| 342 of which we spoke in prefacing our subject. Then they, as a matter of course, have no license to act. With great propriety we can exclaim with the prophet, whom we have previously quoted: 'They have changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.' We see in these 'formidable shouts' and 'declamations' spoken of by Dr. Moshiem, the infant germs form whence sprang the boisterous clamor of Methodism. Whoever has been in the habit of attending the meetings of this sect, in the palmy days of their 'great revivals,' can see their forms of worship mirrored forth in the church of the third and fourth century; but they cannot see them reflected by the customs of the apostles, or the teachings of the Bible. In these meetings we see the mourner's bench paraded in front of the stand, and the preacher from the pulpit deals so liberally in the articles of 'hell fire,' 'brimstone,' 'eternal damnation,' &c., that he soon frightens his hearers into submission, and the bench at length is filled with hopeless mourners. Then the priest, in the fire of his discourse, descends from his box, convulsed with excitement, with upraised and extended hands; he increases the fervor of his declamation, by heavy stampings on the floor, until at last his eloquence fans the flame of enthusiasm in the bosoms of the mourners, and they are readily seized with what is termed by them the 'power.' Then the groans, shouts, screams, and clapping of hands, stun the whole sense of hearing, and one continued scene of indecorous motions and tumultuous uproar ensues. The work of falling commences, and young ladies and gentlemen, and old ladies and gentlemen, lay in confused and disgustful disorder over the floor.
"Immodest acts admit of no defence [defense],
For want of decency is want of sense."
This is one of the species of religion of this refined and enlightened age! Scene of depravity! how art thy devotees so lowly sunk amid the moldering rubbish of bigotry and superstitious idolatry! The priest and his flowing robe, are worshipped as something more than mortal by these blind enthusiasts. Instead of worshipping at the shrine of Bible religion, they bow to the footstool of arrogance, within the pales of popular churches, where wealth and aristocracy sit robed in silks and satins. While they impregnate the trembling atmosphere with the deafening cries of 'Hallelujahs' &c., we very much question whether their heart and affections reach beyond the circle of the Priest and the gorgously [gorgeously] clad elite that surrounds him. The fine, black, well fitting coat of the Parson; his buff vest and starched dickey; his rich-textured cravat, tied with a knot of latest fashion, and the delicate softness of his tender hands, rivit [rivet] upon them the vain gaze of his auditors, while their hearts virtually proclaim him some immaculate personage or celestial God.
We have seen more worldly arrogance, pride of dress, and band-box frippery exhibited in these sectarian churches than in all the world besides. The congregation of each sabbath is but a panorama of fashion, exhibiting the external beauty of and gloss created by virtue of cologne waters, full-length mirrors, and all the various paraphernalia of the toilett [toilet]; but no where is traceable the religion of the Bible.-The man of the greatest wealth, most costly dress, who rides in a fine carriage, with a train of attendants, is most generally the bosom friend and associate of his 'humble servant,' the parson; while the honest poor are merely received and continued in fellowship to swell the number of the flock, and increase the revenue of the priest. Wherever the priest can get the largest salary, that is the identical place where the Lord calls him to preach. In the language of the Bible, they 'make merchandise of the word of God, and divine for money.'
JUNIOR.
(To be Continued.)
Minutes of a conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, held at Preston, Halifax County, Province of Nova Scotia, Sept. 18, 1843.
Conference convened pursuant to previous appointment, at 2 o'clock, P. M.
Elder Robert Dickson then presented before the meeting the object of the conference. The solemnities of the occasion were then opened by singing and prayer.
The conference was organized by unanimously electing Elder Robert Dickson, president, and Elder James Jermen, clerk.
Resolved, That this branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, be called the Preston Branch.
It was moved by Elder R. Dickson, and seconded by T. J. Miller, that Edward Cooke be ordained to the office of elder, to preside over the Preston branch; carried unanimously.
Resolved, That Thomas Hamilton be ordained to the office of teacher of this branch.
Resolved, That Tobias Immanuel Miller, be ordained to the office of deacon of this branch.
The above brethren were then ordained to their respective offices, under the hands of Elders Dickson and Jermen.
Representation of Branches.-Preston branch, represented by James Jermen, consists of five members, one elder, one teacher and one deacon, all in good standing.
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