Hannah Cohoon, The Tree of Light or Blazing Tree, 1845

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Today’s sharing from the Blue House of Via-HYGEIA, is an extract from ‘A Summary View of the Millennial Church or the United Society of Believers, commonly called SHAKERS. General Principles of their Faith and Testimony’. Published by the Shakers in 1823; Reprinted in 1848. It is from part V, chapter 5, from page 231 to 238. The Shakers-among many other religious groups that were severely persecuted, such as the Family of Love, the followers of Antoinette Bourignon, the Cathares, are a good examples of a gentle attitude and of a humble receptivity, a strong will to embody God’s given virtues, and of a vigilant abstinence of earthly distractions, that make us indifferent to spiritual life.

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Part V -CHAPTER 5.

A brief illustration of the necessity of Divine Revelation, that man may know and truly understand the character of the Divine Being, and the true order of his work.

1. THE preceding explanation of the progressive rise and increase of the four Dispensations, brings to view the importance and necessity of noticing the increasing displays of divine revelation to man, in every increasing degree of the work of God, in all ages of the world, to the end of time. Whatever knowledge man may obtain by natural wisdom, concerning the things of nature, certain it is, that nothing in reality can be known of the true God, nor of His Divine nature; nor can anything be known of the true nature of any spiritual beings or principles, except by Divine revelation.

2. All the knowledge that man ever did or ever can obtain by any means short of this, ever has and ever will leave him without the real knowledge of a future state, or of the ultimate destiny of his creation and the retributions of eternity. These things he cannot know without a teacher truly inspired from Heaven, from whence alone that power and knowledge can originate, and can be displayed to mortals. This is evident from the unsuccessful researches of natural wisdom in all ages: for the wisdom of the most wise has universally failed of finding out the true God, or of learning the way of salvation from sin, or of gaining that which their souls desired.

3. Therefore St. Paul truly saith, “What man knoweth the things of man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.” Hence it is clearly evident that the things of God are known only by his Spirit. They can never be known by man, except through divine revelation. This will doubtless be readily admitted by all professors of Christianity. But at the same time, it appears to be a general sentiment among them, that all divinely inspired communications closed with the Apostles; that all needful revelation, to the end of time, is contained in what is called The canon of Scripture.

4. But we would ask what evidence have they that the canon of scripture was compiled and closed by Divine authority? We have no such evidence. On the contrary, this was evidently done, according to all the accounts we have, by natural men, destitute of any authority from the spirit of God. And we would ask, Do not those who have assumed such authority, presumptuously tempt God, and “limit the Holy One of Israel;” as did Israel of old? Is not this causing the Holy One of Israel to cease from before them? And is it not causing themselves to be led by the commandments of men, instead of the Spirit of God?

5. But why should revelation cease?  Is not God “the same yesterday, today and forever?” Does God cease to work, or to reveal himself to his people? If not, how then has revelation ceased? Hear the words of the Savior. “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me; and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.” Surely then, this manifestation coming from Christ, must be divine revelation. Will anyone dispute his promises? Certainly none that have faith in him. Then it conclusively follows, that such as keep his commandments, will receive divine revelations from his spirit.

6. This was the case with the Primitive Christians; so long as they walked, in a good degree, in his commandments, they were favored with divine revelations, by which the mind and will of God was made known to them, according to their then present needs, as attested by the most authentic records. But when they ceased to keep the commands of Christ, they fell into the spirit and nature of the world, and shut out the spirit of Christ; therefore they could not receive his promise. And after having, by their disobedience, shut the avenues of revelation from their own faithless hearts, they presumed by their natural sagacity to close the avenue to all others, by confining divine revelation, wholly to the Bible, which they had limited and imposed upon mankind as the only infallible word of God.

7. They have evidently followed the ways of their predecessors, the Scribes and Pharisees of old, upon whom Christ pronounced a woe, because they took away the key of knowledge, and would neither enter in themselves nor suffer others to enter. Thus they shut up the kingdom of Heaven; and they and their deluded followers have all fallen under this woe, and remain under it to this day; for they have thereby lost the revelation of the Divine Spirit, which is the only sure key to the knowledge of the things of God.

8. But we would ask, on what grounds can anyone suppose that there is never to be any further revelation from Heaven, than that which is contained in the Bible? Certainly none of the works of the Creator prove any such thing.  All the productions and works of nature are brought forth, and increase and grow to maturity by a continually increasing administration of the same elements from their beginning; and without this continual administration they must of necessity, wither and die.

9. Again, all the natural and artificial arts and sciences among men, are brought forth by newly revealed principles of natural light, and may with propriety be termed the effects of natural revelation. They are generally revealed to some individual, and are improved and brought to maturity by the continual increase of knowledge and the application of its original principles. The things of nature have generally been progressing in this manner, for thousands of years, though very slowly during the dark ages. And it may be seen by every observer that these natural revelations and improvements are now more frequent and rapidly increasing, at the present time than in any preceding age of the world.

10. These things all can see; and shall the spiritual work of God alone remain stationary? For in comparison with this, all earthly knowledge and all natural improvements sink into insignificance. “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul.” Though he should gain all the natural knowledge in the universe, and all natural things therein, he could not thereby gain either the knowledge or power of salvation. For the world by wisdom never did and never can know God. Hence we see the indispensable necessity of the continual influence and application of the Spirit of God, in order to know the things that concern the eternal welfare of the soul, and to gain the treasures of immortality: and these can be received only by divine revelation.

11. In no part of the scriptures is the least intimation given, that the revelations of the Divine and Holy Spirit to man, will ever cease; but there are many declarations to the contrary. Thus saith the Lord by the prophet Isaiah: “The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.”  How is this prophecy to be fulfilled without a greater display of divine revelation and power than has ever yet appeared on earth?

12. If it be answered that this will be effected by the extensive circulation of the scriptures, we would then ask: How much have those nations among whom the Bible has been most extensively circulated, for ages past, and at a vast expense, been benefited thereby? And how far has the knowledge of the Lord covered the earth by these expensive emissions? And is it not indeed very evident that some more powerful agents than the letters and words of the Bible and its hireling missionaries, must be sent forth by divine revelation, in order to effect this great work, which the Lord has promised by the prophet.

13. Again, saith the prophet: “Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice, with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion.” Is this fulfilled among those who profess to be set as watchmen and guides merely by bible authority? Are they not more and more bewildered in their senses, and divided in their opinions, the more the Bible is studied and commented upon among them, without the Divine Spirit and light of revelation? If this be so, are they not, with all their bible knowledge, blind guides, destitute of the only true guide, the revelation of the Holy Spirit, which Christ promised to those who kept his commandments? “If ye, then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?”  Hence they do not receive it, because they do not ask in faith.

14. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable to the man of God,” and is a true witness for Christ; but the scriptures cannot be truly understood, except by inspiration of the Spirit that gave them. Without this, the natural man is exposed to wrest them to his own destruction, as is evident from the many pernicious principles professedly founded upon the scriptures. Have the authors of these principles received their instructions from Heaven? Certainly not. Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.  Has God ever repealed this promise?  Or dare any man say that it does not extend to the end of time?

15. In vain do blind mortals attempt to limit the divine inspirations of Heaven, or to declare the revelations of God to man to be finished, and no more to be expected.  God hath declared no such thing.  Thus saith the Lord by the prophet Joel, as quoted in Acts 2:17: “And it shall come to pass in the last days, I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophecy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.”  Can any rational mind believe that this prophecy can be fulfilled without such an extensive outpouring of the Spirit of God, in revelations, visions and prophecies as never has been witnessed on earth, since man was created?

16. St. Peter indeed quotes this prophecy, and applies it to the outpouring of the spirit on the day of Pentecost.  But as the apostle testified that they knew in part and prophesied in part; when that which was perfect should come, then that which was in part should be done away. Hence this prophecy could be but in part fulfilled in that day, and under that dispensation. Besides, the Spirit was far from being poured out upon all flesh in that day. In another discourse Peter foretells the times of refreshing which shall come from the presence of the Lord, in a future dispensation, which he calls “the times of the restitution of all things.”

17. These things therefore remain to be accomplished in the latter days, in the dispensation of Christ’s second coming, when “he shall appear the second time, without sin, unto salvation.” We therefore have the promise of a time when the displays of Divine Light and Power will be revealed in such a marvelous manner as to fulfill the concluding part of the prophecy; “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” That is to say, sufficient light and power will be revealed, that all souls who will receive and faithfully obey the final call, will find salvation from all sin.

18. By divine revelation, in the union of the first and second appearing of Christ, the unchangeable principles of godliness have been brought to light and established as the foundation of the eternal law of life, for the government of all the followers of Christ forever. And no divine revelation ever will or ever can be given contrary to these principles. Nothing contrary to the holy life and doctrines of the Savior, can ever stand in his kingdom: for there is no true gospel but in the revelation of his Divine nature. But the work of his kingdom will forever increase from one degree of order and glory to another. Then, of course, there certainly must be a continued revelation to direct and bring forth the work in every increasing degree of this order.

19. The Savior taught us in praying, to say, “Give us this day our daily bread;” for we need a daily supply.  The food that supplied our wants last year, effected the object for which it was designed; but can be of no use to us now.  We must have a fresh supply to support life, as we advance along the path of our natural existence. So with spiritual food: the revelation of God to us, is spiritual food to the soul; and when we have received it, we can enjoy the benefit of it.  But when it has effected its object and done its work, it can do no more for us at that time; we shall need another supply; a further revelation then becomes necessary for our further support.

20. For if we should go back to our former religious experience and bible revelation, with a view to feed upon that, and refuse to be led by present revelation, in the present degree of God’s work, we should find no substance in it; it would be like feeding upon husks. Therefore the present gift of God, which is present revelation, is always necessary for our support. A past revelation, though important in its day, is like past time, it cannot be recalled. Therefore let all believers who have embraced the gospel of Christ’s second appearing, be careful how they look back to the order of their former experience, and trust in that for support. They must have and feel the present experience of a present revelation.

21. But all the good fruit brought forth by the preceding revelation, may be gathered and be useful, and be still further perfected in the increasing work of a future degree. But the order of that future work may be as different from the former as the making of bread for the food of man is different from the manner and work of raising the grain.

22. Here is the ground on which many who have been zealous in the cause of religion, and received great light in a former degree of the work of God, yet fail to take hold of an increasing degree of the work which follows. They do not comprehend the spiritual benefit of this proffered advancement; but have, in their own wisdom, devised something to correspond with their own views. If they cannot do this, they are exposed, and often do reject the whole work, lose their former convictions and fall back to the world, and are lost. We would that all such souls be solemnly warned by this consideration, and beware of indulging a spirit of unbelief in the proffered increase of gospel light, by means of which many have missed their day of salvation.

23. When the primitive church fell and lost the revelation of the Holy Spirit, and blended their doctrines with the principles of the world, the power of the true gospel of Christ was withdrawn from it, and could never be restored and brought to light in its purity, without a second revelation of the same Divine Spirit, in more perfect order than in the first revelation.  For that degree of light and power which could not keep the church from falling, could not restore it when fallen.

24. But we bless that God from whom flows every good and perfect gift, that we live to see the day in which, by the second appearing of Christ, the work of the everlasting gospel has been revived and brought to light in its purity.  And by this divine revelation, all his promises are effected: for the church of the latter day has been thereby brought forth and established in more perfect order than it ever was before on earth.  This revelation is the rock on which Christ promised to build his church, and in this church, from its first rise, all those marvelous operations promised by prophetic revelation, have been continually fulfilling.

25. In this church, all the apostolic gifts have been revived, and the power of salvation from sin is attainable by every faithful soul. And for several years past this prophecy of Joel has been fulfilling in a marvelous manner, by a wonderful outpouring of the Divine Spirit from the Heavens, among these chosen people, attended with greater flowings of heavenly gifts than we have any account of in any age of the world, and thousands now among us are living witnesses of these things.

26. And it is further evident to the impartial observer, that this prophecy is also gradually fulfilling among the children of men, by a similar outpouring of the Spirit, and the movements of the spiritual elements, attended with these promised gifts to many. These are preparatory to the ushering in of the everlasting gospel of salvation.

27. But let all souls understand that God hath an established order in which he works by agents of his own appointment; and no soul can find the light and power of salvation without coming to this order. An evident example of this may be seen in the case of Saul of Tarsus, and Cornelius the centurion. For although the former was convicted by a supernatural vision of Christ; and the latter was directed by an angel where to send for a messenger of the word of salvation; yet both had to receive the gospel and be instructed in their duty by a living member of the visible church or body of Christ on earth.

28. Christ promised to give to his witnesses the keys of the kingdom of heaven. If so, then none could enter, unless the way could be opened by those keys through these witnesses: and this could not be done, unless the applicants would receive their testimony and obey their directions. If then, these keys are not restored to the church of this day, then salvation is not placed in Zion, according to the promise, for certainly they have been lost for ages, and none have been able to enter the work of the kingdom during this period.

29. But if they have been restored, then no soul can enter the kingdom except the way be opened by those witnesses of Christ whom he hath appointed to lead his people; and those who would enter, must enter by faith and obedience to the directions of those witnesses. All who faithfully do this, and thus prove these principles, will gain that light and power in their own souls, that they will have the witness in themselves, that this is the revelation of Christ, and that the work is truly of God.

30. Thus all who sincerely desire it, and are willing to sacrifice all to do the will of God, may obtain the revelation of the Divine Spirit, by which they will know that the work is of God, and will gain the final witness, even eternal life. But those who cannot open the door into the kingdom of Heaven for the true seeker, are not the true ministers of Christ, and by their want of this divine power, they are known to every true believer.

31. But where the true body of Christ is, there the honest seeker finds his promises verified: “He that receiveth whomsoever I send, receiveth me; and he that receiveth me, receiveth him that sent me.” Again, he promised that miraculous signs and gifts should follow them that believe; “In my name shall they cast out devils, they shall speak with new tongues,” etc. Shall we believe his words, or shall we believe those blind guides, that by their unbelief and unrighteous works, clearly prove that they do not possess the Spirit of God?  But faithful souls in this day, are witnesses that these promises are daily fulfilling.

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Appendix

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