Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-11-23

Astronomers learn something CONSTANT
" about the universe, Chemists ma
new elements and new combinations OF
elements. Archoologists add daily new
facts TO their store OF knowledge The
same may be said Of botanlsts, zoolo-
gists, lnguIsts, historians. Every
science is progressive. New facts are
brought to light everywhere modifying
old theories ana necessltatlng the for
nation Of new Theoogians alone
present themselves to modern world,
amid rapidly shifting scenes, IN an an
tlqualcd garb and seriously claim that
the science to which they are devoted
Is stereotyped, admitting no change, no
new facts, no progress
The claim Is preposterous, II Is con-
radloted by common sense II
preachers are ambassadors to men,
they should have n special mission,
particular message Otherwise, their
Office as ambassadors would be with
out meaning But a particular mes
sage, for instance to the American
people In this age, must OF
necessity be different from the mes
sage sent to the Hebrews at the
time Of Isaiah or Daniel Common sense
teaches that a mon who comes with no
other word from on High than that
given thousands Of years ago and with
no personal credentials cannot be
special messenger to this generation
What IS needed now Is nfauible guild
ance in The new conditions that con-
front the human fnmly.
or course there are general princ-
pies Of revealed religion that remain
through an ages and apply to an peo-
pies They do not change nor cen they
be ignored or set aside. II Is the
special truth fitted to existing clrcum-
stances the particular divine message
to each generation that are here con-
slderod, and that are evidently requisite
now as much as IN any former period
The history of the past clearly shows
that God, in all ages has given to
His children the now revelations need
led at each particular time, Why
should this age be an exception? Our
earliest ancestors were guided by d.
vine revelation first In the garden, and
then IN their new surroundings outside
their primitive habitation Enoch had
revelation to guide him in the perform
ance of his work upon earth Noah was
given q special message 20 his contem-
porarles Abraham, Moses, Samuel
the prophets, Ezra. John the Baptist
and the Apostles all had special mes
sages and were guided by new reyela-
lions in the delverance Of them to the
world Theology during that long
period Of time was progressive. New
facts we're brought To light all the
time. and new light was shed upon
facts already known,
II cannot be denied that there are
periods IN human history when the
light OF inspiration has shone but dim
~, or when It has been extnguishcd
altogether The cause Of this has al
ways been the rejection Of the divine
message delivered It Is an abnormal
condition, owing to enmity against God,
just as the cessation Of diplomatic re-
lations between nations Is the conae-
quence OF hostility and a refusal to
affect reconciliation. But that IS by
no means proof that revelation Is not
needed.
In the past II was clearly predicted
that revelation should be given to
men in the last days, in the form of
prophecies, dreams and Visions all
through the abundant outpouring of the
Spirit. There should also be wonders
In the heavens and In the earth before
the terrible day Of the Lord come"
(Joel 2; 2S-S2.) But modern theology
says this Is impossible, There Is moth
ing new to be revealed, The Scriptures
are complete. The heavens are for ever
sealed. God spoke in past times, to
speak no more.
This, we say, is the fatal mistake OF
modern preachers For while they hold
such views, they win close their ears
and hearts to the messengers Of heay-
en-. They viii refuse to examine their
credentials with a mind open to con
vlction They will induce their follow
ers to hate and prosecute Gods ser"
wants. They viii repeat history acting
to some extent the parts of Ahab and
Jezebel, Herod. Annas and caaphas'
PLATE and Nero. That is the terrible
consequence Of the denial Of the Scrip
ture doctrine concerning revelation and
inspiration.