| 741 and not forward, they shall go down and not rise up; they shall be prevailed against and not prevail.
Now Mr. Rigdon claims greater power of vision than Joseph Smith ever did: well, I really believe he does possess it; for it was always as much as Joseph Smith could do to see things that either had existed, or that should hereafter exist. But Mr. Rigdon has a discernment keen enough to see things that never did exist, nor never will. This is ahead of Joseph and the Twelve. In proof of the above, he told Moses Daily that he saw him in the great army leading on a battalion, and many others in this place, whom he ordained, and said he saw them in vision while in Pittsburgh at the head of large forces on the eastern continent, fighting tremendous battles. These men have all turned away in utter disgust and contempt of his wild and wicked schemes. Now Mr. Rigdon has seen things that will never exist.-He had better look again and pick out another set of men, for I can assure him that these wont stand to go with him to "take little Vic. by the nose." I would recommend him to get a revised edition of his Pittsburgh visions and try once more: for his master will be dishonored in the house of his friends if he give it up so. Now every body may know, even the world may see that this is the church of God. If they never had any evidence before, they have it now in the person and character of Sidney Rigdon. Paul says expressly; Acts, 20:29 and 30: "For I know this, that after my departing, shall grievous wolves enter in among you not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them." Did not Mr. Rigdon prophecy against this place and temple, to frighten the people and weaken our hands? Yes, he did, that he might lead away disciples after him the more easily. Does he not speak perverse things? Has he not gone out from us that it might be manifest that he is not of us? A wolf will always runaway and leave the sheep as soon as the shepherd comes: but I never knew the shepherd runaway and leave the sheep when the wolf came. Mr. Rigdon was very busy with the church while the Twelve were absent, but as soon as the Twelve came Mr. Rigdon became powerless and soon left. He being the true shepherd, let those pesky wolves, the Twelve, drive him off. "The thief cometh not but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy." Mr. Rigdon came in an artful, secret or clandestine manner to steal away the hearts of the people. He held secret meetings that he might steal unobserved. He came to kill, and to destroy: for he advised his friends to arm themselves with deadly weapons and go upon the meeting ground and prevent our holding a meeting to try him for his crimes. But the black-hearted, cowardly wretch would not come himself to see the black catalogue of his deeds held up to the gaze of thousands, but like the wolf, sought to be secluded. If Elder Marks had not opposed his bloody design, perhaps there would have been many lives sacrificed on that day. You may clearly see that Mr. Rigdon possesses every characteristic which the Savior ascribes to a thief. What then must we call Mr. Rigdon? By their fruits shall ye know them says Christ. Does he not bear the fruits of a thief? Well if he does, should we not call him by his proper name?
Paul also speaks of traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. Has not Mr. Rigdon long wished to go to the eastern country where he could get cider, apples, leaks and onions? Yes he has.-But has not the Lord repeatedly required him to stand up as a faithful counsellor [counselor] to Joseph? Yes he has; and do not all the Saints in this place know that he has as often neglected to do it? Yes they do. Well, the Lord finally says to Mr. Rigdon, go east as you have desired: and as you have neglected to attend to my wishes, go now your own way. Whither shall I go? says Mr. Rigdon: to Pittsburgh was the answer. Why go to Pittsburgh? Oh! because there is a suitable place provided for you. Elder Page has made himself a nest there, and has some eggs, but he has sat upon them so long and steady that they have all rotted, except a few that were on the out edge of the nest and could get a little air now and then. You must unnest him and take your seat in his place; for he has been slow to obey counsel and is not worthy to remain longer; moreover, if he is not pulled off from nest by force, he will sit there until he dies; and you Mr. Rigdon have just strength enough to pull him off, and you are just worthy of his place: for you have chosen your own way, and God has chosen your delusion, and you will soon find out that you are deluded to your shame and sorrow; and that the whole affair of your going to Pittsburgh was a snare set by the hand of God to chastise you for blaspheming his holy name in Missouri, and for so repeatedly disobeying his counsel.
He has not only betrayed his brethren, but added falsehood to treachery. But what could we expect more honorable of a man who would indulge murder in his heart to carry out his wicked ambition? Nothing! No nothing!! The black list of lies and slander that he has published against the saints is thrown upon the
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