APOSTACY. class of servants are those engaged in agricultural pursuits, and are invariably paid in kind. Those who attend cows receive one-tenth of the milk; for the cultivation of cereals, one-tenth of the crop. If a hired servant is delinquent in the discharge of his duties, he is fined and his wages are forfeited. If he is debarred through sickness of doing what he agreed, he is allowed to perform the labor when his health is restored. If he or his substitute leave a part of the stipulated labor unfinished, even if it be ever so small, he is deprived of his wages for the whole. Those who tend cattle are held responsible for any injuries to them, as well as any trespass committed by them. Debts on loans for consumption, together with the system of pledges, enter largely into the Hindoo code. The 239 security of law upon the person or property of the debtor is not sufficient; but the amount borrowed must be secured by a pledge, after the manner of the pawnbroker's system. The Hindoo law on interest requires it to be paid in kind on loans in chattels, such as cereals, cotton, fruit, beasts of burden, etc. This method of paying interest in kind was in vogue in Israel in the days of Moses, and with the surrounding nations; in fact, the Latter-day Saints are familiar with this kind of barter, where money is not universally current as the medium of exchange for all commodities. When this condition of things exists, men are obliged to exchange something they have for the products provided by the others. William Fotheringham. III. APOSTACY. WE have shown that the Church established by the Savior in all its pristine beauty and purity was taken from the earth. As none of the religious denominations between the time of the ancient Apostles and the nineteenth century. have received a new commission from heaven, it is sufficient proof that the effect of the primitive apostacy without interruption has extended to the present age of the world. But for the information of the youth of Zion we will make a few extracts from ecclesiastical history, exhibiting the admissions and statements of learned professors of religion, which sustain us in this position. Dr. Mosheim is the author of four large volumes of religious history, comprehending about eighteen centuries of the Christian era. This work has been translated by Dr. Murdock, with copious notes, or extracts from the writers who lived contemporary with the times of which he writes. From the translation of Mosheim's Ecclesiastical Institutes we make a few quotations. In speaking of the second century of the Christian era, he says, vol. 1, p. 142: "For the noble sim plicity and the majestic dignity of the Christian religion were lost or at least impaired, when these philosophers presumed to associate their dogmas with it, and to bring faith amd piety under the dominion of human reason." On pages 182 and 183 of the same volume we are informed that, to conform to the customs of Jews and Pagan priests, rites and ceremonies were added to the simplicity of correct worship, and a "large part therefore of the Christian observances, and institutions even in this century had the aspect of the Pagan mysteries." Passing on to the third century, on p. 257 we have the following; "All the monuments of this century which have come down to us, show that there was a great increase of ceremonies,” p. 259, "Baptism was publicly administered twice a year to candidates who had gone through a long preparation and trial." Of the fourth century we learn from p. 345 that the regard for Platonic philosophy was embraced and mingled with the doctrine of the Savior, "Hence it is that we see on every hand evident traces of excessive veneration for Saints in heaven; of belief in a fire to purify | We might proceed with similar quotations relative to subsequent centuries intervening between the fifth and the time of the Reformation, but the foregoing will suffice to show that religious matters grew worse from one age to another, presenting to the world a mass of religious confusion. Although there may have been honorable men who protested against these evils, it is very evident that genuine authority and the principles of the Gospel in their purity could not be derived from such a corrupt source, for we are informed in the Scriptures that an evil tree will not produce good fruit, nor a bitter fountain send forth sweet waters. As neither Luther, Melancthon, Huss, Tringle, Calvin, nor any of the Reformers of that age, received revelation from heaven, authorizing them to establish the church, we find that the world was still without the plan of salvation, and that the products of the Reformation as religious bodies, are the offspring of the mother church, described in the Scriptures as the "Mother of harlots and abominations of the whole earth." This unnatural mother, like some of the fashionable women of modern times, (whose husbands and illicit patrons, are zealously opposing the Latter-day Saints) endeavored to procure abortion, but failing in this she tried to destroy her children after birth. Both attempts being futile the children grew to years of maturity and in turn gave birth to other children, and so on until now there are several generations of them living. This spurious offspring being without natural affection have been and are still quarreling with each other, and casting missiles at their mothers, and grandmothers, as the case may be. In the midst however, of this religious spectacle, there are and have been many honorable people who have realized the fallen condition of the world and were honest enough to acknowledge the same. From Elder John Morgan's Tract No. I we make the following extracts: "Roger Williams refused to continue as pastor ever the oldest Baptist church in Amer ica on the grounds that there was 'no regularly constituted church on earth, nor any person authorized to administer any church ordinances, nor can there be, until new Apostles are sent by the Great Head of the church for whose coming I am seeking,' (see Picturesque America, page 502), Smith's Bible Dictionary also says: 'We must not expect to see the church of Holy Scriptures actually ex isting in its perfection on the earth. It is not to be found thus perfect either ir the collected fragments of Christendom or still less in any one of those fragments.' The names of sixty-five learned divines and Biblical scholars are on the preface page, as contributors to and endorsers of this book. "Mr. Wesley states that the reason the gifts are no longer in the church, is because the love of many wax cold, and the Christians had turned heathens again, and had only a dead form left." (See volume 1, Sermon 94.)" The situation of the religious world is beautifully expressed in poetic verse on page forty-one of the Latter-day Saint's hymn book, in a hymn from Wesley's collection. In speaking of the golden age of Apostles and Prophets, when the Saints were endowed with spiritual gifts and graces, the writer says, "Where shall we wander now to find Successors they have left behind? Are 'minished from the sons of men." Ye different sects who all declare, APOSTACY. "Lo! here is Christ!" or "Christ is there"! Your stronger proofs divinely give, And show me where true Christians live." We will now quote from Prophecies in the Bible which will illustrate how plainly the Prophets foretold what the writers from which we have quoted clearly show to have been verified. "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord: And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east; they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it." Amos, viii, 11, 12. Thus we learn from this that the time was coming when men should seek to the four points of the compass, and in all directions and yet fail to find the word of God, but we find the Bible in every direction, and that is said to contain the word of the Lord. Very true, but that word was directed to past generations, and is a record of the dealings of our Heavenly Father with His children in bygone days. This sacred record states as follows: "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secrets unto his servants the prophets." Amos, iii, 7. From this we learn that if there are no prophets of the Lord, then our Heavenly Father is doing nothing in a religious sense among the people of this earth, and if he is doing a work among them for their redemption then there must be prophets. By this it will be easy to learn whether the prediction of Amos has been verified or not. Who, previous to the year 1827, for many centuries, in their researches, has found an inspired prophet who could stand in the midst of the people and say "Thus saith the Lord?" Have not the people denied prophets, and the visions of heaven? We learn from the nineteenth of Revelations that "the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy." Therefore if any have had this testimony they have been inspired with the Spirit of Prophecy. And again we are informed by the Savior, as written in the sixteenth of John that the "Spirit of 241 Truth shall guide into all Truth," and "show you things to come," who has seen things to come? And where is the word of the Lord? Surely not with those who deny apostles and prophets. We learn from the twenty-fourth of Isaiah that the effects of this ancient Apostacy would be so universal as to cover all classes of society, even affecting not only the religious and social circles, but the business transactions of the human family. In the second verse he says: "And it shall be as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with the taker of usury, so with the giver of usury to him." By reading the fifth verse of the same chapter we learn that even the earth upon which we dwell is seriously affected. He says: "The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof, because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant." As a testimony to the fulfilment of this Prophecy, thousands of people in the American union are witnesses to the fact that in many parts the land will not produce such prolific crops as it would several years ago, and is gradually growing weaker and losing its virtue. Many places, once fruitful in producing the necessaries of life, are now turned aside, as being too poor to cultivate, and are occupied by hedge grass, sassafras bushes and growths of small pine. Such is the rapid decline of the strength of the soil. We have been informed that in Tenneseee, some of the people desiring to learn why the soil was losing its virtue, took several bushels of the earth, and had it analyzed. The analysis revealed the fact that the soil had lost its salt, and was therefore comparatively of but little worth, only to be trodden under foot of men. This test of the soil in the State of Tennessee, is a fair sample of the same condition of the land in many other places. These are the terrible effects as Isaiah informs us of the inhabitants of the earth transgressing "the laws," changing "the ordi nances," and breaking the "everlasting covenant." Among other important features wherein the Everlasting Covenant has been broken is that pertaining to the Marriage contract which, agreeable to the laws of heaven, is binding through time and eternity, not recognizing death which is said to be the "wages of sin" as having power to sever that which is joined together by the power and authority of God. The world is now following the pattern of the Sadducees (who denied the Resurrection), and therefore pronounce the ceremony of marriage "until death do you part." In speaking of the latter times, Paul informs us I Timothy, iv: that some should give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of Devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron. Forbidding to marry, etc. This prophecy reminds us very much of the repeated attempts of Congress to prohibit the Latter-day Saints from obeying the Lord's commands relative to the Patriarchal order of Marriage; being urged to enact hostile measures against the Saints, by the false reports of those who speak "lies in hypocrisy," professing abhorrence to a principal of righteousness which makes "marriage honorable in all." Another prophecy which vividly portrays the religious state of affairs in the last days is that contained in 2 Timothy, iii, 1-5, as follows; "This know also that in the last days, perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good; traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God: Having a form of Godliness, but denying the power thereof; from such turn away." This is so plain that no one need to doubt its verification. So clearly setting forth the very evils that are now prevalent in all the civilized nations of the earth. While these evils may apply to the world at large, it is evident that they were directed specially to a certain class of people. Not to infidel nor atheist, nor yet to the heathen nations, who are unacquainted with the name of the Savior, and with what is termed Christianity. It applies to those religious bodies who as Paul declares have "a form of Godliness, but deny the power thereof." This plainly describes the situation of the Christian world at the present time, who, while they have, various forms of worship, deny the gifts of visions, prophecy, healing, tongues, and nearly all the manifestations of the power of the Lord, as enjoyed by the ancient Saints. In fine they deny the Gospel, for that, says Paul (Romans i), "Is the power of God unto salvation." The Apostle, it appears, would not attribute to them even true forms of worship, for he says they have "A form not the form of Godliness." "From such" says Paul "turn away." If all would receive this admonition and "turn away" from these powerless forms, what would become of the churches that are now extant. With the foregoing positive predictions, upon this subject, and the facts before us, in verification of the same, we can testify that the words of Isaiah have been fulfilled, wherein he says: "Behold the darkness shall cover the earth and gross darkness the people," and that nothing short of more revelation direct from heaven would have placed the present generation in possession of the Everlasting Gospel. We have now briefly shown, that many of the ancients fell away from the Gospel, that the faithful remainder were warred against by the enemies of Truth, and the last remaining of the Saints who held the Priesthood, leaving no successors to continue the work of the ministry, the plan of salvation was taken away from the earth; and that the results of the ancient apostacy were universal and have extended down without interruption to the present century. The gloom that these serious events would cast upon the minds of the honest in heart who saw this sad picture unfolded to the gaze of the world, and which would effect their A VIOLET'S ADVENTURES. posterity in future generations, was greatly relieved when they beheld while enrapt in heavenly vision, angels from the mansions of glory descending to the earth with the Gospel message in all its purity and holiness to deliver to the sons of men, causing the "poor among men to rejoice in the Holy One of Israel." The Apostle John while in banishment upon the Isle of Patmos, says: "And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven having the Everlasting Gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people. Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters." Revelations xiv, 6, 7. There are now thousands of honest hearted people upon the earth who testify that the angel spoken of in the foregoing quotation, visited Joseph Smith, the Prophet, and delivered to him the Everlasting Gospel. Scattered Israel is coming to a knowl 243 edge of the Truth, while the day is dawning, spoken of by Jeremiah: "O Lord, my strength, and my fortress, my refuge in the day of affliction, the gentiles shall come unto thee from the ends of the earth, and shall say, surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no profit." Jeremiah xvi, 19. These predictions are being and will be fulfilled to the very letter, and as the Apostacy and its effects were universal, so will the Restoration of the Gospel be universal, extending to every nation, kindred, tongues, and people, until, when Satan shall be bound, and the voice of "peace on earth and to men good will," shall be heard from the "rivers to the ends of the earth;" when "the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea," and when, "they shall not teach every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, know the Lord: for all shall know Me, from the least to the greatest." Matthias F. Cowley. A VIOLET'S ADVENTURES, "True fame is hardly to be bought, She sometimes follows where she is not sought." A WILD Violet that grew very snugly sheltered at the foot of a high hill, once shook hands with a wandering Fairy, and was immediately seized with a great desire to know where the sun went to when it set and sank. This was perhaps a mere excuse for a wish to see the world, and to gratify vanity on the Violet's part; for it no sooner found that it could hold intercourse with beings of superior order, than it began to look down upon its neighbors and old friends. It very ungraciously snubbed a young Fern that had been attentive to it, and had helped to carry water to it many a time. As for the young Primrose which it used to admire so much, the Violet would not vouchsafe the poor creature so much as a single word. And the wild Violet was very firm; for the Fairy had told it that it could only succeed, if it kept itself aloof from all companions, and told no one of its secret. So it lay and waited, and, whenever it felt a warmer glow of life thrilling through its fibers, it hoped and dreamed its deliverance was now near at hand, and shut its ears to all that was going on near by, which before used to interest it much. And it fell into the habit of speaking to itself and laughing at the low aims of its old friends. "As for affection," it would reflect, "that's all humbug! The Fern helped me because it was its nature to and couldn't help it; and as for that Primrose, she thought to mate with me and be honored-poor, pale, yellow thing!" and even as he looked the Primrose seemed to fade and shrink away. But the Violet had no time to make any work about that: he had his own |