| 556 may learn something of importance. We shall find upon examination, that the children of men have taken an unauthorised [unauthorized] liberty with the commandments of God, and that to their ruin: and the principal reason for their objection is, that in their view they are but small. But we ought not to look at the command without considering the curse or blessing, connected with it, and then we shall be able to determine whether it is a little one or not. The law given to Adam, may be called small; but when we look at the connection, we must say it was great. The law of the blood of the passover was simple; buy the cause of life and earth were in the precept. The command given to Moses [Num. 20, 8.] looked little, but when it was violated it was awful, [Num. 20, 10-12] What Naaman was ordered to do, was allowed to be a very small thing, so much so, that he would not do it, until his servant spake to him on the subject. All the commandments of God are simple; and it appears that he will save, or condemn, the world upon this principle; and not only in ancient days has he given little things for the observance of the children of men: but even now, as he did in old time: witness the word of wisdom. Now what shall we say it is the work of man, or shall we say it is given by the spirit of God? But comparing the whole work we must say it is the latter; had it been the work of man, we might have trampled upon his law with impunity, & defied all his threats with mental force; but when the great Jehovah speaks, who, though he dwells in the heavens, yet he condescends to speak with men, who are but worms of the earth; and offers to them life and salvation upon certain simple principles.
To say nothing about the disputed point contained in the word of wisdom: the Lord has said strong drink and tobacco are not good for man. But here an objector will arise and say, 'I know that strong drink is good, for I have tried it many a time, and have found great a benefit from it, so much so, that if it had not been for it I should have died.' Then what they mean to say is this 'I cannot give it up, is it not a little one? Let me have it and my soul shall live.' And thus whether they consider it, or not, they give their Maker the lie. Those who use tobacco say we cannot make such a sacrifice; and thus, with Lot, they find that what God has ordained for life, to be unto death; Let me have this little tobacco and my soul shall live. Lot said I shall die if I go to the mountain, but in a short time he was compeled [compelled], for he feared to live in Zoar. [Gen. 19, 30.] And you spirit drinkers, and tobocco [tobacco] users, will soon have to witness the same things, viz: if you cannot live without it, you cannot live with it, so you must either obey the commandment or be reconciled to your doom. But I would advise you to come forth with the resolution of a man, and show to the world that you are determined to take the kingdom if it be by storm, and enjoy all the blessings, contained in the word of wisdom. But if you are determined to pursue your own course, and hug your idol to your heart-I would say, go on, and the God of heaven will reward you according to your works: for that period is not far distant, when the destroying angel will pass through the land, who will lay great Dagon with all his worshippers prostrate on the earth: for no idol shall stand in the presence of the great God, for when be comes, all evil will be gathered out of his kingdom, and only they who keep his commandments shall be able to stand.
To the Editor of the Times and Seasons:
Dear Sir:
I have retired to my room for a few moments, to drop a few lines to you, to inform you of the prosperity of our Redeemer's cause in this vicinity. I am sitting at a West window in the Eagle Hotel, in Franklin, Portage co., Ohio, where I have formerly spent fifteen summers with my circle of relatives; but never has the setting sun, the last day of summer, while declining in the western horizon, caused such peculiar reflections on my mind as when it now sinks behind the western hills-all is silent but now and then the rolling of a carriage as it passes, or occasionally the voice of the youth, as they are sporting in the streets-all this is well calculated to cite my mind to the busy bustle of Nauvoo, where my prattling children are sporting about the yard, or assisting their lonely mother in arranging the domestic affairs for the night-and where my beloved brethren and sisters in the Lord, are enjoying each other's society-although my mind is with you this evening, my person is separated from you by a distance of near seven hundred miles, but not without sorce [source]
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