The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-11-11

Church man or number OF men irrespective o
their position N the priesthood-have rieht TO dis
guilty OF irregular attendance ct tho school OF tn
Prophets without unsuitable calse l should ont
have broken one OF Its rules the penalty OF which
at most. could not have exceeded oismeubershil
from the school.
In attempting TO discharge this duty desire to b
guided by tue inspiration OF Heaven. tlat my reader
may hare correct understanding OF my views ane
appreciate the nigh motive that now prompts me q
give them expression.
that VIII speak about principles and not persons
let there be In your mlnos clear line OF denarca
ton between them, tor while feel soemn,y impress
ed TO speak WIN the utmost freedom concerning
some principles that NAV reject unfayorably on the
Judgment OF the authorities, let 1t be remembered
that do not Impngn their motives. question then
Integrity attack them as men; but It certainty
my right to Judge Us TO the correctness OF the prnc
pies taught by all men, whetn they be inside the
pale OF the Church or not.
IL Is proper for me to state IN this connection that
possess only the kndest feelings towards my
brethren In the priesthood and to all mankind, ald
especially so towards President Young. with whom
none but the most friendly and intimate relations
first to this Territory; and Whatever erroneou,
opinions tank lie possesses, l regard them as il-
PROJECTIONS OF the Judgment OF great man.
instead OF enumeratlny the measures lately
adopted that my Judgment cannot endorse, Will AZ
once call attention TO the fundamental principle they
involve the soundness OF which. justilles or con
dennis them, refer to the doctrine OF uncondi
tonal obedience-impcit obedience OF one pOrtion
OF tae priesthood TO the edcts OF another portion or
II WAC may be called to I'LL the leading positions In
the Church. For 1t Is well known that, they claim
the prerogative OF abso utely debating tue people
a. to where they shall live and what they shall do
what they shall eat and what they shai drink, what
they shall accept true and what they shall reject
as false, and tis ASSUMPTION OF prtestly power goes
as far as to determine what we snail think In regard
to things temporal ~ we'll as things spiritual, as
much as with reference to where we shall purchase
goods to tne most cardinal points in our most
holy faith: in word. In regard to everything that
interests us here or hereafef-that pertains to time
now or time to come.
no ,t,aa lcd Inv itiCv,o md froof Tn
think. The bare statement Of such principle would
be sufficient to snow Its fallacy, It's dwarlng lnfu-
ence on the intellect, Its fearful and dangerous ten
dency.
Yet this doctrine is asserted and enforced, and
these wno dare question lis divinity do SO at Inc
imminent risk oil their standing In the Church. In
losing which they become bansbed from sOcl2l
CIRCLES, positions OF puDc trust ana honor, and to
some extent from business patronage. Neither does
the mischief end here, for In nearly all such cases
the verdict against the parties cut or is that they
are grossly immoral. and therefore. have got into
spiritual darkness and allowed the 0evl to lead
them az his Will no mater how long their standing
in tue Church, how much they may have done Tor
the advancement OF It's cause or how rIeproachabie
their lives.
Inasmuch, then, as such vital interests are in
volyed Ia tbs principle II Will NOT bA wondered at
that should saye realized how important it was to
arrive at correct conclusion in regard TO IT; for
strong the force OF first impressions; with such
tenacity do early trainings-especally religious
Ones-cllng TO the mild mat, although my reason
always taught me mat the doctrine OF uncond
tlona obedience was 1ase yet, until within the last
rev years, uld NOT care 10 WnOiy lnat req
son, for was taught That "the wisdom OF man IS
foolishness with God,n and that there was safety
only in following the Dictates of the servants OF tue
Almighty whether could see their utility or not
Moreover, OF late years have been more or less
Interested financially in some OF the enterprises Of
the Church, and thought IL probable migat be re-
absolutely necessary that should have my faith in
diligently based. my principles clearly defined, and
settle ihS question Of obedience 10 an lnfallible
priesthood forever.
looked above and sought for light from IT'S great
fountain, and the light came and with 1t u direct
testimony that Joseph smith was q prophet seer
and reyelator, ana fulfilled a divine mission. and
Brigham Young became President OF tha Church by
the viii OF the people and the approval OF Heaven
But did it follow necessity ali his schemes were
fraugnt with heavenly wsdom or that Obedience to
them must be rendered under pain OF excommuni-
cation; that his voice was the voice OF God to the
people Ia all things and that there was no access to
the illimtiabe fountain OF truth but through him
mony that the light within the soul. however FAINT 1t
might be, was Givlne spark that could only have
been Rlnd!ed by Its Creator ana It's God, and tna 1t
the privilege OF ali so 10 live as TO possess sum
Client OF It's brightness TO guide them IN the true
path; aud that while, on tue one hand, 0be-
dlence to the counses OF the servants OF Gpd free
acceptance OF their doctrines ard whole-souied
response 10 Their acquisitions, are sound proposi.
tons ann essentially conducive to the good or the
community, yet on the other hand. should such
couses, doctrines or reluistions come In conflict
with what by history experience, revelation or rea-
son we KNOW to be right-when conscience tells us
they are wrong. then response to them Is doatry,
anu those who render 1t violate the noDest Instincts
OF tner natures, and obediehce to men under such
circumstances irrespective OF their priesthood, be-
comes dsobedience to God.
But is urged by some that such liberty Of con-
science should only be exercised by advanced minds;
that it Is only natures enriched by the influences OF
continued virtue that can enjoy this freedom with.
out abusing 10; that people Ia low state or progress
regiousy well politically, have to governed
by authority anu like cnildren bs required to conform
to rigid discipline. The force OF this objection am
free admit and, 40 far % the principle 1t involves
nas application to us az people, let it be carried
out: but IL wit not BY any means apply to the whole
community. For know by personal experience
That there are thousands among uS whom tile truth
has made free and WHO see In the Gospel of Jesus.
"a perfect law OF liberty" not liberty to do wrong,
but who In the consciousness OF their integrity,
purity OF purpose and love OF humanity, dare to
think for themselves IN regard to all principles,
whether they emanate from tue priesthood or not.
To all slch the severe regime to which we are sub
jected Is terribly oppressive; their condition de.
mands more liberal one, their souls are faint for
spiritual food and they thirst for the waters of that
unfaiiing fountain that was opened up by the meek
and lowly Jesus.
TO such believe that all the measures instituted
by the President are fraugnt with divine wisdom I
VIII say tnat many OF them have resulted In failures
too well known TO need enumeratng. / Will, how
ever, mention the building OF warehouse on the
has never realized any income, and is now next to
worthless. l give this NJ my opinion, but am aware
ta the President disagrees with me, for he said at
the Gtgh Council mat the Colorado warehouse
would yet be q success and that no would yet puy
out the stockholders. Now, to prove ray sincerity
In this statement, will thank the President or any
one else To give me twenty-five cents on the dollar
on the amount have Invested OVERWHELMINGLY,
3d. 00
The Utah Produce Company, for the purpose OF
shipping -four and home products TO Montana
was originated end controlled DJ the Pres.
dent anu cost the stockholders, OF whom ! was
ono to the amount OF $1,000, not only all
the money they invested In stock but half as much
more besides. I wish IL distinctly understood that
these failures do not necessarily prove President
Young TO be a bad fnancier, but simply that his
Judgment, beng human, is liable TO err like that Of
other men. and that III such matters at least he Ia
not Inlaloe. But the defenders OF the belief that
"tne Pope can do no wrOng' tell us we are incom-
petent to Judge in such matters even II they do re-
suit In apparent failure; for, say they, Lord may
design to try the people by such means and 1t is i'm
possible to tell what hidden motive or purpose ex
listed In HIS mind in regard to them. mis- Is very
true and the logic ia irresistible when based on the
assumption, In the FIRST place. that oil such mea-
sures whether according to human judgment they
successful or not, are nevertheless inspired By
God. But how can we accept any such assump-
tion when Dy 90 doing we ignore the light
OF reason and have no further use for the
faculties with which we are endowed by the Great
Creator? Ii 1t not wiser and safer 10 judge tree
by Its fruts and the wisdom OF enterprises and poll
ces by their manifest results,