The Gospel

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Rom. 1:19

The word gospel, in its first and simple signification, is good tidings, it matters not from what source they come; but when applied to Jesus Christ it refers to those holy precepts and pure principles emanating from the Author of our existence [existence], and is here defined by the apostle, as the power of God manifested in the salvation of the believer. Here was power in that gospel which the apostles administered to the world to save those who believed it. When I speak of salvation, in this treatise, I mean salvation in its most unlimited sense to become an heir of God, and joint heir with Christ; to become one

with Christ, as he and the Father are one; to overcome, and set down on his throne, as he overcame and sat down on his Fathers; to be made perfect, as he is in all things pertaining to the kingdom of God, is to be saved. To exalt mankind to this high station, is the design of the gospel of Christ. However nearly allied to this, may be the systems of men, they will come infinitely short of effecting this object. This gospel may be perverted, and so changed, as to loose [lose] its efficacy, and not have power to save those who believe it.-No substitute, nothing but the thing itself will answer. I have often heard men say that the sincere worshiper would be saved, it matters not what religious system be embraced. If this theory be correct, sincerity becomes the principle means of salvation instead of obedience to the gospel, and the sincere Mussleman [Muslim ?] who bows at the shrine of Mahomed [Mohammed ?]: The ignorant Hidoostan who worships the work of men's hands; The zealous Roman who confesses to his priest, and the honest prottestant [Protestant] of modern times, will all be united with the apostles in the kingdom of God-however wide may be their differences in this life.

It was not because the Galatians were not sincere, that Paul said, I fear lest I have bestowed labor upon you in vain; it was because the gospel he administered to them, had been perverted by others attemping [attempting] to teach, and the Galations [Galatians] became their adherents.-Not that they preached another gospel, or denied the fundamental principles of the gospel of Christ; but subverted it by making as they supposed, additions and improvements. See Gal. 1:6,10. Being in possession of these facts, the apostle indignantly says, I would that they were even cut off that trouble you. He also says, though we, or an angel from heaven preach any other than that we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. Paul had but little hopes of, or fellowship with, those subverters of the gospel, however zealously they might advocate its fundamental principles: for of itself, it is a perfect system, and will make those perfect who obey it. It is a scheme of infinite wisdom, therefore its perfection consists in its being just what it is, and nothing else; for were it susceptible of improvement, it would argue that is was not perfect, for perfection reaches beyond improvement, therefore, any alteration in its ordinances, or any of its ramifications, tend to destroy its power of saving, or perfecting men: Hence the necessity of Christ bestowing on those whom he called to preach the gospel, the Comforter, the Spirit of truth, that leads into all truth; this he said should bring all things to their remembrance, whatsoever he has spoken unto them. John 19:26, also 16:13. Being thus endowed with the spirit and power from on high, they were capable of teaching that system which Christ delivered to them, without alteration; for the comforter brought to their minds what they had forgotten, and lead them into all truth and prevented the introduction of error. The Lord never called a man to that office, unless he qualified him in that manner, for that qualification is absolutely necessary for the salvation of the world; for without it the gospel never was and never will be preached in purity, and administered in righteousness, consequently will not make those pure to whom it is administered. Therefore, as Paul said, so say I, how can a man preach, except he be sent. Answer he can teach for doctrine, the commandments of men, and make void the law of God through the traditions of the fathers, as did the Scribes and Pharisees of old. The lack of that calling and qualification in the multitude of modern divines, is evidently the cause of contentions, differences, and divisions in the christian world, and of the dublety that rest upon the minds of the religious world, relative to the true points of Christ's doctrine. In view of what is above stated the apostle said, 2nd Timothy, 4:3, 4. for the time will come, when they will not endure sound doctrine, but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers having itching ears, and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and they shall be turned to fables. Having made these remarks to prepare the mind, I shall now proceed to examine the gospel as preached by the apostles. E. S.

Carthage Hancock Co. Ill. February the 6th 1840.

To the Editors of the Times and

Seasons, and all the saints of our God, and fellow laborers in the dispensation of the fullness of times, greeting.

Dear brethren, realizing that all the faithful are wishing to hear from the Elders abroad, and to know how the work of pruning the vinyard [vineyard], progresses in these last days; I have thought proper to give you a short sketch of my, labors since the 6th of July, 838 [1838]: for on that day I started from Kirtland, Ohio, with my family in company with the camp of saints (called the Kirtland camp) numbering in all women and children five hundred aud [and] fifteen souls fifty eight teams, a large number of cows &c. This company consisted principally of the poor saints of Kirtland with the sick, lame, blind and all that could not move without assistance.-We had a fine journey to Dayton Ohio, when we stoped [stopped] and labored four weeks on the turnpike then resumed our journey and arrived at springfield, (the seat of goverment [government] for Illinois) Sep. the 15th, and finding that several in the camp were sick with fevers, the Council thought best for me to stop and take care of them which I accordingly did by renting a house and taking them into it and making other nesessary [necessary] provisions for their comfort. I then commenced preaching in Springfield in my own hired house, but the prejudice of the people (on account of the difficulties at Far West) were so great that they generally would not hear, but a few were enquiring [inquiring]. When many of the brethren who were coming from the east heard that I was in Springfield, they turned thither and stoped [stopped] also and I soon organized them into a branch of the church called the Springfield branch over which I was apointed [ appointed] to preside, after which we held our meetings in the Campbellite meeting house I continued preaching in Springfield and its vacinity [vicinity] until January 8th, 1839, the church at this time numbering about forty members in good standing. I then removed my family to Carthage Hancock Co. Ill. in the vacinity [vicinity] of Crooked Creek; and in April I baptized several and organized a branch of the church called the crooked Creek branch over which I was chosen to preside, which I have endeavered [endeavored] to do, preaching to the church and in other places until the present time having had many calls for preaching which I could not attend to on account of my ill health and indigent circumstances. I have baptized and confirmed in this vicinity fifteen members, and Br. John E. Page has baptized several, and James Carle two: this branch numbers about fifty members in good standing and many more appear to be believing whom I hope will soon become Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise, by being baptized for the remission of their sins.

Now let thy servant O our God! And gathering home to Zion's land,

Be cloth'd with power divine; Which was to Joseph given:

That they may spread thy truth abroad That they in safety their may stand,

And cause the light to shine: When Christ descends from heaven:

'Mong nations who, in darkness are, To burn the wicked in his wrath,

For darkness fills the earth, And to receive his bride;

That they may shun the devils snare With righteousness to fill the earth,

By having a new birth. Which then is purified.

From your fellow laborer in he gospel of Jesus Christ. JOEL H. JOHNSON.

For the Times and Seasons.

Nauvoo, Feb. 4th, 1840.

To the President of the quorum of High-priests:

Dear Sir, and beloved brother in tribulation.

As I was not with the Church in Missouri in their almost unparalleled afflictions, yet I suffered (although not phissically) [physically] with bleeding Zion.-And thinking that a brief account of my labors in the vinyard [vineyard] of the Lord, would not be unaccepted, I have thought proper to drop you a few lines.

I became a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, on the 2nd of July 1832 and at the same time was ordained an elder and immediantly [immediately] commenced travelling [traveling] and proclaiming the fulness [fullness] of the gospel, and

since that time I have baptized into the church in all 123 persons 20 or more of which have been ordainad [ordained] to the ministry, I have travelled [traveled] and preached the gospel in some 14 states and preached some in Upper Canada, during this time I have had several debates and have discussed the subject of our faith with various gentlemen publicly and privately in several different places and I can say that as yet the Lord has verified his promise and has not forsaken me for which I feel to render sincere and unfeigned thanks to his Holy name.

Although as yet no man has laid violent hands upon me, yet my life has been threatened and mobs have come out against me, and all this for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ, I commenced travelling [traveling] in the northen [northern] and eastern states, since then I have spent 2 years in the states of Virginia and North Carolina. When in North Carolina; a most unwaranted [unwarranted] and unparallelled [unparalleled] persecution was raging against the saints in Missouri, meanwhile misrepresentations touching the troubbles [troubles] in Missouri and our faith were spreading in every direction through the papers of the day and by letters from the hostile Missourians, some of whom had gone to Missouri from Virginia and North Carolina [Carolina], and were writing to their friends in the south and abusing the suffering saints in Missouri by misrepsesenitng [misrepresenting] them in the worst manner, this together with the opposition of the sectarian clergy, created no small excitement in the south, a certain portion af [of] the inhabitants combined and united their efforts to destroy the work of the Lord in that region upon the principle of the Missouri mob, but without avail, for the principal leading characters in the country discountenanced the mob and no violence was committed. It was during this that I published a small pamphlet, for the purpose of correcting the misrepresentations, which had prejudiced the public against the Latter Day Saint, and then circulated this pamphlet gratis by mail in almost every direction, this had the desired effect for as the pamphlet circulated prejudice and hostile feelings seemed to abate on every side, as I had no means of obtaining all the particulars of the Missouri persecution, but few particulars are in the pamphlet, and as it was extremely difficult to obtain confirmed facts, likewise in it are some few mistakes, but I believe nothing of any particular consequence, my faith and confidence in the presidency and in the church are good, and I wish to be considered as a living stone in the temple of the Lord. I am determined through the grace of God to be a humble faithful follower of our Divine Master, and to perform my part in the building up of the kingdom of these last days, preparatory to the second advent of the Mosiah [Messiah] , when his faithful servants shall rest from all toils and sorrows that they have experience while passing through this vail [veil] of tears, wherein I may have erred I pray for forgiveness from the Lord, and his church, and ask of our Heavenly Father wisdom and strength to enable me to eye his glory in all things and magnify my calling and adorn my profession as his servant that I with all the faithful saints may see him come with the clouds of Heaven, and be caught up to meet the church of the first born.

Please accept assurances of my high consideration and esteem, and believe me truly your bother in the gospel

FRANCIS G. BISHOP.

P. S. By means of certain testimonials from highly respectable sources in the south together with the pamphlet before mentioned, I had ready access to many of the inhabitants of the State of Kentucky. I was kindly received and gave lectures correcting the misreprsentations [misrepresentations] against us in some eight large towns in that State and frequently was solicited to return, or send some other preacher that way. F.G.B.

Philadalphia [Philadelphia] Pa. Jan. 29 th , 1840.

ELDER D. C. SMITH,

Highly esteemed brother in the bonds of the new and everlasting covenant: It really rejoices my heart to be able to state to you that the work of the Lord, even the fulness [fullness] of the everlasting gospel is spreading, and prospering mightily in these earstern [eastern] lands. I have calls in every direction, on the right hand and on the left.-

A dozen elders might well be employed in Chester Co. Pa. where I have been

laboring the principle part of the past season, I can fill but a small part of the calls I have for preaching. 53 in that Co. have already embraced the fullness of the gospel, and are organised [organized] into a branch. On Saturday last (Jan. 25) a conference of elders was held in the Brandywine branch; pres't. Joseph Smith Jr. being present, was called to preside, and James Rodeback appointed clerk. Two elders and two priests were ordained; great harmony prevailed in the meeting, and much important instructiou [instruction] was given to the elders and members present by pres't. Smith among them, I trust has tended much to strengthen, and confirm them in the faith of the everlasting gospel. Multitudes are believing the proclamation which the Lord has sent us to declare in different parts of the land: mountains of prejudice have been broken down, and many noble hearted men and women in that Co. manifest a zeal for the cause of truth worthy the highest admiration. The march of truth is onward, and proud sectarianism is fast falling into ruins.

Elder Elisha M. Davis and Henry Dean are preaching in Lancaster Co. near Straughsburgh, they have baptized 18, and I understand there is a great enquiry [inquiry] after truth in that Co. Elder B. Winchester has baptized 65 in this city, and a great number more appear to be convinced of the truth of these things, the spirit of enquiry [inquiry] is general. I am now on a visit to the city, to assist elder Winchester a short time, when I expect to return to Chester Co. Yours in the bonds of the new covenant.

LORENZO BARNES.

Messrs. Editors:

Please insert the following, in your fifth Periodical.