Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1890-04-14
SUNDAY SERVICES.
Elder Vim. Spry and Apostle A. II.
Cannon at the Tabernacle.

Religious services were held al
the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Sun.
lay, April 18th, 1890, commencing
at . p. M, Counselor Charles w.
Penrose presiding.
The choir and congregation sang
the hymn commencing:
Redeemer OF Israel, OR oply delight,
On whom for blessing we call.
Prayer by Elder John Morgan.
The choir sang:
How dark and gloomy was the night
When satan did HE powers array.
The Priesthood Of the Seventeenth
Ward OBLIGATED in the administra-
ton Of the Sacrament.
ELDER WILLIAM sPRY
was called to address the congrega-
ton. He said it was pleasure to
him TO again have the privilege OF
meeting with the Saints. 1t l. the
desire OF my heart that the Spirit OF
the Lord will rest upon me, for l
know that | cannot speak TO your
edificati0n unless | am guided by
that Spirit. | realize that that Spirit
is ia the midst Of the Saints, and
rejoice in meeting with yOu-s priv.
ilege | 10 not have very often. for
my calling takes me from among
you. But know 1 receive strength
frGyn assembling with the Saints.
We are often denomiDated 8
peculiar people. We are " illing 10
admit that we are different from the
world generally in our religious
faitb-we believe the words of the
Lord Jesus that If we love Him we
will keep His commandments. We
are willing % prove to the world
that we love Him, by keeping. ~
far as we have strength, the laws
he has revealed. We understand
there is n straight and narrow path
in which we should walk for right
eousne& but we also Understand
that God gives us strength TO walk
therein. Ny associations with the
world have taught me that they do
not view the Gospel as we de- and
they speak all manner of evil
against US falsely. Jesus said eli
We were Of the world, the world
would love his own, but inasmuch
As We are not Of the world, the
world hate you" The Saints
are scOrned by those who hold in
derision the commandments Of the
Lord Jesus. The Lstter-day Saints
believe the word Of God, and are
willing to abide by the results OF
obedience to IL. They believe that
communication should exist be-
tween heaven aud earth, through
certain channels. The fact that this
communication Is not believed in by
the world generally, does not shake
the faith of the Saints, for they
know whence they received their
testimony of the truth. The time
will come when the Saints will be
known for what they ara people
who endeavOr to serve God, and are
neing made &c suffer for righteous
ness sake.
The Almighty has promised that
there will be n change from the
present condition, and the Saints
have an implicit confidence in His
word. There may be some princi-
pies which We believe in that the
world reject. But our belief
is in the principles set forth
in the Bible - the book upon
which protested Christian denomi-
nations base their faith. We also
believe in revelation, and in the
word Of Col contained in other rec
0rds than the Bible. We understand
that the Gospel is TO the world; that
Il is for every nation, kindred,
tongue and people. We hold no
monopoly on the blessings Of the
Lord, but they are free TO all who
will obey His will. We have been
made partakers of heavenly gifts.
and are willing that all others should
partake Of the same. Therefore we
are extending the Gospel to them, in
harmony with the saying Of the
Lord, "Freely We have received,
freely give" The Gospel is TO every
one who viii accept OF it. The Lord
is no resPecter Of persons, and offers
the plan OF salvation to all people.
To every person is given his free
agency, to choose the path he Will
pursue. II is left with men to saw
whether they will follow the paths
II righteousness or not. There
IL no compulsion in the Gospel OF
Christ. | must alone take the re-
SpOnsibility Of my own actions.
Every one will will be rewarded ac-
c1riing TO his merits. We respect
the world in their rights, and We
only ssk that our rights be respected
by them. They can accept or reject
the Gospel, as they see fit; but they
should not forget that the Elders
Who proclaim the word of God to
them have been sent out by author
ity Of the Lord of the earth, and
those who reject their testimony
will have to meet 1t at the judgment
bar of God.
The Elders are warning the
world to repent, and 10 turn unto
God; they are warning mankind of
impending judgments. They are
held responsible for the faithful
OF their duty, and If they
perform their labor properly,
their garments are free from
The blood Of this generation.