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Vol. I. February 1880. No. 5.

Confidence.

V.

THE practice of evil speaking, slandering and proclaiming unjust judgments, to the destruction of confidence, is too prevalent among us as a people. It is the source of many sins, which, if not discontinued, will bring retribution. I write plainly, but only assert, regarding these things, what the whole people know to be true. I have but one object in view, and that is the accomplishment of good, by warning the young against practices, the fruits of which have been and always will be bitter.

Notwithstanding the wheat and tares must grow together until the time of separation, by those who shall be fully qualified to accomplish the work of plucking out and binding the latter for the fire, without destroying the former; yet we can but feel that there are tares enough in the world without raising them among the few stalks of wheat, which the Lord through the untiring efforts of His servants has planted in Zion.

Whatever may be our feelings and desires regarding these matters, we cannot ignore the fact that we have some among us who speak evil of their neighbors; and who, year after year, cherish animosity in their hearts, thereby eating and drinking condemnation to their souls; for such seldom have wisdom enough to refrain from partaking of the sacrament. If they ever knew, they seem to have forgotten the following commandment: "Therefore, if thou bring thy gift to the alter, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee; leave then thy gift before the alter and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother and then come and offer thy gift." But, says the slanderer, the harsh unjust judge or false accuser, How shall I know whether or not my brother has aught against me? Hypocrite! it is no fault of yours if he has not. Let him measure to you the measure of unjust judgment, which you, without stint, have heaped upon him, and then ask yourself if you have aught against him.

Be we seventies or high priests, presidents or members, apostles or deacons, and do these things, Satan has a hook in our jaws, with which he will lead us into other temptations and sins, unless we repent, until he will plant in our hearts the enmity of hell and the hatred of the damned. Of all people on earth, we ought fully to comprehend this; for surely we have been made to feel the poisoned sting of slander, and to suffer, some even unto death, under the false accusations of such as love and make a lie.

Is there an Elder in Israel who does not comprehend the hatred of a wicked world, or who does not know that the inhabitants thereof have sought to hedge up the way and stay the progress of God's kingdom? In trying to accomplish which they have persecuted and misrepresented us, and have traversed land and sea to hurt and annoy. They have used the sword, bayonet and bullet, and have invoked, for our destruction, the aggressive powers of cities, countries, states, and governments. Backed by legislative, judicial and executive encouragement, they have heaped upon us carpet-bag rulers, who with unmeasured wickedness have hated us. But, through the infinite mercy of our heavenly Father, notwithstanding all their efforts, we are increasing and spreading abroad upon the face of the land. And were it not for the evils existing among us, seriously effecting the basis of our social happiness, we would abound far more than we do now, in the better gifts and prevailing powers of the kingdom.