READY REFERENCES. A COMPILATION OF SCRIPTURE TEXTS, ARRANGED IN SUBJECTIVE ORDER, WITH NUMEROUS DESIGNED ESPECIALLY FOR THE USE OF MISSIONARIES AND SCRIPTURE STUDENTS. PRINTED AND FOR SALE AT THE MILLENNIAL STAR OFFICE, PREFACE. SOME months since a couple of humble Elders from Utah, laboring in the British Mission, began compiling a small volume each of Scripture texts for their own use, by clipping passages out of the Bible, arranging them in subjective order, and pasting them in memorandum books. Several considerations combined to induce them to do this. In the first place, their memories were not sufficiently retentive to enable them to quote literally, and give chapter and verse for, all the passages required to support the various principles they were expected to preach upon in public, or converse with strangers about in private. Again, it was not always convenient to carry a Bible in the pocket, and if they did so, it was somewhat troublesome to turn to the various passages wanted in consecutive order. And finally, they were expected to prove whatever they taught from the Bible, for, devoutly as these Elders believed in the more modern revelations of God to man, the people of England generally were not willing to concede their validity. After compiling these small books, and finding them very handy in their labors, it occurred to them that if such a work were published, and especially if a few collateral notes from profane history, or from writers of accepted reliability, were added, it would be appreciated and found useful by others engaged as they were. With this in view, one of these Elders, who had some knowledge of the typographic art, applied himself during his odd moments, when not engaged with other duties, to the labor of setting the type for it in the MILLENNIAL STAR Office, and getting it stereotyped, four pages at a time. Others were ready to extend encouragement and some assistance in collecting the matter for the historical notes, and the result is the present volume, published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Elders mentioned, in compiling and setting the type for the work, have performed their part as a labor of love, and with the hope that it may be issued at the lowest possible price (sufficient only to cover the cost of stereotyping, paper, press work and binding;) they feel to dedicate it to the cause of God and to the especial use of the Elders who are laboring in the ministry. 42, ISLINGTON, LIVERPOOL, Nov. 15, 1884. CONTENTS. The Gospel, 9; Not of Man, 10; Its antiquity, 11; Preached to the dead, 11; All to be judged by it, 12; Class of men called to preach, 13; Authority Faith-What it is, 15; The principle of power, 16; in God, 17; in Jesus Christ, 18; in the Holy Ghost, 19; in the Gospel, 20; in the Priesthood, 21; Con- tinuous revelation, 22; Necessity of faith, 23; Salvation promised through it, 24; Blessings promised, 25; Faith and works, 26. Repentance, 29: Two kinds, 30; Rewards promised, 31; Penalty of non-re- Baptism-a law of God, 34; Meaning of the word, and manner of ordinance- Notes from historians, 35; Compared to a burial and planting, 37; Object of it, 38; Proper subjects for, 38; Notes on infant baptism, 40; When sprinkling was inaugurated, 41. The Holy Ghost promised, 42; Manifestations of the Spirit, 43; How con- ferred, 44; Notes from historians, 45. Laying on Hands for healing of sick, 46; To confer blessings, 48. Church Organization-What it consists of, 49; Its officers, 49; Prophets and Apostles, 50; Evangelists, High Priests and Seventies, 52; Bishops and Elders, 53; Priests, Teachers and Deacons, 54; Spiritual gifts, 55. Divine Authority-Necessity of it, 56; Given to the Apostles, 57; How Con- Apostasy from the Gospel-Foretold, 59; Universal, 60; Internal causes, 61; External, 62; Present condition of the world, 63. Restoration of the Gospel, and the establishment of the kingdom of God, 67; The Scattering of Israel, 69; Reasons for the scattering, 70. Gathering of Israel, 71: To be gathered, 72; Where from, etc., 74; Promised Second Coming of Christ, 83; Signs to precede His coming, 84; How He will come, 85; Where He will come to, 86. The Atonement, 87; Fore-ordained, 88; Original sin atoned for, 89; Applica |