THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS' MILLENNIAL STAR.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1895.

NO PRINCIPLE OF THE GOSPEL UNNECESSARY.

IN a conversation on the first principles of the Gospel between an Elder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a young man not of that faith, the latter asked the question: "Do you believe that God will keep a man out of His kingdom simply because that man has not gone down into the water and been baptized in the manner that your Church advocates?" The question is one which many of the missionaries meet, and when they give an affirmative reply, although accompanied with numerous scriptural references to sustain it, the Latter-day Saints are thought to be exclusive and narrow-minded in their ideas of salvation. Further knowledge of their doctrines reveals the fact that such is not the case, but that they believe in the ultimate redemption of a greater proportion of mankind than do the members of any other church. They believe, however, that this will be brought about by obedience to the principles of the Gospel, one of which is baptism.

On the occasion above referred to the Elder put a counter question something like this: "Do you think that God will keep a man out of His kingdom because that man has not happened to believe in Jesus Christ?" Of course the answer "Yes" was promptly given. The Scriptures contain many passages which sustain that idea. "Why" asked the Elder, "do you take the ground that one of these is more necessary than the other, when Christ gives us to understand that both are essential? He commanded baptism as well as faith." "Yes, but the command to believe is greater than that to be baptized," the young man said. "Suppose that it is of more importance that mankind should believe than that they should obey the ordinance of baptism, can we infer that the latter may be done away with and we still receive the benefits promised through obedience to it? Jesus commanded His disciples to go forth and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; telling them also to observe all things whatsoever he had commanded them. Now, as that commandment has not been revoked, how can we escape the conclusion that all the ordinances of the Gospel are of the same importance now as they ever have been? We have no authority to dispense with the least requirement made of us which God has said is necessary to salvation; belief is commanded; baptism is commanded; hence both must be observed by a person who gets into the kingom of God."

The position assumed by the Latter-day Saints is based on a belief that

all the commandments of God should be obeyed-not that in merely having faith, nor in repenting, nor in being baptized, nor in obeying any one principle alone, can man be saved. Whatever is stated by Christ; that is necessary; He had a perfect right to prescribe what should be done, since He is the Author of salvation. If in His divine wisdom He had thought proper to demand anything else than what he has done, mankind would have to comply with that requirement before they could have been saved; on the other hand had God positively stated that obedience to one single principle would bring His children into Heaven, they must have complied with that one thing, and that in the exact manner He commanded, before they could expect the reward promised. The great mistake made by people generally is that they lay too much stress on one principle to the exclusion of many others.

"He that shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved." Men may profess belief in the Gospel; they may repent of their sins; they may be baptized and obtain a remission of sins; they may even receive the Holy Ghost; yet if they should cease to progress in the knowledge of the principles of eternal truth; if through neglect of duty their minds should become darkened; if they fall into trangression and should not repent; all the faith and all the works previously manifested by them would not be sufficient for their salvation. While in the enjoyment of light if men should receive a new commandment from God to perform an act which to them appears unnecessary, He would hold them accountable for their neglect; they could not expect to receive the benefits that others would who obeyed the requirement. When the city of Jericho was to be taken by the Israelites they were instructed by the Lord to do this in a certain specified manner. Among other things they were told to march around it once each day for six days and on the seventh day to march around it seven times; on finishing their march the people were to shout, and the promise was made that the walls of the city should fall, and its inhabitants should be delivered into the hands of the Israelites. We can imagine that there might have been people among the attacking army who would say: "What is the use of all this? Why could not God cause the walls to fall down after we march round the city once?" He could have done so if He had seen proper, but He wanted to teach the children of Israel the lesson of obedience and of faith in Him. The walls of the city were apparently as sound, and the inhabitants enclosed by them felt just as safe up to the instant when the great shout was given by the attacking army as at the moment when the first march was begun. Likely they thought the Israelites were fanatics for maneuvering in such a peculiar manner; it was to them a new kind of warfare. We know that the walls of Jericho were not thrown down by the simple process of blowing ram's horns and shouting, but that the power of God was the cause of their falling. The Israelites had to perform all the acts mentioned before the Lord would manifest His power; He could have destroyed the city without any assistance from them, but He did not choose to do this. In like manner when the Israelites were in the wilderness they could have been healed without looking up to the brazen serpent if God had so ordained it. There was no

virtue in the brass nor in the simple act of raising one's eyes to gaze on the brazen serpent, but the people were healed by doing as they were told; they could look and live, or they could refuse to look, and perish.

This is the explanation of the necessity of baptism, it is a command given to the children of men; it is the door through which we enter into the Kingdom of God, and we have no right to say that there is any other door. So it is with all the principles of the Gospel; there is no requirement made of us without a purpose, but we must comply with all these requirements, thus showing our willingness to abide by the counsel of our Father, after which we can consistently expect to receive the reward promised. B.

A CORRESPONDENT furnishes the following to the Wellington Times, New Zealand: Mrs. Spencer Medley and Mrs. Duff Hewitt spent an afternoon among the Maoris at Porirua, and held a meeting at Mr. Wi Neira's house. Nearly all present were Mormons, and strictly temperance people, Mr. P. H. Horohou being the only member of the Church of England, and also the only one who signed the pledge. Judging from all we saw and heard of these Maoris, they well deserve the name of "Latter-day Saints." Their knowledge of the Scriptures is wonderful. They meet in their church for prayers every morning at 6:30, and every evening at 5 o'clock. Their houses are spotlessly clean. We did not hear of one case of polygamy, although they do not condemn it. Mrs. Wi Neira is a handsome, clever woman, and the daughters all nice looking and married. It was a pretty sight to see the tiny children, some almost babies, run to meet their grandfather, Mr. Wi Neira, when he arrived from town, and to see the fine, handsome old man take them on his knees and smile so benignly upon them. There were some remarks made during a conversation before the meeting was held, in which it was rather painful to hear of grievances which seemed to them real, and which they looked upon as breaches of faith on the part of the "pakeha." Two of the Mormon Elders came to the meeting, and although there was a discussion and a difference of opinion on two or three points, yet there was only respect and kindness on all sides; and after distributing their books and papers, Mrs. Medley and Mrs. Hewitt returned to Wellington.

THE following dispatch was sent from Chihuahua, Mexico, to the St. Louis Globe-Democrat. There are doubtless some exaggerations in the item, but there is no question that it has its foundation in truth: "The party of prospectors who left here three months ago to investigate the report made by Moses Thatcher, the well known Mormon leader, of the discovery of an ancient city in the mountains west of Hemata, about 150 miles northwest of here, have just returned. They had many exciting experiences and two members of the party died from exposure in the high altitude, but they were successful in finding the hidden city. They report it to be just as described by Mr. Thatcher, except that it contains many riches in the way of gold and silver, samples of which the party brought back with them, aggregating several thousand dollars in value. They are

convinced that there are rich mines in the immediate vicinity of the city, which were extensive.y worked centuries ago, and that the city was built from the riches thus obtained. The party also corroborates the report made by Mr. Thatcher, that the buildings of the city contain sufficient building stone to build two cities twice the size of San Francisco. Mr. Thatcher discovered the deserted city while making a prospecting tour through Mexico, in search of a suitable place in which to establish a Mormon colony."

RELEASES AND APPOINTMENTS.-Elder Thomas E. Taylor has been honorably released from his labors in the business department of the MILLENNIAL STAR office, to return home, January 10, 1895. Elder Taylor has occupied this position nearly the whole of the time he has been in England, and has discharged his duties faithfully and efficiently. While regretting to part with him we feel that he has fulfilled his mission and wish him God-speed on his journey home.

Elder Samuel H. Parker has been released, on account of sickness, from laboring as Traveling Elder in the Manchester Conference, to return home, January 10, 1895.

Elder Edward Tuttle is released, on account of sickness, from his labors as Traveling Elder in the Norwich Conference, to return home, January 10, 1895.

Elder Victor P. Wells has been temporarily released from his labors as Traveling Elder in the London Conference, and has been appointed to labor in the business department of the MILLENNIAL STAR office.

Elder Alfred L. Booth has been released from his labors as Traveling Elder in the Liverpool Conference, and has been appoined to labor in the editorial department of the MILLENNIAL STAR office.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS.-The address of the Birmingham Conference House has been changed to 42 Roland Road, Handsworth, Birmingham. BIRMINGHAM CONFERENCE NOTICE.-The Birmingham Conference will be held at Hockley Chapel, Hunters Vale, off Farm Street, Birmingham, on Sunday, January 20, 1895.

LEEDS CONFERENCE NOTICE.-The Leeds Conference will be held at Bradford, on Sunday, January 27, 1895.

MANCHESTER CONFERENCE NOTICE.-The Manchester Conference will be held in the Co-operative Hall, Broughton Road, Pendleton, on Sunday, February 3, 1895, at 11 a.m., 2:30 and 6:30 p.m.

SCOTTISH CONFERENCE.

THE Scottish Conference was held in Neilson's Hall, 89 Ingram Street, Glasgow, on Sunday, December 30, 1894. p.m., and 6 p.m. There were present: the European Mission; Alfred L. Booth,

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Meetings convened at 10 a.m., Anthon H. Lund, President of of the Liverpool Office; S. P.

Draney, President of, and Archibald Freebairn, George Burt, O. P. Hoggan, George Finlayson, George Scott, Stewart Eccles, William Blain, E. B. Nelson, George R. Moses, John L. Fackrell, Daniel Stevens, Reuben Gardner, George Stewart, Traveling Elders in, the Scottish Conference.

The general authorities of the Church, and of the European Mission, and the President and the Traveling Elders of the Scottish Conference, were presented and unanimously sustained.

The statistical report for the half year ending December 30, 1894, was read as follows: Seventies 14; Elders 33; Priests 7; Teachers 10; Deacons 4; members 212; total officers and members 266. Tracts distributed 60,872; out-door meetings 53; indoor meetings 298; books given away 199; books sold 56; books loaned 176; Sunday School Sessions 30. Baptisms 28; confirmations 28; ordinations 4; children blessed 12; emigrated over eight years of age 5; emigrated under eight years of age 2; deaths 3; excommunicated 1; Branches organised 1.

The meetings were well attended, and the spirit manifested was much stronger than that of recent years. Elder Lund gave much counsel of a pleasant, healthful, and invigorating character.

A Priesthood meeting was held on Monday morning where the Elders reported their labors and received instructions regarding their work in the future. WM. LEGGAT, Conference Clerk.

CORRESPONDENCE.

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, DECEMBER 24, 1894.

PRESIDENT ANTHON H. LUND.

DEAR BROTHER,

After nearly four years of almost constant travel and labor, I have at last nearly completed my visits to all the Stakes of Zion, and to all the settlements of the Saints throughout the Rocky Mountains. And thus I am able to say that I have become acquainted, both geographically and historically, with every nook and corner in this great inter-mountain region where Latter-day Saints are raising the standard of Zion at the present time. This has also introduced me to all the Stake Presidents, Bishops, and nearly all the leading men in the Church who have the watchcare over the "flock of Christ" in the different localities. During the present year I have visited the settlements of the Saints in Old Mexico, New Mexico, Arizona, and Canada, and I am now finishing up my labors in the Salt Lake Stake of Zion. It will take me a few weeks longer to get through here; and then the Historian's Office will be in possession of the necessary material and data from which to write full and true histories of every stake, ward, quorum, and association in the Church so far as the thirty-four stakes and our colonies in Mexico and Canada are concerned. I have also had the opportunity of visiting nearly all the waste places of Zion in the States of New York, Ohio, Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, and Nebraska; commencing my historical researches and geographical investigations around the hill Cumorah, where the angel Moroni delivered the plates to the youthful Prophet Joseph Smith. I followed in his track