothing but the exhibition of petty jealousies, envy, bickerings, and
strife. Confidence and sisterly affection among the different mem-
bers of the family seemed pre-eminently conspicuous." — Ibid.

" Since the return of the expedition, it has appeared evident that
the nature of the domestic relations of the Mormons has been very
generally misapprehended. It seems that the ' spiritual wife system,1
as it has been very improperly denominated, has been supposed to be
nothing more nor less than the unbridled license of indiscriminate in-
tercourse between the sexes, either openly practised by all, or in-
dulged to the invasion of individual rights by the spiritual elders.
Nothing can be funher from the real state of the case. The tie that
binds a Mormon to his second, third, or fourth wife, is just as strong,
sacred, and indissoluble, as that which unites him to his first. Al-
though this assumption of new marriage bonds be called "sealing"
it is contracted, not secretly, but under the solemn sanctions of a
religious ceremony, in the presence, and with the approbation and
consent of relatives and friends. Whatever may be thought of the
morality of this practice, none can fail to perceive that it exhibits a
state of things entirely different from the gross licentiousness which
is generally thought to prevail in this community, and which, were
it the case, would justly commend itself to the unmingled abhorence
of the whole civilised world. The recent acquittal of a Mormon
elder for shooting the seducer of one of his wives, on the ground that
the act was one of justifiable homicide, fully corroborates the truth of
this remark, and shows in how strong a light the sacredness and ex-
clusive character of such relations are viewed by the Mormons them-
selves."— Ibid.

" We can only say that all marriage relations that came under our
notice were most purely correct in appearance ; and that all wives
in Utah showed a devotion and alacrity in domestic affairs and family
duties, that would promote the harmony of the world, and make many
a heavy heart beat for joy, if universal." — Lieut. Gunnison s His-
tory of the Mormons.

H The cheerful happy faces — the self satisfied countenances — the
cordial salutation of brother or sister on all occasions of address — the
lively strains of music pouring forth from merry hearts in every domi-

280

cile, as women and children sing their ' songs of Zion,' while plying
their domestic tasks, give an impression of a happy society in the
vales of Deseret." — Ibid.

" The plurality system, as it is called here (or polygamy, in fact,)
prevails extensively ; but those who suppose that licentiousness or
looseness of manners or morals prevails to any extent, are very much
mistaken. The women are exceedingly modest and circumspect in
their department. 1 have had the pleasure of an introduction to a
number who are very sensible and agreeable, and i think, compare

fully with the well-bred ladies of the States From all I

can see and learn, there is less licentiousness and vulgarity in this
city and territory than any other place of equal population in the
United States. The men are jealous of all interference in their
domestic affairs, and seduction and adultery, if discovered, are apt to
be punished by death of the offender. Some cases of this kind have
happened here." — L. ti. Head, United >tates Chief Justice for the
territory ot Utah.

" While to the thoughtless reader the name of Mormonism is only sugges-
tive of ribald epigrams on the continency of Mr. Brigham Young, and the
existence of the sect is treated as a mere joke, the eyes of thinking men are
fixed on the young settlement of De seret, with apprehensions of no common
magnitude. The colony of Salt Lake is no assemblage of hairbrained
socialists, or agapemone of rogues and dupes— a haunt of hypocrisy and
beastly licentiousness — Brigham Young and his followers are neither idle
knave's nor corrupt profligates. The stumbling-blocks which have led to the
downfall of so many false sects, have been avoided by the Mormons. Their
religious code is imbued with enough mysticism to attract the imaginative,
but it is linked and coupled with a moral law framed on the wisest basis." —
New York Herald.

" Despite all the calumnious tales which have been circulated, we have
every reason to believe that the Mormons are just in their dealings, and
kind and charitable both to strangers and to each other. Polygamy, it is
true, is practised among them, and has been severely used as a weapon in
the hands of their assailants : but so far from being made subservient to
depraved passions, it is only tolerated in order to increase the number of
the faithful, and on the principle quoted above, that drones— whether male
or female— must be driven from the hive. Female chastity and conjugal
fidelity are essential virtues ; adultery and illicit intercourse will be punished
with death by the Mormon code. Both honour and religion oblige the man,
whose wife, daughter, or sister had been injured, to kill the seducer."— Ibid.

" I must still say, on the ground of what I was able to collect in America
regarding this sect— its leaders and doctrines— that I believe the accusations
laid to their charge are for the greater part untrue. . . . I was assured,
by an intellectual man— not a Mormon— who had resided two years among
the Mormons in Utah, that the morals of the public were remarkably pure,
and that the Mormon women were above all blame" — Frederica Brenner's
Homes of the New World.

231

The way these Mormons have been ' lied about\is a sin. I never saw a
more peacetul, sober, industrious, and thriving people in rny life. Their
city is a perfect pattern of neatness, and everybody in it seems to be active
and busy." — U. C. Lee, of Milwaukie Wisconsin.

" I have not yet heard the single charge against them as a community,
against their habitual purity of life, their integrity of dealing, their toleration
of religious differences of opinion, their regard for the laws% or their devo-
tion to the constitutional government under which we live — that I do not,
from my own observation or the testimony of others, know to be unfoun-
ded."— Colonel Thomas L. Kane.

" I have been annoyed by comments this hastily written discourse has
elicited : well meaning friends have even invited me to tone down its re-
marks in favour of the Mormons, for the purpose of securing them a readier
acceptance. 1 can only make them more express. The Truth must take
care of itself. I not only meant to deny that the Mormons in any wise fall
below our own standard of morals, but I would be distinctly understood to
ascribe to those of their number with whom I associated in the West, a
general correctness of deportment and purity of character above the average
of ordinary communities." — Ibid.

" It is observed to me, with a vile meaning, that I have said little about
the Mormon women. I have scarcely alluded to them, because my memo-
ries of them are such that I cannot think of their characters as a theme for
discussion. In one word, it was eminently that which for Americans dig-
nifies the names of mother, wife, and sister. Of the self-denying generosity,,
which went to ennoble the whole people in my eyes, I witnessed among them
the brightest illustrations. I have seen the ideal charity of the statue
gallery surpassed by the young Mormon mother, who shared with the
stranger's orphan the breast of milk of her own child." — Ibid.

" Can charges which are so commonly and so circumstantially laid, be
without any foundation at all 1 I know it. Upon my return from the
prairie, I met through the settlements scandalous stories against the Presi-
dent of the sect, which dated of the precise period when I myself was best
acquainted with his self-denying and blameless life. I had an experience
no less satisfactory with regard to other falsehoods, some of them the most
extravagant and most widely believed. During the sickness I have referred
to, I was nursed by a dear lady, well connected in New York and New
Jersey, whom I sufficiently name to many by stating that she was the first
cousin of one of our most respected citizens, whose conduct as chief magis-
trate of Philadelphia in an excited time won for him our general esteem.
In her exile, she found her severest suffering in the belief that her friends in
the States looked upon her as irreclaimably outcast. It was one of the first
duties I performed on my return, to enlighten them as to her true position,
and the character of her exemplary husband ; and the knowledge of this
fact arrived in time, I believe, to be of comfort to her before she sank under
the privation and hardship of the march her frame was too delicate to
endure." — Ibid.

"I afterwards learned that he was a Mormon who had three v/ives, and
intended to have ten when he was able to support them. . . . He was
a most energetic, untiring, business man — shrewd and keen, with a reason-
able share of the moral and religious ; honest, aspiring, ambitious ; a warm

232

friend ; courageous and resolute ; just the very kind of a man calculated to
make an earnest, go-a-head, first-rate, good citizen. . . Yet this man
has three wives and eight children, and he is hut thirty years of age. He is
an honest man — known everywhere for his honesty. Now, all these wives
arouse this man to energy, and give an impetus to all his actions. I say

that he is a good member of society The women harmonize

with these views, and actually prompt their husbands to get a greater num-
ber of wives. Their families enjoy themselves more than we do in society.
I have this from the testimony of those who do not approve of Mormonism. —
Dr. Bourne.

" The green-eyed monster seems to have entirely overlooked the ladies
of Salt Lake, in his round of terrestrial visitations. Such a thing as a
spiritual Kilkenny fight is a thing wholly unheard of and unsuspected in the
annals of Mormonism." — St. Louis Intelligencer.

" For instance, I have (as you see, in all good conscience, founded on the
word of God) formed family and kindred ties, which are inexpressibly dear
to me, and which I can never bring my feelings to consent to dissolve. I
have a good and virtuous husband, whom I love. We have four little chil-
dren, which are mutually and inexpressibly dear to us. And besides this,
my husband has seven other living wives, and one who has departed to a
better world. He has in all upwards of twenty-five children. All these
mothers and children are endeared to me by kindred ties, by mutual affec-
tion, by acquaintance and association ; and the mothers in particular, by
mutual and long-continued exercises of toil, patience, long-suffering, and
sisterly kindness. We all have our imperfections in this life ; but I know
that these are good and worthy women, and that my husband is a good and
worthy man : one who keeps the commandments of Jesus Christ, and pre-
sides in his family like an Abraham. He seeks to provide for them with all
dilio-ence ; he loves them all, and seeks to comfort them and make them
happy. He teaches them the commandments of Jesus Christ, and gathers
them about him in the family circle to call upon his God, both morning and
evenino-. He and his family have the confidence, esteem, goodwill, and
fellowship of this entire territory, and of a wide circle of acquaintances in
Europe and America. He is a practical teacher of morals and religion, a
promoter of general education, and at present occupies an honourable seat
in the legislative council of this territory." — Mrs. Belinda Warden Pratt.

John Jaques.

We have on hand the Standard Works of the Cliurch of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day
Saints, and for sale —

Divine Authenticity of the Book of

Book of Mormon,
Doctrine and Covenants
Voice of Warning
Spencer's Letters
Joseph the Prophet
Government of God
Pearl of Great Price

Mormon
Divine Authority of Joseph Smith
Hymn Books
Millinnial Star
Books of Mormon in German & French.

Price Sixpence.

Edited and Published by A. Farnham, No. 103, Parramatta-street, Sydney

THE ZION'S WATCHMAN,

PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE

Cfiurcft of m$\\$ €l)vi#t of MtttvMnn «#amtgt

IN SYDNEY.

" HE THAT READETH LET HIM UNDERSTAND."

Nos. 30-31. THURSDAY, MARCH, 15, 1855. Vol. I.

CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN GEN. JAMES ARLINGTON
BENNETT, AND GEN. JOSEPH SMITH.

Arlington House, Oct. 24, 1843.

" Dear General, — I am happy to know that you have taken
possession of your new establishment, and presume you will be emi-
nently successful and happy in it, together with your good lady and
family. You are no doubt already aware that 1 have had a most in-
teresting visit from your most excellent and worthy friend, President
B. Young, with whom I have had a glorious frolic in the clear blue
ocean ; for most assuredly a frolic it was, without a moment's re-
flection or consideration. Nothing of this kind would in the least
attach me to your person or cause. I am capable of being a most
undeviating friend, without being governed by the smallest religious
influence.

As you have proved yourself to be a philosophical divine, you
will excuse me when I say that we must leave this influence to the
mass. The boldness of your plans and measures, together with their
unparalleled success, so far, are calculated to throw a charm over
your whole being, and to point you out as the most extraordinary
man of the present age. But my mind is of so mathematical and
philosophical a cast, that the divinity of Moses makes no impression
on me, and you will not be offended when I say that I rate you
higher as a legislator than I do Moses, because we have you present
with us for examination ; whereas Moses derives his chief authority
from prescription and the lapse of time. I cannot, however, say but
you are both right, it being out of the power of man to prove you
wrong. It is no mathematical problem, and can therefore get no
mathematical solution. I say, therefore, go a-head, you have my
good wishes. You know Mahomet had his " right hand man."

The celebrated Thomas Brown, of New York is now engaged in
cutting your head on a beautiful cornelion stone, as your private

234

seal, which will be set in gold to your order, and sent to you. It
will be a gem, and just what you want. His sister is a member of
your church. The expense of this seal set in gold will be about $40,
and Mr. Brown assures me that if he were not so poor a man he
would present it to you free. You can, however, accept it or not,
as he can apply it to another use. I am, myself short for cash, for
although I had sometime since $2000, paid me by the H arpers, pub-
lishers, as the first instalment on the purchase ot my copy right, yet
I had got so much behind during the hard times that it all went to clear
up old scores. I expect 38,000 dols. more, however, in semi-annual
payments from those gentlemen, within the limits of ten years, a
large portion of which I intend to use in the State of Illinois, in the
purchase and conduct of a large tract of land, and therefore should I
be compelled to announce, in this quarter that I have no connection
with the Nauvoo Legion, you will, of course remain silent, as I shall
do it in such a way as will make all things right.

I may yet run for a high office in your state, when you would be
sure of my best services in your behalf, therefore a known connec-
tion with you would be against our mutual interest. It can be
shown that a commission in the legion was a Herald hoax, coined for
the fun of it, by me, as it is not believed even now by the public.
In short I expect to be yet, through your influence, Governor of the
State of Illinois.

My respects to Brother Young, Richards, Mrs. Emma, and all
friends.

Yours, most respectfully,

JAS. ARLINGTON BENNETT.

Lieut. Gen. Smith.

P.S. As the office of inspector general confers no command on
me, being a mere honorary title, if, therefore, there is any gentleman
in Nauvoo who would like to fill it in a practical way, I shall with
great pleasure and good will resign it to him, by receiving advice
from you to that effect. It is an office that should be filled by some
scientific officer.

J. A. B.

REPL\.

Nauvoo, III.,' Nov. 13, 1843.
Dear Sir : — Your letter of the 24th ult., has been regularly received ;
its contents duly appreciated, and its whole tenor candidly considered ;
and. according to my manner of judging all things in righteousness, I pro-
ceed to answer you ; and shall leave you to meditate whether mathe-
matical problems, founded upon the truth of revelation, or religion as pro-
mulgated by me or Moses, can be solved by rules and principles existing in
the systems of common knowledge.

235

How far you are capable of being ' a most undeviating friend, without
being governed by the smallest religious influence,' will best be decided by
your survivors, as all past experience most assuredly proves. Without
controversy, that friendship, which intelligent beings would accept as sin-
cere, must arise from love, and that love grow out of virtue, which is as
much a part of religion, as light is apart of Jehovah. Hence the saying of
Jesus : ' Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life
for a friend.'

You observed, ' as I have proven myself to be a philosophical divine, I
must excuse you, when you say that we must leave these influences to the
mass.' The meaning of ' philosophical divine,' may be taken in various
ways. If, as the learned world apply the term, you infer that I have
achieved a victory, and been strengthened by a scientific religion, as prac-
ticed by the popular sects of the age, through the aid of colleges, seminaries,
bible societies, missionary boards, financial organizations, and gospel money
schemes, then you are wrong ; such a combination of men and means,
shows a form of godliness without the power ; for is it not written, ' I will
destroy the wisdom of the wise ; beware lest any man spoil you through
philosophy and vain deceit, after the rudiments of the world and not after
the doctrines of Christ V But if the inference is, that by more love, more
light, more virtue, and more truth from the Lord, I have succeeded as a
man of God, then you reason truly ; though the weight of the sentiment is
lost, when the i influence is left to the mass.' Do men gather grapes of thorns
or figs of thistles ?

Of course you follow out the figure, and say, ' the boldness of my plans
and measures, together with their unparalleled success, so far, are calcu-
lated to throw a charm over my whole being ; and to point me out as the
most extraordinary man of the present age.' The boldness of my plans and
measures, can readily be tested by the touch-stone of all schemes, systems,
projects, and adventures, — truth, for truth is a matter of fact ; and the fact
is, that by the power of God I translated the Book of Mormon from hiero-
glyphics ; the knowledge of which was lost to the world ; in which won-
derful event I stood alone, an unlearned youth, to combat the worldly wis-
dom, and multiplied ignorance of eighteen centuries, with a new revelation ;
which, (if they would receive it, the everlasting gospel,) would open the
eyes of more than eight hundred millions of people, and make ' plain the old
paths,' wherein if a man walk in all the ordinances of God blameless, he
shall inherit eternal life ; and Jesus Christ, who was, and is, and is to come,
has borne me safely over every snare and plan, laid in secret or openly ;
through priestly hypocrisy, sectarian prejudice, popular philosophy, execu-
tive power, or law defying mobocracy, to destroy me.

If, then, the hand of God, in all these things that I have accomplished,
towards the salvation of a priest-ridden generation, in the short space of
twelve years, through the boldness of the plan of preaching the gospel, and
the boldness of the means of declaring repentance and baptism for the remis-
sion of sins ; and a reception of the Holy Ghost, by laying on of the hands,
agreeably to the authority of the priesthood ; and the still more bold mea-
sures of receiving direct revelation from God, through the Comforter as pro-
mised, and by which means all holy men, from ancient times till now, have
spoken and revealed the will of God to men, with the consequent ' success'

236

of the gathering of the saints, throws any charm around my being and
' points me out as the most extraordinary man of the age,' it demonstrates
the fact, that truth is mighty and must prevail ; and that one man empower-
ed from Jehovah, has more influence with the children of the kingdom,
than eight hundred millions led by the precepts of men. God exalts the
humble, and debases the haughty. But let me assure you in the name of
Jesus, who spake as never man spake, that the ' boldness of the plans and
measures,' as you term them, but which should be denominated the righte-
ousness of the cause, the truth of the system, and power of God, which ' so
far,' has borne me and the church, (in which I glory in having the privilege
of being a member,) successfully through the storm of reproach, folly, igno-
rance, malice, persecution, falsehood, sacerdotal wrath, newspaper satire,
pamphlet libels and the combined influence of the powers of earth and hell,
I say these powers of righteousness and truth, are not the decrees or rules
of an ambitious and aspiring Nimrod, Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, Alexander,
Mahomet, Bonaparte, or other great sounding heroes, that dazzled forth
with a trail of pomp and circumstances for a little season, like a comet, and
then disappeared, leaving a wide waste where such an existence once was,
with only a name : nor were the glorious results of what you term ' bold-
ness of plans and measures,' with the attendant 'success,' matured by the
self aggrandizing wisdom of the priests of Baal ; the scribes and Pharisees
of the Jews ; Popes and Bishops of Christendom ; or pagans of Juggernaut ;
nor were they extended by the divisions and sub-divisions of a Luther, a
Calvin, a Wesley, or even a Campbell ; supported by a galaxy of clergy-
men and churchmen, of whatever name or nature, bound apart by cast iron
creeds, and fastened to set stakes by chain cable opinions, without revela-
tion ; nor are they the lions of the land or the leviathans of the sea, moving
among the elements, as distant chimeras to fatten the fancy of the infidel ;
but they are as the stone cut out of the mountain without hands, and will
become a great mountain and fill the whole earth. Where I an Egyptian, I
would exclaim, Jah-oh-eh, Enish-go-on-dosh, Flo-ees-Flos-is-is ; [O the
earth ! the power of attraction, and the moon passing between her and the
sun.] A Hebrew ; Haueloheem yerau ; a Greek, O Theos phos esi ; a
Roman, Dominus regit me ; a German, Gottgebe uns das licht ; a Portugee,
SenhorJesu Christo e libordade ; a Frenchman, Dieu defend le droit ; but
as I am, I give God the glory, and say in the beautiful figure of the

poet :

1 Could we with ink the ooean fill ;

Was the whole earth of parchment made ;

And every single stick a quill ;

And every Tiiun a scribe by trade,

To write the love of God above,

Would drain the ocean dry ;

Nor could the whole upon a scroll,

Be spread from sky to sky.'

It seems that your mind is of such ' a mathematical and philosophical cast,'
that the divinity of Moses makes no impression upon you, and that I will
not be offended when you say, that you rate me higher as a legislator, than
yon do Moses, because you have roe present with you for examination ;'

' Moses derives his chief authority from prescription and the lap
time ; you cannot however say, I ■% it being out oi

237

power of man to prove us wrong. It is no mathematical problem, and can
therefore get no mathematical solution.'

Now, sir, to cut the matter short, and not dally with your learned ideas,
for fashion's sake, you have here given your opinion, without reserve, that
revelation, the knowledge of God, prophetic vision, the truth of eternity,
cannot be solved as a mathematical problem. The first question then is,
what is a mathematical problem 1 and the natural answer is, a statement,
proposition or question that can be solved, ascertained, unfolded or demon-
strated, by knowledge, facts or figures, for ' mathematical' is an adjective
derived from Mathesis (gr.) meaning in English, learning or knowledge.
'Problem' is derived from probleme, (French,) or problema, (Latin, Italian
or Spanish) and in each language means a question or proposition, whether
true or false. ' Solve' is derived from the Latin verb, solvo, to explain or
answer. One thing more in order to prove the work as we proceed ; it is
necessary to have witnesses, two or three of whose testimonies, according to
the laws or rules of God and man, are sufficient to establish any one
point.

Now for the question. How much are one and one 1 Two. How
much is one from two ? One. Very well, one question, or problem is
solved by figures. Now let me ask one for facts : was there ever such a
place on the earth as Egypt? Geography says yes; ancient history says
yes ; and the bible says yes. So three witnesses have solved that question.
Again, lived there ever such a man as Moses in Egypt ? The same wit-
nesses reply certainly. And was he a prophet ? The same witnesses, or a
part have left on record, that Moses predicted in Leviticus that if Israel
broke the covenant they had made, the Lord would scatter them among the
nations, till the land enjoyed her Sabbaths ; and subsequently these wit-
nesses have testified of their captivity in Babylon, and other places, in fulfil-
ment. But to make assurance doubly sure, Moses prays that the ground
might open and swallow up Korah and his company for transgression, and it
was so : and he endorses the prophesy of Balaam, which said, out of Jacob
shall come, he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth
of the city ; and Jesus Christ, as him that ' had dominion,' about fifteen
hundred years after, in accordance with this and the prediction of Moses,
David, Isaiah, and many others, came, saying ; Moses wrote of me, declar-
ing the dispersion of the Jews, and the utter destruction of the ' city ;' and
the apostles were his witnesses, unimpeached, especially Jude, who not only
endorses the facts of Moses ' divinity,' but also the events of Balaam, and
Korah with many others, as true. Besides these tangible facts, so easily
proven and demonstrated by simple rules and testimony unimpeached, the
art (now lost) of embalming human bodies, and preserving them in the cata-
combs of Egypt, whereby men, women and children as mummies, after a
lapse of near three thousand five hundred years come forth among the living,
and although dead, the papvrus which has lived in their bosoms, unharmed,
speaks for them, in language like the sound of an earthquake : Ecce Veritas !
Ecce cadeveros ! Behold the truth ! Behold the mummies ! Oh my dear
sir, the Sunken Tyre and Sidon, the melancholy dust where ' the_ city' ot
Jerusalem once was, and the mourning of the Jews among the nations, to-
gether with such a ' cloud of witnesses,' if you had been as well acquainted
with your God and Bible, as with your purse and pence table, the ' divinity'

238

of Moses would have dispelled the fog of five thousand years, and filled
you with light ; for facts, like diamonds, not only cut glass, but they are
the most precious jewels on earth. The spirit of prophesy is the testimony
of Jesus.

The world at large, is ever ready to credit the writings of Homer, Hesiod,
Plutarch, Socrates, Pythagoi'as, Virgil, Josephus, Mahomet, and an hundred
others, but where, tell me where, have they left a line, a simpel method of
solving the truth of the plan of eternal life ? Says the Savior, ' if any man
will do his (the Father's) will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be
of God, or whether I speak of myself.' Here then is a method of solving
the ' divinity' of men by the divinity within yourself, that as far exceeds the
calculation of numbers, as the sun exceeds a candle. Would to God that
all men understood it, and were willing to be governed by it, that when one
had filled the measure of his days, he could exclaim like Jesus, ' vent, mori,
et reviviscere V

Your good wishes to ' go ahead' coupled with Mahomet and a * right
hand man,' are rather more vain than virtuous. Why, sir, Caesar had his
right hand Brutus, who was his ' left hand' assassin, not however applying
the allusion to you.

As to the private seal you mention, if sent to me, I shall receive it with
the gratitude of a servant of God, and pray that the donor may receive a
reward in the resurrection of the just.

The summit of your future fame seems to be hid in the political policy of
a mathematical problem' for the chief magistracy of this state, which I sup-
pose might be solved by ' double position,' where the errors of the supposi-
tion are used to produce a true answer.

But, sir, when 1 leave the dignity and honor I received from heaven, to
boast a man into power, through the aid of my friends, where the evil and
designing, after the object has been accomplished, can lock up the clemency
intended as a reciprocation for such favors : and where the wicked and un-
principled, as a matter of course, would seize the opportunity, to flintify the
hearts of the nation against me for dabbling at a sly game in politics ; verily,
I say, when I leave the dignity and honor of heaven, to gratify the ambition
and vanity of man or men, may my power cease, like the strength of Samson,
when he was shorn of his locks, while asleep in the lap of Delilah. Truly
said the Savior, cast not your pearls before swine, lest they trample them
under their feet and turn again and rend you.

Shall I who have witnessed the visions of eternity ; and beheld the glories
of the mansions of bliss ; and the regions and the misery of the damned ;
shall I turn to be a Judas ? Shall I who have heard the voice of God,
and communed with angels ; and spake and moved by the Holy Ghost for
the renewal of the everlasting covenant, and for the gathering of Israel in the
last days ; shall I worm myself into apolitical hypocrite ? Shall I who hold
the keys of the last kingdom ; in which is the dispensation of the fulness of
all things spoken by the mouths of all the holy prophets, since the world
began ; under the sealing power of the Melchesedek priesthood ; shall I stoop
from the sublime authority of Almighty God, to be handled as a monkey's
cat's paw ; and pettify myself into a clown to act the farce of political
demagoguery ? No, verily no. The whole earth shall bear me witness
that I, like the towering rock in the midst of the ocean, which has withstood

239

the mighty surges of the warring waves for centuries, am impregnable, and
am a faithful friend to virtue, and a fearless foe to vice ; no odds, whether
the former was sold as a pearl in Asia, or hid as a gem in America ; and
the latter dazzles in palaces, or glimmers among the tombs.

I combat the errors of ages ; I meet the violence of mobs ; I cope with
illegal proceedings from executive authority ; I cut the Gordian knot of
powers ; and I solve mathematical problems of Universities : WITH
TRUTH, diamond truth, and God is my ' right hand man'

And to close, let me say in the name of Jesus Christ to you, and to presi-
dents, emperors, kings, queens, governors, rulers, nobles, and men in autho-
rity every where, do the works of righteousness, execute justice and judg-
ment in the earth, that God may bless you, and her inhabitants ; and

The laurel that grows on the top of the mountain,
Shall green for your- fame while the sun sheds a ray ;

And the lily that blows by the side of the fountain,
Will bloom for your virtue till earth melts away.

With due consideration and respect,

I have the honor to be your most ob't serv't.

JOSEPH SMITH.
Gen. Jas. Arlington Bennett, Arlington House, N. Y.
P. S. The Court Martial will attend to your case in the Nauvoo Le-
gion.— Voice of Truth. J. S.

EXTRACT FROM THE DESERET NEWS.

DISCOURSE

By President Heber C. Kimball, Tabernacle, G. S. L. City, April2, 1854.

I have been much interested and edified with the remarks of br. Grant ;
they are good. I wish this whole people could see the propriety of these
things as they ought. To me it would be one of the best and most joyful
things in the world, if men and women who call themselves Mormons, or
Latter Day Saints, would live up to their profession, and learn to speak the
truth as it is in Jesus Christ, and do his will on the earth as it is done in
heaven.

I ask you, brethren and sisters, if you expect to go into heaven if you do
not do his will on earth as it is done in heaven ? Can those persons who
pursue a course of carelessness, neglect of duty, and disobedience, when
they depart from this life, expect that their spirits will associate with the
spirits of the righteous in the spirit world ? I do not expect it, and when
you depart from this state of existence, you will find it out for yourselves.

Br. Grant was speaking about the work of God, in the laying waste of
nations by sea and by land. I believe it is all the work of God, and it is
all right. Will he sweep them from the earth in order to destroy their
power and influence ? He will. And when kings, and princes, and cap-
tains, and great men, according to the greatness of the world, go into the
world of spirits, they will not have as much power as they had here upon
the earth. — We can hear of their spirits trying to peep, and mutter, and

240

mock, and rap. and cause tables to dance, and chairs to move from one place
to another, but that is all the power they have.

While I am in the flesh, I can take a chair, or a club and make you feel
my power to a still greater extent ; I could bruse your flesh, and break your
bones, but they cannot do anything but peep, and make tables and chairs
dance, and rap, and give uncertain sounds. That is wisdom great enough
for the world ; it does well enough for them ; it is all the revelation they
deserve ; and a few of this people go to those spirits. That man or women
who will not learn the principle of subjection, and become like clay in the
hands of the potter, will be led astray by those spirits ; and if not by these
spirits, something will come by and by with more power.

The Saints are receiving their endowment, and pepairing for that which is
in the future ; to dwell in the heavens, and sit upon thrones, and reign over
kingdoms, and dominions, principalities, and powers ; and as this work pro-
gresses, the work of Satan will increase, and he will continue to present
one thing after another, following up the work of God, and increasing means
of deception, to lead astray such men and women, and take them captive.
As the work of God increases in power and extent upon the earth, so will
the works of Satan increase. I expect that tribulation will be upon the
wicked, and continue from this time until they are swept off from the earth.
I just as much expect these things as I do to see the sun rise and set
to-morrow.

I would like to see all this people do right, and keep the commandments
of God. I would like to see them fulfil their covenants, and live up to their
vows and promises, and fulfil their obligations, for they have obligated them-
selves before God, and before angels, and before earthly witnesses, that they
should do this.

What you have agreed to do. God will require you to perform, if it should
he ten thousand vears after this time. And when the servants of God speak
to von, and require you to do a thing, the Lord God will fulfil his words,
and make von fulfil his words he gave to you thro' his servants. — Inasmuch
as you have come into this church, and made a covenant to forsake the world,
and cleave unto the Lord, and keep his commandments, the Lord will
compel you to do it, if it should be in ten thousand years from this time. —
These are my views, and I know it will be so.

Comparing us to clay that is in the hands of the potter, if that clay is
passive, I have power as a potter, to mould it and to make it into a vessel
unto honor Who is to mould these vessels ? Is it God himself in person,
oris it his servants, his potters, his journeymen, in company with those he
has placed to oversee the work ? The greater Master Potter dictates his
servants, and it is for them to carry out his purposes, and make vessels
according to his designs ; and when they have done the work, they deliver
it up to the Master for his acceptance ; and if their works are not good he
d jes not accept them ; the only works that he accepts, are those prepared
according to the design he gave. God will not be trifled with ; neither will
his servants ; their words have got to be fulfilled, and they are the men that
are to mould you. and tell you what shape to move in.

I ffo not know that I can compare it better than to the potter's business.
It forms a good companion. This is the course you must pursue, and I
know of no other way that God has prepared for you to become sanctified,

241

and moulded, and fashioned, until you become modeled to the likeness of
the Sun of God by those who are placed to lead you. This is a lesson you
have to learn as well as myself.

When I know that I am doing just as I am told by him who is placed to
lead this people, I am then a happy man ; I am filled with peace, and can
go about my business with joy and pleasure ; I can lie down and rise again
in peace, and be filled with gladness, by night and by day. But when I
have not done the things that are right, my conscience gnaws upon my feel-
ings. This is the course for me to take. If it is the course for me to take,
it is the course for every other elder in Israel to take — it does not matter
who he is, or where he came from ; whether he be an American, an English-
man, Irishman, Frenchman or German, Jew or Gentile, to this you have
got to bow, and you have got to bow down like the clay in the hands of the
potter, that suffers the potter to mould it according to his own pleasure.
You have all got to come to this ; and if you do not come to it at this time,
as sure as ever the sun rose and set, you will be cut from the wheel, and
thrown back into the mill.

You have come from the mill, and you have been there grinding. For
what purpose ? To bring you into a passive condition. You have been
gathered from the nations of the earth, from among the kindreds, tongues,
and peoples of the world, to the valley of the Great Salt Lake, to purify,
and sanctify yourselves, and become like the passive clay in the hands of
the potter. Now suppose I subject myself enough, in the hands of the
potter, to be shaped according as he was dictated by the Great Master
potter, that rules over all things in heaven and on earth, he would make me
■ into a vessel of honor.

There" are many vessels that are destroyed after they have been moulded
and shaped. Why? — Because they are not contented with the shape the
potter has given them, but straightway put themselves into a shape to please
themselves ; — therefore they are beyond understanding what God designs,
and they destroy themselves by the power of their own agency, for this is
given to every man and woman, to do just as they please. That is all right,
and all just. Well then, you have to go thro' a great many mouldings, and
shapes, then you have to be glazed, and burned ; and even in the burning,
some vessels crack — What makes them crack ? Because they are snappish ;
they would not crack if they were not snappish, and wilful.

If you go into the potteries in Staffordshire, England, where the finest
chinaware is manufactured, you will see them take the coarsest materials
about the pottery, and make a thing in the shape of a half bushel ; they put
the finest ware in these to secure it from danger in the burning operation.
All the fine ware made in Europe, and in China, is burnt in these kind of
vessels. After they are done with, they are cast away — they are vessels of
wrath fitted for destruction. So God takes the wicked, and makes them
protect the righteous, in the process of sanctifying, and burning, and puri-
fying, and preparing them, and making them fit for the Master's use.

These saggers, as they are called, are compounded of refuse articles that
have been cast out ; so even they are good for something. Thus wicked are
of use, for they are a rod in the hands of the Almighty to scourge the righ-
teous, and prepare them for their Master's use, that they may enter into the
celestial world, and be crowned with glory in his presence.

242

Brethren who hold the Priesthood, how do you like to rebel against those
who are placed over you in the Priesthood, to rule and guide you in the
proper way ? You Bishops, or Presiding Elder, Teacher, Deacon, Apostle,
or Prophet, how do you appear when you rebel against your head ? You
look like the woman who rebels against her husband, or Lord. It also
makes the children as bad as the parents ; for if the parents are rebellious
against their superiors, the children will be rebellious against their parents.
Because the parents do not pursue a proper course, God makes their chil-
dren a scourge to them.

Parents, if you do not listen to counsel, and walk in the path the Priest-
hood marks out, the Lord will prepare a scourge for you, if it is in your own
family, to chasten you, and bring you to a knowledge of the truth, that you
may be humble and penitent, and keep the commandments of God.

Do vou expect to have peace and plenty, to continue to thrive, and in-
crease in property, in life, in herds, in flocks, and in the comforts of this
life, while you are disobedient to those placed over you ? You may for a
season, but there is a rod preparing for the rebellious, and the righteous will
have to suffer with the guilty. I know that by experience.

I will tell you another thing that I know. — While the righteous are taking
the rod along with the wicked, and it comes upon them severely, (I have
passed thro' it many times) they have joy, and peace, and consolation, and
the Spirit of the Lord God rests mightily upon them, and is round about
them, and they say in the midst of it all " we are determined by the help of
God to keep his commandments, and by his help to do the will of our Pre-
sident." For if there is no man on God's footstool that will stand by him,
and assist him, I am determined to do all that lies in my power to sustain
him while I am upon the earth.

My prayer is, O Lord help me to do thy will, and walk in the footsteps
of my leader, light up my path, and help me to walk so that my feet may
never slip, and to keep my tongue from speaking guile ; that I may never
be left to betray my brethren, who hold the Priesthood of the Son of God ;
but that I may always honor that Priesthood, magnify it, reverence it,
and love it more than I do my life, or my wives, and my children. If
I do that, I know the Priesthood will honor me, and exalt me, and
brino- me back into the presence of God, and also those who
listen to my counsel as I listen to the counsel of him whose right it is to
dictate me. If Br. Brigham should get a Revelation containing the will of
God concerning his servant Heber, it would be, " let my servant Heber do
all things whatsover my servant Brigham shall require at his hands, for that
is the will of his Father in heaven." If that is the will of God concerning
me, what is the will of God concerning you ? It is the same.

Brethren of the Priesthood, let us rise up in the name of Israel's God, and
dispense with everything that is not of God, and let us become
one even as the Father and the Son are one. If we
take that course we shall triumph over hell, the grave, and over everything
else that shall oppose our onward progress in earth, or in hell ; there is
nothino- we need fear. I fear nothing only to grieve my Father who is in
heaven, and my brethren who are upon the earth.

243
AMERICAN EXTRACTS.

INTERESTING DISCOVERY.

A NEW QUESTION FOR HISTORICAL SOCIETIES, CONCERNING THE

ANTIQUITIES OF AMERICA.

(Continued from page 215.)

Yesterday, we were surveying near the brow of the range of hills
which makes up from this gap. ' The air was piercing and chilly, and
filled with driving snow. Suddenly, the sun closed in, and rain,
mingled with hail, drove us to seek a shelter. There was no house
or sign of human habitation within eight miles of us. Capt. Edwards,
who leads our party, had met with a severe sprain during the early
part of the day, and was incapable of exerting himself; from this cause
he suffered severly. While painfully tracing our way in quest of
shelter, Mr. Sam. Emerson, my companion and chum, discovered a
cleft in the side of the mountain, which could be approached very
easly, and would afford a sufficient retreat for our party. We reached
the spot, and stowed ourselves as closily as possible. We were
protected, both from the wind and storm. The reaction of our feelings
and the sudden rush of blood to the surface, which always follows
exposure like to that to which we had been subjected, caused us, in
a short time to be very comfortable.

Emerson, who never can be long quiet, began to explore every side
and corner of our retreat. He noticed a large flat stone, which sound-
ed hollow as he struck it. It appeared to be lying upon the ground,
disconnected with any other rock. Besides, his quick eye detected
that the stone was of a different character from the natural formation
of the mountain. This was enough to excite his curiosity. With
the help of myself and another, the stone, which was lying at an
angle, was removed, and we found an aperture beneath, lined with
rude steps. This was a spur to further explorations. After half an
hour's rather hard work we succeeded in making an opening suffi-
ciently large to afford an entrance.

Before us lay a cave. Emerson would have entered it at once,
but Capt. Edwards restrained him until such times as ventilation
would render it safe. Emerson went in first ; I followed, and the
rest came after us. After descending seven steps, the aperture
widening all the way, we found ourselves in a spacious cave, with
the roof ascending until it reached a height of nearly forty feet. The
size ot the chamber was by actual measurement, ninety-four feet
long, and sixty-three feet at its widest part. Beyond this, another
flight of steps, seemingly deeper than the first, extended to another
chamber, but we have not yet explored it. What lay beyond the
first room, to what extent the cave reaches or what it contains, re-
mains to be seen. But, judging from what we have already dis-
covered, the investigations that are to be made will possess the most

244

overpowering interest. When we had been in the cave long enough
to accommodate our eyes to the dim light furnished by the opening
we had made, we began to make our observations. We were filled
with astonishment at what lay before us. The cave or grotto had
evidently been used as a hiding-place for treasure and a place for con-
cealment by those who had used it. Implements of defence lay in
groups upon one side. They were of an exceeding antique form.
Hoar antiquity rested upon every article before us. The dust of ages
had settled down upon all things in the cave.

In one corner we found three earthern vessels of singular con-
struction and shape. These were filled with coin, of silver, brass,
and iron — but mostly of brass — of various shapes. The coin bore no
image, were coarsely, but most curiously, wrought ; and Captain
Edwards, who boasts some knowledge of coins, declares them to be
entirely unlike anything which he had ever seen or read of, and of a
very ancient date.

But the most singular and interesting discovery of all, consists in
our having found, in a niche, several rolls and packets, composed of
a material entirely unknown to us, upon which were inscribed figures
and characters, the meaning of which, as yet, we have not been able
to determine upon, or make out the nation or date to which they may
have belonged.

We go to-morrow to the cave, having made ample preparations
for exploring its utmost extent. We take with us provisions for a
week, and bedding for our accommodation. We shall occupy the
chamber already discovered. Captain Edwards is so deeply in-
terested in the investigation before him, that he has abandoned, for
a week at least, his surveying expedition. He is filled with the
highest hopes, and, although a cold and unimpressive man in the
ordinary concerns of life, he is now animated with the greatest
enthusiasm.

Conversing on the topic this afternoon, he declares his belief that
both the coins and the scrolls have a date anterior to the Chris-
tian era. If this be so, we certainly have a clue that will conduct
us to an inquiry that has hitherto been clouded in mystery and the
silence of the grave,—" What was the condition of this country cen-
turies ago, and who inhabited it?" It cannot be supposed that this
vast continent has been permitted to be a howling wilderness for so
many thousand years ; or that our mighty rivers have flowed through
rich and fertile valleys since the creation, without the intelligence
of man to sound the praises of the Lord and Maker of them all.

Capt. Kdwards has forwarded a small quantity of the coin, and a
scroll of the manuscript, to his brother, Cornelius Ft. Kdwards, Ksq.,
of Philadelphia, but now residing in your city at the Exchange Coffee
House, with a request that he would lay them before the learned and
scientific men of Boston, and also before the faculty of Harvard Uni-

245

versity. His letter and package will doubtless reach the city by the
same conveyance that brings you this, and I recommend \ ou to call
upon him and view the curiosities of our cave. Besides, he may
have other and more minute descriptions from Capt. Edwards him-
self, than I am able, in this hurried letter, to give. You may depend
upon hearing from me next Sabbath, on our return to this place.
We have a mail but once a week, which passes every Wednesday so
you may expect to hear from me more at length, by Thursday night
of next week. — Boston Herald.

I remain,

Yours, &c,

Charles G. Proctor.

In 1832, a Mr. Furguson communicated the following to the Christian
Advocate and Journal, it is also to be found on the 169th page of his work
on American Antiquities.

" On a Mountain called Look-out Mountain belonging to the vast Alleo-any
chain, running between the Tennessee and Coos rivers, arising about one
thousand feet above the surrounding valley. The top of the mountain is
mostly level, but presents to the eye an almost barren waste. On this range
notwithstanding its height, a river has its source and after traversing it for
about seventy miles, plunges over a precipice. The rocks from which the
water falls is circular, and juts over considerably ; immediately below the
fall, on each side of the river, are bluffs, which rise about two hundred feet.
Around one of these bluffs, the river makes a bend, which gives it the form
of a peninsula ; on the top of this are the remains of what is esteemed for-
tifications, which consist of a stone wall built on the very brow of this tre-
mendous ledge. The whole length of the wall, following the very course
of the brink, this precipice is thirty seven rods and eighteen feet, including
about two acres of ground ; the only decent from this place is between two
rocks, for about thirty feet, when a bench of the ledge presents itself from
two to five feet in width, and ninety feet long. This bench is the only road
or path up from the waters edge to the summit, but just at the foot of the
two rocks where they reach this path, and within thirty feet of the top of the
rock, are five rooms, which have been formed by dint of labor ; the entrance
to these rooms is very small, but when within they are found to communicate
with each other by doors or appertures."

Mr. Furguson thinks them to have been constructed during some dreadful
war, and those who constructed them to have acted on the defensive ; and
believes that twenty men could have withstood the whole army of Xerxes
as it was impossible for more than one to pass at a time, and might by the
slightest push, be hurled at least an hundred and fifty feet down the roeks.

In the Book of Mormon, 3rd European Ed., page 434, we read, and it
came to pass that the ninety and third year (of therein of the judges over the
people of Nephi,) did also pass away in peace, save it was for the Gadianton
robbers, who dwelt upon the mountains, who did infest the land ; for so
strong were their holds and their secret places, that the people could not
overpower them ; therefore they did commit many murders, and did so
much slaughter among the people. On the 436th page it recorded that

246

these robbers increased, that they slew many of the people, laid cities waste,
spread death and carnage throughout the land, and that it became expedient
that all the people, both the Nephites and the Lamanites should take up
arms against them after which it is said, " And it came to pass in the com-
mencement of the fourteenth year, (after the sign given of the birth of
Christ), the war between the robbers and the people of Nephi did continue,
and did become exceedingly sore ; nevertheless the people of Nephi did
gain some advantage of the robbers, in so much, that they did drive them
back out of their lands into the mountains and into their secret places," page
439 " And it came to pass in the latter end of the eighteenth year, those
armies of robbers had prepared for battle, and began to come down and
to sally forth from the hills, and out of the mountains, and the wilderness,
and their strong holds, and their secret places, and began to take possession
of the land. On the 441 and 442 pages we are informed how these robbers
were destroyed ; it was by a stratagem, a part of the Nephite armies getting
between the robbers and their secret places and strong holds, by which they
were cut of in their retreat.

This in connexion with the preceding account is an evidence of the truth of
the book of Mormon, for mark, this discovery did not take place until two
years after the publication of the book of Mormon, so that the account of these
robbers with their strong holds and secret places, could not have been made
through a previous acquaintance, with the country, since then discoveries are
being almost continually made, that confirm the fact that the unlearned
Joseph Smith did positively translate the Book of Mormon, the Lord through
him performing a " marvelous work and a wonder," causing the " wisdom
of their wise men to perish, and the understanding of their prudent men to
be hid."

GENERAL INTELLIGENCE.

A letter has been received from Elder William Cooke, dated Karori,
near Wellington, New Zealand, January 30th, 1855. The condition
of that field of labor still appears favourable ; many enquiring, pros-
pects good, hoped soon to organize a branch; the details of his labors
will appear in our next. He also gives an account of the earthquake
that took place on the 23rd, at a quarter after nine p. m. ; he des-
cribes the first and most voilent shocks as having continued for about
two minutes, and that the earth rolled like the waves of the sea, and
that it was with difficulty that he could keep his feet. When he as-
certained that it was an earthquake he felt in the name of the Lord
to assure the family who were in the house with him that inasmuch
as they remained together with him there should no harm befall
them : thus, whilst the generality of the inhabitants fled from their
dwellings, and sought safety in tents, this family of Saints remained
secure in their dwelling, although minor shocks continued to take
place ; they sat up all the night singing Hymns, &c.

A few " Deseret News " have been received 5 things are going on
well in the valley. The foundation of the Temple is progressing.
The immigration was coming in. There had been a good supply of

247

general stores ; some of the brethren have opened stores : brother
Horner is particularly alluded to in a leader, - he having fell prices,
which has influenced others ; an old firm has made a still further re-
duction, thus it appears that supplies are on the increase, and that
prices are declining, the advantages being on the side of the ^aints.
We have alluded to this state of things in consequence of the report
that has been circulated by the press, that there has been a scarcity
of supplies ; and also that the authorities interfered to create exhor-
bitant prices. We have also been privileged with a sight of a letter
from an accomplished lady, who is connected with the most wealthy
and influential members of the Methodist body in Leeds, England, who
being with her husband and family on their way to California, she
and the family stuped at the S. Lake, her husband going on to Cali-
fornia, she embraced the Faith, and united with the Church of God.

Her husband afterwards came on to this place, where he also
obeyed the Gospel, and was ordained an Elder, and is now preaching
the Gospel in New Zealand ; in a letter to her husband, she alludes
to the improved state of the market, in favour of the purchasers,,
owing to the brethren having entered into competition with the
Gentiles.

Surely it will not be denied but, that after a residence of five
years in the valley, and our having sojurned with the church for a
number of years, that we must have a knowledge of the state and
condition of the inhabitants of the territory of Utah, and of the state
of feeling of the authorities towards the saints. We know from our
own experience, that the reports alluded to are lies, and the reason
that they are poured forth with such malignity, and embraced with
such eagerness, has been very plainly and forcibly disclosed by the
Saviour, when he said in reference to his Saints, "the world hateth
you because you are not of the world; if ye were of the world the
world would love its own.

The " Empire," from the commencement of the present year, has
now and then been stained with extracts from Ferris' Utah. A copy
of our last issue containing an Epistle of the first President, to the
Saints in Australia ; A description of the Temple ; An account of the
Bills passed in Congress in favour of the Territory of Utah ; also an
article copied from the Millinnial Star, headed "Ferris' Utah and the
Mormons weighed in the Balances," was sent to the conductors of the
public press in this city. But none of them has dared to give a single
extract therefrom. How is this — It is not in accordance with the
principles of truth, honesty, and Justice. Do they know that they
have either been lying themselves, or that they have been imposed
upon by others ; and are they afraid to confess either their wickedness
or their ignorance ; are they determined (so far as their influence goes)
to crush Mormonism, though it should be at the expense of every
principle of integrity and uprighteousness. We would remind them

248

of the statement of one of old, who wrote, " I have seen the wicked
in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. Yet he
passeth away, and, lo, he was not ; yet I sought him, but he could
not oe found. Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright : for
the end of that man is peace. But the transgressors shall be destroyed
together : the end of the wicked shall be cut off. But the salvation
of the righteous, if of the Lord, he is their strength in time of trouble.
And the Lord shall help them and deliver them : he shall deliver them
from the wicked, and save them because they trust in him.

Since our last issue we have visited the Victoria Conference ; we
found the saints all well, their hearts and interests being fixed for
Zion. We found it wisdom to give instructions for gathering up a
company to depart from Melbourne. President Frost has gone to
Adelaide to bring up the saints from that place. We would again
remind the saints that we shall give them instructions by letter, or
shall visit them for that end, whenever it is arranged for a company
to depart from this colony.

As the press are continually calling the prophet Joseph, ignorant,
impostor, rogue, &c, we have been led to give his correspondence
with John Harlington Bennett, of New York, a place in this number,
being satisfied that the honest reader will find in the prophet's
answers, that expression of manly tirtue ; that true nobility of soul
and uprightness and integrity of heart, that will ever win the love
and esteem of the good and virtuous. There is in it that plain and
pi >intedness of language which always characterize the writings of
inspiration, by which sin can be pungently rebuked ; the way of truth
and righteousness made so plain and clear, " That a wayfaring man
though a fool need not err therein," how much less then the educated
and the intelligent. We feel assured that its influence will not be lost
either upon the saints or the honest reader.

Our next will contain the prophets last public discourse.

Our annual conference will take place on Sunday, April 1st, at
which, we invite the attendance of Saints and friends.

We have on hand the Standard Works of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day
Saints, and for sale —

Book of Mormon,
Doctrine and Corenants
Voice of Warning
Spencer's Letters
Joseph the Prophet
Government of God
] 'cail of Great Trice

Divine Authenticity of the Book of

Mormon
Divine Authority of Joseph Smith
Hymn Books
Millinnial Star
Books of Mormon in German & French-

Price Sixpence.

Edited and Published by A. Farnham, No. 103, Pnrranmtta-strpet, Sydney.

THE ZION'S WATCHMAN,

PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE

Cfmrrj) of $z$m CJrfet at %ktttv*Mu% faints,

IN SYDNEY.

" HE THAT READETH LET HIM UNDERSTAND."

■=L_. . . . ■me — ■■ ■ . ■— . _ . -..,-■■-- me- .

Nos. 32-33. THURSDAY, APRIL, 12, 1855. Vol. I.

Joseph Smith's Last Sermon delivered at the April
Conference, 1844.

Beloveb Saints : — My subject is the dead ; on the decease of our
Brother Follett, who was crushed to death in a well ; I have been requested
to speak, by his friends and relatives, and inasmuch as there are a great
many in this congregation who live in this city, as well as elsewhere, and
who have lost friends, I feel disposed to speak on the subject in general,
and offer you my ideas so far as I have ability, and so far as I shall be in-
spired by the Holy Spirit to dwell on this subject. I want your prayers
and faith, the instruction of Almighty God and the gift ol the Holy Ghost,
that I may set forth things that are true, that can easily be comprehended,
and shall carry the testimony to your hearts ; pray that the Lord may
strengthen my lungs, stay the winds and let the prayers of the saints to
heaven appear that they may enter into the ear of the Lord of Sabbaoth ; for
the effectual prayers of righteous men availeth much, and I verily believe
that your prayers shall be heard before I enter into the investigation fully
of the subject that is laying before me. Before entering fully into the inves-
tigation, I wish to pave the way : I will make a few preliminaries, in order
that you may understand the subject when I come to it. I do not calculate
to please your ears with superfluity of words or oratory, or with much
learning ; but I calculate to edify you with the simple truths fiom heaven.
In the first place, I wish to go back to the beginning of creation ; there is
the starting point, in order to be fully acquainted with the mind, purposes,
decrees, &c, of the gieat Eloheim, that sits in yonder heavens, it is neces-
sary for us to have an understanding of God himself in the beginning. If
we start right, it is easy to go right all the time ; but if we start wrong, it
is a hard matter to get right. There are a very few beings in the world
who understand rightly the character of God. They do not comprehend
anything, that which is past, or that which is to come ; and consequently,
but little above the brute beast. If a man learns nothing more than to eat,
drink, sleep, and does not comprehend any of the designs of God, the beast
comprehends the same thing ; it eats, drinks, sleeps, knows nothing more ;
yet knows as much as we, unless we are able to comprehend by the inspira-
tion of Almighty God. I want to go back to the beginning, and so lift
your minds into a more lofty sphere, a more exalted understanding, than

250

what the human mind generally understands. I want to ask this congrega-
tion, every man, woman and child, to answer the question in their own
heart, what kind of a being is God ? Ask yourselves. I again repeat the
question, what kind of a being is God ? Does any man or woman know ?
have any of you seen him, heard him, communed with him ? Here is the
question that will peradventure from this time henceforth occupy your
attention. The apostle says this is eternal life, to know God and Jesus
Christ, whom he has sent. If any man enquire what kind of a being is God,
if he will search diligently his own heart, if the declaration of the apostle be
true, he will realize that he has not eternal life, there can be eternal life on
no other principle. My first object is, to find out the character of the only
wise and true God, and if I should be the man to comprehend God, and
explain or convey the principles to your hearts so that the spirit seals it
upon you, let every man and woman henceforth put their hand on their
mouth and never say anything against the man of God again ; but if I fail,
it becomes my duty to renounce all my pretensions to revelations, inspira-
tions, &c, and if all are pretensions to God, they will all be as bad off as I
am at any rate. There is not a man but would breathe out an anathema,
if they knew I was a false prophet ; and some would feel authorised to take
away my life. If any man is authorised to take away my life, who says I
am a false teacher ; then upon the same principle am I authorised to take
away the life of every false teacher, and where would be the end of blood,
and who would not be the s,uiTeier. But no man is authorised to take away
life in consequence of their religion ; which all laws and governments ought
to tolerate, right or wrong. If I show verily, that I have the truth of God,
and show that ninety-nine out of a hundred are false teachers, while they
pretend to hold the keys of God, and to kill them because they are false
teachers, it would deluge the whole world with blood. I want you all to
know God, to be familiar with him, and if I can bring you to' him, all per-
secutions against me will cease ; you will know that I am his servant, for I
speak as one having authority. What sort of a being was God in the begin-
ning ? Open your ears and hear all ye ends of the earth ; for I am going
to prove it to you by the Bible, and I am going to tell you the designs of
God to the human race, and why he interferes with the affairs of man.

First, God himself, who sits enthroned in yonder heavens, is a man like
unto one of yourselves, that is the great secret. If the veil was rent to-day,
and the Great God, who holds this world in its orbit, and upholds all things
by his power ; if you were to see him to-day, you would see him in all the
person, image and very form as a man ; for Adam was created in the very
fashion and image of God ; Adam received instruction, walked, talked and
conversed with him, as one man talks and communes with another.

In order to understand the subject of the dead, for the consolation of those
who mourn for the loss of their friends, it is necessary they should under-
stand the character and being of God, for I am going to tell you how God
came to be God. We have imagined that God was God from all eternity.
These are incomprehensible ideas to some, but they are the simple and first
principles of the gospel, to know for a certainty the character of God, that
we may converse with him as one man with another, and that God himself,
the Father of us all dwelt on an earth the same as Jesus Christ himself did,

251

and I will show it from the Bible. I wish I had the trump of an archangel,
I could tell the story in such a manner that persecution would cease forever ;
what did Jesus say ? (Mark it Elder Rigdon ;) Jesus said, as the Father
hath power in himself, even so hath the Son power ; to do what ? why
what the Father did, that answer is obvious, in a manner to lay down his
body and take it up again. Jesus what are you going to do ? To lay down
my life, as my Father did, and take it up again. If you do not believe it,
you do not believe the Bible ; the scriptures say it, and I defy all the learn-
ing and wisdom, all the combined powers of earth and hell together, to
refute it. Here then is eternal life, to know the only wise and true God.
You have got to learn how to be Gods yourselves ; to be kings and priests
to God, the same as all Gods have done ; by going from a small degree to
another, from grace to grace, from exaltation to exaltation, until )ou are
able to sit in glory as doth those who sit enthroned in everlasting power ;
and 1 want you to know that God in the last days, while certain individuals
are proclaiming his name, is not trifling with you or me ; it is the first prin-
ciples of consolation. How consoling to the mourner, when they are called
to part with a husband, wife, father, mother, child or dear relative, to know
that although the earthly tabernacle shall be dissolved, that they shall rise
in immortal glory, not to sorrow, suffer or die any more, but they shall be
heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. What is it ? to inherit the
same power and the same exaltation, until you ascend the throne of eternal
power the same as those who are gone before. What did Jesus do ? why
I do the things I saw my Father do when worlds came rolling into existence.
I saw my Father work out his kingdom with fear and trembling, and I must
do the same ; and when 1 get my kingdom I shall present it to my Father,
so that he obtains kingdom upon kingdom, and it will exalt his glory, so
that Jesus treads in his tracks to inherit what God did before ; it is plain
beyond disputation, and you thus learn some of the first principles of the
gospel, about which so much hath been said. When you climb a ladder,
you must begin at the bottom and go on until you learn the last principle ;
it will be a great while before you have learned the last. It is not all to
be comprehended in this world ; it is a great thing to learn salvation beyond
the grave. I suppose I am not allowed to go into an investigation of any
thing that is not contained in the Bible, and I think there are so many wise
men here, who would put me to death for treason ; so I shall turn commen-
tator to-day ; I shall comment on the very first Hebrew word in the Bible ;
I will make a comment on the very first sentence of the history of creation
in the Bible, Eerosheit. I want to analyze the word ; baith, in, by, through,
in, and every thing else. Rosh, the head, Sheit, grammatical termination.
When the inspired man wrote it, he did not put the baith there. A man,
a Jew without any authority, thought it too bad to begin to talk about the
head. It read first, " The head one of the Gods brought forth the Gods,"
that is the true meaning of the words. Baurau, signifies to bring forth.
If you do not believe it, you do not believe the learned man of God. No
man can learn you more than what I have told you. Thus the head God
brought forth the Gods in the grand council. I will simplify it in the English
language. Oh ye lawyers ! ye doctors ! who have persecuted me ; I want
to let you know that the Holy Ghost knows something as well as you do.

252 *

The head God called together the Gods, and sat in grand council. The
grand counsellors sat in yonder heavens, and contemplated the creation of
the worlds that were created at that time. When I say doctors and lawyers,
I mean the doctors and lawyers of the scripture. I have done so hitherto
to let the lawyers flutter, and every body laugh at them. Some learned
doctor might take a notion to say, the scriptures say thus and so, and are
not to be altered, and I am going to show you an error. I have an old
book of the New Testament in the Hebrew, Latin, German and Greek. I
have been reading the German and find it to be the most correct, and it
corresponds nearest to the revelations I have given for the last fourteen
years. It tells about Jachoboy the son of Zebedee ; it means Jacob ; in
the English New Testament it is James. Now if Jacob had the keys, you
might talk about James through all eternity, and never get the keys. In
the 21st verse of the fourth chapter of Matthew, it gives the word Jacob
instead of James. How can we escape the damnation of hell except God
reveal to us ; men bind us with chains ; Latin says Jachabod means Jacob ;
Hebrew says it means Jacob ; Greek says Jacob ; German says Jacob. 1
thank God I have got this book, and thank him more for the gift of the
Holy Ghost. I have got the oldest book in the world, but I have got the
oldest book in my heart. I have all the four testaments, come here ye
learned men, and read if you can. I should not have introduced this testi-
mony were it not to back up the word Rosh, the head, Father of the Gods.
I should not have brought it up only to show that I am right. When we
begin to learn in this way, we begin to learn the only true God, and what
kind of a being we have got to worship. When we know how to come to
him, he begins to unfold the heavens to us and tell us all about it. When
we are ready to come to him, he is ready to come to us. Now I ask all the
learned men who hear me, why the learned men who are preaching salva-
tion say, that God created the heavens and the earth out of nothing 1 and
the reason is they are unlearned ; they account it blasphemy to contradict
the idea, they will call you a fool. I know more than all the world put
together, and the Holy Ghost within me comprehends more than all the
world, and I will associate with it. The word create came from the word
laurau ; it does not mean so ; it means to organize ; the same as a man
would organize a ship. Hence we infer that God had materials to organize
the world out of chaos ; chaotic matter, which is element, and in which
dwells all the glory. Element had an existence from the time he had. The
pure principles of element, are principles that can never be destroyed. They
may be organized and re-organized ; but not destroyed.

I have another subject to dwell upon and it is impossible for me to say
much, but I shall just touch upon them ; for time will not permit me to
say all ; so I must come to the resurrection of the dead, the soul, the mind
of man, the immortal spirit. All men say God created it in the beginning.
The very idea lessens man in my estimation ; I do not believe the doctrine,
I know better. Hear it all ye ends of the world, for God has told me so.
I will make a man appear a fool before I get through, if you don't believe
it. I am going to tell of things more noble — we say that God himself is a
self existing God ; who told you so ? it is correct enough, but how did it
get into your heads ? Who told you that man did not exist in like manner

253

upon the same principles ? (refers to the old Bible,) how does it read in the
Hebrew ? It don't say so in the Hebrew, it says God made man out of the
earth, and put in to him Adam's spirit, and so became a living body.

The mind of man is as immortal as God himself. I know that my testi-
mony is true, hence when I talk to these mourners ; what have they lost,
they are only separated from their bodies for a short season ; their spirits
existed co-equal with God, and they now exist in a phice where they con-
verse together, the same as we do on the earth. Is it logic to say that a
spirit is immortal, and yet have a beginning ? Because if a spirit have a
beginning it will have an end ; good logic. I want to reason more on the
spirit of man, for I am dwelling on the body of man, on the subject of the
dead. I take my ring from my finger and liken it unto the mind of man,
the immortal spirit, because it has no beginning. Suppose you cut it in
two ; but as the Lord lives there would be an end. All the fools, learned
and wise men, from the beginning of creation, who say that man had a begin-
ning, proves that he must have an end and then the doctrine of annihilation
would be true. But, if I am right I might with boldness proclaim from the
house tops, that God never did have power to create the spirit of man at all.
God himself could not create himself : intelligence exists upon a self exis-
tent principle, it is a spirit from age to age, and there is no creation about it.
All the spirits that God ever sent into the world are susceptible of enlarge-
ment. The first principles of man are self existent with God ; that God
himself finds himself in the midst of spirits and glory, because he was greater
and because he saw proper to institute laws, whereby the rest .could have a
privilege to advance like himself, that they might have one glory upon
another, in all that knowledge, power, and glory, &c, in order to save the
world of spirits. I know that when I tell you these words of eternal life,
that are given to me, I know you taste it and I know you believe it. You
say honey is sweet and so do I. I can also taste the spirit of eternal life ;
I know it is good, and when I tell you of these things, that were given me
by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, you are bound to receive it as sweet, and
I rejoice more and more.

I want to talk more of the relation of man to God. 1 will open your
eyes in relation to your dead ; all things whatsoever God of his infinite
wisdom has seen proper to reveal to us, while we are dwelling in mortality,
in regard to our mortal bodies, are revealed to us in the abstract and inde-
pendant of affinity of this mortal tabernacle ; but are revealed to us as if we
had no bodies at all, and those revelations which will save our dead will
save our bodies ; and God reveals them to us in view of no eternal dissolu-
tion of the body ; hence the responsibility, the awful responsibility, that
rests upon us in relation to our dead : for all the spirits who have not
obeyed the gospel in the flesh, must either obey the gospel or be damned.
Solemn thought, dreadful thought. Is there nothing to be done ; no salva-
tion for our fathers and friends who have died and not obeyed the decrees
of the Son of Man ? Would to God that I had forty days and nights to tell
you all, I would let you know that I am not a fallen prophet. What kind
of characters are those who can be saved although their bodies are decaying
in the grave ? When his commandments teach us, it is in view of eternity.
The greatest responsibility in this world that God has laid upon us, is to.

254

seek after our dead. The apostle says, they without us cannot be made
perfect. Now I will speak of them : I say to you Paul, you cannot be
perfect without us : it is necessary that those who are gone before, and those
who come after us should have salvation in common with us, and thus hath
God made it obligatory to man. Hence God said he should send Elijah,
&c. ; I have a declaration to make as to the provisions which God hath
made to suit the conditions of man ; made from before the foundation of
the world. What has Jesus said ? All sins and all blasphemies, every
transgression except one, that man can be guilty of, there is a salvation for
him either in this world or the world to come. Hence God hath made a
provision, that every spirit in the eternal world can be ferretted out and
saved, unless he has committed that unpardonable sin, which cannot be re-
mitted to him. That God has wrought out a salvation for all men, unless
they have committed a certain sin. Every man who has got a friend in the
eternal world who can save him unless he has committed the unpardonable
sin, and so you can see how far you can be a savior. A man cannot commit
the unpardonable sin after the dissolution of the body, and there is a way
possible for escape. Knowledge saves a man, and in the world of spirits a
man cannot be exalted but by knowledge ; so long as a man will not give
heed to the commandments, he must abide without salvation. A man is his
own tormentor, and is his own condemner : hence the saying they shall go
into the lake that burns with fire and brimstone. The torment of the mind
of man is as exquisite as a lake burning with fire and brimstone — so is the
torment of the mind of man. I know the scriptures ; I understand them.
I said no man can commit the unpardonable sin after the dissolution of the
body, but they must do it in this world : hence the salvation of Jesus Christ
was wrought out for all men in order to triumph over the devil : for if it did
not catch him in one place, it would in another, for he stood up as a Saviour.
The contention in heaven was, Jesus said there would be certain souls
that would not be saved, and the devil said he could save them all ; the
grand council gave in for Jesus Christ ; so the devil rebelled against God
and fell, and all who put up their heads for him. All sins shall be forgiven
except the sin against the Holy Ghost : after a man has sinned against the
Holy Ghost there is no repentance for him, he has got to say that the sun
does not shine, while he sees it, he has got to deny Jesus Christ when the
heavens were open to him, and from that time they begin to be enemies,
like many of the apostates of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
When a man begins to be an enemy, he hunts me. They seek to kill me ;
they thirst for my blood ; they never cease. He has the same spirit that
they had who crucified the Lord of Life ; the same spirit that sins against
the Holy Ghost. You cannot bring them to repentance. Awful is the con-
sequence. I advise all of you to be careful what you do, you may by and
bye find out that you have been deceived. Stay yourselves, do not give
way. You may find out that some one has laid a snare for you. Be
cautious ; await ! When you find a spirit that wants bloodshed, murder,
the same is not of God, but is of the devil. Out of the abundance of the heart
man speaketh. The man that tells you words of life, is the man that can
save you. I warn you against all evil characters, who sin against the Holy
Ghost, for there is no redemption for them in this world, or in the world
to come.

255

I can enter into the mysteries ; I can enter largely into the eternal worlds ;
for Jesus said, in my Father's house there are many mansions, &c. There
is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the
stars, &c. We have reason to have the greatest hope and consolations for our
dead, we have aided them in the first principles ; for we have seen them
walk in our midst, and seen them sink asleep in the arms of Jesus. And
hence is the glory of the sun. \ ou mourners have occasion to rejoice :
(speaking of the death of Elder King Follett,) for your husband is gone to
wait until the resurrection ; and your expectations and hope are far above
what man can conceive : for why has God revealed it to us ? I am autho-
rised to say by the authority of the Holy Ghost that you have no occasion
to fear, for he is gone to the home of the just. Don't mourn ; don't weep.
I know it by the testimony of the Holy Ghost that is within me. Rejoice

0 Israel ! your friends shall triumph gloriously, while their murderers shall
welter for ages. I say this for the benefit of strangers. I have a father,
brothers, and friends who are gone to a world of spirits. They are only
absent for a moment ; they are in the spirit, and when we depart we shall
hail our mothers, fathers, friends, and all whom we love. There will be no
fear of mobs, &c, but all will be an eternity of felicity. Mothers you shall
have your children, for they shall have eternal life ; for their debt is paid,
there is no damnation awaits them, for they are in the spirit. As the child
dies, so shall it rise from the dead and be forever living in the learning of
God, it shall be the child, the same as it was before it died out of your arms.
Children dwell and exercise power in the same form as they laid them down.
The baptism of water without the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost atten-
ding it is of no use ; they are necessary. He must be born of water and
the spirit in order to get into the kingdom of God.

In the German, the text bears me out the same as the revelations which

1 have given for the last fourteen years. I have the testimony to put in
their teeth ; my testimony has been true all the time. You will find it in
the declaration of John the Baptist, (reads from the German,) John says I
baptize you with water, but when Jesus comes, who has the power, he shall
administer the baptism of fire, and the Holy Ghost. Great God ! — Where
is now all the sectarian world ? and if this testimony is true, they are all
damned as clearly as anathema can do it. I know the text is true. I call
upon all you Germans, who know that it is true, to say aye. (loud shouts of
aye.) Alexander Campbell, how are you going to save them with water
alone ? For John said his baptism was nothing without the baptism of Jesus
Christ. There is one God, one Father, one Jesus, one hope of our calling,
one baptism — all these three baptisms only make one. I have the truth
and am at the defiance of the world to contradict me, if they can. I have
now preached a little Latin, a little Hebrew, Greek and German, and I
have fulfilled all. I am not so big a fool as many have taken me to be.
The Germans know that I read the German correct.

Hear it all ye ends of the earth — all ye sinners, repent ! repent; ! turn to
God, for your religion wont save you, and you will be damned ; I do not
say how long ; but those who sin against the Holy Ghost cannot be forgiven
in this world, or in the world to come ; they shall die the second death ;
as they concoct scenes of bloodshed in this world so they shall rise to that

256

resurrection, which is as the lake of fire and brimstone : some shall rise to
the everlasting burning of God, and some shall rise to the damnation of
their own filthiness — as exquisite as the lake of fire and brimstone.

I have intended my remarks to all ; both rich and poor, bond and free,
great and small, I have no enmity against any man. I love you all. I am
your best friend, and if persons miss their mark, it is their own fault. If I
reprove a man and he hates me, he is a fool, for I love all men, especially
these my brethren and sisters. I rejoice in bearing the testimony of my
aged friends. You never knew my heart ; no man knows my history ; I
cannot tell it. I shall never undertake it ; if I had not experienced what I
have I should not have known it myself. I never did harm any man since
I have been born in the world. My voice is always for peace, I cannot lie
down until all my work is finished. I never think any evil, nor any thing to
the harm of my fellow man. When I am called at the trump of the archangel,
and weighed in the balance, you wil^all know me then. — I add no more.
God bless you all. Amen.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS

CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS, IN AUSTRALASIA,

HELD IN THE OLD ASSEMBLY ROOMS, KING STREET,

SYDNEY, ON APRIL 1st., 1855.

Present — Elder Augustus Farnham, President of the Mission, and
Elder Josiah W. Fleming, first Counsellor.

Travelling Elders, John S. Eldridge, John McCarthy, William
Baxter.

Sydney Branch, Elders John Jones, President. Elders W. Robb
and R. Evans, Counsellors.

Meeting opened by singing.

" Awake ye that slumber, arise from the dust."

Prayer by John S. Eldridge.

Sang 149th Hymn, " Jesus, mighty King in Zion."

President Jones declared the Conference opened for the transac-
tion of business.

President Farnham rose and said, that he had always exhorted the
saints to deligence and faithfulness, On the occasion that we have
met this morning, we want to be one having the same object in view.
A question that I would like to ask is, are we all united ready
to sustain the authorities who are over us, are we in fellowship one
with another, having no hardness of hearts ; it must be clear that any
who have hard feelings, are not in a condition to vote for sustaining
"the authorities. Now I want all to vote either in the affirmative or
the negative, if any should vote in the negative, I shall require their
reason for so doing. It is thus in Zion, all are required to vote, for
there is no neutral position in this Church ; there the saints gather
in to the number of 10,000, all of one heart and mind, and thus draw
down the spirit and blessing of God on them.

The President then called upon all the Saints who had no hardness

2*7

towards any of the brethren or sisters, and felt to fellowship all, to
hold up their right hand, when all voted in the affirmative.

Elder A. Farnham was appointed President of the Conference,
and Elder J. Jones, Clerk.

It was moved seconded and carried, that Elder John Jones be re-
ceived and sustained as President of the Sydney Branch, also W.
Robb and R. Evans, as his Counsellors.

It was moved seconded and carried, that we receive and sustain
Elder Augustus Farnham, as President of the Australian Mission,
also Elders Josiah W. Fleming and Burr Frost as his Counsellors.

It was moved seconded and carried, that we receive and sustain
Brigham Young as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-
Day Saints in Zion, and throughout the world, and as our Prophet,
Seer, and Revelator, and our Leader in Israel, also Heber C. Kimball
and Jedediah M. Grant, as his Counsellors and all the other autho-
rities of the Church in Zion, and throughout the world.

The President then stated, that since last Conference he had visited
Victoria, found the saints well and in good spirits and their hearts
set for Zion, so that he found it necessary to counsel the organiza-
tion of a company to depart from Melbourne. The work is rolling
on very pretily, many enquiring, some being baptised.

Gave instruction to President Frost to proceed to Adelaide, to
gather up the saints in that place, after visiting Geelong he (Elder
Frost) had proceeded to Adelaide, and had reported per letter the
state of the work in that Conference, the work there is rolling forth
slowly but steadily, baptisms taking place occasionally, many enquir-
ing, a good feeling prevailing the Saints, and about thirty or forty
ready to go to Zion. They will be lead up to Victoria by President
A. Dowdle, when they will unite with the saints proceeding from
that place. President Dowdle in consequence of ill-health, brought
on by his unwearied labours in the ministry, is returning home to the
Valley, and will accompany these saints to America.

As to the work in Van Diemens Land, Elder Owens is still there,
but nothing had been heard from him since Elder Frost left, there
was great obstacles in the way, but still there is no doubt many
honest persons there, some scattered saints had been found, some of
these were now in Victoria, and are going to Zion with the com-
pany from that place.

Letters have been received from Elder William Cooke, who is
labouring in New Zealand, he has been labouring in Wellington and
its vicinity. The hireling priests have conspired to oppose, and as in
every other place where they take the lead in the opposition, there is
nothing too mean or low for them to dabble in ; yet the Lord has
owned and blessed him, and crowned his labours with success, he has
baptised 10 and organized a branch there, he had visited Hutt
Valley and had been well received there, he would leave Wellington
per steamer for Nelson on the 3rd instant. He calls earnestly for help.

258

The President then called on Elder Fleming to report the N. W.
section, viz., the Hunter, Williams, Patterson and Allyn Rivers.
He stated that a conference had been held on the Allyn River, on
Thursday the 22nd of March, there were 82 members reported in
good standing, there was a good feeling prevading the conference,
not the least desenting voice, the saints are trying to do right, the
work of the Lord is rolling forth, new fields are being opened. Elder
Baxter has been travelling in that section, during the past quarter
there have been 5 baptised. Thus the servants of the Lord are being
blessed in the Ministry, yet there are too few of those who are faithful
in the ministry, so that it keeps the work more eramped, up not being
able to extend abroad, for want of laborers.

John S, Eldridge reported that since last conference, he had tra-
velled in company with Elder James Graham, they had visited Pen-
rith, Windsor, Picton, the work of the Lord is progressing, new fields
are being opened ; many investigating and numbers increasing, the
Saints rejoicing in the Lord. There has been ten added by baptism ;
the work is spreading forth in that part of the colony ; and I can
testify before men and angels that it is the work of the Lord, and
that it will prosper.

Elder John McCarthy reported that he had travelled in the neigh-
bourhood of the Hawkesbury River. The "first place I stopped was
at Balkham Hills, obtained the use of a parlour from a lady whose
husband was absent, advertized meeting for evening, when assembled
and drawing near to a close, the Mr. came home and having learned
from my remarks what I was, he cried, "plenty of that," and ordered
me out. I afterwards got the use of another parlour. I was told
that there was a man in the neighbourhood who knew all about Zion,
I found him out and asked him what he knew of Saints, he answered,
that all he could say of them was, that they were God's people. That
he knew it to be the work of the Lord, for he had seen the power
of God manifested in gifts of tongues and healing, &c. He came from
Cheltenham, was baptised about 15 years ago, fell into transgression,
but said that he should join them again sometime. I passed on to the
lower Hawkesbury, visited the Magistrate, gave him some tracts, he
remarked, " I believe your commission and mission to be an im-
position," he said, that he would not read the book, but that if the
Queen or any of the leading men were to embrace it, then he would
think about it. I asked him why Pharaoh did not receive the message
sent by Moses, he answered, "that Pharoh was corrupt." I then said
that for the same reason the great would not receive the message in
these days ; those who rejected the gospel were corrupt. I prevailed
on him to read the book, and on a future day he told me that his
feelings were altered. I preached in the neighbourhood, good meet-
ings, baptised five, many are investigating, the work is prospering.

Elder J. W. Fleming then addressed the meeting, congratulating
the brethren on the prosperity of the work of the Lord, during the last

209

two years, showing forth the simplicity of the plan of salvation, and
the humble character of the instrument used by the Lord to ad-
mister the same, that for this cause the world is offended, and reject
the testimony of the servants of God to their own condemnation.
Sang a select Hymn, " I Saw a lamb that had been slain."
Conference adjourned until 3 p. m. Benediction by Elder J. Jones.

Conference met pursuant to adjournment, at 3 p. m.

Meeting opened by singing the 134th Hymn,

"0 God our help in ages past."

Prayer by Elder J. McCarthy. Sung the 129th Hymn,
" Sing to the great Jehovah's praise."

Sacrement was then administered by Elder J. Jones, who after-
wards addressed the meeting, he said, that he was always glad to
meet the saints, but that upon the present occasion he felt great joy
on account of the vote given this morning, that there was no. hard-
ness of heart among them ; that they were one. He then showed
that the character of God was unchangable, and that he was con-
sistent in his dealings with the children of men.

Sang the 272nd Hymn, — "I have no home, where shall I go ? "

Meeting adjourned till 7 p.m.

Benediction by President Farnham.

Conference met pursuant to adjournment at 7 p. m.
Sang the 253rd Hymn, — "Go ye messengers of glory."
Prayer by Elder J. Jones.

Sang the 63rd Hymn, — "Glorious things are sung of Zion."
The meeting was then addressed by Elder J. W. Fleming.
Sang the 54th Hymn, — "Praise ye the Lord it is good raise."
Adjourned until Monday evening, 7 p. m.
Benediction by Elder J. Jones.

In consequence of heavy rain there was no meeting on Monday
evening, when it was further adjourned until Wednesday evening.

Wednesday evening, April 4th, Conference met pursuant to ad-
journment at the office, No. 103, Parramatta-street.

Meeting opened by singing the 29th Hymn, — "What was Witness-
ed in the heavens ? "

Prayer by Elder William Baxter.

Sang the 227th Hymn, — "Come all ye sons of Zion."

The Elders were appointed to their fields of labour. The meeting
was then addressed by the Presidency, during which important in-
struction and counsel was given.

Sang 234th Hymn, — "The time is far spent — there is little re
maining."

Conference adjourned to the first Sunday in July.

Benediction by President A. Farnham.

2C0

There has been a great union of feeling pervading this conference ;
much of the spirit of the Lord has rested upon the Elders and Saints^
so that our hearts have been made to rejoice in the Lord, and in the
great work he hath set his hands to perform. Several applications
for baptisms have been made during Conference.

A. FARNHAM, President.
JOHN JONES, Clerk.

i?

A SKETCH OF THE HISTORY OF THE WORK OF THE
LORD IN THE AUSTRALASIAN COLONIES.

By Elder John Jones.

On Sunday afternoon, Nov. 2nd, 1854, after the dismissal of the Primitive
Methodists out door meeting, on the Old Race Course Sydney, an aged but
venerable looking man, with his hat in his hand, addressed the congregation
in something like the following manner. Gentleman, I would wish an
opportunity to say a few words to the people, I have been pleased with
much that has been said on the present occasion, and being a Missionary
sent to preach the Gospel, I would like to have the privilege of speaking
to the people. He was asked from whence he came ? He answered,
America, when some little feeling was manifested, which soon subsided.
Having asked for a place to preach in, the Rev. Mr. Moss, the Primitive
Methodists' preacher, enquired to what denomination he belonged to ; and
was answered, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints ; this priest
then ejaculated, Oh ! A MORMON EH ! He appeared a little
agast at the fact, and having told the aged man, that he could not let him
have a place to preach in, and that where they were now standing was his
ground, that he occupied it every Sunday, he hastened away.

The assembly now called for a declaration of principles, when Elder John
Murdock briefly but very forciably, laid down the first principles of the
Gospel. The nature of the organization of the Church of Christ, with the
character of the blessings, enjoyed by saints in ancient times.

He was listened to with attention, with the exception of being once or
twice asked ? Where is your Commission ? What's your authority ?
There were some present, to whom the Lord had intimated, by vision or
dream, that something important was at hand. One brother had a vision of
the Kingdom of God, established in the centre of the world, continuing to
increase until it overcame the world, and the spirit testified to him, when
Elder Murdock was speaking that, that was the work of God. The writer
had received a similar manifestation, and was under the like influence.

At the close of the address, several questions were asked, such as do you
profess to be able to perform miracles ? Have you ever seen the sick heald,
&c. The writer asked the following question ? Does your Church pro-
fess to receive revelation, suited to the present condition and character of
man ? He answered boldly we do ? An appointment was then made for
preaching on the Race Course, next Sunday afternoon. A Mr. John Davis,
who has since made himself conspicuous in his opposition to the work accom-
panied Elder M. to his lodgings, and obtained from him a copy of the voice
of Warning.

On Sunday the 9th Elder Murdock was on the ground, at the time ap-

l

261

pointed, and preached an excellent discourse, upon the principles of the
Gospel and its restoration, and the Millinnial reign of Christ, on the earth
with his saints, Elder C. W. Wandle was with him, an appointment was
made for the evening at the Old Assembly Room, when Elder Wandle
preached testifying to the ministrations of angels, to the prophet Joseph
Smith. At the close of the meeting, the proprietor said he should not let
them have the room again.

After this a house was rented in Pitt-street, service being held therein
every Sunday morning and evening, and public speaking on the Race Course
every afternoon, meetings continued to excite an increasing interest, hun-
dreds assembling at the out door meetings. About the end of Nov., Elder
Murdock went to Parramatta, going per steamer, and returning on foot down
the road, distributing the tracts that had then been published, viz., the Re-
markable Visions, and the Proclamation.

On December the 3rd, the first person was baptised into the Church, an
evening Meeting was held, there were but few present. There was much
of the influence of the spirit present, and Elder Murdock spoke with great
force and power, making plain the principles of truth. On the following
day he left for Melbourne.

On Sunday morning January the 4th, 1852, the Sydney Branch was
organized consisting of 12 members, there were 2 Priests and a Teacher and
Deacon, ordained at this meeting.

On January 5th Elder Murdock returned from Melbourne ; he stated
that he found " the people principally gone to the gold diggings, and the
whole country in perfect excitement." He "could find no shelter for him-
self or things, so that after spending about ten days under extreme difficulty,
he returned here," this occurred about the time that gold was first discovered
in Victoria.

About this time places were obtained for preaching at Chippendale, Rush-
cutters Bay, and at Kissing Point, but with no success.

About this time the Old Assembly Rooms were rented again.

On Saturday April the 27th, commenced the first Conference of the
Church in these Colonies. The Conference was organized with Elder Mur-
dock, as President, and Elders Wandle and Jones, as Counsellors. There
were two Elders ordained this Conference. It was adjourned from time to
time until April 6th, at this time there had been 36 baptised, a spirit of
rebellion entered several, which caused some little trouble, and the most
of those who rebelled fell away, a mission was appointed to Melbourne.
After peace was iestored, all went on well for a time, the work prospering
Elder Wandle preparing to go on a Mission to Melbourne, and Elder Jones
to Maitland, but on the 14th of May, the "Judge's Report" appeared in the
" Sydney Morning Herald." This created a great excitement in the public
mind, and seemed to press heavily upon the minds of many of saints. Elder
Wandle with great difficulty, got an answer inserted in the Saturday's issue,
of the same paper, which connected with his reply on the public Race Course
allayed the excitement, and gave general satisfaction.

As the devil never did anything, but that the Lord overruled it for good,
so in this case, Elder Wandell's letter being observed by a merchant, at whose
office letters from the authorities of the Church in England were laying,
these were forwarded through the post, and came to hand on Tuesday the
17th, with a small supply of Books. This was a great source of joy and
rejoicing to all ; the news received, set aside Ihe " Judge's Report" entirely.

262

At this time Elder Murdock, in consequence of the enfeabled state of his
health, determined to return home, on account of this, a special Conference
was called, at which Elder Murdock resigned his Presidency of the Mission,
and that of the Branch also ; Elder Wandle was appointed President of the
Mission, Elders Jones and Beaty as Counsellors ; Elder Jones was appointed
President of the Sydney Branch.

On Sunday May 30th, Elder Murdock delivered his farewell address to
the public on the Race Course, and to the Saints in the evening. On Wed-
nesday, June 2nd, Elder Murdock went on board the "Harmony," bound
for San Francisco. In June Elders McCarthy and Jones went to Maitland,
in consequence of an invitation from Brother and Sister Harris, who were
from England, a room was rented, brother H. furnishing it with forms and
supplied the Elders with provisions.

The second Conference took place on July the 3rd, and was continued by
adjournment to the 6th, the appointments remaining as above, until the
middle of July, when Elder Wandle went to Port Phillip ; he appointed
Elder J. Beaty to the Presidency of the Sydney Branch, leaving Elder Jones
in charge of the work, in New South Wales. Early in September Elder
Jones was requested to return to Sydney, to set the Branch in order ; on
his arrival in Sydney, Elder B. resigned the presidency of the Branch and
Elder Jones was voted into the same.

All went on well until the latter end of October, when the devil made
another effort to overthrow the work, by the influence of apostates, who in-
sinuated themselves amongst some of the brethren, who listened to their lies,
and also, by taking advantage of the inexperience of the saints in Maitland,
who were blessed with the gift of tongues ; and leading them astray, Elder
Wandle was requested to return to this Colony, to set things in order there.
About this time, an opening was made at the Williams River, by Elder
M'Carthy.

President Wandle returned to Sydney, on the 17th of December, he pro-
ceeded to Maitland, everything was restored to peace and order.

A Conference was held in Sydney, commencing on January 1st, 1853,
continuing by adjournment to the 30th, the brethren who had rebelled in
Sydney, were dealt with being disfellowshiped.

In the latter end of February, Elder Wandle began to make arrangement
Jo lead up a company to Zion.

A Conference was called, when he resigned his Presidency, appointing
Elder Jones to succeed him.

On April 1st, the Barque Pacific, from San Francisco arrived, bringing a
company often Elders for the Australasian Mission, viz., A. Fainham,
President, William Hyde, First Counsellor, J. W. Fleming, B. Frost, A.
Dowdle, J. Graham, J. S. Eldridge, J. Norton, John Hyde, and P. Smith.
On Saturday, April 2nd, the " Sydney Morning Herald" introduced the
Elders to the public notice, giving extracts from the Deseret extra, as pub-
lished by one of the San Deigo Journals, by which a great excitement was
created in the minds of the public, and of the saints also. In consequence
of the smallpox the vessel was ordered into Quarantine.

On the 1 st of April, the company amounting to about 30 souls, were
ordered on board the " Envelope," she sailed on April the 6th, Elder
Wandle having the charge ot them.

On Saturday April 9th, the Barque Pacific was released from Quarantine.

263

The company of Elders got ashore about dusk, they were all well with the
exception of Elder John Hyde ; they were lodged amongst the brethren.

On Sunday the 10th, there was a good attendance of the Saints at meeting,
and some strangers ; Elder Jones introduced President Farnham, who after-
wards introduced the remainder of the Company of Elders. Elder Jones
then resigned the appointment of President, and it was voted to receive and
sustain Elder Farnham, as President of the Australian Mission. Elder
Jones being appointed President of the Sydney Branch, Elders W. Robb,
and R. Evans, as his Counsellors. President Farnham addressed the meet-
ing, exhorting the saints to be cool, deliberate and prayerful, not to give
heed to the reports going abroad, but if their was anything that they did not
understand, or that they wanted to know, to come to him and he would
satisfy them, for it was not the desire to keep anything hid. The saints
were called upon, to judge whether they had brought the spirit of the
Lord with them. He told the Saints that he should take the
earliest opportunity of visiting them at their homes ; the meeting during
the day was also addressed by Elder W. Hyde, and several others of the
newly arrived Elders. It was evident to all that this company had brought
the spirit of the Lord with them, for its influence was felt upon all, it
seemed to burn within the bones of the writer, it is a day that will never be
forgotten by him ; the testimony borne that the Lord was blessing the saints
in the Valleys of the Mountains, caused all faithful saints to rejoice, indeed
so manifest was the influence of the spirit of the Lord, upon that occasion
that the hearts of some who had been separated from us seemed to relent.

Monday the Company of Elders, met at Elder W. Robb's, George Street,
when the Presidency of the mission was fully organized by appointing
Elder Josiah W. Fleming, as second counsellor to A. Farnham, President.
Report was received as to the state of the work, and of the condition of this
and other colonies ; the Elders were appointed to different fields of labor,
Elders A. Dowdle and J. Norton, to Adelaide ; B. Frost and P. Smith, to
Victoria; J. Graham and J. S. Eldridge, to the N. W. Section of this
Colony ; William Hyde, to the Hunter's River District ; J. W. Fleming
to remain with the President in Sydney ; John Hyde being sick remained
in Sydney. These Elders started for their respective fields of labor, as
soon as circumstances would permit. The President after their departure,
turned his attention to visiting the Saints, Elder Fleming accompanying him,
ascertaining the state of their feelings, giving such instruction and counsel
as seemed to be necessary, at such times the Deseret Extra was generally
taken along, and read to any who desired, by this means an influence was
brought to bear upon the saints, that tended to preserve them ; by allaying
their prejudices and addressing their reason ; so that through the blessing
of God, none in Sydney left the church, through the doctrine of plurality with
the exception of about 3, who have since applied for readmission. Things
thus moved steadily along.

Elders Wm. Hyde and John M'Carthy, at the Hunter's River, were
blessed in their labors, a branch was organized at the Williams River, on
June the 28th, 1853, 1 Elder, 1 Priest, and 1 Teacher were ordained. A
Conference was held in Sydney, on the first Sunday in July, some were called
to the priesthood, we were blessed with much instruction and counsel, by Elder
W. Hyde. There had not been time to receive any report of the operations
of the Elders, in the distant fields of labor. Elder John Hyde continued to
grow worse.

264

The male members ot the Sydney Branch, having been organized into a
counsel, for the transaction of business, a meeting of the same was called
on July 21st, when amidst other business, it was determined to publish a
periodical monthly, to be called the " Zion's Watchman," this resolution was
come to, on account of the repeated attacks that were made upon the saints
and their principles, and the impossibility of getting anything inserted in
reply.

In accordance with the above resolution, the first number of the " Zion's
Watchman" was issued on August 13th, 1853.

On Saturday Aug. 27th, Elder John Hyde, after enduring extreme suffer-
ing, (the disease being a cancer in the throat,) departed this life in the firm
assurance of the Faith. President Farnham and the Elders in Sydney,
were unwearied in their attention to him, and everything was obtained that
would minister to his ease or comfort. He was respectably intered in the
Camperdown Cemetery.

On September 24th the second and third number of the " Zions Watch-
man" were issued. Being desirous of laying before the public the doctrine
of Plurality in plainness, it was found necessary to issue a double number.
On the first Sunday in October a conference was held in Sydney at which it
was reported that Elder Frost was at the diggings, where a branch had been
organised. Elder W. Cooke being appointed president. Elder P. Smith
was labouring at Geelong, Elders Dowdle and Norton had made an open-
ing at Adelaide, having organised a brauch, with prospects of organising
others. The work rolling forth in the Hunter River District, the Saints
in Sydney increasing in faith. There was three ordinations at this Con-
ference, and Elder McCarthy was appointed on a mission in the interior,
in which he laboured for three months.

The reason of the non-appearance of the October number of the
" Watchman" was in cousequence of pecunary difficulties, but through the
blessiug of the Lord the way was opened, so that another number was
issued on November 12, from which time it has continued to be issued,
being freely distributed throughout the colony, thus it is instrumental in
preaching the Grospel and in preparing the way for the Elders.

On the 14th November 1853, in consequence of an invitation to go and
reconcile the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants with the Doc-
trine of Plurality, as stated in the " Watchman," President Farnham pro-
ceeded to Pennant Hills, about twenty-five miles distant, and succeeded in
his mission, for on arriving there during a thunder storm, the conversation
immediately began, and continued until 3 o'clock in the morning. After
a few hours reflection the man bold him that himself and wife were ready
for baptism. About 3 o'clock, p.m. on the 15th they were administered
unto. There has been considerable preaching at this place by the Presi-
dent and Elder J. W. Fleming.

November 28th. — A Branch was organised at Clarence Town, William's
River, also another at Newcastle, on December 7th, composed principally
of Welch Saints who had come to work in the coal mines at that place.
The account of the work from January 1st, 1854, will be found in the
Reports of the Conferences as published in the " Watchman" up to this
date — April the 1st, 1855.

From the foregoing it must be evident to all that the Lord has been with
his servants, but when the remainder of the progress of the work is con-

265

sidered, as it is made known in the Minutes of the Conferences, how much
more does the haud of the Lord appear, and what greater cause for thank-
fulness the Elders and Saints have. But if a detailed history was given
the motive to gratitude and dependance upon God would be still greater.
We acknowledge the hand dealing of our heavenly Father in all things and
praise him for bis mercies. Amen.

P.S. — There has been about 24,000 tracts published and distributed in
these colonies, besides some thousands that have been distributed that were
sent from England. There has also been received from England several
hundred pounds worth of books, and there is not now a supply of the
standard works in the office, all this having been accomplished in little
more than three years, through the instrumentality of weak, (and in the
eyes of the world) contemptable agents. Is it not truly a " marvel and a
wonder ?" Is it not an evidence that the " God of Jacob" is with the
Elders of Israel, to whom be the glory Amen.

Price Sixpence.

Edited and Published by A. Famham, No. 103, Parramatta-street, Sydney.

INDEX.

A

Page.

Adam, our Father and God,

137

A word to our Opponents,

C
Celestial Marriage, from the Seer,

35

33

Coming Crisis, „ „

38

68

Conference, Minutes, January 1854,

57

,, ,, April 1854, ... ... „..

90

„ July 1854,

121

., October 1854, ...

- ■

154

„ „ January 1855,

201

„ April 1855,

256

Correspondence between General J. Arlington Bennett, and General 1

233

Joseph Smith

D
Defence of Polygamy, by a Lady,

I

171

Deseret and Latter-Day Saints, by Stansbury ...

2

Discourse, by J. Jones,

139

by H. C. Kembel,

239

„ last, by the Prophet Joseph Smith

...

249

Divine Authenticity of the Book of Mormon

E

127

EDITORIAL AND GENERAL INTELLIGENCE.

Intelligence from Adelaide

40

104

„ „ Calcutta,

168

a

, Cape of Good Hope,

168

n

, England,

...

152

,,

, Honolulu

. .

40

104

ii

, Hunter River,

40

85

ii

, New Zealand,

184

200

246

ii

, S. W. Section

40

104

n

, Salt Lake,

39, 108,

152

246

, San Pedro,

152

,,

, Sydney,

40

104

152

ii

n

, Victoria,

„ Interior, ...

40

104
40

248

Editorial. Counsel, ... ... ...

...

86

Elder Jones and the Rev. Dr. Fullerton,

...

210

General J. A. Bennett and General Joseph Smith,

...

248

History of the Life of the Prophet,

. .

103

Irishman and the Deacon,

...

215

Interesting Discovery,

...

245

Milton on Polygamy,

209

Standard of Truth,

208

Emigration from Wales,

„ .

167

Epicurean God, not the God of the Mormons, (hj S. Ed.) . .

41

Epistle Ninth, General,

...

52

„ Eleventh, „

161

180

185

„ First, 0. Pratt.

..

121

„ Second „

...

105

,, of the Presidency of the Australasian Mission,

153

EXTRACTS — AMERICAN .

Short History of the Mormons,

...

37

Interesting Discovery,

...

214

243

Letter from the Hon. L. H. Read, ...

...

63

Mormon Operation in California,

167

Mormonites from Australia,

167

^

Mormonism,

...

169

Mormons in

San Bernardino,

150

A.T.SCHROEDER.

Programme of the 24th of July, 1854, .>>i

The Temple, ... "" "* 218

Extract of a Letter from Salt Lak*, .'.'.' fog

„ from M. Star, ... [" '" 24 72

„ Letter from the Hon. J. M. Bernhisel, ... .. 224

» » Ferris's Utah and the Mormons, . . " 225

F

Faith and Doctrines of L. D. S. ... ... 13c

Gospel Witness, ... 101

History of the Work in these Colonies, 9fin

Hue and Cry, by S. Ed. ... ..*. "\ g6 'gj ^

Mormonism, by J. Jones ... ... fi0

„ Chamber Tracts ... ... ".' '" jqo

Obituary Death of Willard Richards ... ... 19g

»> n Patriarch John Smith ... " ^33

Opinion of the Reformers on the Law of Marriage ..." ... 208

T ,, „, ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

Letters from Elder W.Hyde ... 73 15y m

a. t. rond ... ... ... jco

President B. Young ... '" cq 917

Elder T. C. Stayner ... ... .V. 124

Mr. A. Payne ... ... '*" 126

Elder J. Jones ... ... ['[ "7 1QQ

rv iu e t t. , „ POETRY, ORIGINAL.

Death of Joseph and Hyrum by Elder W. Hyde a*

„ Willard Richards by J. M'Carthy '" -,%%

Elder J. Jones ' ..... 152

Select Poetry .. "' — tw

Ruth by W. W. Phelps V "' " '" 4n

Home of the Saints ... '" ,^

Prospectus ... '" "" 1U*

R '"

Reply to the Christian Herald ... •- ,ft ea

Revelation to .Tnfif.nl! sm;+v, T„wioii. io^n •" i0' ou b° 76

Revelation to Joseph Smith, July 12th, 1843

S
Sermon by O'Pratt
Standard of Divine Truth by Rev. A^Corsen, l!'l. D.

22

9

206

ERRATA.

P. L.

2 15 after equitably read administered

" 31 instead of pary read party

" 34 " of evidence read evidences

6 8 " of different read diffident
" l'i " of owne read own

" 17 after been read indeed

" 29 instead of weakness read weaknesses

7 21 " of principle read principles
" 2~ after may read be

" 30 instead of principle read principles

8 3 " of name read names

" 5 " of 184^ at readlf<46 and

9 19 after then read if

" 30 instead of exortation read exaltation
" last " of in read it

19 37 " of John read Joseph
13 1 " of their read this

15 2 '' of progenetors read progenitors
" 25 before, only read not

22 9 instead of this read His

23 48 " of his read this

" 5 in the 13 Par. instead of elevation read

exaltation
■• 6 in the 14 Par. instead of saitth read saith
25 8 instead of ro read to

20 2 " of Labana read Laban
30 3 after of read the

30 25 instead of wrested read wrestled

31 8 " of past read post

'■ 10 " of Iasiah 13, 12 and 4 chaps, read
Isaiah 1st, 4th and 11th chaps.
33 22 instead of cnosulted read consulted
36 20 before Theologions read let

39 26 after roar out read of

40 23 instead of wicket read wicked
40 2 Poetry, instead of upn read upon
47 43 instead of fuctions read functions
<9 4 after absurdities read of

52 1 instead of of read to
54 13 " of arouse read arose
<"0 10 after man read made
69 44 instead of name read names
69 4 " of took read take
" last " of persona read personal
72 20 " of vour read four
79 2 " of Chririst read Christ
£•5 37 " of Bond read Pond

96 4 " of serveillance read servility

97 35 " of iying read lying

9^ 31 " of section 10 read section 65
105 11 " of fr;m read for
" 14 after territory read which

117 15 instead of but of read of but

118 25 before humble read more
121 18 instead of effect read affect
129 28 " for read with

133 30 " of lifted read left

" 42 " of that read the
134 17 " of ahall road shall
" 21 " of he read she

139 26 " of exhalt read exalt

140 -!6 '' of exhaltation read exaltation

" last " ofexhalted read exalted, and in-
stead of exhalt read exalt

141 1 instead of exhalt read exalt
12 1 " exhalted read exalted

1 2 39 •' of asscription read ascription
14-5 18 " of unto read into
147 41 " of see read seethe
149 34 " of cann.t read can

154 34 " of April read March

" 44 " of Joseph read Josiah

155 10 " of sung read sang
155 13 before seventy read one

'• Slinstead of letters read letter
157 3 1 " of Snider read Snyder

159 6 •• of dealing read dealings

160 48 before meeting read Tuesday evening

l'i? at the foot of the Eqistle read to be continued
168 12 before she read that

13 instead of persons read parsons
" 24 " of ministers read masters
1 82 at the foot read to be continued
184 36 instead of deviation read divination

192 40 " of othe wise read otherwise

" 50 " of s irit read spirit, and instead of

ife read life
" 57 instead of fai h read faith

193 24 " of su press read suppress
" 40 " of he ven read heaven

•• 48 '■ c ntribute read contribute, and in-
stead of i might read its might

" 49 instead of gos e lies in his read gospel lies
in its, and instead of sn ernatural read
supernatural

" 5') instead of msnifcst read manifest

" 51 " of ex cised read exercised

" 44 " ofo men read of men

194 6 '• of p ison read poison

200 1 1st verse, instead of Mauri read Maori
" 2 12th " of Abram's read Abr'ham

" -2 11th '' i'fth:'y hf.ve read they've

" 1 19th " Mauri read Maori

" 12 th " of exhalted read exalted

205 3 instead of ransom read ransom'd

214 20 after years read ago
" 34 instead of Kor h read North

220 7 " of about read above

230 8 " department read deportment

240 12 " of peparing read preparing
" 40 '• of greater read great

241 1 " of sun read son
245 last after it read is

218 7 instead of if read is
" 20 " of Halington read Arlington

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141