Times and Seasons/5/4

←Number 3

Times and Seasons 5, Number 4

Number 5→

Source document in Mormon Publications: 19th and 20th Centuries online archive: Times and Seasons Vol. 5

TIMES AND SEASONS
"TRUTH WILL PREVAIL"
Volume V. No. 4.]	CITY OF NAUVOO, ILL. FEB. 15, 1844.	[Whole No. 88.

HISTORY OF JOSEPH SMITH.

(Continued.)

Shortly after the foregoing was received, at his request, I inquired and received the following

Revelation to Sidney Gilbert, given June, 1831.

Behold I say unto you, my servant Sidney Gilbert, that I have heard your prayers, and you have called upon me, that it should be made known unto you, of the Lord your God, concerning your calling, and election in this church, which I the Lord have raised up in these last days.

Behold I the Lord, who was crucified for the sins of the world, giveth unto you a commandment, that you shall forsake the world. Take upon you mine ordinances, even that of an elder, to preach faith and repentance, and remission of sins, according to my word, and the reception of the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands. And also to be an agent unto this church in the place which shall be appointed by the bishop, according to commandments which shall be given hereafter.

And again, verily I say unto you, you shall take your journey with my servants Joseph Smith, jr. and Sidney Rigdon. Behold these are the first ordinances which you shall receive; and the residue shall be made knowh [known] in time to come, according to your labor in my vineyard. And again, I would that ye should learn that it is he only who is saved, that endureth unto the end; even so: Amen.

The branch of the church in Thompson, on account of breaking the covenant, and not knowing what to do, sent in their elders for me to inquire of the Lord for them, which I did, and received the following

Revelation to Newel Knight, given June, 1831.

Behold, thus saith the Lord, even Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, even he who was crucified for the sins of the world.-Behold, verily, I say unto you, my servant Newel Knight, you shall stand fast in the office wherewith I have appointed you: and if your brethren desire to escape their enemies let them repent of all their sins; and become truly humble before me and contrite: and as the covenant which they made unto me has been broken, even so it has become void and of none effect; and wo [woe] to him by whom this offence [offense] cometh, for it had been better for him that he had been drowned in the depth of the sea; but blessed are they who have kept the covenant, and observed the commandment, for they shall obtain mercy.

Wherefore, go to now and flee the land, lest your enemies come upon you: and take your journey, and appoint whom you will to be your leader, and to pay moneys for you.-And thus you shall take your journey, into the regions westward, unto the land of Missouri, unto the borders of the Lamanites. And after you have done journeying, behold I say unto you, seek ye a living like unto men, until I prepare a place for you.

And again, be patient in tribulation until I come: and behold I come quickly, and my reward is with me, and they who have sought me early, shall find rest to their souls; even so: Amen.

The elders now began to go to the western country, two and two, according to the previous word of the Lord. From P. P. Pratt, who had returned from the expedition of last fall, during the spring we had verbal information; and from letters from the still remaining elders we had written intelligence; and as this was the most important subject which then engrossed the attention of the saints, I will here insert the copy of a letter received about this time, from that section, dated

Kaw Township, (Mo.) May 7, 1831,.

"Our dearly beloved brethren:-I have nothing particular to write as concerning the Lamanites; and because of a short journey which I have just returned from; in consequence of which I have not written to you since the 16th of last month. I and brother Ziba went into the county east, which is Layette and is about forty miles: and in the name of Jesus we called on the people to repent; many of whom are, I believe, earnestly searching for truth, and if sincerely, I pray they may find that precious treasure, for it seems to be wholly fallen in the streets; that equity, * * * The letter we received from you, informed us that the opposition was great against you. Now our beloved brethren we verily believe that we also can rejoice, that we are counted worthy to suffer shame for his name; for almost the whole country, which consists of Universalists, Atheists, Deists, Presbyterians, Methodists, Baptists, and professed christians, priests and people, with all the devils from the infernal pit, are united and foaming out their own shame.-God forbid that I should bring a railing accusation against them, for vengeance belongeth

432

________________________________________

to him who is able to repay: and herein brethren we confide.

I am informed of another tribe of Lamanites lately, who have abundance of flocks of the best kinds of sheep and cattle, and they manufacture blankets of a superior quality. The tribe is very numerous; they live three hundred miles west of Santa Fe, Navashoes [Navajos?]. Why I mentien [mention] this tribe is, because I feel under obligation to communicate to my brethren every information concerning the Lamanites that I meet with in my labors and travels; believing as I do, that much is expected from me in the cause of our Lord:-and doubting not that I am daily remembered in your prayers before the throne of the Most High, by all of my brethren, as well by those who have not seen my face in the flesh, as those who have.

We begin to expect our brother Pratt, soon; we have heard from him only when he was at St. Louis. We are all well (bless the Lord) and preach the gospel we will, if earth and hell oppose our way, and we dwell in the midst of scorpions: for in Jesus we trust. Grace be with you all: Amen.

P. S. I beseech brother Whitney to remember and write; and direct to me, Independence, Jackson county, Missouri.

OLIVER COWDRY."

While we were preparing for our journey to Missouri, about the middle of June, W. W. Phelps and his family arrived among us, and as he said, to do the will of the Lord, I inquired and received the following

Revelation to W. W. Phelps, given June, 1831.

Behold thus saith the Lord unto you, my servant William, yea even the Lord of the whole earth, thou art called and chosen and after thou hast been baptized by water, which if you do with an eye single to my glory, you shall have a remission of your sins, and a reception of the Holy Spirit, by the laying on of hands. And then thou shalt be ordained by the hand of my servant Joseph Smith, jr. to be an elder unto this church, to preach repentance and remission of sins by way of baptism in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God; and on whomsoever you shall lay your hands, if they are contrite before me, you shall have power to give the Holy Spirit.

And again, you shall be ordained to assist my servant Oliver to do the work of printing, and selecting, and writing books for schools, in this church, that little children also may receive instruction before me as is pleasing unto me. And again verily I say unto you, for this cause you shall take your journey with my servants Joseph Smith, jr. and Sidney Rigdon, that you may be planted in the land of your inheritance, to do this work.

And again let my servant Joseph Coe also take his journey with them. The residue shall be made known hereafter; even as I will:-Amen.

Soon after I received the above, elder T. B. Marsh came to inquire what he should do; as elder Ezra Thayer, his yoke-fellow, in the ministry, could not get ready for his mission, to start as soon as he (Marsh) would; and I inquired of the Lord and received the following

Revelation given June, 1831

Hearken O ye people who profess my name, saith the Lord your God, for behold mine anger is kindled against the rebellious, and they shall know mine arm and mine indignation in the day of visitation and of wrath upon the nations. And he that will not take up his cross and follow me, and keep my commandments, shall not be saved.

Behold I the Lord commandeth, and he that will not obey shall be cut off in mine own due time: and after that I have commanded and the commandment is broken, wherefore I the Lord command and revoke, as it seemeth me good; and all this to be answered upon the heads of the rebellious saith the Lord: wherefore I revoke the commandment which was given unto my servant Thomas B. Marsh and Ezra Thayre, and give a new commandment unto my servant Thomas, that he shall take up his journey speedily to the land of Missouri; and my servant Selah J. Griffin shall also go with him: for behold I revoke the commandment which was given unto my servant Selah J. Griffin and Newel Knight, in consequence of the stiffneckedness of my people which are in Thompson; and their rebellions: wherefore let my servant Newel Knight, remain with them, and as many as will go may go, that are contrite before me, and be led by him to the land which I have appointed.

And again, verily I say unto you, that my servant Ezra Thayre must repent of his pride, and of his selfishness, and obey the former commandment which I have given concerning the place upon which he lives; and if he will do this, as there shall be no division made upon the land, he shall be appointed still to go to the land of Missouri; otherwise he shall receive the money which he has paid, and shall leave the place, and shall be cut off out of my church, saith the Lord God of hosts: and though the heaven and the earth shall pass away, these words shall not pass away, but shall be fulfilled.

And if my servant Joseph Smith, jr. must needs pay the money, behold I the Lord will pay it unto him again in the land of Missouri,

433

________________________________________

that those of whom he shall receive may be rewarded again, according to that which they do. For according to that which they do, they shall receive; even in the lands for their inheritance. Behold thus saith the Lord unto my people, you have many things to do, and to repent of; for behold your sins have come up unto me, and are not pardoned, because you seek to counsel in your own ways. And your hearts are not satisfied. And ye obey not the truth, but have pleasure in unrighteousness.

Wo unto you rich men, that will not give your substance to the poor, for your riches will canker your souls! and this shall be your lamentation in the day of visitation, and of judgment, and of indignation: The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and my soul is not saved! Wo unto you poor men, whose hearts are not broken, and whose spirits are not contrite, and whose bellies are not satisfied, and whose hands are not stayed from laying hold upon other men's goods, whose eyes are full of greediness, who will not labor with their own hands!

But blessed are the poor, who are pure in heart, whose hearts are broken, and whose spirits are contrite, for they shall see the kingdom of God coming in great power and great glory unto their deliverance: for the fatness of the earth shall be theirs: for behold the Lord shall come, and his recompense shall be with him, and he shall reward every man, and the poor shall rejoice: and their generations shall inherit the earth from generation to generation, forever and ever. And now I make an end of speaking unto you; even so: Amen.

On the 19th of June, in company with Sidney Rigdon, Martin Harris, Edward Partridge, W. W. Phelps, Joseph Coe, A. S. Gilbert and his wife, I started from Kirtland, Ohio, for the land of Missouri, agreeable to the commandment before received, wherein it was promised that if we were faithful, the land of our inheritance, even the place for the city of the New Jerusalem should be revealed. We went by waggon [wagon], canal boats, and stages to Cincinnati, where I had an interview with Rev. Walter Scott, one of the fathers of the Campbellites or Newlitt Church. Before the close of our interview, he manifested one of the bitterest spirits against the doctrine of the New Testament ('that these signs should follow them that believe,' as recorded in the 16th chapter of the gospel, according to St. Mark,) that I ever witnessed among men. We left Cincinnati in a steamer, and landed at Louisville, Ky., where we were detained three days in waiting for a steamer to convey us to St. Louis. At St. Louis, myself, brother Harris, Phelps, Partridge and Coe, went on foot by land, to Independence, Jackson county, Missouri, where we arrived about the middle of July: and the residue of the company came by water a few days after. Notwithstanding the corruptions and abominations of the times, and the evil spirits manifested towards us on account of our belief in the Book of Mormon; at many places and among various persons, yet the Lord continued his watchful care and loving kindness to us day by day: and we made it a rule, wherever there was an opportunity to read a chapter in the bible, and to pray; and these seasons of worship gave us great consolation. The meeting of our brethren, who had long waited our arrival, was a glorious one, and moistened with many tears. It seemed good and pleasant for brethren to meet together in unity. But our reflections were great, coming as we had from a highly cultivated state of society in the east, and standing now upon the confines or western limits of the United States, and looking into the vast wilderness of those that sat in darkness;-how natural it was to observe the degradation, leanness of intellect, ferocity and jealousy of a people that were nearly a century behind the time, and to feel for those that roamed about without the benefit of civilization, refinement or religion! yea, and exclaim in the language of the prophets: 'When will the wilderness blossom as a rose? when will Zion be built up in her glory, and where will thy temple stand unto which all nations shall come in the last days?' Our anxiety was soon relieved by receiving the following

Revelation given in Zion, July, 1831.

Hearken, O ye elders of my church, saith the Lord your God, who have assembled yourselves together, according to my commandments, in this land which is the land of Missouri, which is the land which I have appointed and consecrated for the gathering of the saints: wherefore this is the land of promise, and the place for the city of Zion. And thus saith the Lord your God, if you will receive wisdom here is wisdom. Behold the place which is now called Independence, is the centre [center] place, and the spot for the temple is lying westward upon a lot which is not far from the court house: wherefore it is wisdom that the land should be purchased, by the saints: and also every tract lying westward, even unto the line running directly between Jew and Gentile. And also every tract bordering by the prairies, inasmuch as my disciples are enabled to buy lands. Behold this is wisdom, that they may obtain it for an everlasting inheritance.

And let my servant Sidney Gilbert, stand in the office which I have appointed him, to receive moneys, to be an agent unto the church, to buy land in all the regions round about, inasmuch as can be in righteousness, and as wisdom shall direct.

434

________________________________________

And let my servant Edward Partridge, stand in the office which I have appointed him, to divide the saints their inheritance, even as I have commanded: and also those whom he has appointed to assist him.

And again, verily I say unto you, let my servant Sidney Gilbert plant himself in this place, and establish a store, that he may sell goods without fraud, that he may obtain money to buy lands for the good of the saints; and that he may obtain whatsoever things the disciples may need to plant them in their inheritance. And also let my servant Sidney Gilbert obtain a licence [license], (behold here is wisdom, and whoso readeth let him understand,) that he may send goods also unto the people, even by whom he will as clerks, employed in his service, and thus provide for my saints, that my gospel may be preached unto those who sit in darkness and in the region and shadow of death.

And again, verily I say unto you, let my servant William W. Phelps be planted in this place, and be established as a printer unto the church: and lo, if the world receiveth his writings, (behold here is wisdom,) let him obtain whatsoever he can obtain in righteousness, for the good of the saints. And let my servant Oliver Cowdry [Cowdery] assist him, even as I have commanded, in whatsoever place I shall appoint unto him, to copy and to correct, and select, that all things may be right before me, as it shall be proved by the Spirit through him. And thus let those of whom I have spoken, be planted in the land of Zion, as speedily as can be, with their families, to do those things even as I have spoken.

And now concerning the gathering, let the bishop and the agent make preparations for those families which have been commanded to come to this land, as soon as possible, and plant them in their inheritance. And unto the residue of both elders and members, further direction shall be given hereafter; even so: Amen.

From the (Eng) Weekly Despatch [dispatch]

THE REVIVAL OF THE INQUISITION AND OF PERSECUTION.

Mr. Editor:-In your paper of last week you inserted exclusively an article of much importance; it was an extract from the Malta Times, a copy of which had been sent you by a correspondent from the Mediterranean. It is little to the honor of the London press that this important article has not been copied in its columns. I allude to the revived persecution of the Jews in Ancona. If persecution be allowed to commence it will soon make rapid strides, and we shall have all the horrors of the good old times revived among us. Persecution can never be confined within its limits;-let it exist at all, and it is boundless. With respect to the Court of Inquisition, it was the glory of the immortal Napoleon that, wherever he went, he destroyed it; and to the shame and disgrace of the Duke of Wellington, it is recorded, that wherever he was successful he restored or allowed to be restored, this detestable Court of Priests. When the illustrious Emperor possessed Spain and Portugal, the Courts of Inquisition in both countries, were annihilated. When the Duke of Wellington drove the French out of those countries, the Inquisition revived in all its horrors. It may be truly said, that the march of Napoleon was that of liberality, whilst the progress of the Duke of Wellington was always that of absolute tyranny.

The revival of the Inquisition at Ancona is a fearful feature of the times. This hateful Court of Priests has its sittings and proceedings in secret; there is no appeal from its horrible decisions, and the chief judge has a power known to no other court in the world. Its president can aggravate a sentence to any amount. In all other courts throughout Europe the sovereign has the prerogative of mitigating, but certainly not of increasing, a penal sentence: but in this terrible court of the priests the inquisitor has the power of augmenting the punishment to any extent he pleases. This, of course, renders a trial, at best, a mere mockery. The sentence of the court generally consists in torture, and the Grand Inquisitor, may increase the torture to the utmost extent of his disposition.

The Inquisition is re-established at Ancona, and its first proceeding is against the Jews.-Ancona is the third city in the Pope's dominions. It contains about 26,000 inhabitants-an immense number for a city of the dominions of this wretched sovereign, called the Pope. A great portion of the population are Jews, Greeks, and Mahomedans. It has a cathedral and churches innumerable. Its manufactures are in the hands of the Jews, to whom the town owes all its prosperity. Now comes out a proclamation against these Jews, the sole object of which is to plunder them by extorting bribes for getting rid of this proclamation. In most parts of Europe liberality towards the Jews, for half a century at least, has been a prominent feature of the age. The French emancipated them as we did the Irish Catholics. In England, our Queen, very much to her honor, has conferred titles on the Jews. We have had, we are glad to say, Jews as High Sheriffs of counties, and even of London itself; but the spirit of persecution must, like a pestilence, break out somewhere, and in the Pope's dominions

435

________________________________________

it is now directed against the Jews of Ancona. The real motives of the priests, of course, consists in a knowledge that the Jews are worth plunder. By this edict of the Pope's Inquisition, a Jew is prohibited from marrying with a Christian; a Jew is not allowed to eat with a Christian, or to visit a Christian family. He is not permitted to employ Christian men or women, day or night. We fancy that this will prove sadly detrimental to the Christians, for the Jews are the great capitalists-the monied [moneyed] men-and employ half the town, and this part of the edict will throw the Catholic population of Ancona out of employment. It is really dreadful to know that such a hateful spirit of persecution can exist in any part of Christendom. The Jews are confined to a district of the town, and they are prohibited from employing Christian nurses, or Christian domestic servants, under the pain of fines and penalties, according to the Pontifical constitution. As we placed the Pope on his trumpery throne at an immense expense, we see not why we should not exercise a discretion in checking such enormities. Why should English gold have been spent, and English blood have been spilled, to establish such a system of Popish tyranny? One section of the edict amounts to the ludicrous. It enacts that all Jews possessed of property must alienate that property by bona-fide contracts, and within the space of three months, or otherwise the whole property will be forfeited to the Sacred Court of Inquisition. Is not this enough to make the English people alive to religious persecution? The principle fully exists in this country, although it is not carried to quite as great an extent. The Jews are prohibited from eating with Christians, or sleeping out of their quarters, and from permitting Christians to sleep within them. Another clause of the edict prohibits the Jews from visiting Christians without a license, but the license being paid for, the Jews may visit where they please. Then, these Israelites are prohibited from trafficking in sacred things, or in trading books of any sort whatever. These chosen people are forbid to read anything. This, I suppose, is a step in the progress of education-in the march of intellect. I will give the English public an idea of the horrible nature of this Catholic edict of the Inquisition:-"XI. That the Jews in carrying their dead to the grave, must not use any religious rite, or public pomp, and especially must abstain from saying prayers, or displaying torches, or other lights in the streets, and out of the Jewish quarter, under the pain of 100 scudes, the loss of the wax lights, and other things, to which the nearest relation shall be subjected." Such are the proceedings of what is called, "The Sacred Inquisition of Ancona."

The priests, of course, have the power of granting licenses to the Jews for breaking all the orders of this edict of the sacred inquisition, and as the Jews are the only active, wealthy, and useful portion of Ancona, of course the priests make a good revenue of their licenses. Such a case as this ought to open the eyes of the English public as to the spirit of priestcraft, which is as rampant in this country as it is in Ancona, only it assumes a very different name. PUBLICOLA

VOLCANO IN GEORGIA.

The editor of the Athens (Ga.) Banner bas been informed by a gentleman in whom he places the most implicit confidence, that there is a mountain in Raibun county, in that state, which is now throwing out immense quantities of very black, dense smoke, and manifests the appearance of being volcanic. It is said that the smoke issues through fissures in the rock, and that there is a continued rumbling sound constantly heard in the bowels of the mountain, resembling that of low, distant thunder.

THE STATE TRIALS

Sir-The state persecutions in Ireland are causing so much general excitement as to the probable termination that I beg of you to notice the following very curious remarks. They would, I think, rather surprise those who are looking for the end of the trials.

On dit, that O'Connell can bring forward three millions of witnesses. Now, supposing this, we would allow the Court of Queen's Bench to sit six days in the week, and fifty two weeks in the year, it would take upwards of ninty [ninety]-six years to examine them, at the rate of one hundred witnesses per day. We will not deal in such large numbers, but at once deduct one million of witnesses, and even then it would take sixty-four years and upwards to examine them. We will go further still, and deduct another million, and even then the poor lawyers would be 'fagged' out, for they would only have a thirty-two years' job of it. Now, supposing the great agitator, instead of giving the poor lawyers a ninety or hundred years' job, would think of mitigating it to ten years' trial, the 'poor fellows,' in this case would have to examine about three hundred and twelve thousand witnesses, and so on.

Now, if O'Connell is at liberty to bring forward as many witnesses as he pleases, and with plenty of the 'implement' of war to carry on the trial, there is no doubt that he will defeat

436

________________________________________

and tire out the whole of her majesty's great counsellors [counselors].

If Mr. Attorney-General Smith never had a long job before, I think he will sicken before he gets half through the present case; and I think the sooner the indictments are 'quashed' the better. The briefs and all those kind of documents would be regularly polished before the trials were finished.-Liverpool. Standard.

I remain, sir, your most obedient servant, T. C.

THE OJIBBEWAY INDIANS AT WINDSOR CASTLE.

Thursday morning a party of Ojibbeway [Ojibway] North American Indians, viz three females and four males, came to the castle, conducted by Mr. Catlin, the celebrated traveler, and were presented to her majesty, and his Royal Highness Prince Albert, and her Royal Highness the Dutchess [Duchess] of Kent; the gentlemen and ladies of the court being also present. After which the chief made a speech in his own native language, (which was translated by Mr. Catlin, who acted as interpreter,) describing the loyalty of his tribe, and the gratification they experienced at seeing the Queen of England. Afterwards they danced several of their national dances to their own music, which consisted of a sort of tambour and bells, to the great amusement of her majesty. They were all dressed in their national costume, which was exceedingly grotesque. Previously to leaving the castle they were regaled with the old English fare, roast beef and plum pudding, to which both ladies and gentlemen did ample justice, handling the knife and fork with admirable dexterity. They then lighted their pipes and departed for town, evidently much delighted with their reception at the castle.-Globe.

THE NEW COMET.

At one o'clock on the 22d of November, 1843, a comet only visible through a telescope, was discovered near Gramma, of Orion, by M. Faye, an astronomer attached to the Royal Observatory at Paris. Notwithstanding the clouds and vapours [vapors] which impeded the view, and rendered the observation uncertain, the position of the star was ascertained to be as follows:-On the 22d of November, 1843, at 14 hours 44 minutes 11 seconds, medium time of Paris, reckoned from mid-day, the right ascension of the comet was 81 deg. 56 min. The sky was so cloudy on the following night, that it was only on the 24th that the comet was again seen, when its position was ascertained with complete precision. On the 24th of November, 1843, at 17 h. 4 min. 43 sec. medium time of Paris, counted from mid-day, the right ascension of the comet was 80 deg. 50 min. 42 sec. Boreal declension of the comet, 6 deg. 30 min. 35 sec. Thus the apparent right ascension of the comet diminished by seven minutes of a degree within about 24 hours, and in the same interval of time the declension likewise diminished by 12 minutes. This comet presents a head so distinct, that the observations are singularly facilitated. From the head, slight trains of light diverge nearly opposite to the sun. This tail is at present in length about four minutes of a degree.-London Paper.

EARTHQUAKE.

Mull, Dec. 2.-A shock of an earthquake took place on this island lately. It was felt at the manse of Torosay, Loch-Don-Head; and Mrs. Maclaine Lochony states that it happened a quarter after eleven o'clock, P. M., on the 1st of November. A deep rumbling sound accompanied the undulations, which were from west to east.-Edingburg [Edinburgh] Register.

PUSEYISM.

As Puseyism has excited a good deal of commotion in the religious world, particularly in England, it may not be uninteresting to our readers to give an epitome of their principles.

Mr. Pusey was a graduate of one of the English colleges, and was ordained a minister of the church of England. He is a man of great literary attainments, and connected with a highly respectable family; both of which circumstances has given him great influence. He has differed very materially from many of his more orthodox brethren of the church of England, and has been the means of making a great schism in that church; his principles tending very much towards Roman Catholicism, as the following extract from the Quincy Whig will show. * * * * *

28th. Puseyism asserts that 'the task of the true children of the Catholic Church is to unprotestantize the church.' [British Critic-one of the Journals which are the organs of the Oxford tractarians.]

29th. Puseyism teaches the doctrines of Purgatory.

30th. Of Human Pardons.

31st. Of Images.

32nd. Of Relics.

33rd. Of the Invocation of Saints. (on these five heads see Tract No. 90, Art 6.)

34th. Puseyism teaches that 'in losing visible union with the church of Rome, we have lost great privileges.' (British Critic.)

35th. Puseyism teaches that 'the tendency

437

________________________________________

of Romanism is at bottom only a fruit of the profound desire which the Church, greatly moved, experiences to become again that which the Savior left her -one.'

36th. Puseyism asserts that 'the scriptures, it is evident, are not according to the principles of the Church of England, the rule of Faith.' (tract No. 85.)

37th. Puseyism asserts that 'the doctrine or message of the gospel, is but indirectly presented in the scriptures, and in an obscure and concealed manner.' (Ib)

38th. Puseyism asserts that 'Catholic tradition is a divine informer in religious things;-it is the unwritten word.' (Newman on Romanism.)

39th. Puseyism asserts that 'these two things, (the Bible and Catholic traditions) form together a united rule of faith.' [Ib.]

40th. Puseyism teaches that 'Catholic tradition is a divine source of knowledge in all things related to faith.' [Ib.]

41st. Puseyism teaches that 'the scriptures are the only document of ultimate appeal; but that Catholic tradition is the authoritative teacher.' [Ib]

42nd. Puseyism teaches that 'tradition is infallible.' [Keebles Sermons.]

43rd. Puseyism teaches that tradition is 'the unwritten word of God,' and that it 'of necessity demands of us the same respect which his written word does, and precisely for the same reason,-because it is his word.' [Ib]

44th. Puseyism demands that the whole of the Catholic tradition shall be taught. [Palmer's Aid to Reflection.]

45th. Puseyism teaches with Rome and the formalists of all ages, that the visible church must of necessity be externally one.

46th. Puseyism teaches with the Donatists and fanatics of all ages, that the church must absolutely be composed of saints only-thus loosing sight of the example of the husbandman who commanded that the tares and wheat be permitted to grow until the harvest.

The 11th Article of the Confession of Faith of the Church of England says 'that we are justified by faith only, is a most wholesome doctrine.'

47th. Puseyism commenting on this article says 'in adhering to the doctrine that faith alone justifies, we do not at all exclude the doctrine that works also justify. If it were said that works justify in the same sense in which it is said that faith alone justifies, there would by [be] a contradiction in terms. But faith alone in one sense justifies us, and in another good works justify us: this is all that is here maintained. Christ alone, in one sense justifies, faith also justifies in its proper sense: and so works whether moral or ceremonial may justify us in their respective sense.' [Newman on justification.]

48th. Puseyism teaches that 'there are some Catholic truths which are imprinted on the surface of the scripture rather than enveloped in its profound meaning; and such is the doctrine of justification by works.' [British Critic.]

49th. Puseyism teaches that the preaching of justification by faith ought to be addressed to Pagans by the propagators of Christian knowledge; its promoters ought to preach to baptized persons justification by works.' [Ib.]

50th. Puseyism teaches that 'justification is a progressive; work it must be the work of the Holy Spirit and not of Christ.' [Newman on justification.]

51st. Puseyism teaches that 'the distinction between deliverance from the guilt of sin, and deliverance from sin itself, is not scriptural.-[Ib.]

52nd. Puseyism teaches that the system of justification by grace through faith, is 'radically and fundamentally monstrous, immoral, heretical and anti-christian.' [British Critic.]

53rd. Puseyism teaches that the custom which has prevailed of advancing on all occasions, the doctrines of justification explicitly and mainly, is evidently and entirely opposed to the teaching of the Holy Scriptures.' [Tract No. 80.]

54th. Puseyism condemns those who make 'justification to consist in the act by which the soul rests upon the merits of Christ only.'-[Newman on Justification.]

For the Times and Seasons.

Sir,

Your having given insertion within the columns of your invaluable 'Times and Seasons,' and also in the "Neighbour [Neighbor]," to a few reflections touching the conduct of our Missourian neighbours [neighbors], (or rather murderers and robbers;) I feel somewhat emboldened to intrude again upon your notice, and on the patience of your readers, in presenting an opposite and different character before them, who came under my observation, while on board the Steam Boat.

The individual alluded to was, a gentleman from the state of Tennessee, he was evidently a close and rigid scrutinizer of men and things around him, and in the course of several interviews, I discovered he was thoroughly impressed, that the present professing world,-split into the thousand different sects and parties, were all radically wrong; he felt assured, that none of these knew, what vital religion was,

438

________________________________________

snch [such], as, he said was taught and known by the Apostles. He then pointed out, some of those glaring inconsistencies and contradictions; the fallacy and impiety of one party, presuming to arrogate a supremacy over the other, when both had fallen into the ditch and dirt of unbelief and apostacy [apostasy].

I then took occasion to refer him to the principles and doctrines as taught, in your church.

I endeavoured [endeavored] to shew [show] him, that you believed in the necessity of Divine Revelation, being continued, and of the Priesthood, being restored, as the legitimate channel, through which alone divine truth could flow, and thence as a matter of course the reasonableness, as well as the order and beauty of the same.

After thus expatiating upon the gifts and blessings enjoyed among you as a people, to which he paid the greatest attention; he then with equal sincerity and candour [candor] acknowledged he had previously only heard one side of the question, and that only of a prejudiced and unfavorable character, having only listened to the "worn out tales," of "delusion", &c.

But of the cruel, persecuting spirit, even unto the death,-with the despoiling of your lands, houses and goods, by a lawless multitude, headed by a monster in human shape, clothed with the garb of justice, in order to perpetrate his deeds of darkness with the greater malignity-of these he had not heard.

Neither had he been told, that in so free a country, so preeminently proud of her civil and religious Institutions; that she yet denied to them a redress of all their injuries and wrongs; notwithstanding the repeated appeals the prayerful petitions and remonstrances presented in her Legislative Courts and Halls of State.

These astounding facts so completely changed the current of his thought, and so satisfactorily drew him over to the cause of truth and justice, that, what with the scriptural and constitutional grounds on which you rested your claims, he was almost ready, then and there to exclaim with the Eunuch, "see! here is water, what hindereth." He then expressed a great desire to become more acquainted with your principles. wished to hear your preachers, as well as to read your publications, to which I had referred him.

He surprised me very considerably, by stating that he had never heard of any one being in that state, promulgating these things, and this brings me Sir, to ask a question.

How is this, that none of your Elders, have lifted up their voices and "made proclamation" of such glad tidings as these, in so vast a region of country as the state of Tennessee?

Surely it cannot be from a want of men, "zealous of good works?" It cannot be that we have "Cowards in our band!" Is it then, from a fear of arousing the same hell-malignant like spirit, that took possession of the blood-thirsty Missourian, personified through the Ex. Gov. Boggs, down to the mere child, at his father's hearth? Can it be possible, that such monstrous deeds, could be again acted in civilized America?

But fearful of trespassing too long,

I remain,

Dear sir,

Yours, very respectfully,

JOHN HUSBAND.

Nauvoo, Feb. 2nd, 1844.

We would state, for the information of Mr. Husband, that there has been preaching in different parts of the state of Tennessee, and several churches raised up, some of whom have emigrated to this place; probably they have not preached in the neighborhood of the gentleman's residence above referred to. The world is wide; the harvest is great, and the labourors [laborers] few-Ed.

TIMES AND SEASONS.

CITY OF NAUVOO

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1844.

WHO SHALL BE OUR NEXT PRESIDENT?

This is an enquiry [inquiry] which to us as a people, is a matter of the most paramount importance, and requires our most serious, calm, and dispassionate reflection. Executive power when correctly wielded, is a great blessing to the people of this great commonwealth, and forms one of the firmest pillars of our confederation. It watches the interests of the whole community with fatherly care; it wisely balances the other legislative powers, when overheated by party spirit, or sectional feeling; it watches with jealous care our interests and commerce with foreign nations, and gives tone and efficacy to legislative enactments. The President stands at the head of these United States, and is the mouth-piece of this vast republic. If he be a man of enlightened mind, and capacious soul-if he is a virtuous man, a statesman, a patriot, and a man of unflinching integrity; if he possess the same spirit that fired the souls of our venerable sires, who founded this great commonwealth, and wishes to promote the universal good of the whole republic, he may indeed be made a blessing to community. But if he prostrates his high and honorable

439

________________________________________

calling, to base and unworthy purposes; if he makes use of the power which the people have placed in his hands for their interests, to gratify his ambition, for the purpose of self-aggrandizement, or pecuniary interest; if he meanly panders with demagogues, looses sight of the interests of the nation, and sacrifices the union on the altar of sectional interests or party views, he renders himself unworthy of the dignified trust reposed in him, debases the nation in the eyes of the civilized world, and produces misery and confusion at home. 'When the wicked rule, the people mourn.'

There is perhaps no body of people in the United States who are at the present time more interested about the issue of the presidential contest, than are the Latter Day Saints. And our situation in regard to the two political parties, is a most novel one. It is a fact well understood, that we have suffered great injustice from the State of Missouri, that we have petitioned to the authorities of that state for redress in vain; that we have also memoralized [memorialized] congress, under the late administration, and have obtained the heartless reply that 'congress has no power to redress your grievances.' After having taken all the legal, and constitutional steps that we can, we are still groaning under accumulated wrongs. Is there no power anywhere to redress our grievances? Missouri lacks the disposition, and congress both lacks the disposition, and power (?) and thus fifteen thousand inhabitants of these United States, can with impunity be dispossessed of their property, have their houses burned, their property confiscated, many of their numbers murdered, and the remainder driven from their homes, and left to wander as exiles in this boasted land of freedom and equal rights, and after appealing again and again, to the legally constituted authorities of our land for redress, we are cooly [coolly] told by our highest tribunals, 'we can do nothing for you? We have paid hundreds of thousands of dollars into the coffers of congress for their lands, and they stand virtually pledged to defend us in our rights, but they have not done it. If a man steals a dollar from his neighbor, or steals a horse or a hog, he can obtain redress; but we have been robbed by wholesale, the most daring murders have been committed, and we are cooly [coolly] told that we can obtain no redress. If a steam boat is set on fire, on our coast by foreigners, even when she is engaged in aiding and abetting the enemies of that power, it becomes a matter of national interference, and legislation; or if a foreigner, as in the case of McLeod, is taken on our land and tried for supposed crimes committed by him against our citizens, his nation interferes, and it becomes a matter of negotiation and legislation; but our authorities can calmly look on and see the citizens of a county butchered with impunity;-they can see two counties dispossessed of their inhabitants, their houses burned and their property confiscated, and when the cries of fifteen thousand men, women and children salute their ears, they deliberately tell us we can obtain no redress. Hear it therefore ye mobbers! proclaim it to all the scoundrels in the Union! let a standard be erected around which shall rally all the renegadoes [renegades] of the land; assemble yourselves, and rob at pleasure; murder till you are satiated with blood, drive men women and children from their homes, there is no law to protect them, and congress has no power to redress their grievances, and the great father of the Union (the President) has not got an ear to listen to their complaints.

What shall we do under this state of things? In the event of either of the prominent candidates, Van Buren or Clay, obtaining the presidential chair, we should not be placed in any better situation. In speaking of Mr. Clay, his politics are diametrically opposed to ours; he inclines strongly to the old school of federalists, and as a matter of course, would not favor our cause, neither could we conscientiously vote for him. And we have yet stronger objections to Mr. Van Buren, on other grounds. He has sung the old song of congress-'congress has no power to redress your grievances.' But did the matter rest here it would not be so bad. He was in the presidential chair at the time of our former difficulties. We appealed to him on that occasion, but we appealed in vain, and his sentiments are yet unchanged. But all these things are tolerable in comparison to what we have to state. We have been informed from a respectable source, that there is an understanding between Mr. Benton of Missouri; and Mr. Van Buren, and a conditional compact entered into, that if Mr. Benton will use his influence to get Mr. Van Buren elected, that Van Buren when elected, shall use his executive influence to wipe away the stain from Missouri, by a further persecution of the Mormons, and wreaking out vengeance on their heads, either by extermination, or by some other summary process. We could scarcely credit the statement, and we hope yet for the sake of humanity, that the suggestion is false; but we have too good reason to believe that we are correctly informed.

If then this is the case can we conscientiously vote for a man of this description, and put the weapons in his hands to cut our throat with? we cannot; and however much we might

440

________________________________________

wish to sustain the democratic nomination we cannot-we will not vote for Van Buren. Our interests, our property, our lives and the lives of our families are too dear to us to be sacrificed at the shrine of party-spirit, and to gratify party feelings. We have been sold once in the State of Missouri, and our liberties bartered away by political demagogues through executive intrigue, and we wish not to be betrayed again by Benton and Van Buren.

Under these circumstances the question again arises, who shall we support? General Joseph Smith. A man of sterling worth and integrity and of enlarged views; a man who has raised himself from the humblest walks in life to stand at the head of a large, intelligent, respectable, and increasing society, that has spread not only in this land, but in distant nations; a man whose talent and genius, are of an exalted nature, and whose experience has rendered him every way adequate to the onerous duty. Honorable, fearless, and energetic; he would administer justice with an impartial hand, and magnify and dignify the office of chief magistrate of this land; and we feel assured there is not a man in the United States more competent for the task.

One great reason that we have for pursuing our present course is, that at every election we have been made a political target for their filthy demagogues in the country to shoot their loathsome arrows at. And every story has been put into requisition to blast our fame, from the old fabrication of "walk on the water" down to "the murderer of ex-Governor Boggs." The journals have teemed with this filthy trash, and even men who ought to have more respect for themselves; men contending for the gubernatorial chair have made use of terms so degrading, so mean, so humiliating, that a billingsgate fisherwoman would have considered herself disgraced with. We refuse any longer to be thus debaubed for either party; we tell all such to let their filth flow in its own legitimate channel, for we are sick of the loathsome smell.

Gentlemen, we are not going either to "murder ex-Governor Boggs," nor a mormon in this state for not giving us his money;" nor are we going to "walk on the water;" nor "drown a woman;" nor "defraud the poor of their property;" nor send "destroying angels after Gen. Bennet to kill him;" nor "marry spiritual wives;" nor commit any other outrageous act this election to help any party with, you must get some other persons to perform these kind offices for you in the future.-We withdraw.

Under existing circumstances we have no other alternative, and if we can accomplish our object well, if not we shall have the satisfaction of knowing that we have acted conscientiously and have used our best judgment; and if we have to throw away our votes, we had better do so upon a worthy, rather than upon an unworthy individual, who might make use of the weapon we put in his hand to destroy us with.

Whatever may be the opinions of men in general, in regard to Mr. Smith, we know that he need only to be known, to be admired; and that it is the principle of honor, integrity, patriotism, and philanthropy, that has elevated him in the minds of his friends, and the same principles if seen and known would beget the esteem and confidence of all the patriotic and virtuous throughout the union.

Whatever therefore be the opinions of other men onr [our] course is marked out, and our motto from henceforth will be General Joseph Smith.