apostle's injunction, however, anticipated no authority except what we have through the apostles and recorded in the New Testament. If we ask, What is essential in order to the saints giving thanks to God through Christ the answer is in the following: "Now unto Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly, above all that we ask or think in the power of His might which works within us—unto Him in Christ Jesus, be glory in the church, even to all the generations of the age of ages. Amen."—Eph. 3: 20, 21.—Conybeare.
To approach God through the mediation of Christ, we must approach Him in the institution of which Christ is the head, and do so through the rules and regulation that Christ gave. In order to the glory of God, and the eternal interests of humanity no book is needed but the Bible, no institution but the church, nor any rules, except what are contained in the New Testament. The church of Jesus Christ, as given through the ministry of the apostles, gives, in man's behalf, the fulness of, and the manifold wisdom of God. Eph. 1: 22, 23, and 3: 8–10. Any other institution, with other rules and regulations, would be something outside of the fulness and wisdom of God—something hence, in which we could not have the mediation of Christ. This amounts to a positive prohibition of our accepting a Mormon institution, the Book of Mormon, or any revelation this side of the apostles of Christ. We are, hence, by the authority of God prohibited from accepting the Book of Mormon, or Smith's revelations. During our recent debate with a champion of Mormonism we asked: "Is it essential to our salvation that we accept Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon? Answer yes or no." He would not answer. We then turned to him and said: "In view of the eternal interests of this people I demand that you tell us: "Is it essential to our salvation that we accept Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon?" Answer yes, or no. I pause for a reply." We waited, all eyes were fixed upon him, the audience sat in silent suspense, but not a word would he utter. We then handed him the following syllogisms.
