october 10th 1876 high priest imprisoned

Anderson Note: Refers to writing a poem for the priesthood, but it s not attached – p. 82

1 Aglan Place, Walthamstow Essex, England, Oct. 10^th 1876

My dear Bro. James

With this comes my greeting to all the faithful & happy Saints kept by never yielding one precious hour in the spoiler's dominions. For whosoever does so is sure to get a scar. It was good to feel in spirit freeing itself in your last note to me & I rejoice when a brother or sister conquers & maintains the ground assailed by principalities & powers. It required force of character, energy, & an heart to stand the trials with me. It is quite easy to live along in the religions of the day beside being fashionable. A common, very common, Salvation ought not to cost much, because it is so common it takes in Negroes, Indians & every vile spirit that transgressed the righteous laws in the 1^st Estate. There they were filthy-- no bleaching here will whiten them. Others we brought with us from the schools where our Merciful God is only known by name, & where his Government, his residence, his ministering angels, his High & holy Priesthood are ignored. What wonder then, in the beginning, want of harmony has been inflicted on us, & caused us to suffer. Let us all learn from the things we have suffered & be thankful it is no worse. Nothing should hurt or destroy in the holy mountain. That Prophet wished the case may be so, & he, verily, may not be far from, even now, the identical mountain. No, he does not want us to fight with the sword. But he does want us to conquer that clever gand of wicked ones who have all along sown a sort of discord in the American Assemblies, & stayed your blessings. They know if discord can be kept up, some must tire, & come over to them. Note – none are allowed to rest, but must be in for good or evil. Watch! Convince yourselves by observation, see if those who tire are not immediately employed in vile antagonism against the Lord's servants, denouncing him, his labors, his counsels, stamping all as evil with their blasted breath, & they can't help it: for whoseover we obey, his servant, we are. This opposition began early with such men as Taylor, Dow, Parsons-- mighty mad indeed: but overlooked. Was it not unkind to thing the Lord of Hosts forgot to pluc chief authority on them, after seeing & hearing Seth, & being almost apostles? Why it was not their time. But they were not forgotten in the Revelation on the Holy Mountain. They were offered for helps in Government & here they were restless, having some better way- more experience, boundless knowledge & so their help would have been a snare. In mercy they let go early, & so far, our Merciful God keeps heading the enemy with a few, & will do this, & the earth will not be left anymore without a witness of the Fulness.

Therefore, brethren, onward ever. I hope you will have had your counsel meeting as I advised Bro. Hedrickson & that your views may be unanimous, & when your deliberations reach me, I will endeavor to meet your wishes, & offer such suggestions as may be consistent with order, & answer immediately. If I were in your midst it is likely conflicting sentiments may be avoided. I'm willing & invite suggestions from yourselves. As it is things may not be seen just as they are. One thing I would like-- to be visited-- not officially, but in a friendly way, & feel if he is at all interested at this time. And your last correspondence from Omaha forwarded to me. And also if any improper overtures have been sent from California. Also if Bowen has been written & what reply from him. And whenever you are impressed to write to me, do so at once, not waiting my reply. Write often-- it costs very little, & be assured of my consideration. Keep your meeting—post me on matters that come to your knowledge from any & every quarter, bearing on the work of those last times. Be diligent, that none suffer, while some are blessed. Encourage to industry, carefulness exceeding cleanliness. Bless the little ones in your arms for me. See to their schooling. Be friendly to those in the covenant & see you forsake it not. If you baptize any, let it be to the Lesser Priesthood, & send on their genealogy & keep your records correct & replete with all the circumstances. Inform me of W.P. Thomas—whatever the trouble may be, I can't help remembering wherever good once was. The roaring lion is always on the alert. Is there no Bre. Lecalf? Of course, in my remarks to use your prudence & exercise your right of judgement, seeing I may not exactly hit where it is required. Try to understand & also to help. Do Bros. Daniel, Just, Erasmus, or any other Bro. Or Sis. Desire a word to me? Write it-- let it come. You asked me for some doctrine in poetry. Here is your wish. It is for the Priesthood. Hoping & health & plenty is yours. My love & blessing to the faithful in whom Bro. George joins.

Faithfully, Cainan

[Editors note: the poem that was about the Return of the High Priesthood is no longer found in the archives, it is only known as a fragment as recorded by Neal Chase in his sIBC letter to Francis Spataro (3/25/1992), I have confirmed that this poem existed as relayed by Neal Chase with Glenn Goldman who also examined the poem in the archives before it's apparent loss or removal in 1997. Chase and Goldman visited the archives in 1990.]

THE HIGH PRIESTHOODS RETURN

How white is his raiment [the return of Jesus], how glittering his head;

Fresh out from the chambers where long he had stayed,

How brilliant his eyes! Like flames of a fire

Not a deed nor a thought from that gaze can retire.

How well his is prisoned by a process unshown;

The flaming sword still keeps this science unkown

with a ll his massive wisdom a spot of blood is there

Upon his heavenly garments as evidence declare

How soon began the malice with them would obey

God's will and counsel white clothed in mortal clay.