| 349 expressed opinion, concerning their persecutions in Damascus, by the European powers, and the revolutions in Spain, would have greatly ameliorated their condition, and have operated well for them, even in Italy; and we are yet in hopes that some steps will be taken to cause the power who oppresses them to mitigate their sufferings; and if not by power, out of respect to courtly influence, which may be used to remove the heavy load under which they groan.
The Rothschild's possess great influence in many European courts. Can it not used at the present time, in behalf of their oppressed brethren?
From the Millennial Star.
THE GATHERING.
The doctrine of 'the gathering' is one peculiarly belonging to the people of God, and one which should claim the attention of all who are desirous of glorifying God by keeping his commandments. It is one in its practical operations which excites the attention of the world, and seems to arouse their indignation much. How often do we hear the question -'can we not serve God in this country as well as any where else?' and 'it is the devotion of the heart that the Lord wants, and that is all that is required.' That we can serve God in one country as well as another we doubt not, it if be the will of the Lord that we should do so; but if a commandment be given, as to the Israelites of old, to gather away from bondage and oppression, to give heed to the teachings of his servants, then we would ask, who can serve the Lord yet disobey his commandments?
It was ever the purpose of the Lord in every age, to classify his people by themselves-to separate them from the wicked of the earth-and so to organize and establish them, that he might be able to bestow upon them the blessings of his spirit. And is there no necessity for this separation? Most assuredly there is. We look upon the world as alienated from God by sin-as entirely cut off from the enjoyment of those privileges of which the Saints partake. The Lord has, in his infinite mercy, devised a plan by which a fallen race can be reconciled to himself; and that is effected by the gift of the spirit of God, bestowed upon the faithful in the exercise of obedience to the ordinances of his house. Let us then contemplate for a moment the relative circumstances and conditions of the people of God and of the world: the one is in darkness, and under condemnation in consequence of sin; the other is adopted into the family of heaven, and has received of the spirit of the Lord, filling his whole body with light, opening to his understanding the glories of eternity, and elevating him in dignity according to this faithfulness as a son of God; while his future prospects are sublimely developed to his understanding the full glories of the beatific vision.
What affinity, then, we would ask, has light with darkness? what amalgamation can take place between elements so diverse in their nature? or will not spirit seek its kindred spirit? He that hath the spirit is no longer debtor to the flesh, but would rather be seeking the society of those who can multiply his happiness, who are so many individual reflections of the moral loveliness implanted by the spirit of God.
On these reflections then, do we arrive at the rationality of the doctrine of 'the gathering,' and see the necessity of the servants of God, who are destined to become partakers of his own glory, being associated together in order that they may be preparing for that high elevation, and growing in that wisdom and knowledge without which they cannot be prepared for his presence.
But, again, the last days are the days of vengeauce [vengeance] and judgment upon the wicked. Let us then examine the conduct of God towards man when he was about to pour out his judgments upon them.
When he had determined, in consequence of the iniquity of our antediluvian forefathers, to destroy the race form the face of the earth, he did not do it without a warning unto the people, and without preparation for the safety of all who would give heed not the testimony of the servant, they rejected the offers of mercy and therefore perished. So also in the days of Lot, when he had determined a destruction upon the inhabitants of the cities of the plain, it was neither without a warning to them nor a place of safety for those that would hearken and flee.
We read that in the last days there will be in existence a Babylon, of which the Chaldean city (the lady of kingdoms) was a lively type, in which the pollution of the holy things of the Lord's house showed forth that pollution of the last days, when men should sit in judgment as God, calling upon the people to recognize their authority, and render obedience to their precepts as they would unto the God of heaven. And we read also, that the Babylon of the last days shall fall, shall be utterly destroyed; and the people of the Lord are commanded to come out of her, lest they be partakers of her sins and receive her plagues. Now, we feel no hesitancy in speaking freely of this Babylon, which we affirm to be neither more nor less than that Babel, that confusion of systems which
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