I will now relate a very remarkable circumstance that occurred nearly forty years ago. I had no thought of ever publishing this, but having had so many inquiries I think it best to do so, as exactly as my memory will enable me.
I had to get up one night to attend to the fire in the bedroom. As I passed the door, which was open, I felt somewhat alarmed to see a most malignant-looking figure standing in the doorway. He had a very dark countenance, and seemed unconscious that I saw him He was looking at about the level of my breast, with a look of indescribable hatred. I passed on and attended to the fire, and as I repassed the door the figure was gone. I thought I would say nothing about the matter; but in the morning my wife told me that in the night when she looked at the fire, she was horrified to see a dark figure by the fire, and described it exactly like the one I had seen in the doorway.
Still I was disposed to think it a double case of illusion. But having to visit an aged christian lady in another part of Sheffield, to my astonishment, before I told her a word, she began to tell me how she had the same night seen a dark, malignant figure in her room also, answering exactly to the one we had seen. I began to feel the Lord must have some purpose in permitting all this.
A few months after this I had one of those dreams that sometimes almost look like realities. In the visions of the night, I saw this figure again. I seemed to be lifted up on a pillar of solid strength, and to be told in my dream that he was a devil. He looked at me with diabolical hatred, clenched his fists, struck his arms behind him, and pronounced a most horrible curse upon me. I told him he was a devil and bid him begone. He seemed utterly shorn of strength, and vanished. Well, when I awoke I thought -that is only a dream, but a strange one.
I think it was that very morning, at all events within a few days, I went into a neighbor’s shop — Mr. D. Ingham’s, stationer. There was a dark-looking man in the shop talking to Mr. Ingham about the coming of Christ. I had only very lately been awoke to that blessed hope, and joined in the conversation; but felt some uneasiness, as his face seemed painfully familiar to me. I left, to return to my own shop. The man came with me, still talking about the coming of Christ; but little as I knew, it seemed very unsatisfactory. He came in with me. I began to feel very uneasy. I said to him, “Now hold; before you and I go any further, tell me, WHAT IS THE BLOOD OF CHRIST TO YOU?”
He clenched his fists, he struck his arms behind him; there was the very face, dark and diabolical, I had seen in my chamber and in my dream, and he pronounced the very curse I had heard from the figure. I said to him, “I know you to be a devil; in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I bid you depart.” At the name of Jesus his arms and his countenance fell, as if all strength had gone out of him He walked away.
At this moment my wife had seen him from a door in the shop to the house. She came in and said, “Why, that is the very face I saw by the fire!” It was after I had asked him the question as to the blood of Jesus that the dark hatred appeared in his face.
I had heard that a Mormon elder — an apostle, I think he was called, one of the twelve — was to preach at the top of Sheffield Moor, exactly where the monument now stands, and I began to suspect that this was the man. I went to see, and there was the very man. I told how I knew what this man was, and opposed him in the name of the Lord Jesus. All strength seemed at once again to forsake him at the name of Jesus. The Lord then enabled me to preach the gospel of the grace of God, and I think I may say that Mormonism never from that day fairly lifted up its head in Sheffield.
I do not attempt any explanation of these facts. I believe the Lord permitted them to give me a distinct knowledge of the true origin of Mormonism. It has also given me to know that the devil, who hates and tempts us, is as real a person now as the devil that tempted Christ in the wilderness. Neither do I doubt that a devil may be a Mormon apostle, as well as a Judas Iscariot.
It may be asked, “Why do you write this after nearly forty years?” I will tell you. I have lately had a great bundle of Mormon tracts, books and newspapers sent me. I have also been informed as to the spiritual destitution of thousands in Utah, etc. There are many sighing in bondage, feeling assured it is not all right with them for eternity. Now, I do not feel it would be to their profit or my own, or pleasing to the Lord, to go into the theories of Mormonism. But this I do feel called to do in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ I solemnly ask every one of the thousands of Mormons,
What is the Blood of Jesus Christ to you?
Have you been brought as a hell-deserving sinner to trust in that blood — in that atoning death of Jesus on the cross? Let me take you to a few well-known scriptures many of you read in your Sunday schools long ago. Now turn to John 3:1414And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: (John 3:14). Do you believe there was no salvation possible, except by these means: “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life?” Do you believe we were so vile-that sin, our sins, were so dreadful — that Jesus must be lifted up on the shameful cross?
Now, what is that death to you as a lost sinner? Do you know God? “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” You may say, “Oh yes, we believe all that.” Do you? The devils do not doubt God so loved and so gave His Son; but this is a different thing. from believing IN HIM. We repeat, Do you know Him? Do you believe IN HIM? May I ask, are you quite sure you have eternal life? Because, note, the very purpose of God in thus giving His Son was, that “whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” Now eternal life is that which can never perish; if it could it would not be eternal. And more, if you have not got it, you do not believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.
This is very clear from the words of Jesus Christ. He says, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” Do you hear His words, the words of the Son of the Father? Or do you hear the words of that stranger to Him — words that never give you the certainty of having eternal life? Do you believe, now, on God that sent His Son? If you hear Jesus, and believe God that sent Him, then plainly you have eternal life. And if you have not eternal life, then as plainly you do not believe God, but are being deceived, to your everlasting ruin. Such is the clear testimony of John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24). That this is the plain meaning of these words of Jesus is abundantly confirmed in 1 John 5:10-1310He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. 11And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 13These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. (1 John 5:10‑13). Just read those verses. There you have it as plain as words can make it: “He that believeth not God hath made Him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of His Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.” You may say, “We have our book, and our apostles and prophets, our city and temple,” etc. Ah! friend, it does not say he that hath these things hath eternal life. It does not really say so. No, but “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.”
Now how is it with you? Do you say, “Certainly I have not that eternal life which can never perish.” Then certainly you have not the Son of God. And if you have not got Him, you have nothing for eternity, but are on the way to everlasting torments. Is it not time to awake?
We will turn now to Colossians 1. Will you read verses 12-14? You may be fit to live at the Salt Lake City; but are you fit for heaven? Is it all right with you? Have you no misgiving on this head? Is there not sin and death in your city? Is there not sin and death in you? Have you got something beyond all this, so that you also can give thanks unto the Father, which hath “made us meet [or fit] to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light”? Ah! are you fit for this, to be saints in light? This is plain enough again. A Christian is fit for the full blaze of light, in the presence of God, at any moment. If Mormon saints are only fit for the city in Utah, but are not fit for heaven, then Mormon saints are not Christians. We wish to make it as clear as possible, as we long for your souls. How is it, then, with you? Are you Christians, like the saints at Colosse, made meet by the Father for “the inheritance of the saints in light”? Because you must see that if this is not the case, you have never yet understood what it is to be a Christian in the true sense. You notice these Christians were delivered from the power of darkness; they were translated into the kingdom of His dear Son. Is it so with you? And now, returning to our first question, they had “redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins.”
You know what it is for a slave to be redeemed forever from slavery by a great price. Has anything of this kind taken place as it regards your souls by the blood of Christ? I do not ask, do you believe in redemption? But, have you got it? Are you redeemed “by His blood”? I do not ask, do you believe in forgiveness of sins? But, are your sins forgiven? If not, you are still under wrath, even at the Lake City. Do not you know you may go from the Lake City to hell? If your sins are not washed away by the blood of the Lamb, you will go there, whether you think so or not. Do you ask, “How can such poor lost sinners as we are be made fit for heaven?” I will tell you, by the help of God. There is a grand secret known about the blood of Jesus to all those who walk in the light. It is this, and you will find it in 1 John 1:77But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7). This is the grand truth known only in the light: “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” What is the blood of Jesus to you? Can you say, “It is this to me — it cleanseth me from all sin”? Is it this to you? Then you are in the light. Do you say, “I am trusting in something else to cleanse me from sin, and fit me for heaven”? Then you are in the dark. All other remedies of men will deceive you, and only land you in eternal woe.
What is the blood of Jesus to you? Can you say, “Unto Him that loveth us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood”? If you really can, you are right; and if you cannot, then is it not clear you are certainly wrong? Can you thus worship Him who loves you, and washed you from your sins?
In real love to your souls I should like to tell you a little further how Christians know that they are fit for heaven.
They know that they never can be fit by the works of the law (Rom. 3:19, 2019Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. (Romans 3:19‑20)). They know that God is righteous in justifying them from all things by the death and resurrection of Christ (Rom. 3:22-2822Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 27Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. (Romans 3:22‑28)). They know that God reckons all righteous who believe Him — believing Him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, the death He endured when He was delivered for our sins. And they know that God was satisfied and glorified by that atoning death; for He hath raised up from the dead Jesus for our justification. Not only for the forgiveness of our sins, but to be our unchanging righteousness. And “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 4:24, 25; 5:124But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. (Romans 4:24‑25)
1Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: (Romans 5:1)). You may see how complete all this is, also in Col. 1:20-2220And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 21And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: (Colossians 1:20‑22). They are dead with Christ, risen with Christ, “And ye are complete in Christ” (Col. 2:10, 20; 3:110And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: (Colossians 2:10)
20Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Colossians 2:20)
1If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. (Colossians 3:1)). They are a new creation in Christ (2 Cor. 5:1717Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)). Christ has borne their sins, and been a sacrifice for their sin, and God assures them there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ, and no separation from His love to them in Christ (Rom. 8:1, 3, 32-391There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Romans 8:1)
3For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: (Romans 8:3)
32He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 34Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39Nor 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. (Romans 8:32‑39)); and whatever devils or men may say to the contrary, they believe God, and thus can give thanks to the Father that they are fit to go to heaven. Hallelujah!
Now is this or any part of it true of you? That is the question. Have you peace with God — the holy, righteous God, who cannot look upon sin with the least allowance? Are you allowing sins? Then you may be Mormons, but you are not Christians. If sins are upon you, how can you either have peace with God or be fit for heaven? We beg your solemn attention to these words of God: “He that committeth sin [or practiceth sin] is of the devil” (1 John 3:88He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. (1 John 3:8)). You cannot deceive God.
A few more words before I close. Can you show one single scripture where God has said He would gather you from the nations to the Salt Lake City? The scriptures abound with promises to Israel, that He will gather them to their own land from amongst all nations; but you know He never said He would gather you to America. Is it not then most probable that Satan has deceived you and gathered you from all lands? I do not wish to quote from papers sent me, or reports of fearful wickedness by those who have escaped and told their tales. I appeal to you on the spot — you well know — and I ask you, Is Salt Lake City most like a holy city of God, or a wicked city of Satan? The scriptures give no promise of a holy city in this wicked world that has killed the Holy One, until He comes to reign. Until then, Jerusalem, the future city of God on earth, will be trampled under foot (Luke 21). The uniform testimony of scripture is that the world will ripen in wickedness, until He comes to judge it. Yea, and before then, Christendom will be so corrupt that it will be utterly rejected, spued out of His mouth, that is, most loathsome to Him. It therefore follows that if the devil has deceived you, as he deceives the whole world, then instead of your city being the city of the holy ones, it will become more and more corrupt — more (like the rest of the world) devilish and wicked. Satan may deceive as an angel of light, and his servants seem like the same, as in 2 Corinthians 11:1414And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11:14); but in the end he is the devil still.
Oh! is it possible you have been deceived by him, and lured from distant lands? Ah! you are not the first he has deceived. Look at the millions of Mahometans (Muslims), and myriads of Buddhists. Nay, look at that which has for so long called herself the true church. Was ever greater Satanic cruelty and wickedness found on this earth?
Now, though Christ most certainly never promised you He would take you to the Salt Lake, yet I can tell you what He has promised to all Christians, and He is shortly about to do as He has promised. He has said, “In My Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:2-32In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14:2‑3)). Now this is not a place on earth; for as Jesus was going to heaven to the Father, He said, “Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am,” etc. (John 17:2424Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. (John 17:24)). Precious words of Jesus! And when he appears, then shall we appear with Him in glory (Col. 3:44When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:4)). And when He comes from heaven in judgment we shall come with Him (1 Thess. 3:13; 4:14-1813To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints. (1 Thessalonians 3:13)
14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:14‑18); Jude 1414And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, (Jude 14)). And even still more: “We know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as he is.” And what is the effect of this blessed hope in Him? “And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as He is pure” (1 John 3:2-32Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. (1 John 3:2‑3)).
What do you say to these things? What is the blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, to you? Can you say, “It has washed me whiter than snow “? Can you say God justifies you from all things? Have you peace with God? Are you made fit for the inheritance of saints in light? — fit to go to heaven any moment? Are you looking for Jesus to come and take you to heavenly glory with Himself? Is he your blessed hope and example? Are you seeking to be more and more like Him?
If not, then Mormonism is not the Christianity of the New Testament. If it is not, what is it but, like all the rest in this world, a delusion of Satan?
Do you say, “We begin to doubt it is even as you ask us. We fear it is a deception of Satan, and we are deluded; but what are we to do? Is there no hope?” Indeed there is yet, for it is written, “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Rom. 10:6-136But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) 7Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) 8But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:6‑13)). Your leaders may threaten to kill you. Call on the name of the Lord. The devil will seek to frighten you. Call upon the name of the Lord. Meet to cry to the Lord in prayer in your houses. Search diligently the scriptures. Burn every book that does not agree with the Word of God. Confess your sins unto God. He is faithful to forgive and to cleanse you from all unrighteousness. He is gracious and full of compassion. Oh! turn to Him from all these delusions! He is my witness I have no object in this paper but the everlasting good of your souls. May God use this little paper for that purpose, and to Him be all glory and praise. If He shall be pleased to grant an awakening amongst you, I shall be happy to give a parcel of tracts and pamphlets on such subjects of divine truth as are referred to in this paper.