Aaronic or Levitical priesthood proper was given; and the fact that there was given the household of Aaron and the tribe of Levi a special priesthood, by no means detracts from the right and power of the higher or Melchisedek priesthood to officiate in the ordinances of the law of Moses; for certainly the higher order of priesthood may officiate in the functions of the lower, when necessity requires it. All the sacrifices and ordinances under the law of Moses, administered by the Nephite priesthood, I say again, were observed with due appreciation of the fact that they were of virtue only as they shadowed forth the things to be done by Messiah when he should come to earth, in the flesh, on his great mission of atonement." (Y. M. M. I. A. Manuals, 1903-5, pp. 137-8.) LESSON V. SCRIPTURE READING EXERCISE. _THE ANCIENT AMERICAN SCRIPTURE--THE BOOK OF MORMON. (Continued.)_ ANALYSIS. REFERENCES. _I. The Value of the Book of Mormon._ Y. M. M. I. A. Manual (No. 7), Chap. ii. 1. As a Witness to the Authenticity The Gospel, Chap. vii and Credibility of the Bible. and viii. (a) Of Parts of the Old Testament. I Nephi, v: 10-16, and (b) Of Parts of the New Testament. Comments Y. M. M. I. A. (c) Of the Whole Gospel Story. Manual (No. 7), pp. 14, 15. Note. 2. As Contributing Larger Views of II Nephi, xxix. Alma, the Justice and Mercy of God in xxxix: 1-8. See also "Defence His Hand-Dealings with the Human of the Faith and Race in Respect of Revelation. the Saints" Art. Revelation (a) With the Ancient Americans--Jaredite and Inspiration, also and Nephites. note. (b) With the Gentiles. (c) With All Nations and Races of Men. _SPECIAL TEXT: "I ought not to harrow up in my desires the firm decree of a just God, for I know that he granteth unto men according to their desires, whether it be unto death or unto life; yea, I know that he alloteth unto men, according to their wills; whether they be unto salvation or unto destruction."_--ALMA. _NOTES._ 1. _The Witness of the Western Hemisphere:_ A writer (Rev. John Watson--"Ian Maclaren") held much in esteem by the orthodox Christian world--and deservedly so--in a noble work, "The Life of the Master," issued from the press, 1901, said: