Testimony of Christ's Second Appearing, exemplified by the principles and practice of the true Church of Christ ...

Front matter

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Book <Y'7 i

TESTIMONY

Preface To The Fourth Edition

The first edition of this work was printed in the year 1808, at Lebanon, Warren county, Ohio. But, it being too small to answer the demand, a second edition was printed in 1810, at Albany, New-York, with such improvements as were found expedient for the better understanding of the matters therein contained. Also, a third edition was printed in Cincinnati, Ohio, in the year 1823.

2. This work was written and sent forth, as declaring that spiritual light and wisdom sent down from the heavenly orders above, by the inspired teachings of the Holy Spirit, of which all seeicor. the faithful members of this society are living witnesses, by iL 12 > 13 - practical experience of the power and efficacy of the principles

thus revealed.

3. The idea which so extensively prevails, that all inspired revelation ceased with the canon of Scripture, is inconsistent with both reason and Scripture. It is not unreasonable to suppose, that the spiritual work of God should alone remain stationary, whilst all the natural arts and sciences among men, are continually improving and increasing, by newly manifested principles of natural light, and are constantly progressing more and more, by the knowledge and further application of the original principles from whence all these are derived ?

4. It may be seen by every attentive observer, that these natural revealments and improvements are now more frequent and rapidly developing and increasing, in the present age and time, than in any preceding age of the world. Therefore we may consistently conclude, that the spiritual work of God must be increasing and improving in a corresponding progression, or the things of by far the greatest importance will be left behind; for, in comparison with the spiritual work of redemption and salvation, all earthly knowledge, and all natural improvements, sink into insignificance.

5. For, though man should gain all the natural knowledge in the universe, he could not thereby gain either the knowledge or power of salvation from sin, nor redemption from a sinful nature ; because the world, by natural wisdom, never did, and never can, Seeicor. know God. Hence we see the indispensable necessity of a con- L 2L tinual influx and application of Divine principles, in order to

know the things that concern the eternal welfare of the soul, and to enable man " to work the works of God ; " and these can only iv

Preface To The

2, 3 i Cor ii u ^ e rece ^ e( ^ by the revelation of the Spirit of Grod ; "for the things of God, knoweth no man, but the Spirit of Grod."

6. In no part of the Scriptures can the least intimation be found that the revelations of the Divine and Holy Spirit to man will ever cease ; but many declarations to the contrary. Our Saviour

xPi3 Uke ' sa y s ' y e ' being ev ^» know how to give good gifts to your children : how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him ? " Such as deny those heavenly Seejas. iv. gifts, have not, because they ask not." And if they ask, they "receive not, because the"y ask amiss, that they may consume (those good things) upon their lusts:" that is apply them to support their own natural desires. Thus the Saviour and his Apostles show the reason of that general barrenness of spiritual gifts among all denominations. But ancient prophecy foretells a wonderful influx of spiritual manifestations "in the last days."

7. Thus, by the Prophet Joel, it was expressly declared, that See Joel, ii. Grod would pour out his Spirit upon all flesh : and that a wonderful diffusion of spiritual gifts, and great signs and wonders should be manifested. This prophecy was quoted by the Apostle Peter,

See Acts, as particularly applying to " the last days." He indeed refers it to the outpouring of the Spirit at the day of Pentecost. But, as Seel Cor. * ne Apostle testified that they "knew in part, and prophesied in xiii. 9, io. part, this prophecy could be but in part fulfilled under that dispensation. Besides this, the Spirit was far from being poured out upon all flesh in that day.

8. But Peter foretells a much greater work, "in the times of refreshing which should come from the presence of the Lord," in a future dispensation, which he calls "the times of restitution of all things," when Jesus (i.e. the Anointed Saviour,) should

See Rev. again be sent forth; for the "restitution of all things" could not take place until the second appearing of Christ, which is the greatest and last dispensation that will be ushered into the world.

9. This dispensation evidently contains those last days foretold in the prophecy aforesaid. In these days, Grod will judge the world in righteousness, and appoint all things and beings to their proper order and state, which will be justly meted out. This work being the ultimate of all the works of G-od from the creation of the world, cannot be effected without the manifestations of Divine light and power, greater than has ever before

See Mat. taken place from the beginning ; otherwise "the harvest of the xiii. 30. world," and the restitution of all things, cannot be accomplished thereby.

10. According to all the movements of Providence, in the civil, political, and ecclesiastical orders of the world, and from the general and earnest expectation of all classes among the human race, of the near approach of some great and marvelous

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FOURTH EDITION.

displays of Divine power, which will bring the world to its consummation, it is evident that the " great day of God Almighty " has commenced in the world.

11. Therefore, in the display of his Divine Providence, He has opened the avenues of correspondence from the spirit- world to mortals on earth, and poured out his Spirit, in various degrees, by which the many wonderful events, both natural and spiritual, have been brought forth in the natural world. And these displays will doubtless continue to increase, in the orders of both Providence and grace, in greater and more spiritual degrees, of higher and higher orders, until the prophecy will be fulfilled, that the Spirit and Divine influence will be "poured out upon all flesh."

12. And we testify, that all true members of this Society are living witnesses that the great and last dispensation has commenced; and that the marvelous revelations, spiritual gifts, signs, and wonders, predicted to take place "in the last days,'''' have been, and are being, fulfilled in so plain and evident a manner as cannot be disputed by any rational and candid mind.

13. This order of people originated in spiritual and Divine revelation from the heavenly orders above ; and they have been continually supported, and have advanced in various degrees, by an influx of Divine revelations and heavenly ministrations with increasing light, adapted to their state, up to the present time.

14. But it was foretold by the spirit of prophecy, years before the event began, that a wonderful work of Divine revelation and heavenly gifts, light, and power, would take place in and among this people, in the fiftieth year after the gathering together of their United Society commenced, which would be as an antetype of the ancient Jewish jubilee. Accordingly, during the year 1838, a most wonderful manifestation of Divine revelation and heavenly light and power, simultaneously commenced in the two central societies, and in a few months visited every branch and family of the people called Shakers, throughout the land.

15. This work was attended with all those operations of Divine light, gifts, and power, enumerated by the Apostle in 1 Cor. xii. ; particularly verses seven to eleven, inclusive. These heavenly gifts being adapted to all states and circumstances, much new light was revealed by them on many important subjects. But this subject is more fully treated of in Book viii. chap. xi.

16. But we will here just state, that it was foretold, in these manifestations, that when the general and extraordinary diffusion of those spiritual gifts should, in some measure, cease among the Believers in the present dispensation of Christ's second appearing, that then similar manifestations would go forth into| the world, and operate among them in various manners according'

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Vi PREFACE.

to their state.* Accordingly, this prophecy has been evidently fulfilled, and is fulfilling, in such manner as to demonstrate its certain truth.

17. By the means of these manifestations, so great a degree of important light has been received into the minds of many of our fellow men, upon spiritual subjects, and those things which concern their present and eternal welfare, that they appear to be better prepared than heretofore, more fully to understand and appreciate the doctrines of this Society. From the aforesaid manifestations, together with our own experience and travel for many years, in the principles and practice of this community, as in the subsequent pages set forth, much increasing light has been gained upon many important subjects.

18. Therefore it has been judged expedient to issue the present edition, with such further illustrations and improvements as to ns appear adapted to the present order of the work of God, both within and without this Society ; it therefore has been prepared in accordance with the increasing Divine light brought forht among us by those inspired manifestations and our experience.

19. For this purpose, the work throughout has been critically examined and carefully revised by the primary author, with such approved and experienced assistance as appeared proper and necessary, in order to render the subjects treated of, clear to the understanding of the reader. It may therefore be considered as A general exposition of the rudimental principles, faith, and manner of life, maintained by the United Society of people called Shakers : yet it is not intended as a creed or standard of orthodoxy, to bind the faith and conscience of any from improvement ; but is simply a manifestation of the travel and light of the Church ; leaving the door still open as heretofore, for any further increase that may be made manifest by heavenly light.

Seeisa. i x . Eor it is according to our faith, "that of the increase of 7, & Luke, Christ's kingdom, to order and establish it, there shall be no

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20. And now, with the sincerest desires for the good of all mankind, this volume is most earnestly and affectionately presented for the information and benefit of all candid inquirers after truth, of every nation, sect, and denomination, by

BENJAMIN S. YOUNGS, CALYIN GREEN.

Watervlett, {Wisdom's VaVey) f near Albany, State of New- > York, Dec. 1854. )

* It should be distinctly understood, that special inspired gifts have not ceased, ^but still continue among this people.

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Preface To The First Edition

Many have undertaken to write and publish concerning the principles and practices of a people, who are called Shakers, and either through ignorance or prejudice have misrepresented both; so that no true information, from this quarter, could be obtained by those who desired it. Hence many have become solicitous of having, from the people themselves, a correct statement of their faith. It is, therefore, in answer to the repeated requests of the unprejudiced and candid part of mankind, that the following work has been written.

2. The greatest part that has been published abroad in the world, by common fame, or through such preachers or writers as were either unacquainted with the people, or actuated by a spirit of prejudice, is too ridiculous, absurd, and contradictory, to merit the least attention ; nor has any thing been published that meets our approbation, except a small pamphlet, entitled, " A concise Statement of the Principles of the only True Church" written to a deaf man, by particular request, and printed at Bennington, Yermont, in the year 1790 : and a pamphlet published last year, under the title of The Kentucky Revival.

3. Some things, however, have bfeen published from a spirit of detraction and slander, which are not altogether unworthy of notice, inasmuch as they have some appearance of authority, and claim for their foundation, certain well known facts ; from which undue advantage has been taken, not only of stating facts in an imperfect light, but also of adding the most groundless falsities.

4. These remarks will justly apply to most of the assumed accounts of this people., which have been and are circulated in magazines, pamphlets, newspapers, &c, [even to the present time, 1856,] with some honorable exceptions, which, though they exhibit good intentions, are more or less deficient of competent knowledge. It is not our design, however, to notice and counterplead particular scandals and deceptions of this sort, sent forth from evident malice, envy, or ignorance. On the contrary, we prefer that such should die the natural death of falsehood and deception. For we are fully assured that truth will stand ; and the fabric built thereon will appear more and more glorious, and, with al honest souls that trust therein, will stand for ever. While hood and deception mWfail; and every fabric built, or atte

PREFACE TO THE to be supported thereon, will more and more appear in all its hideous deformity, and, with all that continue to trust therein, will ultimately fall, to rise no more forever.

5. Long experience and observation, however, have afforded sufficient evidence, that the most eminently virtuous and useful characters on earth, have been the most scandalized and traduced by the tongue of common fame ; insomuch that men of prudence and candor, in many cases, are able to see through the deception, and reasonably expect the best where the worst is said.

6. Probably no work of God, in any dispensation, has been more misrepresented than the present, nor any people more wrongly reported; yet it is no unpleasing reflection to us, that, from the beginning of the work to the present day, we have never published any reply to any of those reports, (however evil and false we knew them to be,) either in defence of our character, or the cause we have espoused ; but have peaceably passed on, without regarding them any more than if they had not been ; and that for the following reasons :

7. First. Because the testimony which we gladly received, pointed out to us a very straight and narrow way of self-denial and mortification to all that natural men call good and great, and opened to us that hidden treasure which we esteemed so far beyond any thing we possessed, or wished to possess, on earth, that we were willing cheerfully to sacrifice our character and our all, to obtain it ; so that the world could take nothing from us that we were unwilling to part with for Christ's sake and the Gospel.

8. Therefore, whatever evil was reported, being conscious of our innocence, it only served to increase our consolation in Christ, and afforded an increasing evidence to the candid and judicious, that we were following the despised footsteps of him who said, Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and 'persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake.

9. Secondly. With regard to the defence of the cause in which we were engaged. We had long been weary of those human creeds and confessions, and subtle arguments, written in defence of divided and subdivided parties, which for many ages had perplexed the human race, and, in the end, left their abettors (and us with the rest) totally destitute of the real power of salvation from all sin.

10. When, therefore, we were called by the Gospel, and received that anointing powder which bringeth salvation, we were led and influenced by the spirit of the work, (and found it to be a point of wisdom,) first to prove for ourselves, the faith we had

ceived, and to manifest it by our works, as the greatest conation, both to ourselves and others, that the work was verily

FIRST EDITION.

ix of God, before we could feel justified in giving that full and perfect information which the weight and importance of the subject demands. For, until it was sufficiently proved, that the Gospel which we had received, was, in its own nature, productive of the works and fruits of righteousness, justice, mercy and peace, and that it was planted by the finger of God, and nourished and supported by his wisdom and power, separate from, and wholly independent of, all human laws and creeds of men, we never could with a just confidence and propriety say, Thus has God wrought.

11. The Third, and most weighty reason why we have never made any reply to those clamorous reports, and given a public statement of our faith and practice, was, that we could not have done it without acting contrary to the order of God in every dispensation of his work. It was the gift of God to Moses, long after the flood, to record the lives and transactions of the Patriarchs ; and the character and works of all the servants of God. always remained to be published by their successors, or those who enjoyed the fruits of their labors; for no testament is of force while the testator liveth.

12. Christ Jesus, while engaged in the work of his ministry, strictly charged his disciples to tell no man that, he was the Christ. And many things were said and done, which were known only to his disciples, and kept closely concealed, to prevent the vain speculations of the world. He well knew the inveterate malice of his enemies, who were continually watching for something whereby they might condemn him ; and at last they accused and condemned him as a blasphemer, and worthy of death, for intimating that he was sent of God, although his works plainly declared it.

13. It is also evident, that the testimony of the Apostles was verbal for years, and nothing was written for the information of those who were unacquainted with the work of Jesus Christ, or at a distance from where the first scene was transacted, until the work of that day was fully established; and even then, their writings and sayings were far from being common ; but were kept close, and spread no farther than the operation of the Spirit of God had prepared the way for them to be received by faith. Therefore it need not seem strange, if the circumstances preceding the public opening of Christ's second appearing, should be similar to those of his first appearing.

14. The second appearing of Christ, commonly called the Millennium, or latter day of glory, has ever been considered as a period of the greatest importance to mankind universally, inasmuch as all the prophecies of the holy Scriptures were then to have their final accomplishment; and every threatening of God to be fully executed upon the ungodly and sinners, in the final overthrow of their unjust and oppressive governments, their

X

PREFACE TO THE false and pernicious superstitions, and all their unrighteous works. On the other hand, all the promises of God to his people, were then to be fulfilled, in their final redemption from all the sorrowful effects of the fall; in building them up in holiness, righteousness, everlasting peace, and true felicity; and enriching them with all the fulness of temporal and eternal goodness.

15. But it never was intended, nor could it be expected, upon any principle of reason or truth, that all those things should be accomplished at once, but, according to the usual manner of God's working, they must gradually proceed from small beginnings, and continue to operate in a progressive manner, from one degree to another, as a small seed planted in its proper season, springs up, and grows into a tree. The beginning of this great event we have stated, according to the degree and measure of what has already taken place. And although it may appear to some as a day of small things, we are, nevertheless, persuaded beyond a doubt, that the same who has begun the good work, will carry it on until the whole be accomplished.

16. It is reasonable to suppose that mankind, so long imposed upon by false systems, said to be of Divine authority, will be very cautious, at this day, of receiving any thing that bears such an appearance. And therefore, through the tenderness and mercy of God, the truth and revelation of Christ is opened answerable to the weak and prejudiced state of the world, for the gain and edification of the candid seekers after truth.

17. And, as the special call of God to all who are seeking eternal life, is to free themselves from the pernicious superstitions and false doctrines of antichrist, before they can receive the everlasting Gospel, of Christ's kingdom, therefore it is, that so much of the following work is taken up in exposing the works of antichrist, during his dark and deplorable reign of twelve hundred and sixty years, in order that souls who are groaning under bondage, may discover the cause, and be released. And truly, when the whole depth of that antichristian delusion is exposed, that saying will be fully verified: ''•And they that divell on the

Rev. xvii earth shall wonder, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is."

18. This subject might have been comprised in much less room than it now occupies, were it not that mankind have been so long deceived and led astray by a false influence, instead of being guided by the light of truth. A particular account of the transactions of antichrist, during his reign, must be sought for in the history of those who, some time after the days of Jesus Christ, and his Apostles, took the dominion in the affairs of the Church, and established a false religion, under the pretence of

FIRST EDITION.

being their successors. Therefore, in order to fully expose the dark reign of that power, which has so long triumphed in disguise, under the sacred name of Jesus Christ, it appeared necessary to make large extracts from some of the most noted ecclesiastical writers, that when facts are established by the testimony of these writers, in their own words, they may not be disputed.

19. In treating on this dark period, we have extracted some of the most interesting facts from Mosheim's Ecclesiastical History, Robinson's Ecclesiastical Researches, and from The Works of Lardner. And on various occasions we have quoted from Newton, Robertson, Edwards, Boston, Sewell, Wesley, Wilber force, and others. Most of the historical writers whom we have quoted, are well known, and highly esteemed ; nor have we any knowledge that their veracity was ever called in question by the learned. *

20. The work which God purposed to do in the latter days, was not to be according to the systems of human invention known and understood among men; but was to be a strange work ; and the act which he intended to bring to pass, was to be a strange act, even "a marvelous work and a wonder."' Neither was Christ to come in order to establish any of those systems of man's building that should be found on earth at his appearing ; but in the progress of his strange work he will most certainly consume them all. Therefore said the Prophet, " Be ye not mockers, lest your bands be made strong : for I have heard from the Lord God of hosts a consumption even determined upon the whole earth," And hence the warning of the Apostle : " Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish ; for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in nowise believe, though a man declare it unto you."

21. In the time of Christ's first appearing, the Jews, who called themselves God's chosen people, were looking for a Saviour to appear in royal splendor, surpassing all temporal monarchs ; but behold, he appeared in a man, and took on him the form of a servant. Again, those who called themselves Christians, expected him, in the second advent, to appear in the form of a man, far surpassing all earthly beings in pomp, gran-

* The largest extracts are made from the three first mentioned writers, whose works are supported from the best authorities of ancient and modern history. John Lawrence Mosheim was a Lutheran priest, and Chancellor of the University of Gottingen, in Germany, the seat of the Reformation. His Ecclesiastical History was translated from the original Latin by Archibald Maclaine, D.D. The extracts are from the Philadelphia edition, printed in 1797, in six octavo volumes. Those from Robinson's Ecclesiastical Researches, are from a European edition, printed at Cambridge, in 1792, a very valuable production, of one quarto volume. The writings of Dr. Lardner are held in high estimation by modern historians in general ; the extracts are from the London edition of his works, printed in 1788, eleven octavo volumes.

In this [fourth] edition, large extracts are made from the Ecclesiastical Histories of Milncr, Jones, and others.

PREFACE TO THE deur, and warlike power, and behold, the humble Saviour was manifested in the form and likeness of a woman, and assumed the appearance of a handmaid.

22. Thus, as the heavens are high above the earth, so are the thoughts and imaginations of man above all that is called God ; and as far as virtue is below vice in the carnal sense of the wicked, so far is the way of God below all the ways that ever man contrived, by which all the carnal works and inventions of man will be supplanted; and therefore, in the eyes of man, the real work of God will ever appear strange and unaccountable.

23. Sixty years have now passed since the beginning of this work in England; twenty-eight years since it began in America ; twenty years since the gathering of the Church; and sixteen years since the Church was established in her present order and spirit of government. And in all this time of sixty years, the testimony has been verbal, and those who were faithful in it increased in further light and understanding, and in power and harmony, from time to time, without any written creed, relating to themselves, or any written testimony in defence of their cause, or for the public information of others.

24. Nor is this present publication to be considered as any creed to bind or influence the faith or practice of the Church, to prevent a further increase ; but as the first public testimony in writing, containing a true statement of the fundamental principles and reasons of our faith and practice, according to the measure of our present light and understanding.

25. Whatever is written on any subject, must have respect to some foundation or first principles ; and, as the living power of G-od was first ministered, in this latter day, for the purpose of destroying the false foundation and pernicious principles of antichrist ; so the work itself appeared like madness and folly to such as stood on that foundation. And in no better light would any written account of it have appeared, nor in truth, could any thing satisfactory be written, until this necessary work of preparation was accomplished, and the substance of what was to follow had come to a sufficient degree of maturity.

26. But since the subjects of the work have been broken off from their false foundation, and built upon the foundation of the present revelation of Christ, and are raised up in the order of a spiritual house, to that degree of righteousness, peace, and union, which they visibly manifest, every thing has assumed a different apppearance; so that time and circumstances have rendered it proper to state * those different operations and degrees of the work in their true nature and character.

27. And, as those first operations of the *£ower of God, in destroying the foundation of error and vice, exhibited many outward appearances which looked like confusion and wild disorder,

FIRST EDITION.

xiii owing to the mixture of human depravity and false ideas, both in the subjects of the work, and in spectators, and gave occasion to innumerable false conjectures, and groundless reports, which may have obtained some degree of credit at a distance ; it therefore seems necessary, at this time, to give this public testimony of facts, that the truth of things may be established, and every necessary satisfaction be afforded to mankind upon the authority of those who have had a perfect understanding of the work, from its earliest rise, either from their own certain knowledge, or from their most intimate acquaintance and near relation to those who were eye and ear witnesses of all the most important matters from the beginning.

28. The present publication may serve to convey general information to the unprejudiced mind, and enlighten the understanding ; yet certain it is, that the true knowledge and internal power by which we are saved from the torrent of human depravity, cannot be conveyed by letters, so as to be comprehended by the wisdom of man ; nor can any attain that treasure through any other medium than that which is given of Grod in the order of his grace.

29. Although we do not despise the rules of rhetoric established among the learned, yet we have taken no pains to adapt either our manner or style to the refined taste of the present age. If any choose to criticise or find fault on this account, they are at liberty, we intend neither vindication nor defence on this ground ; nor do we suppose that any but vain cavillers will be carried away with empty speculations of that nature, so long as the matter is clear, and the language such as sufficiently conveys our ideas.