The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-01-25

tested among his brethren, of speak
ing with different tongues, or in diff
ferent languages. He exhorted them
to follow after charity, and even to
desire spiritual gifts; but he did not
think that the acquisition of divers
languages was so useful as the gift
of prophecy. And though he desired
that they might become acquainted
with languages, yet he thought that
some other acquisitions were prefera-
BILE. There are many kinds of tongues
or voices in the world, and each had
it's own appropriate meaning; but it
was necessary for the apostles, in or
der to be understood, to address their
hearers in the language with which
they were acquainted.
The voices mentioned in the text
then, probably refer to the different
languages spoken in the apostles
day. But desire to make use of the
text in little different manner, and
vet manner which bears strong
and striking relationship to the living
languages of different nations. 1t IS
we'll known that both in ancient and
in modern times mankind have
sought to gain some knowledge OF
the future and of things uncertain.
by means of certain sounds, signs,
sights or impulses, which have been
received as intimations from heaven.
It will not be doubted by Christians
that the prophets and inspired writers
did receive such divine intimations
as enabled them to speak with truth
and certainty those things which they
were called upon to declare. And the
attempt which others have made,
without the same inspiration, to speak
I'M a similar manner, has led to the
promotion of false principles and pre-
cepts. The text, then, will lead me
to speak of these opposing Voices
true and false; and of the conflicting
principles which spring from them.
l. The narrow limits of human
knowledge, and the gloom and mys-
terry that hang about the future, have
always induced an irrepressible curl
osity, and a strong desire to gain
some divine knowledge with reference
to things unknown and obscure.
And not only has there been de-
sire, but necessity has, also, existed
for some divine communication, in
order to enlarge the mind and pro-
mote the happiness of men. In con-
sequence of this condition of the
world, God has seen fit at intervals
along the current of affairs, to send
messengers, authoritative and in
spired, to make known those impor-
tant principles necessary for man to
know. And the declarations of these
inspired messengers have been made
as the voice of God. In some instan-
ces-as in the case of young Samuel
the prophets protested to have
heard audibly the voice of God
uttering, and directing themselves to
publish the sentiments which they
presented. In other cases, some diff
ferent mode was mentioned, by which
the prophets professed to have re-
ceived unequivocal intimations of the
truths which they uttered.
During the existence of the taber-
nacle and the first temple, the Jews
professed to have another mode of
acquiring divine direction on different
points connected with their national
prosperity. This method was, through
the high-priest, to consult the Lord
in the visible Shekinah, which rested
over the mercy seat, between the
cherubim, in the sanctum sanctorum
of the temple or tabernacle. They
received answers, either audibly, or
else by means of the Urim and Thum-
min, worn by the priest, in a manner
now unknown. Whether this last
mode was really method by which
God made known his counsels and
his purposes to his chosen people, is
matter that may not now be made
subject of inquiry; nor indeed in
what manner the voice of God was
uttered so that his inspired messen-
gers were able to understand and
communicate the truth committed to
them.
But the utterance of true prophecy
connected with the natural curiosity
of men to pry into things beyond the
reach of unaided reason, has given
rise to false prophets and various i'm
posters, and led to the adoption of
other means for the discovery of
things unrevealed. Setting aside the
direct pretensions to divine wisdom
and the spirit of prophecy made by
impostors, there have been various
modes of fate, chance, lot or diyina-
tion, adopted for the purpose of as.