# The Evening and the Morning Star, v1n04, editorial matter attributed to W. W. Phelps (editor)
# Date: September 1832 (Independence, Missouri)
# Source: http://www.centerplace.org/history/ems/v1n04.htm (centerplace.org transcription). Pieces: Writing Letters; The Cholera; THE OLD AND NEW REVELATIONS; THE SECOND COMING OF THE SAVIOR, NO. I; VAIN DECEIT.-PAUL; THE POWER OF GOD. Notes: unsigned editorials in Phelps-edited issue (confidence medium; 'To Man' June 1832 signed W. W. PHELPS = high); revelations, scripture extracts, reprints, hymns, and others' letters excluded; quoted matter and detected unmarked scripture paragraphs stripped; transcriber bracket-corrections removed (original spelling retained).

[Writing Letters]

To cultivate it is our duty, and to use it is our privilege. By these means the thoughts of the heart can act without the body, and the mind can speak without the head, while thousands of miles apart, and for ages after the flesh has mouldered back to its mother dust. Beloved reader! have you ever reflected on this simple, this useful, this heavenly blessing! It is one of the best gifts of God to man, and it is the privilege of man to enjoy it. By writing, the word of the Lord has been handed to the inhabitants of the earth, from generation to generation. By writing, the inventions and knowledge of men have been received, age after age, for the benefit of the world. By writing, the transactions of life, like the skies over the ocean, are spread out upon the current of time, for the eyes of the rising multitudes to look upon. And while we are thus summing up some of the blessings and enjoyments, which result from this noble art, let us not forget to view a few of the curses and mischiefs which follow an abuse of this high privilege. While we behold what a great matter a little fire kindles, let us not stand mute: Let us not forget to see a better example, when we see the slanderer dip his raven's quill in gall, to blot the fair fame of some innocent person. Let us weep, for so will the heavens do, when the great men of the earth, write their glory in the tears of the fatherless and the widow. Let us mourn while this world's vanity is written for deception, in letters of gold. But enough, for the wicked are writing their own death warrant, and the hail of the Lord shall sweep away the refuge of lies. We, as the disciples of the blessed Jesus, are bound by every consideration that makes religion a blessing, to the inhabitants of the earth, while we see this exalted privilege abused, to set a more noble example: To do our business in a more sacred way, and, as servants of the Lord, that would be approved in all things, hide no fault of our own, nor cover any imperfection in others; neither offend, lest we bring a reproach upon the great cause of our holy Father.

It is pleasing to God to see men use the blessings which he gave them, and not abuse them. For this reason, if the saints abide in the faith wherewith they have been called, the land shall yield her increase, and the blessings of heaven shall attend them, and the Lord will turn to them a pure language, and the glory of God will again be among the righteous on earth. All things are for men, not men for all things. Beloved brethren, before we can teach the world how to do right, we must be able to do so ourselves:

1. Never write a letter to friend or foe, unless you have business which can not be done as well in some other way; or, unless you have news to communicate, that is worth time and money. In this way you will increase confidence and save postage.

2. Never write any thing in a letter to friend or foe, that you are afraid to read to friend or foe, for letters from a distance, especially one or two thousand miles, are sought for with great anxiety; and, as no one is a judge of men and things, you are liable to misrepresent yourself, your country, your friends, and your enemies, and put in the mouth of the honest, as well as the dishonest, a lie, which truth, in her gradual but virtuous way, may not contradict till your head is under the silent clods of the valley.

3. Never write any thing but truth, for truth is heavenly, and like the sun, is alwas bright, and proves itself, without logic, without reasons, without witnesses, and never fails. Truth is of the Lord and will prevail.

4. Never reprove a friend or foe for faults in a letter, except by revelation; for in the first place, your private intentions, be they ever so good, are liable to become public, because, all letters may be broken open, and your opinion only on one side of the question, can be scattered to the four winds, and he to whom you meant good, receives evil; and you are not benefited. Again, we can hardly find a language, written or spoken, on earth, at this time, that will convey the true meaning of the heart to the understanding of another; and you are liable to be misunderstood, and to give unpleasant feelings; and you merely to use a simile, bleed an old sore, by probing it for proud flesh, when it only wanted a little oil from the hand of the good Samaritan, in person, to heel it. No matter how pure your intentions may be; no matter how high your standing is, you can not touch man's heart when absent as when present. Truly, you do not cast your pearls before swine, but you throw your gold before man, and he robs you for your folly. Instead of reproof give good advice; and when face to face, rebuke a wise man and he will love you; or, do so to your friend, that, should he become your enemy, he can not reproach you: thus you may live, not only unspotted, but unsuspected.

5. Never write what you would be ashamed to have printed; or, what might offend the chastest ear, or hurt the softest heart. If you write what you are ashamed to have printed, you are partial: If you write what would offend virtue, you have not the spirit of the Lord; and if you write what would wound the weak hearted, you are not feeding the Lord's lambs, and thus you may know, that you are not doing to others, what you would expect others to do to you. The only rule we would give to regulate writing letters, is this: Write what you are willing should be published in this world, and in the world to come: And would to God, that not only the disciples of the church of Christ, but the whole world, were willing to follow this rule: Then the commandments would be kept, and no one would write a word against the Lord his God. No one would write a word against his father and mother. No one would write a word against his neighbor. No one would write a word against the creatures of God. No one would need write a word against ought but sin; and then the world would be worth living in, for there would be none to offend.

As to the church, this being a day of warning and not a day of many words, let them that wish to communicate, or instruct, whether high or low, whether male or female, whether parent or child, whether master or servant, whether teacher or member, whether elder or high priest, come to this conclusion, That the eyes of God are upon them, and that what they do is for eternity; for God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil: and therefore, to obey the commandments, of the Lord, and to set an example in all things, worthy of imitation by the world; knowing that in the midst of counsellors there is safety; with the light of revelation shining around them, as the sun in his strength; while the tidings from heaven to the faithful, is, Peace on earth, and good will to men; while the spirit of Christ directs them to pray for one another, and for their enemies; and while the love of God exalts the heart, to forget and forgive: let them not write a line that they would be ashamed to have printed, for the world to profit by; or, written in the unsullied books of heaven, for the angels to look upon. Begin to think right and your thoughts may be worth saving: begin to speak truth in all things, and your words may be powerful; so much so, that you can exclaim like Job: O that my words were now written! O that they were printed in a book! We can not close this essay without saying, Brethren! live for Jesus, for he lives for you: Sisters! live for Jesus, for he lives for you: Husbands! live for Jesus, for he lives for you: Wives! live for Jesus, for he lives for you: Children! live for Jesus, for he lives for you: And whatever you write, let it be-the truth: in fact and in very deed, let your yea be yea, and your nay be nay, and then, when letters are written by you, from Zion to the world, the spirit of the Lord will bear record, that they are true: and if letters from abroad, are written by the disciples , to Zion, the spirit of the Lord will bear record, that they are true, and the glory of God will be in Zion. Again, should hypocrites or sinners, write, either to or from Zion, and not write the truth, their own words may condemn them: Their own letters can be sent back, either way, as witnesses of their folly now, and remain as testimony against them, when the Lord comes out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity. So be it, and the will of the Lord be done: But brethren: Love the Lord and keep his commandments, that righteousness may abound. Serve the Lord and pray earnestly, that the Spirit may be with you. Fear the Lord and be humble, that faith may increase. Trust in the Lord and be holy, that the world may be overcome. And finally, walk in the valley of humility, and remember the world of mankind which lies in darkness and sin, and pray for them; and if necessary, that you die for Christ,-die-for he died for you. Beloved, there was a time so perfect, and the union so pure, that the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy! and we do beseech you, to purify yourselves that your names may be written in heaven, for the company of angels to look upon, that they may come down and teach us to purify ourselves for the presence of Jesus, that he may dwell with us, while his glory covers the heavens, and the earth is full of his praise, that we may be one with all the redeemed of the Lamb, and them that are changed in the twinkling of an eye as the heaven and the earth are made now, that the tabernacle of God may be with men, and he with them, that we may hear the sons of Zion from all the creations he hath made, shouting glory and power and honor, to God and the Lamb throughout eternity.

[The Cholera]

Not since the flood, if we think right, has the Lord sent the same pestilence, or destruction, over the whole earth at once: But the Cholera, which has swept its thousands in Asia, Africa, Europe and America, gives a solemn token to a wondering world, that it will do so. Let the reader remember that all flesh is grass, but, that amidst all the judgments of the Lord, the righteous have never been forsaken.

-> EXCHANGE.-Those persons wishing to exchange with the Star, must remember that it requires 2 or 3 weeks to accomplish the desire; and that their papers must be put up in strong wrappers, and well-tied, or they will rarely reach us.

[THE OLD AND NEW REVELATIONS]

What a source of happiness our heavenly Father has placed before us, if we will believe his word! But say thousands, we do believe his word, we have the old and now testaments and they are enough; they were given to the world that every body might be saved. But my friends, reflect a moment: Was the law which was given to the children of Israel, given also to the world? Was the revelation, that prophetic blessing and cursing and the gathering, as recorded by Moses, in the 28, 29, 30, 31, 32 and 33rd chapters of Deuteronomy, meant for any other people than Israel? What nation but Israel had the blessing, or prophets to foretell it? What nation but Israel, received the curse, and what nation but Israel was scattered to be gathered again? Be it remembered also, that while Israel endeavored to keep the law, they had prophets to tell them when they were right, and when they were wrong. The revelations of the old and new testaments, were given from Adam in the garden of Eden, till John on the isle of Patmos, during which time, holy men, moved by the Holy Ghost, spake to the Lord's anointed, his elect, his chosen, and church, what the Lord commanded. Each prophet revealed what was expedient for his own time, and the people he spoke to: foretelling just what the Lord pleased to communicate to that people. When the Savior came, he gave his own revelations, and used the old to support them. If the many things which Jesus did, were written, we suppose, as John did, that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written; and yet, John, many years after, brings forth some new revelations, which must shortly come to pass.

The world should not be ignorant of this fact: when Paul wrote an epistle to the Romans, it was not to the Corinthians; when he wrote to the Corinthians, it was not to the Ephesians; when he wrote to the Hebrews, it was not to the Gentiles: So, also, when James directed his epistle to the twelve tribes scattered abroad, it was not intended for the Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians nor any Gentile church, but for the covenant people of the Lord. We do entreat all men to consider, before they offer an opinion upon the word of the Lord. The covenant with Noah was very different from the covenant with Abraham, and the last covenant with Israel, which is to be written in the heart, when the Lord gathers in Jacob, from all countries where they have been driven, will undoubtedly be different from the creeds or articles of every church on earth, not established by immediate revelation from heaven. The spirit of God is a spirit of revelation, and when the following chapter is fulfilled, there must be some new revelations:

Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them s

Then will the Lord be jealous for his land, and pity his people.

Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice:

Beloved reader! when the Lord pours out his Spirit upon all flesh, which will not be until the wicked are consumed, for every soul that will not hear the Lord at his second coming, must be cut off, there will be marvelous things revealed which will cause the children of God to rejoice. But before this great work is finished, John the Revelator, comes to prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings, which the Lord will see fit to add to the words of his other prophecy:

[THE SECOND COMING OF THE SAVIOR, NO. I]

One of the first duties of man is, to assist his fellow beings in all things appertaining to their happiness, and, for this purpose, we have a desire, not only to labor for the benefit of the saints, but that the world may know, that the second coming of our Savior is near. Notwithstanding there exists, and that too, among those who profess to have a form of godliness, a great difference of opinion when and how the Lord will come, yet we shall endeavor to bring such passages of sacred writ, as will make this subject clear to them that look for him the second time without sin unto salvation, and remind them that doubt, that the time is at hand. Firstly, Peter, who had the keys of the kingdom, wrote thus: This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; on which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: that ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandments of us the apostles of the Lord and Savior: knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as from the beginning of the creation.

It is a good thing to be reminded of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, for without them the world would be a wilderness; men could not tell from whence they sprang, or to where they would go after death. But to the subject, according to Jude, Enoch said, Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousand of his saints; and by reading the extracts of his prophecy, in the last Star, it will be seen that Enoch was shown all things from the beginning to the end, and he thus inquires about the sabbath of creation and second coming of the Lord:

David seems to have understood this prophecy when he composed the 85th Psalm; for besides saying, that the Lord had brought back the captivity of Jacob, (meaning the twelve tribes, and ten of them have been lost ever since the reign of Hoshea,) he said, Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven.

The only caution we give on this subject, is, be careful and blend not the Day of Judgment, which comes at least, more than a thousand years after the Son of man comes in the clouds of heaven, with the first resurrection! When the earthquake begins to shake this broken globe, and the mountains begin to flow down at his presence, and every valley is exalted, all them that have escaped the desolations, will soon see the Son of man coming in his glory with Zion, or the general assembly and church of the first-born, with him, to reign on earth while satan is bound: Then peace and righteousness, like the noon-sun, will enlighten the world.

[VAIN DECEIT.-PAUL]

Among all denominations in the world, that serve, or, at least, worship God to be saved, it may be worth while for the humble disciple of the meek and lowly Jesus, to notice how the rich, the great, and the noble, are flattered and honored, and even excused from acts of sin; nor would it be wrong for the children of the living God, to observe how the christians, as they style themselves, follow the changing fashions of the day, to the most extravagant extremes; and watch how greedily they seek the world and all things in it, while the poor are forgotten by their neighbors. Truly did the Savior say, For that which is highly esteemed among men, is an abomination in the sight of God. Great names are clung to, good or bad, and rich men are courted, saints or sinners, though it may be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. As in the days of the Savior, all sects are striving for the uppermost rooms at feasts, and for the chief seats in the synagogues, and as Paul said should be the case in the last days, they have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof. Well might James exclaim:

[THE POWER OF GOD]

How little does man know of the power of God. The prophets who exercised this power, never left a trace of it upon the earth nor a line upon the sacred scroll, which would convince the world what it was. The earthquake, the whirlwind, and the flaming flame, might terrify and astonish, but when Elijah heard the still small voice, he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave, for the Lord was there! When the Lord said to Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, and all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; standing back, afar off, beseeching Moses to speak with God, that he might not speak to them, lest they die, we may know that a man must be pure in heart, to see God:

