Saturday Night Thoughts: A Series of Dissertations on Spiritual, Historical, and Philosophic ThemesWhitney, Orson F. (Orson Ferguson)
Religion
Saturday Night Thoughts: A Series of Dissertations on Spiritual, Historical, and Philosophic Themes
Whitney, Orson F. (Orson Ferguson)
Latter Day Saint churches
Symbolized by the Soul.--The Government of God, with its two mighty
wings of priestly power and authority, corresponds to and is symbolized
by the soul. As spirit and body constitute the soul, so the Melchizedek
and Aaronic priesthoods constitute the government of the Church of
Christ. Through the medium of the body, with its various members and
organs, the things of this life are possessed and utilized, while
those pertaining to a higher state of existence are apprehended and
made use of by means of the spiritual faculties. Even so, by these
two priesthoods, differing in powers and prerogatives, yet allied,
interwoven and harmonious in their mutual workings, is carried on in
all worlds the sublime work of Omnipotence.
Furthermore, to extend the analogy, it is the spirit or higher part of
man that controls, directs and supplies the motive power of the body,
being the vital mainspring of this wondrous piece of machinery, whose
functions are forwarded by the animation resulting from the union
of the twain. In like manner, the Melchizedek Priesthood, holding
the keys of presidency, controls and directs the entire body of the
Church; delegating, however, a portion of its authority to the Lesser
Priesthood, that it likewise may wield a legitimate influence and
execute the purposes for which it was designed.
"No Man Taketh This Honor."--Men cannot constitute themselves servants
of the Lord. They must be called by him--literally called and ordained,
or they are not qualified to speak and act in his name and stead. While
there is no ban upon doing good, and all are free to promote truth
and practice righteousness, and will reap sure reward for so doing,
there is no such thing as heavenly sanction upon usurped office and
authority. The Scriptures make this fact exceedingly plain. [5] "God
will not acknowledge that which he has not called, ordained and chosen."
[6]
Christ The Head.--Jesus Christ is the great "Apostle and High Priest,"
[7] standing at the head of the priestly-kingly Order of Melchizedek.
It was originally styled "The Holy Priesthood after the Order of the
Son of God;" but this title was changed out of reverence for the
Supreme Being, to avoid "the too frequent repetition" of the all-sacred
name. Melchizedek's name was substituted, because he "was such a great
High Priest." [8] "Apostle" means "Messenger," or one who is sent.
The use of the term, as one of the titles of the Savior, is warranted
by the fact that the Son was sent forth by the Father. [9] He was
therefore the Father's messenger. In like manner, those sent forth by
the Son are his apostles or messengers, particularly the twelve special
witnesses.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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