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Show SUNDAY SERVICES. In Logan Tabernacle, Sunday afternoon, Aug. 27th, 1882: Elder Cantrell expressed pleasure at meeting with the Saints, and hoped that they prized the privilege they enjoyed in living in the latter days, when the fulness of the Gospel had been restored to the earth. Salvation was freely offered to all that would receive it, obey God's commands, and endure till the end, no other conditions would suffice. After ages of darkness, the gospel had been restored to the people of the earth. God did not give his commands to the wise and rich, but He chose to give his commands to a poor, illiterate youth. This, the people of this world, cannot or will not understand. But God's ways are not men's ways. He bringeth his plans forth in his own way to restore the Gospel in the fullness of time. Brethren, fear God for the hour of judgment cometh; in ancient days the Saints were not commanded to build temples and gather together, as they are required by the Lord to do in the latter days. You have been commanded to come out of Babylon and not partake of her sins, or you may share in the plagues that will be poured out. We are here in accord with the Father's commands, to prepare for the coming of the Messiah. The time of his coming is prophesied to take place when faith is found upon the earth. Where, brethren, could faith have been found, with its gifts and blessings, until within the past 50 years? We all know, or should know, that the principles of our religion are true, for without this knowledge our faith must be weak. You must have Jesus Christ's testimony resting in your hearts. You have abundant testimony around you, that this work is eternally true. Be firm and true to your belief. Maintain your integrity at all cost and continue to build up God's church. The riches and the fulness belong to the Lord, -- who will place them in our hands if we will do His will. We cannot take away with us when we depart from the earth any of our possessions. We are the Lord's stewards and all belongs to Him and to Him alone. President W. B. Preston said: As long as we are the Lord's people, and know He is on our side, we may consider that we are a blest and a happy people. If you read the history of ??? past, you will note that in every ??? which the Lord has held communion with His people on the earth, as long as they worked righteously and kept his commandments, He preserved them from the power and inclinations of the wicked and ???, giving them the victory over their enemies at all times. With the Latter-day Saints it has been similar. As long as they kept His commandments and obeyed His authority as manifested through His prophets, they have been blessed in worldly affairs, and have multiplied and increased. We are living in peculiar times. Only a few years have elapsed since one of the states drove the Latter-day Saints from its borders and from their homes and property. To-day, the great government of the United States has seen fit to enact laws for us, -- a little handful of people called Latter-day Saints, living among the mountains; these laws appear to us unjustly proscriptive and are not according to the principles of the Constitution, but, if we obey the commands of God, no harm can befall us. Unwise men may legislate for us; but God will control our affairs, so that all will ultimately be for our good. It certainly is a strange anomaly, in a republican country, to see five men ruling a territory; it is more like a monarchial proceeding. I was at Salt Lake a few days since and saw the Commissioners; they appeared good, straight-forward, honest-looking men, and no doubt they intend to do just what the law requires of them, nothing more, nothing less. They have been appointed to do a certain thing, and are no doubt capable of performing that duty and will endeavor to do it. They have come here to see that polygamists and bigamists do not vote at the ensuing election, nor hold any offices under the government. Those who cannot vote can stay at home and mind their children, dig potatoes or go fishing; and allow the boys and girls who are old enough and eligible, to go and vote for their Congressional candidate. It is a part of our religious duty for every voter to go to the polls, a duty that every son and daughter in Israel should see is properly attended to. There is no law against canvassing for the People's Party -- whether democratic or republican; no law against my advising others as to who may be considered the most eligible for office. We accept the Edmunds law "willingly," because we cannot help ourselves, but that law is anything but republican. We have been robbed of our rights and liberties, and the constitution of the country has been traded in the dust. We can stand it, if 50,000,000 of people can; but they may rest assured that "chickens will come home to roost." The measures meted to us, will be meted back again. We can afford to wait patiently, for the government of the United States has written its history -- a history that future generations will not find pleasant to read. It may be thought all right by them, to order that this handful of people be trampled upon, because the religious sects have cried out against us. We fully understand this, also the words of the gospel, "Blessed are ye when men shall persecute you for righteousness sake." When grog shops are permitted to spring up, are fostered, cared for and sustained by the Latter-day Saints, my faith is shaken in them. What is the cause of this lukewarmness? Why do we fail to be as energetic as of old? It is because of our wickedness and neglect of God's commands, we are permitted to lose our rights in legislative councils and as citizens. If the Lord forsakes us, it will be because of the rebellous [rebellious] wickedness that abounds in our homes, settlements, wards and stakes. In every age and dispensation where God's people obeyed Him, they have eventually come out victorious. Do not judge things after your own heart. God's promises never fail. As well may our enemies undertake to turn a mighty river backwards as to try to stop the Kingdom of God. The promises of God to this people will be fulfilled, if they will only continue faithful, and all shall acknowledge that the Lord is God. The wicked will be constrained to acknowledge Him and His works. The Latter-day Saints who are sustaining liquor hells and holes are furnishing mighty good help to his satanic majesty. If you are not going to these places, perhaps your boys are going there; it would be wise for all to note who support them, give the matter serious attention and endeavor to reclaim those who are going astray. There is as much necessity for sending missionaries to labor within a block or two of this tabernacle as to New Zealand. Endeavor by your precept and example to bring about a reformation; do not let the adversary lead us and ours into the "broad road." Do not follow after Babylonish fashions. Do not take your ease when you see the enemies of Zion creeping into your folds and destroying your flocks. Watchmen and watchwomen of Zion see that the wolves are kept out of the herd. You will find them presenting themselves in every shape, aye, even in sheep's clothing. Do not sit down, sleep, take your ease, or fold your hands in the presence of the enemy. The price of your safety and liberty is "eternal vigilance." |