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Experimental investigation of the spirit manifestations, [electronic ...

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398 RELIGIOUS ERRORS OF MR. MAIIAN.that it liad been found in a temple or elmrcli, <strong>the</strong>re being no o<strong>the</strong>r evidence<strong>of</strong> its not having been forged by <strong>the</strong> priest, or his accomplices,than his own allegation? What better evidence would <strong>the</strong>re be <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>sacred origin <strong>of</strong> such a document, than <strong>the</strong>re is <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Book <strong>of</strong> Mormon<strong>the</strong> ]5ible brought forward by Joe Smith ? Yet <strong>the</strong> following quotationwillshow that <strong>the</strong>re was no Bible in use in Judea in <strong>the</strong> reign <strong>of</strong> Josiah,350 years after <strong>the</strong> reign <strong>of</strong> David, and just before <strong>the</strong> Babylonian captivity;and that,<strong>the</strong> true worship.in consequence, idolatry had to a great extent superseded1938. Under <strong>the</strong>se circumstances, <strong>the</strong> high priest alleged a cop}" <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>Bible to be found, and sent it by a scribe to <strong>the</strong> king.This monarch hadlived in such ignorance <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> existence <strong>of</strong> this holy code, that he wasthrown into a state <strong>of</strong> such deep penitence for <strong>the</strong> sinful omissions arisingfrom his ignorance, as to rend his clo<strong>the</strong>s by way <strong>of</strong> expressing his sorrow.Moreover, orders were forthwith given to have <strong>the</strong> abuses abated,which had been introduced solely through ignorance.1939. I view this evidence <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> highest importance at this time, whensuch men as Mahan, and <strong>the</strong> anonymous author <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> parodied letter,(1182,) are appealing to <strong>the</strong> Bible as <strong>the</strong> inspired word <strong>of</strong> God, and thusmaking Crod sanction a catalogue <strong>of</strong> atrocious crimes and indecencies, andwhen this imposture is to sit as an incubus on those truly moral impressionswhich <strong>the</strong> blessed <strong>spirit</strong>s <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> immortal "Washington and o<strong>the</strong>rworthies, as well as my honoured fa<strong>the</strong>r, would communicate for <strong>the</strong> amelioration<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> religion and morals <strong>of</strong> mankind.I repeat, that I considerit <strong>of</strong> immense importance that attention should be called to <strong>the</strong> questionablefoundation on which <strong>the</strong>se pretensions to inspiration are erected. Ishall,<strong>the</strong>refore, not only quote a portion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se pretended icords <strong>of</strong> God,but also that part <strong>of</strong> a chapter in <strong>the</strong> Book <strong>of</strong> Josephus which narrates<strong>the</strong> same all-important occurrence more fully and satisfactoril}-, thoughgiving <strong>the</strong> same evidence essentially.Scriptural Account <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Finding <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Boohs <strong>of</strong> Moses hi/ Hilkiah,<strong>the</strong> High Priest.— 2 Chron. xxxiv. ;2 Kings xxii.1940. '^ And when <strong>the</strong>y brought out <strong>the</strong> money that was brought into<strong>the</strong> house <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Lord, Ililkiah <strong>the</strong> priest found a book <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> law <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>Lord given by Moses. And Hilkiah answered and said to Shaphan <strong>the</strong>scribe, I have found <strong>the</strong> book <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> law in <strong>the</strong> house <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Lord. AndIlilkiah delivered <strong>the</strong> book to Shaphan. And Shaphan carried <strong>the</strong> book to<strong>the</strong> king, and brought <strong>the</strong> king word back again, saying, All that wascommitted to th}^ servants, <strong>the</strong>y do it. And <strong>the</strong>y have ga<strong>the</strong>red toge<strong>the</strong>r<strong>the</strong> money that was found in <strong>the</strong> house <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Lord, and have delivered itinto <strong>the</strong> hand <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> overseers, and to <strong>the</strong> hand <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> workmen. ThenShaphan <strong>the</strong> scribe told <strong>the</strong> king, saying, Hilkiah <strong>the</strong> priest hath givenme a book. And Shaphan read it before <strong>the</strong> king. And it came to passwhen <strong>the</strong> king had heard <strong>the</strong> words <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> law, that he rent his clo<strong>the</strong>s.And <strong>the</strong> king commanded Ililkiah, and Ahikam <strong>the</strong> son <strong>of</strong> Shaphan, and

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