| 69 then taught to obserrve [observe] all things which are required or commanded by Christ and his apostles-such as meeting together often to sing, to pray, to exhort, to testify, to prophesy, to speak with tongues, to interpret, to relate their visions, revelations, and in short, to deify and perfect each other, be a free exercise of all the gifts of God as set in order among the ancient churches. We also teach them to walk in all the ordinances of God blameless: such as the partaking of bread and wine, in remembrance of his broken body and shed blood, on the first day of the week; and also, to send for the elders of the church, when any of them are sick, that they may pray for them, and lay their hands on them in the name of Jesus, or anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord, that he may be healed, according to the Scriptures. We also teach them to abstain from all immorality: such as injustice, pride, vanity, dishonesty, evil speaking, falsehood, hatred, envy, avarice, intemperance, adultery, fornication, lasciviousness, and to practise [practice] all the virtues; such as love to God and good will to man, brotherly kindness, charity, temperance, and industry. He that has two coats let him impart to him that has none, and he that has food let him do likewise; but he that will not work neither shall he eat. In short, we teach them to do all the good in their power-to visit the widow and the fatherless in their affliction, and to keep themselves unspotted from the world.
As to the fufillment [fulfillment] of prophecy, we believe in the great restoration of Israel, and the rebuilding of Jerusalem, in Palestine, and that, when that time comes, the Saviour [Savior] will come in the clouds of Heaven, and all the saints with him; that the dead in Christ will rise to meet him; and that he will destroy the wicked by the brightness of his coming, and bring the whole earth under his own dominion and put it into the possession of the saints; when there will be a reign of universal peace for one thousand years; after which comes the resurrection of the wicked and the last judgment.
As to the signs of the times, we believe that the gathering of Israel and the second advent of Messiah, with all the great events connected therewith, are near at hand. That it is time for the saints to gather together and prepare for the same. But we disclaim all fellowship with the predictions of the Rev. Mr. Miller, Rev. Joseph Wolff, and others-such as, that the Lord will come in 1840, 1841, 1843, 1847, and so on. We do not believe that he will come until the Jews gather to Palestine and rebuild their city.
Having given this brief sketch of our faith and principles thus far, the inquiry may arise whether we believe in any other writing or books besides the Bible? To which we reply in the affirmative; for, like all other Christians, we believe in every true book within our knowledge, whether on science, history, or religion. We have implicit confidence in the "Book of Mormon," not, however, as a new bible to exclude the old, as some have falsely represented. We consider the "Book of Mormon" as a historical and religious record, written in ancient times by a branch of the house of Israel, who peopled America, and from whom the Indians are descended.-The Book of Mormon corroborates and confirms the truth of the Scriptures, by showing that the same principles were revealed and enjoyed in a country and among a people far remote from the scenes where the Jewish bible was written.
Suppose a traveller [traveler] should find in China, in the East Indies, or in America, or New Holland, an historical record, handed down for thousands of years, or deposited in their sacred archives, or among their sepulchral ruins or their monuments of antiquity-and in this record should be found the principles of eternal truth, revealed to that nation, and agreeing with the revelation and principles contained in the Jewish records. Or suppose, for instance, when the ten tribes of Israel are discovered, preparatory to their return to Palistine [Palestine], a record would be found among them, giving their history from the time they were carried captive by Salmanezer, King of Assyria, and this record would be interspersed with prophecies and doctrine, as revealed among them since their captivity. Would it be any thing incredible or injurious in its nature, or any thing against the truths revealed in the Jewish records? Certainly not. So far from this, it would be hailed by every lover of truth as a most interesting and important discovery. Its light would be hailed as a new era in the history of the great events of modern times.
And similar in its nature is the Book of Mormon. It opens the events of ancient America. It pours a flood of light upon the world on subjects before concealed-upon the history of a nation whose remnants have long since dwindled to insignificance in midnight darkness, and whose former greatness was lost in oblivion, or only known by the remains of cities, palaces, temples, aqueducts, monuments, towers, fortifications, unintelligible inscriptions, sepulchres [sepulchers], and bones. The slumber of ages has now been broken. The dark curtain of the past has been rolled up.-The veil of obscurity has been removed as it regards the world called new. The ancient events of America now stand revealed in the broad light of history, as far back, at least, as the first peopling of the continent after the flood. This discovery will yet be hailed among all nations as one of the most glorious events of the latter times, and as one of the principal means of overwhelming the earth with knowledge. But why, then, is it so mush opposed and neglected at the present time? Why do prisoners groan in chains and martyrs bleed in its promulgation to the world? Answer. Upon the same principle that a Messiah was crucified, a Stephen stoned, a James slain, a Paul beheaded, a Peter crucified, a John banished, a Rogers, burned, a Columbus neglected, ridiculed, and envied, a Newton counted mad, and a Fulton laughed to scorn. In short, it is because they know not what it is.
N. B. If the people wish further information we are now here in Washington, and would freely avail ourselves of the opportunity of giving a course of lectures, if a suitable house and audience can be obtained.-We are willing, also, to supply the public
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