of miracles calculated to convince the most incredulous, that the mighty power of God was with him.

M. Very true, and I would wish you to understand, that Mother and those that were with her in the ministry, possessed many miraculous gifts, which, on a variety of occasions, were exercised in a manner calculated to confound the most determined opposer. These gifts are still in the church, being transmitted to their successors; nor will they cease, whilst the life and power of their testimony continue.

B. Why is this not more generally known? I have frequently heard that many of your order profess to have the gifts of miracles; but it is generally doubted that they in reality possess them.

M. These doubts were as generally entertained in relation to Christ and his apostles; but are we to infer from this, that they did not possess them?

B. We surely are not. We have, however, the testimony of the four Evangelists, in confirmation of the former. They were eye-witnesses to them, and therefore could not be deceived.

M. I cordially agree with you in this. They differ in phraseology in relating these miracles; but they come to the same conclusion. There was no combination formed to impose on the credulity of mankind. We have more than four score who were eye-witnesses to the miracles of Mother and those who were with her in the ministry; yet the world have the impression that the whole is a delusion.

B. I must have evidence to my senses, that what you assert is true, or I cannot believe it. It is my opinion that miracles ceased with the apostles. Indeed, there is no evidence, that there have been any miracles in the Church since.

M. How then can you believe that Christ or his apostles performed any miracles? They never were made evident to your senses. That miracles ceased when the church apostatized from her original principles and practices, I have not the least doubt. But when the true Church revived from her long slumber, miracles revived with it. When the Mosaic dispensation commenced, it was accompanied with extraordinary miracles. When the Gospel dispensation was established, miracles revived, different in kind, but the same in their nature. The different denominations of professed Christians do not reject the Gospel professedly, though the miracles wrought in its first establishment were very different in kind from those attributed to Moses; yet because a literal dead person has not been restored to life by any belonging to the Millennial Church, many draw the inference that they do not possess the gift of miracles.

I contend that the first establishment of this order was nothing short of a miracle. View the different sects that divide Christendom. They received their origin from some distinguished leader, noted for his learning or eloquence. See the voluminous writings of a Calvin or Wesley; both noted to be sure, for their learning, if not for their piety. They carried with them a commanding influence, and consequently without even the pretence of any very extraordinary manifestations, succeeded in rearing a huge fabric, composed, in my opinion, of such heterogenius materials, that it is destined to fall under its own weight. The bond

that unites these orders is very different from the Gospel bond. They often pretend to a great deal of love and union; but when they are seen as they really are, it is found to be pretence only. Let them be taken at their own word. They frequently acknowledge this to be a fact. With all their pretensions-with all their learning and professed piety, they are wholly unacquained with what is implied by "pure gospel union."

I hope not to be charged with drawing invidious comparisons. I am sustained by the power of all conquering truth in what I assert. The Millennial Church, in its origin, progress and present standing, presents to the gaze of an astonished world, a continued succession of miracles. Moral power does not consist so much in numbers as union.

This is the only real strength of any community. If we take this as a standard, there is no body of people on the face of the globe that present such a formidable aspect. You would sarcastically insinuate that this beautiful order, originated from an illiterate female. Do you not perceive that such a suggestion goes to establish the very idea for which I am contending; that this testimony did not originate in the wisdom of this world? There is such an exact similarity both as it relates to the characters that were eminently distinguished in establishing this community, and all the circumstances attending every stage of it, with those connected with the propagation of the gospel in the days of Christ's first appearing, that I am astonished it does not strike conviction to the soul of every one, who looks into it. I have been satisfied from personal observation, that the gifts of healing, of prophecy, of tongues, and of discerning spirits, together with many others, are in this body.

B. Why then have not these extraordinary circumstances been exhibited to the world? Why have mankind at large been kept in ignorance of the existence of these facts? I have been of the opinion, that these gifts would be restored in the Millennium, but did not in the least suspect that any order now possessed them. I find myself singularly embarrassed. There is no objection I have presented to your views, but what places me in a similar situation with those who opposed Christ when he was upon earth.

M. I shall still avail myself of the same advantage. Why were mankind ignorant of the miracles of Christ? Why did "Herod, Pontius Pilate, the people of Israel and the Gentiles," conspire to take his life? Why did these same characters resist the testimony of the apostles after his crucifixion?

It was some time after this, that the four Evangelists wrote their gospels, and from them we gather the information, that Christ enjoined secresy on those who were eye-witnesses of his miracles. It has not been the practice of those who are in the light of this dispensation, to blazon to the world these supernatural operations. Could these be made evident, even to the senses of those who are blinded by the god of this world, it would perhaps have no tendency but to excite the most violent opposition. I have no doubt but it was the same spirit that induced the Jews to attribute the miracles of Christ to Demonical agency, as that which excited the mobs in the first days of our faith, to the most violent opposition. Those extraordinary operations, which they could not understand, they pretended to look upon as witchcraft.

Persecution always arises from the same source. The persecuted may be wrong, but persecutors cannot be right. All orders have suffered persecution more or less; but all cannot be right, inasmuch as they oppose

each other. I would observe, however, that the spirit of meekness and forgiveness exhibited on the most trying occasions, by the first founders of this order, demonstrates beyond the shadow of a doubt, their sincerity, and stands, as a complete confutation of the base insinuation of their opposers; that "they were a combination of imposters, whose only object was to lead their deluded followers into the vortex of error and impurity."

Whoever takes the trouble to compare the circumstances attendant on the ministry of Mother, with those, which are recorded as connected with the first establishment of the gospel by Christ and his apostles, will at once discover a striking similarity.

B. I acknowledge the reasonableness of what you have said. The very origin of the United Society, is calculated to stain the pride of man. To receive the testimony of a woman, and an illiterate one too; to receive her as first in her order, and meekly to listen to her instructions, is an idea so degrading to the lofty imaginations of man, that I can hardly bring myself to it.

M. The truth is, most of professed Christians often transport themselves, with the delusive thought that they love Christ; when in fact the Christ they love, was an imaginary beautiful person, that distinguished himself about eighteen hundred years ago by numerous acts of benevolence and kindness. They can give you a minute description of his person, his complexion and the colour of his eyes and hair!

The person of Christ, abstractly considered, is of no importance more than that of any other individual. The saving power, revealed in him, should be the object of our veneration. The person of Ann Lee, was no more than the person of any other female. The power to save from sin, that was revealed in and through her, is that which we should venerate and love. Christ, or the anointing power, that appeared in Mother Ann, is still in the church, and governs all its proceedings. And every faithful member manifests his love to Christ, by yielding an implicit and cheerful obedience to the order and regulation established by it. It is through this heavenly channel, that all the gifts and blessings of this celestial order, flow. This is the mysterious cause of that love, harmony, union and prosperity which have long excited the admiration of the world.

In relation to the work of the latter day, we find in the scriptures many figurative allusions to two correspondent powers, or pillars in the church of Christ, which refer to the influence of male and female in the work of redemption. We read of "the two anointed Ones, which stand by the Lord of the whole earth;" the two cherubims, whose wings covered the mercy seat above the ark; the two tables of the covenant; the two silver trumpets; two trees on either side of the river of life, and many others.

By the two anointed Ones, is undoubtedly meant the union of both male and female in the work of reconciliation," and the council of peace is between them both." The two silver trumpets strikingly prefigured the heralds of salvation in the order of male and female, who are chosen to preach the everlasting gospel, proceeding from the two anointed Ones.

In many of the parables of the New Testament, mention is made of the lot of the female in the great work of regenerating the world. "The kingdom of Heaven is like unto a certain king, who made a marriage for his son." None need mistake the application of this parable. It is admitted on all hands, that Christ alluded to himself as the Bridegroom;

3 but who is the bride? If it be contended that it is the church, we would again ask, Who are the guests? They must be such as are invited to attend the marriage of the Bridegroom and Bride. It would be very singular indeed, for a bridegroom to take all the guests, both male and female, and call them his bride! Again, "for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready." The church here could not be intended as the bride. The "great multitude that rejoiced because the marriage of the Lamb had come," is more applicable to the church.

B. St. Paul says, "I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ." 2 Cor. xi: 2. This he said in reference to the church. It was evidently his opinion, as plain as words can express, that the church was the bride.

M. The bride was here spoken of in a figurative sense. The church was the body of Christ. I observed before, that Adam had a body containing the substance of both male and female, before Eve was taken from it. Christ had then been manifested in the male only. The time had not arrived for the female to be placed in her proper order; therefore the apostle was under the necessity of speaking as he did. Both the spirit and the bride have now been revealed. In Rev. xxii: 17, we have this subject brought to view with such cleatness, that none need misunderstand it. "The Spirit and the Bride say, come. And let him that heareth say, come. And let him that is athirst, come; and whosoever will, let him take of the waters of life freely."

B. This invitation, it is believed by all expositors, issues from Christ and his church

M: Stop a moment. All expositors must be wrong then. Those who hear, have reference to the church. "Let him that heareth, say, come." Those who hear, are distinct from the Spirit and Bride, from whom issues the word of life. They all agree, however, in calling the sons and daughters of affliction freely to come and partake of the rich blessings of the gospel of peace.

As before observed, in the Bride is the revelation of the everlasting Mother; but in the Bridegroom, we discover the attributes and perfections of the everlasting Father. In the Father and Mother, Son and Daughter, there is an indissoluble union. That Christ acknowledged no other relationship than this, is evident from the following circumstance. Jesus went with his parents to Jerusalem to the passover. They found him with the doctors in the Temple, "hearing and asking questions." His mother said unto him, thy Father and I have sought thee sorrowing. But he gave her to understand that she was no more than his supposed mother. When she stood without, desiring to speak to him, he said, "Who is my Mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples and said: Behold my Mother, and my brethren. For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my Brother, and Sister, and Mother."

With regard to the conception of Christ, it is said to Mary, "The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee." Here are two incomprehensible terms mentioned, which imply the whole order of the Divine Majesty-The Highest and the Holy Ghost. The name Jesus in the original, signifies power, Christ is a name significant of his office. In the Son is an exhibition of the

divine power. In the Daughter is the revelation of the perfection of wisdom. These existed with the Eternal Two in all their fulness before the "Morning stars sang together, or the sons of God shouted for joy." Wisdom is presented in the feminine gender, by the pen of inspiration, as a "Tree of life to them that lay hold on her, and happy is the one that retaineth her. The Lord by Wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens."

"She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths. She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors; unto you, O men I call, and my voice is to the sons of men."

“I, Wisdom, dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge by witty inventions. The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride and arrogancy, and the evil way and the froward mouth do I hate. Council is mine and sound Wisdom. I am understanding, I have strength. By me kings reign and princes decree justice. By me princes rule and nobles, even all the judges of the earth."

"I lead in the way of righteousness; in the midst of the paths of judgment; that I may cause those that love me to inherit substance, and I will fill their treasures. The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning or ever the earth was."

"When there were no depths I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth; while as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world."

"When he prepared the heavens I was there; when he set a compass upon the face as the depths; when he established the clouds above; when he strengthened the fountains of the deep; when he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandments; when he appointed the foundations of the earth. Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him, rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth, and my delights were with the sons of men."

"Now therefore hearken unto me O ye children; for blessed are they that keep my ways. Hear instruction, and be wise and refuse it not."

DIALOGUE IV.

B. I must confess there are a consistency and beauty in your views, which I never saw before. It is astonishing strange, that theologians, with all their learning and researches, have not been able to discern so important a truth, and one, too, so clearly revealed in the scriptures.

M. It was not consistent with the divine purpose, to reveal this to the wise and learned of this world. Such, generally, are the last to embrace this testimony, not on account of its obscurity or inconsistency,