# The Evening and the Morning Star, v1n11, editorial matter attributed to W. W. Phelps (editor)
# Date: April 1833 (Independence, Missouri)
# Source: http://www.centerplace.org/history/ems/v1n11.htm (centerplace.org transcription). Pieces: THE GOSPEL; TO THE BRETHREN ABROAD; RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST; OLDEN TIME; LAMENTABLE FACTS; THE SIXTH OF APRIL. 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).

[THE GOSPEL]

By a reference to the last number of the Star, it will be seen that the plan of salvation, was revealed to Adam, after he was driven out of the garden of Eden. To show further concerning this subject, we make an extract from a revelation concerning him, after he had been driven out:

For after that he had been driven out, he began to till the earth and to have dominion over all the beasts of the field, and to eat his bread by the sweat of the brow, as the Lord had commanded him; and Eve also, his wife, did labor with him, and he knew her, and she bare unto him sons and daughters, and they began to multiply and to replenish the earth. And from that time forth, the sons and daughters of Adam began to divide two and two in the land, and to till the land and to tend flocks; and they also begat sons and daughters.

And in that day the Holy Ghost fell upon Adam, which bore record of the Father and the Son,

And in that day Adam blessed God and was filled, and began to prophesy concerning all the families of the earth,

And Eve his wife, heard all these things and was glad, saying, were it not for our transgression we should never had seed, and should never had known good from evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient.

And Adam and Eve, blessed the name of God; and they made all things known unto their sons and their daughters. And satan came also among them, saying, I am also a son of God, and he commanded them saying, believe it not: and they believed it not, and loved satan more than God. And men began from that time forth to be carnal, sensual and devilish.

And the Lord God called upon men by the Holy Ghost every where, and commanded them that they should repent; and as many as believed in the Son and repented of their sins, should be saved; and as many as believed not and repented not, should be damned: and the words went forth out of the mouth of God in a firm decree; wherefore they must be fulfilled.

And Adam ceased not to call upon God, and Eve also, his wife. And Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord; wherefore he may not reject his words.

From this time till Enoch, from Enoch till Noah, from Noah till Melchizedek, and Abraham, and from Abraham till Moses, the order of the high priesthood, on earth, continued, and the gospel was preached.

Adam, according to the commandment, taught his children the plan of salvation, and some of them believed, for Abel was righteous and the Lord had respect unto his offering. Enoch, after he had gathered the people of the Lord, continued his preaching in righteousness, and they builded a city, even Zion.

For one proof that the order of the high priesthood was on earth between the days of Adam and Moses, we refer to the time when Abraham returned from the slaughter of the kings: And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. And he blessed him, and said, blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:

It cannot be authentically disputed, that Moses was not a high priest after this same order, for Peter said, when speaking of the Savior, This is he of whom Moses spake,

The Lord also said by Moses:

Moses preached the gospel, and sought diligently to sanctify the children of Israel, that they might enter into the rest of the Lord:

The gospel, according to the best knowledge we have, means good, or glad tidings, and is the power of God unto salvation to all that believe; for therein is the righteousness of God unto salvation to all that believe; for therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith; and it is held forth, the gift of God to all men, who are transgressors of his law; and is in the plan of redemption laid from the foundation of the world for all who embrace it, that they may have hope through the atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised unto life eternal; and this because of their faith in him according to his promise.

The gospel, then, according to sacred history contained in the scriptures, and also the revelations which we have given us by the power of the Holy Ghost, has always been given, or preached to men, that they must repent, and become better, by obeying the commandments of the Lord, that they might be saved in the celestial kingdom.

The gospel to Adam, was:

The gospel that Enoch preached was the same, for he called upon the people to repent, and he received a commandment to baptize, &c,; and when men repented and were brought into the kingdom of God, he continued his preaching in righteousness, that the saints might know the mysteries of the kingdom; even see and know for themselves, and through the power and manifestation of the Spirit, while in the flesh, they might be able to bear the presence of God in the world of glory; for Enoch and all his people walked with God, and were translated, even taken up into the bosom of God.

The gospel that Noah preached to the inhabitants before the flood, was the same that had been preached to his fathers before him; for he was a just man, and perfect in his generations, and walked with God. To show still further, and more plain respecting the calling and preaching of Noah, we give an extract from his history, as it has been given of him in these last days:

And in those days there were giants on the earth, and they sought Noah to take away his life; but the Lord was with Noah, and the power of the Lord was upon him.

And God saw that the wickedness of men had become great in the earth; and every man was lifted up in the imagination of the thoughts of his heart, being only evil continually.

Nevertheless they hearkened not, and it repented Noah, and his heart was pained that the Lord had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.-And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, and the creeping things, and the fowls of the air:

But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord: and Noah was a just man, and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God, and also his three sons, Shem, Ham and Japheth. The earth was corrupt before God and the earth was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.

The gospel that Moses preached, was the same that was preached by Adam, Enoch and Noah; and also the same that was preached to Abraham: for God is the same yesterday, today and forever. And it was as necessary, that men should have the gospel preached unto them before the death and resurrection of Christ, that they might know of the plan of redemption, as after he came.

To name the precise words that might constitute the term gospel, we shall not attempt to do. When the Savior came in the flesh, the gospel was the same, and it is the same now, and will continue the same forever.

The Lord said, while instructing his twelve disciples whom he had called and chosen to build up his church among the Nephites: Behold I have given unto you my gospel, and this is the gospel which I have given you: that I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me; and my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, I might draw all men unto me; that as I have been lifted up by men, even so should men be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil; and for this cause have I been lifted up; therefore, according to the power of the Father, I will draw all men unto me, that they may be judged according to their works.

Now this is the commandment:

One important point relative to the gospel, is, whose duty was it to preach? Christ preached the gospel, and gave authority to his disciples to do likewise; he even said, Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel. Paul had authority to preach the gospel:

In Paul's first epistle to his Corinthian brethren, he s

He also says in his epistle to his Galatian brethren, that the gospel that was preached by him, was not after man. For he neither received it of man, neither was he taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. And while writing to Timothy, he s

Taking for example the calling of all the ancient servants of the Lord, we know that none have authority to build up his church, except they are called, and commissioned of him. We say nothing here, about the various modes of worship, as they are called, of the different denominations, for all men are agents unto themselves, and can worship as they please; but we are sure, that the time is not far distant, when the works of all men will be proven, and the secrets of all hearts be revealed; the wheat gathered into the garner of the Most High, and the chaff burned with unquenchable fire!

Nor do we aim to meddle with the different sects that are continually contending, lo, this is the right way and, lo, this is the right way! The apostle declared many hundred years ago, that there was but one Lord, one faith and one baptism, and the Lord has said by his own voice in these last days, that the church of Christ, is the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth, with which he is well pleased, speaking, as he has said, unto the church collectively, and not individually, because he can not look upon sin with the least degree of allowance.

Before we proceed further on this subject, we take another extract from the book of Mormon. Although but few, or a small portion of our fellow men believe this book: some in consequence of the cunning craftiness of those who seek the praise and glory of this world, and are thus willingly blinded, and thousands have never come to a knowledge of it, yet we know, that it contains the fulness of the gospel of Christ in plainness, and that all things necessary to instruct men to repent of their sins, and of the manner of baptism, and of the gift of the Holy Spirit by the laying on of the hands, and of the plan of salvation, is set forth in that clear and easy style, and all men who are endowed with a common understanding, may receive light and intelligence in the things of God, if prejudice does not interfere; and that by obeying its precepts, all men, if they will, may have eternal life.

The following is taken from the teachings of the Savior, after his resurrection from the dead, when he appeared to the Nephites:

Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away.

And whoso shall declare more or less than this, and establish it for my doctrine, the same cometh of evil, and it is not built upon my rock, but he buildeth upon a sandy foundation, and the gates of hell standeth open to receive such, when the floods come, and the winds beat upon them.

Having this plain teaching set forth before us in this generation, the question might arise, whose duty is it now to preach? Were we to consult many of our fellow men for an answer, without any assistance from the revelations of the Lord, the most probable answer would be, such as have been qualified and fitted for the ministry; but taking the word of the Lord for a guide, the answer is: Those whom he has called and chosen: As for instance, those who come forth in the resurrection of the just, are they who receive the testimony of Jesus, and believe on his name, and are baptized after the manner of his burial, being buried in the water in his name, and this according to the commandment which he has given, that by keeping the commandment, they might be washed and cleansed from all their sins, and receive the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands of him who is ordained and sealed unto this power. Therefore, we say as we have said before: Taking for example the calling of all the ancient servants of the Lord, we know that none have authority to build up his church, except those who are called and commissioned of him.

Hence we begin with Adam, for he was called and chosen of the Lord. Abel was called and chosen of the Lord, and offered an acceptable offering, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts. Enoch was called and chosen of the Lord, and the Lord blessed him, and even took him and his city into his own bosom. Noah was called and chosen of the Lord, and he by faith was warned of God and prepared an ark, and he and his household were saved. Melchizedek was called and chosen, for he even had power to bless Abraham. And Paul said: Without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. Melchizedek was a priest of the most high God, as is said of him in the bible; that is, he was a high priest after the holy order of God, which order holds the keys of the mysteries of the kingdom of God, even the keys of the knowledge of God, and has power to pronounce blessings according to the will and commandment of the Lord.

Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, were called and chosen of the Lord. Joseph, the son of Jacob was called and chosen of the Lord, and while speaking to his brethren, he says: God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. Nephi, the son of Lehi, thus writes of the prophecies of Joseph: Behold he truly prophesied concerning all his seed; and the prophecies which he wrote, there are not many greater.

Moses was called and chosen to do the work of the Lord, and the evidence is, that he did it. When Aaron and Miriam spake against Moses, the Lord said unto them: My servant Moses is faithful in all mine house. With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the Lord shall he behold. The historian at the close of the book of Deuteronomy, in setting forth the character of Moses, says: And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, in all the signs and the wonders which the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land, and in all that mighty hand, and in all the great terror which Moses shewed in the sight of all Israel. Paul says in his epistle to the Hebrew, that Moses verily was faithful in all the house of the Lord, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after.

From the days of Moses, taking all the prophets that spake the word of the Lord, as they were moved upon by the Holy Ghost, till John began to cry in the wilderness of Judea, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths strait, they were called and chosen; and INSPIRED to do the work of the Lord.

When the Savior come to the Jews he called and chose twelve, (Judas excepted) to them he gave authority to build up his church; and they, by his authority, commissioned others and so the gospel was preached to men, that they might turn unto the Lord. This state of order in the church of Christ, lasted for some time; perhaps till the Nicean council, and from that time till the book of Mormon came forth, the fulness of the gospel of our Lord and Savior to the Gentiles, and also to the house of Israel, there were many sects, that had a form, in some degree, of godliness.

But none declared, by the power of the Holy Ghost, that they were inspired by the Lord to move on his cause, although they would admit that the Lord was unchangeable, the same yesterday, today and forever; and that he gave revelations in the first thousand years; in the second thousand years; in the third thousand years; in the fourth thousand years, and in the fifth thousand years; but in the sixth thousand years, he ceased to give his precious word to fallen man, to guide them in the way to eternal life, as in olden times.

The only name given under heaven, whereby man can be saved, is Jesus Christ. Men in days of old heard the glad tidings, that the Son of Man would come in the fulness of his own time, to make intercession for the children of men, and suffer, the just, for the unjust, and rise from the dead, that the bands of the temporal death might be broken, that the resurrection might pass upon all men, that all might stand in the presence of God to be judged according to their works.-These glad tidings were communicated from heaven to earth, by the ministering of holy angels and by the voice of the living God. Thousands have looked forward with an eye of faith, and a confidence unshaken in the promises of God, to the time when the great and last sacrifice should be made for fallen man. Many have rejoiced to see the day of the Son of Man, have seen it, and were glad; and have fallen asleep after obtaining the promise, that they should see God in the flesh and should reign with him on the earth a thousand years.

All men who were willing to be instructed in the plan of salvation, before the Lord came in the flesh, if they were obedient to his commandments, have had a knowledge of his gospel, and knew how to look forward on the Son of Man by faith, for a remission of their sins. The gospel was preached to the children of Israel, and the law was added because of transgression; which law was fulfilled in Christ. Nephi while speaking of Christ some hundred years before he came in the flesh, says: Notwithstanding we believe in Christ, we keep the law of Moses, and look forward with steadfastness unto Christ until the law shall be fulfilled; for, for this end was the law given: wherefore, the law hath become dead unto us, and we are made alive in Christ because of our faith; yet we keep the law because of the commandments; and we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins. Wherefore we speak concerning the law, that our children may know the deadness of the law, and they, by knowing the deadness of the law, may look forward unto that life which is in Christ, and know for what end the law was given.

When the time was fulfilled, & the Savior had made his appearance in the flesh, the gospel was preached by himself and his disciples. The disciples of John, as they were called, whom he sent to Christ, to inquire if he was the true Messiah, were answered thus: Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the leapers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. When the twelve were first sent forth to preach, the Lord said: Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Many, and precious, were the instructions which the disciples received from the mouth of their Lord, before he was lifted up upon the cross.

With this authority, they proclaimed the gospel on the day of pentecost; some marveled; some mocked; many were pricked in the heart, and three thousand were baptized and added to the church. The language of Peter, at the time the lame man was healed at the beautiful gate of the temple, is very plain. He said to the Jews:

In this positive manner spake the apostle the truth, and in this plain language he preached the gospel and bore record of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus; and about five thousand more believed the word. He declares before the high priest, being filled with the Holy Ghost, that there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby they must be saved. The language of the Lord to Adam was also positive, when he said, that Jesus Christ was the only name which should be given under heaven, whereby salvation should come unto the children of men.

When the Galatians had been troubled by some who preached a false doctrine, and pretended to have another gospel, Paul s

The gospel that the apostle preached, was, as he said to his Corinthian brethren, the glorious gospel of Christ. It was even that by which men might be saved.

Paul was an instrument, no doubt, by the blessing of the Lord, in building up the church of Christ very extensively in many places, as well as the other apostles and those who were ordained by them. But yet very little of their preaching to those who were out of the kingdom, is to be found in the New Testament.-How much was contained in the Acts of the apostles written by Luke, before it fell into the hands of those who robbed the scriptures of their plainness; and how much was contained upon the parchments which Paul desired Timothy to bring from Troas, which were left with Carpus; and how much was written by others, we shall not here attempt to show. The epistles were written by the apostles to churches and not to the unbelieving world; consequently, the manner of the instruction to them was different in general from their discourses to the wicked who had never heard the gospel. Yet all their writings will show but one gospel, and but one manner of building up the church of Christ. And Paul declares with much plainness, that as he said before, so he now says again, if any preach any other gospel than that which they had received, let him be accursed. Truly, because there never was, nor never will be, but one gospel.

Having proceeded far enough with the subject, to show that there is but one gospel, and that the same in all ages; and that the Lord calls and chooses his own servants to labor in his vineyard, we shall next proceed to bring some scripture to show how the gospel has been preached and how the church of Christ has been established in the days of old. In the beginning the Lord said unto Adam:

This plain teaching was to Adam after he was driven out from the garden of Eden, and points out the way for his seed to be saved. From time to time were the children of men called upon to repent in days of old, by those who were chosen of the Lord to preach his gospel. From time to time were the inhabitants of the earth warned of approaching destructions and sore calamities, which were sent to scourge them because of their iniquities, by those who were called and commanded of the Lord.

The Lord is just, and he gave the gospel, after man had transgressed, that he might be brought back into his presence. By obeying the gospel and keeping the commandment men are sanctified and prepared for the Celestial kingdom where God and Christ is the Judge of all. The gospel, then, is the power of God unto salvation. It is the good news of heaven, and calls upon the children of men every where to repent.

The news that the gospel brought in days of old, was, that Jesus Christ would come into the world; that he would suffer according to the flesh; that he would rise from the dead, and thereby redeem his people from the power of the grave.

[TO THE BRETHREN ABROAD]

As many false reports are in circulation abroad, respecting the disciples of our Savior in the land of Zion, we feel it our duty to correct such as may be injurious to them, and can say, that, in general, the disciples here, enjoy good health, and are as well off as the generality of new settlers. The price of corn, during the past winter, has been about one dollar per barrel, which is equal to twenty cents per bushel: and now, on prompt pay, it is very little higher; not more than twenty five cents. Wheat is from fifty to seventy five cents per bushel. The present crop now on the ground looks very fine, and with the blessings of a merciful Father, an abundance will be raised this season, as very considerable was sown last fall.-Should the spring be as prosperous according as the winter has been, great quantities of corn will be put into the ground. Bacon is not high, and contracts were offered not long since, of 6 to 7000 lbs. in a lot.

A mild winter and the smiling springs, are among the blessings of the Lord, in this climate, and remind us of his promise to Noah, that, while the earth remaineth, seed-time and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night, shall not cease: and where these blessings are improved with industry, (for all that are able in the church of Christ, have to work for their living) we can exclaim like David of old: I have been young, and am now old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

[RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST]

Having promised in our last number, something on the rise and progress of the church of Christ, we commence with the intention of giving a relation of a few facts, as they have occurred since the church was organized in eighteen hundred and thirty. We shall be brief in this article, as we design to give from time to time the progress of this church, for the benefit of inquirers as well as the satisfactions of those who believe.

Soon after the book of Mormon came forth, containing the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the church was organized on the sixth of April, in Manchester; soon after, a branch was established in Fayette, and the June following, another in Colesville, New York.

We shall not give, at this time, the particulars attending the organization of these branches of the church; neither shall we publish in this, the account of the persecution of those who were then called and authorized to preach the everlasting gospel. Twenty more were added to the church in Manchester and Fayette, in the month of April; and on the 28th of June, thirteen were baptized in Colesville: and of these we can say as Paul said of the five hundred who saw the Savior after he had risen from the dead: The greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. In October, (1830) the number of disciples had increased to between seventy and eighty, when four of the elders started for the west, and founded a branch of the church at Kirtland, Ohio, around which many have since arisen.

These first four, having added one to their number, proceeded to the west, after having baptized one hundred and thirty disciples in less than four weeks and ordained four of them elders, and finally stopped in the western bounds of the state of Missouri, having been preserved by the hand of the Lord, and directed by his Spirit.

In the winter, (1831) the church in the state of New York, after a commandment had been received from the Lord, began to prepare to remove to the state of Ohio. The following is a part of the revelation referred to above:

In the spring the greater part of the disciples who were in New York, removed to the Ohio. In June, the word having been preached in many places and hundreds having been baptized, a number of the elders, by the commandment of the Lord, journeyed west, proclaiming the gospel and bearing testimony of the work of the Lord in these last days; saying none other things than that which the prophets and apostles had written, and that which was taught them by the Comforter, by the prayer of faith, as the Lord has said. Many gladly received the word and were baptized, so that branches of the church were built up in many places, notwithstanding the opposition with which the elders were often met.

Indeed we have the testimony before our eyes of the faithfulness with which they discharged their duty in publishing salvation to their fellow men. Many have already come up to the land of Zion who were fruits of their labors; and by what we can learn from time to time, we are reminded of the parable of the seed, for we are certain that much of it has fallen on good ground: and we are sure, having the testimony in our hearts, that those faithful elders, although often fatigued and wearied with the length of their journey, will at the last day receive a crown of eternal life, and joy unspeakable in the everlasting kingdom of God and the Lamb, with those that they were the means of turning from darkness to light. And while reflecting on this subject, a few words from Daniel seems to be applicable:

In July they began to arrive in the western boundaries of Missouri, and shortly after, a branch of the church from Colesville, New York, came on by water, and thus the gathering commenced.

From this time, the progress of the church though gradual, has been more than many of great faith had anticipated. Many churches have been built up in different states, and some hundreds of members have come up to this land, and are striving to keep the commandments of the Lord, that they may be prepared, whether in life or in death, to meet him when he comes in his glory with all his holy angels.

It may be proper to say, as we have often said before, that this church is taught by the revelations of the Lord, in all things, as they have been received from time to time from the days of Adam, until now. And it is really a matter of joy to see how fast the work of the gathering is continuing amid the discouragements, persecutions, and false statements of the world.

It has been reported that the church had settled in this country, and were living as one family. This is not so.

The faith of the church has greatly increased in these first three years of its existence, in these last days. Much is said at home and abroad about Mormonites, as the world has seen fit to call the disciples of Jesus Christ, but wherever the gospel has been truly set forth; wherever the book of Mormon has been fully explained and understood, and wherever men have listened with unprejudiced minds to learn the truth for the purpose of escaping the desolation and calamities which are already abroad in the earth, there the Lord has borne record of his own work by his Spirit.

While the gifts in many instances have been manifested beyond doubt, in healing the sick, &c. some have doubted and some have believed, as in the days of the apostles; and even from the beginning this has been the case more or less, and will be till satan is bound.

We promised to correct as many falsehoods as we could, that were in circulation. In this article we have commenced, but upon looking at some of the late misrepresentations that have found their way to the public, we think the best method will be for us to continue an account of the rise and progress of the church, and publish the truth as we have done; for, of all the statements that have been published in the newspapers of the day concerning this church, not one has reached us but what in a greater or less degree was untrue; and what adds more to our astonishment, is, that these publications came from those who profess the religion of Christ. By this however we do not intend to cast any reflections, for we remember the example of our Lord, who, when he was reviled, reviled not again.

The progress of the church has been great, and while we witness the spread of the work, knowing it is of God, we are willing to give the world all the light we can that will lead them to salvation.

[OLDEN TIME]

On reading the fifth chapter of Genesis , it will be seen that it is the book of the generations of Adam, and contains the names of ten persons from the beginning till the flood, or rather to Noah. It ought to be remembered, that these men or some of them, were the sons of God.

During the time (1656 years) from the beginning till the flood, there must have

been a multitude of people on the earth, as many lived to the age of nearly a thousand years and begat sons and daughters.

Enoch, who was a man of God, lived in the latter part of the first thousand years; and when the Lord commanded him to look, he s

It ought to be known, for it is published, that after Adam and Eve were driven out of the garden of Eden, they had many children, and the children went forth two and two and began to multiply and replenish the earth; yea, and all this too, before Adam had the gospel preached unto him or was baptized. The fact is very few of the present generation have knowledge of what took place in the first thousand years.

When the first trump shall sound the second time, in the ears of all living and reveal the secret acts of men, and the mighty works of God in the first thousandth year, great things will be known.

When the first seal of the little book is opened, which will be when the above trump sounds, the saints may lift up their heads and rejoice, for the mystery of God will soon be finished: Then the history of olden time will be known; then the family record of Adam and his children down to this generation, with all the thoughts and intents of the heart, will be revealed; then the saints will be crowned and made equal with Michael the Lord's arch angel.

Few persons are aware that Adam lived long enough, in the first days, to witness the gathering of the saints, by Enoch, as well as the building up of Zion. Adam lived to see, at least, seven generations of his children around him, multiplying and replenishing the earth. Adam fell asleep in the Lord only fifty seven years before Zion, even the city of Enoch, was taken up to the bosom of God, where it has remained, and will remain till the Lord brings it again, when he comes in his glory with all his holy angels with him, to reign on earth a thousand years.

And God made a covenant with Noah, and said, this shall be the token of the covenant: I make between me and you, and for every living creature with you, for perpetual generations; and I will set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant, between me and the earth.

And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud; & I will remember my covenant which I have made between me and you, for every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.

Then those that have gathered faith for a treasure, and have kept all the commandments of the Lord, will see God in the flesh; being quickened, they will have part in the first resurrection, and will be raised unto immortality: on such the second death will have no power.

[LAMENTABLE FACTS]

The righteous have always been derided by the wicked, and sacred things ridiculed by those that knew not God.

The Lord said, Beware of false prophets, and Paul said, This know also that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affections, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Now let us ask the sincere, (if there by any in the world) if that sacredness is to be seen in the performances of religion, which ought to distinguish the sons of God? Are there professers who pretend to worship God, examples of piety, that will not look upon sin with any degree of allowance? Or is it not a lamentable fact, that thousands who have a form of godliness deny the power thereof? Is it not a lamentable fact, that whatever is highly esteemed by the world, is also highly esteemed by those that ought not to love the world, neither the things that are in it?

Is it not a lamentable fact, that those who pretend to worship God, are the first to persecute the church of Christ? The Jews did so in the days of the Savior.-Is it not a lamentable fact, that the time has come when men will not endure sound doctrine; but, as Paul said, After their own lust they heap up to themselves teachers having itching ears?

Is it not a lamentable fact, that in all the controversies between the sectarians, a spirit is manifest, which is any thing but that of our Lord?

But let us turn from these lamentable facts, to others whose record has lain on the pages of holy writ, for ages, to warn the inhabitants of the earth not to do likewise.

Is it not a lamentable fact, that when Adam and Eve transgressed the command of the Most High, they were driven out of the garden of Eden? Is it not a lamentable fact, that when the earth was filled with violence, and all flesh had corrupted itself, that the Lord brought a flood of waters & destroyed the inhabitants of the world, save Noah and his family?

Is it not a lamentable fact, that when men began to build a Tower, that they might go to heaven as they pleased, notwithstanding there was no other name given, than Jesus Christ, whereby men could be saved, that the Lord confounded their language, and they were scattered over the face of the whole earth?

Is it not a lamentable fact, that when the Egyptians pursued the children of Israel into the Red sea, that they were drowned for their folly? Is it not a lamentable fact, that the children of Israel were scattered among all nations for disobeying the commandment of God? Let the bible answer these questions, that those that would become righteous, and be saved, when the Lord comes out of his place to destroy the wicked, may have a solemn warning to flee from the wrath to come.

[THE SIXTH OF APRIL]

On the 6th of April, between seventy and eighty ordained members, representing more than five hundred members of the church of Christ, met for instruction, serving God, &c., in the land of Zion, and spent the day, from ten till four o'clock, very agreeably.

It affords us much pleasure to record this little fact. When the foundations of this earth were laid, the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy: the Passover was kept solemnly by the children of Israel, and so let the solemnities of eternity rest upon our minds, since the Lord has been so merciful as to re-establish his church for the last time, in these last days.

