NO. 12. RESURGAM. SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 1889. The Winter morn of cheerless gray And in the cold, bleak light of day And all green things are lost to sight And down into the cold, dark night But 'mid the gloom of wintry skies Of fresh Spring morns that brightly rise Even thus, most gracious Lord, amid Life everlasting safely hid And garnered, Lord, in Thee. The dreary grave is but the field J. G. HOWDEN in Chambers' Journal. THE LESSER PRIESTHOOD VOL. XXXVIII. the Bishopric. Priests after the ceived a Bishop's blessing;" or This requires some explanation. The mingling of these two offices There are in the Church of Christ or callings sometimes creates a little two branches of the Holy Priesthood confusion in the minds of those who -the Melchisedek, which is the do not thoroughly understand them. greater, and includes the less, and Bishops are appointed to act in the the Aaronic or Lesser Priesthood, several Wards. With two Counselwhich acts under the direction of ors, each Bishop sits as a common the higher. They are channels of judge in Israel. If he were a lineal Divine light and power. Through firstborn descendant of Aaron, he the Melchisedek Priesthood flow the spiritual -blessings to the Church; through the Aaronic come directions as to the temporalities of the Church. The province of the latter being chiefly to minister in things that are temporal, that is for this earth and the present time, it is called the Lesser Priesthood, because the things that are spiritual are greater, for they are eternal and comprehend principles and powers that relate to all the worlds and all the ages. his two Counselors, or by either or both of them. To this tribunal, cases may be appealed from the decisions of the Bishops' Courts. A Bishop is not a ruler, as supposed by some persons who write against "Mormonism." His functions are ministerial and judicial, in an ecclesiastical sense. One important duty of the Bishopric is care could act in that capacity without for the needs of the poor. This Counselors. He may receive tithes comprehends something more than and offerings, regulate the temporal receiving and disbursing alms. The affairs of the Church in his Ward, feeble, aged, and sick, who are inpreside over the lesser Priesthood, digent, need support from funds in see that the poor are provided for, the hands of the Bishop. But the and that the members do their duty, poor, who are not disabled, should and give counsel in secular affairs have employment rather than gratuas may be necessary for the welfare ities. Idleness leads to vice, and of the members and of the Ward. But he cannot, as a Bishop, preside over meetings when an Elder is present, confirm by the laying on of hands, officially bless a child, or do anything that of right comes under the authority of the Melchisedek Priesthood. It is not the purpose of this article to dwell particularly upon the functions and sphere of the higher, but to call attention to some of the duties It is an error, therefore, to say that and purposes of the Lesser Priest- such a Ward is presided over by hood. At the head of this branch is Bishop So-and-So; that a child re pauperism is a social evil. To find work for those who cannot find it for themselves, is one of the labors incident to the offices in the lesser Priesthood, and is specially within the sphere of the Bishops. There is perhaps no more important opportunity for the exercise of the wisdom, discretion and benevolence required in magnifying the calling of a Bishop than in promot ing industries so that the Divine If this were followed according to Church, and the power of the Bishop injunction shall not be violated- the Divine design those hard-worked and the Lesser Priesthood can only "Sons of Aaron" would be relieved be exercised according to the speciof many things that tax their time fied extent. and patience, because they could be performed by some Priest, Teacher or Deacon who could be entrusted therewith. "The idler shall not eat the bread of the laborer." To provide employment suitable to each individual, for young and old of both sexes, so that all but the disabled shall be self-sustaining and be able to contribute to the common good, is one of the most valuable services to the Church and the individuals that the Bishops can perform. If they would charge their minds with this as one of their pressing duties, and seek for Divine as well as human aid in its performance, ways and means would be devised by which home industries would be multiplied and fostered, and the whole Church and the entire community would be vastly benefitted. In a trial before a Bishop's Court, a decision may be rendered showing what an accused person must do in order to retain the fellowship of the Ward of which he is a member, no matter what position he may hold in the Holy Priesthood, an appeal, of course, lying to the High Council. But the power of the Bishopric does not extend to the deprivation of that Priesthood, because it is something that the Bishopric has not the The house visiting required of the Lesser Priesthood has been talked about much in public meetings with a view to its improvement. But until the Bishops make a specialty of training the Lesser Priesthood in the proper performance of this very important duty it is probable that it will remain in its present imper-power to bestow. fect condition. There is nothing On this hypothesis, which is now that is so likely to affect the home made practical in action upon transand inner life of the Saints and in-gressors, it may well be questioned fluence them for permanent good, whether excommunication, even of In the perfect social system which as the ministrations of the Lesser a member, is not one of "the most at some time will be established on Priesthood as they are intended and important cases" and exercises of this planet there will be a place for commanded in the revelations on power in the Church; whether everybody and everybody will find that subject. They require choice capital punishment, which it is in a the right place. Therein will be men who understand human char-spiritual sense, is one of the powers joy. Toiling in uncongenial occu-acter, who are imbued with the of "a common judge in Israel;” and pations stifles happiness. All the spirit of wisdom and instruction, and whether the complete taking away varied talents of diversified human- who are familiar with common of Church membership involved in ity are intended for development, practical affairs. cutting off, should not rightfully and free but prudent exercise. Some To select these visiting officers vest in that Priesthood which alone day, every son and daughter of the and discipline them until they be- holds the power to confirm a person Most High will find the right place come efficient is incumbent upon a member of the Church by the for full expansion, usefulness and the Bishops, and while at first it laying on of hands and "the gift of enjoyment. Not till then will "that may seem to increase their labors, the Holy Ghost." which is perfect" come. To lead yet when they accomplish this But this is merely suggested as a up to it, to control circumstances desired end it will actually lessen matter for thought. No harm can and means to that end, belongs to them because each efficient visiting come from thinking, so long as no the power and offices of the Holy officer will do something that with-evil purpose lurks bebind the Priesthood, and, in present condi-out such a help the Bishop would thought, or evil desire is fostered by tions, particularly to the Bishopric and the helps and aids thereto in the offices of the Lesser Priesthood. If that power were exerted as it might be in Israel, there would be no silent workshops, or toolless artisans, or workless laborers in winter or summer. And changes would be gradually wrought in the classification of labor and through the encouragement given to talent in special directions, so that each active man and woman would gravitate to his or her own sphere, and find in it pleasure as well as profit. have to do in person. If there is a that reflection. There is far more Every member of the Church in an organized Ward is amenable to the Bishop thereof so far as the scope of his office extends. An Apostle pays tithes to the Bishop; if he has a difficulty with a brother, he may be admonished by the Bishop; if his In the work of looking after the conduct in the Ward requires intemporal things, the Priests, Teach-vestigation and a decision, the ers and Deacons, or those acting in Bishop's Court will act in his case; that capacity, are intended to be aids to the Bishops. Priests are ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood. The offices of Teacher and Deacon are appendages to that Priesthood. These should all be active assistants, in their several callings, in the temporalities over which the Bishops have jurisdiction. To train the Lesser Priesthood in the duties, powers and functions of their offices is a work devolving upon the Bishops. doubtful questions, or the analyzing of subjects supposed to be settled, providing the inquiry is conducted in a proper spirit. "The glory of God is intelligence," and a thorough understanding of our faith and of the duties, responsibilities, requirements and limitations of our callings, whatever they may be, is far more likely to bring power, force and influence for good than a careless acceptance of everything we hear, and an indolence of mind and spirit which worketh death. The Lesser Priesthood abideth forever with the Holy Priesthood, which is after the order of an endless life, and therefore its officers should be fully imbued with its spirit and thoroughly versed in its rights, privileges and bounds. if he does not perform family duties, quorums of the Melchisedek Priest-time "when the waters covered all hood will, no doubt, be relegated to the earth, as a punishment for the the Lesser Priesthood, where it be-wickedness of man. A few were longs, and thus give more time and spared. They lived in a wooden leisure and opportunity to those house; the sun interfered and caused presiding and regulating authorities the house to float upon the waters." to commune with the heavens, ap- In another the shadowy memento proach unto the Highest, receive is thus reflected: "A few men took the spiritual manifestations and refuge in the mountains, and were blessings for the Church which per- saved. When the waters began to tain to their sacred offices, and thus recede they let some dogs loose which bring the Church on earth nearer to came back wet. After a few days the Church of the Firstborn on they sent them out again and they high, and hasten the grand consum-came back covered with mud. This mation foreordained for "the fulness showed them that the waters had of times." retired." conveyed it to the box. After some But the keys of authority to over- These records were evidently desee the temporalities as well as spir-rived from the Mosaic records, pos- It is evident that the relic found itualities of the Church, will al- sessed by both the Jaredite and was a kind of amulet, or charm, ways remain with the Presidency of Lehite colonists. They could not called a phylactery, and in use the High Priesthood; while the have been, as some suppose, im- among the Jews, from the earliest actual manipulation of temporal ported by Christian ministers, even times. Certain strips of parchment things and the details of their man- of the earliest times; for the mis- inscribed with the passages quoted agement is with the Lesser sionaries declare that they them- above, and some others, were enPriesthood, at the head of which is selves received them from the closed in small cases, and fastened the Bishopric in a Ward, and the natives. Moreover, if these tradi- to the forehead and the left arm; Presiding Bishopric in the Church tional relics had been imported by also, in another form, to door posts, as a whole body. The Presidency modern teachers, they would not in accordance with Exodus xiii, of a Stake presides over all the offi- have differed so widely from the 9-16. This accounts for the loop at cers in the Stake as parts thereof. biblical account. each end, which was for fastening The Presidency of the High Priest- The Marquis De Nadaillac, in it to the place where it was worn. hood presides over all the officers in speaking upon this subject, observes, It is further evident that the Pittsthe Church, of every grade and "No dissemination of Christian field phylactery was of ancient calling, and the head of this quo- ideas since the conquest, is sufficient make, as those in use among the rum is a Prophet, Seer and Rev-to account for the myths among Pharisees in Christ's time were the native races of America, which condemned by Him; not the wearseem to have their root in the natu-ing, but the exaggerated form and ral tendencies of the human mind, size. "They make broad their in its evolution from a savage state." phylacteries." Matt. xxiii, 5. elator, having all the gifts of God which He bestows on the Head of the Church. Here is wisdom and light, and power and order and beauty, and by this means will the glory of God be made manifest both now and forever. C. W. P. UNWITTING WITNESSES. VIII. The native races of America are almost entirely without written records. And all we know of their Thus the "cloven foot" of godless The Book of Mormon says, page infidelity shows out from beneath 100: "Notwithstanding we believe the parti-colored vesture of scientific in Christ, we keep the law of verbiage. The plain, historical Moses." Again, page 162, "And chronicles of sacred writ, and which they (the Nephites) also took of even savages are wont to believe the firstlings of their flocks, that and perpetuate, are loftily referred they might offer sacrifices and burnt to as "myths, evolved from the offerings according to the law of crudities of a savage state." Moses." Joseph Merrick, Esq., a highly sayings and traditions has come respected gentleman of Pittsfield, through those who have learned their language, and have recorded what they have seen and heard among them. The monk, De Landa, received many interesting legends and traditions from them, and has written of them in reports of his missionary labors. There are traditions relating to the creation of the world, our first parents, and also of the deluge. In "Native Races," published by Bancroft, we read of the Peruvians saying: "In our day the earth disappeared; the loftiest mountains were covered for a whole spring." Vol. 3, page 69. Another account is given of a Peruvian tradition, handed down from the remotest antiquity, of a Now, here is proof that the religious beliefs and observances of Mass., gives the following corrobo- the Israelites in Jerusalem and the rating testimony that the Jewish Israelites in America were identiScriptures were known to the early cal; and in this view, the discovery settlers of America. Mr. Merrick of the Jewish phylactery is a very interesting and confirmatory witsays: ness of the authentic character of "That in 1815, he was leveling some ground, under an old wood- the Book of Mormon. It tends, shed, situated on Indian Hill. He also, to illuminate another spot in planed and cleared away the earth the dark regions of pre-historic times, to some depth; after the work was done, walking over the place he dis- by showing the motive which the covered, near where the earth had new settlers in America had for been dug the deepest, a black strap, abandoning their native country as it appeared, about six inches in and their forefathers. and about the thickness of a leather length, and one and a half in breadth, trace to a harness. He perceived it had at each end.a loop of some hard substance, probably for the purpose of carrying it. He conveyed it to his house and threw it into an old tool box. He afterwards found it thrown out at the door, and again The Jaredites were voluntary exiles for conscience' sake; while Lehi, like his illustrious ancestor, Abraham, left his country at the command of the Lord. Their respect for, and preservation of the biblical record, show that the emi grants were not in sympathy with long series of varied, strange and glory and honor to them; but, like the existing impiety of their un- tragical events. There are the un- all signs of lost greatness, these godly neighbors; and the inference mistakable marks of advanced civ-records become mementoes of disis that it was a religious animus—ilization, with the evidence of races grace and reproach to a retrograding that most powerful of all moral sunken into the slough of poverty, people. forces that actuated their remarkable exodus. ignorance and degradation; the This was exactly the case with visible traces and trails of nomadic the ancient American races. In At the time of the crucifixion, hordes, and the permanent memo- the days of their glory and rightwhen it is said that even Pagan rials of tranquil life. According to eousness they prized their treasures sages exclaimed, "Surely the God the Book of Mormon record, the of literary wealth; but in their deof nature suffers," the stupendous higher and nobler state of life of cline, they endeavored to stamp out convulsions of the earth, and the these primitive races, preceded the and obliterate every register of their tumultuous agitation of the ele-debased condition in which they former happy estate. Hence the ments, experienced in the imme- were found by Europeans. But it last vestiges of their history had to diate vicinity of the matchless has become fashionable to speak be put into an endurable shape and tragedy, were extended with aug-familiarly of the "primeval savage," buried in the earth, in order to mented energy of destruction, to in regard to the priority of the secure their preservation. the land of America. We made human races in general; and to say, reference to these fearful visitations that "civilization is a plant of slow in our last article. growth." But while examples favorable to the primeval savage, strike the eye of the superficial and biased reader of history, yet there are numerous and striking proofs of a reverse process. By this terrible burst of elemental There might be found, perhaps, strife the face of the country "be- cases where people have passed from came deformed." "The rocks were a low and barbarous state to that of rent in twain, and broken up upon powerful, intellectual and splendid "Herodotus tells us of the Geloni, the face of the land, insomuch that civilization. This is true, in a a Greek people who, having been they were found in broken frag-moderate degree, of the Greeks, as expelled from the cities on the ments, and in seams, and in cracks, described by Homer, and the same retired into the interior, and there northern coast of the Euxine, had upon the face of the land." III Ne-race as placed upon record by the lived in wooden huts, and spoke a phi, viii, 18. Nothing is more cer- historian, Zenophon. We see the language half Greek and half tain than that such terrible con- Romans, also, rise from the barbar-Sythian. By the time of Meia, vulsions and calamitous events ous robber life, which characterized should leave an ineffaceable im- them in the eighth century B. C., press upon the face of the land, such as the procession of the ages could not obliterate. The ghastly wreck should remain; and the gaping wounds and frightful scars made in the bosom of the earth, inflicted by such a scourge, would never heal over or close up. And we might reasonably listen for some faint destroyed. echoes of that mighty alarm, even after the lapse of eighteen centuries. to the zenith of splendor in the this people had become completely those slain by them in battle, as barbarous, and used the skins of coverings for themselves and their horses." George Rawlinson M. A., in "The Origin of Nations." and avaricious. Their ancient A most striking example of the decline of a great and highly civilized nation is exhibited in the history of the Israelites. Theologically considered, they reached a height There has been a gradual dwindling of the Spanish on the coast of North and South America since their brilliant ancestors invaded the country and conquered the natives. The modern population of Cairo The partial improvements which includes about 10,000 Copts, descendhave come to portions of the Arab ants of the ancient Egyptians, who hordes of India, and the present are represented as being very deNo country in the world bears ameliorating and softening proces- graded. They are very short and such deep and extended rents and ses going on in Turkey and Russia, diminutive in stature. Their charfractures, such signs of physical all throw their weight in favor of acter is in general gloomy, deceitful commotion as America does. No the assumed principle of gradual country in the world bears upon its development, or evolution of civilface such vestiges of active and ization. But it should be borne in vigorous life. Hundreds of miles mind that all these improvements of connected forts and ramparts, have been brought about through trenches and breastworks attest, the contact and agency of superior as President Harrison remarked, "a circumstances. condition of permanent military And further: How do we know of grandeur in the purity of their contests;" while earth mausoleums, that the barbarous state of any peo-morals, and the perfection of their numerous and large, with their ple is the primeval state of that government, which no nation has ghastly cavities arching over the people? One of the first branches ever equaled. And yet they bemoulding remnants of stupendous of art and science which suffers came broken up, and scattered; carnage, bear witness to the im- neglect, and the first to be lost in a portance and fierceness of the quar-declining nation, is that of literarels of which they are the evidence. ture. Savages keep no records; and These mighty events, like substan- one of the earliest developed frenzies tial structures, have cast their shadows behind them in the legendary "folk-lore," of their degenerate survivors. The unanimous opinion of explorers and antiquarians is, that the American continent is a stage upon which has been enacted a while the Jews, the remnants of that once mighty people, became debased to a condition of savage ferocity, lower than the brutes. of a lapsing race, is that vandal And, probably, their mixing with mania of hostility to the existence the civilized nations, is the only of chronologies, histories, and rec- reason why they have not become ords of every kind. The reason for as low and barbarous as their blood this vandalism is obvious; the annals relations, the American Indians. of a prosperous and happy people are Prof. Rawlinson observes: a treasury of delightful themes, of "Civilization is liable to decay, to wane, to deteriorate, to proceed of sweeping annihilation fell, but ding to their own declarations, havfrom bad to worse, and, in course of their great endowments and bless-ing got old enough to know better, time, to sink to so low a level, that ings were withdrawn. have renounced the faith of their the question occurs, Is it civilization any longer?" "The Origin of Then ensued a blank, a historical fathers, and now scoff at them for Nations," Humboldt Library, No. silence, lasting for centuries. And allowing themselves to be imposed 25, 1881, page 2. when the twilight lifts, the Eastern upon. These are the smart "Alicks" world is overrun with savage hordes who, I might say, "run the army." of unknown races; while the halfcivilized nations of Eastern Asia, loom out of the misty horizon like huge mountains, indistinctly dis When a recruit, who has not yet forgotten his God, makes any effort to kneel or pray, he is not only assailed with the vilest abuse for the Tradition is history in rags and tatters; and nearly every nation possesses traditionary scraps of a past history of perfection and prosperity. There is, undoubtedly, some ground for the opinion expressed by Raw-cerned through the foggy atmos- first offense, but, if he should prelinson: "Savagery and civilization, the two opposite poles in our social condition, are states between which men oscillate freely, passing from one to the other with almost equal ease, according to the external circumstances wherewith they are surrounded." Page 3. phere; huge dark bodies, indefinable J. H. KELSON. [To be continued.] sume to continue, with old shoes and anything of the kind that can be picked up. In view of the foregoing facts, and This is certainly a bad state of the reasoning deducible from them, affairs; but, everything considered, is it not plain that the reverse of the not so much to be wondered at, primeval savage theory is the truth? when it is remembered that, from And that the American races, be- the day of his affirmation in the reginning with a high state of culturecruiting office, the young soldier, in have "oscillated" between civiliza- nine cases out of every ten, never tion and barbarism, as the Book of hears the name of God uttered, save Mormon represents? as an oath or in blasphemy. There are, it is true, chaplains at a few posts; but what good are they? If anybody attends their services (and seldom more than two or three do so), they return to the barracks worse Christians than before. And why? The chaplain has either been ashamed or afraid to tell the truth, lest some might take offense; and, by not attending again, perhaps cause an investigation as to whether the office, being a sinecure, should not be abolished. RELIGION IN THE ARMY. It is a question well worth the consideration of Bible believers, whether the "confusion of tongues" at the Tower of Babel, did not inaugurate a general degeneration of the human race. The sacred records, the only history we have of these early times, informs us of a state of high culture and civilization, previous to that strange and The army of the United States, momentous event. Our first pa-recruited as it is from all nationalirents were not savages by any ties, affords splendid opportunities means. They and their immediate for witnessing the effects on men of descendants were acquainted with some of the noblest principles of social life. They are introduced to us as making clothing, giving names to the animals, and engaged in the peaceful and innocent pursuits of pastoral and agricultural life. They did not dwell in the wild woods, nor burrow in the earth, nor live in the clifts and caves in the rocks. the different religious beliefs; for it is a fact that in the army the sects of Christianity are more numerous than the nationalities. Then, again, the non-Christians, who are certain- It may, however, be interesting ly a majority, are as widely divided to note the reasons given by many in their opinions as the others. Even of these unbelievers, for the lack of the Jews, whose religion might be faith. Catholics say that if the thought too venerable for sectarian-sacrament is really the body of ism, carry their ancient scruples Christ, they never could be worthy Cain, even after the tragical ter- with them down to the present day. to partake of it, and if it is not, mination of a family quarrel, "build- Perhaps of all the strange phases then their religion is "a lie." There ed a city." As early as the days of of Christianity and non-Christian is another class, and they are cerAdam, the softening and highly sects in the army, the Catholics tainly the most reasonable; who intellectual art of instrumental furnish the most remarkable pe- hold that if there is a God who ever music, was known. Among the did inspire mankind, or reveal His instruments used were the harp and will to His creatures, those creatures the organ; Gen. iv: 21. And thus were never in more need of revelaearly the pastoral life was enlivened tion than at present; and they with the refining agency of melody. cannot see why a good, unchangeThe fearful penalty which visited able and Eternal God should at any the antedeluvians, was in retributime abandon His people. This tion for their falling from an exalted class are extensive readers, and will plane of civilization to that of a often quote such authors as Thomas most wicked and debased state. Paine and Hugh O. Pentecost in support of their ideas. culiarities. We have, for instance, German Catholics from Dr. Dollinger's diocese, who are as zealous in repeating their "Hail Mary" as is the most orthodox Irishman; but when these two meet, then comes the tug of war," for not even the Irish Orangeman is more ready to curse the Pope than is the German Dollinger. I have already reAfter the flood, which cleansed marked that a majority in the army the earth and purified society, there is non-Christian. The statement was a period of comparatively pure may, perhaps, be a surprise to some; times, a brief "golden age" in but it is nevertheless true, as I will which the tranquil pastoral and try to explain. I do not mean by agricultural pursuits were followed, non-Christian, exclusively Jews, and primitive society again flour- etc. - certainly not; while these ished under the benign rule of are included, they comprise only patriarchs and shepherd kings. But the smallest portion. I refer to I believe." then came another fatal lapse. persons who were brought up as "Does God, or did God ever comMen again abused their high priv- church members in some of the municate with any man except as ileges; and, this time, not the bolt Christian sects, but who, accord-He communicates with all men? Is There seems to be scattered all over the country, several societies for the propagation of Pentecost's views. These are distributed in pamphlet form every week in large numbers, and I give below, an extract from the latest, entitled "What |