,,the ,,millennium1 ,,and ,,other ,,poems3 ,,to ,,which ,,is ,,annexed1 ,a ,,treatise ,,on ,,the ,,regeneration ,,and ,,eternal ,,duration ,,of ,,matter4 ,,by ,p4 ,p4 ,,pratt1 ,,minister ,,of ,,the ,,gospel4 ,,new ,,york3 ,,printed ,,by ,w4 ,,molineux1 ,,cor4 of ,,ann and ,,nassau ,,streets4 ,,mdcccxl4 ,entered1 according to ,act of ,congress1 in the year ,one ,thousand ,eight ,hundred and ,thirty-nine1 by ,p4 ,p4 ,,pratt1 in the ,clerk's ,office for the ,southern ,district of ,new-,york4 ,,preface4 ,when these ,poems were first written1 the ,author had no intention of compiling them in one volume3 they sprang into existence one after another as occasion called them forth1 at times and in places1 and under circumstances widely varying4 ,some came forth upon the bank of the far-famed ,niagara1 and some were the plaintive strains poured from a full heart in the lonely dungeons of ,missouri where the ,author was confined upwards of eight months during the late persecution2 some were poured from the top of the ,white ,mountains of ,new ,hampshire1 and others were uttered while wandering over the flowery plains and wide-extended prairies of the west2 some were written in crowded halls and thronged cities1 and some in the lonely forest2 some were the melting strains of joy and admiration in contemplating the approaching dawn of that glorious day which shall crown the earth and its inhabitants with universal peace and rest2 and others were produced on the occasion of taking leave of my family1 friends1 or the great congregation1 on a mission to other and distant parts2 and some were wrung from a bosom overflowing with grief at the loss of those who were nearest and dearest to my heart1 ,the ,regeneration and ,eternal ,duration of ,matter1 in particular was a production in prison1 which was more calculated to comfort and console myself and friends when death stared me in the face1 than as an argumentative or philosophical production for the instruction of others4 ,at length1 the ,author was induced to embody the whole in one volume in the hope that perhaps others might find them a source of instruction1 edification1 and comfort4 ,,contents4 ,,the ,,millennium ,,historical ,,sketch ,,true ,,patriotism ,,dispensation ,,of ,,the ,,fulness ,,of ,,times ,,ministry ,,to ,,the ,,nephites ,,nephites1 ,,lamanites1 c4 ,,harmony ,,of ,,nature ,,inheritance ,,of ,,the ,,saints ,,redemption ,,of ,,zion ,,evening ,,reflections ,,mission ,,of ,,the ,,twelve ,,farewell ,,reflections ,,in ,,prison ,,falls ,,of ,,niagara ,,spring ,,signs ,,of ,,the ,,times ,,birth-,,day ,,in ,,prison ,,zion ,,in ,,captivity ,,our ,,country ,o1 ,,missouri1 ,,how ,,art ,,thou ,,fallen ,,new ,,year',s ,,song ,,lamentation ,,lamentation1 c4 ,,funeral ,,hymn ,,farewell ,,memorial ,,the ,,pilgrim ,,general ,,conference1 ,,farewell ,,the ,,downfall ,,of ,,babylon ,,pratt',s ,,defence ,,pratt',s ,,deliverance ,,visit ,,to ,,the ,,white ,,mountains ,,regeneration ,,and ,,eternal ,,duration ,,of ,,matter ,,just ,,published1 ,and for ,sale by ,p4 ,p4 ,,pratt1 ,a ,,history ,,of ,,the ,,late ,,persecution ,,in ,,missouri ,,also1 ,,the ,,voice ,,of ,,warning2 ,,or1 ,,an ,,introduction ,,to ,,the ,,doctrine ,,of ,,the ,,latter-,,day ,,saints4 ,our ,books are to be obtained at our meetings1 and of our travelling ,preachers1 and also at such ,book ,stores as we shall advertize hereafter4 ,,the ,,millennium4 ,,chapter ,i4 ,introduction--,location of the ,ten ,tribes--,the way prepared--,their return to their own lands--,the waters divided--,their return contrasted with their going out of ,egypt4 ,a glorious theme the sacred muse inspires1 ,cheers up the soul1 and tunes the sounding lyre3 ,lights the dark vale of sorrow1 pain and wo1 ,and gives to man a paradise below4 ,the joyful time1 by prophets long foretold1 ,at length comes rolling on the astonished world3 ,when ,god1 the second time1 should set his hand1 ,to gather ,israel to their promised land4 ,an ensign to the nations now is reared1 ,the standard waving1 and the way prepared2 ,let kings and empires tremble at his word1 ,the gentle nations all their aid afford4 ,what though ,assyria's captives long and lone1,a ,have wandered outcasts to the world unknown1 ,in some far region to the frozen north1 ,where pale ,borealis sends his meteors forth66 ,where fields of ice unbounded block the road1 ,to keep intruders from their drear abode2 ,where no sweet flowers the dreary landscape cheer1 ,nor plenteous harvests crown the passing year8 ,what though the land where milk and honey flowed1 ,and peace and plenty crowned their blest abode1 ,has by the ,gentiles long been trodden down1 ,and desolation reigned o'er all the ground8 ,yet soon the icy mountains down shall flow1 ,the parched ground in springs of water flow1 ,the barren desert yield delicious fruit1 ,their souls to cheer1 their spirits to recruit2 ,mountains before them levelled to a plain1 ,the valleys rise1 the ocean cleave in twain1 ,the crooked straightened1 and the rough made plain1 ,the way prepared1 lo1 ,israel comes again6 ,the seven streams of ,egypt's rolling flood ,shall feel the power and might of ,israel's ,god1 ,their waves on heaps1 like towering mountains rise1 ,they cross dry shod1 with wonder and surprise4 ,and thus with joy ,assyria's captives come1 ,in grand procession to their ancient home2 ,a scene of joy and wonder more sublime ,than all that passed in hardened ,pharaoh's time4 ,when captive ,israel raised to heaven their cry1 ,and ,moses came1 commissioned from on high1 ,poured the ten plagues on ,egypt with his rod1 ,the monarch trembling1 owned the power of ,god1 ,and filled with envy1 rage1 and wild dismay1 ,thrust ,israel forth1 and bade them haste away2 ,then moved with wild despair that all was lost1 ,he straight pursued them with his numerous host2 ,before them stretched the vast expanded sea1 ,and mountains1 on each side1 hedged up the way1 ,the roar of chariots armed1 pressed on their rear ,in dread array1 and filled their souls with fear3 ,till ,moses o'er the sea stretched forth his rod1 ,and cleared a passage through the mighty flood1 ,and soon1 with safety1 led his armies through1 ,but ,pharaoh1 close behind1 did still pursue2 ,the floods returning with majestic roar1 ,his armies sunk1 o'erwhelmed1 to rise no more2 ,while ,israel still pursued their joyous way1 ,their ,god1 in fire by night1 in cloud by day ,before them moved1 majestic to behold6 ,until on ,sinai's mount the thunder rolled1 ,and lightnings flaming in one general glare1 ,while clouds of smoke hung on the darkened air4 ,jehovah spake6 the trumpet1 long and loud1 ,earth's whole foundation to the centre bowed4 ,israel and ,moses quaking stood around1 ,a sudden trembling seized the solid ground4 ,moses1 at length1 drew near2 the law was given1 ,of justice1 equal weights1 and measure even3 ,and angels' food became their constant bread1 ,a month on quails their numerous hosts were fed1 ,the rock was smitten1 and a fountain burst1-- ,poured forth its cooling stream to quench their thirst4 ,his angel led them all their journey through2 ,the nations trembling1 fainted at the view2 ,their mighty walls fell tumbling to the ground1 ,destruction swept the nations1 all around4 ,but lo6 a scene more glorious strikes my view ,than ,israel ever saw or ,egypt knew3 ,ten thousand times ten thousand ,i behold1 ,returning home1 as prophets long foretold3 ,sing1 ,o ye heavens6 let earth rejoice again1 ,and all prepare for king ,messiah's reign4 ,footnote ,a3 ,the ,ten ,tribes4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,situation of the ,jews1 from their dispersion to the present time1 and the desolation of their land and city--,their restoration to the ,land of ,canaan--,rebuilding of ,jerusalem and the ,temple4 ,lo6 ,judea's remnants--long dispersed abroad1 ,without a prophet1 king1 or priest of ,god-- ,have wandered exiles from their native home1 ,to darkness doomed1 till their deliverance comes4 ,their city1 once so glorious to behold1 ,their temple1 decked with precious stones and gold1 ,the seat of wisdom1 and the light of kings1 ,where mighty nations did their tribute bring1 ,have long remained in one wide ruin round1 ,and desolation reigned o'er all the ground4 ,but comfort ye my people1 saith your ,god2 ,proclaim the joyful tidings far abroad3 ,thy sins are pardoned1 and thy warfare o'er1 ,thy sons and daughters now shall grieve no more2 ,but kings thy nursing fathers shall become2 ,their ships1 and beasts1 and chariots bring thee home4 ,the ,gentiles1 in their arms1 thy sons return2 ,thy daughters on their shoulders shall be borne4 ,trees crowned with fruit their fainting souls shall cheer1 ,their desert land like ,eden shall appear2 ,their fields1 where desolation long has reigned1 ,shall now1 be fenced1 and tilled1 and sowed again2 ,and flocks and herds1 in plenty shall be seen1 ,o'er all the plains they feed in pastures green4 ,thy ruined cities shall in splendor rise1 ,thy lofty towers point upwards to the skies2 ,thy temple reared1 most glorious to behold1 ,its courts adorned with precious stones and gold3 ,all things restored1 as prophets long declared1 ,thus king ,messiah's way shall be prepared4 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,situation of the remnant of ,joseph from the fall of the ,nephites ,a4 ,d4 #djj1 to the discovery of ,america by ,columbus--,effect upon the natives at first view of ,european vessels--,kind reception of the ,europeans by the natives--,war with the ,indians and their defeat--,rapid settlement of the eastern shores--,the war renewed1 subsequent sufferings of the ,colonies--,they again drive the red man--,their settlements advance to the ,ohio and the lakes--,further struggle of the natives1 their final submission4 ,rise1 heavenly muse1 and leave those scenes of joy1 ,awhile let other climes1 thy pen employ1 ,extend thy vision1 cross the mighty deep1 ,and o'er ,columbia's scenes in anguish weep4 ,see ,joseph's remnants1 long in darkness dwell1 ,since by their hands a mighty nation fell4,a ,the light which once illumed their happy land1 ,where towns and cities did in order stand1 ,had slumbered long beneath their mouldering towers4 ,their flowery landscape1 and their shady bowers4 ,had long been scenes of cruelty1 and blood1 ,the scourge and wrath of an avenging ,god3 ,when lo6 a scene of wonder1 struck their view2 ,o'er the vast deep1 an object strange and new1 ,came gliding swiftly onward to the shore1 ,part fish1 part fowl1 or something to adore2 ,they gazed1 with admiration and delight1 ,as plainer still the object hove in sight3 ,nor little dreamed1 the ,gentiles were at hand1 ,to smite and drive them1 from their blessed land4 ,with warmest friendship1 they their guests sustain1 ,until too late1 they find their struggles vain3 ,whole fleets and armies1 lined their lengthened shore2 ,with din of armour bright1 and cannon's roar2 ,their cities burned1 and drenched with human gore1 ,they sunk in ruin1 and were known no more4 ,see ,gentile cities on a sudden rise1 ,their lofty spires point upward to the skies1 ,where late the shades1 spread o'er the red man's grave1 ,a sacred bower in memory of the brave4 ,see boundless forests still around them spread1 ,from north to south1 an immeasurable shade2 ,where mighty chieftains oft the signal gave1 ,and struggled long1 their country for to save4 ,tribes rose to vengeance while their councils rung1 ,and liberty still thundered from their tongues2 ,onward they rushed with rage and wild despair1 ,the midnight war-whoop rent the darkened air2 ,while terror seized their unsuspecting prey1 ,and blood of infants marked their dreadful way6 ,towns wrapped in flames and women captive led1 ,where cruel torture filled their souls with dread4 ,once more the ,gentile stung with keen revenge2 ,pursues the red skin o'er the woodland range1 ,till darkened swamps become their wild retreat2 ,and there prepared1 the advancing foe they meet4 ,with desperation they their cause maintain2 ,till many a chieftain fell1--their struggle vain1 ,till by superior force o'erpowered they yield1 ,and leave the pale-face master of the field4 ,from the ,st4 ,lawrence's snow invested wilds1 ,to ,florida1 where constant verdure smiles1 ,their towns and cities sprinkle all the shore2 ,the midnight war-whoop there is heard no more4 ,but as their rapid settlements advance1 ,to the dark wilds1 round ,erie's vast expanse1 ,or o'er the ,alleghanies bend their course1 ,where broad ,ohio's waters have their source2 ,the natives roused once more in dread array1 ,assert their rights1 spread terror and dismay2 ,till over-powered again1 they take to flight1 ,and with reluctance yield their lawful right4 ,but tribes remoter still1 with dread surprize1 ,alarmed at their approach1 vindictive rise1 ,renew the conflict with redoubled force1 ,with dreadful slaughter mark their vengeful course1 ,till checked by force superior to their own1 ,again they fly discouraged and undone1 ,reduced in numbers1 give the struggle o'er1 ,tamely submit1 and seek their rights no more4 ,footnote ,a3 ,the ,nephites4 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,the ,american ,revolution--,its effects upon other nations--,french ,revolution--,revolution of ,greece1 ,poland1 c--,present prosperity of the ,united ,states of ,america--,present state of the ,indians--,indian prayer4 ,meantime the ,gentiles break their foreign yoke1 ,while tyrants tremble at the dreadful stroke1 ,assert their freedom1 gain their liberty1 ,and to the world proclaim ,columbia free4 ,o'er ocean's wave triumphant in the breeze1 ,her banner floats o'er all the distant seas1 ,where dire oppression1 long with tyrant sway1 ,had ruled mankind1 and led them far astray4 ,with admiration seized1 the nations all1 ,filled with delight ,columbia's deeds extol2 ,and gazing still1 they catch the sacred fire1 ,and love of liberty their souls inspire4 ,while nations oft in their extended plan2 ,from slumber wake to claim the rights of man1 ,empires o'erturned1 and tyrants headlong hurled1 ,the voice of freedom echoes round the world4 ,first1 ,france arose1 in triumph led the way1 ,till love of conquest led them far astray2 ,and dire ambition seized the helm of state1 ,through seas of blood1 where millions met their fate3 ,till they reluctant give the struggle o'er1 ,and rest content with rights enjoyed before4 ,and next the ,greeks their ancient spirit caught1 ,from long oppression roused they bravely fought1 ,they burst the ,moslem chains emerging free1 ,through seas of blood obtained their liberty4 ,poland in turn received the sacred fire1 ,her noble sons for freedom did aspire2 ,and struggling long at length they bravely fell4 ,but cease1 my muse2 the tale forbear to tell1 ,and turn again unto the favored shore1 ,where freedom's genius kindly hovers o'er1 ,see states and nations joyfully extend1 ,their wide domain almost from end to end2 ,from the far eastern shores of rugged ,maine1 ,to wild ,missouri's rich and flowery plains1 ,the harvest fields with rural plenty crowned2 ,and flowery gardens flourish all around2 ,the humble cottage and the lofty dome1 ,each crowned with plenty form an equal home ,see on her lakes1 and on her thousand streams1 ,her vessels float impelled by sail or steam4 ,while busy commerce floats along her seas1 ,with sails expanded wide before the breeze2 ,far o'er the wave her rich produce they bear1 ,and in return bring every kind of ware1 ,to clothe her sons1 her daughters to array1 ,in linen fine and silk and purple gay2 ,thus peace and plenty crown ,columbia's soil1 ,a rich reward of industry and toil4 ,lo6 the poor ,indian1 if he chance to roam ,o'er the wide fields he once could call his own2 ,where oft in youth he sported in the chace1 ,mourning the change1 he scarcely knows the place2 ,with bursting heart his streaming eyes survey ,the sacred mound where lies his father's clay4 ,o'erwhelmed with grief to heaven he lifts his eyes ,before the throne his prayers like incense rise3 ,great ,spirit of our fathers lend an ear1 ,pity the red man--to his cries give ear1 ,long hast thou scourged him with thy chastening sore1 ,when will thy vengeance cease1 thy wrath be o'er2 ,when will the white man's dire ambition cease1 ,and let our scattered remnants dwell in peace8 ,or shall we1 7driven to the western shore7 ,become extinct and fall to rise no more8 ,forbid1 great ,spirit2 make thy mercy known1 ,reveal thy truth1 thy wandering captives own1 ,make bare thine arm of power for our release1 ,and o'er the earth extend the reign of peace4 ,,chapter ,v4 ,coming forth of the fulness of the ,gospel--,restoration of the ,indians and their gathering ,west of the ,mississippi1 by the present administration in fulfilment of prophecy--,commission and ,ministry of the servants of ,god in the last dispensation--,commencement of the gathering of the ,gentile ,church--,their persecution and dispersion in fulfilment of prophecy1 from which reflections are drawn on the subject of persecution in general--,the enduement of the servants of ,god and their ministry among all nations--,the power of ,god displayed in making bare his arm in the eyes of all nations--,they flow to ,zion--,possess the land in peace--,build up a holy city no more to be thrown down--,the wars1 earthquakes1 pestilences1 famines and signs in heaven above anil earth beneath which are to precede the ,millennium--,the resurrection of the saints--,the coming of ,christ with all his saints--,the burning of the wicked--,the restitution of the earth with all its blessings4 ,ye gloomy scenes far hence1 intrude no more2 ,sublimer themes invite the muse1 to soar ,in loftier strains1 while scenes both strange and new1 ,burst on the sight and open to the view4 ,lo6 from the opening heavens in bright array1 ,an angel comes1 to earth he bends his way1 ,reveals to man in power1 as at the first1 ,the fulness of the ,gospel long since lost4 ,see earth obedient from its bosom yield6 ,the sacred truth it faithfully conceal'd1 ,the wise confounded startle at the sight1 ,the proud and haughty tremble with affright2 ,the hireling priests against the truth engage1 ,while hell beneath stands trembling filled with rage4 ,false are their hopes and all their struggles vain1 ,their craft must fall and with it all their gain2 ,the deaf must hear1 the meek their joy increase1 ,the poor be glad and their oppression cease4 ,see ,congress stand in all the power of state1 ,destined1 like ,cyrus1 now to change the fate ,of ,joseph's scattered remnants6 long oppressed1 ,and bring them home unto a land of rest2 ,beyond the ,mississippi's rolling flood1 ,a land before ordained by ,israel's ,god6 ,where ,zion's city shall in grandeur rise1 ,and fill the wondering nations with surprise4 ,from north1 and south1 and east behold them come ,by tens of thousands to their destined home6 ,from heaven's king commissioned to proclaim ,repentance1 and baptism in his name1 ,his servants to the ,gentiles lift their voice1 ,while tens of thousands in the sound rejoice1 ,and they to ,zion bend their joyful way1 ,with songs of joy and gladness hail the day4 ,the priests and people filled with dread surprise1 ,alarm'd at their approach vindictive rise1 ,and lest the power of truth should still prevail1 ,they think to cause the prophecy to fail4 ,and if by fire and sword the saints they drive1 ,while other sects and parties grow and thrive1 ,as bloody persecution lifts her thong1 ,all parties cry at once1 the saints are wrong2 ,for if they were the chosen of the ,lord1 ,he would protect them and fulfil his word4 ,o fools1 and slow of heart to understand ,the prophecies concerning ,zion's land4 ,have ye not read the words of them of old8 ,when wrapt in vision clear they have foretold ,the wicked deeds that you of late fulfil'd1 ,the scenes that have transpired on ,zion's hill8 ,he that is truly wise will search and see1 ,he that's already blind more blind shall be2 ,one truth is clear1 the ransom'd shall return1 ,another is1 the wicked shall be burned4 ,how vain the thoughts that stripes would change the mind1 ,convince the judgment and convert mankind1 ,or cruel scourge of mobs with all their rage1 ,make man believe that this enlightened age ,needs no repentance1 faith1 nor nothing more ,than the religion they enjoyed before4 ,if persecution were good argument1 ,why not the ,jews make ancient saints repent8 ,paul of all men the hardest to reclaim1 ,stoned1 whipt1 imprisoned1 still remained the same2 ,ten thousand heretics rejoiced in fire1 ,while priests for their conversion did aspire4 ',tis true the ,romans many converts made1 ,when they the inquisition call'd to aid1 ,perhaps these modern times have made a few1 ,who turn'd from saints to join the drunken crew2 ,but persecution spreads the truth abroad1 ,make servants bolder in the cause of ,god4 ,adds to their numbers1 twice ten thousand more1 ,and makes them stronger than they were before4 ,see men commission'd in ,messiah's name1 ,wide o'er the earth the joyful news proclaim2 ,while from on high the spirit's power descends ,on all the saints that bow to his commands1 ,the deaf shall hear1 the blind their sight receive1 ,the dumb shall sing with joy1 the dying live1 ,the lame shall leap1 and all mankind behold ,jehovah's arm made bare1 like days of old4 ,while his elect to ,zion gather home1 ,from every tribe and nation see them come4 ,see o'er the land where desolation reign'd1 ,the saints in peace1 enjoy their rights again4 ,rise1 crown'd with light1 imperial ,zion rise1 ,prepare to meet the city from the skies1 ,let ,joseph's remnants at thy gates attend1 ,walk in thy light1 and in thy temple bend1 ,while ,gentile saints thy spacious courts shall throng1 ,and join their voices in the general song2 ,no more shall proud oppression drive the hence1 ,nor terror come1 for ,god is your defence ,come1 gentle muse1 suspend the joyful lay1 ,and o'er the earth let's take a wide survey2 ,soft touch the lyre in slow and mournful strains1 ,and sing of scenes where death and sorrow reign2 ,see dire commotion seize the nations all1 ,while blood and war the stoutest hearts appal1 ,kingdom on kingdom in confusion hurl'd1 ,system on system wreck'd throughout the world1 ,sect against sect in bloody strife engage1 ,man against man in single combat rage1 ,while widows mourn the loss of husbands slain1 ,and virgins for their bridegrooms weep in vain1 ,while pining famine wastes their strength by day1 ,and pestilence oft seizes on its prey2 ,earthquakes in turn in bellowing fury roar1 ,and ocean's waves roll frightful to the shore4 ,see through the heavens the sun in sackcloth mourn1 ,the moon to blood in frowning anger turns1 ,the stars affrighted from their spheres are hurled1 ,system on system wreck'd and world on world1 ,earth's whole foundation to the centre nods4 ,and nature trembling feels the power of ,god4 ,while ,michael sounds the trumpet loud and long1 ,see from their graves the saints unnumbered throng2 ,see through the air the ocean and the earth1 ,their dust reviving bursting into birth1 ,see bone to bone in perfect order fly1 ,while sinews1 flesh1 and skin their place supply2 ,and every hair all number'd in its place1 ,immortal beauty does their temples grace4 ,thus formed anew with joy they mount on high1 ,and wing their passage to the upper sky2 ,meantime the heavens rend while wrapt in fire1 ,the nations see the glory of ,messiah6 ,with all the saints to earth he bends his way2 ,in flames descends1 who can abide the day8 ,the great1 the rich1 the mighty loudly call1 ,saying1 ye rocks and mountains on us fall4 ,but fire consumes the wicked1 branch and root1 ,and leaves their ashes trodden under foot4 ,behold the ,mount of ,olives rend in twain1 ,while on its top he sets his feet again6 ,the islands at his word obedient flee6 ,while to the north he rolls the mighty sea6 ,restores the earth in one1 as at the first1 ,with all its blessings1 and removes the curse4 ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,the binding of ,satan--,pouring out of the spirit upon all flesh--,harmony of all the beasts of the earth1 while peace and the knowledge and glory of ,god shall cover the earth as the waters cover the sea--,the faith of ,abel the first martyr--,enoch's song--,the testimony of many of the holy prophets and apostles--,and the general expectation of all the saints in all nations and generations4 ,lo6 ,satan bound in chains shall rage no more1 ,nor tempt mankind till thousand years are o'er2 ,but perfect peace and harmony extend ,their wide domain to earth's remotest ends1 ,all flesh shall feel the spirit from on high1 ,the wolf and lamb in peace together lie4 ,the cow and bear shall feed in pastures green1 ,while in the shade their young ones shall be seen1 ,the lion cease to be a beast of prey1 ,and like the harmless ox shall feed on hay2 ,the little child secure from harm shall stray ,o'er poisonous serpent's dens shall fearless play2 ,in all ,god's holy ,mount shall naught destroy1 ,but men for pruning hooks their spears employ2 ,their swords to ploughshares turned1 shall till the ground1 ,while plenteous harvests flourish all around1 ,and earth o'erwhelm'd with knowledge of the ,lord1 ,like as the waters fill the mighty flood2 ,while king ,messiah reigns the king of kings1 ,and saints and angels join his praise to sing4 ,hail glorious day1 by prophets long foretold2 ,and sought by holy men from days of old2 ,who found it not1 but readily confessed1 ,as pilgrims here1 they sought a promised rest4 ,hear ,abel groan1 as first he yields to death1 ,and is succeeded by his brother ,seth2 ,he dies in faith to wait till ,christ appears2 ,to rise and reign with him a thousand years4 ,hear ,enoch too1 the wondrous scene foretell1 ,while future glories did his bosom swell2 ,the vail was rent1 while wonders strange and new ,before him rose1 and opened to his view4 ,long1 long he heard the earth in anguish mourn2 ,saw heaven weep1 while oft his bowels yearn'd2 ,while all eternity1 with pain beheld ,the scenes of sorrow which his bosom swell'd3 ,he saw the ,lamb on ,calvary expire1 ,while rocks were rent1 and cities wrapt in fire2 ,he saw him burst the tomb1 and mount on high ,enthroned in glory 'mid the upper sky4 ,obtain'd the promise1 he would come again ,to earth1 in triumph with his saints to reign2 ,his soul was glad with joy he tuned the lyre2 ,and sung the glorious reign of king ,messiah4 ,hosanna to the ,lamb that shall be slain2 ,all hail the day when ,zion comes again2 ,out of the earth the truth in power he sends1 ,while righteousness from heaven shall descend1 ,and these shall sweep the earth as with a flood1 ,to gather out the purchase of his blood2 ,unto the ,zion which he shall prepare2 ,and ,enoch with his city meet them there1 ,when all the ransom'd saints shall join the lay1 ,and shout ,hosanna in eternal day4 ,wide o'er the earth1 the ,saviour's name extend2 ,and peace o'er all prevail from end to end4 ,thus ,enoch sang1 while all the heavenly choir2 ,join'd in ,hosanna to the king ,messiah4 ,noah too1 by faith beheld the scene afar2 ,and as a type1 he did the ark prepare4 ,condemned the world1 by water overthrown1 ,while to his view the light triumphant shone1 ,he gazed with joy on all the glorious scene1 ,but mourn'd the darkness that should roll between4 ,abram with joy beheld the day of rest2 ,when in his seed all nations should be bless'd1 ,and gladly wandered as a pilgrim here2 ,and fell asleep to wait till ,christ appears-- ,in sure and certain hope to rise and reign ,in ,canaan's land1 a right he had obtained4 ,isaac and ,jacob had the glorious view1 ,rejoiced in death and so did ,joseph too2 ,while patient ,job in pain look'd far away1 ,saw his ,redeemer in the latter day1 ,stand on the earth1 while he himself should rise ,and in the flesh behold him with his eyes4 ,moses and ,joshua1 ,samuel and ,isaiah1 ,did each in turn this solemn truth declare2 ,while ,david tuned the lyre in joyful lays1 ,spake of ,messiah's reign1 and sung his praise4 ,ezekiel1 ,daniel1 ,joel1 ,zachariah1 ,and ,malachi1 have spoken of ,messiah2 ,when he should set his feet on earth again1 ,burn up the proud1 and o'er the nations reign4 ,jesus and ,peter1 ,john and ,james1 and ,paul1 ,the time would fail me here to mention all2 ,who wrapt in vision clear in turn foretold1 ,the day of wonders ,i would fain unfold4 ,lehi1 ,nephi1 ,alma and ,mosiah1 ,abinedi1 who once rejoiced in fire2 ,mormon1 ,moroni and ,ether testified2 ,for this they lived1 and in this faith they died2 ,and all the saints of ,god in all the earth1 ,down from old ,adam to the latest birth2 ,and all the vast creations which extend1 ,through boundless space till man can find no end1 ,and all the heavenly host around the throne1 ,shall sound his praise in reverential tone4 ,millions unnumber'd at his feet shall fall1 ,hail him as king1 and crown him ,lord of all4 ,,historical ,,sketch ,,from ,,the ,,creation ,,to ,,the ,,present ,,day4 ,in ,three ,parts ,,part ,,first4 ,when earth's foundation first was laid1 ,the heavens in order stood2 ,and all the works ,god's hand had made1 ,his word pronounced good4 ,but soon the happy scene was changed1 ,for man to whom 'twas given1 ,to choose the way of life or death1 ,trangressed the law of heaven4 ,and thus the evil seed was sown1 ,and death through all their race2 ,in which creation long has groaned2 ,in pain to be released4 ',t was then the scene of love began ,to be revealed on earth2 ,by angels borne from heaven to man ,the gospel's heavenly birth4 ,the ,god of heaven shall send his son1 ,for man to bleed and die2 ,and rise again that man may rise1 ,and reign with him on high4 ,repentance and baptism then ,by angels were revealed1 ,the holy ghost descending down1 ,the heirs of glory seal'd4 ,thus men began to exercise ,their faith in ,jesus' word1 ,with joy to embrace the gospel plan1 ,and call upon the ,lord4 ,but many then would not believe1 ,but soon forgot the ,lord2 ,soon ,enoch rose with mighty power1 ,being call'd to preach the word4 ,he preach'd repentance and baptized1 ,through all the happy land1 ,the people who in ,zion dwelt1 ,were of one heart and mind4 ,at length the city was not found1 ,for ,god received it up2 ,the residue were left to drown1 ,and in the prison shut4 ,but ,noah the ,eighth was saved by faith1 ,when warn'd an ark to build1 ,and seven of his family1 ,from whom the earth was fill'd4 ,,part ,,second4 ,again the nations left the ,lord ,to worship stocks and stones1 ,forgot the wonders of the flood1 ,and sunk in darkness down2 ,and then again was ,god reveal'd ,to ,abram1 his friend1 ,called him to leave his house and home1 ,to view a chosen land4 ,to thee and to thy seed1 he said1 ,i give this blessed land1 ,though like the stars for multitude1 ,and numerous as the sand4 ,but ,abraham died a stranger in ,the land 'twas to him given1 ,nor owned a place to set his foot1 ,on it beneath the heaven4 ,his seed possessed it for a while1 ,became a sinful host2 ,and then ten tribes were led away1 ,and to our knowledge lost4 ,from time to time were led away1 ,of ,israel's chosen seed1 ,dispersed o'er islands of the sea1 ,as all the prophets read4 ,and thus the ages rolled away1 ,the appointed time drew near1 ,as all the prophets had declared ,that ,christ must soon appear4 ,john1 like a bright and morning star ,rose to prepare his way1 ,proclaimed repentance1 and baptized ,whoever would obey4 ,the son of ,god at length appeared1 ,and was baptized by ,john1 ,the ,father sent the spirit down ,and owned him for his son4 ,he to his own the gospel preached1 ,his own received him not1 ,despised all his mighty works1 ,and counted him as naught4 ,at length their ,lord they crucified1 ,while nature stood amazed1 ,the solid rocks in sunder rent1 ,while ,jew and ,gentile gazed4 ,but soon the third bright morn appeared1 ,when1 rising from the dead1 ,to his disciples he appeared ,and thus unto them said3 ,,part ,,third4 ,go ye1 and preach in all the world1 ,baptizing in my name1 ,he that believes and is baptized ,salvation shall obtain4 ,then rising from ,mount ,olivet ,unto his ,father's throne1 ,on high to reign until he claims ,the kingdoms for his own4 ,his servants then1 in mighty power1 ,soon made his gospel known1 ,the ,jews reject while ,gentiles come1 ,and glad their ,saviour own4 ,the ,jews dispersed through all the earth1 ,jerusalem trodden down1 ,in desolation long has lain1 ,and cursed has been the ground4 ,the ,gentile churches for a while ,produced the natural fruit1 ,being grafted in the natural vine1 ,partaking of the root4 ,but soon the fruit became corrupt1 ,by flatteries and lies1 ,teachers in pride were puffed up1 ,the simple truth despised4 ,great ,babylon at length arose1 ,in mighty power to reign1 ,nations and kings became corrupt1 ,and many saints were slain4 ,the scriptures of their plainness robbed1 ,and mystery thrown around1 ,that men might sup her golden cup1 ,and all true knowledge drown4 ,thus generations long have passed1 ,and age on ages rolled1 ,the latter day approaching fast1 ,its glories to unfold4 ,our fathers of the ,gentile race ,traversed the western main1 ,and found a wide extended land1 ,of valley1 hill1 and plain4 ,this land was peopled with a race1 ,which long had dwelt alone1 ,no record nor tradition traced ,their origin unknown4 ,the ,lord in mercy has disclosed ,the truth so long concealed1 ,the record found beneath the ground ,has glorious things revealed4 ,this is the land which ,moses blessed1 ,to ,joseph and his seed2 ,these are the everlasting hills1 ',t was for his bounds decreed4 ,,charity ,,and ,,true ,,patriotism4 ,behold the man whose tender heart ,expanded with a ,saviour's love1 ,wide as eternity expands1 ,his bowels with compassion move4 ,he looks on ,zion from afar1 ,he hears the captive exiles groan1 ,then leaves his wife and children dear1 ,his brethren and his peaceful home4 ,and hastens at his ,lord's command ,to call his brethren from afar1 ,as volunteers for ,zion's land1 ,that in her sorrows they may share4 ,he dare assert her injured cause1 ,and sound the trump of freedom when ,they trample on his country's laws1 ,and disregard both ,god and man4 ,his distant brethren hear the sound1 ,and rise to march to ,zion's land2 ,behold the armies gathering round ,against the powers of hell to stand4 ,the little stone begins to roll1 ,it shall prevail and never cease1 ,but fill the earth from pole to pole ,with freedom1 union1 love and peace4 ,,the ,,opening ,,of ,,the ,,dispensation ,,of ,,the ,,fulness ,,of ,,times4 ,when earth in bondage long had lain1 ,and darkness o'er the nations reigned1 ,and all man's precepts proved in vain1 ,a perfect system to obtain3 ,a voice commissioned from on high2 ,hark1 hark1 it is the angel's cry1 ,descending from the throne of light1 ,his garments shining clear and white4 ,he comes the gospel to reveal ,in fulness1 to the sons of men2 ,lo6 from ,cumorah's lonely hill1 ,there comes a record of ,god's will6 ,translated by the power of ,god1 ,his voice bears record to his word2 ,again an angel did appear1 ,as witnesses do record bear4 ,restored the priesthood1 long since lost1 ,in truth and power as at the first1 ,thus men commissioned from on high1 ,came forth and did repentance cry4 ,baptizing those who did believe1 ,that they the spirit might receive1 ,in fullness as in days of old1 ,and have one shepherd and one fold4 ,,second ,,part4 ,ye ,gentile nations1 cease your strife1 ,and listen to the words of life2 ,turn from your sins with one accord1 ,prepare to meet your coming ,lord4 ,let ,judah's remnants far and near ,the glorious proclamation hear1 ,for ,israel and the ,gentiles too1 ,the way to ,zion shall pursue4 ,their voices and their tongues employ ,in songs of everlasting joy2 ,the mountains and the hills rejoice1 ,let all creation hear his voice4 ,from north to south1 from east to west1 ,in thee all nations shall be blessed1 ,when ,abram and his seed shall stand ,unnumbered on the promised land4 ,,christ',s ,,ministry ,,to ,,the ,,nephites4 ,the solid rocks were rent in twain1 ,when ,christ the ,lamb of ,god was slain2 ,the sun in darkness veiled his face1 ,the mountains moved and left their place4 ,and all creation groaned in pain ,till the ,messiah rose again2 ,when earth did cease her dreadful groans1 ,the sun unveiled his face and shone2 ,the righteous that were spared alive1 ,with joy and wonder did believe1 ,and soon together they convened ,conversing on the things they'd seen3 ,which had been given for a sign1 ,when lo1 they heard a voice divine1 ,and as the heavenly voice they heard ,the ,lord of glory soon appeared4 ,,second ,,part4 ,with joy and wonder all amazed1 ,upon their glorious ,lord they gazed1 ,and wist not what the vision meant ,but thought it was an angel sent ,while in their midst he smiling stood1 ,proclaimed himself the son of ,god1 ,he said come forth and feel and see1 ,that you may witness bear of me4 ,and when they all had felt and seen ,where once the nails and spear had been1 ,hosanna they aloud proclaimed1 ,and blessed and praised his holy name1 ,he then proceeded to make plain ,his gospel to the sons of men1 ,the prophecies he did unfold1 ,yea1 things that were in days of old4 ,and every thing that should transpire ,till element should melt with fire1 ,commanding them for to record ,the sayings of their risen ,lord2 ,that generation should be blessed1 ,and with him in his kingdom rest2 ,but1 ,o6 what scenes of sorrow rolled ,when he the future did unfold6 ,,part ,,third4 ,four generations should not pass ,until they'd turn from righteousness1 ,the ,nephite nation be destroyed6 ,the ,lamanites reject his word1 ,the gospel taken from their midst1 ,the record of their fathers hid1 ,they dwindle long in unbelief1 ,and ages pass without relief1 ,until the ,gentiles from afar1 ,should smite them in a dreadful war1 ,and take possession of their land1 ,and they should have no power to stand4 ,but as their remnants wander far1 ,in darkness1 sorrow and despair1 ,lo6 from the earth their record comes ,to gather ,israel to their homes4 ,first to the ,gentiles 'tis revealed1 ,the prophecy must be fulfilled2 ,that they may know and understand ,his gospel1 and no more contend4 ,hear6 ,o ye ,gentiles1 and repent1 ,to you is this salvation sent2 ,god to the ,gentiles lifts his hand1 ,to gather ,israel to their land4 ,,the ,,nephites1 ,,lamanites ,,and ,,gentiles4 ,o who that has search'd in the records of old1 ,and read the last scenes of distress2 ,four and twenty were left who with ,mormon beheld1 ,while their nation lay mouldering to dust4 ,the ,nephites destroyed1 the ,lamanites dwelt1 ,for ages in sorrow unknown2 ,generations have pass'd1 till the ,gentiles at last1 ,have divided their lands as their own4 ,o1 who that has seen o'er the wide spreading plain ,the ,lamanites wander forlorn1 ,while the ,gentiles in pride and oppression divide ,the land they could once call their own4 ,and who that believes does not long for the hour ,when sin and oppression shall cease1 ,and truth1 like the rainbow1 display through the shower1 ,that bright written promise of peace4 ,o1 thou afflicted and sorrowful race1 ,the days of thy sorrow shall end2 ,the ,lord has pronounced you a remnant of ,his1 ,descended from ,abram his friend4 ,thy stones with fair colors most glorious shall stand1 ,and sapphires all shining around2 ,thy windows of agates in this glorious land1 ,and thy gates with carbuncles abound4 ,with songs of rejoicing to ,zion return1 ,and sorrow and sighing shall flee2 ,the powers of heaven among you come down4 ,and ,christ in the centre will be4 ,and then all the watchmen shall see eye to eye1 ,when the ,lord shall bring ,zion again2 ,the wolf and the kid down together shall lie1 ,and the lion shall dwell with the lamb4 ,the earth shall be filled with knowledge of ,god1 ,and nothing shall hurt or destroy1 ,and these are the tidings we have to proclaim1-- ,glad tidings abounding with joy4 ,,the ,,harmony ,,of ,,nature1 ,,or ,,freedom1 ,,peace1 ,,and ,,love4 ,hark6 listen to the gentle breeze1 ,o'er hill or valley1 plain or grove1 ,it whispers in the ears of man1 ,the voice of freedom1 peace and love4 ,the flowers that bloom o'er all the land1 ,in harmony and order stand1 ,nor hatred1 pride or envy know1 ,in freedom1 peace and love they grow4 ,the birds their numerous notes resound1 ,in songs of praise the earth around1 ,their voices and their tongues employ1 ,in songs of freedom1 love and joy4 ,and then behold the crystal stream1 ,with multitudes of fishes teem2 ,in silent joy they live and move1 ,in freedom1 union1 peace and love4 ,,second ,,part4 ,the mountains high1 the rivers clear1 ,where heaven sheds her dews and tears1 ,in silence1 or with gentle roar1 ,the ,god of love and peace adore4 ,the earth1 and air1 and sea1 and sky1 ,the holy spirit from on high1 ,and angels who above do reign1 ,cry peace on earth1 good will to men4 ,but most of all a ,saviour's love1 ,was manifested from above1 ,he died and rose to life again1 ,our freedom1 love and peace to gain4 ,but man1--vile man1 alone seems lost1 ,with hatred1 pride and envy tossed1 ,his hardened soul does seldom move1 ,in freedom1 union1 peace or love4 ,for him1 let all creation mourn2 ,o'er him did ,enoch's bosom yearn1 ,till he was promised from above1 ,a day of freedom1 peace and love4 ,,inheritance ,,of ,,the ,,saints4 ,blessed are the meek1 for they shall inherit the earth4 ,this earth shall be a blessed place1 ,to saints celestial given2 ,where ,christ again shall show his face1 ,with the redeemed of ,adam's race1 ,in clouds descend from heaven4 ,yes1 when he comes on earth again1 ,the wicked burn as stubble2 ,thus all his enemies are slain1 ,and o'er the nations he shall reign1 ,and end the scenes of trouble4 ,the trump of war is heard no more1 ,but all their strife is ended2 ,while ,jesus shall all things restore ,to order1 as they were before1 ,and peace o'er all extended4 ,sing1 ,o ye heavens6 let earth rejoice1 ,while saints shall flow to ,zion1 ,and rear the temple of his choice1 ,and in its courts unite their voice1 ,in praise to ,judah's ,lion4 ,hosanna to the reign of peace6 ,the day so long expected2 ,when earth shall find a full release1 ,the groanings of creation cease1 ,the righteous well protected4 ,come1 sound his praise in joyful strains4 ,who dwell beneath his banner2 ,he'll bind old ,satan fast in chains1 ,and wide o'er earth's extended plains1 ,the nations shout ,hosanna4 ,,redemption ,,of ,,zion4 ,lo1 far in the realms of ,missouri1 ,when peace crowns the meek and the lowly1 ,the loud storms of envy and folly ,may roll all their billows in vain4 ,the wicked1 with evil intention1 ,may rouse all their powers of invention1 ,with lying1 intrigue and contention1 ,their end will be sorrow and pain4 ,the saints1 crowned with songs of rejoicing1 ,to ,zion shall flow from all nations1 ,escaping the great conflagration1 ,they find out the regions of peace4 ,though scattered and driven asunder4 ,as exiles and pilgrims to wander1 ,a scene on which angels do ponder1 ,yet ,jesus will bring their release4 ,when empires of ,babel shall tumble1 ,their fabrics in ashes shall crumble1 ,the ,lord will provide for the humble ,a city of refuge and peace4 ,there1 there the ,lord will deliver ,the soul of each faithful believer1 ,and save them forever and ever1 ,and sorrow and sighing shall cease4 ,the saints for those blessings aspire1 ,and wait with exceeding desire1 ,till earth shall be cleansed by fire1 ,and they their inheritance gain4 ,hosanna1 such blessings inspire ,a song from the heavenly choir1 ,they sing of the coming ,messiah1 ,from heaven in glory to reign4 ,,reflections ,,on ,a ,,summer ,,evening4 ,another day has fled and gone1 ,the sun declines in western skies1 ,the birds retired1 have ceased their song1 ,let ours in pure devotion rise4 ,the moon her splendid course resumes1 ,she sheds her light o'er land and sea1 ,the gentle dews in soft perfumes ,fall sweetly o'er each herb and tree4 ,while here in meditation sweet1 ,those happy hours ,i call to mind1 ,when with the saints ,i oft have met1 ,our hearts in pure devotion joined4 ,those friends afar ,i call to mind1 ,when shall we meet again below2 ,their hearts affectionate and kind1 ,how did they soothe my grief and woe4 ,as flow'rets in their brightest bloom1 ,are withered by the chilling blast1 ,so man's fond hopes are like a dream1 ,his days how fleet1 how swift they pass4 ,but cease this melancholy moan1 ,nor sigh for those who will not come1 ,for ,israel surely will return ,to ,zion and ,jerusalem4 ,there is a source of pure delight ,for ever shall support my heart3 ,for ,zion's land's revealed to sight1 ,where saints will meet no more to part4 ,,mission ,,of ,,the ,,twelve4 ,how fleet the precious moments roll1 ,how soon the harvest will be o'er3 ,the watchmen seek their final rest1 ,and lift a warning voice no more4 ,another year has roll'd away ,and took its thousands to the tomb2 ,its sorrows and its joys are fled1 ,to hasten on the general doom4 ,and eighteen hundred thirty five4 ,is rolling swiftly on the wing1 ,and soon the leaves and tendrils thrive2 ,a token of returning spring4 ,the fulness of the gospel shines ,with glorious and resplendent rays2 ,the earth and heav'ns show forth their signs4 ,as tokens of the latter days4 ,,second ,,part4 ,ye chosen twelve1 to you are given1 ,the keys of this last ministry-- ,to every nation under heaven1 ,from land to land1 from sea to sea4 ,first to the ,gentiles sound the news ,throughout ,columbia's happy land1 ,and then before it reach the ,jews1 ,prepare on ,europe's shores to stand4 ,let ,europe's towns and cities hear ,the gospel tidings angels bring2 ,the ,gentile nations far and near1 ,prepare their hearts ,his praise to sing4 ,india's and ,afric's sultry plains ,must hear the tidings as they roll-- ,where darkness1 death and sorrow reign1 ,and tyranny has long controlled4 ,listen1 ye islands of the sea-- ,for every isle shall hear the sound3 ,nations and tongues before unknown1 ,though long since lost1 shall soon be found4 ,and then again shall ,asia hear1 ,where angels first the news proclaimed3 ,eternity shall record bear1 ,and earth repeat the loud1 ,amen4 ,the nations catch the pleasing sound1 ,and ,jew and ,gentile swell the strain1 ,hosanna o'er the earth resound1 ,messiah then will come to reign4 ,,farewell4 ,farewell1 my kind and faithful friend-- ,the partner of my early youth1 ,while from my home my steps ,i bend1 ,to warn mankind and teach the truth4 ,how oft in silent evening mild1 ,i to some lonely place retire-- ,thy love and kindness call to mind1 ,then lift a voice in humble prayer4 ,o ,lord1 extend thine arms of love1 ,around the partner of my heart1 ,for thou hast spoken from above1 ,and called me with my all to part4 ,preserve her soul in perfect peace1 ,from sickness1 sorrow and distress1 ,until our pilgrimage shall cease4 ,and we on ,zion's hill shall rest4 ,how gladly would my soul retire ,with thee1 to spend a peaceful life1 ,in some sequestered humble vale1 ,far from the scenes of noise and strife4 ,where men should grieve our souls no more1 ,nor rage of sin disturb our peace2 ,our troubles1 toils and sufferings o'er1 ,their lies and persecutions cease4 ,,part ,,second4 ,but lo6 the harvest wide extends-- ,the fields are white o'er all the plain-- ,the tares in bundles must be bound1 ,while we with care secure the grain4 ,shall we repine when ,jesus calls1 ,or count the sacrifice too great1 ,to spend our lives as pilgrims here1 ,or loose them for the gospel's sake8 ,when ,jesus ,christ has done the same1 ,without a place to lay his head1 ,a pilgrim on the earth he came1 ,until for us his blood was shed4 ,shall we behold the nations doomed ,to sword and famine1 blood and fire1 ,yet not the least exertion make1 ,but from the scene in peace retire8 ,no2 while his love for me extends1 ,the pattern makes my duty plain-- ,i'll sound to earth's remotest ends1 ,his gospel to the sons of men6 ,farewell1 my kind and faithful friend1 ,until we meet on earth again-- ,for soon our pilgrimage shall end1 ,and the ,messiah come to reign4 ,,reflections4 ,,in ,,prison1 ,,april1 #ahci4 ,o freedom1 must thy spirit now withdraw ,from earth1 returning to its native heaven1 ,there to dwell1 till armed with sevenfold vengeance ,it comes again to earth with king ,messiah1 ,and all his marshalled hosts in glory bright1 ,to tread the winepress of ,almighty ,god1 ,and none escape8--ye powers of heaven forbid2-- ,let freedom linger still on shores of time1 ,and in the breasts of thine afflicted saints1 ,let freedom find a peaceful retirement1-- ,a place of rest2--till o'er the troubled earth-- ,mercy1 justice1 and eternal truth1 ,while journeying hand in hand to exalt the humble ,and debase the proud1 shall find some nation ,poor1 oppressed1 afflicted and despised1 ,cast out and trodden under foot of tyrants ,proud1 the hiss1 the bye-word1 and the scorn of knaves3-- ,and there let freedom's spirit wide prevail4 ,and grow1 and flourish--'mid the humble poor1 ,exhalted and enriched by virtue1 ,knowledge1 temperance1 and love--till o'er the earth ,messiah comes to reign2--the proud consumed4 ,no more oppress the poor4-- ,let ,freedom's eagle then1 7forthcoming1 like ,the ,dove from ,noah's ,ark7 on lofty pinions soar1 ,and spread its wide domain from end to end1 ,o'er all the vast expanse of this wide earth1-- ,while freedom's ,temple rears its lofty spires ,amid the skies1 and on its bosom rests6 ,a cloud by day and flaming fire by night66 ,but stay1 my spirit1 though thou feign would'st soar ,on high2 mid scenes of glory1 peace and joy2 ,from bondage free1 and bid thy jail farewell3-- ,stop1--wait awhile1--let patience have her perfect work1 ,return again to suffering scenes through which ,the way to glory lies2 and speak of things ,around thee1--thou art in prison still4 ,but spring has now returned1 the wintry blasts ,have ceased to howl through my prison crevices4 ,the soft and gentle breezes of the south ,are whistling gayly past2 and incense sweet ,on zephyr's wing1 with fragrance fills the air1 ,wafted from blooming flowrets of the spring2 ,while round my lonely dungeon oft is heard ,melodious strains as if the birds of spring ,in anthems sweet conspired to pity and ,console the drooping spirits there confined4 ,all things around me show that days1 and weeks1 ,and months have fled1 although to me not mark'd ,by sabbaths--and but faintly mark'd by dim ,and sombre rays of light alternate mid ,the gloom of overhanging night which still ,pervades my drear and solitary cell4 ,where now those helpless ones ,i left to mourn8 ,have they perished8 no4--what then6--has some ,elijah call'd and found them in the last ,extreme1 and multiplied their meal and oil8 ,yes1 verily1--the ,lord has fill'd the hearts ,of his poor saints with everlasting love1 ,which1 in proportion to their poverty1 ,increased with each increasing want1 till all ,reduced unto the widow's mite and then ,like her1 their living they put in1 and thus ,o'erflowed the treasury of the ,lord with more ,abundant stores than all the wealth of kings4 ,and thus supported1 fed1 and clothed2 and moved ,from scenes of sorrow to a land of peace-- ,they live6--and living still they do rejoice ,in tribulation deep3 ,well knowing their redemption draweth nigh6 ,,the ,,falls ,,of ,,niagara4 ,,written ,,in ,,prison4 ,boast not1 ,o proud ,niagara6 although ,thou mayest withstand the ravages of time1 ,while countless millions swept away with all ,their mighty works1 are lost in following years3 ,yet there is a voice to speak1 long and loud6 ',tis ,michael's trump1 whose mighty blast shall rend ,thy rocks1 and bow thy lofty mountains in the dust4 ,before whose awful presence thy waters ,blush in retiring modesty2 and in ,respectful silence thou shalt stand1 and listening1 ,wonder and admire1 while thunders roll ,majestic round the sky2--the lightnings play1-- ,the mountains sink1--the valleys rise1--till earth1 ,restored to its original--receives ,its final rest1 and groans and sighs no more4 ,till then weep on1 and let thy voice ascend1 ,in solemn music to the skies2--it is ,a funeral dirge1--thou weepest o'er the miseries ,of a fallen world--in anguish deep4 ,,spring4 ,,written ,,in ,,prison1 ,,april1 #ahci4 ,see nature bursting into life and bloom3 ,joyous1 it rises from its wintry tomb1 ,decked in pure robes of purple1 white1 or green3 ,perfumed with incense sweet--,o lovely scene6 ,melodious sounds1 with music soft and sweet1 ,thrill through the air--thy joyous presence greet4 ,behold1 ,o ,mary6 and remember too1 ,there is a spring to bloom for me and you2-- ,we1 like the spring1 shall burst the sullen gloom4 ,all clothed in white--eternally to bloom4 ,we too1 will join the choir his praise to sing1 ,and hail the welcome of ,eternal ,spring4 ,,signs ,,of ,,the ,,times4 ,,written ,,in ,,prison4 ,lift up your heads1 ye scattered saints1 ,redemption draweth nigh2 ,our ,saviour hears the orphans' plaints'2 ,the widow's mournful cry4 ,the blood of those who have been slain ,for vengeance cries aloud3 ,nor shall its cries ascend in vain1 ,for vengeance on the proud4 ,the signs in heaven and earth appear2 ,and blood1 and smoke1 and fire2 ,men's hearts are failing them for fear2 ,redemption's drawing nigher4 ,earthquakes are bellowing 'neath the ground1 ,and tempests through the air2-- ,the trumpet's blast with fearful sound1 ,proclaims the alarm of war4 ,the saints are scattered to and fro1 ,through all the earth abroad2 ,the gospel trump again to blow1 ,and then behold their ,god4 ,rejoice1 ye servants of our ,god1 ,who to the end endure2 ,rejoice1 for great is your reward1 ,and your defence is sure4 ,although this body should be slain ,by cruel1 wicked hands2 ,i'll praise my ,god in higher strains1 ,and on ,mount ,zion stand4 ,glory to ,god1 ye saints rejoice1 ,and sigh and groan no more2 ,but listen to the spirit's voice2 ,redemption's at the door4 ,,birthday ,,in ,,prison1 ,,april #ab1 #ahci4 ,this is the day that gave me birth ,in eighteen hundred seven2 ,from worlds unseen ,i came to earth1 ,far from my native heaven4 ,thirty and two long years have pass'd1 ,to grief and sorrow given2 ,and now to crown my woes at last ,i am confined in prison4 ',tis not for crimes that ,i have done ,that to my foes ,i'm given1 ,but to the world ,i am unknown1 ,and my reward's in heaven4 ,what troubled scenes may yet ensue ,to strew my path with sorrow1 ,is not for me to know1 'tis true1 ,i boast not of to-morrow4 ,one thing is sure1 this life at best ,is like a troubled ocean2 ,i often wish myself at rest ,from all its dire commotion4 ,but let its troubled bosom heave1 ,its surges beat around me2 ,to truth1 eternal truth1 ,i cleave1 ,its floods can never drown me4 ,,zion ,,in ,,captivity4 ,a ,,lamentation4 ,,written ,,in ,,prison4 ,torn from our friends and captive led1 ',mid armed legions bound in chains1 ,that peace for which our fathers bled ,is gone1 and dire confusion reigns4 ,zion1 our peaceful happy home1 ,where oft we joined in praise and prayer1 ,a desolation has become1 ,and grief and sorrow linger there4 ,her virgins sigh1 her widows mourn1 ,her children for their parents weep2 ,in chains her priests and prophets groan1 ,while some in deaths cold arms do sleep4 ,exultingly her savage foes ,now ravage1 steal and plunder1 where ,a virgin's1 tears1 a widow's woes1 ,became their song of triumph there4 ,how long1 ,o ,lord1 wilt thou forsake ,the saints who tremble at thy word8 ,awake1 ,o arm of ,god1 awake-- ,and teach the nations thou art ,god4 ,descend with all thy holy throng1 ,the year of thy redeem'd bring near2 ,haste--haste the day of vengeance on-- ,bid ,zion's children dry their tears4 ,deliver1 ,lord1 thy captive saints1 ,and comfort those who long have mourn'd2 ,bid ,zion cease her dire complaints1 ,and all creation cease to groan4 ,,our ,,country4 ,,an ,,extract4 ,,written ,,in ,,prison4 ,here nature too1 her grandest works display2 ,sublimest themes inspire the ,poet's lays1 ,as if creative power in skill progressed1 ,as onward still it moved towards the west4 ,till here it finished with a master hand ,its mightiest works--to excel all other lands4 ,in awful majesty our mountains rise1 ,o'erlook the clouds1 and tower amid the skies1 ,their lofty summits bid defiance bold1 ,they fear no rival heights in older worlds4 ',tis true ,himmaleh1 7,asia's highest peak17 ,has dared with ,chimborazo to compete2 ,but then our rocky summits--scarce explored ,some nameless rival heights may yet afford2 ,whose towering pride shall seize the starry crown1 ,and cast ,himmaleh1 humbled1 to the ground4 ,our proud volcanoes1 belching forth their flames1 ,with smoke and lava1 overwhelm the plains2 ,their lightnings play--their awful thunders roar1 ,convulse the earth and sea from shore to shore4 ,among them ,cotopaxi's awful voice ,would silence ,etna1--drown ,vesuvius' noise2 ,while ,europe wondering listens to admire ,the power superior of ,columbia's fires4 ,our lakes1 like inland seas expanding wide1 ,have not a parallel on earth beside4 ,ontario1 ,erie1 ,huron1 ,michigan1 ,and vast ,superior form the mighty plan1 ,their waves like oceans wash the verdant shore1 ,in western wilds too boundless to explore4 ,can ,europe1 ,africa1 or ,asia boast ,a lake compared with these in all their coasts8 ,our rivers too1 pursue their lengthened way1 ,from far off mountains to the distant sea1 ,through fertile vales1--the flowery meads along1 ,and chiming still their gently murmuring song2 ,receiving grateful tribute as they run4 ,from thousand streams all mingling into one4 ,lo6 wild ,missouri's waters have their source ,in unknown regions to the west and north1 ,from limpid lakes or from the mountain snows1 ,from thousand springing streams its current flows2 ,mid vast prairies1 winds its lengthened way1 ,two thousand miles where savage hunters stray1 ,then quits its wildly wanderings to receive ,the busy hum of commerce on its wave4 ,two thousand more its rapid current flows1 ,receiving still large rivers as it goes1 ,young ,empires flourish all along its tide1 ,and joyous cities rise on every side4 ,what is the boasted ,nile compared with this8 ,its magnitude is lost in nothingness1 ,asia and ,europe's longest1 proudest streams ',longside ,missouri's tide how short they seem6 ,our cataracts too1 in grandeur far outvie1 ,the noblest waterfalls beyond the sea4 ,see grand ,niagara's stream majestic glide1 ,the venturous steamer floating on its tide3 ,its limpid waters draining half a world1 ,into the yawning gulf are headlong hurled1 ,and for a moment lose the light of day1-- ,dash on the rocks--then rise in misty spray4 ,the playful sunbeams trembling kiss its tears1 ,and from this loved embrace the bow appears2 ,commingling colors of the liveliest hue ,from purple red1 to yellow1 pink1 and blue4 ,these mingling join the sportive1 airy dance1 ,their beauty half concealed from vulgar glance2 ,now veil'd in clouds--now bursting to the view ,in blushing modesty1 the dance renew2 ,while music rolls in awful1 solemn sound1 ,heard in the distance1 many leagues around4 ,or turn to ,tequendama's awful steep1 ,see wild ,bogota's waters boldy leap1 ,down from the lofty ,andes' heights of snow1 ,to flowery plains1 where spring's soft breezes blow3 ',mid scenes of majesty unrival'd stand1 ,and view the wonders of ,columbia's land4 ,our climate stretching far through every zone1 ,presents variety elsewhere unknown4 ,lo6 in the ,north eternal winter reigns1 ,and binds the ocean in his icy chains2 ,locked in the stupor of his cold embrace ,all nature seems to sleep3--yet here we trace ,some signs of life1--of joy1 and happiness1 ,some icy cottage of domestic bliss1 ,where love sits smiling1 7from the blast secure7 ,in native modesty1--with soul as pure1 ,and chaste1 and lovely1 as their virgin snows1 ,while to the chase her lord1 or lover goes2 ,and if per chance he takes a ,bear1 or ,seal1 ,amid the dangers of the icy field1 ,returns in triumph to his humble cot ,where lost in love his troubles are forgot4 ,our northern states present a clime severe1 ,where wintry blasts are howling half the year2 ,but spring arising from its wintry tomb1 ,renew'd in freshness sheds a sweet perfume2 ,decked in pure robes of purple1 white or green1 ,adorned with flowrets bright3--,o1 lovely scene6 ,melodious sounds of music1 soft and sweet ,thrill through the air1--it's joyous welcome greet4 ,there autumn's richest blessings crown the year1 ,and there the rose on beauty's cheek appears4 ,our southern climes for mildness may compare1 ,with ,italy1 and ,france1 whose gentle air ,became the subject of the ,poet's dream1 ,or breathed in music soft1 the lover's theme4 ,there rapturous passions kindle in the soul ,their warmest fires1--impatient of control3 ,there love's soft graces beam in woman's eye ,and beauty's cheek is tinged with paler dye4 ,there balmy sweets perfume the breath of morn1 ,and shady groves the noonday walks adorn2 ,while gentle zephyrs kiss the blushing flowers1 ,and healthful breezes cool the evening hours4 ,our soil1 with ,eden's garden would compare1 ,nay more1--forbidden fruit was growing there2 ,but here the trees of life and knowledge stand reveal'd1 ,and free to all1--no poison is conceal'd ,in wisdom's fruit1--,our ,eves may satisfy ,their souls with knowledge here2 nor fear to die4 ,o1 ,,missouri1 ,,how ,,art ,,thou ,,fallen6 ,,written ,,in ,,prison4 ,missouri1 a country how sad and how low1 ,how fallen from glory1 from freedom1 from pride1 ,o1 would that oblivion its mantle would throw ,o'er thee1 and the depth of thy wickedness hide4 ,thou should'st never rejoice--think not of the day ,when ,columbia for freedom first struggled so bold1 ,when thousands assembled in battle array1 ,the star-spangled banner of freedom unfurled2 ,think not of the patriots that bled in her cause1 ,who met all undaunted the foemen's dark brow1 ,they gave to their country beneficent laws ,of right and protection but where are they now8 ,disturb not the rest of the free and the brave1 ,enshrined deep in honor they sweetly repose1 ,they swore that the banner of freedom should wave ,o'er their dear native land regardless of foes1 ,but thou1 ,o ,missouri1 hast trampled on all ,that free men would fight for or patriots feel ,o thou queen of the west how great is thy fall-- ,thy wounds deep and deadly no balsam can heal4 ,let us fly1 let us fly to the land where the light ,of ,liberty's stars still illumine each spot1 ,where the cottager's smile for ever is bright1 ,and the chains of a tyrant encircle us not4 ,in the fair ,illinois the eagle's bold wing ,is stretched o'er a people determined and free1 ,and the shouts of her sons in melody ring ,o'er her bower covered groves and fine prairie4 ,a ,,new ,,year',s ,,song4 ,this morning in silence ,i ponder and mourn1 ,o'er the scenes that have passed no more to return1 ,how vast are the labors1 the troubles and fears1 ,of eight hundred millions who've toiled through the year4 ,how many ten thousands were slain by their foes1 ,while widows and orphans have mourn'd o'er their woes1 ,while pestilence1 famine and earthquakes appear1 ,and signs in the heavens throughout the past year4 ,how many been murder'd and plunder'd and robb'd1 ,how many oppressed and driven by mobs1 ,how oft have the heaven's bedewed with their tears ,the earth o'er the scenes they beheld the past year4 ,but the day-star has dawn'd o'er the land of the bless'd1 ,the first beams of morning1 the morning or rest2 ,when cleans'd from pollution the earth shall appear ,as the garden of ,eden1 and peace crown the year4 ,then welcome the new year1 ,i hail with delight1 ,the season approaching with time's rapid flight2 ,while each fleeting moment brings near and more near1 ,the day1 long expected1 the great thousand years4 ,i praise and adore the eternal ,i ,am2 ,hosanna1 hosanna to ,god and the ,lamb1 ,who order the seasons that glide o'er the spheres1 ,and crown with such blessings1 each happy new year4 ,a ,,lamentation4 ,,on ,,taking ,,leave ,,of ,,new-,,york4 ,adieu to the city1 where long ,i have wandered1 ,to tell them of judgments and warn them to flee2 ,how often in sorrow1 their woes ,i have pondered3 ,perhaps in affliction1 they'll think upon me4 ,with a tear of compassion1 in silence retiring1 ,the last ray of hope for your safety expiring2 ,a feeling of pity this bosom inspiring-- ,sing this lamentation and think upon me4 ,how often at evening your halls have resounded ,with th' pure testimony of ,jesus1 so free2 ,while the meek were rejoicing1 the proud were confounded1 ,the poor had the gospel2--they'll think upon me4 ,when ,empires shall tremble at ,israel returning1 ,and earth shall be cleans'd by the ,spirit of burning2 ,when proud men shall perish1 and ,priests with their learning1-- ,sing this lamentation1 and think upon me4 ,when the ,union is severed1 and liberty's blessings ,withheld from the sons of ,columbia1 once free2 ,when bloodshed and war1 and famine d'stress them1 ,remember the warning6 and think upon me4 ,when this mighty city shall crumble to ruin1 ,and sink as a millstone1 the merchants undoing2 ,the ransom'd1 the highway of ,zion pursuing1-- ,sing this lamentation1 and think upon me4 ,,lamentation ,,by ,p4 ,p4 ,,pratt4 ,,in ,,memory ,,op ,,his ,,departed ,,wife1 ,,who ,,died1 ,,march #be1 #ahcg4 ,the joys of home ,i once have tasted1 ,all its pleasures called my own2 ,friendship's purest pleasures graced it1 ,but they're gone1--,i'm left alone1 ,now no more that smile of gladness ,welcomes me at my return2 ,but a lonely1 solemn sadness3 ,oh she's gone1--,i'm left alone6 ,oft when clouds of care and trouble1 ,like a tempest o'er me roll'd1 ,a look1 a word1 an act of kindness1 ,served to calm my troubled soul4 ,when by pain and sickness wasted1 ,oft she lingered near my bed2 ,fed me1 nursed me as an angel1 ,washed my feet or bathed my head4 ,when to western wilds ,i wandered1 ,rear'd in solitude my cot2 ,clear'd away the gloomy forest1-- ,she with flowers adorned the spot4 ,when by ruthless mobs was driven1 ,wounded1 bleeding1 from my home1 ,wandering in a land of strangers1 ,pilgrim like she with me roamed4 ,when in distant climes ,i wander'd1 ,to bear glad tidings to mankind2 ,she shared my toils and travels gladly1 ,or would consent to stay behind4 ,returning from a distant journey1 ,she always met me with a smile2 ,wash'd my feet and changed my raiment1 ,and bade me rest from all my toil4 ,but now alone ,i'm left to wander1 ,from land to land1 from sea to sea2 ,and none except my only offspring ,will scarce inquire what comes of me4 ,and e'n to him ,i'll seem a stranger1 ,while he is reared by other hands2 ,he'll hardly feel ,i am his father1 ,when ,i return from distant lands4 ,what is it then for which ,i linger1 ,still in this dark and dreary waste8 ,where nothing centers my affection1 ,where others' joys ,i cannot taste4 ,if ,i must still consent to tarry1 ',twill be to bear another's grief3 ,to save mankind from sin and sorrow1 ,and bring the broken heart relief4 ,to comfort those who mourn in ,zion1 ,and bid ten thousand others come2 ,where the widow1 orphan1 virgin1 ,and the poor may find a home4 ,,funeral ,,hymn4 ,,on ,,the ,,death ,,of ,,mrs4 ,,pratt4 ,creation speaks with awful voice-- ,hark6 'tis a universal groan ,re-echoes through the vast extent ,of worlds unnumbered called to mourn4 ,for sickness1 sorrow1 pain and death1 ,with awful tyranny have reigned2 ,while all eternity has shed ,her tears of sorrow o'er the slain4 ,but hark1 again2 a voice is heard1 ,resounding through the sullen gloom2 ,a mighty conquerer has appear'd1 ,and rose triumphant from the tomb4 ,no longer let creation mourn2 ,ye sons of sorrow1 dry your tears2 ,life--life--eternal life is ours1 ,dismiss your doubts1 dispel your fears4 ,the ,king shall soon in clouds descend1 ,with all the heav'nly hosts above2 ,the dead shall rise and hail their friends1 ,and always dwell with those they love4 ,no tears1 no sorrow1 death or pain1 ,shall e'er be known to enter there2 ,but perfect peace1 immortal bloom1 ,shall reign triumphant ev'ry where6 ,,farewell ,,memorial4 ,keep these few lines till time shall end1 ,in memory of your absent friend2 ,who wanders o'er life's boisterous wave1 ,the meek1 the humble poor to save4 ,while ,i endure ,i'll spend my breath ,in prayer for those who love the truth4 ,in distant lands ,i'll call to mind1 ,my true and faithful friends so kind4 ,let these few lines adorn the place ,where you retire to seek his grace2 ,then lift your voice in humble prayer1 ,for him whose lines are hanging there4 ,,the ,,pilgrim4 ,on the shores of ,ontario ,i'm now doom'd to wander4 ,a pilgrim in exile1 a stranger ,i roam1 ,while the prince and the beggar1 the wise and the simple1 ,in palace or cottage can each find a home4 ,the foxes have holes and the birds they have nests1 ,and all but a preacher has somewhere to rest4 ,,general ,,conference1 ,,farewell4 ,farewell1 ye servants of the ,lord1 ,to whom we oft have preach'd the word2 ,may you improve the wisdom given1 ,and lead ten thousand souls to heaven4 ,farewell1 ye saints of latter days1 ,with whom we've met in prayer and praise1 ,in whose kind hearts the truth has shone1 ,by which we're gathered all in one4 ,farewell kind friends1 whose hearts are true ,we can no longer stay with you2 ,arise--the voice of truth obey1 ,o come and wash your sins away4 ,farewell to all whose stubborn wills ,bind them in chains of darkness still3 ,our voice no longer you shall hear1 ,till ,jesus shall in clouds appear3 ,then you shall see1 and hear1 and know1 ,what you rejected here below4 ,though you may sink in endless pain1 ,yet truth eternal will remain4 ,,the ,,downfall ,,of ,,babylon ,an angel of glory from heaven descended1 ,while his power and glory enlightened the earth2 ,with a voice strong and mighty1 his cry was extended1 ,babylon is fallen and hushed in her mirth2 ,the dwelling of devils and every foul spirit1 ,the cage of uncleanness and of hateful birds4 ,all nations had tasted her wine and were drunken1 ,but now she is fallen the angel brings word2 ,her merchants were great men1 and through her abundance1 ,they long had wax'd rich in her traffic though vain1 ,but now she is fallen1--is fallen1--is fallen1 ,her riches and glory have ended in pain2 ,her plagues in one day--death1 mourning and famine1 ,and flame shall devour her and burn her withal2 ,the kings of the earth at the smoke of her burning1 ,shall stand afar off and lament her sad fall4 ,her merchants shall weep for their traffic is ended1 ,their gold and their silver1 their stones and their pearls1 ,their linen and purple1 their silk and their scarlet1 ,and all things that wealth could procure in the world4 ,their vessels of ivory and brass1 iron and marble1 ,and cinnamon and odours1 frankincense and wine4 ,and oil and fine flour1 wheat1 beasts1 sheep and horses1 ,and chariots and slaves1 and the souls of mankind4 ,rejoice1 ,o thou ,heaven6 ye holy apostles1 ,and prophets for ,god hath avenged you withal1 ,for like a great millstone doth sink in the ocean1 ,e'en so on a sudden shall ,babylon fall2 ,the voice of musicians1 the harp and the pipers1 ,and trumpets and organs no longer shall sound1 ,no craftsmen1 mechanic or workman whatever1 ,within thy dominion shall ever be found2 ,no more shall the sound of a millstone be heard1 ,the light of a candle no more in thee shine1 ,the voice of the bridegroom and bride ever silent1 ,darkness and sorrow1 and death shall be thine4 ,,pratt',s ,,defence ,,before ,,the ,,authorities ,,of ,,missouri4 ,as down in a lone dungeon with darkness o'er-spread1 ,in silence and sorrow ,i made my lone bed1 ,while far from my prison my friends had retired1 ,and joy from this bosom had almost expired4 ,from all that was lovely constrained for to part1 ,from wife and from children so dear to my heart2 ,while foes were exulting1 and friends far away1 ,in half broken slumbers all pensive ,i lay4 ,i thought upon ,zion--her sorrowful doom3-- ,i thought on her anguish--her trouble and gloom4 ,how for years she had wandered1 a captive forlorn1 ,cast out and afflicted1 and treated with scorn4 ,i thought on the time when some five years ago1 ,twelve hundred from ,jackson were driven by foes1 ,while two hundred houses to ashes were burned2-- ,our flourishing fields to a desert were turned4 ,i remembered these crimes still unpunished remained1 ,and the like oft repeated--again1 and again1 ,from counties adjoining1 compelled to remove1 ,we purchased in ,caldwell1 ,prairie and ,grove4 ,and there 'mid the wild flowers that bloomed o'e the plain1 ,our rights and our freedom we thought to maintain3 ,nor dreamed that oppression would drive us from thence1 ,the laws of our country we claimed for defence ,but soon as kind autumn rewarded our toil1 ,and plenty around us began for to smile1 ,our foes were assembled--being tempted with gain2 ,to ravage and plunder1 and drive us again4 ,when many were driven1 and plundered1 and robb'd4 ,and some had been murdered by this dreadful mob1-- ,when cries for redress and protection were vain1 ,we arose in our strength our own rights to maintain4 ,the mob soon dispersed1 to the ,rulers appealed1 ,saying1 lend us your aid1 and the ,mormons will yield1 ,for surely they never were known to resist ,a mob when commissioned by ,rulers and ,priests4 ,this soon was considered by far the best plan2 ,and orders were issued for ten thousand men1 ,including the ,wilsons1 and ,gillums1 of course1 ,and all the mob forces1 for better1 for worse4 ,these soon were forthcoming1 in dreadful array6 ,some painted like ,indians1 all armed for the fray6 ,the ,mormons soon yielded without the first fire1 ,and the mobers accomplished their utmost desire4 ,some females were ravished--and cattle and grain ,became a free booty--and one pris'ner slain4 ,some twenty or thirty were murdered outright1 ,and ten thousand others were ,,banished ,,the ,,state6 ,by what ,,law of the ,statute to me is unknown2 ,but it must be by law all these great things were done2 ,for the next ,legislature the expense to defray1 ,voted two hundred thousand the soldiers to pay4 ,to resist ,,this oppression--,,these excellent laws1 ,was murder6 and treason66 7in technical clause17 ,so while women and children were driven away ,their husbands and fathers in prison must stay4 ,so now to the jury and judge ,i submit2 ,i'm not learned in such laws1--they may hang or acquit-- ,but though they should hang me1 or keep me in jail1 ,the spirit of ,freedom and ,truth will prevail4 ,,pratt',s ,,deliverance4 ,the captive exile hasteneth that he may be loosed4 ,,isaiah4 ,the chains are rent1 the dungeon's gloom ,no more these active limbs confine4 ,i rise as from the dreary tomb1 ,where long in prison ,i repined4 ,i mount--,i fly--,i haste away1 ,buoyed1 as it were1 on angel's wings2 ,o home6 ,o friends6 ,o liberty6-- ,o ,god of strength1 thy praise ,i'll sing4 ,hosanna now in highest strains1 ,glory to ,god and to the ,lamb1 ,hosanna to the king who reigns ,in heaven and earth--the great ,i ,am4 ,,visit ,,to ,,the ,,white ,,mountains ,,of ,,new ,,hampshire4 ,extract from the ,author's ,journal4 ,when we came near the base of the mountain1 two beautiful and transparent lakes1 surrounded with a romantic forest of evergreen1 and other trees1 added greatly to the interest of the scene4 ,between these lakes a mansion was reared for the public entertainment of those whom curiosity draws to the place4 ,this house furnished pleasure boats1 fishing apparatus1 guides1 c41 for the accommodation of parties of pleasure1 and others who wished to spend a few hours amid these romantic and picturesque scenes of sublimity and grandeur1 where nature in her wildest freaks had combined the gentle and lovely1 which seems to soothe and calm the spirits with the awfully grand1 the terribly majestic1 and the wild and romantic1 as if calculated at once to interest the curious1 to please the merry1 to add gloom to solitude1 and fervor to devotion2 and in a word1 to fill the contemplative mind with the highest degree of wonder and admiration4 ,our road led directly between the two small lakes1 through what is called the notch4 ,the mountains on each hand reared their majestic piles almost perpendicular for many hundred feet4 ,while clouds hung lowering on their bosoms1 ,and their tall summits high above ,the misty vapors stood in awful pride1 ,and still serenely smiled amid clear skies1 ,and all the splendor of the morning sun4 ,when we had passed between the lakes and walked a short distance1 we left the road and took a footpath to the left hand1 and commenced our ascent up the steep sides of the mountain4 ,our path for many hundred feet was very steep1 and in many places almost perpendicular2 but the rough fragments of rock afforded steps2 and these1 together with twigs and shrubs which we seized with our hands1 enabled us to climb with some degree of safety as well as speed4 ,when we had arrived at the distance of perhaps half a mile1 the scene was truly awful4 ,huge fragments of rock were thrown together in inconceivable confusion1 as if by some terrible convulsion of nature2 recalling to mind a time long since passed1 when ,earth with a tremendous groan1 ,did for a dying ,jesus mourn4 ,passing still onward on our airy way1 the timber began to be of a different variety1 suited to a colder climate1 and fast diminishing in its size1 until at length we were only surrounded with dwarf cedars1 or spruce2 and still higher up1 even these ceased to vegetate1 and a bleak1 bald1 and rocky summit still reared its dreary head a vast distance above us4 ,at the point where vegetation ceased1 we found a small lake several rods in circumference probably fed by the melting snows which lay upon the mountain most of the year4 ,leaving this curiosity below us1 we continued our ascent over rocky steeps1 mostly covered with moss2 and after a laborious journey of some hours we found ourselves on the highest pinnacle of ,mt4 ,lafayette1 while far beneath us we beheld the summits of many other mountains1 clothed with evergreen2 and beyond these on all sides lay a beautiful scenery of ,farms1 and fields and meadows gay1 ,while in the distance far away1 ,the flocks in sportive groups assembled1 ,limpid lakes in sunbeams trembled1 ,huts with rural scenes surrounded1 ,mansions fair and bright abounded2 ,while zephyrs sweet perfumed the air1 ,from roses1 pinks1 and lilies fair2 ,while far o'er eastern hills we view ,the briny ocean's distant blue1 ,and mark its waves in distance dwindle1 ,till with the heavens they seem to mingle4 ,when all at once the scenes around us ,are veiled from view1 and clouds surround us1 ,and far beneath1 and high above1 ,swift through the air the vapors move4 ,although it was now in the sultry heat of summer1 yet our vast elevation caused a coldness which seemed winterlike2 and although dressed in winter clothing1 we were soon so chilled as to shake at every limb4 ,after offering our prayers and thanks to the ,maker of heaven and earth1 we again descended2 and when we had come down about half way we were out of the cloud1 and again enjoyed the pure air of the lower atmosphere1 while the warm and gentle breezes of summer soon warmed and restored our benumbed limbs to their proper temperature4 ,inspired with sublimer and nobler thoughts of nature and of nature's ,god1 we pursued our course a few miles on our way1 and being weary we called at a humble dwelling1 were kindly received1 and after partaking of such simple refreshments as the place afforded1 with appetites sharpened with fatigue1 we retired to rest1 and resigned the night to sweet repose4 ,,the ,,regeneration ,,and ,,eternal ,,duration ,,of ,,matter4 ,the ,elements are ,eternal4 ,,written ,,in ,,prison4 ,and he that sat upon the throne said1 ,behold1 ,i make all things new4 ,and he said unto me write1 for these words are true and faithful4 ,rev4 xxi4 #e4 ,matter and ,spirit are the two great principles of all existence4 ,every thing animate and inanimate is composed of one or the other1 or both of these eternal principles4 ,i say eternal1 because the elements are as durable as the quickening power which exists in them4 ,matter and spirit are of equal duration2 both are self-existent1--they never began to exist1 and they never can be annihilated4 ,we do not enter upon this boundless subject as a matter of mere speculative philosophy1 calculated in its nature merely to charm the imagination--to interest the curious1 or to please the learned4 ,so far from this1 we consider it a subject of deep and thrilling interest to all the human family4 ,a subject equally interesting to ,jew1 and ,christian2 ,mahommedan and ,pagan2 the wise and the simple2 the learned1 and the ignorant--all--all are journeying swiftly through time1 and are bound to eternity4 ,all are lovers of life and happiness2 all are looking forward with inexpressible anxiety to the unexplored regions of futurity4 ,the ,jew1 as he follows his aged parent1 his bosom friend1 or his tender offspring to the sepulchre of his fathers1 while his bosom heaves with anguish1 grief and sorrow1 is still comforted with sure and certain hope of their being raised from the dead with the whole of ,israel's race1 and clothed upon with flesh2 and of their being restored again to that land which was given to them and their fathers for an everlasting inheritance3 while ,david takes his seat in the holy city and reigns over the twelve tribes forever and ever4 ,the modern ,christian when called upon to endure the pangs of grief and sorrow1 in following to the grave his nearest friends1 is comforted with the hope of a spiritual existence1 in a world far distant from his native earth2 and far beyond the bounds of time and space1 where spirits mingle in eternal joy and everlasting song2 and although the body should rise from the dead1 yet they suppose that the whole will become spirit unconnected with matter1 and soar away to worlds on high1 free from all the elements of which their nature was composed in this life2 and thus enjoy eternal life and happiness1 while matter1 ,animate and inanimate shall cease to be2 ,and no more place be found for ,heaven1 ,earth1 or ,sea4-- ,the ,mahommedan is equally subject to all the heart-rending grief and anguish1 which others feel at the loss of friends2 but comforts himself with the thoughts of one day gaining a paradise of sensual pleasures2 where1 with all his faithful friends1 he expects to bask forever in all the enjoyments of sensuality4 ,he dreams of trees loaded with delicious fruits1 and bending their branches invitingly to his appetite2--and of gardens and pleasure grounds1 adorned with pleasant walks--with cooling shades and with blooming sweets which perfume the air2 and surrounded with fields of spices more delicious than all the productions of ,arabia3 while his golden palaces and seraglios are thronged with myriads of delightful virgins1 more pure and beautiful than the fairest daughters of ,circassia4 ,with these he hopes to spend a life of pleasures forevermore4 ,the ,pagan too1 in turn1 when bowed down with grief and sorrow1 finds some relief in anticipation of a future existence--some shady forest filled with game--some delightful prairie of blooming flowers--some humble heaven behind the cloud-topped hill1 where he hopes to join his wife1 his children1 his brothers1 his fathers2 and in their society to spend a peaceful eternity in all the enjoyments of domestic life1 while his faithful horse and dog shall bear him company4 ,these are the hopes and anticipations which serve to dry his tears1--to calm his heaving bosom1 and to his troubled spirit whisper peace4 ,how desirable then is a just and correct knowledge on this all-important subject4 ,who does not desire to become acquainted as far as possible with the nature of that eternal state of existence to which we are all hastening8 ,we are dependent alone on the light of revelation and reason1 for any just and correct information on this subject4 ,moses1 in his account of the creation1 commences thus3 ,hebrew ,text ,which may with propriety be translated thus3 ,in the beginning ,god made 7or formed7 the heavens and the earth1 and the earth she was empty and desolate2 and darkness upon the faces of the abyss2 and the wind of ,god was brooding over the faces of the waters4 ,moses did not see fit to inform us of what kind of materials the ,lord formed the earth1 and indeed there was no need of revelation to guide us on that subject2 for we see for ourselves that it is composed of the common elements which constitute matter in general1 and of course this element or matter already existed1 and that too in sufficient quantity for the formation of a globe like this4 ,from the ,mosaic account of the creation1 many have gathered the idea that ,god created all things out of nonentity1--that solid matter sprung from nothing4 ,but this is for want of reflection1 or an exercise of reason on the subject2 for instance1 when a child inquires of its father1 saying1 father1 who made this house8 the father replies1 the carpenter made it4 ,again1 the child inquires1 who made me8 the father replies1 the ,lord made you4 ,again1 the child inquires1 who made the earth8 the father replies1 the ,lord made the earth1 and all things upon the face thereof4 ,now the child might suppose that the carpenter created the house without any materials2 that he brought it into existence from nothing2 and so1 with equal propriety1 he might suppose that he was formed from nothing2 when in fact he was formed of materials which grew out of the earth4 ,and with the same degree of impropriety we might suppose that ,god made the earth from nothing1 when in fact he made it out of self-existing element3 ,it is impossible for a mechanic to make any thing whatever without materials4 ,so it is equally impossible for ,god to bring forth matter from nonentity1 or to originate element from nothing1 because this would contradict the law of truth1 and destroy himself4 ,we might as well say1 that ,god can add two and three together1 and the product will be twelve2 or that he can subtract five from ten and leave eight1 as to say that he can originate matter from nonentity2 because these are principles of eternal truth1 they are laws which cannot be broken1 that two and three are five1 that five from ten leaves five1 and that nought from nought leaves nought2 and a hundred noughts added together is nothing still4 ,in all these1 the product is determined by unchangeable laws1 whether the reckoning be calculated by the ,almighty1 or by man1 the result is precisely the same4 ,here then1 is mathematical demonstration that it is not in the power of any being to originate matter4 ,hence we conclude that matter as well as spirit is eternal1 uncreated1 self-existing4 ,however infinite the variety of its changes1 forms and shapes2--however vast and varying the parts it has to act in the great theatre of the universe2--whatever sphere its several parts may be destined to fill in the boundless organization of infinite wisdom1 yet it is there1 durable as the throne of ,jehovah4 ,and ,eternity is inscribed in indelible characters on every particle4 ,revolution may succeed revolution1--vegetation may bloom and flourish1 and fall again to decay in the revolving seasons--generation upon generation may pass away and others still succeed--empires may fall to ruin1 and moulder to the dust and be forgotten--the marble monuments of antiquity may crumble to atoms and mingle in the common ruin--the mightiest works of art1 with all their glory1 may sink in oblivion and be remembered no more--worlds may startle from their orbits1 and hurling from their spheres1 run lawless on each other in conceivable confusion--element may war with element in awful majesty1 while thunders roll from sky to sky1 and arrows of lightning break the mountains asunder--scatter the rocks like hailstones--set worlds on fire1 and melt the elements with fervent heat1 and yet not one grain can be lost--not one particle can be annihilated4 ,all these revolutions and convulsions of nature will only serve to refine1 purify1 and finally restore and renew the elements upon which they act4 ,and like the sunshine after a storm1 or like gold seven times tried in the fire1 they will shine forth with additional lustre as they roll in their eternal spheres1 in their glory1 in the midst of the power of ,god4 ,when in the progress of the endless works of ,deity1 the full time had arrived for infinite wisdom to organize this sphere1 and its attendant worlds1 and to set them in motion in their order amid the vast machinery of the universe1--when first the morning stars sang together1 and all the sons of ,god shouted for joy1 at the grand occasion of the acquisition of a new system to the boundless variety of his works1 all was pronounced very good4 ,the waters1 obedient to his word1 retired within their respective limits1 and filled with the quickening1 or life-giving principle1 which we call spirit1 they produced living creatures in abundance1 and very soon the vasty deep was found teeming with animal life in countless variety1 and in regular gradation1 from the monster ,leviathan to the shell-fish2 or descending down the scale of existence to the minutest speck which is only to be discerned by the aid of powerful glasses4 ,the air swarmed with an almost infinite variety of animal life1 from the lofty and aspiring eagle which soars on high1 and seems to dip his wing in ether blue1 to the humming bird which darts from flower to flower1 and hides itself amid the blooming sweets of spring1 or descending still1 to the puny nations of insects which swarm in clouds of blue on the summer breath of morn3 all1 all the air seemed life and happiness4 ,the ,dry ,land1 organized in its own proper sphere1 presented a surface every where well watered1 abounding in springs1 streams and rivulets1 and uninterrupted by any of the rough1 broken1 rugged deformities which now present themselves on every side4 ,its surface was smooth1 or gently undulating1 and delightfully varied4 ,its soil enriched by the dew of heaven1 and impregnated with the spirit of animal and vegetable life1 soon poured forth a luxuriant growth1 not of noxious weeds1 and thorns and thistles1 but of fruit trees1 and herbs1 all useful for the food of man or animal1 fowl or creeping thing4 ,and soon1 too1 it brought forth from its bosom every varied species of the animal race1 from the ponderous mammoth or the mighty elephant1 down to the mole2 or descending still in the scale of existence1 to the smallest creeping thing that specks the surface of the rock1 or mantles the standing pool with varied life4 ,its ,climate1 free1 alike from the noxious vapors and melting heats of the torrid zone1 and the chilling blasts of the polar regions1 was delightfully varied by the moderate changes of heat and cold which only tended to crown the varied year with the greater variety of productions4 ,streams of life1 and odors of healthful sweets came floating on every breeze4 ,thus earth1 so lately a vast scene of emptiness and desolation1 burst from its solitude arrayed in its robes of splendor2 and where silence had reigned through the vast expanse1 innumerable sounds now reverberated on the air1 and melting strains of music re-echoing in the distant groves1 stole upon the ears of admiring angels1 and proclaimed the gladsome news of a new world of animated life and joy4 ,thus all was prepared and finished1 and creation complete4 ,all save the great masterpiece1 the head and governor1 who was destined to rule or preside over this new kingdom4 ,this personage1 designed as the noblest of all the works of ,deity1 was formed of earth by the immediate hand of ,god2 being fashioned in the express likeness and image of the ,father and the ,son1 while the breath of the ,almighty breathed into his nostrils1--quickened him with life and animation4 ,thus formed of noble principles1 and bearing in his godlike features the emblems of authority and dominion1 he was placed on the throne of power1 in the midst of the paradise of ,god1 and to him was committed power1 and glory1 and dominion1 and the kingdom1 and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven4 ,from the bosom of this noble being1 or rather from his side emanated woman4 ,she being composed or fashioned from his bone and from his flesh1 and undergoing another process of refinement in her formation1 she became more exquisitely fine1 beautiful and delightsome2 combining in her person and features the noble and majestic expression of manhood1 with the soft and gentle1 the modest and retiring graces of angelic sweetness and purity1 as if destined to grace the dignity of manhood1--to heighten the charms of domestic life1--to delight the heart of her lord1 and to share with him the enjoyments of life1 as well as to nourish and sustain the embryo1 and rear the tender offspring of her species1 and thus fill the earth with myriads of happy and intelligent beings4 ,o reader1 contemplate with me the beauty1 the glory1 the excellence1 the perfection of the works of creation as they rolled from the hand of omnipotent power and wisdom1 and were pronounced good--very good1 by him whose hand had formed them1 and whose eye surveyed them at a single glance4 ,tell me1 ,o man1 which of all these works was formed for decay8 and which in themselves possessed the seeds of mortality1 the principles of dissolution and destruction8 ,tell me1 was there any curse1 or poison1 or death inherent in or appertaining to any department of existing matter8 ,tell me1 were any of these works so calculated in their physical construction as to be incapable of eternal duration8 ,was there any death1 or sorrow1 pain or sickness1 sighing1 groaning1 tears or weeping8 ,was there any thing to hurt or destroy in all the holy mountain8 ,the answer to all these questions is plain1 positive and definite1 if the sacred writings may be relied on as decisive evidence4 ,we are informed in scripture that sin entered into the world1 and ,death by sin4 ,that by one man came death1 and that the devil had the power of death4 ,we are also informed that the ground was cursed for man's sake1 and its productions materially changed4 ,in short1 the great head and ruler1 with his fair consort were subjected to many curses and troubles while in life1 and with them all the productions of the animal and vegetable kingdoms1 together with the earth itself were subjected to the dominion of the curse4 ,thus creation felt the blow to its utmost verge1 and has groaned in pain for deliverance until now4 ,from all these declarations of holy writ1 and from many other proofs which might easily be adduced1 we feel ourselves safe in saying that ,sin is the sole cause of decay1 or death4 ,if there had been no sin1 there would have been no death1 no dissolution1 no disorganization1 no decay1 no sorrow and groaning1 tears or weeping2 neither would there have been any pain1 but creation would have continued in the same state to an endless duration4 ,o sin1 what hast thou done6 ,thou hast hurled man from his blissful domain1 and hast reduced him from a throne of power and dominion to a state of servitude1 where sunk in sorrow and misery1 he groans out a wretched existence1 which terminates in painful dissolution1 and he mingles with his mother earth and is forgotten and lost amid the general ruin4 ,thou hast converted a garden of delicious fruits and blooming flowers into a gloomy forest of thorns and thistles4 ,thou hast transformed a world of life1 joy and happiness into the abodes of wretchedness and misery1 where sighing1 groaning1 tears and weeping are mingled in almost every cup4 ,by thee the earth has been filled with violence and oppression2 and man1 moved by hatred1 envy1 avarice or ambition1 has often embrued his hands in the blood of his fellow man1 by which the fairest portions of the earth have been made desolate1--the abodes of domestic happiness turned to sorrow and loneliness1--the happy wife and tender offspring have become widows and orphans1--the bride has been left to mourn in irretrievable anguish1 and the virgin to drop a silent tear over the ruined fragments of departed loveliness4 ,by thee the world has been deluged with a flood of waters1 and unnumbered millions swept at once from the stage of action and mingled in the common ruin1 unwept and unlamented save by the tears of heaven1 or by the eight solitary inhabitants of the ark who alone escaped to tell the news4 ,by thy ravages empires have fallen to ruin1 and cities become heaps4 ,the fruitful plains of ,shinar1 and the splendid palaces of ,babylon have been doomed to perpetual waste and and irretrievable desolation1 never to be inhabited2 not even as a temporary residence for the wandering ,arab47,and the ,arabian shall not pitch tent there4 ,see ,isaiah ,,xiii1 #bj47 ,by thee the cities of ,sodom and ,gomorrah1 and the flourishing country about them1 once extremely fertile1 and watered as the garden of ,eden1 have been desolated by fire1 and perhaps overwhelmed by a sea of stagnant waters4 ,by thee the land of ,edom1 once a flourishing empire1 possessing a productive and well cultivated soil1 and every where adorned with flourishing villages1 and splendid cities1 has become desolate1 without inhabitants2 and the ,lord has cast upon it the stones of emptiness1 and the line of confusion4 ,it has lain waste from generation to generation1 as a haunt for wild beasts of the desert1 a court for owls1 and a place for the cormorant and bittern4 ,on account of thee1 the city of ,jerusalem has long lain in ruins1 the land of ,judea is desolate1 and their holy and beautiful house where their fathers praised ,jehovah is burned with fire2 while the ,jews have long remained in exile among the nations1 in fulfilment of that awful imprecation his blood be upon us and our children4 ,by thy power the once mighty empires of ,greece and ,rome have been shaken to the centre1 and have fallen to rise no more2 and before thy desolating blast1 almost innumerable provinces lay in ruin4 ,the waste deserts of burning sand--the sunken and stagnant lakes and miry swamps--the innumerable rockey barrens and mountainous steeps--the desolate and dreary wastes of the polar regions--these all present but so many monuments to thy memory--they speak in language not to be misunderstood1 that sin has been there1 with its dreadful train of curses1 under which they groan in pain to be delivered4 ,the solid rocks have burst asunder at thy withering touch2 they have been rent in twain1 and hurled from their firm foundations by thy mighty power3 and they lay scattered in broken fragments and ruined heaps as monuments of agonizing nature2 and as a testimony of the heaving sighs1 the convulsive quakings1 and dreadful groanings of the earth itself1 while by wicked hands the great ,messiah was slain4 ,and what shall ,i say more8 for the time would fail me to innumerate the evils of intemperance1 dissipation1 debauchery1 pride1 luxury1 idleness1 extravagance1 avarice and ambition1 hatred and envy1 priestcraft and persecution1 with all their attendant train of troubles1 miseries1 pains1 diseases and deaths2 which have all contributed to reduce mankind to a state of wretchedness and sorrow indescribable4 ,the noble and majestic features of manhood have often been transformed by these vices into the frightful and disgusting image of demoniac furies1--the angelic beauties of earth's fairest daughters as often transformed by vice into objects of mingled pity and contempt3 but cease my soul1 no longer dwell on these awful scenes2 my heart is faint1 my soul is sick1 my spirit grieves within me2 and mine eyes are suffused with tears while contemplating upon the scenes of wretchedness and misery which sin has produced in our world4 ,o misery1 how hast thou triumphed6 ,o death1 how many are thy victories6 thrones1 and dominions--principalities and powers--kingdoms and empires have sunk beneath thine all conquering arm1--their kings and their nobles1 their princes and their lords1--their orators and statesmen1 beneath the blast of thy breath have found one common grave4 ,the dignity of age1--the playful innocence of youth1 or the charms of beauty cannot save from thy cruel grasp1 thou hast swallowed up the nations as water1 and thou art an hungered still1--thou hast drunk rivers of blood1 and hast bathed in oceans of tears1 and thy thirst is still raging with unabating fury4 ,whither1--ah6 whither shall ,i turn for comfort8 in what secret chamber shall ,i hide myself to elude thy swift pursuit8 ,if ,i would heap up gold as dust ,i cannot bribe thee4 ,if ,i would fortify my habitation with the munitions of rocks1 thine arrows would pierce them as the spider's web1 and find their way to my heart4 ,if ,i would soar on high as the eagle1 or fly to the most secret haunts of the desert1 or hide myself in the gloomy thicket with the solitary bird of night2 or retire with the bat1 to the inmost recesses of the cavern1 yet thy footsteps would pursue me1 and thy vigilance would search me out4 ,no arguments of the wise--no talents of the eloquent can prevail with thee4 ,the tears of the widow1 the cries of the fatherless2 or the broken hearted anguish of the lover cannot move thee to pity3 thou mockest at the groans and tears of humanity1 thou scornest the pure affections of love and tenderness2 and thou delightest to tear asunder the silken cords of conjugal affection1 and all the tender ties of love and endearment which twine around the virtuous heart1 and which serve to cement society1 and to administer joy and happiness in every department of life4 ,what mighty power shall check thy grand career1 and set bounds o'er which thou canst not pass8 ,whose mighty voice shall command1 saying thus far1 no farther shalt thou go1 and here let thy proud waves be stayed8 ,what almighty conqueror shall lead thee captive--shall burst thy chains--throw open the doors of thy gloomy cells1 and set the unnumbered millions of thy prisoners free8--who shall bind up the broken hearted--comfort the mourners--dry the tears of sorrow--open the prison to them that are bound--set the captives free--make an end of sin and oppression--bring in everlasting righteousness--swallow up death in victory--restore creation to its primitive beauty1 glory1 excellence1 and perfection2 and destroy him who has the power of death1 that is the ,devil1 and deliver those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage8 but hark-- ,on the plains of ,judea me thinks ,i hear ,the melting strains of the lonely shepherd's ,midnight song1 as it echoes among the hills ,and vales1 and dies away in the distance4 ,its heavenly melody betokens ,a theme of joy such as the sons of earth ,have seldom heard1--some heavenly theme as if ,the choirs of angels--mingling their music ,with the sons of earth1 conspired to celebrate ,some new event--some jubilee of rest-- ,some grand release from servitude and woe4 ,but see--ah see6 the opening heavens around ,them shine2 a glorious train of angels bright1 ,ascending1 fill the air3--it is indeed ,a more than mortal theme4 ,but hark again-- ,me thinks ,i understand the words1--they ,celebrate the birth of king ,messiah1 ,the mighty prince who soon shall conquer death ,with all his legions1 and reign triumphant ,over all1 as king of kings1 and ,lord of lords4 ,their chorus ends with peace on earth1 good will ,to men4 ,o monster death ,i now behold ,thy conqueror6 ,jesus of ,nazareth-- ,the babe of ,bethlehem--the son of ,god4 ,he comes to earth1 and takes upon him flesh and blood1--even the seed of ,abraham2 and this for the express purpose of conquering sin and death1 and restoring a lost and fallen world to its former perfection that it may be capable of eternal life and happiness4 ,as in ,adam all die even so in ,christ shall all be made alive4 ,now let the reader endeavour in particular to understand the precise object of the mission of ,jesus ,christ into our world2 and what was to be accomplished by his death and resurrection4 ,we have already endeavoured to show the effect of ,adam's transgression in a physical as well as moral point of view2 we have seen that sin materially affected the earth itself as well as all its animal and vegetable productions4 ,now the object of a ,saviour to bleed and die as a sacrifice and atonement for sin1 was not only to redeem man in a moral sense1 from his lost and fallen state1 but it was also to restore the physical world from all the effects of the fall2 to purify the elements2 and to present the earth in spotless purity before the throne of ,god1 clothed in celestial glory1 as a fit inheritance for the ransomed throng who are destined to inherit it in eternity4 ,if the question be asked for what ,christ died8 the answer is1 first1 he died for all of ,adam's race4 ,secondly1 for all the animal and vegetable productions of the earth1 as far as they were affected by the fall of man4 ,the lion1 the wolf2 the leopard and the bear2 and even the serpent1 will finally feel and enjoy the effects of this great restoration1 precisely in the same degree in which they were affected by the fall4 ,thirdly1 ,christ died for the earth itself1 to redeem it from all the effects of the fall1 that it might be cleansed from sin and have eternal life4 ,now this atonement which was made by ,jesus ,christ was universal1 so far as it relates to the effects of ,adam's transgression3 and this without any conditions on the part of the creature4 ,all that was lost1 or in the least affected by the fall of man1 will finally be restored by ,jesus ,christ1--the whole creation will be delivered from its dreadful curse1 and all mankind redeemed from death1 and all the dreadful effects of the transgression of their first parents2 and this without any conditions of faith and repentance2 or any act on the part of the creature2 for precisely what is lost in ,adam's transgression without our agency1 is restored by ,jesus ,christ without our agency4 ,thus all will be raised from the dead1 and the body and the spirit will be reunited2 the whole will become immortal1 no more to be separated1 or to undergo dissolution4 ,this salvation being universal1 ,i am a universalist in this respect1--this salvation being a universal restoration from the fall1 ,i am a restorationer1--this salvation being without works1 or without any conditions except the atonement of ,jesus ,christ1 ,i am in this respect a believer in free grace alone1 without works2 this salvation1 redeeming all infants from original sin1 without any change of heart1 newbirth1 or baptism1 and the infant1 not being capable of actual transgression1 and needing no salvation from any personal sin1 is therefore in a state of salvation1 and not of depravity2 and therefore of such is the kingdom of ,god3 and in their infancy they need no ordinances1 or gospel to save them1 for they are already saved through the atonement1 therefore the gospel and its ordinances are only for those who have come to years of understanding4 ,but while on the subject of redemption1 ,i must not pass without noticing another and very different part of the subject1 viz--,after all men are redeemed from the fall and raised from the dead1 their spirits and bodies being reunited and the whole becoming eternal no more to see corruption1 they are to be judged according to their own individual deeds done in the body2 not according to ,adam's transgression2 nor according to sovereign1 unconditional grace4 ,here ends1 universalism2 here ends calvinism2 here ends salvation without works--here is introduced the necessity of a salvation from actual sin1--from individual transgression1 from which no man can be redeemed short of the blood of ,jesus ,christ applied to each individual transgressor2 and which can only be applied on the conditions of faith1 repentance1 and obedience to the gospel4 ,now all who neglect to fulfill the conditions of the gospel1 will be condemned at the judgment day1 not for ,adam's fall1 but for their own sins4 ,but as our subject is more particularly confined to the salvation and durability of the physical world1 the renovation and regeneration of matter1 and the restoration of the elements1 to a state of eternal and unchangeable purity1 we must leave the further prosecution of these often contested points of theology to be pursued in their usual channel1 and come directly to the merits of the great subject which we have undertaken4 ,let us now examine1 more closely the physical structure and properties of the resurrected1 immortal body2 endeavour to ascertain in positive1 definite terms1 whether it does really consist of flesh and bones1--of matter as well as spirit3 and if so1 endeavour to learn something of its place of residence or final destiny4 ,christ being the first fruits from the dead1 and the only person whose history after their resurrection has come down to us2 and he being the great head and pattern of the resurrection1 we shall endeavour to ascertain all the particulars which will serve to throw light on the subject1 as to the physical nature of his body1 both before and after he arose from the dead4 ,his mother was a virgin1 a chosen vessel of the ,lord1 who conceived by the power of the ,holy ,ghost and brought forth a child1 who was composed of flesh and blood2 and in his physical organization differing nothing in any respect from other children of the seed of ,abraham4 ,like other children in their infant state1 he no doubt received his nourishment from the breasts of his mother2 like all others1 he was helpless and dependent for care and protection on his parents1 who by the command of ,god fled into ,egypt in order to preserve him from the cruel sword of ,herod1 who feared a rival in the person of the babe of ,bethlehem3 like all others he grew in stature by means of the food received into the stomach1 and its strength diffused through the physical system2 and when grown to manhood his system was composed of the same earthly particles1 or the same elements which constitute the human system in general4 ,he was every way subject to the infirmities1 passions1 pleasures1 pains1 griefs1 sorrows and temptations which are common to the constitution of man2 hence we find him sorrowing1 weeping1 mourning1 rejoicing1 lamenting1 grieving1 as well as suffering hunger1 thirst1 fatigue1 temptation1 etc1 and we also find him possessed of the most refined sensibilities of natural affection1 and susceptibilities for close and intimate friendship4 ,this is abundantly illustrated in his close and intimate friendship with ,lazarus of ,bethany1 and his kind-hearted and benevolent sisters1 ,martha and ,mary4 ,he wept with the tears of fond affection over the grave of his departed friend ,lazarus1 and mingled his tears with the sorrowful and disconsolate sisters1 as if to sympathize with them and help to bear their grief1 insomuch that the ,jews exclaimed1 behold how he loved him4 ,another striking example of this natural affection is illustrated in his close intimacy with his beloved disciple ,john4 ,this apostle was his most intimate friend who leaned on his breast at supper2 and who was employed to ask questions on subjects in which the others felt a delicacy3 he is frequently called that disciple whom ,jesus loved4 ,now we must think that ,jesus loved them all as disciples and followers of the ,lamb2 but as to natural affection ,john was his peculiar favorite2 to him he committed his sorrowing and disconsolate mother1 as he was about to expire on the cross1 and from that time1 ,mary1 the mother of ,jesus1 became a member of ,john's family4 ,he took her home to his own house4 ,jesus having taken affectionate leave of his sorrowing friends1 at length yielded up the ghost1 and his disembodied spirit took its rest in paradise2 while his lifeless corpse was carefully wrapped in linen and laid in a sepulchre2 but for fear of some imposition being practised by his disconsolate and sorrowing disciples1 the door of the sepulchre was secured with a great stone1 and sealed with the initials of kingly authority1 besides a strong guard of ,roman soldiers who watched around the door by day and by night4 ,but early on the morning of the third day1 an angel descended1 at the glory of whose presence the soldiers fell back as dead men4 ,the seal was broken1 the great stone rolled away1 the door of the sepulchre was opened1 and his body re-animated by the returning spirit1 awoke from its slumbers and came forth in triumph from the mansions of the dead4 ,now when his friends and disciples came to the sepulchre and found not his body but saw his grave clothes lying useless1 they were troubled1 supposing that he had been moved to some other place2 but the angel of the ,lord said unto them3 ,he is not here1 but is risen1 and called them to come and see the place where he had lain4 ,now let us bear in mind1 that it was the same corporeal system--the same flesh and bones1 which had yielded up the ghost on the cross1 and which had been wrapped in linen and laid in the tomb1 that now came forth from the dead1 to die no more4 ,now in order to assist his disciples in understanding this subject1 that they might know the difference between disembodied spirits and resurrected bodies1 he not only eat and drank with them1 but called upon them to handle him and see2 for said he1 ,a spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see me have4 ,on another occasion1 he exhibited his wounded side and hands1 and called upon ,thomas to put his finger into the prints of the nails1 and to thrust his hand into his side1 where once the spear had pierced2 and finally1 after being seen of them forty days1 he led them out as far as ,bethany1 and there he was taken up into heaven from their presence1 and a cloud received him out of their sight4 ,now let us inquire1 what was the physical difference between the mortal body of ,jesus ,christ and his resurrected body8 ,they are both the same flesh1 the same bones1 the same joints1 the same sinews1 the same skin1 the same hair1 the same likeness1 or physical features1 and the same element1 or matter2 but the former was quickened by the principles of the natural life1 which was the blood1 and the latter is quickened solely by the spirit1 and not by blood1 and therefore is not subject unto death1 but lives forevermore4 ,with this glorious body he ascended to the ,father1 and with this glorious body he will come again to earth to reign with his people4 ,this view of the resurrection is clearly exemplified in the persons of ,enoch and ,elijah1 who never tasted death1 but were changed instantaneously from mortal to immortal1 and were caught up into the heavens1 both body and spirit4 ,this change upon their physical systems was equivalent to death and the resurrection4 ,it was the same as if they had slept in the grave for thousands of years1 and then been raised and restored to eternal life4 ,when ,elijah1 for instance1 was taken into the chariot of fire1 and carried from the presence of ,elisha1 he did not drop his body1 but only his mantle2 for if he had dropped his body1 the sons of the prophets would have attended to his burial1 instead of ranging the mountains in search of him4 ,this same subject is made equally plain in the writings of ,job1 who declares1 saying3 ,i know that my ,redeemer lives1 and that he will stand in the latter day upon earth3 and though after my skin worms destroy this body1 yet in my flesh shall ,i see ,god4 ,the ,jewish prophets also understood this matter in its clearest light4 ,isaiah declares1 ,thy dead men shall live1--together with my dead body shall they rise4 ,daniel speaks plainly of the awaking of them that sleep in the dust4 ,ezekiel illustrates the subject very clearly in his vision of the dry bones4 7,see ,ezekiel xxxvii47 ,he not only mentions their being raised from the dead1 but the bones1 the sinews1 the flesh1 the skin1 and the spirit by which they will be re-animated1 are all brought to view in a clear1 plain1 and positive manner4 ,the writings of the ,apostles abound with clear elucidations of the physical nature of the resurrection3 for on this one point1 depended the whole foundation of the christian system4 ,hence ,paul argues1 that if there is no resurrection1 then ,christ is not risen2 and if ,christ be not risen1 then their preaching was vain2 and their faith and joy was vain2 they were yet in their sins1 and the apostles were false witnesses2 and they were of all men most miserable4 ,but there is one view which ,paul takes of the subject1 that will serve to carry out our present theory in a most conclusive manner4 ,it is this3 in opening to his disciples the mysteries of the second advent of the ,messiah1 and the great restitution of all things spoken by the prophets1 he declares1 that the saints would not all sleep1 7in death17 but that they which were alive and remained until the coming of ,christ1 should be changed in a moment1 in the twinkling of an eye1 and be caught up to meet the ,lord in the air1 and so should be forever with him4 ,here then1 is demonstration1 that tens of thousands of the saints1--indeed all the saints who live at a certain period of time will be translated after the pattern of ,enoch and ,elijah1 and their spirits and bodies never be separated by death6 ,such then is the resurrection2 and such the lively views which inspired the prophets1 apostles and saints of former times1 and having this hope they could with propriety say1 ,o death1 where is thy sting2 ,o grave1 where is thy victory8 ,o1 the deep-rooted blindness of early tradition and superstition1 how art thou interwoven with all our powers of intellect6 and how hast thou benumbed and blunted every faculty of our understanding4 ,from early youth the principles have been instilled into our minds that all must die and moulder to corruption--that ,enoch and ,elijah were the only persons who were1 or ever would be translated without seeing death2 when in fact1 tens of thousands1 as ,i said before1 arc yet to arrive by faith to this inconceivable fullness and consummation of eternal life and happiness without tasting death1 and without even a momentary separation of soul and body2 the transition from mortality to immortality being instantaneous4 ,and yet1 strange as it may seem1 none will ever attain to this blessing except such as firmly believe in and expect it1 for1 like all other blessings1 it is only to be obtained by faith and prayer4 ,but how shall we believe in1 and seek for a blessing of which we have no idea8 or how shall we believe in that which we have not heard1 and how shall we hear without a teacher8 ,from all these considerations it appears evident that these principles must necessarily be revived so as to become a conspicuous part of modern theology4 ,they must be taught to the people1 and the people must believe them2 insomuch that every saint on earth will be looking for the great day of the ,lord1 and expecting to be caught up to meet him in the air2 for if the great day of the ,lord should come at a time when these principles were neither taught nor believed1 surely there would be none prepared for translation3 consequently there would be no saints to be caught up to meet the ,lord in the air2 and if so1 the words of the ,lord by ,paul would become of none effect4 ,i have made the above remarks in order to impress deeply upon the minds of our modern teachers and learners the importance of arousing from the slumber of ages on this subject1 and of ceasing to teach and impress upon the youthful mind the gloomy thoughts of death1 and the melancholy forebodings of a long slumber in the grave1 in order to inspire them with solemn fear and dread1 and thus move them to the duties of religion and morality4 ,experience has proved1 in innumerable instances1 that this course is insufficient to restrain vice1 and to lead to the practice of virtue and religion4 ,the wayward and buoyant spirits of youth feel weighed down and oppressed1 when oft reminded of such gloomy and melancholy subjects4 ,all the more cheerful faculties of the soul are thus paralyzed1 or more or less obstructed in their operations2 the fine toned energies of the mind cease to act with their accustomed vigor1 the charms of nature seem clothed in mourning and sackcloth4 ,we conceive a distaste for the duties as well as the enjoyments of life4 ,courage1 fortitude1 ambition1 and all the stimulants which move man to act well his part in human society1 are impaired and weakened in their operations1 and the mind1 thus soured and sickened1 finds itself sinking under deep melancholy and settled gloom1 which soon becomes insupportable4 ,he at length sinks in despair1--becomes insane1 or groans under various diseases brought upon his physical system by the anguish of his mind2 or1 with a desperate effort1 tears himself from friends and society1 and from all the social duties and enjoyments of life1 to lead a life of solitude within the walls of a convent1 or in the gloomy caverns of the monk4 ,but more frequently the youthful mind when laboring under these gloomy impressions1 makes a desperate effort to free itself from its dreadful burthen1 by plunging into all the allurements of vice and dissipation2 endeavoring by these means to drive from them the memory all these gloomy impressions1 and to lose sight of1 or cease to realize1 the sure and certain approach of death4 ,let us then cease to give lessons on death and the grave to the rising generation1 and confine ourselves more exclusively to the proclamation of eternal life4 ,what a glorious field of intelligence now lies before us1 yet but partially explored4 ,what a boundless expanse for contemplation and reflection now opens to our astonished vision4 ,what an intellectual banquet spreads itself invitingly to our appetite1 calling into lively exercise every power and faculty of the mind1 and giving full scope to all the great and ennobling passions of the soul4 ,love1 joy1 hope1 ambition1 faith1 and all the virtuous principles of the human mind may here expand and grow1 and flourish1 unchecked by any painful emotions or gloomy fears4 ,here the youthful mind may expand its utmost energies1 and revel1 uncontrolled by remorse1 unchecked by time or decay1 in the never-fading sweets of eternity1 and bask forever in the boundless ocean of delight4 ,this course of instruction followed out in demonstration of the spirit and of power1 would serve to check the allurements of vice1 and would greatly tend to lead and encourage the mind in the practise of virtue and religion1 and would cheer and stimulate the saint in all the laborious duties of life4 ,it would remove the fear and dread of death4 ,it would bind up the broken hearted1 and administer consolation to the afflicted4 ,it would enable man to endure with patience and fortitude all the multiplied afflictions1 misfortunes and ills to which they are subject in this momentary life4 ,it would almost banish the baneful effects of fear and gloom1 and melancholy from the earth1 and thus give new tone and energy to all the various departments of society4 ,the long night of darkness and superstition is now far spent4 ,the truth1 revived in its primitive simplicity and purity1 like the day star of the horizon1 lights up the dawn of that effulgent morn when the knowledge of ,god will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea4 ,with what propriety then1 may the rising generation look forward with a well grounded hope1 that they or their children may be of that unspeakably happy number who will live to be caught up to meet the ,lord in the air1 and like ,enoch and ,elijah1 escape the pangs of dissolution1 and the long imprisonment of the grave4 ,or1 with still more certainty1 they may hope that if they sleep in the dust1 it will only be of short duration1 and then they will rise again to enjoy the pleasures of life for evermore4 ,parents1 do you love your children8 ,does it grieve you to see their lifeless bodies laid in the tomb1 and shut1 as it were1 forever from your society8 ,children1 have you ever been called to bid farewell to your beloved and venerable parents1 and to grieve with heart-broken anguish1 as their bodies were deposited in the cold and silent grave1 and you left as orphans upon the dreary world8 ,husbands and wives1 do you love your companions1 and often wish that you both might live in the body forever1 and enjoy each other's society1 without undergoing a painful separation by the monster1 death8 ,be careful1 then1 to secure a part in the first resurrection1 that you1 and your friends may live and reign with ,christ on earth1 a thousand years4 ,o thou broken hearted and disconsolate widow1 thou hast been called to part with the bosom friend of thy youth and to see thy beloved shut from thy presence in the dreary mansions of the dead4 ,have you ever been comforted with the reflection that the tomb will burst asunder in the morning of the resurrection1--that these once active limbs1 now cold in death1--these bones and joints1 and sinews1 with the flesh and skin will come forth1 and be again quickened with the spirit of life and motion2 and that this cold and silent bosom will again beat with the most animated and happy sensations of pure love and kindred affection8 ,parents and children1 husbands and wives1 brothers and sisters1 have these thoughts sunk deep into your hearts in the hour of sorrow1 and served to comfort1 to soothe and support your sinking spirits in the hour of keenest distress8 or have you imagined to yourselves some spiritual1 existence beyond the bounds of time and space2 some shadow without substance1 some fairy world of spirits bright far from earth your native home2 and at a distance from all the associations1 affections and endearments which are interwoven with your very existence here2 and in which were mingled all the sweets of life8 ,no wonder then1 that such should cling to life1 and shrink from death with terror and dismay2 no wonder that such should feel insupportable and overwhelming grief at the loss of friends2 for who can bear the thoughts of eternal separation from those lovely scenes with which they have been accustomed to associate from early infancy8 ,who can endure to be torn from those they love dearer than life1 and to have all the tender cords of affection which twine around the heart with mutual endearment1 severed and destroyed for ever8 ,let us then endeavour to inspire the minds of those who are placed under our care and instruction1 with a firm faith in and lively sense of this the most important of all subjects1 the resurrection of the body1 and eternal life2 and thus encourage them with the greatest of all inducements to lead a life of righteousness1 such as will secure to them a part in the first resurrection1 and a happy immortality in the society and friendship of the ransomed throng who are arrayed in spotless white1 and who reign on earth with the blessed ,redeemer4 ,having now shown clearly that the resurrection of the body is a complete restoration and reorganization of the physical system of man2 and that the elements of which his body is composed are eternal in their duration2 and that they form the tabernacle--the everlasting habitation of that spirit which animated them in this life2 and that the spirits and bodies of men are of equal importance and destined to form an eternal and inseparable union with each other2 we must now return to our research1 as to the final destiny of the earth and its productions of animal and vegetable life4 ,we have already shown that the earth itself1 and all its productions were deeply affected by the fall1 and by the sins of the children of men3 that the atonement which was made by ,jesus ,christ was not only for man1 but also for the earth and all the fulness thereof3 that all things were redeemed from the fall1 and would finally be restored from all the dreadful effects thereof2 and be regenerated1 sanctified and renewed after the pattern1 and in the likeness and image of its first creation2 partaking of the same beauty1 glory excellence and perfection it had in the beginning4 ,but it is evident that this restitution did not take place at the first advent of the ,messiah2 and that it has not taken place at any time since3 therefore it is yet future1 and must be fulfilled at a certain time which is appointed by infinite wisdom4 ,this certain time is called in holy writ1 the times of restitution of all things which ,god hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began4 ,now this restitution is to be accomplished by nothing short of a second advent of the ,messiah4 ,he must again descend from heaven to earth in like manner as he ascended4 ,this second advent of ,messiah1 and the grand events connected with it is a theme which all the prophets and apostles have dwelt on more fully in their writings than they have on any other subject whatever4 ,if ,i would quote proofs on this subject1 ,i might begin with ,enoch the seventh from ,adam1 who exclaims ,behold the ,lord cometh with ten thousand of his saints1 etc4 and end with the revelation of ,jesus ,christ to his servant ,john1 ,behold6 he cometh with clouds1 and every eye shall see him2 and they also which pierced him1 and all the kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him4 ,this glorious advent of the ,messiah was the comfort of ,job in his extreme affliction2 he could lift up his sorrowful eyes from the midst of sackcloth and ashes1 and exclaim ,i know that my ,redeemer liveth1 and that he will stand at the latter day upon the earth2 and though after my skin1 worms destroy this body1 yet in my flesh shall ,i see ,god1 etc4 ,this was the solace of ,daniel in his captivity4 ,he could exclaim1 ,i saw in the night1 visions1 and behold1 one like the son of man came with the clouds of heaven1 etc4 ,this same theme often inspired ,isaiah1 and ,david1 with an extacy of admiration and delight1 and caused them to pour forth their sweetest strains1--their sublimest effusions of poetic inspiration2 and this same subject seems interwoven with almost every page of the ,new ,testament writings4 ,indeed it formed a kind of centre1 or rallying point1 around which hovered all the hopes1 joys1 anticipations and comforts of the former day saints4 ,in bonds or imprisonments1 in persecutions and afflictions1 in tortures or in flames2 they could look forward to the coming of the ,lord in joyful anticipation of a resurrection and reward4 ,it is this glorious advent of the ,messiah1 and the great restitution connected with it which has ever formed the hope of the ,jews2 on this one point hangs the destiny of that long dispersed nation1 in their final restoration to the favour of ,god1 and to the land of their fathers1 and to their beloved city ,jerusalem4 ,this advent is what ,paul had allusion to in his writings to the ,romans where he said1 ,as it is written there shall come out of ,zion a deliverer1 who shall turn away ungodliness from ,jacob4 ,this second advent1 is what ,peter meant when he said to the ,jews1 7see ,acts iii7 ,and he shall send ,jesus ,christ1 which before was preached unto you1 whom the heavens must receive until the times of restitution1 etc4 ,it seems evident then1 that ,jesus ,christ is to come again at the times of restitution2 at which time a trump shall sound1 at the voice of which the graves of the saints will be opened1 and they arise from the dead1 and are caught up to-gather with those who are alive and remain1 to meet the ,lord in the air4 ,in the mean time the earth will be terribly convulsed2 the mountains will sink1 the valleys rise1 the rough places become smooth2 while a fire will pass over the surface of the earth1 and consume the proud and all that do wickedly1 as the cities of ,sodom and ,gomorrah were destroyed in the days of ,abraham3 and thus after the earth is cleansed by fire1 from all its wicked inhabitants1 as it once was by water1 and after its mighty convulsions have restored it to its former shape and surface1 it becomes a fit residence for ,jesus ,christ and his saints4 ,the ,jews behold their long--long expected ,messiah1 and come to the knowledge that he is that ,jesus whom their fathers crucified2 they are cleansed from their sins through his most precious blood2 their holy city ,jerusalem becomes a place of holiness indeed1 and a seat of government2 where will be the tabernacle and throne of ,messiah2 and where the nations of them that are saved will resort from year to year1 from all the adjoining countries to worship the king1 the ,lord of hosts2 and to keep the feast of tabernacles3 and thus1 there will be one ,lord1 and his name one2 and he will be king over all the earth4 ,blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth4 ,this promise made by the ,saviour while on the mount1 will then be fulfilled4 7,see also1 xxxvii ,psalm2 and also ,ezekiel xxxvii47 ,the curses which came upon the earth by reason of sin will then be taken off4 ,it will no longer bring forth thorns and thistles1 but its productions will be as they were before the fall4 ,the barren deserts will become fruitful1 the thirsty land will abound in springs of water1 men will then plant gardens and eat the fruit of them1 they will plant vineyards and drink the wine of them1 they will build houses and cities1 and inhabit them1 and the ,lord's elect will long enjoy the work of their hands4 ,all the earth will then be at rest under one sovereign4 ,swords will then be beaten into ploughshares1 and spears into pruning hooks1 and the nations shall learn war no more4 ,the very beasts of prey will then lose their thirst for blood1 and their enmity will cease4 ,the lion will eat herbs instead of preying upon flesh1 and all the animal creation will become perfectly harmless as they were in the beginning1 while perfect peace will cover the earth1 as the waters cover the sea2 while ail the ancient prophets1 apostles1 saints and martyrs with all our friends who have fallen asleep in ,jesus will be on earth1 with their glorified1 immortal bodies1 to sing the song of victory1 and to praise the great ,messiah who reigns in the midst of his people4 ,o reader1 this is the first resurrection6 ,blessed and holy is he that has part in the first resurrection4 ,o reader1 this is the great sabbath of creation2 the thousand years of rest and peace2 the longexpected ,millennium4 ,wouldst thou live in the flesh1 and have part in it8 wouldst thou again enjoy the society of thy friends who were so near and dear to thy heart in this life8 wouldst thou inherit the earth1 and be free forever from the grave8 ,remember--remember1 that meekness and holiness of life are the conditions4 ,that it is the meek only who then inherit the earth4 ,that it is the saints only who then possess the kingdom1 and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven4 ,in this delightful sabbath of creation1 earth and its inhabitants will rest one thousand years from all the pains1 and woes1 and sorrows they have undergone during the six thousand years of labor1 toil and suffering4 ,after this thousand years is ended1 the last resurrection will soon come1 together with the judgment day4 ,these grand events will be ushered in by the sounding of the last trump1 which will call forth the wicked from their long confinement in the grave1 and they will be judged according to their works1 and will then depart from the presence of the ,lord to the place appointed for them4 ,at that time the heavens and earth will undergo their last and final change4 ,they die1 and rise again from the dead2 or1 in other words1 the elements are changed from their temporal to their eternal state2 being renewed1 purified1 and brought to the highest state of perfection and refinement which it is possible for them to receive4 ,the earth being thus renewed and purified1 is no more to be changed or shaken4 ,it will then roll its eternal rounds amidst the unnumbered systems of the universe2 being clothed with celestial glory1 and inhabited by immortal and celestial beings who were redeemed from sin and raised from the dead by the blood of ,jesus ,christ and the power of his resurrection1 and who are clothed in white raiment with crowns upon their heads in glory2 being kings and priests unto ,god and to the ,lamb with whom they reign on earth for ever and ever2 for there will be the holy city1 ,new ,jerusalem1 the place of his throne2 and his tabernacle will be with man1 and he will dwell with them and be their ,god2 and he will wipe away all tears from their eyes1 and there will be no more death1 neither sorrow nor groaning2 neither shall there be any more pain1 for the old order of things will have passed away and all things will have become new4 ,reader1 wouldst thou leave thy native earth1 and soar away to worlds on high1 and be at rest that thou mayest do so until the great restitution of all things spoken by the prophets2 for ,christ and the saints have gone to worlds on high1 and have entered in before thee4 ,but remember1 that in the worlds on high thy stay is short4 ,jesus and the saints are only there to await the full time for earth to be cleansed and prepared for their reception1 and they will all come home again to their native planet2 and even while they are in heaven and absent from the earth1 they look forward with joyful anticipation to the time of their return to the place of their nativity4 ,the joyful theme of reigning on the earth inspires the music of their heavenly song2 for proof of this1 the reader is referred to ,rev4 v4 #i1 #aj1 he there records a song which he heard sung by the hosts of heaven1 which closes with the following words1 ,we shall reign on the earth4 ,if man would enjoy a heaven beyond the bounds of space peopled only by spirits3 if he would desire to be for ever free from earth1 and absent from the body of his flesh1 and from his native planet1 he will be under the necessity of embracing the doctrines of the ,alcoran1 or some of the fables of the heathen mythology1 where1 in the boundless fields of fancy1 or amid the romantic wilds of imagination and fanaticism1 the mind roams unchecked by reason1 and loses itself from all the realities of rational existence2 in a land of shadows1 a world of phantoms1 from which it will only awake in disappointment by the sound of the last trump1 and at last find itself constrained to acknowledge that eternity as well as time1 is occupied in realities1 and by beings of a physical as well as spiritual existence for the inspired writers1 one and all have agreed1 that the earth is destined for the eternal inheritance of the saints4 ,the sacred volume opens with a paradise on earth1 and closes with a paradise on earth4 ,moses introduces us to a world of beauty1 glory1 excellence and perfection in the beginning4 ,and ,john closes the volume by leaving man in possession of an eternal habitation in his immortal body1 in the holy city2 and upon the very planet that first gave him being3 and this is the end of the matter4