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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 also 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 lightening, and whose garments were pure and white above all whiteness, and gave unto commandments which inspired him from on high, and gave unto him power, by the means which were before 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 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 & callings of God, by the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of the Father and of the Son, which Father & 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 can not 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 commandment 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, & 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 priest's 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 of 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 teacher's duty is to watch over the church always, and be with them, and strengthen them, and see that their 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 teachers 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, or from time to time as they shall direct or appoint to do church business whatsoever is necessary.
And each priest or teacher, who is ordained by a priest, is to take a 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 the 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 upon 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 & 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, & 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
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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;
Whomsoever 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.
THE BOOK OF MORMON.
Notwithstanding the church of Christ has received the fulness [fullness] of the gospel from the book of Mormon, and every member as a true disciple of the blessed Savior, studies it as a heavenly treasure, yet few, very few of our fellow men in the world, know any thing about the merits of this sacred volume. We therefore, have concluded to commence its publication to the Star, and shall continue from number to number until it is finished.
By this means the world will have an opportunity to read for themselves, and prepare for the great days to come. By this means those who are seeking for truth can find it, and compare the book of Mormon with the bible, and witness the great doings of the Lord in these last days, in bringing forth his everlasting covenant for the gathering of his elect, and the restoration of the tribes, and scattered remnants of Israel from the four quarters of the earth.
We have again inserted the articles and covenants according to our promise in a previous number, for the benefit of our brethren abroad who have not the first number of the first volume. As there were, some errors which had got into them by transcribing, we have since obtained the original copy and made the necessary corrections.
CHAPTER I.
I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father; and having seen many afflictions in the course of my days-nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days; yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God, therefore I make a record of my proceedings in my days; yea, I make a record in the language of my father, which consists of the learning of the Jews and the language of the Egyptians. And I know that the record which I make, to be true, and I make it with mine own hand; and I make it according to my knowledge.
For it came to pass, in the commencement of the first year of the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah, (my father Lehi having dwelt at Jerusalem in all his days;) and in that same year there came many prophets, prophesying unto the people, that they must repent, or the great city Jerusalem must be destroyed. Wherefore it came to pass, that my father Lehi, as he went forth, prayed unto the Lord, yea, even with all his heart, in behalf of his people.
And it came to pass, as he prayed unto the Lord, there came a pillar of fire and dwelt upon a rock before him; and he saw and heard much; and because of the things which he saw and heard, he did quake and tremble exceedingly.
And it came to pass that he returned to his own house at Jerusalem; and he cast himself upon his bed, being overcome with the Spirit & the things which he had seen; and being thus overcome with the Spirit, he was carried away in a vision, even that he saw the heavens open; and he thought he saw God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels in the attitude of singing and praising their God.
And it came to pass that he saw one descending out of the midst of heaven, and he beheld that his lustre [luster] was above that of the sun at noon-day; and he also saw twelve others following him, and their brightness did exceed that of the stars in the firmament; and they came down and went forth upon the face of the earth; and the first came and stood before my father, and gave unto him a book, and bade him that he should read.
And it came to pass that as he read, he was filled with the Spirit of the Lord, and he read saying, Wo wo unto Jerusalem! for I have seen thine abominations; yea, and many things did my father read concerning Jerusalem-that it should be destroyed, & the inhabitants thereof, many should perish by the sword, and many should be carried away captive into Babylon.
And it came to pass that when my father had read and saw many great and marvelous things, he did exclaim many things unto the Lord; such as, Great and marvelous are thy works, O Lord God Almighty! Thy throne is high in the heavens, and thy power, and goodness, and mercy is over all the inhabitants of the earth; and because thou art merciful, thou wilt not suffer those who come unto thee that they shall perish! And after this manner was the language of my father in the praising of his God; for his soul did rejoice, and his whole heart was filled because of the things which he had seen; yea, which the Lord had shown unto him.
And now I, Nephi, do not make a full account of the things which my father hath written, for he hath written many things which he saw in visions and in dreams; and he also hath written many things which he prophesied and spake unto his children, of which I shall not make a full account; but I shall make an account of my proceedings in my days-Behold I make an abridgement [abridgment] of the record of my father, upon plates which I have made with mine own hands; wherefore, after that I have abridged the record of my father, then will I make an account of mine own life.
Therefore, I would that ye should know that after the Lord had shown so many marvelous things unto my father Lehi, yea, concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, behold he went forth among the people, & began to prophesy and to declare unto them concerning the things which he had both seen and heard.
And it came to pass that the Jews did mock him because of the things which he testified of them; for he truly testified of their wickedness and their abominations; & he testified that the things which he saw & heard & also the things which the [he?] read in the book, manifested plainly of the coming of a Messiah, and also the redemption of the world.
And when the Jews heard these things, they were angry with him; yea, even as with the prophets of old, whom they had cast out and stoned and slain; and they also sought his life, that they might take it away. But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord is over all them whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance.
For behold it came to pass that the Lord spake unto my father, yea, even in a dream, and saith, Blessed art thou Lehi, because of the things which thou hast done; and because thou hast been faithful and declared unto this people the things which I commanded thee, behold they seek to take away thy life.
And it came to pass that the Lord commanded my father, even in a dream, that he should take his family and depart into the wilderness. And it came to pass that he was obedient unto the word of the Lord, wherefore he did as the Lord commanded him.
And it came to pass that he departed into the wilderness. And he left his house, and the land of his inheritance, and his gold, and his silver, and his precious things, and took nothing with him save it were his family, and provisions, and tents, and he departed into the wilderness; and he came down by the borders near the shore of the Red Sea; and he travelled [traveled] in the wilderness, in the borders, which was nearer the Red Sea; and he did travel in the wilderness with his family, which consisted of my mother, Sariah, and my elder brothers, which were Laman, Lemuel and Sam.
And it came to pass that when he had travelled [traveled] three days in the wilderness, he pitched his tent in a valley beside a river of water. And it came to pass that he built an altar of stones, and he made an offering unto the Lord, and gave thanks unto the Lord our God. And it came to pass that he called the name of the river Laman, and it emptied into the Red Sea; and the valley was in the borders near the mouth thereof.
And when my father saw that the waters of the river emptied into the fountain of the Red Sea, he spake unto Laman saying: O that thou mightest be like unto this river, continually running into the fountain of all righteousness. And he also spake unto Lemuel: O that thou mightest be like unto this valley, firm, and steadfast, and immoveable [immovable] in keeping the commandments of the Lord. Now this he spake because of the stiffneckedness of Laman and Lemuel; for behold, they did murmur in many things against their father, because that he was a visionary man, and that he had led them out of the land of Jerusalem, to leave the land of their inheritance, and their gold, and their silver, and their precious things, and to perish in the wilderness. And this they said he had done because of the foolish imaginations of his heart.
And thus Laman and Lemuel, being the eldest, did murmur against their father. And they did murmur because they knew not the dealings of that God who had created them. Neither did they believe that Jerusalem, that great city, could be destroyed according to the words of the prophets. And they were like unto the Jews, which were at Jerusalem, which sought to take away the life of my father.
And it came to pass that my father did speak unto them in the valley of Lemuel, with power, being filled with the Spirit, until their frames did shake before him. And he did confound them, that they durst not utter against him; wherefore they did do as he commanded them. And my father dwelt in a tent.
And it came to pass that I, Nephi, being exceeding young, nevertheless being large in stature, and also having great desires to know of the mysteries of God, wherefore I did cry unto the Lord; and behold he did visit me, and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father; wherefore I did not rebel against him like unto my brothers. And I spake unto Sam, making known unto him the things which the Lord had manifested unto me by his Holy Spirit.
And it came to pass that he believed in my words; but behold Laman and Lemuel would not hearken unto my words: And being grieved because of the hardness of their hearts, I cried unto the Lord for them.
And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto me, saying: Blessed art thou Nephi, because of thy faith, for thou hast sought me diligently, with lowliness of heart. And inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper,
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and shall be led to a land of promise; yea, even a land which I have prepared for you; yea, a land which is choice above all other lands. And inasmuch as thy brethren shall rebel against thee, they shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord. And inasmuch as thou shalt keep my commandments, thou shalt be made a ruler and a teacher over thy brethren. For behold, in that day that they shall rebel against me, I will curse them even with a sore curse, and they shall have no power over thy seed, except they shall rebel against me also. And if it so be that they rebel against me, they shall be a scourge unto thy seed, to stir them up in the ways of remembrance.
And it came to pass that I Nephi, returned from speaking with the Lord, to the tent of my father. And it came to pass that he spake unto me, saying: Behold I have dreamed a dream, in the which the Lord hath commanded me that thou and thy brethren shall return to Jerusalem. For behold, Laban hath the record of the Jews, and also a genealogy of my forefathers, and they are engraven upon plates of brass. Wherefore the Lord hath commanded me that thou and thy brothers should go unto the house of Laban, and seek the records, and bring them down hither into the wilderness. And now, behold, thy brothers murmur, saying it is a hard thing which I have required of them; but behold I have not required it of them, but it is a commandment of the Lord. Therefore go, my son, and thou shalt be favored of the Lord, because thou hast not murmured.
And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father, I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.
And it came to pass that when my father had heard these words, he was exceedingly glad, for he knew that I had been blessed of the Lord. And I Nephi, and my brethren, took our journey in the wilderness with our tents, to go up to the land of Jerusalem.
And it came to pass that when we had come up to the land of Jerusalem, I & my brethren did consult one with another; and we cast lots which of us should go in unto the house of Laban. And it came to pass that the lot fell upon Laman; and Laman went in unto the house of Laban, and he talked with him as he sat in his house. And he desired of Laban the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass, which contained the genealogy of my father.
And behold, it came to pass that Laban was angry, and thrust him out from his presence; and he would not that he should have the records. Wherefore he said unto him, behold thou art a robber, and I will slay thee. But Laman fled out of his presence, and told the things which Laban had done, unto us. And we began to be exceeding sorrowful, and my brethren were about to return unto my father in the wilderness.
[TO BE CONTINUED.]
THE SECOND COMING OF THE SAVIOR, No. II.
In the 4th number of the Star, the second coming of the Savior was commenced, and we again continue the same subject, for the instruction of those who hope to see him in the flesh. This is one of the greatest subjects that we can write upon in these last days. It is a subject that concerns all men. For the warning voice has gone forth in these last days, for all men to be prepared for the time when he comes in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Notwithstanding all, or the most of christendom, pretend to believe, that the Millennium will soon be ushered in and cause a spiritual reign of the Savior over mankind, still, the plain fact, that he will come down in person and reign on earth with the righteous, a thousand years, seems to be as foreign to the minds of those who pretend to believe that the bible is true, except those who believe in the fulness [fullness] of the gospel, as his birth and ministry were to the Jews.
Now if the church of Christ had no other prophecy than that of Moses, and Peter's words added to it, the disciples would be bound to believe that Jesus Christ would, at some time or other, come on earth, and that all who would not repent and become righteous, would be cut off.
Moses said, The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken. Peter said, that Christ should come again, for said he, the heavens must receive him until the times of restitution of all things, &c., and that this Jesus was the same of whom Moses spake.
This prophetic language, in connection with what precedes it, is enough to convince any rational man, that the Savior will come again in person, and the wicked be destroyed. For the language is equally as plain that he will come the second time in person, as it was that he would come the first. And all who deny this fact, deny his word. For it is plainly set forth in his word, that he will come again on earth before the last great day of judgment; and all who believe his word, who are acquainted with his Spirit, and who know his voice, know that this is true.
If Peter did not mean that Jesus Christ should be sent again, (for this was after his crucifixion) what did he mean? But he proved his words from the prophecy of Moses, that the Lord had come once, and then said that he should come again. The great mistake which the world, or which the Jews made, and which the Gentiles now make, is, in supposing one thing for another, or, thinking, that when the word of the Lord directly says one thing, that it does not mean as it says, but must be supplied some other way, or be turned into some other meaning; when they deny that any one can speak moved by the Holy Ghost in these last days, that God does not inspire men now to give revelations, and that his word is infallible, eternal truth, and will never pass away, and yet they will, by their own wisdom, figure a something directly different from the plain, precious, and easy word of God; and say, listen ye to my precept, for behold, I show unto you a more excellent way. And all have a different precept, and all show a different way, and we ask where are they all going, and where will they all land?
The Jews supposed that when the Messiah came, he would come with power and great glory, and subdue all enemies under his feet. They expected the Savior to come but once; they were disappointed and fell upon that Rock, and were broken and scattered.
The Gentiles received the Savior spiritually, and they never expect him in person again: When Paul says: And to you, who are troubled, rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe in that day.-And also the Lord said, that he would come in the clouds of heaven.
It is really strange that men blind themselves, and miss the truth; but so it is. The Gentiles are in the same dilemma for the second coming, that the Jews were for the first, and although the Jews fell upon the Rock and were broken, yet they have the promise of mercy, while those upon whom the Rock shall fall, will be ground to powder.
Enoch, who walked with God while Zion was upon the earth in the first thousand years, said, the Savior was to come in the meridian of time, and then again in the last days, in the days of wickedness and vengeance, to fulfill the oath which he made unto him concerning the children of Noah.
The day shall come that the earth shall rest, but before that day, the heavens shall be darkened, and a vail of darkness shall cover the earth; and the heavens shall shake, and also the earth, and great tribulations shall be among the children of men, but my people will I preserve; and righteousness will I send down out of heaven; and truth will I send forth out of the earth to bear testimony of mine Only begotten; his resurrection from the dead; yea, and also the resurrection of all men: and righteousness and truth will I cause to sweep the earth as with a flood, to gather out mine own elect from the four quarters of the earth, unto a place which I shall prepare, an holy city, that my people may gird up their loins, and be looking forth for the time of my coming; for there shall be my tabernacle, and it shall be called ZION, a New Jerusalem.
It is clearly expressed in the sacred volume, that before the great day of the Lord, there shall be great distress and trouble, such as was never before, nor should be afterward: But immediately after the tribulation of those days, shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: and then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Our Savior said to the three Nephites who desired to tarry: Behold, I know your thoughts, and ye have desired the thing which John, my beloved, which was with me in my ministry, before that I was lifted up by the Jews, desired of me; therefore more blessed are ye, for ye shall never taste of death, but ye shall live to behold all the doings of the Father, unto the children of men, even until all things shall be fulfilled, according to the will of the Father, when I shall come in my glory, with the powers of heaven.
GOOD PROOF.
No people that have lived on this continent, since the flood, understood many of the arts and sciences, better than the Jaredites and Nephites, whose brief history is sketched in the book of Mormon. The facts following, from the Star in the West, is not only proof of their skill, but it is good proof, to those that want evidence, that the book of Mormon, IS TRUE.
In Rowan County, (N. C.) on the summit level of a piece of tableland, in the first settlement of that section of the new world, a stone house was found, completely imbeded [imbedded] in the earth even the funnel of the chimney was covered by the growth of the earth.-This relic of antiquity, was discovered by one of the early planters in plowing up a piece of land. Finding some stone on a particular part of his farm, in a position which seemed to indicated the work of art, he fell to removing the same, and soon found he was taking off the funnel of a stone chimney This circumstance excited the curiosity of the neighboring planters, who met and agreed to examine the edifice by excavating the earth from the stone wall. They soon found that the chimney was attached to a large stone house; by tracing the angles of the same, and digging to the very foundation, they found its dimensions to be 23 feet 11 inches, by 36 feet 3 inches, with a wall 15 feet in height, constructed with doors and windows according to the strict rules of architecture. At the foundation of this ancient edifice, which appeared to be built with much taste, was found relics of house-hold furniture, such as broken pieces of earthen pots, &c. which showed the arts of civilized life were well understood by the inhabitants of this antique dwelling place of human beings.
In Cincinnati, when excavating the earth, at the first settlement of that place, 27 feet below the surface was found an artificial peach and pear, cut out of stone, with a complete imitation of the stem and blossom end, which proved beyond the possibility of a doubt, that the skill of some human being had been exerted in imitation of nature's beautiful works.
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THE EVENING AND THE MORNING STAR.
THE PROGRESS OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST.
From time to time, as we receive intelligence from our brethren who are preaching the fulness [fullness] of the gospel of Jesus Christ, that the elect may be gathered from every nation, kindred, tongue, and people; that the captivity of Jacob's tents may return, and his children be planted in the land of their promised inheritance; that the wicked may be warned of the judgments which God will send forth unto victory, if they repent not; yea, from time to time, if our brethren continue to send up to Zion, an account of what they do in their missions, we shall lay before the disciples, and the world, the progress of the church of Christ.
Notwithstanding some who have fallen away, and some of the world, who have not the Spirit of God to discern what the Lord is doing for the righteous, that, according to the words of Isaiah, he may bring again Zion, have written letters, and are publishing THEIR OPINIONS against the gathering of the saints to the land of Zion, still the work of the Lord goes on, according to his word, and, not only Gentiles, which seek to the standard, but the sons of Joseph, come up and settle down where they mean to watch for the day when the Son of Man will come down in heaven, and reign with them a thousand years.
It may be well to remark in this place, for the benefit of the public, that in proportion as the judgments of the Lord, are poured out upon the wicked, the church of Christ flourishes, and the righteous are gathered; and when they are gathered, instead of becoming a common stock family, as has been said, or of making preparations to become rich in the goods of this world, as is supposed, each man receives a warranty deed securing to himself and heirs, his inheritance in fee simple forever; and all, after having embraced the fulness [fullness] of the gospel, the everlasting covenant to be saved, prepare for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, being in fellowship in a determination that is fixed, immovable and unchangeable to be friends and brethren through the grace of God, in the bonds of love, to walk in all the commandments of God blameless, in thanksgiving forever and ever.
Nor shall we deny, that in proportion as the church increases, we find the words of the Lord fulfilled, where he says, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: which when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away: even so, many come to Zion, that can not abide the law of God, and they go again into the world: hence comes many reports. But thanks be to God, his work goes on; the elect hear his voice and harden not their hearts, and though there are many called and but few chosen; and though there will be foolish virgins among the wise until the Savior comes, the righteous, those who are determined to keep the commandments, and endure to the end, can say like Job of old: I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, YET IN MY FLESH SHALL I SEE GOD. To show the progress of the church of Christ more fully, we make a few extracts of letters received from the elders abroad.
Kirtland, April 13, 1833.
Brethren, agreeable to your request, which we saw in the Star, we will relate the dealings of God with us since the 15th of January, when we left this place for Pennsylvania, where we have been laboring for the space of twelve weeks, in laying before the children of men the new and everlasting covenant, that is established in these last days, and the fulness [fullness] of the gospel of Christ Jesus unto the Gentiles.
The Lord is carrying on a great work in this place, and has made us strong and valiant in the testimony of Jesus in breaking down prejudice and superstition, and holding forth the gospel in its true light; and numbers were pricked to the heart and began to flock under the banner of King Jesus: and God has made us the happy instruments of baptizing between seventy and eighty souls, the most of whom are rejoicing in their Redeemer. Thus we see how the Lord prospers his church and builds up his Zion in these last days, which makes the highminded Pharisee persecute and raise his puny arm against the works of God: but we rejoice that God is making bare his arm among the nations, and showing forth his matchless power: for the stone cut out of the mountain has began to roll, and will proceed until it fills the earth with the glory of God, as the waters cover the seas; and Jesus shall reign King of nations as he does now King of saints; when the meek shall inherit the earth, and the saints of God shall take the kingdom and possess it forever.
When parties, sects and names shall fall,
And Jesus Christ be all in all.
We understand the work continues to roll on at the east, and we expect soon to bend our course thither, in hopes to attend a conference in Bath, New Hampshire, on the eighth of June. Yours in Christ, &c. JOHN F. BOYNTON,
EVAN M. GREENE
Another letter from Kirtland, under date of April 21, 1833, says: We have just received a letter from brother Sidney. He has built up a church in Medina county of eight members, and there is a prospect of more.
Another under date of May 2, 1833, says: Brother Sidney has just returned from his mission, and has baptized sixteen.
Windsor, Ohio, May 6, 1833.
Dear brethren in Christ, I, for the first time, take up my pen to give you a general account of my travels. On the eleventh of March, 1832, I started with brother Luke Johnson unto the south country, and on the twenty second, we left our brethren at Shalersville, and began to preach and baptize, and arrived at Windsor, Lawrence county, Ohio, on the ninth of May, having witnessed several instances of the Lord's healing power. At this place we built up a church, which made in all that we had baptized, fifty three members.
I then returned to Kirtland with brother Luke, and moved my family unto this church, where I now reside. Since brother Luke left me, brother Fisher and I, have built up two churches more; and brother Zerubbabel Snow, and brother A. Lyman, have built up one about thirty miles from this, of ten members. The heavenly Father has wrought several special miracles by my hands, and the cause of Christ is more and more extending in this place; and opposition is falling under truth.
The Evening and the Morning Star is doing much good here. Please send me two more papers.
Great is the excitement in these parts about the book of Mormon, and Zion on the earth. The sectarian clergy are making every exersion [exertion] in their power, to prevent people from believing it; and when they find that truth and the word of the Lord, will not support their argument, their recourse is to try to scare the people, by telling them that the Mormons, as they call them, are building a wall around a certain quantity of land, where they put all that go there, for slaves to the elders. One man said that when he was moving from the state of Illinois, he met several wagons, loaded with coffins, filled with guns and ammunition &c. This man is an official member of a certain church.
Brother Phelps, please give us some hints on the situation of Zion, in the Star, from time to time.-[We would remark, that there are no walls in Zion, nor stone, except here and there a quarry of lime stone, for such purposes. No coffins filled with arms and ammunition have arrived here since the gathering commenced, but we learn from our exchange papers, that in many places abroad, coffins have been buried, filled with the bodies of those that died of the cholera and other plagues.-EDITOR.]
O my dear brethren and sisters, you have reached that consecrated spot to which we are all bound in heart, and which we hope to enjoy with you, and the remnant of the house of Israel; yea, the blessing of beholding our Savior together, face to face, and celebrate his praise forever.
O my dear brethren, you all know our situation; many of the elders have witnessed our trials: therefore, pray for us that are absent from the land of the Lord, for as yet we can not come up to Zion, for there are many precious souls, that have not yet obeyed, nay, not even heard the truth. The worth of souls calls for our labors; yea, God's house must be filled, and the glory of the celestial kingdom calls for it.
O ye elders in Zion, ye children of that sacred land, raise your prayers to the heavenly Father, for us, for trouble is on every hand. Fire consumes a block in this city, and a block in that. Well might the prophet say, that there should be signs in the heavens, and on the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.
O that the Lord would make bare his arm, and bring in that happy day, when Christ shall come in the clouds of heaven. The time is nigh, and the wickedness of the people, is great. The fields are white already to harvest, and Babylon will soon realize her destruction; and while we realize that the Lord has said, that he will spare none that remain in her, how can we hold our peace? God forbid.
Then let us awake, my brethren, for the time is at hand when we can do them no good. So let Zion's watchmen all awake, and begin, from that sacred land, with the press, to send forth the sacred truth, that holy light, that the Lord has committed unto us, that the earth may be filled with his knowledge, as the waters cover the face of the great deep: so that all that are spared, shall know him, and rejoice in a glorious resurrection: when the angel shall proclaim: Hail ye sons of Zion! hail ye blessed messengers of peace! And when the saints of Enoch's city,
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shall say: We are made kings and priests unto our God, and are coming to reign with you on the earth!
When Michael's trump shall sound,
And Enoch's church descend,
We'll stand on Zion's holy ground,
And welcome Christ our Friend.
Your brother in the Lord. SEYMOUR BRUNSON.
ISRAEL WILL BE GATHERED.
In the forepart of the last month, about three hundred and sixty Indians, of the Kickapoos and Pottowattamies, pitched their tents on the east before this town, and tarried one night. They were on their way to the place assigned them for the land of their inheritance, being gathered by the government of the United States, fulfilling that scripture spoken by the mouth of Isaiah, which says, Behold thus saith the Lord God, I will lift up my hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people: and they shall bring they [thy?] sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders.
Their agent remarked that "they drunk no spiritous [spirituous] liquors," and those who saw them can bear testimony that they were quiet and inoffensive, and different from many other tribes that have been gathered.
They have a prophet, in whom they place great confidence, and he instructs them that the day is nigh, when the Great Father will send his Son on the earth: then [as he says] white man and red man be one.
Their idea of what is to come to pass in the last days, the resurrection of the righteous, and their living on earth with the Lord while wickedness ceases to trouble the saints, seems to be very correct as far as we could ascertain. They are very devout apparently, and pray night and morning; yea, even children and all.-They have two flat sticks about one foot long, tied together, on which are several characters, which, they say, the Great Father gave to their prophet, and mean as much as a large book. They say one of these sticks, is for the old book that white man has, [the bible] the other for the new book, [the book of Mormon] white man has it written on paper, Great Father writes it in red man's heart.
They seem to pray from these sticks-and worship on the Sabbath with great solemnity, commencing with a salutation from the greatest or oldest to the least that can walk, and ending with the same token of friendship. Should we have time to make them a visit, we may be more particular hereafter.
With such a confirmation of the power of God unto the salvation of Israel, we can say,
O Israel, O Israel! in all your abidings,
Prepare for your Lord when you hear these glad tidings.
We can also turn to the words that were written in the book by Jeremiah, For lo, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the Lord: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it. Thus we may read the sure word of the Lord, and rejoice.
Yea, we can behold the elect of the Lord gathering, as sheaves into the barn.-From north to south, from east to west, the voice of the Lord, is, Come out of her, O my people.
This is a glorious day for them that believe: they can see that the Lord has begun to bring again the captivity of Jacob's tents, and have mercy on his dwelling places: that their children may now be as aforetime, and their congregations established before the Lord forever.
Men may try to be ignorant of the great doings of the Lord now passing before their eyes, but the hour is near when they will be revealed in the ears of all living, with his own voice, that will not only cause the earth to tremble, but the heavens will shake also, and none can stop his mighty work, or stay his hand, that Israel shall not be gathered.
From Arkansas to the Missouri, the remnants are gathering together in rapid succession, and all, as far as we have been able to ascertain, have an idea that the Great Spirit is about to do something great and good for the red man.
On the subject of the remnants of the Israelites now inhabiting this continent, Nephi thus writes, in the book of Mormon: And now, I would prophesy somewhat more concerning the Jews and the Gentiles. For after the book of which I have spoken, shall come forth and be written unto the Gentiles, and be sealed up again unto the Lord, there shall be many which shall believe the words which are written, and they shall carry them forth unto the remnant of our seed. And then shall the remnant of our seed know concerning us, how that we came out from Jerusalem, and that they are a descendant of the Jews. And the gospel of Jesus Christ shall be declared among them: wherefore, they shall be restored unto the knowledge of their fathers, and also to the knowledge of Jesus Christ, which was had among their fathers. And then shall they rejoice: for they shall know that it is a blessing unto them from the hand of God: and their scales of darkness shall begin to fall from their eyes; and many generations shall not pass away among them, save they shall be a white and a delightsome people.
Arrangements have been made by the General Government, to settle all the remnants of the northern Indians, near lake Winnebago, west of the Michigan.-The middle and southern state's Indians, with the exception of the Cherokees, (and arrangements are said to be making for their removal) are to locate west of the Missouri and Arkansas.
And it affords us great joy to see the work of the gathering go on so rapidly. In fact, thus far the gathering of the remnants of Joseph, have far exceeded our expectations, and it is much more than that of the Gentiles: but God is merciful, and we hope and pray, that while he is pleading with the inhabitants of the earth, with judgments, that thousands will repent and live.
The time is short for the Gentiles; not a moment should be lost. It is the time to save men's souls, and that too, by righteousness; and we do intreat men to behold for themselves, the great things that are passing before their eyes. See the sons of Joseph, [the Indians] gathered by Government; view the distress of nations; pray for deliverance while the destroying angel spreads the pestilence over the whole earth, and then mark the perfect man, for the end of that man is peace.
N. B. The following is a representation of the characters upon the sticks mentioned above, as near as we can make them. On the sticks, they are sunk into the wood, and inserted three times. They are simple and rude.
[See characters on page 101 in hard copy]
THE GREAT DAY APPROACHES.
No one can hide from the signs of the times, who has made himself acquainted with the holy scriptures. No one can hesitate, or even doubt, but that the crisis is near at hand that will try men's souls, who has searched faithfully the sacred record that was given by inspiration. Every thing seems to whisper: The great day approaches. In a paper that professes to serve the Lord, we find these words:
"The world is in travail; a new age is soon to be born; and the great regeneration is at hand. The parchments, the leagues and covenants that bind the nations in the social and unsocial compact, are moth-eaten."
Another, that labors to show that the Lord will soon set up that government, which will never end; as Daniel saw the stone which was cut out of the mountain fill the whole earth, says:
It would seem by the following extracts from a late Circular letter of the Pope, that the troubles and miseries of the fifth vial are beginning to be very sensibly felt. The worst, however, is yet to come, and come it shortly will, when they will gnaw their tongues for pain-and then, after a time, the three evil spirits will go forth unto the kings of the earth, and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day, when infidelity and the liberal principles now prevailing in Europe, and which will hereafter much more prevail and establish themselves, will be put down with a most cruel vengeance.
Again: A person writing on the subject of the Millennium, in a sectarian paper, says: I have no party interest to promote-will never have. I do firmly believe (from prophecy and "the signs of the times") the world to be approaching the most important crisis, ever known since time began. The world, and especially the church, is to be a theatre [theater] of the most tremendous judgments.
TREES, herbs, flowers, and grain, were made for the use and benefit of man: and that, too, that he might not waste flesh. In support of this read the revelations of the Lord, and compare them with such evidence as follows, from the New York-Courier and Enquirer:-Our Country.-Mr. Editor: I this morning saw a specimen of beautiful oil, extracted from Cotton Seed. It is as limped as water, I have seen it burn, and no one can discover a difference between it and the best hard winter strained oil, for machinery, it can not but be superior to Olive oil, being perfectly free from glutinous particles; as a paint oil it has properties beyond the common Linseed, the oil cake is more nutritious for cattle than Linseed oil cake, and the sediment makes the best of Printing ink.
This article being indigenous to this country, I hope it will be patronized by our citizens. HOWARD.
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THE SECOND VOLUME.
This number commences the second volume of the Star, and as our friends have sustained this paper by their patronage the past year, we hope they will do so the present.
The volume that has closed, was devoted principally, to the work of the Lord, and the present will continue the same, with his assistance, that the world may know of the judgements [judgments] to come: That the saints may stand in holy places, and escape the desolations that will overtake all that do not repent and turn to the Lord: That Israel may come to the knowledge of the Savior and be gathered to the land of his inheritance: And that them that are gathered, may have the revelations of the Lord, that they may keep his commandments, that the converts of Zion may be redeemed with righteousness, and be samples to all nations, that the Lord is here.
The time has arrived, when them that mean to be saved, must save themselves, by keeping the commandments of the Lord. The pestilence wastes at noon-day, and none but the righteous will the destroying angel pass over. When saints pray God hears, and in this way the world at large may see that the meek are spared.
THE SEASON.
With little exception the inhabitants of this section of country, have had the pleasure of improving one of the most glorious seasons, known for a long time. Counting time as anciently, we have had the former aud [and] latter rain moderately in the first month, and also in the second month. Wheat is fine, and will begin to be harvested by the middle of this month. Much corn has been planted, and it has seldom looked better.
With the prospect of harvest so near, knowing that northern corn planted about the middle of June will have time to get ripe, we can exclaim in the language of Amos: Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that the ploughman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt.
And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them.
And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the Lord thy God.
June 1, 1833.
ALL FLESH.
In the beginning, after man was created, the Lord spake unto him, saying, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree in the which shall be the fruit of a tree yielding seed, to you it shall be for meat; and to every beast of the earth; and to every fowl of the air; and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein I grant life, there shall be given every clean herb for meat: and it was so. And he looked upon all things which he had made, and they were good.
But, before the flood, God looked upon the earth, and behold, it was corrupt: for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth, and he destroyed all flesh except what was preserved in the Ark with Noah and his family.
Soon after the flood, flesh began to corrupt his way again upon the earth, men again became wicked, and departed from the law of the Lord, by defiling themselves in his sight, and lest they might be scattered abroad upon the whole earth, began to build a city and a tower, to make them a great name. And the Lord divided the earth, came down and confounded the language of men, and scattered them upon the face of all the earth.
Let us leave men scattered upon the face of the whole earth for many generations, and see what the Lord says shall come to pass in the last days, by the mouth of Joel. And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.
Again Isaiah says: The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.-And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice's den.
There is something beyond expression, cheers the heart of the saint, while contemplating such a happy day to come, when every thing will be turned to its proper use: the Spirit of God upon all flesh will cause all to fill the place of its creation, as to the day when all was named by Adam in the garden of Eden.
The people of the Lord may rejoice, for the time will soon come, when they shall build houses and inhabit them, and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labor in vain, nor bring forth trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the Lord, and their offspring with them.
And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat.-They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the Lord.
When these days come, every thing will be in its place. The beasts of the field, and the fowls of the air, instead of feeding upon flesh, will feed upon the herb and the grain, as was given them in the beginning. Then man will not shed the blood of his fellow man, nor beast the blood of its fellow beast, nor fowl the blood of its fellow fowl; but the Spirit of the Lord will be poured out upon all flesh, the curse be taken from off the earth, when it will become an inheritance for the poor and the meek, when their will be peace thereon and good will towards man.
GREAT EVENTS.
In the first thousand years, was witnessed the fall of man; the building up of Zion, when Enoch with all his people, walked with God three hundred and sixty five years on earth, and then were taken up into heaven.
In the second thousand years, the world was deluged with a flood for its wickedness; the tower was built that men might go to heaven; the language was confounded; the earth divided into continents and oceans; the people scattered upon the face of the whole earth; and America was peopled by the Jaredites.
In the third thousand years, Pharaoh and his host were swallowed up in the Red Sea; Israel, the chosen of the Lord, was overshadowed by his glory in a cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by night; and the building of the temple of the Lord at Jerusalem.
In the fourth thousand years, the ten tribes of Israel were led away captive out of the land of Canaan, and taken to a place by the hand of the Lord that has not yet been discovered by the Gentiles; the Jaredites were destroyed because of their wickedness; Lehi was guided by the matchless power of God to this continent.
In the fifth thousand years, the Savior of the world was born, crucified, and rose again from the dead; the most of the apostles were slain for preaching the gospel; and Jerusalem was destroyed.
In the sixth thousand years, America, the land of liberty, choice above all others, was settled by the Gentiles; the fulness [fullness] of the gospel of Jesus Christ came forth in the book of Mormon, the church established, and the gathering of the saints, commenced, preparatory to the second coming of their Lord, that in the seventh thousand years the earth may rest.
LETTERS RECEIVED.
Since our last letters have been received: five from Kirtland Mills, and one from Windsor, Ohio; one from Cannonsville, New-York; one from Liberty, and one from Columbia, Missouri.
PRAYER FOR RAIN,
Written by his Imperial Majesty, Taoukwang, and offered up on the 28th day of the sixth month of the 12th year of his reign July 25th, A. D. 1832.
"Kneeling, a memorial is hereby presented, to cause affairs to be heard.
"Oh, alas! Imperial heaven, were not the world afflicted by extraordinary changes, I would not dare to present extraordinary services. But this year the drought is most unusual. Summer is past and no rain has fallen. Not only do agriculture and human beings feel the dire calamity; but also beasts and insects, herbs and trees, almost cease to live.
"I, the minister of Heaven, are placed over mankind, and are responsible for keeping the world in order, and tranquilizing the people. Although it is now impossible for me to sleep or eat with composure; although I am scorched with grief, and tremble with anxiety; still, after all, no genial and copious showers have been obtained.
"Some days ago, I fasted, and offered rich sacrifices on the alters of the gods of the land and the grain; and had to be thankful for gathering clouds and slight showers; but not enough to cause gladness.
"Looking up, I consider that Heaven's heart is benevolence and love. The sole cause is the daily deeper atrocity of my sins; but little sincerity and little devotion. Hence I have been unable to move Heaven's heart and bring down abundant blessings.
"Having respectfully searched the records, I find, that, in the 24th year of Keenlung, my Imperial grandfather, the high, honorable, and pure Emperor, reverently performed a 'great snow service.' I feel impelled, by ten thousand considerations, to look up and imitate the usage, and with trembling anxiety, rashly assail heaven, examine myself, and consider my errors: looking up, and hoping that I may obtain pardon. I ask myself-whether, in sacrificial services, I have
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been disrespectful ? Whether or not pride and prodigality have had a place in my heart, springing up there unobserved? Whether, from the length of time, I have become remiss in attending to the affairs of government; and have been unable to attend to them with that serious diligence, strenuous effort, which I ought? Whether I have used irreverent words, and have deserved reprehension? Whether perfect equity has been attained in conferring rewards, or inflicting punishments? Whether, in raising mausoleums and laying out gardens, I have distressed the people and wasted property? Whether in the appointment of officers I have failed to obtain fit persons, and thereby the acts of government have been petty and vexatious to the people? Whether punishment have been unjustly inflicted or not? Whether the oppressed have found nom eans [no means] of appeal? Whether in persecuting heterodox sects, the innocent have not been involved? Whether or not the magistrates have insulted the people, and refused to listen to their affairs? Whether in the successive military operations on the western frontiers, there may have been the horrors of human slaughter, for the sake of Imperial rewards? Whether the largesses bestowed on the afflicted southern provinces were properly applied; or the people were left to die in the ditches? Whether the efforts to exterminate or pacify the rebellious mountaineers of Hoonan and Canton were properly conducted; or whether they led to the inhabitants being trampled on as mire or ashes? To all these topics, to which my anxieties have been directed, I ought to lay the plumb-line, and strenuously endeavor to correct what is wrong; still recollecting that there may be faults which have not occurred to me in my meditations.
Prostrate I beg Imperial Heaven, Hwvng Teen, to pardon my ignorence [ignorance] and stupidity; and to grant me self-renovation; for myriads of innocent people, are involved by me a single man. My sins are so numerous, it is difficult to escape from them. Summer is past and autumn arrived; to wait longer will really be impossible. Knocking head, I pray Imperial Heaven, to hasten and confer gracious deliverance-a speedy and divinely beneficial rain-to save the people's lives; and in some degree redeem my iniquities! Oh-Alas! Imperial heaven, observe these things! Oh-Alas! Imperial Heaven, be gracious to them. I am inexpressibly grieved, alarmed, & frightened. Reverently this memorial is presented."
-> REMARKS. The above prayer of the Emperor of China, is given, that the saints may know the agitation, and troubles, in the far East.
We have nothing to say of the Emperor, or his prayer, knowing that the Lord is not well pleased with those that find fault with their fellow creatures.
We expect to see many strange things in these last days. Before the great day comes, the Lord says: There shall be a great hailstorm sent forth to destroy the crops of the earth: and it shall come to pass, because of the wickedness of the world, that I will take vengeance upon the wicked, for they will not repent: for the cup of mine indignation is full; for, behold my blood shall not cleanse them if they repent not: wherefore, I will send forth flies upon the face of the earth, which shall take hold of the inhabitants thereof, and shall eat their flesh, and shall cause maggots to come in upon them, and their tongues shall be stayed that they shall not utter against me, and their flesh shall fall from off their bones, and their eyes from their sockets: and it shall come to pass, that the beasts of the forests, and the fowls of the air, shall devour them up.
ALL MUST COME TO PASS, BUT THE END IS NOT YET.
In order to give the signs of the times, we continue to glean a few of the many accidents, troubles, calamities &c. for the benefit of them that believe, that all must come to pass, which was spoken by the Lord, before the end shall come.
AWFUL CATASTROPHE.-We learn that on Wednesday evening last, William Brown of this county, while under the influence of whiskey, ordered his wife and children to leave his house, stating at the time that he intended to set it on fire, and thereby consume his own body; he then assisted his wife in removing part of their furniture out of the house, after which, he commenced putting coals of fire into a straw bed which he had placed in one corner for that purpose, and then taking his jug, he sat down with it, near the bed and there remained until the flames consumed him!-[Mo. Courier.]
An extra from the Batavia N. Y. Times and press, gives an account of a heavy fire which occurred in that village on the 18th of April. Nine or ten buildings were destroyed.
FIRE AT MONTREAL.-We are indebted to the editor of the Montreal Herald for the following particulars of the alarming and destructive fire which occurred at Montreal on the evening of the 24th. [Editor Cour. & Enq.]
To the Editor of the Courier and Enquirer:-
HERALD OFFICE,}
MONTREAL, April 25, 1833.}
Dear Sir:-The British American Hotel in this city, was burnt to the ground last evening. The Messrs. Herrmanns' were about giving a concert at 8 o'clock. The large ball room, capable of holding 500 people, was prepared and the anteroom to it, had been previously decorated with branches in imitation of an arbor, in which Captain Back the previous evening received the company who attended the dinner given to him by the citizens of Montreal. About a quarter before eight variegated lamps were lighted, and in an instant the boughs, which were left from the previous evening and perfectly dry, caught fire and presented, before you had time for reflection one mass of flame. Capt. Luckin, formerly of the fire department of this city, instantly closed the large folding doors, and we had no means of escape but by the windows, which were four stories high in the rear and three stories in the front. There were at this period only 4 gentleman and about 27 ladies present. The cries and shrieks were appalling. The flames soon burst into the room with an indescribable fierceness, while we were expecting instant death. At this critical moment a ladder was raised to one of the front windows, and miraculously we all escaped. Had it occurred a quarter of an hour later there would have probably been three hundred persons in the room, and in that case, few could have been saved. Nothing but the walls are standing. Insurance about $42,800, upon the building and furniture. The consternation in the city was indescribable: knowing that so many lives were exposed-but we have not heard of any one having perished. Some have peen [been] severely burnt, amongst whom, we hear is one of the Herrmans. I write in great haste, with a mind horrified by the scene, and thankful for the escape of myself and family.
I am, dear Sir, respectfully yours.
GREAT FIRE IN NEW-YORK.-On the first of May a great fire happened in the city of New-York. There was, says the Courier and Enquirer,
Not less than one hundred houses destroyed and certainly five hundred families thrown out of a home. When we left the spot, at 3 o'clock, the fire was still raging and its ravages may have extended still further, though we are in hopes, as around it was little else than vacant spots, that the devastation is at an end.
The wind was high, and the engines played with little apparent effect. Kipp & Brown, we are told, have lost upwards of forty horses, and the greater part of their stages. The streets in the vicinity were filled with the furniture of the inmates of the houses consumed. One woman, it is said, lost her life.
This is the third fire in this city within a few weeks.
CUMBERLAND BURNT.-About 75 houses were lately destroyed by fire, in Cumberland, Md. It is said to be one of the most distressing fires known this spring.
MATANZAS-.The Cholera is raging here with much fury; it is impossible to form any correct opinion of its fury; its ravages, although I have endeavored to do so-I even question whether the Government itself has returns of the number of interments; of the number of cases I know it has not, for I heard one of the most eminent physicians say to-day, he had not had time to report for a week past. Business is almost paralyzed, and all who could leave the city have done so; there are some cases in the country some plantations have suffered severely.
Two cargoes of slaves, (over 1000) arrived a few days since; one of them landed her cargo south of this (Matanzas) on the other side, all of whom died, although landed in perfect health; and the other, a few leagues to leeward of this, the most of whom are dead, and the residue dying.
I received a letter to-day from Havana, dated the 10th ult. which states, that the number of the deaths by Cholera the day before, was only 10-but adds, that it had broken out on the estates to the southward, and unless soon checked, must ruin the planters.-[Newport Mercury.]
Galignani's Paris Messenger, of the 11th ultimo, says-"Adultery, incest, murder and suicide; all the vices and crimes by which social life can be profaned, form the leading incidents in nearly every work of amusement! that has, for any length of time issued from the Parisian press." This is unquestionably true.-The new popular novels, the memoirs and the favorite melodramas of Paris, beggar all description of their depravity.
The brig Cambrian, Capt. Goodhue, arrived at this port on Saturday from Buenos Ayres [Aires], whence she sailed on the 1st of February. Capt. Goodhue reports that the English had taken possession of the Falkland Islands, previous to which the garrison mutinied and murdered the Governor. The garrison had arrived at Buenos Ayres [Aires]. The Buenos Ayreans [Arians] were much exasperated against the British for this act as they were previously against the Americans.-[Boston Gaz.]
ROMAN CATHOLICS.-This sect has increased rapidly in Great Britain. In Manchester, which a few years ago numbered only seventy, there are now 42,000 members of this church. Many other large towns show a similar increase.-They have eleven colleges and thirty-five seminaries in the island.
A gentlemen who left Fort Gibson, about a week since, for Arkansas, is said by the Gazette of that place, to have brought information that the U. S. Commissioners anticipated the speedy conclusion of a treaty with the Osages for all their country west of Arkansas, and for their removal, some two hundred miles N. W. of Fort Gibson, towards the Rocky Mountains. The Arkansas Gazette says it is possible that the evacuated country will be offered to the Georgian Cherokees, on condition of their ceding their country in that state to the United States.
IRELAND.-The Irish are somewhat rebellious, for the number of troops in Ireland by the British government, is something like twenty-eight thousand, about a fourth part of their whole standing army.
FROM CHINA.-By the ship Florida, Capt. Howland, we have received Canton papers to December 10. We have also the Chinese Repository for November, which is published at the close of the month:
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THE REBELLION.-On the 16th of November, reports reached Canton from Governor Loo, at Leeachow, saying, that the mountainers [mountaineers] had broken forth again in all directions, plundering and murdering the people. Heengin the imperial commissioner ordered two forts to be built, on two commanding hills, to awe those who had recently been in rebellion. But the highlanders waited till the commissioners had set off for Pekin, and the troops were withdrawn to Canton, when they assembled, and attacked the workmen; and after putting them to death, laid their works to ruins.
It is further rumored, that a large party of banditti in the neighborhood of Sanlhow, a little eastward of the late seat of the insurrection, have commenced resistance to the government, under the appellation of the Yangteefan association; or "iron bar political union."-[Journal of Commerce.]
ST. CROIX-The island has been almost ruined by excessive drought. It has not rained for a moment since the first week in Jan. Rum has advanced more than $4 a puncheon, in consequence of the demand for Europe. Sugars are selling for cash at $5.
JAMAICA.-A vast depreciation seems to have taken place, in the value of property in the island of Jamaica. The estate of Temple Hall, with two hundred and forty negroes, which cost, a few years since, fifty thousand pounds, was recently put up at auction, and no bid was made of more than eight thousand. The coffee plantation of Pleasant Hill, which had two hundred and sixty-nine negroes, and cost L100,000, was also offered at auction, and bought in, only L10,000, having been bid for it. These are said to be fair specimens of the general deprecation of estates in the islands.
ST. CHRISTOPHER.-The inhabitants of this town, and indeed of the Island generally, have been kept in a dreadful state of alarm and anxiety since Friday night last, the 8th of February, by an awful and appalling visitation of Divine Providence. On Friday night a few minutes after 8 o'clock a tremendous shock of earthquake, resembling rather a violent explosion, was felt here, and such was its force and violence, and long continuation, as to create the most fearful anxiety in the minds of all for their safety, instant destruction being apprehended. This was succeeded, soon after by two more shocks of slight duration, and about nine o'clock, another severe shock was experienced, nearly as severe as the first; and during the whole of that night, with little cessation, the shocks continued to agitate the town, and to increase the alarm and fears of the terrified inhabitants, several of whom left their abodes to escape the imminent danger, which, from the rocking of the houses particularly the stone buildings, they were threatened with, and remained in the open streets until morning-many others quitted their houses and repaired to the fields. The distressing cries, and deafning [deafening] screeches of the affrighted negroes-the terror of families who hastily assembled together; the shrieks of the prisoners in Jail, whose voices were distinctly heard among the confusion, calling for mercy by releasing them-had such an effect as baffles all description!-the situation of all in fact can be better conceived than described!-Early on the morning of Saturday, some more shocks were felt, but they having ceased for a few hours the terror of the inhabitants had in some measure subsided, until about 4 o'clock; in the interval of a few seconds each, took place, the last very severe, and about as violent as the second severe shock on the night preceding. This renewed the alarm-the stores which had been opened, were immediately closed-and some of the inhabitants went on board the vessels in the harbour [harbor], preferring to trust their safety to the uncertain waves, rather than to remain on shore, considering the latter more unsafe; others preparing to follow their example if shocks continued. No other was felt, until about 8 o'clock at night, and another at four in the morning of Sunday. About a quarter after six on Sunday morning, a smart shock was felt, and during that day and night there were several slight.-It is gratifying to be enabled to state that all the places of public worship both on the forenoon and evening of Sunday, were thronged with immense congregations among whom was a considerable number of the lower orders, whose minds seemed impressed with the awful visitation-all imploring that God, who, in the midst of his judgments, always exercise his attribute of Mercy! On Monday morning about half past 3 another severe shock was felt, and from that time there having been several slight shocks, making a period of seven nights and seven days from the commencement of these appalling occurrences. The sea during the whole period, was much agitated; there was a swell from the southward, and the noise from the sea, as well as that which proceeded the shocks of earthquakes, resembled the firing of cannon or the murmur of distant thunder. Yesterday morning the sea became perfectly calm, and we were blessed with a few light showers of rain-after which about half past nine o'clock, a smart shock was felt and at ten last night and four this morning, there was a slight shock, and during the last night, we had a few light showers of rain. We were again much alarmed by a smart shock, about 11 o'clock this forenoon.
The injury done to the Buildings in Basseterre is very great-there is scarcely a stone building or store we think, that has not been injured in some degree; and several old walls and chimneys have been thrown down. The Church, the Wesleyan Chapel, the Jail, the Custom House, the Reading Room, the Tavern, have all received damage, and several private dwelling Houses have been so shaken as to cause the walls to separate in many places. The Parish Church of St. Thomas, Middle Island, has suffered materially.
A considerable quantity of bottled liquor was destroyed by the first shock of earthquake-the value, supposed to be some hundred pounds sterling.
CHOLERA IN IRELAND-Never, says a letter from Limrick of the 15th of March, "was there any thing like the state of the surrounding country. The Cholera has spread all around. The Reverend Mr. Noonan, Curate of Knockany, was here to day to purchase coffins, there not being hands enough in that place to make them.-At Hospital, to-day, the parish priest and twelve of his flock were dead of Cholera. Forty persons were attacked last night with the pestilence, out of which the above number fell victims to its fury. Poor Dr. O'Connel said mass yesterday, and appeared to be in excellent health. The manner of his death (being taken off in three or four hours,) has created a general feeling of regret and consternation through the surrounding country. Killmallock, too, is nearly as bad. Bruree is totally deserted. Fedamore attacked at all points; the Reverend Mr. M'Carthy, the parish priest, and his coadjutor, have been called out of bed to attend the sick and the dying, eleven nights in succession. In short the panic through the country far exceeds any thing within the memory of man."
Kilmurry, Ibraikane, and Seafield, in the county of Clare, have been likewise visited with the disease, and as if to provoke its rage, the deluded inhabitants refuse to go to the hospital, where every necessary is provided, but perish in their own miserable dwellings. Upwards of 60 deaths out of seventy three attacks, have occurred in Killmallock. Of those who were effected, seven remain under treatment, only six have recovered. In several other places in that part of the Kingdom the disease was extending.
Bombay papers to the fifth of December have been received at Salem. One of them says:-With deep sorrow we learn from the Bengal papers, that the people of Cuttack in the district of Balasore, are suffering the utmost distress for want of food in consequence of the destruction of their crops by an inundation which occurred in October, 1831. About two hundred people are already said to have died of starvation, and the survivors are said to be suffering all the horrors of famine. Many distinguished English gentleman, and some worthy and compassionate Hindoos [Hindu's], and other native residents of Calcutta, have made a subscription, and bought a quantity of rice, which they have sent to Cuttack, to be distributed gratis among the poor people. The government also had despatched a small ship laden with the same article,-not, however to be given way, in charity, to the starving population, but to be sold at prime cost!
THE JEWS.-The Restoration of the Jews to the city of Jerusalem and to their long lost and lovely country that "flowed with milk and honey," it is said, is about becoming a very serious point of consideration among the cabinets of Europe.-The complicated state of Turkish affairs, and the dread that Russia may acquire a footing on the Bosphorus and Asia Minor, have led the cabinets of Europe to inquire into the propriety of establishing an independent sovereign in Palestine, as they have already done in Greece.
CHINA.-The first specimen of an Anglo Chinese Kalendar and Register has been published in China for the year 1832. According to this authority, the population returns of the celestial empire, in 1813, amounted to 362 millions; of which number the capital, Pekin, alone, is said to contain five millions.
SONGS OF ZION.
MY soul is full of peace and love, The happy day has rolled on,
I soon shall see Christ from above; The glorious period now has come;
And angels too, the hallow'd throng, The angel sure has come again
Shall join with me in holy song. To introduce Messiah's reign.
The Spirit's power has sealed my peace, The gospel trump again is heard,
And fill'd my soul with heav'nly grace; The truth from darkness has appear'd;
Transported I, with peace and love, The lands which long in darkness lay,
Am waiting for the throngs above. Have now beheld a glorious day.
Prepare my heart, prepare my tongue, The day by prophets long foretold;
To join this glorious, heav'nly throng: The day which Abra'm did behold;
To hail the Bridegroom from above, The day that saints desire long,
And join the band in songs of love. When God his strange work would perform.
Let all my pow'rs of mind combine The day when saints again should hear
To hail my Savior all divine; The voice of Jesus in their ear,
To hear his voice, attend his call, And angels who above do reign,
And crown him King, and Lord of all. Come down to converse hold with men.
The Evening and the Morning Star
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PRINTING,
OF MOST KINDS, DONE TO ORDER, AND IN STYLE AT THIS OFFICE.
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