by which it is quickened, and the righteous shall inherit it."— (D. and C. 88:25-26.)

The Sea of Glass.-The key to the Apocalypse, already quoted, begins with this question concerning earth's glorious future: "What is the sea of glass spoken of by John, 4th chapter, and 6th verse, of the Revelation?" And the answer is: "It is the earth, in its sanctified, immortal, and eternal state."

One Day as a Thousand Years.-That the seven thousand years are indeed as seven great days, is virtually set forth in the Book of Abraham, where the patriarch, who was deeply learned in astronomy, and taught that science to the Egyptians, tells of a mighty governing planet nearest to the throne of God -a planet named Kolob, revolving once in a thousand years. (Abraham 3.) It is evident that such a day figured in the warning given to Adam: "In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die" (Gen. 2:17); for Adam, having eaten of the forbidden fruit, lived on to the age of 930 years. In the Book of Abraham (5:13), it is explained that the day in question was "after the time of Kolob; for as yet the Gods had not appointed unto Adam his reckoning."

The Saturday Evening of Time.—According to received chronology, four thousand years, or four of the seven great days given to this planet as the period of its temporal continuance, had passed before Christ came, while nearly two thousand years have gone by since. So that the sixth day is now drawing to a close, and we stand at the present moment in the Saturday evening of human history. Morning will break upon the Millennium, the thousand years of peace, the Sabbath of the world.

Dispensations Inter-Related.-Whatever their number, or the names by which they may be properly known, it is certain that the gospel dispensations are inter-related. They are as the links of a mighty chain, representing God's dealings with man, and extending from the dawn of creation down to and beyond the present time.

Symbolical and Prophetic.-Those dispensations are likewise symbolical and prophetic in character, pointing forward

and finding their culmination, their prospective and complete fulfilment, in the great and final dispensation that is destined to bring about "the restitution of all things." This is "Mormonism's" mission upon earth-"Mormonism," a nick-name for the Everlasting Gospel, brought back once more for the purpose of completing the Lord's work as pertaining to this planet, binding in one the dispensations, and merging them into the last and greatest of all-the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times.

Adam Holds the Keys.-The Prophet Joseph Smith treats thus the theme of the Gospel dispensations:

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"Commencing with Adam, who was the first man, the first and father of all, not only by progeny, but the first to hold the spiritual blessings, to whom was made known the plan of ordinances for the salvation of his posterity unto the end, and to whom Christ was first revealed, and through whom Christ has been revealed from heaven, and will continue to be revealed from henceforth;-Adam holds the keys of the dispensation of the fullness of times; i. e., the dispensation of all the times have been and will be revealed through him from the beginning to Christ, and from Christ to the end of all the dispensations that are to be revealed." ("History of the Church," Vol. IV, pp. 207, 208.)

"All Things in Christ."-Having cited Paul (Ephesians 1: 9, 10), as showing how God "purposed in himself, that in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth," the Prophet goes on to say:

"Now the purpose of himself, in the winding up scene of the last dispensation, is that all things pertaining to that dispensation should be conducted precisely in accordance with the preceding dispensations.

"And again. God purposed in himself that there should not be an eternal fulness until every dispensation should be fulfiled and gathered together in one, and that all things whatsoever that should be gathered together in one in those dispensations unto the same fulness and eternal glory, should be in Christ Jesus; therefore he set the ordinances to be the same forever and ever, and set Adam to watch over them, to reveal them from heaven to man, or to send angels to reveal them.

"This, then,, is the nature of the Priesthood: every man holding the presidency of his dispensation, and one man holding the presidency of them all, even Adam; and Adam receiving his presidency and authority from the Lord, but cannot receive a fulness until Christ shall present the kingdom to the Father, which shall be at the end of the last dispensation."-(Ibid, pp. 208-209.)

Distinctive Features.-Each dispensation stands for some particular development of God's work. Each period possesses certain distinguishing characteristics, to point out which, rather than to give an exhaustive narration of events and happenings, is the aim of the present article. In the Adamic dispensation, or the period during which Adam lived upon the earth, in addition to the Creation and the Fall, already treated in previous chapters, we find the following distinctive features:

(1) The institution of the law of sacrifice, foreshadowing the Atonement that was to be made by the Lamb of God.

(2) The introduction and first promulgation of the Gospel, as a means of redeeming mankind from the effects of the Fall.

(3) The original exercise of the evangelical power and authority by Father Adam, the patriarch of the humany family. Sacrifice Instituted. Respecting the law of sacrifice, it is written:

"And Adam and Eve, his wife, called upon the name of the Lord, and they heard the voice of the Lord from the way toward the Garden of Eden, speaking unto them, and they saw him not; for they were shut out from his presence.

"And he gave unto them commandments, that they should worship the Lord their God, and should offer the firstlings of

their flocks, for an offering unto the Lord. And Adam was obedient unto the commandments of the Lord.

"And after many days an angel of the Lord appeared unto Adam, saying: Why dost thou offer sacrifices unto the Lord? And Adam said unto him: I know not, save the Lord commanded me.

"And then the angel spake, saying: This thing is a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father, which is full of grace and truth.

"Wherefore, thou shalt do all that thou doest in the name of the Son, and thou shalt repent and call upon God in the name of the Son for evermore."-(Moses 5:4-8.)

Revelation Necessary.-Adam knew all about the law of sacrifice-knew all about it in the spirit; for he was one of those who had sat in the eternal councils, where the plan of salvation was framed, and the choice made of a Redeemer and Savior. He helped to form that plan, and to choose the One who would put it into effect. Adam knew all about the Lamb of God, slain in theory from the foundation of the world, and yet to be slain literally upon the earth, an event symbolized by the sacrifice that he was in the very act of offering, perhaps, when the angel accosted him. But he had forgotten it all, so great is the change that comes over the spirit in passing from pre-mortal into mortal conditions. Hence the necessity of such a visitation, to enlighten him. Hence, also, the necessity of revelation by the Holy Ghost, the Comforter, bringing things past to remembrance, showing things to come.

The Gospel's Introduction. The introduction of the Gospel is thus narrated:

"And the Lord God called upon men by the Holy Ghost everywhere and commanded them that they should repent."— (Moses 5:14.)

"And he called upon our father Adam by his own voice, saying: I am God: I made the world, and men before they were in the flesh.

"And he also said unto him: If thou wilt turn unto me, and hearken unto my voice, and believe, and repent of all thy transgressions, and be baptized, even in water, in the name of

mine Only Begotten Son, who is full of grace and truth, which is Jesus Christ, the only name which shall be given under heaven whereby salvation shall come unto the children of men, ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost; asking all things in His name, and whatsoever ye shall ask, it shall be given you.

"And now, behold, I say unto you: This is the plan of salvation unto all men, through the blood of mine Only Begotten, who shall come in the meridian of time.

"And it came to pass, when the Lord had spoken with Adam, our father, that Adam cried unto the Lord, and he was caught away by the Spirit of the Lord, and was carried down into the water, and was laid under the water, and was brought forth out of the water.

"And thus he was baptized, and the Spirit of God descended upon him, and thus he was born of the Spirit, and became quickened in the inner man.

"And he heard a voice out of heaven, saying: Thou art baptized with fire, and with the Holy Ghost."—(Moses 6:51, 52, 62, 64-66.)

"And thus the Gospel began to be preached, from the beginning, being declared by holy angels sent forth from the presence of God, and by his own voice, and by the gift of the Holy Ghost.

"And thus all things were confirmed unto Adam, by an holy ordinance, and the Gospel preached, and a decree sent forth, that it should be in the world, until the end thereof; and thus it was. Amen." (Moses 5:58, 59.)

Adam as Patriarch.-Concerning Adam's patriarchal ministry, we are thus enlightened by Joseph the Seer:

He

"I saw Adam in the valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman. called together his children and blessed them with a patriarchal blessing. The Lord appeared in their midst, and he (Adam) blessed them all and foretold what should befall them to the latest generation."—("History of the Church,” Vol. III, p. 388.)

Patriarchal Order and Descent.-Respecting the patriarchal order, the Lord says:

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