Salvation for the Dead and the Episcopal Church

SALVATION FOR THE DEAD AND THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH. Dr. Paterson Smyth, of St. Ann's Church, Dublin, Ireland, on the 28th of April last, in a farewell sermon prior to his leaving to take up a new charge, in Montreal, Canada, preaching on the text "How much more," (Matt. 8:11) said: The text is the charter of the love of God as spoken by the Incarnate Son. But he —the preacher- sternly warned his hearers against the common error of supposing that the Heavenly Father is like a weak, indulgent, foolish parent who would give the child anything to make it stop crying. The Divine love is strong and patient, and does not shrink from the infliction of any pain which his wisdom sees is for the best. But we need never let go our trust in that Father's love for ourselves and those we hold dear. It was a ghastly lie to say that the multitudes who perished in the Jamaica earthquake or other great catastrophes are irrevocably lost, as though they had been trapped to their doom. The Father is the Father on that side of the veil as on this. And we have no reason to think that his loving discipline and training of his children for their high destiny ceases when the earthly stage is over.

; —— 806 IMPROVEMENT ERA. Commenting on Dr. Smyth's personality, a critic says: "No other preacher in Ireland, except the Primate in more vigorous days, has power to attract such crowds. There is nothing sensa- tional in his sermons. A simple, strong faith in God, and hope for man, are the grounds for his cheery optimism. That Dr. Smyth is not alone in his views, and is not preaching doctrines contrary to those of the Episcopal Church is proved by the fact that the Archbishop occupied the chair, and gave expression to the feelings of those present in wishing him a hearty and affectionate God- speed on his departure for Canada." Truly the gospel of Christ, as taught by the despised Prophet, Joseph Smith, is like unto the small stone cut out of the moun- tain. It is filling the whole earth. The churches of Christendom are accepting his teachings, salvation for the dead, one of the central facts of "Mormonism^is becoming an accepted doctrine. How greatly have the mightj fallen! How contrary to the teachings of Knox, Calvin, and others, are those which have been promulgated by Joseph, the Prophet, Seer and Revelator of these the Latter- days. Frederic Clift, M. D. Provo, Utah.