Walking About Zion
By Elder Isaac N. Vanmeter
First Visit. (Missing)(probably in Vol. 2, No. 1)
Second Visit. Zion's Landmarks, Vol. 2, No. 2, December 15, 1868.
Brother Bodenhamer: - In my first hasty visit to the city of Zion, I had time to take but a bird's-eye view of her mighty walls, towers and foundations, and to count her twelve gates, which are located on the four sides of the city walls. I shall, in this second visit, try to examine these gates a little more particularly and inquire into their nature and design.
Unlike the twelve foundations, which were so many several jewels, representing the several gifts of the Apostles, I found these gates to be all of one pearl - all of the same material - which I thought was worthy of note. At each one of these gates stood a porter, and on each gate the name of one of the twelve tribes belonging to the kingdom of which this city was the capital. I stood for some time reflecting on what these things could mean, but being puzzled to understand the design of some of their peculiarities, I ventured to ask one of the porters. He told me that the gates were for the entering in or ingathering of the subjects of the King, that they might see his face, behold the glory and magnificence of the city, pay their homage to his majesty, and feast at his table. The gates being situated on all four sides, were for the accommodation of his subjects in the four quarters of his realms. He called my attention to some of the commands and declarations of the King, as follows: - "Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in." (Isa. 26: 2.) "I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth." (Isa. 43: 6.) "And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God." (Luke 13: 29.) "And the porters waited at every gate; they might not depart from their service." (II. Chron. 35: 15.) He "gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch." (Mark 13: 34.) "The ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads." (Isa. 35: 10.) I began now to see the propriety of having gates on all sides of the city, for the convenience of the inhabitants in all directions, still I felt some curiosity in knowing why all the gates were of one pearl, and all of the same dimensions; and I was told that, this signified that the same purposes were accomplished by each, the same ceremonies required at each, and the same examination of persons coming in at each. I learned also that the names on the twelve gates represented all the kindreds and tongues belonging to the kingdom who had a right to enter into the city, and for whom the gates stood open day and night; but if a stranger approached not bearing the name of one of these tribes, or any one not complying with the laws or regulations of the kingdom, the gate was immediately closed by the porter. As the porters appeared to be very kind and ready to communicate, I ventured to inquire of one of them what was necessary on the part of any person desiring to enter into the city, and was immediately referred to some of the prominent clauses of the law in such cases, viz: "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." (Rev. 22: 14.) "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." (John 3: 5.) "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matt. 5: 3.)
I was forcibly struck with the importance of the office of the door-keeper, or porter, when I reflected upon the immense harm that might grow out of carelessly suffering strangers to enter the city. What sedition and rebellion might be stirred up within the city by its enemies if allowed to get within her walls. How they might stir up strife and division among its inhabitants, alienate the affections of the King's subjects from him and his laws, carry off his treasures, spy out his defenses, or set the city on fire. Such, indeed, is the importance of having true and faithful door-keepers, as well as watchmen on the walls that can be trusted, that the King, himself, has ever reserved the right to appoint all these officers and to give them their charge. I was permitted to read a few clauses of the law touching these subjects, which I was told were never to be altered, viz: "I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me." (Ezek. 3: 17.) "Mark well the entering in of the house, with every going forth of the sanctuary . . . . . No stranger, uncircumcised in heart, nor uncircumcised in flesh, shall enter into my sanctuary." (Ezek. 44: 5, 9) "And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach." (Mark 3: 14.) "The Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them," &c. (Luke 10: 1.) "A dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me." "No man taketh this honor to himself but he that is called of God, as was Aaron." "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers." "But all these worketh that one and the self same Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will." These, with many like declarations, found in the laws of the place, shewed conclusively that these city officers were appointed by the King always, and chosen from among the citizens of Zion and received their commission directly from his court. These watchmen on the walls and at the gates of Zion were the most exalted and honorable officers in all the kingdom; not because they were by birth or blood any nearer akin to the King, or the royal family, but because of the stations they filled and the commission they held from the throne. This honorable and responsible office of door-keeper, I learned, was frequently bestowed upon the lower classes and most illiterate among the people, whom the King instructed at his own expense, and qualified for their important duties. (Acts 4: 13; Matt. 4: 18-22.) As this was so different from the customs of other kings, who usually bestow their honors on the nobility, that I wondered why this King should be so diverse from all others in the management of his affairs; but I was shewn in one of the statute books some of the reasons why he did so, to wit: "I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight." (Luke 10: 21.) "God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise." "That no flesh should glory in his presence." (I. Cor. 1: 27, 29.) A question arose in my mind whether a course of this kind on the part of the King, in bestowing such honor on many of the poor and illiterate of his subjects, would not be likely to provoke the envy and jealousy of others of his kingdom; and I was told that such had been the case at different times since the King had established this practice. At an early day there were no less than two hundred and fifty at one time rebelled against the King on this account, and he, in his hot displeasure, made a public and terrible example of them by putting them to instant death. (Num. 16: 35.) Many times since this memorable example was witnessed by the King's subjects, have men risen up and rebelled against the sovereignty of his throne, on the same account, but they have always been destroyed by his orders or exiled from his kingdom; for he has declared, "My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure."
As much is yet to be seen before I can have the pleasure of entering into the city, and beholding its glory, I shall, for the present, turn into one of the "shepherd's tents."
A VISITOR.
Third Visit. (Missing) (probably in No. 3)
Fourth Visit. (Missing)(probably in No. 4)
Fifth Visit. (Missing)(probably in No. 5)
Sixth Visit. (Missing)(probably in No. 6)
Seventh Visit., Zion's Landmarks, Vol. 2, No. 9, April 1, 1869. Acknowledgement: "This issue (No. (9) was provided by Stephen Frederick Felker, the great-great grandson of Elder Johnson Pate (1801-1873). Elder Pate served the Ramah Church in Fayetteville, GA."
Brother Bodenhamer:- Not only did the King of Zion furnish each of his subjects with the wonderful shield spoken of in my last visit, but as they are often exposed to the attacks of potent enemies, both without and within, whose combined forces the King's subjects are commanded to meet and destroy, I saw in this seventh visit the whole armor necessary for such warfare put upon each soldier. This armor covered the body, in front, from head to foot, and consisted in a girdle for the loins, a breastplate, good shoes for the feet, a helmet for the head; these were for the protection and defence of the body, while as weapons offensive and defensive both, the shield was placed on the left arm and a sword in the right hand. Thus equipped and furnished, each soldier was commanded to pray always, and to watch, and be sober, and thus to go to war and fight the good fight of faith. This armor is described in the records of the city in Eph. 6:14, 18; 1st. Thess. 5:8. One singularity in the armor of these soldiers attracted my attention, and that was the fact of there being no armor to protect the back. I learned that this was intended to remind the soldier of the King's orders, to face the enemy and slay or drive him out root and branch, and never to turn his back to the foe. I particularly noticed the wonderful sword in the hand of each soldier. It looked like an old Jerusalem blade, having two sharp edges, and bright and sharp as though it was new. On this broad sword was a significant inscription, such as may be seen in Judges 7:18. I was told that although the King had, at different times, positively forbidden this sword's being altered, either in length or in breadth, or for the metal to be made either harder or softer than the original, under the severest penalties, (Prov. 30:6, Rev. 22: 18, 19), yet many attempts had been made by arrogant and designing men to alter the shape and improve the metal of this old and reliable sword. Some few have attempted to make the blade narrower, but many more, particularly the scientific, have tried to hammer it out broader but much thinner. Some have imagined the temper to be too hard, and have passed it through a furnace and tried to re-temper the old blade; but so far as I could learn all such attempts have been injured its effectiveness and reliability. I was told that, after all the attempts at remodeling, still the experience of the best soldiers proves the old Jerusalem blade to be the only one that can be relied on. With this properly understood, and in his hand, the soldier feels to be thoroughly furnished to any emergency. Indeed, with this weapon in hand, and all the armor on, I was told that "one could chase a thousand, and two could put ten thousand to flight." (Deut. 32: 39; Josh. 23:10.) Having one of these swords put into my own hands, I felt to exclaim with one in an earlier day,
"With his threats to over come me,
When I take the Spirit's sword,
Then with ease I drive him from me
Satan trembles at the word.
'Tis a sword of conquest made -
Keen the edge and strong the blade." - Newton.
Seeing all the King's troops thus equipped and dressed in uniform, arranged in battle array, and standing in solid phalanx, they appeared as "terrible as an army with banners." As I walked about the city, I was struck agreeably with the perfect order, harmony and peace that appeared to reign everywhere; the industry and business-like habits of all the inhabitants. No one was idle, but from the least to the greatest, every one had something to do. Such was the wisdom and order manifested by the King, throughout the whole city, that there was a place for every one, and every one in his place. Some were hewing wood and some drawing water; some laying up stone on the wall, and some doing cunning work in all manner of precious stones, and pearls and fine gold. Some, again, were plowing in the King's garden, and others sowing seed; some pruning vines, and others digging about the fruit trees. So, upon the whole, every one busy, and each had his work to do according to his ability. All were contented and happy, and "all was peace and joy and love." No one appeared to envy another or wish to swap work with him, being satisfied to "abide in the calling wherein his King had called him." To be sure, I did see, on some occasions, a disposition on the part of many to occupy the station filled by others, but it was done in such a way as to increase the esteem for one another. For example: when they were invited to a feast, where was a seat lower than others, all the guests appeared to desire that particular seat, each appearing to "esteem others better than himself." I had never seen so loving and so kind a people any where else; no one appeared to be concerned so much about himself, as he was about the interest of others and the honors of his King. All appeared to be of "one mind and one judgment," whether they had been "barbarian, Scythian, bond, or free," all now were as one people and one nation. The more I became acquainted with this happy and loving community, the more I was attached to them. I must tell the reader how many ways they have here of manifesting their love to, and their sympathies with each other. For example: if one sees another carrying a burden, (which is often the case,) goes to his assistance without delay, and takes it upon his own shoulder, or at least, bears a part of it. If one is in distress so that he is made to weep, others are ready to go and weep with him and try to comfort him with kind words. Again, if any one was seen rejoicing, others were soon rejoicing with him; if one was honored by the King, the rest were happy and congratulated him; if one had unfortunately wandered out of the way, some one "in the spirit of meekness" would go after him and bring him back to his former place; if one committed a fault or got his garment spotted or soiled, others were ready to throw over him the cloak of charity and forgive him. My soul seemed to be knitted to the souls of this happy and favored people, and I felt like I could abide with them forever. Knowing that all the peace, prosperity and happiness of the place resulted from the wisdom and goodness of its King, I could not refrain from exclaiming, "happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee and that hear thy wisdom." (I. Kings 10:8). "What one nation in the earth is like thy people?" (II. Sam. 7:23.) While I was musing on these scenes of peace and joy, I was surprised to see how light of the whole city was a light beyond the brightness of the sun. Everything appeared to be clothed in dazzling glory. I inquired for the cause of such light in the city, and was told by one of the watchmen that it proceeded directly from the throne of the King and from the light of his countenance shining into every street and avenue of the city; thus entirely superseding the need of the sun or moon, or the light of a candle. I was at once swallowed up in the contemplation of such light and glory, and felt constrained to believe that this King is "the light of the world." Before taking my leave of this glorious city again, and its happy and loving inhabitants, I felt to sing,
"My soul shall pray for Zion still,
While life or breath remains;
There my best friends, my kindred dwells,
There God my Savior reigns." - Watts.
May we see light in His light, and walk in the light of His countenance, till the place is seen again by
A VISITOR.
Eighth Visit. Zion's Landmarks, Vol. 2, No. 10, April 15, 1869.
Brother Bodenhamer: - I have been blessed with the unspeakable privilege of making the eighth visit to Mount Zion, the city of our solemnities, and have made some further discoveries, which, to me, were very interesting and instructive; though I may not, in my bungling manner, make this account of what I saw interesting to you or your readers. I had thought much on the amazing light and glory emanating from the throne of the King which I had seen in my last visit to the place, and had been making some examination of the city records respecting the nature, design and advantages of this light. I learned that without this light no one could find this place, nor enter in at the gates properly, neither could they see their way in going about the city, but would be even as blind men, or as one groping in the dark. No light had ever been invented by men that was equal to this coming directly from the King himself. Men had been experimenting on inventions of their own, and themselves and thousands of their fellow-beings had been deluded, and stumbled and fallen into pits and snares. The reason of this was that the lights of men always inverted or transformed every object about the city, and everything belonging to the King. "Woe unto them that put darkness for light, and light for darkness. Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes." (Isa. 5: 20, 21.) They that walk in the light of their own fire "shall lie down in sorrow." (Isa. 50: 11.) "Men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." (John 3: 19.) But it is said of another class: "Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance." (Psa. 89: 15.) "The Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory." (Isa. 60: 19.) "And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof." (Rev. 21: 23.) "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." (II. Cor. 4: 6.) By the aid of this light I discovered, as I walked about the city, that its boundaries and dimensions had once been much more circumscribed than at present, and its laws and regulations I learned had been much different, and its glory and grandeur not so great as they are now. Although the same King reigned over it, and was the absolute law-giver and judge, yet, at that time he did not see proper to lay out the city on so grand a scale, nor to give his subjects the same privileges and laws as are enjoyed at this time; though every thing pertaining to the former city, its government and laws, was a model and complete figure of what is more fully developed and carried out in the new, or present renowned city. I learned that the former city and commonwealth embraced but one nation of people, and they, alone, enjoyed the peculiar privileges, and were required to obey the laws of this King, as promulgated in their realms. True, persons of other nations might, and often did sojourn among, and become incorporated with them in such way as to enjoy all the benefits of their law, in most cases. But the King expressly enjoined the same upon these as upon the home-born, saying: "One law shall be to him that is home-born, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you." (Exod. 12: 49.) I spent some time in examining and tracing the dimensions and form of this ancient city; and so far as I could see, with the light I had, I found the old to be the very figure, though not the very image of the new and far famed city as it now stands. The modern city plot is immensely larger, and also far surpasses in imposing magnificence and glory the ancient one. The King had informed his subjects in early times that, "the glory of this latter house shall be greater than the former, and in this place will I give peace." (Hag. 2: 9.) "Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations; spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes: for thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited." (Isa. 54: 2, 3.) "The children which thou shalt have, after thou hast lost the other, shall say again in thine ears, The place is too strait for me: give place to me that I may dwell." (Isa. 49: 20.) "I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west; I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth; even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him." (Isa. 43: 5-7.) "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." (Mark 16: 15.)
Thus I read as I looked through the records of the King, finding how greatly, and for what purpose, the place had been rebuilt and enlarged. The first city and its inhabitants, together with their privileges, I learned had been overthrown by their King, because the place was too small for his future use, and because of the rebellion and unfaithfulness of his subjects. A long story might be told the reader about the ingratitude, the forgetfulness, the rebellion and sedition of these highly blessed and honored people; and how the King had from time to time forewarned them by his servants, of their approaching doom; but I shall only state that their rebellion and ingratitude resulted in their being cast out, and many of them slain, and their places filled by more faithful subjects. You can, at your leisure read the records concerning these things, some of which I now refer to for your convenience: See I. Kings 9: 6, 9; Isa. 48: 18, 19; Jer. 7th chap.; Lam. 2: 8, 9; Dan. 9: 24, 27; Matt. 4th chap.; Matt. 23: 34, 39; and chap. 8: 11, 12; Luke 16: 1, 12; Rom. 11th chap.; Gal. 4: 30; Heb. 8: 7, 13. Although the above citations make quite a list, they are but a tithe of what may be found on this awful yet glorious subject of the rejection of his first subjects, and this ingathering of those who now possess the land. But what a solemn warning, what an awful example is here given to the present inhabitants! "Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples; and they are written for our admonition." (I. Cor. 10: 11.) "Be not highminded, but fear." (Rom. 11: 20.)
I was told that the descendants of this rejected nation were still wandering among the nations of the earth, and were every where a reproach, a hissing and a byword. That they were in a state of blindness, and a veil over their face to this day. But it is a matter of interest to know that the King intends to restore them to high privileges again by and by, even to a place in his new commonwealth among his favored subjects. (Luke 21: 24; Rom. 11: 23, 25; II. Cor. 3: 14, 16.)
From what I could learn from the records of the King, and from my observation of passing events in the city, I was solemnly impressed with the belief that, a large portion of those now bearing the name, and claiming to be subjects of the King, will be yet disowned, and rejected by the same inflexible rule and righteous judgment. For as the original inhabitants and claimants to the peculiar and high privileges of the former commonwealth, lost their country and its blessings by their rebellion against their King's laws, and by adding their traditions thereto; so must be the fate of those, sooner or later, who now pretend to be friends to the King, but are trampling under foot His laws, and treating with contempt his sacred ordinances. I found it recorded in the law of Zion as follows, to wit: "He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot," &c. (Heb. 10: 28, 29.) (See also Heb. 2: 2; Isa. 4: 1; Rev. 14: 9, 11.) Again in Rom. 11: 21, 22, I found a plain intimation of the King to cast out the present claimants if they forsake his law, and thus will history repeat itself in this case.
In view of the wonderful ways in the footsteps of this King, I could not refrain from exclaiming, "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!" Till I greet the reader again may he and I rest under the shadow of the Almighty.
A VISITOR.
Ninth Visit. Zion's Landmarks, Vol. 2, No. 12, May 15, 1869.
Brother Bodenhamer: - I have been very solemnly impressed with the things I saw and learned while at the city of the great King the eighth time, and have, therefore, returned to make further discoveries, and to inquire into those things which are written of this remarkable place.
The reader will remember how shamefully and unaccountably the inhabitants of the original city and commonwealth forsook their King and his laws; how they provoked Him to anger by their inventions; how they mixed and married with the enemies of the King, and learned their evil ways; how He had warned them from time to time, through his servants, of their approaching doom if they repented not, saying: "Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place;" "obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people." (Jer. 7: 3, 23.) "But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imaginations of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward." (verse 24.) And when it is considered that their King had taken them, when but a little nation, from a state of bondage, and had set them on high, above all the nations of the earth, and given them such wholesome and righteous laws, it is not strange that, after they had so provoked Him he would cause them to suffer to the uttermost. I was struck with the solemn appeals made to them by their King, reminding them of their blindness and rebellion, and of their impending doom and righteous judgment. Hear his language to the rebellious city and its inhabitants: "Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways!" "O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea." (Psa. 81: 13; Isa. 48: 18.) "Be thou instructed, O Jerusalem, lest my soul depart from thee; lest I make thee desolate, a land not inhabited." (Jer. 6: 8.) "If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes." "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate." (Luke 19: 42; Matt. 23: 37, 38.)
But it should be observed that, while the King of this city and nation, poured out his unmixed wrath and indignation upon this rebellious and ungrateful people, yet there were a few of his subjects who remained true to their King, and faithful to his laws - a remnant - who, at different times were exempted from the calamities which fell upon the nation at large. Indeed, I learned that there never was a time, even during the greatest rebellions and insurrections, when there were not a few who stood up for their King. These faithful subjects were always known to the King, and they were often delivered from their enemies, and from the common destruction falling upon the wicked, in the most signal and remarkable manner. See Gen. 7: 1; and 19: 15; I. Kings 17: 3, 4; and 19: 18; Dan. 3: 27; and 6: 22; Matt. 24: 22; Rom. 9: 27; Rev. 18: 4.
The above citations prove conclusively that the King has, in all ages, most wonderfully and mercifully delivered his true and faithful servants who trust in him, and the reader will do well to turn and read these wonderful records at his leisure. Some of the watchmen on the walls informed me that the former subjects of the King, did not, as a general thing, openly oppose the laws and authority of their Law-giver at the first; but began by little and little to disregard what they termed non-essentials, and to make little innovations, and introduce one tradition after another till the whole law was well nigh set aside, and the authority of their King ignored. This was generally done by leading and designing men who caused the multitude to go astray, and thus destroyed the way of their paths and brought them to ruin. But there was a particular violation of their law, which, I was told, was more dangerous to their peace, and more provoking to their King than any thing else; and that was mixing and contracting marriages with other nations, and thus were they ensnared and led to commit many of their abominations, and to forsake their own King. This had been positively forbidden by the King, and the most sore punishment threatened for its violation; and yet, in defiance of this most solemn prohibition, this rebellious people often formed affinities with the enemies of their King, and paid homage to other princes. After learning all this and beholding the signs of the former glory of this once happy people, and seeing the remains of the ancient city now in ruins, I could but adopt the language of another beholder and say: "The Lord hath accomplished his fury; he hath poured out his fierce anger, and hath kindled a fire in Zion, and it hath devoured the foundations thereof." (Lam. 4: 11.) "Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments." (Rev. 16: 7.) Profiting by these examples, and being established on better promises, with their city and its charter enlarged, the inhabitants of Zion for a while enjoyed many blessed privileges, and it prospered greatly; and although, as I stated in a former visit, they were surrounded by enemies, yet, as long as the watchmen on the walls, the porters at the gates, and the citizens were vigilant and faithful, they were safe and happy. While in this happy condition they loved their King supremely and one another fervently, and were ready to do all He had commanded them with pleasure. They often consulted His laws, inquired after his will, and spake often one to another of the glory of their King, and the greatness of his kingdom. The watchmen, too, were all of one mind and one soul, laboring together for the good of the inhabitants, and for the glory of their King. These watchmen often held meetings in the different wards of the city, at which the citizens were wont to gather, at which times the watchmen would instruct, encourage and exhort them to faithfulness in their duties to one another and to their King. At the times of these assemblies, every citizen was ready to drop his daily avocation, and go to the place of meeting at an early hour, to join in celebrating the name of the King, and inquiring after the order and welfare of the city. This he did both from duty and interest. The law of the King says, "Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together, as the manner of some is." "If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them." I was deeply impressed in beholding the love, peace and order at these meetings. But one would speak at a time, and the rest would hear; and although several watchmen were present at the same meeting, yet each one seemed to modestly prefer another. No envy, prejudice or malice appeared to have taken root in any of their hearts; but all endeavored to "keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace." I heard them frequently sing:
"We share our mutual woes,
Our mutual burdens bear;
And often for each other flows,
The sympathetic tear."
At these meetings many would come and join themselves to the assembly, and take the oath of allegiance to the King of Zion. On such occasions the watchmen were particularly vigilant, and, indeed, all present were on their guard, and required the applicant to produce a certificate of character; the party, if true to the King, always having this in his bosom, in the King's handwriting. (See Heb. 8: 10.) But for fear of this being counterfeited the party before the council was sometimes required to pronounce, distinctly, the watchword "Shibboleth." (Judges 12: 6.) This being done he was bid a hearty welcome to their company, and was ready to obey the laws of the King. Thus the city prospered, and thus they rejoiced while walking in the fear of their King, but I regret to inform the reader that, in my next a cloud will arise upon Zion, and distress will be seen in the city. We postpone this gloomy picture till another time. Till then pray for
A VISITOR.
Tenth Visit. Zion's Landmarks, Vol. 2, No. 13, June 1, 1869.
Brother Bodenhamer: - In my tenth visit to Zion, the city of the great King, I saw, as was intimated in my last, a great change take place in her peace and prosperity; a cloud arose and overcast the city with gloom, and its inhabitants were brought into trouble, and mourning, and woe.
Although the task is an unpleasant and painful one, I must, for the information of the reader, and as a warning to those who shall live hereafter, give a true and faithful history of what I saw and heard.
As soon as I got within the city I saw that a great change had taken place in many respects, and although the form and structure of the place, with its gates, streets and courts were about the same, yet the general aspect of things was greatly changed, and the customs and habits of its citizens very different from what they were when I last visited the place. In the first place I observed that darkness and gloom brooded over the city, and lowering clouds hung heavily upon it, so that nothing could be seen clearly, but every thing the eye beheld was enveloped in gloom. I noticed also that the business of the city, and the well ordered labors of the King's servants were well nigh suspended, and their work deranged. I thought I could see, also, a want of that friendship and love I had formerly observed among the inhabitants, and even a coldness and reserve among the watchmen.
Under my deep mortification and grief at this sad state of things, I groped about the city in quest of some one that could tell me the true cause or causes, which had so sadly worked to produce so great a change: but I knew not whom to approach. There appeared to be two or more parties in the city, and each was ready to screen itself and cast the blame upon others. I fell in company, however, with an experienced watchman, whose care-worn and honest countenance inspired me with confidence, and from him I obtained the following detailed account of the causes and the nature of their troubles.
He told me that, in the first place he would begin with the watchmen themselves, many of whom were as much to blame, if not more, than the other citizens of the place. As it was their duty, by the order of the King, to watch over the city and its inhabitants, and both by precept and example to teach the laws, duties and obligations pertaining to the kingdom, the King had commanded them most solemnly, saying: "If the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, I will require the blood of the slain at his hand." "Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he heed it not, thou hast delivered thy soul." (Ezek. 33: 6, 9.) (In substance.) "Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain." (Joel 2: 1.) "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers." (Acts 20: 28.) "I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine." (II. Tim. 4: 1, 2.) "In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works." (Titus 2: 7.) "He that is the greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve." (Luke 22: 26.) "Let each esteem others better than himself." This, and much more had the King commanded his watchmen respecting their duties, to the subjects of the King, and to one another as fellow laborers in the good work. The station these men filled was so exalted and honorable, and the promise of the King to protect and support them so positive, that one could hardly conceive how they should ever become delinquent or unfaithful in the discharge of their duties. And yet it was even so with many of them. My informant told me that by degrees many of these watchmen became careless about watching over the city, and some even slept while the enemy was about. Some wanted to change places with others and not labor where their King had placed them at the petition of the citizens. Some became envious and jealous of others whom the King had set in a conspicuous place, and whom the people esteemed higher for their work's sake and faithfulness.
When they convened the people at their solemn assemblies, instead of each one feeling, as heretofore, to prefer others to take the lead, and to give them the uppermost seats at their feasts, some were found to be jealous of others' good names and gifts, and sought to injure their good standing and influence, and to strive to get above them. Some went so far as to even make his brother an offender for a word, and would hint to the citizens behind his brother's back, that he was not true to the King. Thus matters worked among the watchmen, who should have been the last men in all the King's dominions to give offence; and soon it was manifest that confidence and unity were much impaired among them, and many began to absent themselves from their solemn convocations. While these examples were set by the watchmen, and they were thus delinquent in their duties, it is not surprising that the citizens should also become indifferent, and even corrupt in practice. "Like priest, like people," was as true in this case as it was in the days of Hosea, (chapter 4: 9.) The citizens became slack in their duties to their King and to one another; they neglected their work; they forsook their meetings; they neglected to read the King's laws, and asking his advice, and because iniquity abounded the love of many became cold. Backbiting and fault finding took the place of charity to others no more guilty. Instead of bearing the burdens of others, and being ready to sympathize with them, too many were found ready to add to their affliction by siding with their accusers. Some became tired of the King's service, and would even speak slightly of his laws and ordinances. These were often found working for their own selfish aggrandizement when they should have been engaged in the King's service. In this way, and many others, I was told, did the watchmen and the citizens provoke the displeasure of the King of Zion; while, at the same time, my informant, and some other faithful watchmen, were engaged day and night in reproving, rebuking and exhorting, with all long suffering and doctrine, saying in the name of the King: "Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent." (Rev. 2: 5.)
Those unfaithful watchmen were, many of them at least, such as had crept into the city unawares, for the want of vigilance on the part of the porters and others, and had been employed as watchmen without the King's authority; many of whom were enemies to Zion and to her King. Their intrigues had, however, drawn away some of the King's servants, and their dissimulations had deceived many of the true friends of the King. The city had been much filled up of late by accessions from the surrounding nations, who had witnessed her prosperity, but unfortunately for her peace, many of the uncircumcised had been admitted through carelessness, and a desire to augment their numbers, on the part of the citizens. But alas for Zion! the once happy and prosperous city! the light and glory of the earth! After she had thus provoked the King, and gone astray from his commandments, and left her first love; and after she had been admonished and exhorted from time to time by her faithful servants, to whom she turned a deaf ear, the light of His countenance was withdrawn and darkness enveloped the city. A thick cloud also hung over the place, and seemed to portend a storm, and intervened between the citizens and the throne of the King. Few people could be seen in her streets, and she looked desolate. One of the watchmen mourned her thus: "How doth the city sit solitary, that was full of people! She that was great among the nations, and princess among the provinces, how is she become tributary! She weepeth sore in the night, and her tears are on her cheeks." "The ways of Zion do mourn, because none come to the solemn feasts." (Lam. 1: 1, 2, 4.) "How hath the Lord covered the daughter of Zion with a cloud in his anger." (Chap. 2: 1.) "How is the gold become dim! How is the most fine gold changed! the stones of the sanctuary are poured out in the top of every street." (Chap. 4: 1.) "O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help." (Hos. 13: 9.) I must leave Zion under this cloud for the present, and seek a place where the light shineth.
A VISITOR.
Eleventh Visit. Zion's Landmarks, Vol. 2, No. 14, June 15, 1869.
Brother Bodenhamer: - In reflecting on the situation of Zion, as seen in my last visit, and as I had learned from my faithful informant, I have been much cast down in my mind and troubled in spirit. To see a people so wonderfully blessed and prospered, having so wise and good a King, such wholesome laws, and so delightfully located - to see, I say, such a people become ungrateful, unfaithful and rebellious, almost broke my spirit and caused me to sit in sackcloth many days. In the bitterness of my soul I cried out, "Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people! Oh that I had in the wilderness a lodging place of wayfaring men; that I might leave my people, and go from them! for they be all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men." (Jer. 9: 1, 2.) "Therefore said I, Look away from me: I will weep bitterly; labour not to comfort me, because of the spoiling of the daughter of my people." (Isa. 22: 4.) I was led to inquire, in my deep anxiety and grief, "Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?" (Jer. 8: 22.) Their King had solemnly warned them, saying, "If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments; if they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments; then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes. Nevertheless, my loving kindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail." (Psa. 89: 30-33.) But notwithstanding all that had been said to them and done for them, they had suffered themselves to be led astray and bewitched, and had become entangled with a yoke of bondage. - Instead of singing now, as formerly, the songs of Zion, her citizens had hung up their harps on the willow trees, and many of them were sitting in sackcloth. Now and then, however, a few of the faithful would sing, or rather cry out,
"Saviour, visit thy plantation,
Grant us, Lord, a gracious rain;
All will come to desolation,
Unless Thou return again."
But while a few were found mourning in the streets of Zion, at the time of this eleventh visit, and while they were engaged day and night crying to their King for help, and exhorting the inhabitants to repentance for their evil ways, and a return to obedience, yet, some were found to be so utterly unconcerned as to not care for any of these things, and appeared to be more dead than alive. One of the faithful watchmen denounced the sore judgments of the King against those careless and unconcerned inhabitants, saying, "Woe to them that are at ease in Zion." (Amos 6: 1.) "Rise up, ye women that are at ease; hear my voice, ye careless daughters; give ear unto my speech." (Isa. 32: 9.) "Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light." (Eph. 5: 14.) "And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep." "Awake to righteousness, and sin not." (Rom. 13: 11; I. Cor. 15: 34.) "O Israel, return unto the Lord thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine inquity." (Hos. 14: 1.)
Thus did I find the city of Zion still in trouble, and under a cloud; some being deeply concerned, and engaged in trying to stir up the careless to feel concerned for her prosperity; and others joined to their idols, appearing to feel no concern about the weal or woe of poor Zion! I noticed that, among the inhabitants who were once so loving and happy, so kind and obliging to each other, now the very reverse of this was manifest. Besides what has already been stated concerning their evil ways, I will instance a case or two more of the bad conduct of some of the prominent citizens. I saw one singular case of fault-finding: There was a man who went much about the city, attempting to pick motes out of the eyes of others, as he imagined he could see them, while he seemed not to be aware that there was an enormous beam in his own eye, which was very manifest to others. Many suffered much pain on account of this quack surgeon and optician in the city. This man never appeared to be satisfied unless he could be picking at some one's eyes. Another one, equally as injurious to the peace and quiet of the place, spent his time in running about the streets telling news, and it was thought by many that he was not very particular about his reports being strictly correct. This tell-tale did much mischief in setting one citizen against another. Many of the inhabitants, and some of the watchmen also, became slack in the execution of the city laws against offenders, and would excuse the transgressor, or at least remit some of the fines and penalties imposed by the King in such cases, who required the uttermost farthing to be paid. Some of the workmen got to "daubing with untempered mortar," and the city physicians, or at least many of them, would heal the wounds of the people "slightly," so they became sickly and drowsy. (I. Cor. 11: 30.) During the prevalence of these disorders in the city, a spirit of carnality became manifest among the people; and one of the ways it shewed itself was in their unwarrantable preferences for the different watchmen on duty. Instead of their being submissive to the arrangement of their King, who had set these officers just where it suited him, and qualified each for their peculiar work, some of the citizens preferred one and some another, which added much to their strife and disorder. (I. Cor. 3: 4.) Thus matters continued to grow worse instead of better, and this famous and once prosperous city, instead of being the "joy of the whole earth," and the "light of the world," was now covered with darkness and the shadow of death, and appeared even as a cottage in a vineyard; as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, as a besieged city." (Isa. 1: 8.) Her King would not receive nor answer her petitions, and even caused the rain and dew to cease upon her gardens, and her streams flowed not as formerly. Her enemies round about her mocked her, saying, "Where is thy God?" (Psa. 42: 10.) I looked on and wept over her condition, and could but say to myself, "Is this the city that men call the perfection of beauty, the joy of the whole earth?" (Lam. 2: 15.) "This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after." (Jer. 30: 17.) While this state of things continued, some went to their merchandise and some to their farms, and some of the watchmen, even began to "judge for reward," and "teach for hire," and "divine for money," (Micah 3: 11) whereas they had been forbidden to do so by their King. (I. Pet. 5: 2.) As the clouds gathered blackness the thunders began to utter their voices upon Mount Zion, which caused the inhabitants of the land to tremble, and hypocrites began to be afraid. I thought I could understand some of the language uttered in these awful peals from the mountain of His Holiness, for it spake to me as well as to others of the inhabitants. I will give the reader a few of the sentences which fell solemnly on my ear, viz; "the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?" (I. Pet. 4: 17.) "He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?" (Heb. 10: 28, 29.) "But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fuller's soap. And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness." (Mal. 3: 2, 3.) "Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: Gather the people, sanctify the congregation . . . . Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach," &c. (Joel 2: 15-17.) Much more was uttered at the time, to this distressed city, to arouse her to a sense of her danger, and awaken her citizens to active obedience; but I must now leave the city again under a cloud, and let the reader reflect, as well as
A VISITOR.
Twelfth Visit. Zion's Landmarks, Vol. 2, No. 15, July 1, 1869.
Brother Bodenhamer: - On my return to this distressed city I found her condition to be no better than it was when I took my leave of her last, and I thought that in some respects, her case was even more hopeless. Not only had very many of her watchmen, or those who assumed to be such, forsaken her interests, and were either asleep at their posts of duty, or had fled at the approach of danger; but some of them were even joined with the enemies of Zion and forming leagues of friendship and affinity with those that secretly sought her ruin. These false watchmen, these pretended friends to the city, I found to be engaged in trying to blind the eyes of the inhabitants to the danger they were in, crying "Peace, Peace," when their danger was imminent; saying, "Go up and prosper," when their King had told them that they should fall in battle. Although her enemies were multiplying on every hand, and using all manner of artifice and sorcery to deceive and ensnare the inhabitants, and to induce them to compromise the honor, the laws and authority of their King, yet these "false shepherds," these watchmen who "divined for money" were ready to capitulate with the enemy on terms detrimental to the interest and honor of the King. But while her dangers were thus thickening, and the inhabitants were being led astray by these enemies to Zion, these "wolves in sheep's clothing," those faithful servants whom I saw in my last visit, still cried in the name of their King, with many tears and entreaties, to the subjects of their King, saying, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." (Matt. 7: 15.) "Take heed that no man deceive you," "for many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many." (ch. 24.) "Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the Lord; and I will not cause my anger to fall upon you." (Jer. 3: 12.) "O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths." (Isa. 3: 12.) "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you; and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." (II. Cor. 6: 17, 18.) "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." (Rev. 3: 20.) "Even from the days of your fathers are ye gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts." (Mal. 3: 7.) Thus did these faithful servants warn, and entreat, and exhort the inhabitants to return to their allegiance to their King, that they might avert the impending calamities that were about to fall upon the ungrateful and rebellious city. While these true servants were thus bearing testimony to the truth, they were clothed in sackcloth, and sat in ashes many days, bewailing the sad condition of the city. One of them declared to the disobedient inhabitants, in the bitterness of his soul, saying, "I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God." (Acts 20: 26, 27.) But after the larger portion had been led astray and bewitched by false teachers, and had rejected their King and his laws, and joined themselves to the enemies of Zion, the King spake to his true watchmen, saying, "Ephraim is joined to idols; let him alone." (Hos. 4: 17.) "Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch." (Matt. 15: 14.) Now I saw, while in the city at this time, that an open rupture and division were inevitable, between the true friends of the King and those who had pretended to be such; and the way the division was finally brought about, was about as follows: When the true servants became convinced of the evil designs of those who had been crying Peace, Peace, while they were laying in wait to deceive, they became more decided in their defence of the laws of Zion, and of her King, and refused to submit any longer to the rebellious course of these impostors; and this course drove these deceivers to assume more openly their belligerent attitude against the King of Zion and his subjects. The deceivers now made open war against the King's servants, and mustered all their force, and armed themselves to the teeth to destroy the memory of Zion and her King from the earth. And for a while it appeared as though they would succeed. They worried and annoyed the citizens much, putting many of them to death, and even attempted to storm the very battlements of the city. The inhabitants for a time were much discouraged, their patience well nigh worn out, and their strength nearly exhausted; but this state of things arose from a want of proper foresight and prudence on their part. They had gone into the conflict without instructions from headquarters, and had even left some of their principal weapons behind, and hence they were at times, driven by their enemies. But in their distress they sent up to headquarters a cry for help, for instructions and for arms. The Captain of the hosts of Zion came down among them, and by his word of command, and by his presence, inspired them with new courage; and he also distributed swords (old Jerusalem blades) among them that had failed to provide themselves with that weapon from the armory. Thus equipped and commanded, they renewed the attack with confidence in their Captain and in their weapons, crying, "The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon." (Judges 7: 18.) During the hottest of the battle, which raged long and fiercely, the King himself passed along the lines of his warriors on a white horse, with a sharp two-edged sword proceeding out of his mouth, and his countenance was like the sun shineth in his strength. Before his face, and that of his host, the enemy fell on heaps, and the battle was turned away from the gates of Zion, and the armies of the aliens were put to flight. Now went up a shout of victory that made the walls of Zion ring. "Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle." (Psa. 24: 7, 8.) "Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (I. Cor. 15: 57.) "Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne." (Rev. 5: 13.)
After the battle was over, and a victory won over the enemies of Zion, and the faithful servants of the King had returned to their respective places in the city, the King had them called together in a conspicuous place, and by orders from headquarters caused to be read the following proclamation for their encouragement and instruction, to wit: "Hear, O Israel"; "Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thy heart, dost thou go to possess their land: but for the wickedness of these nations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee." "Understand therefore, that the Lord thy God giveth thee not this good land to possess it for thy righteousness; for thou art a stiff-necked people." (Deut. 9: 1, 5, 6.) Remember that the Lord of hosts had "come down to fight for Mount Zion, and for the hill thereof." (Isa. 31: 4.) "Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." (Eph. 6: 10, 11.) "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." (Matt. 10: 16.) The King then, in the presence of all his hosts, caused to be read a special commendation to each of his faithful watchmen, who had stood up for his laws through evil report, and good report; saying, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant; enter thou into the joys of thy Lord." "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." The King then commanded his servants to go through the land, and bury all the dead whom they had slain in battle, even every bone of the enemy, that the land might be cleansed, and they were buried in the "Valley of Hamon-gog." (Ezek. 39: 11, 16.) After this great victory over the combined forces of the enemy, a herald was sent through the city, crying with a loud voice, saying, "Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her." (Rev. 18: 20.) This was a great day for the city of Zion, and it closed with the following song of victory:
"Now we'll march up the golden street,
And ground our arms at Jesus' feet."
This was enough for one day to
A VISITOR.
Thirteenth Visit. Zion's Landmarks, Vol. 2, No. 16, July 15, 1869.
Brother Bodenhamer: - If you and your readers will indulge me and bear with my weakness, I shall attempt to describe what I saw and heard as I walked about Zion the thirteenth time, which occurred soon after the great conflict was ended between the true and faithful friends of Zion and her combined and implacable enemies.
In her late conflicts the city and her citizens had been so sorely besieged, and so heavily assaulted, that I expected to find her walls and defences, her gates and towers, much injured and out of repair, and many of her citizens slain, wounded, or taken captives by the numerous and wily foe; but I was much surprised, and not a little gratified after walking about the place, to find so little real mischief done. I was shewn around the place, both inside and outside, and over her battle fields, which had been so earnestly contested, and the more I learned of the real nature and results of the fierce struggle which had been made by the contending antagonists, the more I was convinced of the consummate skill and prowess of Zion's King and his hosts, and of the impregnable nature of the walls of Zion. Her gates, her walls, her towers and her bulwarks still stood entire, and as strong as ever, though battered and scarred by many a slingstone and battering ram of the enemy. Not a cord was broken, nor a stake removed during the dreadful conflict, and Zion was now a quiet habitation. The smoke of battle having subsided, and the clouds that over-spread the city having dispersed, she appeared to better advantage, and looked more lovely now than she had for many a day; and one of her old inhabitants took occasion to say that, "The Lord hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation. This is my rest forever: here will I dwell, for I have desired it." (Psa. 132: 13, 14.)
During the late conflict and troubles of the city, her citizens and her watchmen had learned many valuable and painful lessons. They could now look back and call to mind their mistakes, their blunders, their carelessness and remissness in duty which caused their King to frown upon them, and to cover Zion with a cloud. For want of vigilance and faithfulness they now saw how they had let the enemy creep in among them as spies, and how many of them had been set up as watchmen, and as gate-keepers to the great detriment of the peace and prosperity of the place. They could also, now, see the danger and the fruitlessness of going to war with the enemy without consulting their Captain, and being fully armed and equipped. But on the whole, the citizens had learned some wise and valuable lessons about their own weakness and ignorance, and of the power and wisdom of the King. I was told by one of the watchmen, who had ever been faithful to his charge, and seemed to be a prominent man among them, that though the number of inhabitants of the city had been greatly reduced during the late divisions and conflicts, yet, he was firmly of the opinion that Zion was, even now, stronger than she was before her late troubles. Then she was full of strife and division; now she presented an undivided front. Then she trusted to her numbers and her own skill in war; now she relied on the wisdom and power of her King, and the unity of his little invincible army. True, some who once made a fair show of friendship for the cause of the King, had forsaken him and gone over to the enemy during the troubles and conflicts of Zion, but, said my informant, "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us." (I. John 2: 19.) Among the more prominent names who had forsaken the cause they pretended to support, and who stirred up strife and sedition at different times in the city, I was told might be named Judas Iscariot, Simon Magus, Alexander the coppersmith, Diotrephes, the Nicolaitanes, and a certain unchaste woman named Jezebel. These and many others, first secretly, and finally openly, tried to steal away the hearts of the citizens from their allegiance to their King; and they further tried to gain the ascendancy over the true subjects by letting in at the gates those who were ready to join them in their seditious schemes. But now that Zion had been rid of these enemies and their allies for the time being, and had learned a sore lesson by her past experience, I found her enjoying a little repose which she much needed after so long and so severe a contest. While in the city [I found] the citizens were assembled in solemn convocation, and one of the faithful watchmen addressed them in the most solemn manner as follows, viz: "These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand"; "I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars." (Rev. 2: 1, 2.) "Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word; and hast not denied my name. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee." (Rev. 3: 8, 9.) "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." (I. Pet. 5: 8.) "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." "Mark them which cause divisions and offences, contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid them." "Walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, . . . . Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." "But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived." "But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak." "For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." The speaker then addressed himself to the watchmen, and to the porters at the gates, for a few minutes in a most solemn strain of admonition and exhortation, as follows: "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." After this I took another survey of the mighty walls of Zion, and counted her towers, and marked well her bulwarks, and I left confirmed in the belief that all the gates of hell could never prevail against a place so strongly built, and so well garrisoned, and having so faithful and able a commander. While walking along the golden street beside the river of the water of life, I tried to get a glimpse of the King on his throne, through my magic glass; and I saw the King high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Before we parted we joined and sang,
"Glorious things of thee are spoken,
Zion, city of our God!
He whose word cannot be broken,
Formed thee for his own abode.
A VISITOR.
THE END
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