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Letters Exhibiting the Most Prominent Doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

by Orson Spencer · English · Gutenberg #45846 · 376,454 chars · public domain (US)

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Title: Letters Exhibiting the Most Prominent Doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Author: Orson Spencer

Contributor: William Crowel


        
Release date: May 31, 2014 [eBook #45846]
                Most recently updated: October 24, 2024

Language: English

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Credits: Produced by the Mormon Texts Project. See
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*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LETTERS EXHIBITING THE MOST PROMINENT DOCTRINES OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS ***

LETTERS

EXHIBITING THE MOST

PROMINENT DOCTRINES

OF THE

CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS.



BY ORSON SPENCER, A.B.,

_President of the Church of Jesus Christ of L.D.S., in Europe_.

IN REPLY

TO THE REV. WILLIAM CROWELL, A.M.,

_Boston, Massachusetts_, U.S.A.



"THE WISE SHALL UNDERSTAND."--Daniel.



LIVERPOOL: PUBLISHED BY ORSON SPENCER,

39, TORBOCK STREET.

1848.



LIVERPOOL: PRINTED BY R. JAMES, SOUTH CASTLE STREET.



CONTENTS

THE AUTHOR'S PREFACE

LETTER FROM THE REV. W. CROWEL A. M.

LETTER I.

GENERAL INTRODUCTORY REMARKS

LETTER II.

IMMEDIATE REVELATION

LETTER III.

ON FAITH

LETTER IV.

ON WATER BAPTISM

LETTER V.

THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST

LETTER VI.

APOSTACY FROM THE PRIMITIVE CHURCH

LETTER VII.

THE RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF AN APOSTOLIC CHURCH

LETTER VIII.

THE TRUE AND LIVING GOD

LETTER IX.

THE PRIESTHOOD

LETTER X.

ON GATHERING

LETTER XI.

THE LATTER-DAY JUDGMENTS

LETTER XII.

ON THE RESTITUTION OF ALL THINGS

LETTER XIII.

MISCELLANEOUS REMARKS ON RESTITUTION

LETTER XIV.

SUMMARY AND FINAL APPEAL

FAREWELL ADDRESS

NIGHT OF MARTYRDOM

DEATH OF THE AUTHOR'S WIFE

LINES, ON READING THE AUTHOR'S FIRST LETTER IN THE SERIES, BY MISS E.
R. SNOW



PREFACE.

The Author has, for some time, felt desirous to see the most prominent
subjects of the faith of Latter-day Saints brought before the public in
continuous order, in one volume.

This series of Letters was called forth by the letter of inquiry
prefixed, from the pen of the Rev. William Crowel. This gentleman was
at the time, and still is (for ought I know) Editor of "_The Christian
Watchman_," Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.--a leading paper of the
Baptist denomination in the United States.

The Editor was also a clergyman of high repute for learning and piety
in that denomination of people, and missionary elect to a foreign
land. From the elevated standing of this gentleman, and the nature of
his inquiries being such as have come from many other distinguished
acquaintance, relative to the author's change of views, it seemed
wisdom, after consultation with the Prophet and Patriarch (since
martyred), to publish a brief reply to his minute and interesting
inquiries.

The author was extensively known in the New England and Middle States,
as a Preacher of the Baptist denomination. Reference for his character
is given to his Excellency George N. Briggs, Governor of the State of
Massachusetts, by whom he was once invited to take the pastoral charge
of the church where his Excellency resided, and of which he was a
member; also to G. Read, Esq., Connecticut, and Eliphalet Nott, D.D.,
L.L.D., President of Union College, New York, under whose Presidency he
graduated in 1824; and also to N. Kendrick D.D., President of Hamilton
Literary and Theological College, from whence the author graduated in
1829. The records of both these institutions will show that the author
held the FIRST grade of honourable distinction at the time he left them.

These references are not given from vanity, but from the fact that
almost every man's character is traduced and villified, the moment he
embraces the _faith_ once delivered to the Saints.

The present volume constitutes the third re-print, several thousand
copies having been exhausted in a tract form, the present edition, in
book form, was repeatedly inquired after.

The edition has been got out in the midst of multiplied engagements.
Truth in studied brevity has been aimed at, without seeking the least
embellishment of diction.

If there has, in part of the volume, been the appearance of severity
towards the religions of modern Christianity, it has been prompted
solely by the impulse of truth, in order to demolish error, before the
Destroyer of the Gentiles should expose iniquity with irretrievable
loss to its victims.

Scripture references have been studiously omitted, believing that
honest minds would readily find ample support from the scriptures
for all that is contained in this little volume. It is, therefore,
commended to the faith and cordial reception of all who desire the
salvation of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, in sincerity and truth.

ORSON SPENCER.

_Liverpool, January_ 1, 1848.



LETTER FROM THE REV. WILLIAM CROWELL, A. M. TO ORSON SPENCER, A. B.

_Boston, October_ 21, 1842.

MY DEAR SIR,--On the confidence of an old acquaintance and kindly
intercourse, I have long wished to address a friendly line to you;
for, I am sure, you have not forgotten the pleasant, though brief,
interviews which we enjoyed at Middlefield. Since I saw you there,
a great change has taken place, as I have been led to believe, in
your religious views, and a corresponding one in your relations and
circumstances; still, I trust, that you have not forgotten the claims
of friendship and acquaintance.

I need not tell you how much I became interested in your family--so
young and so full of promise--nor of the strong confidence which I
reposed in your piety and conscientious regard for the will of God. I
would not allow myself to believe that you would profess what you did
not sincerely believe, nor that you would believe without good reasons;
still the change in your views excited in me no little surprise. I
have, therefore, been desirous to receive from yourself an account
of your views, and the reasons of your change. I am also desirous to
obtain from one in whom I can confide--one who is acquainted with
the facts--and one who is not prejudiced against it at the outset,
some account of the faith which you have embraced; of the personal
character, doctrines, claims, and influence of him who is called the
leader--I mean Joseph Smith.

Does he claim to be inspired? Is he a man of prayer? a man of pure
life? a man of peace? Where is he now? Does he appear at the head of
his troops as a military commander? What is the nature of the worship
among you, and wherein does it differ from that of religious people
with whom you have been acquainted elsewhere?

How many inhabitants has the city of Nauvoo? What is their condition,
occupations, and general character? What are the dimensions of
the Temple, now in course of erection? Do the Mormons suffer much
persecution? if so, from whom? Are the children instructed in learning
and religion? It would give me great pleasure to learn, also, how you
are employed? whether your family are with you? and also your present
views of truth and duty, and in what respects they differ from the
views which you formerly entertained.

Excuse the number and minuteness of these inquiries. I take an interest
in all that affects the welfare of my fellow-men, and especially in
what is so important as their religious views and hopes. I am aware
that the people, and the views which you have adopted as your own,
are peculiarly liable to misrepresentation; but from you I may expect
something more impartial. Now, if you do not find the task too great
a tax upon your time, I should be much gratified in receiving as full
and as speedy an answer to the queries above proposed, with any other
information in your possession, as may be convenient to yourself.

It may be gratifying to you, to learn that a powerful revival of
religion has been enjoyed in Middlefield, within a few weeks past,--an
account of which, Mr. Bestor, the present pastor, has sent to me for
publication in _The Christian Watchman,_ a copy of which I send you. I
visited the town in the summer, and found your old friends well. I also
attended a minister's meeting at Brother Bestor's, and enjoyed a very
pleasant interview. Several of the brethren spoke of you in terms of
kindness.

My best wishes attend you. Present my regards to Mrs. Spencer, and

Believe me,

Very truly yours,

WILLIAM CROWELL.

P. S.--You will understand that I ask for information for my private
benefit and satisfaction. I do not ask for anything to be published,
unless you see fit to give it for that purpose. I wish you to write as
an old friend.

W. C.



LETTERS IN REPLY BY ORSON SPENCER, A. B.



LETTER I.

GENERAL INTRODUCTORY REMARKS.

_Nauvoo November_ 17, 1842.

My Dear Sir,--I received yours of the 21st ult. about a week since, but
many engagements have prevented a more early reply.

Your inquiries were interesting and important, and I only regret that
I have not more time and room to answer them as their importance and
minuteness demand.

I am not at all surprised that my old friends should wonder at my
change of views; even to this day it is marvellous in my own eyes,
how I should be separated from my brethren to this (Mormon) faith. I
greatly desire to see my Baptist brethren face to face, that I may tell
them all things pertaining to my views and this work; but, at present,
the care of my wife and six children, with the labours of a civil
office, forbids this privilege.

A sheet of paper is a poor conductor of a marvellous and controverted
system of theology; but receive this sheet as containing only some
broken hints upon which I hope to amplify in some better manner
hereafter. You have expressed confidence in my former conscientious
regard for the will of God. I thank you for this, because the virtues
of many good men have been disallowed upon some supposed forfeiture of
public esteem. I thank God that you, and many of the churches where I
once laboured, are more liberal.

You, more than common men, know that it is in accordance with all past
history, that men's true characters suffer imprisonment, scourging,
and death, as soon as they become innovators or seceders from
long-established and venerated systems. Many have suffered martyrdom
for literary and also religious improvements, to whom after ages have
done better justice. "Which of the prophets have not your fathers
persecuted, and slain them which told before of the coming of the Just
One?"

It was the misfortune of many of the former prophets, that they were
raised up at a period of the world when apostacy and corruption
rendered their efforts indispensable, although such efforts proved
unacceptable to those who were in fault. Ancient prophets, you know,
did not merely reiterate what their predecessors had taught, but
spoke hidden wisdom, even things that had been kept secret for many
generations; because the spirit by which they were moved had knowledge
of all truth, and could disclose and reveal as it seemed wisdom in God.

The spirits that were disobedient, while once the long-suffering of God
waited in the days of Noah, doubtless despised the prophet that taught
a universal deluge. But Noah had a special revelation of a deluge,
although the religious people of his day counted him an enthusiast. The
revelation given to Moses to _gather_ an opprest people to a particular
place, was equally one side of, and out of the usual course of former
revelations. John came to the literal followers of Abraham and Moses;
but he escaped not persecution and death, because he breathed an
uncharitable and exclusive spirit towards the existing sects of the
day. Still he was a revelator and seer approved of God.

And is it a thing incredible with you, brother, that before the great
sabbatic era, world's rest, or millennium, God should raise up a
prophet to prepare the people for that event, and the second coming of
Jesus Christ? Would it be disagreeable to those who love the unity
of Saints, or improbable or unscriptural to expect such a prophet to
be possessed with the key of knowledge, or endowed, like Peter, with
the _stone_ of revelation? If the many hundred religious sects of this
age should hereafter harmonize into one faith and brotherhood, without
the aid of special revelations, it would constitute an unparalleled
phenomenon. Should they become a bride fit to receive Jesus Christ
at his coming, it could not be according to Paul's gospel. For six
thousand years, apostles and prophets have constituted an essential
part of the spiritual edifice in which God dwells. Paul says it is by
them the church is perfected and brought to unity of faith.

I know that you and I have been taught from our childhood, that the
church can be perfected without prophets; but where, I ask, is the
first scripture to support this view?

As you kindly say, I have always been accustomed to offer a reason for
my faith; but be assured I was confounded and made dumb, when asked
why I taught another gospel than what Paul did--why I taught that
revelation was ended, when Paul did not--or why I taught that prophets
were not needed, when no inspired teacher ever taught such a doctrine.
Error may become venerable by age, and respectable from the number of
its votaries, but neither age nor popularity can ever make it truth.

You give me credit for a conscientious regard for the will of God.
It was _this_ that gave me the victory where many others, I fear,
are vanquished. The spirit of God wrought mightily in me, commending
the ancient gospel to my conscience. I contemplated it with peaceful
serenity and joy in believing. Visions and dreams began to illuminate,
occasionally, my slumbering moments; but when I allowed my selfish
propensities to speak, I cursed Mormonism in my heart, and regretted
being in possession of as much light and knowledge as had flowed into
my mind from that source. When I preached or conversed according to
my best convictions, peace reigned in my heart, and truth enlarged
my understanding. Conviction and reverence for the truth, at such
times seemed to reign in the hearts of those that heard me; at times,
however, some were ready to gnash their teeth, for the truth that they
would not receive and could not resist.

I counted the cost, to myself and family, of embracing such views,
until I could read it like the child his alphabet, either upward or
downward. The expense I viewed through unavoidable tears, both in
public and private, by night and by day; I said, however, the Lord He
is God, I _can_, I _will_ embrace the truth.

When I considered the weakness of the human mind, and its liability
to be deceived, I re-examined and held converse with the most able
opposers to Mormonism, in a meek and teachable spirit; but the ease
with which many, wearing a high profession of piety, turned aside
the force of palpable truth, or leaned on tradition or inextricable
difficulties, that they could not solve into harmony with their
professions, was very far from dissuading me from my new views. What
could I do? Truth had taken possession of my mind--plain, simple, Bible
truth. It might be asked if I could not expel it from my door; yes, I
_could_ do it; but how would that harmonize with a sincere profession
to preach and practice the truth, by way of example to others? It was
a crisis I never shall--I never can forget. I remember it as an exodus
from parents, kindred, denomination, and temporal support. Has any
one ever passed such a crisis, they will say, at least, be careful of
Brother Spencer's character and feelings.

Little as I supposed that I cared about popularity, competence, or
the fellowship of those who were sincerely in error, when I came to
be stretched upon the altar of sacrifice, and the unsheathed blade
that was to exscind from all these hung over me with perpendicular
exactness; then, then, brother, I cried unto the Lord to strengthen me
to pass through the scene with his approbation.

While I was inquiring to know what the Lord would have me to do, many
brethren of different denominations warned and exhorted me faithfully;
but their warnings consisted very much in a lively exhibition of evils
to be endured, if I persisted; or, in other words, they appealed to my
selfish nature. But I knew too well that truth should not be abandoned
through the force of such appeals, however eloquently urged. Some
with whom I conversed, gave glowing descriptions of the obnoxious
character of Joseph Smith, and of the contradictory and unscriptural
jargon of the Book of Mormon, but it was their misfortune usually to be
deplorably ignorant of the true character of either.

Of the truth of this statement many instances might be furnished, if
the limits of my sheet would allow. My own solicitude to know the
character of Mr. Smith, in order to judge of the doctrines propagated
by him, was not so great as that of some others. My aversion to the
worship of man, is both educational and religious; but I said boldly,
concerning Mr. Smith, that whoever had arranged and harmonized such
a system of irresistible truth, has borne good fruit. Some suggested
that it would be wisdom to make a personal acquaintance with Mr.
Smith, previous to embracing his doctrines; but to me the obligation
to receive the truths of heaven seemed absolute, whatever might be the
character of Mr. Smith.

I read diligently the Book of Mormon from beginning to end, in close
connexion with the comments of Origen Bachelor, Laroy Sunderland,
and Dr. Hulburt, together with newspapers and some private letters
obtained from the surviving friends of Mr. Spaulding, the supposed
author of that book. I arose from its perusal with a strong conviction
on my mind, that its pages were graced with the pen of inspiration. I
was surprised that so little fault could be found with a book of such
magnitude, treating, as it did, of such diversified subjects, through
a period of so many generations. It appeared to me, that no enemy to
truth or godliness would ever take the least interest in publishing the
contents of such a book; such appeared to me to be its godly bearing,
sound morality, and harmony with ancient scriptures, that the enemy of
all righteousness might as well proclaim the dissolution of his own
kingdom, as to spread the contents of such a volume among men; and
from that time to this, every effort made by its enemies to demolish,
has only shown how invincible a fortress defends it. If no greater
breach can be made upon it, than has hitherto been made by those
who have attacked it with the greatest animosity and diligence, its
overthrow may be considered a forlorn hope. On this subject I only ask
the friends of pure religion to read the Book of Mormon with the same
unprejudiced, prayerful, and teachable spirit that they would recommend
unbelievers in the ancient scriptures to read those sacred records. I
have not spoken of the external evidence of the truth of the Book of
Mormon, which is now worthy of much consideration; but the internal
evidence, I think, will satisfy every honest mind. As you enquire after
the reasons that operated to change my mind to the present faith, I
only remark that "Steven's Travels" had some influence, as an external
evidence of the truth of the Book of Mormon.

My present view, after which you also enquire, is, that the evidence,
both internal and external, have been multiplied. It may have caused
surprise and wonder to many of my respected and distinguished friends
in New England, how I could ever renounce a respectable standing in the
churches and in the ministry, to adhere to a people so odious in every
one's mouth, and so revolting to every one's natural liking; the answer
in part is this:--As soon as I discovered an identity in the doctrines
of the Latter-day Saints and the Ancient Saints, I enquired whether
the treatment bestowed upon each was also similar. I immediately
began to dig deep to find the foundation and corner-stone of the
true church; I looked at the demeanour and character of those who
surrounded the Ancient Saints. The result of my observation seemed to
be, that even Jesus Christ had many objectionable points of character
to those who observed him. Those who were reputedly most conversant
with Abraham, Moses, and other prophets of the Lord, pronounced him
unfit for the respect and confidence of a pious community; and why
did such men find so many objectionable points in the character and
conduct of Jesus Christ? for substantially the same reasons that men
of high intelligence and devotion find fault with Joseph Smith and his
doctrines. Those who bore down with heavy opposition to Jesus Christ
were honourable men, whose genealogy took in the worthiest ancestry;
they were the orthodox expositors of revealed truth. Those who now
oppose Joseph Smith (a person ordained and sent forth by Jesus Christ),
occupy the same high and respectable standing, and manifest a similar
bearing towards the reputed impostor of the present day. The ancient
worthies were the repositories of learning, and so are the modern
worthies. The ancients taught many things according to truth and
godliness, and verily believed they were substantially right in faith
and practice; this is also true of modern religious teachers.

But, in reply to my own question, why the ancient religionists opposed
Jesus Christ? I answer; in the first place, they mistook his true
character and conduct; in the second place, they were palpably ignorant
of the wisdom and godliness of many things in the character and conduct
of Jesus Christ; they considered that there was absolutely a wide
difference in the views and conduct of Jesus Christ and themselves.
The same is true of many distinguished opposers to Joseph Smith; they
consider that there is an irreconcilable difference between themselves
and Mr. Smith; and Mr. Smith, of course, is in the wrong, and they are
in the right.

Now let us consider, first, wherein the ancients mistook the character
of Jesus Christ, and modern opposers to Mr. Smith do the same of him.
The true character of Jesus Christ was very imperfectly known to those
who opposed him in his own time. Many impostors that had preceded, had
guarded the public mind against a repetition of further abuse. He was
eyed with dark suspicion wherever he went. It may well be supposed,
that sage precaution against him was vehemently urged, lest through his
great subtlety he might mislead even some that were respectable. And
what could he do to disabuse the public mind? Prejudice and calumny
outrun and prepared a thorny reception for him in all places; and so
thick and dark was the fog and cloud of misapprehension and falsehood
that followed him, that dark suspicions and foul inferences would
obtrude upon the minds even of the honest, to weaken their convictions
in his behalf, and shake their conclusions. The tale of calumny never
lost in sharpness and effect by time or distance.

Those who had not the privilege of a personal acquaintance with Jesus,
might be supposed to have no interest in favouring a personage whose
pretensions, if countenanced, would disturb their quietude, and impugn
their motives, and threaten the prosperity of a system that they
supposed as old as the days of Abraham, and teachings as orthodox as
the sayings of Moses. But whatever was said or done by Jesus that
could possibly be construed by prejudiced minds to his disadvantage,
these things were heeded with readiness, and published in the social
circle, and riveted by the butt of ridicule upon every mind; and those
who loved to laugh at the expense of the innocent, could furnish stock
for the purpose, by retailing tales about the supposed impostor, that
had their origin in misapprehension and falsehood; but they were well
received and cheered by those who affected grave reverence for the
Supreme Deity, while they could trample with scorn (unconsciously) upon
the _brightness of His glory in the person of His Son_.

Now let me ask if the character and conduct of Mr. Smith is not equally
misunderstood by modern religionists. Mr. Smith only claims to be a
prophet, raised up to usher in the last dispensation, while Jesus
Christ was more obnoxious in proportion to the superior magnitude of
his claims as the Son of God. How difficult it is for persons, in the
present age, to form a correct estimate of the true character and views
of Mr. Smith. The public mind is always forestalled concerning him. It
is taken to be sound orthodoxy that there is no more need of prophets
or revelations; the canon of scripture is full; consequently the man
that will claim to be a prophet, or revelator, and seer, must be a base
impostor and knave. With this educational prejudice, sanctioned by the
best men for a thousand years past, and riveted by solemn vows to abide
in orthodoxy, they see as though they saw not, and hear as though they
heard not.

If excellent things are taught by Mr. Smith, it is considered by
prejudiced minds as a good bait employed to cover a well-barbed hook;
by many he is considered _more_ detestable and dangerous, because, say
they, if he did not mix so much good with his system, he would not be
so dangerous and so likely to deceive.

Again, can the people of this country obtain a correct knowledge of
the prophet through the religious prints? I apprehend they never will.
Those who control the religious prints, conceive they know in the
premises, that God has not raised up such a prophet, therefore they
will not tarnish the columns of their periodicals by publishing any
thing favourable to him. While they feel bound to withhold whatever
might commend the prophet to the favourable regards of impartial men,
they feel solemnly constrained to advertise the public of all rising
heresies. Thus while our supposed heresies are published from very
questionable data, our real virtues are buried in oblivion. We do not
murmur; if Jesus, the master, could not be known in his true character,
but said with mingled pity and forgiveness, they know not what they do,
we cannot expect better treatment from those who know but little of us,
while they say much to our disadvantage.

Paul did the Ancient Saints much harm, and wasted them greatly,
being ignorant of their true character, and unbelieving as to their
doctrines. It is certain that Latter-day Saints have received much
harm from those who are ignorant of their character, and unbelieving
as to their doctrines. Religious editors, generally, know very little
of us, except what they have learned from our enemies. Jesus Christ
was entirely stript of his reputation by his enemies, and was put to
death by learned, yet ignorant, zealots, who were too self-wise to be
taught by one whom they knew to be an impostor in the start; but those
men were mistaken in the character of our Lord; and so are our enemies
mistaken in the character and views of the modern prophet.

My own personal observation teaches that it is a very difficult matter
to instil into the minds of sectarian churches, a true knowledge of the
faith and practice of Latter-day Saints. Though one should go among
them that was once highly esteemed by them, they are alarmed at his
approach, and his virtues are conceived to render him more deserving
of a repulse. His influence, say they, may be formidable; we must not
bid him God speed, consequently he is not asked to pray in the family
or public meeting. If he can, by great effort, get an opportunity to
preach, it is not thought advisable for any body to go and hear him,
lest they should be led away by his errors.

Thus you see, brother, how difficult in former and latter days to bring
the true faith to the knowledge of men, through prejudice. They have
prejudged a matter of which they are almost wholly ignorant. This same
notion of treating new matters has veiled the sun in darkness, and
hung the Prince of Life in agonies. How long shall this treatment of
the Saints be persisted in? How long shall prophets be persecuted and
slain, without being fully known, and the servants of God be excluded
from an impartial hearing, when they seek to publish good tidings--even
salvation to the inhabitants of the earth?

Now let me ask my former friends in the eastern churches, with whom
I once held sweet intercourse, how it is possible for the Latter-day
Saints to introduce their views among the sectarian churches and the
world, with any more favourable reception than the Ancient Saints
had in introducing theirs? Prejudice and persecution faced them down
always, and so it is in these days. It is certainly a mistaken idea
to suppose that people are much better now than they were anciently,
when the true gospel was misunderstood, and its promoters sincerely
accounted disturbers, and heretics worthy of exemplary punishment.
But, say the wise and great men among the sectarian churches, "we
do understand the true gospel, and have already embraced it, and it
is only error and heresy we oppose; and the weight of our contempt
and ridicule is hurled at impostors and knaves, who palm off gross
deceptions upon the public, and lead captive ignorant zealots by
pretended revelations and spurious miracles." But do they not know that
substantially the same charge was brought against Jesus Christ and the
primitive disciples. Let it be proved that we are what our enemies
call us; let us file our respective pleas and come to a speedy and
impartial trial. To this our opposers will not consent; they intend to
employ all the advantage of education and prejudice to exclude us from
a hearing--so did the opposers of the Ancient Saints: but I solemnly
ask whether it has ever been necessary, in any moral enterprise, for
those who have the truth on their side, especially gospel truth, to
defend that truth by foreclosing discussion, and shunning public
investigation, and then carry on their depredations by the use of such
small arms as ridicule and preconceived objections, that need only be
brought to light to be dissipated like fog in the meridian sun?

Do temperance lecturers, bible and education agents, and other
moral reformers find it necessary to carry on their enterprises by
such means? Do they seek to avoid an open and frank discussion with
the intemperate portions of the community? Do they avoid a manly
investigation because the intemperate portions of the community
combine, in their life and conduct, beastly sottishness, unprovoked
abuse to wives and children, a prodigal waste of competence and ample
fortunes, and the overthrow of intellect, and the dissolution of all
moral ties? No, by no means! They seek the broad day light of public
discussion, because they know the truth and power of that side of the
cause which they have espoused. They know that intemperance cannot
survive the impartial observation of good men. All we ask is that the
word of God may have free course. We wish that it may come distinctly
to the knowledge of men, that they may sit in impartial judgment upon
it.

By the _word_ of God, we mean not only what was revealed for the
ancients especially, but also what is _now_ revealed for this
generation. Oh! says the objector, he wants the word of Joseph Smith to
have a free circulation, and this we oppose, because it is blasphemous
and preposterous. Yes, we want the word of God by Joseph Smith, to be
known and read of all men, because it is written not with ink, but by
the spirit of the living God. What were Peter, Elijah, or Moses, but
earthen vessels, by whom God communicated his own knowledge, power,
and glory? Does not the word by Joseph commend itself to every man's
conscience where it is heard with due candour? I have never seen that
person who had read the Book of Mormon, and the Book of Doctrine and
Covenants entirely through, with an earnest desire to know whether it
was of God or not, who could raise any worthy objection against them.
A few isolated portions of these books are often selected out and made
to speak some other besides their true meaning, and thereby a dislike
for these books is created; consequently, some refuse to read them at
all, while some others read only to confirm their prepossessions and
prejudices; and superficial inquirers hear with credulity that such a
minister, editor, or professor of some College, has published an exposè
or refutation of Mormonism, that will inflict a fatal wound upon
this glaring and blasphemous heresy.

Now it is well known that the novelties of this age are so many and
so various, that no man has time to examine into them all; and many
consider that a hint from a pious editor, or distinguished reviewer
against Mormonism, is sufficient apology for them not to examine
it. Now under these considerations, it is easy to divine that the
doctrines of the Latter-day Saints must travel through obstacles and
difficulties of the greatest magnitude; and I am ready, dear brother,
to mourn over the prospect, because many bad men, and some good men,
will fight against the faith, not knowing what they do. My bosom heaves
with the deeper concern, because I know this to be the true gospel,
and that it will prevail, even though the foe should be so great and
powerful as the Lord's enemies were in the days of Noah. Pardon my
assurance when I say that those beautiful systems, called benevolent
operations, must come to nought; not because they are not honestly
designed for some good effect, but because they are a mixture of human
device with the wisdom of God, or the gospel perverted. I know, too,
that these beautiful systems, together with the various orders of
sectarianism, cannot well be vanquished without a desperate struggle
ensue. Sectarianism is old and venerable, and having undergone many
costly repairs, without much substantial improvement, it never can be
demolished without violent resistance. There is an air of sacredness
around it that will stimulate its votaries insensibly; and when they
are assailed by the strong hand of Bible truth, rather than see their
fortress taken by the illiterate followers of the despised prophet,
will summon to their aid the worst passions, and push matters to the
greatest extremities. These remarks are amply supported by the history
of the past, both in respect to Former and Latter-day Saints.

See the ancient Jew of our Lord's day--his piety was scrupulously
exact--he knew the worth of his religion by the pains and expense it
had cost him. Every thing had with great trouble been fashioned into
a system of sacredness. They had been striving hard for a beautiful
system of perfection that would commend them to God, and mourned that
any of Abraham's children should teach that there was no resurrection,
&c., and not harmonize with them in bearing heavy burdens in order
to save men's souls. And when an obscure personage sprung up, and
broke over their rules of piety, and mingled with the profane without
ceremonious washing, and was seen to drink wine, probably, and eat with
the boisterous and odious classes, without pretending to wash away
the contagion that accrued, and to travel on the Sabbath day, and to
pluck ears of corn without any signs of confession, and to heap harsh
sounding and heavy anathemas upon the most intelligent and devoted men
of the age, and claim to be a prophet, while he ignorantly conversed
with an adulterous woman. All this, the scrupulous Jew could not,
and would not, bear; and his anger was heightened to madness when he
found that many adhered to the new teacher, and occasionally a person
of wealth and standing was won over to the impostor by his artifice
and jugglery. And as the influence of this odious personage spread,
especially among the common people, who had not sufficient sagacity to
detect his fraudulent tricks; and as the orthodoxy and piety of the
children of Abraham and Moses began to be suspected, and suspicion
even preached in synagogues that were too holy for such pollution, the
devoted children of Abraham became exasperated. If we let him alone,
say they, all men will believe on him. Fearful to use the rod and
power, by reason of the Romans, to the utmost rigour, they, at first,
sought to render him obnoxious to Caesar; but as measures successively
failed, they thirsted for his blood until their pious malice was
glutted in his expiring agonies. Then thought they, every body may know
that his miracles are all a humbug, because he could not save himself.

Now, brother, I ask you to stop and make a full pause by way of
reflection. How do devoted sectarians entertain the Latter-day Saints?
Not surely by a candid exposure of our errors, coupled with a patient
effort to reclaim us. "By no means," said a highly respectable
deaconess, "Brother Spencer, I would rather have heard that you were
dead." She knew in the general that I had embraced Mormonism; but of
the true character of Mormonism she was grossly ignorant; and she was
actually driven into fits when she found I defended the doctrines of
Latter-day Saints. Look at the conduct of devoted sectarians towards
the Latter-day Saints, and mark the resemblance to that of ancient Jews
to former Saints. The same proscriptive spirit reigns now as then,--
the same spirit that dictated expulsion from the synagogue then, now
closes the doors of meetinghouses against us,--the same spirit that
closed men's ears against the burning eloquence of Stephen then,
counsels men not to hear or go nigh Mormon preachers now.

You ask "If the Latter-day Saints are persecuted; if so, by whom are
they persecuted?" The answer is a painful one, because it inculpates
those who were bound to us by many tender ties. As a people we have
been truly persecuted from the beginning.

From the moment we embrace this doctrine, in most cases we are
virtually banished from friends, and rank, and station, and business.
Says the venerated father, "if you have embraced that doctrine, my son,
I never want to see your face any more." Says the partner in trade, "if
you are a Mormon, we must dissolve partnership forthwith." If such an
one occupying an important office of profit and honour does not give
up his Mormonism, we will sue him at the law, and calumniate him, and
embarrass him until he is ousted and broken up, and obliged to leave
our village. We are separated from men's company, while the licentious,
and profane, and intemperate are suffered to dwell in peace; while our
opposers cherish to their bosom the rankest infidels, they repulse _us_
with disdain; though none can point out ought wherein we differ from
the ancient apostles and prophets. Almost daily my eyes behold those
who have suffered too much to mention; but I would rather refer you to
printed documents, than to attempt a description of the sufferings of
our people in Missouri. From forty to sixty of our brethren suffered
death, by violent hands, in Missouri, and as many more, in consequence
of the abuse and privations to which they were exposed by an infuriated
and bloodthirsty mob; and the disappointment, privation, and homeless
condition of survivors was very great. Many widows and orphans knew not
what to do, having just begun to live in a comfortable and thriving
manner. They had almost forgotten their first sorrow of parting from
early friends and possessions, when lo! the hideous mob came upon them;
at one blow their homes were made desolate; in some instances father
and son were no more; their sufferings in planting themselves anew in
this State, without means or friends, though I have often heard them
told, I will not attempt to rehearse.

Perhaps some will say, we understand the Mormons were in fault in
that matter, and brought merited sufferings upon themselves by their
misconduct. The same has always been understood to be true of all
persecuted Saints. The greater part of people probably thought Stephen
deserved the punishment that terminated his life. The same might be
said of John the Baptist, who meddled with the matrimonial concerns
of those who did not acknowledge his ecclesiastical jurisdiction. The
prophet Elijah was designated to death because he troubled Israel.
Daniel refused lawful obedience to the established governor of the
realm. In short, persecutors in every age, have always had a plausible
pretext for their doings, in the popular estimation of their own day
and age.

You ask, "By whom we are persecuted?" In reply I could mention as
instigators of mobs, the names of a Baptist missionary, a Methodist
and Presbyterian minister. You may also be apprised that ex-Governor
Boggs, of Missouri, made affidavit that Joseph Smith was accessory to
an attempt to murder him; and that Governor Carlin, of Illinois, in
the face of superabundant testimony and law, gave a warrant to arrest
him (Joseph Smith) on that affidavit. A heavy reward has been offered
for his apprehension, and bold menaces are occasionally hung over our
heads, that we, as a people, shall be driven from the State. These
things have a tendency to check our prosperity. In one instance some
of our brethren were kidnapped by Missourians from this State, and put
to shame and scourging. The malignant and vexatious lawsuits to which
our people have been subject, are exceedingly numerous; and owing to
our impoverished condition, rendered sometimes distressing. But none
of these things move us, because we know that if they have hated the
master, they will also hate the disciples. Such as are born of the bond
woman, will persecute them that are born of the free woman. But it
seems like a discouraging effort, to attempt to convince our opposers
that we are persecuted, because editors and other philanthropic men are
reluctant to tell to the public our side of the matter. They themselves
would thereby become suspected of espousing our cause. Men are so
sensitive on the subject of our religion, that whoever speaks peaceably
of it, perils his influence and reputation; but hireling editors and
priests will speak and publish against us.

You ask me to give an account of the faith which I have embraced. I
believe that Jesus Christ is God, co-eternal with God the Father; and
that such as have the knowledge of the gospel and believe upon him,
will be saved; and such as believe not, will be damned. I believe the
Old and New Testaments to be the word of God. I believe that every
person should be born, not only of the spirit, but also of the water,
in order to enter into the kingdom of God. There are three that bear
witness on earth, as there are three that bear record in heaven--the
spirit, the water, and the blood, bear concurrent testimony to our
obedience on earth; for the want of any one, or all of these witnesses
on earth, in our favour, there will be no registry of our perfect
acceptance in heaven. Hence the baptism for the dead. The righteous
dead have a merciful provision made for them in the testimony of the
three witnesses on earth, which secures a record of their perfect
acceptance in heaven, without which they cannot attain to the highest
glory. I believe in the resurrection of the dead, the righteous to life
eternal, and the wicked to shame and everlasting contempt. I believe
that repentance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, are
among the elementary and cardinal truths of the gospel.

In some, and, indeed, many respects do we differ from sectarian
denominations. We believe that God is a being that has both body and
parts, and also passions; also in the existence of the gifts in the
true church spoken of in St. Paul's letter to the Corinthians.

I believe that every church, in gospel order, has a priesthood,
consisting of prophets, apostles, elders, &c., and that the knowledge
and power of a priesthood, ordained of God, as the ancient priesthood
was, is indispensably necessary to the prosperity of the church. I do
not believe that the canon of sacred scripture was closed with the
revelation of John, but believe that wherever God has a true church,
there he makes frequent revelations of his will: and as God takes
cognizance of all things, both temporal and spiritual, his revelations
will pertain to all things whereby his glory may be promoted, and
the temporal and spiritual well-being of his people advanced. Any
people that are destitute of the teachings of prophets and apostles,
which come by immediate revelation, will soon fall into divisions and
strifes, and depart from the truth as it is in Jesus.

You wish to know, "What is the personal character and influence,
doctrines and claims of him who is called the leader, Joseph Smith?"
Joseph Smith, when the great designs of heaven were first made known
to him, was not far from the age of seventeen; from that time to this
he has had much said about him, both of a favourable and unfavourable
nature. I shall only speak of his character as I believe it to be from
an intimate acquaintance of more than one year, and from an intimate
acquaintance with those who have been with him many years. No man is
more narrowly watched by friends and enemies than Mr. Joseph Smith;
consequently, if he were as good a man as any prophet that has preceded
him, he would have as violent enemies as others have had. But I hasten
to give my own opinion.

I firmly avow, in the presence of God, that I believe Mr. Joseph Smith
to be an upright man, that seeks the glory of God in such a manner
as is well pleasing to the Most High God. Naturally he is kind and
obliging; pitiful and courteous; as far from dissimulation as any man;
frank and loquacious to all men, friends or foes. He seems to employ
no studied effort to guard himself against misrepresentation, but
often leaves himself exposed to misconstructions by those who watch
for faults. He is remarkably cheerful for one who has seen well-tried
friends martyred around him, and felt the inflictions of calumny--the
vexation of lawsuits--the treachery of intimates--and multiplied
violent attempts upon his person and life, together with the cares
of much business. His influence, after which you inquire, is very
great. His friends are as ardently attached to him as his enemies are
violently opposed. Free toleration is given to all opposing religions,
but wherever he is accredited as a prophet of the living God, there
you will perceive his influence must be great. That lurking fear and
suspicion that he may become a dictator or despot, gradually gives
place to confidence and fondness, as believers become acquainted with
him.

In doctrine, Mr. Smith is eminently scriptural. I have never known him
to deny or depreciate a single truth of the Old and New Testaments,
but I have always known him to explain and defend them in a masterly
manner. Being anointed of God, for the purpose of teaching and
perfecting the church, it is needful that he should know how to set
in order the things that are wanting, and to bring forth things new
and old, as a scribe well instructed. This office and apostleship he
appears to magnify; at his touch the ancient prophets spring into life,
and the beauty and power of their revelations are made to commend
themselves with thrilling interest to all that hear.

You inquire, "Does he claim to be inspired?" Certainly he does claim to
be inspired. He often speaks in the name of the Lord, which would be
rank hypocrisy and mockery, if he were not inspired to do it. It seems
very difficult for those who stand at the distance of many generations
from the true prophets, to realize what prophets are, and what ought
to be expected from them. I do not chide them for their ignorance
and folly, however, because I have nothing to boast of, previous
to embracing the faith of the Latter-day Saints. I understand that
prophets may speak as they are moved by the Holy Ghost at one time,
while they may be very far from being moved by the Holy Ghost as they
speak at another. They may be endowed with power to perform miracles
and mighty deeds at one time, while they have no authority, and there
is no suitableness in doing the same at another time.

You ask, "Is he a man of prayer, of a pure life, of peace? Does he
appear at the head of his troops as a military commander?" These
questions I answer, according to the best knowledge I have, in the
affirmative. As a people, we perform military duty as the laws of the
State of Illinois enjoin and require. The legion answers the purpose
to keep the lawless and mobocratic at a respectful distance; and the
more "earthquake and storm" our enemies raise about the Nauvoo Legion,
and a military chieftain like the ancient Mahomet, the greater fear and
dread of us will be conveyed to the minds of the lawless, who watch for
prey, and spoil, and booty. I can assure you, that neither Mr. Smith,
nor any other intelligent Latter-day Saint, ever intends to make one
convert by the sword; neither are we such tee-total peacemakers, that
any savage banditti of lawless depredators could waste our property,
violate virtue, and shed innocent blood, without experiencing from us a
firm defence of law, of right, and innocence. We are to this day very
sensitive to a repetition of past wrongs that we still smart under. The
Lord our God, who was once called (by a man after his own heart) "a
man of war," we trust will be our defence and strong tower in the day
of battle, if our country should ever call us to scenes of carnage and
blood.

You ask, "What is the nature of the worship among you, and wherein
does it differ from that of religious people with whom you have been
acquainted elsewhere?" On the sabbath some person usually preaches a
sermon after prayer and singing, and, perhaps, reading some scripture.
We have, also, frequent prayer meetings, in which all that are so
disposed may join. The gifts are variously exercised, sometimes in the
way of prophecy, or in tongues; sometimes in discerning of spirits, or
interpretation of tongues. The ordinance of baptism, together with the
imposition of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, is administered
as occasion may require. Thus you will perceive that our worship
differs from what we both have been accustomed to in times that are
past.--Anxious seats and inquiry meetings, &c., are not in use at
all with us; although converts to our faith have swelled our numbers
greatly in every year that is past, yet we are very far from employing
any blustering effort to convert men. The spirit of God attends the
truth with sufficient power to save the upright; while those that hold
the truth in unrighteousness, and contend with it, are beyond the
legitimate exercise of divine power to save, and are led captive by the
devil at his will.

Our worship differs from that of other religious people, inasmuch as
we have the knowledge of God, and the true doctrine and order of his
kingdom, beyond all perplexing doubt and diversity of opinion. It is
utterly impossible for intelligent and devoted sectarian clergy to lead
their hearers into any considerable knowledge of God, for this very
potent reason, that they neither know much of him themselves, nor,
indeed, have they the means of knowing him. For this they are not at
all culpable; but the fact is, nevertheless, incontrovertible.

I do not now speak to please men, nor to mortify them, but I know it to
be true, my brother, and therefore speak it boldly. Are you offended?
Will you stop here and throw down my letter with contempt, as though an
ignorant upstart had abused you? If I write plainly, it is with deep
and painful emotions. While writing I can hardly suppress a flood of
tears. I know the dilemma in which many of my religious brethren are
placed, and the extreme difficulty of approaching them; but whether
they hear or forbear, I must tell them that it is out of their power to
attain to any considerable knowledge of the true and living God. But,
say they, have we not got the good old Bible, which makes men wise unto
salvation? You have, indeed, those venerable truths which have many
ages since made men wise unto salvation; and those truths will teach
you, if you take heed to them, that the Gentiles have been broken off
from the covenant favour of God as the Jews were. But these scriptures
cannot impart to you the gifts of the Holy Ghost; they cannot ordain
and qualify you to teach and preach the gospel, and administer the
ordinances; they cannot give you promises and revelations that are
expressly for _you_.

When the apostle Paul was in danger of being shipwrecked with his crew
(see Acts of Apostles), it would have been poor consolation to him
to read the ancient history of Jonah's shipwreck, and pray over the
subject in order to know how the voyage would result to him; but how
much greater his consolation, and how much more certain his knowledge,
when God ministers to him by visions and angels, and promises both him
and the crew preservation. Philip wanted no better assurance of his
duty to go to Gaza, than for an angel of God to tell him to go; but if
he had pored over ancient revelations, with prayerful anxiety, in order
to know the same, it would have been a poor guide. The New Testament
Saints did not lean upon Old Testament revelations for the knowledge of
present duties, or for aid in their present contingencies; they looked
directly to God for present fresh instruction and aid--they obtained
what they looked for.

The ancient Jews (contemporary with Christ), that leaned on the
venerated sayings of Abraham and Moses, and other old prophets, abode
in darkness, and became the prey of foul spirits, while the advocates
of present revelations were mighty through God, in signs and wonders,
and marvellous deeds.

Now, let the religious people of this day depend exclusively upon the
ancient scriptures, rejecting present revelations, and they will be
filled with ignorance, and the spirit of unrighteousness will possess
them; and they cannot act with that certainty and power that those can,
who know for themselves by immediate revelation. But I have said it is
impossible for them to know much of the true God: the careful observer
knows, that what one sect or denomination teaches for doctrine, another
will controvert and deny. There is not that power in the doctrine of
any one sect that gives them much ascendancy over any other sect. The
doctrines of all sects, though adverse to each other, are about equally
weighty and plausible; no one gets any considerable ascendancy; if
there appears to be light in one sect over another sect, it shows an
equal amount of an opposite character.

It is an acknowledged duty of parents, in this church, to teach their
children the elementary principles of religion, training them up in
the way they should go. You ask if they are instructed in learning.
As a people we aim most diligently to give our children learning. Our
persecutions, oppressions, and poverty have operated greatly to the
disadvantage of our children; still we have a chartered University,
that promises much benefit to us; and common schools are extensively
multiplying throughout the city.

The present population of the city is from ten to twelve thousand. You
ask, "What is their condition, occupation, and general character?" The
condition of the people is as prosperous as circumstances will permit.
Many of them, like Jacob of old, have left a good patrimony at home
that they are not benefitted from, by reason of their being every where
spoken against; but though they had nothing but their staff in hand,
and a little bundle upon their back when they came, they have now in
many instances a comfortable cottage, a flourishing garden, and a good
cow. There are many instances of families being subject to privations,
beyond what they were accustomed to in early days; and there are some
instances of deep penury, through sickness, persecution, and other
uncontrollable causes; and there are also instances of wealth; but
be assured, sir, there is not a more contented and cheerful people
to be found. Families will consent to let father and brother go out
preaching, when their daily bread is barely supplied for a few months.

Believing as we do, that these are the last days, and that signal
matters await this generation; and that the harvest must be gathered
soon, if at all, you must not marvel if we do not all at once become
rich, and build large houses, and enclose productive farms. If riches
were our object, we might readily gratify the most ambitious grasp.
We possess every facility for being rich, but we long to behold the
beauty of the Lord, and inquire in his holy temple. The place of his
sanctuary, which we greatly desire to beautify, is a site of surpassing
natural beauty. Upon it stands the incomplete structure of a temple;
in dimensions, a little over one hundred and twenty-eight feet long,
by eighty-eight feet wide, to be elevated in height a little under
sixty feet; the walls are made of a well-wrought handsome stone. The
inhabitants are very industrious, being occupied in agriculture and the
various mechanical arts.

Our people are mostly the working class of the community, from the
United States, and Great Britain and her Provinces. They are a very
intelligent people, especially so far as common sense and a general
knowledge of men and things are concerned.

Our Elders are versed in religious polemics, from discussions in the
pulpit, stage, bar-room, canal, and steam-boat, of the fireside and
highway side: and, perhaps, you are not aware that many, very many, are
from the most enlightened portion of New England; men that have been
rocked in the cradle of orthodoxy and liberty; accustomed to fatigue,
privation, and opposition; and knowing that their religion has more
light and truth, and the power of the Holy Ghost to support it, than
any other that has existed since the days of the apostles, they are
prepared to endure all things with the assurance that their reward is
great in heaven.

You wish to know the general character of the people. There is probably
less profanity, drunkenness, lewdness, theft, fighting, gambling, and
tavern-haunting, than in any other city of the same magnitude.

But I must close my answer to your many and minute inquiries, having
already protracted them beyond my original design. Your letter contains
many important inquiries, similar indeed to what I have received from
other distinguished friends from different parts of the Union. You will
accept my apology for not answering at an earlier date; and though I
design this epistle to be a general answer to all similar inquiries,
yet shall hereafter readily reciprocate all private communications in
the usual method of friendship and affection.

Most sincerely and truly yours,

ORSON SPENCER.



LETTER II.

IMMEDIATE REVELATION.

_Liverpool, May_ 15, 1847.

Reverend Sir,--Agreeable to promise made in my first answer to your
letter, I now resume my pen to inform you, in a series of letters, of
the distinguishing tenets of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, according to the faith which I myself do entertain, with all
sobriety and integrity of heart, before God and all good men. I had
hoped, however, that more leisure would have favoured me, not only that
I might more minutely and perspicuously maintain the primitive faith,
but also do it in such conciseness and embellishment of diction, as
both to please and enlighten.

The first subject to which I will invite your attention will be that
of IMMEDIATE REVELATION. It shall be my direct aim to show in this
letter, that no person ever did partake of the gospel of salvation, or
ever will partake of it, without the spirit of _revelation_ dwelling
in his breast. This is the first and also the last round in the ladder
that leads to the perfect knowledge of God. Without the same spirit
of revelation that dwelt in the breasts of prophets, patriarchs, and
apostles in ancient time, no man can _begin_ to know God, neither can
any man or set of men make any _progress_ in the knowledge of God, when
that spirit is withdrawn from him.

A word from the mouth of the Great Arbitrator of all controversy ought
to suffice. HE, THE GREAT GOD AND JUDGE OF ALL, has said that "no man
knoweth the Father but the Son, and no man knoweth the Son but he to
whom the Son revealeth him." Words cannot bear a plainer import. If any
man knows Jesus Christ, it is by _revelation_, and in no other way can
he be known. Will you say that apostles and prophets know him in this
way; while others _may_ know him without themselves being gifted with
the spirit of revelation? Absurd! Others must know him by revelation
as much as apostles and prophets. If they have not the spirit of
revelation, they cannot judge what is a genuine and infallible
revelation when it proceeds from the pen of apostles, or even the
lips of angels, or of God himself; for the things of the Spirit are
correctly judged only by those who have the same spirit; hence all men
must not only be born of the _spirit_, but likewise be baptized into
one and the same spirit.

This spirit is the Spirit of God, and nothing less; and the Spirit
of God is the spirit of revelation, because it is expressly declared
that the spirit takes of the things of God, and shows them unto men:
even the deep things of God are searched out and dispensed to men
for their comfort and the illumination of their minds. Hence Jesus
declared that he would send them another "comforter," even the spirit
of truth; and the office of this spirit of truth was to "lead into all
truth." By this means we perceive that the universal store-house of
all truth is thrown open and rendered available to such as have been
properly baptized into the spirit, as their occasion may demand. Even
the apostles were forbid to go out and preach until they were endowed
with the gift of the Holy Ghost. After they should receive this gift,
it would then become their duty to impart it unto all others freely, by
the imposition of hands, who should obey the gospel. Males and females
were to partake of it, and see in vision things to come, and have
their remembrance of things past quickened into vivid and unambiguous
recollection.

It was this spirit of revelation that gave to the primitive church
the power of godliness; for it was simply the Holy Spirit of God that
rendered the gospel the power of God unto salvation to them that
believed; for therein was the righteousness of God _revealed_ from
faith to faith. The gospel never took any effect upon men's hearts,
unless the Spirit of God attended it. Whenever God takes away from the
church the spirit of revelation, he thereby takes away the light of the
church--the good spirit of the church, and the _truth_ and integrity of
the church, and the comfort of the church, and also the power of it. It
becomes like the branch without sap, or the pale mortal corpse without
the living spirit.

A church that is built upon the principle of revelation by the Holy
Spirit can never be prevailed against while that spirit continues
with it. It then becomes the power of God personified. Mere men and
women--servants and handmaidens--attended by the Holy Spirit of God,
know about men and things, and matters and events, even as God knows;
because they have precisely the same spirit that God has. Things that
never entered the heart of man to conceive, and things that the tongue
could never utter, are revealed by the Spirit of God. As bodily eyes
are to the corporal organization (causing all that wide difference that
exists between him that sees and one that is wholly blind) so are the
eyes of intelligence which the Spirit imparts to a believer, whereby
he comprehends the different spirits of men from time to time, and
sees events in the future as though they were actually and presently
at hand. The daughters of Philip can speak prophetically, with as
much unerring certainty as God himself, according to the measure of
the spirit given them, because they have His Spirit, and consequently
a given measure of intelligence. And the scope of this increase of
intelligence is expanded or diminished as God pleases to suit the
occasion.

When there is occasion to prophecy, or speak with new tongues, or
interpret, or rebuke diseases and cast out evil spirits--His Spirit is
given. And it could be given as well to a beast as to a man for the
same purpose, and the same effect would follow. The beast of Balaam,
when inspired of God, rose immediately above his legitimate sphere of
action, and spoke with a man's voice, forbidding the madness of the
prophet. The same spirit by which he spoke, would have enabled the dumb
ass to rebuke disease, cast out devils, or speak a variety of tongues.
But God might withdraw that spirit, and he would then be only a dumb
ass, fit only to bear burdens, &c. Men are but little more competent
to heal the sick, cast out devils, and discern spirits, or know the
things of God or eternity, and make preparations for the future,
than the beasts, without the Spirit of God. When God wants to punish
a generation or generations, he does it effectually by withholding
His Spirit. The world travels in pain, and groans in bondage, and
oppression, and cruelty, and strife, and bloodshed, and in ignorance,
superstition, and zeal without knowledge, when God shuts out the light
of revelation. The revelations given to the primitive age, bear about
the same relation of benefit to the people of this age, that the gift
of food and manna, to those starving in former ages, bears towards the
supply of such as are in want now. Jesus Christ winds up his sermon on
the mount, by calling him a WISE man that hears and obeys the voice of
revelation, and _he_ shall never "fall." At the same time he calls him
that hears and obeys not the voice of revelation a FOOL, and such a man
will _fall_, and his fall will be great.

We cannot be in any doubt what is meant by the expression "hearing"
Christ, or "these sayings of mine." Jesus says to such servants as he
sends out to preach, (and none but such as are sent by revelation can
preach), he that heareth YOU heareth ME. But while they cannot hear
without a preacher, neither can they hear _with_ a preacher, except
the Father draw them; or, in other words, except they have the Spirit
of God, which is a spirit of _revelation_. How could Peter know Jesus,
when he heard his conversation and preaching? Jesus testifies that, by
the wisdom of flesh and blood, Peter did _not_ know him, but by the
spirit of revelation from God out of heaven; and in order to end all
controversy throughout all ages, he declares that not only Peter, but
NO OTHER MAN, ever _did_ or ever _can_ know God, only as he is revealed
to him from heaven; and that man is "blessed" that has the spirit of
revelation to know the only true God and Jesus Christ. That man is
accounted as a thief and a robber that would know God or Jesus without
the spirit of revelation.

The Spirit of God was sent into the world for the express purpose of
acquainting men with Jesus Christ. By this spirit it was an easy matter
for men to know Jesus Christ, though he was everywhere spoken against,
and the whole country teemed with lies, and the great mass of people,
reputedly good as well as bad, thought that he ought to be _stoned,
mobbed, and crucified_: still it was easy to know him by the spirit
of revelation, and it was impossible to know him without that spirit.
Thus, dear sir, it is easy for you, and all my former associates in
the sectarian ministry, to know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of the
Lord, sent to prune the Lord's vineyard for the last time.

Says the scripture, "no man, speaking by the Spirit of God, can call
Jesus accursed," although he "hung upon a tree." And I add, sir, with
perfect assurance, that no man can call Joseph Smith "accursed," or an
"impostor," while speaking by the Spirit of God; for the Spirit of God
will never dictate any one to speak against the servant of God; but the
spirit of the world and of Satan, _will_ stir up men to speak against
prophets and saints, and persecute and assassinate them. The scripture
also says, that no man can call Jesus Lord, but by the HOLY GHOST.
Thus, reverend sir, you perceive that NO MAN, in former ages or latter
ages, can call Jesus Lord, but by revelation from the HOLY GHOST. It is
by the person and agency of the HOLY GHOST only, that Jesus promises
to be with his preachers always unto the end of the world, in order to
reveal the truth unto honest hearers, and show them who are prophets
and true ministers of Christ, and also what is true doctrine. The HOLY
GHOST will always attend a true minister of God, and reveal to his
humble honest hearers, his mission and authority beyond all reasonable
doubt.

Now, sir, let me say, distinctly, that the testimony of any number of
men, or of all men together, is no proof either _for_ or _against_ the
authority, doctrine, or mission of a prophet or true minister of God.
For if no _one_ man can know a minister of God without revelation, then
no large body of men can know him; and surely they cannot testify of
what they do not KNOW. No matter what is said against Joseph Smith, or
who, or how many, say it, or however _credible_ the witnesses, they are
not competent to testify, because they have not the gift of revelation.
This position, sir, is invincible, because it is fortified by the voice
of eternal truth, even the word of God, which you profess publicly to
believe, and preach, and print. Flesh and blood cannot reveal spiritual
things, but our Father in heaven. The things of the spirit require
the same spirit to discern them. He that is spiritual can judge all
things, while he that has not the spirit of revelation cannot judge any
spiritual matters correctly, of any name or nature.

Now, my dear friend, I close this second epistle, praying that God
will give you the spirit of understanding, which I assure you He will
do, inasmuch as you are humble and contrite, and seek it with all your
heart.

Your obedient servant,

ORSON SPENCER.



LETTER III.

ON FAITH.

_Liverpool, June_ 1, 1847.

Reverend and Dear Sir,--The next subject to which I will invite your
careful consideration, is that of FAITH.

Do not be surprised that I should attempt the investigation of a
subject so common-place, with the view of imparting any new or useful
instruction. The numerous elaborate treatises that have heretofore been
bestowed upon this subject, have, I boldly aver, been like Goliath's
armour against David--massive and imposing, but, at the same time,
alike inapplicable and ineffectual to the case at issue.

In order that you may be apprised of my position, without needless
circumlocution, I here distinctly observe, that there neither is, nor
ever was, any gospel or saving faith, in former or latter days, but
the faith of miracles, or the faith of _immediate revelation_. Can any
man know God without faith? Certainly not. The gospel of Christ is the
power of God unto salvation. To whom? To the unbelieving? No! but to
them that have _faith_. The gospel of Christ is, then, brought only
to such as have faith. But what faith are they to have in order to
receive it? The answer, is the faith of immediate revelation, or of the
supernatural agency of the Holy Spirit.

Now, sir, I ask you to listen a moment, and hear what the voice of
God says to you and me on this subject. The righteousness of God is
_revealed_ from FAITH to FAITH. Here, it is conceived, my position
is invincibly fortified beyond the power of rational conquest. God's
righteous will is _revealed_ to FAITH. It is written, "The just shall
live by faith." By what faith shall the just live? Surely, nothing less
than the faith of immediate revelation. The fact that God's will was
_revealed_ to the faith of the Saints anciently, does not supersede the
necessity of his will being _revealed_ to your faith and to my faith
now.

The ancients could not _believe_ for us; or, in other words, their
faith could not be a substitute for our faith. "He that believeth not,"
for himself, "shall be damned." Neither could a revelation to them be
necessarily a _revelation_ to us. A revelation to Noah to build an
ark, is not suited to Abraham, or Peter, or Francis Wayland, or Dr.
Chalmers. No man, in this day, can know that God ever revealed himself
to Noah, or Abraham, unless it is now revealed to him from heaven;
and he cannot know that it is revealed from heaven to him now, unless
he has faith unto himself before God; and this faith which he must
exercise for himself, is the faith of _revelation_, or the faith of
miracles.

What ailed the Judaic churches in Christ's day? They certainly believed
on Moses and Abraham, and made habitual sacrifices in support of
their faith. Paul was a bright example of sincerity and fidelity in
support of the Judaic faith. He verily thought that he ought to do many
things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. But was the faith
of Paul, and of the Judaic church generally, the faith of immediate
revelation or the faith of miracles? By no means. Paul originally,
and his associates in the ministry, believed the Mosaic scriptures
from tradition and education, and not from immediate revelation. They,
indeed, believed that Abraham, and Moses, and Samuel, and Noah, had
the faith of miracles, and enjoyed _immediate revelation_, and the
spirit of prophecy, &c. They believed that such an high order of faith
as prevailed in the Mosaic and prophetic days was no longer necessary.
(But, afterwards, Paul concedes that one in his own state was one in
ignorance and unbelief.)

Hence the spirit of prophecy, spoken of by Joel, as poured out in the
apostolic day, was, in their estimation uncalled for. They supposed
the canon of scripture was sufficiently full, when the prophet Malachi
finished his testimony, and closed up the age of miracles! Men may
sincerely believe the Bible, as many of the sects do believe it,
without having it revealed from heaven that the Bible is true, and it
will never save them. They may believe the Bible even without knowing
God; for the simple reason, that no man can know God without God
reveals himself to him. This was the condition of the Judaic church.
Many of them sincerely believed the Mosaic writings, but detested and
rejected the principle of immediate revelation, by which alone they
could know the only true God and Jesus Christ whom he had sent. If
they had believed heartily in the doctrine of immediate revelation to
all believers, in all ages, they would have known Jesus Christ to be
the Messiah, as well as Moses, or Abraham, who saw his day, and was
glad. On the same principle, dear sir. Christian denominations, in this
day, believe the apostolic scriptures sincerely, and do many things
accordingly; but rejecting the principle of immediate revelation to
them-ward, they neither know Jesus Christ nor his prophet Joseph, nor
the power of God, as it is revealed from faith to faith in our day.

We, sir, contend for the faith of miracles in our own day; but you and
your associates contend against it. The disciples of Jesus contended
for it, in their day; but the professed followers of Moses and Abraham
contended against it. Now, sir, to which of these sides do you belong?
Can you find that any people, who ever contended against the faith of
immediate revelation and miracles, such as was maintained by Samuel,
Abraham, Barak, Daniel, and Noah, ever prospered. Is there a single
instance in scripture, from Genesis to Revelations, where God manifests
any fellowship for any faith short of a faith of miracles and immediate
revelation? If an inferior kind of faith has been got up since the New
Testament age, is it not well to inquire from whence it has sprung, and
what is the scriptural basis of its support? If such an inferior faith
is not _revealed_ from heaven, it must certainly be from beneath, and,
consequently earthly, and sensual, and devilish. If it springs from
the precepts of men, and not from the direct and positive revelation
of God, it ought surely to be abandoned and forsaken at once. When
men believe the Old and New Testament scriptures from tradition, and
the lips of a ministry that is not sent out and called by immediate
revelation from heaven, their faith is dead; and all such as float in
this broad stream of traditionary faith, are not and cannot be built up
as lively stones to offer up spiritual sacrifices to God.

Hence, sir, the concession of Mr. C. G. Finney, and Nettleton, and of
your own Mr. Knapp, all great Revivalists, and talented and devout
men, that the "sectarian churches need to be converted over again."
And I am constrained to add, without any inviduous feelings, that such
teachers themselves need to be converted from a traditionary faith into
the same faith with the ancient worthies spoken of in the eleventh
chapter to the Hebrews. They themselves cannot _know_ God without that
same ancient faith that secured to its possessors revelation from God,
and the power of working miracles, &c. God has never called men to
testify to the truth of the Old and New Testament, unless the truth
has been revealed to them _personally_ from the heavens. When it is
thus revealed, they will obey like the ancient saints, and the power of
godliness will follow their faith, "even healing the sick, casting out
devils, and speaking with new tongues."

You, sir, will surely admit, that the faith of the ancients was
far superior to modern traditionary faith, and was attended with
a power which this latter faith cannot, in its very nature, ever
attain to. By the ancient faith, or faith of immediate revelation,
men wrought righteousness, subdued kingdoms, stopped the mouths of
lions, and quenched the violence of fire--stayed the sun in the
firmament--sealed up the heavens as brass for the space of three years
and a half, or opened the windows thereof for the rain to descend in
showers or torrents, even to a universal deluge. Surely it will be
no disparagement to such exalted names as yours, and that of my old
acquaintance President Barnas Sears, and my former instructor President
E. Knott, to turn, like Paul, to the banner and standard of such a
faith. By such a faith they are prepared to work the works of God; and
either in time or eternity, to work even far greater works than Jesus
ever wrought on the earth, as his own word declares; for, sir, this
kind of faith shall abide beyond the veil; for God himself made the
world by faith, and the spirits of the just work by faith, and obtain
revelation from God, and minister the same to militant believers on
earth, from the faith of the sanctified in light, to the faith of the
militant here below. "The righteousness of God is revealed from faith
to faith." Surely we may count all things but loss for the excellency
of the _knowledge_ of Christ Jesus our Lord; for he that gets the
knowledge of Christ by revelation to himself, and keeps it, shall never
fall.

Do you not preach, sir, the ancient faith spoken of in the eleventh
chapter of Hebrews, for modern believers to imitate? Or is the
miraculous faith of the ancients to be pourtrayed to men in this day,
only as a beautiful picture to be admired by spectators, and not copied
and imitated as a doctrine of modern practice? If there is such a thing
as _common_ faith, in distinction from the supernatural and miraculous
faith, named in the eleventh of Hebrews, what part of the scriptures
teach it? Please to name the chapter and verse; and when you have
pointed out to me the specific scriptures that teach a faith inferior
to that of prophecying or working miracles, &c., please to tell me
wherein lies the power of such a faith? If it cannot reveal any thing
to the children of men, how can it increase the sum of knowledge with
any reasonable prospect of filling the earth with knowledge, as the
waters cover the bed of the great deep? If it cannot forecast events
beyond the mere common prescience of human minds, how can the wise man
foresee the evil in time to hide himself? Is it not passing strange,
sir, that from Adam to Noah, and from Noah to Abraham, and from
Abraham to David, and from David to Malachi, and from John the Baptist
to John the Revelator, the miraculous faith should be tenaciously
and rigorously contended for; while since that day, men, professing
godliness, not only contend for an inferior faith, but contend against
the antiquated faith that was sustained for more than four thousand
years, giving to God a great and glorious name for all his wonderful
works and mighty deeds.

Why do the modern clergy commend the faith that put to flight the
armies of the aliens--quenched the violence of fire--and staggered
not at promises that required supernatural agency to fulfil, if we
are not to imitate and practice such faith? Why so much time and
labour exhausted in order to define and extol a faith that belonged
exclusively to past ages; and if the scriptures speak of no other
faith that is pleasing to God, would it not be better that mankind
be informed more explicitly what is the nature and effect of that
common and inferior faith of which the Bible illustrations are so
inapplicable? Seeing that the Bible illustrations of faith pertain to
examples of a supernatural order, will you please to give us those that
are of a natural and common order, suited to our age, that is, and,
of a right, ought to be free from supernatural and miraculous deeds,
signs, wonders, and prophecyings? In so doing, and publishing the same
through your widely-circulated paper, you may rest assured that it
shall have prompt insertion in the STAR, and greatly oblige.

Your humble and obedient servant,

ORSON SPENCER.



LETTER IV.

ON WATER BAPTISM.

_Liverpool, June_ 14, 1847.

Reverend and Dear Sir,--You, sir, need no argument to convince you that
WATER BAPTISM is the first ordinance, after faith and repentance, that
initiates the believer into the kingdom of God.

The kingdom of God is to be established upon the earth, according to
the pattern of the heavenly order, which is the first principle taught
in the memorable prayer of our Lord Jesus Christ, which prayer will be
pertinent to all believers on earth, until the object of the prayer is
fully achieved and the kingdoms of this world have universally become
the kingdom of God. And if we were to search the kingdom of God from
one end to the other, and from side to side, we should not find a
single adult believer in the whole heaven, who had not been _baptized_
with water.

Do you ask why I make such a bold declaration, and how I know this
seemingly exclusive and uncharitable truth? I know it, sir, by the
voice of God from the heavens, and this voice is to you as well as me,
if you will receive it. Do not you believe the scripture that saith,
"except a man be born of the WATER and of the spirit, he cannot enter
into the kingdom of God?" I know that you believe this scripture, and
am persuaded that your ingenuous mind will not seek to pervert it from
its plain and obvious import.

Whatever an over-jealous mind may fear concerning the state of the
penitent thief on the cross, and of devout and upright men that have
lived and died in every age of the world, still let God's word be
accounted true, and every man that gainsays it be esteemed a liar!
No man ever puts on the uniform of Christ's followers, such as is
worn by subjects of the kingdom of Christ, until he is "baptized into
Christ" for "_remission of sins_." Hereby he "puts on Christ," When
an ambassador of Christ finds a man or woman that heartily repents
of his or her rebellion against the laws of Christ, he baptizes him
unto repentance for "remission of sins." By the ordinance of baptism,
the rebellious subject virtually says, I hereby signify to all men my
repentance; and the lawful administrator as virtually says, on the part
of Jesus Christ, whose Ambassador I am, (being called by revelation,
and being authorized to act in his name and for him), I pronounce this
person's sins _remitted_, according to his genuine repentance and faith
in Christ.

Now, sir, what objection can there be for a man sent from God to remit
sins by baptism, in the name and by the authority of the King of
heaven? If Christ has power on earth to forgive and remit sins, may He
not send forgiveness and remission by another, even by whom he will?
And will not such a remission and forgiveness of sins be as valid as
though He administered the ordinance of baptism himself? Undoubtedly
it will be indisputably valid. And what ordinance is so beautifully
significant as that which expresses both the penitence of the subject
and the cordial acceptance of the Ruler and Lord?

Has not Jesus Christ a right to remit sins by baptism unto repentance?
Who shall say that the penitent believer's sins are not remitted by
baptism? Who shall lay any sins to his charge? Is it not God that
justifies? Has not Christ died? Has he not a right to say who are fit
subjects for baptism? Has he not a right to say by what ordinance sins
shall be remitted? He has never said that repentance and faith shall
secure remission of sins to any one without baptism. It is not in the
power of any man or angel to find a license in the Bible to receive a
person into the kingdom of God without baptism. Jesus Christ has never
given any license, but, on the other hand. He has explicitly said, in
the most unequivocal language possible, that NO MAN can "enter the
kingdom" without water baptism, or being "born of the water."

Do you ask, if I call baptism a saving ordinance? I reply, that
repentance and faith will not save any body in the kingdom of God
without baptism. Some men, whose crimes are unpardonable in this
world, may, and doubtless do, repent and believe; but they cannot be
baptized for the remission of sins, nor forgiven "until the times of
refreshing come from the presence of the Lord in the restitution of all
things." Righteous Noah was "_saved_ by water;" and the apostle Peter,
rehearsing the fact, says that baptism _saved_ believers in his day in
_like_ manner.

You, sir, must be perfectly aware that Jesus Christ has said, by the
mouth of his servant John, that BAPTISM constitutes no less importance
of character than one of the THREE GREAT WITNESESS of adoption and
citizenship into the kingdom of God on the earth--the SPIRIT, the
WATER, and the BLOOD. These three bear witness on the earth and agree
in one. One of these THREE performs the double office of bearing
witness on the earth, and also of bearing record in heaven. Three
witnesses appear to be requisite in order to prove our title good
to a place in the kingdom of God; and the testimony of these THREE,
and nothing less, is recorded in heaven by the Father, Son, and Holy
Ghost. Who will dare to say that the THREE in heaven will accept of the
testimony of the two witnesses on earth, when God has explicitly said
that he requires the testimony of THREE, and nothing less?

Do we forget that all men are to be judged out of the books? And
if the books show the absence of one WITNESS, and the consequent
_disagreement_ of the three before named, can that person that is thus
deficient of testimony, stand acquitted from the books out of which he
is judged? By no means! The THREE witnesses will agree in one; and when
they agree, the Spirit will bear the testimony of the Water and the
Blood to the recording angel, and these united with his own seal, will
be placed on record until the books are brought forward for judging the
nations of the earth.

Furthermore, no man can ever be born of the Spirit until he has first
been born of the water. The Holy Ghost will never condescend to become
the covenant-guide and instructor, and holy comforter of any one,
until he has been baptized or born of water. Have ye received the Holy
Ghost _since_ ye were baptized? Peter told penitent believers that
they might receive the Holy Ghost _after_ they were baptized; so said
John the Baptist to those he baptized. If, in a single instance, the
Holy Ghost was given before baptism, still it was no part of Christ's
instructions to his apostles ever to confer the Holy Ghost until
_after_ baptism--and then it was to be done by the laying on of hands.

Men may receive a measure of the Spirit of God before baptism (even
as a child has in embryo the germ of life before parturition); but no
one has a large measure of the Spirit, nor has any covenant claim to
the Spirit, or, in other words, can be born of the Spirit, until he
has been baptized in water. "Jesus came by water," and was baptized
in water for the remission of the original sin of the world. He knew
that baptism for remission of sin was necessary as an example, and also
that by his "_obedience_ many might be made _righteous_" even as by the
"_offence_ of one, many were made _sinners_." Jesus needed not only the
testimony of water-baptism, but also, _after_ baptism, the testimony
of the other witness--the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost was a personage
inferior in office to himself, but still the Holy Ghost was conferred
upon him, while coming out of the water, in "the form of a dove."

The third witness to adoption is the "Cup of Blessing, or Sacramental
Cup of Wine," which, if men "drink not, they have no life in them."
Now, sir, let us abide strictly by the "law and the testimony," even
as Jesus our pattern has done, and consider nothing unessential which
our lawgiver has both enjoined and exemplified for obedience and
salvation. Who is prepared to say that the faithful will not take the
cup of blessing, even in the heavens, and drink wine in our heavenly
Father's kingdom? Who can say that the river of life that proceeds
from the throne of God in the celestial city, shall not be employed to
perpetuate the remembrance of baptismal water of adoption, and even
perpetuate sinless purity, like the leaves of healing that grow on the
banks of the crystal stream?

Is it a thing incredible with you, sir, that God should remit sins
through baptism? It is with difficulty that I can persuade myself that
you are so distrustful of the power or wisdom of God! You read and
expound the scriptures from Sabbath to Sabbath. You certainly believe
that Naaman's leprosy was washed away by water-baptism in Jordan; you
also must believe that men were healed of mortal diseases, by simply
looking at a brazen serpent lifted up in the wilderness. Do you not
believe that the walls of Jericho fell down under the simple blast of
the rams' horns? and that the simple touch of the hem of a garment,
or of handkerchiefs, was attended with healing virtue to them that
believed?

Why were the learned and devout Judaic churches surprised that Peter
should proclaim to thousands--"be baptized for the _remission_ of your
sins?" and, on another occasion, even _command_ Cornelius, as pious and
devout a believer as yourself, to be baptized in order that he might
be "_saved_"--telling the churches in a general circular epistle, that
baptism would _save_ them as much as water _saved_ Noah? Why should
those same churches withdraw fellowship from Paul because he believed
Annanias, saying to him, "arise and be baptized and wash away thy
sins," even as your church have disfellowshipped me, because I believe
as Paul did, and obey the same gospel which he preached, with all its
miraculous gifts, blessings, and priesthood? The secret and solution of
the whole surprise of the Judaic and modern churches are, that _both_
overlook the efficacious _simplicity_ of Christ's ordinances, and know
not the "power of God," by which a mere look, touch, baptismal rite, or
the imposition of a hand, may secure blessings rich as heaven--power as
great as Gabriel's--knowledge as high as the throne of God--and life
and felicity as endless as eternity!

Greatly blessed, sir, is that man commissioned immediately from the
heavens to administer baptism unto repentance for _remission_ of sins;
and blessed are they who receive remission of sins from the hands of
those who act in "Christ's stead." Hence the grateful acknowledgements
of David, repeated by Paul--"Blessed are they whose iniquities are
forgiven, whose sins are covered." Men who obey the gospel are as well
satisfied that their sins are forgiven through baptism, as you, sir,
would be satisfied of the validity and legality of a deed, signed and
sealed by his excellency the chief magistrate of your State. They
rejoice in the same, without ambiguity or fear of being deceived. The
spirit of bondage and fear (which is in sectarian churches) does no
longer wither up their hope, and blight the joy of their acceptance
with God.

The heavens, that before seem clouded with dismal forebodings and
doubtful omens, that kept the excellent Dr. Payson even, on a
tumultuous sea of mental storms and calms, is now clear and tranquil
all the day and all the year. They rejoice in the Lord ever more;
and they know of a truth, that by keeping the commandments of
God, their peace is like the gentle and ever-onward current of a
river. Driven from "city to city, and from one nation to another
people;" and "every where spoken against," belied, robbed, and
arraigned before "magistrates" for thefts, treason, blasphemy, &c.,
they are distressed indeed, but not with mental doubts and fears.
No; far from it; they are borne down with expulsion from place to
place--burning their houses--despoiling their goods under shadow of
legal prosecution--whippings--priestly and editorial calumnies! These
things, sir, distress their bodies, and cause cold, and nakedness, and
hunger, and an uncertain dwelling place; but do not by any means impair
their peace in believing, or their joy in the Holy Ghost. None of these
things move them.

Yours,

ORSON SPENCER.



LETTER V.

THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST.

_Liverpool, June_ 29, 1842.

Reverend and Dear Sir,--The subject of my fifth letter is one of
surpassing importance. It is, sir, the "GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST," by the
laying on of hands.

The magnitude of the subject warrants me to say, in few words, what
belongs to it, without those copious scripture references which you
can look after at your leisure. If you will honestly listen to my
description of the office-work of the Holy Ghost, you will clearly
perceive, that, since the time Jesus left the earth, it is more
extensive and important than even the work of the other personages of
the Godhead.

The Holy Ghost performs the double office of a WITNESS on earth and a
RECORDER in heaven. Being an unembodied personage, he can move among
men without the danger of being mobbed and killed, as was not the case
with Jesus Christ. He takes up the work of man's redemption, just where
Jesus Christ left it, and has a distinct part to act until the second
coming of Christ, that in due time He also may obtain glory with the
Father, even as Jesus does--yea, a fulness of the Godhead by himself.

According to promise he came on the day of Pentecost, either with a
retinue of sanctified spirits, or in the simple unity and grandeur of
his own potent agency, and filled the house. He then disbursed among
the disciples a variety of tongues--gifts for men which the Conqueror
had promised. With the keys of revelation, peculiar to his office, he
unlocked their understanding (with perfect impunity to himself) and
bore witness that Jesus was Christ. His testimony not only confirmed
the disciples, who had been previously baptized, beyond the shadow of
all further doubt, but convinced some thousands of the sin of unbelief.

He immediately informed Peter, to whom Christ had promised to send the
keys of the presidency over the church by the Holy Ghost (for he could
do nothing till the Holy Ghost should bring them), that He, the Holy
Ghost, would ever be an attendant upon penitent believers that should
be "baptized for remission of sins," whenever his minister should lay
on hands. He authorized him to make a solemn standing PROMISE to this
effect, viz.: that the Holy Ghost's presence as a WITNESS to truth,
should invariably follow the imposition of hands. But he also gave
him to understand, that none should lay on hands or preach but such
as should be called by revelation, even as was Aaron. He assured him
that he would henceforth abide with the church, and enable obedient
believers to work certain miraculous signs, such as healing the sick,
casting out devils, nullifying the properties of poison wickedly
administered, and speaking with new tongues--and these and other
confirmations of the truth should invariably attend the true church
to the end of the world, or as long as true believers continued on
the earth; and if these miraculous signs did not follow believers,
they might know that they were rejected of God, as reprobate silver is
rejected of men.

The Holy Ghost further informed him, that He was the LIVING WITNESS
on earth, in connexion with the WATER and the BLOOD, and sealed up
the testimony of all the witnesses concerning all believers on earth,
and then took them to heaven and recorded them in the BOOKS, by the
mutual agreement of the Father and the Son, against a time of awards
and punishments. He also informed him that he always obtained a perfect
knowledge of Jesus Christ's mind touching all church transactions
on earth, and faithfully communicated the same to chosen men and
believers, according to their capacity to receive and use such
knowledge; and should continue to act in this Office of enlightening
and comforting the church, "until they all come to the unity of the
faith and the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ," which
he possessed before he left the earth. And he would also communicate
Christ's mind concerning the destinies of nations, and the judgments,
famines, and pestilences, &c., with which Jesus Christ would visit the
earth.

The Holy Ghost would also reveal the deep purposes of God, not only
concerning the future glory of the Church, but also concerning
individuals that lived before the foundations of the world, and what
would be their state in worlds that are future. And even all things
that Jesus Christ knew concerning the interest, salvation, and endless
felicity and glory of the church--and the misery and final undoing of
such as obey not God, the Holy Ghost would communicate in visions,
dreams, and revelations. Thus the earth would be filled with knowledge,
and Christ would again return here with all the departed saints, and
literally bring down a celestial city of splendid mansions--even the
New Jerusalem--and God would once more dwell with men in peace.

Let it be understood, that not only apostles, but all obedient
believers in the primitive age had the gift of the Holy Ghost, and,
consequently, the "spirit of prophecy." "He that hath the testimony
of Jesus hath the spirit of prophecy." How do men have the testimony
of Jesus? I answer, through the agency of the Holy Ghost. Let it
be understood, and marked with INDELIBLE EMPHASIS, that the HOLY
SPIRIT is the GREAT WITNESS on earth--that He, the spirit of truth,
has transmitted the mind of Jesus to believers in visions, dreams,
prophecyings, &c. For this purpose Jesus sent the SPIRIT into the
world, that he might reprove the world of sin, of righteousness, and of
judgment.

The Spirit, though unimbodied, now acts in all the authority,
influence, and power that Jesus himself would do if He were on the
earth in very person. But He acts upon and through the body of Christ,
which is the church; through the Spirit's possession of the church,
it displays the "MANIFOLD WISDOM OF GOD." Whatever varied and abundant
wisdom Jesus himself possessed, the true Church ever has in a measure,
and is destined to have, even to perfect fulness--"the fulness of his
stature."

But how is the true Church to show forth all the omniscience and
potency of Jesus? I answer, sir, by the Spirit of God that is in the
Church, by "the laying on of hands." By this spirit it is signified
to Paul what shall befall him at Jerusalem; and also that the true
Church shall cease from off the earth, with all its miraculous gifts
and blessings, before the second coming of Christ. By the same spirit,
John saw that an angel would again come in the midst of heaven to
restore the original primitive gospel to the earth. By the same spirit
Zachariah heard and saw the angel that should bring it, speak to a
"young man." Isaiah saw the young man take a "sealed book from the
earth," that should be a "marvellous work and wonder," confounding the
"wisdom of the wise." By this spirit the camp of Israel saw and heard
seventy elders prophecy the very hour and moment that hands were laid
upon them. Paul saw and heard more than twelve disciples speak "with
tongues and prophecy," as soon as the "Holy Ghost" was conferred by
"laying on of hands."

No sooner had Annanias laid his hands on Saul, than the Holy Ghost,
ever faithful to his "promise," filled the person of Saul, and opened
his eyes. The same spirit signified to Philip a mission to Gaza, and
after he had baptized the Ethiopian, caught him away with power. By
it also, Sampson stretched forth an arm of omnipotence and slew a
thousand men; and at another time overthrew a large and capacious
building, being filled with people, besides containing three thousand
men and women upon the roof. And by the same spirit, in this day, the
blind have been made to see, the lame to walk, and the deaf to hear,
and hundreds of persecuted famishing Saints, on the banks of the
Mississippi, have been miraculously fed by quails, as ancient Israel
were fed in the wilderness.

Now, sir, can you tell me why sin and blasphemy against the Holy
Spirit constituted a more heinous and unpardonable offence than sin
against the "Son of Man?" Surely there is an importance attached to the
office-work of this DIVINE AND MARVELLOUS WITNESS on the earth that
deserves attention. If there is no forgiveness of such an offence, it
becomes all men, not only to hear before they judge, but also to judge
"righteous judgment." Jesus Christ has told us that He placed in His
Church apostles and prophets, with gifts of miracles, tongues, &c.
These gifts were the gifts of the spirit; and you will not deny that
the Spirit of God, so far as the New Testament speaks of Him, was a
spirit of almighty power, as displayed in numerous gifts and ways.

Now, sir, what has become of this miraculous and almighty spirit? Has
he ceased wholly from the earth? If so, then the WATER and the BLOOD
are the only witnesses now left on the earth. But perhaps you will say
that the same spirit still remains, without exercising his miraculous
gifts and powers, (seeing they are not now necessary.) Shall we then
understand that this Almighty Spirit is still on the earth, and in the
diversified and conflicting churches, and comparatively silent and
inefficient, withholding from these churches (which are by supposition
the BODY of Christ), his majestic displays of supernatural power in
prophecies, healings, tongues; causing the dumb ass to speak with man's
voice, causing powerful armies to flee before the pursuit of one man;
and yet the world is perishing for lack of knowledge, and christianity
losing ground every day? Might we not as soon think the spirit has
grown old to dotage, or lost his first love, or been beguiled into
other pursuits of less importance? Surely He never wrought so lazily,
or in such imbecility and indifference in any other age, when true
believers or prophets were on the earth? Strange, indeed, sir, that he
should drop off so suddenly his royal robes of prophetic, miraculous
grandeur and power, to become the silent and inefficient inmate of
more than six hundred clashing, contentious churches, that are yearly
subdividing into minute fragments, to the confusion of all common sense
throughout boasting christendom! What a falling off of the spirit's
power, and of the spirit's light and unity! Will the Holy and Eternal
Spirit of God endorse such a powerless distracted state of things,
as being in any way connected with His presence on the earth, or
in any way the result of His doings? No, sir, by no means. For the
honour of this illustrious personage, let us never ascribe to HIM such
a powerless distracted organization of heterogenous ignorance and
imbecility, as modern christianity presents in contrast with ancient
christianity. The heavens may well blush with shame at this modern
picture, purporting to be the kingdom of God on the earth. If it is
the kingdom of God, how shorn of its miraculous strength! How are the
prophets and seers covered!! How dim that fine gold that once shown
resplendent with the celestial lustre of prophetic visions!!! Then men
spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, and the sick were healed,
and he that lied to them was paralyzed in instantaneous death, at times.

Orators "boast," as it is written of them in these "perilous times,"
of the spread of christianity. Christianity spreading! Where is the
evidence of its increase of power or knowledge? Where the least signs
of approximation to "unity of faith," and the "full stature measure of
Christ" in "manifold wisdom and power?" Where the ornamental beauty
and symmetry of the Bride that is preparing for the marriage feast of
the Lamb? How many ten thousand years must elapse before it can be said
of christianity, "the Bride hath made herself ready!" "clear as the
sun, fair as the moon, and terrible as an army with banners." Surely,
since her prophets have lost their power "to quench the violence of
fire, and subdue kingdoms, and stop the mouths of lions," and her
servants and handmaids to see visions, &c., the beauty of the Bride has
failed--her breasts have diminished--her face is wrinkled--her eyes are
dim and cannot see afar off; she is no longer a chaste virgin espoused
to one husband--but she has as many husbands as sects, and yet none of
those with whom she is now living can be called her husband.

Now, sir, will the Spirit join with such a _Bride_, and say to Jesus
the Great Bridegroom, "come!" the Bride hath made herself ready! No,
sir, the Spirit of God will say, I never knew you; depart from me, you
pusillanimous, benighted, powerless, contentious christianity. "Thou
Aholibah and Aholibamah, thy lewdness is in all high places;" "thou
hast played the harlot with many lovers--yea, thou hast even hired
lovers" (with human inventions), instead of commanding admiration by
the grace of thy "seers," and the "visions of thy handmaids," and the
"healing power of thine elders." Thou shalt be burned with fire.

In humble assurance of your willingness to see the unsheathed
glittering sword of truth, I have the pleasure to subscribe myself.

Your humble servant,

For Christ's sake,

ORSON SPENCER.



LETTER VI.

APOSTACY FROM THE PRIMITIVE CHURCH.

_Liverpool, July_ 12, 1847.

Reverend and Dear Sir,--The subject of my sixth letter is APOSTACY FROM
THE PRIMITIVE CHURCH.

If modern christianity is only an enlargement of the system of early
apostacy from the true Apostolic Church of Christ, it certainly
deserves the most serious consideration. It shall be my direct object
in this epistle to show, that modern christianity possesses such a
faint resemblance to that system of faith established by Jesus Christ
and his apostles, that it cannot be called a likeness, or a copy, or
even an imitation.

Startle not, reverend sir, if I unhesitatingly declare that a
counterfeit bill of currency, that should have no more resemblance
to a true emission from the bank, than modern christianity does to
the ancient religion, would never be likely to do much harm. Modern
christianity is the very opposite extreme and counterpart of the
ancient order of "apostles and prophets." If you will read patiently, I
will show clearly the proof of my position.

In the Primitive Church, the Holy Ghost, after Jesus left the earth,
came and took possession, and constituted the grand main-spring,
life, light, and power of it. And the apostle Peter (of indisputable
authority) declares, in the Second of Acts, that the _promised gift_
of the Holy Ghost SHOULD CONTINUE even to "all the Lord our God should
call."

But this wonderful agent is not known in modern christianity. His
powerful agency, as foretold by Joel in prophecy, in tongues and
interpretation, in discerning of spirits and in healing, is not now
recognised as being any part of the present christianity. That Spirit
that was to make amends for the departure and absence of Jesus, by
acquainting believers with all truth--past, present, and future--that
they might be comforted with knowledge and light, such as could not
be obtained from books, whether inspired or uninspired, was the great
_sine qua non_ or essential thing in ancient christianity; but in
modern christianity, the fruits of such a spirit would be sneered at,
even by divines! What! exclaims one, prophecy in these days! speak in
tongues now! heal the sick now! have visions of future things, and
even heavenly things like unto the ancients! The exclaimant stands
aghast with astonishment, as a perfect stranger to the most obvious and
conspicuous principles of ancient christianity.

Modern christianity professes to derive all its light, and its various
clashing creeds, from the Old and New Testament. If modern christianity
is, indeed, the offspring of the Bible, it is a prodigy with many
hundred heads; but ancient christianity drew its light from the ROCK of
immediate revelation, and previous scriptures were only confirmatory of
the Spirit's testimony. Illiterate fishermen, like Peter, traditionated
by a corrupt priesthood, could know next to nothing of the written
manuscripts of the Bible. What he learnt was not from flesh and blood,
but from the spirit of revelation; and let it be always in your
mind, sir, that Christ has said, that on "THIS ROCK" of _immediate
revelation_ "He will build His church."

A christianity contained exclusively in a small volume like the Bible,
is an insult to the capacious revelations of the Eternal Spirit of
God, that even searches the deep things of God--a mere drop compared
with the mighty ocean! The full biography of Jesus Christ contained in
the New Testament? Nonsense! Preposterous mockery! You certainly are
not ignorant of the last verse in John's gospel--"_The world itself
could not contain the account, if written, of the acts and doings_ of
Jesus Christ." But shall the knowledge of Christ be buried in oblivion
because his acts and sayings cannot be written? No, by no means; God
forbid! What saith the scriptures? the all-wise "Spirit shall bring
_all things_ to your remembrance, even the deep things of God--things
that the tongue cannot utter nor the heart conceive."

Without the Holy Spirit of revelation, to take of the things of Jesus
and convey them to the knowledge of men, I boldly aver that NO man
can harmonize a consistent system from the Old and New Testament, or
find eternal life. Every man must be born of that spirit which gives
revelation and knowledge of Christ, or he can never see the kingdom
of God. But a prominent feature in the creed of modern christianity
is, that there is no further need of revelation, consequently the
distinct office-work of the Spirit, to bring to mind unwritten acts
and doctrines of Christ, and harmonize those which are written and
scattered promiscuously through the Bible, is abrogated and deemed
superfluous by modern christianity!

O thou benighted advocate of modern christianity, how long shall thy
eye be veiled in reading the New Testament, and thine heart be too
gross to perceive the beauty, and comfort, and power of that blessed
Spirit that gave life and salvation to ancient christianity? Hast thou
lost all admiration for the Spirit's miraculous gifts, power, and
blessing? settled down under reconciliation to a load of doubts and
fears, hoping that death will remove thy tormenting burden? Vain hope!
No longer then do despite to that Eternal Spirit of revelation that
is freely promised to all that will honestly receive it. If Gentile
christians are ashamed of the Jew, because a veil was before their eyes
in reading the Old Testament, has not the Jew equal cause to be ashamed
of the Gentile, that has so soon turned away from the primitive path of
the Spirit's gifts of visions, prophecies, healings, &c., and thereby
been "cut off for not continuing in His goodness," according to the
warning threat of Jehovah against Gentiles.

Where, sir, are the splendid gifts of apostles and prophets,
evangelists, pastors and teachers, that Christ gave to men and set in
his church, forever to continue in the ministry, edifying "the BODY of
Christ till we all come to the unity of faith," and to such a knowledge
of God, and fulness of power and wisdom as dwelt even in Jesus? They
are nowhere to be found in modern christianity! Modern christianity has
the effrontery and shamelessness even to say that she does not need
them; consequently she says that she does not need "to come to unity of
faith," and to that full and potent knowledge of God that Jesus in the
flesh possessed, and had decreed that all Saints should possess and be
like their "elder brother."

Not one of these great and precious gifts are retained. The bare
name of evangelists and pastors is retained in modern christianity,
without the shadow of the power and prophetic knowledge of the Holy
Ghost, with which these officers were _obliged_ to be endued in the
primitive church. She admits, indeed, the form of the office, "denying
the power." She says, indeed, that she can come to "unity of faith,"
&c., without apostles, and without the help of the good old-fashioned
Almighty Holy Ghost.

But how long a time does she want to run for this prize of "unity
of faith, &c.?" She has been running for the stakes nearly EIGHTEEN
HUNDRED YEARS, and is further from the goal than when we started. When
she started, "false apostles and deceitful workers" were her champions.
In order to win the prize, these shed the blood of true apostles, and
the blood of saints was found in their garments. And when her followers
found that she had only the form or name of apostles and prophets
without the power, she said, we have no further need of apostles, they
have done their work and miracles have ceased. Oh, thou blood-guilty,
"lying," Gentile christianity! thy lineage takes hold of the mother of
abominations, clothed in scarlet! How great will be the severity of
God's judgments upon all that are accessory to modern christianity,
except they repent and obey the gospel!

She has also changed the ordinances. Where is now the ordinance of
anointing with oil? Where the ordinance of imposition of hands? The
healing of the sick is given up to medical men, whose reliance is on
anything but the _power_ and established ordinance of God. Is it not
written for the benefit of the sick, that they should call for the
_elders_ of the church, whose duty it is to "anoint the sick with oil
and lay on hands and they _shall recover_?" Now the consequence of
changing this _one ordinance_ of the Bible to the medical nostrums of
men, is the literal death of thousands, who change the ordinance and
contribute to make this whole earth the _burying ground_ of nations.

Sir, may I not significantly ask, will the priests of the day return
unto the Lord and teach his "law and his testimony," or will they with
hearts of stone see the inhabitants of the earth perish under the curse
of "trusting in _medical_ man and making flesh an arm?"

The prophet Isaiah says, the consequence of changing the ordinances
is, to make the earth empty and desolate! But this is not the only
ordinance that is changed. By laying on hands for the gift of the Holy
Spirit, the authority to prophecy, speak with new tongues, and cast out
devils, is conferred. Now, unless boasting christianity has secured
peace and fellowship with the devil, it is of much importance to know
how to cast him out. Unless they have wisdom and power, and the spirit
of prophecy, to supersede the need of the Holy Spirit, it is very
essential to observe the ordinances by which, alone, it is conferred.

But it is certain, that if the Holy Spirit, in all its supernatural
office-work of miraculous omnipotence and wisdom, does not come and
reign on the earth, then the kingdom of God will never come on the
earth as it exists in heaven. But the scriptures assure us that
the kingdom of God will break in pieces all other kingdoms, and be
established on earth, even as it is in heaven, and the palace of God
(tabernacle) be in the midst of the human family.

The Holy Ghost is the grand agent by which the different orders of
priesthood, have all their authority, wisdom, and power, to teach and
administer the laws and ordinances of heaven to men on earth. The
"MANIFOLD WISDOM OF GOD" flows through these orders of priesthood from
heaven to earth. But modern christianity has abolished these orders of
priesthood, as no longer necessary; consequently, the communications
from heaven to earth have been stopped for nearly _eighteen hundred
years_; and from _this cause_, our race has witnessed the most
appalling picture of the progress of crime and wretchedness, that
has ever pervaded the earth since the dawn of creation. No man has
sufficient knowledge of figures to enumerate THE MILLIONS that have
been slain in war, since the Gentiles were cut off for unbelief. The
pestilence has never slumbered since man rejected the healing ordinance
of God, for the aid of physicians that are of no value. Famine has
locked hands with pestilence, causing _rot_, and _blast_, and _mildew_
to lead many to fear that God had repented himself of the "promised
seed time and harvest."

The social virtues that ought to be and ever would be, under the
reign of God, like salubrious breezes of heaven, have become like the
antagonistic and forked teeth of a _picking cylinder_, that turned
ever so much, will still be _picking_ either in the offensive or
defensive. The number of the oppressed is becoming so fearfully great
and vast, that the captors know not where to find either room or
keepers for their prisoners. The yoke of intolerance must have fresh
iron fastenings of unheard of tenacity and rigour. The oppressor feels
the danger of an awful outbreak from desperation that can be smothered
no longer. The elements of revolution and self-destruction, are sown
deep in every government, and in every religious and social system that
has not for its basis _truth, immediately and continually revealed from
heaven_!

Now, all this direful state of things is because that men have
"forsaken God, the fountain of living waters, and hewn them out
cisterns that can hold no water." "From the crown of the head to
the soles of the feet," modern christianity, whether Protestant or
Catholic, "is full of wounds and bruises, and putrifying sores."

The prophets and apostles foresaw the Gentile apostacy that would
spread over the earth, under the plausible name of christianity,
obliterating the knowledge of God, and "denying the power of God, and
changing his laws and ordinances," till "gross darkness should cover
the people." They saw the "mystery of iniquity" working, and boldly
foretold the "_falling away_"--the exaltation of the man of sin,--the
removal of the priesthood and light of truth from the seven churches
of Asia,--the refusal to "teach all things that Jesus commanded,"--the
irresistible fact, that men would not "_endure sound doctrines_," but
would multiply discrepant teachers to suit "_itching ears_,"--the
introduction of "_damnable heresies_," and the "_doctrines of devils_,"
and the church becoming like a blood-guilty "_harlot_," that had
exterminated the whole order of apostles, and prophets, and spiritual
gifts, and even denied the need of any such order of gifts and ministry
as existed in the primitive church!

The first doctrine of the devil in the garden was that it was not
necessary to obey God concerning a particular tree of the garden;
and the same doctrine of _devils_ has, _by inches and by piece-meal_
removed and broken every command of Christ, and put bishops and doctors
in the seats of apostles and prophets, and the ordinance of sprinkling
infants, in place of baptism; virtually saying, "that God doth know,"
that without the aid of apostles and the gift of the Spirit by laying
on of hands, you can know truth _enough_; and without baptism "_for
remission of sins_," you can be forgiven through prayer at the altar.

Permit me, sir, in the conclusion to remind you of the reproof given
by an inspired wise man. "_Say not thou what is the cause that the
former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely
concerning this_." The true and only rational revealed cause why
modern christianity is so weak, contentious, discrepant, and so
unlike the majestic, almighty christianity of apostolic days, is,
because _apostate uninspired men_ "HAVE TRANSGRESSED the LAWS, CHANGED
the ORDINANCES, and BROKEN the EVERLASTING COVENANT." Therefore,
_the "earth is defiled under the inhabitants thereof."_ "Gentile"
christianity will yet be compelled to come from the "_ends of the earth
and say, surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things
wherein there is no profit_."

_And God has said, sir, because "your_ (Gentile) _fathers have
forsaken him and have not kept his law," "therefore," says God,
"behold, I will this once cause them to know mine hand and my might,
and they shall know that my name is the Lord." The land shall be
utterly emptied and utterly spoiled; for the Lord hath spoken this
word, the earth mourneth and fadeth away, the world languisheth
and fadeth away, the haughty people of the earth do languish. The
earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof, because they
have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinances, and broken the
everlasting covenant. Therefore, hath the curse devoured the earth, and
they that dwell therein are desolate; therefore, the inhabitants of the
earth are burned, and few men left."_

In view of these things, dear sir, my fervent prayer is, that you
and all my brethren in the sectarian ministry will, from this day
forth, stay their hand and voice from upholding modern _boasting_
christianity--that is a "stink" in the nose of Jehovah--that is
_depopulating the earth and abrogating the laws, and ordinances of
God_, and sin no more, and thereby follow the humble example of

Your obedient servant,

ORSON SPENCER.



LETTER VII.

THE RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF AN APOSTOLIC CHURCH.

_Liverpool, August_ 28, 1847.

Reverend and Dear Sir,--The next subject in the order of my promise,
contained in my first letter to you, is, THE RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF AN
APOSTOLIC CHURCH, after the similitude and power of the primitive
church. Such an occurrence as this, truly demands proof of a palpable
and satisfactory order, which, by the help of God, I will proceed to
give you.

The beloved apostle John, who survived many of his fellow-labourers
in the gospel, and saw many damnable heresies coming into the church,
and making havoc of all the faithful, and even the seven most faithful
churches in all the earth probably, right under his own faithful
supervision, yielding to APOSTACY, and going over to Satan. This
apostle, dear sir, in his solitary grief, was shewn, by revelation
from God, the RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF THE TRUE CHURCH, with such wrath
and vengeance following its wake, as should make an utter end of
wickedness, give the righteous a thousand years rest, cleanse the earth
by blood and burning, and bind the devil until the "little season."

Now mark, sir, the emphatic words of this apostle before he left the
earth, concerning what he saw would come in the last days. Hear now
with a fixed ear, and an unbiassed determined purpose to believe, and
abide the declaration of your own apostle John. Now to the momentous
words that cheered the few banished persecuted Saints, that survived
the bloody hand of Gentile apostacy. Says he:--"_I saw another angel
flying through the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to
preach to all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people; saying, Fear God
and give glory to him, for the hour of his judgment is come_."

There is no obscurity about this language. It is quite as intelligible
and free from ambiguity as the language that predicted the marvellous
manner of the coming of Christ, which, however, men would not
understand, through prejudice. "Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear
a son," &c.

Now, sir, is it at all incredible that an angel should come to men?
Or is it incredible that he should come soaring, or "_flying_ in the
midst of heaven to earth?" You certainly believe, that Jesus Christ and
Elijah soared from the earth up through the air, or visible heavens.
Is it not also credible, that God should employ an angel to carry a
message to the nations? And as God ministered the law by angels to one
man, Moses, for a whole nation, even so the angel that John saw, would
minister his gospel message to some _particular_ man, and that man
should bear it to the nations of the earth.

Now, to what man might we expect an angel would bring such a message of
vast importance? A great and wise man, or obscure and ignorant, or an
old or young man? If we look at the past, we shall find that John was a
boisterous fellow, from the wilderness, that had no fellowship for any
existing religion whatever. He struck the axe deep at the root of every
religious organization, notwithstanding there were, probably, some good
men in every sect, but they were in error. This man, sir, was first and
chief pioneer to the Lord of life.

And who comes next to receive a message for all nations, and hold
the keys of revelation for all nations? Now, reverend sir, fix the
eye of your mind steadily upon him. And who is he? An honest, hardy,
illiterate, bold, rough fisherman, that perhaps never saw the inside
of a gentleman's drawing-room. Here, sir, is the wisdom of God and
confusion for man. But to return. Who is the man, to whom the angel
shall give the gospel message of all nations, in the last days,
according to the vision of John, the revelator? Let God, the Holy One
of all the earth, speak in this matter, and let all the ends of the
earth believe HIS holy word.

The Lord God of all flesh, sir, by the mouth of his servant Zechariah,
tells us precisely what kind of man this angel would speak to, and give
the gospel, in the last dispensation. Speaking of the two great events
(the building of Zion and Jerusalem, in the last days), Zechariah, with
his ear open to the revelation of the same great event as John's was,
says he heard the mandate of the Almighty to the angel, saying, "Go and
speak to that _young_ man."

Here we have it, sir, in the language and testimony of God himself, by
the mouths of his two servants, John, the revelator, and Zechariah.
John saw, after much inquiry before God about the restoration of the
gospel to the earth, in clear vision, the angel in his downward flight
through the heavens to earth, and also heard him proclaim his errand,
and the message of joy and wo to the nations of the last days. The
other servant of God, Zechariah, like John, equally intent to know
whether the true gospel ever would triumph in all the earth, and
wickedness come to an end, had the happiness to see the angel, at the
end of his downward flight, place his feet upon the earth, and witness
the finger of God raised, and pointing the angel to a _young_ man,
saying, "Go speak to that _young_ man."

Now, sir, that you may be convinced beyond controversy, I will beg your
attention to the marvellous coincidence between the matter of fact, as
related by a guileless _young_ man, and the declaration of John and
Zechariah; but first, you must readily admit, that according to the
testimony of two prophets of God, an angel must come down through the
midst of heaven to earth, in _some_ period of the last days, subsequent
to the lifetime of John, with such a gospel as was not on the earth;
and that angel must communicate his gospel message to some certain
_young_ man which the finger of God should point out to the angel.

Now, was the young man Joseph _the_ man, or look we for another? His
testimony concerning the angel that he saw, and the message that he
received, if you will read it, coincides perfectly with what the two
prophets had long since declared should take place. He was, indeed, an
illiterate and obscure youth of seventeen, of humble parentage, from
the mountains of Vermont; but was he any less fit to receive such a
message than any other youth, because he was illiterate or poor, or
obscure, or rough and vulgar? This simple country youth told a tale
of what he had seen and heard, in the face of all the broad blazing
science and christianity of the nineteenth century; but was he any
less likely to be _the_ youth that the prophets saw and spoke of on
that account? Was it a marvellous tale that he told? so likewise was
the tale that the Virgin Mary told about her _offspring as begotten
of God_ the Father. Did the message that Joseph received, lead him to
disfellowship all the religious systems of the day, as incompatible
with the primitive pattern? so did Jesus, with the religions of his
day. But lest some lingering doubt should remain upon your mind,
whether the young man Joseph was the identical youth spoken of by
the prophets just named, you shall have other proofs until reason is
satisfied.

The prophet Daniel being greatly beloved of God, and of great faith,
saw this scene of the visitation of the angel to the _young_ man,
and the laying of the corner-stone of a millennial kingdom, and the
time of its organization, and calculated the same, to a day, as will
be developed in due time. Job wished that his words, or revelations
and history, were written with a pen of iron (the engraver's tool)
and laid in a rock. Now many of the prophets that lived and suffered
on the American continent, and settled that continent about the time
of the destruction of Jerusalem under Zedekiah, also wished _their_
words written and laid in rock or stone. By great faith they obtained
permission to have their records and prophecies laid up in _stone_,
being neatly engraved with a pen of iron, on plates of the most
enduring metal. Daniel saw this _stone_ that contained the records, and
spoke of it. Now this stone, containing the words of these prophets of
that "_other fold_" spoken of by Christ, had been buried about fourteen
hundred years previous to its discovery, probably to a considerable
depth in the earth, in what was then called the mountain of Cumorah.
Daniel's language is very remarkable in regard to the manner in which
this _stone_, with its contents, and connexion with the angelic
message, should come forth "_out_ of the mountain _without hands_." The
stone probably, in consequence of the wear of the elements upon the
earth under the guidance of God, was gradually resurrected from the
depths of its burial, until it was literally _out_ of the mountain, and
visible without the aid of hands.

Oh! how marvellous, literal, and exact the fulfilment of Daniel's
prophecy! THE MOUNTAIN! THE VISIBILITY OF THE LONG BURIED STONE WITHOUT
HANDS! The contents of this stone, long harped upon by commentators,
joined with the whole of the angelic message foreseen by John and
Zechariah, were to lay the foundation of a kingdom that should extend
over the whole earth, and break in pieces all others, and never be
thrown down. Daniel not only saw the stone, and mountain, and _young_
man, and the whole beginning of this latter-day work, and calculated
the precise year and day of the month when the kingdom (not the coming
of Christ) should be set up; but he describes the small and weak
governments into which the four great universal governments should be
divided and subdivided. The governments that should exist on the earth
when this stone should be brought to light, would be, in comparison
with the four universal and potent governments of previous ages, as the
numerously divided toes of a man's feet in magnitude to his body.

When Jesus Christ came to organize the kingdom, the Romish government
was universal, and all the world were required to be taxed for its
support; consequently Daniel did not speak of _his_ organization, which
all the apostles saw and declared would be overcome. But he saw that
the kingdom which Christ would never take from the earth would be set
up, when the image of great kingdoms would be reduced to the simile of
mere toes, or petty kingdoms, just such as exist all over the earth
now--weak and small, and huddled together as thick as some of the
supernumerary toes of the feet of some ancient prodigies.

The kingdoms of this world, just precisely like the religions of this
world, are small, very numerous and contentious--all the present
governments of the earth being based on mixed, heterogenous, and
discordant principles, will readily crumble, like dry clay, before
the march of truth, until the dust thereof is carried away, and these
kingdoms and diversified religions are known only in the past. You,
sir, know very well whether the signs of the times fully indicate the
tottering state, and general disruption of all the governments of
the earth. But before I close this part of my subject, I will still
multiply the testimony of the prophets even further upon it.

Omitting Ezekiel, I will next introduce the testimony of Isaiah. This
prophet has probably said more on the re-establishment of the church
in the last days, and the surpassing glory of it than any other, and
deserves rather to be read as a whole than suffer mutilation from a
single extract or two. How any man can read Isaiah's testimony and
not see that an extraordinary scene, just like the one I have been
describing, was in full vision before him, it is difficult to explain,
except their hearts are waxed gross and dull to perceive, and the veil
remains untaken away in reading the Old Testament prophecies.

Instead of citing passages of scripture verbatim, I will here name
topics, which Isaiah distinctly exhibited, bearing directly upon the
subject at issue. First, he speaks unequivocally of an extraordinary
BOOK, and says it would be a "_sealed_ book," that neither the learned
or unlearned could read. Second, in the context, he gives a cutting
rebuke, because there is no prophet or seer to read it; and administers
a most withering reproof to the religious world, that draw near to Him
with their lips, and honour Him with their mouths only; and for lack of
the spirit of _revelation and prophecy_, resort to their own ingenuity
of teaching the fear of the Lord by human precepts. Third, he says, the
"_vision_" of all is become as a BOOK that is sealed which cannot be
read. How is this, sir, that the prophecies and revelations of _all_
are locked up in a book, that neither learned nor unlearned can read,
and the men that uttered them, prophets and seers, are covered--shut
out from the knowledge of mankind?

The visions of the Old and New Testament are so plainly legible in many
books, that he who runs may read. Those who had these latter visions,
instead of being covered or unknown, are well known, and preached every
Sabbath day. Don't shrink from this issue, sir, but meet it like one
who feels his destiny to be suspended on a correct faith in revealed
truth. What mysterious collection of visions, arranged into the form
of a BOOK, that no uninspired man can read, IS THIS? It must be the
visions of _some_ prophets and seers, that have lived and prophesied
to _some_ people, that have now faded from the knowledge of men.
Mankind is ignorant of them. And when the BOOK, that contains their
_records_ is found (taken out of the earth, as I shall show by Isaiah's
testimony), no man can read it or is the wiser for it (unless God
reveals it).

Now, sir, as you are a teacher, professing to be sent from God, I again
ask, whose visions are all these, so curiously wrapped up in a BOOK,
and sealed too, and kept hid from the knowledge of mankind? You will
not deny that the prophet saw a _book_, containing important records
of some certain unknown prophets and seers. But if you believe the
prophet, as I know you do, and humbly acknowledge, that you cannot tell
what this mysterious BOOK of RECORDS means; then, by the spirit and
blessing of God, I will further endeavour to show that it is the same
that the angel announced to the young man Joseph.

This mysterious BOOK of records was found in that identical _stone_,
spoken of by Daniel the prophet. The prophets and seers, whose records
constitute that book, lived among a mighty nation on the American
continent, whose history is as important as that of other continents in
its place.

Another topic dwelt upon by Isaiah is, that "truth" (plainly alluding
to this book of inspired records) should "_speak out of the ground_,
and thy speech shall be low _out of the dust_, and thy voice shall be
as of one that hath a familiar spirit _out of the ground_, and thy
speech shall whisper _out of the dust_."

Is it a marvellous thing that this wonderful book of the visions of all
the American seers should be so skilfully entombed in _stone_, and then
buried in the earth? Where should they have deposited it, so that it
could have answered the purpose intended, so well as in the ground? How
could the STONE, containing it, ever have been CUT OUT OF THE MOUNTAIN
WITHOUT HANDS, if it had never been put _into the mountain_? Isaiah
says, the people should be besieged and brought _low_ (nearly all were
slain), but by the records of their seers should, after a long time,
speak _out_ of the ground, and their records should be as the voice
of a familiar spirit. Who, sir, that has read them does not clearly
perceive that they speak familiarly of things past, present, and to
come? So truly do these records speak of what shall transpire, after
the BOOK has been shewn to them, that many have slanderously said, that
it was written by an eye witness of the things spoken of. It speaks
also of the ruins of cities--of antiquities since discovered on the
American continent, by travellers and antiquarians, that have excited
the curiosity and wonder of the world.

This Book of Mormon, is one of the most unexceptionable and
God-honouring books that was ever published to the world. An uninspired
man might as well attempt to originally compose the Old and New
Testament, as it. Its language (the best butt of cavaliers) is said
not to harmonize with the philological rules of the nineteenth
century. One word in reply. Peter and John were illiterate men, who
spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, and their language was
accredited to unlearned men by their hearers. Now, if redundant and
ungrammatical language may be the medium through which the Holy Ghost
communicates by men in speaking, may it not with equal propriety be
employed in _writing_, by a similar class of men? It is not denied,
that there is something wonderful about all this matter. The prophet
Isaiah considered it wonderful, when he calls it a "marvellous work:
a marvellous work and a wonder." "The wisdom of their wise men shall
perish, and the understanding of their prudent shall be hid." All the
learned commentaries of divines, as this gospel advances, shall be
buried in oblivion, as so much rubbish.

God declares, by the same prophet, that he has seen the wickedness of
the wicked, and the oppression of the poor and upright, until he rises
up to "_do his work, his strange work_, and bring to pass his act,
his strange act." He warns men against making a mock of this strange
and marvellous work, lest their "bands be made strong," for he has
"_decreed a consumption upon the whole earth_." This is what John also
says;--"The hour of His judgment" is measurably simultaneous with the
proclamation of the gospel. Habakkuk, the prophet, told men to wait
for this same vision of American prophets, written on tables (tabular
plates), which would be a long time before it made its appearance; but
it would "surely come," because God had promised these seers that a
remnant of their seed, on that continent, should be saved. No pen can
describe the joy and exultation that they must have felt in obtaining
such a promise, or the bliss now experienced by them in the fulfilment
of it. But for the fulfilment of this promise, none of them or their
righteous contemporaries would ever have been made perfect.

Oh! how great the goodness and mercy of God to every nation, without
respect of persons! How great, too, the indebtedness of this generation
to Almighty God for that most precious "_stone_" of prophetic records,
that reveals at once the history of the American continent--a continent
of otherwise unfathomable antiquities and wonders--a land that
embowels the bones of a numerous and mighty race of people, with all
their implements of husbandry and of art! Where, also, are the ruins of
splendid cities, the former glory of which might surpass even gigantic
London! Within that stone, too, was written with a pen of iron, as
infallibly as the marks on Belshazzar's palace, the future destiny of
the American people.

In conclusion, do you ask if the Apostolic Church is again
re-established, where is it? I reply, it is in the mountains where
the Lord's House is to be built in the last days. Driven by the cruel
hand of persecution to the very place where the Lord has declared He
will "_hide_ them till the indignation be overpast." Do you also ask
what kind of organization this Church has? The answer is, the same
as that of the Apostolic Church in the days of Peter, consisting of
Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, &c.; with the gifts of healing,
tongues, interpretation, casting out devils, prophesyings, &c. Do
you ask who has seen any of these miraculous fruits of this Church?
I answer a _hundred thousand_ living witnesses are ready to testify
that the "signs" which Christ said "shall follow them that believe,"
_do_, in very deed, follow believers in _this_ Church. Do you say,
are they credible witnesses? They were generally accounted credible
persons, until they believed and obeyed this gospel. Do their lives
show that they do sincerely believe and love the apostolic gospel which
they profess? Nothing as yet, has been able to separate them from it;
neither home nor country, nor the inheritances of their fathers, nor
penury or reproach, or evil report, or cold, or nakedness, and no
certain dwelling-place for years!

I now close this simple and unembellished statement of truth, being
written in a state of convalescence from severe sickness, hoping a
portion of your inquiries will have been satisfactorily answered,

Your friend and servant,

ORSON SPENCER.



LETTER VIII.

THE TRUE AND LIVING GOD.

_Liverpool, September_ 13, 1847.

Reverend and Dear Sir,--In this epistle I shall endeavour to set before
you a description of the person, abode, and character of THE TRUE AND
LIVING GOD. In so doing I trust it will not be imputed to arrogance if
I borrow my apology from the language of St. Paul:--"As I passed by I
beheld an altar with this inscription, 'To the Unknown God.' Whom ye
ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you."

The people of Paul's day had for several generations been unaccustomed
to receive revelations from the true God, believing, generally, that
revelations from God had ceased with Malachi. They supposed that
the canon of scripture was complete long before their time, and
they considered that the great law-giver, Moses, had established an
immutable code of laws and government, suited to the condition of
people of all ages and circumstances whatever, to the end of time; and
the Jews, to this very day, entertain the same opinion.

Labouring under this most blighting and soul-darkening opinion for
several centuries, without the light of any new revelation, and
without the aid of that immediate inspiration which attended Moses
and the prophets, their foolish hearts became darkened as a necessary
consequence. Inflated with pride, and a false but sincere reverence for
the scriptures of a previous age, they became a conspicuous and warning
example to this generation of ignorance, not only of the scriptures,
which they carefully memorized, but also of all the essential
attributes of the person, character, and doctrine of God.

Now, sir, during the long period of sixteen or eighteen hundred years,
in which the light of immediate revelation has not shone, the religious
world have fallen into similar and even far greater darkness. The true
and living God is not known as I shall proceed to show.

The religious world have an abundance of zeal for God, and diligence in
spreading the scriptures and their missionaries over the face of the
earth; but, alas! the God they profess to worship is an unknown God,
and this ignorance of God is the legitimate consequence of not having
immediate revelation from him, during a _long_ period of near eighteen
hundred years; and unaided by the spirit of inspiration, the ancient
scriptures have become a dark and obscure book--their import has been
warmly debated by a thousand learned disputants, without any prospect
of approximation to unity.

A very general conviction concerning the character of God now is, that
He is a Being without body, or parts, or passions. A greater absurdity
cannot be furnished in all the annals of heathenism. Even images of
wood, and brass, and stone, are scarcely more remote from the picture
of the true God, than the theory of a passionless, matterless God--an
inconceivable sort of chaotic being, that is without form, or void,
or dwelling place! a being whose circumference is everywhere, and his
centre nowhere!

Another theory concerning God, that is entertained by Jewish Rabbies,
though of an opposite character, is not much more extravagant than the
common orthodox theory, viz, the Rabbies suppose that God is a Being of
some "_millions of miles in length_."

Again, the popular notion of modern Jews, as expressed in a recent
number of the _Jewish Chronicle_, is, that the Almighty God is a
Being of such infinite _dimension_, that He cannot _condense_ himself
sufficiently to speak to men, or be tangible or visible by mortals.
Accordingly, when he gives revelation to men, He creates a fictitious
or imaginary messenger, through whom he communicates his will, and this
messenger has no real existence in the eye of God, and _only_ in the
momentary perception of the person addressed.--(See _Millennial Star_
No. 15, also _Jewish Chronicle_.)

From the foregoing it may be seen how grossly ignorant both Jews and
Christians are of the person of God, the Creator and Saviour of the
world! All this, too, in an age of the world boasting of blazing light!
of a millennial dawn! of the unparalleled march of improvement! but,
alas! the very God and Father of us all, who ought to be _truly_ known
in order to be rightly worshipped, is regarded as the most insensible
(a God without "_passion_" must be insensible), and irrational, and
unattractive as to form, of all beings that can be conceived of; and
the most surprising feature in all modern theology in an age of sanity
is, that this notion concerning the person of God, is deducible from
the scriptures of the Old and New Testament.

The New Testament tells us most unequivocally what kind of person God
has, and whether he is a Being having both passion and physical form.
It tells whether he can be so "_condensed_" as to speak to men, and
be seen of them, and talk to them face to face, as a man talks to his
fellow man. The New Testament declares that in Jesus Christ dwelt the
"FULNESS OF THE GODHEAD, BODILY."

Now, if the Godhead dwelt in the body of Christ, then it is certain
that God is not without a _body_. But He has a body; and what is His
body like unto? The New Testament tells us what His body is like. It
is so nearly and exactly like unto the body of Christ, that there is
no difference. Paul says, that Christ was the "_express image of his
person_." It is then beyond all dispute that the body and person of
Jesus Christ and the Father are alike. Language cannot express the
similitude of the Father and the Son in plainer or stronger terms.
Then, if we can show from the New Testament what kind of body or
person Jesus Christ had, we can also tell what kind of body the Father
has, because they are alike. One is the express image of the other.
If one has a fleshy material body, the other has the same. If one
resembles in stature the seed of the woman, the other also wears the
same resemblance. If one can be so "_condensed_" as to speak and walk,
and feel and act like a man, the other can do the same. If one wearing
a body of flesh and bones, in all points like unto his brethren,
is capable of holding all power in heaven and earth, and also of
displaying the brightness of celestial glory, the other can do the same
in a similar body of flesh and bones.

Well, now, what kind of body or person had Jesus Christ, which
looked so much like the Father's person? Was it an airy, invisible,
evanescent, mystical _nothing_, which some would denominate spirit? No,
by no means; very much otherwise. Hearken now, my dear sir, and all ye
readers, that have an honest desire to _know_ the living and true God,
and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent, in order that men might know from
the person of the Son what is the personal appearance of the Father.
He, "_the Word, was made flesh and dwelt among us (and we beheld his
glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace
and truth_." Jesus had a fleshly form like the seed of Abraham, and
being begotten of the Father he partook of his likeness. Men beheld his
glory in human form, and Paul says that his glory was the glory of the
Father.

It appears from the conduct of some of his disciples, that they, like
sectarian churches now, were tinctured with the idea that Christ, after
his death and resurrection, was purely and exclusively a _Spirit_; but
he tells them to handle him and see that "_a Spirit has not flesh and
bones as ye see me have_." And he eat and drank with them as aforetime
with his resurrected body, and afterwards ascended up from their midst
with the same bloodless body into heaven; and in like manner will he
come again.

Thus, sir, the notion of a God that is exclusively _Spirit_ without
bodily form, was banished from the minds of the disciples that saw
the bodily image of the Father in the person of the Son after his
resurrection. From heaven he will come again in like manner, and every
eye shall see him, and they that have pierced him. But the popular
God of modern times, that has no body or parts, cannot be seen. But,
sir, this popular God that has sprung into fashion, since the age of
revelation, has no resemblance to Jesus Christ, who has both body and
parts, and is the exact image of his Father. Jesus Christ declared
that he could exercise all power in heaven and earth while he was in
the body. His Father could do the same, because they were alike. It
required no extraordinary _condensation_ of the infinity of Jesus in
order to reveal himself to men, or in order that men should behold his
glory.

But we have other proofs that the person of God the Father is like
the bodily form of Christ's resurrected person. God has declared that
man is in his image. Man was created in the image of God, and in the
likeness of God; and the bodies of holy men are destined to be like
unto Christ's own most glorious body; that is as much as to say that
they are like the body of Christ in the heavenly state.

If the foregoing, and many other similar passages of scripture, do not
go to show that the Supreme Being bears a personal appearance like unto
the person of his Son, and consequently like unto any other resurrected
body of a righteous man, then we are in a labyrinth of doubt how to
interpret the most plain and unequivocal language. If the language of
scripture does not bear me out in the conclusion that man is in the
form of God, then there are no infallible way-marks or criteria by
which I can safely interpret scriptures. And the votaries of Vishnoo
have as good scriptural reason to believe in their theory of deific
annihilation, as others have to believe in a God without body, or
parts, or passions.

The scriptures plainly deny both theories, as they do that God is a
person some millions of miles in the height of his stature. Common
sense cannot grasp the idea of any _being_ or _thing_ whatever,
that is without body or parts. Even the most subtle and refined
spirit conceivable, is a _material existence_ as far removed from
immateriality as the east is from the west.

Now, sir, suffer me to entreat you to abandon all such crude theories
concerning God, which are as baseless and unscriptural as the most
extravagant vagaries of the heathen, and confine your faith to the
simple obvious testimony of Jesus and the prophets. And remember that
this is not a subject of little importance; for it is written, that,
_to know God and Jesus Christ is eternal life_. No man can understand
the import of eternal life, nor how it is secured to believers, that
does not _know God_ and Jesus Christ. In God and Christ is eternal
life. This life is not barely the perpetuity of existence, for even the
wicked exist for ever, but it is called in scripture the "_power_ of
endless life." This _power_ of multiplying or creating life emanated in
that Melchizedek priesthood of which Jesus is the head and High Priest.
This is the gift of God to men who keep his commandments, and the
greatest of all gifts. Unsearchable riches accompany this gift. When
God created man, he created him in his own image (male and female), in
order that he too might have the power of multiplying life after the
order of Melchizedek, through obedience.

Now, sir, should it not be a matter of delight to you, that man is
created in the image of God, and crowned with glory and honour through
faith in Christ. Will not Peter and his fellow-desciples rejoice to
recognise that same Jesus who ascended to heaven with a body like their
own, and if Jesus bears the image of the Father, they will be equally
familiar with the Highest. What is there, sir, that contributes more to
the glory of God than his _creative power_, by which he brings myriads
of living intelligences into being, through whom a chaotic universe is
organized into works of beauty, taste, grandeur, and glory? All these
creations are for the righteous pleasure of Him who created them.

We all are the offspring of God, and the loyal offspring of God are the
greatest delight and concern of God. For them he is ever ready to make
the greatest sacrifice possible. Not only is filial reverence displayed
from them to Him, the fountain of life, but by them is shown forth the
manifold wisdom and power of God. And when men, by humble obedience,
become worthy of eternal life, the Almighty bestows upon them the like
precious _creative gift_. But this gift of life is in his Son, and He
never bestows it upon unworthy subjects. Thus by the law of adoption
men become the sons and daughters of the Almighty, and receive the
priestly "_power of endless life_," which is after the order of the
Son of God. Hence the marvellous language of scripture, "I said ye
are God's to whom the word of God came." Jesus virtually said on one
occasion, "If holy men are the sons of God, and consequently heirs
to His throne, privileges, and glory, then marvel not that I (Jesus)
should claim to be a God or the Son of God!" For Paul says, "_there be
in heaven Gods many, and Lords many, yet to us there is but one God.
Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge_."

In conclusion, I will drop a passing remark or two concerning the abode
or dwelling place of God, with a brief hint of his moral attributes.
As Jesus is our light and example, we can learn of the Father's abode
from his Son. The Son ascended up into _heaven_ and to his God and our
God. The scriptures abundantly declare that a place called _heaven_ is
the peculiar dwelling place of the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ. Now, if heaven is not a _literal, bona fide place_, but only
an imaginary phantom, then it follows that Jesus went to no place, but
continued to ascend up, till, in his glorious flight, He reached--
shall I call it Nichban--an imaginary phantom--or annihilation!

Be not displeased, dear sir, I am not trifling with your religion,
but am bound by truth and the love of God, to unfold its naked
absurdity, in order that you, my beloved friend, and all good men
may recoil from such gross Gentile vagaries, and exclaim, in the
language of scripture, "_Our Fathers have inherited lies, vanity,
and things wherein there is no profit_." If you will read carefully
the scripture accounts of the visions of holy men, that have been
permitted to look in upon the heavenly residence of God, where Jesus
and all the resurrected bodies of the righteous abide, and eat and
drink, you will be constrained to acknowledge every appearance of a
splendid local abode. Mansions--streets--rivers--trees--precious metals
--thrones--persons--apparel--animals--ministering personages in all the
courtly livery of unspeakable celestial glory! The heaven of all the
holy prophets!

God's holy dwelling place, is literal, local, real, and to its
occupants, it is visible and tangible. It is by no means a matterless,
passionless, mystical region of extatic and endless songs from the
lips of immaterial spirits, offered in praise to some Great Spirit,
equally passionless and immaterially chaotic, spreading infinitely
through all space without centre or circumference. If such is the God
that men expect to adore in heaven, mankind would present but a faint
image of him, yea, even Jesus, who partook of man's likeness, could not
have been the brightness of the Father's glory, and express image of
his person. He declares that He has given us an image and likeness of
himself in the person of man. But who would ever recognise their Father
and Jesus in the person of a boundless, centreless being, of no body or
parts, infinitely expanded.

But it is sometimes urged that man only resembles God in his moral
attributes. Morally, says the divine and doctor, man bears the image
of God. Aye, indeed! The absurdity of such a supposition is still
greater. By moral, I must then understand, that the resemblance
between God and man, consists in their being of like social, civil,
and religious temperament and affection. Other things being equal, a
holy man as Adam originally was, would cherish the same propensities
with God--have a similar sense of justice and truth according to the
measure of knowledge belonging to each. But the absurdity and query
are here: an immaterial, infinitely expanded God, without physical
form and locality, is as unlike to man as light to darkness, or as the
most diverse animals can be supposed to be, and cannot in the nature
of things have those sympathies and moral sensibilities that man has.
Material sensibilities must differ from those which are immaterial, as
much as the elements of land and water differ.

My sheet being full, allow me to subscribe myself

Your friend and servant,

ORSON SPENCER.



LETTER IX.

THE PRIESTHOOD.

_Liverpool, September_ 30, 1847.

Reverend and Dear Sir,--In close connexion with an account of the
character of God, I will proceed to give you a brief and succint
description of THE PRIESTHOOD. It is feared, however, that the present
subject will not be more congenial to your views than the foregoing.
Still it shall be treated according to the spirit of the scriptures of
the Old and New Testament, which you ardently profess to believe.

You will admit that God is the righteous Ruler over all the moral and
intelligent creatures of the universe. His government is both temporal
and spiritual. Not even a sparrow falls to the ground without His
notice. He clothes the lilies of the field; much more doth He watch
over all the varied interests of intelligent beings both in heaven and
upon earth.

I shall then define priesthood to be that order of authoritative
intelligences by which God regulates, controls, enlightens, blesses
or curses, saves or condemns all beings. To it, under God, all things
are subservient in righteousness, whether in heaven, earth, or hell.
God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is at the head of all genuine
priesthood. But as it is His will that all men should honour the Son,
even as they honour the Father, Jesus now stands accredited as the
Apostle and High Priest of our profession. Subordinate priests in the
same apostolic order of the Son of God, are such as he has put in his
church. These are called apostles, prophets, evangelists, teachers, &c.

Now, sir, by means of this order, extending from Jesus the High
Priest, to the lowest grade of priesthood in conjunction with the Holy
Ghost, God teaches and governs all things. Out of the line of this
order, there is no power whatever that is acknowledged and approved
of God. Magistrates, rulers, kings, potentates and principalities,
if not legitimately ordained and clothed with the authority of this
priestly order of the Son of God, are usurpers and not of God--for the
scriptures declare that there is no power that is not of God. Even the
angelic order is in the line of subordination to Jesus Christ, and in
the same chain of priesthood with apostles and prophets upon the earth.

The priesthood exhibits a regular gradation of knowledge and authority
from Jesus the great High Priest in heaven, to the lowest description
of ordination in the church below. Jesus said that "all power was given
him in heaven and upon earth." But how did he propose to exercise all
that power which was given him both among the nations of the earth
and in heaven? My answer is, that he proposed to do it through a
delegation of power to the different orders of his priesthood. We are
told distinctly what the priesthood consists of, which is established
on the earth, viz., apostles, prophets, evangelists, &c. The heavenly
order, minister to the authorities of the earthly order. The ruling
object to be accomplished by the latter is, the work of the ministry,
the perfecting of the Saints, the edifying of the body of Christ.

The first object of this priestly order is to teach all nations to
become loyal and good citizens of the kingdom of God, observing all
the commandments of God. One universal commandment of God is, for all
men every where to repent and be baptized, and keep all other laws of
God, as they shall be dispensed from the great High Priest through
the delegated authorities. Now if all men do not obey these commands,
they are liable to be dealt with as transgressors, and punished as
evil doers. The command to obey is imperative upon _all_ men. Hence
whatever orders of civil government--or order of domestic compact--or
order of business transaction--or order of religious worship--or
rule of commercial transaction may contravene the established order
of priesthood, the same must bow to the requisition of the inspired
priesthood of God; and God acknowledges no other power with approbation.

Now, dear sir, it is this imperative attitude of authority and power,
which the Almighty boldly claims, and fearlessly attempts to exercise,
through a chosen priesthood over all mankind, Jews and Gentiles, that
greatly displeases the rebellious portion of our race. They cannot bear
that this "man should reign over them." False notions of independence
and liberty rise against an order of delegated authorities claiming
inspiration and officiality from God. The rebellious profess that they
are ready to obey the Almighty God, but as for these men claiming
priesthood, we will not have _them_, to reign over us.

The abuses practised by an apostate and uncalled priesthood for the
last seventeen hundred years, has wrought an honest but wofully
misguided prejudice against the true priesthood; and a large portion
of mankind demand also, that God shall communicate with themselves
directly, without the intervention of agencies chosen from mere men
like themselves. And this captious spirit of dictation, as to the
manner in which God shall teach and govern them, has been fostered in
their minds by the erroneous notion that God is such a centreless,
boundless spirit of ubiquity, that he can teach and govern all worlds
without the aid of other agencies. We might as well suppose that he
can see without eyes, or hear without ears. But God's being like man,
though infinitely exalted above him, and unspeakably perfected in
every faculty and power, puts to shame these dark vagaries about the
inutility of delegated powers.

During the whole period of the world, God has ever and invariably
attempted to teach and govern mankind by means of an established
priesthood consisting of men; and this priesthood has been as
invariably resisted from the days of righteous Abel till now. By this
priesthood, it is the design of God to establish a Divine government
upon the earth, even as it is established in the heavens. All other
forms of government have proved a complete failure in every nation and
period, in which the experiment has been attempted.

But the most humiliating feature in the whole history of governments
is, that many have sought to ape the Divine government with an
uninspired priesthood. They have thereby made every species of
religious government a stink and confusion in all the earth. Their
uninspired systems have been like a fair woman without discretion,
or like jewels in a swine's snout. Sometimes they have united church
and state, and swayed a sceptre of oppression; at other times they
have been passive and non-resistant, even to the utter extinction of
thousands whose defenceless blood has crimsoned the earth. But the time
for experimenting upon false forms of government, civil or religious,
has nearly gone by never to return, "save for a little season."

A priesthood chosen not of men, but chosen first of God, and inspired
with his wisdom, truth, and power, is now called and ordained to teach
all nations, and fill the earth with the knowledge of God. By means
of this order, and this order alone, the kingdoms of this world,
whether temporal or spiritual, pagan or christian, are all to be merged
in one universal kingdom. And this will be the best and greatest
kingdom ever known this side of heaven. Its constitution, laws, and
method of administration will be after the model of the heavenly
order. It will embrace politics, arts, war, merchandize, science, and
religion--- things temporal and things spiritual. And the energy and
wisdom of Omnipotence will, like the little leaven in meal, increase
and magnify in the priesthood, till the whole world is brought into
happy subordination to this plan of government. The nations of the
earth will then become one family and brotherhood. Kings and rulers,
of all grades, will then be chosen of God through the priesthood, of
which priesthood rulers will be a part and portion; and without being
ordained to the priesthood, no man ever can rule in this great kingdom.

Thus, dear sir, you perceive that I attach great importance to
the priesthood, and consider it the grand instrumentality of
revolutionizing, and saving, and governing the whole earth. But what
harm in all this? Do you think there is too much power invested in
this chosen order of men? Why, certainly not! They have not chosen
themselves; neither have they come to office by the votes of the
unthinking mass; nor by blind hereditary lineage, nor by violence
and the usurper's arts. They have been chosen of God, who knew their
spirits before the foundation of the world. They are a royal priesthood
and holy nation, for God will have no other in his priesthood. Says
Jesus to his apostles, "Ye have not chosen me but I have chosen you."
Whom God approves men should not refuse.

Moses was a priest and lawgiver, and had to do with the temporal and
spiritual affairs of his subjects. Moses sought to unite church and
state, in obedience to the command of God. Joshua was also a priest
and ruler, and united both temporal and spiritual interests in his
government. David was a priest and king, and likewise Solomon, his
son. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were as much directed, by God, in
their temporal concerns or movements as they were in their spiritual
devotions. Jesus Christ came to establish a temporal kingdom fully
as much as a spiritual kingdom. Both Jews and Romans suspected his
designs, and charged him with the crime of treason. They said that he
called himself a King. Some will say that he explicitly declared that
His kingdom was not of this world. True: He did make this declaration;
but what does it prove? It proves simply, that this world was not
the father, author, or origin of His kingdom. His kingdom was from
_heaven_, and He had come here for the very important purpose of
establishing it on the _earth_. He called it kingdom of heaven, in
distinction from kingdoms that were of earthly origin.

It is strange, indeed, that the sectarian clergy should borrow the
idea that His kingdom was not a temporal kingdom as well as spiritual.
It was the prayer of His heart, and the prayer that He taught His
disciples, that God would establish His kingdom on earth, and cause
His will to be done here as it is done in heaven. Consequently, he
organized the kingdom here after the pattern of heaven, with all proper
officers, and laws suited to every temporal and spiritual occasion, and
then gave commandment that all nations should yield allegiance to the
laws and authorities established, and also submit themselves to the
ordinances of His Kingdom. And being in possession of living teachers,
even the word of inspired men, they (all mankind, if they would obey)
would be thoroughly furnished to "_every good word and work_." In
other words, they would know how to act in every calling and sphere of
business, whether temporal or spiritual.

Jesus Christ did not design that his servants should fight one another,
or fight and conquer mankind into allegiance to Him. The world would
act on these principles through disobedience, but his disciples would
not, because they were shown a better way to universal dominion and
government.

The priesthood being an office of great responsibility, is guarded
rigidly against intruders. Man may lawfully desire this office, but
he has no right to take it of himself, but he must first be called
and appointed to it as Aaron was, by God, through a prophetic voice.
Neither is man required to study, and artificially qualify himself for
receiving it. God takes men as they are, and with the gift of priestly
office He bestows the requisite qualifications. The ordination of
heaven put upon the head of any man, however ignorant, is a voucher for
requisite qualification and blessing. Every man is thereby thoroughly
furnished for the discharge of all the duties of his respective
calling. They are not all apostles, however, neither are all prophets
or pastors. But every one has his calling of God, and in the legitimate
sphere of that calling he acts as God, and in the authority of God.

Some have authority only to baptize unto repentance for remission of
sins, as John the Baptist. Such can confer no more authority than
they possess in themselves. Others have authority to bless, and whom
they bless are blessed in very deed. They have similar authority to
curse, and whom they curse are cursed in very deed. Jacob blessed his
sons, and the heavens sealed and confirmed the same upon their heads.
Paul cursed Elymas, the sorcerer, with blindness, and the same curse
was sealed and confirmed upon him immediately. Elisha cursed Gehazi,
his servant, and leprosy cleaved to him from that time. Elijah shut
up the windows of heaven that it rained not for the space of three
years and six months, by the same delegated power, and again they were
opened at his voice. He was a man of like passions with ourselves. All
men are not ordained to this power, and when they are not, they are
wholly incapable of exercising it. It is office that gives recognition
and legality to a deed of conveyance and ownership. It is divine
appointment and official calling that gives efficacy to the priesthood.
But many generations have contented themselves to preach and support
preachers who have no divine appointment.

The consequence is, that men have been self-appointed to the ministry
and spread dissention and confusion abroad. The knowledge of the true
and living God has gradually receded from the earth, and darkness,
even gross darkness, covered the people. The ordinances that impart
healing virtue and the power and light of truth, have either been
changed or abolished. The apostolic office has been counted as a thing
out of date, and the spiritual gifts as being done away. The religious
world has been too much like King Saul. After he had been forsaken of
God, and the power and Spirit of his anointing given to David, this
unhappy monarch resorted to every miserable device, (even to the aid of
witches), in order to obtain knowledge and influence. But the curse of
disobedience followed him to the day of his death.

The religious sects, in like manner, have resorted to seminaries
and the polish of schools--also to the theological comments of
time-honoured fathers, (who were as ignorant as themselves) ever
learning, yet never coming to the knowledge of truth. Bibles have
been translated again and again; learned volumes have been written
in explanation, and even wars have been instigated by the supposed
defenders of the faith, and the earth crimsoned by human gore. All
these evils and curses have arisen from a spurious priesthood.

In view of these things, is it not time, sir, to let God resume the
reins of government and once more establish a holy priesthood, which
shall be after the calling of Aaron, and after the order and power of
endless life. That this may be the unfeigned choice of all who seek
after God, is the continued prayer of

Your old friend and servant,

ORSON SPENCER.



LETTER X.

ON GATHERING.

_Liverpool, October 13_, 1847.

Reverend and Dear Sir,--You have doubtless been ready to ask, time and
again, why this GATHERING together of such large bodies of Saints? Why
can they not stay in their former residences, like other christians?
And may they not do more good to their fellow-men by scattering about
amongst the people promiscuously? Why, go away off to some distant
part of the earth? is not the Almighty God to be found as much in one
place as another? Furthermore, says one, it is exceedingly dangerous to
community at large to allow any large body of people, of the same faith
and doctrine, to assemble themselves in any one place, their influence
being rendered formidable by reason of concentration and union.

My dear sir, have not cogitations like these passed through your
mind, and been reiterated in your hearing more than once, concerning
Latter-day Saints? Delusion! delusion! is reiterated on many sides.
What can these Latter-day Saints mean--selling out their possessions at
so great a sacrifice, and leaving a comfortable and pleasant home for a
far distant land, even crossing the wide Atlantic! Has there been the
like fanaticism since the time of the crusades? On the land, hundreds
of wagons, yea thousands in all, are seen rolling their whitened canvas
over the wide prairies, accompanied by their flocks and herds; and on
the ocean a multitude of ships are wafting the inhabitants of distant
islands and continents to the same destination!

Now, I propose to meet these inquiries and reflections promptly and
fairly. In the first place, if the church is guided by the spirit of
revelation, God, the author of all true revelation, knows what is good
for his people, and He will not require them to _gather_ without good
and sufficient reasons. For the church that is not guided by the spirit
of sacred inspiration, is guided by mammon or the devil; for every
church will serve God or mammon. Well, says one, I don't believe that
God ever did, or ever will, require people to gather together and leave
their country and kindred. Aye, indeed; but you believe the Bible, I
trust, which informs you not only how God _has_ gathered his people
in different periods of the world, but also, that He will gather them
together in the dispensation of the fulness of times.

Do I need to remind you, sir, that God required Abraham to rise up and
leave his country and kindred, and go in search of a country that he
should afterwards show him. He was obedient, and went from one country
to another, the Lord being his counsellor and guide. The ancient
saints and prophets generally were "strangers" in consequence of being
called to leave their home and country. Their obedience to such a
call, through faith, constituted them heirs of an inheritance. Abraham
became an heir of the country which he was not permitted to possess in
time, but he will hold the same in eternity, with a city built upon it
according to the counsel of God.

In the dispensation given to Moses, he was required to gather the
people out of all the land of Egypt, and take them to the land
of Canaan; and what was very remarkable, he was required to slay
and destroy the inhabitants, in order to make room for the great
_gathering_ of the Hebrews. The children of God and the people of this
world cannot dwell together; they are always contrary one to the other.

What fellowship hath Christ with Belial, or believers with unbelievers?
The Egyptians could have no fellowship with the Hebrews after they
were told that a prophet had sprung up among them. The Hebrews told
a marvellous tale about the Lord appearing to Moses in the "burning
bush." They pretended to have revelation and work miracles as in the
early days of Potipher and Joseph; but this pretension to angels,
prophets, and miracles, speedily sundered all ties of harmony and
fellowship, and it was necessary for the Hebrews to leave the country.
God required it of them, and even ordered them into an unpromising
wilderness, to be subject to hunger, and thirst, and many hardships.

The same spirit of opposition to miracles, prophets, and angels exists
now; and the righteous can no more keep the ordinances and commandments
of God now, without persecution even to death from the world, than the
Hebrews could do it. For the same reason Lot _gathered_ out of Sodom
--even angels could not stop a night in Sodom without being mobbed;
accordingly, the Lord commanded him to gather up so many as would
go with him and flee to the mountain. His reason for the gathering
in this case was, that He could not properly punish the Sodomites,
unless the righteous were gathered out of the city in the first place.
Likewise, when Jerusalem was about to be destroyed, Jesus instructed
his disciples to flee to the mountain.

It was persecution that scattered the primitive Saints abroad in the
days of Jesus. Jesus had taught Paul and Peter, that the Saints could
not be preserved on the earth, and the kingdom built up, without the
Saints were gathered together in one. He told them, absolutely and
unequivocally, that he should gather the disciples in the day of
restitution. Such was their sense of the immediateness of gathering,
and of the second coming of Christ, that they were troubled when the
disciples were _gathered_, lest the day of the Lord was at hand; but
Paul disabused them, and told them that there must be a "falling away"
before the notable day of the Lord should come.

Paul informed his brethren, that in the dispensation of the fulness of
times, God would gather together in one, all things both in heaven and
upon earth and under the earth. John speaks of the same, probably as
the day of the great battle of God Almighty, Jesus signified that He
would gather his people, the elect, even if he had to send his angels
to the four corners of the earth to bring them, after the manner in
which he sent to Sodom to bring Lot out of it to a place of safety. He
declared he would gather the wheat into the garner, and the tares into
bundles to be burned. The prophets, too, long before the meridian of
time, saw with enrapturing vision, the sons coming from afar, and the
daughters from the ends of the earth.

Isaiah says, "the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the
brightness of thy rising. Lift up thine eyes round about, and see,
all they _gather_ themselves together, they come to thee; thy sons
shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side.
Then shalt thou see and flow together, and thine heart shall fear and
be enlarged, because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto
thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee. Who are these
that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows? Surely the
isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy
sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name
of the Lord thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel. And the sons of
strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto
thee, that men may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles. And he
shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts
of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the corners
of the earth."

The gathering of Saints to one place is necessary in order to preserve
their genealogies, and to secure to them those inheritances, the title
to which must be substantiated by legitimate records, kept in the
archives of the house of God. Whenever God has had a people. He has
been careful to instruct them to keep an accurate record of marriages
and the issues of marriage; from Adam to Noah, and from Noah to
Abraham, and thence to David down to Jesus Christ, the genealogy must
necessarily be preserved. Says David, "God setteth people in families
as a flock." "He arrangeth them in families." But if these families
intermarry with those who do not keep the laws of God, nor conform to
his ordinances, the records of genealogy are soon obliterated from the
knowledge of men, and the proof of a legitimate title to inheritance is
thereby extinct; and unless Saints are gathered out from the midst of
unbelievers, they are more liable to intermarry and become alienated
from the ordinances and covenants of the Lord. If Isaac and Ishmael
have no records of parentage, how can one claim rights of lineage above
another? God will assign rewards to men according to the _records_ of
their deserts, and one great pre-requisite to the final restitution
of all things, is the reviving and establishing of proper records of
genealogy, and covenants, and promises, and patriarchal blessings.

In one instance God had to rescind the marriages of a numerous people,
because such marriages, by their issue, would tend to frustrate the
grace of God to the righteous, and entail blessings upon a strange
people that God designed to curse. The ordinances of the church and
institutions of God's house cannot be carried into execution in a land
belonging to "aliens from the commonwealth of Israel;" because aliens
from God will not have the Lord to rule over them. They consider that
the laws of God set two against three, and three against two, the
father-in-law against the son-in-law, &c.; and so do they have this
effect, and always will have it, until the Saints are separated from
their adversaries. Before there can be anything like a true, godlike,
peaceful millennium, a separation must take place between the righteous
and disobedient; even as a shepherd divideth the sheep from the goats,
even so must God's will be done with friends and foes on earth, like as
in heaven.

Had the Jews received Jesus Christ, He would have set up just such a
kingdom on earth as in heaven, and the honest from all nations would
have been _gathered_ to his standard. But seeing they would pierce the
Shepherd, and scatter the sheep through a long cloudy day, as it had
been prophesied of Him and his followers; He, nevertheless, assured his
disciples that his people should be _gathered_, in the latter days, as
wheat into the garner. John says to the Saints in the last days, that
are scattered among the confused nations of the whole earth:--"_Come
out of her my people, and be not partakers of her sins, that ye receive
not of her plagues_." Here the reason why Saints should come out of
other nations is distinctly avowed--"to escape her plagues." The same
reason that was assigned why Lot should go out of Sodom.

The idea prevalent that God would inflict all his judgments in one
great tremendous DAY, is as absurd as the notion is universal. The
famine and dearth were at the command of Elijah. The earthquake that
swallowed up Dathan and the company of Abiram, was at the command of
Moses. Moses also stretched out his hand as a signal to the accumulated
seas to overwhelm the Egyptians, and they obeyed his mandate. But I
will not multiply proofs. God will pour out his vials of wrath, and
distress the nations till they will learn and practice righteousness;
and his people must flee to their appointed hiding place till the
indignation is overpast, otherwise they have no guaranty for their
safety. The Hebrews were obliged to mark their houses, lest the
destroying angel should slay both them and the Egyptians. The Lord
God has decreed a consumption upon the whole earth, therefore let the
righteous flee to the strongholds of Zion, that are preparing in that
land that was promised to the Patriarch Joseph, while it is an accepted
time, and the evil days come not.

Jesus cautioned Jerusalem saints to beware of imitating the silly and
dilatory part of Lot's wife. The righteous are no more secure from
approaching judgments than the wicked, except they obey the commands
of God. Even a prophet was once slain by a lion, because he dared to
disobey the Lord. No man should neglect any means by which he can be
removed, and help to remove others, from those nations that are as
inevitably doomed to destruction for rebellion, as the Canaanites of
former times.

Sir, we feel the very same extraordinary interest in depositing our
very bones in the land of Zion, that the patriarchs formerly felt when
they commanded that their bones should be removed, to the country and
burying place which God had designated. If there is enthusiasm in this
sentiment, sir, it is the enthusiasm of patriarchs and prophets that
kept the divine mandates, and knew well the order of the resurrection,
and the necessity of having their bones laid on the identical land that
should afterwards be their possession and inheritance for ever and
ever. Did not the Lord apportion off the land of Canaan to the twelve
tribes to be their inheritance for ever? and shall not the one hundred
and forty-four thousand in the latter days be equally tenacious to
possess the very inheritance that was promised them to be a perpetual
possession in time and eternity? There, their bones, like the precious
valley of dry bones, will be the guardian care of angels, and in the
resurrection stand up like a consolidated army, while the disobedient
and ungodly shall be scattered and driven as chaff before the wind.

The aged and infirm among us, fervently desire to carry their bones,
while animated with life, to the land of Zion, as an expression of
their faith in the promise of God, that he will resurrect them and
plant them in that same "heavenly" country which they now seek. What
Canaan was to ancient saints and prophets, the land of Joseph will be
to the saints and prophets of the last days, and more abundantly. If
men have not the spirit of gathering they are blind and cannot see afar
off, and are nigh unto burning. The gathering is one great test of
faith, by which you may know who is on the Lord's side. Kindred spirits
long to congregate together.

The language of Ruth is expressive of the desires of God's people in
all ages. "Thy people is my people, and their God is my God, and where
thou goest I will go, and where thou lodgest I will lodge." Her sister
Orpah could forego the society of saints and the ordinances of God
sooner than part with her native country and kindred. A portion of
Lot's family saw no wisdom in the _gathering_ until it was too late.
Sir, the _gathering_ is the great universal national _preacher_ of the
last days. It speaks in trumpet tones out of every nation where it has
been commenced. As birds retire before a storm, and fowls before the
darkness of night, so the multitudes that go out by sea and land is a
practical warning that cannot be mistaken by those that remain.

The nations wonder at the spectacle of such multitudes going out of
their midst under the warning voice of Jehovah, and are ready to cry
out, who are these that fly as clouds and as doves to their windows?
Who are these Latter-day Saints? What is their doctrine, and whither
are they fleeing? The sound of the gathering goeth into all the earth.
The fear and dread of approaching calamities take possession of the
nations. The righteous are being withdrawn apart, in order that the
Almighty may stretch out his chastening hand, and inflict his sore
judgment upon rebellious nations. There is no room to mistake the faith
and sincerity of those whose gathering together is without a parallel
for magnitude of enterprise. The Israelites performed a journey that
might have been compassed in about forty days, but the Latter-day
gathering brings sons and daughters from the ends of the earth.

The great design of Jesus in bringing the righteous to _unity_ of
faith and the knowledge of God, is wonderfully facilitated by bringing
the righteous together in one place. The ancient Jews were taught of
God to build up Jerusalem as a place of _gathering_; and those whose
circumstances forbid them to locate there, either from political or
agricultural interests, were required to visit Jerusalem at least
three times a year, where they could interchange hospitalities and
friendships, and contract matrimonial alliances, &c. Also, in addition
to these facilities of union, their baptisms were to be performed in
the national font; their marriage rites, and records of genealogy, were
to be performed and deposited in the archives of the great Temple of
the Lord at Jerusalem.

In this great city of gathering, their frequent and splendid national
festivals were to be held from generation to generation. By these
multiplied means, the union of Jews became proverbially strong; and
their attachments to their nation and kindred, and national rights and
usages, became as enduring as their existence. If, perchance, they
should be scattered amongst the remote nations of the earth, still the
recollection of their journeyings to Jerusalem in social groups--their
splendid festivals at the national capitol--their royal affinity with
the great and good of God's people--vibrated through their minds with
resuscitating power. There it was that the Almighty condescended to
reveal his acceptance of their sacrifices, and bless the people from
the greatest to the least, and even speak to the people through their
High Priest at least once a year.

Now, when God shall build up Zion and his Holy House in the tops of
the mountains, and all nations flow into it, will He not appear in his
glory? Such a measure of union, and strength of attachment to the Lord
and his people, the last days will exhibit as was never before realized
on the earth; then will Zion rise and shine, her light being come, and
the glory of God being risen upon her--yea, be an eternal excellency
and the praise and joy of the whole earth!

Who, sir, can contemplate the glory of Zion, when God shall have
gathered his people from the four corners of the earth, and made
of them a great nation, an "innumerable company," and blessed them
with his own laws and ordinances, binding them together in a new and
everlasting covenant, without the most thrilling emotions of love,
gratitude, and joy in believing. Break out, O thou inhabitant of
Zion, and sing for the glory that shall shortly be revealed; when the
kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdom of Christ, and the
stakes thereof shall no more be thrown down for ever!

Now, sir, in conclusion, may I not say, with all deference to the
misguided teachers of modern christianity, that the Lord is performing
a marvellous work and a wonder in the greatest of all gatherings since
the foundation of the world. He is gathering his righteous hosts from
the nations of the earth to one place, and setting his forces in battle
array against the powers of darkness, and against all flesh that exalts
itself against the knowledge of God. And by truth, and by judgments, he
will thoroughly cleanse the earth, and overthrow more wickedness in ten
years to come, than blind, boasting, self-righteous modern christianity
can in ten thousand years.

Please to accept my warmest desires for your present and everlasting
peace and welfare.

Your humble servant,

ORSON SPENCER.



LETTER XI.

THE LATTER-DAY JUDGMENTS.

_Liverpool, October_ 28, 1847.

Reverend and Dear Sir,--THE LATTER-DAY JUDGMENTS, the subject of my
present letter, deserve a careful consideration among the topics
peculiar to Latter-day Saints.

You must be already aware that it is a part of my faith that God
designs to set up his kingdom _on the earth_, in order that the meek
may inherit the _earth_ as their celestial abode; and as He will not
employ His enemies to administer even temporal affairs within the
bounds of His kingdom, His kingdom will consequently be a temporal
one, and wholly and exclusively conducted by His own loyal subjects,
according to His righteous will. He will proceed from conquest to
conquest, until all other kingdoms are overthrown and merged in
one--even His own kingdom.

The means by which he will subdue and overcome the nations of the
earth are two, viz.. TRUTH and JUDGMENT. He explicitly declares,
that He will lay _judgment_ to the line and _righteousness_ to the
plummet. His latter-day proclamation is, "Fear God and give glory to
Him, for the hour of His judgment is come." The salvation that He
offers is temporal, spiritual, and eternal; and the judgments which He
will inflict are also similar. As a supreme lawgiver, He claims the
submission of all the inhabitants of the earth. Nor is it necessary that
His servants should be for ever preaching the gospel on the earth, in
order to effect a universal reconciliation of all men to their God. All
men will not obey the truth, therefore what the truth will not save
through faith, God's judgments will destroy through their unbelief. And
these judgments will be executed speedily, even as in the days of Noah
and Lot. God formerly gave the inhabitants timely warning before the
deluge came, and before the fire descended from heaven.

The gospel must first be preached, and then the judgments will follow
in quick succession. Even as a chalk-line makes an impression for
the saw and the chisel, so God's judgments will make an impression,
sensible and summary. The day of vengeance has long been in His heart.
A day when His jealousy and wrath shall burn like fire, even to the
lowest hell. The wicked and diabolical spirits will be pursued, even
to their dens of darkness, and there scourged and bound. The righteous
veterans that have long since fought and bled, in order to establish
a reign of righteousness and truth on the earth, and prayed with
uplifted hands for this day of truth and judgment, their language is,
"How long, O Lord, wilt thou not avenge our blood on them that dwell
on the earth?" But God, who is long-suffering--not willing that any
should perish, but rather that they should repent and be saved--has
nevertheless reserved the worst spirits to the day of wrath and the
revelation of the righteous judgment of God. That day is even now
dawned. God has commenced to reveal his wrath against all them that
obey not the gospel. It is a day of revelation and prophecy.

The righteous are timely advised to gather out and separate themselves
from those that will not obey the gospel. They are not disobedient to
the great revelation of mercy to them that obey, and of wrath to them
that are contentious and obey not the truth. The winds and waves are
wafting thousands to the land of refuge. The prairies and wilderness
reverberate with the songs of the outcast but chosen and elect ones
of God. A more intelligent, enterprising, and bold race of Saints,
perhaps, has never been summoned to the help of the Lord against the
mighty, since the foundation of the world. Their fortitude, patience,
and invincibility are indelibly written in their bloodstained pathway
through Missouri and Illinois. The old arts of tormenting the sick
by burning their houses, and of famishing the robust by plundering
their crops, and forcing the sale of property by threats of murder and
arson, are fruitless. Prison walls and tragic scenes of assassination
and expatriation have spent their fury to no purpose. The daring
sons of Pharaoh, Cain, and Judas are baffled and confounded at such
godlike firmness. Occasionally a priest, goaded on by the loss of his
flock, has dared to act as champion, and throw the gauntlet for public
discussion, but the inevitable discomfiture that has followed, has
taught him the superior policy of evading discussion. But, dear sir, no
man can long be a neutral in this warfare. He must choose his side. If
truth fails to bring down high looks, judgments will not fail. Those
judgments which begun at the house of God, in Kirtland, Independence,
and Nauvoo, have been seriously felt by the Saints of God. But if the
righteous scarcely escape, where shall the sinner and ungodly appear?
The latter-day judgments that shall befall their enemies will be far
more insupportable and abiding.

There was no part of the United States ignorant of the murderous doings
of their countrymen towards the Latter-day Saints. The news spread over
the continent, and reached even the remote islands of the Pacific with
almost telegraphic speed. Nobody that loved justice, or felt the bowels
of humanity, had the least need to be ignorant of the distress, and
famine, and sickness, and nakedness that were inflicted on the innocent
worshippers of the only true God by their countrymen. Presidents and
governors, judges and lawyers, priests, physicians, and common people,
all were made acquainted with the diabolical outrages. They were not
only warned but _forewarned_. What has been the consequence? For the
last sixteen years the fluctuations of business have been like the
troubled ocean. Panic and depression have been as successive as light
and darkness, with the exception of incalculable irregularity and
confusion. In the place of wealth there has followed bankruptcy; for
peace, national war; and for the blood of one murdered servant of God,
there has been tens, and even hundreds, laid weltering in their gore.
Some of the best blood of the nation (so accounted) has been demanded
by Him that said, touch not my prophets and do my anointed no harm. The
word of the Lord to all Israel, on the eve of the Carthage tragedy,
was, if they (the enemy) begin to shed blood, the sword shall waste the
blood of the nation. And how are the sons of the mighty fallen? What
wailing and lamentation are heard from high places over distinguished
slaughtered Americans! And the end is not yet.

But what shall I say of time-honoured orthodoxy? Poor creature! Her
glory is being fast turned into shame. Many of her lovers are forsaking
her, and the balance are too sleepy to wake up. They refuse to be
fascinated, notwithstanding all her m

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