1. Serious objection is raised to this line of argument by the author of the "defense," who attempts to place me in a false position by imputing to me expressions that are not here conveyed. Had he been honest in his argument he would have fairly presented what I have had to say; but this he has studiously avoided throughout his reply. Here he argues that the provisions in these revelations regarding a "successor" were not limited in their scope, but were to be carried out during the life of Joseph Smith. I respectfully call his attention to an editorial in the _Saints' Herald_ of August 18, 1888. At that time Joseph Smith, his president, and William W. Blair, counselor, were the editors of the _Herald_. The article is called "_The Power to Perpetuate the Church_." After quoting these passages the author--presumably the editor, or his assistant, for it is an editorial--continues: (d) "The authority to ordain is given unto the Church. (e) " 'Verily, I say unto you, the keys of this kingdom shall never be taken from you, while thou art in the world, neither in the world to come; nevertheless, through you shall the oracles be given to another; yea, even unto the Church.' (f) "This language was addressed to Joseph Smith, the one who had been appointed of God to hold and exercise the gift to receive commandments and revelations for the Church, two full years after it was said through him _that if he fell away he should have power only to appoint one in his stead_. The saying is preceded by the statement that the sins of Joseph Smith had been forgiven him, and he should bear the keys from thenceforth. (g) "Joseph Smith was taken away dying a martyr, of which death he was conscious and made preparation before it occurred. He was not accused of the Lord of transgression and the gift that had been conferred upon him taken from him; nor was there a command given him to appoint another in his stead because he had been unworthy and the Lord proposed to depose him from his office. _It was only in the event of the gift being taken from him that he was to so appoint another. This event did not occur_. * * * "If Joseph Smith had been adjudged unworthy to longer bear the "keys" and exercise the "gift," which had been conferred upon him, he was under obligation to declare it, at the command of God, and to designate who the Lord had ordained to act in his stead. _The fact that no such declaration was made_, is strong proof that no command came from God, and _no one was so designated to act in his stead_ while he was still living. This proof is made stronger still by the declaration made by Joseph Smith just before his death: "I go as a lamb to the slaughter."