for, remember, non-professors
have no _form of godliness_, but those ungodly characters spoken of
were to have a _form of godliness_, _denying the power thereof_. But,
if you doubt Paul's testimony on the subject, look around you, examine
for yourselves. "By their fruits ye shall know them." My heart is
pained while I write. Alas, has it come to this; has the Spirit of
Truth removed the veil of obscurity from the last days, only to
present us with the vision of a fallen people; an apostate church,
full of all manner of abominations, and even despising those who are
good; while they themselves have nothing left but the form of
godliness, denying the power of God; that is, setting aside the direct
inspiration and supernatural gifts of the Spirit, which ever
characterize the Church of Christ? Was it forgive them their errand and mission, and to clothe
them with power from on high to execute the great work, in defiance of
opposing elements, and all the opposition of earth and hell combined.
But do you ask: "Why is the Lord to commission men by actual
revelation?" I reply, because He has no other way of sending men in
any age. "No man," says the Apostle, "taketh this honor upon himself,
but he that is called of God, as was Aaron." Now, we all acknowledge
that Aaron was called by revelation.

Now the great Jehovah never did, nor never will, acknowledge the
priesthood or ministry of any man who is not called by revelation, and
inspired, as in days of old. But, "O!" says the reader, "you startle
me, for the whole train of modern divines profess no