| 190 and rounded periods, like the divinity of the schools, which is so well calculated to charm a people most faithfully described as having itching ears.
But where does the absurdity lie? Surely not in supposing that if the Lord gave revelation through the mouth of one brought up to agricultural pursuits, and as our enemies testify, "not much given to study," it would be given in the language of the individual, such as he was in the habit of using to communicate his ideas, and certainly not in the diction of the schools. But a ridiculous notion is frequently expressed, that the dictates of the spirit, through whatsoever channel they may flow, must necassarily [necessarily] be correctly constructed and perfectly grammatical. We grant at once, that if the Lord had chosen for his instrument the learned and the wise, we might expect what they gave forth as the teachings of the spirit, to be sufficiently correct to please the most fastidious,-But, certainly, we should have left ourselves justified in being sceptical [skeptical] as to the truth of the Book of Mormon, had we found it written in the style of modern divinity, knowing at the same time, that the individual who sent it forth had not had the advantage requisite to give a polished education. But we perceive by the word of God, that our beloved brother, Joseph Smith, is not the only agent who has been employed as a servant of the Lord from amongst (comparative speaking) the uneducated class. In the 4th chapter of Acts and the 13th verse, we read thus: "now, when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled [marveled]; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus." We ask, by what did they perceive that the apostles were unlearned and ignorant? Was it by their speaking the Hebrew language in its purity and perfection? We trow [trust] not; for had the apostles been speaking a purely grammatical language, where could the evidence have been that they were unlearned? But the truth is this, and we repeat what we have before said, every instrument which the Lord employs will be at any rate gifted with simplicity and sincerity, and whatever the Lord shall be pleased to give unto his people, by them shall be given naturally and without hypocrisy.
But what are these strange and influential principles which have come forth with the Book of Mormon? Truly, our enemies have for once borne [born] testimony to what is true, when they have written as before quoted on the influence of these things. Yes; we have often looked around us with admiration and wonder to see the effect of the teaching of the Lord; we have beheld the aged tottering on the brink of the grave as it were awakened by the principles of truth to the liveliness and vivacity, of youth, their hearts overflowing with gratitude like Simeon of old, when his eyes had seen the Lord's Christ; and again, we have seen youth humbling itself to the requirements of truth, and exercising a power of faith in the unsophisticated spring of life, that has given unto them the wisdom of years, and enabled many of them to arise and gather with the people, and the youngest and most feeble, perhaps, of the family, have become the pioneers of their tribe. In many cases we have seen, as it were, natural and constitutional, fear annihilated by obedience to the principles of truth, and the reception of that spirit which is imparted to them that from the heart obey.
Let us, then, now briefly state what the principles are which the enemies of truth, as well as the servants of the Lord acknowledge to be so powerful. We say at once, that the doctrine of the Church of Christ opens to man, in the first place, a fountain for sin and uncleanness, proposes to him means by which he may be forgiven, and not forgiven only but restored into the favor of God, to become an heir of God and a joint heir with Jesus Christ; yes, even as it is written,-"he came unto his own but his own received him not, but as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to those who believe in his name." And again, as Paul writes in the 2nd Thessalonians, 2nd chapter and 14th verse, "whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." And is this the portion of them that receive the testimony of Jesus and endure to the end? Is it, indeed, true that redeemed man is destined for so high a glory? Let us examine this subject a little. We find in the prayer of the Saviour [Savior] this declaration, "and the glory which thou gavest me, I have given them that they may be one, even as we are one."
And again, 'from the declarations of the Savior to his servant John in his apocalyptic vision, we learn that to him that overcometh and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations, and he shall rule with a rod of iron; as the vessels of the potter shall they be broken to shivers; even as I received of my Father, and I will give unto him the morning star.' Again, to him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me on my throne, even as I also overcame, and sat down with my Father on his throne.' And, 'he that overcometh shall inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.' And these are the glories of the redeemed, and this is the distinction to which he that is faithful
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