| 646 four hundred years. (See Gen. xv. 13,14.) Moses says, the children of Israel were in bondage four hundred years. (See Ex. xii. 40.) Indeed, Joseph's interpretation of Pharoh's [Pharaoh's] dream, and prediction of the seven years' famine; and Moses predictions to the children of Israel in the wilderness, were all literally fulfilled. Isaiah's prophecy to Hesekiah [Hezekiah] that his days should be lengthened fifteen years, and also his prophecy concerning the destruction of Babylon were literally fulfilled. Also Jeremiah's prophecy that the Jews should be taken to Babylon and there remain in bondage seventy years, which was literally fulfilled We might cite the reader to passages of this kind and their literal fulfilment [fulfillment], till he would be weary reading them; but we forbear knowing that the honest in heart are willing to accept of a few as a sample of the literal fulfilment [fulfillment], of prophecy. It sufficeth, to say that all true prophecies, when the prophets said thus and thus saith the Lord, were literally fulfilled. For instance the predictions concerning the first coming of Christ, and the important events connected with the history of his life, were all fulfilled to the very letter: and the fact that the apostles, whenever they quoted a prophecy from the Old Testament, applied it as a literal relation of facts without making any comments upon it whatever, is sufficient proof that the predictions of the prophets generally, were designed as literal relations of facts not to be spiritualized. I always take it for granted when I hear any person spiritualizing the scriptures, that he is an unbeliever, and is trying to modify, or convert them unto something else to suit his notions or tenets. At the same time he professes to be a believer; but when we sum up the whole of his spiritualizing, we discover that he disbelieves what the prophets and apostles said, but believes what they meant. The infidels would be willing to believe the bible if they could have the privilege of manufacturing it over to suit themselves. And I conclude by saying that it is time that this evil practice of spiritualizing the scriptures, which is so closely connected with priestcraft, was done away, that the noble and the ignoble, the learned and the unlearned, may read the sacred book and understand it, and no longer trust to others to interpret for them. "Cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm." Paul.
TIMES AND SEASONS,
CITY OF NAUVOO,
SATURDAY, JANUARY 1, 1842.
OFFICERS.
It is supposed by many abroad that all of our officers are Mormons-this, however, is not the case. A large number of the officers of the Nauvoo Legion; several members of the City Council, both Aldermen and Councillors [Councilors]; and a large portion of the Regents of the University; are not members of any church-many of them are old citizens who resided here long before we were driven from Missouri. This will show to the world that although, numerically, we far exceed the remaining portion of the community in this vicinity, we are not disposed to exercise that power to the exclusion of men of sterling worth and integrity, simply because they do not believe in our religion. All we ever asked was that we might have the privileges of other men-the supremacy of the Constitution and the Laws should be paramount to every other consideration.
THE UNIVERSITY.
In the last No. of the Times and Seasons the Chairs of RHETORIC AND BELLES LETTERS, and CHURCH HISTORY, were blended by mistake-the Professorship of RHETORIC AND BELLES LETTERS is yet vacant.
FOREIGN.
We have just received the first No. of the 2nd vol. of "the Millennial Star," from which we learn that the work is still spreading rapidly in Eng. We make the following extract.
"This number commences a new volume of our little periodical. Our aim will be to set forth the truth in its simplicity, and to pursue the same undeviating course that we have the past year.
At the opening of this new campaign we find the cause of truth beset with foes on every hand. The war between old and corrupt institutions and the new and everlasting covenant is waxing warm-the enemy is on the alert-the alarm trump is sounding loud through all their ranks-the line of battle is extending far and wide over the plains of Babel.
"The pure testimony and vile persecution
Will come to close battle e're long."
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