| 629 the bible doubts but what Christ and the apostles were actuated by true charity, when they described the wickedness of the above mentioned people, notwithstanding the boldness of their testimony, and plainness of their assertions.
Now if Christ and the apostles had the same kind of charity that the people want us to have, they would have said to the Pharisees, Sadducees, Scribes, Alexandrians, Syrenians, &c., go on, you are doing well; this difference of opinion is only of minor consequence. And if they had thus flattered them, what would have been the consequence? Would it not have involved them deeper in sin and iniquity, and caused them to drink a greater draft of the intoxicating spirit of delusion, and encouraged them in their works of darkness? Let the reader answer this question for himself. It certainly was pure charity that inspired Christ and his apostles to reprove the world for their sins, and corruptions; and why should it be considered an uncharitable act in the Latter-Day Saints to do the same, providing the world are in similar circumstances. Indeed, the Jews were in a state of apostacy [apostasy] when Christ came, and they were all commanded to bow to his sceptre [scepter], and obey his gospel and no other way, plan, gospel, or system of religion would save them from the consequences of their sins.
Now if the Christian world in general are in a state of apostacy [apostasy], which by the by, we have already proved, as will be seen in the first number of this work, and we have knowledge of it, or in other words a knowledge of the predictions of the prophets and apostles, on this subject: if we have charity for them, we will warn them of these things: "Knowing the terror of the Lord," says the apostle, "we persuade men." Therefore, knowing the apostacy [apostasy] of many who profess Christianity and the awful consequences except they repent, and that Christ will come in the clouds of heaven, and with a flame of fire to take vengeance on them who know not God, and obey not the gospel of Christ; charity prompts us to lift up our voices, and proclaim repentance, and the necessity of obedience to the commands of God. Again, the apostle says as we have before quoted: "Though I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries, and have not charity I am nothing." No one who believes the bible doubts but what Christ and the apostles were influenced by a philanthropic spirit, or charity, when they prophecied [prophesied] to the Jews their destruction. But we would naturally infer from the above quotation, that it is possible for a man to have the spirit of prophecy, or a knowledge of future events, and yet be in a degree destitute of charity. With the spirit of prophecy, or knowledge that Christ had of the destruction that was coming upon the Jews, if he had remained in silence, would he have showed that he had charity for them. Certainly not. The circumstance of Jonah disobeying the command of God and taking a passage on board the ship for Tarsish, instead of going to Ninevah, is a remarkable instance of this kind. The Lord by the spirit of prophecy discovered to Jonah the great wickedness of the inhabitants of that city and the awful destruction that he had resolved to bring upon them, if they would not repent. Now Jonah having a knowledge of these things, also the pride and haughtiness of the Ninevites, concluded that if he testified these things to them it would cross them in their feelings and the finger of scorn would be pointed at him and he would have to suffer much in order to accomplish this work. Therefore he determined in his own mind (no doubt) not to go to Ninevah, but let them dwell in ignorance, and the destruction overtake them unawares. Thus we see that with all the knowledge he had of the destruction that would have come upon Ninevah had it not been for repentance, he was destitute of charity and turned from the path of duty.
Now if we have a knowledge of the second coming of Christ, and the terrible destructions that will come upon the wicked at the time, or those who are not prepared to meet him, shall we hold our peace, and make no exertion to reclaim them, that they may meet the Lord with joy, and not with grief? Furthermore, it would be an act of injustice to destroy a people, without first giving them a fair warning of it. The prophets, Christ, and the apostles, have predicted the following concerning the destruction of the last days, at, or previous to the coming of Christ, "Out of Zion the perfection of beauty, God hath shined. Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence; a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be
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