Z I O N ' S T R U M P E T,

OR

Star of the Saints.

No. 2.] FEBRUARY, 1849. [VOL. I.

"DOCTRINE OF BAPTISMS."

MANY people think, because Paul says "one baptism," that it is wrong to baptize a person more than once. But this is a great error, which arises from the traditions of our forefathers, who were not aware of the difference between "one baptism" and several administrations of it. The administering of the ordinance on two persons does not constitute two baptisms; and, of course, baptizing a man twice does not constitute two baptisms, any more than does baptizing two persons. Baptism is one administering of the ordinance, and "baptisms" are several administerings. "The doctrine of baptisms" then, is the subject in question; and we wish to prove it to be reasonable and scriptural. We are as willing as anyone to acknowledge that there ought to be "one baptism;" and we are just as willing to state that more than one is being claimed in Wales these days, and it is by those who are fiercely shouting "one baptism." Dare we say that baptism of the sign, baptism of example, baptism of sprinkling, baptism of immersion, baptism of infants, baptism of believers, and baptism for the remission of sins are all "one baptism"? No, we have known for years now, that many cannot be one.

Now, since there ought to be "one baptism," we can search out what kind it is, so that we can determine whether it is a baptism that can be administered more than once on the same person. Perhaps the words of Peter on the day of Pentecost will be sufficient to explain the purpose of baptism. He said, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins" (Acts ii, 3 8) . That must be the baptism Paul was thinking about when he said "one baptism," and no other. It was not a baptism to signify forgiveness, but one through which one can receive forgiveness; and those obedient to such a baptism, receive forgiveness of their sins from God, through the response of a good conscience in the baptism. Only by being obedient to the baptism for the remission of sins, or receiving his "birth of water and of the Spirit," can man enter the kingdom of God. When in the kingdom of God, there is no need for anyone to be baptized, or to be born again, for every transgression he commits: it will be enough for him to ask forgiveness of the King and of his fellow subjects, for the Son of the King pleads for each one in the kingdom. But when the subject does not ask forgiveness, thus committing greater sin, he is cast out into the kingdom of darkness, namely to the same condition he was in at the beginning. Now, imagine that the one in question is eager to humble himself a second time, and wishes to enter again into the kingdom of God;—which way could he go? Should he be like a thief, climbing in to unlawful places, or should he go through the door as at first? If he should go through the door, like any honest man, would that make that one door two doors? And if the door is not baptism for the remission of sins, or being "born of water," what can it be? This is not a difficult matter to answer: for the administering of baptism two or three times to the same person does not make more than "one baptism,"—any more than the believing of the same thing two or three times over, by the same person, makes more than "one faith." It is obvious, then, that a man must believe again, receive his baptism again, before he can go in again to the kingdom of God; and if he takes another way, he is a thief and a robber, as much the second time as the first time.

Having shown the logic of the "doctrine of baptisms," we can look further into what the scriptures show about it. Paul says to the Hebrews, that although for the time they ought to be teachers, they have need for one to teach them what are the "first principles of the oracles of God," and that they had become such as had need of milk, instead of strong meat which they could have, if they were used to it. Then, Paul reasons like this— "Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying AGAIN the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of BAPTISMS, and of laying on of hands" (Heb. vi, 1, 2 ) . "And this will we do," he says, "if God permit. For," he says again, showing the danger, "it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again to repentance" (ver. 3—6). If a man is open to laying a foundation again for repentance and faith, why not for baptism and the laying on of hands? We see that it is not possible for those who have had strong meat, and fall afterwards, to be renewed again; and that it is possible for those who are accustomed to milk, to lay again a foundation for repentance, faith, baptism, and the laying on of hands— but that it is far better to try to avoid this, by going "on to perfection," "being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." Let each one of the Saints who does not love the doctrine of "baptisms," proceed as Paul counsels, lest he be turned out of the kingdom, and face the danger of failing to be renewed in order to enter again. And if there be any of the world who choose to oppose this doctrine, let them do so on the grounds of reason and scripture, so that we may know where to look for the battle, in order to be nearby.

REASONS WHY I SUPPORT THE PRINCIPLES OF THE SAINTS.

1. THE STRONGEST point in law is witness: so it is with the gospel, which is the "perfect law of freedom." It must also have a witness for every case. But the question is, who are the witnesses? 1. I am a witness by seeing, hearing, and feeling; therefore, of that which I know I testify; namely that God has revealed his will in this age, and has raised up a prophet to establish his church (the Latter-day Saints) on the earth, and that his servants have been sent with authority. 2. The Bible, which people say they believe, is a witness; this states that God will restore all things in the latter days, which cannot be achieved without restoring the church as it was in the beginning. 3. The Holy Ghost is a witness; but we cannot obtain it without first obeying. "The world cannot receive it," says Christ; and Peter said, "we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him."

2. There is no mission or commission except the one preached by the Saints; for the commission is to be read like this:—"Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." Here no one is sent except apostles; and since the sects of this age deny the existence of apostles, they have no one to begin to preach, according to this message; therefore, they ought to refrain from preaching, or else admit that there are apostles and prophets in the church, remembering also that "no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron." Aaron was called by a prophet, namely Moses; likewise Timothy was called "by prophecy and by the laying on of hands of the eldership;" and since they do not have the spirit of prophecy, how is it possible for them to have as much as one preacher among them, much less that all their teachers be servants of Christ? Also, the chosen servants must preach to the kings and archbishops, priests and preachers, in the same way they do to the ungodly; for Christ said to preach to "every creature;" and if they needed to preach to the Jewish priests, they need to preach to the preachers of our own country.

3. If Joseph Smith was a false prophet, and all the Saints are deceivers, that does not prove that as much as one of the other religious sects is a church of God: therefore, they ought not to try to prove that the Saints are false, but rather to show that their churches are true; and I suppose that this would be a year's work for them, at least.

Here I shall put forward the plan of the primitive church, to show whether any sect of our country answers the description. 1. Before anyone can be a witness, he must have the spirit of prophecy. 2. There must be chosen witnesses to stand up for the truth that is taught in the church. 3. The church must be one society, and in no way can it be more than one. 4. The witnesses must be capable of putting an end to every argument by testifying, "Thus saith the Lord;" therefore, these servants know who are the subjects of baptism, what is the manner, what is the purpose, & c ; and not only in regard to the topic of baptism, but every other topic that may be necessary for the church to know. Who would not wish to be a member of such a church as this? R. EVANS.

THE TREE AND ITS FRUIT.

EACH tree shall by its fruit be known,

Says Jesus Christ, the wisest Judge;

And every kind of fruit that's borne,

Shows good or bad within the tree.

Here are the fruits of several kind

Still to be had in the Church of God:—

Faith and knowledge, the gift of healing,

And the gift of tongues given to some.

This true Comforter gently shows

And prophesies also unto us;

Those things which were, that are, and are yet to be,

He well explains at every turn.

And powerful gifts he doth impart,

Putting demons all to flight;

These are the fruits which test the tree—

Given by the seal of holiest heaven.

If then these fruits are not be had,

Quite paltry is the word of Paul;

For he soundly promised all,

Barring none, would share in them.

To members of the Corinth* church,

He said they would receive of heaven's gifts;

And this same promise is given

"To all" whom God calls from the "world."

And Joel of old as well foretold,

The church of God would have these things:

"All my sons, and daughters, too,"

Says God, "will surely share in prophecy;

* 1 Cor. xii—xiv.

"Young men shall see such wondrous things,

Once they've received this gospel gift;

Old men shall also dream their dreams,

By virtue of the Holy Ghost."

In this way they shall forward go,

By receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost;

And my true witness to all men,

Is that the tree and fruit are one. A. E.

LOVING DARKNESS MORE THAN LIGHT.

THE FOLLOWING is a letter sent to our brother Capt. Jones, dated December 25, 1848, from a man who lives about ten miles from Merthyr. We shall refrain from naming him, lest by so doing we offend him. It appears that the man had been discussing the doctrine of the Saints with Capt. Jones; and the effect it had on him can be seen in the following letter:—

"I cannot leave the church I have been a member of for so many years, and depart from the comfort of my family, to profess the religion of the Latter- day Saints,—although it has caused my mind to be troubled, perhaps more than anyone realizes other than myself, most likely. I have decided to adhere to my beliefs, and to turn a deaf ear to your fancy reasonings; and I do not want you to talk with me further, since I am so much inclined to put you to the test."

The foregoing letter brings to mind the reasonings that took place between Paul and Agrippa, and the fear the latter had of being won over to Christianity by the solid reasoning of the apostle. We feel sorry for such men. Although convinced of the truth, they prefer to sacrifice themselves, rather than the comfort of their families and their beliefs. It is a pity that some people cannot follow Christ, without carrying his cross; and follow him to glory, without being hated and scorned by the world. Perhaps the author of the letter can journey toward eternal life along the wide road by turning a "deaf ear" to those who show him the narrow way. If he can do that, he will demonstrate more wisdom than the Son of God ever showed. That way was very rough, and it was only the "foolish things of the world" who dared travel on it. Too much family and religious comfort would be sacrificed by the wise men, if they were to follow "the carpenter's son," namely that "glutton and winebibber" who cast out devils by the power of Beelzebub. Choosing Christ and his apostles in this age, rather than the way of Calvin, Wesley, & c , proves the choosers to be the "filth of the world and the offscouring of all things," and "out of their minds" like Christ: but choosing beliefs contrary to those of the apostles, and contrary to themselves, proves the choosers to be wise men, responsible, and respectable, and men who are well spoken of by the world. No wonder, then, when all is considered, that the man in question has decided to turn a deaf ear to the old Saints, and their fancy reasoning, and to cling to the religion that makes the world, mankind, and the devil his friends!

THE TESTIMONY OF PHILLIP SEIX, BLAENAU, MONMOUTH.

MR. E D., — I wish to have space in the TRUMPET to inform the public with respect to the lies that have been spread about me, about William Phillips, and about Capt. Jones, after I was placed in the insane asylum. I have now come out of that place, and am considered in my right mind, and am fully able to say what I know. At present I am not a member with the Saints, although I wish to join with them soon; but, at the same time, I would like to clear the characters of William Phillips and Capt. Jones in the face of the shameful lies told about them; for I would not consider it just for me to refrain from being totally honest with everyone. It has been said that Capt. Jones took a large sum of money from me, together with my watch, all of which is a barefaced lie. Also, it has been said that he took my overcoat from me; but the truth is that I have not had such a coat ever since I became associated with the Saints, and thus it was not possible that Capt. Jones would have had the chance to take it. All the other things that were spread around about things being taken from me are also lies. With respect to what happened to me at that time, namely the treatment I received from evil spirits, I testify that I received much relief from them whenever the elders rebuked them; and whenever I was again troubled by them the reason was that I had not done as I was instructed by the officers, and I was thereby giving space for the devil. My being "new in the faith," perhaps, was keeping me from acting as I should. I can say that I have received much benefit from the prayers of the Saints in my behalf; and I am happy now that I am in my right mind. I know that the Saints are good men, and that their religion is of God, and that they did their best for me. That which was out of place was not in the Saints, or their religion, but in me. The foregoing is true, and worthy of being made known.

Yours truly, & c,

PHILLIP SEIX.

Feb. 6, 1849.

[This is the man whom the Rev. W. R. Davies, Dowlais, prattled so much about in the "Star of Gomer," and other monthlies, suggesting that he had been robbed of his money. Let each one judge for himself, whether it is this sober, pious, and non-persecuting Reverend, or the man himself, who ought to know best whether he was robbed or not? The proverb that Mr. Davies mentioned (namely, "Unless you punish a thief, he will punish you"), when he observed his friend Capt. Jones threatening to punish his false accusers, now merits the proverb "A thief shouts thief first," as a comparison. Before finishing, we would like to warn Mr. Davies that the "devil of Nantyglo" is now searching for a place to rest in dry areas; and if he is to avoid him, he should keep his interior, as it usually is, plenty wet.—ED.]

PHOSPHORUS EXPOSING LIES.

THE FOLLOWING letter to us shows the deceit of those stories that say that phosphorus is the Holy Ghost of the Saints, and also it shows that the filthy lucre of the reverends is the source from which they originate:—

“Victoria, January 27, 1849.

"Dear Brother,—I believe that you and the public have a right to know something of the reason which compelled me to join with the Saints in the first place. When I had heard so much being said against them by those whom I considered to be servants of Almighty God, whose words I thoroughly believed, I would use their sayings, as much as I could, to oppose those whom they and I called Satanists and devils, &c. But some time ago, our minister, Mr. Rees, Victoria, decided to sally forth in the name of the God of Israel's armies against the Mormon Philistines and defeat them, he said; but to his great disappointment this was the means of convincing some of his own members, who by now are bearing strong testimony of the divinity of the religion they now profess, instead of that which they received under his ministry, although like myself they followed it for years. Now, when Mr. Rees saw that the hope of his profits was fading because of that, he said one evening, while cutting off one of his members for joining with the Saints, that by so doing he had sinned against the Holy Ghost, and that he was expelling him before the congregation as an example to others; and he said also that he could show the deceit of those men with threepence worth of phosphorus! After that, Mr. Rees brought it to me in a bottle for that purpose, and warned me about it, that I was to take care to keep water in the bottle always; and when I entered into the house of one of the Saints that I was to rub it on my head beforehand, working my miracles secretly, and not showing what I had to anyone. Also, he said that a man in America had made himself look like an angel in the sight of men, and that he had persuaded them to build a house for him by saying that he was an angel of God, and that they would be greatly blessed for that. But when I tried the contents of the bottle, it burned my fingers! and by then I began to slow down, and I said that it would be impossible for such a thing as that to be used by the Saints on their heads, since it burned so frightfully; and I saw that it was "false tales" that were told me by my pastor. The next order I received was for me to have nothing to do with the deceivers, lest they deceive me also; but despite that, I decided to test the deceit, since the Saints promised the gift of the Holy Ghost to anyone who would obey. Thus, I was baptized for the remission of sins; and by now I know that Mr. Rees and his bottle are the deceivers, and that the signs follow the Saints as they claim. There is as much difference between my religion now and the one I professed before, as there is between sound and substance—yes, between wishing for something and enjoying it; and I have received more knowledge now than I had during the nine years I was with the Baptists. Therefore, I wish for my dear former brethren not to believe the old tales and the lies that are published in the periodicals from time to time, and by those reverends who conceal the truth from their listeners. Let them try the Saints for themselves; and if they do this honestly I know they will receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, and they know of the doctrine.

"Yours, dear brother, in the truth,

"JOHN DAVIES.

"P. S.—I am sorry to inform you that the contents of the bottle caught fire and burned someone's hands very badly."

FURTHER PROOF OF THE DIVINITY OF THE BOOK OF MORMON.

[From the "Edinburgh Evening Courant," for October 16, 1848.]

"DISCOVERIES IN AMERICA:

"THE papers received from the United States by the last mail, contain several very curious and important matters deserving particular notice. Amongst these we notice, first, the pointed and remarkable account given, that at Durango, the capital of the province of that name, in Mexico (say lat. 24 deg. 30 min., and long. 103 deg. 35 min. W.), caverns have been discovered and entered, containing hundreds of thousands of embalmed bodies (mummies), similar to those of ancient Egypt. This is a most remarkable point and fact in the history of man, and the further development of these ancient remains will be awaited with impatience by ourselves and an inquiring public. In the meantime, the discovery clearly points out these remains to be of Egyptian or Phoenician extraction, or, more properly, of both. There are many reasons, from recent discoveries, to believe that the continent of America was known to the nations of the ancient world; and a nation who, like the Egyptian, circumnavigated Africa, as the Egyptians certainly did, may readily be supposed to have crossed the Atlantic, and got to America. At any rate, if once they got to the southward, and clear of land, within the sphere of the trade wind, they had no alternative but to run before it to the western world. The Red Charibs of the Windward Islands, Grenada, and St. Vincent (now, we believe, extinct) were most certainly, from their manner, customs, and religion of the Phoenician and Carthagenian race, but from the discovery above alluded to, and those some time ago made in Central America, by Stephens, it would appear that all the western portion of the American continent had been discovered and peopled by Eastern Asiatic nations. It would exceed our limits to quote references to show this fact. We shall here simply remark, that whoever looks at the able drawings in Stephen's book on Central America will perceive them to be covered with Egyptian hieroglyphics and Hamyarctic letters, such as those lately discovered in Southern Arabia, and at once perceive that the figures and linaments are those of superior civilized Asiatic nations, in which portion of the world vast civilized empires were found in very ancient times, as also in Egypt, one of the most ancient and powerful of the whole, and which, though strictly speaking, an African power, yet her sway extended both in Africa and in Asia; and, above all, was, in the African portion, comprehended in what was called the Land of Cush or Ethiopia, in its early and most extended sense, including both Arabia and Africa, from the Red Sea to the banks of the Nile throughout its course.

"In corroboration of what we have stated regarding America, in its western parts, being discovered and peopled from the Eastern world, we may state that we had lately the pleasure of conversing with a very intelligent gentleman, long resident in the Sandwich Islands (Honolulu), who states that it is not unusual for vessels from Japan to be driven by the western winds upon, or to be picked by the whaling ships off, these islands, and landed in them, he himself having been the means of relieving and sending back some of their crews to their own country, through the Russian settlement at Kamskatscka. The prevalence of strong south west winds from all the coasts of Eastern Asia beyond the northern tropic will just as certainly drive vessels, when blown off the coast, before them to the coast of America, as the trade wind on the Atlantic would carry vessels from Africa to America. But what is more important, and to the point, he told us that the natives of the Sandwich Islands are daily in the habit of rehearsing, in songs, the traditions of the exploits of their ancestors, and tracing these back through a period of 1 8 0 reigns or kings (at 1 2 years to a reign, this would give 2 1 6 0 years); they describe them as issuing in swarms, by fleets, from the southern points of Eastern Asia, mentioning especially the Malay coast, and thence coming along by the southern points of Japan, giving the very names of the headlands, as stated by the earliest Dutch navigators, till they gained the coast of America on the Oregon or Columbian territory; thence descending the western coast of America into the tropical division thereof, they returned home through the islands in the North Pacific Ocean, giving to some of them the names as known at the present day. From this we perceive how America could be peopled from Asia, and also how Asiatic manners, and a people like Asiatics could be found in it. The Anglo-Saxon race having now got a firm footing and power in the more central portions of the American continent, may speedily prepare us for learning other important discoveries, which will go to connect the ancient inhabitants of the Old World with those of the New."

[The speculations of the learned have at last come to a focus. Stephens's late discovery in Central America of Egyptian hieroglyphics, great numbers of which he has given in his drawings, and published in his able book of that curious region, and the still later discovery of many thousands of mummies in the caverns of Mexico, similar to those of Ancient Egypt, are evidences so pointed, that Ancient America must have been peopled from the highly civilized nations of Asia, that the learned are at last convinced of the fact. The unlearned, however, have got the start of the learned in this instance, for they found it out about nineteen years ago, through the medium of the Book of Mormon. Moroni, who lived over fourteen centuries ago, in closing up the history of his nation says, (page 580):—"Now, behold, we have written this record, according to our knowledge, in the characters which are called among us the reformed Egyptian, being handed down and altered by us, according to our manner of speech." Joseph Smith has given us the history of ancient America, translated from Egyptian hieroglyphics, showing that America was peopled by colonies from one of the most enlightened nations of Asia, even from Jerusalem, a nation of Israelites, who were well acquainted with Egyptian hieroglyphics, embalming bodies, & c ; for their forefathers had dwelt in Egypt upwards of 400 years, and at a period too, when the art of embalming was known—Jacob and his son Joseph both being embalmed. No wonder, then, that they should introduce these Egyptian arts into America. But the learned antiquarians will speculate on their new discoveries, and try to find some clue as to the origin of the ancient nations of that continent, while the unlearned will have them in derision, and laugh at their folly for not believing in the plain and pointed history contained in the Book of Mormon, and published years ago. Let them alone; they cannot make any discoveries but what will establish the divine authenticity of that excellent and most precious record.—ED.]

A WELSHMAN’S PROPHECY OF THE RESTORATION OF THE TRUE RELIGION IN OUR MIDST.

WE have come into possession of the last page of an old Welsh pamphlet, containing eight pages, the work of one Jonathan Hughes. Someone has written "Trefriw, 1805," at the bottom of the leaf; but we would think, from the looks of it, and the crude picture of the man under the word "End" at the end of the pamphlet, that it is much older. But never mind about that, until we lay our hands on all of it, we will put before our readers all that we have of it, beginning with the page half way through the vision. Were it not for the fact that the piece we have is printed, and shows proofs of age, we should not venture to publish it, lest the public think about it as they think of the Book of Mormon; for the one, and the other, co-testify of the restoration of the true religion on the earth. The following is a correct copy of it, and written as much like the original as we could possibly make it:—

"all on the waves of the Sea, and each Shipwright went in his own Vessel. And when they sailed the seas, a frightful storm stirred the waters and brought all the Vessels together, and the wind drove the one to strike the other until they were all in pieces; yea and also their very lives were lost; and when I saw this confusion I was frightened, and I ran for my life, neither did I try to save as much as one of them, but rather I remembered the word I heard, Each one will stand up for himself; and in no time I had reached land safely; And the Angel presently appeared to me, then he turned towards me and he spoke to me clearly indicating the meaning of this vision; And here is the sum of his Interpretation. The Sea you have beheld is the corruption of this world; And the flimsy and empty Ships are the Religions which have adorned it in the grand fashion of human wisdom. And the Shipwrights are the Preachers who are according to the flesh, having not understood the word of the Holy Spirit; but God who is patient, slow to anger and abundant in his mercy, tolerates them, for the time has not yet come, but the time is approaching in which the Lord will send the ministers of the Gospel, who will preach the mystery of the Heavenly Kingdom, and they will explain to men the truths of God through living, spiritual faith; And when the sound of their voices is heard, an excitement will arise throughout the whole Kingdom, debates about scriptures among the empty opinions of men, and this is the stormy confusion which you beheld on the sea, the ships hitting against each other; but when the Gospel is Preached in its force and its spiritual Splendor, the Professors who constantly walk in their own light must vanish, for they cannot withstand the Witness of the true Christians. All this I have sought out through the mystery of spiritual knowledge.

"JOHNATHAN HUGHES."

Our readers will see that the foregoing prophecy is being completely fulfilled in our midst in these days. Is not the religion now restored, which all the believers of the land may know, and which is exactly the same, at least in beliefs, as the religion of the apostles? Is it not for believing that all things which God placed in the primitive church, and are in it now, that the Saints are condemned? Is it not for saying that God loves his children now as he did then, by imparting the same blessings to them, that the world hates us? If the true faith were restored, would the world speak highly of it? Or would not the devil through religious and long-faced men claim that the true religion was already in the land with them, and exhort the people to believe that the others were deceivers? Should anyone wish answers to these questions, let him read the publications of his country, drink of the teachings of the pulpits, and take note of the love of the world for the reverends. If he is not satisfied, let him go to the "dregs of the earth," and let him ask them; for the dregs were the wisest before, and perhaps they are the wisest still.

LIGHT.

LIGHT is a consecutive sequence of extremely small bits of substance, flowing from a light source, such as the sun, fire, a candle, &c. These bits flow in every direction, without hindering each other; and also in straight lines, unless they are bent by going through various refractions; because light, since it is composed of substance, is subject to attraction, which causes these bits to deviate from their straight course: this is known as inversion, and the twisted and bent appearance of objects when submersed in water is attributed to this. Wood, for example, when half in water, appears to be bent; and also, inversion has the ability to lift the celestial beings above the atmosphere, when in fact they are beneath it, and to cause them to appear higher in the firmament than they truly are. Bits of light are so small, that a huge number of them are contained in a small place. Dr. Nieuwentyl (in his 'Religious Philosopher') calculates that, in a second of time, the huge number of 418,660,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 bits of light flow from a burning candle. These bits are so small, that they cannot be distinguished by our best magnifying glasses; and if they were not like this, instead of being of benefit to us, they would deprive us of our sight, with the force that arises from their remarkable speed, which is known to be more than 11,500,000 miles a minute.

When these small bits flow from the sun, or from a candle, and descend on bodies, and thus are reflected in our eyes, they activate in us the idea of that thing, by forming its picture on the retina.

The fact that beams of light flow in every direction from different sources, without hindering each other, is obvious from the following test:—Make a small hole in a thin blade of metal, and put the blade in a vertical position on a table, and opposite the blade place a row of burning candles standing near to each other; then place a sheet of paper, or cardboard, a little ways from the other side of the blade, and the beams of all the candles as they flow through the hole will form as many spots of light on the paper as there are candles in front of the blade; each spot so big and clear as if it were one candle throwing one spot of light, which shows that the beams do not hinder each other in their movements, although they cross through the same hole. Light and heat, insofar as the latter depends on the rays of the sun, reduce in proportion to the distance of the planets from the sun, and therefore in proportion to the distance of any object from a fire or candle. For example, let A, B, C, D, be four objects, placed near to a fire or candle; let A be two feet from them; B, four feet; C, six feet; and D, eight feet; then the square of their different distances is A 4, B 16, C 36, and D 64; according to that, A has four times as much light or heat as B, nine times as much as C, and sixteen times as much as D; and, conversely, D has only a sixteenth as much light or heat as A, &c. By this rule the corresponding measure of light or heat the earth, the moon, or the planets receive from the sun is determined.

THE MAN who possesses much wealth, and refuses to enjoy it, is like an ass who carries gold on his back, but eats thistles.

By denying fault, one causes it to double.

A friend in need, is a friend indeed.

The good man is never miserable, nor is the bad man ever happy.

The miser is like a dog in the wheel,—he roasts food for others.

By slightly injuring another, we greatly injure ourselves.

A lie has no legs, but slander has wings.

The man who breaks his word, compels others to be unfaithful to him.

A soft answer turneth away wrath; but grievous words stir up anger.

A spur in the head, is worth two in the heel.

The wise man starts in the end; but the fool ends at the start.

A careless young man, becomes a needy old man.

If you do not open the door for the devil, he will go away.

He who lives only for himself, is unworthy of living.

He who is able to suffer the bad, and enjoy the good, is indeed a wise man.

He who is deprived of shame, is deprived of conscience.

He who does not prevent evil, when he can, participates in the evil.

He who does not know that he is weak, is weak in knowledge.

He who makes an idol of his self-interest, makes a martyr of his uprightness.

There are more who commend honesty, than there are those who practice it.

He who makes an ass of himself, has no right to complain if men ride on his back.

The atheist goes one step further than the demons; for they believe and tremble.

The hypocrite pays tribute to God, only to deceive men.

Since you are not sure of one hour, do not waste as much as one minute of your time. Adversity flatters no one.

Ask your pocket what you should buy.

Wrath begins in foolishness, and ends in repentance.

The man who is deprived of virtue himself, envies those who have it.

A faithful friend is life's medicine, and his excellence is priceless.

Slander stems more often from pride than from malice.

Be a friend to yourself, and others will be your friends as well.

Do not depend too much on the time to come.

Bought sense is the best, but perhaps it costs more than it is worth.

Through the errors of others, the wise man will correct his own.

THE TERMS OF HEAVEN.

THE terms of heaven are spelled out to you:—

The first thing you'll do is in Jesus believe;

And second, you will repent—be not endlessly sad;

Third, be baptized, for the remission of sin.

The elders of the church will lay on their hands,

To receive the Spirit, wonderfully it comes;

At that point the terms will all be fulfilled,

So you keep the faith till the end of your days.

ISAAC REES.

CONFERENCE REPORTS.

DENBIGHSHIRE.

T H E FIRST conference in North Wales was held in Newmarket, on the 21st of last January. After the morning meeting was opened by John Parry, Jr., Abel Evans was chosen to preside, who then told the Saints what had taken place in the Merthyr Conference,— namely that John Parry, Jr., was to be the Conference President, and that Joseph Evans and David Williams were to be his counselors; and that two branches were to be established—one in Abergele, with John Parry to preside over it, and the other in Eglwysfach, with Joseph Evans to preside over it. All was approved unanimously.

After that the Saints were greeted by John Parry, who proclaimed his gratitude to God, and to the Saints, for his acceptance into the honorable office which was entrusted to him, and his determination to magnify it, through the power of God and the prayers of the Saints.

Then the Branches of Newmarket, Abergele, and Eglwysfach were represented; the number of members is 57, containing three elders, three priests, and three teachers; all in good condition. Two elders, four priests, three teachers, and three deacons were called. Robert Parry was set apart to be president of the Newmarket branch.

The meeting at two was opened with singing and prayer; and after breaking bread, & c, the newly called officials were ordained. Then the young officials and the Saints were addressed by brother Abel Evans, giving extremely beneficial counsels and teachings, showing them their duties before God and their fellowmen.

In the evening, several elders addressed the meeting, and we had a generous portion of the Spirit of God throughout the day.

A. EVANS, President,

W. PARRY, Scribe.

CHAPEL OF THE SAINTS, LLANELLI.

THE foregoing chapel was opened for the service of the Saints in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, on the 28th and the 29th of last January. It was built because there was no other convenient place in the town, where the Saints could meet together, and where they could invite their friends of the world to hear their doctrine. On the above occasion, Capt. Jones, Wm. Phillips, and others, spoke on the various subjects of their beliefs. Considerable commotion was shown Sunday night, when Capt. Jones invited his brothers and sisters to come out of Babylon, according to the call of God in this age, and when he portrayed who was Babylon of the latter days. The commotion was outside only; inside everyone was listening attentively. The various meetings were overflowing with Saints and other listeners; and we are told that it has continued thus almost every Sunday since then. We fear, therefore, that it will be necessary to enlarge it soon, or get some other place in the town. A platform, and not a pulpit, as other chapels of the country have, is what is in this chapel, and there is space on it for many preachers to sit, and a higher place for the speaker. The Saints do not in any way consider a chapel to be a house of God, but simply a house for them; for no place can be a house of God, unless he gave a commandment for it to be built, as he did for the temple earlier in Jerusalem. The temple on mount Zion will be his house, for he has given the commandment for it to be built in these latter days.

LETTER TO PRESIDENT W. PHILLIPS.

DEAR BROTHER,— I am both pleased and happy to inform you that all the Saints in the Monmouth Conference have requested that I let you know by letter that they express their warmest gratitude to you for your tireless and faithful service and ministry in the time which has gone by; and that they greatly rejoice in that which they have enjoyed through you. And though I have searched carefully among all the Saints in this conference, I have failed to find even one who bears a single accusation against you, that you have been oppressive, or have anything to do with that which is bad, rather that you are full of faith, and possessed of the spirit of your calling always, to the point that they would jump for joy each time you visited them. Their wish and prayer is that that God who sustained you to fulfill so faithfully your previous calling, continue in his goodness and his grace, by sustaining you in your present calling, for the glory of his great name.

Your obedient and humble servant in Christ,

THOS. GILES, Conference President.

MISCELLANEOUS.

EVERY DAY A SABBATH DAY.—The following days of the week are set aside for public worship by different nations:—Sunday, or the Day of the Lord, by the Christians; Monday, by the Greeks; Tuesday, by the Persians; Wednesday, by the Assyrians; Thursday, by the Egyptians; Friday, by the Turks; and Saturday, by the Jews.

a babe’s epitaph.

Brief days in this world were given to her;

She tasted of neither its evil nor good:

Having carried no cross, she'll happily live,

For a tenant of heaven's realm is she.

CONTENTIONS.—In the majority of contentions the fault lies on both sides. Contention can be compared to a spark, which cannot be kindled without flint, as well as steel; but wood will allow either one to strike against it forever, without showing any fire.

WORTHY OF NOTICE.—When you come across a red man who is faithful, a tall man who is wise, a fat man who is fleet of foot, a thin man who is foolish, a handsome man who is not proud, a poor man who is not envious, a knave who is not a liar, an honest man who is not overly concerned about his loss, a smooth-talking man who is not clever and deceitful, a man who winks at another without being cunning and false, a stooping man who is not selfish, a merciful sailor and hangman, a poor man building churches, a quack doctor with a clear conscience, a bailiff who is not a cruel villain, a landlady who does not overcharge, and a lender who is generous;— then you may say that you have come across something remarkable, men acting contrary to the natural course of nature.—Aristotle.

IS THERE "WISDOM IN A WIG?" — A wigmaker, in order to attract the attention of the public to his shop, placed a beautiful picture above his door, showing Absalom hanging by his hair, and underneath it this verse:—

"Oh! see Absalom—hanging by his hair!

Had he worn a wig, he would not be there."

But, a barber nearby, not to be outdone by his neighbor, also put up a picture, showing a man drowning, one who could have been saved by another man's taking him by the hair, but his wig came off his head. Beneath the picture were these words:—

"Had he worn his own hair, and paid for its shearing,

He would never have drowned, but a wig he was wearing."

STRONG DRINK.—"It is a great mistake," says Charles from Bala, "to think that strong drink strengthens men, and makes them capable of heavy work; completely to the contrary, it greatly causes a man's nature to weaken and languish. Everything which overly warms the blood, causes a proportionate weakening of strength. Men who have never tasted strong drink, are easily able to accomplish more work than others, and generally live longer and more comfortably."

PUBLIC AND PRIVATE.

If public you yearn to be,

Knowing hardly anyone at all,

Make your home in a village;

And if you wish to know throngs,

With hardly anyone knowing you,

Then live in a fort or a town.

JOHN DAVIS, PRINTER, CARMARTHEN