Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1896-12-05

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change, habits change, but the great
Master note that there was little change
in one thing:
"The poor you have always with you.
said He TO His disciples, when, TO their
indignation, the loving woman presumed
from her box Of alabaster to pour the
precious ointment upon His devoted
head as they sat at meat"
There was no intimation then,as there
is none now, that this condition will be
readily changed. That such was the
case under "Enoch, the seventh from
ADAM" the records assert, for OF the
Zion which he was privileged to estab'
lish, it was triumphantly said, There
was no poor in all her borders" In the
Christian dispensation, by a eircu'
itous route, the necessities Of the poor
were overcome probably as they were
overcome in this later dispensation when
opposition and persecution led to a
brotherly unity, OF claim or possession
which was but temporary.
The return OF the Enochian style OF
Zion is still the subject OF prophecy, and
belongs TO the future; and probably part
Of the education OF the later people-the
Latter.day Zion, will depend upon the
presence OF the original Zion, which it
was promised should come again to
earth, Meanwhile, and until that day
dawns, "the poor are with u.s." and 1t is
not sufficient that they have had the
Gospel preached to them" any more
than il was ancienlly. There are forms
OF necessity today, similar perchance to
those Of ancient days. There are con-
ditions which are dissimilar, aud these
have 10 be met by those whose brother
hood is undoubted, rs they alone can
exhibit from a lofty standpoint that
genius OF the Gospel which makes itself
felt in susceptible and obedient human
hearts.
There has been ample provision made,
or might be expected, in this crownipg
spensation, for all emergencies Tor
any situation; yet in this dispeDsation
the Saints have not been called upon as
yet, because OF the multitude that be-
lieved," nor have they been called unon
perhaps to so manifest their unseflsh-
ness and love, or are they so far OF zone
heart and one SOUL" as universally or
by silence to admit as the early Chris
tians did, neither said any OF them that
aught OF the things which they possess
ed were their own; but they had all
things common; neither was there any
among them that lacked; Tor as many as
were possessors OF land or houses sold
them, and brought the price OF the
things that were sold and laid them
down at the Apostles, feet, and distriou-
ton was made unto every man accord
ing as he had need" Acts 4;73.
II would be difficult in these days to
inaugurate SO marvellous phenomenon.
That day oil opposition and persecution
compelled the disciples to stand by each
other, to encourage and sustain each
other, until somewhat OF repetition oil
tle methods OF Enoch were hall shadow
cd Indeed the liberality OF the be.
levers became SO great that the Apostles
were unable to attend 10 the duties OF
their special calling. for ''as the disci-
pies multiplied, the brethren looked out
seven men Of honest report, iull oil the
Holy Ghost and wisdom, to be appoint.
ed over that business, that the Apostles
might give themselves to prayer and to
the ministry Of the word" Acts 6:iS.
Ht toNC ANU PidNb1di w
exhibited by the early Church excited
not only the attention Of opponents, but
OF the Pagan world also; and for over
two hundred years the poor we're look
ed after, with the same srdor as in the
time Of the Apostles, and they in their
writings and practice simply echoed the
I achings OF their exalted leader. "a
new commandment" said He, 81 give
unto you, that you should love one
another; as have loved you, so love
you one another" and again He says,
this is my commandment that you love
one another" and an Apostle in pursuit
oi this doctrine urged the example oil
their great Master, by saying, Though
He was rich, yet for our sakes He became
poor, that we through his poverty might
be made rich." That this became an
established test OF true discipleship, is
evident from the query in the following
passage, Hereby perceive we the love
OF Christ, because He laid down His lie
tor us, and we ought to lay down our
lives Tor thefbrethren. But whose hath
this worlds goods, and seeth his brother
have need, and shu,ieth up his bowels
OF compassion from him, how dwelleih
the love OF God in him1"
In these days of inherited and advised
individuality and selhshness, all this is
in great part overlooked; but the Church
OF Jesus Christ hath from its inception
in this age-this preparatory and sugges
tive era-been reminded Of this perennial
obligation TO the poor. Revelation has
pointed out the responsibility, the
method and the blessing which is at.
gscbed thereto. Fast offerings, aims
giving, charity, have been enjoined up.
on the people as in ancient times, and
Church history has received willing.
ness amounting to sacrifice in the great
est emergencies OF their experience.
II seemed fitting and most easy when
the Church was small, and mos,
OF its members u rural pursuits, that
iastlday should be in the middle OF the
week. Since its enlargement, since the
overthrow OF its isolation. and the en-
gagement OF its members in numerous
branches OF business and employment;
all interfering with the original method.
it has seemed good 10 the authorities TO
make the first sabbath OF the month.
the day OF tasting and prayer, coupling
herewith the remembrance OF the poor.
Thousands will hail this change with
delight, Tor OF all meetings il is recog-
nized that the monthly fast DAYS have
furnished the richest and the best -yet
large numbers were deprived OF this
privilege, and brethren in places where
.aRaa.ta ta.V y.