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THE EVENING AND THE MORNING STAR

Vol. I, Independence, Mo. March 1833, No. 10,

THE CHURCH OF CHRIST.

He that is Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, even Jesus Christ, is the head of the church, and the gates of hell cannot prevail against it.-Adam was the first member of the church of Christ on earth, and the first high priest after the order of the Son of God.

In order to show the rise of the church in the first days, we take an extract from the words of Enoch:

And Enoch continued his speech, saying, The Lord which spake with me, the same is the God of heaven, and he is my God, and your God, and ye are my brethren, and why counsel ye yourselves, and deny the God of heaven?

The heavens hath he made: the earth is his footstool; and the foundation thereof is his:

Behold he hath laid it, an host of men hath he brought in upon the face thereof.

And death hath come upon our fathers: nevertheless we know them, and cannot deny, and even the first of all we know, even Adam:

For a book of remembrance we have written, among us, according to the pattern given by the finger of God:

And it is given in our own language.

And as Enoch spake forth the words of God, the people trembled, and could not stand before his presence:

And he saith unto them, because that Adam fell we are; and by his fall came death; and we are made partakers of misery and wo.

Behold satan hath come among the children of men, and tempteth them to worship him:

And men have become carnal, sensual and devilish, and are shut out from the presence of God.

But God hath made known unto my fathers, that all men must repent.

And he called upon our father Adam, by his own voice, saying, I am God: I made the world, and men before they were.

And he also said unto him, If thou wilt turn unto me, and hearken unto my voice, and believe, and repent of all thy transgressions, and be baptized even by water, in the name of mine only begotten Son, which is full of grace and truth, which is Jesus Christ, the only name which shall be given under heaven, whereby salvation shall come unto the children of men:

And ye shall ask all things in his name; and whatever ye shall ask, it shall be given.

And our father Adam spoke unto the Lord, and said, Why is it that men must repent and be baptized by water?

And the Lord said unto Adam, Behold I have forgiven thee thy transgressions in the garden of Eden.

Thence came the saying abroad among the people, That Christ hath atoned for original guilt, wherein the sins of the parents cannot be answered upon the heads of the children, for they are whole from the foundation of the world.

And the Lord spoke unto Adam, saying, inasmuch as thy children are conceived in sin, even so when they begin to grow up, sin conceiveth in their hearts, and they taste the bitter, that they may know to prize the good.

And it is given unto them to know good from evil: wherefore they are agents unto themselves, and I have given unto you another law and commandment:

Wherefore teach it unto your children, that all men, every where, must repent, or they can in no wise inherit the kingdom of God:

For no unclean thing can dwell there, or dwell in his presence:

For in the language of Adam, Man of Holiness is his name; and the name of his only Begotten, is the Son of Man, even Jesus Christ, a righteous Judge which shall come.

I give unto you a commandment to teach these things freely unto your children, saying,

That, inasmuch as they were born into the world, by the fall which bringeth death, by water and blood and the Spirit, which I have made, and so become of dust a living soul, even so ye must be born again of water and the Spirit, and cleansed by blood, even the blood of mine only Begotten into the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven; that ye may be sanctified from all sin, and enjoy the words of eternal life in this world, and eternal life in the world to come, even immortal glory:

For by the water ye know the commandment; by the Spirit ye are justified, and by the blood ye are sanctified, that in you is given the record of heaven; the Comforter; the peaceable things of immortal glory.

The truth of all things; that which quickeneth all things, which maketh alive all things; that which knoweth all things, and hath all power according to wisdom, mercy, truth, justice, and judgment.

And now, behold I say unto you, this is the plan of salvation unto all men: the blood of mine only Begotten which shall come in the meridian of time:

And behold all things has its likeness, and all things are created and made to bear record of me, both things which are temporal, and things which are Spiritual; things which are in the heavens above; and things which are on the earth; and things which are in the earth; and things which are under the earth, both above and beneath: all things bear record of me.

And it came to pass when the Lord had spoken with Adam, our father, that Adam cried unto the Lord, and he was caught away by the Spirit of the Lord, and was carried down into the water, and was laid under the water, and was bro't forth out of the water;

And thus he was baptized, and the Spirit of God descended upon him: and thus he was born of the Spirit, and he became quickened in the inner man:

And he heard a voice out of heaven saying, Thou art baptized with fire, and with the Holy Ghost:

This is the record of the Father, and the Son, from henceforth and forever: and thou art after the order of him who was without beginning of days or end of years, from all eternity to all eternity. Behold thou art one in me a son of God; and thus may all become my sons. Amen.

In addition to this, we make a further extract from the words of Enoch, as published in the Star of August last. It shows to what a state of purity the church had arriven in his day, besides being a good example for every disciple to follow, that means to do the will of God, in our day, in order to abide a celestial glory in his presence. It reads thus:-"And the Lord came and dwelt with his people, and they dwelt in righteousness. The fear of the Lord was upon all nations, so great was the glory of the Lord, which was upon his people: And the Lord blessed the land, and they were blessed upon the mountains, and upon the high places, and did flourish.

And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and of one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them: and Enoch continued his preaching in righteousness unto the people of God. And it came to pass in his days, that he built a city that was called the city of holiness, even Zion."

As before said, Christ is the head of his church, and from him comes every good and perfect gift. And for the perfecting of the saints and so forth, he has bestowed offices and ordinances, with order, for the benefit of the whole church.-The high priest-hood, of which order is he, the Son of God, or this priest-hood being a type of his order, is set forth as follows, by Alma:

"And again: my brethren, I would cite your minds forward to the time which the Lord God gave these commandments unto his children; and I would that ye should remember that the Lord God ordained priests, after his holy order, which was after the order of his Son, to teach these things unto the people; and those priests were ordained after the order of his Son, in a manner that thereby the people might know in what manner to look forward to his Son for redemption.

And this is the manner after which they were ordained, being called and prepared from the foundation of the world, according to the foreknowledge of God, on account of their exceeding faith and good works; in the first place being left to choose good or evil; therefore they having chosen good, and exercising exceeding great faith, are called with a holy calling, yea, with that holy calling which was prepared with and according to a preparatory redemption for such:

And thus they having been called to this holy calling on account of their faith, while others would reject the Spirit of God on account of the hardness of their hearts and the blindness of their minds, while, if it had not been for this, they might had as great privilege as their brethren.

Or in fine: in the first place they were on the same standing with their brethren, thus this holy calling being prepared from the foundation of the world for such as would not harden their hearts, being in and through the atonement of the only begotten Son, which was prepared:

And thus being called with this holy calling, and ordained unto the high-priest hood of the holy order of God, to teach his commandments unto the children of men, that they also might enter into his rest, this high priest-hood being after the order of his Son, which order was from the foundation of the world; or in other words, being without beginning of days or end of years, being prepared from all eternity to all eternity, according to his foreknowledge of all things. Now they were ordained after this manner: being called with a holy calling, and ordained with a holy ordinance, and taking upon them the high priesthood of the holy order, which calling, and ordinance, and high priesthood, is without beginning or end; thus they become high priests forever, after the order of the Son, the only begotten of the Father, which is without beginning of days or end of years, which is full of grace, equity and truth. And thus it is. Amen.

Now as I said concerning the holy order of this high priesthood: there were many which were ordained and became high priests of God; and it was on account of the exceeding faith and repentance, and their righteousness before God, they choosing to repent and work righteousness, rather than to perish; therefore they were called after his holy order, and were sanctified, and their garments were washed white, through the blood of the Lamb.

Now they, after being sanctified by the Holy Ghost, having their garments made white, being pure and spotless before God, could not look upon sin, save it were with abhorrence; and there were many, exceeding great many, which were made pure, and entered into the rest were many, exceeding great many, which were made pure, and entered into the rest of the Lord their God.

And now, my brethren, I would that ye should humble yourselves before god, and bring forth fruit mete for repentance, that ye may also enter into that rest;

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yea, humble yourselves even as the people in the days of Melchizedek, who was also a high priest after this same order which I have spoken, who also took upon him the high priest hood forever.

And it was this same Melchizedek to whom Abraham paid tithes; yea, even our father Abraham paid tithes of one tenth part of all he possessed.

Now these ordinances were given after this manner, that thereby the people might look forward on the Son of God, it being a type of his order, or it being his order; and this, that they might look forward to him for a remission of their sins, that they might enter into the rest of the Lord.

Now this Melchizedek was a king over the land of Salem; and his people had waxed strong in iniquity and abominations; yea, they had all gone astray: they were full of all manner of wickedness; but Melchizedek having exercised mighty faith, and received the office of the high priesthood, according to the holy order of God, did preach repentance unto his people.

And behold, they did repent; and Melchizedek did establish peace in the land in his days; therefore he was called the Prince of Peace, for he was the king of Salem; and he did reign under his father.

Now there were many before him, and also there were many afterwards, but none were greater; therefore of him they have more particularly made mention. Now I need not rehearse the matter; what I have said may suffice.

Behold the scriptures are before you; if ye will arrest them, it shall be to your own destruction."

After the high priesthood comes elders, priests, teachers, and deacons. Now the offices are separate, for the edification and benefit of the whole church, and, though the elders and bishops are appendages to the high priesthood, & the teachers and deacons are appendages to the lesser priesthood, yet these offices are important to their places, and regular in their gradation: from deacon to teacher, from teacher to priest, from priest to elder, from elder to high priest.

As the angels are the ministers of the Almighty, so are these the servants of Christ, and each accountable in his place.

A private member has no authority to preach, neither administer ordinances; nor has a teacher or deacon, authority to baptize, or confer blessings; nor has a priest power to confirm the members, for all things must be done according to the articles and covenants, which are from the Lord.

Let us give one plain figure: The sun does not borrow its light of the moon, neither does the sun shine less bright in her presence, but the moon does: so, also, when ever the lesser officer, in the church, is in the presence of the greater, the greater takes the lead.

The church of Christ is the place for his saints to prepare for the celestial kingdom, and no man can expect to enter into it, except by being born again; for without water and the Spirit, he is not a legal heir, according to the plan of salvation.

The world is full of strange doctrines, and one says, lo, here is Christ, and another says lo, there is Christ; but, O man be not deceived! Truth is not in every man's mouth, nor is the fulness [fullness] of the gospel taught in every painted chapel.

Our Savior has said, Whatever is highly esteemed among men, is an abomination in the sight of God.

If these plain words are not enough to cause men to beware, let them look or travel abroad among those that pretend to worship in the world, and see if they answer the definition which James gives of religion. He says, Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

Lip service and pride are abominable in the sight of the Lord. Every thing that is not good; every thing that is not plain, and tending to virtue, whether in the world, or among those that profess to be christians; or in the church of Christ, is not of God.

The church of Christ, in these last days, was established by the Savior, for the restoration of his people, as he has spoken by the mouth of his prophets, and for the gathering of his saints to stand upon mount Zion, when he comes in his glory.

The world endeavors to worship the Lord by wisdom, when it is expressly written, that the world by wisdom knows not God; and thousands risk their souls from year to year, on the say-soes, creeds and covenants of men, when it is written, Cursed is he that putteth his trust in man, or maketh flesh his arm, or shall hearken unto the precepts of men, save their precepts shall be given by the power of the Holy Ghost.

Truth, meekness, faith and charity, are the necessary qualifications of the church, and without them, all service, all profession, and all works are vain.

No man can love the world, or the things that are in it, and be a disciple of the blessed Savior. To be a saint, yea a true member of the church, thou must be at peace with the world. And again it is written, Thou shalt not foreswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths.

But verily, verily I say unto you, swear not at all; neither by heaven, for it is God's throne; nor by the earth, for it is his footstool; neither shalt thou swear by the head, because thou canst not make one hair black or white; but let your communication be yea, yea; nay, nay: for whatsoever cometh or more than these are evil.

And behold, it is written, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: but I say unto you, that ye shall not resist evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and to him that would borrow of thee, turn thou not away.

And behold, it is written also, That thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy: but behold I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you, that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good; therefore those things which were of old time, which were under the law, in me, are all fulfilled.

Old things are done away, and all things have become new; therefore I would that ye should become perfect even as I, or your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Verily, verily I say, that I would that ye should do alms unto the poor; but take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.

Therefore, when ye shall do your alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as will hypocrites do in the synagogues, and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily, I say unto you, they have their reward.

But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth; that thy alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

And when thou prayest, thou shalt not do as the hypocrites: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues, and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily, I say unto you, they have their reward.

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of before ye ask him. After this manner therefore pray ye.

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name: thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven; And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors: and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

For, if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Moreover, when ye fast, be not as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast.-Verily, I say unto you, they have their reward.

But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thy head, and wash thy face; that thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father, which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.-The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light: But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore, the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

The church of Christ, of these last days, is the same it was in the first days, or in any days; it required repentance and baptism for the remission of sins, and the promise of the gift of the Holy Ghost: it required also, an obedience to the commandments of God, in all things.

The disciples of Jesus must love the Lord without disguise; and must love their neighbor as themselves. They must do good in all cases, and shun every appearance of evil.

Faith is an evidence of a saint, for without faith, he can not worship in Spirit and in truth: faith, being the gift of the Holy Ghost, is the assurance of things not seen: the evidence of what is promised from the Lord, by keeping his commandments.

To obtain faith, we must pray; for by prayer we obtain the Spirit, and the Spirit guides to truth, and truth is light, and light comes from God. The propriety of this reasoning can be seen by the daily transactions of the world, as well as among the children of God: for in the world, when men have ceased to call upon the name of the Lord in faith, believing he will answer them, then the Lord, in a measure holds his Spirit from the inhabitants, and they run to evil; and also, when the children of God doubt his promises as they pray, he withholds his blessings.-But when there is confidence in God, by being obedient to his will, and keeping his commandments in all things, his blessings are not withheld: for instance, Moses lifted his rod over the Red Sea, and it parted, and the children of Israel went over on dry ground; or Elijah called down fire from heaven, that the people might know, the Lord is God. And now with these samples from the many recorded in scripture, let the saints that are sick, ask to be healed in the name of Jesus, or let those who are authorized, command evil spirits to depart in the name of Jesus; or ask blessings in the name of Jesus, and it shall be done.

When faith and works have come up before the Lord, and the saint has testimony of the Spirit, that these things are pleasing in his sight, let him remember, that without charity he can not be saved in the kingdom of God. No one can keep all the commandments and do them without charity.

When a saint walks in holiness before the Lord, he will love his neighbor as himself, he will pray for his enemies; he will visit the sick, and comfort them; he will feed the hungry, and clothe the naked as long as he has means to do with;

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and when they are exhausted he will pray for more; and while pitying the poor and strengthening the weak, the angels will rejoice over his acts of goodness.

If any man means to do the will of God, he must keep himself unspotted from the world; because he is an agent unto himself and can do good, and pray seasonably unto him for what is necessary in this life, and to fit him for the life to come.

The prayers of the righteous avail much; yea, they ascend up to heaven before God, and the angels rejoice.

Enoch, through grace, obtained a right to pray, (or rather) pray and enquire [inquire] of the Lord, and the Lord showed him great things.

Without prayer one can not be a member of the church of Christ.

The wicked pray not, or not in faith, and the Lord pours out his wrath upon the nations that forget him.

The bible says men began to call upon the name of the Lord in the days of Cain, and there is a sample in the days of Abraham when he journeyed to Gerar, and the king took his wife: God said, Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou and all that are thine.

So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maid servants.

It is an evidence of godliness, as well as a joyful sound of devotion, to hear the prayers of the saints offered up to God, morning midday and evening: it makes the humble soul think of what John saw in heaven: And the four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of the saints.

After Hannah had vowed to the Lord, and he had answered her petition, she prayed, and said:

My heart rejoiceth in the Lord, my horn is exalted in the Lord: my mouth is enlarged over my enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation. There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none besides thee: neither is there any rock like our God.

Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.-The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength. They that were full, have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath borne seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.

The Lord killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, & bringeth up. The Lord maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up. He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory; for the pillars of the earth are the Lord's, and he hath set the world upon them. He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.

The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the Lord shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his Anointed.

Here then we find, that when we have prayed, and the Lord has answered our request, it is good to give thanks, in prayer also, that the will of God may be done on earth as in heaven.

When Solomon dedicated the Temple, he spread forth his hands towards heaven:-And he said, Lord God of Israel, there is no god like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart: who hast kept with thy servant David my father that thou promisedst him: thou spakest also with thy mouth, and hast fulfilled it with thy hand, as it is this day.

Therefore, if they sin against thee, (for there is no man that sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captives unto the land of the enemy, far or near; if they shall bethink themselves, and repent, then hear thou their prayer and their supplication in heaven thy dwelling-place, and maintain their cause, and forgive thy people that have sinned against thee.

Repentance, baptism, prayer, humility, meekness, faith, love and charity, make saints for the church of Christ; and when he speaks they know his voice; and when he shall come in the clouds of heaven, they, if they have kept the faith till the end, whether in life or death, will be ready at the sound of the first trump, to rise and meet him, and reign with him in peace, when the wicked will not trouble, and where the weary will find rest.

REFLECTIONS.

There are but few among those that pretend not to serve the Lord according to his commandments, that have any correct idea how the Lord manifests his power unto the children of men. Some talk of miracles as the only way to establish the Lord's words; and some think if they could converse with angels, they would be satisfied; but when we look back and reflect upon what has taken place since the beginning, we must say, that men have to exercise faith before they can enjoy these privileges.

It is true, that many may see signs; but let us ask, are these signs unto salvation? For, when the flood came, notwithstanding it was a miraculous event to those that lived in that period, who will say that the inhabitants then, except Noah and his family, were saved by it?

Again, when men had conceived the idea of building a tower to get to heaven, and the Lord came down and confounded the language, and dispersed them over the face of the whole earth, it must have been to them somewhat miraculous, but where will we turn to learn, that many were convinced, & turned to God to live?

We might bring all the miracles which Moses wrought before the Egyptians, and ask how many of that nation were converted by them, and what would be the answer? Read the account and the answer is ready.

When the herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up; but Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, for not obeying the great command, were cast into the furnace, heated seven times hotter than it was wont to be, and preserved by the power of God, who among all the children of Babylon were converted to pure religion? Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged the hand of God in it, but he soon went to crop the grass of the field, as an ox, till seven times passed over him.

When saints know the power of God has been exerted for their salvation, or the destruction of the wicked, they are willing to give God the glory:

Yea: like Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, they can lift up their voices and say: Blessed art thou, O Lord God of our fathers: and to be praised and exalted above all for ever.

And blessed is thy glorious and holy name: and to be praised and exalted above all for ever.

Blessed art thou in the temple of thy holy glory: and to be praised and glorified above all for ever.

Blessed art thou that beholdest the depths, and sittest upon the cherubims: and to be praised and exalted above all for ever.

Blessed art thou on the glorious throne of thy kingdom: and to be praised and glorified above all for ever.

Blessed art thou in the firmament of heaven: and above all to be praised and glorified for ever.

It is the duty of the children of the Lord, to thank him for all things that they receive of him; and it is well pleasing unto him, also, for them to sing songs of joy when he has manifested his power or goodness unto them.

The examples of singing, when the Lord had done great things, are many. The Lord asked Job where he was when he laid the foundation of the earth, when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy.

When Pharaoh and his host had been drowned in the Red Sea, Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.

The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him a habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him.

The Lord is a man of war: the Lord is his name.

Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea.

When Deborah and Barak had delivered Israel, Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day saying, Praise ye the Lord for the avenging of Israel, when the people willingly offered themselves.

Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes; I even I, will sing unto the Lord; I will sing praise to the Lord God of Israel.

Lord, when thou wentest out of Seir, when thou marchedst out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, and the heavens dropped, the clouds also dropped water. The mountains melted from before the Lord, even that Sinai from before the Lord God of Israel.

Thus sang the children of Israel, whenever the Lord performed great things for them. Most of the Psalms were written to praise God for his mercy forever, after he had manifested his power and goodness to his people; yea, even his Anointed; and they were written by the gift of the Holy Ghost, and are full of prophecy for the benefit of the righteous. But enough has been said on this point.

You that love the Lord, prepare for temptation.

You that love the Lord, set your hearts in order that you may endure all things in time of trouble.

You that love the Lord, cleave unto him, and keep in the way you should go, that your joy may be increased at the last end.

You that seek the Lord, trust in him, that you may be contented when you are changed from the common condition of the world, to the lot of a saint, or in other words, while in prosperity prepare for adversity, that as gold seven times tried in the fire, you may shine brighter and brighter as you approach nearer and nearer to God. You that love the Lord, believe in him and he will help you when you need.

You that love the Lord, wait for him, and your reward is certain.

You that love the Lord, prepare your hearts, and humble yourselves in his sight; and fall into his hands, rather than the hands of men, for his mercy is great.

Be not dismayed at the transaction of men, these things must needs be.

Say with the Psalmist, Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his Anointed, saying, let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.

He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. Yet have I set my King upon my holy hill of Zion.

I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

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THE EVENING AND THE MORNING STAR.

THE STAR.

We take this opportunity to tender our thanks to the public and our friends, for their patronage bestowed upon us, and ask a continuance. For the benefit of ourselves, and subscribers, as many of them live at a distance, we have concluded to consider them subscribers to the second volume, till they order otherwise.-With our present arrangement and intention, we hope to publish more original matter in the second volume, than we have in the first.

Number one of the present volume has run out, and we calculate, as it contained the Articles and Covenants, to republish them in the first number of the second volume.

-> In order to give the progress and prospects of the church, it is necessary that our elders should transmit to us, an account of what they do from time to time. In this way, the spread of the work, and the increase of faith, can be published as one testimony that these things are of the Lord.

* * * Our elders and friends, must recollect, that unless POSTAGE IS PAID on their letters, they have no assurance of being attended to.

PROSPECTS OF THE CHURCH.

It will be three years the sixth of April next, since the church of Christ was organized, in Manchester, New York, with six members. It has increased steadily in faith and works since; and the work has spread into several states.

The opposition to this church, a circumstance that has always been experienced by the church of Christ, from the world, because the world loves its own, has been unceasing in one place or another; yet from its six, it has increased to hundreds, that are happy to rejoice in the new covenant, which makes them heirs of the promises of the Holy One of Israel.

This church was established in these last days, by the will and commandments of the Lord, to bring to pass the gathering of his elect, even the righteous, preparatory to his second coming: and the place of gathering, as has been before published, is in the western boundaries of the state of Missouri.

To this place about a thousand persons have emigrated since the gathering commenced. About half of this number are disciples: perhaps more, as five hundred and thirty four disciples have covenanted to keep the commandments of the Lord and walk in his statutes blameless with thanksgiving forever.

As has ever been the case in the church of Christ, some have fallen away, and some have been cut off for transgressions.

As it is our intention, in a future number to give the particulars of the rise and progress of the church, we omit some things of interest.

It will be seen in another column, that this church is built upon the plan of salvation, which embraces truth, meekness, faith and charity, as necessary qualifications for its members, and relies upon all things that the Lord has commanded and spoken by the mouths of his prophets.

Many false statements have gone abroad, relative to this church; all of which will from time to time, be corrected if possible.

There are many branches of this church abroad, as has been heretofore published, viz: in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maine and Canada; and many of them will come up this season, if the Lord will.

The feeling that is manifested by the world, towards the members of this church is strange, as it does not seem to arise, because the members of the church have done wrong to their neighbors, or intend evil to any one: it is, therefore, to be regretted, that men should be persecuted for opinion's sake, or the sake of religion, when the constitution of our country allows all to worship according to the dictates of their own consciences.

The freedom of speech, the liberty of conscience, and the liberty of the press, are among the first principles of a republican government, and we hope they will be held sacred by every friend of his country.

The religion of Christ is the only source of lasting happiness, and men disagree, but when a society labor for good, according to the revealed will of God, to make men better, they ought to be respected, because no man can be too good.

In the days of the apostles, when persecution against the church of Christ, was carried to an extraordinary degree, Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space; and said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men: for before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. After this man rose up Judas of Galilee, in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: but if it be of God ye can not overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.

If men were as anxiously engaged to do good, as they are to take the advantage of their fellow beings, every man we meet would be a FRIEND.

The gospel as preached by the disciples of the church of Christ, has been believed by many, and they have great reason to rejoice that the word of the Lord has been thus much respected.

The only way to overcome evil, is with good. He, then, that is a saint, will suffer wrong rather than do wrong. When persecuted, he will pray for his enemies, for their souls are as precious as his.

When men misuse, or abuse, he will forgive, for this is god-like.

If men wish the good-will of men, and expect a reward hereafter, let them do unto others, as they would like to have others do unto them.

The fulness [fullness] of the gospel as taught by this church, is according to the word of the Lord in the book of Mormon. It is eternal truth, and we bear record of it, that our garments may be found spotless at the bar of God.

The elders of the church are to teach the scriptures which are in the bible and the book of Mormon, and invite all to come to Christ, and repent and be baptized, that they may be gathered with the people of the Lord, and be saved by keeping all his commandments.

The word of the Lord never fails, we, therefore, give a few words from one of the commandments, to show his will concerning things which will hereafter come to pass.

Hearken, O ye elders of my church, and give ear to my word, and learn of me what I will concerning you; and also, concerning this land unto which I have sent you.

For verily I say unto you, blessed is he that keepeth my commandments, whether in life or in death:

And he that is faithful in tribulation, the reward of the same is greater in the kingdom of heaven.

Ye can not behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation; for after much tribulation cometh the blessings.

Wherefore, the day cometh that you shall be crowned with much glory; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand.

Remember this which I tell you before, that you may lay it to heart and receive that which shall follow.

Behold, verily I say unto you, for this cause I have sent you, that you might be obedient, and that your hearts might be prepared to bear testimony of the things which are to come: and also that you might be honored of laying the foundation, and of bearing record of the land upon which the Zion of God shall stand.

And also, that a feast of fat things, might be prepared for the poor: yea, a feast of fat things; of wine on the lees well refined.

That the earth may know that the mouths of the prophets shall not fail.

Yea, a supper of the house of the Lord, well prepared, unto which all nations shall be invited:

Firstly the rich and the learned, the wise and the noble; and after that cometh the day of my power:

Then shall the poor, the lame, and the blind, and the deaf, come in unto the marriage of the Lamb, and partake of the supper of the Lord, prepared for the great day to come.

THE TIMES.

We are sorry to see the United States so soon troubled, for the eyes of the world are upon this government, as an asylum of the oppressed. We hope the people of this enlightened land, in this unhappy crisis which presents itself to their view, will be calm, and in the language of Habakkuk: In wrath remember mercy.

A correspondent from Washington to the New-York Courier and Enquirer, over

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the signature of "The spy in Washington," thus wrote on the 20th of January:-

"Dark and portentious [portentous] are the clouds which overshadow our land. Doubt and uncertainty accompanies every movement. Hushed, in silence, is the voice of murmur. Deep and settled anxiety is depicted in the countenance of every thinking man. In high places, reason has resigned to passion, her empire over the mind. The great and fundamental principles of our Constitution are in jeopardy. The arm of power is to be strengthened and outstretched. The feeble are to be smitten and trodden down; and the mighty are to march over their desolate places. This government of compromise and concession, is to be made, a government of force. The decree, has gone forth, and who shall stay its direful effects? conflicting and contending factions have locked arms, and stand shoulder to shoulder, in the cause of the strong against the weak."

This is a melancholy picture for a republican government. If it is really as above stated, it augurs [argue?] the near approach of that day, that will try men's hearts: yea, the time that war shall be poured out upon all nations, which shall continue until the consumption decreed shall make a full end of them. For it is written: Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences, and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

No one can be mistaken, if he looks at the signs of the times as they are: The harvest is nearly ripe. The hour of the Lord is nigh, even at the doors, and who are ready? not the rebellious, for they are not the blood of Ephraim. The meek only shall inherit the earth. It was said by Isaiah: Behold, the Lord will come with fire and with chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. For by fire and by his sword will the Lord plead with all flesh: and the slain of the Lord shall be many.

The Lord has begun to plead with all flesh, that some in these last days may have part in the first resurrection, and he will not slack his hand: No, he will continue to plead by the mouths of his servants; and by the voice of calamities, and by the voice of the thunder of heaven; and by the fierce vivid lightning, and by earthquakes till all that are alive shall know him, and serve him from the least even to the greatest. Truly, this is a day of warning and not a day of many words, among them that mean to do the will of their Lord and Master.

The Lord has said to his disciples, let the solemnities of eternity rest upon your minds, and they have every reason to do so: or if the elders go to preach to the north, or to the south, or to the east, or to the west, they can not go amiss, for the Lord has some precious souls, among every nation, kindred, tongue, and people.

Though nations shall break the links that hold governments together; though kingdoms shall dissolve, and though the friendship of many shall cease, still the kingdom of Jesus Christ will continue to increase and flourish, until the stone cut out of the mountain without hands, shall have filled the whole earth.

In view of this glorious day, notwithstanding the wicked shall be cut off, and the kingdoms of this world dissolved by the arm of the Almighty, the saints shall grow in love to one another, and to their Savior, and shall increase in faith till the curtain of heaven shall be unfolded as a scroll when it is rolled together, and they shall see the face of God.

The Lord is full of mercy, and he will call upon all men every where, to repent. There is no eye that shall not see; nor ear that shall not hear, and no heart that shall not be penetrated; when the people are so hardened in sin, that they refuse to hear the men that the Lord chooses to warn them, then he sends, plagues and pestilence, as seemeth him good, and he will continue to do so until the righteous are gathered, and the wicked destroyed.

Happy is he that is wise and seeks to save himself, for if he asks he shall receive, and when he knocks it shall be opened unto him.

The continent of America is a choice land above all others, and, ever since men have dwelt upon it, if they were virtuous, and walked uprightly before the Lord, they have been blessed: When they have not done so, they have been visited with calamities.

Perhaps few are aware, that the situation of the country, is still the same, for God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

The following words of Alma, on the subject, are conclusive: And now it come to pass that after Alma had said these things to Helaman, he blessed him, and also his other sons; and he also blessed the earth, for the righteous' sake.-And he said, Thus saith the Lord God: Cursed shall be the land, yea, this land, unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, unto destruction, which do wickedly, when they are fully ripe; and as I have said, so shall it be: for this is the cursing and the blessing of God upon the land, for the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance. He that knows the law of God cannot escape his judgments, unless he fulfils [fulfills] the requirements of that law.

The day of vengeance is at hand, when men must suffer the wrath of God in this world, and the world to come, unless they repent.

The saint can look upon the world and say, farewell: My God and my salvation are my all, for I want to inherit eternal life.

But the man of the world, when he looks upon the world, with all its allurements, exclaims: Let me become rich, for I want to live at ease, and enjoy the good of my life. But alas! the times change, and with them the condition of many change also; & where man looks for happiness he often finds misery, so that men might rather say: This world is hardly worth possessing, without a hope in the world to come, through the merits of Jesus Christ.

One of the great men of the earth once said: Crowns won by blood, by blood must be maintained; and a greater than man said: Put up again thy sword into its place: for all they that take the sword, shall perish with the sword.

The voice of the angel to the shepherds when the Savior was born was, Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.-And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

What a happy time it will be, when all that are left alive on the earth, can shout and sing likewise! when the nations will learn war no more! when the man will not seek an opportunity to take the advantage of his fellow man!

There will be none to molest or make afraid then: for there will be peace on earth and good will to men.

Men are agents unto themselves, and they can prepare for a kingdom of glory, or, for one without glory. The language of the Savior, is, The Spirit and the bride say, Come: and let him that heareth say, Come: for the hour of redemption is nigh.

CHILDREN.

Our Savior said, while on earth in the flesh, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven; and, in these last days, he has given a law for the benefit of children, that they may be baptized at eight years old.

It is as follows: And again, inasmuch as parents have children in Zion, that teach them not to understand the doctrine of repentance; faith in Christ the Son of the living God; and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands, when eight years old: the sin be upon the head of the parents, for this shall be a law unto the inhabitants of Zion, and their children shall be baptized for the remission of their sins when eight years old, and receive the laying on of the hands: and they also shall teach their children to pray, and to walk uprightly before the Lord.

When the Lord gave the children of Israel commandments through Moses, he said, 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 sittest 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 these things DILIGENTLY unto the children, it is so now, that they may grow up without sin, and be able to abide the presence of the Lord when he comes in his glory.

It will be a joyful task to teach the children of Zion, the printed commandments, and all things which may tend to eternal life.

Teach them also to wash themselves: to comb their hair; to be mannerly, and obedient: to be industrious; to be meek and charitable; and above all, to pray vocally and in secret.

Before they are old enough to think words for themselves, let them learn the Lord's prayer, in the book of Mormon, and repeat it when they rise in the morning and when they go to bed at night: (namely:)

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed by thy name. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.-And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever: Amen.

Again: how sweet it would sound, to hear a child say:

I must love the Lord, and trust in him, and pray to him always.

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I must love my father and mother and obey them.

I must not lie; I must not steal; I must not swear, but I must be good, and the Lord will bless me.

REVELATIONS.

A COMMANDMENT GIVEN, SEPTEMBER 4, 1830.

Listen to the voice of Jesus Christ, your Lord, your God, and your Redeemer, whose word is quick and powerful.

For behold I say unto you, that it mattereth not what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, when ye partake of the sacrament, if it so be that ye do it with an eye single to my glory; remembering unto the Father my body which was laid down for you, and my blood which was shed for the remission of your sins:

Wherefore a commandment I give unto you, that you shall not purchase wine, neither strong drink of your enemies:

Wherefore you shall partake of none, except it is made new among you, yea, in this my Father's kingdom which shall be built up on the earth.

Behold this is wisdom in me, wherefore marvel not, for the hour cometh that I will drink of the fruit of the vine with you, on the earth, and with all those whom my Father hath given me out of the world:

Wherefore lift up your hearts and rejoice, and gird up your loins and be faithful until I come: even so. Amen.

REVELATION GIVEN, HIRAM, OHIO, NOVEMBER 1, 1831.

Hearken, O ye people of my church, saith the voice of Him who dwells on high, and whose eyes are upon all men; yea, verily I say, hearken ye people from afar, and ye that are upon the islands of the sea, listen together; for verily the voice of the Lord is unto all men, and there is none to escape, and there is no eye that shall not see, neither ear that shall not hear, neither heart that shall not be penetrated; and the rebellious shall be pierced with much sorrow, for their iniquities shall be spoken upon the house-tops, and their secret acts shall be revealed; and the voice of warning shall be unto all people, by the mouths of my disciples, whom I have chosen in these last days, and they shall go forth and none shall stay them, for I the Lord have commanded them.

Behold, this is mine authority, and the authority of my servants, and my Preface unto the Book of my Commandments, which I have given them to publish unto you, O inhabitants of the earth:

Wherefore fear and tremble, O ye people for what I the Lord have decreed, in them, shall be fulfilled.

And verily, I say unto you, that they who go forth, bearing these tidings unto the inhabitants of the earth, to them is power given, to seal both on earth and in heaven, the unbelieving and rebellious; yea, verily, to seal them up unto the day when the wrath of God shall be poured out upon the wicked, without measure, unto the day when the Lord shall come to recompense unto every man according to his work, and measure to every man according to the measure which he has measured to his fellow man.

Wherefore the voice of the Lord is unto the ends of the earth, that all that will hear may hear:

Prepare ye, prepare ye for that which is to come, for the Lord is nigh; and the anger of the Lord is kindled, and his sword is bathed in heaven, and it shall fall upon the inhabitants of the earth; and the arm of the Lord shall be revealed; and the day cometh, that they who will not hear the voice of the Lord, neither the voice of his servants, neither give heed to the words of the prophets, and apostles, shall be cut off from among the people:

For they have strayed from mine ordinances, and have broken mine everlasting covenant; they seek not the Lord to establish his righteousness, but every man walketh in his own way, and after the image of his own god, whose image is in the likeness of the world, and whose substance is that of an idol, which waxeth old and shall perish in Babylon, even Babylon the great, which shall fall:

Wherefore I the Lord, knowing the calamity which should come upon the inhabitants of the earth, called upon my servant Joseph, and spake unto him from heaven, and gave him commandments; and also gave commandments to others, that they should proclaim these things unto the world, and all this that it might be fulfilled, which was written by the prophets:

The weak things of the world should come forth and break down the mighty and strong ones; that man should not counsel his fellow man, neither trust in the arm of flesh, but that every man might speak in the name of God, the Lord, even the Savior of the world; that faith also might increase in the earth; that mine everlasting covenant might be established that the fulness [fullness] of my gospel might be proclaimed by the weak and the simple, unto the ends of the world; and before kings and rulers. Behold I am God and have spoken it.

These commandments are of me, and were given unto my servants of their weakness, after the manner of their language, that they might come to understanding; and inasmuch as they erred, it might be made known:

And inasmuch as they sought wisdom, they might be instructed; and inasmuch as they sinned, they might be chastened, that they might repent; and inasmuch as they were humble, they might be made strong, and blessed from on high, and receive knowledge from time to time.

After they, having received the record of the Nephites; yea, even my servant Joseph might have power to translate through the mercy of God, by the power of God, the book of Mormon:

And also, those to whom these commandments were given, might have power to lay the foundation of this church, and to bring it forth out of obscurity, and out of darkness, the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth, with which I the Lord am well pleased, speaking unto the church collectively and not individually, for I the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance:

Nevertheless, he that repenteth and doeth the commandments of the Lord, shall be forgiven, and he that repenteth not, from him shall be taken even the light which he hath received, for my Spirit shall not always strive with man, saith the Lord of hosts.

And again, verily I say unto you, O inhabitants of the earth, for I the Lord am willing to make these things known unto all flesh, for I am no respecter to persons, and willeth that all men shall know that the day speedily cometh, the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand, when peace shall be taken from the earth, and the devil shall have power over his own dominion; and also, the Lord shall have power over his saints, and shall reign in their midst, and shall come down in judgment upon Idumea, or the world.

Search these commandments, for they are true and faithful, and the prophecies and promises which are in them, shall all be fulfilled.

What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself, and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice, or by the voice of my servants, it is the same:

For behold, and lo, the Lord is God, and the Spirit beareth record, and the record is true, and the truth abideth forever and ever: Amen.

REVELATION GIVEN KIRTLAND, OHIO, JANUARY 3, 1833

The order of the house prepared for the presidency and instruction in all things, that is expedient for the officers, or in other words them who are called to the ministry in the church, beginning at the high priests even down to the deacons.

And this shall be the order of the house:

He that is appointed to be a teacher shall be found standing in his place, which shall be prepared for him in the house of God; in a place that the congregation in the house may hear his words correctly, and distinctly, not with loud speech.

And when he cometh into the house of God, for he should be first in the house:

Behold this is beautiful, that he may be an example, let him offer himself in prayer upon his knees before God, in token of the everlasting covenant.

And when any shall come in after him, let the teacher arise and with uplifted hands to heaven:

Yea even directly and salute his brother, or brethren with these words, saying:

Art thou a brother or brethren, I salute you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, in token of the everlasting covenant; in which covenant I receive you to fellowship in a determination that is fixed, immoveable [immovable] and unchangeable to be your friend and brother through the grace of God, in the bonds of love, to walk in all the commandments of God blameless, in thanksgiving forever and ever.

And he that cometh in, and is a brother or brethren, shall salute the teacher with uplifted hands to heaven, with this same prayer and covenant, or by saying amen, in token of the same.

Behold, verily I say unto you, this is a sample unto you for a salutation to one another in the house of God.

And to you the called to the ministry of the ordinances of the house of God; and ye are called to do this by prayer and thanksgiving, as the Spirit shall give utterance, in all your doings in the house of the Lord, that it may become a sanctuary, a tabernacle of the Holy Spirit, to your edification: Amen.

LETTERS.

Bath, New Hampshire, January 23, 1833.

Dear brethren, we have traveled in the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Connecticut; and we baptized four in Blakely, Pennsylvania; and also my brother on Long Island; eight in Madison, Connecticut; twenty in Bath, New Hampshire; twenty seven in Charleston Vermont; and eighteen in Troy, Vermont. We went to a conference which was held in Spafford, New York, on the tenth of November, where brother Lyman (Johnson) baptized eight: he then, in company with brother Hazen Aldrich, started for Ohio; and I, in company with brother William Snow, started for Bath and Charleston, and baptized twelve by the way.

We have ordained several elders, since last February, and they bid fair to be faithful, and may do much good.

Brother Orson (J.) has returned from Missouri.

Brother Hazen has baptized four in Colebrook, New Hampshire. There are calls on the right hand and on the left, for faithful laborers in this region. Your brother in Christ,

ORSON PRATT.

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North Moreland, Pa., February 2, 1833.

MR. PHELPS, SIR, I want you to send me the Evening and Morning Star, commencing at the first number, and also a prospectus, as soon as possible.

Send me also a book of commandments, and all other records, which shall come by the will and commandment of God: For which I enclose you a five dollar note. If this is not sufficient, send me word and I will send the remainder.

Please to continue the Star till I send you word or come up.

A word to you in the name of Christ, and this because you have the use of the press; and in this situation you have the privilege of enlightening the brethren; many of whom are in error concerning the prophet of whom Moses spake.

I conclude this is in consequence of not knowing the scriptures, on the subject, especially the book of Mormon: For Christ said, when he showed himself to the Nephites, Behold, I am he of whom Moses spake, saying: A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me: him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you, &c. Book of Mormon, page 497. One truth is worth ten thousand errors.

I remain yours, &c. DANIEL STEPHENS.

Washington City, Post Office Department, }

Office of appt's and instructions, Feb. 5, 1833. }

SIR, your letter of the 12th ult. asking the privilege of enclosing the various packages of your monthly publication, destined for the same state, in one package, is received. In reply I have to state, that there will be no impropriety in making up, and despatching by mail, your papers in the mode you propose.

W. W. Phelps Esq. } I am respectfully your Obt. Serv't.

Independence, Mo. } S. R. HOBBIE, Ass't. P. M. Gen'l.

Extract of a letter from one of our correspondents, dated at Piqua, Ohio, February 13, 1833.

DEAR SIR: Your letter of January 22, was very thankfully received last evening, by myself and many persons with whom the Indians were acquainted. I am truly glad to hear from them: they were, many of them, as fine people as I wish to travel with. I expect to come through your Village again in July or August, with the remaining few of the Shawnees, who reside at Waghpaghkonnetta. It is thought they will leave here about the first of June. There are about ninety people of them in all, and if they start at that time they will arrive at the Kansas about the time named above.

I read your letter to two of the Chiefs who were in town today, and they were very much pleased to hear that their brothers were well, and pleased with their new homes. Their old Interpreter (Jo. Parks) left this place for Washington City today to try to obtain deeds for some lands he had granted to him by the Indian Nation. When he returns, which will be in about four weeks, he will commence getting ready to move, for he goes with them: he intends settling in the Indian country, on the Kansas River.

Respectfully, Yours, &c.

PRAYER.

Prayer, if in faith, is acceptable to God at all times. In order to keep our thoughts from roving upon unlawful objects, we can follow the advice of one of the apostles of old, and pray without ceasing in our hearts. The Lord says in these last days, call upon me while I am near. The prayer of the righteous avail much: Therefore, as it is said in the book of Mormon, may God grant unto you, my brethren, that ye might begin to exercise your faith unto repentance, that ye begin to call upon his holy name, that he would have mercy upon you; yea, cry unto him for mercy; for he is mighty to save; yea, humble yourselves, and continue in prayer unto him; cry unto him when ye are in your fields; yea, over all your flocks; cry unto him in your houses, yea, over all your household, both morning, mid-day, and evening; yea, cry unto him against the power of your enemies; yea, cry unto him against the devil, which is an enemy to all righteousness. Cry unto him over the crops of your fields, that they may increase. But this is not all: ye must pour out your souls in your closets, and your secret places, and in your wilderness; yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of those which are around you.

And now behold, my beloved brethren, I say unto you, Do not suppose that is all; for after ye have done all these things, if ye turn away the needy, and the naked, and visit not the sick and afflicted, and impart of your substance, if ye have, to those which stand in need; I say unto you, if ye do not any of these things, behold, your prayer is vain, and availeth you nothing, and ye are as hypocrites which do deny the faith; therefore, if ye do not remember to be charitable, ye are as dross, which the refiners do cast out, it being of no worth, and is trodden under foot of men.

We regret to learn that the Typus [Typhus] fever is prevalent both at Quebec and Montreal. The number of sick at both places in the hospitals is unusually great, and several cases exist at private lodgings. The mortality has not hitherto been severe. [Argus]

EXTRACT, &c.

The book of Mormon contains a great many good things. The following extract from the writings of Nephi, is worth a great deal to the saint.-While war and commotions are dividing and ruining the nations, he can lift up his heart to God, that there will be peace by and by.

And it came to pass that I beheld that the wrath of God was poured out upon the great and abominable church, insomuch that there were wars and rumors of wars among all the nations and kindreds of the earth; and as there began to be wars and rumors of wars among all the nations which belonged to the mother of abominations, the angel spake unto me saying:

Behold, the wrath of God is upon the mother of harlots; and, behold, thou seest all these things! and when the day cometh that the wrath of God is poured out upon the mother of harlots, which is the great and abominable church of all the earth, whose founder is the devil, then, at that day, the work of the Father shall commence, in preparing the way for the fulfilling of his covenants, which he hath made to his people, which are of the House of Israel.

And it came to pass that the angel spake unto me, saying, Look! and I looked and beheld a man, and he was dressed in a white robe; and the angel said unto me, Behold one of the twelve apostles of the Lamb! behold, he shall see and write the remainder of these things; yea, and also many things which have been; and he shall also write concerning the end of the world, wherefore, the things which he shall write, are just and true; and, behold, they are written in the book which thou beheld proceeding out of the mouth of the Jew; and at the time they proceeded out of the mouth of the Jew, or, at the time the book proceeded out of the mouth of the Jew, the things which were written, were plain and pure, and most precious, and easy to the understanding of all men.

And, behold, the things which this apostle of the Lamb shall write, are many things which thou hast seen; and, behold, the remainder shalt thou see; but the things which thou shalt see hereafter, thou shalt not write; for the Lord God hath ordained the apostle of the Lamb of God, that he should write them.

And also, others which have been, to them hath he showed all things, and they have written them; and they are sealed up, to come forth in their purity, according to the truth which is in the Lamb, in the due time of the Lord, unto the house of Israel.

And I, Nephi, heard and bear record, that the name of the apostle of the Lamb was John, according to the word of the angel.

And, behold, I, Nephi, am forbidden that I should write the remainder of the things which I saw and heard; wherefore, the things which I have written, sufficeth me; and I have not written but a small part of the things which I saw.-And I bear record, that I saw the things which my father saw, and the angel of the Lord did make them known unto me.

And now I make an end of speaking concerning the things which I saw, while I was carried away in the Spirit; and if all the things which I saw are not written, the things which I have written are true. And thus it is. Amen.

ITEMS.

THE following items are taken from the newspapers of the day:-WILDERNESS OF JUDEA.-This was a neglected tract of country on both sides of Jordan. It commenced at Tekoah, in the tribe of Judah, and extended through Arabia Petrea, to the Persian gulf. In this region John the Baptist commenced the ministry, and commenced preaching until the time of his showing unto Israel. Here he first taught his countrymen. This wilderness represented the Jewish church, to which John was sent. It was at that time destitute of all religious cultivation-John went to preach repentance, and prepare the way of the Lord.

REGION ROUND ABOUT JORDAN.-This comprises that level country, on both sides of Jordan, from the sea of Galilee to the Dead sea. Jordan, in its nearest place, is twenty three miles east of Jerusalem. Jerico, celebrated for its unusual fertility and extreme heat, is in this region; also the valley of salt, near the Dead sea, where David defeated the Syrans, and Amaziah discomfited the Edomites; and plains of Moab, where the Israelites encamped, which are called the plains and valley of Shittim. This is thirteen miles wide, and fifty six long.

New Orleans, December 4, 1832.

FIRE!-GREAT LOSS OF PROPERTY!

This morning, just as our paper was going to press, an alarm of fire was given. We hastened to the spot and beheld a most awful sight-two steam boats in flames! one of them the Cotton Plant, just arrived from Bayou Sarah, having on board 15 hundred and twenty four bales of cotton, besides other freight-the other the Saratoga. We have not time to give further particulars, but will merely add that the fire is supposed to have originated on board the Cotton Plant.

[From the Maysville Monitor.]

At Bradenburg, 40 miles below Louisville, the steam boat Superior burst one of her boilers, killed three persons and scalded 16 others, four of whom it was supposed could not survive.

The Portsmouth was lost in the Wabash a short time since, with her cargo.

The Citizen ran against a snag a few days ago, 50 miles below the mouth of the Ohio, in the Mississippi, and was sunk with her cargo.

The steam boat 'Seventy six, sunk below the mouth of the Ohio, with her cargo.

The steam boat Falcon, sunk below Henderson, with her cargo.

(page 79)

 

From the Louisville Journal & Focus.

INDIAN WAR.

We received, last evening, the following letter, which contains information of considerable moment. The writer has our thanks.

CANTONMENT GIBSON, January 12, 1833.

Dear Friend: I take this opportunity of informing you of our situation.-Capt. Ford's company of U. S. Rangers left this place on the 5th inst. by order of Col. Arbuncle, on an expedition against the Pawnees, but, to their surprise, they were attacked on the 9th by a band of Camansha Indians, five hundred in number. They fought with great bravery for the space of an hour and a half, but they were surrounded and overpowered and compelled to surrender themselves prisoners of war. I was at the fort when the express came in. One of the Lieutenants made his escape, and brought the information that the savages, at the time of his leaving them, were massacreing [massacring] their prisoners. It is supposed, that all have been put to death. Five companies of Regulars on the receipt of the intelligence, immediately started to rescue such, as might be still alive. There is every probability of a bloody war with the Camansha Indians.

JAMES SMITH,

A Ranger under Captain Boon.

Captain Wm. Armstrong, superintendent of the removal of the Choctaws east of the Mississippi, and Lieutenant Holmes, United States Agent, passed up a few days since from Nashville, the former for the western Choctaw Agency, near fort Smith, and the latter for fort Gibson.

Lieutenant Joseph A. Phillips, United States Agent, and Messrs. Cross and Irwin, who passed through this place, a few weeks ago, in charge of parties of the emigrating Choctaws, returned here last week, after safely conveying the Indians whom they had charge of, to their new country on Red River.-[Arkansas paper.]

GREAT MORTALITY.-The British brig Tweed, captain King, twenty five days from Kingston, Jamaica, put into Hampton Roads a few days since, having lost all the crew except the cook by fever twelve days previous. She was bound to Halifax, and the captain and cook were the only persons left to conduct her into port.

A violent eruption of Mount Aetna, took place on the 17th and 18th November which destroyed Bronte, a town situated nine leagues from Catania, and containing a population of 10,000 persons.

The Cholera had broken out again in Paris. The correspondent of the Journal du Havre writes under date of the 9th ult. that 150 cases of cholera had occurred that day.

FROM ABROAD.

TO give a correct, and detailed account, of all the commotions, perplexities, and calamities, which are contained in the newspapers of the day, among the nations abroad, is not our intention, nor will our limits permit it, in the Star: a sketch of the most prominent movements of men, or of the judgments of God, is all we design. We begin from the Journal of Commerce.

FROM CALCUTTA AND CHINA.

We are indebted to the Captain of the Brig Nabob, for Calcutta papers, to August 18th, containing Canton dates to the 14th, of June.

CALCUTTA, August 18.

The Elphinstone brings intelligence from Bushire to the 6th July. It is stated that the plague had almost entirely lost its violence there before May, and that towards the end of that month scarcely any instance of a fresh attack occurred.

It is reported that the disease has extended to Shiraz, but this is doubtful, although it is certain that it has reached the coast of Persia opposite to Bassadore. Almost all the former inhabitants of Bushire who are alive, have returned to the town, and their number does not exceed 2000, while Bushire contained four months before, at least 20,000 inhabitants.

CANTON, June 2.

THE CHINESE REBELLION.-The success of the rebels has been such, that another body of 2000 troops has been sent off to the seat of war, and the RED PAPER of Canton announced the intended departure to day to head the express.

The news of the wars between France and Holland and Belgium, is thus related in the New-York Courier and Enquirer:-The operations against the citadel of Antwerp are, as was to be expected, each succeeding day becoming more serious. The town itself has thus far been preserved although no positive agreement appears to have been made on this point between the two contending commanders. In the course of events likely to follow the work of destruction which is going on around it, it is impossible to say how long it will be spared. Nothing evince the least intention on the part of William of Holland to give way, on the contrary, the exasperation among his people is continually increasing. The passengers arriving in Rotterdam, from England, did not find it safe to go out after dark; and one of them had been pelted by the populace while standing at the door of his lodging. The dutch accounts of what is passing in the citadel of course represents matters in a different light to the French.

CAPITULATION OF THE CITADEL OF ANTWERP.

The capitulation is at length signed, and the brave General Chasse is a prisoner of war in the hands of the French. The negociations [negotiations] were carried on during the whole of the day, and it is only within the last hour that the terms have been definitively settled. Chasse at first demanded that himself and garrison should be allowed to return to Holland. To this Gerard positively refused, and desired that the citadel should surrender at discretion.

A second parlementaire was then sent by Chasse, with a different proposition. The Marshal, having consulted a Council of War, returned for answer, that Chase should give up all the forts belonging to Belgium along the Scheldt; and that, on such conditions being acceded to, he would consent to the first demand of the Dutch General. Chasse, after a little delay, sent a third parlamentary [parliamentary] with a note to Gerard, stating that he had no control over forts Lillo and Liefkenshock, which were placed under the orders of Captain Bake. Gerard at length sent his alternative to Chasse, and desired a categorical answer with as short delay as possible.

The Marshal demanded that Lillo and Liefkenshock, with all the forts dependencies of the citadel, should be given up, when the garrison would be permitted to leave the citadel with all the honors of war; or, that the dependencies only should be given up, and the garrison remain prisoners of war until the forts of Lillo and Liefkenshock were in possession of the Belgians.

Chasse accepted the latter condition, and the capitulation was signed at 10 of the clock, by which the Belgians are to take possession of the out posts of the gates of the esplanade and secours, and that the Tete de Flandre, forts Burght and D'Austruwil were to be immediately evacuated.

After twenty-four days' seige [siege] 75,000 Frenchmen, with upwards of 150 pieces of cannon, have succeeded in reducing the citadel of Antwerp, with its handful of men.

LETTERS.

Letters have been received, since our last: one from Columbus, one from Kirtland Mills, one from Cincinnati, and one from Piqua, Ohio; one from Florida, one from Lexington, one from St. Louis, one from Middle Grove and one from Richmond, Missouri; one from Bath, New Hampshire; one from Waterloo, and one from Homer, New York; one from Canton, one from Troy, and one from Centre Mereland, Pennsylvania; and one from Washington city.

Unpaid in the Office, one from Oxford, New York.

HOME.

NOW let us rejoice in the day of salvation, When all that was promis'd the saints will be given,

No longer as strangers on earth need we roam; And none will molest them from morn until even,

Good tidings are sounding to us and each nation, And earth will appear as the garden of Eden,

And shortly the hour of redemption will come: And Jesus will say to all Israel: Come home!

When all that was promis'd the saints will be given, In faith we'll rely on the arm of Jehovah,

And none will molest them from morn until even, To guide through these last days of trouble and gloom;

And earth will appear as the garden of Eden, And after the scourges and harvest are over,

And Jesus will say to all Israel: Come home! We'll rise with the just, when the Savior doth come:

We'll love one another and never dissemble, Then all that was promis'd the saints will be given,

But cease to do evil and ever be one; And they will be crown'd as the angel of heaven:

And while the ungodly are fearing, and tremble, And earth will appear as the garden of Eden,

We'll watch for the day when the Savior shall come. And Christ and his people will ever be one.

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 THE ADVERTISER, AT THE USUAL RATES.

PRINTING,

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(page 80)

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