1. Why do not Shakers marry and conform to the customs of
the world?
Ans. Because they are called out from the world, to be no more of it, even as
Christ is not of the world; that they be not partakers of sin, but become heirs and
ministers of eternal life. John 15:18, 19; 17:16.
2. Can you give any other reason for this singularity?
Ans. Because to marry, is to become enslaved to the elements of the world, and
often to baseness and corruption. They who will overcome the world, as did Jesus and Ann,
cannot consent to be its slaves. John 16:33.
3. What other reason have Believers in Christ for rejecting marriage?
Ans. The marriage of the world is the marriage of the flesh, and is usually a
provision for the flesh. Matt. 19:5. Hence it is utterly incompatible with the free, pure,
unselfish love, which binds the family or Church of Christ together, and of which Jesus
said: A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another. John 13:34; 3:6. Rom.
13:14.
4. What is implied by the term virgin?
Ans. Pure, unadulterated, undefiled, chaste. A virgin is a continent person of
either sex who has not married.
5. What is meant by the term, A Virgin Life?
Ans. A life clean and free from the indulgence of any of the generative passions
or affections, in deed, word, thought, or propensity. 1 Cor. 7:34. ELDER G. B. AVERY.
6. What eminent examples are there of characters formed by such a life?
Ans. Jesus so lived. Thus also lived the apostles after they were called to
follow Him. Mother Ann and the elders with her, after they confessed their sins and were
baptized with the Holy Spirit, did likewise. It is believed that Elijah, Elisha, Jeremiah,
Daniel, and John the Baptist, among the Prophets, were also of this character. Mark 10:28,
29. Luke 14:33.
7. Why does the faith of Shakers require them to live the Virgin Life?
Ans. Because this, and this only, is the Christ life. It is the only way we can
keep our innocence and self-respect, preserve a clean conscience and hearts free from
guile. Only upon this basis have we perfect confidence toward God, and ability to keep His
commandments. Mark 12:30.
8. What other reason have we for maintaining the Virgin character?
Ans. Because by thus living and serving one another in unselfish love, which
shuts out all carnal affections, we become holy in body and spirit, and do write our names
in the book of life of the Lamb, and are slain as he was, from the foundation of the
world, which is natural generation. Rev. 13:8; 20:15. We also thereby, draw nigh to God,
who is infinitely pure, and the fountain of all happiness.
9. What is meant by the term holy?
Ans. Consecrated; set apart for divine service. Applied to persons or conduct,
it means separated from sin and sinful desires; clean, pure, consecrated to religious
service. 1 Pet. 2:5.
10. What do the Scriptures teach concerning our duty to be holy?
Ans. "God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness." 1
Thess. 4:7. "Pursue holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord." Heb.
12:14. As He who hath called you is holy, be ye holy in all your behavior. For it is
written, "Be ye holy; for I am holy." 1 Pet. 1:15. "Blessed and holy is he
that hath part in the first resurrection." Rev. 20:6. Isa. 35:8.
11. Who are the Saints or the Holy Ones to whom is given the final dominion of the
world in the days of Messiah, which is the reign of the Anointed?
Ans. They are those who have renounced the world and selfish propensities for
Christ's sake and the gospel. And have entered the purifying work of the Judgment, and
consecrated themselves, time, talents and strength to do the will of God henceforth
forever. Dan. 7:9, 10, 14, 22, 27. 1 Cor. 6:2. Matt. 19:28. Luke 22:30. Rev. 2:26; 3:21;
20:4.
12. What was signified by the holy place of the Jewish temple, which none but those who
served in the temple might enter, unless they were ceremonially clean, although animals
were there killed for sacrifices. And a holy of holies containing the Cherubim, the Ark of
the Covenant and the Mercy seat, where only the Chief Priest might enter, once a year, on
the solemn Day of Atonement, not without blood? Lev. 16:2, 17, 34; 22:3, 4. Num. 17:13;
18:22. Heb, 9:1-16.
Ans. It signified that there are degrees of holiness. That the highest degree
attainable under the law of types, which promoted marriage, permitted wars of conquest,
and selfish ownership, was only an antechamber to a far higher, holier state, into which
Christ opened the way by abolishing those institutions, and slaying the selfish animal man
on the daily cross of self- denial. We follow him by doing as he did. Heb. 10:5-9, 16-20.
Gal. 3:24. Luke 16:16. Matt. 5:20. 1 Pet. 2:21.
13. Can married people while living as husband and wife be holy as Christ and his
people are holy?
Ans. They cannot. The most perfect natural marriage imaginable is governed and
judged by the law of God through Moses and is in no wise a Christian institution. True
Christian holiness is of the heart. The nature of lust is the same in all, whether in or
out of wedlock.
14. What testimony of Jesus confirms this statement?
Ans. The teaching and example of Christ went further than to cancel the outward
ties of flesh, for the axe is laid at the root of the tree in the
unmistakable word: "Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her, hath already
committed adultery with her in his heart." Matt. 5:28.
15. What does the Apostle say is the difference between the married and the unmarried
with respect to holiness?
Ans. He having married cares for the things of the world how he
may please his wife. The unmarried cares for the things of the Lord how he shall please
the Lord. 1 Cor. 7:32-34. Rom. 8:8.
16. What discovery is made by those who are called to forsake the marriage relation for
the Kingdom of God?
Ans. Many learn that the wife or the husband had been given the place of highest
preference in their hearts which properly belongs to God alone, and that this relation
bound both parties by the strongest ties to the life and service of the world so long as
it continued. Experience proves that the carnal life alienates the faculties of the body
and mind from God's service.
17. What more does the Apostle say on the subject?
Ans. There is a difference also between the wife and the virgin. She that is
married cares for the things of the world how she may please her husband. She that is
unmarried, cares for the things of the Lord how she may be holy both in body and spirit.
18. What truism did Jesus utter about serving two masters?
Ans. "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and
love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other." Matt. 6:24.
Luke 16:13.
19. How is this manifested in daily practice?
Ans. He who is mastered by the carnal life of the world hates the righteous
Reprover whose doctrine requires him to forsake it. He who loves righteousness and cleaves
to truth as his Master, will despise the carnality which lords over the unclean. "To
be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." Rom.
8:6.
20. What does Jesus cite as the first and greatest commandment?
Ans. "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy
soul, with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. Matt. 22:37. Mark 12:29, 30.
21. What is the second?
Ans. The second is like the first. "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thy
self." "On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."
22. What is implied in this last statement?
Ans. That the Law and revealed instruction are developed from
these as plants from seeds: Or that they are consequent and auxiliary. This is the love of
God, that we keep His commandments. 1 John 5:3; 2:3-6.
23. What does the Apostle say is the fulfilling of the law?
Ans. The Law is fulfilled in this one word: "Love thy neighbor as
thyself." Gal. 5:14.
24. What is the doctrine taught in these Scriptures?
Ans. That the married are bound to serve self and the world, and are therefore
unable to love God perfectly with their whole heart. But the unmarried, who abstain for
Christ's sake and the gospel, are free to love and serve God perfectly, and reign
victorious over all enemies, if they will.
25. What is the testimony of Jesus on this vital subject?
Ans. "The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: but they
which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead,
neither marry, nor are given in marriage: neither can they die any more: for they are
equal to or like angels (in the heavens), and are the children of God, being the children
of the resurrection." Luke 20:34-36. Matt. 22:30. Mark 12:25, 26.
26. What is meant by the phrase, "resurrection from the dead"?
Ans. It means to be born of the spirit from above. John 3:3. Wherefore, Jesus,
being the first to rise out of the spiritual death in Adam, to spiritual life in Christ,
is called the firstborn from the dead, the firstborn of many brethren, the first fruits of
them that slept. 1 Cor. 15:20. Rom. 8:29. Col. 1:18.
27. Is the resurrection a spiritual or a physical process?
Ans. It is wholly spiritual. The defunct material body has no part in it. Christ
said, "I am the resurrection, and the life." John 11:25. Consequently all who
are in him, who is the Life-giver, are in the resurrection, whether they be in material
bodies or out of them. Rom. 6:3-13.
28. How, then, can married people become children of the resurrection?
Ans. Only by forsaking that relation as Jesus has taught:
"Whosoever there be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my
disciple." Luke 14:33.
29. When Peter said, "Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee," how did
Jesus reply to him?
Ans. Jesus answered, "Verily, I say unto you, There is no man that hath
left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands,
for my sake and the gospel, but he shall receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses,
and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions, (in
lieu of wife or husband) and in the world to come eternal life." Mark 10:28-30. Matt.
19:27-29.
30. In the parable of the supper, which one of the invited guests was unable to comply?
Ans. One said, "I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come."
Those detained by other interests begged merely to be excused. Luke 14:16-21.
31. What more on this subject did Jesus say to the multitudes that followed him?
Ans. "If any man come to me and hate not his father, mother, wife, and
children, brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own (sensual) life also, he cannot be my
disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my
disciple." Luke 14:26, 27, 33.
32. Are we to understand by this that Jesus taught his disciples to hate people or
persons?
Ans. Nay, nay, the farthest possible from that. His life and ministration, and
that of his true disciples, is wholly of love and tenderness to the good in all human
beings, even enemies, but of hatred to carnal ties which link and bind individuals
together in selfishness, lust and pride. Matt. 5:42-48. Luke 6:27-36.
33. Do Shakers desire to weaken the just obligations of marriage on those who populate
the world?
Ans. We do not. It is the exclusive right of the children of this world who
follow the first Adam, and is a wise provision for orderly generation. Luke 20:34, 35. 1
Cor. 15:45-50.
34. Does the Apostle testify that marriage is honorable in all?
Ans. It is so written, and taking into consideration the two kinds of marriage
taught in Scripture, we deem it true. But that does not make the marriage of the world,
Christian nor Christlike. Even in its worthiest state, it carries an exclusiveness and an
ownership which is abolished in Christ.
35. Of what is orderly natural marriage regarded as a type?
Ans. It is alluded to as a type of the marriage of the Lamb, which is to be
joined to Christ, or joined to the Lord in one spirit. Eph. 5:22-32. Isa. 54:5, 6.
Rev. 19:7. See B-L., verse 62 following. The type foreshadows the coming of the substance,
and must pass away to give it place.
36. Does the same Apostle testify that the gospel preached by him, is not according to
man, and he did not receive it from man, nor was he taught it but by a revelation of Jesus
Christ? Gal. 1:11, 12.
Ans. Yea. Also when about to make concessions to weakness, he testifies, It
is good for a man not to touch a woman. That is, carnally. After he had said, To avoid
fornication let every man have his own wife and every woman her own husband, he adds this
preceptive rule They that have wives should be as those not having, and they
that buy, as though they possessed not, and they that use this world as not abusing
it. For the fashion of this world passes away, [marriage included.] 1 Cor. 7:1, 29-31.
37. What is the purport of Let each have his own wife, and her own husband?
Ans. It indicates that preaching the gospel, had caused a separation between
husbands and wives which some had not faith strong enough to bear. 1 Cor. 7:7, 8. It seems
unlikely that many would wish to marry under the foregoing restrictive rules, which
illustrate the true christian practice.
38. What was the Apostle's instruction to Timothy about receiving widows under 60 years
of age, into the select, faithful number?
Ans. After describing the character of those to be admitted, he says Younger
widows refuse, for when they begin to grow wanton against Christ, they will (or wish to)
marry, having condemnation, because they have cast off their first faith. 1 Tim. 5:11.
39. What is the inevitable deduction from this statement?
Ans. That their first faith required them to abstain from marriage. That the
wish to marry after having received the faith, is the effect of wantonness against Christ.
And therefore that the marriage of the world is utterly opposed to Christ, as flesh is to
Spirit. Gal. 5:13, 17, 24. Rom. 8:5-8.
40. Why then did the Apostle counsel such to marry and guide the house, etc.?
Ans. If the Apostles gave that counsel, it should be ascribed to their lack of
faith, and to the backwardness of the age. For those who rejected the pure, chaste, virgin
rule of Christ, it may have been the best that could be given.
41. Is an orderly, moral course in nature, better than an idle, lawless course of
self-indulgence under the cloak of a religious or Shaker profession?
Ans. It is truly so. It is on this principle that even a christian Apostle could
say It is better to marry than to burn, or commit fornication, or than practice open or
secret vice of any kind. 1 Cor. 7:9; 6:9, 10. 2 Tim. 3:5, 7.
42. What is the lesson conveyed in the saying of Jesus; My kingdom is not of this
world; and concerning his disciples. They are not of the world even as I am not of the
world; I have chosen you out of the world. John 18:36; 17:16; 15:19.
Ans. We understand by this, that as true Christians are not of the world, they
cannot propagate it without turning away from Christ. Hence that marriage on the worldly
plane, is abolished by the law of Christ, in all who forsake the world and do his
commandments. Luke 14:26, 27, 33. Matt. 19:12, 27, 29; 13:44-46.
43. What is the effect of that impartial love which rules his kingdom?
Ans. It dissolves all flesh and blood ties and enables souls to rise in dominion
over the carnal, partial and contracted affections of nature, to the boundless
resurrection plane of eternal life. Luke 14:26. Matt. 10:36-39.
44. Did Paul write The Bishop must be blameless, the husband of one wife, Let
Deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well?
Ans. It is so recorded in 1 Tim. 3:2, 12. But as wife and husband are abolished
in Christ, and the same Apostle elsewhere tells us that They that have wives should be as
those not having, we infer that they lived with them as sisters. 1 Cor. 7:1, 29. A sister
might enter and give spiritual instruction in private apartments of women, where no man
but the husband was allowed to go, as is still the custom in some eastern countries.
45. Did the Apostle write to Timothy that The woman having been deceived and fallen
into transgression shall be saved through child bearing?
Ans. It may reasonably be doubted that Paul ever wrote this. The Syriac reads,
"She shall be saved by means of her children if they continue in the faith and in
love and sanctity and chastity." 1 Tim. 2:15. This agrees better with the context,
and with the general teaching of the Apostle. Elder Henry Clough, Chief Messenger of
Father Joseph Meacham, said "The prayer of a child for the parent is more [availing]
than all the Angels in heaven." Children may become the Saviors and therefore
spiritual Parents of their natural progenitors.
46. Do Shakers forbid to marry?
Ans. We do not. Only volunteers count in our ranks. But the New Testament record
proves and experience confirms that the marriage, which makes of twain one flesh, is
opposed to the command of Christ, which is the law of the New Covenant written in the
heart, as flesh is opposed to spirit, error to truth and darkness to light.
47. How then, is forbidding to many a sign of departure from the faith?
Ans. Because when the people departed from obedience to the internal
commandment, enforced by conscience, their rulers resorted to an external commandment,
enforced by state authority, to preserve an outward semblance of the christian profession.
48. What did Mother Ann say to Daniel Moseley referring to this real or supposed mark
of apostasy?
Ans. She said to him, "Do not go and report that we forbid to marry, for we
do not. But all who cannot or will not take up their crosses for the Kingdom of Christ's
sake, and that only, I would advise them to marry and live after the flesh in a lawful
manner, and be servants to their families; for that is natural and less sinful in the
sight of God than any other way of gratifying that nature. 1827 Test. page 73, 74.
49. When Jesus explained the law of marriage and divorce to the crafty Pharisees, what
impression did he make on the minds of his disciples?
Ans. His disciples said, "If the case be so, the man with the wife, it is
not good to marry." Matt. 19:10, 12.
50. What reply did Jesus make to this conclusion of theirs?
Ans. Not all men receive this saying, save they to whom it is given. There are
eunuchs which were so born. Others were made eunuchs by men. Some made themselves eunuchs
on account [Gr. dia, through or by means] of the kingdom of heaven. He that is able
to receive it, let him receive it."
51. What lesson is contained in these statements?
Ans. Inasmuch as the terms of the Gospel are equal and alike to all, we are here
taught that those who would rise to eternal life in the everlasting dominion of the
Saints, or become enrolled with the Lamb on Mt. Zion, must, in order to do so, be wholly
divested of that nature which leads people to marry and multiply carnally.
52. To whom is this exalted boon given?
Ans. To whomsoever hears and obeys the voice of the Son of God in the gospel of
virgin purity, self-crucifixion and mutual serving, proclaimed by his Messengers. He that
hath ears to hear let him hear; and let him that heareth, say Come. Rev. 22:17.
53. What promise in the Prophets was made to eunuchs that could not be fulfilled under
the Old Covenant, but which is here explained and fulfilled in the New?
Ans. "Neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree. For thus saith
the Lord unto the eunuchs that keep my Sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and
take hold of my covenant; even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a
place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting
name, that shall not be cut off." Isa. 56:3-5
54. Does the Apostle, referring to the law of a carnal commandment, say the wife is
bound by the husband so long as the husband liveth? And is not the husband also bound by
the wife?
Ans. Yea, it is even so. And the same Apostle (Rom. 10:4) declares that Christ
is the end of the law [of types and justifications of flesh (Heb. 9:10, critical
translation) but not of the law eternal], for righteousness in all that obey him. Selfish
affections vanish before the free, self-abnegating love of Christian relationship. Wife
and husband die with the old life, and the old covenant is annulled, that the little child
may live in the New Kingdom.
55. Did Jesus say, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth?" Matt.
28:18. John 3:35.
Ans. It is so written. "All power" incontestably implies power to
remove all opposing barriers, whether of law, custom, bond or contract, annulling even the
marital bond between husband and wife, as the virgin life requires. Also to open every
prison cell and free every captive that will hear and obey his commandments.
56. What is the character of the one hundred and forty-four thousand who stand with the
Lamb on Mount Zion?
Ans. These are redeemed from the earth and from among men, the
first fruits unto God and the Lamb. They are not defiled with women, [that is with carnal
sex relations, nor was the Lamb Jesus], for they are virgins, who follow the Lamb
whithersoever he goeth. And in their mouth is found no guile, for they are without fault.
Rev. 14:4, 5. 1 Cor. 7:34. Lev. 22:3, 4. Lev. chapter 15. All works offensive to the
Divine presence under the Law of Moses, are abolished in the gospel of Christ the Lamb.
57. What promise is made to the virgin character when the Lord shall gather Israel and
keep him as a Shepherd does his flock, evidently alluding to the reign of Messiah?
Ans. "They shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow
together to the goodness of Jehovah. Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both
young men and old together. And my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, saith
Jehovah. Jer. 31:4, 10-13.
58. Will you sing or repeat the words of their song?
Ans.
"This is the place where virgins meet,
To worship God with music sweet,
To join in dances all complete,
It fills my soul with pleasure:
This is the day of Jubilee,
A day of gospel liberty,
'Tis Mother's love that makes us free,
O glory, halleluia!"
59. Will you sing or repeat another psalm ?
Ans.
"Behold the pure as they advance,
One in their desire,
We now can worship in the dance,
As once said Jeremiah:
O what joy inexpressible
Have the meek and lowly,
They've a God who is accessible,
Just, pure and holy."
60. What was Mother Ann's testimony to married people?
Ans. You must forsake the marriage of the flesh, or you cannot be married to the
Lamb, nor share in the resurrection of Christ. For those who are accounted worthy to have
part in the resurrection of Christ, neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like
unto the Angels. Luke 20:35, 36. Mark 12:25. Prec. chapter 3, verse 6; chap 7, verse 15.
61. What did Mother Ann say to liberate a young man who was bound in
his affections?
Ans. The marriage of the flesh, is a covenant with death, and an agreement with
hell. Forsake your lust and that woman, and you shall be my son. Prec. 223, chapter 32,
verse 10. Isa. 28:15-18.
62. What did Mother Lucy Wright witness to Mother Ann's testimony on this subject?
Ans. You must forsake the marriage of the flesh and travel out of it in order to
be married to the Lamb, which is to be married to Christ, or joined to the Lord in one
spirit. Prec. 240, chapter 34, verse 10.
63. What did Mother Ann say was her relation to Christ?
Ans. I have often seen and conversed with the Apostles, and with Christ Jesus,
my Lord and head. No man is my head, but Christ Jesus, he is my Lord and head. I have
walked hand in hand with him in heaven. Christ is ever with me, both in sitting down and
rising up; in going out and coming in. If I walk in groves and valleys, there he is with
me, and I converse with him as one friend converses with another, face to face. She often
said I feel the blood of Christ running through my soul and body, washing me. Him do I
acknowledge as my head and Lord. She spake with great power in presence of many, saying, I
am married to the Lord Jesus Christ. He is my head and my husband, and I have no other.
Prec., chapter 23, verses 7, 13, 16, 20.
64. Did Mother Ann revive the testimony of Jesus and the cross of Christ, and
administer to those who received her teaching, power to live without sin, which, according
to their own confession, no church of married people or married preacher is able to do?
Ans. Yea, truly she did. Fruits are the test. An evil tree cannot bring forth
good fruit. When we see souls abstaining from all evil in their knowledge,
overcoming and putting an end to the world instead of yielding to it, holding their
possessions in a united and consecrated interest, and loving one another in that love by
which Jesus said, all men should know they are his disciples, we know that these fruits
proceed from the same Christ that taught the primitive disciples at Jerusalem. Matt.
7:15-20. John 13:35. Acts, 4:32.
65. How do we regard the Messenger who brought the testimony that convicted us of a
sinful nature, of a judgment that cleanses, of righteousness to be gained,
and compassed us with wisdom and knowledge to so apply the one as to make sure of the
other?
Ans. We revere that Messenger as our Mother in Christ. She administered to us,
the Holy Spirit of Truth, the Comforter which Jesus promised, should guide his children
into all Truth, and abide with them forever. John 14:16-18; 16:7-14.
66. If any who are called to this Virgin Order, by the hearing of faith, refuse to
comply, what follows?
Ans. Whoever rejects the call of the Gospel, for carnal pleasure, which is
worship of the Beast described in Revelations, he shall drink of the wine of the wrath of
God against sin, mixed undiluted [without mitigation] in the cup of His anger, and be
tormented with fire and sulphur, before the holy Messengers and before the Lamb, till he
is willing to accept mercy on any terms. Rev. 14:9-11. Matt. 22:12, 13. Prec., chapter 34,
verse 6.
67. What is taught in the parable of the great supper, which those who were invited,
refused to attend on account of selfish, worldly interests?
Ans. That the most precious and delightful things of God and the reign of the
heavens, have less attraction for the natural man, and are less desired by him, than are
the selfish ties, and transient, shadowy pursuits of the world, which blind souls from
seeing the good things of the Spirit, and hide from them the true and lasting inheritance.
Luke 14:15-24, 8:14. Matt. 13:22. Mark 4:19.
68. What doom was pronounced on those who declined the invitation?
Ans. None of those who were bidden shall taste of my supper. To be called to the
marriage feast of the Lamb, is a favor conferring opportunity to win highest honor,
conjoined with imperishable delight. To reject it, is to treat the best gift of the
Creator with unpardonable slight. Rev. 19:7-9.
69. Mother Ann said, They who finally reject this gospel, will never have another day.
How is this to be understood?
Ans. This gospel of confessing and forsaking sin and all uncleanness, and
following Christ in the regeneration, is the open door of God's mercy to man, and is the
only means of salvation that will ever be offered to a lost world. This is the Perfect
work alluded to by the Apostle in his brilliant discourse on love, for redeeming and
perfecting all souls: and establishing on earth, Christ's universal and everlasting
Dominion. The work of God in all previous Days or Dispensations, was only in parts,
preliminary to this, as we learn from the Prophets. This being the Perfect work, its
requirements and judgments are final and cannot be evaded; and as it is the Day
everlasting, there can be none after it. 1 Cor. 13:9, 10. Dan. 7:13, 14. Ps. 2:7-9. Rev.
2:26, 27; 11:15; 21:25; 22:5. Micah 4:1-4. Isa. 2:2-4. Millennial Church, chapter 4.
Prec., chapter 20, verse 5; chapter 31, verse 7 & 8. John 6:39, 40, 44, 54.
70. What did Mother Ann say concerning loss of souls?
Ans. It is written that she said Better ten souls be lost that never heard the
gospel, than one that has. Interpreted by the occasion which caused this speech, It means;
Better ten souls remain in Nature's darkness, unawakened, which would be only for a time,
than for one who has been awakened, to lose sight of the work of God and fall back into
things behind. The same as to say The last state is ten times worse than the former.
71. Did Jesus utter anything of similar purport? Matt. 12:43-45. Luke 11:24-26.
Ans. When the unclean spirit goes out of a man, it wanders through dry places
seeking rest and finding none. It then says I will go back into my house whence I came.
Finding it empty, swept and garnished; it goeth and taketh seven other evil spirits worse
than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that man is at least,
sevenfold worse than the first. 2 Pet. 2:20, 21. Heb. 6:4-8. Matt. 6:23.
72. Will you name some of the promises given those who receive and obey unto final
victory and redemption from evil?
Ans. He that overcometh, I will make a pillar in the Temple of my God, and he
shall go no more out. Rev. 3:2, 21. They shall be Kings and Priests unto God, and rule
over nations. Rev. 1:6; 2:26, 27. 1 Pet. 2:9. They will be more bright and glorious than
Angels that never were so severely tested. Prec., chapter 31, verse 8. They will be the
flower of heaven and glory of Paradise. Prec., chapter 41, verse 22. God will wipe away
all tears from their eyes and all sorrow from their hearts, and will lead them to
fountains of living waters. Rev. 7:16, 17. No adversity shall smite them, nor affliction
come nigh them any more forever. Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered
into the heart of man to conceive the things which God hath prepared for them that love
Him. 1 Cor. 2:9. "No human mind, fertile in imagination as it is, can picture to its
wildest fancy, the overpowering and transcendent beauty of the progressed and elevated
soul." SPIRIT TEACHING.
When all the affections, desires, willpower and action of the spirit are controlled by
the earnest wish to do everything in unison with the will and law of the Great First
Cause, Ye can ask what ye will and it shall be done for you.