simple authority of his doctrine or testimony, already established: CHAP. XI. "A GOOD TREE CANNOT BRING FORTH EVIL FRUIT.' Mat. vii. 18. 35 xiv. 11. 30. Hence it is, that the signs and wonders of Christ, among his followers, in this day, are not immediately to the world; but his words are to the world, and each of his followers can say, Though ye believe not me, believe the works: or else believe me, John, x. FOR THE VERY WORK'S SAKE; a work which has been productive of righteousness, justice and goodness, with every fruit of eternal life, by which it has been evidenced or shown out, with a continual increase from the first visible appearance of the Church, till the present day. 31. Neither has God ever left the Church without sufficient 1 Cor. ch. evidence to convince any candid mind that the Divine Spirit con- xii. tinued to work among his people, by "diversities of operations." For, in all stages of their travel, there have been more or less manifestations of Divine and heavenly gifts, operating internally and externally, to enlighten the understanding, to strengthen the feeble, confirm the weak in faith, and to comfort and edify the faithful; which has enabled the Church as a body, progressively, to grow in grace, and treasure up the knowledge and power of the Gospel, for themselves and other souls. 32. In the year 1837, the fiftieth after the gathering of the Church commenced, a remarkable Divine manifestation, as had been previously predicted, began, and shortly spread through all the societies of Believers in the land. 33. This work was attended with marvelous operations of divine power, accompanied with many extraordinary signs and wonders. Many were exercised in visions of the spiritual world, and of the beautiful order and glories of the heavens; also with revelations and discerning of spirits. Many were endowed with the gift to hear the melodious songs of the angels, and spirits of the just; many beautiful songs were given in this way. Others were exercised by inspired gifts of instruction, warning, reproof, and encouragement, &c. 34. These heavenly gifts were adapted to all states and circumstances, whereby much new light was revealed on many important subjects; and many principles which were not fully understood before, were clearly revealed. 35. Many prophetic gifts were given, fortelling future events, which would take place among Believers, and also in the political, providential, and spiritual orders of the world; and likewise many wonderful phenomena and convulsions of nature, which have taken place, were clearly predicted. So that the discerning mind may see that these prophetic revelations were truly emanations from the Divine prescience. 36. It was frequently foretold, that when the extraordinary flowings of those spiritual gifts should in a great measure cease CHAP. XI. 2 Cor iii. 6. among Believers, those same manifestations would go into the world, and operate among them in a manner adapted to their state. The manner of those spirit manifestations, which have been operating, and so rapidly spreading in the world, during the last few years, was clearly foretold: "that it would spring up in places where, and in manners and ways that no mortals could foresee, nor account for." 37. That it would confound all natural philosophy and wisdom of man; also that it would progressively spread through all nations, and produce the most extraordinary revolution in the religious and moral state of mankind, that had ever been effected since the creation of man. And although much that was erroneous would be brought forth, yet much good would be finally accomplished to the human race. 38. To gain a proper understanding of the nature and design of this spiritual work, let it be realized, that in all the dispensations of God's work, when by the operations of his Spirit, any people were called and raised up as subjects and witnesses of a higher order of light and power, than was previously operating in the world, among their cotemporaries, so long as that people maintained the principles revealed to them by the light which they had received, the work among them was supported by successive inspired gifts and revelations. 39. But, when any such order of people began to deviate from the duties required of them, and to flinch from the cross, then the spirit would warn them of their danger, but if they refused to heed the warning, the spirit would withdraw, and spiritual gifts would cease. And in all ages when inspired revelations and spiritual gifts have ceased, among any people, and they depended upon the letter; however great their former light, and whatever written rules they may have formed; that people would certainly lose their former light and power, and fall back into the darkness and elements of the corrupt world: such are liable to fall into utter infidelity. 40. These premises are fully verified by the dead and formal state of Christian professors; and by the rapid increase of infidelity in the world for ages past, which has been more and more extending in the present age. The professors of religion having shut out all belief in present inspired revelations, and spiritual communications, they have in their dogmas, confined all spiritual knowledge to the records of what was revealed in former ages. Therefore, as "the letter killeth" and the believers therein are constantly clashing, as to its meaning, it fails to convince the soul, and give it that light and power it feels the need of, to know and do the will of God. 41. On this ground, many fall back, in despair of knowing spiritual truth, and become infidels. Thus verifying the Scrip CHAP. XII. tures, "where there is no vision, the people perish." That is, where there is no present spiritual manifestations and gifts, whatever light the people may have had, they perish from spiritu- Prov. xxix. ality, and fall under the power of the natural earthly principles of this fallen world. 66 18. 42. Witness the awful fall and destruction of the Jews, when they were no more worthy of revelation. Also, the primitive Church fell to the earth," when the light of the sun of revela◄ Rev. vi. 12. tion was covered from them. On the same ground all revivals, up to the dispensation of Christ's second appearing have failed. 43. For these reasons, God in his own way and time, in mercy and condescension to the human race, has opened the doors of spiritual communications and gifts, in this day, in a marvelous manner, adapted more and more to all orders and states of mankind. And we confidently believe that these manifestations will continue to spread in various ways, until they shall extend through all nations, to rescue mankind from their deplorable infidelity; and ultimately prepare the way for the increasing growth of the EVERLASTING KINGDOM OF GOD. CHAPTER XII. PROGRESS OF THE CHURCH IN GOSPEL order. As Christ Jesus came into the world, not to condemn the world, but to redeem and save the world from the nature and effects of the fall, by which their whole life and practice, stood in direct enmity against God; consequently, and of unavoidable necessity, his whole life and testimony, stood in opposition to the life and practice of the world. 7. and xv. 18, 19. 2. And hence the words of Christ, "The world hateth me, John. vii. because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil." And as the second appearing of Christ was to complete that which was begun in his first appearing, it could not, in the nature of it, be different from the first. 3. It was hard to the disordered senses of a lost and corrupt world, to bear the light of the divine nature manifested in Jesus," who, in a certain sense, stood remote from all mankind, having descended out of the ordinary course of natural generation; and CHAP. Isa. ii. 11. xxiii, 9. who contrary to their exalted expectations of the Messiah, made his appearance in the form of a servant. And so trying was the manifestation, that Divine Wisdom saw it would not be received, without a preparatory work of the Spirit, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. 4. But how much more painful must it be to the disordered senses of a lost world, and how much more contrary to the exalted expectations of mankind, when the same fulness of this divine nature is manifested through a woman! of like passions with others, and that in the form of a handmaid, for the discovery of man's total depravity, and for bringing him into judg ment for every secret action of his life. 5. A manifestation of God, so near, so deep and piercing to the pride of fallen man that nothing could seem to be left remaining, of what God had promised by the mouth of his Prophets, to accomplish in the latter day, for the destruction of iniquity, and for the salvation of his people. 6. And herein may be understood the following express declarations: The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down. For the day of the Lord of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up, and he shall be brought low. The Lord of hosts hath purposed it, to stain the pride of all glory, and to bring into contempt all the honorable of the earth. 7. And upon the same principle that a work of preparation was necessary, in order to the manifestation of Christ in his first appearing, it was required in a more extraordinary manner in his second, to convict mankind of their sins; to break and humble them; to enlighten and encourage them to look for salvation; and to bring them under a sacred obligation, from their own prayers and solemn vows, to accept of salvation in the order of God, through whatever means he would please to send it. 8. Therefore it was, that soon after our blessed Mother, and her companions, came over into America, with the treasures of the everlasting Gospel, the spirit of Elijah was sent forth, and began, in a remarkable manner, to prepare the way of the Lord. 9. The work of preparation in America first began at NewLebanon, in the county of Columbia, and State of New-York, and at Hancock, in Berkshire county, State of Massachusetts, in the year 1779, with the operations of a remarkable revival of religion, or outpouring of the Divine Spirit, (as has preceded the planting of the Gospel in every other place.) 10. Preachers and people were generally awakened under the mighty power of God, and multitudes flocked to their assemblies, from the adjacent parts around, and were struck with conviction of their sins. Many received the gift of visions and prophecies, by which they saw and testified that the day of full redemption CHAP. was at hand. 11. Their testimony was against all sin, and was attended with great power; and the various exercises and gifts of the Spirit among the people, manifested the most convincing evidences of a real work of God. Some, under deep conviction of their sins, were crying for mercy; others, filled with unspeakable joy, were carried out in visions and revelations of the glory of the latter day; of the coming of Christ; the setting up of his kingdom, and the nature of his government, which was to put an end to wars and fightings, and restore peace to the earth; make an end of sin; bring in everlasting righteousness, and gather the saints into one harmonious communion. 12. The subjects of this work testified, that all their former experience in religion had left them short of real salvation, that is, it had never saved them from their sins, and that nothing short of full salvation could constitute a true follower of Christ; and further, that the day of judgment, the day of full redemption, and the coming of Christ were nigh, even at the door. 13. The work among this people was powerful and swift; yet, as to outward appearance, it was of short duration. In about eight months time, their visions and prophecies ceased, and the extraordinary power of their testimony seemed to be at an end, and none of those things whereof they had testified, as yet appeared. While in this situation, they were in great distress, and applied to their leaders for help, who, being in the same condition, candidly confessed that they were unable to lead them any further. 14. Notwithstanding, the people retained their integrity; and in full confidence of seeing their earnest desires accomplished, they continued their assemblies; and from time to time, by such as were moved thereto, received mild and encouraging exhortations to hope and wait, with earnest expectation, for the day of their redemption, which was near at hand. Their cries and prayers were incessant to God for deliverance, beseeching that he would raise up instruments to lead them out of all sin; in this situation they continued about four months. 15. This was the state of the people in the spring of the year 1780, when, having heard a report by Talmage Bishop, a subject of the revival, and others, concerning a very strange people who lived in an obscure place, in the wilderness, northwest of the city of Albany, they appointed Calvin Harlow to go and make dilligent search, who and what these people were, and report accordingly. 16. Calvin Harlow went, and returned; but neither the people nor himself being fully satisfied, he went again, in company with Joseph Meacham, Amos Hammond and Aaron Kibbee. The two XII. |