The Coming of Christ

The coming of Christ is a subject that the ancients have contemplated with great emotion; Isaiah having a view of this event, realized a portion of its benefit for says he, "Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor [Counselor], the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace: Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end.-" Jeremiah gazing upon the unparalleled blessings that should accrue to the human family through the incarnation of the son of God, breaks forth in rapturous accents and exclaims, "This is his name whereby he shall be called, The Lord our righteousness." David looking down the stream of time, got his eye upon this noble event; and feeling its benefit applied to his heart, tunes the lyre and in seraphic notes he chants his praise. Moses beheld the coming of Christ, and saw a striking similarity, and said unto his people, "A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me." Abraham by faith beheld the son of God vailed [veiled] in human form, and rejoiced to see it. In the fulness [fullness] of time Christ came, and then every symbol was abolished by its representative; every shadow is lost in its respective substance-every prediction meets with its fulfilment [fulfillment].-And hecatombs no longer struggle upon the Jewish alters, while yielding their blood, as a type of better things.

Now the long, long looked for period at last arrives; and the auspicious morn, is hailed by a countless throng of angels, one of which announces to the watching shepherd, "Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour [Savior], which is Christ the Lord.-" A star appeared in the east, and its meaning was understood by the Magi, who prosecuted their journey over dreary mountains, sandy deserts, and barren plains, in pursuit of the new born king; till at length coming to Bethlehem, "entering the house they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts, gold, and frankincense, and myrrh." In this kind act they acknowledged this infant Prophet, Priest and King.-Simeon was a man who waited for the consolation of Israel: "and it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord, Christ:" And beholding that promise fulfilled-"took the child in his arms," and in a poetical strain uttered words of prayer and praise.-"Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel." There was one Philip who desired to see the days of the son of man, who after he had seen Jesus came to Nathanael [Nathaniel] and said unto him, "We have found him of whom Moses in the Law, and the Prophet did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." Now we see him passing through the world as a "man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.-" His journey was that of benevolence, and his labour [labor] that of love: until he offered himself a vicarious sacrifice-was numbered with

the transgressors, and "made his grave with the rich" until the dawn of the third day, when like a mighty conqueror he rose from the tomb, and, after "going in and out for the space of forty days, ascended up on high, led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men: and ever lives to make intercession for us."

(To be concluded in our next.)

PRESIDENT JOSEPH SMITH,

Dear sir:-I feel anxious to express my feelings, concerning the business transactions between the church and myself;-as it is well known to many, that Dr. Galland, as agent for the church, purchased my farm while I was living in Brandywine township, Chester co. Pa, and many supposed or pretended to suppose, I would get nothing in return;-but I wish to say to all my old friends and enemies in Pennsylvania, through the medium of the "Times and Seasons,"-[which I rejoice you now have the control of,] that I have received my pay in full from the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, through yourself, sir, as their Trustee in Trust, according to the original contract; and that from my acquaintance with yourself, and those brethren who are assisting you in the great and increasing business of the church, I have the fullest confidence in all the transactions of the church, and I request those papers in Philadelphia who published concerning my sale and loss, with such bitter lamentations to publish this also. I am, sir, your bother and well wisher,

ROBERT PIERCE.

Nauvoo, Feb. 28, 1842.