A NEW RELIGION FOR THE NATIONS. 741 A NEW RELIGION FOR THE NATIONS. The present divided and powerless | Inspiration is so explained away, that condition of what is called Christian- it has ceased to have any meaning. ity, is causing grave reflections to Among the different sections of the arise in the minds of all people who Christian Church, bond of union we take the trouble to think. Those find none; but jealousy and petty who swallow, without examination or rivalry are everywhere. The Church question, the weekly doses of congra- of England, the largest and most tulations administered to them by the powerful of all the Protestant deno"dear good men" whom they pay to minations, is being torn in pieces by smooth their consciences, may, per- internal dissensions; and the Pope haps, be under the comfortable im- has but recently been attempting to pression that we are living in an age galvanize the Catholic Church into a of "Gospel blaze," and that "Christ- little temporary vitality, by grand ian light" is fairly dazzling all the spectacular demonstrations and wholeworld. But thousands of people who sale canonizations. Verily, we are go to church and chapel merely be- drifting somewhere - whither it is cause it is respectable, or because, difficult to say. Thus much we shall feeling the need of religion, they put venture to say: If man is to remain up with its hollow form, while lament- a religious animal, one of two things ing the absence of its power, are able must follow; either Christianity must to perceive the inconsistency of the awake to newness of life, or take her oft-repeated boastings concerning the place with the mythologies of a dead glorious spread of Christianity," and buried past. We must have more while the most palpable evidences of Christian life, or a new religion." its decay and dissolution stare the world in the face. The picture painted by the New York Herald is, as far as it goes, a Many can see the miserable, feeble, correct portraiture of modern Christand distracted state of that which goes ianity. The fact is, Christianity is by the name of Christianity, but few dead. Not only dead, but rotting have the courage to tell what they away into corruption. Any anticipasee, for unwelcome truths make as tion of its awaking to newness of life much outcry in this enlightened age as and inspired authoritative teaching, they did in days of less pretence. is as reasonable as to expect the The New York Herald, however, in mummies in the British Museum to an article called "A New Religion burst from their crumbling dust into Wanted for the Nations," speaks on animation and intelligence, and inthis subject with a plainness quite terpret the mystic hieroglyphics inrefreshing :scribed upon their coffins. ChristNever, at least since the Reform-ianity is dead. Its life went out when ation, was the Christian system more inspiration ceased. As the life of the vigorously and persistently attacked. Mosaic law departed with its Prophets, Never were missionary records so and left nothing but the dead form, dull; never was there more of form- which crumbled into the fragments that never less of spirit. Religion is fa- Christ swept away, so Christianity shionable-this in our large cities es- gave up the ghost when the voice of pecially is one of the main sources of inspired men was stilled, and its the Churches' strength. True reli- withered parts form the dead, divigious life, there is none. The Church-ded, and dividing sects of the ninees which are most progressive have teenth century. eliminated from their standards almost all that is distinctive and valuable in the Christian system. To be a Christian and to enjoy Christian privileges, it is no longer necessary to believe in the divine mission of Christ. The Herald says, "we must have more Christian light or a new religion." Can we expect more light from a system that does not believe in progress? Can we anticipate anything fresh from preachers who look 742 A NEW RELIGION FOR THE NATIONS. only to the writings of dead men for information, and who never expect to receive a word from the living God? Can a church whose ministers have nothing but opinions to offer us,--and opinions about which they quarrel so much themselves,-be of any earthly benefit as a guide to the kingdom of heaven? It has no light of its own, and that to which it looks for light, glimmers in its eyes with an uncertain shining. No, we must not look to Christianity for more light. And yet the age demands it. Humanity is growing in intellect, advancing in science, progressing in art; and mind is stretching upward for higher spheres of thought; and yet religion, that should be the great light to all mankind, the strong help to the soul in all its searchings after infinite truth, the guide and monitor of humanity in its onward march of everlasting progress, is left far in the rear, mouldy with the traditions of bygone centu ries. The Herald is right; a new religion is wanted for the nations. A religion adapted for the times. A religion of progress. A religion combining all the grand truths revealed from heaven in the old dispensations, with fresh and continued light, manifesting and developing the truths which are necessary to the growth, and adapted to the condition of the present age of lightning progress. Is not this what the world needs? Does not the present state of national affairs cry out for some ruling and directing power, that the headlong downward career of nations may be stopped? Crime increases with fearful multiplication. Finances are uncertain as the wind. Confidence has no existence but in name. Every one is looking for some great crisis, but knows not what. The world needs the voice of God! No human hand can steady the ark of these tottering times. No power but that of Deity can bring the discordant elements of the age into happy unison. If the present condition of things calls for this, why should not the heavens respond? Has not Providence met the requirements of former ages? And why should not the Lord stretch forth his guiding hand now as well as then? We testify to all the world He has spoken He that he has done so. from the heavens as aforetimes. has chosen and ordained Apostles and Prophets to declare his will and guide mankind through all the affairs of mortal life, national, social, and religious. He has in very deed met the grand necessity of the period, and revealed a new religion. New to this generation, but comprising the old truths of the everlasting Gospel. New to Christians of the nineteenth century, but guiding them back into the old path from which they have strayed. God has set up the very thing which the Herald sees to be wanting. But is he willing to receive it now it is set up? No; but like the rest of the worldly-wise, he will reject it because it has not come in the way he would expect. God called Joseph Smith to commence the great Latter-day work, just as sure as he called to Moses out of the burning bush; and as the work which Moses performed was the great need of oppressed Israel, so is the work that Joseph commenced, the great necessity of the present age. Moses departed, but he left a Joshua to continue his work; Joseph was martyred, but he left a Brigham to carry out the programme revealed from the skies. "Oh!" say the great ones of modern times, I can we accept the low-born, unlettered boy Smith, as a teacher of divinity? Ah! said the doctor, the lawyer, and the scribe of the Christian era, “Is not this the carpenter's son, what can he know of the profound wisdom of our great Law-giver? Away with him, we will not hear him." This religion that God has revealed, is known to the world as "Mormonism," a name which they have coined for it. Its proper name is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was established and is now guided by divine revelation. It is so organized that there can be no division in it as to doctrine. While receiving, in its place, all that God has revealed in the past, it is controlled by, and receives as a standard, what God reveals in the present. There is no need to dispute over the words of dead Prophets and Apostles, for living ones are in the Church to guide it to the 66 unity of the faith." Freedom of A NEW RELIGION FOR THE NATIONS. thought has full scope, but the word of the Lord through the Head is an end of controversy. This Church is a living body, quickened by the Spirit of the eternal God. It is the spirit of the ancient Church embodied in a new tabernacle. Some object to it as a retrograde movement, others because it is a new system. It is both retrograde and progressive. It goes back to the everlasting truths of the ancient times, which are essential for the salvation of man, and it travels with the necessities of the present times, and brings forth truths which to this age are new and timely. It stretches out its arms and embraces all truth that is known, and soars up to the heavens for "things kept hid from the foundation of the world." It will satisfy the yearnings of the soul that is searching after God, and take the toilbound mind from the depths of poverty and darkness, and lift it to higher and holier modes of thought and fields of action. It is both spiritual and temporal. It enuciates precepts to guide both body and soul. It is able not only to show mankind the path to eternal salvation, but also to direct nations and individuals in the way to present happiness, wealth, and concord. It has proved this already, as far as its sphere of action has extended. If the ruling powers of the world could realise its mission, and would seek to the Prophet of God, who stands at its head, for guidance, the troubles that are coming upon them with overwhelming rapidity would be turned away, the fierce flame of war would be quenched, the complicated difficulties of their diplomatic affairs would be settled, their insurrections and rebellions would subside, the bone and sinew of labor would be directed for the glory of nations and the benefit of the toilers, confidence would spring up in men's hearts, and the world would be bound in one compact of union, brotherhood, and mutual interest. But when did the world hearken to the voice of God? When did the world receive the Prophets whom he sent to them? Let the blood of the martyrs from Abel down to Joseph the Seer speak forth its united testimony! For the consequences of rejecting | 743 them, look at the perished glory of learned Egypt, the buried ruins of mighty Nineveh, the vacant place of gorgeous Babylon, the waste and desoiation of princely Tyre, and the scattered, stricken, and downcast remnants of royal Judea! And are the boasting nations of modern times so strong in their pride, that they can defy God? Can they not learn a lesson from the past? Oh why will they close their ears against the guiding voice of heaven, and madly rush on to their doom! The mighty God, even the Lord, has spoken, and he calls on all men, kings, governors, statesmen, warriors, priests, editors, and people, to repent and turn unto him with all their hearts, and to listen to the voice of his Prophets, that they may be guided in the way of peace. He has ushered in a new dispensation" the dispensation of the fulness of times," and from all sects and parties he will gather the truth-loving and honesthearted. This is the "new religion" which is "wanted for the nations." We invite to it the attention of all who feel the insufficiency and lack of power, and see the strife and disunion, of the man-made systems of religion, which vainly strive to fill the place of the pure religion of Christ. We ask, for it, the calm and candid investigation of the thoughtful and reflecting, who feel the need of something higher and more soul-satisfying, than the empty forms which they often despise. And we call on those who have investigated this "new religion," and who in their secret hearts believe it, to throw off their craven fears, and to come forth boldly and obey the Gospel, that they may be nourished with the bread of life, and cease to starve on the dry husks of popular theology. "Mormonism" may be despised now, and so was God's truth always when it was first revealed, but it has a destiny before it worthy of the full exertions of the most exalted mind. It is a heaven-born system of religion and government, and it will ultimately triumph over every institution of men, and will guide and control the interests and destinies of all living beings. Thrice blessed are they, who, in the LAST week it was our painful duty to exhibit before our readers a picture of the disunion existing among all nations, and especially in this professedly Christian country. This week, a pleasant task lies before us, for our subject is Union. Much might be said by way of argument upon the beauty, excellence, and good results of union, in all matters that pertain to the well-being of mankind; but where shall we look for a practical illustration of its effects? Theories often sound very plausible, and arguments frequently look well in print, which practice proves to be worthless. If the sad results of disunion in Church and State meet the gaze at every step through all the kingdoms of the world, where can the wearied eye turn to rest upon the fruits of union? We point with pride and pleasure to Utah! Utah, the home of the Saints, the cradle of God's infant kingdom on the earth. There may be found the most united people living. There may be seen "how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity." And this union has been brought about by what is vulgarly called "Mormonism." The Latterday Saints in the Territory of Utah, are united religiously, socially, and politically, to such a degree, that the world looks upon them in wonder. Religiously-They have all embraced one faith, have been baptized with one baptism, and have drank into the same spirit. Travel through the peaceful vales of Zion as far as their settlements extend, and see if you can obtain two conflicting answers to the question, what is the Gospel? Ask the laborer in the field, the mechanic at his bench, the clerk at his desk, the merchant in his counting house, the editor in his sanctum, and the answer will be essentially the same. Doctrinal questions that in any sect of modern Christendom would cause endless disputes and angry bickerings, are, there, matters that need no controversy, for educated and illiterate understand them alike. So in Church government. The order of the holy Priesthood is received by all as the only true regulating and controlling power in the Church. The Saints are not only united in their understanding of the various offices in the Priesthood, but they are also one in upholding the individuals who fill those offices. Twice every year the general Authorities of the Church are presented, by name, before the assembled multitude for their approval. It has become so notorious a fact that a contrary vote is never given, that the proposition of such a thing produces nothing but laughter. It is a grand, aye, a sublime sight, to look upon the thousands of earnest, yet joyous countenances upturned to the speaker, when the propositions are being made to sustain in their respective callings the men who have been appointed as leaders in Israel. And when the vote is called, to see the forest of hands raised to heaven not in mere form, but in solemn and heartfelt unity, as a token to God and angels of confidence in his servants, makes the heart throb, and every nerve to thrill with the power of the spirit of unicn. Such a sight cannot be witnessed in any other part of the earth. And these people assembled thus in Conference, who are they? A congregation of individuals who have been trained up from their youth in the understanding and practice of these things? Oh no! The constituent elements of that vast assembly are, naturally, of the most discordant character. Gathered from nearly all nations, collected from various and opposing races, brought together from every sect and party, once totally differing in language, habits, customs, faith, thought, spirit, feeling, and action, now behold them baptized by one spirit into one body," "joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment," learning to worship the same God in the same language, and, meeting together in one solemn conclave, lifting their ten thousand hands to heaven spontaneously, as though one mighty heart moved and gave life to all. These are the world-hated, but God-blest "Mormons." 66 The question may well be asked, as it frequently is by reflecting men, “how is all this done?" It is a mystery to the world, and a marvel even to the Saints. There are two powerful influences which combine to produce these results. One is the Spirit of God, which alone can unite men's hearts; the other is, an inspired leader to direct the whole people. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a living body; it is animated by one spirit-the Holy Ghost, and is guided by a living head-the Prophet of God. The spirit of truth unites its members in sentiment, and they all move as the head directs, therefore there is no schism in the body. In this there is no tyranny. As the members of the human body move, voluntarily, when the head wills, so do the members of the Church, of their own free will, submit to the direction of its President. They do this because they know that God has called him to the position he holds, and because the same inspiration by which he dictates, measurably rests upon them in their obedience. The light in the head lights up the whole body. The members obey implicitly, but they obey understandingly. The Saints are, then, united religiously, for they follow their spiritual leader, and this must bring unity. Socially-They are united upon similar principles. Every family has a head, and is instructed to be guided thereby. Saints the father is the head of the family; he His word should be law in his little kingdom. In the social theory of the is a priest in his own house. Petticoat government, so pre |