XIII. this world's goods, but solely as a religious duty and CHAP privilege, for mutual benefit; therefore, all had an equal right as members, jointly, in the use of all things in the Church, and according to their several needs, whether they brought in any temporal substance or not. And in those who brought in sub- Exo.xvi. stance, more or less, was that scripture fulfilled, He 18 that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gath- viii. 15. ered little had no lack. 31. Fifth. As all the members of the Church are equally holden, according to their abilities, to maintain and support one joint interest, in union and conformity to the order and government of the Church; therefore, all labour with their hands, to maintain the mutual comfort and benefit of one another by honest industry and acts of kindness,-not by compulsion, but of choice, from a principle of faith, justice, and equity. 32. Ministers, Elders and Deacons, all without exception, labour with their hands; excepting at such times as are taken up by each in their particular gifts and callings, which all tend to the mutual increase and benefit of the whole. And no member or members, from the eldest to the youngest, are constrained or compelled, by any law, rule or custom in the Church, to go beyond their abilities, or in any matter to act contrary to their own faith and voluntary choice. 33. Sixth. As the gospel is perfectly free, and the free exercise of conscience can in no wise be retarded; so the conduct of no one can be compelled, in any matter, contrary to their own faith; therefore, all who believe in the gospel of Christ's present appearing, ever remain in perfect liberty, without any breach of order, to use and improve their own temporal interest as a separate possession, or to unite with others of the same faith, in one joint union and interest; either of which must be according to their own faith and discretion. 34. All are owned, accepted, and justified of God and the Church, according to their perfect obedience to the light and understanding which they receive.. Nevertheless, the centre of union and protection to Y y 2 Cor. CHAP. all who believe, is in the Church, established in the perfect order of the gospel, in a perfect law of liberty and equality, for the equal benefit of every member, in all things, spiritual and temporal. 35. Seventh. The order and regulation of the Church, in all spiritual matters, is intrusted, by the gift of God, to the Ministry and Elders, or elder Brethren of each community and family. To them also is committed the charge of sending out ministers to preach the gospel to the world of mankind.* 36. None of the Ministry hold any title to lands or property, as individuals, more than any other members; nor have they any pensions or salaries: but whatever they need for their support at home, or expenditure abroad, they receive at such times as they need it. 37. The concern and regulation of the temporal. matters of the Church, is intrusted to the Deacons, appointed to that office by the joint union of the body. To them, their assigns and successors in the gospel, appointed to the like office, is intrusted the whole of the joint interest of the Church, to support and maintain the same in behalf of the Church, and their heirs in the gospel forever. 38. And their office and care it is, to have the principal concern in dealing with those who are without; and to provide all things necessary for the comfortable support of the Church, jointly and equally, according to the number and need of each family in the Church. 39. Besides the first order of Deacons, there are also Deacons in each family, whose care is to see that every member in the family, from the eldest to the youngest, enjoy their just and equal rights, ac-cording to their several needs, of all temporal things possessed in the family. 40. In the order and government or regulation of the Church, no compulsion or violence is either used, approved, or found necessary. So that, according to our faith, in the full and perfect establishment of • The general manner of sending out ministers to preach the gospel, is by two and two, sometimes more, according to circumstances, but not less than two; and sisters are not sent to travel less than two together, and that not without the company of their own brethren, XIIL Christ's Government among his people, no kind of CHAP corporal punishment is, or can be inflicted on any person, by or among those who stand in the first order of gospel liberty.* 41. Neither Ministers, Elders, nor Deacons, nor any others, either in spiritual or temporal trust in the Church, are appointed to their several callings by their own individual choice, nor by a majority of votes among the people; but by a spontaneous spirit of union, which flows through the whole body, by which every created talent, and every special gift of God, given to individual members, is mutually preserved in the Church. 42. Unto every member of the body is given a measure of the Spirit of Christ to profit withal, in which, by a faithful improvement of their created talents, every member becomes prepared, and grows up into a fitness to fill that place and order, in the spiritual house of God, for which they were created; and their real qualifications appear visible and manifest to the whole body, who jointly unite in promoting every improved talent and gift of God, given to individuals, and which, thereby, becomes a real gift of God to the whole. 43. As there can be no arbitrary appointment of members in the human body, to which the body of Christ is compared, and no one member can be appointed to fill the place or office of another, but each member fills its proper place and office, by a spontaneous influence and a mutual concurrence of every other member; so is the appointment of members in the Church of Christ. 44. But as the human body has a leading part, which is the head, by which all the other members of the body are directed, and as the head directs and governs by the free and mutual consent of all the members; so it is with the Church or body of Christ. 45. The revelation and gift of God is given to the Ministry, as the head of the body, in relation to lots In families which have not attained to the first order of gospel liberty, and where there are parents or guardians who have ebildren under their care; such parents and guardians are required to bring up their children in the way of holiness, to teach them every virtue according to the will of God, and to correct them in such a manner as they may judge most prudent for their wel fare. XIII. CHAP. of office and trust, and other matters of importance ; and through these, communicated to the other members. Yet nothing is considered as established in the Church until it receives the free and mutual consent, and united approbation of the whole body; and thus, by the body, in union with the head, every thing important is established. 21, 22. 46. And each member of the body throughout, is 1Cor also dependent on another.-The eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee; nor again, the head to the fret, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary. J'ark 34. 46, 27. 47. Such as are intrusted with the greatest care, are the greatest servants; and such as feel care, concern, and labour for the welfare of the whole, are verily the servants of all, and are the more highly beloved and esteemed for their works' sake, and counted worthy of double honour. 48. Those little, simple, and very comprehensive words of Christ Jesus, Whosoever will come after me, Lake xiv let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me, were received and established among the people of God, as a foundation and lovely principle, from the time they first heard and received the gospel of Christ's second appearing, unto the present day. 49. Hence no one member of the body sought to obtain the pre-eminence, or to usurp authority over another; but each to build up, and support the welfare and comfort of the other, and consequently all were busy, peaceable, and happy; and every blessing, spiritual and temporal, ensued, as naturaily as rays of light flow from the sun, or the fruits of harvest from the heat and moisture of the summer. 50. From the year 1780, until the present time, 1808, including a period of twenty-eight years, there never has been an instance of any brother going to law with brother, in any case. Nor has there been any such thing as a general council, or even a Churchmeeting, to settle any difference among the members; because there never were any differences, or debates, or divisions in the Church, that ever requir ed any such thing. 51. The very Spirit of the gospel, which was received from God, through our Mother, and through the first witnesses by her appointment, was that from the beginning, by which all the true and honesthearted who received it, became of one faith, of one heart, and of one soul; and which in its certain consequences, was productive of peace and good will, humility and temperance, condescension and obedience, order and harmony, with every fruit of righteousness and eternal life. 52. Such in reality, is the nature and consequence of that testimony which we received and obeyed from the heart, and have, according to our understanding, carefully and conscientiously maintained and supported from the beginning, and in the practice of which we now live, at this present day. 53. And such is the nature of the present work of God, in all its corresponding parts, both visible and invisible, and such the certain effects, which are manifest in all its fruits, that it cannot be imitated, so as to stand, by any human wisdom or power on earth, separate from the Spirit and power of the living and true God. 54. Since the testimony of the gospel of Christ's second appearing, was first opened in America, from the year 1780, to the present period, there never has been any such thing as a Church Creed, or Confession of Faith, or form of Church government, nor any thing of the kind committed to writing, by which the affairs of the Church were to be jointly transacted, or by which any individual member could be bound. 55. All the affairs, in the order, government, or regulation of the Church, are transacted according to present circumstances, or an immediate and present gift of God; and every thing is strictly observed from a principle of faith, implanted in the heart of every individual, jointly and severally. CHAP. XIII. 56. Their Confession of Faith, if it may be so called, is to shew their faith by their works, in doing James justice and loving mercy: being fully persuaded, 19. that where there are no doers of the very works of righteousness, there is neither a true faith nor a true |