The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1873-07-31

IS many as were possessers OF lands or
houses sold them and brought the price
OF the things that were sold, and laid
them 1t the Apostles feet, and distri-
, outlon was made unto every man 90.
oo1dlng as be had need. Having ssld
It brought the money and laid it At
the Apostles feet. Chapter '. shows
the Danger Of hypocrisy in these things,
as in the case Of 7Ananias and wife.
Thus the ancient saints and Apostles,
as we'll as the Saviour through all His
ministry, set forth principle of equal.
ity in temporal things. This you can
ind by a careful examination of tho
Scriptures upon this subject.
But to return to the old church.
Through all their changes We find a
gradual falling away from the strict
laws and commands of God, but they
did not break the laws of the land to
any extent until after they had settled
10 Nauvoo, Hancock county, Illinois.
Having many times suffered upjustly at
the hands Of their enemies, some gave
way to a spirit Of retaliation, breaking
both the laws Of the land aud the laws
OF God. Although Joseph Smith and
others did all in their power to cause a
reform, yet it was oil to no purpose with
the transgresssors. 10 this instance
the people at large had some just cause
Of complaint, which has caused much
more prejudice to exist than otherwise
would have existed. In consequence
of these and other evils the church
finally became rejected people as a
body but not as individuals, because all
those who had kept the law were not
rejected, but maintained the right to
continue it organization even until the
present. We hold no fellowship with
the old church nor other factions of it,
althoug h it has been reported that We
practice polygamy secretly in what arc
called our quorum meetings. This is
base SANDER on this people. There
is not one word of truth in it. Would
it look reasonable that people or in.
dividuals who had left the old church
because of their evil practices should
indulge in the same wrong doings !?
Our meeting house has two apartments,
an upper and lower story. The latter
ls for preaching exhortation, singing,
praying. councils, etc., while tho up
per room is more particularly for hold
ing our solemn assemblies and secret
prayers in conformity to the sixth
chapter of Mathew, which please read.
We are not responsible for what other
churches have done or may do hereaf.
ter. We stand alone, yet with open
hearts, open doors and open books,
ready for an investigation Of any Of our
religious views or exercises, not how
ever for debate, but for intsrohangiua
ideas in order to gain light.
I have only given bare synopsis Of
the matters above referred to, merely
noticing some of the principles of oul
faith upon the order of equality, the
doctrines Of Christ and Apostles. Album.
dant proof might be educed had
space. But it is sufficient to know
that in every nation they that fear God
and work righteousness are all accept
cd Of Him. am aware that the princi
pies We set forth are not very enticine
to the natural mind, but to the mind
of the spiritual beholder are compare
lively easy, and We feel perfect resig
nation to the will of God in all things
| If we take the ancient worthies Is ex
amples OF the Christian warfare, pa
tient and suffering, sacrificing all th
| ly things in order to gain their eterna
salvation, can we expect it on mucl
easier terms2
"shall We bs. carried to the skies,
On fowery beds Of ease,
While others aght to win the prize.
T. And sail through bloody seas I"
| Lest intrude upon the columns o
The JOURNAL, I will now close, sub
mitting the above to the perusa1 of on,
friends and neighbors, hoping they viii
candidly weigh all matters and appl
the Gospel rule, then judge and tell u
whether principle Of equality woul'
be just or unjust among any church Q
people protesting to be Christ's church