| 461 in view of which Peter pronounced Simon Magus to be in the gall of bitterness, and to have no part or lot in the kingdom of Christ. Then there are decrees of councils pronouncing null and void all those ordinances, wherein any simonical contract existed. The facts which the providence of God has developed, indicate that it is not his design that his Church should be made dependent for his ministry on an outward and visible succession. Was not this plainly shown, when between Leo IV Benedict III, a wicked Woman filled St Peter,s [Peter's] chair?
We have given publicity to the above, that our readers may see the situation of the protestant world with respect to the priesthood,
We have read of two eminent Philosophers, one of which laughed, and the other wept over the follies of mankind. Now, we do not pretend to much philosophy, but when we take into consideration the authority of the different sects of the day, their ignorance of the fundamental principles of the gospel, particularly on the subject of the priesthood, feeling similar to those of the laughing philosopher for a moment pervade our mind, but soon give place to those of commisseration [commiseration] and sorrow.
This generation not being able to trace a direct succession from the Apostles, nor believing in any new revelation to restore the priesthood, take it for granted, that the church of Christ does not need any, and thus content themselves, and continue to sing the siren song of peace and prosperity.
If they would for a moment consider that their iniquities have separated them from the association of heavenly intelligences; that having transgressed the laws changed the ordinances and broken the everlasting covenant, the spirit of God is withdrawn, the channel of communication has been stopt [stopped], and consequently men stumble, in the dark; "and if the blind lead the blind they both fall into the ditch."
To any unprejudiced mind, it is apparent that confusion exists in the churches of the day. Is God the author of confusion? Do the clashing of creeds, the different administraton [administration], and the discordant proceedings of the popular churches of the day comport with the plan, the arrangement and authority of the church of Jesus Christ? Verily, no.
But through pride and vain glory, they continue to persevere in the path they have marked out for their feet, and will not come to the light, lest their deeds, their doctrines, and their ordinances be manifested and reproved.
Under these circumstances what is to be done? What is the duty of the saints of the Most High? Let them cry aloud and spare not, lift up their voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression and the House of Israel their sins. Let the saints sound the alarm in the holy mount, and preach repentance to this generation, to both priests and people, that they may be left without excuse "when the Lord shall rise to shake terribly the earth" This is no time to sing lullabies to a slumbering world, the events which are transpiring call loudly on the saints to be diligent and faithful, and seek every opportunity of unfolding the scripture, raising the standard of truth, that under its banners numbers may be gathered, who shall be prepared to stand firm and unshaken, "when the elements shall melt with fervant [fervent] heat" an "become kings and priest to our God and his Christ.
The Jews.-The present physical, moral, and social condition of the Jews must be a miracle. We can come to no other conclusion. Had they continued, from the commencement of the Christian era down to the present hour, in some such national state in which we find the Chinese walled off from the rest of the human family, and by their selfishness on a national scale, and repulsion of alien elements, resisting evey [every] assault from without in the shape of hostile invasion,
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