In conclusion, do you ask if the Apostolic Church is again re-established, where is it? I reply, it is in the mountains where the Lord's House is to be built in the last days. Driven by the cruel hand of persecution to the very place where the Lord has declared He will "hide them till the indignation be overpast." Do you also ask what kind of organization this Church has? The answer is, the same as that of the Apostolic Church in the days of Peter, consisting of Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, &c.; with the gifts of healing, tongues, interpretation, casting out devils, prophesyings, &c. Do you ask who has seen any of these miraculous fruits of this Church? I answer a hundred thousand living witnesses are ready to testify that the "signs" which Christ said "shall follow them that believe," do, in very deed, follow believers in this Church. Do you say, are they credible witnesses? They were generally accounted credible persons, until they believed and obeyed this gospel. Do their lives show that they do sincerely believe and love the apostolic gospel which they profess? Nothing as yet, has been able to separate them from it; neither home nor country, nor the inheritances of their fathers, nor penury or reproach, or evil report, or cold, or nakedness, and no certain dwelling-place for years!
I now close this simple and unembellished statement of truth, being written in a state of convalescence from severe sickness, hoping a portion of your inquiries will have been satisfactorily answered,
Your friend and servant,
ORSON SPENCER.
LETTER VIII.
THE TRUE AND LIVING GOD.
Liverpool, September 13, 1847.
Reverend and Dear Sir,—In this epistle I shall endeavour to set before you a description of the person, abode, and character of THE TRUE AND LIVING GOD. In so doing I trust it will not be imputed to arrogance if I borrow my apology from the language of St. Paul:—"As I passed by I beheld an altar with this inscription, 'To the Unknown God.' Whom ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you."
The people of Paul's day had for several generations been unaccustomed to receive revelations from the true God, believing, generally, that revelations from God had ceased with Malachi. They supposed that the canon of scripture was complete long before their time, and they considered that the great law-giver, Moses, had established an immutable code of laws and government, suited to the condition of people of all ages and circumstances whatever, to the end of time; and the Jews, to this very day, entertain the same opinion.