faith, intelligence and power, as to become, in comparison with us, the Infinite.[1] Further, if the Deity was generated, it does not shock us to learn that human souls were not made, but begotten; and that by the same obedience and faith, they too will advance to higher perfection, and at least possess the same dominion, property, power and glory, now enjoyed by the Deity, whose dominion will be proportionally increased: all which sounds very much like the developement theory of a certain modern meta-physico-religious school, only a little run mad. Let us, however, go back for a moment to the seed of all these transcendental notions, the eternal existence of atoms which come together and compare intelligences; and we are thrown again upon the old whimsical theory that the earth is a great animal, endued with life;—only Mormonism goes beyond this in absurdity, and makes it capable of knowledge; and “the earth itself, even its minerals and metals, and all creation is alive.”
The transcendental spirit of this strange system is also seen in their idea of fatth, which they consider an attribute of God as well as of men. It is “the will, the principle of action, in all intelligent beings, exercised for acquiring glory and accomplishing holy works.” In the Deity no less than in thecreature, it is “the great governing principle, which has power, dominion and authority over all things.”
‘he next and last peculiar doctrine which I shall adduce, not only illustrates the transcendental tendencies of this superstition, but also the adroitness with which its founder addresses it to the strongest affections and holiest sentiments of the human heart. Starting with the postulate that things earthly are modelled after the pattern of things celestial, he connects closely the two worlds. As long as the probationary state shall continue on earth, there is a corresponding probation afforded to spirits in the other world. Upon this is founded their doctrine and practice of baptism for the dead. The living become proxies for the dead,—are baptized and fulfil all righteousness in their stead. ‘These are hereby admitted to salvation, and are added to the house-hold of the surety at his
- ↑ Gunnison: Part i.—Chap. 4.
