Table of Contents 
Next chapter
Table of Contents Next chapter
Revelations.
THE ARTICLES AND COVENANTS OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST.
The rise of the Church of Christ in these last days, being one thousand eight hundred and thirty years since the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, in the flesh; it being regularly organized and established agreeable to the laws of our country, by the will and commandments of God in the fourth month and on the sixth day of the month, which is called April: Which commandments were given to Joseph, who was called of God and ordained an Apostle of Jesus Christ, an Elder of this Church; and also to Oliver, who was called of God an Apostle of Jesus Christ, an Elder of this Church; and ordained under his hand; and this according to the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to whom be all glory both now and forever. Amen.
For, after that it truly was manifested unto this first Elder, that he had received a remission of his sins, he was entangled again in the vanities of the world, but after truly repenting God ministered unto him by an holy angel, whose countenance was as lightning, and whose garments were pure and white above all whiteness, and gave unto him commandments which inspired him from on high, and gave unto him power, by the means which were prepared, that he should translate a Book, which Book contained a record of a fallen people, and also the fulness [fullness] of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles; and also to the Jews, proving unto them, that the holy Scriptures are true; and also, that God doth inspire men and call them to his holy work, in these last days as well as in days of old, that he might be the same God forever. Amen.
Which Book was given by inspiration, and is called The Book of Mormon, and is confirmed to others by the ministering of angels, and declared unto the world by them: Wherefore, having so great witnesses, by them shall the world be judged, even as many as shall hereafter receive this work, either to faith and righteousness, or to the hardness of heart in unbelief, to their own condemnation, for the Lord God hath spoken it, for we, the Elders of the Church, have heard and bear witness to the words of the glorious Magesty [Majesty] on high; to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Wherefore, by these things we know, that there is a God in Heaven, who is infinite and eternal, from everlasting to everlasting, the same unchangeable God, the maker of Heaven and earth and all things that in them is, and that he created man male and female, and after his own image, and in his own likeness created he them; and that he gave unto the children of men commandments, that they should love and serve him the only being whom they should worship, but by the transgression of these holy laws, man became sensual and devilish, and became fallen man: Wherefore the Almighty God gave his only begotten Son, as it is written in those Scriptures, which have been given of him, that he suffered temptations, but gave no heed unto them; that he was crucified, died, and rose again the third day, and that he ascended into heaven to sit down on the right hand of the Father, to reign with Almighty power, according to the will of the Father. Therefore, as many as would believe and were baptized in his holy name, and endured in faith to the end, should be saved; yea, even as many as were before he came in the flesh, from the beginning, who believed in the words of the holy Prophets, who were inspired by the gift of the Holy Ghost, which truly testified of him in all things, as well as those who should come after, who should believe in the gifts and callings of God, by the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of the Father and of the Son, which Father and Son and Holy Ghost, is one God, infinite and eternal, without end. Amen.
And we know, that all men must repent and believe on the name of Jesus Christ, and worship the Father in his name, and endure in faith on his name to the end, or they cannot be saved in the Kingdom of God: And we know, that Justification through the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, is just and true; and we know, also, that Sanctification through the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, is just and true, to all those who love and serve God with all their mights, minds, and strength, but there is a possibility that men may fall from grace and depart from the living God. Therefore let the Church take heed and pray always, lest they fall into temptation; yea, and even he that is sanctified also: and we know, that these things are true and agreeable to the Revelation of John, neither adding to, nor diminishing from the prophecy of his Book; neither to the holy Scriptures; neither to the Revelations of God which shall come hereafter, by the gift and power of the Holy Ghost; neither by the voice of God; neither by the ministering of angels, and the Lord God hath spoken it; and honor, power, and glory be rendered to his holy name both now and ever. Amen.
And again, by way of commandments to the Church, concerning the manner of baptism: Behold whosoever humbleth himself before God and desireth to be baptized, and comes forth with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, and witnesseth unto the Church, that they have truly repented of all their sins and are willing to take upon them the name of Christ, having a determination to serve him unto the end, and truly manifest by their works that they have received the spirit of Christ unto the remission of their sins, then shall they be received unto baptism into the Church of Christ.
The duty of the Elders, Priests, Teachers, Deacons and members of the Church of Christ. An Apostle is an Elder, and it is his calling to baptize and to ordain other Elders, Priests, Teachers and Deacons, and to administer the flesh and blood of Christ according to the Scriptures, and to teach, expound, exhort, baptize, and watch over the Church, and to confirm the Church by the laying on of the hands and the giving of the Holy Ghost, and to take the lead of all meetings. The Elders are to conduct the meetings as they are led by the Holy Ghost. The Priests' duty is to preach, teach, expound, exhort and baptize, and administer the Sacrament, and visit the house of each member, and exhort them to pray vocally and in secret, and also to attend to all family duties; and ordain other Priests, Teachers, and Deacons, and take the lead in meetings; but none of these offices is he to do when there is an Elder present, but in all cases is to assist the Elder. The Teachers' duty is to watch over the Church always, and be with them, and strengthen them, and see that there is no iniquity in the Church, neither hardness with each other, neither lying nor back-biting nor evil speaking; and see that the Church meet together often, and also see that all the members do their duty; and he is to take the lead of meetings in the absence of the Elder or Priest, and is to be assisted always, and in all his duties in the Church by the Deacons; but neither the Teacher nor Deacons, have authority to baptize nor administer the Sacrament, but are to warn, expound, exhort and teach, and invite all to come unto Christ.
Every Elder, Priest, Teacher, or Deacon, is to be ordained according to the gifts and callings of God unto him, by the power of the Holy Ghost which is in the one who ordains him.
The several Elders composing this Church of Christ, are to meet in Conference once in three months, to do Church business whatsoever is necessary. And each Priest or Teacher, who is ordained by a Priest, is to take a cirtificate [certificate] from him at the time, which when presented to an Elder, he is to give him a License, which shall authorize him to perform the duty of his calling.
The duty of the members after they are received by baptism. The Elders or Priests are to have a sufficient time to expound all things concerning this Church of Christ to their understanding, previous to their partaking of the Sacrament, and being confirmed by the laying on of hands of the Elders; so that all things may be done in order. And the members shall manifest before the Church, and also before the Elders, by a godly walk and conversation, that they are worthy of it, that there may be works and faith agreeable to the holy Scriptures, walking in holiness before the Lord. Every member of this Church of Christ having children, is to bring them unto the Elders before the Church, who are to lay their hands on them in the name of the Lord, and bless them in the name of Christ. There cannot any one be received into this Church of Christ, who has not arrived to the years of accountability before God, and is not capable of repentance.
And baptism is to be administered in the following manner unto all those who repent: Whosoever being called of God and having authority given them of Jesus Christ, shall go down into the water with them, and shall say, calling them by name: Having authority given me of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Then shall he immerse them in the water, and come forth again out of the water. And it is expedient that the Church meet together oft to partake of Bread and Wine, in remembrance of the Lord Jesus; and the Elder or Priest shall administer it, and after this manner shall he do, he shall kneel with the Church, and call upon the Father in mighty prayer saying: O God the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it, that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him, and keep his commandments which he hath given them, that they may always have his spirit to be with them. Amen. The manner of administering the Wine: Behold they shall take the Cup and say, O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this Wine to the souls of all those who drink of it, that they may do it in remembrance of the blood of thy Son, which was shed for them, that they may witness unto thee, O God the Eternal Father, that they do always remember him, that they may have his spirit to be with them. Amen.
Any member of this Church of Christ, transgressing or being overtaken in a fault, shall be dealt with according as the Scriptures direct. It shall be the duty of the several churches, composing this Church of Christ, to send one or more of their Teachers to attend the several Conferences, held by the Elders of this Church, with a list of the names of the several members, uniting themselves to the Church since the last Conference, or send by the hand of some Priest, so that there can be kept a regular list of all the names of the members of the whole Church, in a Book kept by one of the Elders; whosoever the other Elders shall appoint from time to time: and also, if any have been expelled from the Church, so that their names may be blotted out of the general Church Record of names. Any member removing from the Church where he resides, if going to a Church where he is not known, may take a letter certifying that he is a regular member and in good standing; which certificate may be signed by any Elder or Priest, if the member receiving the letter is personally acquainted with the Elder or Priest, or it may be signed by the Teachers or Deacons of the Church.
Behold, I say unto you, that all old Covenants have I caused to be done away in
(page 1)
this thing, and this is a new and everlasting Covenant: even that which was from the beginning. Wherefore, although a man should be baptized an hundred times, it availeth him nothing, for ye cannot enter in at the straight gate by the law of Moses; neither by your dead works; for it is because of your dead works, that I have caused this last Covenant, and this Church to be built up unto me; even as in days of old. Wherefore, enter ye in at the gates as I have commanded, and seek not to counsel your God. Amen.
A PROPHECY GIVEN TO THE CHURCH OF CHRIST, MARCH 7, 1831.
HEARKEN, O ye people of my church to whom the Kingdom has been given: Hearken ye and give ear to him who laid the foundation of the earth; who made which live and move and have a being. And again I say, hearken unto my voice, lest death shall overtake you: in an hour when ye think not the summer shall be past, and the harvest ended, and your souls not saved. Listen to him who is the advocate with the Father, who is pleading your case before him; saying Father behold the sufferings and death of him who did no sin, in whom thou wast well pleased; behold the blood of thy Son which was shed, the blood of him whom thou gavest that thyself might be glorified; wherefore Father spare these my brethren that believe on my name, that they may come unto me and have everlasting life.
Hearken O ye people of my church, and ye Elders listen together, and hear my voice while it is called to-day and harden not your hearts; for verily I say unto you that I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the light and the life of the world, a light that shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehendeth it not; I came unto my own and my own received me not; but unto as many as received me gave I power to do many miracles, and to become the sons of God, and even unto them that believed on my name gave I power to obtain eternal life. And even so I have sent mine everlasting covenant into the world, to be a light to the world, and to be a standard for my people and for the Gentiles to seek to it; and to be a messenger before my face to prepare the way before me. Wherefore come ye unto it, and with him that cometh I will reason as with men in days of old, and I will show unto you my strong reasoning; wherefore hearken ye together and let me show it unto you, even my wisdom, the wisdom of him whom ye say is the God of Enoch, and his brethren, who were separated from the earth, and were reserved unto myself, a city reserved until a day of righteousness shall come, a day which was sought for by all holy men, and they found it not because of wickedness and abominations, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth; but obtained a promise that they should find it, and see it in their flesh. Wherefore hearken and I will reason with you, and I will speak unto you and prophesy as unto me in days of old, and I will show it plainly as I showed it unto my disciples, as I stood before them in the flesh and spake unto them saying: As ye have asked of me concerning the signs of my coming, in the day when I shall come in my glory, in the clouds of Heaven, to fulfil [fulfill] the promises that I have made unto your fathers; for as ye have looked upon the long absence of your bodies to be a bondage, I will show unto you how the day of redemption shall come, and also the restoration of the scattered Israel.
And now ye behold this temple which is in Jerusalem, which ye call the house of God, and your enemies say that this house shall never fall. But verily I say unto you, that desolation shall come upon this generation as a thief in the night, and this people shall be destroyed and scattered among all nations, and this temple which ye now see, shall be thrown down that there shall not be left one stone upon another. And it shall come to pass, that this generation of Jews shall not pass away, until every desolation which I have told you concerning them, shall come to pass.
Ye say that ye know, that the end of the world cometh; ye say also that ye know, that the Heavens and the earth shall pass away; and in this ye say truly, for so it is; but these things which I have told you, shall not pass away until all shall be fulfilled. And this I have told you concerning Jerusalem, and when that day shall come, shall a remnant be scattered among all nations, but they shall be gathered again; but they shall remain until the times of the Gentiles be fulfiled [fulfilled]. And in that day shall be heard of wars and rumors of wars and the whole earth shall be in commotion, and men's hearts shall fail them, and they shall say that Christ delayeth his coming until the end of the earth. And the love of men shall wax cold, and iniquity shall abound; and when the time of the Gentiles is come in, a light shall break forth among them that sit in darkness, and it shall be in the fulness [fullness] of my Gospel; but they receive it not, for they perceive not the light, and they turn their hearts from me because of the precepts of men; and in that generation shall the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled: and there shall be men standing in that generation, that shall not pass until they shall see an overflowing scourge; for a desolating sickness shall cover the land; but my disciples shall stand in holy places and shall not be moved, but among the wicked, men shall lift up their voices and curse God and die; and there shall be earthquakes, also, in diverse places, and desolations, yet men will harden their hearts against me; and they will take up the sword one against another and they will kill one another: and now, when I the Lord had spoken these words unto my disciples, they were troubled, and I said unto them, be not troubled, for when all these things shall come to pass, ye may know that the promises which have been made unto you, shall be fulfilled, and when the light shall begin to break forth, it shall be with them like unto a parable which I will show you: ye look and behold the fig trees, and ye see them with your eyes, and ye say when they begin to shoot forth and their leaves are yet tender, ye say that summer is now nigh at hand; even so it shall be in that day, when they shall see all these things, then shall they know that the hour is nigh.
And it shall come to pass that he that feareth me shall be looking 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 beneath; and they shall behold blood and fire, and vapors of smoke; and before the day of the Lord come the sun shall be darkened, and the moon be turned into blood, and stars fall from Heaven; and the remnant shall be gathered unto this place; and then they shall look for me, and behold I will come; and they shall see me in the clouds of Heaven, clothed with power and great glory, with all the holy angels; and he that watches not for me shall be cut off.
But before the arm of the Lord shall fall, an angel shall sound his trump, and the saints that have slept, shall come forth to meet me in the cloud. Wherefore if ye have slept in peace blessed are you, for as you now behold me and know that I am, even so shall ye come unto me and your souls shall live, and your redemption shall be perfected, and the saints shall come forth from the four quarters of the earth; then shall the arm of the Lord fall upon the nations, and then shall the Lord set his foot upon this 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 fire.
And then shall the Jews look upon me, and say what are these wounds in thine hands, and in thy feet, then shall they know that I am the Lord; for I will say unto them, these wounds, are the wounds with which I was wounded in the house of my friends. I am he who was lifted up. I am Jesus that was crucified. I am the son of God. And then shall they weep because of their iniquities; then shall they lament because they persecuted their King. And then shall the heathen nations be redeemed, and they which knew no law shall have part in the first resurrection, and it shall be tolerable for them; and satan shall be bound that he shall have no place in the hearts of the children of men.
And at that day when I shall come in my glory, shall the parable be fulfilled which I spake concerning the ten virgins; for they that are wise and have received the truth and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived; verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day, and the earth shall be given unto them, for an inheritance; and they shall multiply and wax strong, and their children shall grow up without sin unto salvation, for the Lord shall be in their midst, and his glory shall be upon them, and he will be their King and their lawgiver.
And now, behold I say unto you, it shall not be given unto you to know any farther than this until the New Testament be translated, and in it all these things shall be made known; wherefore I give unto you that ye may now translate it, that ye may be prepared for the things to come; for verily I say unto you they are nigh even at your doors, and not many years hence ye shall hear of wars in your own lands. Wherefore I the Lord have said gather ye out from the eastern lands, assemble ye yourselves together ye Elders of my Church; go ye forth into the western countries, call upon the inhabitants to repent, and inasmuch as they do repent, build up churches unto me; and with one heart and with one mind, gather up your riches that ye may purchase an inheritance which shall hereafter be appointed unto you, and it shall be called the New Jerusalem, a land of peace, a city of refuge, a place of safety for the saints of the most high God; and the glory of the Lord shall be there, and the terror of the Lord also shall be there. And it shall come to pass, that the righteous shall be gathered out from among all nations, and shall come to Zion, singing with songs of everlasting joy, even so. Amen.
TO THE SAINTS OF CHRIST JESUS, SCATTERED ABROAD.
BRETHREN, As some of you have not been correctly informed, as we understand, respecting the order of the gathering of the saints to Zion: Therefore, for the benefit of the Church of Christ, generally, I subjoin a few extracts from the Revelation on this subject, that all may know and understand, and so conduct themselves, that order and not confusion may be produced; for God is a God of order.
In the love of Christ,
Yours. Edward .
EXTRACTS. "Let the privileges of the lands be made known from time to time by the Bishop, or the agent of the Church, and let the work of the gathering be not in haste, nor by flight, but let all be done as it shall be counselled [counseled] by the Elders of the Church, at the Conference, according to the knowledge which they receive from time to time." * * * * * * * * * "They who are privileged to go up unto Zion, let them carry up unto the Bishop, a certificate from three Elders of the Church, or a certificate from the Bishop, [in Ohio] otherwise he who shall go up unto the land of Zion, shall not be accounted a wise steward, or be accepted of the Bishop in Zion." * * * * * * * * ** "Let those therefore who are among the Gentiles flee unto Zion, and let them who be of Judah flee unto Jerusalem." * * * * * * ** * "Go ye out from among the nations even from Babylon, from the midst of wickedness which is spiritual Babylon: but verily thus saith the Lord let not your flight be in haste, but let all things be prepared before you."
(page 2)
Selected.
THAT the world at large may the better judge, concerning the above prophecy, we add an extract from the Book of Mormon. It will be seen by this that the most plain parts of the New Testament, have been taken from it by the Mother of Harlots while it was confined in that Church,-say, from the year A. D. 460 to 1400: This is a sufficient reason for the Lord to give command to have it translated a new: Notwithstanding King James' translators did very well, all knowing that they had only the common faculties of men and literature, without the spirit of Revelation:-[Ed. E. & M. Star.]
And the angel of the Lord said unto me, Thou hast beheld that the Book proceeded forth from the mouth of a Jew; and when it proceeded forth from the mouth of a Jew, it contained the plainness of the Gospel of the Lord, of whom the twelve apostles bear record; and they bear record according to the truth which is in the Lamb of God; wherefore, these things go forth from the Jews in purity, unto the Gentiles, according to the truth which is in God; and after that they go forth by the hand of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, from the Jews unto the Gentiles; behold, after this, thou seest the foundation of a great and abominable church, which is the most abominable above all other churches; for behold, they have taken away from the Gospel of the Lamb, many parts which are plain and most precious; and also, many Covenants of the Lord have they taken away; and all this have they done, that they might pervert the right ways of the Lord; that they might blind the eyes and harden the hearts of the children of men; wherefore thou seest that after the Book hath gone forth through the hands of the great and abominable church, that there are mauy [many] plain and precious things taken away from the Book, which is the Book of the Lamb of God; and after that these plain and precious things were taken away, it goeth forth unto all the nations of the Gentiles; and after it goeth forth unto all the nations of the Gentiles; yea, even across the many waters which thou hast seen with the Gentiles which have gone forth out of captivity; and thou seest because of the many plain and precious things which have been taken out of the Book, which were plain unto the understanding of the children of men, according to the plainness which is in the Lamb of God; and because of these things which are taken away out of the Gospel of the Lamb, an exceeding great many do stumble, yea, insomuch [inasmuch] that Satan hath great power over them; nevertheless thou beholdest that the Gentiles which have gone forth out of captivity, and have been lifted up by the power of God above all other nations upon the face of the land, which is choice above all other lands, which is the land which the Lord God hath covenanted with thy father, that his seed should have, for the land of their inheritance; wherefore, thou seest that the Lord God will not suffer that the Gentiles will utterly destroy the mixture of thy seed, which is among thy brethren; neither will he suffer that the Gentiles shall destroy the seed of thy brethren; neither will the Lord God suffer that the Gentiles shall forever remain in that state of awful woundedness which thou beholdest that they are in, because of the plain and most precious parts of the Gospel of the Lamb which hath been kept back by the abominable church, whose formation thou hast seen; wherefore, saith the Lamb of God, I will be merciful unto the Gentiles, unto the visiting of the remnant of the House of Israel in great judgment.
And it came to pass that the angel of the Lord spake unto me, saying: Behold, saith the Lamb of God, after that I have visited the remnant of the House of Israel, and this remnant of which I speak, is the seed of thy father; wherefore, after that I have visited them in judgment, and smitten them by the hand of the Gentiles; and after that the Gentiles do stumble exceedingly, because of the most plain and precious parts of the Gospel of the Lamb which hath been kept back, by that abominable church, which is the mother of harlots, saith the Lamb; wherefore, I will be merciful unto the Gentiles in that day, saith the Lamb insomuch [inasmuch] that I will bring forth unto them in mine own power, much of my Gospel, which shall be plain and precious, saith the Lamb; for behold, saith the Lamb, I will manifest myself unto thy seed, that they shall write many things which I shall minister unto them, which shall be plain and precious; and after that thy seed shall be destroyed and dwindle in unbelief, and also, the seed of thy brethren; behold, these things shall be hid up, to come forth unto the Gentiles, by the gift and power of the Lamb; and in them shall be written my Gospel, saith the Lamb, and my rock and my salvation; and blessed are they which shall seek to bring forth my Zion at that day, for they shall have the gift and the power of the Holy Ghost; and if they endure unto the end, they shall be lifted up at the last day, and shall be saved in the everlasting kingdom of the Lamb; yea, whoso publish peace, that shall publish tidings of great joy, how beautiful upon the mountains shall they be.
PERSECUTION
THE following article has lately appeared in the news papers of the day, and we copy it to show that the religion of Jesus Christ, has always been persecuted. But when a saint lives to God, persecution or applause is all one: the soul is above them.
The first persecution of the Church of Christ under the Heathen Roman Emperors by Domitius Nero the VI., about the year 67, collected out of the lives of Nero, Caesar, Eusebius, and the Book of Martyrs. The occation [occasion] whereof was this, Nero having passed over the first five years of his reign somewhat plausibly, he then began to all manner of prodigious impieties; and among other designs, he had a great desire to consume the stately imperial city of Rome with fire; pronouncing king Pryamus a happy man, because he beheld the end of his kingdom and country together. Yea, said he, let not all be ruined, when I am dead, but while I am yet alive. And for effecting this villany [villainy], he sent divers to kindle the fires in sundry places; yea, some of his own bed chamber were seen to carry flax, tow, torches, &c. to farther it; and when any attempted to quench it, they were threatened for it. Others openly hurled fire brands: crying they knew what they did, there was one would bear them out. This fire began among the oil-men and druggists; the night watch and Pretorian [Praetorian] guards, did openly cherish it; and when it was thoroughly kindled, Nero went up to the top of Mecenes Tower, which overlooked the whole city, where he fed himself with the sight of the infinite burnings, and sang to his harp the burning of Troy.
Among other stately buildings that were burned down, the Circus or Race yard was one, being about half a mile in length, of an oval form, with rows of seats one above another, capable to receive at least a hundred and fifty thousand spectators, without uncivil shoulderings. But the particulars were innumerable, and the damage inestimable: besides which many thousands of people perished; the flame and smoke smothered some, the weight of ruins crushed others, the fire consumed others; others threw themselves into the fire, out of sorrow and despair, and villains slew many.
But Nero finding that this fire, which continued burning nine days, brought a great odium upon him. To excuse himself, he transferred the fault upon the Christians, as if out of malice, they had done it, and thereupon he raised this first persecution against them. For there was at this present a flourishing church of Christians, in Rome, even before St. Paul's arrival there, and Nero's own court was secretly garnished and enriched with some of those diamonds, whose salutations the apostle remembers in his Epistle to the Philippians [Philippians]. But while Nero with their blood, sought to quench and cover his own infamy, he procured himself new envy; while many that abhorred Christians for their religion, commiserated their sufferings as undeserved. Some he caused to be sewed up in skins of wild beasts, and then worried them to death with dogs; some he crucified, others he burnt in public, to furnish evening sports with bonfires. Many he caused to be packed up in paper stiffened in molten wax, with a coat of searcloth about their bodies and bound upwards to axletrees, many of which were pitched in the ground, and so set on fire at the bottom, to maintain light for Nero's night sports in his gardens. Some of them were gored in length upon stakes, the one end fastened in the earth, the other thrust into the fundaments, and coming out at their mouths.
Nor did the persecution rage in Rome alone, but it was extended generally over the whole empire, insomuch [inasmuch], that a man might then have seen cities lie full of dead mens' bodies, the old lying there together with the young; and the dead bodies of women cast out naked in the open streets, without any reference to their sex: Yea, his rage and malice was so great, that he endeavored to have rooted out the very name of Christians in all places. Whereupon Tertullian said, that it could be no ordinary goodness which Nero condemned: And, said he, we glory on the behalf of our sufferings, that they had such a dictator as he. But this persecution, like a blast, spread the religion that it blew, and having continued four years from the first rising, it expired in two most shining blazes, viz: in the martyrdom of the two great apostles, Peter and Paul; Peter was crucified with his head downwards, which manner of death himself made choice of; and while he thus hung upon the cross, he saw his wife going to her martyrdom, whereupon he much rejoiced; and calling her by name, he bade her remember the Lord Jesus Christ. At the same time, also Paul, before Nero, made a confession of his faith, and of the doctrines which he taught; whereupon he was condemned to be beheaded, and the emperor sent two of his esquires, Ferega and Parthemius, to bring him word of his death. They coming to Paul, heard him instruct the people, and thereupon desired him to pray for them, that they might believe; who told them, that shortly after, they should believe and be baptized. Then the soldiers led him out of the city to the place of execution, where he prayed, and so gave his neck to the sword and was beheaded. This was done in the fourteenth, which was the last year of Nero.
THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA.
"BUT the most stupendous work of this country is the great wall that divides it from N. Tartary. It is built exactly on the same plan as the wall of Pekin [Peking?], being a mount of earth cased on each side with brick or stone. [The astonishing magnitude of the fabric consists not so much in the plan of the work, as in the immense distance of fifteen hundred miles over which it is extended, over mountains of two and three thousand feet in height, across deep valleys and rivers.] The materials of all the dwelling houses of England and Scotland, supposing them to amount to one million eight hundred thousand, and to average on the whole, two thousand cubic feet of masonry or brick work, are barely equivalent to the bulk or solid contents of the great wall of China. Nor are projecting massy towers of stone and brick included in this calculation. These alone, supposing them to continue throughout at bow-shot distance, were calculated to cntain [contain] as much masonry and brick work as all London. To give another idea of the mass of matter in this stupendous fabric, it may be more than sufficient to surround the circumferenc [circumference] of the earth on two of its great circuits, with two walls each six feet high and two feet thick! It is to be understood, however, that in this calculation is included the earthy part in the middle of the wall."-[Barrow's Travels in China.]
EVIL communications corrupt good manners-saith the Scripture.
(page 3)
ON THE GOVERNMENT OF THE THOUGHTS.
IT is necessary that our thoughts should be under regular discipline, in order to the full and successful exertion of our mental powers. What is called a vigorous and active mind seems, after all, to mean only a mind, of which the thoughts are all subjected to the authority of its governing powers, and may therefore all be brought to bear, with their whole force, on the business in which it is occupied.-Attention seems only another name for that state of mind, when all its thoughts are fixed and collected and bent to a single point; and it is a power of attention, much more than any original and native diversity of talents, which constitutes the intellectual difference among men. Newton was accustomed to declare, that if he differed from his fellow men, he owed it to his power of patient meditation; in other words to his power of fixing his thoughts intently and long on any subject with which he was occupied. We must have all observed the truth of these remarks in the course of our various pursuits. If we examine our minds at those periods when they are most vigorously and successfully exerted, we shall observe that all other objects are excluded from our minds, and that our thoughts are concentrated and engrossed by the task in which we are employed. If on the contrary we observe ourselves when our minds are indisposed, reluctant and inefficient, we shall find that our dominion over our thoughts is lost, that attention is dissipated and distracted by a multitude of unrelated images; which float through the fancy, and that all our powers are weakened, because discordant and divided. The effect of suffering our thoughts to wander without guidance and without object is too obvious to have escaped the most careless observer. It breaks up all our habits of regular inquiry, indisposes us for any thing which requires seriousness and patience, and especially unfits us for meditation on divine things, which from their nature the mind is with so much difficulty brought steadily to contemplate. If then we desire to effect any thing valuable in this short life; if we seek to use our talents according to the purpose of the Giver; if we would improve our own minds for the service of God, and the scenes of eternity; and contribute what we can, to the happiness and improvement of our fellow men, we must learn to control our thoughts, restrain our vain and wandering imaginations, and seek to make the proper business of life in our various callings, and the duties of devotion at their appointed seasons, fill and occupy our minds.
That our thoughts should be brought under discipline, is necessary, in the second place, for our happiness in actual life, and to fit us for its common scenes and duties. A great deal of misery is produced, particularly among those, who have no absorbing occupation, and those in whom the illusions of youth have not been corrected by the experience of actual life, by iudulging [indulging] the imagination in forming schemes and hopes of visionary felicity; or as it is sometimes called, "building castles in the air." It is indeed very delightful to give the reins to the thoughts, to send fancy on the wing from this world of imperfection and pain, and sorrow and sin, to scenes where every thing is perfect, happy, and fair; where nature wears an eternal bloom, where the skies are always blue, and the winds always balmy; where children are always virtuous, friends never faithless, and fortune is never fickle; where the eye knows no tear, and the heart no pang.
But this is not life as we must expect to find it. This is not the world in which we are to live, and in which we are to act. It is not intended that this state of trial should ever realize such dreams of fancy. And the effects of indulging this luxury of vain imagination are neither salutary nor innocent. If we could descend, indeed, from these airy fabrics of unreal felicity, and return as before to the common duties of life, the harshest epithet which we could apply to this employment would be, that it was useless. But both our happiness and our fitness for our duties are lessened by it. When we awake from these delusions, we feel the full force of the contrast between what we see and what we have imagined. The scenes and duties of common life appear tame and insipid, after gazing on the beautiful creations of fancy. The effects on the mind are precisely similar to those produced by works of fiction, except that in this case we read merely the fiction of another, and in that, we make the romance of ourselves; and are therefore more in danger of mistaking it for reality. The realities of life must always fall far short of the pictures of fancy. When we descend from the lofty regions where in imagination we have been dwelling, and are called on to perform the common-place duties of husbands and wives, and fathers, and children, and citizens, which the course can seldom call us to feel much either of rapture or of anguish, we miss the strong stimulus to which our passions have been accustomed. We find that we have been uourishing [nourishing] a sickly and fastidious delicacy, which revolts at the plain and homely, and sometimes coarse and disgusting employments, to which we are destined. A spirit of discontent and unhappiness is apt to spring up. We lose our cheerful acquiescence in the purpose of Providence, and our ready submission to that wisdom which always dicides [decide] best for us.
I do not say that this is always the effect of any degree of indulgence of these vain thoughts, but it is the tendency of it, and therefore it is that we must seek to banish them. We must refuse ourselves the luxury of solitary musing, and building castles in the air, and let hope and fancy and memory be regulated by reason and religion. Our expectations from life must become accommodated to its true state. We must be contented with the mixture of good and evil as it has been mingled for us, and not expect that we are born, with a peculiar destiny, to a happiness and perfection which is denied to others. If indeed it were nothing more than an unprofitable waste of time, that alone would be reason enough to confine this dissipation of thought, and restrain its irregularities. Enough surely of life is spent unprofitably, without giving any of the little, which remains, to the delusions of visionary happiness.
But the necessity of regulating our thoughts will appear more serious, when we consider their influence on our moral character. All action has its origin in the mind. The thought is the rudiment of the deed. Meditation produces desire, and desire leads to practice. If then we would have our actions rights, we must make our thoughts pure, and learn to forbear to think on what we are forbidden to do.
The manner in which evil thoughts are connected with bad actions is obvious. There is no one, who is yet innocent, who is not shocked by the idea of crimes, when they appear in all their magnitude and deformity. No one ever leaped over the limits of virtue, into the confines of confirmed vice, at a single bound. On the contrary, the exclamation, "Is thy servant a dog that he should do this thing," is the natural impulse of every man's mind, whose conscience is yet unseared, at the very suggestion of atrocious guilt. But by revolving with pleasure the safety, facility, or advantages, of a wicked deed, he finds his constancy waver, his resolution relax, his detestation soften. The idea of some fraudulent stratagem or scene of guilty pleasure, which at first perhaps was admitted into the mind from curiosity merely, is next regarded with complacency; comes at length to be cherished with fondness; at last assumes the form of desire; and how nearly allied is desire to transgression, there are too many of us, alas, who know! what we allow ourselves to which, we are soon induced to attempt to gain. He who suffers his thoughts and wishes to dwell too long on the pleasures and advantages which he should derive from what another possesses, will begin to reconcile his mind to some unlawful measure for procuring it. He, who suffers his imagination to be filled with images of guilty and degrading pleasure, will at length find his desire irresistibly stimulated to gratification. Every moment spent in meditation on sin increases its dangerous power over us, till at length the idea of pleasure overcomes the sense of guilt; the last limit of innocence is, though perhaps timidly and reluctantly, past-we enter into the confines of sin-it may be never to return.
We are thus irresistibly led to the conclusion, that he who would govern his actions by the laws of virtue, must regulate his thoughts by those of reason and religion. It is not possible that a man should walk outwardly in the law of God, who is constantly feeding his imagination with the pleasures of sin. The passions will at last act. It is difficult to stop when we have inflamed ourselves with every possible incentive to advance; to abstain when appetite is sharpened to its keenest edge.-Of what therefore we are forbidden to do, we must learn to forbid ourselves to think; and make the propriety of action a test of the propriety of thought. It if is wrong to gratify revenge, it is wrong to dwell on it in imagination. If we must resist all allurements of pleasure, we must refuse to contemplate them. We must not seek to indemnify ourselves for the restraints which we impose on our actions, by the sinful indulgences of imagination. There must be no discordance between the inward and outward man; thought, word, and deed, must constantly and inseparably unite.-[Thacher]
CULTIVATE THE MIND.
MAN was created to dress the earth, and to cultivate his mind, and glorify God. It, therefore, cannot be amis [amiss] for us, at this early period, to urge the disciples of our Lord, to study to shew [show] themselves approved in all things. For, when a disciple, educated, even as Paul at the feet of Gamaliel, is guided by the Holy Spirit, he not only edifies his fellow beings correctly, but he improves his faculties agreeable to the will of God. We select the following article from the Old Countryman, as worthy of a place under this head:-[Ed. E. &. M. Star.]
The venerable and Rev. Dr. Kidd, of Aberdeen, delivered the last Season, a Course of Lectures in Mechanic's Hall. Judging from the specimen before us, these Lectures must be invaluable to the general reader. We understand they have been printed.
In his introductory Lectures he said, in speaking of the advancement of knowledge: "Many a mechanic at the present day was a much greater adept in political economy than many legislators at the beginning of the present century and in the heart of England, where M'Culloch had lectured, they would find a journeyman mechanic rise up in any large assembly, and discuss the most abstruse points in this science, with such depth of thought, force and eloquence, that the orations of Pitt and Fox were fairly outshone. No man without careful observations would believe the march of mind which had taken place since the suicide, of Londonderry. Referring to the benefits of the cultivation of intellect, the Doctor said he might quote the beautiful passage of Dr. O. Gregory, and ask what was Arkwright?-a barber. Ferguson?-a peasant. Herschell?-a pipe and tabor player. Watt?-a mathematical instrument maker. Brindly?-a mill wright. Nelson?-a cabin boy. Ramage?-a currier [courier].-These benefits exalted nations as well as individuals. What made William IV, the greatest monarch who now sat on a throne? Not the extent of his territories not his army, not his navy, but because he reigned over a free, educated, thinking and inquisitive people. Ignorance of their rights had once been cried up as the best way to make an obedient people; but the days were gone by for having the book of knowledge sealed, and education now ennobled the lowest in degree of the human race into men! Many a clown who stands in dumb and seemingly stupid gaze at the majesty of a full moon rising through a hazy horizon in an autumnal evening, or at the flash of the forked lightning, or at the fantastic shape of a transient cloud edged with gold by the gleams of a descending sun-who listen with ignorant but keen attention to the rolling thunder through the stupendous vault of the 'overhanging firmament,' or whistles as he returns from his daily task in sympathy with the minstrels of the grove,
(page 4)
would-had he the benefit of education to brighten the rough diamond, and give scope 'to the genial current of the soul,' shine forth a Watt, or an Arkwright, in mechanics-a Washington or a Wellington in arms-a Nelson or a Cochrane on the wave-a Fox or a Canning in the cabinet-a Sheridan or a Mackintosh in the Senate-a Chalmers or a Thompson in the pulpit-a Jaffrey at the bar, or a Brougham on the woolsack."
The Doctor concluded in the following words:-"Most of you are as tall as me; most of you are as strong as me; all of you have as many bones and muscles as me; why is it that you are deficient in capacity?-because of your neglect in cultivating your minds and neglecting the means of raising yourselves by education."
THE TIMES IN WHICH WE LIVE.
WE have fallen upon other times than the church of God ever saw before; times in which the same amount of religious [religious] and moral influence which once availed to advance the cause of Christ will not enable it to hold its own. The intellect of man, wakened up to new activity, has burst the chains that bound it, and the barriers that confined it, and with ten-fold means of influence, is going forth in its mightsness [mightiness] to agitate society. Old foundations are broken, and principles and maxims are undergoing a thorough and perilous revision, and that too upon a mighty scale.
In our colonial state we were few, and poor and feeble. Intercourse was difficult and rare, and moral causes insulated and local. What was said in one colony was not heard in another, and what was done in one state was not felt in another. But now each colony is a state, and each state a nation, and intercourse is rapid, and local causes tall in their results throughout the whole, as every stroke on the body is felt through all the members. Nations compose our confederacy, and nations our religious denominations, and nations the army of the aliens.-[Spirit of the Pilgrims.]
It will be recollected that the reduction of duties on Teas, the second reduction on coffee, and the second reduction on salt, enacted by Congress in 1830, went into operation in Jan'y. The duty on coffee is now only one cent a pound-on salt, ten cents per bushel of 56 lbs.-on Teas from China, or any other place east of the Cape of Good Hope, in American vessles [vessels], as follows;
Bohea, 4 cts. per lb. Black, 10 cts. do. Green, 12 cts. do. Hyson and Y. Hyson, 18 cts. do. Imperial, Gun Powder and Gomee, 25 cts. do.
From any other place, or in vessels other than those of the United States.
Bohea, 6 cts. per lb. Black, 18 cts. do. Green, 20 cts. Hyson and Y. Hyson, 27 cts. do. Imperial, Gun Powder and Gomee, 37 cts do-[Jour. of Com.]
Mr. Geo. B. Raymond has returned from his mission to Holland relative to the jewels of the Princess of Orange. The value of the diamonds which he recovered on the Continent alone, were estimated to be worth L100,00. The Prince and Princess of Orange have written him a complimentary letter, accompanied by an elegant diamond ring and breast-pin. He has been very successful and dexterous in managing this affair; but in crossing the frontiers between Holland and Belgium, he was severely wounded by a horseman who cut his head open with a sabre [saber]-supposing him to be a spy.-[N. Y. Courier & Enquirer.]
The London Evangelical Magazine, for January, contains an address to the pastors and members of churches in the independent denomination, signed by George Redford and J. A. James, on the importance of a day of united prayer, in consequence of the fact, that "public affairs are in a state of extreme agitation; commerce and trade at a low ebb; the fatal pestilence, like a destroying angel, has set its foot upon our shores, and pauses only till the almighty Sovereign shall seal its commission; crimes, unexampled, have been brought to light; the church languishes; fanaticism and speculation, like a wrathful bolt from the skies, have scathed some of the ceders [cedars] of Lebanon," &c. &c. These are said to be distinct and imperative calls to humiliation and prayer.-[Christian Watchman.]
The following is found in an ancient History of Connecticut. Soon after the settlement of New-Haven; several persons went over to what is now the town of Milford, where, finding the soil very good, they were desirous to effect a settlement; but the premises were in the peaceable possession of the Indians, and some conscientious scruples arose as to the propriety of deposing and expelling them. To test the case a Church meeting was called, and the matter determined by the solemn vote of that sacred body. After several speeches had been made in relation to the subject, they proceeded to pass votes-the first was the following;-Voted, that the earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof. This passed in the affirmative, and, "Voted, that the earth is given to the saints."-This was also determined like the former-mem. con.-3rd. "Voted, that we are the saints," which passed without a dissenting voice, the title was considered indisputable, and the Indians were soon compelled to evacuate the place and relinquish the possession to the rightful owners.
The public expenditures of England, during the year ending the 5th of January, 1832, were L. (?),123,298 2s. 11d. ($209,227,444) and the income L46,424,440 17s. 11 1/2 d. showing an excess of expenditure over income of L698,867 5s, 11 1/2 d.
A Mr. M'Farlane lately died in a mail stage in the western part of Pennsylvania. His pocket book was found to contain $8,000! We remark this to show the uniform practice which seems to prevail, of connecting every possible casualty, every mortal mischance with the subject of money. Does a man die, the question is asked, how much is he worth? Does he come to his end by drowning or in an apoplectic stroke, the bystanders immediately haul out his pocket-book and begin to count the cash it contains. The more money they find about his person, the more they wonder that he should die! A hundred dollars is thought to be a large sum for a mortal to carry about him; but $8,000 furnishes a subject of undying astonishment.-[Alb. Daily]
Extract of a letter dated Green Bay February 8:-The small pox is making dreadful ravages among the Indians along the western shore of lake Michigan. As many as sixty had died of this malady at Milwauky [Milwaukee], up to the last accounts.
The commerce of the west, dependent on the river Ohio and its tributary streams, gives employment to 190 steam boats. 5,000 flat boats and arks, and not less than 40,000 men and boys.
It appears by the report of the committee on the manufacture of salt, of the tariff convention, that the fixed capital in Ohio, used in making salt, amounts to $334, 762 and that the quantity of salt annually produced is 446,350 bushels. Four of the states make each a greater quantity than Ohio, viz: Massachusetts, New-York Pennsylvania and Virginia. The number of bushels annually made in the United States, is 4,444,929. Quantity imported, 5,901,175 bushels.
It has lately been discovered that the best paper for wrappers, writing, and printing, may be produced from wood shavings, boiled in mineral or vegetable, alkali. One hundred pounds of wood and twelve pounds of alkali will produce a ream of paper-[London paper.]
AWFUL AND ALARMING STATISTICS.
THE Rev. Dr. C. pastor of the Presbyterian church in York, Pa. has communicated in the Magazine of the German Reformed church, the result of an account kept during one year, of all the murders that came under his observation in reading various periodicals.-[Evang.]
The account has been kept for one year, commencing on the first day of January 1831, and to his surprise, the number amounts to 109, among which are some of, the most appalling kind, such as parents by their children, and children by their parents, husbands by their wives, and wives by their husbands, and several others of the most atrocious kind.
We are disposed to consider ourselves as moral, at least as the British nation and yet in the kingdom of England, whose population is about the same as ours, from a statistical account lately published, of all the crimes committed in that nation for 7 years, ending with that of 1830, the number of murders during that time is 103, averaging 15 each year, while ours amount to more than seven times that number.
As we cannot be supposed to be more wicked by nature than others, and as there is no other nation on earth where the inhabitants enjoy so abundantly, both necessaries and even comforts of life, and where there is less temptation for the commission of crimes, it becomes an important inquiry, how this awful increase of murder can be accounted for? Now we think, that it must occur to every serious and impartial observer, that of the 109 murders, a very large proportion was occasioned by the immoderate use of ardent spirits. This is truly an alarming fact, and ought to induce every one, who is a friend to religion and morality, to discourage as far as in his power the use of ardent spirits, which is the cause of many thousand deaths, every year in these United States.
Let even the temperate drinker ponder well, and consider what he is doing; for the greatest drunkard was once a temperate drinker, and could he have been foretold what crime he would one day commit, would have, perhaps, replied in the words of Hazael: "Is thy servant a dog that he should do this great thing?" Yet the crime has been committed, and several executions have taken place during the past year in consequence of it. It ought to be stated that the murders occasioned by the insurrection of the negroes in the southern states, are not included in the above, and there may also have been others in different parts of the United States that did not come under the observation of the subscriber.-Robert Cathcart.]
The more clearly the truth shines, the more will discordant parties, which are opposed to each other unite to oppose the progress of truth. Herod and Pilot though mortal enemies, united in persecuting Jesus Christ, and became friends in this work.
Whenever a society ceases to be virtuous, it flatters the world: For this reason the world persecutes true religion.
Native simplicity not unfrequently [infrequently] comprises beauty, virtue, and even the height of sublimity.
Sloth, like rust, consumes faster than labor wears, while the used key is always bright. Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time-for that is the stuff life is made of.
At the working man's house hunger looks in but never enters.
(page 5)
THE EVENING AND THE MORNING STAR
TO MAN
WITH the help of God, the first number of the Evening and the Morning Star, comes to the world for the objects specified in its prospectus, which was published last winter. That we should now recapitulate some of its leading objects, and briefly add a few remarks, will naturally be expected; and we cheerfully do so, that this generation may know, that the Star comes in these last days as the friend of man, to persuade him to turn to God and live, before the great and terrible day of the Lord sweeps the earth of its wickedness. That it comes not only as the messenger of truth, to bring the Revelations and Commandments of God which have been, but to publish those that God gives NOW, as in days of old, for he is the same God yesterday, to-day and forever; and is, after he was taken up, as mentioned in the first chapter of Acts, he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen, what possible reason is there to suppose that he would neglect to do likewise NOW-before he comes in his glory; before he gathers his elect, (the house of Israel; see Isaiah 45:4). And even before John the Revelator must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings? (see Rev. 10.) We know of no reason in the bible. That it comes as the harbinger of peace and good will to them that serve the Lord with a determination to have a part in the first Resurrection, and finally become kings and priests to God, the Father, in the celestial kingdom, where God, and Christ is, and where they will be for eternity; and where will be also, the general assembly of the first born, the Church of Enoch, who walked with God and built up Zion in the first days, which Zion and Enoch the Lord translated to paradise before the flood; but Isaiah says: Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring AGAIN ZION. That it comes according to the will of God, from those who are not ashamed to take upon them the name of Christ, and walk lowly in the valley of humiliation, and let the solemnities of eternity rest upon them: knowing that the great day of the Lord will soon usher in the Sabbath of creation, for the rest of the saints; that the Savior may reign his thousand years of peace upon the earth, while Satan is bound. That it comes in meekness and mercy to all mankind that they may do works meet for repentance and be saved in the first resurrection, and afterward dwell with the spirits of just men and made perfect in the celestial kingdom, which transcends the glory of the terrestrial as much as the terrestrial transcends the telestial, or the telestial transcends the prison of the imperfect. That it comes to bring good tidings of great joy to all people, but more especially the house of Israel scattered abroad, that the day of their redemption is near, for the Lord hath set his hand again the second time to restore them to the lands of their inheritance; ready to receive the Savior in the clouds of Heaven. That it comes to show that the ensign is now set up, unto which all nations shall come, and worship the Lord, the God of Jacob, acceptably. That it comes when war, and the plague or pestilence, as it is called, are sweeping their thousands and tens of thousands, to show that the days of tribulation, spoken of by our Savior, are nigh at hand, even at the doors. That it comes to repeat the great caution of Paul: Beware lest any spoil you, (the disciples of Christ,) through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men and the rudiments of the world. That it comes to prepare the way of the Lord, that when he comes he may have a holy people ready to receive him. That it comes to show that no man can be too good to be saved, but that many may be too bad. That it comes to declare that goodness consists in doing good, not merely in preaching it. That it comes to show that all men's religion is vain without charity. That it comes to open the way for Zion to arise and put on her beautiful garments and become the glory of the earth, that her land may be joined, or married, (according to the known translation of Isaiah,) to Jerusalem again, and they be one as they were in the days of Peleg. Thus it comes.
Man, being created but little below the angels, only wants to know for himself, and not by another, that, by obeying the commands of his Creator, he can rise again, after death, in the flesh, and reign with Christ a thousand years on the earth, without sin; be changed in the twinkling of an eye, and become a king and a priest to God in eternity-to forsake his sins, and say: Lord, I am thine! The first words of which we have account, that Jesus Christ, spake, concerning the things of eternal life, were: Suffer it to be so now: For thus it becometh us to fulfil [fulfill] all righteousness. Then he was baptized; and truly, if it became the Savior of the world, holy as he was, to be baptized in the meridian of time, to fulfil [fulfill] all righteousness, how much more necessary it is for man, to be baptized upon the very eve of the Sabbath of creation, to be saved? Let the heart answer the head, that the body may save the soul. As this paper is devoted to the great concerns of eternal things and the gathering of the saints, it will leave politics, the gainsaying of the world, and many other matters, for their proper channels, endeavoring by all means, to set an example before the world, which, when followed, will lead our fellow men to the gates of glory, where the wicked cease from troubling, and where the weary will find rest. That there may be errors both in us and in the paper, we readily admit, and we mean to grow better, till, from little children, we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness [fullness] of Christ, which we pray may be the happy lot of thousands, before he comes with the hundred forty and four thousand that are without guile.
June, 1832. W. W. PHELPS.
TO THE CHURCH OF CHRIST ABROAD IN THE EARTH
IT is the duty of the Church of Christ, in Zion, to stand as an ensign to all nations, that the Lord hath set his hand the second time to restore the house of Israel to the lands of their inheritance &c; and it behooves the members of this Church, to manifest before the world by a godly walk; by a noble example, as well as by sterling precept; by prudence in living; by plainness in dress; by industry; by economy; by faith and works, and above all, by solemnity, humility and patience, that this is a day of warning and not a day of many words.
This being the order in Zion, how much more necessary is it, that the Churches of Christ, which have not yet come up to this land, should show the world, by well ordered conduct in all things, that they are the children of the living God? It is all-important and the salvation of many souls, depends upon their faultless example. They will, therefore, knowing that the Lord will suddenly come to his temple, do their part in preparing the way, by observing the Sabbath-day and keep it holy; by teaching their children the gospel, and learning them to pray; by avoiding extremes in all matters; by shunning every appearance of evil; by studying to be approved, and doing unto others, as they would have others do unto them; by bearing trouble and persecution patiently, without a murmur, knowing, that Michael, the arch angel, when contending with the devil, he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. They will not only set an example worthy of imitation, but they will let their light so shine as that others, seeing, may go and do likewise. Example is the great thing that defies the world with all its vain glory; by letting their moderation be known unto all men, both in dress and in living; in words and in deeds; in watching and in praying; in love and in labor, and in works as well as in faith, they preach the world a lecture, they set the enquirer [inquirer] a sample, and teach all Christendom a lesson, that studied preaching and pulpit eloquence have failed to accomplish.
COMMON SCHOOLS.
THE disciples should loose [lose] no time in preparing schools for their children, that they may be taught as is pleasing unto the Lord, and brought up in the way of holiness. Those appointed to select and prepare books for the use of schools, will attend to that subject, as soon as more weighty matters are finished. But the parents and guardians, in the Church of Christ need not wait-it is all important that children, to become good should be taught so. Moses, while delivering the words of the Lord to the congregation of Israel, the parents, says, And these words which I command thee this day, shall be in thy heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sitest in thy house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thy hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. If it were necessary then to teach their children diligently, how much more necessary it is now, when the Church of Christ is to be an ensign, yea, even a sample to the world, for good? A word to the wise ought to be sufficient, for children soon become men and women. Yes, they are they that must follow us, and perform the duties which, not only appertain to this world, but to the second coming of the Savior, even preparing for the Sabbath of creation, and for eternity.
THE BOOK OF MORMON.
THERE are not a few honest enquiring [inquiring] persons, who wish to learn the truth of the Book of Mormon. To put them in possession of such testimony as may lead to truth, is our duty, and, after stating that this Book contains a record of that branch of the tribe of Joseph which was separated from his brethren, according to the 49th chapter of Genesis, we say read the 37th chapter of Ezekiel and if the STICK OF EPHRAIM, therein mentioned does not mean the Book of Mormon, what does it mean? Isaiah has information, which, if rightly understood, ought to wake the world; the Lord says he will proceed to do a marvelous work among this people, a marvelous work and a wonder, and who dare dispute the Lord?
Independent of Bible proof on the subject before us, we have the remains of towns, cities, forts &c., which silently declare to the beholder: We were built by a civilized people.
As man cannot trust in man, we request all that wish the truth on this great subject, to enquire [inquire] of the Lord, who will always answer the pure in heart.
TO AGENTS AND THE PUBLIC.
EVERY person that will procure ten subscribers for the Star, and transmit to us, free of postage, $10, (U. S. paper,) shall be entitled to a paper per. an. gratis. In all cases, payment must be made to us through the post office, or to an authorized agent, before the Star will be forwarded.
(->) As the public seem somewhat astonished, that we, among all the light of this century, should have "sacred records which have slept for ages" to publish, it is our duty to say, that we shall take an extract from The Prophecy of Enoch, for our second or third number. Jude spake of this prophet in the 14th verse of his epistle. There are too many books mentioned and missing in the Bible, for any one to query about more sacred records.
(->) THE Star-office is situated within 12 miles of the west line of the state of Missouri:-which at present, is the western limits of the United States, and about 120 miles west of any press in the state-In about 39 degrees of North Latitude, and about 17 1/2 degrees of West Longitude; 2 1/2 miles south of Missouri River; 280 miles by land, or 500 by water west of St. Louis; nearly 1200 west of Washington; 1300 from New-York, and more than 1500 from Boston.
(->) EARLY in May, Capt. Bonaville's Company, (150) under the command of Capt. Walker passed this town, on its way to the Rocky Mountains, to trap and hunt for fur in the vast country of the Black Feet Indians. About the middle of May, Capt. Soublett's Company, (70) passed, for the Rocky Mountains, on the same business. At which time, also, Capt. Wythe of Mass., with a Company of 30, passed for the mouth of Oregon River, to prepare (as it is said) for settling a territory. During the month of May there also passed one Company bound to Santa Fee.
About the 8th or 9th of this month Capt. Blackwell's Company, (60 or 70) passed this place for the Rocky Mountains, in addition.
(->) UNDER the head of SELECTIONS, we intend to furnish the disciples with well-written articles from celebrated authors, that they may be enabled to judge between right and wrong; between the church of Christ and the church of man, and set an example worthy of imitation.
Under the head, also, of WORLDLY MATTERS, shall be given, as far as our limits may permit, such items of general news, as may enable the saints to know the condition of the world. We, therefore, cannot be responsible for the errors that may be in the article or items, but shall endeavor, at all times, to give correct information, praying to God continually for his spirit to guide us to all truth.
(page 6)
NEWS.
UNDER this head in addition to Worldly Matters on an other page, we shall furnish such items as may interest the public. We begin by stating, that on the 4th inst. A Mr. Taylor was stabbed to death by A Mr. Socie at Lexington, Mo. Socie is in Jail.
A large six story store in New-York, fell upon its inmates, not long since, and crushed several of them to death. A late arrival from Colombia, states that war has been declared between the place and New Grenada. We learn from Mr. Joseph Sterett, supercargo of the brig Brazen, arrived at this port yesterday from Ponce, Porto [Puerto] Rico, that the town of Guayanna [Guyana], in that island, was entirely consumed by fire about the 11th of April. The light was distinctly seen at Ponce.-Letters detailing the event were received at the latter place which stated that the warehouses on the beach were injured. The brig Pedlar had sailed from Ponce with a cargo of lumber for the relief of the sufferers.-[Amer.] The steam boats Brandywine, Talisman, and Dolphin, were burnt this spring; some others have been sunk, damaged or injured, we believe, which brings the unwelcome tidings of some deaths. Mina has been found guilty of the murder of Mr. Chapman, at Doyalstown, Pa. It is said that the East India company, in 1668, imported 100-lbs of good tea. In 1830, about 63,000,000!! A treaty has been concluded between our government and the Wyandots, for the cession of 16,000 acres of land in Ohio, at $1,25 per acre. Robert Dale Owen, the free thinker, who was in favor of free intercourse independent of matrimony, has lately been married.
INDIAN WAR.-Reports have reached us of disturbances having broken out between the Indians, and the frontiers of Illinois. The Indians are undoubtedly the aggressors, and it is said they have murdered several men, women, and children, and made some captives. General Atkinson, and General Whitesides, with a considerable detachment of troops, are already in pursuit of the Indians; these troops in connection with 2,000 Militia of the state, which are called out by Gov. Reynolds, must quiet them as well as the fears of the public. There are but a handful of Indians at any rate, and the United States are strong enough to crush them at one step. In addition, we understand, the Otto passed our landing not long since, for a part of the troops stationed at Cantonment Leavenworth.-[Ed. E. & M. Star.]
The following account of a natural Phenomenon is from the Cosmopolitan, a paper published in Buenos Ayres [Aires], dated on the 15th. ult. On Saturday last between one and two o'clock, a dense black cloud was observed approaching from the westward. The haste and apparent terror of street passengers at the time, indicated to us the nature of the coming storm, and we turned to behold an object most terrifically sublime. The cloud at first resembled black smoke rolling onwards with indescribable rapidity, driving before it affrighted birds screaming in terror at seeming approaching destruction. In a moment it was over our heads-the sun was hid from us-we were in darkness-utter darkness. We stood before an open window, but, for the space of nearly a minute, could not perceive that it was one. Then was heard a loud peal of thunder, which was immediately succeeded by a shower of "mud" thick mud,-"and there was light"-the dark veil which enveloped us had been wrent, a part falling to the earth; mingled with water. On the reappearance of light, surrounding objects presented themselves in a different color. The fronts of houses which, but a moment before, appeared to our view white as snow, now were a dingy robe. We conversed yesterday with a gentleman just from San Pedro, who states that in the neighborhood of that place there has lately been plentiful rains; and that the lakes are well filled, the cattle, however, had all strayed from Estancias, during the drought, in pursuit of water; but the owners entertained a hope that part of them would return.
CRIMES IN ENGLAND-An official return has appeared, giving details of the number of persons apprehended by the New Poliece [Police] during the last year. It is true the larger portion were taken up for crimes of minor magnitude; but the whole number reaches a fearful amount, comprising 45,907 males, forming a grand total of no less than 72,824 persons, all of whom have been thus dragged through the hands of justice. Out of this number, committed to take their trial is only 2,955, viz.-2,272 males, and 673 females-including 2,279 for larceny, 227 for picking pockets, and many for minor offences [offenses]; thus leaving, we are happy to say, cmparatively [comparatively] few charged with the heavier crimes-21,843, two-thirds of that number, being males, were summarily convicted by the different Police Magistrates: 24,239 were discharged by the same-while no less a number than 23,787 persons stated to be drunken cases, comprising 14,328 males, and 9,349 females, were apprehended determined in the different police quarters for more or less time, and discharged by the respective Superintendents.
FOREIGN NEWS.
WE select an item or two of foreign news, to give the reader an idea of the world, and its agitations [agitation's] at the present day. We would here remark, in giving the News of the world, we take it as we find it, and will not be responsible for its truth.
PORTUGAL. Our Madrid and Lisbon letters continue to strengthen the impression that, in the approaching struggle between the brothers for the Crown of Portugal, Spain will act neutrally. The latest accounts from Don Pedro state that he took possession of St. Michael's on the 22d, amid the congratulations of the inhabitants; and an expedition under Admiral Sartorios, was to sail against Maderia upon the 26th, which, it was confidently expected, would also succeed in that important island to the lawful Sovreign [Sovereign] of Portugal. The intelligence from Lisbon itself is satisfactory-for Don Miguel, though strong in all the material of defence [defense], was becoming more weak in the fidelity of his troops. Even the tyrant himself, since the refusal which he had met with from Spain, is said to be desponding as to the issue of the coming conflict. The confidence of Don Pedro's friends remained unabated.
IRELAND. Two poor creatures died last week of starvation in the streets of Dublin. Irish poor.-Mr. Sadler has given notice that, on the 10th of May he will apply for leave to bring in a bill "for establishing a permanent provision for the suffering and destitute poor of Ireland, by levy upon real property of that part of the United Kingdom, and more particularly upon that of the absentees.
FRANCE. It is impossible any longer to doubt that there is an organized band in Paris, who poison the wine, the milk and the water, throughout the city and the environs. The people are greatly exasperated, the citizens are in a perfect dread, and cry loudly against so infernal a conspiracy.
THE CHOLERA MORBUS.
IT is with no ordinary feelings, that we select an item or two, in relation to the Cholera Morbus. Its ravages, for the past year, on the Eastern Continent, have been great, so that, if ever the pestilence walked in darkness, or destruction wasted at noon day, now is the time, but the Lord hath declared that it should be so before he came in his glory, and we have only to rely on him for deliverance, when he sweeps the earth with the besom of destruction.-[Ed. Eve. & Morn. Star.]
According to late accounts from the frontiers of Persia, the plague and cholera had hardly begun to subside in that country. In some provinces those formidable diseases had carried off more than 2-3d of the population. The province of Ghillan appeared to have been among the greatest sufferers. Out of a population of 300,000 only 60,000 men and 44,000 Women and children remained. The eggs of the silk-worms have been completely destroyed there, and it was calculated that it would take seven years to produce the same quantity of worms as formerly. Before the arrival of these diseases, the revenue of Ghillan were usually framed at 350,000 tomauns. Since then, no more than 80,000 tomauns could be obtained.
In the East the Cholera frequently falls upon a community like a shower of grape shot. It was decided in the King of Siam's council, on a visitation of this kind, that it might be caused by a monster, who might be scared from the coast by making a terrific noise. His Majesty, in consequence, moved out against the invisible enemy, at the head of 30,000 subjects, all on the stretch to produce sounds of horror. He lost 5,000 in one day; and returned vanquished. A Persian writer says; "We were apprized [apprised] that the cholera was at Shiraz, by finding one morning when we awoke, that it had carried off two thousand inhabitants during the night." [London Medical Journal.]
Cholera in France. Ten persons have already been removed to the Hotel Dieu where preparations are made for the reception of many more. Seven persons died, of it yesterday; among whom was the cook of Marshal Lobau. The autopsy of five bodies took place in the presence of 38 medical men and of the Minister of the Public Works, M. d'Argout, by whom no doubt is entertained of the existence of the malady.
The Government, in order to prevent the extension of the alarm necessarily consequent on the report, endeavoured [endeavored] this morning to contradict it, but contradiction was useless. The medical board has been assembled, in order to make all proper regulations.
April 3.-The cholera is increasing in a dreadful manner. The official report states, that since Sunday at one o'clock, up to yesterday, there had been 735 cases, and 267 deaths, principally among the lower class. The King, & the whole of the Royal Family, with their usual benevolence, have sent a donation of 100,000 francs (L4000,) to be applied for the alleviation of the sufferings of the poor, and each of the Ministers have sent a donation of 1000 francs. The troops are all in good health. The cholera has manifested itself at Calais, Etampee, Orleans, and other towns. A letter from Calais, dated March 31, says: "The cholera morbus has been at Calais for the last two days, and several individuals have already died from it. It has been remarked that the disorder principally attacks the persons living in habits of filth and drunkenness.
The Cholera is in Ireland and England. The amount of deaths by it, in London, for the last week of March, was towards 1000.
To give the reader, a sketch of the above calamity, as well as other common news, is, under the peculiar situation in which we stand before the world, all that we shall aim at: and it might not be amiss for all candid readers, to make some allowances for the agitation of the times, when they read what we publish.-The present age is big with events that concern the world, and we only add: WATCH.
(page 7)
HYMNS
Selected and prepared for the Church of Christ, in the last days.
What fair one is this, in the wilderness trav'ling, A blessing a blessing, the Savior is coming,
Looking for Christ, the belov'd of her heart? As prophets and pilgrims of old have declar'd;
O this is the Church, the fair bride of the Savior, And Israel, the favor'd of God, is beginning
Which with every idol is willing to part. To come to the feast for the righteous prepar'd.
While men in contention, are constantly howling, In the desert are fountains continually springing,
And Babylon's bells are continually tolling, The heavenly music of Zion is ringing;
As though all the craft of her merchants was failing, The saints all their tithes and offerings are bringing;
And Jesus was coming to reign on the earth. They thus prove the Lord and his blessing receive.
There is a sweet sound in the gospel of heaven, The name of Jehovah is worthy of praising,
And people are joyful when they understand; And so is the Savior an excellent theme:
The saints on their way home to glory, are even The Elders of Israel a standard are raising,
Determin'd, by goodness, to reach the blest land. And call on all nations to come to the same:
Old formal professers [professors] are crying "delusion," These Elders go forth and the gospel are preaching,
And high minded hypocrites day, "'tis confusion," And all that will hear them, they freely are teaching,
While grace is pour'd out in a blessed effusion, And thus is the vision of Daniel fulfilling [fulfilling];
And saints are rejoicing to see priest-craft fall. The Stone of the mountains will soon fill the earth.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GLORIOUS things of thee are spoken, Who can faint, while such a river, Bless'd inhabitants of Zion,
Zion, city of our God! Ever flows their thirst t'assuage? Purchas'd with the Savior's blood!
He whose word cannot be broken, Grace which like the Lord, the giver, Jesus whom their souls rely on,
Chose thee for his own abode: Never fails from age to age. Makes them kings and priests to God.
On the Rock of Enoch founded; Round each habitation hov'ring, While in love his people raises,
What can shake thy sure repose? See the cloud and fire appear! With himself to reign as kings;
With Salvation's walls surrounded, For a glory and a cov'ring, All, as priests, his solemn praises,
Thou may'st smile on all thy foes. Showing that the Lord is near: Each for a thank-offering brings.
See the stream of living waters, Thus deriving from their banner, Savior, since of Zion's city
Springing from Celestial love, Light by night and shade by day; I through grace a member am;
Well supply thy sons and daughters, Sweetly they enjoy the spirit, Though the world despise and pity,
And all fear of drought remove; Which he gives them when they pray. I will glory in thy name;
Fading are all worldly treasures,
With their boasted pomp and show!
Heav'nly joys and lasting pleasures
None but Zion's children know.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE time is nigh, that happy time, In one sweet symphony of praise,
That great, expected, blessed day, The Jews and Gentiles will unite;
When countless thousands of our race, And infidelity, o'er come,
Shall dwell with Christ and him obey. Return again to endless night.
The prophecies must be fulfil'd From east to west, from north to south,
Though earth and hell should dare oppose; The Savior's Kingdom shall extend,
The stone out of the mountain cut, And every man in every place,
Though unobserved, a Kingdom grows. Shall meet a brother and a friend.
Soon shall the blended Image fall,
Brass, silver, iron, gold and clay;
And superstition's dreadful reign,
To light and liberty give way.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REDEEMER of Israel, How long we have wandered
Our only delight, As strangers in sin,
On whom for a blessing we call; And cried in the desert for thee!
Our shadow by day, Our foes have rejoic'd
And our pillar by night, When our sorrows they've seen
Our king, our companion, and all. But Israel will shortly be free.
We know he is coming As children of Zion
To gather his sheep, Good tidings for us:
And plant them in Zion, in love, The tokens already appear;
For why in the valley Fear not and be just,
Of death should they weep, For the Kingdom is ours,
Or alone in the wilderness rove? And the hour of Redemption is near.
The secret of Heaven,
The myst'ry below,
That many have sought for so long,
We know that we know,
For the spirit of Christ,
Tells his servants they cannot be wrong.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ON mountain tops the mount of God The rays that shine from Zion's hill, No war shall rage, no hostile band
In latter days, shall rise Shall lighten every land; Disturb those peaceful years;
Above the summit of the hills, Her King shall reign a thousand years, To ploughshare [plowshare] men shall beat their swords,
And draw the wond'ring eyes. And all the world command. To pruning-hooks their spears.
To this the joyful nations round, Among the nations he shall judge, Come then, O house of Jacob, come,
All tribes and tongues shall flow; His judgments truth shall guide; And worship at his shrine;
Up to the mount of God, they'll say, His sceptre [scepter] shall protect the meek, And, walking in the light of God,
And to his house we'll go. And crush the wicked's pride. With holy beauties shine.
[THE PRAYER OF A WISE HEATHEN.]
GREAT JOVE, this one petition grant;
(Thou knowest best what mortals want;)
Ask'd or unask'd, what's good supply;
What's evil, to our pray'rs deny!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The body is but chaff- Come saints and drop a tear or two, The rising Lord forsook the tomb,
The soul may live in glory, For him who groan'd beneath your load; (In vain the tomb forbid his rise,)
When this Earth's epitaph He shed a thousand drops for you Cherubic legions guard him home,
Is written in its ashes! A thousand drops of precious blood. And shout him welcome to the skies.
HE died! the great Redeemer died! Here's love and grief beyond degree; Wipe off your tears, ye saints, and tell
And Israel's daughters wept around; The Lord of glory died for men! How high your great deliv'rer reigns:
A solemn darkness veil'd the sky; But lo! what sudden joys were heard, Sing how he triumph'd over hell,
A sudden trembling shook the ground! Jesus though dead's reviv'd again! To bind the Dragon fast in chains!
Say, "Live for ever wond'rous King!
Born to redeem and strong to save!"
Then ask the monster-"Where's thy sting?
And where's thy vict'ry boasting grave?"
----------------------------------------------------------------
[From the Book of Mormon]
HEARKEN, O ye Gentiles, and hear the words of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, which he has commanded me that I should speak concerning you: for behold he commandeth me that I should write, saying, Turn all ye Gentiles from your wicked ways, and repent of all your evil doings, of your lyings and deceivings, and of your whoredoms, and of your secret abominations and your idolatries, and of your murders, and your priestcrafts, and your envyings, and your strifes, and from all your wickedness and abominations, and come unto me, and be baptized in my name, that ye may receive a remission of your sins, and be filled with the Holy Ghost, that ye may be numbered with my people, which are of the house of Israel.
BE always so precisely true, in whatsoever thou relatest of thy own knowledge that thou mayest get an undoubted and settled reputation of veracity; and thou wilt have this advantage, that every body will believe (without farther proof) whatsoever thou affirmest, be it never so strange.
Be a most strict observer of order, method and neatness, in all thy affairs and management. Saturday concludes the week; if thou wouldest set apart that day, take a view of all thy concerns, to note down what is wanting, and to put every thing into its place, thou-wouldest prevent much troublesome confusion, and save abundance of vexation and pains.-[U. S. Gaz.]
THE EVENING AND THE MORNING STAR IS PUBLISHED EVERY MONTH AT INDEPENDENCE, JACKSON COUNTY, MO., BY W. W. PHELPS & CO.
THE PRICE IS ONE DOLLAR FOR A YEAR IN ADVANCE, EXCEPT SPECIAL CONTRACTS WITH THE CHURCH.
EVERY PERSON THAT SENDS US $10, (U. S. PAPER,) SHALL BE ENTITLED TO A PAPER FOR A YEAR, GRATIS. ALL LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, OR PUBLISHERS, MUST BE POST PAID.
(->) ADVERTISEMENTS WILL BE INSERTED TO ORDER, IN A SUPPLEMENT,
AT THE USUAL RATES.
PRINTING, OF MOST KINDS, DONE TO ORDER, AND IN STYLE.
(page 8)
Table of Contents Next chapter