| 101 invented this falsehood, and finding it took with persons of his own stamp, circulated it with untiring perseverance, in direct opposition to the testimony of his senses; knowing at the time he commenced circulating it, that it was false.-He was a preacher of the Campbellite faith.-It would require the ignorance of barbarians, and the credulity of savages to attempt a belief in the falsehoods which are circulated against the saints with great zeal, by many. I have never supposed that the authors of these defamatory tales ever expected the public would believe them; but they expected that men of corrupt minds, like themselves would profess to believe them: neither do I now believe that those who profess to believe them do actually believe one word of them; but they profess to do it thinking that by so doing they can make some headway against us; but it is a vain attempt; for every attempt of the kind has only excited enquiry [inquiry], awakened curiosity, and caused investigation, which have in every instance resulted in an increase of members to the church, so that we grant full licence [license] to all defamers to do their utmost.
Our city is a great thoroughfare; people of all classes are crowding into it; multitudes who do not belong to the church of "Latter Day Saints" are seeking locations, where they can prosecute their respective callings. If you wish the papers you can put the money into a letter, and the Postmaster at your place will sent it without expense.
Yours, with respect,
Sidney Rigdon, P. M.
Messrs. Stokes, and Evans.
From the North Western Baptist.
Dialogue, No. 4.
Between L. and W. on the Apostolical Office and Succession.
W. Well, friend L., I have frequently called upon you, and by some means our conversation hitherto has been of a literary cast, and interesting to me; but since I last saw you, I have thought it might not be unprofitable to ascertain what are the chief points of difference in our faith and practice.
L. This would be very pleasing to me, and doubtless profitable, if the inquiry be conducted in the meekness of that religion of which we profess to be its ministers.
W. I have no doubt this well be the case.-I would therefore suggest that the most of the difficulty may be traced to the difference of our views of the apostolic office.
L. Probably; and to come at once to the subject, please state your views on that point.
W. Episcopalians believe that Christ designed to continue the apostolic office till he should come again. Not surely in the line of Peter alone, as the Romanists hold, but of all the Apostles, who were equally authorized to ordain others as their successors. We consider that the commission given by Jesus, at the close of Matthew's gospel, and the promise of being with them to the end of the world, applied to the twelve and their successors in that office, and to them only.
L. I have so understood your belief, though I have never before thought much upon it, less perhaps than its importance demands. I perceive, however, at once a difficulty in your succession.
L. The want of qualifications for such an office.
W. What qualifications do you deem requisite?
L. For an apostle it was indispensably necessary that he should be able to testify as an eye witness to all the important facts in the life, death, resurrection and ascension of the Savior. So that when the vacancy of the apostleship, occasioned by the defection of Judas, was to be filled, none could be allowed as candidates for that office but such as had "companied with them all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among them, beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from them, must one be ordained to a witness with them of his resurrection."-Acts 1:21, 22. This is the first qualification, and for this they were evidently chosen, "And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning." John 15:27.
W. But you would exclude St. Paul from the number of the apostles, though he claims to be one. He asks, "Am I not an apostle?" 1 Cor. 9:1.
L. In the same verse he says, "Have I not seen the Lord?" and of such importance does he view this personal knowledge of Jesus, that he pleads a miracle to support his claims, which if he had not made good, he would have renounced his pretensions to the apostolic office. 2 Cor. 12:4.
W. You will not pretend that St. Paul was a witness of the above facts?
L. Certainly I will, for I have his word for it. Acts 22:15, "For thou shalt be a witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard."
W. This qualification I grant their successor have not.
L. A very serious admission! But have you bishops the power of working miracles?
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