President White Library, Cornell University. Cornell University Library BX8635 .S74 1891 olln 3 1924 029 474 529 Library The original of tliis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924029474529 I_. E] T T El I=L S EXHIBITING THE MOST PROMINENT DOCTRINES ©httwh of S[je»u» ®htfi»t of gatUv-ba^ g:aint», ELDER ORSON SPENCER, A.B., IN REPLY TO THE REV. WILLIAM CROWEL, A.M., Soston, Massachusetts, U. S. A. "THE WISE SHALL UNDERSTAND."— ZJoni'ei. SIXTH EDITION. GEORGE Q. CANNON SpSONS CO. PUBLISHERS, SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH: 1891. /c6rnell\ univer?!ty LiBRARY^y CONTENTS The Author's Preface, v Letter from the Rev. W. Orowel, A. M 1 LETTER I. General Introductory Remarks, 5 LETTER II. Immediate Revelation, 34 LETTER III. On Faith 41 LETTER IV. On Water Baptism, 48 LETTER V. The Gift of the Holy Ghost, S5 LETTER VI. Apostacy from the Primitive Church 6S LETTER 'VII. The Re-Establishment of an Apostolic Church, 72 LETTER VIII. The True and Living God, 84 IV CONTENTS. LETTBE XX PAQE The Frlestliood, 94 LETTEB X. On Gathering 103 LETTEB XI. The Latter-day JadgmentB lU LETTER xn. On the BeBtitution of All Things 124 LETTEB XIII. Miscellaneoas Bemaiks on Bestitatlon, 186 LETTEB XIV. Summary and Final Appeal 152 LETTEB XV. The Patriarchal Order, ., ... 191 Night of Martyrdom 228 PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION. The Author has, for some time,' felt desirous to see the most prominent subjects of the faith of the 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 Eev. William Crowel. This gentleman was at the time, and still is (for aught 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 denomina- VI PREFACE. tion of people, and missionary elect to a foreign land. From the elevated standing of this gen- tleman, and the nature of his inquiries, being such as have come from many other distin- guished acquaintance, relative to the author's change of views, it seemed wisdom, after con- sultation 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 giv'en to his Excellency George N. Briggs, Governor of the State of Massachusetts, by whom he was once invited to take the pas- toral charge of the church where his Excellency resided, and of which he was a member; also to G. Reade, Esq., Connecticut; and Eliphalet Nott, D.D., LL.D., President of Union College, New York, under whose Presidency he gradua- ted 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 PREFACE. VII will show that the Author held the first grade of honorable 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 vilified, the moment he embraces the faith once delivered to the Saints. The present volume constitutes the third reprint. 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 Vm PEEFACE. 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 Savior Jesus Christ, in sinceri- ty, and truth. ORSON SPENCER. Liverpool, January 1st, 1848. i_i:btt:e:]i=l I'KOM THE REV. WILLIAM OROWEL, A.M.. TO ORSON SPENCER, A.B. Boston, October 21, 1842. My Dear Sir, — On the confidence of an old ac- quaintance and liindly intercourse, I have long wished to address a friendly line to you ; for, I am sure, you have not forgotten the pleasant, though brief, inter- views, which we enjoyed at Middlefleld. Since I saw you there, a great change has taken place, as I have been led to believe, in your religious views, and a cor- responding 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 repose in your piety and B i LETTER BY WILLIAM CROWEL. conscientious regard for the will of God. 1 would not allow myself to believe that you would profess what you did not sincerely believe, nor that you would believe without good reason ; 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 de- sirous 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 char- acter, 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 wor- ship 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 char- acter? 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 in- structed 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 LETTER BY WILLIAM CKOWEL. 3 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 in- quiries. I talie an interest in all that affects the welfare of my fellow-men, and especially in what is so import- ant 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 con- venient to yourself. It may be gratifying to you, to learn that a power- ful 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 publica- tion 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 ministers' meeting at Brother Bestor's, and enjoyed a very pleasant inter- view. Several of the brethren spoke of you in terms of kindness. My best wishes attend you. Present my regards lo Mrs. Spencer, and Believe me. Very truly yours, WILLIAM CROWEL. 4 LETTER BY WILLIAM CROWEL. P. S. — You will understand that I ask for informa- tion for my private, benefit and satisfaction. I do not ask for anything to be publishedj unless you see fit to give it for that purpose. I wish you to write as an old friend. * W. C. LiBTTEK/S IN KEPLT BY ORSON 8PENCEE, A.B. LETTEK I. GENERAL INTEODUCTORT REMARKS. Nauvoo, November 17, 1842. My Dear Sir: — I received yours of the 21st ult. about a week since, but many engagements have pre- vented 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 de- mand. 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 1 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 labors of a civil office, forbid this pri- vilege. A sheet of paper is a poor conductor of a marvellous b LETTERS BY 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 labored, are more liberal. You, more than common men, know that it is in accordance with all past history, that men's true charac- ters suffer imprisonment, scourging, and death, as soon as they become innovators or seceders from long-estab- lished 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 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 indispen- sable, 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 ORSON StBNCEll. 7 the religious people of his day counted him an enthusiast. The revelation given to Moses to gather an oppressed 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 millen- nium, God should raise up a prophet to prepare the peo- ple 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 here- after harmonize into one faith and brotherhood, without the aid of special revelations, it would constitute an un- paralleled 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 pro- phets ; 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 con- e tETTfeRS 6¥ founded and made dumb, when asked why 1 taught ano- ther gospel than what Paul did — why 1 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 "kge, 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 Grod. It was this that gave me the victory where many others, I fear, are vanquished. The Spirit of God wrought mightly in me, commending the ancient gospel to my conscience. I contemplated it with peaceful serenity and joy in believing. Visions and dreams be- gan 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 preach- ed or conversed according to my best convictions, peace reigned in my heart, and truth enlarged my understand- ing. 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 embra- cing 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 OESON SfEtlCfttt. 9 ttiinil and its liability to be deceived, I re-examined and held converse with the most able opposers to '• Mormon- isin," 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 dissu- ading 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 practise 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 sup- port. 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 sincere- ly in error, when I came to be stretched upon the altar of sacrifice, and the unsheathed blade that was to ex- scind 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 appro- bation. While I was enquiring 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 appeal- ed to my selfish nature. But I knew too well that truth should not be abandoned through the force of such 10 LETTERS BY 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 instauces 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 begin- ning to end, in close connection with the comments of Origen Bachelor, Laroy Sunderland, and Dr. Hurlbut, together with newspapers and some private letters obtain- ed from the surviving friends of Mr. Spaulding, the sup- posed 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 magni- tude, 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, OKSON SPENCER, 11 sound morality, and harmony with ancient scriptures, that the enemy of all righteousness might as well pro- claim 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 de- molish, has only shown how invincible a fortress defends it. If no greater breach. can be made upon it, that 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 oon- sideratiou ; 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 " Stevens' 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 evidences, 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 minis- try, 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 12 Letters fit 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 demeanor 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 pro- phets 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 honorable 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 im- pqgtor 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 wis- dom and godliness of many things in the character and conduct of Jesus Christ ; they considered that there was ORSON SPENCEK. 13 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 lihat there is an irreconcilable difference between them- selves 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 mis- took 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 repe- tition 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 pub- lic mind? Prejudice and calumny outran 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 live no interest in favoring 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 14 LETTERS BY be construed by prejudiced minds to his disadvantage, these things were heeded with readiness, and published in the social circle, and rivetted- 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 are not equally misunderstood by modern religion- ists? 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, or seer, must be a base impostor and knave. "With this educational prejudice, sanctioned by the best men for a thousand years past and rivetted 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." ORSON SP EN CBK. 15 Again, can the people of this countrj' 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 anything favorable to him. While they feel bound to withhold whatever might commend the prophet to the favorable regards of impar- tial 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 the 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 reputa- tion 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 16 LETTERS BY 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, "maybe 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 anybody to go and hear him, lest they should be led away by his errors. Thus you see, brother, how diflScult 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 favorable 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 ORSON SPENCBK. 17 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 p^alm 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 op- posers 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, especiallj' 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? Dotemperancelecturers, 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 por- tions of the community ? Do they avoid a manly investi- gation 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 18 LETTERS BY intellect, and the dissolution of all moral ties? No, by no means ! Tliey seek the broad day-light of public discus- sion, 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 judg- ment upon it. By the word of God, we mean not only what was revealed for the ancients especially, but also what is noio 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 candor? 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 ORSON SPENCER. 19 an expose 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 bint 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 diflSculties of the greatest magnitude ; and I am ready, dear brother, to mourn over the prospect, because many bad men, and some good men, will flght 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 as 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 preverted. I know, too, that these beautiful systems, together with the various orders of sectarianism, cannot well be van- quished 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 it 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 20 LETTERS BY matters to the greatest extremities. Tliese remarks are amply supported by the history of tlie past, both in re- spect 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 reli- gion 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 beauti- ful system of perfection that would commend them to God, and mourned that anyof Abraham's children should teach that there was no resurrection, etc., and not harmonize with them in bearing heavy burdens iu order tij save men's souls. And when an obscure personage sprang up, and broke over their rules of piety, and mingled with the profane without ceremonious washing, and was seen to drinlf wine, probably, and eat with the boisterious and odious classes, without pretending to wash away the contagion that jiccrued, 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 scru- pulous 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 influ- ence 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 ORSON SPENCER. 21 that were too holy for such pollution, the devoted children of Abraham became exasperated. "If we let hira alone," say they, " all men will believe on him." Fearful to use the rod and power, by reason of the Eomans, to the utmost rigor, they, at first, sought to render him obnoxious to Csesar ; but as measures succes- sively failed, they thirsted for his blood until their pious malice was glutted in bis expiring agonies. Then, though.t they, everybody 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 enter- tain 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 hightly respectable deaconess, " Brother Spencer, I would rather have heard that j'ou 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 the 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 meeting houses 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 22 LETTERS BY to US by many tender ties. As a people we have been trulj' 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 part- nership forthwith. ' ' "If such an one occupying an import- ant ofBce with profit and honor does not give up his ' Mormonism,' we will sue him at the law, and calumniate him, and embarrass him until he is ousted and brolcen 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, tliey repulse us with disdain ; though none can point out aught 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 disappoint- ment, 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 thriv- ing 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 OESON SPENCliT!. 23 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 'Mor- mons ' 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 perse- cuted Saints. The greater part of people probably thought Stephen deserved the punishment that termina- ted his life. The same might be said of John the Baptist, who meddled with the matrimonial concerns of those who did hot 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 minis- ter. You may also be apprised that ex-Governor Boggs, of Missouri, made affidavit that Joseph Smith was acces- sory 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 from this State by Missourians, and put to shame and scourging. The malignant and vexatious 24 LETTEES BY lawsuits to which our people have been subject, are exceedingly numerous ; and owing to our improverished 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 those that are born of the free woman. But it seems like a discou- raging 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 suspect- ed 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 1 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 concur- rent testimony to our obedience on earth ; for the want of any one, or all of these witnesses on earth, in our favor, 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 testi- mony of the three witnesses on earth, which secures a record of their perfect acceptance in heaven, without ORSON SPENCER. 25 which they cannot attain /to the highest glory. I believe in the resurrection of the dead, the righteous to life eter- nal, and the wicked to shame and everlasting contempt. I believe that repentance towards God, and failh 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, etc., and that the knowledge and powej; of a priesthood, ordained of God, as the ancient priesthood was, is indis- pensably necessary to the prosperity of the church. 1 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 pro- moted, 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 favor- 26 LETTERS BY able and unfavorable nature. I shall only speak of his character as I believe it to be from an intimate acquaint- ance 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 Grod in such a manner as is well pleasing to the Most High God. Naturally, he is kind and obliging; pitiful and courteoiip ; as far from dissimulation as any man ; frank and loquacious to all men, friends oi' 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 vexations 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 bim. In doctrine, Mr. Smith is eminently scriptural. I OKSON SPENCER. 27 have never known him to deny or deprecate 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 revela- tions 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 tbe 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 had nothing to boast of, previous to embracing the faith of the Latter-day Saints. I under- stand 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, accord- ing to the best knowledge I have, in the affirmative. As 28 LETTERS BY 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 intelli- gent Latter-day. Saint, ever intends to make one convert by the sword ; neither are we such tee-total peace makers, 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) " ?i man of war," we trust will be our defense 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 peo- ple 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 &,11 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 inter- pretation 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 ORSON SPENCER. 29 both have been accustomed to in times that are past. Anxious seats and inquiry meetings, etc., are not in use at all with us ; although converts to our faith have swel- led our numbers greatly in every year that is past, yet we are very far from employing any blustering effort to con- vert men. The spirit of G-od 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 peo- ple, inasmuch as we have the knowledge of God, and the true doctrine and order of his kingdom, beyond all per- plexing 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 surpress 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 80 LETTEESBY salvation?" You have, indeed, those venerable truths which have many ages since made men wise unto salva- tion ; and those truths will teach you, if you take heed to them, that the Gentiles have been broken off from the covenant favor 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 express- ly for you. When the apostle Paul was in danger of being ship- wrecked with his crew (see Acts of the 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 know- ledge of present duties, or for aid in their present contin- gencies ; 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 won- ders, and marvellous deeds. OKSON SPENCEK. 31 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 contro- vert and deny. There is not that power in the doctrine of any one sect that gives it 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 ascendancj^ ; 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 rfflig- ion, 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 through- out 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 patri- mony at home that they are not benefited from, by reason of their being everywhere spoken against; but 32 LETTERS BY 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 flourish- ing 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 penuri', through sickness, persecution, and other uncontrollable causes ; and there are also in- stances 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 ambiti- ous 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 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 com- munity, from the United States, and Great Britain and her Provinces. They are a very intelligent people, especi- ally so far as common sense and a general knowledge of men and things are concerned. ORSON SPENOEK. 33 Our Elders are versed in religious polemics, from discussions in the pulpit, stagtf, 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 G-host 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 peo- ple. There is probably less profanity, drunkenness, lewd- ness, 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 mi- nute inquiries, having already protracted it 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. 34 LETTERS BY LETTER II. IMMEDIATE REVELATION. Liverpool, May loth, 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, accord- ing 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 favored 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 rny 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 ^eads to the perfect knowledge of God. Without the same spirit of revelation that dwelt in the breasts of pro- phets, 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 suflfice. He, the Great God OKSON SPENCER. 35 AND Judge of all, has said that ' ' Neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him." Words cannot bear a plainer import. If any man knows Jesus Christ, it is by revela- tion, 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 "comfort- er," 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 storehouse 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. 36 LETTERS BY 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 prim- itive 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 revela- tion by the Holy Spirit can never be prevailed against while that spirit continues with it. It then becomes the power of God personified. Men and women — servants and hand-maidens — attended by the Holy Spirit of God, know about men and things, and mutters 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 com- prehends the different spirits of men from time to time, and sees events in the future as though they were actual- ly and presently at hand. The daughters of Philip can ORSON SPENCBB. 37 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 ihcrease of intelligence is expanded or diminished, as God pleases to suit the occasion. When there is occasion to prophesy, 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, forbid- ding the madness of the prophet. The same spirit by which he spoke would have enabled the dumb ass to rebuke disease, cast out deifils, 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, etc. 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 travails in pains 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 38 LETTERS BT 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 pool, and such a man will fall, and his fall will be great. We cannot be in any doubt what is meant by the ex- pression " 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 tou 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 through- out all ages, he declares that not only Peter, but no OTHER MAN, ever did or ever caw 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 J«esus 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, ORSON SPBNCEK. 39 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 vine- yard 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 prosecute and assassinate them. The scripture also says, that no man can call Jesus Lord, but by the Holt Ghost. Thus, reverend sir, you preceiVe that NO MAN, in former ages or latter ages can call Jesus Lord, but by revelation from the Holt Ghost. It is by the person and agency of the Holt 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 Holt 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 /or 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 can- not testify of what they do not know. No matter what is said against Joseph Smith, or who, or how many, say 40 LETTERS BY it, or however credible the witnesses, they are not com- petent to testify, because they have not the gift of reve- lation. 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 understand- ing, 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. ORSON SfENCER. 41 LETTER III. ON FAITH. LiVEKPOOL, June 1st, 1847. Reverend and Dear Sir — The next subject to which I will invite your careful consideration, is that of fatth. Do not be surprised that I should attempt the inves- tigation 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 armor 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 ob- serve, 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 h&ve 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 im- mediate 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. 42 LETTERS BT 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 believethnot," for himself, " shall bedamned." Neither could a revelation to them be necessarily a revela- tion 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 ot 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 sacri&ces 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 Naza- reth. 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 scrip- tures from tradition and education, and not from immedi- ORSON SPENCER. 43 ate revelation. They, indeed, believed the Abraham, and Moses, and Samuel, and Noah, had the faith of miracles, and enjoyed immediate revelation^ and the spirit of prophecy, etc. They believed that such a high order of faith as prevailed in the Mosaic and prophetic days was no longer necessary. (But, afterwards, Faul concedes that one in his own state was one in ignorance and un- belief.) Hence the spirit of prophecy, spoken of by Joelj as poured out in the apostolic day, was, in their estimation, uncalled for. They supposed that the canon of scripture was sufflciently 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. 44 LETTERS BY 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 flncfthat any people, who ever con- tended 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, form 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, earth- ly, 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 spirit- ual sacrifices to God. Hence, sir, the concession of Mr. C, G. Finney, and Nettleton, and of your own Mr. Knapp, all great Eevi- valists, and talented and devout men, that the " sectarian churches need to be converted over again." And I am constrained to add, without any invidious feelings, that such teachers themselves need to be converted from a ORSON SPENCEK. 45 traditionary faith unto the same faith with the ancient worthies, spoken of in the eleventh chapter to the Hebrews. They themselves cannot know Ood without the same ancient faith that secured to its possessors revela- tion from God and the power of working miracles, etc. God has never called men to testify to the trutti of the Old and New Testaments, 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 of 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 righteous- ness, subdued kingdoms, stopped the mouths of lions, and quenched the violence of fire — stayed the sun in the (irmament, 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 acquaint- ance. President Barnes 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 pre- pared 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 46 LETTERS BX 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 reve- lation to himself and keeps it, shall never fall. Do yoQ 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 portrayed 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 teaches 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 prophesying or working miracles, etc., please to tell me wherein lies the power of such a faith? If it cannot reveal anything to the children of men, how can it increase the sum of knowledge without any reasonable prospect of filling the earth with l^nowledge, as the waters cover tlie 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 Abrahapa 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 again'st the anti- OBSON SPENCER. 47 quated faith that was sustained for more than four thou- sand 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 — quenclied the vio- lence of fire — and staggered not at promises that required supernatural agency to fulfil, if we are not to imitate and practise such faith? Why so much time and labor ex- hausted in order to define and extol a faith that belonged exclusively to past ages ; and if the scriptures speals of no other faith that is pleasing to God, would it not be better that manltind 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 illustraiions 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 wide- ly 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. 48 LETTERS BY LETTER IV. ON WATBK BAPTISM. Liverpool, June 14th, 1847. Reverend and Dear Sir — You, sir, need no argument to convince you that water baptism is the first ordi- nance, 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 if the first principle taught in the memorable pray- er of our Lord Jesus Christ, which prayer will be perti- nent to all believers on earth, until the object of the pray- er 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 voiee of God from the heavens, and this voice is to you as well as me, if you will receive it. Do not you beleive the scripture that saith, " Except a man be born of the watek and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God?" I know that you believe this scripture, and am persuaded that your ingenious mind will not seek to pervert it from its plain and obvious import. ORSON SPENCER. 49 Whatever an over-jealous mind may fear concerning tlie state of tiie 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 the remission of sins. Here- by 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 admini- strator 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,) 1 pro- nounce 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 for- giveness 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 indisputa- bly valid. And what ordinance is so beautifully signifi- cant as that which expresses both the penitence of the subject, and the cordial acceptance of the Euler and Lord? Has not Jesus Christ a right to remit sins by baptism unto repentance? Who shall say that the penitent be- liever's sins are not remitted by baptism? Who shall D 50 LETTERS BY lay any sins to Lis charge? It is 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 bap- tism. Jesus Christ has never given any license, but, on the other hand, he has explicitly said, in the most une- quivocal 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 anybody 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 WITNESSES of adoptiou 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 OKSON SPBNOEK. 51 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 THiiEE 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 thkee witnesses will agree in one ; and when they agree, the Spirit will bear the testimony of the Water and the Blood to the record- ing 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 peni- tent 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 52 • LETTERS BT 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 bap- tized in water for the remission of the original sin of the world. He knew that baptism for the 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 smnere." Jesus needed notonlythe testimony of water-baptism, but also, after baptism, the testimony of the other witness — the Holy Ghost. The Holy Grhost 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 Bles- sing, 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 patron has done, and consider nothing un- essential which our law-giver has both enjoined and ex- emplified 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 remem- brance of baptismal water of adoption, and even per- petuate 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 ORSON SPENCER. 53 scriptures from Sabbath to Sabbath. You certainly be- lieve 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 commanded 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? Wliy should those same churches withdraw fellowship from Paul because he believed Ananias, saying to him, "Arise and be baptized and wash away thy sins, ' ' even as your church have disf ello wshipped 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 6o<^ overlook the efficacious sJwipZic% of Christ's ordinances, and know not the " power of God," bj- 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 im- mediately from the heavens to administer baptism unto repentance for remission of sins ; and blessed are they 54 LETTERS BY who receive remission of sins from ttie hands of those who act in " Christ' s stead. ' ' Hence the grateful acknow- ledgments of David, repeated by Paul — "Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, whose sinsare 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 seemed clouded with dismal forebodings E^nd 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 cur- rent of a river. Driven from " city to city, and from one nation to another people ; " and " everywhere spoken against," belied, robbed, and arraigned before "magis- trates " for thefts, treason, blasphemy, etc., they are dis- tressed 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 Gbost. None of these things move them. Yours, ORSON SPENCER. ORSON SPENOEK. 55 LETTEK V. THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST. Liverpool, June 29th, 1847. Reverend and Dear Sir — The subject of my fifth letter is one of surpassing importance. It is, sir, the "gift op the Holt Ghost," by the laying on of hands. The magnitude of the subject warrants rae 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 WITISTESS on earth and a EECOEDER 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, then in due time He also may obtain glory with the Father, even as Jesus does — yea, a fyilness of the Godhead by himself. According to promise he came on the day of Pente- cost, ejther 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 56 LETTERS BTf a variety of tongues — giflsfor men which the Conqueror had promised. With the keys of revelation, peculiar to his oflSce, 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 be- lievers, that should be " baptized for remission of sins," whenever his minister should lay on hands. He author- ized him to make a solemn standing PROMISE to this effect, viz. : that the Holy Ghost's presence as a WIT- NESS to truth, should invariably follow the imposition of hands. But he also gave him to understand, that none should lay on bands or preach but such as should be called byrevelation, even as was Aaron. He assure.d him that he would henceforth abide with the church, and en- . able obedient believers to work certain miraculous signs, such as healing the sick, casting out devils, nulli- fying the properties of poison wickedly administered, and speaking with new tongues — and these and other confirm- ations of the truth should invariably attend the true church to the_ end of the world, or as long as true believ- ers 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 connection with ORSON SPENCER. 57 the WATER and the BLOOD, and sealed up the testi- mony 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 oflfice of enlightening and comfort- ing 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 will also communicate Christ's mind concerning the destinies of nations and the judgments, famines, and pestilences, etc., 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 interests, 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 revela- tions. 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 \je understood, that not only apostles, but all 58 LETTEBS BY 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 EM- PHASIS, that the HOLY SPIRIT is the GREAT WIT- NESS on earth, that he, the spirit of truth, has transmit- ted the mind of Jesus to believers in visions, dreams, prophecyings, etc. 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 unembodied, 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. What- ever varied and abundant wisdom Jesus himself possess- ed, 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 Zechariah heard and saw the angel that should bring it, speak to a ORSON SPENCER. 59 " 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 prophesy the very hour and moment that hands were laid upon them. Paul saw and heard more than twelve disciples speak " with tongues and prophe- sy," as soon as the "Holy Ghost " was conferred by "laying on of hands." No sooner had Ananias 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 oflBce work of this DIVINE AND MAEVELLOUS WITNESS on the earth that deserves attention. If there is no forgive- ness of such an offence, it becomes all men, not only to hear before they judge, but also to judge "righteous judgment." Jesus Chirst has told us that he placed in his church apostles and prophets, with gifts of miracles, 60 LETTERS BY tongues, etc. 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 Al- mighty 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 Al- mighty Spirit is still on the earth, and in the diversified and conflicting churches, and comparatively silent and ineflScient, withholding from these churches (which are by supposition the BODY of Christ), his majestic dis- plays 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 losijig ground every day? Might we not as soon think the spirit has grown old to dotage, or lost his jfirst 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 bis royal robes of prophetic, miraculous grand- eur 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 eommon 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 OESON SPENCEE. 61 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 honor of this illustrious personage, let us never ascribe to HIM such a powerless, distracted organization of heterogeneous ignor- ance 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 shone 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. Christi- anity spreading ! Where is the evidence of its increase of power or knowledge? Where the least signs of ap- proximation to "unity of faith," and the "measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ "in " manifold wisdom and power?" Where the ornamental beauty and sym- metry 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 h«r 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, etc., the beauty of the Bride has failed — her 62 LETTERS BY 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 pusillani- mous, 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 Are. 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, • OESON SPENCER. ORSON SPENCEE. 63 LETTER VI. APOSTACY FROM THE PRIMITIVE CHURCH. Liverpool, July 12th, 1847. Reverend and Dear Sir — The subject of my sixth letter is, Apostact 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 has 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 con- stituted 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. 64 LETTERS BY But this wonderful agent is not known in modern Christianity. His powerful agency, as foretold by Joel in prophecy, in tongues and interpretations, in discerning of spirits and in healing, is not now recognized 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!" ex- claims one, "prophecy in these days! speak in tongues now ! Leal the sick now ! have visions of future things, and even heavenly things like unto the ancients!" The exclairaant 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 Testaments. If modern Christianity is, indeed, the off- spring 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. Illiter- ate 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, "Ha will buijd His church." ORSON SPENCER. 65 A Christianity contained exclusively in a small volume like the Bible, is an insult to the capacious reve- lations 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 con- tained in the New Testament? Nonsense! Preposte- rous 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 con- sistent system from the Old and New Testaments, 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 thine 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 66 LETTEKS BY 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 reconcili- ation 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 revela- tion that is freely promised to all that will honestly receive it. If Gentile Christians are ashamed of the Jew, because a veil was before his 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, etc., and thereby been "cut oft for not con- tinuing 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 is retained. The bare name of evangelists and pastors is retained in modern Christianity, without the shadow of the power and prophetic knowieilgu of the Holy Ghost, with which ORSON SPENCER. 67 these officers were obliged to be indued 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," etc., 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," etc? She has been running for the stakes nearly EIGHTEEN HUNDRED YEARS, and is further from the goal than when she 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 on 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 ordi- nance of imposition of hands? The healing of the sick is given up to medical men, whose reliance is on any- thing 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 I"" 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 68 LETTERS BT ordinance and contribute to make this whole earth the bwying 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 " trust- ing inmedical 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 au- thority to prophesy, speak with new tongues, and cast out devils, is conferred. Now,-unless boasting Christian- ity has secured peace and fellowship with the devil, it is of much importance to know how to cast him out. Unless she has 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 Grod will break in pieces all other kingdoms, and be es- tablished 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 " MANI- FOLD WISDOM OF GOD " flows through these orders of priesthood from heaven to earth. But modern Chris- tianity has abolished these orders of priesthood, as no ORSON SPENCEK. 69 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 know- ledge of figures to enumerate the millions that have been slain in war, since the Gentiles were cut off for un- belief. The pestilence has never slumbered since man rejected the healing ordinance of God, for the aid of physicians that is 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 intoler- ance must have fresh iron fastenings of unheard of tenacity and rigor. The oppressor feels the danger of an awful outbreak from desperation that can be smothered no longer. The elements of revolution and self-destruc- tion, are sown deep in every government, and in every religious and social system that has not for its hasis truth, immediately and continually revealed from heaven! Now, all this direful state of things is because 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," 70 tET*EES Bt modern Christianity, whetiier Protestant or Catholic, " is full of wounds and bruises, and putrefying sores." The prophets and apostles foresaw the Gentile apos- tacy that would spread over the earth, under the plausi- ble 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 " work- ing, and boldly foretold the ^ falling away " — the exalta- tion 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 doctrmes," 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, hy 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 bands, you can know truth enough; and without baptism "/or remission of sins," you can be forgiven through prayer at the altar. Permit me sir, in conclusion, to remind you of the reproof given by an inspired wise man: "Say not thou OHSOK SPENCER. 71 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 ma- jestic, almighty Christianity of apostolic days, is, because apostate, uninspired men " HAVE TKANSGRESSED the LAWS, CHANGED the ORDINANCE and BROKEN the EVERLASTING COVENANT." Therefore, " the earth is deJUed under the inhabitants thereof ." "Gentile" Christianity will yet be compelled to come from the " end of the earth, andsay, surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no profit." And Oodhas said, sir, because " your ( Gentile )/at7iers have forsaken him, andhave 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 thai my name is the Lord." Hielandshallbe utterly emptied, and utterly spoiled, for the Lord hath spoken this word : ^^TJie earth mo umeth 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 trans- gressed the laws, changed the ordinance, and broken the ever- lasting covenant. Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate; therefore, the inhab- itants 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 upholdingmodern,6oas cannot be seen. But, sir, this popular God that has sprung into fashion, since the age of revelation, has no resemblence 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 him. ORSON SPEiNOER. 89 self to men, or in orde.r 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 per- son. 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 heaven- ly 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 is 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 conceiv- able, is a material existence as far removed from imma- teriality 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 tes- 90 LETTERS BT timony of Jesus and the prophets. And remember that this is not a subject of little importance ; for it is written, that, to know Ood 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 Gr6d and Christ is eternal life. This life is not barely the perpetuity of existence, for even the wick- ed exist for ever, but it is called in scripture the '■'■power of endless life." This jsoioer 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 great- est 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 honor through faith in Christ? Will not Peter and his fellow-disciples rejoice to recognize that same Jesus who ascended to heaven with a body like their own, and if Jesus bears the image of his 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 off- spring of God are the greatest delight and concern of God. For them he is ever ready to make the greatest ORSON SPENCEE. 91 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 Hire precious creative gift. But this gift of life is in bis Son, and He never bestows it upon unworthy subjects. Thus by the law of adoption men become the sons and daugh- ters 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 virtu- ally 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 hea/ven 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 phan- tom, then it follows _that Jesus went to no place, but con- tinued to ascend up, till, in his glorious fiight. 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, 92 LETTERS BY to unfold its naked absurdity, in order that you, my be- loved friend, and all good men may recoil from such gross Gentile vagaries, and exclaim, in the language of scrip- ture, "'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 constrain- ed to acknowledge every appearance of a splendid local abode. Mansions, streets, rivers, trees, precious metals, thrones, persons, apparel, animals, ministering person- ages in all the courtly livery of unspeakable celestial glory I 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 amatterless, passionless, mystical region of ecstatic 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 bright- ness of the Father's glory, and express image of his per- son. He declares that He has given us an image and likeness of himself in the person of man. But who would ever recognize their Father and Jesus in the person of a boundless, centreless being, of no body or parts, infinite- ly expanded. But it is sometimes urged that man only resembles God in his moral attributes. Morally, say the divine and doctor, man bears the image of God. Aye, indeed I The OKSON SPENCER. 93 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. 94 LETTERS BY LETTEE IX. THE PKIESTHOOD. Liverpool, September 30th, 1847. Reverend and Dear Sir — In close connection with an account of the character of God, I will proceed to give you a brief and succinct 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 Testaments, which you ardently pro- fess 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, con- trols, 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 honor the Son, even as they honor the Father, Jesus now stands accredited as the Apostle and High priest of our profession. Subordinate priests in the sanje ORSON SPENCER. 95 apostolic order of the Son of God, are such as he has put in his church. These are called apostles, prophets, evan- gelists, teachers, etc. 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 prin- cipalities, 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 declares 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 pro- phets upon the earth. The priesthood exhibits a regular gradation of know- ledge 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 ontheearth, viz., apostles, prophets, evange- lists, etc. The heavenly order minister to the authorities of the earthly order. Therulingobject to be accomplish- ed by the latter is, the work of the ministry, the perfect- ing of the Saints, the edifying of the body of Christ. The first object of this priestly order is to teach all Rations to become ioyal and good citizens of the kingdoiq 96 LETTERS BY of God, observing all the commandments of God. One universal commandment of God is, for all men everywhere 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 domes- tic compact, or order of business transaction, or order of religious worship, or rule of commercial transacLion may contravene the established order of priesthood, the same must bow to the requisition of the inspired priest- hood of God ; and God acknowledges no other power with approbation. Now, dear sir, it is this imperative attitude of au- thority 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 inspira- tion 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, have wrought an honest but wofully misguided prejudice against the true priesthood ; and a large portion of man- kind demand also, that God shall communicate with themselves directly, without the intervention of agencies ORSON SPENCER. 97 chosen from mere men like themselves. And this capti- ous 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 G-od is such a centre- less, 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 va- garies 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 experi- ment has been attempted. But the most humiliating feature in the whole his- tory 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 lilie jewels in a swine's snout. Sometimes they have united church and state, and swayed a sceptre of oppres- sion ; at other times they have been passive and non-re- sistant, 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 98 LKTTERS BY 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, merchandise, 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 im- portance to the priesthood, and consider it the grand instrumentality of revolutionizing, and saving, and gov- erning 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 OKSONSPENCEE. 99 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 law-giver, and had to do with the temporal and spiritual affairs of his subjects. Moses sought to unite church and state, in obedience to the com- mand of God. Joshua was also a priest and ruler, and united both temporal and spiritual interests in his gov- ernment. 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 earth- ly origin. It is strange, indeed, that the sectarian clergy should borrow the idea that His kingdom was not a temporal kingdom as well as a 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. Consequent- 100 LETTERS BY ly, 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 command- tnent that all nations should yield allegiance to the laws and authorities established, aijd also submit themselves to the ordinance of His kingdom. And being in posses- sion of living teachers, even the world of inspired men, they (all mankind, if they would obey) would be thorough- ly 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 flght one another, or fight and conquer mankind iato allegiance to Him. The world would act on these prin- ciples 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 responsibil- ity, is guarded rigidly against intruders. Man may law- fully 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 quali- fications. 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 thorough- ly furnished for the discharge of all the duties of his respective calling. They are not all apostles, however, neither «re 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. ORSON SPKNCBR. 101 Some have authority only to baptize unto repent- ance for remission of sins, as John the Baptist. Such can confer no more authority than they possess in them- selves. Others have authority to bless, and whom they bless are blessed in very deed. They have similar autho- rity 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 offiae that gives recognition and legality to a deed of conveyance and ownership. It is divine appointment and official calling that give 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-ap- pointed to the ministry and spread dissension and con- fusion abroad. The knowledge of the true and living God has gradually receded from the earth, and dark- ness, even gross darkness, covered the people. The ordi- nances 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 have been done away. The religious world has been too much like King Saul. 102 LETTBKS BT After he had been forsaken of ijod, 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 linowledge and influ- ence. But the curse of disbedience 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 theo- logical comments of time-honored 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 call- ing 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 OESON SPENCER. OKSON SPENCEB, 103 LETTER X. ON GATHERING. LiTEBPOOL, October 13th, 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 ren- dered 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? Delu- sion ! delusion ! is reiterated on many sides. What can these Latter-day Saints mean, selling out their posses- sions 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 104 LETTERS B¥ of ships are wafting the inhabitants of distant islands and continents to the same destination ! Now, I propose to meet these inquiries and refleo- tions 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 sufScient 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 in- forms you not only how God has gathered his people in diflferent 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 coun- try to another, the Lord being his counsellor and guidie. The ancient saints and prophets generally were " stran- gers " 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. Abra- ham 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 ORSON SPENCER. 106 take them to the land of Canaan ; and what was very remarkable, he was required to slay and destroy the in- habitants, 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 con- trary one to the other. What fellowship hath Christ with Belial, or believers with unbelievers? The Egyptians could have no fellow- ship with the Hebrews after they were told that a pro- phet 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 Potiphar 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. Like- wise, when Jerusalem was about to be destroyed, Jesus instructed his disciples to flee to the mountain. 106 LETTERS BY 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 dis- ciples were leathered, 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 ORSON . SPBNCEB. 107 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 substanti- ated 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 intermarrj^ 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 inter- marry 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 108 LETTERS BT above another? God will assign rewards to men accord- ing to the records of their deserts, and one great pre- requisite to the final restitution of all things, is the revi- ving 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 de- signed to curse. The ordinances of the church and insti- tutions of God's house cannot be carried into execution in a land belonging to " aliens from the commonwealth of Israel;" because aliens from God willnot 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, etc. ; 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 sepa- ration must talse place between the righteous and disobe- dient ; 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, neverthe- less, assured his disciples that his people should be gather- ed, 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 — " Gome OB30N SPENCER. 109 out of her, my people, and he 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 swal- lowed up Dathan and the company of Abiram, was at the command of Moees. Moses also stretched out bis hand as a signal to the accumulated seas to overwhelm th« Egyptians, and they obeyed his mandate. But I will not multiply proofs. God will pour out bis vials of wrath, and distress the nations till they will learn and practise righteousness ; and his people must flee to their appointed hiding place till the indignation is overpast, otherwise they have no guaranty for their eafety. 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 pro- mised to the Patriarch Joseph, while it is an accepted time, and the evil days come not. Jesus cautioned Jerusalem Saints to beware of imi- tating 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 ihevitably doomed to 110 LETTERS BY destruction forrebellion, 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 per- petual 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 ungod- ly 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 abundantlj'. 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 spirit's long to congregate together. ORSON SPENCER. Ill The language of Ruth is expressive of the desires of God's people in all ages. "Thy people are 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 kin- dred. 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 going out by sea and land is a practical warning that can- not be mistaken by those that remain. The nations wonder at the spectacle of such multi- tudes 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 ^nd dread of approaching cala- mities 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 judg- ment upon rebellious nations. There is no room to mis- take the faith and sincerity of those whose gathering tojgether 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 gather- ing 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 wonderful- ly facilitated by bringing the righteous together in one 112 LETTERS BY place. The aneient Jews were taught of -God to build up Jerusalem as a place of gathering; and those whose circumstances forbade 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, etc. 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 genera- tion 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 capital, their royal afHnity 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 accept- ance 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 aud 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 earth ; then will Zion rise ORSON SPENCEK. 113 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 " in- numerable 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 king- doms 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 Christian- ity, that the Lord is performing a marvellous work and a wonder in the greatest of all gatherings since the founda- tion 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 know- ledge of God. And by truth and by judgments, he will thoroughly cleanse the earth, and overthrow more wicked- ness in ten years to come, than blind, boasting, self-right- eous modern Christianity can in ten thousand years. Please to accept my warmest desires for your present and everlasting peace and welfare. Your humble servant, OESON SPENCER. 114 LETTERS BY LET TEE XI. THE LATTER-DAY JUDGMENTS. Liverpool, October 28th, 1847. Reverend and Dear Sir — The Latter-day Judg- ments, 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 king- doms are overthrown and merged in one — even his owii kingdom. The means by which he will subdue and overcome the nations of the earth are two, viz., Truth and Judg- ment. 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 judgment 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 dia- bolical spirits will be pursued, even to their dens of dark- ness, 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, tbeir 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 116 LETTERS BT 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 intel- ligent, 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 Illi- nois. 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 discom- fiture 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 began at the house of Grod, 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 ORSON SPENCEK. 117 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 , ncalculable 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 have 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-honored 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 meretricious arts. Education, tracts, missions, and moral reform, are a vain thing for 118 LETTEES BY strength. The Lord is a jeaioas God, and will not give His glory to another gospel ; but he will curse all the sys- tems of men that are built upon human precepts merely, without the authority of immediate revelation. The various sj'stems of modern Christianity are cursed already, wherever the true gospel is proclaimed. That sincerity, fidelity, and zeal, which your churches and your preach- ers once had, is taken away from them ; and your preach- ers have no longer power to preach with effect. The reason and cause of all this is, the true light has come ; consequently, they have no longer any apology for uphold- ing systems of error and false religions. The Spirit of God will be withdrawn from your ministry . and your churches, just in proportion as the true light shines and the true gospel is rejected. • When the devout Jews rejected the novel doctrines of Jesus and his apostles, the virtues which they previous- ly possessed either withered up or were withdrawn from •them, and communicated to infidels or Gentiles. So it is now. While the devout priests and churches reject the gospel ministered by an angel to Joseph, and confirmed by the signs following, their former virtuous principles forsake them. They become filled with the spirit of envy, hatred, and malice towards the Saints. They retail groundless slanders, and often are foremost in instigating mobs, refusing common civilities and hospitality to the servants of the Most High ; and so sanguine is their opposition, that they even believe it would be well for the cause of religion, if the Saints were exterminated and put to death. So believed the devout Jews, who perse- cuted the prophets and slew the Holy and Just One. Thus, by step after step, the professedly pious are brought to become accessory to blood-guiltiness, and bring upon ORSON SPKNOEE. 119 themselves all the blood that has been shed from the days of righteous Abel till now. Oh ! my much-loved friend, will you not shudder at the sight of such a catastrophe before the modern churches ? What an awful curse ! Given up by God to believe Saints to be sinners, and then to war against them even to blood-guiltiness ! Strange and deplorable infatua- tion ! One would think that the snares and pitfalls into which God precipitated ancient persecutors, would prove an effectual warning to modern persecutors, to beware how they plunged themselves into a worse destruction! Oh, how great the severity of God towards them that strive with their Maker, and spurn the faith once delivered to the Saints as no longer needed ! The very religion of modern Christianity is now about as great a curse as can be'inflicted upon its possessors, without doing violence to their power of agency. It is the prolific cause of blind- ness and hardness of heart. A false religion is worse than no religion, because it is a lure and a lullaby, that excludes true religion from taking effect. Modern religion rejects immediate revelation ; con- sequently, all that knowledge' that flows from visions and dreams, and the ministry of angels, and the prophetic inspiration of the Holy tSrhost. A greater curse cannot be well conceived. There never was a people that lived a hundred years, or even fifty years, without immediate revelation from God, but they fell into gross darkness and contention, and those hurtful lusts that drown men's souls in perdition. There never was a people that survived the gift and blessing of immediate revelation any consid- erable length of time, except they fell into Idolatry and worshipped strange gods ; and their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after strange gods. All Israel fell 120 LETTERS BY into the worship of Baal, and hundreds of them became prophets to Baal. They, indeed, were the descendants of the mightiest Saints that ever lived, such as Abraham; Isaac, and Jacob, and Moses, etc. They had in their pos- session the writings and traditions of their fathers, but still they were cursed because they rejected the know- ledge of God through immediate revelation. They be- came like blind men groping in the dark. They taught their children to rebel against prophets and miraculous gifts. Modern Christians, with the Bible in their hands, are in as gross darkness as the worshippers of Baal. The god they worship is no more like the person of Christ, or the person of man, than Baal was. Their order of church authorities and church gifts, and ordinances of healing and anointing, are probably about as remote from the apostolic pattern, as the worship of Mahomet or Vishnu is. Do not believe, sir, for a moment, that I intend, by this humiliating remark, any disrespect to the supporters of modern Christianity. No : God forbid. As good a man as Paul the apostle, was once as vehemently opposed to immediate revelation and spiritual gifts as you are, or any other abettors of modern Christianity ; but, by time- ly repentance, he escaped that a*rf ul curse of aversion to the only means of knowing the only true and living God. But multitudes of his countrymen still adhered to the belief that the gift of revelation had ceased, and prophets and miracles were no longer necessary. And you firmly believe that the curse indescribable has followed them to this day. Oh ! how astonishing it is that you, sir, and your high-minded associates in modern Christendom, should plunge into the same doleful abyss — reject the same doctrines and ordinances, as no longer necessary, OBSON SPENCER. 121 and entail the same curse upon your children for genera- tions to come ! In this you are fighting against Jehovah. Every year and every day while you persist, the darkness of your minds will become more gross, and you will bring the worst passions into the field of conflict against the Saints. God will withdraw his Spirit from you , and you will ultimately be forced, through weakness and multiplied divisions and contentions, to unite the scattered fragments of sectarianism on some common platform of anti-scriptu- ral invention. On this platform, and with this consolida- ted power of anti-Christ, the great battle is destined to be fought that he shall silence the spirit of anti-revelation for a thousand years ! Alas! the deplorable destiny of those that war against prophets and apostles, and the spirit and power of primitive godliness ! Such, in all former ages of the world, have been cursed with wars, conflagrations, famine, pestilence, and the vagaries of an oppressive superstition. But, in the latter-days, God has decreed a consumption upon the whole earth. The religion that is not based on the immediate interposition of the wisdom and power of God, from day to day, and time to time, will not, cannot, and shall not stand, for the moath of the Lord hath spoken it, and let all the inhabitants of the earth hear it. Yea, sir, such religions shall be as the chaff which the wind driveth away, even as the small dust of the thresh- ing floor. God despises the religion that professes to flourish without the aid of constant revelation from the heavens ; and he will shoot out the hot arrows of his' wrath against it, until there is not a vestige or semblance of it left on the face of the whole earth. The potsherds may strive with the potsherds of the earth, but woe unto him that striveth with his Maker ! 122 LETTEKS BY Alas the day, when God shall withdraw his spirit from all flesh! Then confidence between man and his fellow, will give place to distrust and jealousy, evil sur- mising, hatred, robbery and blood-guiltiness will spread their direful influence through all commuaities ! The cords of domestic union will be severed! The weak will be compelled to bow to the yoke of the strong — might will become the strongest pretext for the right! The carcasses of the poor and inflrm will bleach uncovered upon the earth! The stench of putrefaction will impreg- nate the atmosphere with poisonous pestilence ; insects and noisome creatures will breed innumerably to the an- noyance of man! "The sword shall devour from one end of the earth to the other — the earth shall be soaked in blood," — the rivers shall become bloody, and the foun- tains of water shall no longer be pure. Many that lie down at night shall not awake in the morning. The fruit- ful field shall become sterile and barren, because no man knoweth for whom his fruits are growing. ' ' The earth becometh empty and desolate." The master and servant are brought to a level. The priest is as void of consolation as the people. Paleness and fear are depicted on every human face. TraflSc in merchandise, as a business, is wholly abandoned. Men cease to sow and to plow, in hope. Never before did the Almighty commence such an awful warfare against the inhabitants of the earth ; never before was there witnessed such a succession of plagues and dire calamities amongst men ! After peace is taken from the earth, an agent, by the name of Death (probably invisible except to spirits, and such as have the spirit of revelation), will go forth on the face of the earth and destroy one-fourth part of mankind. In the midst of this destruction of one-fourth of man- ORSON SPENOEB. 123 kind, martyred Saints will ask the Lord to hasten the work of human destruction. An earthquake, and the lapse of stai-s from heaven, then begin to destroy the frail tenure of human hope ; and even the great men, and mighty and chief captains become desperate, like the most effeminate and pusillanimous. Every successive plague is increasingly awful and unendurable. The plagues that fell upon Egypt will sink into insignificance and fade out of memory before the plagues which were shown to the revelator John, and which shall usher in the final con- summation of the " mystery of God." The opening of the " bottomless pit " is followed with three woes which are inflicted upon men, and which are suited to the incor- rigible condition of such obdurate spirits as no inferior engines of torment and destruction should subdue. But neither the torment inflicted by the sting of the locusts, like unto scorpions ; nor that which is inflicted by the horses of that great army of two millions, whose mouths emit fire, smoke, and brimstone, and whose tails, being like serpents having heads, destroy both before and behind wherever they go ; yet none of these things will lead these latter-day enemies to new revelations, unto repentance. \(:i