Page images
PDF
EPUB
[blocks in formation]

one of the chief rebels himself in American history. But Brigham was

Our latest statistics show that we number one hundred and five cities and settlements in Utah; and every-equal to the occasion, and during that body who has visited it, views Great exciting period of our history, was Salt Lake City, under the future_era perfectly calm. Confident ever is the of the Pacific Railroad, as the New man in his mission and the destiny of Jerusalem of America. Who have the Mormons. We were ready to more right than the Saints to pursue make another exodus, and to follow their laudable ambition of building up our President again wherever he should a State of the Union, upon the posses- lead. That second exodus was a consions which they took from a foreign quest. A "territory put upon wheels" power in their country's name, by at a word from one man, and the peotheir wonderful industry, giving it to ple's resolution to make Utah ashes, the nation, not the desert they found showed the world what Brigham it, but the fruitful field they have Young and Mormondon meant. Brigmade it? Who have more right than ham now had the issue in his own they to choose their own Governor, hand. Be assured he will preserve and whom should they chocse but the his people in the future, as in the past, man who, under Providence, has and carry us and our work along. made them what they are?

[ocr errors]

This Republican right, in Buchanan's reign, was our crime, for polygamy was not the plea of the famous Utah expedition. Brigham says he will be Governor until the Lord says, 'Brigham, I don't want you to be Governor any longer."" Upon this, and the groundless charge of burning some law books, an army was sent against us, before an appointed Governor had been rejected, or commissioners sent to inquire into the matter. We were ready to receive fifty Governors, since no one, in fact, would govern us but Brigham. Albert Sidney Johnson, and most of the officers of the Utah expedition, soon took up arms against their country, so as to secede from the Union; but the Mormons have constantly been knocking for admission into that Union. Thus the very rulers who were preparing for rebellion, were over anxious to quell the rebel Mormons; and they did it through an officer who became

Wherein is Brigham's power over us? In our love and not our fear. The power of despotism could not rule an Anglo-Saxon people from the dominant nations of America and England. We Mormon Elders love our chief, and dare say to his face we do not fear his power, though most of us would give life for his smile. He is our people's father, and as such we look upon him.

Two hundred thousand souls daily pray for Brigham Young, that heaven may spare him to us many a year to come, and when their lips utter it not, their hearts utter it. Brigham realises that his people's prayers daily ascend in his behalf. Were his own heart not right, this consciousness would be as coals of fire heaped upon his head. But as it is, it makes him strong and satisfied with life. He has no desire to die, and we are grateful that heaven spares him still to lead us.

E. W. TULLidge.

[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]

children, give expression to foul and filthy language in a manner truly disgusting. Judging from what assails our ears at every turning, one would think that to swear and speak profanity was the summit of excellence sought after by a very large portion of the inhabitants of the world.

How distressing to every one who has the least desire in his heart to honor God, and speak of his holy name with reverence, to listen to the foul blasphemy and cursing to be heard in our streets, in our worshops, and in almost every place where numbers of persons are congregated together! This crying evil has taken such a hold upon mankind, that the ordinary business of life seems to be incomplete, unless every simple statement is ratified with an oath. I do not wish to be misunderstood, it is no false squeamishness, or lingering after time-honored dogmas and pious creeds, that calls forth these remarks; the writer puts a very low value upon the "form-without-the-power" religions of the present day; in fact, they never were very attractive to him who pens these lines. On the contrary, they seemed to him, as they have to thousands who have heard and received the Gospel in the latter days, utterly powerlvss to induce men and women to live in righteousness, and serve the Lord from a real love of truth.

I have either heard, or have somewhere read a story, in which a highwayman is said to have severely reprimanded those who composed his band of outlaws, because, on one occasion, he overheard them cursing and swearing in a dreadful manner. "There is no gain," said he, "in swearing; men may steal the property of others, and in numberless ways enrich themselves at the expense of their fellow creatures, and may, because of their wealth, command the respect of many in the world; but," said he, "there is no gain at all in profane swearing." How far the present inhabitants of our land would be disposed to take counsel from an outlaw, may be easily conceived; at all events, there is counsel required from some quarter, and that speedily, or the language of the world will very soon be composed of oaths and curses.

There is no want of concern on the part of some of those who deplore the existence of this and many other evils. They hold up their hands in horror when such things are brought before their notice, but generally their closing exclamation is, “Oh, well, it is shocking that such things should exist in this Christian land!" This is not, in the proper sense of the word, a Christian land. The influence of the Gospel has scarcely yet been felt in it. The power of truth has had but little, if any hold at all, upon the people. If it had, the divine influence of the principles of salvation would have made themselves visible, not only in a godly walk, but in a godly conversation also.

The Gospel brings blessings instead of cursings, and joy instead of sorrow. It makes manifest the superiority of its power in the many ways in which it works reformation in the conduct and conversation of those who may have been "all their lifetime subject to bondage." The Savior says, "it is not that which goeth into a man that defileth him, but that which proceedeth forth from him." If so, then there is a long list of defilement accumulating against a very large class, which will eventually be very undesirable, unless a renovating process is very soon commenced among them. Since the Gospel has been restored in the present generation, thousands of men, and women too, have borne testimony to its power to remodel their conduct, and also the language made use of in their intercourse with each other and the world. It is evident from the course taken by many professed ministers of religion, that, in relation to profane swearing, they stand much the same as they do in the matter of drunkenness, and numerous other sins so common in this boasted age of enlightenment, and find themselves entirely lost in their attempts to check the growing evil, even among those who own them as their spiritual guides.

Solomon has said, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." Alas! this is found to be almost impossible in these days, at least in this so-called Christian part of the

EDITORIAL.

world. Children are, in a great many cases, brought up in the way they should not go, and a fervent hope expressed by those who train them, that at some future time they will depart from all their errors. In such a state of things, it is a matter of very great concern to faithful Latter-day Saints, who have young children growing up around them in this country, and who desire to see them growing up in the truths of the Gospel. In many cases it matters but little how faithful parents are in instructing their offspring, as their intercourse with those who have been skilfully trained in wickedness, has become in some places almost a necessity. In many Branches of the Church, the Saints, though very faithful, are also very poor, which necessitates the sending of their children to work in factories and other places where sin in its vilest forms is to be met with, and where rulers and ruled are alike given over to iniquity. This has indeed a baneful effect upon the young among the Saints, and requires continual watching and instruction, which can only be given by such as give due heed to the counsels of the Lord through his servants.

793

In conclusion, let us urge upon the brethren and sisters everywhere, the great necessity which exists for good example as well as good precept on their part, so that the wicked practices of the Gentiles may not take root in those who are designed in after years to take a part in bearing the responsibilities of the great Latter-day work in which we are engaged, the truths of which stand so much in contrast with the feeble systems of our day. God's strange work is rolling on. Under the inspiration of the Lord, the Prophets and leaders of Israel are bringing to pass the wonderful events connected with the gathering of the Saints, which will eventually work out deliverance to the faithful among them. Let the counsels of the Priesthood be strictly observed, and all will be well. Among the far off vales of Utah, the ways of the Lord are revered; there, both the Saints and their children will be taught whatever is pleasing is the sight of God, while the wicked among the Gentiles are ripening for the reward of those who delight to do wickedly, and profane the name of the mighty God of Jacob.

THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS' MILLENNIAL STAR.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1867.

PRIESTHOOD AND GOVERNMENT.

THE Elders of Israel are called of God to a very important work. So important, indeed, that its magnitude cannot be comprehended by the natural man. It is only when the Spirit of God lights up the mind, that the latter-day kingdom can be at all understood; and even then, this gigantic and sublime work does not exhibit itself in all its majesty and vast extent. In our present imperfect state, we see as it were "through a glass darkly," and eternity alone will unfold to us the full extent of this marvellous work, and the full powers of our calling therein. But there are many important duties pertaining to our calling which we are required to perform in the present time, and it is our priviledge to make ourselves fully acquainted with them, that we may be efficient ministers of the Gospel of Christ.

[blocks in formation]

Preaching the Gospel is a very important duty in the holy Priesthood; and it is necessary that every servant of God should be thoroughly and correctly informed in relation to those principles which he is called to teach; for how can a man explain to others that which he does not clearly understand himself? But preaching is not the only, or most important duty of the Elders who are on missions. They are also called to administer many sacred ordinances pertaining to salvation, all of which should be administered and attended to in the manner and form appointed. But what we wish to call their attention to at present is, the principle of government. One of their duties, which is of the greatest importance, is to learn how to preside wisely and efficiently over that portion of the flock of Christ which for a time is entrusted to their care. There are many men who can preach eloquently, and set forth plainly and truly the theory of the Gospel, and who can raise up Branches of the Church, under the blessing of God, but who do not understand how to govern and direct those Branches after they are organized. And yet the power to govern is the very essence of their Priesthood. Herein is glory, honor, dominion, and everlasting exaltation. It is something that reaches out to worlds to But it must be understood and practised in this present life, for eternity will but develop and perfect the germs and powers brought forth in time.

come.

The Elders are learning one great essential to the government of others, that is, to govern themselves. They are learning to subdue their own passions, and to regulate their own powers both of mind and body. This is absolutely necessary, and will do more towards qualifying men for the responsibilities of government, than all the theories of jurists and statesmen. Greater is he that has conquered himself, than he that has subdued a city.

Subordination to legitimate authority must be practised by all who wish to be obeyed themselves. For how can a man expect others to regard his authority, when he despises or neglects the wishes of those who preside over him? To ensure compliance with his instructions, he must himself be a living example of obedience to counsel; and he could not consistently complain of insubordination, if he were himself rebellious. Consistency induces respect, and respect is essential to authority. If the spirit of obedience be not in a man, he cannot inspire obedience in others, and the light of an Elder's acts will be reflected upon the people over whom he presides. He who desires to govern, then, must submit to be governed.

The principle of "Honor to whom honor is due," should be applied in two ways. An Elder should not only honor his President, but also all those who, in a subordinate position, may be called to preside under him. Honor every man in his calling. It is the custom of some District and Conference Presidents, when visiting the Branches in their fields of labor, to step into the place of the Branch Presidents, through a mistaken idea of their own position and calling. If an Elder presides over a Branch at other times, is he not still the President of that Branch when his presiding officer is present? Certainly. And if so, is it not improper to crowd him out of his place, and take all power out of his hands, because you are called to preside over him? The question may be asked, if an Elder is appointed to preside over a District or a Conference, does he not preside over every Branch in that District or Conference? He does, and over every member in his field of labor; but he is not required

[blocks in formation]

personally to do all the work which is necessary, but rather to see that it is done. A District or Conference President can preside in every meeting, in every Branch, under his jurisdiction, but he should do it through the authorities therein established. A Branch President should understand that it is his duty to consult his presiding officer, if he be present, upon the way to conduct the meeting, and the presiding officer should understand that it is his duty to honor the Branch President in his calling.

There is no need in this Church and kingdom for any collision, nor any necessity for one officer to crowd into the place of another. The whole machinery of government in the Church of Christ is practical, harmonious, and perfect. Men, however, are imperfect; but if they will apply their minds to understand, and their hearts to obey the perfect plan revealed from heaven, they will partake of its spirit, and " go on unto perfection.”

All presiding authority committed to the Elders in these countries is merely temporary. It ceases when their appointments close. But the experience they gain in their temporary positions, should be lasting and beneficial. One great lesson men have to learn in order to become rulers of men, is to understand human nature. The Elders have an excellent opportunity to learn this lesson while presiding over the Saints in their different positions. They have an opportunity to study the endless variety of dispositions, temperaments, and tendencies of the human mind, and how to direct them. A rigid, castiron rule, for every person under every circumstance, is the worst kind of policy. The Elders should strive to understand men and women, and to so guide and counsel them, that while never departing from the principles of the Gospel, they may still have regard to individual peculiarities, and suit their manner of government to the persons governed.

In the kingdom of God the ruling influence is love. Terrorism is no part of the government of God. Love begets love. Those who have the affections of the people, can govern them without trouble, and the influence they wield is abiding. Those who rule by fear will continually meet with rebellion, and when the period of their authority is past, their influence will be gone, and they will only be remembered with dislike. President Young's example shines out brightly for the imitation of the Elders. He sways the hearts of men so powerfully, because he inspires them with love, confidence, and respect.

The Lord designs to make of his Saints a nation of kings and of Priests. The Elders of Israel should, then, seek to qualify and prepare themselves for their high destiny. They should become acquainted with laws and customs, and manners and nations; but, above all, with the spirit, constitution, laws, principles, order, and government of the kingdom of God, and their practical influence over mankind, so that when the kingdoms of this world are broken up, and wise men are needed to represent the kingdom of God, and to put in order the humbled remnants of the nations left, they may be prepared through the wisdom of the Spirit, and their own knowledge and experience, to wield efficiently the administrative power of the holy Priesthood.

DEPARTURE.-Elder Reuben McBride, and his son Elder Reuben A. McBride, left Liverpool for New York per steamship Minnesota, on Tuesday 26th November, en route for Utah.

« ՆախորդըՇարունակել »