History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842]

  • Source Note
  • Historical Introduction
Page 1324
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<​April 15​> were baptized of course, not for themselves, but for their dead, Chrysostum says that the Marchionites practiced baptism for the<​ir​> dead, “after a catechumen was dead they had a living man under the bed of the deceased; then coming to the dead man they asked him whether he would receive baptism; and he making no answer, the other answered for him, and said that he would be baptized in his stead; and so they baptized the living for the dead.” The Church of course at that time was degenerate, and the particular form might be incorrect, but the thing is sufficiently plain in the scriptures, hence Paul, in speaking of the doctrine says, “Else what shall they do, who are baptized for the dead? If the dead rise not all, why are they then baptized for the dead? 1 Cor: 15 ch. 29 verse. Hence it was that so great a responsibility rested upon the generation in which our Savior lived; for says he “That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the Earth from the blood of righteous Abel, unto the blood of Zacharias, son of Barachias whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. Verily I say unto you all these things shall come upon this generation,” Matthew 23 ch. 35. 36 v. Hence as they possessed greater privileges than any other generation, not only pertaining to themselves, but to their dead, their sin was greater; as they not only neglected their own salvation but that of their progenitors, and hence their blood was required at their hands. And now as the great purposes of God are hastening to their accomplishment and the things spoken of in the prophets are fulfilling, as the kingdom of God is established on the earth, and the ancient order of things restored, the Lord has manifested to us this duty and privilege, and we are commanded to be baptized for our dead, thus fulfilling the words of Obadiah when speaking of the glory of the Latter Day. “And Saviors shall come up upon Mount Zion to judge the remnant of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the Lord’s” A view of these things reconciles the scriptures of truth, justifies the ways of God to man; places the human family upon an equal footing, and harmonizes with every principle of righteousness, justice, and truth. We will conclude with the words of Peter: “For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles,”... “For this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the Spirit.”
16 April 1842 • Saturday
I continued busily engaged in making out a list of [HC 4:599] debtors and an invoice of my property to be passed into the hands of the Assignee until Saturday <​16​> evening the 16th. on which day the first number of “The Wasp” a Miscellaneous weekly newspaper was first published at my , , Editor, devoted to the Arts, Sciences, Literature, Agriculture, Manufacture, Trade, Commerce and the General news of the day on a small sheet at $1.50 per annum.
17 April 1842 • Sunday
<​17​> Sunday 17. Spent the day with my family at home.
18 April 1842 • Monday
<​18​> Monday 18. <​In consequence of the utter annihilation of our property by mob violence in the State of , and the immense expences which we were compelled to incur to defend ourselves from the cruel persecutions of that , we were reduced to the necessity of availing ourselves of the privileges of the General Bankrupt Law. therefore​> I went to in company with my brothers and , and severally testified to our lists of Insolvency before the Clerk of the County Commissioners Court. and many more brethren were at the same day on business— My Clerk went with us.
About this time a disturbance broke out in Rhode Island, by a part of the Inhabitants wishing to change their Constitution, and make it like other States in the Union, which created much confusion and angry feeling in that State, and excitement in other States.
19 April 1842 • Tuesday
<​19.​> Tuesday 19. Rode out and examined some land near the northern limits of the — &c [p. 1324]
April 15 were baptized of course, not for themselves, but for their dead, Chrysostum says that the Marchionites practiced baptism for their dead, “after a catechumen was dead they had a living man under the bed of the deceased; then coming to the dead man they asked him whether he would receive baptism; and he making no answer, the other answered for him, and said that he would be baptized in his stead; and so they baptized the living for the dead.” The Church of course at that time was degenerate, and the particular form might be incorrect, but the thing is sufficiently plain in the scriptures, hence Paul, in speaking of the doctrine says, “Else what shall they do, who are baptized for the dead? If the dead rise not all, why are they then baptized for the dead? 1 Cor: 15 ch. 29 verse. Hence it was that so great a responsibility rested upon the generation in which our Savior lived; for says he “That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the Earth from the blood of righteous Abel, unto the blood of Zacharias, son of Barachias whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. Verily I say unto you all these things shall come upon this generation,” Matthew 23 ch. 35. 36 v. Hence as they possessed greater privileges than any other generation, not only pertaining to themselves, but to their dead, their sin was greater; as they not only neglected their own salvation but that of their progenitors, and hence their blood was required at their hands. And now as the great purposes of God are hastening to their accomplishment and the things spoken of in the prophets are fulfilling, as the kingdom of God is established on the earth, and the ancient order of things restored, the Lord has manifested to us this duty and privilege, and we are commanded to be baptized for our dead, thus fulfilling the words of Obadiah when speaking of the glory of the Latter Day. “And Saviors shall come up upon Mount Zion to judge the remnant of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the Lord’s” A view of these things reconciles the scriptures of truth, justifies the ways of God to man; places the human family upon an equal footing, and harmonizes with every principle of righteousness, justice, and truth. We will conclude with the words of Peter: “For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles,”... “For this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the Spirit.”
16 April 1842 • Saturday
I continued busily engaged in making out a list of [HC 4:599] debtors and an invoice of my property to be passed into the hands of the Assignee until Saturday 16 evening the 16th. on which day the first number of “The Wasp” a Miscellaneous weekly newspaper was first published at my , , Editor, devoted to the Arts, Sciences, Literature, Agriculture, Manufacture, Trade, Commerce and the General news of the day on a small sheet at $1.50 per annum.
17 April 1842 • Sunday
17 Sunday 17. Spent the day with my family at home.
18 April 1842 • Monday
18 Monday 18. In consequence of the utter annihilation of our property by mob violence in the State of , and the immense expences which we were compelled to incur to defend ourselves from the cruel persecutions of that , we were reduced to the necessity of availing ourselves of the privileges of the General Bankrupt Law. therefore I went to in company with my brothers and , and severally testified to our lists of Insolvency before the Clerk of the County Commissioners Court. and many more brethren were at the same day on business— My Clerk went with us.
About this time a disturbance broke out in Rhode Island, by a part of the Inhabitants wishing to change their Constitution, and make it like other States in the Union, which created much confusion and angry feeling in that State, and excitement in other States.
19 April 1842 • Tuesday
19. Tuesday 19. Rode out and examined some land near the northern limits of the — &c [p. 1324]
Page 1324