Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-08-03

Jesus" But the scriptures 10 which
both Jesus and Paul referred wer'
the writings Of the Old Testament
No other scriptures were then written
The Pharlsees might think that In then
they had eternal life but II so they
were mistaken, because that comes only
by and through Jesus Christ the Re-
deemer Those old scriptures testified
Of Him, and were valuable among other
things on that account. They were
able to make Timothy wise unto saliva
ton. but that salvation was to come
through faith in Christ Jesus. The
books alone were not sufficient.
The Christian Church established by
the Saviour and His apostles was not
governed by book. There was no
Bible then, In the form in which we
have It now There was no volume OF
the New Testament The Bible in It's
present form was not compiled until
hundreds Of years after Christ's death.
The Church was governed instructed
and directed By the apostles, prophets,
evangelsts, pastors teachers, bishops
deacons. etc, who were appointed to
feed the flock OF Christ with the living
word Of GOD. The spirit by which the
inspired scriptures we're written was In
those ministers and their words when
under it's influence were Of the same
Importance and authority, at least as
that OF the written word OF past times.
That spirit was enjoyed by the menu
bers OF the church as well as by the
ministry. and bore witness 10 the truth
of the teachings impaired by authority
The Church Of God was never de-
pendent upon book Tor It's guide. Men
holding divine authority imported 10 1t
the word Of the Lord for their direc-
ton. A book cannot explain Its own
language. A book cannot administer
an ordinance or perform any ceremony
A book cannot baptize, nor impart the
Holy Ghost, which was given OF old by
the laying on Of the hands Of men d.
ylnely authorized. A book cannot give
the gifts Of the Holy Spirit, nor tell
what is to be done under the new cir
cumstances which continually arise as
time goes on. Dependence upon the
dead letter brings strife, disputation,
confusion and division, These are seen
throughout Christendom as oonse-
quences OF such dependence.
Nor Is church which recognizes a
ministry claiming divine authority and
yet having no divine revelation or In
spiratlon, IN much better condition
than churches that place their sole de-
pendence upon collection of books
given to people many centuries ago.
The scriptures make very clear to an
enlightened mind that II was the Spirit
which was had by holy men OF old,
that made their writings Of value to
the people among whom they minis
tered. They wrote az they were moved
upon by the Holy Ghost They spoke
under the same inspiration. Nothing
con supply their place on earth but men
similarly authorized and inspired. I'M
Ill the world is willing to receive pres
ent revelation and present direction
from God through chosen persons hold
Ing equal power. priesthood and au-
thority TO that held by the living
guides to His people in past ages, they
will be tossed to and fro and carried
about with every wind Of doctrine.
They win be led by the cunning craft
ness OF men, whereby they lie and wait
to deceive" They will be as blind
men led by the blind. and the ditch
Of confusion win receive them all,
We have no word to say IN the very
smallest degree Of depreciation of the
Bible. II is glorious volume, precious
and admirable. Its Influence In the
world has been for the benefit OF hui
mainly It should be In every home, It's
precopts are elevating and practical
and It's influence leads 70 the Giyine.
But It's place IN the government OF God
is mistaken by millions OF It's professed
believers. They attribute to II that
which II does not claim for itself But
IL does show. clearly, that God Is un-
changeable. that He Is ready to hear
the prayers OF His chlldren,and that lie
viii respond and make Himself mani
fest as readily now as az any time since
the world began. He has re-opened
communication with the earth. COM
menced new dispensation OF mercy
and light and love and all who viii,
may come unto Him, learn his ways,
walk in his path, and receive that
spirit which proceeds from Christ and
Is the life and light Of the world. 1t Is
above aud beyond all written books.
IT Is the Holy Ghost, the Comforter,
and II guides into the truth.
A NEW DECLARATION OF RIGHTS