them, would enjoy them as sisters in Christ, and not as wives in Adam: That the church of Christ, by being separated from the world, and united in spirit, would possess a united interest, which would preclude all buying and selling for individual and selfish purposes; and that thereby a right use of property would take place in the church, where the things of this world would be used without abuse: And that, in this period, believers, under the operation of an inward, spiritual work of God upon the soul, would both weep and rejoice in spirit, without discovering the feelings and exercises of their souls to the view of an unbelieving world.

Having seen, felt and experienced all these things, we are able to testify that no other meaning can, with any consistency, be applied to the apostle's prediction. So clearly indeed has he pointed out the millennial Church, in that short passage, that its faith and order could not be more completely described, in so few words, notwithstanding the work has actually taken place. And we bless God that we have lived to see the day in which it is so clearly and amply fulfilled; that the true virgin life is made manifest in this our day, and we are called to be partakers of it; that we can possess this world as tho we possessed it not ;" for we know that "the fashion of this world is passed away," as it respects the lives which we live in it.

8. "And I looked, and lo! a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, "and with him a hundred forty and four thousand, having his "Father's name written in their foreheads."* This is not a mere external name, consisting of significant letters or characters; but the pure nature of God being formed in them, the very image of purity and holiness shines forth in their countenances, and displays itself in all their words and actions. But who are these hundred and forty-four thousand? "These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins."

Some suppose this to include that particular number only, who will attain to that honor. Be this as it may, it is a striking evidence that none but those who live a virgin life can obtain so great a privilege; and therefore such a life must not only be the most acceptable in the sight of God and the Lamb, but is that alone which can stand with the Lamb on Mount Zion.

"These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth.' That is, they walk in perfect obedience to the law of Christ, and follow his example in all purity and holiness; not defiling themselves with women, nor living in any uncleanness, or in any selfish gratification whatever.

"These were redeemed from among men, being the first-fruits unto God, and to the Lamb." Having followed Christ in the regeneration; that is, having lived a life of virgin purity, after his

*Rev. xiv. 1.

example, by taking up their crosses against all those carnal indulgences of the flesh which pertain to the works of generation, they were redeemed from that nature by the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit.

"And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God." They have taken up their crosses against all sin, and every evil word and work; and by their obedience to the law of Christ, have obtained a victory over the very nature of evil: for how could they otherwise be without fault? Such, and such only, are with the Lamb.* And the song which they sing, is a song of praise and thanksgiving to God for their redemption, and which cannot be sung except by those who, through a life of virgin purity, have obtained complete redemption from the lost nature of the flesh.

In this vision of John, is a prophetic display of the true character of the work of God on earth, in the great millennial day of Christ, which is, as it were, but just commenced. And these virgin characters above described, are the subjects of it: and none will finally be able to stand the test of this great day, without becoming the subjects of this work, and attaining to this character. Thus we have John's vision of the appearance of the Lamb on Mount Zion and the character of those with him; then follows his vision of the everlasting gospel.

"And I saw another angel fly in the midst of Heaven, having "the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the "earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people."

Here we find that the gospel is preached, after the appearance of the Lamb on Mount Zion. This is an evidence, not only that the gospel is to be preached after the second coming of Christ, but also that those to whom it is to be preached had no previous knowledge of his having made his appearance; but are yet to be informed of it by the testimony of the preacher. After this succeeds the fall of Babylon, and the judgment of God upon those who worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark.

These things show that, after the second coming of Christ, the gospel will be preached to all nations, kindreds and tongues; and that those who refuse to obey it, and still continue in the course and practice of the world, will inevitably fall under the judgment of God, both in this world and that which is to come. For the loud voice of the angel alludes to the preaching of the gospel to a sinful world, by ministers sent of God, with angelic or heavenly power and authority. After this follows the harvest of the world.

Those who live in sin, tho they may call themselves christians, they cannot be "without fault before the throne of God," and therefore cannot belong to this class: And tho they may "name the name of Christ;" yet if they do not depart from all iniquity," all their religious professions, forms and ceremonies are but mere hypocrisy; their mouths are full of guile, full of lies and hypocrisy.

"And I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came "out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on "the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap; for the time is come "for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe."

It will be proper to remark here, that the work of harvest, which is a progressive work, is a striking figure of the work of Christ's second appearing, which is called The harvest of the world.

As a field of wheat is not cut down with one stroke of the sickle; but that which is the ripest is first cut down and gathered, and the reaping continued, as the grain becomes ripe, till all is cut down, separated and gathered into the barn; so is the harvest of the world, in the day of Christ's second appearing.

The white cloud represents a cloud or multitude of pure witnesses, those who stand on Mount Zion with the Lamb. The Spirit of Christ in these witnesses, is the sharp sickle, which goes forth by the word of their testimony, through the preaching of the everlasting gospel, which cuts off and separates souls from the life of the world; and thus they are harvested out of the world; so that their life is no longer of the world, but of Christ. Thus the principle of a virgin life is implanted in them: "for they are virgins." Therefore they can, henceforth, no more propagate a natural offspring than the grain that is gathered into the barn, and devoted to be made into bread, for the use of the owner, can be again sown in the earth and bring forth fruit.

The progress of the work here described will fulfil the prediction of Christ; "This gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached "in all the world, for a witness unto all nations: and then shall the end come. 29*

CHAPTER III.

Concerning Obedience.

THE first duty which God requires of man, and in which is comprehended all other duties, is obedience. This is essentially necessary for the fulfilment of the whole law of Christ, and indeed of every manifestation of God to man. "Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams." This is the whole end and design of the law of nature, the law of Moses, and the law of Christ. Thus said Moses; "Keep therefore the "words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all "that ye do." And thus said Jesus; "Not every one that saith "unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven ; "but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in Heaven."||

Matt xxiv. 14.

ti Sam. xv. 22.

Deut. xxix. 9.

Matt. vii. 21.

Hence it is evident that obedience is the only line of promise. A man may believe all the law and the prophets; he may also believe the truth of the gospel, he may assent to all its doctrines, and to every principle of the law of Christ; and he may not only have full faith in the divine mission of Christ, and call him Lord and Master, and acknowledge him as the only Savior; but he may also openly profess the name of Christ, and declare his full belief in all his divine precepts, and acknowledge his life and example to be the only rule of a christian; and yet after all, if he does not truly and sincerely obey the revealed will of God, given to him, all his faith and all his professions will profit him nothing. Obedience therefore comprehends the whole duty of man.

But it may be asked, Where is the true object of obedience to be found? to whom, and to what shall we yield obedience? and by what rule shall it be regulated? To which we answer: The Spirit of Christ is the true and real object of obedience: and its visible manifestation is found in his body, which is his true Church. There he has placed his name, and there is found the only power of salvation; because therein his Spirit operates and governs the whole body: hence the only true source and object of obedience is in the Church of Christ; and the obedience of every faithful soul will center there.

es."*

Christ said to his disciples, "I am the vine, ye are the branchIt is well known that the branches of the vine, or of a tree, are subject, in all their operations and productions, to the directions of that life which proceeds from the body. This supports and regulates them: and no branch can bear fruit, nor even receive any support from the life of the tree, when it is separated from it, or has by any means lost its connection with the life of the body. For tho a branch that is withered may continue to hang on the tree for a time; yet if it cannot receive the sap, which is the life of the tree, it must finally fall off; because it is no longer subject to the life of the body, and therefore that life can no longer circulate in it. So it is also with the members of the human body, which are supported by its life, and regulated and governed by the head, as the leading influence of the whole body. No member, when cut off from the body, can retain its life, nor its subjection to the head; but having lost its union and subjection to the life of the body, it must die.

Here then, is the most perfect figure of visible obedience, tho proceeding from an invisible source. And shall we suppose that the body of Christ can be less perfect, in its system of obedience, than the vine or the tree, or even the members of the human body? Jesus Christ, when on earth, taught the will of his Father; this constituted the pure principles of the gospel: and he confirmed

* John xv, 5.

these principles by his living example. But these principles were not obeyed by those who did not belong to his visible body; nor had he any leading influence any where but in his body, and in those members who composed his body. "Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular," saith the apostle.*

Thus the body of Christ is made up of visible members, and his invisible Spirit is their life. This Spirit cannot direct the members to disagree one with another, or to be separated from their union to each other. Hence it is evident that clashing opinions, jarring systems, and opposite conduct do not belong to the one body of Christ, nor have they any part in it: If Christ has a true church on earth, then that church must be his visible body; therefore his invisible Spirit must be the life of that body, and of course, must regulate and govern it. Hence we may see the great mistake of those who suppose that they can belong to the body of Christ, or that they can partake of his Spirit, which is its life, and yet have no union with his church, his only visible body. It is utterly impossible for any one, in such a staté, to partake of the life of Christ. As well might the branches of the vine or tree, or even the members of the human body, when cut off and separated, still partake of the life of the body.

Many objections have been raised against the system of obedience taught and practised in the United Society; but to the candid mind, a little reflection will show those objections to be very unreasonable. It will doubtless be readily acknowledged, that in every well regulated society or institution, there must be a visible head, or leading influence, by which the society or institution is governed and directed, and to which each member must yield obedience; otherwise there could be no order nor regulation in such a society; for a body without a head, can have neither life nor power, but must soon fall and be dissolved. But where there is a leading influence, which stands as a center of union, the order, union and harmony of the institution is easily preserved, by the obedience of the members to that head or leading influence.

In a regular army of soldiers, perfect obedience is found essentially necessary for the preservation of order, and the protection of the army. And as order and discipline is the strength of the army; so obedience is the very life of order and discipline. Every soldier is required to yield implicit obedience to his immediate commander, and every officer must be subject to the command of his superior officer. This order of subjection extends, in regular gradation, from the common soldier to the highest officer in an army; and thus the whole army is led and governed by the commander in chief. Without this subjection, the largest army would soon lose all its strength and power, and become an easy conquest to the enemy.

* 1 Cor. xii. 27,