| 731 to go. They are often called good men, as in the present case, but like Ahimaaz, they have heard a great tumult, but, "knew not anything about the matter." "Some cry one thing, and some another" although, they are all under the influence of the same spirit, and acknowledge each is "orthodox," only disagreeing in little "nonessentials" yet they always find one essential to arouse the minds, and excite the fears of the people, by false representations; and finally some old mother has died wonderfully happy, shouting Hallelujah! Glory!! and very soon some body else begins to feel the benign influence of the noisy spirit, they are straightway called into the crazy-pen, where astonishing feats are performed, and amidst the most abominable confusion and obscenity, many get religion, and are now completely qualified to receive an inheritance in the -- Kingdom, away beyond the bounds of time and space; where they shall ever dwell in the presence, and enjoy eternally the smiles of a God who sits on the "tip top of a topless throne," a being "without body or parts, or passions." Very different from the God, who hid Moses in the cleft of the rock with his hand, or Jesus either, for the Angels said "This same Jesus shall return in like manner," &c. When Peter had preached to the people on the day of Pentecost, until they were "pricked in their hearts," they knew that God worked by means, and there was something for them to do, and when the inquiry was made, Peter was able to give the necessary instruction, without hesitation, and without his "opinion." He had been instructed himself by the God of Heaven. He had not any desire to make an image in the form of a calf, and call it an anxious seat, a mourning bench, nor had he been to college, and learned to make spiritualising [spiritualizing] machines, and convert the truth of God into a lie. A poor illiterate fisherman had no more sense than to speak what the Lord put into his mouth. "Repent and be baptized" &c. This was the order of God. The promise was to them, and their children, and as many as the Lord our God shall call. If the same order is not yet to be observed, it follows most certainly, that God has ceased to call men. Paul taught the same doctrine, and practised [practiced] the same ordinances as Peter did, and called it the gospel of Jesus Christ: "The power of God unto salvation, to every one that believed." (See Rom. 6th chapter, Heb. 6th chapter, and Acts 19th chapter.) He also pronounced a curse on any one, even an angle from heaven, who should preach any other gospel. (Eph. 1st chapter.) There was "one Lord, one faith, and one baptism." Consequently the apostles and elders all taught the same thing: being organized, set in order, and being authorised [authorized] to administer to the Saints. (James 5th chapter.)
This is the law and testimony exhibited clearly, and "If they abide not therein, it is because there is no light in them." The Jews continued in all things written in the law of Moses, because it was the commandment of God; nor do they believe the Messiah has yet come. Often the inquiry is made by the present generation, can so many people be wrong? So many good preachers, and so happy at camp meetings. I ask could all the Antedeluvians [Antediluvians], only Noah and his posterity, be wrong? Could all the inhabitants of that great city, Sodom, be wrong, only Lot and his two daughters? Could all Israel, and the world be wrong, only a few despised Nazarines, in the days of Jesus Christ's probation? Yes, it was so. Those who alone claimed to be the people of God, who actually held the oracles of God in their own hands, desired a murderer in his stead. The Rabbis influenced the people, just as they do now, and said "Let his blood be upon us, and our children!" Mark the calamities that fell on that people, and then only see with what unconcern the professing world cry out against the prophet and Saints of God: like those who slew Stephen, they gnash their teeth with rage! Take care! Remember those who spake against Moses.
(1st Kings 22d chapter.) A lying spirit was permitted to go from the presence of God, to seduce four hundred of Ahab's prophets, that Ahab might go out and fall in battle. While one prophet determined to speak only what the Lord put in his mouth, he declared the evil that would befall Ahab, for which he was severely afflicted.
The religion of this generation is just like that of Ahab: (2d Kings 17th chapter,) their priesthood being originated with the Old Lady. (Rev. 17th chapter.) "By their works you shall know them." Wonderful attainments, gay attire, sumptuous fare, golden cups, and praise of men! The greatest characteristic of piety-"Shed the blood of Saints and Prophets." Recollect David slew Uriah, although he did not wield the weapon of death with his own hand. The cruel principles practised [practiced] by Apostate Rome, drove the church of Jesus Christ into the wilderness. Job said, "In the wilderness there is no way." An evidence of that fact is exhibited in the history of the wanderings of the children of Israel, on their journey from Egypt, to the land of Canaan. Instead of passing over in three days, they were forty years journeying, during which time they
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