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306 JOURNAL of DISCOURSES. Seem Strange, That the Devil 306 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. seem strange, that the devil should be him in the earth, a perfect and an up- permitted to move among the sons of right man, one that feareth God, and God, but nevertheless it was so. And the escheweth evil? and still he holdeth Lord conversed with him, asking him if fast his integrity, although thou movedst he had considered his servant Job, who me against him, to destroy him with- was a perfect man, etc. "O yes," Satan out cause. And Satan answered the remarked, "I know all about him; but al- Lord, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all low me to have a rap at him. Job does not that a man hath will he give for his fear God for nought. You have made a life. But put forth thine hand now, and hedge around him and fenced him in; un- touch his backbone and his flesh, and der those circumstances who would not he will curse thee to thy face. And the serve God? I would if you would serve Lord said unto Satan, Behold, he is in me so." "You may try him," says the Lord. thine hand; but save his life." Then Sa- The devil took his leave; and the next tan smote Job with boils, from the crown thing we hear of is a series of troubles of his head to the souls of his feet; and that befell this good man. We are told he set his friends upon him, and they that the Sabians and Chaldeans, as they accused him, and his enemies taunted do here sometimes, fell upon his oxen him, and finally his wife came along and camels and took them away, and when he was in this miserable condi- that they spared not the herdsmen, but tion, and said, "Dost thou still retain slew them with the edge of the sword. thine integrity? curse God, and die." But This report had no sooner been made to Job answered and said unto her, "Thou him when another followed, represent- speakest as one of the foolish women ing that fire had fallen from heaven and speaketh. What? shall we receive good destroyed his sheep and their herdsmen, at the hand of God, and shall we not re- save only the one who brought the in- ceive evil? The Lord gave, and the Lord telligence. And while he was speaking, hath taken away; blessed be the name we are told that another messenger ar- of the Lord." This was his feeling; and rived, informing his master, Job, that it is pleasant to feel that way after all— while his sons and daughters were feast- much better than the other way. He said ing in their elder brother's house, a great further: "Though he slay me, yet will wind from the wilderness blew up and I trust in him." And why? Because he smote the house until it fell, killing the had the everlasting gospel. What! Job young men. But withal, Job's integrity had the Gospel? Yes, to be sure he had. was not shaken. "Naked," said he, "came How do I know? Because the Gospel I unto the earth, and naked shall I re- brings life and immortality to light; and turn thither: the Lord gave, and the he had a knowledge of that. And hence Lord hath taken away; and blessed be he says, "For I know that my redeemer the name of the Lord." Again, there came liveth, and that he shall stand at the a day when the sons of God assembled latter day upon the earth: And though together before the Lord; and the devil after my skin worms destroy this body, also presented himself. And the Lord yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom said unto Satan, "Hast thou considered I shall see for myself, and mine eyes my servant Job, that there is none like shall behold, and not another; though.
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