A MARVELOUS WORK AND A WONDER THE GOSPEL RESTORED THIRD EDITION. 23rd THOUSAND BY DANIEL MACGREGOR AN ELDER OF THE REORGANIZED CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS 1917 For sale by Herald Publishing House, Lamoni, Iowa DANIEL MACGREGOR CONTENTS Just a Reminder 5 The Kingdom of God 7 1. Set Up by Christ. A Real Organization 7 2. The Only Place of Safety .-. 9 3. How to Enter the Kingdom 9 4. Mode of Baptism 11 5. Laying on of Hands 13 6. The Officers of the Kingdom 17 7. Blessings of the Kingdom 19 A. Revelation from God 19 B. Continuation of Revelation 19 C. Revelation a Fruit of the Spirit 20 D. Revelation Will Come 20 E. Spiritual Gifts 21 F. Not to be Done Away , 22 G. Signs to Follow the Believer 22 The Apostasy and Overthrow of the Christian Church 24 The Ruling .Force Which Triumphed Over the Church During the Days of Apostasy 33 1. The Man of Sin , 33 2. The Little Horn 35 3. The Wild Beast of Revelation 13 40 The Apostasy to Prevail for 1,260 Years 42 When Did the 1,260 Years of Apostasy Commence 45 The Overthrow of the Roman Empire and its Subdivision into Ten Kingdoms. Deliverance of the Saints into the Hands of the Papal Power '. 50 Standardized System of Prophetic Measurement Demonstrated in the Solution of the Seventy Years 56 The 1,260 Years Problem Solved 61 Revelation 17. A Brief Exposition 65 Ancient and Modern Babylon 75 The 2,300 Days 77 The Period of Seven Times 85 Era of the Beginning of the House .of Israel 90 The Kingdom of Heaven Restored 94 The Reformation 101 1: Did it Effect the Restoration? ...101 2. The Reformation Could Not Have Effected the Resto- ration .....102 3. The Reformation Did Not Effect the Restoration 103 4. Rome and the Reformation Without Authority 107 5. The Reformation Admittedly Premature. The Pro- phetic Periods Unexpired ...110 4 A MARVELOUS WORK AND A WONDER The Restoration Ill 1. To be Restored in Latter Days 113 2. To be Restored a Very Little While Before the Return of Fertility to Palestine 114 3. Manner of Effecting the Restoration .115 4. Angel Ministration 117 The Restoration Accomplished 121 1. Joseph Smith Visited by an Angel September 21, 1823. A Vision of the -Plates Containing the Fullness of the Gospel 121 2. Discovery of the Plates. Is Instructed Concerning the Kingdom of God 123 3. Receives the Plates. Translates and Returns Them ....123 .4. The Priesthood Conferred. The Gospel Made Clear ....124 5. The Ordination of Joseph Smith 125 6. A Sign of the Restoration. What Is It? 132 7. The Book of Mormon. What Is It? .....134 8. The Book of Mormon Suitable as a Sign 135 9. The Time of its Coming _-. 137 10. The Nature of the Book ....141 11. A Record of the House of Joseph 141 12. Joseph Entitled to a Record 143 13. Judah and Joseph Separated. Two Books Required ....145 14. Descendants of Joseph Located in America ...146 15. How to be Brought Forth 151 16. Recapitulation 151 17. Witnesses Testify ..152 18. Evidence of Archaeology ....156 19. Literary and Moral Features 158 20. Internal Evidence 159 21. The Use and Purpose of the Book of Mormon ..161 22. The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints versus Mormons 162 Authors Referred To . ...166 JUST A REMINDER Prefaces, as a rule, are not read, and we do not intend to bore the reader with any extended matter. We may be permitted, however, to observe that to reach a correct conclusion concerning any doctrine or denomination, it is but fair that we reserve our verdict until it is heard in its own behalf. Rendering a decision previous to this would result in deprivation to self of the information sought, and do injustice to the subject considered. We are aware that time is valuable and that the essential prob- lems of life, obligating our attention, make it necessary that what- ever time there be to spare should be devoted to the most important questions. It is that which we offer. We come to you with a message from God. The Almighty has spoken. He has brought forth that which will not only enlighten but bless in every conceivable way. The message we bear is the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the old Jerusalem gospel restored. In this investigation we trust that no unfair influences, gathered from the maelstrom of popular opinion, will affect the investigator; for, as a matter of fact, popular opinion has always been arrayed against the message and ministry of the Master. By its decree an Elijah was driven from the society of men to the haunts of the wildwood ; Jeremiah was thrust into a miry pit, and Isaiah was sawn asunder; Peter was imprisoned, while Paul was persecuted wherever he preached ; and the history of all entertain- ing that message may be summarized in the pathetic saying of the apostle : "And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourging, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment : they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, af- flicted, tormented." Hebrews 11 : 36, 37. Indeed, the very Author of that message was despised and re- jected of men. The lash of slander and the rod of persecution fell upon him the very moment he undertook to correct the popular religious errors. And shall we, the professed followers of Him who hath said, "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake," marvel if his work be misrepresented and his servants abused ? The world, in fact, was always miserably astray when passing upon the merits of divine truth, for "which one of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted," said Stephen, himself a martyr for the truth. They were not persecuted for any misdemeanor. No! but 6 A MARVELOUS WORK AND A WONDER because of the message they brought pointing out the errors exist- ing, and directing to a higher and purer plane. With such con- tempt did our Lord hold the opinion of the public that he did not hesitate to proclaim "woe unto you when all men speak well of you." The court of public opinion is as fickle as it is faulty. One day it worshipped Paul in the language of the Lycaonians, "The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men." (Acts 14: 11.) The next, it beat him into insensibility with stones, leaving him for dead upon the ground. At one time "all bare him (Christ) witness and wondered at the gracious words that proceeded out of his mouth," and scarcely had the echoes of his exhortation died away when they "rose up and thrust him out of the city and led him to the brow of the hill that they might cast him down headlong." But truth was just as true when multitudes cried out, "Away with this man and release unto us Barabbas," as it was when thousands were ready to take him by force and make him king. Freed, then, from these entangling influences, we do not hesi- tate to commit our case to the honest inquirer, knowing that the more searching the inquiry, the more confirmed will he be in the conclusion that it is the Lord's work, the fullness of the gospel re- stored. THE KINGDOM OF GOD 1. SET UP BY CHRIST. A REAL ORGANIZATION A long time ago a certain Prince of truly royal blood, viewing the calamities which had visited the people who ought to have been his subjects, came down and visited among them. For four thousand years those unfortunate people had been contending among themselves over the same old question that has bothered from the times of the beginning Who shall be greatest? Multitudes had passed away in the shambles of many wars. Each nation as it mounted the stage of existence seemed to have had a chosen calling, that of exterminating the others. All this happened because the people were badly governed. They were led by ambitious and unscrupulous kings, who sought only to enlarge their domains at the expense of others. The Great King having granted a certain freedom of agency to all whom he had created in his own image, did not interfere with the governments of men. He extended every opportunity of try- ing out the various systems man had designed and desired. But it was all to no avail. The governments and kingdoms of this world were going from bad to worse. They could not control the people. Neither did they work for the interest of the people. They thought to rule by measures harsh and unbearable, and the people rebelling, only created for themselves more trouble. At last, after many years of patient forbearance, the Great King sent among the people his Son, his only Son, a Prince of royal standing. This Prince visited among the people, conferring rare treas- ures of heavenly origin. He healed their sick, raised their dead, and told them that a better system of government was at hand. "From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matthew 4: 17.) The peculiar merits of this kingdom are revealed in the fact that it was devised by the wisest of kings, by One who, having created all earthborn mortals, knew of their weaknesses and needs. It was a theocracy, a government of God through the people and for the people, and as such there would never be any danger of that kingdom going to war for the sake of extending its domains. Its citizens would be spared and protected. Not only did this kingdom deliver from the evils of the present, but from the evils to come. Indeed it was the only government of God ever devised for the welfare of his people. All other gov- ernments were but temporary makeshifts, gotten up by ^uninspired man, and were largely the product of arrogance or selfish ambition. Now this kingdom which Christ the Prince sought to establish was a real kingdom, as much so as any other. 8 A MARVELOUS WORK AND A WONDER It partook of material form. It had a real ruler in the person of the Lord Jesus. It had real subjects even all those who cared to become citizens by submitting to the rites of initiation. It had a real code of laws known as the gospel of Jesus Christ. And it had real officers to proclaim and execute those laws, even the ministry of the Lord Jesus. The following texts will certify as to the reality of the organi- zation our Savior established. I will build my church. Matthew 16 : 18. Ye are the temple of God. 1 Corinthians 3 : 9. In whom all the building, fitly framed together, groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are builded together. Ephesians 2:21, 22. Him [Christ] to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body. Ephesians 1 : 22, 23. Now ye are the body pf Christ and members in particular. 1 Corinthians 12: 27. From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted. Ephe- sians 4: 16. In the foregoing it is noted that the kingdom as proclaimed by Jesus Christ is known by several names, the most common of which is, the church, which, as Webster says, is "The collective body of Christians." The church of Jesus Christ, or collective body of Christians, is indeed the kingdom of God or kingdom of heaven, as the foot- note texts will signify. 1 There are some who entertain the error that the kingdom of God is a kind of a vaporous institution, independent of any tangible organization. The kingdom, they say, exists only in the heart. This they think is supported by the following: 'The kingdom of God is within you/' (Luke 17: 21.) A very casual reading of the context, however, reveals the fact that our Lord was addressing a race of proud patriots who were living in daily anticipation of the setting up of the throne of David, with his seed reigning thereon for ever and over all. Questioned by these people as to when this kingdom should appear, Jesus in- formed them that it was even then in existence, within the borders of Jewish domains, "within you." This interpretation is borne out in the marginal reading where it says "or among you." It will not do to argue that "within you" should be narrowed down to the limited compass of the heart, else that would be charg- ing those Jewish Pharisees with a possession of a celestial treasure which their life and conduct did not merit nor disclose. But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. Matthew 23 : 13. 'Matthew 13:41, 47, 48; 25:1, 2; Luke 17:20, 21; Matthew 12:28; 21: 43; 23: 13; Luke 16: 16; 10: 9-11; Matthew 13: 24-30; Mark 1: 15. THE GOSPEL RESTORED 9 2. THE ONLY PLACE OF SAFETY The importance and necessity of the kingdom of God cannot be questioned. It was not only designed as a protection against the evils of this world but as a place of salvation for the world to come. Its mission was twofold to save here and hereafter. Consequently, it is only they who will suffer themselves to be gathered into the gospel net or church who have any promise of salvation, for "the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." (Acts 2: 47; Matthew 13: 47-49.) He delegated unto the church the power to manifest those forces that would make for the salvation of its subjects both as to time and eternity. To her was given "the gospel of the kingdom," which, as Paul tells us, is "the power of God unto salvation/' 2 also the min- istry of reconciliation," 3 who only had the power to dispense the gospel of salvation unto mankind. Paul makes this clear wherein he said, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard ? and how shall they hear without a preacher ? and how shall they preach except they be sent?" (Romans 10: 13-15.) It was to the church, and for the church, that Christ gave him- self. "Christ also loved the church and gave himself for it," for he is "the head of the church and he is the Savior of the body." (Ephesians 5: 25, 23.) Hence, if any would avail themselves of the atoning power of the Lord Jesus they must become identified with the body of Christ, which is his church, for he is the head of no other concern. 4 3. HOW TO ENTER THE KINGDOM Of all questions this is the most important. Inside the king- dom there is safety, outside there is danger. Our Lord shows us both by precept and example how to enter and what the door is. Unto Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, who came to Jesus by night, our Savior said, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." (John 3: 5.) This is invariably understood as the baptism of water and the Spirit. This is shown in the fact that when any desired to enter the church the ordinance of baptism was administered. On the day of Pentecost a great multitude, convicted of sin, asked what they must do. Peter told them to "Repent, and be bap- tized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2 Romans 1: 16; 1 Corinthians 15: 1, 2. 3 2 Corinthians 5 : 18. 4 Ephesians 1: 22, 23; Colossians 1: 18; Ephesians 4: 15. 10 A MARVELOUS WORK AND A WONDER 2: 38.) This is just as Jesus stated: "born of water and of the Spirit." Again, when Saul sat blind and helpless, waiting to learn what he "must do," as our Savior had instructed him in a vision (Acts 9 : 6) , he was told by the Lord's servant to "arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins." (Acts 22: 16.) It was the same in the case of the Philippian jailer. Falling down before Paul and Silas, upon seeing the great destruction wrought by the power of God, he imploringly inquired, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" He was told first to believe on the Lord Jesus, after which "He was baptized, he and all his, straightway." (Acts 16 : 33.) Again, when Philip went down into Samaria to preach Christ, a great many became convinced of the truth, and "when they be- lieved Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women." (Acts 8: 12.) And so it was in all cases where people were brought into the church it was through the door of baptism. Jesus had instructed his disciples that in going out to preach they must also baptize "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, bap- tizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." (Matthew 28 : 19.) Undoubtedly this was water baptism because no earthly person has any power to baptize with anything else than a water baptism. The Spirit baptism is to be administered by God himself. "I indeed baptize you with water," said John, and so did Philip, for in bap- tizing the eunuch "they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him." (Acts 8: 38.) Last but not least, our Lord, to illustrate what he meant when he said^ "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved," traveled a long distance to meet with John that he might be baptized. John at first hesitated, thinking that our Lord was good enough without it, but Jesus corrected him by saying, "Suffer it to be so now : for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness." (Matthew 3 : 15.) Whereupon he was baptized. After this came the baptism of the Spirit. "And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water : and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him." (Matthew 3: 16.) Thus was the birth of the water and the Spirit shown forth in our Lord's baptism. There was no other way of entering the kingdom of God, for if any enter not by "the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber." No one can be justified by God who refuses to be baptized in water. They tried it in Jesus' day and brought upon themselves his condemnation: "and all the people that heard him, and the pub- licans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. But THE GOSPEL RESTORED 11 the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against them- selves, being not baptized of him." (Luke 7 : 29, 30.) 4. MODE OF BAPTISM It is only reasonable that an ordinance of such importance should definitely reveal its form. ' A ceremony enlisting the obedience of saints, commanding the services of apostles, approved by the Holy Spirit, decreed by Jesus Christ, and destined to be preached "in all the world/' assumes an imposing magnitude the form of which should and will be discover- able unto all. Taking our position on the vantage ground of biblical truth the whole ceremony comes to view. No theological telescopes are re- quired. The natural vision, unimpaired by prejudice and unblem- ished by bigotry, will afford us the clearest conception. Commen- taries stand aside : And were all baptized of him in the river Jordan. Mark 1 : 5. And John also was baptizing i ( n JEnon near to Salim, because there was much water there. John 3 : 23. And they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. Acts 8 : 38. And when they were come up out of the water. Acts 8 : 39. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water. Matthew 3:16. Therefore we are buried with him by baptism. Romans 6 : 4. Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him. Colos- sians 2: 12. Gleaned from the foregoing field, the following facts are sub- mitted. 1. That the Bible baptism requires water. 2. That it takes much water. 3. That it necessitates a going down into the water. 4. That the candidate must be buried in water. 5. That succeeding the burial he is "risen again." 6. That there is a "coming up out of the water." Now take this scriptural measuring rod and apply it to the several ceremonies assuming to be baptism, and we may readily detect the counterfeit. Apply it for instance, to sprinkling. How does it measure up? Does it take water? Yes. Does it take much water? . Does the candidate go down into the water? . Is he buried? . Is he "risen again"? Does he come up out of the water? Right, in one point, and deficient in five. Who will accept such a clumsy counterfeit? Measure up immersion. Apply the same test and it will be found to conform to the test in every point. But the opposition has developed a new tactic. Perceiving the overwhelming array of evidence against them they are offering 12 A MARVELOUS WORK AND A WONDER to compromise by. baptizing any way the applicant desires. In other words they reverse the ancient order which said to the min- istry, "Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them," by having the sin-sick candidate teach them, whereupon, whatever he says, they will do. Or for that matter if the candidate chooses to evade the law of God altogether, by refusing to be baptized, the mod- ern minister is ready to take him in, baptism or no baptism. Political knavery! Anything so long as they get your vote and influence. The modern ministers, instead of maintaining that splendid uncompromising attitude towards sin and error, always an attribute of one whom God hath sent, have degenerated into spineless pup- pets of the people. Angleworms, and made to hang on any hook ELDER F. G. PITT BAPTIZING IN THE RIVER JORDAN. so long as they can bait an unsuspecting soul. Well do they ful- fill the prophetic forecast : "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrines; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." (2 Timothy 4 : 3, 4.) The language of the law affirms that there is but "one Lord, one faith, one baptism," (Ephesians 4: 5.) and "one baptism" is just as limited in its variety as "one Lord" or "one faith." Neither will it do to argue that while the Bible proves im- mersion it also supports sprinkling. God never sent one man to preach it one way and another to preach it the opposite. The ex- hortation of the scripture is "that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you." (1 Corinthians 1 : 10.) Immersion was the only mode of baptism practiced in the THE GOSPEL RESTORED 13 church of New Testament times, a fact that is admitted by our "sprinkling" friends. 8 5. LAYING ON OF HANDS Succeeding the administration of baptism we meet with the ordinance of the laying on of hands, a part of the great plan in- ducting foreigners into the kingdom of God. We read that upon Philip baptizing a number of converts in Samaria, the glad news reached the heads of the church at Jerusa- lem, who immediately took steps to complete the good work begun. Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost : (for as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they re- ceived the Holy Ghost. And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. Acts 8 : 14-19. Again we find this same service performed by Saint Paul. And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul haying passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disci- ples, he said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. Aind he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they 8< 'Calvin: 'The word baptizo signifies to immerse, and the rite of immer- sion was observed by the ancient church.' " Institutes, lib. v, chap, xv, par. 2. Hinton's History of Baptism, p. 52. "Luther: 'Baptism is a Greek word, and may be translated immersion, as when we immerse something in water, that it may be wholly covered. And although it is almost wholly abolished, (for they do not dip the whole children, but only pour a little water on them,) they ought nevertheless to be wholly immersed, and then immediately drawn out; for that the etymology of the word seems to demand.' " Luth. Op., vol. 1, p. 336. Hinton's Hist, of Bap- tism, p. 52. Mosheim says: "Baptism was publicly administered. . . . The candidates for it were immersed wholly in water." Book 1, cent. 2, pt. 2, ch. 4. John Wesley: "We are buried with him." Alluding to the ancient man- ner of baptizing by immersion. Again : "Which he wrought in you, when ye were as it were buried with him in baptism. The ancient manner of bap- tizing by immersion." Notes on Colossians 2: 12, p. 520. Bishop Bossuet, a Roman Catholic : "In fine, we read not in the Scriptures that baptism was otherwise administered, (than by immersion;) and we are able to make it appear by the acts of councils, and by the ancient rituals, that for thirteen hundred years baptism was thus administered throughout the whole church." Tri-lemma, p. 98, published in 1883. Archbishop Tillotson, an Episcopalian : "Anciently those who were bap- tized were immersed, and buried in the water, to represent their death to sin, and then did rise up out of the water, to signify their entrance upon a ,new life, and to those the apostles allude, Romans 6 : 4-6." Sermons, vol. 8, p. 179. 14 A MARVELOUS WORK AND A WONDER heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. all the men were about twelve. Acts 19: 1-7. Saint Paul has assured us that he was taught the gospel "by the revelation of Jesus Christ" and that if any man should "preach any other gospel" he would "be accursed" (Galatians 1 : 8-12) ; all of which only emphasizes the fact that the apostle was fully aware of the seriousness as well as the necessity of the service of the lay- ing on of hands. Other uses of the laying on of hands was that of blessing little children, the healing of the sick, and the ordination of the ministry, as the following will show: And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them. Mark 10: 16. Suffer little children, and forbid them not to come unto me; for of such is ithe kingdom of heaven. And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence. Matthew 19: 14, 15. And putting his hands on him, said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou earnest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. Acts 9:17. They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. Mark 16 : 18. And he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them. Luke 4 : 40. And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people. Acts 5: 12. To whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him. Acts 28 : 8. Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up. James 5: 14, 15. Stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. 2 Timothy 1 : 6. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. 1 Timothy 4: 14. The ordinance of the laying on of hands served an excellent purpose in the church. The blessing and consecrating of little children, the healing of the sick, the conferring of the Holy Ghost and the ordination of the ministry were each and all of essential service. Indeed there is no other field of usefulness so extensive as that occupied by the laying on of hands. Its use was absolutely indispensible, for how else were the ministry to be ordained, and without a ministry how shall the gos- pel be preached? "How shall they hear without a preacher?" (Romans 10: 14.) Moreover, how else were the people to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost? Is there any other way suggested in the Scriptures? If not, why part with the known and scriptural way, for some un- tried and unapproved system? Did God err in setting up the ordinance of the laying on of hands? If not, is it not an error on our part to refuse to honor that which God has so unmistakably approved? But they tell us that this rite was done away. Who tells us? It is commonly understood that a statute is operative so long THE GOSPEL RESTORED 15 as it occupies a place on the statute book. And the only power that can nullify that statute is the power that decreed it. In this case we find the ordinance of the laying on of hands occupying a distinguished and distinctive place in the statute book of the kingdom of God. It is both taught and practiced. And until that same kingdom shall disannul the ordinance, we shall be held responsible for its observance. The religious world holds to one of the uses of the laying on of hands, the ordination of the ministry. This however is palpably inconsistent, for if God has done away with the ordinance, it is but presumption to retain it in any of its forms. Moreover, the retention of but one particular feature of the laying on of hands, that wherein, the ministry is involved, is, to say the least, a selfish sample of hoggishness. The ministers of course have had the full say in the government of the churches, and have taken particular interest to preserve for themselves anything that might set them- selves above the common folks. But if it is good for the minister, it is good for the babe, for the sick, and for the penitent suppliant seeking the pardoning as- surance of the Holy Ghost. The reservation of the laying on of hands exclusively for the ministry smacks of class legislation and is on a par with the selfish- ness of the priest who, ministering the emblems of the holy sacra- ment, passes the tasteless wafer to his congregation, but drinks to himself the appetizing wine. But we are told that the days of miracles are past, conse- quently the laying on of hands, miraculous by times in its results, must have passed away also. This is not true. The days of miracles are not past. The Scriptures warrant us in believing that the days of miracles are continuous, and that the future, notwithstanding its prospective educational finish, will furnish some of the most stupendous mira- cles of all history. What about the turning of the sun into darkness, the moon into blood, and the falling of the stars ? What about -that wonder- ful transformation of the earth when "every island shall flee away," when "every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low : and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain" ? What about the coming of Jesus Christ and the miracle that shall be wrought at that coming when "the Mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof and there shall be a very great valley" ? The greatest miracle of all will be when "all that are in their graves shall hear his voice and shall come forth." 6 These are but a few of the predetermined things that will come to pass regardless of any human theory that miracles are done away. "Acts 2:19, 20; Revelation 16:20; Isaiah 40:4; Zechariah 14:4; John 5:28,29. 16 A MARVELOUS WORK AND A WONDER As a final objection to receiving the laying on of hands it is argued that the Holy Ghost may be received without it. If so, why then did the apostles, the Samaritans, and Ephe- sians go to so much trouble by concerning themselves with a rite that was really not necessary? And why did they display such shortsightedness as to practice a ceremony which might become a dangerous precedent? But where is the guarantee that the Holy Ghost may be re- ceived outside of the laying on of hands? Shall we take any risk in view of the plain and written word pointing so unmistakably to that ordinance ? "Ye have us for an ensample" (Philemon 3:17) said the apostle, and as such shall we not follow their well-beaten course, rather than wander in some bypath of notional creation, which will but lead us from the truth. The case of Cornelius, who, as an unconverted, unbaptized man, received an extraordinary- manifestation of the Holy Ghost was an exception, not the rule, and was given in order to convince Peter and the church, that the time had come for the gospel to be preached to the Gentiles. " Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ what was I that I could withstand God? When they (the council at Jerusalem) heard these things, they held their peace, and glori- fied God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted re- pentance unto life." (Acts 11 : 17, 18.) Prior to this the gospel had been preached exclusively to the Jews. The church had not yet got over their traditional error, that the Jews were the only people entitled to salvation, hence it became necessary to convince the church, that they must broaden out and extend the great salvation unto all. This was done firstly, by a vision Peter received on the housetop, wherein he was told "What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common." "While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold three men seek thee. Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them." (Acts 10: 19, 20.) Immediately certain messengers from Cornelius, the Gentile, ar- rived, conveying Cornelius's request that Peter go unto him. Thus we see in order to get the church out of the old rut of narrow nationalism, it required, first, a vision ; second, the voice of the Spirit; and third, a request from Cornelius, a request, too, that was prompted by an angel, for it was he who told Cornelius to send for Peter. Still hesitating, Peter waited till the next day before respond- ing to Cornelius's request; and it required one more miraculous experience to convince Peter and the church thoroughly that every- thing was all right. This was given while Peter was preaching, the Holy Spirit in unknown tongues falling upon Cornelius and household. It was enough. Peter was convinced, and immediately he opened the door of the kingdom to the Gentiles, commanding them to be baptized. Needless to say, this extraordinary conferring of the Holy THE GOSPEL RESTORED 17 Ghost upon an unbaptized Gentile without the laying on of hands, was not the rule, simply an unprecedented expedient taken by the Lord to force conviction upon the church that the day of grace was open unto all. We, however, are to be guided and governed by the rule, not by the exception. The feeding of the five thousand on a few loaves and fishes is not the rule, it was an exception, and were humanity to ignore the rule, waiting for some expedient which might bring to them tfreir bread without work, they would soon enter the sepulcher of the starved. As to why the laying on of hands should have been selected as the divine means of imparting heavenly favors, we are unable and unauthorized to say. The scientific aspect of the ceremony may not reconcile itself to the so-called science of man, but it pro- duced results just the same. It is the science of the Almighty, and his ways are not ours. The tumbling of the walls of Jericho by the encircling of the city seven times, the healing of Naaman the leper in the waters of Jordan, or of the blind man washing in the pool of Siloam doubt- less may excite the contempt of the modern warrior or physician, but as the Lord's appointed way, it was all effective in attaining the results desired. And so it was with the laying on of hands : we know what it has done. It has blessed little children, it has healed the sick, it has conferred the Holy Ghost, and what it has done, it can do. Emanating from an unchangeable God it is as eternal as the rock of ages. 6. THE OFFICERS OF THE KINGDOM In order to observe the divine injunction, "Seek first the king- dom of God," it is necessary that we acquaint ourselves with a description of that kingdom. This description is presented by the apostle in 1 Corinthians 12 : 28, "And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, sec- ondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues." The leading features of the kingdom thus stated are apostles and prophets. The work assigned these giants of inspirational power was of a very important as well as ponderous nature, "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers : for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." Ephe- sians 4: 11, 12. And because of the presence of these men enlightened with discernment the church was protected against the ever encroach- ing curse of false and alluring doctrines. Indeed this was their duty, "That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine." Verse 14. John the Revelator saw her thus shielded, "and there appeared 18 A MARVELOUS WORK AND A WONDER a great wonder in heaven ; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars." Revelation 12 : 1. The "sun" denotes light, inspiration, and rev- elation: hence prophecy or prophets. "A crown of twelve stars" alludes to the quorum of twelve apostles ; while "woman" signifies the church. To argue the continuance of these God-appointed officials is unnecessary, since the Lord, forseeing that evil and error with all their elusiveness would continue to assail his church, has declared they would remain "till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." Ephesians 4 : 13. License one denomination to do away with the prophets, an- other will ask similar authority to expel apostles, and a third will arise to eradicate evangelists, pastors, and teachers ; and so we may go it until there is nothing left in the church but a name. "But we have evangelists and pastors and teachers," cries the objector. True, but why this preference? Is it because the call- ing of a "pastor" is more honorable and his labors more serviceable than those of an apostle? And this partiality becomes the more apparent when it is noted that the same Bible, the same chapter, the same verse that orders the office of a pastor, orders that of an apostle and a prophet also. This acceptance of the humbler officers of the church and re- jection of the more prominent, looks like the Pharisaical sin of omitting "the weightier matters of the law." 'But we are told that "apostles and prophets have ceased." Yes, but who made them to cease ? God did not. At least we have no account of it. The fact that numbers were called to the apostolic office to succeed the original twelve would suggest the purpose of the Lord to continue the quorum. The Bible speaks of at least twenty-two. (See Matthew 10: 1-4; Acts 1: 23-26; 13: 2; 14: 14; Galatians 1 : 18, 19 ; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2:5, 6 ; 1 Corinthians 4:6-9; Romans 16: 7.) If the discontinuance of the ruling officers of apostles and prophets has obtained, it must be that other and graver conditions simultaneously arose. Obliterate the office of the First Magis- trate of England and away goes kingship, signalizing the passing of Britain from the institution of a kingdom to that of some other government. Continue this work of "ceasing" a little further and abolish the offices held by the Commons and the Lords, and what is the result? Why, no government at all! Disorder will ensue, anarchy will reign, and the battlements of Britain will become a prey to the for- eign invader. What other results to the church could be expected in removing her foremost officials? THE GOSPEL RESTORED 19 7. BLESSINGS OF THE KINGDOM A. Revelation from God Let us take under consideration the blessings of the church, and perhaps in this we shall see what it was that confirmed the faith of the early saints, insomuch that multitudes willingly sur- rendered their lives rather than give over the assuring knowledge divinely imparted. This knowledge was received through the chan- nel of revelation, which was the great distinguishing and enrich- ing legacy of the people of God. Than this there is no more evident truth, witnessed to by both the Old and New Testaments. The Almighty was impartial whether dealing with those under the Mosaic dispensation, or with those in apostolic times. When- ever and wherever the Lord had a people willing to hear, to them he spoke. Sometimes he communicated his will by personal appearance and angel ministrations; at other times through the declaration of dreams or the undoubtable voice of visions. Wrapped in the mantle of inspiration holy men of old were wrought upon by the power of the Holy Ghost and spake in audible tones a language both new and strange. Prophets of the Highest, those, who ' 'spake the law at his mouth" and uttered things for unborn time, fre- quently fulfilled, only after ages had wrought their irrepressible work. From Genesis to Revelation, a period covering four thousand years, the voice of revelation tolled forth its unceasing testimony emphatically affirmed by prince and prophet, by apostle and angel. Revelation, who shall refuse it? By its counsel Adam was instructed, Noah was warned, Moses was directed and Israel delivered; Naaman was led to a fountain of health, Joseph liberated from an Egyptian prison, and Elijah saved from starvation. Through it Paul was restrained from preaching in Bithynia and admonished to go into Macedonia; ad- vised to tarry at Corinth and again commanded to depart from Jerusalem. (Genesis 6 ; Exodus 3 ; 2 Kings 5 ; Genesis 41 ; 2 Kings 18; Acts 16, 18,22.) Indeed in all the movements of the church it was directed by Christ, its head, and in the shadow of impending trial was duly apprised. The revelation announcing a coming dearth undoubtedly saved the church much commiseration, while the repeated warnings of approaching impostors tended to fortify the f aithf uj against decep- tion and fraud. (Acts 11:28; 20:29, 30; 2 Timothy 2:3-5; 2 Timothy 4: 3, 4.) B. Continuation, of Revelation The doctrine of continued revelation is supported by the same reasons that made it necessary in the beginning. Whatever the causes necessitating revelations then, causes equally important exist now. Did they need deliverance from trouble then ? We have as en- 20 A MARVELOUS WORK AND A WONDER gaging distresses now. Did they need warning against cunning deceivers then? How much greater the need of similar warning now, when heaps of ' "hirelings" are misleading the unwary. In olden times the ministry required and received directions in their work, no two having precisely the same mission, save that of preaching the gospel. Their duties varied according to the cir- cumstances and conditions prevailing; and have we reached that time when the Lord has grown disinterested in the directing of his servants? If so, he has altered his policy, the policy of ages. But this will not do, for "I am the Lord, I change not." Then why will he not reveal? There is no reason whatever, unless it be the un- belief of the people. Moreover, this ministry were invariably called by the voice of revelation previous to their accepting the ministerial office. There was no exception, for "no man taketh this honor unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron." (Hebrews 5:4.) How, then, will it be possible for the Lord to select his servants to-day unless he reveal his mind? And how can he reveal his mind unless he communicate ? Thus if we would have a ministry sent of God we must entertain the doctrine of con- tinued revelation as being absolutely necessary. C. Revelation a Fruit of the Spirit Perhaps the most prominent characteristic of the Holy Spirit is that it reveals. Whether it rested upon the seventy elders of Israel, fell upon Elisha, or enveloped the apostles at Pentecost, it was all the same revelations resulted. And in that extraordinary summary of its various powers, portrayed by the Apostle Paul, we are advised that out of its nine outstanding features, five of them reside within the compass of revelation, viz, wisdom, knowledge, prophecy, tongues and the interpretation. (Numbers 11:25; 2 Kings 2 : 15 ; Acts 2 : 4 ; 1 Corinthians 12 : 7-10 ; Ephesians 4 : 8-11.) Its office work as stated by our Savior is as follows : Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth; for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. John 16: 13. The paramount power of the Spirit thus stated, is to "guide into all truth and show you things to come," and surely none will say that its task has been completed, that the inexhaustible treasuries of truth and the boundless breadths of futurity have been exhausted and spanned. "Ask and it shall be given unto you," said Christ, and "if any man lack wisdom let him ask of God that giveth to all men liberally," enjoined James. How is it possible for the Lord to keep these promises save it be through the medium of revelation? (Matthew 7:7; James 1:5.) D. Revelation Will Come However much men may oppose this channel of divine com- munication, or refuse to walk in the highway of heavenly inspira- tion, God will, nevertheless, reveal himself. He has vowed it gen- erations since, and the word of the Lord is irresistible : "Heaven THE GOSPEL RESTORED 21 and earth shall pass away, but my word shall not pass away." Unto us the promise comes as well as unto them : "Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." The word proceedeth occupies the present tense, not the past. (Matthew 24 : 35 ; 4 : 4.) The latter days shall share of the revelations of God as well as the former, for he is no respecter of persons : And it shall come to pass in the last days, said God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy. Acts 2: 17, 18. An Elijah will be sent with an important message immediately preceding the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord ; resultant of which, the hearts of the children shall be drawn to the teachings of the fathers and so the day of smiting shall be procras- tinated. (Malachi 4: 5, 6.) Two witnesses will again stand in the streets of Jerusalem, and will prophesy three years and a half. Men of exceptional power, they will command the elements that it rain not in the days of their prophecy, and will smite the earth with plagues as often as they will. Finishing their work they shall, as have nearly all the proph- ets, seal their testimony with their blood, their dead bodies lying in the streets three days and a half. And while the populace are making merry, congratulating each other on the death of those whose word was accompanied with power, suddenly, the spirit of life descending from on high will reanimate those mutilated re- mains, and arising they shall ascend in the sight of men. Then will the Lord make retribution, and fearful his fury ! An earthquake of terrible destructiveness will rock the city, a tenth part of it falling, slaying of men seven thousand. (Revelation 11:3-13.) Surely, then, the voice of the prophet in revelation is not to be confined to an unrecallable past. E. Spiritual Gifts The Christian religion was distinguished above all others for the remarkable gifts it bestowed. The ministry were attended by a "power from on high," "the Lord working with them and confirm- ing the word with signs following." (Luke 24: 49; Mark 16: 20.) Nor were these gifts reserved for a few, laity and clergy shared alike : How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a to,ngue, hath a revelation, hath an interpre- tation. 1 Corinthians 14 : 26. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues. 1 Corin- thians 12:8-10. Scarcely a page may we turn to, but what we read of some mir- acle, vision, angelic ministration, or great outpouring of the Spirit, 22 A MARVELOUS WORK AND A WONDER manifest in a tongue, interpretation, or prophecy. The following will instance: And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. Luke 9 : 2. And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them. Mark 6: 13. God also .bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, a