DAVID WHITMER AND THE CHURCH OF CHRIST. DIVINE authenticity is a circle of mystery around which Christian people are warring. The rationalist makes it something never defined, except in denying the assertions of believers. We, of the Church of Christ, believe in the Divine Present and individual responsibility. One of our Elders on being asked about the immaculate conception answered, "I know by the power of God that Jesus is the Son of God and that is sufficient." A period of religious storm was centred in the United States about 1829, and ramified the entire world, producing freedom to the Jews, freedom from priestcraft and religious hierarchy and developing a reason for the hope that the Record of the Nephites is divine. Without detail these are the religious facts as to the Church of Christ, which we claim is composed of the same concomitants that are always with the truth. Just before 1829, a phenomenon appeared. Joseph Smith, an ignorant boy, "had visions." He was a born phenomenon, a genius of the Almighty, the same stars that bowed in Jacob's dream bowed to him, the construction of the man was for a divine purpose, and the modern world has been compelled at last, to wonder at the work whose incipiency was a vision. David Whitmer has always claimed that Joseph Smith was only infallible when performing the translation of the Record of the Nephites, that during this work in the house of the father of David Whitmer, there was entire passiveness to God, in fact only when self was crucified could the work proceed. He was born, that in "man's extremity is found the opportunity of God." That Joseph Smith possessed relics of material value, there have been many witnesses. My grandfather, David Whitmer, told me "that at one time before he was a believer, a couple of men had chased Smith and on his eluding them, they swore by he had gold and a sword of value, and if he did not divide with them they would kill him." A religious era was opened by phenomenon, and its attractive concomitant was the book of Mormon, translated so mysterious and yet so simple that the most acute scientists have not given any rational hypothesis for its construction. The work was born of the earth and its genius no ordinary one. Near the public highway, in a pasture cleared of trash, David Whitmer saw the vision that made him sign his name to the divine authenticity of the record of the Nephites. Within its leaves a set of fearless, self-sacrificing, conscientious men, found the design for the Church of Christ, unfettered by any creed, the same plans as the year one of the world and the era of Christ. Time smiled upon their efforts, and it seemed that every hope was to be fulfilled. But the crude pages of the Book of Mormon that "rehash of the Old and New Testament" was not enough. As in all ages, sudden ambition could not book divine simplicity. "Coal Oil Johnie" had found a treasure and must amplify. They had a prodigy and had to exhibit it. Like the violin outside the hands of a "master" it becomes a fiddle. That the Church of Christ was the original name used by these first pioneers, and that it was changed on philosphical speculation, no intelligent logician can now deny. That among different believers of the Book of Mormon doctrine and beliefs, are entertained that the record will not support is also true, and from this cause its true position has not as yet been recognized. The simple ritual. of the best life worth living is plain in the Record of the Nephites, and from this confusion has followed the strange life of this peculiar people. There was one man among several whose integrity was above wonders and whose understanding has been proven clear, a man whose testimony has stood with the suns of his life with an individuality, powerful and true to the line; self-sacrificing and living the life of a Christian. He denounced all innovations and he suffered in many ways; but his brave voice was never stilled until death called him to his fathers. It was David Whitmer, the exponent of the Church of Christ, as it was in 1829. Near 1838, there being much discord at Far West, John Whitmer, Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer, because of their stand, became inimical to the hierarchy and were forced to leave the people, whether inclined to or not. Right here an incident happened. Lightning struck the flag pole of Far West, and David Whitmer, rising in the stirrups of his saddle proclaimed these words: "As they sought to do unto me, so shall it be done unto them." A striking coincidence followed, when Far West surrendered to Atchison and Doniphan. After this time, David Whitmer came to Richmond, Missouri, where after losing two good sized fortunes while with the church for those days, he started in and earned a livelihood by the hardest work, procuring a home, and building a character that might be envied by the strictest moralist. His individuality, habits, and love of his fellow man, have procured for him the love of the people. For about forty years, during which time the original manuscript and historical records came into his possession, he made a "morale," for the Book of Morman, and placed it before the world as one of the books that has come to stay. In September, 1875, John C. Whitmer, becoming convinced that he should be baptized, asked the same of David Whitmer which was accomplished, and your correspondent was a witness to his ordination January 28, 1876. Like a tree growing in its proper season arose the necessity to perpetuate the Church of Christ. Since this time membership has been slowly advancing, and here and there are small congregations. We prosecute no one for their belief; we don't think we are the only good people in the world, neither are we angels with wings or infallible. We are just as good in our own estimation and no better than others. But we have a sure reason of the hope that is in us, capable of being defended against insiduous attacks, and are open at all times to conviction. As to the miracles that have been attributed to the church, they are individual, and can not save or make any one good. In our opinion they are only evidences to occur on the account books of the Almighty, when all will be charged with their debits and credits. Some have assailed the work on account of its peculiar phrases. Why then is there so much literary ecstacy over Dan Chaucer? In this Book of Mormon we have the only conclusive hypothesis of original America. It embodies a moral law, spotless, as high and as pure as the standard of the best races, language and ideas that have no taint of phalic law. Mormon's standard of liberty and declarations about this land are even more patriotic than the Declaration of Independence. Its ideas are sincere, elevating, without moral cowardice. The wide winged continent lying at rest On the bosom of waters, holds pressed to her breast The secrets of ages the tale of the last, Locked deep in the hills by times hoary frost. In the midst of the either an angel appears, Speaks out to man from the dust of the years, Goes straight to the work that the cycles of God Has asked of the ages, to bend to His nod. The land of the free, a beautiful land Had its tales, had its loves, had its beautiful strand, Had its heroes, its dangers, its miseries and death, As well as had Egypt of science and myth. Who can say that the tale without idiom told, Is not of the righteous of God's hundred fold; Weigh me the weight of its morals with care, Then tell me my friend, if God is not there. GEORGE SWEICH. VERSIONS OF THE BIBLE.* HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE MORE IMPORTANT VERSIONS AND EDITIONS. XXIV. 1622. THE Pentateuch, or the first five books of Moses, was published in Arabic by Erpenius at Leyden. It was printed in Hebrew characters from a manuscript in possession of Scaliger, and is supposed to have been made by an African Jew some time during the thirteenth century. This is a direct translation from the Hebrew, to which it adheres so closely as to be almost unintelligible to persons not acquainted with that language. The Pentateuch originated from the Greek translators, and the Jews called this division of their sacred book Torah, the Law. 1623. An edition of the New Testament was printed in French at Rouen. May it not be the case that this Bible was permitted to be published at Rouen with the hope that the stain which rested upon that fair city by the inhuman sacrifice of Joan of Arc, might be obliterated? This city is a place of great antiquity, for it existed before the conquest of Gaul by the Romans, under whom it took the name of Potomagus, which name it retained for several centuries. During the ninth century, the town was pillaged by the Normans, who made it their capital. After the Norman conquest it remained in possession of the English until 1449, when it passed out of the control of that nation. the text is founded on the third edition of Stevens. This text, however, attained so much celebrity that it became known as the "Textus Receptus," and for upwards of a century it was reprinted in almost every successive edition of the New Testament. 1625. An edition of the Psalms, corrected and revised by Rhesa, the successor of Bretkius, was published in the Lithunian dialect with Luther's German version. Of all the idioms spoken in Europe this is acknowledged to approximate the nearest to the Sanscrit. Hon. William E. Gladstone says of the Psalms that it seems impossible to regard them as simply owing their parentage to the Mosaic system. Some, indeed, of their features may well be referred to it, especially the strong sense of national unity which they display, and the concentration of that sense upon a single center-the city of Jerusalem and the Temple. It may also be noted that the Mosaic law inculcated in its utmost breadth the principle of love to God: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." Yet may it not be said that this is rather exhortation than statute? Further, it is not unfolded in the detail of the legislative Torah, and even in the Decalogue service is enjoined without the mention of love. In the inner sanctuary, provided for the most capable human souls, was reared the strong spiritual life which appears to have developed itself in the depth, richness, tenderness, and comprehensiveness of the Psalms. To the work they have here accomplished there is no parallel upon earth, and the compilation has been the paramount book of devotion not only for the Hebrew race, both in its isolation and after it was brought by the translation of its sacred book into relations with the Gentile world; but also for all the Christian races in their diversities of character and circumstance. These marvellous compositions have dwelt in the very center of the Christian heart, and wherever the pursuits of the inner life have been cultivated, there the Psalms have towered over every other vehicle of general devotion. A conspicuous illustration of their office appears in the fact that of 243 citations from the Old Testament found in the pages of the New, no less than 116 are from the Psalms. Bishop Alexander, who has published the result of a careful examination made by himself, states that reference is made to the Psalms, either by quotations or otherwise, in no fewer than 286 passages of the New Testament. The Psalms, composed for the devotions of the ancient Hebrews, constitute at present for Christians the best and highest book of devotion. The Hebrews were Semitic, Christendom is Aryan, the Hebrews were local, Christdom is worldwide; the Hebrews were often tributary, and finally lost their liberties and place, while Christianity has risen over every other obstacle, and |